#Mack x rose

[skylandart]

I don't know if you still taking requests, but can you do a mack/rose fanart? :)

Always taking requests anon~ and they’re such a cute pairing :3

I’ll probably finish this piece when I have more time, till then, I hope you like it ^~^

[retrograderesemblance]

@pagetreader continued from x

He was vaguely aware of Clara's hand trailing between their bodies, but he hardly comprehended just what she was doing until he felt her hand against his lower abdomen before moving further down, where they were connected, and when she rubbed at her clit, her cunt clenched wetly around him, more fervently than it had before, and in a pleasurable panic, he tightened his hold on her hips, pulling her upward, biting the fabric of her shoulder, moaning as his cock pulsed and ached as he messily came into her skirts.

"Fuck." He was breathless, his heartbeat hammering in his chest as his relaxed his hold on her, easing her back into his lap, sliding one of his hands to join hers, pushing her touch away as he lazy traced circles against her clit.

"As tu," he cleared his throat, correcting himself, "Did you...?"

He meant, had she finished? Maybe if he was sober, he would've had sense enough to tell, but as he came down from his high, he couldn't even find the words to finish his question, his mind muddled between languages, a warm pleasure spreading through him, wanting to do nothing but hold her close. Instead he sucked a tired openmouthed kiss to the underside of her jaw, still carefully trailing his thumb around her bud.

[grapejuicestyless]

The Things We Miss

JJ Maybank x fem!reader

Summery: There were only two rules between the Pogues. No Pogue on Pogue macking, and never mention the one we lost.

The chateau was littered with dry rot, and probably violated as many safety codes there were, hell, it probably created new guidelines just by standing, but it was home. It wasn’t legally anyones, no more did it belong to John B as it did to the rest of the Pogues. He could call it his childhood home, but so could JJ, right? If you spend all your time on the lap of another’s father, he becomes your dad too, right? He becomes more than the man who you wave to when you see to be polite. He teaches you how to fish, how to write, not to read cursive, he couldn’t even do that, but how to cook.

But maybe that was all just a perk, something to sweeten everything. Because truthfully it wasn’t the family, or his lack of family, or the house, or the food—though it was good, or the beer that kept JJ coming as often as he did.

It was her.

Y/n Routledge, a Pogue by heart, and a smile like gold.

Y/n was younger than John B, not by much. They didn’t even have a year separating them. They were irish twins, in the sense that their parents decided it would be best to try for kids as soon as possible after John B was born. Maybe it was the mother’s idea, maybe she knew she’d be leaving and she had to do everything she wanted as quickly as she could to escape faster. But John B figures it was just baby fever. So Y/n was ten months younger than John B, but never dumber, or slower, or calmer.

She was the center of everything. All things good, JJ believed happened because of her. Like she had a good luck charm that radiated onto the others. Though, she wouldn’t need it if she had, because JJ believed he was lucky enough to have her just breathing beside him anyway.

Maybe that’s why her passing was so hard for him, harder than it was for any of the other Pogues, even her own blood.

None of them would ever forget the night they lost her, John B had been suffering with the loss of his father, but Y/n seemed to power through like it was nothing. She hid the CPS documents from John B to keep him calm, payed the bills for him, and kept him fed and happy. She never cried. Never.

So imagine the surprise when they discovered the ghost of tears staining her face when the sun rose and they could finally see her, paled and cold.

They would never see her kind eyes again, or the smile that lit up every room. Her laugh wouldn’t echo through the chateau, and she wouldn’t rock the boat trying to wrestle Kiara for the last applesauce anymore. She was gone.

The hurricane was harsh. John B and Y/n had excitedly claimed it as a way to delay their CPS appointment, confident they would live another day on the island.

She didn’t want to surf the surge that night, she was scared. She begged her brother not to go, but when she saw the determination on his face, she grabbed her board and went with him. Because if anything were to happen, she’d pull him from the sea and drag him to shore if she had to.

The waves were restless, crashing onto the shore and knocking back anything littered behind. Y/n’s gut said don’t do it, but her best interest for her brother, and her JJ forced her feet into the waves.

It was fun at first, catching waves she never had before, laughing with JJ and John B, but soon it became too much, and when she wiped out, she went silently, her head coming down on a rock hard, and her board drifting away as she sunk into the soft sand below, the dark waters thrashing at her body, hiding the crimson that swirled around her.

She was scared, she was scared when the day started, and she was scared when she went. When the boys decided to call it quits, also unable to keep their balance, they called for her, but she was nowhere to be found.

“Y/n/n?” JJ had called out, wading back into the water quickly, only knowing the vague position where you had last been. “Y/n, come on, it’s not funny, seriously!” But the jokes had always been JJ’s thing, so only part of him held out hope she was only joking.

“I see her!” John B had called out, catching a glimpse of her hand underneath a softer wave, but maybe he wouldn’t have tried so hard, wasted so much energy, and carried her to shore if he knew just how late he was.

“Come on bird, come on.” He called her the nickname his father gave him, seeing lines of her paled face through the teary vision covering his eyes.

They preformed CPR, and JJ’s mouth met hers in a desperate attempt to wake her, he nearly broke her rib trying to restart her heart. He could feel the burning in his eyes, but he refused to cry over someone he believed he could save. When he dreamed of their first kiss, he never thought it would happen this way.

Y/n sputtered to life with a cough, rolling over to breathe, and the boys felt relief for the first time. They thought they knew the feeling, but now they truly did.

Y/n had a lot of fight in her, maybe that’s why she came back. But the darkness made it hard to see the blood staining her hair red, or how it dripped down the side of her neck as rain poured down on them. She laughed at something JJ had said, and she told him that she loved him as they limped along the path, and this time she seemed different about the way she was saying it. They didn’t know it just then that they hadn’t saved her, because she walked with her brother’s arm around her, but she fell into JJ’s when she collapsed.

“Y/n/n?” He asked, in a panic. He stumbled, but held her up, trying to brush the hair out of her face so he could see her. His palms came up red, wet with more than the salt water that consumed her. He swore as he sat on his knees, holding her head between his legs while John B kneeled above her.

“Come on, hold out a little longer okay?” He tapped his sister’s cheek, his fingers lined with the red that poured from her head. He silently prayed she was okay, that she was just weak from nearly drowning.

They whispered sweet nothings to her, because even with her eyes closed and her breathing shallow, they could feel it in the way she was tense that she was scared, scared even as she slipped away, as the life she cared for so much was ripped from her cruelly.

They cradled her close and lifted her head to press soft kisses to her cold skin. The boys hands were sticky with copious amounts of blood that didn’t belong to them. But still, they cradled her like their warmth was enough to undo what was done.

They laid her in bed when they got home. John B tucked her in like he had the first week their mother left, and like she had the first week after their father’s death. In the morning, her white pillow was stained red, and her body was unmoving, not even the faint rising of her chest from her breath could be seen. She was gone, and her red skin and streaky face told them that at some point as they laid her to rest, she had accepted it, she had cried and she had gone because it would be less painful than trying to stay.

JJ found her first in the morning. He screamed, and he punched a hole in the wall before crying on her lap. He positioned her arms to hold him one last time as he wept, John B rushing in only to break a lamp in grief, the weight of her death on his shoulders.

She was gone, and he blamed himself for dragging her out to a place she never wanted to go.

John B was left with the absence of his other half, and JJ was left with the regret of not holding onto her a little tighter before she passed. A sister, and the love of another’s life ripped from their hands under their noses. It made them equally sick.

“No, hell no!” JJ yelled, storming out of the sunroom in the chateau. The wood creaked under his heavy boots, which were caked in dust and stained from rain. There was a droplet of blood near one of the toes that he often focused on, a stain from a memory he wishes he didn’t have.

“JJ she can help us!” Pope called out for him, but his voice fell flat against the revving of his dirt bike.

“I don’t give a damn if she held up the sky with her pinky!” JJ yelled, tossing his bike in the dirt carelessly.

It wasn’t that JJ had a problem with the blond kook, like he had some personal vendetta against the Cameron girl, no, it was the way his best friend was looking at her.

He held a love in his eyes he hadn’t seen since the incident. A few weeks ago, it would have made him happy, he would have clapped a palm over his spine and laughed at how he hoped he would be next, but he would only half mean it because JJ was certain he had already found something to compare John B’s love sick stare to.

But now that was gone, and John B was looking at another girl like the most important person in their lives wasn’t gone. Like the red that still stained the sheets in a faint pink color wasn’t haunting the guest room that was once hers. The same room that John B had torn apart and made unrecognizable just hours after they took her away.

JJ kept her things though, selfishly, in a box under the bed. Her pictures and her stuffed animals, the bear that JJ had spent his first paycheck winning for her.

He slept in that room religiously now, clinging to the mattress like if he laid in it long enough, his body would find the indentation where her body used to curl up, like if he held onto her sheets for long enough, he could still smell her, and if he played her favorite CD’s, ones he used to tease her for liking because it was all girlish pop music mixed in with some dad rock and acid, he would hear her fading laughter one last time.

John B didn’t give a damn, he couldn’t care less, and that’s what made him mad. That someone he would have traded places for in an instant was gone and her own brother didn’t seem to care.

“JJ, calm down!” Kiara shouted aimlessly, scooting back when the screen door slammed open again and JJ’s boots slapped against the wood loudly.

“Do you not care?” He asked, venom on his tongue, and John B simply shot him a glare.

“Of course I care! I want this gold more than anything. Sarah can help us, I can’t help that love just…walked through the door!” John B spoke like there was nothing else that could possibly be getting under JJ’s skin.

He threw the ashtray that sat on one of the dusty tables outside, watching it shatter like his heart had. The pain was still fresh, and the loss even fresher. He still had her blood underneath his finger nails, and maybe thats what made him feel so sick.

“Who cares about the fucking gold!” JJ shouted, exasperated. “What about Y/n?”

His words earned gasps and loud silence from the group, his best friend’s mouth hung open in quiet understanding and also a deep grief that had a lingering anger.

“JJ, we said we wouldn’t talk about it.” Kiara warned quietly, eyes flickering between the boys.

“Y/n is dead, John B. Shes gone and shes never coming back, don’t you understand that?” JJ’s hands fisted at the collar of John B’s shirt, only letting go when Popes hands rested on his shoulders, yanking him back so hard they both stumbled backwards.

“Of course I understand that! She’s my sister, I loved her!” John B argued back, shoving JJ hard, but not getting much leverage as Pope had already pulled them apart.

“But you have no problem replacing her!”

The world seemed to fall quiet, even Sarah had nothing to say, though everyone around could tell she was trying to sympathize for a death of a girl she barely knew, someone she could only grieve through the stories she would eventually hear.

“None of you do!” JJ’s shouting died down into a pathetic cry, his lip wobbling and his eyes red. They all watched his nose scrunching to help with the stinging he felt travel down his face into the back of his throat. It only made it feel more real because if she had been there, she would have known how to make him feel better. But none of them did, and that was the hard truth.

“It’s like you don’t even care about her! You can’t even fucking say her name, it’s like…like it’s some poison for you guys. Y/n Routledge.” JJ sputtered on in an endless word vomit. “That’s her name and don’t ever forget it.”

JJ turned on his heels, pushing past Pope and brushing his shoulder hard. His boots kicked up the dirt behind them, but just like he always did, he had more to say.

“She was gonna be something great.” He declared, spinning on his feet, holding his hat she bought him in middle school between his clenched hands. “She said she wanted to make a difference, and I believed her. She was gonna be the one to make it out of here. She was gonna be something to someone!” He wanted to throw his hat down, but the thought of tarnishing something that she had once held made him sick.

“But that doesn’t matter, right? She’s dead. She’s dead because she was too busy saving all of our asses that she didn’t have time to save her own.”

He looked at his hands, the sight of the dried blood making him sick all over again. He sped off before anyone could say anything else, before they could see the way he turned green with grief and fought the urge to choke his vomit down just to see if it might work and he might see her again.

Instead, he sat on the beach. Between the grains of sand, there were some red blotches left on the ground. He kicked them around with his boot, not wanting to stare at the crime scene any longer. It was enough that a droplet was forever stained on his boots, and that it was tattooed into his skin.

When the tide was low, you could see the top of the rock that took her. It felt eerie because he had memories of her standing on that rock as a child. Pretending to be the little mermaid as the waves hit the shore, and promising her that one day he would get rich and buy her a real mermaid tail.

This was her favorite beach. The waves, the soft sand and the shady spots by the trees that hung over the edges of the land. Overtime, it grew to be JJ’s favorite beach too.

He knew he shouldn’t talk about her so soon from the accident. That John B was already torn up about the fact that he couldn’t afford a proper funeral, that Kiara’s parents had to buy her ashes so they could spread her in the sea, in the same waves that took her.

But not talking about it felt like failing her to JJ. To him, she was everything good in the world. A pure sweetness he wished he good have greedily taken more of. Because the truth is, JJ found love a hard thing to accept. He knew he loved his friends, even if he could never express it verbally, but he always knew he loved her. Part of him was glad that he had told her once that he did, love her.

Maybe she always knew, but he was glad he got it off his chest before she went, because at least that didn’t haunt him.

JJ swore he could feel her arms cradling him as the sun set, and he swore her laughter carried out through the winds that swept over the waves. She was as warm as the sun and as luminescent as the moon to JJ, and funny enough, as wild as the ocean.

In some ways, it made him feel a little more at peace that even if he physically couldn’t have her, they would always be a part of the same stars. He was just a little bit further away from reaching them as she was.

[ladylooch]

Best Thing I’ll Ever Do - Lio x Savannah (Part 3)

A/N: This chapter really encompasses a lot of what you all wanted to see with Lio and Sav in this part! I am really loving the way Lio is showing up for Savannah in these parts. I just... the way he has grown, both for her and himself... it's beautiful! Courageous! Aspirational! We love you, Lee 🥰

Word Count: 4.7k

Trigger Warnings: infertility, mentions of blood, pregnancy/birth

Part 1 | Part 2| Part 4 |

Inside a bright room atop a Manhattan skyscraper, Savannah delicately arranges the ‘Oh Baby!’ sign hanging down the gorgeous, flower wall filled with roses. The wall is fake flowers, but looks so real, Savannah didn’t believe they were fake until she ran her fingers over them. The flowers are dotted with the theme of the day which is delicate little butterflies, just like the baby they are celebrating today. 

Baby Girl Wood #2 is due in 6 short weeks. Or long depending on which one of her parents you’re talking to.

“My ankles are already swelling up.” Lucie complains from where she is sitting at the bar, sipping on a strawberry lemonade. She extends her legs out in front of her, baby pink skirt hitting just below her knees. She evaluates each ankle while sipping consistently from her straw. “Oh! She loves sugar.” Lucie chuckles, rubbing over her rounded belly where the baby presumably moves. 

Savannah glances over, throwing a sweet smile as Lexi pats her daughter’s shoulder comfortingly. Behind them, Mack, the hostess of the baby shower, is adjusting the little gift bags on the table by the door, making sure they are all aligned and in place.

“Soph did too. Would practically punch through my skin when I had lemonade.”

“I can’t relate. Lio was always fighting people in my belly, I swear.” Emma adds in her two cents. Savannah smirks, turning to call towards her.

“So his punching people started young?”

“Ha!” Emma points at her future daughter-in-law. “Yes. I’m sorry.” She cringes. “I tried. Too much of his dad in him.” Emma pauses, looking over Savannah’s work. “Wow, that looks so real. I am in love with the butterfly touch. That was a great idea!” Emma walks over, inspecting it up close as Savannah steps back to be in line with her.

“Thank you! I am satisfied.” Savannah confirms, crossing her arms over her chest while continuing to look with critical eyes.

“Perfect.” Emma murmurs, then wraps an arm around Savannah’s upper back. “How are you?” Savannah turns, meeting Emma’s eyes. She can tell Lio and his mother spoke this morning. How much of her recent struggles Lio shared with her, Savannah isn’t sure. But nothing has been easy since Connor and Lucie told them they were expecting a baby. 

The heartache and immutable circumstances Savannah thought she had come to terms with no longer felt resolved. It was easy to say this was all okay, but being thrust into a pregnancy journey with someone they are so close with has changed everything. Some days, it takes everything for Savannah to get out of bed. The mere act of existing weighs on her. Lio has been so patient and understanding. Savannah isn’t sure how she is going to get out of this funk. It’s never gripped her this hard before. But she has also never loved anyone as much as she loves Lio, or planned a life with someone to this extent. 

