#MR KENDRICK PLEASE SIT DOWN >:(

[yoonieper]

For the Birds— Prologue | JJK

I want you to stay even though you don’t want me.

♡ Pairing: Jungkook x Reader (feat. Yuri) 

♡ Genre: angst, smut, future fluff

♡ Rated: D for Disappointment

♡ Series Warnings: Lots of smut (not always healthy), cheating, discussions of depression, this series includes Jk in a pretty toxic environment, degradation (not the sexy kind), manipulation, and overall Jk being in an emotionally abusive situation! This chapter is not too bad, but please read with caution going forward!

♡ Chapter Warnings: Jk sad boy, Yuri being… :/, oral (f. receiving), masturbation (m)

♡ Word Count: 12.6k

♡ Summary: As the son of the CEO at Golden Tech, a marriage was arranged in the name of business. Jungkook really tried to make the most of his situation and be the best husband he could be, but no matter how much he tried, his wife just doesn’t seem to want him. Then you… you came into his life and his eyes couldn’t help but wander.

♡ Now Playing: LOVE. by Kendrick Lamar (feat. Zacari)– see masterlist for full playlist!

♡ Betas: Thank you so much to @illyrian-book-lover and @teawithhoneyandlemon for reading this part for me! If you’re interested in betaing future parts, dm me. If you're interested in becoming a permanent beta for this series please first click here and refer to 'details about the job' section for more details and dm for any questions you might have! 

♡ Author’s Note: I’ve been working on this for a while, but I got sudden inspiration to finish the prologue~ This series should get pretty exciting, so stay tuned! ← Omg y’all the prologue has been in my drafts since 2020 :’) This series has gone through a lot of evolution that I might talk about in the future. This series is very different from where it started, but the prologue has always remained vastly the same, so it has a special place in my heart! Hope you enjoy the series my friends, this one is very emotional, so prepare for the rollercoaster ahead! I’m excited to show you what’s to come <3!

No reposting, modifying. Translating is not allowed unless given explicit permission. Thank you so much : D

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“Secretary Yu, could you remind me of the schedule for the day?”Jungkook let his disgruntled sigh fill the room as he rubbed his temples, doing anything he could for a chance to soothe the subtle pounding in his head. Displeasure was painted all over his features, and his eyes were tightly closed while he listened to his assistant’s clicking heels stop in front of his desk. 

The room was dark, but that hadn’t kept his retinas from burning any less as he looked at the woman in front of him— he didn’t know at this point if it was because of all the crying or the exhaustion from waking up so early. The day had only just begun, and he already wanted it to end; to just climb back in bed, sleep away his troubles, and forget everything that transpired over the last 24 hours. Hell, maybe there was still a chance he was asleep, and that this was all just a bad nightmare his brain had conjured up in nervousness.

“Director Jeon? I didn’t expect you to be in so early.” Secretary Yu Min-ju tried to smile but the furrowing of her eyebrows made it obvious she was a little confused. This hadn’t been part of the plan they discussed. Jungkook didn’t let the moment linger, instead, gave her a firm look of exasperation that made her hastily pull out her tablet to find his schedule. 

Her usual cheerfulness was not what he needed today. 

Min-ju couldn't stop the smile appearing on her face when she saw its rare emptiness. “Your hard work these past few days has paid off. Today is pretty light. A meeting with the financial team at 12, and then another meeting at 1pm with Mr. Cho. You should be able to go home after that.” The secretary warmly smiled.

Jungkook’s eyes drifted down to the picture sitting on his desk as she spoke. It was of him and his wife on their honeymoon last year to The Maldives. They had been walking on the beach and his mother had texted and begged for a picture of the new couple; Jungkook could do nothing but oblige. Yuri had clung onto his shoulders when he held up his phone, and upon counting down to one, gave him a surprise kiss on the cheek leading to Jungkook’s eager, unnaturally wide smile being captured forever and memorialized on his desk. He couldn’t help but frown. 

He wanted to be excited, craved for it, yearned for it, but home was the last place he wanted to be right now. All that hard work for nothing. For once he wished he had more to do, anything to keep his mind busy.

“Didn’t I have deadlines for a few upcoming reports?” He suddenly questioned. 

Min-ju looked farther down her list and she nodded. “There are a few documents that need reviewing and signatures, but a majority of them aren’t due till next week. But you don’t need to—“ 

“I’ll get them done today.” Jungkook’s tone was astoundingly emotionless, completely void of the delightful emotion he had spoken with in the days leading up to today. Min-ju was at a loss for words. She knew how hard he worked to free up his day for the special occasion. What's with the sudden change of plans? What happened? 

It was Jungkook himself who had requested for her to try and free his schedule so he would be in the office for as little time as possible. There was no joy or giddiness behind his eyes like she had expected. Min-ju had pictured her boss walking in with a strange cheerfulness in his mood, rainbows and sparkles practically dancing around him as he skipped through the halls and greeted her good morning. But his tone lacked spirit altogether. Jungkook was like a husk compared to the person she said goodbye to the evening prior. 

“I— uh alright, I’ll make sure to send them to you later sir.” Min-ju bowed, before she scrambled away. 

Jungkook listened intently to the way her heels tentatively clicked while she walked out, it was at a certain speed that told him she was rushing to get out of there. As soon as the door closed behind her, he let out a loud sigh as he leaned back in his chair. 

What a fucking disappointment this whole day turned out to be.

Jungkook had planned today to be one of the most preeminent days for him and his wife as a couple and those plans were all squashed within a second last night. It had been playing over and over in his head since he woke up this morning.

He tangled his hands in his hair, his grip growing tighter and tighter on his short locks as the reality of the situation hit him for the billionth time. It just wouldn’t stop, replaying in a loop hoping something might change. That he’d wake up from this nightmare, or maybe even realize something that in the heat of the moment had gone entirely unnoticed— anything to explain what happened. Last night still didn’t feel real. 

The cancellation had been entirely unexpected.

•────•──────────•────•

Last night Jungkook had been in high spirits all day. A radiance was cast on his features by the pure, exorbitant elation flowing through his body. It was like the most beautiful display of fireworks were going off all at once, tickling his insides, and making the smile on his face grow so wide it hurt his cheeks but he couldn’t find it in him to stop. After all, tomorrow was going to be the turning point for their relationship. Something was about to happen, he was sure of it.

Jungkook was lying on their shared bed, having just recently come out from the shower. His hair was still slightly damp, and a giddy smile was plastered on his face as he scrolled through his phone. He was eagerly reviewing their itinerary for their plans tomorrow. 

D-day. The day that Jungkook and his wife were meant to celebrate their one and a half year anniversary. It might be a weird occasion to commemorate, but after being apart for too many holidays and milestones for various reasons, Jungkook went out of his way and made it a point to plan something to make up for all the lost time. 

He let his attention turn from his phone and settled on his wife who was meticulously going through her nightly routine at her vanity. His smile softened as he silently watched her dab night cream across her cheeks. 

How was this his life?

Sometimes it was a little hard to believe Yuri was actually his wife, it was almost intimidating at how beautiful she was. Her eyes were round yet sharp in their gaze as she focused on the mirror. Her skin was usually so soft but it shined even more so at that moment from all the various oils and moisturizers she made sure to use every night. Her long, dark hair flowed nicely down her back but was pushed out of her face by a cute, fuzzy, gray headband. And even in pajamas, she managed to carry this level of elegance that pulled him in so easily. 

Jungkook bit his lip to contain the smile that was threatening to envelop him entirely. 

The outfit was especially a big deal. It was different from the shorts and tank tops she’d normally wear. It had been his idea to start the celebration with matching pajamas, a slight preview to the day he had planned for the both of them. Jungkook’s heart had hammered in his chest when Yuri relented and agreed to wear the set he had given to her before she went to shower. It matched his own exactly. It was nothing too special, but a nice way to bring them together before the big day. A simple, gray pajama-button-down-classic; the material was so soft and he knew Yuri would look just as amazing as it felt. 

She always did.

His excitement was almost overflowing, Jungkook couldn’t stop himself from getting up so he was right behind her. He wrapped his arms around her small frame, and gently placed a quick peck on her neck. 

“I’m so excited for tomorrow~” He hummed lightly into her skin. 

Yuri didn’t say anything, her attention trained on her reflection. 

“What about you? Are you looking forward to spending the day together and doing all the fun stuff I have planned?” He sang. As soon as the words left his mouth he knew it sounded cringey, but for once he didn’t care. He just wanted to hear it, that she was excited to be with him.

Yuri’s gaze eventually flickered over to him before she turned around to face him. 

“Jungkook, I have to tell you something…“ She sighed. He tried to ignore his uneasy feeling about her tone. 

“Oh, you did?” Jungkook attempted to fight back his disappointment. That wasn’t what he hoped she’d say. 

“Yeah, I did,” she muttered. He hated the look on his face as he peered into the mirror. A slight frown had dimmed down his smile, and he wanted to do anything to wipe it away. There was no time for frowning, he didn’t want to ruin tomorrow before it even started. He shouldn’t overthink it.

“I had something I needed to mention too.” He went back over to the bed. “I wasn’t able to get out of my meetings tomorrow so I’ll have to go in for a few hours, but I promise I’ll come straight back here.” He had really tried, but there was no way to reschedule them any further into the week. At least that was the only thing on his agenda tomorrow, however, he had wanted to take the day off completely and spend it with his wife. 

Jungkook saw Yuri’s face drop. 

“Don't worry, I’ll be here all morning! I worked hard to clear my schedule as much as I could, it’ll just be two meetings and then I’m back.” He tried to smile. Hopefully, she wouldn’t mind the brief interruption too much.

“Actually—“ Yuri dragged it out as she looked back into the mirror to make sure she rubbed in the cream well, “I have plans tomorrow.” She put it frankly. 

Jungkook blinked a couple of times before a look of confusion settled on his features. “Plans?” His voice had grown small. It didn’t have a reason to yet, but maybe all along he knew where this was going the minute she brought it up.

“I have a friend from when I went to school in the US coming to visit.” She mumbled. Jungkook couldn’t hide the disappointment from showing. 

“Oh? Um…”

“We’re planning to spend some time together, so…” 

“When will you guys be done?” He questioned, still a little shocked that she was just telling him about this now, the day before their plans. “Hopefully we can work around it. Maybe you guys could meet up while I’m gone so it doesn’t mess up—“ 

“Jungkook, this is going to be an all-day thing.” He could see the way Yuri watched his expression from the mirror as the gears started turning in his head, now realizing what that meant. The silence that settled in the room was painful. 

“But… but we had plans.” 

“I know we did, but—“ 

“But?! Yuri I told you weeks ago!” Jungkook retorted. He was angry now. He didn’t want to be angry.

“Weeks Yuri, weeks!” He continued, unable to process this was happening. There was no way she could have simply “forgotten” about the day they were supposed to spend together. He’d literally been talking about it since they both agreed to do this a few weeks ago.

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” He accused, confused how news like this would just go unsaid. 

“She just called me two days ago,” Yuri argued, as if that would make this any better. 

“Two days ago— and you didn’t say anything until now?” He was baffled. There was no excuse why she couldn’t have brought this up sooner. 

“Well— look how you’re reacting.” She scoffed and crossed her arms.

That just set him off even more.

“How I’m reacting, Yuri?! We talked about this for weeks; it’s the only thing I’ve been talking about for the past few days. I’m sorry that I was excited to spend the day with my wife.” Jungkook exploded at her. He was furious, and he didn’t like it. This wasn’t how this day was supposed to go. 

Yuri didn’t say anything but instead rolled her eyes.

“And you can’t just cancel?!” He finally asked, getting up and pacing around their shared room. 

“Jungkook, she's my friend! I haven’t seen her in a while and—“

“But what about me?!” He snapped. The words seemed to hang in the air, a painful silence following it. Jungkook noticed the look on her face, and he sighed as he sat down at the edge of the bed so he was facing her. He ran his hands through his hair and took a couple deep breaths to get himself to calm down.

“I didn’t mean for it to come out like that… it’s just… Yuri, we've been married for a year and a half and I feel like I hardly know you. I know this is technically only meant to be business, but I thought we said we’d try and make this work.” He cried as he grabbed a hold of her hands. He looked her directly in the eyes, wanting her to know that he meant every word. 

Was he really asking for too much?

“We’ve hardly gotten time together since our honeymoon. Our schedules are full, and I know that’s not our fault, but I just wanted some time alone with you even if it was only for a day.” He pleaded; the desperation was so evident in his voice. He felt pathetic. 

“We can do that any day. My friend will only be here for the next two weeks.” Yuri acknowledged before she turned back to her vanity. 

“And why can’t you just hang out another day?” He asked, defeat overtaking him and his efforts to convince her. There was no point really. It seemed she had already made up her mind.

“I said she’s leaving in two weeks. We only have a limited time to hang out before she’s catching a plane back to California. Besides, we can just do something after she leaves. We will have all the time in the world when she’s gone in two weeks.” Her words were punches straight to the heart. She always says that when she needs to cancel plans— that next week never comes. 

Her excuse was ridiculous, but this wasn’t the first time it had happened. He’s used to it now and knows there isn’t really any point in trying to negotiate. 

“Yuri, I have a business trip that week.” 

“Well what about the—“ she was cut off. 

“You have a shoot in Hawaii that week.” Jungkook just sighed and got back up to sit on his side of the bed. “We can just forget about it all together in that case.” He fumed as he flipped over, now too upset to even face her right now. 

Part of him was hoping she’d just say “Never mind, I’ll just reschedule,” jump in the bed and cuddle with him because she realized just how much this meant to him, to herself, and to them both as a couple. Everything would be fine and–

But no… Yuri just sat there, seemingly unaffected by the cancellation of their plans.

He began to think it was a little sad at how upset he was. Yuri didn’t care; maybe he truly had made this a bigger deal than it needed to be. She was right in some sense— they live together and can plan something any day of the year. 

But it still hurt that just for this one day, Yuri didn’t want to spend time with him. 

•────•──────────•────•

It did not get any better the next day. He woke up in a bad mood. She wasn’t even there in the morning. Everything just made him upset: Yuri’s cold, empty side of the bed, he forgot to turn off his alarm so he missed his opportunity to sleep in, and he nearly slipped in the shower as he was ranting to himself about how dumb this was. Their annoying, squeaky bedroom door that Jungkook’s been meaning to call someone about. Even the milk for his cereal pissed him off because he asked Yuri last night to pick up more while she was out but of course, she forgot, and he forgot to tell their cook about it thinking she’d get it, so he only had a little left for his breakfast this morning.

The last place he wanted to be was at their apartment so he left for work as soon as he was ready.

Jungkook took out his phone knowing he had some time to kill and he needed someone to rant to or else he was going to go crazy. A few minutes later, like the trusty friend he was, Jimin was bursting through the door like he was the Kool Aid man, ready to listen to all of Jungkook’s problems. 

“Ok, who’s ass do I need to kick?” Jimin came in, hands up, ready to fight– which might have been Jungkook’s fault with the ambiguous text he sent to his hyung. Saying “the world’s ending, need help now!” might have been a little too drastic, but it felt appropriate at the moment.

“Mine...” Jungkook groaned, his head was on the desk but he could hear Jimin’s footsteps hurrying over, before taking a seat in the chair in front of his desk. This was routine at this point.

The two of them had been friends for a number of years now. Jimin was two years older than Jungkook and had mainly been friends with his brother at first. But when Junghyeon left, apparently he decided he needed to leave his big brother duties to someone, and he thought who else would be a better fit to watch over him than Park Jimin? Those were Junghyeon’s words when Jungkook first mentioned that he was getting close to his old friend. Jimin occasionally checked up on him when he was still in high school, and their bond grew really strong soon after Jungkook had started college. Jimin became his guide as he navigated adult life and a very real friendship was born from his brother’s efforts. 

When Jimin graduated, it only felt natural for Jungkook to extend an invitation to work at his family’s company, knowing how good of an addition he would be to the team. As of about three and a half years ago, they’ve also been work buddies. 

“So,” Jimin stretched it out. “What is it this time?” He asked when Jungkook still hadn’t said anything. 

Silence followed.

“Is this about Yuri?” Jimin finally questioned, that being the most obvious, considering Jungkook shouldn’t even be in right now.

The younger man nodded. 

Jimin hummed as he thought about it for a second. “Ok, is this another rant about your sex life because I have some—“ 

“No, no, no, well… maybe, yes? I don’t know hyung, I'm just…” All Jungkook could do was sigh, his frustration getting to a boiling point again. 

“I’m guessing with the way you’re acting, things didn’t go as planned…?” Jimin asked wearily, knowing precisely what Jungkook had in store for today. He’d helped Jungkook plan it out. The first thing that was supposed to be on the itinerary was waking Yuri up with a good time. Jimin was the one to suggest it, but the fact he was in a bad mood was enough to let him know things hadn’t gone the way that they’d discussed. 

“The whole plan didn’t happen,” Jungkook lamented as he leaned back in his office chair. He could feel Jimin’s confusion without even having to look at him. “She canceled our whole day because of a friend visiting from the US.” He scowled and saying it out loud made it sound even more unreal. 

Jimin blinked a couple of times, obviously just as confused as he was. “A friend?” 

“It’s something she knew about two days ago before even bringing it up last night. It wasn’t even a full day before our plans!” At least he could’ve gotten a heads-up. He wasn’t sure what that would have done, but at least he could have had more time to cope with the disappointment.  

“What?” Jimin questioned in disbelief. 

“And maybe, maybe I’d get it if today was the only day they could hang out, but she said they’re going to be here for the next two weeks.” Jungkook was getting angry all over again. 

“I’m sorry, what?” Jimin repeated, honestly just baffled. 

“And! And when I asked her why they can’t just hang out the next day, she said it’s because they’re only here for a limited time and that we can just hang out whenever!” It didn’t make any sense that she would say that when Jungkook had to spend days working into the early hours of the morning trying to clear his schedule enough so that they could have some time together.  

“What the fuck…” Jimin looked just as confused as he felt. 

“I know, it’s ridiculous…” He trailed off with a laugh, but the pain from the sudden cancellation made it hard to even pretend this was anywhere near comical.

“Jungkook, I think that’s a lot more than ridiculous…” Jimin tried to reassure, his tone quickly turning sympathetic.

“I know we’re arranged, but I just… I thought being married would be more than this, you know?” He leaned back in his chair. Jungkook simply had dreams for his future and this wasn’t anything he pictured it would look like. 

“And there’s nothing wrong with that. You both agreed to try and she has never given you a reason why she’s practically avoiding you.” Jimin said, recounting the fact this wasn’t even the first time something like this has happened.

“I’m wondering if it’s me. Maybe I’m not doing enough or maybe I’m doing it all wrong? Right? It had to be something I did.” Jungkook tried to rack his brain, thinking of anything he did that might have made Yuri so upset at him.

“I don’t think it’s your fault. You’re trying your best. It doesn’t make sense to me why she did this. It wouldn’t make sense to anyone, but I don’t know… maybe she wants her space.” Jimin suggested, it being the only explanation he could come up with to make sense of her behavior. 

The words sat in the air for a second, a painful second, like the wrong note reverberating at the end of a musical piece. Jimin didn’t notice the shift fast enough before Jungkook suddenly sat up to look at him, and his brows were furrowed like what he said was crazy. 

“Space? We have space all the time, this was the one day I wanted us to be a couple— or at least try and be a couple.” Jungkook chided and Jimin immediately knew he didn’t phrase that in the best way.

“I meant it more so for yourself. I’ve seen and been in enough relationships, situationships, you name it, to know when to back away. Things are obviously going to be even more complicated because you’re in an arranged marriage. I can’t imagine what you’re going through, but maybe taking a step back so you don’t get hurt is something to think about.” Jimin laid it out plainly, but Jungkook maintained his hard expression. If anything, he seemed even more displeased. 

“I have to make this work. I’m obviously not doing what she wants!” Jungkook seethed.

“We have no idea what’s going on. I’m just trying to stop you from getting hurt.” Jimin's gaze filled with sympathy, but Jungkook just seemed to grow more angered as he rolled his eyes at him. 

“Like you would understand— everyone wants to be around you.” Jungkook scoffed, turning away. 

Jimin sat there for a second, dumbfounded, wondering where that came from. 

“What are you talking about?”

“Everyone likes you! Everyone practically flocks to be around you. You have no trouble in relationships– yet I can’t even make the one woman I’m married to at least be comfortable by my side.” Jungkook cried out, and it was here that any anger that was threatening to boil over cooled the minute Jimin saw the wetness in his eyes.

Jimin had only been a bystander for the last few years in Jungkook’s life, but he could hardly comprehend this was the same man he’d been friends with for years now. 

Jungkook had gone from the guy who shied away from relationships, to suddenly being the only married man in his friend group.  

He could never forget the day that Jungkook came to his apartment late one night, it felt like forever ago now. Those were different times; they weren’t the same people anymore. His eyes had been wide and petrified, like he’d just seen a ghost. It practically took the whole night to get it out of him that apparently his parents had made some kind of deal and were basically forcing him to get married to solidify it. 

Jimin could hardly keep up after he’d finally managed to get him to speak, and a lot of it went over his head. To be honest he didn’t believe it even after Jungkook explained it over and over again. It didn’t sound real. Whose parents would make their twenty-two year old son get married without at least talking to him first? It didn’t make sense.

It also didn’t make any sense considering Jimin had been the listening ear to how well their three dates– yes only three dates– went before the engagement.

“They were ok.” Jungkook would sigh, before showing a picture of her and talking about how much he struggled to say anything because of how nervous she made him.  

In the months leading up to the marriage, Jungkook had eventually heard the details of the deal, and that’s when the mood started to shift. Jungkook’s protests grew quieter to the point the wedding day managed to come and go without any intervention. Jimin still didn’t believe it, even as he saw Jungkook stand at the end of the aisle, even as he watched them get pronounced husband and wife, even as he witnessed the contract getting stamped, and even as he helped Jungkook pack to move to their new shared apartment after they came back from their honeymoon.

It didn’t feel real, but Jimin tried to remain as optimistic as Jungkook appeared when he came back.

“We said we’d try.” Jungkook told him with a toothy grin. The honeymoon had been good apparently. 

But that optimism was short-lived and Jimin was forced to sit back and watch as something in his friend shifted. Things weren’t right in the relationship, that much he was sure of. Jungkook had finally said something towards the beginning of the year. It was small things at first, things Jungkook made sound like the typical lovers’ quarrel. But as time passed, it grew more vague, unusual, and desolate. It was never detailed enough for him to get the full picture, but he could see the way Jungkook was practically deteriorating right in front of him.

He had no idea what was going on, but it was moments like this that made his blood boil. Jungkook was normally a closed-off person. He didn’t share his problems with others easily. For him to come to Jimin to talk about his issues in his marriage made him wonder how bad the situation truly was. The alarm bells wouldn’t stop going off in his head. 

“Jungkook, what’s going on?” Jimin sat up and rubbed his friend’s back. Jungkook’s office was dark but when he lifted his head, Jimin could see that the tears had finally started running down his cheeks. 

“Hyung, it’s me right?! I don’t understand why she… w-why she…” He stammered. The words caused the emotions he’d bottled up to spill over, and the tears became uncontrollable. 

“I must be doing everything wrong, right? Am I really that bad? I just… I just wanted to spend some time together. Am I really that bad of a husband?! I try so fucking hard, I swear I do, I just— Hyung I don’t know what else to do…” Jungkook ranted, sounding so dejected. 

Jimin only felt the fire burn harder ​​while his brain worked to try and understand Yuri. He wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt, that there had to be some rational explanation that he just wasn’t seeing that would explain why every chance Jungkook made plans for them to be together, something had to get in the way. The only thing he could see was how much this affected Jungkook, and she was starting to piss him off. 

He got up and went behind Jungkook's desk so he could give him a hug, the younger man only sobbing even harder in his arms. Jimin didn’t say anything, instead ran slow, comforting circles over his back. 

Jimin couldn’t help but think that he needed to talk with Yuri. They weren’t close but hopefully they’ve met on enough occasions that he could have a comfortable conversation with her to at least get her side of the story. It would be the opportunity to try and get the chance to understand what was going on. Maybe then he could actually help Jungkook try and win her over.

The moment was interrupted by the blaring ring of the phone that sat on Jungkook’s desk, letting them know that Secretary Yu was calling. Jungkook quickly tried to wipe his eyes, doing his best to pull himself together, but Jimin stopped him in his tracks, already picking up the phone before he could object. 

“Hi Secretary Yu~” Jimin chirped, putting on that notorious charm that so easily put people at ease. “Yeah it’s Jimin, I’m taking over the phone for this one….. uh huh, right, wait but I thought— ohhhh, really…?… I see….. Yeah, I’ll let him know, he’s right next to me…. Nice talking with you…. bye.” Jimin frowned as soon as he put the phone down. 

“She said we have a meeting we need to go to. Apparently, finance has an emergency that we have to oversee.” His eyes remained trained on Jungkook as he grabbed some tissues, seemingly trying his best to switch back to boss mode. 

“Sorry, I probably look very pathetic right now,” Jungkook sadly chuckled as he wiped his eyes, but Jimin wasn’t having it. 

“Stop calling yourself pathetic. It’s alright. Cry as much as you need to,” Jimin attempted to reassure him when he noticed Jungkook’s lip still quivering. He looked like he was on the verge of another breakdown. “Don’t push yourself, we still have a few minutes before the meeting starts.” He tried to get Jungkook to slow down but he was already up and out of his chair.

“I’m fine… I just really needed that. This will be good, don't worry.” Part of Jungkook wondered if he was trying to convince Jimin or himself. 

He walked over to a mirror. “Are my eyes red?” Jungkook questioned, worried that it looked like he had been crying his eyes out. 

Jimin walked over and shook his head. “Just a little, but no one will notice unless they knew what you were doing.” 

He nodded, affirmed. “Ok, let’s do this.”

With that, Jungkook pushed through the door, passing Secretary Yu’s desk as she got up to join him, along with various higher up employees who had gotten the message about the meeting. 

Secretary Yu pulled out her tablet and moved a little closer. “Director Jeon, I just wanted to quickly give you a better brief of the situation before the meeting starts.”

“Go ahead…” Jungkook’s voice was shaky, but he hoped she didn’t notice.

“Production had encountered an unexpected issue. Good news is that it has been solved already so there’s no need to worry about it. The bad news is that we can’t use any of the inventory they made prior to the fix.” Secretary Yu tried to speak calmly but grimaced when she noticed the change in her boss’s demeanor.  

