#Liv will probably need to be a moderator between the two of them

[thepasteldreamers]

*thinking about possible Eight and Thirteen multi doctor story arcs again*

Oh my gosh if Molly and Dan met I think they’d get along and could possibly be friends.

I need a multi doctor story with Thirteen, Yaz, Eight, Liv, and Helen. I think they would have a cool dynamic.

Eight and Thirteen somehow have a companion swap where Eight works with Yaz and Dan while Thirteen has to work with Liv and Molly (there will be chaos especially between Molly and Thirteen)

[bngjwn]

hi yes i’m very late i know i’m Sorry  bUt pls enjoy this gif of yoongi being the cute baby he is because it’s gonna be rare for you to see jiwan like that hfjdgfdjk ANYWAYS hello !! my name is liv ( she/her ), i’m 19 and in the gmt-4 timezone, and i bring to you my son BANG JIWAN. now, he’s not the most sociable or outgoing guy out there, but he has his charms i promise. he’s been through a lot in his life and nowadays he’s just ,, dealing with things as they come his way lmao you can find his unfinished stats HERE and i don’t have a plots page just yet but i’m literally open to anything !! i might have one up in the future, though jkdjdshjs under the cut i’ve gathered some information about jiwan, so if you wanna plot with us just like this post and i’ll come bother you uwu let’s get to it !!

tw: mentions of alcohol & drugs, death, jail-related themes

┅ ☆ ★ ✮ ∟ ‖ min yoongi. 26. cismale. he/him. ‖— extinguishing cigarettes on snow , black tattoos on pale skin , feeling the wind against your face. 」did you hear that BANG JIWAN is planning on attending the next race ?! i won’t lie, i’m pretty excited to see their BLACK ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE in person. i know people say they’re really  SELF-RELIANT , DISCERNING & PHLEGMATIC , but don’t you think they come off way too UNFORESEEABLE  ,  BLASÉ & CONTUMACIOUS ? i hear they’re always blasting RENEGADE by STYX ? oh well, they’re a member of the HELLCATS so i guess i shouldn’t complain.

╭ ⌑ past.

jiwan was born in gwangju, south korea, and his childhood was what most people would consider nice. he had nice things -- nice clothes, a nice house, nice friends, nice opportunities... it was really a shame his parents weren’t just as nice

he was often put under pressure by his parents ( two successful business people ), who never really understood why their son was so closed off like that. he got very good grades at school, but he was always that shy kid no one talks to. he was that child the teacher always forgets is in their class, and that was okay. he liked being by himself; didn’t feel like he needed anyone else, even at such a young age

jiwan played by himself, studied by himself, went out by himself. he liked to sit alone in the park and just watch as people walked by. sometimes people thought he was weird, but he just enjoyed his own presence; always had, and that was a fact. maybe he indeed was a little weird, though

he tended to never initiate conversations with anyone, but would follow along with no issue if someone came up to talk to him. that’s the only reason why he was able to have a small circle of friends all through elementary and high school

things changed in high school, in which jiwan got involved with the wrong people and started doing things his parents definitely wouldn’t be proud of if they knew about it; they were only happy their son was finally socializing and being a normal teenager

well... not so normal, since his outings with his friends involved a lot of alcohol, drugs, getting his first tattoos ( in secret ) and irresponsible car rides on the outskirts of town. around that time, jiwan fell in love with the way the wind hit his face when he went shotgun in one of his friends’ cars or just drove himself, smiling brightly for what felt like the first time in his life, loving the adrenalin it gave him

in the middle of his third year in high school, his parents died in a plane crash while flying to an important business meeting in another country. jiwan suddenly found himself as an 19-year-old orphan with nothing on him besides his excessive quietness. he cried at their death and felt horrible for all of the bad things he’d ever thought about them ( and thankfully not said ), but he also felt angry in a way he’d never felt before

frustrated with the loss of his parents, he went out with his friends and drank his ass off, accidentally starting a club fight that got him into a lot of trouble

he actually ended up being dragged to the police station after that, being sentenced to a year in jail, completely unable to bail himself out because of his heritage money being frozen by the bank

needless to say, jiwan wasn’t happy at all to be going to jail right after his parents died. he had so much resentment inside himself, so much hatred but at the same time he went back to being the quiet guy he was before he got involved with the wrong crowd

somehow, no one messed with him during his time in jail. he was still only 19, but the way he portrayed himself to the outside public was something that made people feel intimidated, somehow. none of his “friends” from before the accident happened came to visit him while he was locked up, which he pretended not to care about, but deep inside, he felt a bit hurt

being in jail taught him that he really couldn’t trust anyone besides himself. if he was an individualist before, it got even stronger after he got out of jail a year later

it was tough to get his heritage money back, going through a lot of paperwork with the bank, but when he finally did get it back, he used most of it to buy himself a nice car and then ride off towards busan -- he had visited the city once before and felt immediately drawn to it

in busan, it wasn’t too tough to settle down, since he still had a bunch of money left, so he quickly found a small flat for himself, which contrasted a whole fucking lot with his fancy ass car, but, you know... priorities

he went back to being the quiet one among everyone else, getting random jobs here and there, riding on his car by himself and experiencing the happiness it gave him without anyone by his side -- it was literally the only thing keeping him alive. it was nice, he never really minded being by himself, and it was a big surprise when a group of guys approached him one day, telling him they had seen him riding just out of town and wanting to know if he’d like to join them to form a group of people who also raced. it was very out of the blue, but jiwan accepted. he had nothing to lose anyway ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

╭ ⌑ present.

jiwan is part of the original members of the hellcats, way back when the gang was just starting off, so he’s often seen as some kind of inspiration for people who have joined later on ( even if he himself doesn’t quite understand that )

he’s a full time racer, not having any other side jobs because it’s just too much effort and he really can’t be bothered to overwork himself for some cash he very obviously doesn’t need -- everything he earns goes straight to upgrading his car or just maintaining it in general

he’s a very good racer, has lost a few races in his lifetime, but never got super crazy over them like some people in his gang get

jiwan’s still living in the same fucked up flat he got when he moved to busan; he doesn’t think it’s necessary to buy something bigger

╭ ⌑ personality & extras.

he won’t tell anyone this, but his car’s name is actually kiki

jiwan doesn’t often talk about his feelings, since he tends to keep everything to himself, but if he trusts someone enough ( which is hard ), he’ll definitely have some deep conversations with them about anything and everything

he doesn’t have anything against anyone. he’s a peaceful guy. yes, he has some resentful feelings inside himself, but never lets it show. most of the time, he will appear calm and collected and like he doesn’t give a shit about what’s happening around him

he’s had some pretty bad things happen in his life and by now he doesn’t get impressed by too little; he’s become indifferent to most things

in the love department...... he doesn’t do very well. he mostly sleeps around and has casual flings or just friends with benefits and no strings attached at all, but when he falls in love with someone, he falls hard, and becomes someone else entirely, always trying to protect them and make them feel loved. it’s really a contrast to the person he usually appears to be

tbh, he’s only ever been in one serious relationship, which ended pretty badly, and even if he didn’t hold a grudge against his ex ( doyeon ), the fact that he still does to this day just sends him and he can’t help but bite back

that being said, he doesn’t initiate any fights, but if instigated, he will retaliate

btw he’s not very competitive so he’s really only in it for the racing part lmao it pisses him off sometimes when other people in his gang get really fucking mad when they lose a race. like. calm down greg it's soccer

doesn’t care about the rivalry between the kings and the hellcats. if you’re nice to him, he’ll be ( moderately ) nice to you. if you try to shoot him on the foot, he’ll do just the same to you

he actually has a black ragamuffin called bomi. in his most stressful days, he likes to go home and allow her to claim his lap as his favorite spot to sleep on. the image of him with his cat is probably the softest thing anyone’s ever going to see, so he tries to not show people that lmao

however DEEP deep inside ( really deep ) he’s just..... very soft. cares a lot about his friends and will do anything in his power to keep them safe and content. you just gotta earn his trust first

[theunexpectedhappened]

Chapter 96

So first of all thanks for all the likes and reblogs. I apologise for not posting earlier. I forgot about it due to personal reasons. I hope you’ll like this chapter though. 

