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bellaireland1981 · 2 years ago

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Starting Over | 7

Summary: You come home to work to find your husband of three years in bed with your supposed best friend. It’s the wake up call you finally needed to take your two year old daughter and get the hell out of Texas. With nowhere to go you head to your big brother in San Diego. The sagger squad takes you under their wings, and shows you what having a family means. You get a fresh start… will you find your happily ever after?

Characters: Jake “hangman” Seresin x Sister! Reader, Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw x Seresin! Reader (Eventually), Hangman x Phoenix (eventually) , Adorable OC Gracie! The Dagger squad

Word Count: 10,723

Warnings: Angst, fighting, cheating husband, emotional abuse, eventual fluff, smut in later chapters, Sweet uncle Jake, Adorable Rooster with a toddler… if I miss any please let me know.

A/N: I don’t own the characters or storyline for Top Gun Maverick. All OC’s are mine. I DO NOT GIVE PERMISSION FOR ANYONE TO COPY OR REPOST MY WORK TO ANY OTHER PLATFORM! DON’T STEAL! Reblogs, likes and comments ALWAYS welcomed. THANK YOU @waywardodysseys and @beyondthesefourwalls as always for reading over my work and helping me flush out ideas!!

Taglist is open! If I missed anyone who asked to be tagged, please fill out this GOOGLE FORM to be added. It’s getting to hard to keep track of asks.

CH 1 CH 2 CH 3 Ch 4 Ch 5 Ch 6

The next morning you wake up, still wrapped tightly in Bradley’s arms, neither of you had moved much during the night. He was still sound asleep, his lashes rested against his cheeks, his breathing deep and even. He looked so relaxed, carefree while sleeping, you felt a tug on your heart. This man had come into your life and had quickly captured your heart. You smiled, knowing that soon the mess that was your life would be in the past and you decided to firmly embrace this new life, a life that included Bradley.

You leaned forward, placing featherlight kisses on his forehead, his cheek, and the tip of his nose before you started to stir. A smile instantly appears on his face when his eyes peek open and focus on you. His hands pull you closer to him, wanting you as close as possible.

“Morning, Sweetheart.” He said, leaning forward to capture your lips in a soft kiss. “Did you sleep ok?”

“Good morning” You replied, against his lips. “I’ve never slept better. How about you?”

“Honestly, I’m not sure how I’ll go back to sleeping without you,” He confessed, “That’s the best sleep I can ever remember getting as well.”

“Thank you.” You said, running your hand over his chest, “For last night…for staying with me… for keeping me and Gracie safe… for being you.”

“Sweetheart.” He said, pulling you closer, “You do not have to thank me for any of that. I will happily stay with you any time. I would do literally anything to keep you and Gracie safe. You two are very quickly becoming my whole world…hoping that doesn’t scare you off.”

“You could never scare me off.” You promised, “You’ve become a huge part of Gracie’s and my world and… I know we both want to keep you.”

“I’m yours, Sweetheart.” He said, his voice confident and sure.

You can hear voices in the hall and know that Jake must have gotten up with Gracie again. It had become a sort of ritual between the pair. Jake would get Gracie up in the morning and it was their time together.

“Shhh” You hear Jake shush, followed by Gracie’s giggle. You and Bradley both smile at the sound.

“Unco Jakey, you open?” Gracie asked Jake.

“We need to let Mommy and Rooster sleep, Princess G.” Jake said, “They had a very long night.”

You anticipated the squeal at the mention of Bradley being here.

“WOOSTA!” Gracie exclaimed, happily, “Pwease, Unco Jakey?”

Knowing he’d be unable to tell your daughter no, you prepared for the invasion.

Jake knocks on the door, “Making sure everyone is decent, incoming princess!” The door opens and Gracie comes bounding through.

“Woosta! Mommy!” She yells, running as fast as her little legs will carry her. Bradley sits up, ready to lift her up onto the bed.

“Good Morning, Princess.” He says, holding her close as he scoops her up into his arms. She snuggles right into him, laying her head on his bare shoulder, her chubby arms locking around his neck.

“Y’all ok in here?” Jake asks, peeking around the door.

“We’re good, Jakey.” You replied, “Thank you for getting up with her.”

“I love mornings with my Princess G.” He replied, “I’m gonna go finish getting breakfast made. Should be ready in a bit.”

“Sounds good.” You smiled, “Nat helping?” You giggled at the blush that crept up over your brother’s neck and face.

“You’re a brat, Tulip.” he said, playfully scowling at you before shutting the door again.

“Woosta, you pway wif me today?” Gracie asked, batting her sweet lashes at Bradley.

“I would love to stay and play with you today, Princess.” He replied, “I do have to go home for a tiny tiny bit to shower and change clothes. Maybe we can convince Mommy to go to the park to play.”

“I come wif you Woosta?” She asked, “Pwease?”

“How can I say ‘no’ to that?” He asked you, looking panicked. You laughed, shaking your head and shrugging. Seeing that you didn’t seem opposed to the idea, he decided today wouldn’t be the day he told Gracie ‘no’. “You can absolutely come with me, Princess. We can even stop and get ice cream.”

“Ice cweam?” She asked, eyes going wide in excitement.

“Yup. What do you think, Gracie,” He asked, “Should we take Mommy with us on the ice cream trip? Or should Mommy stay home?”

“Uhh,” She replied, looking at the ceiling and putting her finger to her face, “Yes. Mommy come too.”

“Thank you so much, Gracie Girl!” You said in an exaggeratedly excited tone, grabbing her up and tickling her. She dissolved into giggles, reaching for Bradley to rescue her. He quickly pulled her back dramatically, making a big show of ‘saving’ her from the tickle attack.

“I’ll save you, Princess!” He exclaimed, once more holding her tightly to him. You laughed at their antics.

Once the giggles subsided, Bradley looked at you, smiling, “So, what are your plans for today?”

“Apparently going for ice cream and a park playdate,” You replied, chuckling. “I have to call my lawyer though too and find out from her if I need to do anything.”

“Do you want to do that first?” He asked, “That way, if you need it, I’m here to support you and Jake and Nat are here to wrangle Gracie.”

“Yeah,” You replied, “I might as well get it over with” Bradley leaned in, kissing you softly in encouragement, Gracie copying him and also kissing you. “My own sweet support group. How did I get so lucky?”

“I think Gracie and I are the lucky ones to have YOU, Sweetheart.” Bradley corrected.

Once you were all up and dressed, poor Bradley needing to wear his clothes from the night before, you all made your way to the kitchen where Nat was sitting at the island, sipping coffee. Jake was flipping pancakes on the stove, a stack of already made ones piled high on a plate.

“Breakfast is almost done.” He said, looking over his shoulder, winking at Nat when he caught her checking out his ass. “Just finishing the chocolate chip ones for Princess G now.”

“I swear between you two men, she’s going to be spoiled rotten in no time.” You laughed, heading to the fridge to get her some milk in a sippy cup.

“Impossible.” Jake and Bradley both chimed in.

“She makes it hard NOT to want to spoil her.” Nat said, “She’s literally the cutest little girl I have ever seen.”

“It’s the Seresin genes.” Jake said, flashing his signature cocky smile, to which Nat just rolled her eyes,

“She’s her Mommy’s mini me.” Bradley said winking at you, “She gets all those good looks straight from her Momma.”

You set Gracie in her booster chair at the table, and set the milk down in front of her. Jake brought over a small plate with a cut up pancake on it with the toddler fork for Gracie

While Gracie was occupied with her pancake you made your way to the living room and called your lawyer. You felt bad calling the emergency weekend line but the officers had told you you needed to contact her today.

“Hello, this is Lauren Kennedy.” She answered quickly.