Jungkook’s eyes widened, and he stopped dead in his tracks. All the executives that were walking behind them came to a sudden halt along with him, making everyone nearly bump into each other. 

“Wait, what?! But production had been running for–” Jungkook didn’t need to finish that, already knowing the answer. It was far too long and their launch date was about a month away. 

This was bad. 

“What was the issue?” 

“I’m not sure yet—“ The ‘what’ didn’t really matter right now, all that meant was this launch was screwed. 

Launches were some of the most important moments of the year. The fact it had been slated for the last quarter of the year, the most important quarter for a company like theirs in turning up profit, they had been counting on it even more than normal. This put everything in jeopardy, particularly anything they had planned for next year. This line had already been delayed to the utmost limit because of numerous other complications so delaying it was almost entirely off the table. 

“Just great huh. Really fucking great. This day can’t get any worse can it—“ And he should have learned that words like that challenge the universe to see what other shit it could throw at you. 

They finally picked up their hurried pace to the meeting room, but right as Jungkook rounded the corner he collided with something hard and suddenly he was cold and soaking wet. Jungkook just stared down, his suit covered in what he could immediately smell was coffee. A sliver of luck for him was that it was iced, but that didn’t stop him from being covered in coffee— he could only imagine the stains on the beige fabric.

Part of him wanted to scream but as his eyes trailed up to see a woman frantically picking up the cup and her scared, apologetic eyes when she realized it was all over him, he found himself unable to speak. Jungkook immediately knew he had never seen you before; he would have remembered you. 

Your red blouse was tucked into your short pencil skirt, which perfectly fitted to your form. Your legs were long as you stood up, accentuated even more by your tall, black stilettos, and Jungkook couldn’t stop the way his eyes ran over the exposed skin. What seemed to hold his attention the most was your vibrant, red lipstick. For a second he was left a little dumbstruck and forgot about the coffee that was everywhere. You were beautiful, ridiculously beautiful, it was almost crazy. For a second he wondered why you were here and not walking down some runway or the face of every brand imaginable. 

He would have noted this a lot more if he didn’t have coffee soaking into his clothes. Right now he just saw you as another problem, making his day that much worse. It was one of his favorite suits too, he wore it to make himself feel a little better about today, but you… 

Things just can’t get any worse.

•────•──────────•────•

This can’t be real. 

It was your first day and all your worst fears seemed to be manifesting. You slept through your alarm, you missed your bus, and your much needed caffeine was all over this handsome stranger— though you really couldn’t say you saw that one coming. The embarrassment you felt creeping onto your cheeks in front of all the people staring at you in the hallway was enough to melt you into a puddle. Worst of all, your supervisor who was walking right next to you saw everything. 

It couldn’t get much worse.

“I’ll clean this up. I’m so sorry! I should have paid more attention to where I was going!” You panicked as you scrambled to find something to help fix this. You looked to your supervisor, but he seemed even more distressed than you for some reason. 

You finally turned back to the stranger and his gaze met your own for a brief moment. His eyes were wide and looked almost like a kicked puppy at how much sadness filled them for a split second. It really was only a second before you noticed the more expected glare of annoyance. 

“Just,” He sighed. “Clean this up, okay? Director Son, please tell the team I’ll be a bit late. Hyung, can you…?” Jimin quickly nodded before speeding away. 

Jungkook just walked past them, not bothering to acknowledge anyone any further. In truth, he was a second away from bursting into tears again, but they didn’t need to know that. Instead, he just hurried off to the bathroom and waited for Jimin to bring the spare suit he kept for emergencies such as these. 

It seemed things could get worse.

Your eyes were wide as you watched him swiftly walk past you, not even bothering to look at you. You knew he had every right to be upset, but he was a bit rude. It was clearly an accident and he didn’t even give you time to apologize properly. 

“Yah, what’s up with that guy?” You mumbled. His annoyance had been a disease and it was quickly spreading.

“That guy?! Y/n do you know what you just did?!” Your new boss was clearly exasperated and that just made you a little confused. It was then you noticed everyone who was still in the hallway had their eyes on you, their hands were over their mouths, and they all had this look of horror on their faces like you had just committed the worst crime imaginable. 

“Who was that…?” You finally questioned, your heart already beating out of your chest.

“I swear you’re going to get us both fired and you only just got here. I swear…” Director Son rubbed his temples and cursed silently to himself, a look of worry speedily etched its way into his features. 

“Director Son, what did I just do?” You asked, growing even more anxious. He finally turned to face you. 

“Y/n, that was Jeon Jungkook.”

You still looked confused and this made him laugh— a worried, nervous laugh that made you know you had royally fucked up.

“You just spilled coffee all over the CEO’s son.” He put it plainly. It was only then that the pieces of the puzzle came together and started to make sense. 

What….have…you……done?

“That’s my boss, your boss, everyone who works on this floor’s boss.” The words only seemed to set the reality into both of you. 

“We’re going to have to pray. Get on our hands and knees, beg for forgiveness, and hope he doesn’t fire us or tell his father.” Suddenly, Director Son sprinted to the office area and returned with a bunch of napkins. 

“We have to see him in the meeting too. What am I going to do?” Director Son said with apprehension, throwing his hands up in the air. He already had so much bad news to deliver and now his newest employee had spilled coffee all over his boss. 

He was fired for sure. 

You hurriedly went to help him start cleaning up the coffee, but you were barely paying attention. You were just dazed because, at this point, you were convinced you were about to get fired on your first day. 

Suddenly, someone else was coming up beside you. “What a great entrance, huh?” A deep voice chuckled as he put more napkins on the ground. 

“It’s only my first day and I’m already ruining everything.” You huffed, getting the feeling you wouldn’t be here much longer. 

“You have to admit it was pretty funny~” 

You stopped. “No, it wasn’t. Do you know how humiliating that was?!” You finally turned to see yet another handsome stranger, but this time this guy had a warm, welcoming, boxy smile on his face. 

“I do, but it made my day better. Nice to meet you, I’m Kim Taehyung!” He stretched out his hand. 

You smiled weakly, feeling better that someone could laugh about this. “I’m Y/n. Nice to meet you Taehyung.” You said as you quickly shook his hand.

•────•──────────•────•

Jimin burst through the doors, emergency suit already in hand.

“You alright?” Jimin questioned as he set the suit on the counter. 

Jungkook turned toward him, clearly teary-eyed. He shook his head. “I just want to go home.” He tried to laugh as he started unbuttoning his shirt. He would have been better off not coming in today.

“Maybe you should. Today just doesn’t seem to be your day, huh?” Jimin tried to joke and smiled when he saw Jungkook chuckle. 

“I have meetings later though. I have to stay till then.” He just sighed. Jungkook had already felt guilty about leaving and hardly being at work today because of his plans with Yuri, but going home right now seemed selfish considering the dire situation. He didn’t want people to think he was running away and leaving them to deal with this mess alone. It’s not like he had anyone waiting for him back home anyway. There was no need to rush anymore.

Jungkook spent most of his time at the office more than at home. He wanted to show that he was working hard, it was something he knew was essential to gaining everyone’s trust. Since he was still pretty young, people often doubted his leadership, but he earned his spot in the company just like everyone else did. Jungkook had been working here since he was nineteen, interned even longer, and started off at the bottom like everyone else. He didn’t want to be the spoiled, rich kid inheriting the company simply because his father is the CEO. He wanted to make sure that by the time he became CEO he would have built up the same respect that the rest of the employees held for his dad. 

As a result, leaving earlier or taking days off was something he tried to steer clear of as much as possible, but today… things just weren’t working out. He feared that being here any longer might make him explode. 

Once they figure out this whole situation, he’ll immediately go home after his last two meetings are over. Right, that was the smart thing to do. He couldn’t risk having a breakdown in front of everyone. 

“Hyung…” Jungkook said suddenly after he managed to get his pants up. Jimin hummed. “Thanks for being here with me.” His voice wavered slightly.

“Of course, I’ll always be here when you need me.” Jimin said softly. Jungkook was extra sensitive today. He usually was able to reserve the waterworks for sad movies or when he was alone in the apartment, but today he couldn’t seem to keep his emotions at bay. 

When they both came out of the bathroom, Jungkook and Jimin hurried to the meeting room ready to assess the current crisis at hand. Everyone was already in their seats when they walked in, and upon seeing Jungkook, they scrambled out their chairs to stand up and bow. 

Jungkook took a seat at the head of the table and Jimin in the seat to his left. Director Son was already standing at the pedestal in the corner of the room with a gloomy expression practically carved into his features. This was probably even worse than what he was told, judging by the solemn tone of the room. 

He was antsy to hear just how bad it was, and was about to tell Director Son to continue, when he spotted you at the end of the table. 

“Director Son,” Jungkook said, curiosity peaking. He knew pretty much everyone who worked on this floor, but you were definitely not familiar. 

“Who’s she?” He pointed directly at you, making your attention turn toward him. 

Director Son scrambled from behind the pedestal, realizing he had forgotten to introduce you because of the incident earlier. 

“My apologies, sir.” Director Son addressed Jungkook before turning towards you and motioning for you to stand. You quickly bounced on your heels, not wanting to piss him off even more. If Jungkook didn’t fire you, surely he would. 

“Everyone, this is L/n Y/n. She’s our newest member of our financial team. It’s her first day here.” Everyone gave you strange looks as most people here at this table had witnessed the incident earlier.

It’s like you made the worst first impression you possibly could have. 

The silence was deafening as everyone stared; you were tempted to run away, fake your death, get a new identity, and attempt to start your life over knowing things couldn’t get much worse than this. It took a moment, but eventually Taehyung, who sat right beside you, started clapping— slowly but surely everyone joined him. You looked down and smiled, mouthing him a thank you before you sat down. 

Your eyes flickered over to Jungkook who was still staring at you. Your skin warmed as his gaze bored into you. 

“Thank you, you may begin.” Jungkook finally said, leaning back in his chair. 

A new line of products was supposed to be released shortly before the holiday season— namely a new line of TVs that had already been delayed multiple times, all for various reasons during development. They had been forced to push the date back as far as possible, right to the point before there would start to be major repercussions. Production had promised that they would be able to meet this new date, and production began a few weeks ago. Jungkook had thought the most troubling stage was over and the only thing that was left was handling this launch with the marketing team now. But a malfunction that was only realized this morning had been noticed, and all of the inventory they had managed to produce before today was completely unusable.  

To make matters worse, the date they needed to have everything shipped out by was too close to have the now scarce inventory hit even the low range of their planned profit margin. It was a disaster and after Director Son explained the issue, Jungkook was ready to pull out his hair. Of course this had to happen today, of all the fucking days everything just had to go wrong. He couldn’t even think straight as everyone around the table started suggesting ideas, too busy trying to pull himself out of the funk that made him practically useless. He was convinced he was cursed, that had to be it because how does this all happen in one day?

This fuck up jeopardized everything— it was their biggest source of profit for the year and they thought they’d be able to make up for all the delays by having it at such an important part of the year. They already decided to invest extra in advertising to help boost sales far beyond what they’d traditionally expect. Now without the numbers they had planned for, the profit they had wanted to reach was virtually impossible. This was detrimental to next quarters budget and especially the following year. Any plans, projects, anything they had planned was now at risk, and— 

The meeting ended up going on for quite a while. Everyone panicked as they tried brainstorming ideas that could be used to rectify the situation: 

Some suggested seeing if they could push the launch back, but at this point that was even more disastrous than just releasing whatever they can manage to get done. Others suggested that this fell on production and that they should use intimidation to try and make the numbers get as close to what was planned. Jungkook normally was against ideas like that, but it was mind boggling how poorly these products had been handled so far. He had already been planning to meet with the executives over at the factories to figure out who he needed to hold liable for this. Others went on about distribution, how their department who handled Seoul, should be prioritized and that they should focus on the bigger stores, such as malls, in order to hopefully increase the chances of selling everything they could to at least get the highest profit they can. It went on and on. Another radical suggestion was increasing the price of the line of TVs to try and force a similar profit margin.  

People just kept going and going and Jungkook was ready to bang his head against the table to hopefully get himself to wake up from this nightmare. Everyone was so loud as they bickered and fought that their way was better, and he tried his best to suppress wanting to just scream for them to just shut up and walk away from the situation all together. He was overwhelmed and it was even worse that he felt unhelpful, all efforts went to keeping himself firmly planted in his chair and not letting the tears spill over again.

What ended up surprising him was that it was you who came up with the best solution. In between all the nonsense, you were also very vocal during the meeting. You were knowledgeable as you spoke, asking questions any time you could and also giving your two-sense on the suggestions the rest of the team kept spewing out. Most of your takes he found himself easily agreeing with as you countered how none of those ideas worked. If Jungkook hadn’t encountered you before, he wouldn’t have guessed you were the same clumsy woman who spilled coffee on him earlier today. It was absolutely shocking considering the fact that today was your first day and you had only been briefly filled in on the situation. 

Eventually though you had given your own opinion and one that stood out from the masses.

“Do nothing.” You had put it so simply. You argued that there was nothing that could be done and instead that they should just send out the inventory they created after today, though less of it, as planned and capitalize on the opportunity to create even more demand for the line. If production could get their shit together and deliver the product as promised, plus with the added reputation of the company, they should certainly sell, and sell quickly. While this would not prove fruitful immediately, during the time they would work on getting the next shipment together, this would create a demand that would hopefully be able to make up for any losses encountered during the launch.  

It wasn’t the best considering what they had thought this new launch would bring, but it was the best idea he heard all afternoon, and the one he ultimately picked they should explore further. The team first had to crunch the numbers to make sure they could afford that type of risk, but at the moment, waiting, letting the scarcity create demand, and gently still pushing the production team to try and get the inventory as high as possible, was what he sent everyone away with in mind.  

Jungkook wanted to hate you, you had basically ruined his favorite suit, but seeing you in this meeting had him momentarily forgetting about the incident in the hallway. He never really considered firing you. Despite being incredibly petty about the suit, he didn’t want to take his anger out on you or Director Son. This meeting just made him realize how great of an addition you would likely be for the team. If this was your first day and you had already managed to help work out a crisis, he could only imagine what you would do for the team’s future. 

But today just wasn’t the day he could forgive you completely. 

Thanks to you he was able to go home around the time he had planned. Since the entire financial team was there, they were quickly able to cover the points of their original meeting that was scheduled, and he ran off directly afterward to meet with Director Cho in his office for a discussion about marketing. It was still in the afternoon by the time he got back to the apartment. Part of him hoped he would find Yuri waiting for him with open arms, and they would leave together to start their day as he had planned. 

It was wishful thinking, but that didn’t stop the disappointment from burning his heart when he came back to find it exactly how he had expected.

Empty.

Jungkook sighed and kicked off his shoes. Today was horrible. 

He was about to head straight for the beer they kept in the fridge, but the various ingredients he found inside gave him an idea. If he didn’t try at all, how would he ever make this work? As much as Yuri hurt his feelings, he would still put on a happy face and be a good husband. 

He got straight to work, tying up his apron and rolling up his sleeves. 

Jungkook first contemplated what should make, and he decided pretty quickly once he double-checked what they had. Then he moved on to pulling out all the ingredients and putting them onto the counter. 

He wasn’t a master chef or anything, Jungkook had hardly cooked for himself his entire life— his parents always had a chef to prepare their meals. It was when he moved out that he realized how much he enjoyed it. It wasn’t too often that he cooked, but when he did, it always brought him so much satisfaction knowing he made it. Not to brag, but despite his lack of experience, Jungkook could easily follow a recipe and turn out with something pretty decent at the end. 

He decided to go with gimbap— it was relatively easy to make and increased his chances of not messing it up. By the time he had the rolls cut and ready on the plate, the sun had gone down.

Jungkook smiled as he looked at his creation. It was a little misshapen and the ingredients were spilling out from the sides, but he had high hopes on how it’d taste; he’d thrown in all of his favorite ingredients. It was cute and showed it was made by his own hands. He hoped this would be enough for them to at least spend a little time together when she got home. 

He sent her a quick text telling her about a ‘little surprise’ waiting for her at the apartment and to hurry home as soon as she could. He even added a heart at the end, a sign of peace, so they could put what the day could have been behind them and move on to shaping what they could make of it now.

Jungkook let out a satisfied sigh before taking off his apron, grabbing one of the nicer containers they owned, placing the food inside, and setting it on the dining table ready to be eaten whenever Yuri came back. 

He hoped this would be enough to get her to come home soon. 

He changed into more relaxing clothes and headed straight to the couch, deciding to continue that show he had started a little while back. He hadn’t planned to be here long; for some reason, he pictured Yuri bursting through the doors at any second, but he should have known he would end up disappointed yet again.

After more time passed, Jungkook eventually pulled out his ice cream and the beer he’d promised himself not to go for. 

He was depressed. It was worse than when he was in his office earlier. He wanted home to be his escape from the day he had, but it only made the problem worse just like he feared. All he could do was drown out his darkening thoughts with comfort cream and beer. 

Even more time passed by and there was still no Yuri. At this point, Jungkook had to call Jimin knowing he couldn’t be alone right now. He was on the verge of another breakdown. 

True to his nature, his hyung was at their apartment in no time. 

Jimin’s face fell the minute Jungkook opened the door. His friend looked even worse than when he left the office, his eyes were lifeless behind the smile he tried to show. It hurt even worse when he noticed the uneaten dinner on the dining table. He could see Jungkook had pulled out all the fancy candles, plates, and silverware, but they remained untouched; clearly, he was waiting. 

“Sorry I called you so late… I just didn't want to be alone right now.” It was more than that, and Jimin knew it. 

In truth, the thoughts that seemed to keep echoing in his head worried him. Not even his favorite movie could take his attention away from the harsh realization of what he was facing right now. He knew not even Yuri coming home at that very moment would solve everything. He just needed someone to talk to, someone to distract him from his thoughts.

Jimin pulled him into a hug before guiding them inside. They both ended up sharing a few beers together, Jungkook venting nearly the entire time. It was good and played as the much needed therapy he wanted. 

It was well into the night that after a few crying sessions and more beers, Jungkook was tipsy and better enough to send Jimin away. 

It was late, really, really late. 

He sent a few more texts to Yuri, now starting to get worried. None of them were answered.

The only thing that kept him sane was the fact that this wasn’t the first time it’s happened. She’d ghosted him before, leading Jungkook to nearly have a panic attack before she came back, claiming her phone had died. He just hoped maybe that’s what happened today. 

More time passed by and his eyes started getting heavy as he continued to stare at his TV. He probably would have fallen asleep if it wasn’t for the sound of beeps from someone putting in the passcode for the door. 

Jungkook sprung off of the couch as the door opened to reveal the girl he’d been wanting to see the entire day. Yuri slowly closed the door behind her, probably thinking he was asleep. All the lights were off except for the TV. 

“Yuri?” He asked hesitantly, a bit scared he was dreaming. 

She quickly turned around as soon as she heard his voice. 

Part of him was tempted to yell, even scream at her for abandoning him the way she did, but he was in no mood to pick a fight. Instead, he steadily waddled over to the front door where she was standing, careful not to bump into any furniture but the room had started to spin.

Jungkook was a bit stunned when he noticed her outfit. It was dark, but he could still see she was wearing this short, little red dress that seemed to sparkle even in the darkness. He had a feeling that she and this mysterious “friend from the US” had probably gone out to a club. He didn’t even feel like interrogating her. Nope, instead he finally made his way over, wrapped his arms around her frame, buried his face into her shoulder, and bathed in her warmth. 

Maybe he was a little more than tipsy…

“Missed you so much…” he whispered quietly into her skin as he placed gentle kisses on her shoulder, the slur in his words even noticeable to his ears. 

Jungkook felt her arms wrap around his neck, pulling him closer, a wave of excitement that he’d been missing all day washed over him. 

“Did you really?” She lulled like a siren’s song, leading him down a path to forget everything that happened. He wanted to say something, but being drunk left him unable to form any cohesive thoughts to convey his feelings; the hurt he felt being abandoned, how much had he wished he spent this entire day running around Seoul with her by his side, how much had he hoped she would just come home so they could, at the very least, share a meal together. All of these moments, memories, time, and energy wasted.

But he didn’t want to turn this into another fight, instead he just nodded into her skin. “So fucking much.” It was a little more crude than the romantic declaration he was going for, but it didn’t matter. He meant what he said, he really did miss her. 

Yuri hummed lightly into his ear, and he couldn't stop himself from pressing her against the wall, pulling back slightly so they were eye to eye, and resting his forehead against hers. Her presence was intoxicating, in a way that made all the worries so easily wash away. He was supposed to be mad, he had every right to be, but for some reason that didn’t stop his hand from coming up and his thumb gently caressing her cheek; so soft and warm.

He was definitely more than a little drunk at this point. Not to the point he was confused where he was, but he was faded enough to be wobbly on his feet, and the liquid courage was certainly flowing through his system to make him bolder than usual.

A moment passed, one that if he was more sober, he would have thought through more. Did he want this? Should he turn back? But whatever he felt in the past, it didn’t really matter anymore. His wife was here now, he should be happy. 

If he was questioning it anymore, the look in her eyes was enough for that seesaw to finally land. It was sultry, like she wanted him to forget and he wanted to as well. 

Jungkook felt the rush surge faster than any rational thought could stop, his lips were on hers in a haste to finally feel her. It was slow at first, Jungkook wanting her to know just how much he wanted her to be here with him. It made him feel so warm, the affection he’d been craving for all day was finally happening.

He couldn’t stop himself from pushing her further into the door and picking up the pace. It all happened so fast.

Suddenly his tongue was down her throat, he could taste the sweet alcohol she had probably drank, and with the fleeting reminder of the dress she was wearing as his hands ran up her thighs, an odd sense of possessiveness came over him. He had no idea who she was with, if this “friend from the US” even existed, but he had the odd feeling of making her remember exactly who she was to him. She was his wife, everyone, everywhere should know that. 

Jungkook hastily picked her up and put her on the kitchen counter that was closest to him. His hands roamed her sides, tracing every curve with a hunger and need that saw no end. Soft sighs of pleasure fell from her lips as his hips steadily rocked into hers, and he relished in any sound he was able to draw out of her. All he wanted to do was make her feel good, that’s all he ever wanted. Her hands gripped his shirt tightly and he wished for nothing more than for her to rip it off of him. His skin burned and pleaded for more. As much as he enjoyed kissing her like this, this wasn’t enough.

He couldn’t wait anymore. He picked her up again and led them over to their shared bedroom, he didn’t even bother turning on the lights as he gently laid her on their bed. Jungkook quickly slotted himself between her thighs and dived straight back to her lips. 

His mind felt fuzzy, maybe it was just because he was more drunk than what he thought, but as he ground himself into her clothed core, the sudden realization of everything hit him hard. 

They haven’t had sex in months, literal months since the last time he felt the warmth of her walls around him. They’ve done other things, but full-blown sex…

“Yuri… please….” He cried as his hand traveled under her dress to hover over her panties. Yuri quickly nodded and that was all he needed to lose his mind. 

He pulled her dress up and moved down so he was staring at her clothed core. 

He quickly pulled her panties down her legs before his face was buried between her thighs, and he was diving in for his rightful meal. Jungkook was good, using his tongue to work her clit and he had two fingers buried deep inside her, all the while he was practically fucking the mattress in a haste for any kind of friction. 

When he said they hadn’t had sex it was more so that Jungkook hadn’t been touched in months. Jungkook was a good husband, always there to take care of his wife when she wanted him. But she never let him take things further. This was just another running problem in their marriage. His sex life was pretty much nonexistent. He never wanted to be that guy, and especially with the fact that their marriage was relatively new and they were still getting to know each other, he knew sex was going to be a tricky subject. 

There were clear boundaries set, and he was okay with taking things slow right now, but does it leave him frustrated sometimes? Yes, extremely. 

The amount of times Jungkook has done this for her, he knew her patterns and how to get her cumming on his tongue in no time. Her moans and pleas were all music to his ears, knowing he was doing something right for once. 

By the time he pulled away, Jungkook was hardly keeping it together. He practically ripped off his shirt and pants, tossing them off the bed somewhere into the abyss of the darkness. 

When he turned back to her, he was practically drooling at how fucked out she looked; Yuri’s hair cascaded around her, reminding him of the angel she looked like on their wedding day, and her dress was pushed up to her thighs and the straps were brought down revealing her tits. 

Oh fuck. Now, now, now. 

Jungkook hurriedly kissed her, before reaching over to his nightstand, and opening the drawer to grab a condom. The box wasn’t right there so his hand had to search and feel his way around— it didn’t take long, but it was too long in his desperation when he was finally pulling one out.  

“Jungkook, wait… what are you doing?” Yuri asked once he finally managed to pull one out of the box. 

He looked at her hoping this didn’t mean what he thought it did. He kissed her again and buried himself into her shoulder. “Baby please… wanna feel you…” he pleaded, grinding slowly into her heat. A moan fell from his lips, the friction was desperately needed. He would take anything at this point. 

“Been so long… I missed you.” It was bad. His body was crying out for something, and he wanted Yuri to give him just that. It was starting to hurt. 

“But it’s late, Jungkook. I’m tired.” Yuri sighed, making his heart drop. 

“But…but…” he mumbled. He moved so he could see her face and he could immediately tell she wasn’t joking. 

“It’s fine, I promise I’ll be quick. You worked me up so much, just—“ 

“Jungkook, not tonight, okay?” She grumbled, clearly done with the moment they shared. This is what happens all the time. He didn’t know why he thought it was going to be different considering the occasion, but that didn’t stop him from feeling a bit disappointed. 

Jungkook just sighed and rolled off of her. His skin burned with need and he knew he had to do something. It hurt, it had been so fucking long.

He tried not to be mad but he was. He hurriedly got up from the bed. 

“I’m going to take a shower… a very long shower.” He huffed.

“Jungkook you better not do that shit in our—“ was the last thing he heard before he slammed the door. 

He tried to be calm; he didn’t want to get mad over something like this. The marriage was still new, there were going to be hurdles. It happens. 

Today had just been terrible. All the emotions he had tried his best to suppress were coming out; he was angry, he was depressed, he was frustrated. There hadn’t been one moment that he felt like things were okay, today had been just as horrible as he thought it would be and then some since he woke up this morning.

All he wanted was some type of relief. 

He quickly turned on the shower to hopefully stop her from hearing him, and got to work pleasing his body in the only way he could. His hand covered his mouth while the other traveled down his body, finally grabbing a hold of himself. 

He thought about how today would have turned out if it went the way he wanted. Jungkook would have woken his wife up with every affirmation of how much he loved her, how happy she’d made him since they got married, as he showered her with all the praise his mushy heart would come up with in that moment. 