Every step closer they take towards forever- the wedding, the honeymoon, discussing if they are going to move- it all seems like a magnifier on this gaping hole Savanna has eating through the ventricles of her heart. She loathes herself for reverting back into old habits- retreating within, staying out of the house longer to avoid Lio, and the negative self-talk when she sees mothers with their children. It’s all so immature. She should be past this by now.

In an act of asserting willpower and taking back control, Savannah offered to help Mack plan the baby shower. Emma had been helping, but stepped aside when Savannah offered her time and creative mind. Getting immersed in the world of Pinterest and all the different options for showers had been surprisingly therapeutic as long as Savannah ignored the reason for the party. 

This morning, when she woke up and Lio mentioned it sounded like Connor and Lucie settled in on a name for their baby, everything shattered inside Savannah again. She hit the wood floor, collapsing under the crushing weight of knowing she will never have this moment. She will never be able to understand what it's like to have people celebrate her pregnancy. Though she has faced this thought before today, it reopens the wound every moment she remembers.

“I’m good.” Savannah assures Emma, leaning in to hug her soon to be mother in law. Emma squeezes her back hard, fully like a mama does, and it takes several calming breaths before Savannah is sure she won’t cry from the sweetness. She cannot wait to officially join the Meier family. She is hitting the jackpot with Lio’s family. 

Not long after the flower wall is completed, guests begin to arrive. The list consists of mostly family, a few of Lucie’s college friends, and the Rangers WAGS. They all arrive together as a group, descending into the room like gorgeous runway models. Savannah smiles when they see her, offering a wave. The group grabs various drinks, then comes over to where Savannah is standing by the table of quick shower games. 

“Hi Savannah!” One of them, Whitney, exclaims. The two women hug, then she is introduced to the other three women: Gianna, Crystal, and Kyra. Whitney and Savannah know each other from a few mutual friends, Lucie included. 

“Nice to meet you.”

“Savannah is engaged to Lucie’s cousin, Lio. He plays for the Devils.” Whitney fills in for the group. 

“Oh! I know!” Kyra giggles. “ I love your content on TikTok.”

“Oh god. Thanks!” Savannah starts to blush. While she loves creating content, she feels a little awkward when she sees someone in the wild who has seen her stuff. It feels like the other person knows so much about her and she knows nothing about them. Like a one-sided relationship Savannah never knew she entered into. 

“Congratulations on your engagement!” Gianna notes Savannah’s ring. “It was recent?”

“Thank you! Yes, not long ago.” Savannah switches her glass to the other hand so she can extend her fingers out to show off her huge, square cut engagement ring. “It’ll do.” The girls laugh.

“So, when is the wedding?”

“Next summer, we are planning on July.”

“Here?” Whitney asks. 

“Yes! We finally decided on getting married here in the U.S. We were going back and forth on different places in Europe, but with the unknowns of the hockey season, it felt safer to plan for here. You know cause the cup.” 

“One day our lives won’t revolve around a silver cup.” Whitney jokes.

“Keep dreaming. They never stop talking about it, girls. Even after they win it.” Lexi says as she walks past towards Mack by the windows. The girls laugh at the former captain’s wife.

“Well soak it up! It won’t be long before everyone transitions into baby discussions. Unless you already have them?” Crystal comments.

“Oh no, we don’t and won’t have any.” Savannah clears the air. The silence that falls over the wives is awkward immediately. Savannah chews on her bottom lip for a moment, then takes a sip of her mimosa. 

“That’s nice. Kids are… so much work.” Gianna says assuringly. “You’ll be able to travel and do so much more without them.”

“Yeah.” Savannah nods, swallowing hard. All these things she gets to do that she would trade in a heartbeat for a baby. “That will be nice.” She smiles weakly. 

“And you’ll actually get to sleep at night. No late night feedings or changes or just the non-stop screaming. Unlike this girl.” Crystal murmurs, grabbing at Lucie’s forearm as she walks up to the group.

“What about me?”

“We were just telling Savannah that not having kids is the right choice.” Lucie’s face drops in utter horror. She looks over at Savannah so apologetically.

“Some things aren’t a choice.” Lucie snaps, glaring at her shower guest.

“It’s okay, Luc.” Savannah interjects immediately. The group of girls fall into confused silence. “I actually can’t have kids. I would if I could.” Savannah nods as she speaks, waving her hands awkwardly as she explains.

“Oh my god, I am so sorry.” Crystal closes her eyes and shakes her head immediately. “I should not have assumed.”

“Probably not.” Lucie mumbles, clearly annoyed. 

“It’s okay. Seriously, I’m fine.” Savannah plays it off to the group.

But after that, the party isn’t the same. Even after Lucie walks Savannah to a private corner to check in on her. 

“This is your party. Stop worrying about me! I am fine. I’m having a great time and I am hating how much of this is feeling like it’s about me. It’s about you and this perfect butterfly who is joining us soon.”

“Sav, I love you and I know you’re struggling, even if Lio keeps trying to shield your pain from the world.” Lucie sighs. “You know you can talk to me?”

“Yes.” Savannah nods. But they both know why she won’t. Lucie is currently pushing it’s little feet out of her ribs. 

At the end of the shower, Connor and Stella Wood pop in as the guests are starting to disperse. Stella bolts in, attaching to Mack’s waist immediately. 

“I saw Uncle Davey!” She announces.

“You did!? Did you keep him in line?”

“Um, well he tried to eat my pancakes, so I stabbed him with the fork.”

“Oh…” Mack hides her hand to laugh. “How did that go?”

“Not good. I had to go to timeout.” 

“They shouldn’t be giving us another baby.” Lucie jokes.

“Who is this they?” Mack asks her sister. “Y’all know what you did.”

“And I enjoyed it. Ready for more of it this weekend.” She grins at her husband who chuckles. 

“Plenty of it.” He says into her hair. “You ready? I got the car packed, bags are in there. Got Stella’s here for her adventure.” He holds up her purple duffle bag. Lucie and Connor are heading to the coast for a baby moon while Lio and Savannah take Stella for the next few days. 

“Where is my pillow!?” She shrieks, running away from Mack to her dad.

“In here. I put it on top.” He assures her. 

“Okay. Where is Uncle Lee?”

“He is at home waiting for us.” Savannah assures her. 

“Let’s go then.”

“Stella. Patience.” Connor snips a bit at her, clearly annoyed with her attitude. Him and Lucie share a look. His wife chuckles, then wraps an around around his waist.

“Okay, Stell, we are going to go. You’re in the best of hands this weekend, so please be kind and respectful and listen to the adults, okay?”

“Okay. I love you!” She bounces up on her tip toes, puckering her small lips for a smooch from both her parents. 

“I love you.” Lucie responds.

“Love you, bug. Be good. We will see you on Tuesday.”

“Yeah.” Stella nods, then swallows hard. She grips Savannah’s hand tightly which makes Sav’s heart beat stronger in her chest. Stella and her are in a great place now. It was touch and go in the beginning but the little girl has begun to cling to her just like she does to Lio. It’s the ultimate sign of love from a five year old. 

Lucie and Connor pass around hugs and appreciation to the remaining family members, then walk hand in hand to the elevator to begin their long awaited baby moon. Savannah looks down at Stella’s hand still resting in hers. 

“Should we go see what Uncle Lee is up to?” Savannah asks. 

Stella grins up at her, ready to rush across town to see her favorite person in the world.

- - -

(Lio)

The sound of the quiet crowd clapping at the Yankees game filters to Lio’s ears as he lightly dozes on his couch. Savannah is on her way back to their apartment with Stella and he is taking the last few moments of quiet to his full advantage. He pops one eye open when the crowd cheers exceedingly loud. A double. Nice. He scratches at an itch on his nose, then crosses his arms over his chest, wiggling deeper into the couch cushions. 

A faint whine is heard from the hallway. It grows increasingly louder until he recognizes Stella’s sobs. Lio bolts up, rushing over to the door to open it. His eyebrows raise in surprise when he sees his fiancé on the other side of the door. Stella is propped on her hip as Savannah is loaded down with various different bags. 

“Whoa.” He says as he takes note of the tears streaking the makeup off her cheeks. “What is going on?”

“Help me.” Savannah snaps.

“Okay.” He reaches for Stella, taking her into his chest. The little girl presses her wet cheek into his shoulder, hot puffs of hair hitting his neck with each cry.

“Ow.” She whines to him. “Ow!” She yells harder when he doesn’t react.

“Okay, Stella is hurt. Are you hurt?” He asks Savannah. 

“No. Just.. she skinned her knees.”

“Okay.” Lio grabs the bags from her left hand, ushering her into the apartment completely. “What happened?”

“I don’t know what to do with children! That’s what happened!” She throws the remaining bags in her hands to the couch, then rushes from the room. Lio stares at her in confusion. The bedroom door shuts hard and loud, making both Stella and Lio jump. 

“Uncle Lee, she’s mad at me! I said I was sorry!”

“Let’s look at you.” Lio says, putting her on the counter. He looks down at her knees, seeing both of them have been skinned down a bit. The left one has dots of blood in it while the other one has red dribbling down her calf. Stella looks down at them with him.

“Look at it.”

“Yeah. That’s not fun. But I think you’ll live.” He assures her. He scoops her back up, carrying her to the bathroom where he can work on cleaning them up. He sets her on the closed toilet, then kneels down at her knees. He wets a washcloth, carefully dabbing at them with the warm cloth.

“No, no, no, no!” Stella says, pushing his hands. 

“Stell, I have to clean it. Those streets are nasty.” Lio sighs, trying to reason with her.

“I want daddy to do it!” She says, bouncing anxiously and kicking her feet.

“How about I do this and we pick out a really cool BandAid from the Disney pack Auntie got you?” He suggests. Stella contemplates. “I bet Mulan is in there.” Stella grins. 

“Yessss!” She holds her legs out for him, allowing him to clean them off. 

“How did this happen?” He asks her, careful of her sensitive skin. He works the soft cloth over her scrapes, pressing through even as he hates her little whimpers. 

“Um, well…” She trails off, looking towards the sky. Lio knows a guilty Stella when he sees one.

“You didn’t listen?”

“Yeah.” She sighs, like such circumstances were beyond her control. 

“We talked about this.”

“Well, I wanted to go into the M&M store! My mama was supposed to take me this week and she didn’t because of my stupid baby sister that makes her feel icky and then Auntie Sav said we could go in after the shower! But, but, then she walked by and I wanted to go back and she said no.”

“And you did what?” Stella pauses, mashing her little lips together nervously. She doesn’t want to say. “Stella.”

“I ran away.” 

“Stella Wood.” Lio gets stern, dropping the washcloth down to his side. “That is not okay.” 

“I-”

“No. You need to listen. To your parents, to me, and to your auntie, especially when you’re out in public. She promised your mama and daddy that she would take care of you. She can’t do that if you aren’t behaving or using your listening ears.” A nasty scowl drops Stella’s eyebrows and lower lip. “You hear me?” His blue eyes pin her in place. She nods reluctantly. “When we are done here, you’re going to apologize to Auntie Sav.”

“But she said I could go and then didn’t take me! That’s not fair!”

“You are 4 years old-”

“-I’m almost five!-”

“Okay, you’re proving my point more. You are almost five years old and I know you understand the rules. You do not get to disobey adult decisions. You had no idea what was happening. Maybe she was trying to protect you from something. Maybe she wasn’t feeling well. Maybe she had a better idea planned for you here at home. But it shouldn’t matter. You need to listen and be respectful of your caretakers.” Stella drops her gaze. Lio looks down at her brown curls, sighing heavily. “Stell, do you understand?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Now pick out your bandaids.” He encourages her, holding open the box for her. She picks an Olaf and an Elsa bandaid because there were in fact ZERO Mulan bandaids, which she was sure to point out. Then Lio got her situated on the couch with a movie and an apple juice box before he headed down to Savannah. 

“Hey.” He calls as he walks in. She is on her side, curled up on top of their comforter. Her head rests on her arm with the opposite hand palm up under her cheek.

“Hi.”

“I talked to Stell.”

“I overreacted.” Savannah sighs.

“She shouldn't have run off.” 

“Yeah. But I did tell her we could go into the M & M store and I was... struggling, so when we got there, I couldn’t stand another second of being out in public. That’s not her fault. Should she have run off? No, but it was an all around fail by me.”

“What’s wrong? Was.. did something happen at the party?”

“You mean did all the Rangers girls look at me like what’s wrong with her when I said we didn’t have kids and weren't going to?” Lio’s eyebrows furrow together angrily.

“What the fuck?”

“It wasn’t intentional, and no it wasn’t all of them, but it felt like it at that moment. Then I just wanted to leave and there was so much of the party left. I kept having to pretend everything was fine and your mom was being so sweet, but also kept coming up and checking in on me and it was all too much.” Lio encourages her to roll onto her back so he can look down in her face. She stares blankly back at him, almost unfeeling and disassociated from the moment. He runs his hand up her thigh to rest on her stomach. Savannah weaves their fingers together there. “Is she okay? I didn’t really get a good look but it looked like minor scrapes.”

“She’ll live. She’s got cool bandaids and apple juice.” Savannah tries for a small smile. She plays with his fingers while he looks her over more.

“Guess Mother Nature knew I would be a shit mom and made it so I couldn’t be.”

“Don’t say that.” Lio responds quietly. “I’m not okay with you talking about yourself like that. I don’t like it. You had an off day, babe. That’s it.”

Savannah doesn’t respond, but she tilts the corners of her mouth up at him in agreement. The worry in Lio’s gut continues to grow. He hasn’t seen her like this in a long time, not since Lucie first said she was pregnant. As the days grow closer to Lucie’s upcoming birth, he gets more and more uneasy. Now, with a sassy and defiant Stella in the house, he isn’t sure this is the best fit for his fiance's mental health. He loves Stella. He was really looking forward to this time together, but he needs to support his other girl too.

“Go back to Stell. I’ll be okay.” She whispers.

Lio doesn’t want to go, but Stella unattended in the living room isn’t a long-term solution. He gives her a kiss, cradling her head in his hands before heading back into the living room. Stella is in the same place he left her, juice box tossed onto the other couch cushion, mouth agape as she watches the scene unfold. 

“I’ll be right back.” He assures her with a gently pat on the head, 

Lio sighs as he steps onto the balcony. He leans on the railing for a minute, taking a breather from the chaos he just came out of. He contemplates what he should do next. 

When he has collected himself, he pulls his phone out to make the call.

“You called me not Lucie.” Mack answers the phone.

“Ah.. yeah I meant to call you.” Lio responds.

“... Oh. I figured it was the wrong button or something.” 

“No. I need a favor.” Lio says, shooting straight with her immediately. This is how they are. 

“Kay.”

“I need you to take over watching Stella.”

Loud silence comes over the phone line.

“David and I had plans that did not involve children.” A hint of annoyance is in her voice. He supposes he doesn’t blame her. He has bailed on commitments in the past. No one has been slower on accepting the changed version of Lio than Mackenzie Hischier. She’s not a forget and forgive kinda girl. He respects that about her.

“Yeah, I’m sorry about that, but Sav isn’t okay. I need to focus on her right now.”

“Okay. I’ll send David to come get her. She loves his truck.”

Lio smiles at the way Mack doesn’t press further and the annoyance has dropped completely. Lucie would be all “mama” with him and ask a million questions, already on her way over trying to fix everything. Not Mack. As long as you give her enough information to make a decision, she takes over with whatever is needed.

“Thank you.” Lio murmurs, closing his eyes in relief. “Sorry to ruin your plans.”

“No problem.” Mack pauses. “Are… you okay?”

“Ahm, yeah.” Lio clears his throat. “Yeah.” He repeats more firmly. 

“Okay. David should be back from his run soon. I’ll send him over after his shower. Are you calling Lucie or am I?”

“I’ll call her. Thank you.”

“Yep. Bye.” Mack clicks off first. Lio chuckles. Now to break the news to Stella.

Stella takes it well, especially when she hears about Uncle Davey coming to pick her up, but Lucie on the other hand is as concerned as he knew she would be.

“What’s wrong with Sav? Should we come home?” 

“No. I’m taking care of everything, but your daughter has this idea that I should entertain her at all times. I can’t do that and do what I need to for Sav.” Lio speaks to the phone while packing up Stella’s suitcase that was already strewn all about their guest room.

“Fair.” Lucie agrees then blows out a heavy sigh. “She just loves you.”

“I know. And I love her. But she has other people here who will take care of her.”

“Mack won’t do the bedtime routine though.” Lucie grumbles.

“I guess I should tell you I don’t either.”

“Lio!” Lucie yells. 

“Lu, what you do at your house is your business, but that is too many steps for me. She gets into pajamas, brushes her teeth and by the time I'm shutting the book she is out. That’s it.”