The first part of our week back in London after our weekend in Windsor was quite a relaxing one, the meetings for our tour of Asia started, seeing what Harry and I would be interested in. I spend a day with Daphe, Natasha and Kate as the both of us needed to start in making decision of what we wanted to wear, our final decisions would be made when we had the full itinerary of both our tours. But for now we had to make decisions on designers and what we thought would be great.

 From there it would be decided afterwards. I’d had some meetings with some of my other 13 organisations I still had to announce I was their Patron off. they were planned for April and May.

But on the Friday Kate and I would be combining forces for two engagements. The first one was to open a new children’s play park in St. James park. People had been building on it for nearly six months now and it was ready for use. It was the first one in an entire group of new playparks. The old one’s in the city were up for renewal and moderation.

 “You ready?” Kate asked, getting into our place through the secret door between the two places. “yep.” I said, stepping down the last steps. “great.” She smiled. “you’re chipper today.” I pointed out with a smirk. “had a great start of the day.” She noted with a smirk. “lalalalala.” I said, covering my ears. “I do not need to know about your sexlife.” I said, holding up my hand as she laughed, throwing her head back.

 “I don’t need to know about yours, but yet so far we’ve walked in on you guys twice now.” She nodded her head, looking at me accusingly. “Why do you always have to walk in on the most inappropriate moments?” I asked, getting in the back of the car that would bring us there.

 “maybe you shouldn’t be doing it in the kitchen and in Harry’s office.” She accused, before both of us burst out laughing. After last years incident they’d walked in on us another time this year, just after new year and before we left on our tour.

 We’d been working pretty late in Harry’s office, reading over things when things had gotten pretty heated and they’d walked in on us. “Why is everybody walking in on us, anyway?” I asked, getting my laughter under control.  

 “maybe you should stop having sex in the places you’re having it.” Kate pointed out, not even bothered that Christophe and Kenneth were sitting on the front seat, I motioned my head at them and she just shrugged her shoulders. “unbelievable.” I whispered under my breath. “and by the way when Autumn and Pippa walked in on us we were doing it in my bed. Unless that’s an inappropriate place as well?” I questioned, looking at her.

 “No, that’s their sense of interruption.” She nodded her head. “can we please stop talking about our sex lives in front of them?” I asked, horrified we’d been talking about like it was another random thing.

 “I’m sure they have it as well.” She shrugged off, mischief written all over her face. “God, how am I going to survive this day?” I asked out loud amused. I quite liked this side of Kate, not many people got to see it and I was glad I got to see it.

 “have the pictures been released? “I asked her, I knew she’d be posting them on the website of us and on Twitter and Instagram. “yep, just before I came to yours. Jason would put them on our website.” She told me.

 “mmm. So you don’t know what they’re saying about it?” I asked, “no and since when do you care?” she asked with a chuckle, normally it would be kate worrying about these things, but then the shoot had been a lot of fun for us, some casual and private moments, but fun non the less.

 When we arrived at the playground, we arrived to the cheering and singing of the kids.  

 ***  

 “Merida, are you ready?” Harry came in my walk in closet, dressed in casual jeans and shirt. “Yea, just need to put in my earrings.” I told him, looking at him in the mirror. “Gabby and Rebecca are getting impatient.” He chuckled, resting his hands on my shoulders.

 “mmm, don’t really care.” I chuckled, looking up at him. “well maybe we could let them wait a bit longer.” He suggested, biting his lip, his one hand on my shoulder moving down towards my cleavage.

 “as much as I’d want that. I don’t think it’s a good idea.” I told him, looking at him, through the mirror. “ooh come on.” He said, winking at me, his hand slipping inside my dress. “Harry.” I warned leaning my head back.

 “Ooh come on you want this.” He whispered, leaning down to kiss my lips, whilst his hand grasped my breast. “Liv we need to leave.” I heard Gabby yell from our bedroom. Harry’s hand slipped out of my dress quickly, leaving me with a want for his touch.

 “we’ve been sneaked upon enough.” He chuckled. “I’ll see you downstairs.” He whispered, kissing the side of my cheek. “god how I want to take him back.” I whispered at myself. Maybe I could.’ I thought to myself. When I walked into our bedroom I was happy to see no one was there. Sneaking in Harry’s closet I took three of his ties and put them on his pillow. Scribbling down a quick note putting it on top of that. ‘Maybe I could tease you a bit later.’

 He’d probably wait on me to go to bed, but I’d send him a text to go to our room or something.

 Going down the stairs quickly, we were already running late, I saw Kate in her evening gown. “sorry.” I muttered, trying to hide a chuckle as we made our way to the Jaguar.

 ***

 “You’re Royal Highnesses.” The director of the museum and Vanity fair greeted us outside.

“we’re delighted to welcome the both of you here;” the director said, shaking our hands. “We’re delighted to be here.” Kate and I said.

 We were led inside to see all the pictures going in the special edition of Vanity fair. “I think the pictures worked out amazingly.” Russell said as we were standing in front of the 18 pictures of us, it truly had been an amazing day and the results were fantastic.

 “they did. We’re very happy with them.” I smiled at Russell as Kate agreed with me. We toured around the museum, watching all the photograph taking for this edition of Vanity fair.

 We spend the evening talking with people part of the edition as well, having dinner in the halls of National gallery. It was fun to have Kate by my side for once, it was her first visit since George had been in the hospital.

 ***

em*

 “you sure about this?” I smirked, straddling Harry holding up the ties between my hands. “Yes, if you are. I trust you Merida.” Harry said, sitting up and clasping my face between his hands, rubbing his thumbs back and forth. “I trust you with my life.” He whispered, resting our heads together as he looked into my eyes.

 “Okay.” I whispered, closing the gap between our lips. “I love you.” I whispered, caressing his cheek with the knuckles of my hand. “I love you to Merida” he whispered, pecking my lips before he leaned back. I wrapped his ties around both his wrist and securing them, before wrapping the other tie around his eyes. “you okay?” I asked, leaning forward so I was nearly touching his lips. “yea.” He breathed out, his breath warming my face.

 closing the small gap between our lips, I nudged his lips open with my tongue, he kissed back like he always had, no matter him being tied up to our bed and being blind folded. I broke away from his lips, letting my hair fall on him intentionally as I started kissing my way to this side of his neck.

 My lips turned up when I heard and felt him pulling on the ties. “you’ve got me, merida.” He groaned, making me chuckle softly. “all for myself.” I smirked, sitting up, trailing my finger from his collarbone to his chest across both his nipples, I felt him get harder underneath me as I continued my trail down to his navel and to where our bodies touch, pushing down on his hard manhood, making him groan out as I ran my nail back up again.