“Hi, Lauren, it’s Y/N.” You answered, “I’m so sorry to bother you on the weekend, but the officers last night said I should contact you.”

“Good Morning, Y/N. '' She said warmly, “Do not apologize at all. What officers?”

“Umm, well when I got home last night, Trent was sitting in a car out in front of the house.” You explained, “I was coming home…from a date. Bradley… the guy I was with and Jake held him off while I got inside and called the police. The umm, defended me….so Trent went to jail a little banged up.”

“Are you and Gracie OK?” She asked, alert and her voice switching to a fierce, no nonsense tone “Did he get physical or verbally abusive?”

“We’re OK.” You assured her, “Gracie was inside in bed. Trent just ran his mouth about me being on a date… and used derogatory language towards me, but he wasn’t able to physically harm me. Jake and Bradley make very effective bodyguards.”

“That’s good.” She said, “I will head to the station to find out what I can and will make sure he is charged with defying the order of protection. I will be in contact with his lawyer today as well and use this to put pressure on them to sign the papers. I know it must have been scary, but in the end, he may have done you a favor in speeding up this process.”

“It definitely shook me up.” You admitted, “Honestly, I didn’t really think he’d come out here. I’m not gonna lie, I’m kinda scared he’ll try to corner me again. I can’t always be with my brother or Bradley. They both have careers.”

“I understand,” She replied, “I will find out all I can about what is happening. I’m sure he’s called his lawyer and he’ll be working on securing his release. I’ll keep you posted on when that release will be and I recommend trying to make sure you’re not alone for the time being.”

“I just want this to be over.” You sighed, the weight of it all once more falling on your shoulders. The lightness you’d felt when you were on the date with Bradley and again this morning before reality hit again was being replaced with a heavy anxious feeling.

As if sensing you were in need of support, Bradley quietly came into the living room and moved to stand behind you, wrapping his arms around your middle and lending you his strength and comfort. You leaned your head back against his chest, taking a deep breath.

“It will be over soon, Y/N.” Lauren again assured you, “You have my word. I’ll give you a call a little later with an update, OK?”

“Thank you so much,” You replied “For everything.”

“It’s my pleasure,” She said, “In the meantime, try to enjoy your day… maybe spend more time with this Bradley fellow… he sounds like a keeper.”

“I will.” You said, smiling, “And he is.” You ended the call, pocketing your phone and turning in Bradley’s embrace, wrapping your arms around his neck.

“Everything ok, Sweetheart?” He asked, resting his head against yours.

“Yeah.” You replied, “She said she’s going to call the station to get an update and his lawyer to push to end this. She’s going to call back when she knows more…and when she has information on his release.”

“He won’t get a second chance at getting close to you, Sweetheart.” He promised, “Jake and I already have plans for someone to be with you and Gracie for as long as needed.”

“Bradley, I can’t ask you all to put your lives on hold for me to play bodyguard.” You said, pulling back to look at him in the eyes. “You’ve all already gone way above and beyond the call of duty. Hell you and Jake risked your careers last night physically keeping Trent from me.”

“Tulip, I would do it again in less than a heartbeat,” Jake said, walking into the living room. “I’d bet my future career on the fact that Rooster here would too. You’re not asking any of us to do anything. It’s simply what a family does for one another…for the people you love. I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to either you or Gracie. End of argument.”

It wasn’t often that your brother took an absolute authoritarian tone with you… in fact, you could count on one hand the number of times it had happened….and have fingers left over. The times he DID take the no nonsense tone…the one you imagined he’d used on those under his command… were times where your health or safety were in question. You knew not to argue with Jake when it came to what he perceived he needed to do to keep you safe. The look on Bradley’s face said he was on the same page as Jake and would do anything necessary to keep you and Gracie safe and secure.

Times when Trent would use that authoritarian intimidating tone on you, it would cause you to feel physically ill and uneasy. Knowing with him it was simply from a place of wanting to have and exert control over you, to bend you to his will. With Jake and Bradley you knew they would never force you to obey them or blindly follow orders to stroke their egos or make themselves feel better about themselves. In all other matters or situations, you knew they would bend over backwards, move heaven and earth to allow you the freedom to set your own path.

Sighing, you accepted that you weren’t winning this battle and if making sure you and Gracie were safe and cared for made THEM happy then you would do your part and follow their lead.

“I love you, Tulip.” Jake said, seeing your shoulders visibly relax, knowing he’d gotten through to you.

“I love you too, Jakey.” You replied, stepping back from Bradley’s embrace and hugging your brother on your way into the kitchen to get some much needed breakfast and coffee.

“What did the lawyer say?” Jaked asked Bradley once you’d gone into the kitchen.

“She’s going to call the station to find out what the status of the charges are and calling his lawyer to try to pressure them into settling. She’ll call when she knows more and will give us a heads up about his release.” Bradley replied.

“They going to be with you today?” Jake asked, “I was going to ask Nat out on a real date tonight, if you’re plannin’ on sticking close.”

“Absolutely.”Bradley said, “I’ve got the girls. Go on the date. It’ll make your sister happy too. She really likes Nat.”

“So do I.” Jake said, smiling. “She’s tough as fucking nails, man, and loves to bust my balls… but it’s also what I really like about.”

“You’re good for one another.” Bradley said, “Just… make sure you’re sure. She is the strongest person I know but she’s soft too… if she’s letting you in, cherish it for the absolute gift it is.”

“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.” Jake confirmed, “I think she may be the one… and I’m planning on doing everything I can to be good enough to deserve her.”

“You are good enough, Hangman.” Bradley said sincerely, “I think you may be the only one who doens’t believe it.”

“Thanks, Rooster.” Jake replied, smiling softly.

The two made their way back into the kitchen with the girls. Gracie was finishing her pancakes and had managed to get syrup everywhere.

“Ok, looks like a certain Princess G needs a bath already this morning.” Jake laughed, “Let’s go get you cleaned up while your momma and Bradley eat their breakfast, OK?”

“Otay!” Gracie agreed, never one to turn down a bath. “Nix too?”

“I’ll come too, Sweet Girl.” Phoenix smiled at Gracie, “Have to make sure Uncle Jakey doesn’t mess up.”

“I’m wounded, Nat.” Jake pouted, picking Gracie up from her booster seat and winking at you on their way out of the kitchen.

You and Bradley finished eating breakfast going over a rough plan for the day. Once Gracie was all cleaned and dressed, Phoenix brushed her hair and pulled it into pigtails. You’d commented on what a great team Jake and Nat made when they’d presented the final product.

You packed up a diaper bag with snacks, a cup and a change of clothes for Gracie while Bradley got her shoes on her and loaded her into the carseat that they’d loaded into the back of the Bronco.

While Bradley showered and changed, you kept Gracie occupied playing in his living room with a few small toys you’d brought along with you. You looked around the living room as she played, taking in the few pictures he had in frames on shelves and various awards he’d won on display. The space was very put together and clean, which is honestly what you expected from the aviator based on his personality. Even though there wasn’t a lot of stuff in his space, it was still homely and welcoming. Not surprisingly, he had a piano in one corner of the living room, making you smile. You’d heard Jake tell stories of Bradley entertaining the entire Hard Deck with impromptu concerts.

“Mommy, I firsty.” Gracie said, continuing to play on the floor.

“Do you want your juice?” You asked, reaching for the bag you’d packed her.

“Yes, pwease.” She replied, sweetly. You smiled, pulling the cup out from the bag and handing it to her. She took several sips of the juice before setting the cup next to her.

“Who’s ready to go to the park?” Bradley asked, coming down the stairs into the living room.

“Me!” Gracie said, jumping up from where she’d been playing, “Woosta, up! Up!”