“How is Lio Meier of all people better at bedtime than me?” 

“Because you have always made things complicated.” Lio says, flipping the suitcase shut again and zipping it up. “Like this conversation.”

“Wow.” Lucie snips. “Okay, well sounds like you all have it figured out. I’ll check in with Mack tonight.”

“Alright. Have a good rest of your trip.” Lio places the small suitcase on its wheels, shoving it towards the door. 

“Lee?” Lucie pauses. 

“Yeah.”

“I asked Sav if it was okay for her to help with the shower, and for you to watch Stell. I hope I didn’t overstep somehow. I would never want something I did to hurt her.”

“No, Luc, you didn’t do anything wrong. She wanted to help with these things. But she is struggling more than I think she even realizes.”

“Okay.” Lucie responds. Her voice drips with sadness, clearly concerned for her friend. “I feel really bad.”

“It’s okay. You can’t fix this.”

“Neither can you.” She reminds him. He juts his lower jaw out in disagreement. 

That’s her opinion. He is still gonna try like hell to.

- - -

Winnie Wood came into the world in a chaotic c-section on a rainy, September morning. Stella had arrived at Lio and Savannah’s the previous night when Lucie’s contractions started picking up.  Despite being put to bed in the guest room, Stella ended up in bed with the adults and none of them slept well after that. Lio has no idea how Connor and Lucie can stand to sleep with her and her flailing limbs on a regular basis. 

Next to him, Savannah rests her temple on the steel of the elevator. They ride up to their place the same way they rode in the car home from the hospital: silent. Stella has been dropped with all her grandparents for dinner tonight and will be back at their apartment later tonight, then home tomorrow to sleep in her own bed with a new baby sister. 

Lio glances over at Savannah as the elevator pauses on their floor. 

“Babe?” He calls to her when she doesn’t move to get out. She startles, clearly lost in another world. 

“Oh sorry.” She sniffs, then walks out past him. He reaches for her shoulder from behind, wanting to pull her back into him to comfort her. Instead, she shrugs his touch off. That hurts. 

He sighs as silently as he can, then waits next to her as she unlocks the door. She walks in, heading immediately towards their bedroom. She abruptly stops before going in, a loud suffering sob coming from her lips.

“Lio, I’m not okay.” Savannah hiccups from the doorway. Lio rushes forward quickly to hold her. 

“I know, baby. It’s okay that you’re not.” He grabs her hand, gently encouraging her fully into his chest. She weakly grips his hand back, blinking her tears down her cheeks. 

“Oh fuck I’m so sad.” She wails, curling over at the waist. “I’m never gonna have that. I’m never going to know what it feels like to hold my baby in my arms.” She starts to cry so hard that no noise comes out of her. Lio wraps an arm around her waist, holding her up until he can guide her safely to the floor. The bed is less than ten feet away but he knows they won’t make it. He sits down next to her, then encourages her to crawl into his lap. Savannah shoves her face into his shirt, smearing black mascara all over the light blue fabric. 

“She already has a baby. Why can’t it be me?” Savannah sobs into Lio’s shoulder. 

“Baby it could be you.” Lio murmurs, feeling brave even as she falls apart in his hands.. “There are so many avenues we haven’t tried. We could try surrogacy. Or IVF.” Savannah pulls away, looking at him like he has grown three heads.

“Lee, you don’t want kids.” Her sadness pierces through the room.

“I want whatever you want.” A look of deep sympathy softens over his face.

“No.” Savannah pushes away from his chest, clearly withdrawing from him again. “I’m not doing kids that way. I’m not forcing you into IVF or surrogacy because I want this and you don’t. I’m not going back on our deal. It’s not in our cards.” Her teeth are gritted shut. She wipes her tears away, trying to get her shit back together.

“Babe, I’ll do it for-”

“Please stop.” Savannah whispers, then purses her lips together to stop the sob in her throat. Her eyes close, steady tears flowing down from her closed eyelids. Lio feels his heart crack open again in his chest. For her. For himself. For them and the things they’ll never get to experience together. He would do anything to give this to his wife. He would give up everything they have to give her a baby. But she won’t even let him try.

Heaviness fills the room between them. While she continues to turn inwards, struggling, Lio holds her tighter, gathering up all of her pieces and keeping them together until she can do it again herself.

Read more Lio and Savannah here

[joshuasumter]

What if...The Cross Zone got a lot bigger?

From the creative minds that bought you Namco X Capcom, Project X Zone was released for the Nintendo 3DS in 2012 in Japan and worldwide in 2013, receiving great praise as it bought characters from three legendary game developers -- Capcom, Sega, and Namco Bandai -- to crossed worlds, dimensions, and the fabric of time for the ultimate cross-over tactical RPG mashup!

But what if the cross zone had gotten a whole lot bigger with even MORE titles and are joined by even more characters from surprising guest companies.

What if...The Cross Zone got a lot bigger? explores what would happen if the events of Namco X Capcom, Project X Zone, and Project X Zone 2 occurred differently with the inclusion of characters, worlds, and universes of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Square Enix, and much more. For example, my fan-made original story movie inspired by the crossover RPG.

The Project X Zone Movie (Capcom x Sega x Bandai Namco x Cartoon Network x Nickelodeon x Disney x Pixar x Square Einx x Channel Federator x Channel Awesome)

The Project X Zone Movie 2: Fate of Many Worlds (Capcom x Sega x Bandai Namco x Cartoon Network x Disney x Pixar x Square Einx x Marvel x Star Wars x Level-5)

NAMCO BANDAI

Namco X Capcom (Reiji Arisu, Xiaomu)

Project X Zone (Mii Koryuji, Kogoro Tenzai)

Tekken (Jin Kazama, Kazuya Mishima, Heihachi Mishima, Ling Xiaoyu, Alisa Bosconovitch)

.hack// (Kite, BlackRose)

.hack//G.U. (Haseo)

Tales of Versperia (Yuri Lowell, Fylnn Scifo, Estelle Sidos Heurassein)

Summon Night 3 (Aty)

Adventure of Valkyrie (Valkyrie, Kurino Sandra, Sabine)

Bravoman (Arnold/Bravoman)

Wonder Momo (Kanda Momo/Wonder Momo)

Soulcalibur V (Natsu)

Soul Edge (Taki, Mitsurugi Heishiro)

Tales of Destiny (Rutee Katrea, Stahn Aileron)

Xenosaga (KOS-MOS, MOMO, Shion Uzuki)

Tower of Druaga (Gilgamesh, Ki)

Shadow Land (Tarosuke)

The Genji and the Heike Clans (Taira no Kagekiyo)

Baraduke (Masuyo Tobi)

Burning Force (Hiromi Tengenji)

Ordyne (Miyuki Chan)

Dig Dug (Taizo Hori)

Klonoa (Klonoa, Guntz)

God Eater (Alisa Ilinichina Amiella, Soma Schicksal, Lindow Amamiya, Ciel Alencon, Nana Kouzuki)

Yumeria (Neneko, Neito)

CAPCOM

Street Fighter (Ryu, Ken Masters, Chun-li, Guile, Cammy White, Ingrid)

Ghosts n' Goblins (Sir Arthur)

Okami (Amaterasu, Issun)

Viewtiful Joe (Viewtiful Joe, Sexy Silvia)

Monster Hunter (Monster Hunter, Felyne, Palico, Gore Magala)

Breath of Fire III (Ryu, Nina, Momo, Garr, Rei, Peco, Honey)

Resident Evil Revelations (Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine)

Resident Evil 6 (Leon S. Kennedy, Helena Harper, Ada Wong)

Resident Evil: Dead Aim (Bruce McGivern, Fong Ling)

Ace Attorney (Phoenix Wright, Maya Fey, Apollo Justice, Athena Cykes)

Darkstalkers(Morrigan Aensland, Demitri Maximoff, Felicia, Hsien-Ko, Donovan Baine, Anita, Jon Talbain, Victor Von Gedenheim)

Dead Rising (Frank West)

Devil May Cry (Dante, Trish, Lady, Nero, Nico)

Bionic Commando (2009) (Nathan Spencer)

Captain Commando (Captain Commando, Hoover (Baby Head), Jennety (Mack the Knife), Sho (Ginzu the Ninja))

Dino Crisis (Regina)

Final Fight (Guy, Mike Haggar)

Mega Man (Rock/Mega Man, Roll, Blues/Proto Man, Rush, Tango, Eddie, Beat)

Mega Man X(X, Zero, Axl)

Mega Man Legends (Tron Bonne, Servbots, Mega Man Volnutt, Roll Casket)

Star Gladiator (June Lin Milliam)

Strider (Strider Hiryu)

Forgotten Worlds (Unknown Soldier 1P, Unknown Solider 2P, Sylphie)

Cyberbots (Jin Saotome, Princess Devilotte de Death Satan IX)

SEGA

Billy Hatcher (Billy Hatcher, Chick Poacher, Rolly Roll, Bantam Scrambled)

Golden Axe (Ax Battler, Gilius Thunderhead, Tyris Flare)

Panzer Dragon (Keil Fluge, Blue Dragon)

Alex Kidd (Alex Kidd, Stella)

NiGHTS into Dreams (NiGHTS)

Skies of Arcadia (Vyse, Aika, Fina, Cupil, Gilder, Enrique, Drachma)

Sonic the Hedgehog (Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles "Tails" Prower, Knuckles the Echidna, Amy Rose, Shadow the Hedgehog)

Sonic Boom (Sticks the Badger)

Bayonetta (Bayonetta, Jeanne, Viola, Luka)

Virtua Fighter (Akira Yuki, Pai Chan, Kage-Maru)

Fighting Vipers (Bahn)

Shenmue (Ryo Hazuki)

Shinobi (Hotsuma)

Shinobi: Nightshade (Hibana)

Space Channel 5 (Ulala)

Streets of Rage (Axl Stone)

Sakura Wars (Ichiro Ogami, Sakura Shinguji, Gemini Sunrise, Erica Fontaine)

Yakuza/Like A Dragon (Kazama Kiryu, Goro Majima, Ichiban Kasuga)

Resonance of Fate (Zephyr, Leanne, Vashyron)

Valkyria Chronicles III(Kurt Irving, Riela Marcellis, Imca)

Sega Saturn Advertisements (Segata Sanshiro, Sega Shiro (Segata's son))

Shining Force EXA(Toma, Cyrille)

Dynamite Cop (Bruno Delinger)

Zombie Revenge (Rikiya Busujima)

NINTENDO

Fire Emblem Warriors (Rowan, Lianna)

Fire Emblem: Awakening (Chrom, Lucina)

Xenoblade Chronicles (Fiora, Shulk)

DISNEY

Gravity Falls (Dipper Pines, Mabel Pines)

Kim Possible (Kim Possible, Ron Stoppable, Rufus)

American Dragon: Jake Long (Jake Long, Trixie, Spud, Fu Dog, Lao Shi)

Darkwing Duck (Drake Mallard/Darkwing Duck)

DuckTales (2017) (Scrooge McDuck, Huey, Dewey, Louie, Webby Vanderquack, Launchpad McQuack)

Phineas & Ferb (Phineas Flynn, Ferb Fletcher, Isabella Garcia-Sharpio, Burford Van Stromm, Baljeet Rai, Candace Flynn, Agent P)

Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja (Randy Cunningham)

Mighty Med (Oliver, Kaz)

Sofia the First (Princess Sofia the First)

Disney's Descendants (Mal, Evie, Jay, Carlos)

Wreck-It Ralph (Vanellope Von Schweetz)

The Simpsons (Bart Simpson)

The Lion Guard (Kion, Bunga, Fuli, Besthe, Ono, Anga)

PIXAR

Brave (Princess Merida of DunBroch)

The Incredibles (Mr. Incredibles, Elastigrl, Violet Parr, Dash Parr, Jack-Jack Parr, Frozone)

MARVEL

Captain America

Iron Man

Thor

Hulk

Black Widow

Hawkeye

Falcon

Vision

Wasp

Captain Marvel

Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel

Black Panther

Spider-Man

Doctor Strange

Iron Fist

Ghost Rider

She-Hulk

Wolverine

Storm

X-23

Future Avengers (Makoto/Hurricane, Chloe/Charade, Adi/Codec, Bruno/Twister)

STAR WARS

Rey

Finn

Poe Dameron

BB-8

CARTOON NETWORK

Ben 10(Ben Tennyson, Gwen Tennyson, Kevin Levin)

Generator Rex (Rex, Six, Bobo)

The Life & Times of Juniper Lee (Juniper Lee)

The Powerpuff Girls (Blossom, Bubbles, Buttercup)

Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends (Mac, Bloo)

Dexter's Labratory(Dexter)

Samurai Jack (Samurai Jack)

Ed, Edd, n Eddy (Ed, Double D (Edd), Eddy)

OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes (Kaio O. Kincaid (K.O.), Radicles X, Enid Mettle)

NICKELODEON

SpongeBob SquarePants (SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star, Sandy Cheeks)

Fairly OddParents (Timmy Turner, Cosmo, Wanda, Poof)

Avatar: The Last Airbender (Aang, Katara, Sokka, Toph, Zuko)

Winx Club (Bloom, Stella, Aisha, Techa, Musa, Flora)

El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera (Manny Rivera/El Tigre, Frida)

The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius (Jimmy Neutron)

Danny Phantom (Danny Fenton/Danny Phantom, Sam Manson, Tucker Foley, Jazz Fenton)

My Life as a Teenage Robot (XJ9/Jenny Wakeman)

Glitch Techs (Miko "Me_K.O." Kubto, Hector "High Five" Nieves, Ridley, B.I.T.T., Zahra Rashid)

SQUARE EINX

Kingdom Hearts (Sora, Riku, Kairi, Ventus)

The World Ends with You (Neku Sakuraba, Shiki Misaki, Daisukenojo "Beat" Bito, Raimu “Rhyme” Bito, Yoshiya "Joshua" Kiryu, Rindo Kanade, Tosai “Fret” Furesawa, Nagi Usui, Shoka Sakurane)

Final Fantasy (Warrior of Light)

Final Fantasy II (Firion)

Final Fantasy III (Onion Knight)

Final Fantasy IV (Cecil Harvey)

Final Fantasy V (Bartz Klauser)

Final Fantasy VI (Terra Branford)

Final Fantasy VII (Cloud Strife, Tifa Lockhart, Aerith, Cid, Yuffie) (Kingdom Hearts incarnation)

Final Fantasy VIII (Squall Leonheart) (Kingdom Hearts incarnation)

Final Fantasy IX (Zidane Tribal)

Final Fantasy X (Tidus)

Final Fantasy XI (Shantotto)

Final Fantasy XII (Vaan)

Final Fantasy XIII (Lightning)

Final Fantasy XIV (Y'shtola)

Final Fantasy XV (Noctis Lucis Caelum)

OTHER TITLES

CHANNEL AWESOME

Nostalgia Critic (Nostalgia Critic)

Angry Video Game Nerd (Angry Video Game Nerd)

Atop the 4th Wall (Linkara)

The Angry Joe Show (Angry Joe)

LEVEL-5

Professor Layton (Professor Hershel Layton, Luke Triton)

CHANNEL FEDERATOR

Bravest Warriors (Chris Kirkman, Beth Tezuka, Danny Vasquez, Wallow, Plum, Catbug)

[brighter-by-the-daly]

Millie Bright x Reader

Part One: Triggered

Posted 05/04/23 : Edited 27/06/23

AN - I wrote this after a dream I had last night sparked the initial concept. I woke up midway through and didn’t want the story to end as Millie being mean so had to finish it. Based on my own struggles with ADHD and Autism and judging by this dream I’m a bit anxious about the game next week!

A text came through to your phone “mate, Millie is such a bitch she keeps giving me evils and barely even talking to anyone, it’s so awkward!” with a photo taken on the sly. “Omfg Millie’s there?! Get her to sign something for me pleeeease!” you replied. “Fat chance of that! She’s well stuck up!” “I don’t care, I love her!!!” was the last text you sent to your friend. He had won a chance to be at an open training session for Chelsea, he’d asked you to go with him but you had tickets for the England game tonight. Millie was injured so you didn’t expect her to be at either event but here you were with a photo in your hand showing she was at Chelsea rather than supporting her national team vs Brazil tonight.