 “Merida.” He warned, his voice thick with desire, want and need. “yes.” I answered, innocently, rubbing my crotch against him again. “I think we need to get rid of these.” I smirked, pulling on the fabric of his boxer.

 “Yea,” he breathed out. Throwing my leg over him, I hooked my fingers in the band of his boxers, he lifted his hips for me to pull them down. But instead of crawling back over him, I started kissing my way down from his collarbone down his stomach, avoiding his hard and twitching cock, my hair was the only touching his member as I kissed my way down his leg, when I reached his shin, I began making my way up his other leg.

 Looking up I could see the strain on the ties. His twitching member and his hips softly moving from side to side. “Merida?” he said in a strained voice, apparently I was succeeding in my cause, driving him mad with teasing;

 “yea.” I whispered, reaching his tie, he moaned as my hair trailed over his member. “please.” He begged, trying to look down at me. “You want me to untie you?” I asked, I knew if the roles were reversed he’d go out of his way to make sure I was still okay, whilst still being playful. He was always aware that my past was what it was and he needed to be mindful of it and I loved him all the more for it.

 “No, just stop the teasing, please.” He begged, trashing his hips from side to side. “where would the fun in that be?” I teased, blowing on his member, making him groan out and twitch.

 Deciding to show him some mercy, a little I started drawing patterns around his twitching member, closer each time. I hadn’t done it that many times, but I tried to give him back what he did to me from time to time so as I reached down, I took him in my hand and put him in my mouth. “ooh fuck.” I heard him groan as I felt his body react. “don’t stop.” He begged as I continued my torture, until he was nearly there, his muscles starting to tighten.

 “no, please.” He begged when I pulled away and from the bed. Removing my own panties I got back on the bed and lifted my leg over him, placing him at my entrance and sitting down, groaning out as he filled me up, both of us were groaning as I sank down. Taking a moment to adjust to how deep he was. “Merida.” He whispered. “yea.” I said, hearing how heavy my own voice was.

 He bucked his hips, trying to get some movement, but I pushed myself down to stop him from moving, squeezing him from inside of me, making him throw his head back and groan out.

 I started moving up and down, his hips pushing up into me, going so deep as he pushed into me. Both of us panting and moaning at the feeling being created, resting my hands by the side of his head.

 “Liv.” He yelled out as I felt his body stiffen and I knew he was there. “cum, love.” I whispered in his ear as I sat down on him, feeling him push as deep as he could into me, sitting back, I was sure he’d never been this deep. He yelled out as he came, I think half Kensington had heard, his back arching, pushing into me still as I sat back, leaning back a little.

 He came down panting like crazy, his restraints stretched, sweat covering his body as I saw him trying to catch his breath. “You okay?” I asked, leaning forward, my fingers caressing the side of his face on either side. He nodded his head still trying to catch his breath as I kissed the side of his neck, before reaching for the knot behind his head, still inside me. “hey.” I smiled, when his eyes fluttered, I was almost knocked over when I saw the look in his eyes. Love, care, passion, desire and need all in his dilated eyes, the blue had almost disappeared. “you’re amazing.” He whispered, still panting softly.

 With a smile I reached a bit forward so I could untie his hands, but what I hadn’t counted on was him whispering stay, before taking my nipple in his mouth sucking hard on it, as I felt everything go back down to the place where we were still connected. I managed to untie his hands whilst he sucked my nipple.

 “I still need to take care of you.” he pointed out when I pulled back, looking in his eyes. “no, this was all about you.” I whispered, carrasing both sides of his face. “no.” he shook his head as he turned us around in one swift movement, still connected. He hadn’t softened one bit as he pushed into me, pushing me higher up the bed and making me wrap my legs around him. “Harry” I moaned as he pushed into me, wrapped up in his arm, his hot breath in my neck.

 “come for me, merida.” He whispered, nipping the side of my neck as he pushed me firther up the bed. He reached between our bodies, rubbing my clit, whilst he nipped the side of my neck and shoulders. “harry.” I yelled out, arching my back as he collapsed on top of me cumming again.

 When we both came back from our high, both panting and covered in sweat, his head still in the crook of my neck. “are you okay, merida?” he asked, pulling away and resting our heads together. “yea, more than okay. That was.” I shook my head, not finding the words;

 “I know.” He smiled, kissing my lips, before slipping out of me, “I love you.” he whispered in my ear as he pulled me against his side, snuggling together after a very intense love making session.  

 EM*

***  

 the last days of March and first days of April it was quite relaxed in comparison to how crazy the last few weeks had been. Sure I had a couple of engagements, but not as many as I’d had in March.

 The photographs had been wildly accepted and applauded and the rumours that things between Kate and I were forced and fake disappeared along with them. everybody could see how much we cared for each other in the pictures and loved each other as sisters.

 Everyone had their own favourite picture for their own reason, I loved them all to be honest and they were hanging in a multiple photo frame in our living room. I liked every picture cause it reminded me of the day. But the picture of me and kate in evening gowns and tiara’s whilst painting the tree house on a small step was by far the most funniest, Harry was in there covered in specks of paint along with George and Nathan covered in paint and then there was us all dress up.

 The picture of Kate and I trying to bow to each other had just been hilarious as well, both our eyes sparkling, there wasn’t a picture that didn’t have a special place in my heart. And the people loved every one as well.

 The dinner with Madeline and Chris had been pushed ahead, normally we had planned to have dinner on the day I left for Ireland but the speedy things had made it push ahead and we’d done that four days ago. I was glad to catch up with them. Madeline really was a sweet person, no matter how people said she was a bitch and angry women.

 She wasn’t at all. She was very sweet and protective of her family. She had the same problem as Kate and Will had, trying to keep the press out of their private lives, they’d succeeded a bit by having a Facebook page and posting private moments from time to time and that night Harry and I had agreed to do the same starting from now on. If we could strike a deal with the media to really leave us be in peace when we wanted to retreat in privacy.

 We’d succeeded and the four of us, even Kate and will had agreed had made our own page on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, only to be controlled by us and post pictures we wanted.

 In five days’ time it was my 26th birthday and I feared what Daphne, Autumn, Jens and Mia had planned. ‘it’s a surprise” I would always get, harry was in the complot and I hated it. from there it was only a couple more days for our climate expedition, so we still had a couple of busy days on our sleeve.

 But tonight it was time to be with friends again. Mia, Glen, Harry and I were going out to dinner, before heading to the Andre Rieu concert. “Merida, Glen and Mia are here.” Harry yelled up the stairs, I’d done another engagement today announcing my patronage of Victim support, an organisation helping people having witnessed traumatizing situations.

 So I was running a bit late, only having arrived back an hour ago and then I’d had to go to the office first. Picking my blazer from the back of the chair, I walked out of the room and down the stairs.

 “Sorry.” I apologized walking in to the living room; “there always one late comer.” Mia teased. “yea, yea;” I muttered under my breath. “are we leaving for the restaurant or drinking something first?” I asked, looking between the three of them. “We’ll drink something at the restaurant.” Harry said, kissing my lips. “alright then.” I agreed as we left our place. Me getting behind the driving wheel as we drove to the Indian restaurant near Wembley.

 “You know everyone at school has been talking about your pictures.” Mia pointed out as we sat down in a secluded corner. “They’re just pictures.” I shrugged my shoulders. “everyone’s in love with them and you know, ever since they were published.” Harry pointed out with a nudge of my shoulder.