He chuckled, swinging her up into his arms. She cupped his face with her little hands, turning his face to hers, “Woosta, I wuv you.” she told him sweetly. Your heart absolutely melted.

“Gracie, I absolutely love you too, Princess.” He replied, leaning forward to softly kiss her nose, making her giggle.

You loaded Gracie back into the Bronco and the three of you made your way to the park. Bradley chased her around through the grass, both of their giggles audible from where you sat on a blanket watching the two play. You snapped several pictures, capturing the moments and fully intending to get some printed and framed. It was easy to daydream to a future scene where Bradley would be chasing after an older Gracie and perhaps a little boy or girl around the age she was now…maybe even with you holding an even younger one. One thing was for sure, it was absolutely easy to picture a future with Bradley in it.

“Gracie wants to go on the swings.” Bradley said, walking over to where you were seated, pulling you from your daydream.

“Ok” You smiled brightly, “To the swings we go.” You got up and walked with them over to the swings, Bradley securing Gracie in one that was an actual seat with a pull over harness.

“How high do you wanna go, Princess?” Bradley asked, pulling the swing back.

“To the Cwouds!” She exclaimed, “Wike you and Unco Jakey!”

“That’s super high.” You said, “You might launch into outer space!”

“Woosta save me!” Gracie said absolutely confidently. You smiled over at Bradley who was puffed up all proudly at Gracie’s words, a look of pure softness and love on his face.

“I will always save you Gracie girl.” He promised her, “I will never let anything bad happen to you.”

Bradley pulled the swing back higher and released, sending Gracie soaring. You pulled out your phone to record a video of her laughing in the swing with Bradley pushing her.

Gracie was content on the swing for several minutes before she demanded to go on the twisty slide. You compromised and convinced her to go on the smaller slide that was safer for her small size, not wanting to spend the rest of the day in the emergency room.

“Catch me, Woosta!” She squealed, scooting down to slide down the slide. Bradley happily ‘catching’ her and launching her back into the air making you erupt into a fresh round of belly laughs each time. That continued several more rounds before Gracie made it known she was hungry. Glancing at your watch you realized it was in fact lunch time and would soon be her nap time as well.

“We should head back to the house so I can feed her and put her down for a nap.” You said. “She’ll sleep well after playing in the park all morning.”

“Come on, Princess.” Bradley said, scooping her up one final time from the slide. This time he swung her up onto his shoulders, much to her delight. “Time to get you some lunch.”

“What a lovely family you are. We’ve enjoyed watching your little one play.” An older woman commented as you all passed where she was seated with her husband. “Enjoy all of these moments. They grow so fast!”

“Thank you so much.” You replied, finding it easier to go with it than to correct the nice lady, glancing at Bradley to check his reaction. He winked at you, smiling, letting you know with one look that he was absolutely more than ok with the comment. Honestly, you wished he WERE Gracie’s dad and you were just a regular little family out for a day in the park.

When you got back from the park, Jake’s truck was gone, as was Phoenix’s car. You assumed they were off somewhere together but figured Jake would check in at some point. Bradley had mentioned that Jake wanted to take Phoenix out on a date that night so maybe they were making plans for that.

After parking the Bronco, Bradley pulled Gracie from her carseat while you carried in her bag. He took her in to get cleaned up from the park, giving you time to get lunch started. You decided to heat up leftovers for you and Bradley and make Gracie a grilled cheese sandwich with cut up fruit and veggies. You were just putting it on plates when they came strolling into the kitchen.

“Perfect timing!” You smiled at them.

“Smells amazing in here.” Bradley said, dropping a light kiss on your head before moving to get Gracie in her booster seat. “We weren’t gone that long getting cleaned up, how did you manage such an amazing spread?”

“It’s just leftovers” You laughed, shrugging, “It doesn't take a lot of effort to hit the reheat button on the microwave.”

“Maybe not, but it DID take effort to make it the first time and I DEFINITELY appreciate getting to eat it now.” He replied, helping you carry plates to the table.

“Speaking of cooking, any requests for the week?” You asked.

“Sweetheart, you really don’t have to do all that.” He insisted, “I don’t wanna be extra work for you.”

“You’re not.” You promised, “I cook for Jake, Gracie and me anyway. Making enough to make sure you at least have a healthy lunch is absolutely no extra work… and it makes me happy knowing you’re not eating vending machine food.”

“If you’re sure…” He said, “I will happily eat whatever you make.”

“Bradley.” You laughed, rolling your eyes, “It’s ok to make requests. I LIKE making things you like.”

“That’s easy, I like everything you make.” He replied, smirking. “Isn’t that, Princess? Mommy is the best cook ever?”

“Yes!” Gracie agreed, although you’re pretty sure she’d agree with anything Bradley said.

“See?” Bradley winked, taking another bite of his lunch.

“Maybe I’ll leave you to the vending machine lunch after all.” you threatened, sticking your tongue out at him playfully.

“Angel…Sweetheart….Baby…” he said, pouting and giving you puppy eyes, “Please don’t make me eat nasty vending machine food.”

“You’re sure changing your tune now, huh?” You teased him.

After you all finished eating, Bradley volunteered to clean up the lunch mess while you got Gracie down for a nap.

You were getting Gracie settled down for her nap when Jake came home.

“Hey” Jake said to Bradley, who’d finished the cleanup and was sitting on the couch. “How was the park?”

“It was a blast. Gracie has a lot of energy.” He laughed, “She loves to get pushed high on the swing, said she wanted to fly high like we do.”

“That little girl is fearless.” Jake chuckled, pride shining in his eyes. “I bet she becomes a kickass aviator when she grows up.”

“Whatever she does, she’ll be perfect.” Bradley said. “How did date planning go with Phoenix?”

“It’s good. She had some stuff she had to do today and I went to run some errands and get stuff done.” He said, vaguely, “I’m picking Nat up though at 6 to take her to dinner at that new restaurant she’s been talking about.”

“What do we wanna do about tomorrow?” Bradley asked, “Do we pack up the girls and take them to base with us?”

“I know Mav would be fine with that, but I doubt Admiral Simpson would be ok with it.”Jake replied, “I went by the police station today… thought I’d have a little heart to heart with my soon to be ex brother in law.”

“How did that go?” Bradley asked, not surprised that Jake had gone. Kind of surprised the police had let him see him though.

“I reiterated our expectations of him, and what would happen if he didn’t comply.” He said, “I also ran into Tulip’s lawyer while I was coming out… she had to officially discourage me from meeting with him but unofficially stated she was happy that there was someone in Tulip’s corner ready to do what was necessary.”

“More than one someone.” Bradley said, “What are your thoughts man… is she safe tomorrow when we’re at work?”

“I don’t know.” He sighed, “I guess we wait and see what the lawyer says when she calls.”

“Hey Jakey, when did you get home?” You asked, walking into the living room, having gotten Gracie settled.

“Just a few minutes ago.” He replied, “Princess G in dreamland?”

“Yeah, she went right to sleep.” You laughed, “Bradley wore her out.”

“She wore ME out!” He said, chuckling, “I’m more tired now than when I spend all morning flying maneuvers!”

“That girl does have a lot of energy.” Jake agreed laughing, “Tulip, I’ll be out tonight so no need to count on me for dinner. Taking Nat on a date.”

“It’s about damn time, Jakey!” You exclaimed! “But, as I was just telling Bradley before Gracie’s nap, I’ll still make enough so that there’s leftovers for lunches.”

“Tulip, I never turn down your cooking.” Jake smiled, “Especially when it saves me from having to eat soggy sandwiches or my own cooking.”

“See?” You asked, looking pointedly at Bradley, “See how easy it is just to accept the food without a fuss?”