You had met up with your friends earlier in the day who live around the corner to the stadium, his mum had made dinner and passed you a plate. It was a lovely sunny day and Mack’s mum was the type of person to have the front door open at all hours of the day. You perched on the door step watching the fans trickle towards the stadium, munching happily away at the bbq chicken when you heard the garden gate click open and shut. Looking up to see the familiar blonde figure approaching the house. Gobsmacked at who it was and why she was there you moved your body to the side so she could enter the house. “Millie! I didn’t think you were coming, I just gave your plate to (y/n)!” your friend’s mum called from the kitchen. Feeling a shift in her positioning behind you, you looked up to see the defender towering over you “I’m assuming you’re (y/n)?” she snapped. Yes, that was me. The bitch eating Millie Bright’s chicken, of course that could only happen to me. “Do you want some? I’m not gonna eat all of this anyway” your words quickly exiting your mouth in panic and becoming more frantic when she nodded in a ‘well duh’ sort of way as she opened her mouth. Screwing up your face in confusion “y-you want me to uh“ stabbing your fork into a piece of crispy chicken as Millie rolled her eyes and nodded again. Lifting your fork to towards her mouth you were obviously shaking and accidentally smeared bbq sauce on her cheek. You felt the mood lift a little when she chuckled wiping her mouth as you passed her the plate to avoid anymore mishaps. Your friend went inside to wash up leaving a space next to you on the door step where Millie plopped herself down, her knee grazing yours. “How’s the injury?” you asked trying to make small talk “I’m not allowed to say” she replied bluntly still shovelling food into her mouth like she hadn’t eaten in days.

“Guys we should probably leave soon” you called through to your friends in the lounge. “Why? Kick off isn’t for another hour yet” Millie scoffed at you “because I get anxious” you responded honestly “why? It’s just football” she sneered like you’re an alien species. “I just like to know I’m on time” your friends knew your AuDHD traits come out the most when there is a set timed thing to do. Like football. You liked to be there early so you could find your seats without an overwhelming amount of people staring at you arriving. You found comfort in knowing you wouldn’t have to tell people they were in your seats and you could relax knowing you were in the right place. You’d never been to this stadium before and new places triggers your anxiety. “You don’t need to worry about that” she muttered between mouthfuls “gee thanks, I’m cured” sarcastically rolling your eyes at her ignorance as you rose from the step and entered the house to move away from her. Maybe your friend was right, she is a bitch!

An hour passed before you actually left, you were now a nervous mess and on the brink of a meltdown. Millie lead you and your friends down an ally to a gate you hadn’t seen when looking up the maps online. You fell behind your friends as you rushed to find the tickets on your phone and missed the email containing them. “I can only find two guys!” you called out to the group in panic “slow down, I can’t find the other two!” you pleaded. “You don’t need tickets you’re with me, put your phone away” Millie sniped at you. This game you were so looking forward to now made you want to leave and go home, everything was wrong and nothing like you had planned for weeks. Millie handed over her pass to a steward as you were frantically trying to find the other tickets, your friend noticed, pushed your lock button and gestured for you to put your phone away with no explanation. You stood there wondering what the hell was happening until you heard the steward “5 yeah? All good.” With that, the others started to shuffle you inside and to seats that weren’t the ones you had carefully chosen when booking them. To be fair, they were really good seats just above the dug outs and in front of a box but you couldn’t help feeling on edge knowing these weren’t actually your seats, worrying someone’s going to come at any moment and tell you to move. Millie sat down next to you with her huge England puffer jacket encroaching on your personal space, hearing every squeak of the fabric against the chair and the rustling against your body, you had never felt more uncomfortable.

Noticing you were stimming - your foot tapping and fiddling with your thumb ring Millie heavily placed her hand onto your thigh making your leg stop shaking instantly. “What’s wrong?” she asked moving her hood so you could see her face “nothing” you shook your head violently trying to stop her from asking anymore questions. You were trying so hard not to have a meltdown and anymore questions might push the tears you were trying desperately to hide out of your eyes and you wanted nothing more than for her not to witness this. You’d looked up to the defender since you were young and thought meeting her would be like a dream but today had been nothing short of a nightmare. She’d hit all your triggers without realising you had any and you were really struggling to hide your contempt. “Tell me” she said forcefully. Staring out to the pitch you thought deeply about what to say but it all came blurting out like a car crash of words leaving your mouth. “I have ADHD and Autism, I’ve never been to this stadium before so had looked up all the maps and knew what time to get here so I could find my seats, I always feel like someone will be sat in them and I’d have to have an awkward conversation to get them to move, The Lionesses are my special interest and I was so looking forward to this day but you changed all the plans and it’s been a lot to deal with. I like being on an aisle so I don’t feel trapped, I wanted to watch the warm ups, I hate being late and your jacket is so noisy it’s making me want to throw something at you.” Your words left your mouth in one extremely long sentence barely making time to breath, your monotone voice wasn’t raised just sad that nothing had turned out right. Millie stared blankly at you like everything you had just said flew straight over her head. You couldn’t help that you felt uncomfortable, your friends knew what triggers you and should have been more understanding to all these plans changing. One thing you could have dealt with but this.. this was a lot.

“Do you drink tea?” the blonde asked you after a long awkward silence, nodding gently she asked how you have it then rose from her seat and entered the box, re-emerging with a cup in her hand. “Sit in this one” she gestured to the seat she was in before which was on an aisle and passed the cup to you; instantly feeling a little relief as the warmth spread through your hands. Hearing the zipper of her coat undo she took it off and started to put it around your shoulders. “What are you doing?” you asking while trying to shrug it off, “trust me, it’s a like a big safety bubble, put it on” she nodded smiling as encouragement. Feeling the warmth around your body and the weight of the coat acting like your blanket at home you sunk into your seat, your heart rate returning to normal and your eyes were no longer acting like dams for your tears. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realise” her words sounding sincere “why would you? I have to work very hard to appear like everyone else, to seem normal. Nobody would know unless I told them or I suddenly snapped. They’d just see me flip out over one tiny thing without recognising all of the other things that had lead me to snap” you said looking down at your cup. “I get it, trust me” she smiled. With that the teams walked out onto the pitch - immediately making you happy again. Millie took hold of your hand and held it between hers on her lap. It’s like she had heard you and understood exactly what you needed - to feel safe.

Part Two

[davidtennantgenderenvy]

HERE IS A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF PROBABLY MOST OF THE STUFF I LIKE! Feel free to ask me about any of it

PERSONALITY TYPING: INFP 4w3 (471)

BOOKS: Grishaverse, Lord of the Rings, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Song of Achilles, The Prince of Tides, The House in the Cerulean Sea, Harry Potter (unfortunately), Gone With the Wind, His Dark Materials, A Far Wilder Magic, The Hate U Give, The Outsiders, The Devil and the Dark Water, They Both Die At The End, Riordanverse, Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Warriors

MOVIES: Titanic, Dead Poets Society, It’s A Wonderful Life, Little Women 2019, NOPE, Pan’s Labyrinth, The Sixth Sense, Terminator (especially 2), Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, The Addams Family (1991) The Shawshank Redemption, Parasite, Knives Out/Glass Onion, Tar, Harriet, Romeo and Juliet (1968), Interstellar, Forrest Gump, Schindler’s List, The Princess Bride, Get Out, Lady Bird, Silence of the Lambs, The Truman Show, The Wall, 12 Angry Men, Recovery, so so many animated movies (especially WALL-E, The Prince of Egypt, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Howl’s Moving Castle!), SOME Marvel movies (mostly guardians and spidey)

TV SHOWS (live action): LOST, Breaking Bad, Doctor Who, Person of Interest, Good Omens, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Downton Abbey, Ted Lasso, My So Called Life, Stranger Things, Broadchurch, Alias, Sherlock, Maid, The Last of Us, Dark, Happy Valley, Takin’ Over The Asylum, Our Flag Means Death, The Sandman, Heartstopper, Jessica Jones, Andi Mack, The Queen’s Gambit, Derry Girls, Rivals, The Office, A Series of Unfortunate Events, 1899, Mare of Easttown, Around the World in 80 Days, Time

ANIME AND CARTOONS: Fullmetal Alchemist (both versions), Avatar, Steven Universe, Phineas and Ferb, Death Note, Assassination Classroom, Demon Slayer, Attack on Titan, Monster, Bluey, Spy X Family, Ouran High School Host Club, My Hero Academia, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Toradora, Gravity Falls, Bluey, The Owl House, Cowboy Bebop, Erased, Mob Psycho 100, Kotaro Lives Alone, Ducktales

MUSIC: Queen, Taylor Swift, Will Wood, My Chemical Romance, Fiona Apple, Adele, Jeff Buckley, Olivia Rodrigo, Hozier, Billy Joel, The Beatles, Brandi Carlile, Mitski, The Proclaimers, Janelle Monáe, Florence + the Machine, Sinead O'Connor, Nina Simone, Kelly Clarkson, Beyonce, Pink Floyd, Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish, Muse, Alanis Morrissette, The Chicks, Chappell Roan, David Bowie, BTS, Stray Kids, Day-6, Gang of Youths, The Crane Wives, Pulp, Lana Del Rey, Radiohead, Fefe Dobson, FKA Twigs, Eminem, Heart…

MUSICALS: Les Miserables, Great Comet, Ragtime, Phantom of the Opera, Hadestown, Hamilton, Wicked, Come From Away, Matilda, Falsettos, Jesus Christ Superstar, Anastasia, Evita, The Last Five Years, The Sound of Music, West Side Story, The Clockmaker’s Daughter, Ride the Cyclone, Sweeney Todd, Parade, Little Shop of Horrors, Cats, In The Heights, Into the Woods, She Loves Me, Sunday in the Park with George, Lizzie, Newsies, Bonnie and Clyde, The Secret Garden, The Wild Party, Cabaret, Putnam County Spelling Bee…(I also love Shakespeare!)

VIDEO GAMES: basically just Super Mario Bros and Undertale but boy do I love Super Mario Bros and Undertale

YOUTUBERS: Schaffrillas Productions, Cinema Therapy, The Authentic Observer, Matt Rose, PMSeymour, Katherine Steele, The Swiftologist, FilmCooper, Sideways, Anthony Fantano and too many others to mention

FAVE ROLES I’VE PLAYED: Elsa in Frozen, Morticia in The Addams Family, Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, Iolanthe in Iolanthe, Juror #8 in 12 Angry Jurors

[impala-dreamer]

Magdalena

A Supernatural Story

~ The Mark of Cain has Dean doubting even his own thoughts, but there's one place he can go for a moment of peace, one person who can take away the pain... even for one night. ~

Dean Winchester x Magdalena (OFC)

3,801 Words

Warnings:  Bitter Angst. Pain. MOC!Dean drama. Blood. Hurt. Sadness. 

A/N: Magdalena is an original character I've created for an SPN spinoff idea I'd written the pilot for. She's not a main character, but this scene would be part of a greater story. I do hope you like it. It took a long time to write, and it's honestly one of my favorites...

Impala-Dreamer’s Masterlist  ~  Patreon  ~ Published Works

There were two bars in the town of Lebanon, one on main street- Mack’s, which is full of neon lights and pool tables and teenagers trying out their fake i.d.s every Thursday night for Ladies Night- and JD’s, a filthy, oft times grimey biker bar on the very border of town.

Dean liked to go to Mack’s when he wanted people around, when his stomach was calling for some crappy bar food and nothing would satisfy him but some overdone french fries. It wasn’t really his favorite, but there were familiar faces and he could pick up a few bucks here and there when the local coeds got wasted.

Sam always went to Mack’s.

Dean truly preferred to frequent JD’s.

JD’s was dark and seedy and there was always something sticky on the floor no matter how carefully you stepped. Mysterious stains painted the walls in the john, and the bartop had been lacquered so many times over the years that there was an inch of resin on top of the old wood.

Dean felt strangely at home there.

Maybe that’s why he hid there. Maybe he felt safer there when the Mark was burning, egging him on, changing him. But it wasn’t just the decor that called to him.

Magdalena had been tending bar at JD’s for years, too many to count, and it was safe to say she’d been hanging out there since before it was legal for her to step through the door. She was older than Dean, but he wasn’t sure by how much, or if he just saw himself as younger in his own head. She had faint smile lines around her full, rose-colored lips, and a deep wrinkle between her eyes that deepened whenever she squinted, which seemed to be often. Her hair was as dark as midnight with subtle streaks of silver by her ears, and her eyes were like chocolate, big and brown and filled with adventure.

Of course, she rarely had any.

She’d been at that bar forever.

Dean gravitated towards her, never leaving the bar before he’d tried and failed at a not-so-smooth pick up line. He liked her. She was homegrown but clever, seemed to know a thing or two about nearly everything but never enough to seem bookish. Her voice was like syrup that ran down his body slowly, and she knew it, knew just when to turn up the charm and knock him off his cocky pedistal, but she also knew when to be quiet. She never prodded, never spoke first, always nodding when Dean walked in, letting him come to her if he wanted.

He didn’t always sit at the bar. Some nights he lingered in the back, beer practically stuck on his lower lip, just watching from the shadows. He liked to watch her float around behind the bar; straight hair flipping back and forth over her shoulder as she worked, smile wide when called for, her voice stern and loud when needed. She took no crap from no man, and maybe that’s what Dean liked the most about her. She was beautiful, sure, but not in the way that made him run home and rub one out, or turn up his wayward charm to full power and woo her into the back seat of the Impala. No, she had something else, something he really couldn’t name and didn’t want to. He didn’t even mind that she always rejected him. It had become a favorite game for both of them, and with her, he felt he had one true connection outside of his shitty life, even if it never left the stale air of JD’s.

Maggie looked up the way she always did when the door creaked open: with one eye. It was a technique she’d mastered over the years, a way to let the patron know that their arrival was recognized without leaving them an opening to talk to her. She really hated talking to most people. Well, she didn’t mind it so much until they got drunk and tried to reach over the bar to grab her tits, or used her polite smile as an excuse to drop all of their problems on her shoulders. She had enough problems of her own, thank you, she did not need anyone else’s.

This time when she looked up, she smiled, her entire face lifting towards the entrance.

He walked in with a slow stagger as if something were heavy on his shoulders. He glanced around the room once before turning towards Maggie and tossing over a weak smile.

“Dean.” She said his name like a greeting and a prayer, soft and sweet and hopeful.

He sat down at the bar, hooked his right boot heel on the stool and licked his lips slowly. “Heya, Maggie.” His voice crackled as if his throat was torn raw from days of screaming. He swallowed hard and looked down at his hands.

Something was wrong, she knew; he would have shot a joke at her by now.

“Haven’t seen you in a while,” she said cooly, reaching below the bar to grab a tiny square napkin. “Thought you ran out on me.”

Dean looked up and she winked which instantly brought out a tiny smile, turning the corner of his mouth upwards. “Oh, come on, Sweetheart,” he countered, the familiar charm seeping back into his voice. “I could never leave you. Not in a million years.”

Maggie held back a laugh. “Beer?”

His eyes closed as he shook his head slightly. “Whiskey,” he whispered. “Double.”

She nodded thoughtfully and grabbed the bottle from the shelf. “Bad day?”

Dean let out a heavy breath and rubbed at his right forearm. He felt The Mark burn and pulse even under so many layers of cotton. “You could say that.”

Upon the napkin, Maggie placed an old, well used tumbler. “Wanna tell me about it?” She kept one eye on Dean as she poured four fingers into the glass and when his eyes met hers, she let a little more pour out.

“Maybe after a few of these,” he replied, his giant hand already wrapping around the glass.

She bit her lip and inhaled deeply, knowing it was going to be one of those nights where someone else’s troubles fell squarely upon her heart. But with Dean, she didn’t really mind. He never said much anyway, always alluding to his woes rather than facing them head-on. If the rumors around town were true, Maggie knew she didn’t want to hear the details anyhow.

“How ‘bout I join you? Loosen up the gears a bit.”

She winked again and Dean felt a gentle wave of calm wash over him; something that he hadn’t felt in days. He knew he was staring as she poured herself a drink from the same bottle, knew his heart was racing as she held up the glass to toast the cruel world, but it didn’t matter. He felt safe around her. Even if the Red Curse on his arm was screaming for blood again.

Their glasses clinked together with a dull chime and Dean held her gaze as they both took a sip. He hissed as the whiskey coated his mouth and stung in the back of his throat, but Maggie took it like a champ, rolling the sip around on her tongue. She held it there, savoring the bite of it as if the pain were part of the flavor. She closed her eyes when she swallowed slowly and sighed happily.

“That’s delicious,” she whispered, opening her big brown eyes to find emerald locked on her lips.

“It is,” he agreed, taking another heavy swallow. He licked a drop from his bottom lip and then set the empty tumbler down on the napkin. “Tell me something…”

Maggie knocked the rest of her drink back and then grabbed the bottle. “Like what?”

He shrugged. “Something. Anything.”

She smiled. “Anything?”

“Anything.”