 “we had a lot of fun making them.” I agreed, smiling as I thought about that day. “I like the one where you’re helping paint the tree house.” Glen laughed. “Yea, I think that’s a lot of people’s favourite.” I agreed with a fond smile, remembering that moment.

 “classical you.” Mia pointed out. “why?” I asked with a chuckle. “all dressed up, but still needing to get into a mess.” Mia explained. “blame the kids.” I accused, “they asked us to help, you should have seen the dresses afterwards.” I told her.

 “true.” Harry agreed. “thanks.” I smiled at him. “so you looking forward to the expedition in two weeks?” Glen asked. “yea, very much. Wish it was there already. It will be fun” I said, excited about it all.

 “have you talked with the three others?” Mia asked. “yea, all the time, we call and text regularly.” I told her.

 In the restaurant it was good to catch up again, it had been a few weeks since we’d had some catching up time. We laughed, talked and made fun of each other as we were in the restaurant.

 Mia and I walked out of the restaurant arm in arm, laughing about something Harry had said. “they’re ganging up on us again.” Harry warned behind us. “we’re not.” Mia and I said in unison.

 “they’re just scared.” I whispered to Mia as we walked up to the car of us. we got in the cars and I drove to the arena. “Glen, you know where the back entrance is?” I asked, I had been instructed to ride there, so we wouldn’t have to go through the crowds. “continue riding and the last gate you have to go through.” Glen instructed from behind me.

 I followed his instructions as the security guy let us through and we parked underneath the arena. “why is that when I travel with the three of you I feel like going to war?” Mia asked, looking at the three of us with a serious look on her face. “Not with me, only when we’re on tour and then it’s even less;” Glen tried to save his skin and he was right they had a security guy sure, but with us it was extreme.

 “Don’t look at me;” I said, holding my hands up and pulling the key out of the ignition and opening my door and getting out. We were led upstairs to our box from where we’d be looking at the concert.  

 It had been pretty fun and all four of us enjoyed the night. Even Harry although he didn’t want to admit it had been smiling and clapping along when the moment arrived.

 ***

 “Your Royal Highnesses. It’s nice to meet you.” André bowed in front of us as we were led into the backstage area where all his musicians and crew was. “Please call us Liv and Harry.” Harry said, waving his hand as to say forget about the titles.

 “These are our friends Glen and Mia.” I said, motioning to them standing beside me. “I’ve heard lots about you.” André said, shaking Glen’s hand. “yea, so have I, it’s great to finally meet you.” he replied as we continued making our way through the room. Them not to far behind us.

 we stayed for over an hour, meeting all of them, before being led back to our cars. “You guys want me to drop you off at your place, you could come collect the car in the morning?” I asked, looking at them through the rear view mirror, not that I could see them in the dark.

 “Yea, that be nice.” Glen replied as I could see in the dark that he wrapped his arm around Mia as she nearly fell asleep in his arms and it made me smile, despite their low point in their relationship in the last month, they were coming back to being themselves again and it was great to see them so happy again.

  “you guys want us to come at noon to pick up the car?” Glen asked when we were parked in front of the lobby on the U driveway of my old apartment, Glen and Mia were out of the car, looking at me through the window.

 “Whenever you want guys. There’s no hurry.” I told them. “aren’t you going to honiley?” Mia asked. “no, we’re staying here this weekend.” I told them. “okay. You’ll see when we come and pick up the car.” Glen smiled, before they turned around and left in the lobby.

 “now, we’re going home.” I smiled at Harry, driving down the driveway. “mmm.” He smiled, kissing the back of my hand from the one he was holding. “did you enjoy yourself tonight?” I asked, taking my eyes of the road for a split second. “yea,” he admitted sheepishly. “It was actually kind of fun.” He tried not to smile, but failed at it.

 “and he played the song.” He pointed out, looking at me. “he did, maybe we should ask gran if he could play it at the dinner.” I suggested. “I’ll suggest it.” he smiled. The drive home wasn’t long, only taking about 5 minutes before we drove through the gates of KP.

 ***

 “Nathan are you listening to me?” I asked, pulling on his arm. Today was the day that we were taking George and Nathan to The Chronicles of Narnia exhibit and the movie premiere. But the day had started off great. The two of them had a sleepover last night, something so usual by now, that no one even thought about it anymore and the two of them had gotten up mischief written all over them.

 Kate was in the other room warning George to behave, it would be his very first ‘engagement’ except for his balcony appearance. “yezzzzz, Liv.” He dragged out. “I mean it Nathan. No sassy altitude, listening to us and no running off.” I warned, my finger wriggling in front of him.

 “Yes Liv.” He replied. “you better or you’re not going to the premiere tonight.” I said, hoping it would have some effect and it did at least here. “no, I’ll behave, I want to see the movie.” He immediately yelled out.

“well you know what to do then, behave and listen or no movie.” I told him, just as Kate entered the room with a calmed down George. “let me guess, behave or no movie?” I whispered when she walked up to me. “exactly.” She nodded her head with a chuckle.

 “let’s hope it has its effect.” I noted. “come on boys, we’re leaving.” Kate yelled when Gabby and Rebecca came in the room. We got in the cars, me getting in the passenger’s seat, Kate was sitting in the backseat with Nathan and George.

 “you know the deal boys.” I said, turning in my seat, looking at the both of them. “Yes aunty liv. Yes Liv” I heard in reply and I smirked at Kate, maybe our threat would work after all.

 I rounded the car and met up with Kate as she was still waiting for the two rascals to get out of the car. “come on.” I nodded my head for them to walk in front of us. “Your Royal Highnesses.” The director of the exhibit greeted us after having shook the two boy’s hands.

 “we’re very happy to welcome you at the exhibit.” He added, shaking my hand, last in line. “the pleasure is all ours.” I smiled as he motioned for us to go inside, where the cast of the last three movies were waiting to greet us, they would be at the premiere tonight as well.  

 “oh my god it’s peter.” George nudged Nathan’s side. “we love you.” they both admitted in a hushed whisper as they stood in front of him. Making Kate and I smile at each other. “we’re very happy to welcome you into Narnia.” He said to them, looking up at us. “we can’t wait to see it.” they both yelled out to everyone’s amusement. “Mom and aunty liv read us all the time.” George told them.

 “is that so?” the actress playing Susan said. “that’s very nice of them.” she added.

 “yea, Will and Harry do as well, but Kate and Liv are the best at it.” Nathan complimented, looking up at us. Kate and I shaking our heads at them with amusement. Two little girls handed us a small bouquet as the actors playing Peter and Edmund handed George and Nathan a sword similar to theirs in the movie.

 “oh boy.” I muttered, Kate laughing as she probably imagined what damage they could do both here and at home with those things. the two of them definitely made sure the entertainment was provided when they saw the closet they had to go and see of it it led to Narnia and this closet did lead out to the lamp post. Laughter had filled the room when they discovered the snowy landscape and lamp post. “Look Nathan we’re in Narnia.” George announced full of amazement and awe. “I know, that’s so cool.” Nathan smiled.

 “we’ll be hearing about this for days and weeks to come.” I announced, looking at them as they had their fun discovering every bit.  “I can imagine.” The actors agreed.

 We were talking to some of the actors when we heard the clashing of their swords. Kate and I immediately excused ourselves, walking in a quick pace to the source of noise. “Nathan.” I said, not raising my voice, but he’d know the tone all too well. Kate doing the same with George.  

 “what did we say?” I asked, looking between the both of them. “to behave.” They replied, looking down. “come on, you can play at home with them.” I said, holding out my hand for them to hand the swords to me.  