“I just didn’t wanna make more work for you, Sweetheart!” Bradley defended himself, putting his hands up in surrender. “I promise, no more arguments, I’ll accept any and all meals.”

“Rookie mistake, Rooster.” Jake laughed, “Tulip is a natural mother hen. She always has been. Hey… maybe that’s why y’all are so perfect for one another.”

“Now that is something I can agree with and not argue with.” Bradley said, winking over at you. You could feel heat rushing over you.

Later that day, while Bradley and Gracie were playing in the yard, Jake was getting ready for his date, and you were making dinner, your phone rang. Wiping your hands on the towel, you saw that it was Lauren calling. You took a deep breath, and answered.

“Hi, Lauren,” You said, your voice somewhat shaky. “Please tell me you've got good news.”

“I’m sorry it took so long to get back to you with some answers.” She replied, “They’re releasing him on a cash bond as we speak with an order to appear before a judge for breaking the order of protection. That being said, he was reminded… by several people… that he needs to stay away from you and from Gracie or he will be put back in jail and not allowed out on a bond the next time.”

“When does he appear before the judge?” You asked, trying no to panic. “I would feel so much better if he was back in Texas.”

“He has a court appearance on Tuesday morning.” She said, “I will be there on your behalf. In regards to the divorce and him relinquishing his parental rights, I was in touch with his lawyer right before I called you and it looks like he’s still dragging his feet but I made it known that I will be filing a petition for a hearing to move forward with a judge in light of the recent events. I promise you, Y/N, I will have you free of this man as soon as I possibly can.”

“Thank you for all that you are doing.” You replied, mind wandering, you were scared your life would just be like this now… where you would always be in fear of him popping up.

“Y/N, I want to caution you, while he has been warned of what will happen if he comes near you again, it really is in your best interest to not be on your own for the time being.” Lauren said gently. “I reminded Jake of the same thing earlier, he said he didn’t plan on you being on your own, but I always feel better reiterating to my clients that these situations are volatile and men like Trent are not predictable or reasonable.”

“Jake?” You asked, confused, “When did you talk to Jake?”

“He was at the station this morning.” She said, “Although on the record I had to caution him against meeting with Trent and threatening him, off the record I definitely applaud him for protecting his sister.”

“I didn’t know he’d gone down there.” You replied, “That can’t come back against Jake can it? I don’t want him hurt by any of this.”

“No. Even if Trent tried to cry foul, there were cameras and witnesses and there’d be nobody to back up Trent’s side.” She assured you. “But, it might be a good idea to caution him against further altercations.”

“I will.” You replied, “Thank you for calling.”

After hanging up you stood with your hands braced on the counter, head down, focusing solely on dragging air in and out of your lungs. If you allowed yourself to think of anything other than simply breathing you knew you would end up having a massive panic attack.

“Hey Tulip, it smells amazing in here.” Jake said, popping into the kitchen and grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge, “I’ll definitely be looking forward to leftovers for lunch tomorrow.”

Unable to respond, you simply nodded, your gaze remaining locked on the counter.

“Tulip…” Jake said, concern creeping into this voice, “Is everything ok? Y/N? Talk to me. What’s wrong?”

The dam holding back your emotions broke. A sob worked its way up and out, then another, releasing a barrage of tears along with it. Jake set the bottle on the counter and instantly engulfed you into his arms, holding you tightly to him, as if he held you tight enough he could keep you from breaking further.

“It’s ok, I’ve got you.” He whispered, resting his chin on top of your head, his hand rubbing circles over your back, while his other just held you tightly. “Just keep breathing, Sweet Girl. Let it all out.”

He simply stood, swaying gently with you back and forth, letting the storm wash over you. He was freaking out on the inside, going through all the possible scenarios of what made you break, none of them good. On the outside, he was doing all he could to just be your rock and to be strong while you couldn’t be.

After a few minutes, the tears slow and you’re able to regain your ability to breathe. Jake, sensing some of the tension and rigidness leaving your body, tilted his head to look down at you.

“Wanna tell me what happened, Tulip?” He asked. “I’m assuming maybe your lawyer called…or it all just really caught up with you. Maybe both?”

“Lauren called.” You whispered. “He’s being released on a cash bond. He has to stay in the area until at least Tuesday to appear before a judge.”

“I promise you he will not get near you.” Jake insisted, “Tulip, I will take all of the leave I have on the books if I need to in order to keep you and Gracie safe.”

“Jake…” You started to protest, but were interrupted when Bradley came in to get Gracie some juice.

“And when his is exhausted, I’ll use all of mine, Sweetheart.” He said without missing a beat. “I’m going to get Gracie her juice quick and I’ll sit with her while you two talk. We’ll talk while Jake is on his date with Phoenix.”

He dropped a soft kiss on the back of your head on his way past, leaving you and Jake alone in the kitchen once more.

“What else did she say?” Jake asked.

“Well she apparently saw YOU today, Jake.” You said, stepping back and eyeing your brother. “I love you and I love that you’re trying to protect us but I think someone needs to protect YOU! I do not want you to ruin your career or get into trouble for him. He is not worth it Jake. Promise me you’ll stay away from him?”

“I can’t make that promise, Tulip.” Jake said, “If he’s a threat to you and Gracie I will stand between you and him Every. Single. Time. I can promise nothing I do to him will interfere with my career and I won’t end up in jail over him. What did Lauren say about the divorce and getting that piece of shit to sign away parental rights? I was pretty clear about what I expected to happen.”

“Well, apparently Trent isn’t very smart because he’s still dragging his feet on that.” You sighed, “I can’t live like this forever, Jakey. I want to be able to fully move on with my life and be openly with Bradley, without feeling like we’re doing something wrong… or potentially getting HIM kicked out of the Navy.”

“Is there anything Lauren can do there?” He asked, “But I promise you, you won’t live like this forever, Tulip. Eventually, something has to give. Also, Rooster will not be kicked out of the Navy” He chuckled at the last part.

“She told his lawyer she’s filing a petition for a hearing to move forward with a judge.” You said, “Hopefully if we get before a judge and she lays it all out, they’ll just order the marriage to be dissolved and his parental rights to be revoked at the same time… but my luck hasn’t exactly been the greatest on that front.”

“Any judge will look at what’s been happening and will dissolve the marriage and will end his parental rights, Tulip.” Jake assured you. “Just keep some faith, sweets.”

“I’ll try.” You promised, “I got your shirt all wet, and you need to get going to meet Nat.”

“I’ve got plenty of time.” Jake assured you, “I gave myself a little extra room for getting ready because…honestly… I’m a little nervous.”

“Jakey, it’ll be fine.” You promised, offering him a reassuring smile. “You’re both half in love with each other anyway, this date isn’t going to go badly. I promise.”

“I just can’t screw this up.” Jake said. “This time, it matters… SHE matters.”

“You won’t.” You said confidently. “Go change your shirt. Take a deep breath. Knock her socks off… but not literally, it’s your first official date.”

“I love you, Tulip.” He said, hugging you tightly once more. “Enjoy tonight with Bradley and Gracie. Don’t worry about what tomorrow will bring. We’ll figure it out tomorrow.”

“I love you too, Jakey.” You replied.

Jake left for his date with Nat a while later. You’d finished making dinner while Bradley played with Gracie. After dinner you gave Gracie a bath while he cleaned up the kitchen, packaging up leftovers into the fridge. Before tucking Gracie into bed for the night the three of you watched a Disney movie on the couch and then read books, taking turns, until Gracie started to fall asleep between you two. After tucking her in, you and Bradley sat and you opened up about what had happened earlier. The phone call with the lawyer and your breakdown in the kitchen. You communicated your fears about him being with you causing problems for him with the Navy as technically as far as the military was concerned separated or not you were in fact still married, and it was against regulations, punishable by jail time and even discharge from service, to be in a relationship with someone already married. Bradley was very quick to reassure your fears and promise his career was not in jeopardy.