Jungkook wouldn’t have wanted to leave her that morning, but duty calls and with the taste of her still on his tongue he would have gone to work. It was hard to be apart for those few hours. He would have struggled to keep his eyes off his phone as she cutely texted and pleaded for him to be home soon because she missed him so much.

The minute he would have returned Jungkook could hardly get inside before she was tackling him with kisses. She would have been already dressed for their day out, wearing that pretty off-the-shoulder dress with flowers all over it, knowing how much that one drives him crazy. But none of that mattered because the dress was hitting the floor before he could close the door behind him.

Another moment of passion and love as they did it right there on the floor. Jungkook would have been enthralled by her warmth and her love. She would have let her heart’s declarations spill from her mouth continuously as he held her in his arms; that she wanted him here, that she cared for him just as much as he did for her. 

Then they were finally able to pull away from each other. It was just long enough that Jungkook could whisk her around Seoul to all the destinations he’d planned to take her. They’ve both lived in Seoul for most of their lives but Jungkook made sure to pick obscure but momentous places around the city that he was sure she’d enjoy:

 A jazz lounge for a late lunch, he’d seen videos of the band that played there and he knew it would have been perfect to have in the background as they conversed. He also planned to take her to the mall– one of her favorite spots to go with her friends. He hoped to share some of that excitement and treat her to whatever she stumbled across that day, showing his wife just how much she means to him. He had pictured holding the bags while she dragged him along to wherever she wanted to go, sitting down for hours as she tried out dresses and him struggling to convey that he really meant it when he said she looked beautiful in whatever she put on. There was so much more, a day full of wonders, kisses, hugs. But the night would have ended with a nice, romantic walk by Han River, enjoying the sights and scenery in the cool September air. They would have hopefully gotten the chance to stop by this dessert place Secretary Yu told him about that she promised Yuri would love. Maybe they would have kept walking as they ate and talked their hearts out. Jungkook had practiced all these cheesy lines he hoped she would have liked, at least laugh at, anything to see her smile. 

It would have been magical and when they would have made it back to the apartment, they would’ve immediately gone back to the room to end the night with a bang. She would have felt so good, he knew she would. He probably would have lost his mind just having his wife close and by his side. His heart would have melted every time she would look into his eyes. Her hands on him, pleading, pleading for him to make her feel good. 

No, maybe… maybe even in this reality, the one where he had a horrible day, even then it would have been so nice to be with her. That’s all he wanted.

He whined and whimpered as his thumb traced along the tip, precum leaking profusely. His hand made quick work of its strokes, hastily trying to chase the pleasure he’d been denied of the whole day. 

He had to resist the urge to scream when he ended up spilling all over his hand, stomach, and thighs. It had been way too long. 

Jungkook ended up in the shower not too long after, the water cool against his skin to keep the burning desire for more at bay. Instead, he just thought about his day, how shitty it was. 

Like of all days, he got coffee spilled all over him? It sounded like something out of a sitcom.

But you… 

Suddenly he thought back to you, your long legs and red lipstick. You were definitely one of his saving graces. Without you, he would have been stuck worrying about this launch. That wasn’t completely alleviated, but the team had texted throughout the day that your method had looked promising, and especially considering what they already invested into advertising, the wave of demand would hopefully nearly double by the time the next shipment rolled out. Though it wasn’t going to be exactly the profit they had expected to bring in from this quarter, this method should hopefully in the long run make up for the botched launch.

Without you he might have still been at the office, the teams and him trying his best to come up with some sort of solution in dealing with the consequences and ramifications of such an unexpected fuck up. It was still odd that it had been weeks since production started, and they had only noticed this malfunction now…  

He needed to head down to the factories and see for himself what exactly happened, but he already had a few names in mind of people who might not be here for much longer.

But he wouldn’t worry about that now, instead his mind drifted back to you during the meeting today.

He already knew working with you was going to be interesting, and despite the rough start, he was looking forward to seeing where you might go. 

main masterlist ✩ series masterlist » next chapter

[peterporkerfan]

sketchbook [earth 1610!miles morales x latina!reader]

word count: 1.2k

warnings: fluff, light cursing, kissing, relationship insecurities, lots of spanglish

a/n: my first language is spanish, so nothing here is google translated i promise 💀

It was a hot June afternoon, and the air was sizzling all over the city.

You and Miles laid on his bed, side by side, with his arm draped around your shoulder. The AC was on full blast, and Miles’ favorite album sounded all around the room. You were both humming and singing along contently. You looked up at him smiling every once in a while, and he’d look back, smiling even wider.

“Baby, do you hear this? No one does it like Kendrick. His music is on a whole ‘nother level.” He smiled back down at you, looking at you with sheer adoration.“You know, Gwen and I…we’d listen to him all the time when she’d swing by. I love his music.”

“Remember when your favorite rapper was Post Malone?” You joked, and he looked away awkwardly.

“Yeah…we don’t—we don’t talk about that.”

You laughed and you brought your hands to his cheeks, bringing him closer and kissing him deeply. He smiled into the kiss, bringing his hands to your waist and pulling you towards him until you were laying on top of him.

You pull away from the kiss, and look down at Miles while you smile.

“I’ve never met anyone like you, Miles. Eres otra cosa.”

Miles smiled back at you, feeling so lucky to have someone like you in his life. “Just wait until you meet Peter, Hobie, or Gwen…especially Gwen. She’s the coolest person ever. You two would get along really well.” Miles rambled.

“I’m sure we would.” You smiled back at your boyfriend, knowing how much he cared about his friends.

“Miles, mijo! Baja un momentito. I need your help with something!” Mrs. Morales shouted from downstairs.

“Coming, Ma!” Miles shouted back, turning his head in the direction of the opened door.

“A mi tú no me grites!”

Miles sighed, “I’ll be back ya mismo”

“I’ll be right here” You smiled at him. Miles smiled back and walked out, leaving you alone in his room.

When Miles shut the door, you stood up from your position, sitting with your legs crossed on the edge of the twin sized bed. You took in his room, and how much it reminded you of him. His collectible figurines, countless posters of his favorite rappers and albums, and the constant clutter on his floor. You spotted his sketchbook on the ground right in front of you, and felt a sudden urge to pick it up.

Miles was generally open about most things with you, however he kept his drawings to himself. You never questioned it as maybe he just thought they were embarrassing or too personal. You slowly picked up the book and started flipping through its pages. At first you were met with images of his uncle, his suit, and the streets of Brooklyn. You smiled faintly as you flipped through, appreciating how utterly talented your boyfriend was. However, you were suddenly met with countless images of someone whose name you’d never forget: Gwen.

Miles’ face would always light up when he mentioned Gwen. You never thought much of it, however, there were so many drawings of her in his sketchbook, which must’ve taken hours to make, with every little detail about her captured on the paper. You began to feel an unfamiliar pain take over you, and you put the sketchbook down where you got it from. God, she was gorgeous. And cool. Of course Miles liked her…I mean who wouldn’t? The way he described her made her seem so…captivating. Before the thought took over you completely, Miles walked into the room again, holding a large laundry basket and setting it down besides his bed. You tried to change your expression, looking up at your boyfriend like you usually would.

“That’s a lot of clothes to sort through. Que mierda.” Miles sighed.

“You need any help?”

“Yeah, actually. That’d be pretty good.”

“Cual es la palabra mágica?” You teased, batting your eyes at him playfully.

Miles narrowed his eyes at you, acting playfully annoyed. “Please?”

You walked towards him and gave him a kiss on the cheek, and leaned down to sort through the clothes in the basket.

“I think you might’ve outgrown this sweater a while ago.” You held it out so Miles could see. It was an orange cardigan, with patches embroidered into it.

“Haha, very funny, Y/N. That’s Gwen’s. She left it here last time que visitó.”

“Y tú—you wear it?” You asked, feeling the uneasiness you felt before come rushing back.

“Course not. Mami probably threw it in the laundry basket sorting through my room at some point.”

“Oh.”

“It’s nice to have something of her’s though. Just to remember her by.”

Some time went by and you continued to fold clothes while a question bubbled inside you. Finally, after a long silence, you asked.

“Miles, tú—do you still…”

“Do I still what, mi amor?”

“Have feelings for…”

Miles furrowed his brows. “For…Gwen?”

“I mean, you talk about her so much and I didn’t mean to violate your privacy or anything but I may or may not have looked through your sketchbook filled with drawings of her. And don’t get me wrong the drawings are really good pero—”

Miles interrupted your senseless ramble. “Mi amor…”

“Qué?”

“You don’t seriously think that I like her, right?”

“Well, I don’t know. I mean I wouldn’t blame you for it, you know. You did once before, you could again but—“

“Baby…those drawings are old, did you go through the whole thing?”

“No, not really. I guess I thought I’d seen…enough.”

Miles picked up the sketchbook off the ground and flipped through it. He handed it to you and looked at you with adoration as he did so (unbeknownst to you, as you were staring down at your shoes with shame). You flipped the page from a drawing of Gwen and saw it: countless drawings of you. All done when you thought he wasn’t looking. A drawing of you looking at the board in math class, sitting across the room from Miles (only because the teacher thought you two were “too chatty” when you sat together). A drawing of you sitting on your windowsill with headphones on, drowning out the world around you. A drawing of you walking towards Miles, smiling at him. The drawings continued for countless pages, and your eyes began to water as you looked back up at Miles.

“You did all these…de mi?”

“Claro, you’re my girl. Why would I not?” Miles’ brows furrowed as he looked towards you.

“Dios mio, I’m so sorry for thinking you liked her. Soy tan estupida a veces.”

“Nah, don’t be, and you’re not. Yo soy el que es medio pendejo every once in a while. That’s on me.” Miles laughed.

“Y Miles, these drawings are really good. Why hadn’t you shown me?”

“I thought you wouldn’t—ay, no se. I thought you’d think they were stupid or something, I guess.” Miles mumbled, looking down at his shoes.

“Stupid? Miles, these are…you’re crazy talented. Are you kidding me?”

“Thanks…” Miles blushed as he smiled back at you faintly.

“Alright, well… enough of this sappy shit. Where were we?”

“Laundry.” Said Miles.

“Right, laundry.”

“Do we reeeeally want to do the laundry though?” Miles asked, hoping you’d just say no.

“Fuck no.” You laughed.

“Great!” You laughed as Miles webbed you back to were you were before, laying side by side on his bed.

You looked up at him. “Can I choose the music now?”

“Fine, baby. Play whatever you want.”

You unlocked his phone and searched for a Spanish pop song you knew Miles hated.

He narrowed his eyes at you. “Seriously…”

“Miles, si no es así te vas a convertir en un gringo. Con esa B en español, imagínate…”

“Alright, alright…lo que tu digas, mami.” He laughed, kissing the top of your head.

As the song played and you sung along to each word, Miles became sure of one thing:

He’d never let you go.

send me requests for whatever (no smut and only latina or white/race not specified reader please)!! i’ll write mainly for miles morales but i’ll take requests for anyone else spiderverse/spiderman!!

[taylorswiftandx]

Taylor Swift and War

Note: huge thank you to @meandmypagancrew who assembled the lyrics for this post! A quick reminder that these type of posts can be quite subjective and we have taken a pretty broad view, but please comment if you think something has been left out.

'Taylor Swift'

(no war)

'Fearless (Taylor's Version)'

Tell Me Why: I took a chance, I took a shot and you might think I’m bulletproof but I’m not

Change: It's a sad picture, the final blow hits you

Change: This revolution, the time will come

Change: We’ve been outnumbered, raided and now cornered

Change: It’s hard to fight when the fight ain’t fair

Change: Tonight we’ll stand, get off our knees, fight for what we’ve worked for all these years

Change: The battle was long, it’s the fight of our lives

Change: It’s a revolution, through your hands up

Mr. Perfectly Fine: So strategized, all the eyes on you

'Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)’'

Mean: You can take me down with just one single blow

Mean: You, with your switching sides and your wildfire lies and your humiliation

Innocent: I guess you really did it this time, left yourself in your warpath

Long Live: I had the time of my life fighting dragons with you 

Timeless: Even if we’d met on a crowded street in 1944, and you were heard off to fight in the war

Timeless: I would’ve read your love letters every single night and prayed to God you’d be coming home all right

'Red (Taylor's Version)'

State of Grace: You come around and the armor falls, pierce the room like a cannonball

Ronan: You fought it hard like an army guy

Better Man: Push my love away like it’s some kind of loaded gun

Nothing New: Shoot you down and then they sigh and say “She looks like she’s been through it”

All Too Well (10 Minute Version): I’m a soldier who’s returning half her weight

'1989 (Taylor’s Version)’

Bad Blood: Band-aids don’t fix bullet holes

I Know Places: They take their shots, but we’re bulletproof

Clean: Hung my head as I lost the war

You Are In Love: And you understand now why they lost their minds and fought the wars

Bad Blood (feat. Kendrick Lamar): Now POV of you and me, similar Iraq

Bad Blood (feat. Kendrick Lamar): It was my season for battle wounds, battle scars, body bumped, bruised

'reputation'

(no war)

'Lover'

The Archer: Combat, I’m ready for combat

You Need To Calm Down: You are somebody that I don’t know but you’re taking shots at me like it’s Patrón

You Need To Calm Down: You are somebody that we don’t know but you’re coming at my friends like a missile

'folklore'

Exile: You’re not my homeland anymore, so what am I defending now?

My Tears Ricochet: And so the battleships will sink beneath the waves

Mad Woman: My cannons all firing at your yacht

Epiphany: Keep your helmet, keep your life, son

Epiphany: Just a flesh wound, here’s your rifle

Epiphany: Crawling up the beaches now, “Sir, I think he’s bleeding out”

Epiphany: With you I serve, with you I fall down, down

Peace: And you know that I’d swing with you for the fences, sit with you in the trenches

'evermore'

Tolerate It: I greet you with a battle hero’s welcome

Tolerate It: When did all our lessons start to look like weapons pointed at my deepest hurt?

Long Story Short: Fatefully, I tried to pick my battles ‘til the battle picked me

Long Story Short: We live in peace, but if someone comes at us, this time, I’m ready

Evermore: Whether weather be the frost or the violence of the dog days

'Midnights'

Mastermind: Strategy sets the scene for the tale

The Great War: Flashes of the battle come back to me in a blur

The Great War: All that bloodshed, crimson clover

The Great War: My hand was the one you reached for all throughout the Great War

The Great War: I vowed not to cry anymore if we survived the Great War

The Great War: You drew up some good faith treaties

The Great War: The bombs were closer

The Great War: I vowed not to fight anymore if we survived the Great War

The Great War: Soldier down on that icy ground

The Great War: Broken and blue, so I called off the troops

The Great War: There’s no morning glory, it was war, it wasn’t fair

The Great War: I vowed I would always be yours 'cause we survived the Great War

You’re Losing Me: All I did was bleed as I tried to be the bravest soldier

You’re Losing Me: Fighting in only your army, front lines, don’t your ignore me

Other Songs written by Taylor

Eyes Open: Yesterday, we were just children playing soldiers, just pretending

Eyes Open: In backyards, winning battles with our wooden swords

Renegade: You fire off missiles cause you hate yourself, but do you know you’re demolishing me?

Safe and Sound: The war outside our door keeps raging on

The Alcott: Everything that’s mine is a landmine

Official Alternate Releases

(no war)

[drabbles-mc]

Protective Detail (6/?)

Nestor Oceteva x Reader

Warnings: language, tension so thick you could cut it with a goddamn knife

Word Count: 3.5k

A/N: We finally get some payoff, my friends. This chapter is just a tiny taste of what’s in store for 7. That’s when we really get our thirst quenched. So...you know...stay tuned...

Chapter Index

Protective Detail Taglist: @masterlistforimagines​ @sillygoose6969​ @mydaiilyescape​ @lovebennycolonmiguelgalindo​ @the-radical-venus​ @gemini0410​ @garbinge​ @slutformayansmc​ @paintballkid711​ @chibsytelford​ @yourwonkywriter​ @sesamepancakes​ @mayans-sauce​ (If you want to be tagged in this fic or any of my other writing don’t hesitate to let me know!)

You had your bluetooth headphones on, lip-syncing along with the songs on your playlist as you cleaned around the house. You hated vacuuming, and you always tried to get it done quickly. The time seemed to pass faster when you were dancing to a good beat while you drowned out the noise.

One of the benefits of not having a large house, was that cleaning it wasn’t as daunting of a task as it could’ve been. Plus, on days like today when you called in and didn’t have anywhere to be, there was no excuse not to get it done. Your brain was still reeling from your interaction with Nestor earlier, and cleaning with loud music blaring in your ears seemed like a welcome distraction.

You were dancing your way over to the kitchen to get started on cleaning all of your counters when you felt someone’s eyes on you. You spun around and gasped when you saw Nestor standing there, looking back and forth between you and your phone that was in his hand.

You felt your face get hot as you pushed the headphones down so they were resting around your neck, “Jesus, Nestor. You’re gonna give me a heart attack.”

“Gotta stay alert,” he said matter-of-factly. He held your phone up, “Kendrick is on your cleaning mix?”

You laughed, “What? He’s not on yours?”

“Just didn’t have you pegged as a hip-hop fan, that’s all.”

“You have a lot to learn about me, Mr. Oceteva.”

His brows furrowed, “Don’t call me that ever again,” his face remained serious for a moment before a smirk broke out across it.

You chuckled, “From now on it’s the only thing I will ever call you.”

He didn’t dignify your comment with a response, “Anything I can do?”

You shrugged, “I’m just gonna wipe down the counters and stove. Just trying to keep myself busy.”

You put your headphones back on and got started cleaning up the kitchen. The longer you stood there staring at Nestor, the more you felt like you were going to lose your mind. What you really wanted to do was go for a drive to clear your head, but that was off the table even if Nestor was going to be in the car with you. Carefree cruising was going to be put on hold for the foreseeable future.

Once you were done in the kitchen, you moved on to the bathroom. It was the smallest room in the house but for some reason it was your least favorite to clean. You blamed it on the fact that you hated the smell of bleach, but it was just a lot of scrubbing and crouching if you were going to clean it the right way.

You stood up and were turning around to go grab a fresh roll of paper towels from the kitchen when you ran smack into Nestor. You huffed, looking up at him trying your best to have an annoyed expression on your face, although you knew that he would probably be able to see right through it.

“Quit sneaking up on me!”

He smirked, “I’m not,” he reached forward and gently thumbed a bead of sweat off your forehead before walking away and heading back to his room.

You felt like your entire body was on fire as you stood there stuck in place in the bathroom. He wasn’t much for any kind of contact at all, and that seemed like such an unnecessary gesture. You shook your head and went to grab a clean set of clothes from your room as you tried not to read too much into it. The only thing you could do right now was take a shower to try and wash away all the thoughts that were flying through your head.

You didn’t see much of Nestor for the rest of the afternoon. The door to his room was open, but you couldn’t bring yourself to go and see him. The house was silent and you finally forced yourself to put something on the TV just to keep you from going insane inside your own head.

It was starting to approach dinner time and you figured that you were going to have to talk to him eventually. Taking a deep breath you lightly knocked on the door.

“Yea?”

You stepped in to see him sitting with his back up against the headboard, computer in his lap. You leaned back against the doorframe nervously, “Dinner?”

“I’d like to eat eventually, yea,” he slowly shut his laptop, a tiny grin creeping across his face.

“I’d literally kill someone for a slice of pizza at this point,” you said with a laugh.

He chuckled, “Sure, you’d kill someone, but would you leave the house?”

You huffed, “You’ve worn me down. I am willing to leave the house to get pizza.”

He raised his eyebrows, “Wow. You feeling alright?”

You smiled, shaking your head, “You gotta admit it’s been a long few days.”

“If you wanna call and place the order, we can go pick it up.”

“Can I leave it under your name?”

He sighed, pressing his lips together for a moment, “You’re going to place an order for Mr. Oceteva, aren’t you?”

“Guess you’ll find out when we go to pick it up,” you laughed as you walked out of the room.

You never thought that you’d see the day when Nestor left the house in anything but his dress clothes. But, sure enough, he was grabbing the keys to the SUV still in his sweatpants. He had a gun tucked into the waistband, and you smiled to yourself as he pulled on a baggy hoodie to cover it up. He looked over to you, waiting for you to catch up with him.

The two of you went back and forth earlier about who was going to drive, but Nestor insisted. You were trying to be considerate because the last drive wasn’t the smoothest, but you could see it in his eyes that he wasn’t going to back down. It wasn’t worth an argument, so you let him have the keys.

Nestor walked into the restaurant first, instantly scanning the whole building. The young man behind the register looked at the two of you with a smile, “Can I help you?”

“Order for pickup?” Nestor said as he reached into his pocket for his wallet.

The boy looked over the names for orders that he had, “Are you…Mr. Oceteva?”

You could tell that he was clenching his jaw and you bit back a laugh. Nestor sighed, “Yes, that’s me.”

He was opening his wallet to grab some cash when you reached forward and snatched it out of his hands, stuffing it into your pocket before he could pay. You could see it on his face that he wanted to grab it back, but wasn’t about to start something in the middle of the pizza place. You chuckled as you handed a few bills over the counter to the young man, who looked very interested in how the situation was going to play out.

“Keep the change,” you said with a smile, “Have a good night.”

The kid nodded with a smile, “You too.”

You looked to Nestor, “Can you grab those?” you nodded towards the pizza and wing boxes.

The two of you walked back to the car, and he didn’t say anything until you both were inside of it with the doors locked. He looked over at you with a heavy sigh and held out his hand, “Wallet.”

You smirked, pulling it out of your pocket, “Fine, fine,” before you handed it over you opened it, and your eyes nearly popped out of your head when you saw his license photo, “Oh my god,” your hand flew up to cover your mouth, “Is that…teenage Nestor?”

He reached over and snatched it up out of your hands, “Give me the fucking wallet.”

“Your hair was so short!” you laughed, “Look at you and your baby face.”

He leaned his head back, looking up at the ceiling like he was praying to god for patience, “Please stop talking.”

“You were so cute what the fuck,” you laughed, shaking your head in disbelief.

“I’ll leave you here,” he looked over at you, “And I’ll take the pizza with me.”

You pressed your lips together and tried to keep yourself from smiling, but you failed, “Let’s get home before the pizza gets cold.”

He shook his head as he threw the car into drive. For as annoyed as he was making himself seem, you could see it in his eyes that he was amused by the whole ordeal. He’d never admit it, but you knew it was true.

The two of you were camped out on the couch. You had ordered a large pizza, so you decided it was easier to just set the box on the cushion between you and each of you sat cross-legged facing it. It was the first time that Nestor ever drank at home, and it made you feel like you were at a slumber party of some kind.

You took a swig from your beer bottle, “Can I be real with you for a minute?”

He nodded, “Sure.”

“I know that this,” you gestured to yourself and your house, “is not what you usually do. I know it’s probably way below your paygrade, and I know that I give you a lot of shit for very little reward,” you chuckled, “But I’m really glad that you’re here.”

He froze mid-bite, “Yea?”

You smiled, “Yea. I know I gave you and my father both a hard time about all this. But if I’m being honest? I was pretty shaken up after everything happened. It felt like if I gave into this without a fight, I was admitting defeat. But I do feel a lot safer with you here. So…thanks.”

It was clear on his face that he was trying to process everything that you had just said to him. He set his slice of pizza back down into the box, “Can I ask what happened? Your father never gave me any details.”

You sigh, leaning back against the arm of the couch, “It was so stupid,” you shook your head, “I was out with a couple friends, bar-hopping. I stepped outside to get some fresh air, and this girl runs up to me in tears, saying that her friend was sick and she didn’t know what to do. Like, alcohol poisoning sick. And she was freaking out saying that her friend wasn’t breathing and she already called 911 but she didn’t know what else to do. So, I went to help, because I’m not gonna let someone choke on their own vomit and die or something. But when I got to the end of the block—”

“No friend.”

You shook your head, “Nope. Just two dudes trying to grab me and take me away. I really don’t remember exactly what happened, how I didn’t end up dead or at least hog-tied in the back of some sketchy-ass van. But when I tell you that I have never run away from something so fast," you took a long drink from your beer, “But anyway, yea. That’s the gist of it. Obviously, I had to tell my dad about it.  He freaked out. He had no idea that he had been stirring up so much shit with business lately. And I’m assuming you got your new employment notice shortly after that happened,” you half-smiled.

He shook his head, “Sorry, Y/N.”

You shrugged, “I know better than to go anywhere alone, even with a distressed girl coming to me in tears. Just had a lapse in judgment and I paid the price for it. Just sorry you’re paying for it too,” you managed a laugh.

“I’m paying for my own lapses in judgment, don’t worry.”

You paused—that was the closest you’d ever gotten to hearing him talk about what happened on his end of things to land him in your house with you. “Sorry purgatory for you is this little two-bedroom house with me,” you smiled at him.

He chuckled, shaking his head, “Who knows, I might’ve ended up here anyway. But I definitely made the call a lot easier for them.”

“What was your crime?” you tried to keep it light but you couldn’t hide your curiosity.

His expression sobered as he contemplated whether or not he wanted to let you in on that part of his life, “Nothing as good-natured as trying to help someone with their drunk friend.”

“Not that I don’t totally dig the whole spiffy, braided, mysterious vibe you always have going,” you gestured to his whole body for a moment before continuing, “But you ever gonna not be vague with me about your deal with Galindo? I know I don’t particularly like him, but still. I like you. It’d be nice to know a little about you. I mean, c’mon, I doubt anything you say to me is going to be surprising. You know who my father is.”

He chuckled, unable to make eye contact with you for a few moments. He took a deep breath, “You remember the last Santa Madre festival?”

“Fuck, who doesn’t? Shit went sideways so fast,” you shook your head slightly, “Rebels killed that nun, right?”

His eyes were glued to the box between you, “Not really.”

There were a few moments of silence before it all clicked inside your head. Your eyes grew wide, “You…?” when he nodded all you could do was ask, “But why?”

He sighed and shook his head, “Rebels had been making the cartel catch a lot of shit. Galindo was convinced that the only way to put himself back on the right side of things was to flip the script—turn the Rebels into the problem. Put their name on the dirty work instead of the cartel’s,” he leaned back against the arm of the couch, “He was not thrilled with the call that I made on the specifics of the method.”

It was hard to picture the Nestor that you had come to know, the one who burned through entire pints of ice cream, and roughed up men who disrespected you, was capable of that kind of carnage. You knew better than to put anything past anyone, though. You could see the tension in his body as he waited for your reaction.