 “can’t we keep them; we won’t do it again.” George tried. I only had to raise my eyebrow at them and tilt my head a little bit for them to hand it over in a split second.

 I took them in my hand and Kate took over, motioning her hand for them to go in the direction of where we came. The two of us looked at each other with an amused smile, we should have know and taken them away earlier. But we also knew they were boy, spending their time in ‘Narnia’

 “it was such a pleasure to be shown around by you guys.” I said, as we were about to leave the exhibit. “it was our pleasure to welcome Your Royal Highnesses.” They said. With the swords still in my hand Kate took George one way of the crowd, while I pulled Nathan along with me to shake and greet some of the people, he wasn’t a royal but I could hardly let him stand there on his own, he was little brother and apparently the people didn’t mind as they shook his hand very enthusiastically as he mimicked my actions.

 “come on Nate, we have to go.” I said, holding out my free hand as we walked to the car, Kate took the swords in the backseat with her. “are we still going to the premiere?” George asked, looking between Kate and I.

 I looked at Kate to reply. “Yes, but you’ll have to listen. Not like this afternoon.” She said, we weren’t angry at them, it was typically them. but that didn’t mean we shouldn’t have scolded them about it.

 ***

 “You ready Merida?” Harry asked, standing behind me as I was pulling on my dress for the premiere. “Yea, will you zip me up?” I asked, looking over my shoulder. “Of course.” He smiled, kissing the crook of my neck, the hair on my body standing on end, just by the contact. “Harry, we can’t.” I said, tilting my head to the side to give him more access, I couldn’t help but respond to him. “then why does you body tell me to continue?” he asked, his hands running up and down my sides. “You know why.” I muttered, getting turned on by his touch.

 "Harry, we really can’t. Unless we want someone to walk in on us again and we’re going to be late.” I told him, finding the courage to pull away from his touch. “Will you zip me up?” I asked, hoping he’d just zip me up, without any other intentions as much as I wanted it. “You’re no fun.” He teased, pulling up my zipper.

 “just think that when we come home, we’ll be looking forward to it all the more.” I told him with a chuckle. “are we getting the ties out again?” he asked, grabbing my waist with his hands and pulling me against his front.

 “if that’s what you want.” I chuckled, turning around in his arms and wrapping my arms around his neck. “maybe.” He smirked, kissing my lips. “come on, we should probably go downstairs and leave.” Harry said, taking my hand and pulling me with him and downstairs.

 “that colour looks great on you.” Will said, motioning to his lips, looking at Harry I noticed that my lip-gloss was on his lips as well, it was a bit more of a noticeable colour than usual. “we don’t need to ask what they were up to again.” Liz teased, which earned her with a slap on her arm.

 “shut up.” I muttered. “have fun.” She laughed as we made our way out and to the two Jaguars, the one of the Cambridge’s and ours. Nathan was squashed between me and Harry as we left KP and drove to the Royal Albert Hall.

 “you know the deal?” I said one last time, when I realised we’d be arriving shortly. “yes.” He muttered. “mm.” I mumbled, hoping he did, Harry was smiling at me over his head. “You know the deal?” I smirked, referring to our moment in my wardrobe.

 “ooh, most definitely” he nodded his head with smirk on his face. “you better behave as well then.” I teased with an equal smirk. “I will, Merida. I want to get my present for behaving later.” He stated, making me roll my eyes.

 I was surprised to see how many people had showed up for the premiere. Jim parked behind the Cambridge’s car as Liam opened my door. “thanks.” I whispered with a smile, it had become a sort of ritual whenever one of my three RPO’s would open the door I’d always thank them out of respect.

 A mutual respect we had for each other build from now each other almost a year now, from growing close over that year, to me they weren’t just the people providing my safety I considered them my friend and I hoped they did the same.

 The director of the movie and several other people greeted us below at the stairs, smiling at George and Nathan dressed in their mini tuxes. It was pretty cute to see them walking around in them. “come on guys.” I heard Kate say as we started walking up the stairs. They were the lasts to start walking up the stair, but were the first ones to arrive up the stairs. The four of us having a chuckle as George’s RPO Jake ran after him.

 We walked down the line of actors, more than the one’s we’d seen this afternoon. Some of them I’d met at the awards ceremonies in Los Angeles and greeted me with a fond and remembering smile.  

 After greeting every one of them we were shown to the room where we’d see the movie, the four of us chuckled when the two of them settled down as quickly as possible, their popcorn on their laps, ready to see the movie.

 ***

 “that was awesome.” Nathan said as we got back in the cars.” Yea, did you like it?” Harry asked looking down at Nathan. “Duh.” Nathan sassed; “of course, did you not see the movie?” he asked, filled with sass. “Nathan.” I scolded.

 “Of course I did, I was sitting next to you. I thought it was pretty cool” Harry smiled, high fiving him. “I loved it, when can we see the movie again?” he asked, looking up at me. “not in a little while, we have to wait until the movie comes out.” I told him.

 “that sucks.” He said, crossing his arms, both harry and I had to contain our amusement. When we got home I put Nathan in bed, still dressed in my evening gown, but for once he was to tired to ask for a story. The hyper mode of today getting to him. Falling asleep as his head hit the pillow.

 And when I got into our room Harry immediately swept me up in his arms, claiming his present for his good behaviour as he put it.

  ***

 “you sure you don’t want me to come?” Harry asked, wrapping his arms around me. “I’ll be fine Harry. It’s just the thirteen of us.” I assured him, caressing his cheek with the knuckles of my fingers.

 “I know, but...” he ended. “we just need this. Just the thirteen of us who were there.” I explained. “okay, just know that I’m here if you need me.” He smiled, wrapping his arms a bit tighter around me. “I know.” I smiled up at him, wrapping my arms around him.

 “Liv are you ready?” Liz yelled out from somewhere in our place as we stood in our living room. “yea.” I yelled back, turning my head back. “we have to leave. I’ll be back soon.” I promised, kissing his lips a bit more then I normally would have. but I know tonight would weigh a bit more on me than any other dinner.

 The thirteen of us who’d been there in Africa were meeting up for dinner. We’d done it a couple of times since it happened, and always and still they would look up to me like I had all the answers. Everyone had and was still dealing with it their own way.

 I still had the nightmares from time to time, lesser then when I had just returned. They were still there, once every two months I’d still meet with the psychologist who’d helped me through my downfall. Like he’d put it, PTSD is a lifelong mental disease, you’ll never forget what happened there. You’ll have good periods and bad days. There’ll always be things triggering another downfall.

 He was right. From time to time I’d still have a bad day. There were still things that reminded me of that faithful day. Some smells would remind of being locked in that house and being on my knees at gunpoint. Certain sounds would still make me flinch and think back to it.

  It would always be imprinted on me, no matter how much I wanted to forget it all, both Africa and my abusive past at the hands of my father. Ryan, the army doctor who’d helped us through it and a good friend of us by now would be there as well. He’d seen it first hand and had been my doctor since the start and through the process.

 He was a person I considered my friend and still a person I turned to for medical advice.

  "see you tonight, Merida." Harry whispered, kissing my lips, breaking away just when Liz entered. “ever heard of knocking?” I asked, turning to face her. “no, didn’t learn that.” She replied, with a sigh I faced a smirking Harry. “Don’t encourage her.” I slapped his arm softly. “I would never” he smiled, kissing my lips one last time before letting me go. “Have fun with the guys.” I said, walking over to my sister.