“Sweetheart, if it makes you more comfortable we can take a step back and take this much slower until your divorce is finalized.” He offered, “I don’t want us to do anything that it’s 100% something you’re on board with. I know we talked about going slow but then this thing between us… the pull… is really strong… and then everything happened with Trent showing up… I just…. We’ll do whatever you want us to do.”

“I don’t know that we can slow this down or control it.” You reasoned, “I AM comfortable, Bradley. I feel safe with you. I’ve only ever felt safe with Jak before. I WANT to be with you. I just know that I couldn’t live with myself if being with me hurt you. I care about you too much already. But if you’re sure that you won’t get in trouble and you want to be with me then I am all in. We’re all in… because obviously Gracie and I are a package deal.”

“The perfect package, Sweetheart.” He said, a wide smile spreading across his face. He pulled you against him, dipping his head down to capture your lips with his own in a soft and tender kiss.

***

Penny closed the bar on Monday for inventory, you’d gone in to help her and Ameliak who’d had off of school had come in to help keep an eye on Gracie. Tuesday, the weather ended up grounding flights so Jake had gotten permission for you and Gracie to spend the day on base in the rec room while they were in and out of the classrooms.

Lauren had called to let you know that Trent had appeared in court and his lawyer had actually flown in from Texas to appear with him. He’d been given a $2000 fine and one year probation. In addition Lauren had been able to meet with his lawyer and let him know that the request for a hearing had been approved and was scheduled for two weeks from that appearance. You were hoping that it would all be over then, but you were waiting for the other shoe to drop.

“I’ll put in for emergency leave the remainder of this week.” Jake said, while everyone was together at lunch. “I’m not taking any chances, and as much fun as Gracie is having hanging out here, this isn’t the best solution.”

“I’ll put in a leave request for next week.” Bradley said quietly, his hand tracing over yours where they were joined, resting between you. His other arm holding Gracie, who was laying against him, fighting to stay awake.

“I’ll cover the following week.” Nat said, sitting down next to Jake, much closer than she normally would have, and not going unnoticed by anyone. He looked over, smiling warmly at her, not even trying to hide his feelings.

“I’ll make sure Admiral Simpson approves all of the requests.” Mav said from the doorway. “I’ll fill him in. It shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Consider the rest of us Dagger Spare.” Coyote said. “Anything goes south, one group text and we all come running.”

“I don’t even know what to say.” You whispered, unable to actually voice any words. Tears filled your eyes at the outpouring of love they were showing you. “I’ll keep feeding you all.” That garnished several chuckles from the team.

The rest of the week went by uneventfully. Jake was home during the day with you and Gracie, which she absolutely loved because it meant lots of play time with Uncle Jakey. In the evenings Bradley would end up at the house spending time with you and Gracie, to the point Jake jokingly suggested he just move in. Jake took advantage of Bradley being around though and would go out at night to spend time with Nat. They went out on another formal date on Wednesday night, and she cooked dinner at her place for Jake on Thursday. You were happy that things were going well for them.

“We need to go to the store today, Jake.” You said, Friday morning as you were getting breakfast ready so Bradley could eat before leaving for base. He was currently in the shower and Gracie was still sleeping since it was early. Jake had just gotten back from a morning run, unable to sleep in, even though he was off. “We’re outta mostly everything and I need to get stuff to make dinner for everyone tonight. I’m thinking barbeque again. I want to make a chocolate cake too for dessert.”

“That sounds good. We can go after Princess G is up and dressed.” He said, “Maybe stop at the park first and let her play. We need to build her a playset in the backyard.”

“Jakey, you’re not building her a playset.” You laughed, “She’s not even 3 years old. The most she needs is one of those plastic playskool slides or a swing to hang from a tree.”

“Tulip, do you see a tree that will hold a swing out there?” He asked, “My Princess G needs a whole ass playset… with a playhouse… a CASTLE playhouse! That has a swing AND a slide on it.”

“Absolutely not.” You vetoed, “First of all, it would take up your whole back yard, secondly, it’s way too expensive, thirdly she’s too little, and finally… just no.”

“Uh oh,” Bradley said, walking in wearing his flight suit, the top undone and tied around his waist. “What’s she tellin’ ya ‘no’ to?”

“You’ll back me up on this one!” Jake insisted confidently, “Tulip is saying Princess G can’t have a playset that has a Castle playhouse and swing and slide. She NEEDS one in the backyard, doesn’t she?”

“I mean, it WOULD be really cool” Bradley said, “A princess needs a castle, and every little kid needs a playset.”

“She isn’t even THREE yet!” You insisted, rolling your eyes at both of them.

“She WILL be.” Jake said, latching on to that, “Actually, she will be VERY soon. We need to start planning that. So I’m gonna go ahead and find her the playset of her little dreams and that’s gonna be her birthday present from Uncle Jakey.”

“I’ll go in on that with you, man.” Bradley said, winking at you. “Princess needs her castle.”

“I can’t with you two.” You said, throwing your hands up and turning to finish making breakfast. “When she’s spoiled beyond reason, I will blame the pair of you!”

“Fair enough.” They agreed.

Later that night the whole squad descended on the house for dinner. Everyone was out in the backyard since the weather had finally broken and was beautiful. Gracie was in her element playing with her adopted uncle and aunt. Jake was at the grill, making sure the meat didn’t burn while you made sure everything else was prepared. Most of the sides were on the table. You just needed to go inside to finish icing the cake and to grab some of the remaining condiments for the table.

“I’ll be right back.” You told Bradley, standing on tiptoe to steal a quick kiss, “I need to finish the cake and grab condiments quickly.”

“Need any help?” He asked.

“No, it’s ok.” You smiled. “Stay and relax. I’ll be right back out.” You headed inside and to the kitchen. The icing was already made so all you needed to do was assemble the cake on the platter and apply the icing.

You were pulling the spatula from the drawer when the doorbell rang. You set down the utensil and wiped your hands before heading to the front door, assuming it was another one of Jake’s friends or someone from the base.

Opening the door you immediately regretted your decision but before you could slam the door, a foot was blocking it, a hand shooting in to grip your arm hard. Trent had dared to show up once more.

“Let. Go. Of. Me.” You seethed. “You shouldn’t even BE here. You need to leave.”

“Oh, I’m not going anywhere.” He slurred, clearly having been drinking. “You’re goin’ to go get the brat and we’re goin’ to go back to Texas.”

“You’ve lost your mind, Trent.” You said, fear spiking, “We’re not going anywhere with you.”

“I own you and the kid.” He answered, gripping your arm tighter, by now definitely leaving bruises. “I’ve had enough of this bullshit and you whoring around. You best believe when I get you back to Texas you will NEVER see your brother or anyone you hold dear again.”

“Let go, Trent.” You begged, “You’re hurting me.”

“Not yet I’m not.” He promised, “But I will be soon. Go get the little brat. And if you tip off any of those mindless flyboy goons out there, I swear to you, I will make you regret being born.”

Unbeknownst to you, while Trent was threatening you, Phoenix had brought Gracie in to help her use her potty, as she’d just started to potty train that week. Realizing what was happening she quickly kneeled down to get eye level with the little girl.

“Gracie,” She whispered, “I need you to run outside and get Uncle Jakey and Rooster really fast and tell them Mommy needs them inside ok? Can you do that?”

“Yes!” She said, her eyes wide in fear, knowing something bad was happening. She turned and ran back out the backdoor to do as Auntie Nix had asked.