You let out a small sigh, “Listen, no one in the Galindo family has any room to talk about cruel and unusual punishment,” you waited for him to look at you, “And for better or worse, you did exactly what he needed. LO took a major hit in the court of public opinion after that. Don’t place a vague order if you’re gonna complain about all the details of it once the plate is in front of you.”

He let out a surprised chuckle, “Damn. If I had you around earlier maybe I wouldn’t have gotten demoted in the first place.”

“I’ll talk to him for you,” you laughed, “Just say the word.”

His laugh was genuine, “Absolutely not. I’ll be completely fired if you do that.”

“But,” you smiled as you toyed with the beer bottle in your hands, “if that happened you would get to stay with me all the time. Does that not sound amazing to you?” he remained silent for a few moments before his face broke out into a smile and you shook your head, “Shut up you could have it so much worse.”

The two of you didn’t talk for a few minutes, the television filling the house with quiet noise. You finished what little was still in your beer bottle before starting to clear up what was left of dinner. As much as you hated leaving the house compared to delivery, you had to admit that the trip was worth it.

You saw Nestor open his mouth to say something as you reached down and collected his beer bottle, but he stopped himself. You lingered for a moment, hoping that he would change his mind and say whatever it was that he was thinking, but he just reached and pulled his phone out of his pocket.

Once you finished cleaning up, you decided that you were going to try and get to bed at a somewhat decent hour so you could try to get back to your usual schedule. You walked up behind Nestor, gently resting one hand on his shoulder.

“I’m heading to bed,” you squeezed his shoulder lightly, “Goodnight.”

He didn’t look up at you as he rested his hand over yours for a brief moment, “Goodnight. See you in the morning.”

You were lying awake in bed for what felt like an eternity. In reality it had only been a couple hours, but that was a long time to lie awake staring at the ceiling. You finally caved and took your phone out. If you were going to be awake anyway, you might as well look at something.

That’s when you heard the television shut off. Shortly thereafter the lights in the living room turned off as well. You realized that you had never been awake when Nestor went to bed. You heard soft footsteps in the hall and you didn’t know why but you were holding your breath when they got close to your door.

There was a light knock as he leaned in the doorway, looking at your face that was lit up by the screen of your phone, “Still up?”

You sat upright, eyes focusing on his silhouette in the darkness, “Can’t sleep.”

“Need anything?”

Your entire body felt like it was overheating. You gnawed at the inside of your cheek, “I, uh…I think I’m…I think I’m good.”

He chuckled, “You don’t sound too sure about that.”

You laughed, fingers twisting nervously in your blanket, “Not sure how much you could help me with what I need, Nestor.”

He crossed the threshold into your room, and you were very aware of the fact that he had never done so before. He came and found a seat on the edge of your bed, “It’s what I’m here for. Try me,” his hand found its way to yours and the warmth of it caused you to release your vice grip on the blanket as he slipped his fingers between yours.

Your heart was pounding inside your chest and your breath felt like it was caught in your throat. You set your phone off to the side with your hand that wasn’t entwined with Nestor’s, and you wondered if he could feel the way your body was trembling.

“I can go, if you’re alright,” he went to stand up.

“No,” you squeezed his hand, giving him a slight tug to keep him from getting up.

“What’s up?” you could hear the smugness in his tone—he knew exactly what was going through your head.

“I,” you paused, taking a deep breath, “I’m not looking to make this more difficult for you.”

He chuckled, “Since when?”

Your whole face was hot and you were thankful that the darkness of your room hid the nervousness that was surely showing on your face, “That’s…that’s fair.”

He was halfway through a laugh when you leaned in and pressed your lips against his. There was a moment of stillness when you were waiting for him to pull back, to get up and leave, but he didn’t. Instead, he gave your hand a gentle squeeze as he leaned into you. You felt the tension fading out of your body as your free hand came up to rest on the back of his neck, keeping his lips against yours.

When he finally pulled away to catch his breath, he finished the laugh he had started before you kissed him. He cupped the side of your face in his hand, “We do not have the same definition of the word difficult.”

You giggled, biting down lightly on your bottom lip, “No?”

He shook his head, “No.”

He didn’t give you the opportunity to come up with a smart remark as he pulled your lips back to his. You smiled as you melted against him. Your heart was beating so hard inside your chest you were sure that Nestor was going to be able to hear it in the silence of your room. He pulled you closer to him, his hand sliding to rest on the back of your neck. The feeling of his hands on you sent a wave of heat throughout your entire body and you let out a shaky moan as you kissed him.

He pulled back just enough so that his lips weren’t on yours, “You good?”

You nodded, “Yea,” you smiled, your voice soft, “Don’t stop, please.”

He didn’t say anything, but he didn’t have to. A smirk crossed his face for a moment before he kissed you again, harder this time. His fingertips pressed lightly into the nape of your neck and for the first time you could feel the neediness radiating off of him—it pulsated through his fingers and into your skin. His touch was magnetic, and you knew that you wouldn’t have been able to pull away from him even if you wanted to. Luckily, though, pulling away was the farthest thing from your mind.

[megumisbimbo]

- One -

megumi fushiguro x reader

genre: fluff, slight angst

summary: (y/n) was nothing special. A human being who had no idea that curses walked the same earth they walked. But then they locked eyes with Megumi Fushiguro. Can Fushiguro focus on the task ahead or will he be distracted by the king of curses and his new love interest?

series masterlist

©️ @megumisbimbo — all rights reserved. Please do not repost, modify or translate my work. Reblogs and likes appreciated!

Credit for the main storyline and characters goes to Gege Akutami.

the songs are indicated throughout the story at certain points!

songs used:

sunflower - vampire weekend

turn back time - wayv

humble - kendrick lamar

look at me! - xxxtentacion

———— sunflower - vampire weekend ————

It was a normal school day. You sat through each of your classes bored out of your mind. If only something interesting would happen, maybe then you’d enjoy your day. Classes felt longer than usual and all you could think about was getting to the occult club and opening whatever Itadori found last night.

Classes had finally finished. You raced to the other end of the school and walked into the club room and greeted your two classmates.

“Where’s Itadori? Shouldn’t he be here with the thing he found yesterday?”

“We thought it would be cooler if we broke into the school late at night and opened it then!” Sasaki says with a bright sinister smile. Iguchi sat next to her and nodded his head in agreement.

Just then, Itadori walked into the room with a bright smile and greeted you three.

“(y/n)-senpai here’s the thing I found yesterday. Sasaki-senpai said to give it to you so you guys can open it tonight. I’m not gonna be able to make it.”

“No worries Itadori, we’ll make sure to take pictures when nothing shows up.” You say glancing at Sasaki.

You had always been skeptical when it came to ghosts and monsters. Iguchi and Sasaki were your best friends so they always ended up dragging you on their haunted adventures. Itadori was the newbie first year who recently joined. He was happy to take the pair on their ghostly escapades when you weren’t available.

Sasaki ruffled through her bag and pulled out the ouija board you four regularly played with. Itadori turned to you and asked if you were ready to call on the spirit of the day. After asking your fellow club members, he called upon them.

“Spirits! Spirits! Please reveal an animal that the school council president is weaker than!” Itadori said giggling slightly.

You watched as the small coin shaped object wiggled underneath your finger.

Ku

Ri

O

Ne

“A sea angel?!?” Itadori roared.

Your giggles were interrupted by the door suddenly sliding open revealing the sea angel himself.

“OCCULT RESEARCH CLUB!” The council president yelled, startling you.

“Your club did not submit an activities report! We don’t have room in this school for such irresponsibility!” He yelled, anger dousing his tone.

He explained that the club was going to be used as a changing room starting today and your club was to find somewhere else to play.

“I wouldn’t mess with our members council president.” Itadori said smirking at you and your friends. Sasaki slams a book onto the table and pushes her glasses up onto her nose.

“Here’s your proof council president! As you know, our rugby field has been closed off. The students who used it started getting sick and some were even hospitalized. Don’t you think that’s strange? I mean we’re talking about tough rugby players here. WELL. Just before the players began getting sick, they stated that they heard strange noises and voices on the field.”

You stand up and flip through the book that had rested under Sasaki’s hand.

“That’s where this newspaper article comes in.” You say showing the president an old newspaper clipping from many years ago.

“Mr. Yoshida, a construction man, went missing and he was last seen here at this school during construction.”

Sasaki interrupted, finishing the riveting story you four had discovered.

“Which means. Mr. Yoshida’s body is buried in the rugby field and the sickness was caused by the lingering spirit!” Sasaki said with stars in her eyes. Itadori and Iguchi stood on either side of you two giving jazz hands for dramatic effect. The council president looks at you four with a blank stare, dumbfounded at the ridiculous story.

“No...” He started.

“They were caused by ticks.”

You felt Sasaki wilt beside you while Itadori argued with the council president, explaining that either way this was club activity. The council president interjected and rudely pointed out the fact that neither you nor Itadori were registered with the occult club, leaving the club with too few members.

“Itadori, (y/n)... I thought you said you put your names down.” Sasaki said with an evil glare plastered on her face.

“Sorry Sasaki... I lost the paper ehehe...” You said, staring down at your feet with regret and a bit of fear hidden behind your eyes.

“I did put down the occult club senpai! I swear!” Itadori announced.

“Then who changed it?”

“I DID.” A voice barked, alarming all the students present.

“Coach Takagi?!” You all yelled in unison.

“Itadori, we need your speed and strength on the track and field team.”

“I ALREADY SAID I WASN’T JOINING!” Itadori wailed, hoping the coach would get the hint.

“No can do. However I’m a fair man so I will let you go if you beat me in a fair fight.”

“You’re on!”

You all ran down to the track to see Itadori battle it out with the coach.

“You think he’ll win?” You say skeptical of Itadori’s strength.

“I’ve heard he won the Ninja Warrior contest and he’s the incarnation of Mirko Cro Cop!” Iguchi explained.

“But he’s not dead...”

You watched as Itadori threw the heavy ball the same way a pitcher would. It whizzed through the air landing at about 30 meters from where he started, demolishing the Coach’s record of 14 meters.

“He’s like a gorilla.” Sasaki says behind you.

Itadori then walked up to the three of you and you congratulated him on his impressive upper arm strength.

“You know you don’t have to stay in this club Itadori.” Sasaki said.

“Thanks Senpai, but as much as you guys love haunted places, you wouldn’t go if (y/n) or I didn’t go with you.”

“Being scared is what makes it fun.” Sasaki says, laughing nervously.

Itadori checks his watch and realizes that it was time for him to leave. He speeds down the stairs and out the gates of the school, dust collecting behind him from how fast he was going. Out of the corner of your eye you spot a tall, handsome ravenette. You stare at him a little and hear him call out to Itadori trying to stop him. Do they know each other? Maybe he’s a first year too. “I’ve never seen him. He seems interesting, and cute.” You think to yourself. He notices your stare and sharply turns away giving off an egotistical aura. You break your gaze and scoff. “Interesting, cute...and cocky.”

————— turn back time - wayv —————

The room was dark, lit only by the light of a single candle resting on the table that Sasaki, Iguchi and you sat around. You handed Sasaki the wrapped object and she began fiddling with the stained paper. There were weird symbols on the paper, it kind of looked like a talisman.

“This is creepy, I’m gonna turn a light on.” Iguchi said timidly.

“No no we need to keep the ambience.”

Sasaki finally gripped on to a corner of the paper and began unraveling. The unraveled paper revealed a dark crimson finger.

“Is it real?” Sasaki asks.

“Probably not. Someone must have put it there as a joke.” You say, the skeptical side of you hiding the real fear you felt.

Suddenly the room shook and the candle went out. You were frozen with fear. In all the times you’d gone out to haunted places, you’ve never caught anything, but this time felt different. A faint screeching noise startled you three. Slowly you looked up and noticed a giant monster coming straight for you. You grabbed Sasaki’s hand, the finger stuffed into her pocket, and ran for dear life, Iguchi trailing closely behind. You hear the wall of the club room burst, and glancing behind you a huge creature was seen, hot on your trail. Iguchi turns a corner separating himself from you and Sasaki. You pull her behind a wall and sit with your hand pressed firmly against her mouth. You wait there for what feels like hours. Iguchi walks toward you ever so slowly.

“Iguchi! Thank goodness!” Sasaki says naively.

As he walks closer to you two, you notice the small monster that has latched onto his face. Your heart drops.

“H-el-p m-e..”

Iguchi’s voice rang through the hall alerting the creature that followed you and Sasaki. Almost instantly, the monster picked you, Sasaki, and Iguchi up. You felt the monster feel you all over, as if it was searching for something. Your mind starts going blank. Thoughts of your childhood, your family, the memories you made at school, flood your head. Thick, hot tears stream down your face. You faintly hear the voice of a person yelling. Your vision faded and soon you blacked out completely.

Megumi pov:

————— humble - kendrick lamar —————

Running down the halls I find one of the curses that Sukuna’s finger attracted.

“Out of my way! Divine dogs! You can eat it.”

The curses were getting closer together.

The finger was close.

I turn the corner and find Itadori’s friends. The curse is trying to eat them and the finger?!

Wait.

I recognize one of them. The one that was staring at me on the field.

“I’m not gonna make it!”

A loud crash echoes through the hallway. The window was smashed by someone.

Itadori?!

I watch in shock as he scoops up his friends. The one I’d seen before suddenly falls from his grasp. I run over and catch them in my arms. My heart beats faster.

What was this feeling?

I hold them close to my chest as my divine dogs run over and eat the curse.

“Normally I’d be pissed.. but good job.”

“Oh thanks, but what are those munching on the curse?” Itadori asks.

“Those? You can see them? They’re my shikigami. Normally you can’t see curses, unless you’re facing your death or in special places like this.”

Itadori stands and Sukuna’s finger drops from the girl’s pocket into his hand.

“This what your looking for?” Itadori asks.

I drop the feet of the unconscious person, still holding them upright. I reach my hand out to grab the cursed object. Itadori reaches out to take his senpai from my arms. A loud gurgling comes from the ceiling, startling me.

“RUN!”

I cling tightly to sleeping body and protect it from the curse as I try to call for Nue. The curse picks me up and throws us both against the wall, waking them up slightly. The curse gets ahold of us once again and blows the whole side of the school out, exposing us to the cold night air.

(y/n) pov:

You wake up with a pounding headache. You feel two arms around your waist and the cold night air blowing on your face. Were you flying? You look up and see a different monster heading your way.

“Hang on!” A voice calls behind you.

You turn slightly and see the same black haired boy from this morning. Why was he holding you? And why were you flying through the air? Where is Iguchi and Sasaki?

Slipping from the boy’s grip, you land on the hard concrete behind him. He glances over to you, checking to see if you survived the landing. You looked at him with big tear filled eyes. He struggled to put his hands together to form a bird shadow puppet. What is he doing?

“Damn I can’t focus.” He says, frustration written in his defined features.

Itadori flies through the air and whacks the monster on what looks like the head.

“Are you guys ok?!” He screams aiming his worry at you.

“I thought I told you to run.” The boy asks with a harsh tone.

“No can do, You were in trouble and you still had (y/n) in your arms.”

He jumps back onto the monster and starts beating it ruthlessly.

“Stop! You can’t defeat it without cursed energy!” The boy says.

Itadori doesn’t stop fighting it. The monster grabs him tightly and pushes him closer to his mouth.

“Itadori!!” You scream, heart beating out of your chest.

“Then all I need is cursed energy right Fushiguro?!”

He throws the crimson finger into the air and swallows it in one swift motion. Your jaw drops as the black haired boy, who Itadori referred to as Fushiguro, screamed at him. Fushiguro turns to you and, noticing your shock, runs over. He uses his entire body as a shield over you while his eyes are locked on Itadori’s changing body. Your eyes peek over his shoulder giving you a clear view of Itadori. Dark tattoo like marks form on Itadori’s tan skin. He looked like himself, but different. His nails grow long and sharp. He turns to the monster and swipes his hand upward, causing it to disintegrate. Itadori, or what looks like Itadori, turns back to you and Fushiguro with burning scarlet eyes.

————— look at me! - xxxtentacion —————

“Finally! A cursed spirit’s flesh is no fun! What a wonderful age it has become, women and children crawling around like maggots! It’ll be a massacre!”

His voice is deep and there is no trace of Itadori in his tone. Your breathing is heavy against Fushiguro’s neck. His arms are wrapped protectively around you as you’re both crouched down on the floor. The strange man’s eyes lock onto you.

“You don’t look like a sorcerer, maybe i’ll kill you first!” He says laughing maniacally.

Fushiguro’s grip tightens out of anger, squeezing so tight it hurts. A familiar voice exited the tattooed man’s body.

“Hey, what do you think you’re doing with my body? Give it back.”

The soft, sweet voice of your kohai calms your nerves ever so slightly.

He’s still there.

Fushiguro lets go of you and stands in front of Itadori.

“Don’t move! You’re no longer human. Under jujutsu regulations, I will exorcise you as a curse, Itadori Yuuji!”

tags: @xreemie @noyakura

big thank you to @noyakura for the banner :’)) ily

[raysofcrosby]

Yes we want a sneak peak if your willing to share!!! 😍

wltay au sneak peek #3 / tw: birth

One flight. He only had one more flight until he was back home in St. Louis.

He had facetimed Caroline again when they landed in Toronto and she assured him that nothing much had changed in the 45 minutes since he last talked to her. She’d dilated another centimeter, sitting at 6 and her contractions were getting closer together by the time he had to hang up the call and hop onto his second flight. By the end of his first layover, the first hour and 45 minutes, doctors were coming back in the room to check on her again, telling her she was 7 centimeters. He had to hang up, needing to board their flight to Chicago right after they told her that.

When they reached Chicago, the moment he and his Dad made it to their gate, he facetimed her again, asking for the newest update or whatever had taken place in the almost two hours it took to fly from Toronto to Chicago. She looked a little less happy go lucky than she had earlier, more than a few times, holding off on answering his question to breathe through a contraction. At one point, she had handed her phone off to her Mom, and Matt felt horrible when he could hear her whining in the background, talking to someone but unable to make out what she was saying.

“She’s right there at 10 centimeters, Matthew,” Mrs. Susan spoke softly, looking down at the camera. “Dr. Kendricks said they’re going to have her start pushing when she comes back into the room.”

“But she can’t,” he said, running his fingers through his hair. “I– we’re barely 20 minutes into our layover, we still have another hour and then it’s an hour flight to St. Louis.”

“Most first time pregnancies can involve pushing for up to three hours, Matthew,” she spoke calmly, nodding her head. “It’s okay, you’ll get here when you can.” She looked off camera and then back at him. “Hold on, here’s Caroline.”

He moved his face out of frame and leaned his head back against the wall he was sitting against, bumping his head against it twice as he kept his eyes closed, praying that he’d at least make it there in time.

“Matty?”

He brought his phone screen down, putting himself back in frame. “Yeah, Care,” he sighed, putting a smile on his face. “I’m here.”

She still looked tired, her face a little red as she was lying back, holding onto her phone. He knew she could read right through his fake smile and see the guilt he was trying to hide, she always could. “It’s fine–”

“It’s not fine, Care. I’m supposed to be there holding your hand and telling you that you’re doing great and you’re so strong–” he paused, leaning head head into his left hand that was propped up against his knee. “I don’t want to miss that. I’m supposed to be with you 100% of the time, remember?”

“You’re almost home, Matty,” she whispered, her eyes squinting slightly as she sighed and focused on her breathing. “Besides, I don’t see him coming out anytime before you land. You’ll be here.”

“Alright Caroline, we’re going to go ahead and start pushing,” the voice he’d come to know as Dr. Kendricks said, gaining Caroline’s attention. “You’ve got a great team here around you and we’re all going to make sure that you and baby boy here have a smooth and safe delivery, okay?”

Caroline nodded, looking back at Matt. “Will you stay on facetime with me?” She asked, he could see the worry and tears in her eyes.

“Of course, just let me grab my headphones,” he nodded, getting up off of the floor and jogging over to where his Dad was sitting, grabbing his headphones out of his bag. When he looked at his Dad, he just nodded his head and muted his mic. “They’re having her push, I’m going to be over there until we board.”

His Dad nodded and he jogged back over to the spot he had claimed and plugged his headphones in, putting them in his ears. Caroline still had the phone in her hand, but he could hear all of the talking around her as her eyes followed whoever was walking around the room. “Hey, can you hear me?”

“Mhhm,” she nodded, looking back at the screen. “They’re going to have me start pushing soon.”

“I know, and I wish I could be there to hold your hand, but until I have to board...I’m right here, okay?” He said, holding onto his mic.

He watched as her phone was handed off to his Mom, only seeing her on screen until she switched the camera around and brought Caroline back into view. Her bed was elevated at an angle, keeping her back up. He could see her knees since her legs were spread open and pushed back on either side of her, a position which looked uncomfortable in itself. He had zoned out whatever anyone was saying, just focusing on her and watching as she would tuck her chin into her chest like she’d learned in the birthing classes she told him about and the videos he looked up online so he knew what to do.

He was supposed to be there right now.

It was the same routine, she’d push and then rest back for a few moments, some time in between as Dr. Kendricks, the staff around her and her parents, including his Mom, all told her how good she was doing. And she was– she was doing great.

“Matt?”

“I’m here, I–I mean, I’m not...but I am,” Matt stumbled, zoning back in. “You’re doing great Care, and I’m so sorry I’m missing this. I– you’re so strong, Care. Like fucking wonder woman strong. You can do this, I believe in you, I love you. You’re an amazing woman and you’ll be an even more amazing Mom.”

He wasn’t sure if it was from the pushing itself or his words, but he could see the tears in her eyes as she turned to look at the phone. “I love you, now come home please.”

“I’m trying,” he whispered, crossing his arms against his chest as he leaned back, watching Dr. Kendricks instruct her to push again. “I swear, I’m trying.”

[zmediaoutlet]

in support of Texas relief, @merle-p donated $45, and requested Sam/Mick. Thank you for donating!

to get your own personalized fic, please see this post.

(read on AO3)

This hotel really is a tip. Mick takes the keycard up with him—American quirk—and shakes his head at the identical thin carpets, the shoddy elevator, the spotting on the mirror, the bed with its awful polyester duvet. No, not a duvet—a thin bedspread, with a vile leaf-and-flowers pattern that wouldn't do for wallpaper of even the saddest pensioner. He leaves his bag on the cheap luggage rack and tosses his keycard onto the desk and looks at the bed, rubbing his hand over his mouth.

He orders dinner from what passes for room service. He doesn't know what the Winchesters are doing—probably dipping away to some diner, from the profile work Lady Bevell had provided—but they don't call for him, either way. A chicken marsala of decent quality, sticky rice, overcooked broccoli. He eats it efficiently with his mobile playing a midnight stream of the BBC World Service, sitting at the table with the lamps lit. He looks out the window, its view of overcrowded trees and the parking lot and the road, and he does see the Chevrolet pull back in, bulky and too-big and too-loud and too-American, and he smiles at it even if he shouldn't, and passes the napkin over his mouth, and sits back in his chair, to think.

Work of a moment to set up the typewriter. A quick twist of the ink-ribbon and a murmur of Farsi and he sends his report back home. Casefiles distributed to local hunter, he types, and pauses. Tests of loyalty continue, he types, more slowly, and doesn't have much to add. His reports are terse as a matter of course but he isn't often given to dissembling. Not, at least, before the massacre at the headquarters. He unclenches his jaw and tears the sheet of paper out of the typewriter. That's more than enough.

Quiet, since the alpha vampire was destroyed. Ketch has been doing his own work, directed by both Mick and by the old men on orders Mick isn't given to know, and he's been allowed replacement assistance at headquarters but it isn't as it was. The Kendricks-trained goons they sent are more of Ketch's ilk than his and he doesn't know them. Mary Winchester has been distant. It's only Sam Winchester, really, that Mick knows at all in this country, and Sam is…

Mick sits watching the trees in the moonlight, for a few minutes longer, and then goes to the minibar in the suite's kitchenette. Not much to inspire, there. He calls down to room service, again, and makes an order, and then goes to the ensuite and washes his face, and swishes the marsala-flavor out with mouthwash, and then looks at himself, his suit somewhat rumpled and no tie and his eyes—he looks away from his eyes, and thinks, well. If it goes wrong, it will hardly be the first time something has gone wrong.

The suites are all on the same floor. Dean's in 703, Mick's in 706, and Sam's down at the far end of the hall, 712, the hall ending with a great picture window looking out onto the moonlit woods, and Mick pauses in front of that last door, watching out for a moment. Not yet nine o'clock. Plenty of time to turn around and try for a different night.

The elevator dings, halfway down the hall. Mick's mouth hitches, without him meaning it to, and he knocks at Sam's door. A moment, while Mick stands placid in full view of the peephole, and then a muffled rattle while the chain is disengaged, and then the deadbolt and then the door opening by a foot, Sam standing in the gap and giving Mick a look like he's not to be trusted. "Yeah?" he says, not exactly unfriendly but not welcoming, either.

Mick smiles, as friendly as Sam isn't. "I wondered if we might have a talk, you and I," he says.

"It's late," Sam says, which it clearly isn't. His brow tightens. "Something about the job?"

"Something like that," Mick says, and at that moment the girl arrives with the room service cart, looking confused. "Ah," he says, and gestures. "Please come in, miss, Mr. Winchester was just waiting for his order," and Sam blinks at the girl and then gives Mick a look that would melt steel, but luckily Mick is not steel. He opens the door wider and Mick sees he's in bare feet, his jacket removed, the most informal he's been in Mick's presence since he was being tortured—and Mick follows the room service cart into the suite and Sam's too polite or too circumspect or too self-controlled to stop him.

The room's dim, illuminated only by the bedside lamp, and the girl's uncertain. "Where would you like it, sir?" she says, and Mick gestures at the table under the window, and Sam's silent while she unloads the bucket, the two glasses set down with gentle clicks.

Sam smiles at her as she leaves—very fake, it drops off the second her back's turned—and waits until the door closes behind her to say, "What the hell, Mick. Champagne?"

Mick shrugs, pulling the bottle out of the silver bucket. "Not a good one, if that helps," he says. Appropriately cold, at least. He starts working the wire cage, ignoring the look he's getting. "I thought it might be appropriate, that's all. Inauguration of a new stage in our partnership."

"Our partnership," Sam echoes, with unflattering skepticism. The cork pops smoothly and Mick smiles at Sam, eyebrows high, and gets at least a sigh, an eyeroll, a shake of head. Slight exasperation—how he looks, sometimes, at his brother. Mick pours while Sam watches, saying, "If it's about our partnership, then I should invite Dean over."