 Harry was going to go and play football with our male friends, apparently this was becoming a tradition as well, Jens, Danny, Glen and Mark would be joining them as well apparently. Maybe I should be happy he had his evening planned when Steven had asked to meet up again.

 “you’ll be okay seeing Michael again?” I asked my sister driving out of KP’s gates. “I’ll be fine. We’re both adults.” She noted. “and it’s not like we haven’t seen each other since then.” She added, looking at me.

 “I know, I just wanted to make sure.” I told her, taking my eyes of the road for a split second.  

 ***  

 we’d been sitting in the restaurant of to the side for nearly two hours when Steven approached the subject for which he had really asked us together. And once again all eyes turned to me for the first answer. ‘why do they always look at me’ I thought to myself, but I guess it did make sense to make sure I wanted that. I was a public figure now a member of the Royal Family.

 “I’ve learned a long time ago Steven that everyone handles trauma and events like this in their own way. We’re here with thirteen people and I’m sure we’re all handling it different. If this helps you I’m okay with it. write the book or continue the book. I trust you to tell the things how they went and from how you saw it, but don’t take it wrongly when I say that I don’t want to read it” I explained carefully, looking at him wanting to make sure he wasn’t offended by what I was telling him.

 “yet,” I added. “there’ll maybe come a day when I’m ready to read it, but it’s just to fresh and the wound hasn’t been healed yet for me.” I explained, when I saw several people around the table nod their head. It turned out everyone was alright with him writing a book and it being published.

 “but what about the profit, sure I always wanted to write books, but this is about what happened to all of us. shouldn’t I share the profit of that book.” He explained, I’d learned back in Africa that he wanted to become a writer, so I guess I shouldn’t have been to surprise about it when he approached the subject to write it in a book as a healing process.

 “I don’t want it. you can keep that for yourself.” I was the first one to say. In the end some agreed to accept the share of the profit while the others didn’t. “it doesn’t seem fair though.” Steven said. “if it makes you feel any better, give it to an organisation helping people in similar situations.” I suggested and those who didn’t want the share, agreed to give it to an organisation, so other people could be helped.

 But who knew as far as we knew it wouldn’t be a success. Or maybe it would. None would be able to predict what the book would do.

 ***

 “and you’re okay with that?” Harry asked, rubbing the fingertips up and down my spine. When I came home from the restaurant I’d needed to be close to him, I know that a bad day was coming, it was great to see them again and see them all recovering. But like I’d told them, the wound wasn’t closed and meeting up with all of them and discussing it all again had been like tearing the wound open and pouring salt in it.

 so when I’d come home I’d wanted to be as close to harry as I could possibly be, in the most intimate way possible. I’d barely said anything to Harry since coming home, but he’d understood what I needed the most and given it in the sweetest way that he could.

 “I know everyone deals with it in their own way, I guess I just didn’t expect for anyone to write a book about it” I admitted. “I know merida.” Harry whispered in my hair, kissing the top of my head.

 “but it happens quite a lot.” He started. “how many books have been written as part of that recovering process.” He explained, his hands continuing its way up and down my spine. “I know that and I guess I should have seen it coming, he wanted to become a writer after all.” I admitted, drawing a pattern on his chest as I listened to his heartbeat beneath my ear.

 “so everyone agreed to let it be published?” he asked. “yea, we did. Some will accept the profit of the book, the others agreed to let the money go to an organisation for people with PTSD, I mean from the thirteen, 11 have been diagnosed with PTSD.” I explained, and harry knew all to well what it meant to get that diagnosed with that. I wasn’t the only one who’d sometimes wake up from night terrors.

 Two tours in Afghanistan had left its mark on Harry as well. “that’s great love, they’ll be able to use the money.” I felt him smile against my head. “I know.” I agreed, snuggling closer into his body.

 “thirteen.” I snorted. “talking about an unlucky number.” I stated with disgust. “I know merida.” He said. “none could have known that would have happened?” he told me, now his full hand running up and down my back.

 And then I thought about the one thing that hadn’t been discussed tonight, it had been on other dinners. Shortly, I’d been trying not to think about it all night, trying to push to the back of my head, but laying in Harry’s arms after making love and discussing that horrible day, I felt the tears coming to my eyes.

 Trying to mask, but to no avail. Harry knew me to good and the sobs building up in my throat had to come out as I thought about that day, the smell of the burning flesh, the screaming people, the warm air as they burned everything, the beatings I’d received, the guys being shot in front of me as I hung on the tree after being beaten.

 The two couples being shot in front of us as we sat on our knees, guns to the back of our head, the kids screaming as their parents were shot in front of them, the gunshots when the army arrived and I got shot running to bring the kids back to safety, their crying while we were trying to hide ourselves, seeing the team I’d led over Africa break down, being broken in front of me cause I’d failed to protect them and then the miscarriage I’d learned about at the hospital.

 “Merida?” Harry asked, the sob leaving my throat by hearing his caring and sweet voice. “ooh Merida.” He whispered, sitting up and pulling me in his lap trying to comfort me as I sobbed my heart out.

 “I failed them all.” I said through sobs. “no you didn’t, hadn’t you done what you did, some of them might not have come home.” Harry tried to assure me. “that doesn’t matter, none of us came home the same.” I objected, trying to catch my breath.

 “Merida, take a deep breath.” Harry tried to get me back as I started hyperventilating through sobs. “Liv, please.” Harry begged, I could hear him in the back, but I couldn’t come back as my mind flashed with images of that day. “Olivia, listen to me.” I heard him say over and over again.

 “I’m calling the doctor.” I heard him say and felt him reach. I heard him speak on the phone as I tried to get back my breathing, I’d managed to get some deep breaths. But I was still crying so much, not hearing anything going on around me. I didn’t even notice Harry getting out of bed and pulling on clothes, helping me in a shirt of him and underwear.

 All whilst he tried to get me back from breaking down and trying to calm me down.  

So that was the chapter. I hope you liked it. let me know what you think. 

Liz playyard 

Liz at party for pictures. 

Liz at exhibition 

Liz at premiere 

[dreamspeardreams]

Special NXT Recap 25/01/17

NXT is probably my favourite show that WWE produces, I like that it’s only an hour long, we get to see stars being built, and knowing who they are before their debut on the main roster makes the debut so much more satisfying. So here’s a one-off recap of the go-home NXT before the Royal Rumble 2017.

Ember Moon(w) vs. Liv Morgan Liv Morgan challenged Ember Moon to a match last week, so this week we get that match to make Ember moon look strong going into TakeOver. Liv Morgan gets off some good offense in this match, she’s developing pretty well and although she needs new entrance music, I could see her challenging for the title by the end of the year, assuming Asuka gets called up soon. Ember Moon takes the victory with her ‘Eclipse’, which always looks incredible. The two shake hands after the match, and though Liv lost, she looked strong.

Next is a backstge interview with Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas, who is absolutely great as a heel (I am the only superstar), where he’s interrupted by and subsequently beats down on Roderick Strong ahead of their TakeOver match. 

There’s a preview for the upcoming tag-team title match between #DIY and the undefeated Authors of Pain. It’s a pretty decent video package, with Paul Ellering dramatically holding a book, and I’m more hyped for the match than I was before so it did it’s job.