Her plump lips twisted into a sideways pucker as she pondered and poured them both another drink. “I can roll my tongue.”

Dean laughed around his sip.

“I can! Can you?”

Maggie stuck out her tongue and rolled it into a perfect cylinder. Dean shook his head and mirrored her, feeling like a fool. Her laugh made it worth it though.

“Hey, you said anything,” she reminded him as she wiped a little spit from her chin.

He nodded and stared down into his glass, feeling suddenly cold and sweaty at the same time. “That I did.” A tiny shiver rolled down his back and his shoulders tensed badly.

“Dean?”

When he looked up, she was leaning over the bartop, her hand slowly reaching across for his, hesitant to land, but close enough for him to grab. He held his breath and her fingers fell over his left wrist, gently settling. Her flesh was hot, like her fingertips were flames, and something inside of him wanted to rip them away, grab her wrist and snap it backwards until the bones tore through her delicate pink skin.

“What’s going on?”

He blinked and saw blood, saw her body broken and shredded open at his feet. The Mark burned icy hot and his stomach turned.

“Dean?”

His pulse was racing, every breath sluggish and heavy, echoing in his ears. His bones ached, his flesh crawled. In his mind, he heard her scream.

“Mags! Beer!”

The stranger’s voice ripped Dean away from the horrors of the Mark’s control and he pulled away from her, eyes open in shock.

Maggie withdrew, concern painted on her usually unphased features. “I’ll… be right back, OK?” She tried to catch Dean’s eye but he was unsteady, gaze darting around in the void between them. “Hey! Don’t go anywhere.”

He considered it; how easy it would be to run away, bolt from his seat and peel away in the Impala. He could be four states away before Sam even noticed he was gone. Closing his eyes, Dean ran his hands down his face, hiding himself from the world. There was blood behind his eyes, death in his mind. He felt the Blade in his palm for a second and jolted out of his seat, afraid to look and find it in his hand.

Maggie was back before the stool settled on its feet.

She grabbed his hand before he could protest and dragged him into the back room, straight through the tiny, dirty kitchen, and out the back door.

The alley was dark and the air was blessedly cool.

Dean took a deep breath and tipped his head back, face lifting towards the midnight clouds. She squeezed his hand and he let go, realizing he had been holding on too tightly. “What are we doing?” he asked, voice cracking in the shadows.

She took a step back and leaned against the brick wall. “Thought you could use some air.” There was no judgement in her tone, nothing but genuine worry. “You gonna tell me what’s going on?”

Dean drew his bottom lip in between his teeth and bit down hard. He rubbed at his forearm and shook his head. “I… I can’t. You wouldn’t understand.”

“You can’t tell me or I wouldn’t understand? Too very different things, Dean.” She kicked a foot back and her heel caught on a groove in the bricks.

He shrugged. “Both? Neither? I don’t know.” His heart was heavy. “I feel like I’m losing myself again and I… I don’t want that.”

“No one would.”

He sighed and lifted his eyes to find her staring. “Why are you so-”

“What?”

“You’re so…”

She pushed off of the wall and moved towards him. “I’m so what? Annoying? Rude? Sexy? Chill? Pick a word, babe.”

He took a step and his soul reached for her.

“So… you.”

She laughed gently and rolled her pretty eyes. “I don’t know how to be anything else.”

Another step and he was in front of her, barely inches away. “That’s true isn’t it?” he asked, voice dropping to a deep whisper. “You can’t be anything else… but amazing.” His left hand lifted to her cheek, hovering there, asking, praying for permission.

Maggie touched his hand with her own and pushed it down, pressing his palm against her warm cheek.

“It’s OK, Dean,” she said softly, staring up at him with an open mind and a true heart. “Whatever it is, it’ll be OK. I promise.”

His fingertips pulsed on her skin. “And what if it’s not? What if I lose control again and-”

She pursed her lips and turned into his touch. Caressing his hand with her cheek. “We all lose it sometimes. What’s important is, we come back home.”

His chest was heaving, breaths pushing out quicker than he could draw them in. The Mark clawed at his soul but he refused to let it take over.

“I need-”

Maggie curled her fingers around his hand and pulled it gently from her cheek to her lips. “Tell me. Anything you need, I’ll-”

His body ached for her, but his heart reached out even more. “I need-”

Chocolate eyes looked up and Dean felt himself falling deeper into her, deeper into the feeling of her, the calmness of her touch.

“Tell me…”

It came out like a breath but she heard it, felt it, knew it.

“You.”

She didn’t wait and he was glad. If he had to hold back another second he was sure he’d die. As it was, Maggie took the lead, wrapping a warm hand around the back of his neck and drawing his lips down to hers. She kissed him sweetly at first, just a breath and a press of lips, but as his scent filled her mind, the kiss became harder, fuller. Her tongue darted between his lips and Dean took his first real breath in weeks. He drank her down, hands sliding around her body, holding her close as their lips pulsed together. He could almost feel her heartbeat, smell the blood flowing in her veins.

Even when she pulled back for air, he refused to let her go, closing his arms tighter and hugging her close. She relaxed against him, her face buried in the dip of his throat, ear against his chest. His heart was racing terribly fast and she pushed back to look him in the eye.

“Why don’t you come back inside and sit with me, OK?”

Dean’s jaw dropped but nothing came out, not even air. His muscles tensed as he looked down at her, once more seeing her mangled body lying at his feet, her blood coating his hands.

“Hey-” She rubbed a hand against his cheek, trying to pull him back. “Dean. I gotta stay here until two, but then we can close down and I can take you home, Alright? It’s like a quick hour. I promise.”

His fingers curled on the nape of her neck, blunt nails digging in as he tried in vain to shut out the Mark’s visions.

Maggie squirmed in his grasp, trying to get free. “Dean. You’re hurting me, come on. Snap out of it.”

The more blood he saw, the harder his grip became until Maggie’s hands were on his wrist, desperate to tear him off.

“Dean!”

Her screams echoed in his mind, bouncing around until he cringed and shut his eyes. His body was on fire. He flexed and tore, and Maggie slapped his face.

He startled, releasing her immediately and pressing a hand to his stinging face.

Maggie stumbled back and touched her neck, her hand coming away with a trace of blood.

“Dean, what the fuck?”

He gaped at the blood and his stomach churned. Wide eyed and terrified, he backed away, nearly tripping over his own feet as he tried to flee.

“Dean! It’s OK.” She wiped her hand on her jeans but his eyes would not leave the blood. He could taste it on his lips.

The Mark was hungry.

He blinked and saw the knife in his boot, the other in his belt.

He shook his head and saw her flayed open, eyes wide and helpless.

Dean stumbled backwards and hit the wall, his hands flying up to claw at his face. “Stop it!”

Maggie fell with him, falling to her knees on the asphalt, trying to steal his attention, get him to calm down. He was immovable, unreachable, growling at nothing, lost in his head.

He could see her face but it was drenched in blood. He could hear her voice but it was pained and shrieking.

“Please. Please! Stop it!”

Again and again, he beat his head backwards onto the bricks, but the pain did nothing to stop the visions.

Maggie left him; she had to. She shooed all the drunkards from the bar as quickly as she could, paying off their last rounds and locking the door behind them. She shut the lights, locked the register, grabbed her coat and raced back to the alley.

Barely fifteen minutes had gone by.

Dean was where she’d left him, huddled in a ball by the dumpster.

She stood in the doorway, single light above shining down on her like the light from Heaven.

Dean turned when she called his name and he looked up to see an angel moving towards him, raven hair glowing with haloed light, her kind face hidden in shadow, her hands soft yet commanding.

The screaming had stopped but something inside of him was broken. He couldn’t move on his own, couldn’t think. He let her stand him up, walk him to her car.

The little Toyota was a mess but he didn’t care. His boots crushed an empty can of Monster as he crammed his long legs into the passenger seat.

“Don’t mind the mess please,” she said with a smile.

Her voice was soothing but distant, his ears were ringing loudly.

Home wasn’t far from the bar and up just three flights of stairs. Dean followed like a zombie, not sure if he should turn and run or stay with her. When she looked back over her shoulder to make sure he was alright, there was no question left.

He needed to stay with her.

Needed to let her peel off his filthy clothes.

To let her guide him into the hot shower.

To relax as she washed the sweat from his hair, the grime from beneath his fingernails.

To breathe deeply and calmly as she toweled him off, not flinching as she ran her fingers cautiously over the scar on his forearm.

The Mark was calm for the moment, as if her touch could turn it off.

Dean lingered in a thoughtless limbo for hours as Maggie cared for him. She dressed him in an old t-shirt that had been left by an ex years ago and pajama pants she’d stolen from her brother last Christmas. She tucked him into her bed and lay with her chest against his back, gently running her hands down his arm, across his shoulders, through his damp hair. He never moved away, never hid from her touch.

She fell asleep sometime around four, but Dean was wide awake. He turned in her arms and pushed up on his elbow, looking down on her sleeping face.

She was beautiful and kind and everything that he needed in that moment, as well as rough and funny and smart and sassy and everything he needed every other time.

It seemed for a moment that she was all he’d ever need, all he’d ever want.

Maggie stirred as he swept a finger down her nose, her dark eyes popping open and a smile tickling her lips.

“You OK?”

Dean nodded and dropped down, his hand sliding back through her hair to hold her close. His lips brushed over hers and Maggie opened up to him, letting him in while sleep faded quickly away.

They tumbled on the bed, hurriedly stripping and reaching for the other. It was quick and sloppy, not either’s best work, but it didn’t matter. It was raw and real and Dean held onto her like he would die if they ever parted.

“You gonna tell me what’s going on?” Maggie asked, pouring him his second cup of coffee.

He took a sip and hissed at the heat. It tasted terrible, but it was strong. “Let’s just say I’m goin’ through something right now. Something bad.”

She set the carafe down on the table and took the seat across from him. “This have anything to do with the monsters you hunt?”

He looked up, shocked. “How do you-”

Maggie laughed, mug at her lips. “Dean, the whole town knows. Or thinks they do. Rumors are, after all, usually true.”

He smiled down into his coffee. “Why’d you never say anything?”

“What was I gonna say? Hey Dean, kill any vampires today? Here’s a beer.”

He laughed. “Yeah, I guess that woulda been a little awkward.”

“Have you?” she asked, leaning in closer.

“Have I what?”

“Killed any vampires? Are they real? Are they more Tom Cruise or Robert Pattinson?”

Dean nearly choked on his sip. “They are real. More… Buffy than sparkly. And yeah, I’ve killed hundreds. Probably upper hundreds, I don’t keep count.”

Maggie sat back and whistled, impressed. “That’s pretty awesome. So what else is real? Ghosts?”

Dean nodded affirmatively.

“Shit. OK…. werewolves?”

“Yup.”

“Damn. And you and your brother really go out and like kill these things? That’s what you do for a living?”

Dean sighed and nodded. Sam would be worried, he hadn’t even told him he was going out. “Yeah. We do.”

Maggie shook her head and stared at him in awe.

“What?”

She smiled. “You’re really amazing, you know that?”

His heart ached. If she knew how close he’d been to killing her last night, she might not think that way. “Not really.”

“Dean…” She reached for his hand, palm open on the table. He dropped his hand into hers. “You’re incredible. Don’t ever let yourself forget that.”

She squeezed his hand and Dean felt the familiar sting of tears as they formed behind his eyes.

He pulled away and cleared his throat.

“Thanks for the coffee,” he said, standing up and grabbing his jacket from the back of the chair. “And uh… for everything.”

Maggie nodded slowly, debating whether or not to ask him to stay. She was scared for him, worried if he left she’d never see him again.

“Anytime, Dean.”

He bent down and kissed her cheek. “I’ll see myself out.”

She held her breath as he walked away, only speaking again when she heard the squeak of the door.

“Hey, Dean?”

“Yeah?”

“You know where I am if you need me, OK?”

He swallowed hard and looked back over his shoulder, taking one last look.

“Thanks, Maggie.”

2023 Forever Tags (Always Open! Send an Ask!)

@aditimukul @agirlwithdemonblood @amanda-teaches @akshi8278 @alwayskeepfightingsweetheart @b3autyfuldisast3r @babysimpala @beardburnsupersoldiers @because-imma-lady-assface @bloodline1632 @charred-angelwings @chenshemesh1 @cosicas-cuquis @covered-byroses' @djs8891 @deanwinchesterswitch @deansyahtzee @feelmyroarrrr @foxyjwls007 @hobby27 @iamsapphine @idreamofdeanie @ilsawasanacrobat @impalaspixie @jawritter @justcallmeasmodeus @kazsrm67 @kittenofdoomage @leigh70 @lovealways-j @lyarr24 @mariekoukie6661 @maggiegirl17 @mistressofallthingsgeeky @pandaxo79 @peachy-vans @rachiem4-blog @roseblue373 @sacriceria @samwellwinchesterthebrave @sexyvixen7 @spideysimpossiblegirl @spnexploration @stevekempscocktails @the-wounded-healer05 @thoughts-and-funnies @vulgar-library 

[ginevrastilinski-ocs]

Glee OCs Masterlist [L-Z]

Name: Leabeth Ayre

Pronouns: she/her

Story: Untitled

LI: Jesse St James; endgame Rachel Berry

Quote: Hate and love be closer cousin than like and dislike.

Pinterest: TBD

FC: Halle Bailey

Name: Lexi Bowen

Pronouns: she/her

Story: Seasons Change

LI: Marley Rose

Quote: I was looked at, but I wasn't seen.

Pinterest: TBD

FC: Renee Rapp

Name: Lia Sylvester

Pronouns: she/her

Story: Untitled

LI: TBD

Quote: It takes strength to forgive, but I don't feel strong.

Pinterest: TBD

FC: Olivia Dejonge

Name: Linda Berry

Pronouns: she/her

Story: Untitled

LI: Jennifer Glynn

Quote: They can't order me to stop dreaming.

Pinterest: TBD

FC: Victoria Justice

Name: Luka Fabray

Pronouns: he/him

Story: Untitled

LI: Brittany Pierce

Quote: If it makes you happy it doesn't have to make sense to others.

Pinterest: TBD

FC: Austin Abrams

Name: Lula Delaney

Pronouns: she/her

Story: The Band And I

LI: TBD

Quote: All we needed were some good friends and a song to sing along.

Pinterest: TBD

FC: Lola Tung

Name: Lyra Wells

Pronouns: she/her

Story: Untitled

LI: Noah Puckerman; Mike Chang; endgame Jesse St. James

Quote: All I know is that I want to be on stage.

Pinterest: TBD

FC: Dove Cameron

Name: Mack Pierce

Pronouns: he/him

Story: Untitled

LI: Sam Evans & Blaine Anderson

Quote: I feel small but so are stars from a distance.

Pinterest: TBD

FC: Troye Sivan

Name: Manuel Navarez

Pronouns: he/him

Story: Untitled

LI: Sam Evans

Quote: He had those kind eyes that shone with the light of "everything will be ok".

Pinterest: TBD

FC: Taylor Zakhar-Perez

Name: Maya Puckerman

Pronouns: she/her

Story: Untitled

LI: Quinn Fabray; endgame Sam Evans

Quote: They whisper in the hallways, she's a bad, bad girl.

Pinterest: TBD

FC: Alexa Demie

Name: Melanie Jay

Pronouns: she/her

Story: Untitled

LI: Rachel Berry & Quinn Fabray

Quote: And I'm so sick of running as fast as I can, wondering if I'd get there quicker if I was man.

Pinterest: TBD

FC: Hailee Steinfeld

Name: Melody Wells

Pronouns: she/her

Story: Untitled

LI: Artie Abrams; endgame Santana Lopez & Brittany Pierce

Quote: Let kindness be the language of your heart.

Pinterest: TBD

FC: Dove Cameron

Name: Mirabelle Ryder

Pronouns: she/her

Story: Untitled

LI: TBD

Quote: I have spilt more blood and marked more bruises on the cheercourt than I will ever allow your hands to take from my thighs.

Pinterest: TBD

FC: Sofia Carson

Name: Nate Simmons

Pronouns: he/him

Story: True Colors

LI: Kurt Hummel & Blaine Anderson

Quote: You deserve the love you keep trying to give everyone else.

Pinterest: X

FC: Froy Gutierrez

Italian Squad: Betta Guidi - Davide Bernardi - Francesco Moretto - Lucia Bernardi

Name: Ramona Solomon

Pronouns: she/her

Story: Untitled

LI: Quinn Fabray

Quote: Women are considered fragile but i've never seen anything as easily wounded as a man's ego.

Pinterest: X

FC: Sarah Jeffery

Name: Ronnie Nell

Pronouns: she/her

Story: The Band And I

LI: Quinn Fabray

Quote: I let my music take me where my heart wants to go.