Mick watches the bubbles rise in the second flute and licks his lips. That was a particular sort of tone, from Sam. "I thought we might discuss some things privately, you and I," he says, and turns to hold out one of the glasses. "Dean, I think, isn't yet my biggest fan. Though I'd like that to change."

"Champagne probably wouldn't do it," Sam says. He's giving Mick another look. Assessing. Mick tips his head and can't tell if he's been found wanting. A beat, before Sam walks over and takes the glass. "Maybe if you brought whiskey."

Damn Ketch. Mick shakes his head and extends his own glass as a toast—but Sam's already moving away, sitting in the chair on the opposite side of the table, looking out the window. His hair's tucked behind his ear, lamplight on his cheek and moonlight on his brow. Like a sculpture. Mick sits opposite him and sips the champagne and it's—sugary, light. "This really isn't ideal," he says.

Sam glances at him, and then down at his glass. He takes a sip and makes a face. "Sweet."

Mick licks his lips and gambles. "Truth be told, I like the cheap stuff better," he says, and—yes, Sam looks up at him and it's with slight surprise. An opening. Mick shrugs. "I wasn't always top Kendricks material. Had to learn to drink like my betters."

Sam huffs air through his nose. "Sounds familiar," he says. Mick raises his eyebrows and Sam half-smiles, his head tipping. "At Stanford I think I was the only one who actually liked Hamburger Helper without the hamburger."

Not a reference Mick gets, but he gets the sentiment. "To not being posh," he says, lifting his glass again, and Sam snorts but nods, and takes a drink, and Mick watches his throat move as he swallows, the way his hand's delicate on the flute. The size of him.

"I wanted to thank you, too," Mick says. He sets his glass down. "I didn't really get the chance, before." A frown, Sam not understanding. Is it genuine? Mick clears his throat. "For—killing the alpha vampire. I would've died if you weren't there."

Surprise—god, it was genuine. Mick's out of practice, being around people who aren't hiding ten different agendas up their tweed sleeves. "You're probably right," Sam says, after a second. His mouth lifts at one corner. A dimple. "No offense. But I didn't do it for you."

"Oh, thanks," Mick says, leaning back, and Sam actually laughs a little, says: "I meant, that's the point, of being a hunter. You kill the bad thing and save whoever you can. That's what makes the whole thing worth it."

He shrugs, sips at his champagne again. Makes another face but seems to be getting used to it. Mick taps his thumb on the table, watching him. "I'm getting that," Mick says. "I think. It was always… very academic, before. Clean research, without the messiness of the real world."

Sam's eyelashes sweep low. "Sounds easier," he says, with a queer twist to his voice that makes Mick wonder.

He's not going to uncover everything there is to know about Winchester the Younger tonight, however. He makes a note, puts it to the side, and instead tops up their glasses, reaching over the table to fill Sam's without Sam much helping. "Mick," Sam says, sighing protest, though Mick notices he doesn't actually pull away.

"Once the bottle's opened you have to finish it," Mick says, easy, "it'll go flat, otherwise," and he lifts his glass in a little toast and drains it in a few frothy swallows—Sam sighs, and takes a gulp too—and then Mick gets up, comes around the table, and sits on the edge, a little too much in Sam's space to be mistaken for casual.

Sam blinks at him. His mouth's still damp a little from the champagne. "What's up?" he says. Almost warning.

"I said I wanted to thank you," Mick says. He reaches down—Sam's legs long enough that his knee's close—so Mick puts two fingers there, very lightly, feeling the twitch of reaction. Still, Sam doesn't completely pull away. "I can provide other benefits than not-very-good champagne."

Sam's chin tips up and he looks at Mick very steadily. "You're serious," he says, after a few seconds. Mick lifts a shoulder. Sam's eyes tighten, minutely, at the corners. "What's with the British Letters and using sex to infiltrate the enemy? That something they teach at Kendricks, too?"

Mick swallows. It is, but Sam's not to know that, unless—he'd wondered, if Lady Bevell had, but he hadn't been part of her debriefing. "Not the enemy," he says, forestalling the thought. "And not using. And not infiltration, either, and not even, really, the British Letters, here." He takes a breath and gives Sam a little smile, feeling unaccountably like he's at the edge of a cliff without belays to hold him. "Just Mick. Michael, if you like. Expressing my gratitude and wondering how I can show it."

"Most people just do beer and pizza," Sam says, still with those tight searching eyes.

Mick doesn't move his fingers, where they're still just brushing the warm denim. "Never much liked pizza," he says, which he knows is stupid as soon as it comes out of his mouth, but Sam hasn't moved—isn't moving, still as a watching tiger in square uncomfortable chair. He chances it, spreading his hand flat on the lean muscle of Sam's thigh. It flexes underneath his palm and he breathes out, slowly. "You're ridiculously attractive. You know that, I trust."

"Thanks," Sam says, after a moment. He grips Mick's wrist, tight but not bruising, and Mick swallows again, meeting Sam's eyes and trying to look honest. He's out of practice with that, too. Sam looks at him, and at his mouth, and Mick thinks for a second—yes—but then Sam detaches Mick's hand from his leg, firmly, and pushes it back against Mick's chest. His fingers are briefly hot through Mick's shirt. "But I don't accept payment," Sam says, with a quick hard press for emphasis before he lets Mick go. "Especially not—" he starts, and shakes his head instead of finishing. He pushes his chair back and stands, turning to the window. He pushes a hand through his hair and it falls messily right back into place. He blocks out the moonlight. He's so oversized—in everything—smarts and skill and beauty. Mick wants to touch him again immediately and doesn't.

"My mistake," Mick says. He bites the inside of his lip very hard, until it hurts more than he can stand, and lets it go, and waits for the throb the grow and swell and pass, and in all that time Sam doesn't speak. He stands up, fixing his cuff, at pitches his voice to lightness. "At least you enjoyed my champagne."

"I wouldn't go that far," Sam says, not precisely light but not cruel, either, and Mick turns to go—and is caught, by the wrist again, while Sam says: "Wait."

He's being looked at, again, and before he can decide what expression Sam's wearing he's pulled forward and he's being kissed. His hand flexes in Sam's grip and with the other he touches Sam's stomach, surprised. Sam's hand on his jaw, controlling, and his mouth—firm, not giving anything up, but good, too—not a hint of uncertainty, not dithering about. Mick breathes in through his nose and enjoys it. A man's kiss, he thinks, hard and uncompromising. He tips his head back, letting Sam guide him, and parts his lips, and there's Sam's tongue—for a second, a hot brief flash that jolts his gut—and then Sam pulls back, a centimeter, breathing against him. Mick strokes a thumb over the waist of his jeans where his belt is weighing them down, and Sam ducks his head, breathes against Mick's jaw for a second, and then steps back entirely, letting Mick go.

There's a warm throb in Mick's wrist. Sam gripped him very tightly, for a moment there. "That was unexpected," he says, after a moment. His lower lip is damp and he very much wants to lick it, but resists the impulse.

Sam has no such compunction, apparently. He licks his mouth and stretches his jaw, too, resettling. Mick's put in mind again of a tiger, looking at willing prey, and his cock flexes in his trousers. "Just wondering," Sam says, casual.

Mick's startled into a grin. "You absolute prick," he says, and Sam smiles back at him. A little smug. "And how was it?"

A lifted shoulder, like nothing. "Maybe we can stay here again when we're done with this job," Sam says. Then, a little more serious: "We can talk. If it's just Mick, and not anything else."

Mick runs his tongue over the sore spot inside his lip. "I'm looking forward to it," he says, and Sam nods. He steps back and Sam lets him go, and Mick hooks the bottle of champagne out of the bucket, dripping ice-water onto the carpet. "But I'm taking this." Sam snorts. "And I hope you don't mind if I have a furious wank over this in about ten minutes."

An eyeroll. "TMI," he says, the bastard, and Mick sighs at him and exits with what dignity he has, and when the door's closed behind him he stands in the overly bright hall with the bottle still dripping cold against his trousers and breathes out. He licks his lips and gets a taste of champagne.

After the case is done, he thinks, and can't imagine for a moment what might go in that space. It's a strange uncertainty. For the first time in his life, something unplanned and uncalculated-for, something the Letters haven't decided for him. Something just for him. He flexes his hand, still feeling the echo of Sam on his wrist. After the case. He really is looking forward to it.

[luci-in-trenchcoats]

Broken Like Me: The Party

Summary: Dean and the reader attend his agency’s annual party where they run into a not so friendly face...

Masterlist

Pairing: Model!Dean x reader

Word Count: 2,700ish

Warnings: language, small fight

A/N: Enjoy!...

_____

“Wow,” said Dean as you stepped out of the hotel bathroom. “Wow, sweetheart.”

“Is it bad?” you asked. He shook his head and stepped over with a big smile.

“It’s amazing. You look beautiful and hot and sexy and I just want to take that dress right off of you,” he chuckled.

“Considering the amount of time Carla spent finding this for me, I think she’d kill you,” you said. “How’s my back look?”

“As beautiful as the rest of you,” he said, touching a hand to your bare skin. It was an open back dress and far more risqué than you had any right to be wearing. Dean trailed his fingers over the faded scars covering the skin there. “I packed the emergency dress just in case.”

“Thank you,” you said with a smile. “But I’m okay. I love this dress and if your model friends have a problem with my scars, then fuck them.”

“That’s my girl,” he said, kissing your cheek. “I can’t wait to show you off.”

“Or we could skip this agency party thing and go to a nice dinner instead and then come back here and get naked?” you said.

“That is incredibly tempting but we flew all the way out here for Carla,” he said.

“I know,” you sighed.

“It’ll be okay. I promise.”

“Y/N, is that you?” said Carla when you got to the party. “Dean must be drooling.”

“Yes, he is,” you laughed, getting a hug from her, Dean getting his own.

“How you doing babe? Getting along with your parents? That goes for both of you,” she said.

“Yes, mom,” teased Dean. “It’s been pretty good. Y/N’s parents gave her her trust fund back. With interest.”

“To which we promptly decided to leave it be for kids and future weddings and all that stuff. Dean and I have plenty between our jobs,” you said.

“Well I’ve never worried about you two and money. So you’re doing better with your parents still?” asked Carla.

“Yeah. It’s a little awkward sometimes still. They grovel a little bit,” you said.

“They’re trying their best,” said Dean. “Excuse me ladies, I think I see a friend over there.”

“How’s he and his dad really doing? It’s like pulling teeth sometimes,” she said.

“John is going to Dr. Bram every other week,” you said.

“Really?”

“Yeah. John’s got a whole bunch of crap he’s gone through apparently. He’s still not a fan of going but he does it for Dean,” you said.

“It sounds like things are calming down for you two finally,” she said.

“Hopefully. We could do with some quiet,” you said.

“I take it you haven’t started wedding planning yet then,” she teased.

“My mom is looking at professional planners for us so that’s a joy,” you said.

“Want me to say anything?” she asked.

“No mom,” you laughed. “I’ll calm her down if she gets too wound up. Dean and I love each other. There’s no need to rush into a wedding.”

“A wedding is honestly just another day in your relationship, sweetie. It’s a very happy day where you celebrate your love for each other with friends and family. But in the end, it’s a day. You love him and the babe is head over heels in love with you. You’re young. Take the time to make it what you want it to be,” she said.

“Do you think I’ll ever get to the point where my mom would say something like that?” you asked.

“I think so. Dean and his father...I thought about coming to pay John a visit more than once and give him a piece of my mind. But now, they seem to be healing that relationship. I’m sure if you’re patient with them, you’ll get there.”

“I hope so,” you said.

“Well when I met you, you never would have been caught dead in a dress like that,” she said. “I think you got this.”

“Well the scars on my face and arms and chest are gone,” you said.

“Your back is actually not what I was expecting,” she said.

“I got a better scar cream,” you smiled. “A whole lot cheaper than laser surgery.”

“Dean ever offer to pay? He can plenty afford it,” she said.

“He brings it up now and again. He makes so much he doesn’t need. He just puts it out there that he would help if I choose to get rid of the rest,” you said. “A majority of the time though, the only person who ever seems them is Dean though so it doesn’t matter. I tell him to put the money towards something he wants.”

“Looks like what he wants right now is you to come save him,” she said, Dean looking like he was pleading with you to get over there. You walked over with a smile, Dean easing a little as you stopped at his side.

“So is this the farm girl that you gave up Calvin Klein for?” said a guy in a white suit, the other guy with them walking away.

“Down girl,” said Dean when you opened your mouth. “This is Kyle.”

“I think she was ready to tear my throat out,” laughed Kyle. “Nice to finally meet you.”

“Dean doesn’t speak kindly of many of his model friends. But Kyle Kendricks is always okay with me,” you said.

“I told you I’d win her over,” said Kyle.

“Yeah well you’re a loser so it’s not too hard,” chuckled Dean.

“I don’t think those pictures Dean posts of you did you justice, Y/N,” he said.

“Always a suck up,” you said. “Hey, how’d that shoot for the baby food go?”

“Didn’t happen. Super weird. I was ready to sign the contract and everything and apparently the owners themselves said they got somebody else in mind,” he said.

“Was it Gerber?” asked Dean.

“Nah, the other one,” he said. “I don’t have the new dad look they were going for.”

“Considering you do alcohol commercials, probably not,” teased Dean. 

“You been keeping him out of trouble lately?” asked Kyle.

“I do my best...unless of course I’m the one causing it.”

“You should come visit us sometime. We got great barbecue,” said Dean.

“I’m on a diet,” grumbled Kyle.

“Why?” you asked. 

“Calvin Kline contract is going up soon. Michael Reyburn is apparently more trouble than he’s worth,” said Kyle. Dean nodded and Kyle gave him a smile. “Dude I know it was your gig and-“

“I had it for all of five seconds,” he said. “It’s a lot of money if you can swing it. Just be careful bud.”

“Maybe I’ll stick with beer,” he said, getting a tap on the shoulder from a man. “I’ll talk to you guys later.”

“The way you described him you would think the man has a pocket protector and grandpa pants,” you said.

“Kyle’s a nerd. We always stuck together. That other guy was Jack Bilson. He’s besties with Reyburn so-“

“Also a dick. Good to know,” you said. “So how long do we have to be here?”

“An hour tops. I promise.”

“Well hello,” said a deep voice. You spun around from where you were eating a tiny piece of lobster on a cracker, the man chuckling at you. “That is a hell of a dress.”

“Thanks,” you said, your mouth full.

“You’re Dean Winchester’s charity case, right? Or maybe he’s yours.”

“I can see why they’re going with another model, Michael. Must be pretty hard to fill out those shorts with what you’re packing,” you said, getting a few laughs out of people close by.

“Sweetie you ought to see what a real man is like.”

“Then why the hell am I talking to you?”

“Never been with someone who looks like they beat a lawnmower in a fight,” he said. You smiled and glanced down, grabbing another snack and popping it in your mouth. “Do you ever stop eating?”

“Michael. Try therapy for why ever it is you’re so angry and leave me and Dean the Hell alone,” you said.

“Said the freak show,” he said.

“Reyburn,” said Dean as he came over, stepping in front of you. 

“Oh look, fatty’s here,” he said. Dean clenched his fist and you stood between them.

“Kindly apologize and leave,” you said.

He started to laugh and you got in his face.

“I literally pulled myself from a burning car only to then find myself bleeding out on the side of the road. You know what you do when that happens, Michael? You make a decision and I made the decision to shove my own fingers inside my rib cage to squeeze an artery shut. Do you know how much that hurts, Michael? Do you know what it’s like to sit there, putting yourself in excruciating pain just so you have a chance at living? No. No you don’t. I am very good at dealing with shit and that includes you. Now apologize, please, and stay away from him. Or else.”

“I see who wears the pants in the relationship,” said Kyle.

“I see who isn’t in a relationship,” you said. Michael narrowed his eyes and stormed off. You ate another cracker, turning to Dean. “This is so good. You got to try it.”

“You never talk about your accident,” he said.

“Because I don’t remember half of it,” you said. “Come on. He’s a douchebag. I want to go dance with my very handsome fiancé.”

“You sure?”

“Positive.”

“I am so glad to be out of there,” you said when you were back in the hotel room.

“Remind me not to accept next year,” he said, shrugging out of his suit jacket and heading straight into the bathroom.

“You alright?” you called as you stepped out of your heels. You didn’t hear anything and undressed, walking into the bathroom naked and taking your hair out of its bun. “Mr. Winchester…”

“What?” he said grumpily before he spun around.

“What’s wrong, De?” you asked. He looked you over and rested his hand on your right side, tracing over the long scar there.

“You’re beautiful and I can’t defend you because I’m...this,” he said, glancing down at his body.

“I don’t need a man to defend me. He was bullying me and my best friend. I will always stand up for us,” you said. “My handsome and healthy soon to be husband.”

“Why would you even want me?” he asked.

“Because I love you,” you hummed, giving him a smile. He rolled his eyes and turned away.

“I’m gonna shower. You mind?” he asked.

“Alright,” you sighed. You left and went back to the bedroom, changing into a pair of shorts and one of his shirts. You flipped through the room service menu and ordered some fries and a brownie, listening for Dean to be done with his shower.

When it was still going by the time the food got there though, you went back in.

“Dean. I ordered a late night snack if you want some,” you said.

“I’m not hungry, sweetheart,” he said. You sighed and opened up the steamed up shower door. “What the hell?”

“It has been an hour. You never take showers this long unless you’re upset,” you said.

“I’m not upset,” he said. You stared at him and he groaned, turning off the water. He brushed past you for his towel and you rolled your eyes, going back to the room and nibbling at the food. He didn’t say anything as he came in a minute later, taking his clothes with him to the bathroom to change.

“Since when are we shy in front of each other?” you asked. Dean shook his head and went over to his suitcase, folding his suit nicely. “Silent treatment, very mature.”

“What is your problem? I want to be left alone,” he said, shoving the suit down.

“Tough shit,” you said as you knelt up on the bed. “I care about you and right now, I get the feeling I care a hell of a lot more about you than you do yourself so until further notice, I’m in charge.”

“You’re in charge? Of what?” he scoffed.

“Get in the bed.”

“Make me.”

You stared at him, Dean crossing his arms. You stood up and walked over to him, getting in his face.

“You gonna push me?”

“If you don’t want to talk then at the very least you can indulge me and go lay down on the damn bed,” you said.

He glanced down and went back to his suit, fixing it before he went to a side of the bed and sat down. You went right next to him, Dean stiff until you shifted behind him, wrapping your legs and arms around him.

“What are you doing?”

“Hugging you,” you mumbled against his shoulder.

“Do you remember that night I missed our date? I went to Dr. Bram’s and was a complete mess?” he asked.

“I remember you had a bad night,” you said. He put one of his hands over yours and held onto your arms.

“Part of that night was because of the model that got the contract after me. Reyburn. He made some nasty comments. I thought I was over it but apparently not,” he said.

“Dean. Yes, Michael Reyburn is a physically fit person and yes he is physically attractive. He’s also a horribly ugly person. He’s disgusting and mean. You on the other hand are the kind of person that made someone like me, someone so beaten down from a lifetime of crap, feel happy and beautiful and loved. You’re the most attractive person I’ll ever meet, Dean. The way you look on the outside, everything else, that’s just a bonus, De.”

He looked over his shoulder at you, peeling your arms away so he could turn and kiss you.

“I’m sorry,” he mumbled.

“S’okay,” you said. You ran your fingers through his short strands, Dean curling into the touch. “They had cheese fries. I got them just for you.”

“I really should watch what I eat,” he said.

“You had a salad for lunch and we skipped dinner. I say it’s okay, Dean,” you said. “It’s got bacon-“

“That should have been your opener, sweetheart,” he chuckled. You gave him another kiss and hug before you let him go to the table and bring over the food. “I’m sorry Michael was such a pig to you.”

“Well he sounds like he has his own issues to work out,” you said. “Forget him. I also had a great idea while you were in the shower.”

“What’s that?”

“Instead of flying home, want to do a road trip? Hit up some of those places you see on the food channel on our way back?” you asked.

“So no flight and awesome food? I’m sold,” he said. “What about work?”

“I have a lot of unused vacation time. It’ll be fun. We’ve both been busy lately,” you said. “What do you say?”

“I say I’m going to marry a little genius,” he said. He kissed your nose and started to eat, the two of you quiet for a while, your head leaning on his shoulder when you finished. “Y/N.”

“Mhm?”

“I love you.”

“I love you too, Dean.”

______

[viviennes-tears]

Are you following me Mr Hiddleston? Chapter 11

18+ blog: It is YOUR responsibility, as a reader, to think about the content that you consume at your own discretion.

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

Margot pulled out her phone and pressing the power button, to reveal the notification on the screen. It was Charlie. Charlie had been trying to contact Margot all weekend, but never received an answer from her. Margot took a deep breath and huddled herself into a classroom door, further down the corridor. She unlocked her phone bringing up Charlie's message properly.

"Margot, Please text me back. I'm worried about you."

Margot glanced around her watching students pass her, before returning her attention back to her phone screen. "Hi Charlie, sorry for making you worry about me. I'm fine. I've just been busy with uni and Peyton visited over the weekend. To also answer your previous messages, yes I have seen the photos and yes I am fine with it. I mean I have to get used to that kind of attention if I ever became a good enough actor. Anyway its sweet of you to ask about me :)" Margot tried to make herself sound confident and more upbeat than she was actually feeling. Well she was doing better than she was all weekend mind.

It didn't take long for Charlie to reply "Thank god, you're alive! Haha. I hope Peyton is well and uni has been great so far. Sorry for worrying so much about you. I-I just needed to be sure you were doing ok. No doubt you'll be the next Meryl Streep!"

"I am yes, haha. He is well thanks and it has been. No its fine honestly! I'm fine I promise. Meryl Streep? You sure I won't be the next Anna Kendrick? Or perhaps Amanda Seyfried? Keala Settle? "Margot tried to list well known younger actors who are also known for their singing talents. Well she liked Meryl Streep but she hoped to be compared to someone younger.

"You'll be amazing!" admittedly Charlie has never seen her acting but he believed in her nonetheless.

"Thanks, Charlie! I have to go now, speak to you soon :)"

"Bye Margot enjoy your day :)"

Margot put her phone away and hurried off to her next class, with Mrs Shaw. The improvisation class.

Time skip. Friday.

Friday was here. Tom dropped Bobby off at his sister Emma's the night before, as she volunteered to dog sit for a while. Tom was going to take Bobby with him, but Emma thought he needed to focus on his work, and not having a dog to take care of at the same time. At first Tom wasn't too happy about leaving Bobby behind, although he'd done it before, its just at first he thought he needed a companion with him on the trip. In the end though Emma convinced him it would be for the best, and if Tom were to feel lonely he could Face-Time at any point and she'd put Bobby on screen. It at least made Tom feel a little better about leaving Bobby.

It was now 6:50am. Tom was doing his last checks to make sure he had everything he needed for his trip when suddenly, his phone pinged pulling his attention away from his suitcase.

"Hey Tommy, just wanted to text before you fly off and say don't work too hard. And try not to let anything or anyone keep you down, we all love you bro. Bobby says he loves you too. Stay safe x" Tom smiled a little at his sister's text.

"Hi, thanks Em. Ehehe, you know me when it comes to work but I'll try not to because you asked so nicely. Love you all too, very dearly. Give everyone including Bobby a kiss from me and don't let him pester you too much x"

Once Tom finished up and was just about to head downstairs the doorbell rang. He quickly grabbed his rucksack placing it over his right shoulder, and wheeled his suitcase to the top of the stairs, then he hurriedly carried everything down to the front door. He opened the door and was greeted by his driver Conrad Reed. Conrad took Tom's suitcase off him and put it into the boot of his car, as Tom locked up. Conrad opened the door for Tom and gave him a bright smile. Tom returned a smile although his wasn't as bright. He took off his rucksack before sliding into the car, and placing it down on the seat next to him. Conrad closed the door once Tom was seated and got into the drivers seat, as Tom put his seat belt on.

"Ready Mr Hiddleston?" Conrad asked cheerfully looking back at Tom.

"Yes, thank you. And how many times do I have to tell you to call me Tom?" Tom replied as he settled himself further back in his seat.

"Every time sir...I mean Tom. Right then to the airport." Conrad turned back facing forward and started up the engine.

After twenty minutes of driving they hit traffic. Which was rather unusual at this time in the morning. Suddenly, Tom's phone rang with Luke's number on the screen.

"Hi Luke, no need to worry about me. I am awake and all packed now I'm on my way to the airport as we speak. Although, we've seem to have hit traffic." Tom tried to sound like he was in a much better mood than he was.

"God you're joking, right?" Luke heavily sighed, and not in the mood for pleasantries after he heard the word traffic.

"Well hello to you too, but I'm afraid not." Tom bit his lip wondering what Luke was going to say next.

"Christ, why today? Ok just keep me updated will you?" Luke sounded really impatient now.

"Sure" they soon ended the conversation and hung up.

Tom looked out the window after putting his phone back into his pocket. He sat there in complete silence, with his mind wondering over the events of the past year. He was thinking about Zawe most of all and a little about Margot too. On occasion Conrad would look back at Tom, via his mirror to check on him, without having to disturb his thoughts. He was worried about Tom and he hoped he could find a few words to say once at the airport.

8:55am was the time on Tom's phone when the car finally pulled over. He quickly texted Luke to say he'd just arrived, and hastily got out of the car, not waiting for Conrad to open his door. He simply didn't have the time to wait. Conrad was a bit out of sorts as Tom was doing his job for him. Tom slammed the boot closed once he took out his suitcase. As he was wheeling his suitcase to the curb Conrad stopped him in his tracks.

"Sorry sir, I know you're in a rush and all but...I just wanted to say that I know you're missing Miss Ashton. She was a wonderful woman and I certainly know she was good to you. I'm sure the two of you will keep in touch no matter what happened between you two. Also, I'm sure you'll enjoy your time away for a while and I know you'll meet someone else. Safe travels Mr Hiddleston." Conrad straightened out Tom's jacket and gave him a smile.

"Thank you, Conrad. Seriously thank you. You're a good man. I'll see you when I get back." Tom patted Conrad on the upper arm, and swiftly moved on heading straight inside meeting up with Luke.

Tom was whisked through baggage, and customs as the workers asked if anyone was due for the 9:30 flight. Although, Tom felt guilty for having skip passed others, he still had to make his flight on time. But once on the plane he put his Airpods in to listen to some jazz.