Phoenix immediately charged towards the front of the house in time to hear Trent making his threats.

“Take your fucking hands off her your piece of dog shit pond scum bottom feeder.” She yelled, immediately grabbing hold of his arm and using his shock and at her entrance to break his hold on you. She placed herself between the two of you. “You were given fair warning the last time you came not to make the mistake again. You were also told what would happen if you did. You will be fucking lucky if there is enough for the police to even pick up this time dickhead. Newsflash… We are ALL here this time.”

“You think I’m afraid of some wannabe pilot bitch that I could literally punt across the yard?” Trent asked, recovering from his initial shock. You saw Natasha’s whole body tense, anger radiating off of her. Trent had made a gross miscalculation in underestimating your new friend.

She didn’t even give him the satisfaction of a verbal comeback or any warning. She simply drew her arm back and let loose with all of the power she had in her entire body. She put all of the fury she had toward him for daring to threaten her friend and an innocent child, she harnessed the fury of all of the times someone had underestimate her because she was a female, and she unleashed it all in a single uppercut to Trent’s jaw, sending his head backwards, knocking him off balance. Not wanting to allow him time to recover, you used your self-defense training and sent your knee flying straight into his groin, effectively disabling him for the time being until backup arrived. You knew they’d be arriving any second.

At that moment absolute chaos broke out. The entire Dagger squad, led by Jake and Bradley came flying into the room with pure fury on all of their faces. Mav had his phone to his ear on the line with 9-1-1. Jake, seeing Nat holding her fist and Trent on the floor in the fetal position, cradling his jaw, immediately looked back to Nat to see she was ok.

“Are you hurt?” He asked, barely able to control the rage running through his veins.

“No, I’m good.” She said, “It was worth the bruised knuckles. The fucker had his hands on Y/N.”

“Sweetheart, are you Ok?” Bradley asked, his heart in his throat, pure fear, like he’d never felt before coursing through him. He ran his hands over you, checking for injuries before his eyes dropped to the angry red marks on your arms where’d grabbed you. Bruises were already forming. In that moment all of the fear turned to absolute white hot rage that the man had dared to harm the woman he loved.

“I’m ok.” You whispered, shaking from the adrenaline. “Bradley, please… I’m ok.”

Jake, seemingly just registering that Nat had said Trent put hands on you, lunged forward, leaning down to grab the man and hoisted him up in one swift move.

“I fucking warned you that if you came near her again or if you fucking hurt her, there would be nothing for the cops to come and collect.” Jake said, his voice deeper and angrier than you’d ever heard it before. “I promised my baby sister I would keep her safe… you came into my home and fucking put hands on my sister in a place she should feel safe.”

He started walking out the front door with him, Trent’s feet not touching the floor. The rest of the Squad followed him out.

“Bradley, please don’t let him kill him.” You begged, sobbing “I can’t lose Jake. He’s not worth it. Please.”

“He won’t kill him, Baby.” He soothed, his voice still rough. You knew he wanted to be out there beating the shit out of Trent. Instead, he was in here, holding you tightly, his hands rubbing circles on your back. “Mav won’t let him. Nat won’t let him. They’ll just let him rough him up some more. He needs to do something… you know your brother.”

“Gracie!” You exclaimed, your thoughts suddenly clearing, “Where’s my baby? He was going to take her! He was going to take us both and said he’d make sure I never saw any of you again.” Saying it outloud caused the last of your hold on your emotions to slip and you dissolved into sobs, collapsing completely into Bradley’s hold.

“Shhh” Bradley soothed, “Baby, it’s ok. She’s with Bob. He has her outside. He won’t let anyone hurt her. She’s safe. You’re safe. Nobody is taking either of my girls anywhere.” He picked you up and carried you to the couch sitting down and holding you against him, rocking you as you cried. “I’ve got you, Angel. I promise you it’s all over now. You’re safe.”

Flashing lights appeared outside of your window for the second time in as many weeks. The neighbors were going to really start to hate you. Bradley continued to hold you close while the police took care of once more arresting Trent and questioning Jake and everyone involved outside before coming inside.

“Tulip” Jake said gently, sitting down next to where Bradley held you on the couch, “The officers need to take your statement, Sweet Girl.”

You nodded, scooting off Bradley’s lap to sit between them on the couch.

“Ma’am, can you walk us through what happened this evening?” The officer asked gently.

“We were cooking out like we do every Friday as a family and I needed to finish the cake. I came inside to do that and the doorbell rang.” You said softly, “I figured it was another one of Jake’s friends or maybe Penny and answered the door without looking. I know that was stupid. As soon as I realized it was Trent I tried to slam the door, but he shoved his foot to block the door then grabbed my arm and pushed his way in. He wouldn’t let go. He said Gracie and I belonged to him and he was going to take us back to Texas…that we’d never see Jake or any of our friends or family again. He wouldn’t let go of me, I couldn’t get out of his grip. He told me to go out back to get Gracie and that if I let on that he was there he’d make me regret that I’d ever been born.”

You paused for a moment to take a deep breath and collect your thoughts. Bradley had his arm around you, his hand in your hair, soothing you. Jake held your other hand, squeezing three times letting you know he loved you.

“Right when he threatened that is when Nat came in and was able to get him to let me go. She got between us and when he threatened to throw her across the yard she damn near knocked him out with an uppercut to the jaw. While he was stunned I kneed him in the groin to put him down and that’s when everyone else came in and got him out of the house.” You finished. You glanced at Jake who was looking at Phoenix with what could only be described as heart eyes, drawing a tiny smile from you.

“We’re already aware that he is in violation of an order of protection for a second time in addition to the probation he was just put on for violating the order the first time.” The officer said. “I am confident he will not be given the option of a cash bond this time and will have to sit for a court appearance. This time he will be looking at mandatory jail time. I’m assuming you have an attorney, you should give them a call as soon as possible to let them know the situation. In the meantime, is it for use to take pictures of your arm and wrist for evidence?”

“Yes.” You said, agreeing to anything that will help to get Trent out of your life for good. The officer had you turn your arm over and took several photos with his phone. He gave you his card and told you if you had any questions or concerns to feel free to give him a call.

Once the officers left, the rest of the squad came back inside, shutting and locking the door behind them.

Bob came in with Gracie from the back, carrying a platter with the meat from the grill.

“We managed to keep it from burning in case anyone was hungry.” Bob said, “Princess Gracie makes a wonderful helper.”

Coyote reached for the platter and carried it to the kitchen, the rest of the group going out back to get the rest of the stuff cleaned up.

“Mommy, you otay?” Gracie asked, coming over to the couch. Jake lifted her into his lap so she was close.

“I’m ok, Baby Girl.” You said, tearfully, reaching for your daughter and hugging her to you tightly. She wrapped her little arms around your neck, knowing you needed her hugs. She was too little to understand what had happened but she knew something had happened and that it had been scary. Bradley reached over and smoothed the curls on Gracie’s head where it rested on your shoulder. It scared him to think how close he’d come to losing these two girls tonight. Had Phoenix not come inside when she did and sent Gracie out to get them, the evening could have had a completely different outcome.

“I wuv you Mommy.” Gracie whispered into your shoulder.

“I love you too, Gracie.” You replied, “So so very much.”

She lifted her head and looked at Bradley, reaching one of her hands out to him. He took it, smiling at her, leaning in to kiss the top of her little head.

“OK, I think we need to take a raincheck on dinner night.” Mav said, coming from the kitchen. “We put the food up into the fridge and got everything cleaned up in there. If you guys need anything, call.”

“Thank you, Mav.” Jake said, “For everything.”

“No thanks needed.” He replied. “I’m glad we were all here.”