Pinterest: TBD

FC: Maya Hawke

Name: Susan Chaldar

Pronouns: she/her

Story: The Band And I

LI: N/A

Quote: I don't need a boyfriend to feel fulfilled.

Pinterest: TBD

FC: Auli'i Cravalho

Name: Tilly Mist

Pronouns: she/her

Story: The Rose Song

LI: Jean St James

Quote: I'm still trying everything to keep you looking at me.

Pinterest: TBD

FC: Chappell Roan

Name: Waverly Jones

Pronouns: she/her

Story: Untitled

LI: Emmett Dove

Quote: Oh, darling, all of the city lights never shine as bright as you eyes.

Pinterest: TBD

FC: Ayo Edebiri

Name: Zeke Wright

Pronouns: he/him

Story: Untitled

LI: TBD

Quote: And this is the part where you find out who you are.

Pinterest: TBD

FC: Ross Lynch

[campingbagandstuff]

.22/9.33 {Part 2 of 12}; 21

Rants & Music.𝟐: F Jordan Adetunji KEHLANI // A$AP rocky fashion killa ; peso // {[Charli xcx 360]} // libianca people // alessia cara here // Camila Cabello Ft. Playboi Carti I LUV IT the weekend, jenny, lily rose depp one of the girls // miley cyrus flowers; {[can 't be tamed; wrecking ball; we can't stop]} // French Montana ft. Swae Lee Unforgettable dua lipa houdini ; Oliver Tree & Robin Schulz Miss You // Mareux The Perfect Girl // ciara , chris brown how we roll // Artemas i like the way you kiss me the fratellis chelsea dagger // richie valens la bamba // corey hart sunglasses at night // toto africa // alessia cara here kool & the gang get down on it // pitbull / ft. kesha timber; " ft. neyo , afrojack , nayer give me everything // black eyed peas i gotta feeling // usher ft. lil john, ludacris yeah! LISA NEW WOMAN feat. Rosalí Mr. Probz Waves {Robin Schulz Remix Radio Edit} // Robin Schulz ft. Francesco Yates Sugar // eliza rose & interplanetary criminal B.O.T.A // Earth, Wind & Fire Let's Groove; september Duke Dumont I Got U ft. Jax Jones // Mark Morrison Return of the Mack // Peggy Gou (It Goes Like) Nanana // GloRilla / Wanna Be feat. Megan Thee Stallion; " ft. Moneybagg Yo All Dere Yemi Alade Amazing Grace // Aya Nakamura Hypé feat. Ayra Starr // lojay x SARS monalisa burna boy last last // Davido ft. Fave KANTE // Tekno Wayo // Olamide Metaverse Rema , Shallipopi BENIN BOYS // tyla water // ayra starr rush; commas;; Tems Love Me JeJe ; Me & U // Kizz Daniel, Tekno Buga Kenya Grace Strangers // Post Malone Circles // Franz Ferdinand Take Me Out // TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB | WHAT YOU KNOW ••}MGMT electric feel{ // capital cities safe & sound // vance joy riptide // The Verve Bitter Sweet Symphony Stardust Music Sounds Better With You // the chainsmokers roses // }twenty pilots stressed out{ // } saygrace ft. g easy you don't own me{ Lisa rockstar Naeyon / abcd " "POP!" Arctic Monkeys fluorescent adolescent Modest Mouse float on /The Killers/ somebody told me " mr brightside Stone Age Girls no one knows Aaron Smith dancing Egzod & Maestro Chives royalty Sarah McLachlan adia //Lana Del Rey// swan song money power & glory off to the races hit & run diet mountain dew national anthem kill kill //Swedish House Mafia// one (your name) " save the world {" ft. John Martin don't you worry child} Newcleus jam on it 1984 Lime babe we're gonna love tonight Dead or Alive you spin me round /Boney M/ ma baker " rasputin The Clash rock the casbah Jungle back on 74

[retrograderesemblance]

on the balcony in early morning,  where neighbors might see,  but no one will likely look.  (Clara @ Mack)

LOCATION  BASED  SMUT  PROMPTS // @pagetreader

Maybe he had overindulged, but whatever prior sickness had swept over him from the excessive amount of whiskey was instantly faded as he managed to find the woman's lips in the dark, his movements delayed, fumbled as he panted against her mouth, his hands tugging her skirts upward as he pressed her back more fully into the railing of the balcony.

He remembered whose idea this was at one point, but now the detail seemed trivial with what lights burned out or squelched in their shared room. The only thing that should have mattered was avoidance at being discovered, unless either of them wanted to get fined for indecency, but as he moved his mouth away from hers, sucking openmouthed kissed along her throat; when he pressed his hips forward against her middle, he couldn't prevent the groan that escaped him.

"Clara." He remembered her name too; perhaps a detail important above all else in their present entanglement.

[tellthemeerkatsitsfine]

Finished the latest episode of the Taskmaster podcast, and I have to say, I think I may have been right to feel, in some ways, almost more excited for Andy Zaltzman on the Taskmaster podcast than for Andy Zaltzman on Taskmaster. Because that's his role! That's what he does, comment on sports. Collate. Look at all the data, analyze the stats. Adjudicate. Bullshit. I've waited years to hear Andy Zaltzman bullshit about Taskmaster as though it's a cricket match, and now it's finally here.

One of my favourite Taskmaster podcast episodes ever, probably. I used to have a running list of my favourite episodes, there have now been too many for me to keep track in my head very well. Off the top of my head, as podcast guests I really liked Rose Matafeo, Jo Brand, Sarah Kendall, Mark Watson, Desiree Burch, SamCam, John Robins, Dave Gorman, Josh Widdicombe, Katy Wix, Romesh Ranganathan, Joe Thomas, Lee Mack. Put Zaltzman's episode up there with the best of them.

I also just love listening to people react to Andy Zaltzman. He was on the Gamble/Crosby Radio X show a couple of weeks ago, I listened to that and it was just great fun to hear him get to lob his bullshit at people who aren't quite so used to it. Crosby clearly knew his style, Gamble not so much. And Producer Vin asked him a question about cricket, which was adorable. It reminded me of how much I liked Vin. By the end of my binge listen to the Robins/James Radio X days, Vin was one of my favourite parts of it.

Anyway. Zaltzman's on top form here. Treating it like the utter bullshit sport it is, while knowing the secret that all sports are bullshit so Taskmaster's no different. Throwing Ed Gamble off by repeatedly finding new angles from which to sports commentate. Marking them down at the end because they didn't discuss cricket enough.

Although that does remind me, speaking of the end of the podcast, when Andy got to plug his own career - I have to add:

You sure you want to go down that road, Ed? You want to make jokes about someone else's podcast being so old that it started before the invention of radio? Because you're right, Andy Zaltzman has talked about how The Bugle is one of the oldest podcasts in British comedy, yet frustratingly cannot be the oldest, because his sister Helen Zaltzman (I've just remembered she used to live with Matthew Crosby, so a recent Radio X interview was definitely far from Crosby's first introduction to the Zaltzman bullshit) started her first podcast in spring 2007, a few months before The Bugle started in October 2007. But I think there might have been another British comedy podcast that also started just a few months before The Bugle, and that has also discussed its claim as being among the first of its kind. And I think it might be in Ed Gamble's interest to not have people Google that in 2024.

[lanaactuallyabanana]

Okay- Okay- Okay! Soooo, hear me out on this one!

Headcannons or a oneshot of...

Reader, gn or fem, I don't mind which, is the older sibling of Ranboo. So obviously, being the cool asf and totally straight sibling that reader is, they randomly show up at Ranboo's apartment one day with a ton of baked goods cause they run a little Bakery back in California. Ranboo doesn't know this, and they're playing a horror game so any noises of doors opening or closing just seem like apart of the game they are playing. So reader naturally scares Ranboo by sneaking up behind him. So that leads to two things. One, reader getting whacked in the face due to Ranboo's reflexes. Two, that leads to a ton of questions from chat on who the heck Reader is.

Take your time on this one! Make sure to eat, drink, and take all the time you need on this!!

-Mackenzieeeee :))))))

omg kenzie. all hail kenzie for their amazing asks wtf ur filling my inbox with beauty and i cannot repay for it ily so fucking much holy shit ur so cool @catswithroses (also is this header cutesies or what oml) also lana is back in her writing actual fics and not just headcanons everyone yippee!!!!! AND BEFORE A BITCH SAYS SOMETHING, MACARON IS PRONOUCED MACK-UH-RON. NOT MACK-UH-ROON. WRONG FUCKING DESERT.

ranboo x fem!reader (platonic, sibling dymanic)

, smelling something sweet !!

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶

Ran and Y/n have always had a dynamic as siblings. See, when you typically hear about siblings in a novella such as this, you most likely think of young kids fighting and arguing with one another over the most silliest of things. But, to your dismay, these two never had such a duo like that. They were simple but yet so unique as siblings. And that's what made them special.

Y/n was constantly in touch with Ran, she felt a need as an older sister to check up on them, as would any sister do. Ran had previously lived in another part of the world, England, for a little while, but had moved back to California not so long ago. They lived in a smaller apartment (a shit one, according to Ranboo themselves), and Y/n quite liked to visit them every once in a while. It was an easy thing for Y/n to do, as she owned a bakery around 30 minutes away from his place. Y/n had closed early for the day, deciding to visit and deliver her most popular and desired treat (one that Ran couldn't resist), elderflower and rose macarons. She packed her deserts in a purple tupperware container, and placed them in the passenger seat of her car.

Soon enough, she arrived at his place. She entered through the door using the spare key he had given her, and looked around his place. It was surprisingly clean, he must have had a friend come over and help him clean. As she was admiring his polaroid's on the kitchen wall, she heard her brother yell. Her eyes widened in confused, and checked her phone.

RanbooLive is now streaming! "WOOO HORROR GAME LETS GO"

She laughed at herself. No wonder why he was yelling. She opened up the stream and saw his setup, facecam was on and he was playing some horror game that she didn't recognize. She noticed on his facecam that she would have a perfect entry for them not to hear her, considering he also had headphones on. Y/n smirked deviously. She placed her phone in her pocket, and held the baked goods in her arms tightly. She slowly creeped towards the office door.

See, reader, Ranboo was in their own state. They were unable to truly focus around anything around them (which is most likely a hazard) due to how realistic the game seemed. Footsteps, wood creaking, whispers, and rumbles were just all part of the game.

Now that you know that, Y/n quietly snuck behind Ranboo, seeing herself in the facecam. She paused for a second, looking at the chat.

mcytfan765_ : erm

ilovedinosaurs474: who is that??

biolevded: ranboo has stalked confirmed

Y/n giggled to herself at the chats. She waved and smiled quietly at the camera. Ranboo, somehow, is still entirely clueless and very focused to one singular monitor that has the game on it.

Ranboo turns his head to the side in confusion slowly, but still remains focused to the game. "Guys, I swear this game has a placebo or whatever you call it cause I'm smelling something sweet right now."

Y/n took that as her cue, and screamed.

Ran's eye's widened and they fell off their chair entirely.

Let's just say we got a clip-worthy moment between the two siblings.

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶

hehehe i love this fic its so silly!! its also short n' sweet but i love it!!

tysm to @catswithroses for the wonderful request, both jackie and kenzie feeding me with these asks yum yum

if you liked this, please support me by liking, reblogging, commenting and following me!!

requests are open!

[ladylooch]

Take What You Need - [Mack X David]

A/N: Idk if you all are ready. But here we are. I would like to thank Starbucks for their gracious hosting of me while my internet tried to cockblock Mack and David harder than Lucie and Con. And I would like to thank my vanilla oat milk latte for helping me power through. Also, I can’t post this without thanking the bestest of the besties @casualhilarity. I’d be lost in this world without you 😭 This one is for you!

Enjoy 6.7k words of Mackenzie Hischier and David Carlson finally giving in.

Mack’s eye open as the wheels of the Airbus A340-300 slap down on the tarmac at JFK. The roar from the massive plane breaking on the asphalt roars through her audiobook as she blinks away her dreamless sleep. 

“On behalf of our flight crew at Swiss Air, we are excited to be the first ones to welcome you to New York City…”

Mack stretches her neck, looking over at the woman next to her, still engrossed with her book. To the left, Mack can see the skyline outlining the metropolis she calls home for now. Her eyes scan over the buildings as she bites her lip.

Good to be home, she murmurs internally. 

Good to be back in the place she went running from two weeks ago. 

14 days ago to the day, she laid awake at Lucie’s unable to stop thinking about the mustached man tucked away in his apartment. She kept tossing and turning, trying to decide what she wanted to do with David Carlson and his insistent proposition. When no clear decision came to her, Mack did what she does best and dove into work. An opportunity had been in her inbox in the morning and she jumped to take it. It just happened to be in Switzerland. Perplexingly, Mack hasn’t heard from David since that night either. No cheeky texts. No general inquires. Nothing. Not even when she has been missing from Stella’s dance recital. Mack had talked to Lucie a few days ago, but she didn’t bring up David or if he was asking about her either. 

Fine. She didn’t care anyway. I guess that tells her more about her answer than any forced proximity or space would. She isn’t interested. Next time she sees him, her answer will be a firm and resounding no.

“Ms. Hischier, always a joy to have you on board.” One of the pilots, Bruno, nods in greeting when Mack gets to the plane door. “We hope to see you again soon on Swiss Air.” This personal treatment always happens on this airline, dating back to when she was a kid and her dad had a partnership deal with them. She remembers getting a pair of clip on wings every flight to and from Switzerland while hanging from her mom’s hand. 

“I’m sure you will.” She jokes. “Thanks for the smooth flight.” 

Mack turns out of the plane, ready to begin her long journey home. She glides through customs easily with her global entry and dual citizenship, thanks mom and dad, then rushes to grab her bag from the baggage carousel. When she finds the sleek black case, she hoists it off. With the wheels spinning next to her, she hails a cab, then nestles in for her ride home. She tips the driver, then smiles at Ron, her doorman, coming down the stairs to open the door for her.

“Back sooner than usual, Ms. Hischier.” Ron greets her.

“Work trip, so not much family time.” She is more than capable of carrying her bag up the stairs, but every time he insists for her. He grabs the door, twirling the handle of her suitcase back to her.

“You should stop by the desk before you head up. There is a delivery for you.” The delivery in question is visible from the door. A beautiful vase of hydrangeas, roses and lilies in various shades of pink has a card peaking out from the top. She knows who they are from before she even reads the note. 

Sorry we missed you, Mackie! Hope these brighten your other home for you. We love you! 

See you next month. Love, Mom and Dad.

Mack smiles, snapping a picture and sending it off to the two people she didn’t get to see when she was home. Her parents had a pre-scheduled Mediterranean vacation. They tried to come home early when they heard she was in Switzerland. Mack had thrown a fit, insisting they couldn’t possibly change plans because of her. Her parents rarely get time away from Switzerland. The would surly be in New York again soon to visit. She would see them, apparently, in a month.

Tiredly, Mack goes upstairs, unlocking her apartment and falling into bed face down. She curls into her pillow, the sheets she washed before she left. She knows she should get up, not give in to the sleep whispering seductively in her brain, but she can’t help it. Her bed is too welcoming. She falls asleep curled into a comma on top of her comforter. it is dark outside when she wakes up.

“Shit.” She moans to herself, smacking her face with her palm. She is going to be up all night. She grabs her phone, scanning through her texts. There is one from her parents, a picture of them drinking umbrella drinks on a rooftop overlooking the sea. The others are from her older sister, asking if she is still coming over for dinner tonight.

I hate when you do this 🙄 Tacos are at 6. Let me know if you aren’t coming so I don’t worry.

Sorry, I fell asleep. I’m on my way.

It’s 5:38. She should be able to make it on time for dinner.

When Mack walks out of the elevator on Connor and Lucie’s floor, her heart begins to pound excitedly at the person standing outside of their door. Stella Wood is wrapped around David’s leg, begging him not to go. All the pretending that Mack doesn’t want the man in front of her evaporates. As if she hasn’t been gone for two weeks, Mack’s internal turmoil begins to churn where it left off. She longs to touch him even with the knowledge that they can’t be so forward about such things in front of present company. If they were alone, she would run her fingers through his black hair and lean in slightly to kiss him, knowing he would go most of the way to her anyway.

“Stelly, I gotta. I’m meeting a friend.” David pats the young girl’s hair lovingly with his palm.

“You’re so secretive about this friend.” Connor jokes as Mack gets closer. Her stomach tightens then swirls. The recklessness of such a reaction has Mack’s steps faltering. Friend? What friend. David and Connor glance over to Mack as they hear her footsteps swipe along the carpet. David grins at her, making Mack’s chest even tighter.