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

Margot jolted herself awake, with the sudden realisation that she was late. She had no time to shower, although she did have one the night before, and she didn't smell bad or anything. So she figured she would be fine if she skipped it. Margot grabbed hold of whatever was the closest thing to wear, which turned out to be a simple white v neck t shirt, and blue jeans. She threw on her black denim jacket over the top and slipped on her black, and white vans before throwing her work into her bag. Just as she headed for the door handle Margot realised that she hadn't picked up her phone. She sighed loudly to herself and picked it up. Margot rushed out the door of the student accommodation, then ran as fast as she could to the tube station.

Margot had previously stayed in a small flat, that she rented off a couple who had gone away for a few days. It was kind of like a mini house sitting job, without being paid as she paid them. She just needed a place until her student accommodation was sorted, as some idiot hadn't filled their end of the paper work, or hadn't filed it properly before she got to London. She spent her first night in a cheap hotel, while she managed to find the advertised small flat online, which was more than ample for a short stay. Of course Margot didn't really unpack as there was no point, not until she had gotten to her real accommodation, which is for the next two years. Margot could have easily found somewhere to rent what with her inheritance, and for selling her family home, but she deiced to experience the full university life. Besides living with others would make a nice change, at least that was her thought. However, she had yet to make friends, with those she was living with.

It was 10:15am by the time Margot had gotten to the theater at uni. Everybody's eyes were on her as soon as she stepped in breathless. Her tutor Mr Bentley was unimpressed. He stood there tapping his foot waiting for Margot to take a seat. Once seated at the back Margot quickly took out her script, but she hadn't packed it. She had a load of paper work but not what she needed right now. Mr Bentley started to carry on with what he was talking about the current scene, but the rustling and the whisper cursing coming from the back of the room, made it off putting and difficult to keep track of his words. Margot kept thinking the script had to be in there, as she continued to search for it in her bag. After a couple more minutes Mr Bentley paused his lesson once more. Margot never noticed.

"Miss Foster!" Mr Bentley raised his voice enough for her to snap her to attention, but it wasn't quite shouting.

"Yes, Mr Bentley?" Margot answered nervously looking through the fallen strand of hair that was in front of her eyes. She could feel everyone staring once again but only those in front of her were visible.

"Miss Foster, you turn up late to my class disrupting your fellow students, and myself. Then you continue to do so from your seat. Prey tell, what are you fussing over back there?" Mr Bentley stepped forward, placing his foot up onto the bottom step of the seating, staring up at Margot.

"I am truly sorry sir, everyone...I-I was just looking for my script, but I think I forgot to pack it this morning." These words made Mr Bentley sigh heavily, and pinch the bridge of his nose to help him string, his next words together.

"For now you may share with Miss Carlyle. Next time and for all future days, whilst here you better make sure you are prepared, like I told you all on your first day in my class." Mr Bentley cleared his throat, before getting back to his place which he almost forgot exactly where. Internally Margot was kicking herself for causing so much mayhem before 12 o'clock.

Margot turned to Mary (Miss Carlyle) the red head who was sat to her right. Mary was quite pretty with her red hair falling, just to the tops of her shoulders, with a few layers in it to give it some style. And her skin was rather pale like a porcelain doll, she only wore light pink lip gloss, and mascara to make her lashes appear longer, and green eyes stood out without the need for much.

Mary seemed like quite a shy person, as she awkwardly shuffled over slightly, allowing Margot to see her script as instructed. Although, Mary seemed this way Margot would soon see her come out of her shell. Once Mr Bentley was finished talking he grouped his students into groups of fours, and giving them their next task. He asked them to all find two monologues to audition with. One classical and one contemporary.

Margot of course was in a group with Mary, the other two were Bradly Morris and Jeff Wilcox. Bradly has short dark brown (close to black) hair perfectly quaffed at the top, with shaved sides, slightly muscular and small close together facial features. Even his eyes were small round brown ones. Jeff has a generic sandy hair style, twig like frame and rounded brown framed glasses, making his hazel eyes magnified. Margot's first impressions of Bradly, well he seemed to be one of those actors, who already thought he was hot shit. Even from their improvisation sessions with Mrs Shaw, Margot could tell working with him was going to be a challenge. For now though it shouldn't be as bad right? As it's only searching for the right monologues. As for Jeff, Margot's first impressions of him were kind of similar to Mary's. He had more confidence than she had but only just. Once the four of them got together, and all groups were dismissed to the library for the reminder of the lesson, Mary hung back as the group made their way up the stairs. As they walked down the corridor after coming up the stairs, Margot noticed Mary plodding along behind. So Margot waited for her to catch up and giving her a smile once she had. The boys haven't noticed, of course.

Just as Margot thought, Bradly was a pain in the ass. He kept dismissing every monologue she would find, and tried to push the ones he thought would be more ideal for her. Margot ended up just sitting there, with her arms folded with a stern look on her face, while the others carried on searching for their monologues.

Three weeks later. Saturday 3rd October.

Tom was done with his business in New York and heading back to London. It had been a bit of an exhausting time, with all the meetings and re-recordings, although he did quite enjoy himself, at times once he got into working. He spent his days busy hard at work, but most nights he was kept awake by his thoughts. When he did manage to sleep, he'd almost sleep through his alarm clock. He also tried to keep up his running to help clear his head. Tom did Face-Time Emma a few times to see how she was, and to of course see Bobby. He even called his Mum, and his other sister Sarah a couple of times too, even dropping Benedict a text here and there. However when doing voice recording sessions its a rarity if you actually record, with anyone at the same time. He did however bump into Hayley Atwell on his way to the studio, one of the days. They arranged to meet up later that day to have a coffee.

Flash back

Tom took a deep breath and rolled up his white button down shirt sleeves, before heading into the cafe, where he and Hayley had arranged to meet. As he pushed the door open, a little bell above the door rang. Tom glanced around the little cafe, from where he stood by the door. Suddenly, a waving hand caught his eye. It was Hayley. Tom walked over to where she was sat, which was near the kitchen door at a table for two. Hayley stood up and hugged him, as she greeted him with a smile. They both sat down and began to look through the menu. Within five minutes a young girl came over to their table, with her notepad and pencil. She was clearly star struck, when she realised who she was severing. She tried her best to keep it together.

"Hi I'm Catherine, I'll be your sever today. What can I get you?" she asked, with a slight shakiness in her voice.

"I would love a latte and a Danish please" Hayley asked as she closed and popped her menu back.

"And I will just have an espresso please." It was odd for Tom not to order a pudding, but today he thought he would pass on life's little pleasures, like eating something so delicious as pudding. Catherine quickly wrote their order down and hurried off.

"So Thomas...what do I owe for this unexpected pleasantry?" Hayley began speaking as soon as they were alone again.

"Well I saw you at the studio, and thought what the hell. We don't spend much time together and..." Tom paused looking down at his hands which he held together out in front of him on the table.

"And what?" Hayley asked curiously.

"And...It’s nice to spend time with someone outside of work for a change." Tom replied, once he brought his gaze back up to Hayley. Although, Hayley could tell there was more to it than that but she didn't inquire any further. At least not right away.

Catherine soon returned with their order and placed it front of them. She then kindly asked if she could possibly get their autograph before they left. Both Hayley and Tom agreed to make sure they did, before they would leave. This made Catherine grin from ear to ear with delight, and left the two alone to enjoy their coffees. They were sat in silence as Hayley ate, and Tom was done with his espresso, before she could even finish her second mouthful. He ordered himself another, but asked for it to be brought once Hayley had finished eating.

"How did your recording session go?" Hayley asked, as she swallowed her last mouthful.

"Good. Although, I was worried we weren't going to be done by the time we said we'd meet. Luckily we did and it’s all done now. How did yours go?" Tom seemed in a better mood now, which Hayley was pleased about.

"Great, in fact I hope to do more again soon. I enjoy it immensely." Hayley said before taking a sip of her latte, by which time Tom's second espresso had arrived.

"I know exactly what you mean, but I haven't really done a hole lot of animation work." Tom thinks back to when he worked on Early Man, and Tinker Bell and the Pirate Fairy.

"Well maybe you should think about, getting involved with a couple more of those kinds of projects." Hayley suggests with a smile.

"Perhaps, I shall." They talked for a good further thirty minutes, before they realised they were the last two in the place. Catherine approached them to inform them they were closing. Hayley grabbed her bag as they stood from their chairs. And Tom like the gentlemen he is he paid ,despite Hayley's instance in paying it herself. After she gave in for Tom to pay she thanked him generously. And just like they promised they both signed their names, on a piece of paper from Catherine's notepad, as that's all she had for them to sign. Catherine was overly joyed. Especially, because originally she was meant to be on her day off, but she had to fill in for a colleague.

After heading out Tom asked if Hayley would join him on a walk, to which she agreed to and took Tom's arm when he offered it to her. For the first few minutes they simply walked without a word spoken, just taking in the New York air and walking the crowded streets, as Tom slipped on his shades, which a moment ago were hanging from his open shirt collar.

"Tom?" Hayley pipped up, after a while of walking.

"Yeah?" Tom kept his eyes fixed on the direction they were heading in.

"Back there you seemed a little...out of sorts when you first sat down. I didn't want to go into it too much at first but I am now, what's wrong?" Hayley felt Tom tense up a little, while her arm was still looped with his.

"I've not been doing great lately." Tom admitted. "I thought working would help...I mean to has to an extent, but it can never truly stop me from thinking about what's been going on. You know?" Tom felt his stomach churn a little. Maybe the lack of food and the mass of espressos had done it.

"I understand. It can all be too much sometimes." Hayley took a longer glance, at Tom as they continued walking. She could tell that his expression showed there was more to it, than he was letting on. "Tom..." Hayley pulled on his arm getting him to stop to one side, away from the passing people. "Tom I have a feeling there's a deeper reason for your behaviour. Tell me." Hayley pressed her lips into a thin line, as she waited for his reply.

Tom sighed heavily. "Not here." He said close to a whisper, then he took her by the hand leading her forward. Tom flagged down a cab just up the road a bit. He kindly opened the door for her and let her slide in, before he made his way around to the other side, on the busy road. Tom gave the driver the address for his hotel. As they sat there Tom tried to keep a positive conversation going, which had nothing to do with her question, but it saved the awkward silence.

After a twenty-five minute drive they arrived at the hotel. Tom was about to pay but Hayley beat him to it, saying it was only fair for her to pay for something. Tom didn't argue but smiled slightly, before he stepped out of the cab, then opened the door once again for her. They linked arms once more as they made their way to his room, which was on the sixth floor. They stopped at the door with the number saying 609, in black on a golden plate. Tom fiddled in his pockets for the card key then opened the door, holding it open for her and used his other hand, gesturing her to go ahead. Hayley made herself comfortable on the sofa placing her bag down by her feet. Tom offered her a drink, but she turned down the offer. He nervously settled himself down next to her on the sofa. He took a moment to compose himself before explaining everything.

"I'm sorry about your break up with Zawe, I mean I understand why though. Yes, I agree she should have told you, about the other guy she had feelings for sooner, but Tom how do you feel now about Margot?" Hayley sat herself sideways a little closer, as she patted his arm in comfort.

"She's...she's on my mind all the time just like Zawe is." Tom had already said that and he knew he had.

"Yes, but how do you really feel about her, Tom?"

"It doesn't matter how I feel."

"Tom of course it does!" Hayley knew she wasn't going to get a proper answer out of him, so she dropped it. "Have you spoken to Chris Hemsworth or Benedict lately?" Hayley changed the subject.

"I haven't spoken to Chris much. He's been filming and out of phone range for a while. Last we spoke he said he would call once he could. That was before Zawe and I broke up. Ben an I have been in constant contact."

"Does they know about Margot?" Tom knew she'd bring Margot back up.

"Chris kind of knows, we didn't get to speak much last time. However Ben knows everything."

Hayley left after an hour. On her way out she gave Tom all her best and hugging him tight. He quickly kissed her cheek then she was gone. He went to bed that night and fell into a dreamless sleep.

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

Once Tom was back on English soil he took a deep breath and was glad to be back. Conrad was right on time as always to pick him, and Luke was with Conrad. Luke never went to New York, he was just at the airport for those finally few things. The usual. Unless he was defiantly required to go. Luke went over Tom's up coming schedule on their way. The schedule was for after Tom's few days off. Tom wasn't exactly listening, but he tried his best. Luke was dropped off back home first. However, Tom didn't want to go home right away, as he wanted to go pick up Bobby as soon as he could. Plus he wanted to catch up with his sister.

"Hi Em, just got back from New York. I'll be over soon to see you. Can't wait to catch up! I hope Bobby hasn't been too much of a handful x"

After waiting for five minutes Emma replied. "Hi Tommy, I hope you had a good trip and that you didn't work too hard, like I told you not to. Can't wait to see you! No he's been an angel the entire time. Also hope you had a safe flight back x"

"Ehehe, well sort of. Oh good glad he's been behaving and yeah, it was alright. I got a bit of sleep on the plane, but not much. Anyway be there soon x"

"I'll make sure to put the kettle on ready for your arrival x"

Fifteen minutes later Conrad pulled the car over, to the curb outside of Emma's house. He then got out to open the door for Tom, and he smiled as he did so. Tom smiled back and instructed to have his luggage dropped off home for him. Conrad had a spare key to drop everything off inside. He closed the door behind Tom and wished him a good afternoon, before hoping back into the car. Tom also returned the well wishes and informed Conrad, that he'd find his own way back home later. Once Tom was at the door step Conrad drove off, heading for his next destination. Tom rang the bell and heard a few barks coming from within. Bobby didn't bark often, but just hearing it now made Tom happy. Then the door swiftly opened.

"Tommy!" Emma beamed, wrapping her arms around her brother tightly. Tom wrapped his arms around her, even tighter and smiling. Bobby was jumping around their feet.

"It's so good to see you!" Tom said, as the pulled away from their hug. Bobby jumped up at Tom. "Ehehe, it's good to see you too, buddy!" Tom ruffled Bobby's hair on top of his head, as Bobby's tail was wagging madly.

Tom followed Emma into the house, closely being followed by Bobby. They walked through to the kitchen, where Emma had prepared their cups for the tea. As Tom seated himself at the kitchen table, bending forward making a big fuss over Bobby, the kettle had just come to a boil. Soon after Emma joined him at the table bringing their teas over. By this point Bobby had started to settle down by Tom's feet. Tom took a sip of his tea. There was nothing better than tea. Earl Grey tea.

"I know we've texted a little but, how are you?" Emma asked, with a worrying look.

"In all honesty...better. I still miss Zawe from time to time, when I think about her, but it was for the best. I have called her to see how she is. She says she's doing good than she has in months. So I'm happy she's happy." Tom smiled slightly with a firm grip on his cup.

"I'm glad, we've all been worried about you Tom." Emma reached out for his free hand, and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

"You can all stop now." Tom lightly squeezed her hand back.

Tom stayed a little over two hours, before he collected Bobby's things putting them into Emma's car. She offered to drive them home, as it saved a taxi ride and saved Tom struggling, to try and carry everything home if they walked. The ride to Tom's was silent, but not in a bad way. Accept the sound of Bobby panting a little from his walk, they went on before they left. Once Emma had gotten to Tom's he thanked her for the lift, and lightly pressed a kiss to her cheek, and hugged her. She had offered to take Bobby's things inside for him but Tom declined, telling her she'd done more than enough for him, while he was away. However, Emma waited outside until she was satisfied, that Tom and Bobby had everything. And left after Tom waved goodbye from his door.

Tom Hiddleston Masterlist

Source: @viviennes-tears

[blacknight1230]

Inexperienced - Otis Milburn Imagine (2/?)

After school, while waiting for Eric, Otis is surprised to have his crush, (y/n), come up to him. The two end up having a bonding experience as (y/n) brings Otis to her favorite spot in town, and learn new things about each other as trust builds between the two. All of this makes Otis wonder if things between them are as platonic as they seem. 

Part 1

“Where’s Eric? He should be done with his classes now,” Otis said as he waited by the bike rack in front of the school. “Hey, Otis!” a voice shouted, causing the dark-haired boy to turn towards the source. Coming out of the school’s front entrance, was (y/n), a smile on her face and happiness in her eyes. Otis nervously waved at her, surprised by his friend, and crush, of two months randomly being here at this time. School wa slet out fifteen minutes ago after all and most students would literally sprint out of class, and the school itself, when they were able to. 

(Y/n) quickly caught up to him, holding the strap of her backpack. “Eric told me to tell you he’s sorry he couldn’t walk back with you today. He still has detention with Mr. Kendricks he’s got to deal with,” (y/n) apologized for her other friend. “It’s okay. Eric probably is getting sick and tired of being with me all the time anyway,” Otis tried to joke around, but it sounded more depressing than funny. “Oh, that’s not true. Eric loves you. In a non-romantic way, obviously,” (y/n) reassured him. Otis stifled a burst of laughter at the last sentence, but a smile still made its way to his lips. “Is it okay if I walk with you instead? My house is on the way,” (y/n) asked. “Sure, why not,” Otis said calmly. But on the inside, he was screaming and flailing around. 

(y/n) continued to chat with Otis as he walked alongside his bicycle. “So, anything new happened today?” Otis asked, starting the conversation. “Nothing much. Maeve has started to trust me more. Enough for her to confide in me about her family life,” (y/n) said, staring off into the distance as they traveled along the walking bridge Otis took to get to and from school everyday. “That’s actually awesome. I’m glad you and her are getting along so well. She never talks about stuff like to that to just anyone. The only one she’s talk to  about her home life was me.” “I understand why she does. With everyone calling her Cockbiter, she doesn’t need other people to tease her about her non-existent family”, (y/n) said. 

A brief silence was shared between the two, before (y/n) broke it. “Hey, do you want to see something cool?” (y/n) asked excitedly, here eyes shining with excitement. Otis was so entranced by her innocent joy that she’ll be able to show him something so special to her that he just had to agree. “Alright, lead the way,” he said. (y/n) squealed in excitement and smiled widely, teeth shining brightly as she grabbed Otis’s hand and pulled him along. A blush burned on his cheeks at the girl holding his hand, but (y/n) seemed oblivious to this. So, (y/n) led him away from his usual route, through the trees, across a stream, and into a field of flowers overlooking the town. 

(y/n) let go of Otis’s hand and ran into the seemingly endless rows of wild flowers. Otis could only look at the scene with amazement, the sun warm on his skin, the scent of flowers wafting through the air. “Otis! Come sit next to me!” (y/n) yelled from her spot on the flowery hill. Otis had no trouble finding his new friend, the flowers and grass, not the high enough to hide a person if they want to rest and enjoy the scenery sitting down. He sat next to (y/n), the wild green grass tickling the palms of his hands. “So, what do you think of my little spot?” (y/n) asked, as they stared at the town below. “It’s so peaceful here. How have I never been here before?” Otis wondered out loud. “I found this place about a month ago. It’s quickly been my go to place to get away from the drama of school and everyday life,” (y/n) explained. Her eyes were closed as she basked in the afternoon sunlight. She looks absolutely perfect, Otis thought as he admired her. They sat and enjoyed the silence as they watched the world go by from their little slice of heaven. 

“Otis,” (y/n) said as the sky turned pink, the sun about to set. “Can I confide in you about something?” “Of course,. You can trust me. And I promise not to tell anyone if you’re worried,” Otis replied, wondering what she wanted to tell him. A part of him was happy that she wanted to confide in him about her worries, too. (y/n) inhaled, then started to speak. “Do you ever feel like you’re completely clueless about relationships?” she asked as she looked at the landscape. “What?” Otis was confused; what did she mean? “Like I feel completely oblivious about love and maintaining a good romantic relationship. I’ve never had a boyfriend or anything and usually its because I’m scammed I’ll do the wrong thing. And everyone seems to be experts in this field. Hell, I just saw a couple fucking behind the bushes on in front of the school!” 

Otis chuckled at the last sentence in her little rant, having seen the same exact thing every day of school and complained about it too. “Hey, you can’t be the only one who feels this way,” Otis tried to reassure her. “It seems very unlikely. I feel so isolated because of it and like there is something wrong with me,” (y/n) said, fingers playing around with the strand and petals of flowers next to her. She was refusing to make eye contact with Otis. Said boy sat back and decided to tell her what he barely told anyone, even his mom. “Well, I’m still a virgin and sexually inexperienced,” he said, a blush coming to his cheeks. I can’t believe I’m telling her this, Otis though in embarrassment. “Really? So you feel the same way as I do,” (y/n) wondered out loud. “You can say that. But the thing is that I have more trouble than you do,” Otis admitted. “What do you mean?” 

“Um, it’s not something I usually talk about,” he said nervously, palms starting to sweat. “Come on, Otis. I told you about my embarrassing problems,” (y/n) tried to persuade him. “It’s hard to admit, especially to you. The only one who know about this is Eric. Well, besides my mom, but that’s because she’s very nosy.” (y/n) giggled when he complained about his mother. “Please, Otis, I promise not to tell anyone. This will just be between you and me.” “I don’t know ...” “Please, for me.” Otis stared at (y/n), heart strings being pulled, as she gave him a puppy-eyed look that he caved in from. “Ok,” he sighed. (y/n) smiled and repositioned herself in a comfortable position, eagerly waiting for him to began. I naturally trust her. Why? Otis thought before he began to tell her his most embarrassing secret. 

“God, I can’t believe I’m admitting this. Alright, here I go; I can’t masturabte,” he said, the last sentence being spoken in a rush. “Wait, you can’t ...” (y/n) trailed off and made hand motions for the act. “I mean, it works fine and everything and I know its natural and everyone does it, but I just ... can’t. I feel icky doing it,” Otis explained, cheeks hot as he admitted this. “Hmm, interesting. Have you thought that you might be celibate or asexual?” (y/n) asked, curious and seeming to understand him. “No, I’m definitely not either of those. I was dating Ola, before she broke it off with me, and I’m still plagued by hormonal teenage urges,” Otis tried to explain, without going into too much detail. 

“It might be psychological then. Like a bad memory pops up whenever you try it or think about it,” (y/n) pondered, trying to figure out the cause of Otis’s complex personal problem. “Maybe,” Otis mumbled. He specifically remembered the incident with Lily. When the weird girl tried to touch him and act sexy, which failed horribly, he did have a panic attack when the memory of him catching his father having sex with his patients behind his mother’s back popped up when Lily touched him. “Have you tried to talking to your mom? I know she’s a sex therapist, so maybe you can professional help from her,” (y/n) questioned. “Definitely not. I don’t need her to find out about this. She already embarasses me by nonchalantly talking about sex and telling people about my sex life. Well lack of a sexual live,” Otis ranted. 

“Sadly, you can’t go to the Clinic for help. I was actually thinking of going to it for my problem,” (y/n) said. “You were?” Otis said, amazed. “Yeah, but I like this way better. We both get to learn more about each other and build trust between us,” (y/n) continued, a bright smile on her face. Otis could feel his heart flutter in his chest from admiration, falling more in love with her. “I’m glad we got the chance to talk then,” Otis replied, bright blue eyes looking at the (h/c) haired girl next to him, with affectionate eyes. “And talk about what’s bothering you so much.” “Me, too, Otis. Me, too.” 

Otis noticed that his left hand and (y/n)’s right hand were resting next to each other on the grassy ground. Gaining a sudden wave of courage, he nonchalantly covered her hand with his, inwardly shuttering at the feeling of (y/n)’s soft warm skin. (y/n) didn’t move her hand when he ghosted his hand over hers, giving no indication besides a small smile that he did anything. If Otis’s heart wasn’t beating rapidly before, it definitely was when (y/n) shuffled closer to him and lightly laid her head on his shoulder, then gently grasped his left hand that Otis had laid over hers. He decided to just enjoy the moment, looking at the landscape before him as it slowly changed color as the sun started to set. 

The moment was interrupted by a phone rigging, the shrill noise braking the quiet and calm scene. (y/n) hurriedly detached herself from Otis, rummaging through her pants pockets looking for her phone. She eventually found it and quickly answered the phone call, speaking a frantic greeting in the speaker. Otis could hear a woman on the other end, talking loudly to the point she was almost screaming, yet he couldn’t hear what she said. “Sorry, mom, I’ll come home right now. I’ll be there soon,” (y/n) said before ending the call. “I’ve got to go home, Otis. I completely lost track of time and I made my mom worried,” she explained to Otis, getting up and gathering her stuff. “Oh. It’s okay. I’ve got to go home, too,” he reassured her, getting up from the ground, too. A part of Otis was sad that she had to leave, enjoying the way they just basked in each other’s presence and didn’t have to say a word to enjoy their time together. 

He grabbed his backpack and bike, silently followed (y/n) across the field of flowers, into the woods, past the little stream, and onto the walking/biking path that eventually led to the Otis’s street. Before the two went on their separate ways, (y/n) turned to Ots. “I enjoyed spending time with you, Otis. I can’t wait to do this again,” she said, a king smile on her face. “I did, too. I have a feeling I’ll keep going to that field again and again,” Otis replied, looking down at the (slightly/much) shorter girl, her infectious smile making its way to his face. “I’ll see you tomorrow?” (y/n) asked. “Of course. You’ll see me at my locker next to yours.” “Good. I’ll see you tomorrow then.” 

(y/n) suddenly left a small peck of her lips on his cheek, before leaving him frozen in shock at the wooden bridge. Otis could only stand there, his cheeks red, watching (y/n) rush back home. When her figure disappeared from his sight, Otis lifted a hand to feel the cheek she kissed, almost feeling the smoothness and warmth of her lips on his cheek. Otis started to half celebrate, half freak out about this. She kissed my cheek! I can’t believe it! Does that mean she likes me? Or was that a platonic kiss? Otis wondered. A text notification broke Otis away from his inward battle, making him take a look at his phone. He got a text from mother, who was wondering where he was and that dinner was waiting for him on the table. Otis quickly mounted his bike and pedalled away towards his house, the cheek kiss still on his mind. 

TO BE CONTINUED

[mrs-hollandstan]

Helloooo What about!! Mob!Tom listening to twenty one pilots' "heavydirtysoul" when Tyler says "gangsters don't cry" and he just wants his wife, son and little daughter to cuddle him!

I love mob!dad!Tom.

When Tom discovered certain musicians, he really was invested. He'd been into Kendrick Lamar, Drake, The 1975, Echosmith, and Tame Impala. But most recently it was Twenty One Pilots. His favorite song was Heavydirtysoul. It reminded him of you.

When business deals were still in the works or there wasn't much, or they'd just been concluded, he'd just sit in his office and listen to whatever new artist he'd discovered.