“Me too.” Jake replied.

“Call us tomorrow if you all feel up to it and maybe we can have a beach day with this sweet little Princess.” Coyote suggested, “A little fun might do everyone some good.”

“That sounds wonderful, Javy.” You said softly, smiling up at him. “I agree… fun would be nice.”

“Do you need anything tonight?” Bob asked.

“We’re good, man.” Jake replied, “Thank you for keeping Gracie safe.”

“Of course.” He replied.

Once everyone had gone, Jake got up to make ice packs for Phoenix’s hand and your arm. Bradley got Gracie some dinner and gave her a bath for you while you iced the bruised arm and called Lauren.

She said she'd push for the maximum sentence this time and ask if the hearing could be moved up. You said as long as he was in custody without the chance of getting out, you could wait the two weeks, but if she COULD work miracles and get it moved up you wouldn’t say no.

After getting off the phone with her you reheated some dinner so everyone could eat if they were hungry. You didn’t have much of an appetite but knew you needed to eat something. You carried plates to the living room, setting them down on the coffee table. You smiled at your brother and Phoenix. He had her perched on his lap, while she iced her bruised knuckles.

“Your girlfriend has a pretty fierce uppercut, Jake.” You smirked, “Don’t do anything to piss her off.”

“Oh, I’ve always had a healthy fear of this one, Tulip.” He said smiling at Phoenix, “She’s fierce. Talented. Beautiful. So damn smart. Best damn pilot. I respect the hell outta her.”

“Why were you always giving me such a hard time then?” She asked, a smile lighting up her face at Jake’s words.

“Because you scared the shit outta me.” He admitted, “I knew how fast and completely I’d fall for you if I let myself and honestly, you’re so far outta my league Nix… I didn’t think I ever stood a chance.”

“Jake, you’re an idiot.” She laughed, “I had the biggest crush on you the moment we met… even when you were acting like an asshole, I still liked you… which just pissed me off. I’m glad you finally came to your senses.”

“Well… THAT…” He said, “Is another thing we can thank my sweet baby sister for. She saw right through me the first day I had you all over here. She told me to STOP being an idiot and ask you out.”

“I had ulterior motives.” You shrugged. “I wanted a badass bestie as my future sister in law.”

“She is a badass, isn’t she.” Jake said proudly. “My beautiful badass girlfriend.”

“Girlfriend, huh?” Phoenix questioned, smiling at Jake. “Guess that means you wanna be my boyfriend?”

“So so much.” He replied, smiling back.

“You two are adorable.” You laughed, getting up to head to Gracie’s room. “I’m going to go find my daughter and Bradley now.”

“Speaking of adorable.” Phoenix called after you. You laughed, continuing to walk. She wasn’t wrong. The bond your daughter had with Bradley WAS adorable.

You found the pair in your room. Bradley was laid out on your bed with Gracie snuggled up on him while he read her a book about a princess. You stood in the doorway taking it in, letting the stress and terror from the evening wash away from you.

“Hey, Beautiful, wanna come join us?” Bradley asked, seeing you standing there. You smiled, walking into the room and sliding into the bed, cuddling into him. He relaxed even more, as having both of his girls in his arms felt amazing. He turned his head to kiss your forehead before continuing to read Gracie’s book.

When he reached the end of the book, he expected Gracie to be asleep, but the little girl was just relaxed and content to lay in his arms where she felt safe.

After a minute she looked at you then up at Bradley, smiling she crawled up so she could reach him and kissed Bradley’s cheek.

“I wuv you Daddy Woosta.” She declared before settling herself back down onto his chest and laying her head against his heart as if she hadn’t just dropped the biggest love bomb on the man. His heart exploded in his chest, happiness radiating into every part of his body. At that moment he didn't think anything had ever made him happier. He froze then, unsure what to do or what to say. What did you want him to do?

He looked at you quickly to see your reaction. Relief flooded him when he saw pure happiness on your face and tears in your eyes. He instantly relaxed and he used the arm holding Gracie to pull her closer to him, turning his head to kiss her forehead.

“I love you too, my little Princess. So So So much.” He told her, his voice thick with emotion, tears forming in his own eyes “I will forever and always love you.”

“Mommy, I sweepy.” Gracie yawned, “I go my bed now? You and Daddy Woosta take me night-night?”

“Yes, Baby Girl.” You said, “We can tuck you in. Do you want to go say goodnight to Uncle Jakey and Aunty Nix first?”

“Yes!” She crawled over everyone to jump down from the bed and head out on her own to the living room leaving you and Bradley in the room alone for a moment.

“Are you OK with your new title?” You asked, standing up from the bed. You were already pretty sure of his response, but needed confirmation.

“Sweetheart, I can’t even tell you how incredible that was.” He said, a smile spreading across his face again. “That is a title I am absolutely honored to hold if YOU’RE ok with her calling me that.”

“Bradley you’re everything I’ve always dreamed of and wished for in a father for her… but you’re even more.” You said. “Gracie would be the luckiest girl in the world to have you as her Daddy.”

“I was so scared, Sweetheart.” He admitted. “When Gracie came out and said you needed us and Nix sent her out… I knew something was wrong. Then when said he planned to take you and Gracie… Fuck… Sweetheart had we been any longer and it’d have been too late. I could have lost my girls. I don’t ever want to be without either of you. Life is so much better with you in it. It’s brighter. I can’t go back to life without you.”

“I was scared of never seeing you again. Of being back in Texas and trapped in hell with Trent.” You said, “You make me happy Bradley. I feel safe with you. You make Gracie happy and she adores you. You’ve become a huge part of our world and I kinda wanna keep you.”

“That’s great to hear, Sweetheart.” He smiled, pulling you into his arms. “Because I DEFINITELY wanna keep you both.”

Once Gracie was tucked in, you and Bradley joined Jake and Phoenix in the living room to watch a movie and decompress from the day. It wasn’t how you’d pictured the day going, but in the end some good had come from it. Trent would not be a threat, for the time being at least, and from what Lauren said, this would pretty much guarantee your divorce being granted and his parental rights being stripped. You’d happily deal with a few bruises and moments of fear if that was the outcome.

Later, the movie finished and everyone turned in, you were cuddled in bed with Bradley, your head pillowed on his chest, your limbs tangled, arms wrapped around one another. It was exactly what both of you needed after the emotional evening. Bradley listened as your breathing evened out and you’d fallen asleep.

“I love you, Sweetheart.” He whispered, his fingers gently stroking your hair, until he too drifted off to sleep.

A/N: PHEW! What do we think???? That was an emotional rollercoaster. More to come!!

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#bradley rooster bradshaw #bradley bradshaw x reader #Miles Teller #top gun fanfiction #starting over #big brother Jake Seresin

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itsscromp · 1 year ago

Text

Platonic Miguel O'Hara X reader

Hello and welcome all to my first official story. I hope you enjoy it, once again criticism is appreciated to help me learn and grow. I will be using a gender neutral reader too.

WARNING IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE LAST CHANCE TO TURN AWAY AS THIS WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS.

Also @callofdudes your added to my first tag list 😊

Other than that let's begin :)

1.8k words

Backstory:

"Ok people lets go over this one more time, my name is y/n l/n and for almost a year I have been New York's only Spider-Man. I was bitten by a radioactive spider yada yada yada you get the picture, but it was one day my whole world changed."

Present:

Y/n was on a mission to hunt down Kraven the hunter after their dad's police communicator went off with the location of him, their dad had an interesting view of Spider-Man. One of which Y/n didn't agree with, they reached the location of Kraven seeing all the destruction he had caused.

"Tread carefully." Y/n thought to themself.