No Way Jose(w) vs. Kona Reeves Last week Kona Reeves challenged No Way Jose in a backstage segment. I love No Way Jose, and Kona Reeves has a great look to him. Kona Reeves and Jose both start dancing in the ring at one point, which is fun, but Kona ruins it by attack Jose. Kona stands on Jose’s back at one point, pretending to surf. Kona grabs Jose’s arm in a hold and starts scratching his belly, which is something I’ve never seen before, and it makes Kona look very resourceful. Jose wins with a pop-up punch, but Kona Reeves looked great in this and it was a fun match to watch. Afterwards Jose is about to be interviewed before the Drifter interrupts to start singing. Jose says Samson’s song and singing sucks, and honestly I don’t think Elias Samson is ever going to have trouble playing a hell, right now he’s in a bad spot to play face, but he can play the easiest heel ever; everybody hates that guy who pulls out a guitar at a party.

Chris Atkins vs. Eric Young(w) This is the first time I’ve seen Chris Atkins, but I like his look, he seems like a very big man, and he has an endearing smile. Eric Young is fantastic, not much more needs to be said. His promo when he interrupted Samoa Joe for his ‘debut’ is fantastic in every way. Sanity of course now includes Damo or Killian Dane (Decent name, Killian is good, Dane not so much), which just increases to the dynamic of Eric Young vs. Tye Dillinger at TakeOver. I love Eric Young’s raggedy tights, with regular tights underneath. Eric Young picks up a quick win, as Chris Atkins is distracted by Sanity on the outside. Eric Young calls out Tye Dillinger for making the wrong choice, Killian Dane attack a prone Chris Atkins with a running splash and Nikki Cross hugs him as he gets back up, which is great. Nikki Cross’ character is so strong.

There’s a recap of last week where TM61 beat The Revival, before the Revival attacked Shane Thorne, who it turns out will be out for 6-9 months, which sucks, as these guys are coming along really well.

There’s a hype package for Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Bobby Roode at TakeOver. This is a pretty good promo, both guys are absolutely fantastic in the ring, on the mic and have great packaging, I can’t wait for this match.

Next is a Fatal 4 Way face off, where Nikki Cross, Asuka, Peyton Royce and Billie Kay will all be in the ring at the same time. Regal is already in the ring to try and moderate things, but I’m sure he won’t help. Peyton Royce and Billie Kay come out first, and the crowd starts chanting “Asuka’s gonna kill you”. Next is Nikki Cross, who I would love it if she never speaks, only growls and laughs. Lastly Asuka runs out to the ring, foregoing her entrance music, and chases Peyton Royce and Billie Kay off, staring down Nikki Cross in the ring; Asuka shouting in Japanese and Nikki just shouting. The others come back and a brawl breaks out. Asuka and Nikki Cross stare off before security comes down to break them up, but Asuka lays out 4 or 5 security guys, as does Nikki Cross. Asuka takes down Nikki with a huge kick, and fends off some more security, allowing Nikki to ascend to the top rope and knock them all down. Peyton Royce and Billie Kay watch from the top of the ramp. The staredown between Nikki and Asuka gave me goosebumps.

Pretty solid NXT, and a decent Go-home show, building every feud at TakeOver.

7/10 NXT 7.5/10 Go-Home NXT

I’ll be back later this week with a recap of storylines and predictions going into TakeOver: San Antonio and the Royal Rumble.

[coffeewhiskeyandotherdarkthings]

SeaSide Diner

Many, many years ago, I decided to write a book. And I did. And it wasn’t great but I finished it. And then I lost it. And now, some ten plus years later, I found it again. And now I share it with you.

CHAPTER ONE It didn’t look like the ninth circle of Hell but those who worked at the SeaSide Diner knew better.

Located nowhere in the vicinity of the shore or any body of water, it looked like a house converted into a restaurant. In actuality, it was a house converted in to a salt mine disguised as a restaurant. A very clever disguise, as the customers who patronized it never suspected it and the people who worked there had no clue until they were firmly enmeshed in its tangled web.

On a typical weekend, patrons crowded on the covered porch, waiting for their name to be called. No matter the season, there was always a wait, from eight in the morning until three in the afternoon. The hordes of customers didn’t seem to mind the overly cute nautical theme or having to squeeze between tight tables and booths. They were there for the food, which was only moderately good, and the waitresses, who were, for the most part, exceptionally good—looking, that is.

The SeaSide Diner was located on the northern edge of Swift Falls. Where the town name had come from was a mystery but it had stuck. With a population that hovered at roughly 2700 and a town square you could thoroughly explore in roughly an hour, SeaSide was the only place that could feed half the town on one day and the second half on the following. Consequently, it seemed like a good place to work. With all those people coming in, there was definitely money to be had.

Unfortunately, you had to work like a dog to get it.

At least, that was the thought going through Amanda Drake’s mind while she was bussing her table, doing her best to ignore the new assistant manager frantically signaling her to move faster. But after seven hours on her feet, six of them at a breakneck pace, Amanda was in no hurry to get another table.

Especially if it was the table of leering tourists.

“If you move any slower, you’re gonna be going backwards, Mandy.”

Amanda didn’t look up from the pile of sugar and cream packets she was stuffing in a cup. Molly Baker sighed and started loading up the tray in her hand with the remaining glasses and plates. Once Mandy zoned out, it was all downhill from there. It was happening more and more and whether it was from fatigue or her bastard of a boyfriend, if it didn’t let up soon, there was going to be an intervention.

“Mandy. Mandy,” Molly said, more forcefully. Amanda’s head jerked up, with that all too familiar dazed look in her brown eyes. Molly took in the shadows, like smudged fingerprints, and the pallor in her normally dusky skin, the lankness of her hair, normally full and lush, like a golden cloud. Change of plans. They were having an intervention that night.

“Mandy. I got the rest. You want me to pick up the table?”

Amanda heaved a sigh of gratitude. “Would you? I’m just so tired and my head is killing me.”

“Go. I got it. I need the money anyway, it’s my turn to buy the liquor tonight.” Molly wiped the table briskly and stepped back just as the new AM hustled over, leading four of the most obvious dirty old men she had ever seen. Molly turned to Amanda. “Quickly.”

Cocking a hip and bracing her elbow—and the tray—Molly tucked a stray curl of auburn hair behind her ear and aimed a flirtatious smile at the man closest to her. Pushing fifty and trying to pass for thirty, just like the others at the table. An easy ten or fifteen dollars. The gleam in her eyes could easily have been mistaken for interest. Those who knew her knew it was pure avaricious.

Turning and crossing the dining room, Molly put an extra swing in to her hips. It never hurt to try and give the tip a boost. Nudging the swinging door to the dishpit open with her foot, Molly dropped the smile and the imitation catwalk. Unloading the tray, she turned the corner in to the kitchen and food line and went to work filling her drink order.

“Nudge over, Bridge, I got to get those morons at thirty-two something to keep their jaws from flapping.”

“I thought Mandy had thirty-two.”

“Picked it up. She’s tired and they’re dirty.”

“Dirty or dirty dirty?”

“The guy tucked between the window and the wall didn’t take his eyes off my chest.”

“Well, it is impressive.”

Molly snorted. “Yeah, well, it’s getting the money for your vodka tonight.”

“In that case, skin’em Moll.”

Molly hefted her tray, cursing when the tray tipped slightly. Righting it, she pasted the smile back on her face, replying, “On it already, Bridge.”