Listening to his favorite song for what his men standing poised outside the door pegged as the hundredth time, he hummed along, eyes closed. The butterfly bandages across his cheek irritated the hell out of him, but you calling him scarface was worse so he focused on the music so he didn't hear you laugh about it.

His eyes popped open when he heard that line. Gangsters don't cry. Sure, he'd heard it a number of times but the loon you gave him tonight when he left the bathroom after you patched him up with no words said killed him in this one moment. He frowned, taking a deep breath and his eyebrows knit together. A pout came to his lips,

"They do if they miss their damn family." He mumbled as the tune carried on. He clicked his tongue, picking up his beer bottle and swirling the liquid left it. He huffed, thinking about you little five year old son Paxton and your little eleven month old daughter Stella.

As if in cue, the door burst open and little brown curls bobbed towards Tom, the rest of the giggling toddler hidden by the big table. Tom smiled as Paxton ran into his arms, letting himself be hoisted up into Tom's arms,

"Meesed you daddy." Paxton spoke, laying his head over his father's shoulder, reaching over to turn the music down. He kissed Paxton's forehead, smiling wider down at his little mini me,

"I missed you too Pax. I was just think about you and your little sister."

"What, I don't get no love?" You tease. He chuckles,

"Course you do, I got a whole other knee but... these cute little faces I helped make... missed these little faces." He watches you sit, his smile seemingly getting wider when he locks with the same brown eyes as his own of your little baby girl.

"Hi pretty girl. Gosh... look at these little cheeks." He reaches out to punch her cheek, giggling when she shies away. You smile down at her, leaning down to kiss the top of her head,

"She missed her daddy. So did Pax and I." He smiles, hand resting at your lower back. He rubs over your back, laying his head over Paxton's,

"I missed the three of you too. I missed your guys's cuddles." Paxton's tiny arms wrap around his father as you rest Stella in the other arm. He holds them both to him, Stella playing with her father's hands. You lean back, kissing his cheek,

"How bout a day for the family tomorrow Mr. Holland? There's that new little shopping center on the pier. There's an ice cream shop and a toy shop. Just the four of us Tom. Please?" Looking up into your eyes, he licks his lips at the begging in your eyes. He nods after a moment,

"I need that. I really do." You smile, kissing his cheek again,

"Good. We miss daddy." He smiles, smoothing Stella's hair down. A thought crosses his mind,

"Ya know... I've been thinkin... maybe we shouldn't wait so long for another baby." You click your tongue, leaning forward,

"Aaaand, it's time for Pax's bath." He chuckles, letting you pick Pax up before he stands with Stella, cradling her close to him,

"I want another and I intend to get one." You smile, glancing over your shoulder,

"Yeah..? You and what army?"

[boasamishipper]

Moon Take Thy Flight

this was originally inspired by the @writersmonth trope prompt ‘fairy tale’, but has evolved a bit since then. i was going to wait until the fourteenth to post it, but as i’ll be away from a computer all that day i figured i’d do so now. hope you enjoy!

consider this a prologue...a very short glimpse into what's to come.

--

a long time ago…

The forest passes by him in a blur of green and brown, his horse’s hooves pounding against the dirt as he urges it to go even faster. Every breath burns his lungs, and his heart hammers against his ribs. Terror and desperation threaten to choke him; no matter how fast he rides, he cannot ignore the sinking feeling that he is already too late.

Finally, he reaches a clearing and pulls at the horse’s reins, causing it to skid to a halt. He dismounts before it’s even stopped moving, striding toward the men gathered in the meadow. Each of them wear the uniforms of officers serving in the Royal Navy — the same uniform he himself wears with pride. As he approaches, a tall man with chiseled features and brown hair cut short looks up. Without saying a word, the man steps aside, revealing what they had all been standing around.

In the center of the group is a glass coffin, and there is no mistaking the figure that lies within. Dark hair, red lips, skin as pale as snow. Hands folded over a chest that no longer rises or falls. Lifeless.

“No.” The word escapes him before he can stop it, ripped from him in a horrified gasp. His feet keep leading him towards the coffin, which he cannot take his eyes off. “No, no, no — Mav?”

“I’m sorry, Ice,” says the tall man at the front of the group, not without a hint of regret. “The Wicked King got to him…we were too late. He’s gone.”

Ice shakes his head in disbelief — not because he distrusts Slider’s word, but because he cannot make himself believe it. It can’t have ended like this. Not when their relationship had only just begun. Not when Ice hadn’t even had the chance to apologize to him, to hold him in his arms one last time, to tell him…

He drops to his knees at the coffin’s side, his shoulders shaking with silent tears. It’s his fault. He should have have heard Maverick out, should have been there for him like he’d promised he always would be. And now the love of his life has paid the price for his mistakes.

He clutches at the top of the coffin, pulling himself back to his feet. He can feel the pitying stares of the others on his back, but he can’t bring himself to care. “Open it,” he says. “Please, I must—” His voice breaks, and he takes a shuddering breath. “I need to say goodbye.”

There’s a brief moment of hesitation, and then the lid of the coffin is lifted and set aside. Slider nods at the others, who follow him several feet back. Leaving Ice alone with Maverick.

Ice tentatively reaches out to touch Maverick’s face, tracing the line of his jaw, running a hand through his hair like he’d done so many times before. But Maverick’s eyes are closed, and his lips don’t twitch upward into a smile or the smirk that always drives Ice crazy. His skin is colorless; his chest does not rise or fall. There’s no Maverick left there anymore. He’s gone.

“I’m sorry,” Ice whispers, soft enough that only Maverick can hear him. “I’m so sorry, Mav.”

Cradling the back of Maverick’s head, Ice leans down and presses their foreheads together; then, before his grief overcomes him completely, he closes the distance between them and steals a final kiss.

The moment their lips meet, a wave of magic whooshes outwards from the coffin, golden and pure, spreading across the land and through Ice’s very soul. He pulls back, stunned. He’s never seen or felt anything like that before, but everyone in the land has heard the stories, and his theory is all but confirmed when Maverick suddenly gasps, his eyes flying open.

Ice’s breath catches in his chest. “Mav?”

Maverick’s eyes fall on him. “Ice,” he breathes, like his name is a magic word. “Is it really you?”

The laugh that tears free is wild, full of joy. “Yeah,” he says, and his smile threatens to split his face in two. “Yeah, Mav. It’s me.”

Ice helps Maverick sit up, wraps an arm around his back to support him as he regains his bearings, blinking groggily at the coffin he’s found himself in and the slack-jawed men gathered nearby. His eyes go wide as he turns to meet Ice’s gaze again. “You — you woke me up?”

“I did.”

Maverick inhales sharply, like he’d just been punched. “Do you know what that means?” he says breathlessly. “That you and I…that we’re—”

Ice manages a nod. “I hoped we were,” he admits. “From the moment we met.”

He half expects Maverick to make a joke out of that, but Maverick’s smile falters. “I thought…” He stops, swallows hard. “I thought I’d never see you again.”

Ice can hear the unspoken words — I thought you never wanted to see me again — and his throat goes tight. “I’m sorry, Mav,” he says, and he has never meant an apology more. “For everything I said. But I’m here now. And if you’ll have me, I promise I’ll never leave you again.”

Maverick’s smile could rival the sun. “Like you have a choice,” he says, and then he smirks, as utterly irreverent as always. “We’re True Love, Kazansky. You’re stuck with me now.”

Ice kisses him once more, and damn it all if it’s not the best kiss he’s ever had. He feels alive, exhilarated, ready to burst from joy, and yet…completely at peace. Like he would never be alone again.

There are still battles to be faced, Ice knows. Still wars to be won. But as long as he has Maverick by his side — his True Love by his side — he knows he’ll be able to handle anything.

—

…in a land far, far away…  

Another day, another job.

Bradley collapses into the front seat of his car, the back of his head still smarting with pain from when his target had tackled him to the ground. But he’d gotten the job done. He always does. And now all he has left to do is wait for the money to appear in his bank account and begin searching for another job.

He turns his phone on, and he gives a huff of surprise when he sees the time. It’s past midnight already. Happy thirty-second birthday to him — not that he has anybody to spend it with.

Reaching into his pocket, Bradley pulls out a lighter and turns it on, watching the small flame flicker in the darkness of the car. Exhaling softly, he closes his eyes, makes a wish, and blows out the flame. It’s the same wish he’s made every year for as long as he can remember: that by this time next year, he won’t be so alone.

“If wishes were horses,” he mutters, and he puts the lighter away.

His phone suddenly buzzes with two notifications, one after the other. One is from his banking app, which notifies him that the money from his latest job is now in his savings account, and the other is an email from someone he doesn’t recognize. Bemused and interested, he clicks on it.

Mr. Bradshaw,

We haven’t been introduced before, but my name is Monica Kendrick. I’ve been doing research on you and your work as a private investigator, and I have a job for you. If you’re still in Boston, the location is just a few hours away; I’ve attached the address at the bottom of this email, along with my contact information.

Please write back at your earliest convenience. This job is more important than you might think, and I promise that it will be worth your while.

—M.K. (Phoenix)

Bradley’s brow furrows. Alright. It had been a bit stranger and a lot more vague than the emails he usually gets from potential clients, but color him intrigued. A few hours’ drive isn’t much, since he is still in Boston, and he’s curious about this job that this Monica Kendrick (or Phoenix, as she’d signed off) seems to think is so important.

He writes back to her that he’ll be there by tomorrow afternoon, and then scrolls down to the bottom of the email, taking in the address she’d left.

“3711 Main Street,” Bradley reads aloud. “Storybrooke, Maine.”

[annak47hq]

when in london ‘ meryl & anna

Who: Anna Kendrick and Meryl Streep @mezstreep

What: Meryl invited Adam and Anna to the premiere of Mary Poppins Returns, and once arriving in London Meryl meets Dusty while Anna and Meryl start to get  ready. The two friends catch up.

Where: London, England    

When: Wednesday, December 12th 2018 

Trigger Warnings: none 

Anna: Anna was excited when Meryl had invited not only her but Adam to London to see the premier of Mary Poppins Returns! which was a film she was quiet eager to watch and see how it turned out. When arriving in London, she knew she had to get ready right away since the primere was that afternoon and to say Anna was exhuasted was an understatement. Downing her coffee, Anna’s and Adam’s room was right across from Meryl’s and the women opened the door, handing Dusty over to her babysitter Cait, kissing the two year olds cheeks. Knocking on Meryl’s door, the women opened it and walked in “Meryl.”

Meryl: Meryl was always a mess when she had to dress up and get a lot of attention from media and fans but she had to do it for love to her work and her co workers who always wanted her around. She skipped the premiere in Los Angeles and Paris but she wouldn’t miss the biggest one in London and it was more special because dear friends like Anna, Adam and more would accompanied her which made her so excited. The day of the premiere she was in her room finishing her makeup in hands of her stylist, her dear friend Roy when she heard the door “i’ll open it” she said excitedly and ran to find her friend’s face “oh my God! Hi!! You brought company!” She said happily “come in girls!”

Anna: She knew how Meryl felt about being in the spotlight, and how she didn’t like going to premieres all that much so the brunette didn’t hesitate when the older women invited her and Adam to come along and be there with her. As Dusty was reaching her arms out for Anna, the actress took the two year old in her arms and held her on her hip. “Hi. How much more time do we have to get ready? Clearly I’m not ready at all.” Walking into Meryl’s room with Dusty, she noticed the toddler was clutching onto Anna. “You look hot.” Anna smiled

Meryl: Meryl put her hands in her mouth dramatically as she watched the scene between Anna and Dusty and she smiled brightly “look at you being a step mom. So good at it” the blonde said closing the door behind her “she is gorgeous! Hi sweetheart” Meryl was always good with kids and she loved them. Lately she had been spending time with Cate’s kids and it was so fun, especially with the three years old, Edith. “Hi sweetie” Meryl talked to Dusty tenderly and then realized that Anna had asked something. She looked at her watch and smiled “50 minutes” she said and rolled her eyes “lies! My original dress never arrived so I had to get his at last minute!. What are you wearing? Do you need Roy for makeup and hair? I only share him with with you” she joked

Anna: Anna laughed nervously and then shook her head “Oh no, Dusty isnt going to be calling me step mom. I don’t know what she’s going to be calling me, but for right now it’s just Anna.” The brunette smiled softly, and then looked at the toddler who was slowly starting to fall asleep in her arms “Right little bug? ” She questioned Dusty, and then kissed her forehead “Can you say hi to Meryl? That’s Meryl. She’s /very/ famous. ” As Dusty turned into Ann’s chest, the brunette handed her over to Cait and the younger women took the toddler out of the room and Anna turned to face Meryl “Wait what, your dress never came?” She snapped her head and then nodded “Yes please if he doesn’t mind because I’m an idiot and didn’t tell my team I was going to this premiere.” Taking a breath, Anna looks down “She’s cute isn’t she? Everyone says Dusty looks like Behati which she does, but I see a lot of Adam but I might be a bit biased”

Meryl: “Yeah, the stepmom name doesn’t fit you at all” Meryl said folding her arms and raising her eyebrow cutely and smiling at the little girl “She is so cute,” She said honestly and touched her chubby cheek “She is lying. I am not very famous” she mimicked and laughed “your dad is more famous” she chuckled and kissed her forehead softly before step back and nodding while Roy approached to greet the younger woman. “Yeah, but that’s fine. I am wearing something more appropriate for this weather” she admitted “Eliee Sab never fails me” she said sitting on one of the chairs and giving Anna the seat in front of the vanity so Roy could stay with her makeup while Meryl put on some pale pink lipstick “I don’t know Behati but I think she has a lot from him too. She is adorable. How was your flight, is she an easy traveler? I was afraid you wouldn’t be able to come at the end” Meryl confessed. “Cate is not coming so I need extra support to deal with this craziness” she said with a smile and put her mirror down

Anna: “Nope, not at all.” Anna laughed a little, and then chewed her lips watching Meryl interact with Dusty. It still surprised her that Meryl actually wanted to talk, let alone be in Anna’s life at all after Into The Woods. “Daddy is a rock star, but Meryl is an Oscar winner. Those are two different types of famous D.” She tried explaining to the two year old, seeing that Dusty’s eyes were closing. As Roy approached Anna, she gave him a hug and sat down in a chair after Cait took Dusty back to their room. “I don’t even know what I’m wearing yet, I just packed a bunch of dresses. I wasn’t going to go all out, since I don’t have my team here.” Anna said, then shrugged her shoulders “Only my agent and publicist. I didn’t think this through.” The brunette laughed but then looked at Meryl “It was good, D slept most of the way but she’s still exhuasted. Behati is a Victoria Secret Model, so it was bound for Dusty to be perfect.” Anna looked at the older women “How are you two doing, by the way? ” She questioned, and then took a sip of the water bottle that was on the table next to her.

Meryl: Meryl laughed and shurgged ¨Thats what they say, Mr Oscar is such a prestigius guy¨Meryl answered and waved at the little girl and the nanny who left the room and Meryl could get all her attention to her friend again while Roy had started to work on the brunette´s hair. Thanks to her presence, Meryl had started to relax and she was not anxious about the red carpet, at least not as much as she was earlier “dont worry about it. Roy can take control of everything” Meryl said with a smile and wink to her friend who had worked with her for 35 years. “I am glad you could make it and I bet she is exhausted and jet lag would be a shitty thing for the kid” she warned her friend “Oh yes, I’ve heard she is a model but i don’t know which of all the models she is” she confessed and giggled “Who?” Meryl asked looking up at Anna “Cate and I?” She said, mentioning Cate’s name made her sigh and made a pause while she looked down, “I miss her so badly, I was hoping we could spend some time together while I am here but some things got in the middle and she is sorry for not being around but I hope it can happen soon…for now Louisa and Mamie are with me so that’s a good thing. My girls need some time with her mother even if they are acting like teenagers, arguing all the time” she said with a smile. “I don’t know if this is a phase for the divorce or because I am dating someone new but they are getting so weird lately, especially Mamie” she confessed and laughed “I am glad they are grown-ups otherwise maybe I would be worried as fuck” she confessed and laughed “you will see them later, Louisa will be excited to see you, you are still her favorite one” she grinned. 

&FINISHED 

[shaniahnoel]

Everything Has Changed: Chapter 7

Word Count: 2300

Warnings: Some mention of trauma?

Master List

It was hard to look at her father in the hospital bed. He was superman, but now he’d met his kryptonite. There was an oxygen mask on his face and tubes coming out of him in several places. His strong arms laid limply at his sides, one heavily bandaged. The blankets hid his lower body for which she was grateful. Each breath seemed to pain him, and Riley stared down at the hand she held, unable to gaze elsewhere. She kept a firm grip on Ellie in her lap who couldn’t contain her curiosity and had nearly pulled out her father’s IV twice.

“Do you want to do the mechanic work?”

“I want to help in any way that I can. I can do it.”

She meant to glance up quickly, but he caught her gaze and held it. “I’ll be okay, Riles.”

“I know,” she answered thickly, trying to stifle the tears. “It’s just… you look so…,” she nuzzled her face into Ellie’s shoulder to hide. Her father squeezed her hand firmly.

“It’s not permanent, sweetheart. I’ll listen to the doctors and be better before you know it. In the mean time I can’t think of anyone better to take over my spot.”

When they went home from the hospital, Riley felt numb. Ellie’s giddiness returned, and her mother was talking to her grandparents, organizing plans for them to come and help for the next few weeks, while Riley watched out the window, unable to get her father’s broken body out of her head. She went to bed without dinner and turned this way and that before finally falling into a restless sleep.

The next morning, Riley woke herself up crying, hopelessly entangled in her blankets. Her father’s face flashed before her eyes, covered in blood and unresponsive. She scrambled across the floor, barely turning the trash can before her stomach noisily lost its contents. Breathing heavily, she pulled herself into a sitting position against the wall. Every time she closed her eyes she saw him, and her stomach would shift again. Her mother found her there on the floor an hour later. She didn’t say a word but sat and gathered her up into her arms. Riley felt like a small child in her mother’s lap, crying silently as she stroked her hair.

“I can’t get it out of my head. There was so much blood. So, so much blood,” she choked out.

“I know, honey, I know. But daddy’s okay now.”

“He’s broken,” Riley mumbled. Her mother drew in a soft breath but didn’t speak for a moment.

“Your father is the strongest man I’ve ever met. Seeing him in the hospital bed is hard, I know, but he’s been through worse and he’s always come back better for it.”

Riley knew that was true, she’d stayed up late many nights begging him to tell stories of his crazy days. He’d been mountain climbing, snowboarding, and even skydiving once. She’d loved the stories and was even more amazed that he was still standing after each one. He’d felt superhuman, but last night she’d seen his humanness—saw the blood behind the scars and it terrified her.

“Why don���t you stay home today, sweetheart? You can get back to school tomorrow.”

“No,” Riley wiped her face, “I can’t sit here. I’ll be okay.”

Her mother nodded and pressed her lips to her forehead before moving to get ready for work. Riley took a deep breath to steady herself and then got busy, grabbing some clothes and heading into the shower. The warm water calmed her frenzied nerves and she took the time to carefully dry her hair and apply make-up. It had always been her way to compensate for feeling crappy. Ellie was jumping around the house chattering endlessly about the new story to tell her friends and asking their mom when dad would come home. Riley caught her arm and kissed the top of her head before grabbing her mom into a tighter hug than usual. She played her music a little louder as she stepped onto the bus, the numb feeling returning.

The trio was waiting at her locker, Iris and Kieran seeming anxious. Iris reached her first pulling her into a tight hug while Jake patted her shoulder, the usual grin on his face. Kieran wrapped his arms around her, smile faltering as she pulled away from his grasp quickly to turn to her locker. Jake started talking about the upcoming football game and she sighed, happy for the shift in focus. The steady tempo of approaching boots told her the Serpents were arriving and she wondered if there was a rule about always moving in a pack. Toni stopped with Sweet Pea and Fangs at her side.

“How’re you holding up?” Toni asked, reaching for her hand.

“It was a rough night, but today’s better,” she answered with a smile. “In a few days the shop will open up again, and I’ll be in the garage.”

“Still going to have a pissy cashier out front,” Sweet Pea asked, a taunting edge to his voice.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean,” Kiera said, immediately responding to the challenge. Sweet Pea stepped forward, straightening up and Riley closed her eyes. Coming to school had been a mistake.

“You’re not worth my time,” Sweet Pea said quietly, forced calm in his voice. Without another word, the Serpents broke away, Toni throwing an apologetic look over her shoulder. Kieran fumed beside her a moment more before strutting away with Jake and Iris.

Shortly after they headed off and Riley slipped into her classroom where she was surprised to find that Sweet Pea had swapped with the Serpent in front of him, placing him right beside her.

“Thanks,” she said tentatively, angling herself towards him. He remained facing forward, but the glare on his face seemed to lessen some.

“For what?”

“For stopping.”

“I figured one of us should acknowledge you,” Sweet Pea sounded irritated as he turned towards her slightly.

“What,” Riley asked but, Mrs. Dabney walked into the room, and Sweet Pea shushed her mockingly. The morning announcements were short, but she pulled out a homework assignment and pretended to check over it. Sweet Pea swung around to talk to the other Serpents and she focused on staying in the present. When the bell rang, he fell into step beside her and she noticed his presence felt warm again.

“So, you’re done being mad at me,” she said, trying to break the ice.  

“For now; people say I have anger issues, apparently.”

“Imagine that,” she said, suppressing a laugh.

“Riley,” Kieran’s voice rang out behind them. She stopped, turning in surprise at his harsh tone. Sweet Pea made as if to stand between them, but Riley touched his shoulder and inclined her head towards the end of the hall. His jaw hardened, but he strode into the classroom, sending a few students scattering in his wake. Kieran glared after him before turning the flames on her.

“I thought you weren’t talking anymore,” he asked, gesturing to where Sweet Pea had disappeared.

“It varies,” she said with a small laugh.

“Do you always walk with him?”

“Yeah,” Riley said, her confusion making the words a question. “We share first period and come from the same homeroom…?”

“Convenient.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Honestly, Riley, do you have any self-respect?”

“Excuse me,” her eyes widened in shock.

“Don’t play dumb. Everyone sees the way that you talk to Fangs and now Sweet Pea again. The rumors are spreading.”

“Yeah, and how many of them have you started? Because there’s nothing going on with either of them.”

“It doesn’t matter, Riley. You associate with people like that and your life will head down the tubes, right with ‘em.”

“Just because you’ve finally noticed that I’m datebable doesn’t mean you get to play Mr. Possessive.”

This time it was Kieran’s turn to appear taken aback.

“Don’t play dumb,” Riley mimicked, “You’ve got some sort of complex over the summer that’s made you decide you have some claim on me and keep getting pissed off at any guy that approaches. Hell, if Jake wasn’t dating Iris you’d probably be all over me for talking to him.”

“He’s not a--,” Kieran said, his voice raising.

“A what? A Serpent? Well that’s a shame now isn’t it,” Riley said, her voice raising an octave.”At least the Serpents have actually cared that my dad is in. the. hospital.”

The warning bell rang, and Riley shook her head, turning to her classroom. He made no attempt to stop her from walking away for which she was grateful. Every conflicting feeling was bubbling within her, each combining with the other in the most unpleasant way.

Sweet Pea was perched on the back of his chair, silently daring Mr. Kendrick to complain about his position—the students behind him had already shifted over. His taunting expression shifted to one of concern as Riley took her seat beside him, but she stared straight ahead, willing time to move quickly. Once the final bell rang, last week’s test was passed back and the torrent of emotions she was feeling found their place to break free. Tears rolled down her face silently, and when the period ended she made her way slowly to the front of the room.

“Can I have help sessions,” she asked quietly, as the last students trickled out of the classroom. Mr. Kendrick’s look was pitying, and Riley tried not to focus on how much she hated it. He glanced over his calendar and nodded.

“Come in early on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s and I’ll see what we can do. You’re a good student, Riley. These formulas don’t come easy to everyone.”

Riley nodded her thanks and walked out of the classroom, the second failed test curled in her hand. To her surprise, Sweet Pea was leaned outside of the door. She was sure that he had to have heard the conversation, but he didn’t even acknowledge her presence save for turning to walk alongside her.

“I’m sorry if I caused problems,” he said quietly, as they approached her next class.

“Problems?”

“Walking with you. I’m sorry if I pissed off your boyfriend.” The words almost sounded effortless.

“He was never my boyfriend,” Riley started, trying to control the fire in her voice, “and, please, I’m done with games. Just be real, Sweets, I like you better that way.”

He paused for a moment seeming confused, but then a smile crossed his face.

“I am sorry if it added to your stress buttttt,” he said, extending the word, “pissing him off is one of the highlights of my day.” The cheeky smile he gave her earned a begrudging smile in return.

They’d reached her class, but Riley hesitated. Her heart hurt, her head was pounding, but she was smiling. All because of Sweet Pea. Without thinking she wrapped her arms around his waist, briefly enjoying the smell of leather and grease lingering on his chest. His arms draped loosely around her, patting her back awkwardly. She stepped back, feeling warm.

“I’d like to be friends,” she said quietly, walking into her class.

When free period rolled around, Riley checked her phone to find a lengthy apology text from Kieran. Before she could read it, she found Iris pacing in the courtyard. She was muttering to herself and it looked like she’d been crying. Probably a fight with Jake, Riley thought, rolling her eyes. The twins were more trouble than they were worth.

“Hey beautiful,” Riley said in greeting, bumping into her hip. Iris looked up, blue eyes vibrant against the strained red. Mascara smudged under her water line and she swiped under her eyes once more.

“Hey, how’re you holding up,” Iris asked.

“I think better than you… what’s up?”

“Jake and I had a fight.”

“Must be the day for fighting the twins. What were you fighting about?”

“Nothing important,” Iris said, keeping her eyes averted. “Did you say you had a fight with Kieran?”

“Yeah,” Riley answered slowly, wondering what Iris was hiding. “He told me I didn’t have any self-respect for hanging out with the Serpents. I told him that just because he finally took notice of me doesn’t give him exclusive rights.”

“You’re not usually so assertive,” Iris said, voice laced with pride, causing Riley to laugh.

“Yeah, just another Serpent influence. If I wasn’t assertive with Fangs around I’d have nine tattoos and alcohol poisoning.”

“Sounds like an evening out with Jake,” Iris said with a strange bitterness. Now more than ever Riley was aware of the sadness hovering over her friend. She threw an arm over her shoulder and pulled her towards the gate.

“I could use a break. You?”