“Welcome home.” David murmurs as she comes to a stop to his right. He looks so handsome and sexy. He is dressed in a pair of nice, worn in jeans. There is a bulge in his back pocket where his wallet rests. A dark wool coat drapes over his big shoulders while underneath is a waffled, cream sweater. On his feet brown dress boots are tied tightly, looking new and rarely worn.

“Thanks.” 

“You fell asleep?” Connor asks.

“Yeah.”

“You’re fucked.”

“Yeah, I know. I travel internationally more than you, bud.” She pats Connor’s arm as she walks between the boys and into the apartment. Mack withstands the urge to inhale David’s scent as she does.

“That is why she is my least favorite sister in law.” Connor jokes to David.

“Ha-ha.” Mack shoves Connor’s ass with her Ugg boot. 

“So who is this friend?” Connor asks David again, clearly not wanting to let it go. Mack glances at David who is staring beyond his teammate at her.

“Just someone from home.” He says. He licks his lips, then pulls his gaze off Mack as she walks away to say hi to her niece. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Bye, David! Keep my husband in line on the road!” Lucie yells from the kitchen.

“Luc, I don’t think you know what you ask of me.” David calls back to her.

“Dude.” Connor snaps, slapping David’s stomach. “Tell her the truth.”

“He is lame as hell.” David confirms.

“Yeah, baby, I’m lame as hell.” Connor repeats.

“I’m sure you are.” Lucie nods. David tosses another wave to the group then leaves. Slight disappointment, scratches at Mack’s eyes. “Hi Mackie.” Lucie opens her arms for her sister. Mack curls into her, wanting to lay on her shoulder for a minute. “Oh, she so sleepy. Did you miss mom and dad on your trip? Apparently they are in Greece?” Lucie pets her hair for a moment.

“Yeah, I missed them by a day.”

“Mack.” Lucie rolls her eyes. “You could have stayed another day to say hi.”

“I could have.” Mack nods, reaching into the shredded cheese bowl and grabbing a pinch to eat. “But I know they’ll be here soon anyway. Apparently in a month?”

“You and I are not the same.”

“Nope.” Mack sighs. “Do you need help?”

“Can you bring all the toppings to the table?” Mack nods. “Stell, please go wash your hands. Bring your daddy too!” 

The rest of the night is spent munching on tacos, talking about Mack’s travel, and Connor’s upcoming road trip. Then they each have a homemade cookie, ice cream sandwich, with sprinkles wrapped around the ice cream filling. Lucie made them and wants everyone’s honest feedback. They all agree, even picky Stella, they are a 10! 

“Is David back from his date yet? He should come try one.”

“He says it wasn’t a date.” Connor shrugs.

“Then why is he so weird about who it was with?”

“I don’t know. He is kinda weird about his Iowa life.” Connor mumbles. “Probably because big city women don’t get it.” 

“I apologized.” Mack snips. 

“He really appreciated it.” Connor says sincerely. Mack knows that. She can still feel his lips on hers weeks later. “I’ll text him babe.” Connor says to Lucie. “What do you want to watch?”

“You two pick. I’m going to get Stell ready for bed.”

Mack takes the remote from Connor, who seems more interested in watching reels to pick an actual movie or show to watch. A knock sounds at the door as she is reading the summary of a documentary on the Ocean.

“No, I don’t wanna learn.” Connor instantly nixes what is on the screen as he stands up.

“You’ve never learned a thing in your life.” Mack snorts. Connor opens the door. 

“See.. this… right here, Mack.” He snaps her fingers to get her attention. She looks over her shoulder, then startles a bit at seeing David with a 12 pack of Modelo. “This is a good friend.”

“Cause he brings beer?” Mack laughs. “Your standards are impossibly low, Wood.” 

“And yet I bagged your sister.”

“Yes, because her standards are impossibly low.” 

“Says the girl no one is good enough for.” David murmurs, then drops a bottle of beer over her right shoulder. 

“I need a bottle opener.” David takes the bottle back, cracks the top open with the ring on his right hand, then hands it back to her. “Here, princess.” He is in a mood. Mack furrows her eyebrows, watching as he plops down on the couch next to her. He tips the bottle back, glugging down half of it.

“Dude, what is up?” Connor asks, sensing the angst in his teammate like Mack.

“Dinner didn’t go well.” 

“She wouldn’t come back to your place?” Connor moves into the kitchen with the rest of the beer.

“It wasn’t with a she.” David rolls his eyes. “It was with my shithead brother.”

“Which one?”

“Exactly.” David scoffs, slumping down more on the couch. He widens his thighs farther apart, jiggling his left foot anxiously. Connor continues to put beer away in the fridge. Mack observes David’s down posture, hating the way he looks so frustrated and deflated. 

“What happened?” She asks quietly to David. He turns to look at her. His eyes scour over her face, almost like he is trying to decide if he trusts her. Then he sighs and looks away.

“He asked me for money. And a lawyer. That’s all he ever wants from me.” He mutters, shaking his head again. Mack remembers her conversation with Lucie in the bathroom before the mentor’s trip. How his brothers both have significant issues and use David for what they want.

“I’m sorry.” She says sincerely, a deep frown pulling her mouth down. He looks over at her again, licking his lips. Lucie calls Connor from Stella’s room. Mack and David are quiet as he goes to join his girls down the hall.

“You go to Switzerland to get out of giving me an answer?” David immediately changes the subject when Connor is gone.

“No.” She answers anxiously. Neither of them are convinced.

“Blink if it’s yes.” He grins at her.

“Oh shut up.” She rolls her eyes, pushing his thigh with her foot. He captures it in his hand, holding it hostage. His fingers on her has her heartbeat pounding in her ribs. So much for firmly saying no to this man. God, what is happening to her? 

“Don’t blink, baby.” His voice lowers, getting husky around the edges as he devours her with his eyes. That’s what is happening to her. His pull is too strong for her to overcome. Mack’s lashes flutter from the heat and need she instantly feels building in her core 

“Mackncheeeee.” He sing-songs, holding the vowel at the end of her nickname. He leans over and nips right behind her ear. 

“Oh my god.” She startles, then shoves him back into his spot. They both notice how her fingers stay curled into his cream sweater, like she can’t decide if she wants him to stay there or pull him back over to her. One by one, she releases them, then puts her hand on her own chest.

“I’m going to make an excuse to leave and go back to my place. Meet me down there.” He reaches out, cupping her cheek. Mack turns into his touch. This lingering decision cannot be put off any more. Her eyes hesitantly reach his. He wants her. His green eyes burn with liquified fire for her. Mack chews her bottom lip as David finish his beer, then stands. He tosses his bottle in the recycling bin, then goes down to say goodbye to Connor and Lucie. He goes back to the freezer, grabbing an ice cream sandwich that Mack is sure Lucie insisted he needed to take.

He comes into the living room again, stroking along Mack’s cheek before he teases her lips with his. His thumb traces down the center of her throat as their eyes stare. Then, without any confirmation that she is coming, David leaves. Mack’s whole body stays still. She tentatively breathes, mind running a million miles an hour. She closes her eyes, swallowing hard, then opens them when Lucie and Connor come down the hall together. 

“What are we watching?” Her sister wonders.

“Um, I actually have to go.”

“Oh, are you okay?” Lucie asks. Mack nods her head.

“Do you need some water or-”

“No. I just need to go.” Mack insists, standing up.

“Are you okay to go by yourself? Connor, walk her-“

“No. I’m good.” Mack nods, then gives a faint smile. 

After rushed goodbyes, Mack’s back hits the steel of the elevator. The box descends. She waits for the door to open on David’s floor. She pauses in the doorway, licking her lips, so nervous for what she is about to do. Then she shakes her head, turning to the left, walking down to the one with the 4 numbers of his unit beside it. She stares at the grey door, imagining him tucked behind it, waiting for her. A shiver of pleasure zig-zags from her scalp to her toes. She raises her hand and knocks. His soft footsteps come closer to the door. She looks down at her boots. The lock flips. She raises her gaze and meets his head on. 

David slowly opens the door, then leans his shoulder against it. He cocks an eyebrow at Mack. 

Leap! Her need roars. So she does.

“Yes.” She whispers. His second eyebrow dashes up, his mouth drops a little open. 

“Say it again.” He demands.

“Yes.” Mack says more forcefully, then she stuffs the last remaining shred of doubt down deep into her stomach for another time.

Mack shoves David back into his apartment with two palms on his chest. David barely gets the door shut behind her, their mouths attacking each other. As she pushes him farther back, he wraps his arms around her. Mack places his back against the opposite wall, near his living room. She loosens her grip now that she has the leverage of the wall.  David takes advantage of the opportunity to twirl her, then pin her against the wall with his hips. 

His hands slide down to grab her wrists, bringing them up by her head and pinning them there. She moans into his mouth. He loosens his grip in response, moving his hands around her waist again to eagerly pull her flush against him. She brings her hands to his hair and shoulder. His hands glide from her waist to connect with the backs of her thighs, hoisting her up. Mack clings to him like she did a few weeks ago, unable to get close enough to his heat.

They roll down the hallway to, presumably, his bedroom. Mack has never been here and as much as she wants to look around, she wants him to fuck her more. She reaches down, between their abdomens, rolling her hips back so it will fit. His hands on her ass dig in, wanting to keep her close. He lowers her a bit, letting the apex of her thighs hit the hard erection she was working towards. Mack shudders at how large he feels. She knows, without even seeing it, he will be the biggest she has ever had. David must sense her hesitation.

“I’ll make it good, honey. I know how to use it.” He murmurs. His tone is the sexiest and sweetest elixir of temptation. 

Into his bedroom, David strides. Mack pulls back from him, looking down at his face. He smiles at her. She smiles back, then purses her lips, feeling excited flutters assault the walls of her stomach. His palms let her legs slide down until her feet touch the floor again. She steps to the left, he turns to follow her, his back towards the bed. She forces him down, standing triumphantly between his spread thighs. Teasingly, she pulls her shirt up over her head, leaving her in the lace bralette she put on just in case. David’s green eyes feast on her as she loses that too. It falls to the floor. She pauses, nodding at him to take something off. He sheds his sweater fast, exposing an incredible body, taut from hockey and farming. Fuck, he is so hot. It makes Mack’s brain dizzy and her pussy clench around a frustrating emptiness.

David’s fingers wander to the belt on his jeans, opening it up. He pops the button and zipper down too, almost looking relieved to not have his dick confined so tightly anymore. He lifts his hips, working them to his ankles. Mack leans forward, putting a palm on his abdomen, scraping her nails down the hard ridges until she gets to the Calvin Klein waistband. Her fingers grip the white elastic, then tug. She watches with glittering eyes as his cock springs free. She inhales heavily. David watches her with such intensity, like he can know every thought of hers if he doesn't take his eyes off her face. She bites her lip, swarming butterflies filling her stomach with anticipation of having him buried deep inside of her soaked core. Her pussy flutters again then she backs up as David sits up. He presses his mouth to her abdomen.

“Wanna see you.” He murmurs, grabbing the waistband of her leggings and tugging down. He brings her panties with, practically sneering at the wet trail down Mack’s thighs from how drenched she is. “So wet for me.” He mumbles. “Been wondering how you taste here.” 

His fingers slide through insistently, confidently, like he’s been there hundreds of times. Mack can’t help but wondering if he has in his mind. All the times he touched himself to the thought of her. She spreads her thighs wider, swaying forward when he rolls her clit once. David’s hand goes around to her back and he forces her more forward until she falls. Her palms hit the bed, catching her momentum as he explores her folds with his more dominant hand.

His fingers play with her slickness, gathering more from her entrance and spreading it against her clit. Mack moans urgently. David grabs the back of her thigh, then glides his fingers down to her knee, lifting. He maneuvers out from between her legs, then gets on his knees behind her. Mack’s eyebrows furrow, she is about to ask him where he is going with this when she feels his mouth against her folds. She jolts forward. He brings a hand up to her hip to steady her. Mack arches into his tongue swimming through her folds, on it’s way to her clit.

“Holy.” Mack squeaks. This is far from Mack’s first time, but the way he sucks her clit brings new sensations to her core. She falls a bit more forward, gripping the sheets in front of her. “Oh…” She says again. She starts saying words before she even has time to think of them, completely uninhibited squeals streaming from her lips. 

David devours her pussy like it’s his favorite meal and he’s been starved for days. His tongue does a majority or the stroking and building. Then he goes in for the kill, sucking her sensitive bud into his mouth, rolling and prodding, until Mack’s legs and arms start to shake. She comes hard, wetness dripping down from her entrance and collecting on his chin. In thirty seconds, he has ripped her first orgasm from deep in her core. 

Mack blinks rapidly, trying to catch her breath. She looks down at her hands fisting the comforter, trying to release them but she can’t. That’s when she realizes she is still coming. She jolts against his face again. His nose bumps her clit as he kisses his way out from between her thighs.

Once will not be enough with him. Any hope of that is dashed.

“You taste so good for me.” He murmurs. “Sweet and desperate. You been desperate for me, Mack?” She swallows hard, closing her eyes and nodding. “Never thought I’d see you speechless.”

“I-I- Oh.” She finished with a profound moan as he glides a finger into her entrance. She clenches around it desperately. 

“Need me so bad, huh, honey? Need this cock to split you open?” His filthy words have her collapsing forward, losing the battle of staying upright. David taps her hip. “Lay on your back.” Mack rolls compliantly. He climbs onto the bed beside her, long hard cock bouncing with each of his movements. Mack reaches for it.

“Not yet. Trust me.” He murmurs, leaning down to kiss her. She can taste herself on him, melting into the bed as he swipes along her right nipple. His lips coast along hers, dropping lazy and wet smooches. Mack moans loudly as his fingers glide over her soaked folds, rolling her clit gently, careful not to overstimulate her, then fills her entrance with them. “Those skinny Swiss boys you hook up with make you feel like this? Heard that’s your type.”

“No.” Mack chokes.

“Didn’t think so. You need to be fucked by a real man.” He lays on his side next to her, playing between her legs like he has all day to pleasure her. “Didn’t think I could take care of you?” He stuffs a third finger in. Mack gasps, feeling the stretch. “This is how big I am.” He coos to her. Mack gets wetter, they both feel it. He grins, kissing her neck. “My needy girl. Show me you can take this cock.” He begins thrusting harder into her. Mack’s hips shift up, searching for more. He stretches his fingers, then curls the pad of his middle one up to circle her velvet button.

“C-close, Davi-d…”

“Yeah you fucking are. Let go for me, honey.” Mack’s whole body tenses, legs shaking violently on his sheets.

“Oh fuck.” Mack groans, jolting forward as a second, harder orgasm grips her. She turns on her hip towards David, thrusting down onto his hand. Her thigh hits his hip. He pulls her close. She can feel his dick against her other leg as she shakes. Her whole body seems to grip his fingers, pulling them deeper.

“That’s it, baby. Use me. Take what you need.” Mack groans as she goes limp when her orgasm completely releases. Her limbs have turned to gelatin. She no longer can speak, barely breathing, and he hasn’t even put himself inside of her yet. While Mack recovers, David kisses along her face for a few more moments, taking the limited breath she is capable of breathing right now. Then he rolls away from her. Mack closes her eyes, trying to refocus. 

David reaches to his bedside table. He grabs a foiled condom, tearing it open with his teeth before rolling it down his shaft. Mack watches, lip folded between her teeth. He didn’t even ask. He just did it out of respect for her, not putting her in the awkward position to say yes and then watch how disappointed he is at her answer. At least in her previous experience.

“Ready for one last ride, baby?”

“Wha-?”

Suddenly, David has her on top of him. She looks down anxiously, feeling how unsteady her legs and core already are. Her muscles still shake. There is no way she has the strength for this. 

“David, I can’t…” 

“Shhhhh baby, you think I’m gonna make you work now?” He chuckles lowly at her confusion, plants his feet flat on the mattress and grips her hips in both hands, “I got you baby.”

He glides her carefully down his cock. The stretch is a pinch, even with his fingers preparing her, it stings for a few moments. He rocks her forward and back, getting her comfortable, watching her face. Her moan croaks from her chest when the pinch turns to raw pleasure. Mack jolts forward as David thrusts up into her, hands scrabbling on his chest to hold herself up as he fucks deep up inside her, hitting her spot with every thrust.

“Oh, oh, oh, oh.” Mack hears herself moaning. “Oh fuck. Oh mygOD.” She cries out. “Don’t stop.” She bites down hard on his shoulder. David moans loudly at the pain.