Bridget Michaels shook her head and smiled before she scowled. “Damn it, I lost count.” Nibbling her full lower lip, she pressed a finger to the bridge of her nose. She could already feel a headache coming on and she had at least three more hours of work. Absently, she blew a strand of black hair out of her face. Leaving a smudge on her nose, she started counting again, managing to get through her list this time. Ten waters, five sweet teas, two Diet Cokes, two Sprites, an orange juice.

“And a partridge in a pear tree,” Bridget sang under breath. Rotating her shoulder and cracking her neck, she hefted up the tray, grunting a little at the weight. Wincing a little, she blew the hair out of her dark blue eyes and started down the line.

“Tray coming down! Watch your heads, tray coming down, tray coming out!” Bracing the tray on her shoulder and left hand, Bridget pushed the swinging door in to the front dining room open with her right, holding it long enough to clear it without any mishap. Dodging the moron posing as a manager, she stopped in front of the ten top she was hoping would tip her enough to get groceries for the week. And realized it was going to take a little help to get it down.

“You want a tray jack, Bridge?”

“Like I want to breathe. Help a working girl out, Cat.”

“In that case, you’re on your own,” cracked Catherine Jacobs as she opened a tray jack and helped lift the tray down. “Need anything else?”

“Not right now. I think I can handle it from here.”

“Let me know. I’ll be chained next to the bank.”

“Lucky you.”

Lucky me, my ass, Catherine thought as she cashed customers out, the questions and actions rolling out of her by rote. She had two bills past due, a class thoroughly kicking her ass, and a hangover from the night before, courtesy of Jack Daniels and her cheating boyfriend. Stuffing a loose pin back in to the bun constraining her chestnut hair, she narrowed her eyes until they were like brown lasers. That was something else she needed help with. Nobody cheated on Cat Jacobs without some form of punishment.

“You’re gonna want to turn down the glare there, sugar. You’re frightening the tourists.”

Cat jumped at the low, amused voice behind her. Plastering a smile on her face, she asked through gritted teeth, “Better, Olivia?”

“Now you’re just scaring me but it’ll pass.”

Cat snorted. The only thing that scared blonde bombshells like Olivia Johnson was the thought that there was a man unimpressed with her beauty. And if that ever happened, the little diamond tears she’d let drip from her gray eyes would make them feel like slime. If there was only one thing that Catherine wished she could have, it was the ability to make a man feel like dirt with just a look.

“Are you going to Molly’s tonight?” Cat asked, drumming her fingers on the counter, waiting for customers.

“As surely as the sun is coming up in the east tomorrow.”

“Sounds like a long shot.”

“Only if you’re on your deathbed tonight. Problem?”

“Cheating boyfriend.”

Olivia snorted. “No problem. We’ll kick his ass later—five against one.”

“Five?”

“Molly’s making Mandy come. I believe I heard the word ‘intervention’.”

“Great. Hope she’s buying a lot of beer for that.”

Olivia scanned her section, making sure everything was as it should be. “An evening at Molly’s? Good thing we’re closed on Mondays because we’re all gonna be useless tomorrow.”

“Oh, goody, my favorite way to start the week.”

“Of course it is, Cat. That’s why we all love you so much.”

“And here I thought it was my sparkling wit and charming personality.”

“Don’t forget your ghetto booty. That was a big factor too, no pun intended.”

Cat laughed before she could stop herself. “Go back to work before the BM comes over and starts harassing us both.”

“Only for your sake, sweetie. I’ll be back.”

Olivia weaved through a group of customers being led to the back of the front dining room, stopping long enough to grab the remaining debris from a mostly bussed table. Turning the corner back in to the kitchen, she caught sight of Amanda and immediately knew why Molly was so insistent about an intervention. Mandy looked like death warmed over.

Lounging against the counter next to Amanda, Oliva asked, “So, ready for tons of fun and games tonight? If we beg really hard, we can probably get Cat to cook something positively sinful. Sound like a plan?”

Mandy sighed and continued to roll silverware. “I really just want to go home and sleep. Besides, Mark always—.”

Olivia rolled her eyes. “Mark schmark. You haven’t hung out with us in two weeks. Mark can manage to entertain himself for one night. Besides, Cat is having problems with what’s his name.”

“Daniel. She’s been seeing him for three months now, you should know his name by now.”

“Not if I’m going out of my way not to. Besides I have a feeling I won’t need to try and remember. Cat thinks he’s cheating on her and she’s beyond pissed.”

“Watch it, Olivia, or the BM will be washing your mouth out with soap.”

Olivia sneered up at the line cook. “I didn’t realize you were offended by vulgarity, Rob.”

“You definitely know better than that, Liv,” Rob remarked absently, squeezing between the two women and reaching up for to-go boxes. Oliva fought the urge to jerk back and kept her body ramrod straight.

Dropping back on his heels, Rob Turner turned and looked down in to Olivia’s face. Although the expression on his own didn’t change by a single blink, inwardly he cursed fluently. Damn her if she didn’t get more beautiful every day. Purposefully, insultingly, he let his brown eyed gaze drop to her mouth, slightly parted, then raised it back to her innocent gray eyes.

“You definitely know better than that, Liv.”

Pushing off the counter, Rob went back to the kitchen and cooking orders, where he at least had some semblance of control. Something he’d never had with Olivia.

Mandy hid the smile that always seemed to appear whenever those two went at each other. Beside her, she could practically feel Olivia fuming. Keeping her head down and her attention focused on her silverware, Mandy murmured, “What’s the score now, Livvy? Is he leading or you?”

Sniffing, Olivia muttered, “I’ll get him for that. You just watch me,” and flounced back to the dishpit.

Unable to help herself, Mandy chuckled. She had hope that one day they would wake up and see the light but she wasn’t planning on it any time soon. Rob still needed to realize that he couldn’t control Olivia without changing her and Oliva needed to realize that she couldn’t wrap every man around her little finger.

At that thought, the smile faded from Mandy’s face. She and Mark had been up half the night fighting and one of the many things they had fought about was her friends. Olivia was a whore, Catherine was a bitch, Bridget was a klutzy ditz, and Molly was a serial flirt. Mark wanted her to dump all her friends and get new ones, ‘proper’ ones.

Her fingers never stopped rolling silverware but her mind was back in the apartment that she and Mark shared. So completely back that she didn’t notice Molly behind her until she felt the hand on her shoulder. Jolting, Amanda pressed a hand over her speeding heart and took a long, shuddering breath. Chuckling weakly, she asked, “Why don’t you just shoot me next time, it’ll be quicker, Molly.”

“Sorry, you were zoning on me again. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were on some really good drugs.” Molly narrowed her eyes and did a thorough study of Mandy’s face. “You aren’t, are you?”

“Yeah, right. Listen, what time are you starting tonight?”

“Oh, probably about eight or so. Give us all time to get the smell of hell off of us.”

“The smell of hell. That’s a new one. I might have to get there a little early. I don’t feel like dealing with Mark tonight.”

Nonchalantly, Molly asked, “Trouble in Whoville?”

“Later, Molly.”

Shrugging, Molly wiped the counter down, trying to appear industrious. “You know that my spare bedroom is always free for you. As well as the contents of my liquor cabinet.”

“I’m counting on it, at least for tonight. Now, go back to work before you wear a hole in the counter.”

Beaming a smile, Molly bounced down the line, passing Bridget. “It’s gonna be fun tonight.”

Rob smiled sourly at Bridget through the window. “Another night of debauchery for you girls?”

“Bet your ass on it,” Bridget shot back, hefting a tray full of food.

Rob shook his head. “Just another day at the SeaSide Diner.”