Iris nodded in response and allowed herself to be led out into the parking lot. A substitute teacher stealing a smoke break glared at them but said nothing as they weaved through the cars. There were a few other students who shared their sentiments and it was no surprise to see a band of leather jackets among them. The surprise was when a pair of leather jackets turned and called her name.

“Yo, Evans, you leaving too?”

“Only with you, Fogarty,” Riley called back with a grin. Turning to Iris, she asked, “Wanna live a little dangerously?”

Iris looked up in surprise, “Assertive and flirty. Here I thought Sweet Pea was the contender.”

Riley couldn’t contain the laughter that bubbled over. She shook her head, looking at Fangs and back at Iris. “It’s just how Fangs’ is y’know? It means nothing.”

“Ouch,” he said in mock hurt, hearing the last words.

“Your ego will heal,” Riley said, “Toni, Fangs, this is my best friend Iris who is in desperate need of a pick me up as am I. Help some girls out?”

Taglist:  @ella-full-of-secrets @my-ships-have-sunk@54fangirl@everheart12@inspiredbynewt@poolpartyingwithjaws@southsidesserpent@lynniev @karleedaniels27 @the-greatt-perhaps @lilybellsworld @cherylblossom-komwonkru @oldestfairytale

[erijonarexhepis-blog]

IS SOMEONE REALLY DEAD?

SEASON THREE, EPISODE SIX ////// PART TWO

Part one

Masterlist

April makes her way down the staircase in the Keating house. "Are you going to the courthouse?" She turns her head and sees Bonnie sitting by her desk.

"I am," April makes her way over to the blonde. "Has professor Keating said anything to you?"

"Involving?"

"Me."

Bonnie shakes her head. "No, she hasn't. Why?"

"She won't talk to me, and it's infuriating. She called me out in class, and she didn't even spare me a glance."

"What am I supposed to do about that?"

"Can't you talk to her? I've been trying to tell her that our client's story was a lie, but she won't listen to me."

"What makes you say that?" Bonnie asks, with a frown on her face.

"She was working a desk job the day she said she was attacked. I did some digging and found out the day we met Dani."

Bonnie lets out a sigh. "Well, Annalise knows now."

April turns around and sees Annalise standing there. "Call that lawyer," she tells Bonnie. "Tell him to come here to meet Wes tonight."

Bonnie grabs the phone as Annalise turns to leave. The professor turns to Bonnie again. "Bonnie? I need your help at court."

"With what?" Bonnie stands.

Annalise finally looks at April. "See if Coleman is right about the story being a lie." She turns away and leaves, along with Bonnie.

"Are you okay?" Wes asks.

April turns to Wes. "Yeah." She approaches him. "What about you?"

"I—" he sighs. "— I don't know, honestly. Maybe the others are right."

"About what?" She frowns.

"It being my fault. I shouldn't have fallen for Rebecca."

April steps closer to Wes. "None of this is your fault, Wes. Rebecca came here on her own, and that would have happened whether you dated or not. You didn't do anything wrong. We will work this out— you gotta trust me on that." Wes doesn't say anything, but he nods— trusting her words.

"Ms. Keating, are you ready to begin?" Judge Kendrick asks.

"The defense calls Daniela Alvodar to the stand." As the client goes to take the stand, Simon turns around to face Michaela.

"I'm coming for you," he says in a low voice before turning back around.

Annalise stands next to her desk and starts questioning the client. "Can you tell us about the events that took place August 10, 2013?"

"I was on a rescue mission for aid workers in Afghanistan, guarding a Humvee when I got attacked from behind. The combatant put me in a chokehold, started hitting my head. I still have nightmares, wake up screaming."

"Did you see anyone about these symptoms?"

"I went to the VA. The doctor said it was PTSD."

"And do you think that this PTSD contributed to your altercation with Jace Stone?"

The prosecutor speaks up. "Objection. Speculation."

"Sustained."

"Can you tell us about when Mr. Stone approached you on the dance floor?" Annalise asks.

"He came up from behind me, pressing his body against mine."

"Would you say that this reminded you of the attack that you described?"

"Yes. I was in that moment all over again. That's when everything went black."

The doors to the courtroom open— Bonnie rushes in, holding something in her hands. "One moment, please," Annalise says before approaching her associate.

"Ms. Keating?"

Annalise looks through the file given to her by Bonnie. "I just received new evidence and request a meeting in your chambers. It's urgent, your honor."

"Let's take 15."

April and Michaela exit the courthouse together. "What did you want to talk about before?"

"Us," Michaela says, a little bit hesitant. "I know I said that I only want sex and nothing more, but..." she trails off.

"What?"

Michaela grabs her arm gently, stopping April in her tracks. "I want a relationship... with you. I want us to be girlfriends openly, and I want to go on dates."

April is surprised by her statement. "I thought you wanted to figure things out."

"I do," Michaela nods. "I still am. I haven't labeled myself yet— maybe I am bisexual, but why does it matter? I know that I have feelings for you and that I've never felt this way for anyone else."

"Really?"

"Really. I want to be able to hold your hand and show affection in public. I was worried because I- I didn't exactly plan this. I've planned my future, and I didn't plan to fall for a woman but plans changed because I have. I'm just hoping you feel the same way."

"I do..." April trails off.

"But?"

April lets out a sigh. "I don't have a good track record— not when it comes to dating. I mean... almost all my exes are dead. I've never had a good, long-lasting relationship— ever."

"Me neither," Michaela admits. "And with everything that has happened, I doubt either of us will find someone who understands us. We understand each other, and we know each other. There's nothing you can do to scare me off." April looks conflicted, so Michaela grabs her hands gently. "I want to give us a try— if you do."

A slight smile forms on April's face— which brings a smile to Michaela's face as well. "Okay."

"Okay."

"Don't say I didn't warn you, though."

Michaela chuckles as she grabs April's hand firmly in her own and drags her along. "You won't regret this."

"I hope not."

///

"Professor Keating, you need to see this," April calls out to Annalise, her eyes on the tv screen.

Annalise walks in. "What?"

"Sources confirm that Wallace Mahoney's own son is currently being held without bail, charged with first-degree murder," the reporter says. Bonnie walks in.

"Police have just confirmed that the identity of the suspect in custody is, in fact, Charles Mahoney. No stranger to the justice system. Charles was charged with the violent murder of his fiancé, Vickie Moran, in 2005, but after a highly publicized trial, he was acquitted and released."

"Frank," Annalise says, knowing he is behind it.

"The arrest was made earlier this evening after authorities found the suspected murder weapon, an unregistered Remington 2020, in his car."

"I told you," Bonnie tells Annalise. "He just wants to come home."

[crossedbeams]

ROSE REVIEWS… THE X-FILES - S1.E11 Eve

<<1.10 Fallen Angel ———————————  1.12 Fire >>

I’m salty today and what better way than to transfer that into something positive than to finish this long overdue and almost certainly irrelevant recap of Eve. Read on for children who are almost as scary as their acting is bad, prison aesthetics and idiotic blithering by me.

THE PLOT

The fathers of creepy children are being exsanguinated on opposite coasts and Mulder wants to know the aliens have upgraded from cows. IVF suspicions run wild and with a little help from good old Deep Throat, the terrific two suspect genetic government experiments gone wrong may be responsible for the shenanigans. When the creepy kids go missing, things escalate and soda becomes a very dangerous refreshment...

Let’s go...

MY STREAM OF SEMI-CONSCIOUSNESS

Ah. The X-Files, the show that is always a scenic autumnal bath for my eyes…. And where under the leaves there is probably a dead person eaten by a molewoman or an alien. Honey? I’m home.

We find ourselves in an idyllic suburban neighbourhood, (always bad news on screen), where very concerned joggers approach an underdressed child and her stuffed animal. It’s hard at this stage to decipher whether the kid is creepy or just a really bad actor but the suspense synth hardly encourages us to give her the benefit of the doubt...

They head to the backyard, where peppy jogging neighbour fails to notice that the kid’s dad is dead coloured, posed like a corpse and basically, stereotypically and obviously dead... until he claps him jovially on the shoulder causing a tragicomic half slump of dead dad, and exposing vampiric looking marks. The kid screams, not sure why, she’s way too far away to see anything. This is the point at which I begin to suspect that she is both a bad actor AND entry #224 in the Vancouver local listing of Creepy Kids for Hire. Move over Conduit boy!

CREDITS!

This week we only wait 2.5 mins for our special baby Agents to materialise, Scully dressed as a Catholic grade schooler and Mulder wearing a tie designed, as far as I can tell, to look like mushroom soup with licorice allsorts floating in it.

Their poor fashion choices don’t seem to put them off them though, and we zigzag between lip biting (Mulder), making weird moany noises (Scully), and the level of inter office eye contact we’ve come to expect from these fluffy baby agents all set to a soundtrack of cattle mutilation chatter. And our series first (!) cow slideshow!

Scully is still naive enough to ask why Mulder believes cattle mutilation is linked to aliens. Give it a few weeks and you’ll realise that aliens is pretty much always the answer to “Why….” on the X-Files and that eyebrow is the only appropriate response before you just go with it.

I can’t wait :D

As Mulds and Sculls traverse some stairs, I realise that creepy kid #1 is called Teena. Spelled the same as Mulder’s mum. Because apparently the X-Files name bank isn’t only shallow in the male department. Also is Teena a normal spelling in the States? Here it’d only really be Tina….

I then get distracted by Scully in the biggest of purple coats. I’d love to see S1 Scully’s closet. A symphony of oversized pastels with overcoats to clash… don’t worry though hon. You’ll get some style later though for the bargain price of two (2) family members and also your ova. Poor Scully.

Scully also looks incredibly young in this scene, speaking all soft to the kid. Moments like this I struggle to believe that Mulder “never saw her as a mom” until Home. She’s all melty round the edges even though the kid is weird and creepy.

When creepy Teena starts talking about red lightning, the massively coached and unnatural pauses in dialogue and the trouble pronouncing exsanguination are just so glaring you can’t believe that this kid’s innocent charade will hold up as long as it does. But it all adds to the creep, just in time for…

**bring bring ** Scully leans in to kiss her spoopy partner tell Mulder there has been another murder. Darn. Seriously though. Close talkin to the power on uuuungghhh right here. No wonder this fandom is so thirsty.

We’re in Vancouver San Franciso, still in giant coats, for another exsanguination and what we now know is death by digitalis. Mulder says that the two estimated times of death were at the “exact same time” and I chuckle to myself like the pedant I am. Estimates cannot be exact dumdum. It also takes the edge off him mansplaining timezones to Scully. SHE IS A MEDICAL DOCTOR DAMMIT. 

This scene has very nice warm, sunsetty lighting which is nice as our Spooksters demonstrate why the X-Files department is always over budget; they’ve flown cross country to do two laps of a crime scene while reading a file aloud and the kid they wanna question isn’t even in town. Where is she? I’m glad you asked, coz remember that sunny warmness? Well it’s over.

Back on the east coast, creepTeena is getting outcreeped by a thunderstorm and what appear to be disembodied footsteps at her door. We see nothing but a flash and then the door is open. It’s tense and I’m pretty sure this is never explained, raised as a concern beyond “she got abducted”?

A new day means new suits, Mulder in a tie inspired by parquet flooring and Scully in eggshell and pinstripes and a brown trenchcoat named regret. It’s a lot to process and they still don’t seem overly concerned about Teena’s kidnapping. Despite his post Samantha abduction PTSD, Mulder’s only contribution is a dramatic sky point and the suggestion the cops need to look up, but then dun dun dduuuuunh - there’s another one.

Sinister Cindy in the house. Literally.

She informs them she has lived there “since she was born eight years ago”. Zero inflection with that info and a sentence structure as unnatural as the phenomena Mulder wants to blame. Deffo a rent-a-creepykid. 100%. The woodenness only adds to it.

Commence super awkward kitchen convo where they Mulder and Scully try and fail to find a tactful way to imply Cindy might not be this grieving wife’s legitimate child. A birthing video is offered and declined. Thank god. Imagine is CHris Carter had to watch rushes of an actual woman’s vagina with a female child emerging. 

Mrs Reardon’s insistence that Cindy was daddy’s girl is pretty horrifying once you know how it ends. Damn creepy kids. Listening in while watching politics, Cindy is infinitely creepier than Teena and I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not for this kid “actor”.

Back in the car and Mulder is still pretty blase about Teena’s abduction/kidnap, though I forgive him because his flippant potato/potahto is adorable and he does hang out in the bushes to try and protect Cindy from getting nabbed sending Scully off to the IVF clinic alone. Ahh... the foreshadowing is out there.

At the Luther Stapes Medical Centre, a doctor mansplains IVF to Scully. She does not punch him. Another way that she is better than me.She does however, maintain super intense eye contact with him for the entire walk and truly it is a miracle she doesn’t fall over.

The next scene is pretty uneventful except that I can honestly say that Sally Kendrick is the last human I would want toying with my cervix. She’s...robotic and it looks like she has to work out how to sit down like a human. She could give Theresa May lessons.

Back at the hotel there’s some funky camera panning that I am here for and also I think there is some dialogue but let’s be honest.... this is more important 

Yes Professor I would like some extra credit and may I also just smooth your poofy hair.

Even Scully knows it. Hence her confusion at being ushered out, for no obvious reason. She just wants to look at him and maybe get inside his shirt and ... and... Mulder’s “what’s a girl” is cute.... but this is cuter. (even more overanalysing of this scene here for ya glasses lovers). 

Instead of meeting a girl, Mulder meets Deep Throat in an excessively aesthetically pleasing place. Honestly, Eve is a beautiful episode. Despite the creepy kids and imprisoned women. (Eve Aesthetic here). DT seems very concerned that Scully not be invited and while I’m sure that this has some link to the possibility of spy!Scully, it reads more as jealous older manfriend wants pretty Mulder to himself. And honestly I get it. God, fic has ruined me. Anyway, enough of that, enjoy this picture of pensive waterside Mulder and try to recall the specifics of the Deep Throat reveal. Project Blah. Boys called Adam. Girls called Eve. Clones. Bad. Disaster. EVE-il is at work. ¬¬ (sorry)

Mulder has brought sunflower seeds because meeting an informant without snacks = rookie error. 

The important thing to note is that Deep Throat basically sets the stage for the Super Soldier Arc and everyone forgets about it when they actually get to the super soldier arc. God, for a continuity pedant, my fave is SO problematic!

Deep Throat finishes by telling Mulder he’s scored him front row seats to what’s left of the whole fucked up thing.

Cut to the most aesthetic Institute for the criminally insane and after some hot DAMN camera angles we get panic buttons and a tromp into the deeps where they keep all the government created monsters, including Eve 6.

I just wanna take a moment away from my snark and give a huge shout out to Harriet Harris who is SO good and creepy in this episode. A lot of the Season 1 extras/bit parts are average to the extreme and honestly, Harris makes this episode. Without her eyeball biting, jerky, wild eyed delivery, this ep would be as mediocre as the creepy twin actresses.

Now we’ve got that out of the way - we find out that Eve 6 screams when the lights are on but is fine with  an industrial sized flashlight being shone all up in her face.  Nobody’s ever got a good look at her... except presumably the person who undoes her straitjacket so she can pee? And now Mulder and Scully.

Eve 6 is my fave Eve tbh. She’s this perfect mix of terrifying and pitiful, alludes to the telekinetic connection that the younger Eve twins later reference, and is the kind of proof of government misdeed that and older Mulder and Scully despair of, delivered while they’re way too young in their partnership to do anything about it. She tells them that Eves are into suicide, psychosis and murder, and on exiting, our baby agents still don’t suspect the kids.

(Break for actual analysis) It struck me during this scene how this case tunes into both Mulder and Scully’s demons. For Mulder, it’s the missing girls and the incarcerated Eve represents a scenario that could explain Samantha’s absence in the most horrifying ways. What if she is a locked up experiment just like Eve 6? For Scully it’s a visceral representation of her struggle between scientific duty and Christian morality. The creation of Eve 6 is an aberration against both good scientific practice AND the divine right of Good to control life and death... and yet she is also a victim who did not choose too be engineered and while Scully tries to question her, maintaining composure, this face/stress swallow really says it all.

Just to double the sucker punch we cut to Cindy asking the lord to take her soul, her mother looking on with a mournful doomladen stare before telling her daughter how special she is. Cindy is unmoved, because she is special(ly evil) and Mama Reardon leaves, bereft of her husband and unacknowledged by her kid. We get it Chris Carter. Genetic experimentation BAD, family GOOD, foreboding, CHECK.... now can we just-

Mulder Scully stakeout! There is no iced tea in the bag and when Mulder posits that the adult Eves 7 & 8 did done the murders, Scully pulls this face, and mutters without much conviction that she was beginning to suspect the girls. 

GOOD CALL SCULLY

Except Mulder then says “no no and here is why” and Scully just goes with it. The whole delivery at set up of this scene feels very Season 1, by which I mean Scully vacillates wildly between submitting to Mulder’s experience and being done.with.his.shit, Mulder gets all the big lines/theories/feelings/hunches and Gillian especially (and David to a lesser degree) seem unsure how to play their nuances and dynamic. Essentially it all becomes irrelevant because CRISIS takes precedent but being the super-nerd I am, this stuff fascinates me as evidence of them still learning their characters. No way S5 Scully gives up on a plausible theory so easily, even if it makes 8-yos into suspects. If cats can be evil, these staring, soulless kids can be too.

Cue Mark Snow jangles and Cindy and her similar to Teena’s bunny rabbit run away from her terrifying wall dolls and many crucifixes towards the window where she makes terrifying eye contact with Scully’s binoculars before getting grabbed by someone who is considerate enough to announce themselves by turning on the lights?!.

Mulder will take the back! (any time Mulder. Any way ¬¬ ) and sets off with his almost convincingly held gun/torch combo while Scully takes the indoors. This is, invariably, only going to go one way.

DOWN GOES SCULLY!

Sally Kendrick/Eve? leaps through the window where Mulder confronts her by asking her which Eve she is, allowing her a chance to pull a gun, shoot at him and escape and this is why you don’t want S1 Muldo and Sculls handling your home invasion. I mean who holds their gun like this, takes out a psychopath and ends the day without a hole in them?

Fox “Thinks he can outrun a car” Mulder is who. 

I love his idiot face though.

Despite the fact that Cindy didn’t struggle/scream/react to her apparent kidnap at all, Scully’s remaining focussed on the adult Eves in support of Mulder’s dismissal of her earlier theory... well I already said it but - *sigh*

After Scully briefs the police and Mulder tries to reassurea distraught Mrs Reardon that her increasingly abnormal daughter will be found we get the kind of side by side, meaningful  moment that I am here for all day long. Except that the height difference is so extreme that they never actually get Scully in focus!

And Scully’s “and then what” brings us back to unsettling truth that even if the kid gets found, things aren’t looking good for her given how much murder is in her genes. Poor Mrs Reardon.

Very X-Files, through-the-motel-sign shot and we see Sally Kendrick taking Cindy into motel to meet Teena. The girls look... creepy... and Kendrick looks weirdly and simplistically happy given that she has multiple abductees, severe genetic issues and the FBI on her back. Maybe poor old Sal just wants a normal life? Unlucky girl, this is the X-Files, no happy ending for anyone EVERR. Except possibly a two-faced rapist who likes Cher but that’s for another time.

Back to Sally Kendrick who is rocking a poloneck and showing a remarkable lack of nutritional concern for someone supposedly a genius. Pretty sure 8 cartons of fries are no better for psychotic murder-kids than regular ones. She begins to explain that she was pretty hopeful that she’s evolved the murdering out of her second batch of Eves but turns out she actually made it worse! Let’s pop a check in the box for “playing into popular concerns about genetic testing” and “reasons you shouldn’t do it yourself”. She tells Cindy and Teena she’s “disappointed” that they’ve done murders ahead of the curve. They are not bothered which is unsurprising given they don’t know her/are psychopaths.

Aesthetically this scene is very pleasing and the lack of stilted kid dialogue “we just knew” vs. long sentences definitely adds to tension. As does the total lack of background music. Hearing even these fairly limited actors candidly and remorselessly admit to murder is effective. And Kendrick’s slightly desperate plea that they not think that way, that they be “better” as she designed has the double effect of showing her own Eve-y instability and her very human desire to not have made a horrible mistake in creating this terrifying she-devils.

Sorry Sal.

Genetic destiny’s a bitch

And the X-Files narrative demands that when you play god you get dead. unless you’re the CSM in which case you probably drink digitalis and kale for breakfast to aid skin regrowth. Bye bye Sally Kendrick. Thanks for the creepers.

On attending the crime scene, Mulder and Scully are midway through being told that the scene is undisturbed when they hear stuff breaking. This prompts some X-Files-Action-MagicTM and some truly outrageous faces by Gillian.

Yup

What is most disturbing on rewatching is that with the scene secured, Scully confirms death and Mulder goes to gaze out the window while the Creeper twins cower and cry on the floor. Noe we know they’re guilty AF by this point, but in the narrative DumbScull and MulderingItOver haven’t quite got there because they’ve been too busy gazing at each other so we have two children just whimpering in the corner while Scully pokes a corpse and Mulder mulders about. 

Scully does eventually go and pat them. And again I say fuck you CC and anyone else who “didn’t see her as a mother”.

Mulder volunteers to chaperone the creepsters to hospital and beyond and the guy in charge kinda just goes “meh”. Pretty sure some liberties have been taken with child service procedures but hey, at least this means we’re almost at the crescendo moment. Right?

Having loaded them into the car, where their spiffy red outfits match the velour upholstery and promised they’ll talk about “what happens next” (again, is this really FBI jurisdiction? Fox Mulder counselling bereaved kids seems like a HORRIBLE plan to me) , Scully and Mulder note the girls attachment and somehow miss the horrifying expressions of murder on their creepy little faces. 

Again though #aesthetic

Cue some spangly night driving music, Mulder looking all pops over a red vinyl steering wheel, Scully playing mom and the creepsters plotting murder in the back. Ver ver X-Files. They pull up to a used car lot masquerading as a rest stop and go for a group wee,Mulder makes the rookie error of a) hyping evil kids with sugar and b) letting them order a murder weapon, and as soon as Scully’s distracted, one of the creepsters, possibly Sinister Cindy creeps out to spike the drinks. 

Now at this point, honestly, I’m questioning the kids narrative motives. Yes they’re murderous, but aren’t they also meant to be hyper intelligent? Amd getting marooned at a nowhere rest stop, with the corpses of two FBI agents seems SUPER dumb. Like they’re a bit small and loudly dressed to hitch a ride to Vegas and make it on the strip. What gives, creepsters?

The waitress tries to stop her plan by insisting she wait to take the soda until it’s paid for, but is way too easily placated by the kids excuse. Stick to your guns lady, you might just stop a murder.

Although apparently nobody is paying any attention because THIS ISN’T SUSPICIOUS AT ALL IS IT?

Apparently Mulder doesn’t think so, even knowing digitalis is sweet and that there is something weird afoot, he doesn’t question his super sweet diet drink or the kids totally normal and not at all weirdly resistant to drinking sugar free soda and just does this. Seriously it’s like he wants to die in agony.

Scully’s not much better, simply commenting on the “syrupy” taste. MMhmm. Bitch. You’re a medical doctor with a previously voiced suspicion. Quit sipping the murder juice.

Fortunately, after some suspenseful drawn out paying and a forgotten key excuse, Mulder FINALLY twigs when he finds some green goop on the table. Apparently murderTwin is cackhanded when she pours and Mulder, having licked the poison just to check it’s murdery enough (I just cant even) rushes outside to karate chop Scully’s drink away from her in a way so unsubtle that the creepers escape.

Which is actually great news because it gives us all the chance for a nice dark, X-Files bread and butter cat and mouse around a truckstop, cool lighting and tubey-arty stuff sequence. Which I’m here for. 

Despite some pants ruining puddles, the twins are quickly apprehended except for some gun wielding truckers interfere because in this universe regular citizens can hold law enforcement at gunpoint and prevent them doing their job/identifying themselves and anyway everyone almost gets shot and the kids run off again. I should probably insert some pithy political point here about arming the kids too but I’ve been writing this review for 84 years and I don’t have the energy.

Fortunately, at this point Mulder and Scully rediscover some investigative nous and having flashed an ID and truckboy, they trick Sinister and Creepy into thinking they’ve sped off after a school bus. Mulder goes full on child catcher and nabs them with a “gotcha” and is finally deaf to their “we’re just little girls” plea.

I’d like to take a second to flag up his response “that’s the last thing you are” because he���s wrong too. They are little girls, as well as psychopaths, and everyone’s insistence that they must be one thing or another is a device for narrative obfuscation as old as the bible. The appearance of beauty/youth/innocence is not mutually exclusive of the presence of malign intent or evil. Just ask Henry James/Oscar Wilde. Or me. I literally wrote a dissertation on this so. Yeah. They can be little girls and killers Mulder. Don’t be reductive.

But I guess we do need the simplicity of “this kid is evil” otherwise Mrs Reardon ripping her daughter out of a picture and burning it would be more conflicting and we’re only on season 1. 

Likewise the disturbing concept of two eight year olds in a secure prison. I mean yes thy’re creepy but - duh duh dunnnnh - rescue is at hand! Eve 8 shows up for them and once again thy “just knew”. This is the kind of X-Files ending I love. This is the kidn of story I would have loved the revivals to pick up. Imagine (recast) grown Cindy and Teena, off doing murdery clone stuff. Yep. Okay. I’m done now. This is the end. 

Except the score. Which is...

A solid “C” Grade (26/50)

Plot 6/10 - It’s entertaining and a good idea but I penalised it because it depends on Mulder and Scully being super slow on the uptake. That said, they do actually solve the case.

Mulder  6/10 - Mulder is in charge (thanks S1) and presents a mess of grieving brother, heroic car catcher and good cop. Good, in character stuff but not exceptional.

Scully  4/10 - Scully seems to forget she’d an MD and a badass here. She lets Mulder talk her out of (correct) suspicions, gets taken down in the action scene and generally second fiddles. She’s a cute mom but not the Scully we want to see.

USP 3/5  - This was an ambitious idea, beautifully presented, and while it didn’t quite get the polish to make it iconic it is memorable, creepy and a good representation of S1 bread and butter eps. 

Other Characters  5/10 - These points are all for Harriet Harris. None for you creeper twins. None for you.

Bonus points 2/10 - One for being aesthetically pleasing. One for the dorky, cute, feeling out Mulder/Scully moments (motel urnghh) and also their mom and pop act at the rest stop.

That’s all for now folks. I’ll probably have the next one done this decade. Fire. Goodie.

<< 1.10 Fallen Angel ———————————  1.12 Fire >>