“Feel so fucking good for me, Mackenzie. Such a good fucking girl, aren’t you? You like big cock, huh?”

“Yes! Yes!” Mack yells back. “David, I’m… oh shit…” Mack feels the creamy release of the most intense orgasm of her life slide down his latex wrapped shaft, collecting on his balls and making a mess between her thighs. David enjoys the feeling of her coming undone on his cock. She clenches down tighter. This spurs him on more as his jerky thrusts chase his own white hot release. He falls into it seconds later, turning his face into her hair, moaning her name desperately, holding her to him like she’s his only tie to this planet.

David reaches around Mack’s spent body. He grips the latex at the bottom of his shaft, then gently eases out of her. Mack whimpers at how empty she feels without him, pressing her face deeper into his neck. His head and shoulder lean down as an attempt to hug her head.

“You okay, pretty girl?” Mack nods, then kisses his throat. He hums in appreciation of her gesture. “I’m going to take care of this okay?”

“No. Not yet.” She whispers.

The second his skin moves from hers, reality is going to begin to descend- what they just did, how he made her feel, the things they said to each other. It’s going to be a cold bath of the truth Mack isn’t ready. She wants to stay here for hours until she can memorize every part of what they just experienced. David kisses her forehead, feathering his fingers over her spine.

This continues for several more minutes of quiet contentment. Then, when the reality of a leaking mess is close, he moves her to the side, off his chest. His hand runs the length of her body. After, he struts to the bathroom, holding the latex tight to his softening form.

Mack rolls to her back, trying to put words to what she feels. Before this moment, sex had always been so transactional. You help me, I help you. We feel someone else’s touch besides our own and go our separate ways. Never has it felt like that. She never craved sex before. She liked it, had fun plenty of times, but it was never an all consuming fuckfest focused on her pleasure.

Mack hears the shower turn on in the adjoining bathroom. Apparently he is a shower after sex kinda guy. For some reason, that really bothers Mack. She wants to go home smelling like him and he can’t wait to wash her off? She sits up, glancing around for her clothes. She avoids David’s gaze as he comes out of the bathroom. She is trying to decide how to get off the bed without smearing what is on her thighs across the sheets when David comes over, holding a hand out to her. She takes it and he pulls her up, putting an arm under her knees. He carries her into the bathroom then delicately puts her feet on the bath rug. He lets her test her weight on her legs. They both see how she is basically Ariel coming out of the sea for the first time, so he keeps an arm wrapped around her waist as he test the temperature of the water.

For once, Mack and David are quiet within each other’s presence. David washes her hair and skin, sudsing her up with no hidden agenda, taking care of her worn out body. She holds onto his back or hip or stomach the entire time, needing to be close to him as he attentively loves on her body. When they are both clean, David pulls her into his chest, turning so her back is hitting the steam, but her face remains out. He presses his mouth to the top of her head, swaying them gently. Mack could fall asleep right here with him in this warm and comfortable cocoon. 

“Done?” He murmurs a few moments later. Mack nods. They step out together. David wraps her up in a fluffy towel. “I don’t really… have any um, lotion or anything?” He says, but brings out what he does. She sees CeraVe daily moisturizer and figures that is enough for now. He watches her smooth it out on her cheeks. She holds up some extra on her fingers. 

“You need some?” 

“Mhm.” He murmurs, presenting his face at her. While she works it over his skin, he makes funny faces at her. She chuckles. His eyes are closed, so he uses her hips as a steadying anchor for him. 

“All done.” She tells him, rubbing the rest into her hands. 

“Am I as pretty as you now?” Mack blushes. 

“Close.” David nibbles at his mustache as he looks at her intently. Mack looks away, seeing so many emotions and words that it is too early to talk about. They walk together into his bedroom. Mack glances at her clothes again, then walks over to where her shirt is. 

“Don’t you dare. We sleep naked in this house.” The question hangs in the air. Is she staying? Or is she going? To both of their surprise, Mack drops the towel and gets back into the sheets they ruined earlier in the evening. David slides in next to her and without hesitation, pulls her into his arms. “Are you comfortable?” He asks her.

“I usually sleep on my right side.” She is currently on her left. She didn’t want to turn her back to him immediately, feeling that was rude. He lifts the covers so she can roll. She does, then nuzzles her bare backside into his bare front. She closes her eyes, feeling his cock stir against her still puffy lips. She is going to be sore in the morning.

David holds her tight to his chest. Mack trails her nails over his forearm, feeling the heaviness of her eyes. She thought she would be up all night. 

Luckily, David found the solution to her jet-lag.

- - - 

In her dream, Mack is wrapped up in a cozy blanket at her parents cabin in the Swiss mountains. The fireplace pops in front of her as she wiggles her way deeper into the warmth of the fluff. A bit of sweat is forming at her hairline, but the comfortable feeling outweighs everything else. Someone is under the blanket with her. She can’t tell who in her dream, but his light breathing tickles her hair as she looks out at the falling snow. 

Her eyes suddenly get lighter and pop open. Gone is the Swiss snow and in its place is a room she has never seen before. Was this the dream instead? She inhales, then stiffens in the heavy arms wrapped under and around her. What the-

“Don’t get weird on me, Hischier.” David mumbles sleepily behind her. The rush of memories crash into her. Their lips and the desperation and the steamy connection. Mack gets warm instantly, inhaling heavily, but relaxes into his body. She brings her arm out of the covers, hoping to release some of the furnace under the blankets with them. Damn, he is burning hot behind her.

He runs his finger tips along her arm, easing forward to kiss her shoulder. Mack sighs, pressing her hips back into his. She can feel his solid length pressing into her cheeks, then the awareness of a dull ache between her legs. Despite that, her nipples tighten as David continues to gently stroke her skin. Her hips instinctively press back into him more, giving David all the approvals for a playful morning.

From her arm, his fingers glide across her chest, playing with each nipple until they are aching point, sending pleasureful need to her throbbing clit. His fingers work their way there soon. Mack spreads her legs eagerly for him, pressing down into his touch.

“You like helping.” He mumbles gruffly. His rough voice coated in sleep makes her wetter. She loves the idea of being the first thing he has in the morning.

David’s fingers continue their lazy wander, working her up. He alternates between thumbing her nipples and rolling her clit with two fingers. Then he does both, catching Mack’s head on his shoulder as she moans.

“Needed a real man to touch you, hmm? Never felt like this before have you? Practically coming the second I touch you.” She nods. Then he moves south, the pain of his finger tip circling her sore entrance is too much for her to work though.

“I-I’m too sore for that.” She murmurs regretfully. He backs off immediately.

“S’okay, honey. You’ll get used to me.” He kisses her neck softly. His fingers glide up her slickness to rest against her clit again. “This okay?” He asks. She nods eagerly. He rolls the pads over her, taking his time so he can memorize every curve and place that makes Mack press harder against his firm cock. He settles himself slightly between her cheeks, then rubs her to her morning bliss. She comes with a soft cry of his name, so much gentler than last night. He finishes her off with a kiss on the back of her neck. Her eyes are closed, but she brings her hand around to his hip, holding him while she recovers.

Mack feels more than hears David get out of bed. She turns, surprised.

“As much as I want to do that about three more times, I’ve gotta get going.” He tells her questioning look. He walks into the bathroom, shutting the door. When he comes back, Mack is waiting for an answer, blanket tucked under her arm pits. “I’m heading to practice, then we are heading on the road immediately after.”

“Oh. Yeah.” She remembers. She lays back into her pillow, yawning.

“You even do that cute.” He chuckles. Mack smiles at him, but has to roll her eyes too. Now he’s just sucking up.

Mack watches him get ready, stuffing down the disappointment she feels at him disappearing from New York for a few days. She wants to ask him when he will be back, but she doesn’t want to appear desperate. Well, any more than she already has in the past 12 hours. After putting a suit on, he goes back into the bathroom then emerges with a travel bag. He tosses it into the duffle bag on a chair by the door, then zips it up. Mack can see the LV on the black leather from here. It surprises her. She wouldn’t pick David for a designer kind of guy. 

He comes over to her side of the bed, putting his palms on either side of her to lock her in place. She drinks him in, admiring the complimentary tailoring of his green suit. It makes his eyes look like exploding emeralds, especially in the morning light filtering in. His black tie swings down by her chest. She grips it, tugging him down inch by slow inch with the silky fabric.

“There is breakfast food in the fridge. Help yourself to whatever you want. I do have milk if you want some oatmeal.” He quips. “I’m sorry I can’t stay.” He goes the remaining distance without her help, kissing her. “Or bring you back to your place.”

“Most hook ups don’t do breakfast or drop offs.”

“Or sleep over.” He points out. He’s got Mack there. “You gonna hide from me when I get back?” Although his tone is light, there is a seriousness to his question.

“Maybe.” She smirks as she says it, wanting to keep this interaction light.

“Something tells me you’ll be back for more.” He moves his eyes down her body, drinking her in, all tangled up in his soft sheets. Mack rolls her eyes, ignoring how true that is. He burst apart her world and put it back together last night with him as the center of it.

“Something tells me you’ll still be interested even if I’m not.” She sits up, letting the blanket fall down to her lap, exposing her bare chest. He grins, leaning forward and tickling her nipple with his mustache. Mack breathes in deeply, then lets her head fall back towards the ceiling as he sucks it into his mouth. His nose traces over it too.

“I’ll see ya, honey.” He murmurs after kissing her breast tenderly. Then he stands up, full hard on displayed while he heads to his travel bag by the door. “I’ll leave the spare key on the counter for you.” He calls over his shoulder as he leaves the room.

“What? We are definitely not there yet.” Mack calls. He pops his head back in.

“No, but I’d appreciate it if you could lock my door when you leave.” Mack purses her lips together, dimples turning pink at her embarrassing assumption. She nods after clearing her throat awkwardly. 

“Yeah. I’ll do that.” 

“Thank you.” He murmurs, laughing heartily at her sheepish look.

Mack waits until she hears the apartment door close behind him. Then she collapses back into his bed, laughing loudly and excitedly. She can’t help but kick her feet too, rolling around a few times to get tangled up completely in the blankets like a burrito. The outside world peaks in from an opening in the curtains. She watches a few birds fly by the window. As they soar through the air, sun soaking their feathers, they tweet their greeting to her then continue on. 

Mack reaches out at them, content smile on her face, feeling as free as they are this morning.

[frankenstein-ate-my-left-shoe]

presenting: the @angstflayer-council official playlist of fave songs 🫡 listen here

-x-X-x-

Elevation - U2 [🦇] Aneta @undreaming-fanfiction

Drunken Sailor - The Irish Rovers [🦇]

Sweet Child O’ Mine - Guns n’ Roses [🦇]

Turning Page - Sleeping At Last [🐸] Mack @stevethehairington

No Choir - Florence + The Machine [🐸]

Somewhere Only We Know - Keane [🐸]

You’re On Your Own, Kid - Taylor Swift [🐝] B @stevesbipanic

Everybody Wants To Rule The World - Tears For Fears [🐝]

Friday I’m in Love - The Cure [🐝]

champagne problems - Taylor Swift [👀] Cass @henderdads

Francesca - Hozier [👀]

Defying Gravity - Wicked soundtrack [👀]

Simple Man - Acoustic - Shinedown [🌹] Rose @steddiealltheway

Head Over Heels - Tears For Fears [💀🌱] noelle @frankenstein-ate-my-left-shoe and Basil @steveshairychest

Stardust Chords - Greta Van Fleet [💀]

Spillways - Ghost [💀]

Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen [🍪] Jen @legitcookie

Think About Things - Daði Freyr [🍪]

I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) - The Proclaimers [🍪]

Vienna - Billy Joel [🍓] Dae @strawberryspence

Rivers and Roads - The Head And The Heart [🍓]

Little Wonders - Rob Thomas [🍓]

Roddy - Djo [🌱]

Bulls In The Bronx - Pierce The Veil [🌱]

Supercut - Lorde [💫] El @skeliiix

Farewell Wanderlust - The Amazing Devil [💫]

ceilings - Lizzy McAlpine [💫]

Chiquitita - ABBA [🎺] Anna @unclewaynemunson

Family Ties - Bastille [🎺]

Wuthering Heights - Kate Bush [🎺]

Vincent - Don McLean [🥸] Liam @withacapitalp

Time in a Bottle - Jim Croce [🥸]

Homesick - Noah Kahan [🍓]

Outer Space / Carry On - 5 Seconds of Summer [🎨] Lex @nostalgicbones

Slip the Noose - The Maine [🎨]

Love Song - Beach Bunny [🎨]

No Plan - Hozier [💫]

Posing for Cars - Japanese Breakfast [💫]

Lady Grinning Soul - David Bowie [💫]

Where Is My Mind - Pixies [💫]

Stick Season - Noah Kahan [🐝]

Paul Revere - Noah Kahan [👀]

Snow Angel - Renee Rapp [👀]

because i liked a boy - Sabrina Carpenter [👀]

Ramble On - Led Zeppelin [🐶] Lex @thefreakandthehair

One Too Many Mornings - Bob Dylan [🐶]

You Were Meant For Me - Jewel [🐶]

Away From The Sun - 3 Doors Down [🐶]

Obstacles - Syd Matters [🦋] Ash @thelastwalkingsoul

Barely on My Mind - The Regrettes [🦋]

Taking You There - BROODS [🦋]

-x-X-x-

more will be added! 💕

[femslashrevolution]

Popular Pairing List Update

The following pairings have more than 10 recent posts in their pairing tag, and are therefore too popular to be posted on Rarepair Thursdays:

Amalia True x Penance Adair (The Nevers)

Anita St. Pierre x Della Street (Perry Mason)

Anne Boonchuy x Sasha Waybright (Amphibia)

Ava Coleman x Janine Teagues (Abbott Elementary)

Carol Aird x Therese Belivet (Carol)

Cinta Kaz x Vel Sartha (Star Wars)

Drea Torres x Eleanor Levetan (Do Revenge)

Eleanor Levetan x Gabbi Broussard (Do Revenge)

Eleanor Roosevelt x Lorena Hickok (The First Lady)

Ellie x Riley Abel (HBO The Last Of Us)

Emily Prentiss x Jennifer Jareau (Criminal Minds)

Frannie Langton x Marguerite Benham (The Confessions of Frannie Langton)

Katherine Hastings x Sadie Ryan (American Auto)

KJ Brandman x Mac Coyle (Amazon Paper Girls)

Lily Evans x Narcissa Malfoy (Harry Potter)

Mia Reed x Vada Cavell (The Fallout)

Midge Maisel x Susie Myerson (The Marvelous Mrs Maisel)

Miorine Rembran x Suletta Mercury (Mobile Suit Gundam Wing)

Natasha Romanoff x Peggy Carter (Marvel Cinematic Universe)

The following pairings have been posted less frequently recently, and have therefore been removed from the popular pairing list:

Addy Hanlon x Beth Cassidy (Dare Me)

Alex Danvers x Kelly Olsen (Supergirl)

Alex Vause x Piper Chapman (Orange Is The New Black)

Alexis Rose x Twyla Sands (Schitt’s Creek)

Allison Argent x Lydia Martin (Teen Wolf)

Andi Mack x Buffy Driscoll (Andi Mack)

Anne Shirley x Diana Barry x Ruby Gillis (Anne With An E)

Buffy Summers x Willow Rosenberg (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

Caitlin Snow x Iris West (The Flash)

Camina Drummer x Naomi Nagata (The Expanse)

Cosima Niehaus x Delphine Cormier (Orphan Black)

Dinah Lance x Helena Bertinelli (DCU)

Eleanor Shellstrop x Tahani Al Jamil (The Good Place)

Finch Tarrayo x Josie Saltzman (Legacies)

Greta Moreno x Riley Luo (Generation)

Hannah Miller x Sarah Fier (Fear Street)

Hermione Granger x Narcissa Malfoy (Harry Potter)

Ji-yeong x Kang Sae-byeok (Squid Game)

Joan x Zoey Clarke (Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist)

Kathryn Janeway x Seven of Nine (Star Trek: Voyager)

Lady Hideko x Sook Hee (The Handmaiden)

Laurel Lance x Nyssa al Ghul (Arrow)

Natasha Romanoff x Wanda Maximoff (Marvel Cinematic Universe)

Neopolitan x Yang Xiao Long (RWBY)

Nora Grace x Viri Gómez (Skam Spain)

Paris Geller x Rory Gilmore (Gilmore Girls)

River Song x Thirteenth Doctor (Doctor Who)

Seo Ji-wan x Yoon Sol (Nevertheless)

Shane McCutcheon x Tess Van De Berg (The L Word)