As they swung into the building they made sure to web the officers to the cars to make sure they don't get hurt.

"Sorry officers !!" Y/n spoke in a deep voice as to not alert their dad.

Once inside they scoped out the building making sure no one else was inside or hurt, whatever kraven did he sure did a number on the place, But as they were investigating their spider-sense started to tingle.

"Spider-man !!!!" A thick russian accent yelled out.

Y/n then dodged an incoming boulder that Kraven attempted to crush them with and leapt to the wall.

"Woah woah easy their crocodile hunter." But as y/n looked at him, something was different. this was not the Kraven they knew.

"Another spider ???, no matter you'll die like the rest !!!"

A fight ensued with this Kraven and y/n, a copycat was all you could think of.

Then a loud bang was heard and Kraven turned around, your dad had freed himself from the web to stop kraven.

"Officer get out of here it's too dangerous !!!" y/n yelled out to him.

"you !!!!' Kraven then lunged himself at y/n's dad and tossed him like a ragdoll despite his best attempts, he hit the concrete rubble really hard causing a big thud to be heard.

"No !!!!!" Y/n then swung and knocked back Kraven temporarily knocking him out, they rushed over to their dad and helped him out of the rubble, but it didn't look to good, He looked like he was growing weak by the minute. without thinking y/n slipped off their mask.

"Dad no no no, I'll find help ok just stay with me !!"

"Shhh Shhh It's ok y/n......"

"Dad hang on !!!"

Their dad gently and shakily brought his hand to their face gently caressing their cheek. Tears filling y/n's eyes.

"Dad......"

"My little superhero......" Y/n saw the life drain from his eyes, the next he was gone. Devastated y/n froze, their dad gone. It was then they were tossed away from him as Kraven has recovered.

"Now you !!"

"oh yeah ??" y/n got up and another fight ensued, landing punch after punch, after kick after kick. they were angry and sad. this Kraven took their dad away from them. He had to pay, you did get a fair beating too. it wasn't until this Kraven started to glitch out that he was then restrained, You took such a heavy beating that your body couldn't even continue anymore, the last thing you saw before you passed out was 3 people, one with a red and blur silhouette, a woman and another person with a hoodie.

Later:

Y/n woke up to the blinding lights and a machine beeping, as they gently sat up a doctor quickly came to their side. She looked a spider person.

"Your awake, just take it easy you've put a good fight" the spider doctor gently laid you back down.

"Where.... am I ?"

"Your in the hospital other spider kid" the man in the blue hoodie came up to him. he had long blond hair and was really muscular.

Y/n's spider sense went nuts as did the person's

"Your.. like me.."

"And I thought my past was weird" the man does some emo hair flip.

"Name's ben or the scarlet spider."

Y/n then noticed a bracelet on their wrist and tried to take it off.

"I wouldn't do that, it'll make you all glitchy like that kraven."

"what ??"

"Miguel will explain, He has told me but I was distracted by my biceps."

"Right.."

Y/n got up and followed Ben outside, they were shocked to find what they saw, many many many spider-people

"What is this place ??"

"Spider-society" a woman followed you and ben, Y/n then noticed she was pregnant

"Your.."

"I know, we don't know the gender yet. we want to keep it a surprise, come on now Miguel is waiting for you."

The three then reached the main building of spider-society and went into an dark almost empty room

"Miguel their here" jess called out

a platform was slowly coming down to reveal the same red and blue silhouette like last time, the platform was still moving ever so slowly.

"Uhhhh"

"I know its slow but its kinda his thing." ben said before the platform fully stopped and Miguel turned around.

"Hey kid, your awake"

"What am I doing here ??"

"Obviously we couldn't leave you out their. with your injury's and everything. but also you have questions about what happened."

"How did you.."

"I know a lot of things kid, Lyla do the thing."

a small hologram of a woman came up near Miguel's shoulder."

"Huh what thing ??"

"Wha, what do you mean what thing, the information explaining thing."

"Oh right."

The entire room darkened further and then a small droplet like hologram slowly came down.

"What is this ??"

"This.. is everything"

As Miguel finished that word, the droplet hit the floor and bloomed a tree like system before turning into a system of red strings, almost forming like a web.

"This is everything, all of our lives woven together like a beautiful web with life and destiny."

"Woah...." Y/n was in awe of what they are seeing

"It's called the arachnid humanoid poly multiverse, which sounds.... long and stupid"

Y/n noticed a screen on the web that showed multiple spider-people.

"They are the canon, chapters that are apart of every spider's story, every time. Some good, some bad, some very bad."

Miguel then brought a small orb in his hand and the web's went upwards, Revealing all the different spider people who lost their loved ones, including y/n's dad.

"My little superhero.." the hologram said

"Dad..." tears filled your eyes

"This one, event ASN-90, a police captain close to Spider-Man dies saving a kid from falling rubble while fighting a nemesis."

The hologram replayed the events, seeing this Spider-Man broke y/n's heart.

"This happened to you ??"

y/n turned around to ben after seeing his hologram, he looked saddened by it.

"And me." jess spoke up

"That's how story is supposed to go, the canon events are the connection that binds our lives together and those connections can be broken, And that's why anomaly's are so dangerous, like how you experienced with that kraven. he was a threat to you universe."

the webs then disappeared and the room lit up again. y/n grew sadder and slightly angrier

"So.... your saying.. my dad's death.. was a canon event"

"Unfortunately yes, even if you tried to change it, it wouldn't help in the long run. Believe me kid I tried" Miguel's voice suddenly turned cold.

"So I just had to watch my dad die for the sake of the multiverse !!!"

"y/n calm down.."

"No screw all of you !!"

y/n immediately ran outside, tears now flowing down their face, blurring where they ran. they then leapt off the balcony and began swinging around spider-society. They found the tallest building and landed on the roof, letting out the most heartbreaking scream.

Miguel didn't seem bothered by how y/n bolted out. yes they lost a loved one and it was a canon event, the multiverse would collapse if something happened. Ben and Jess were worried for y/n, they have experienced something like this.

"Uhhh boss don't you think you should check on them ??" ben said

"They'll be fine ben"

"Miguel come on" jess spoke up

"Why me, why not you two ??"

lyla then popped up again.

"They've lost a father figure, you would understand that !!'

"Don't you ever bring that up !!!" Miguel yelled

"Miguel... just check on them"

Miguel pinched the edge of his eyes and started muttering in Spanish.

"Fine fine, lyla find y/n"

"On it boss"

On the rooftop:

y/n was sitting on the edge of the balcony scrolling their phone through videos and photos of them and their dad.

"I gotcha daddy !!" a video your dad sent you when your grandpa recorded you acting like a superhero and him the villain, you were no more than 5 at the time.

"Come here my little superhero." your dad smiled and brought you into a tight loving hug. loving and protected. now you had no one. you were on you own.

They heard a slight thud and footsteps approaching them.

"Kid...." Miguel gently sat beside them

"I don't want the whole he died for a reason for the sake of the multiverse."

"It's not that"

"Then what do you want !!!"

"I.... I came to check on you"

y/n stopped and then gently looked back out into spider society, going quiet again.

"y/n... I get it, I..... I lost my daughter. I know what its like.

they gently looked at him

"She said I was her whole world, I would do anything to see her again. but I can't."

y/n remained quiet as he explained.

"If's theirs anyone who understands this the most it's me, And I may not look like it but...... If you need someone to talk to I'm here"

"thanks Miguel" y/n nodded and looked back out into the distance.

Miguel then looked at y/n and hesitantly patted their shoulder, Y/n started to feel at ease with Miguel's presence.

"Give me your hand" Miguel gestured them to do so

y/n then held out their hand for Miguel to place a device in their hand.

"This is a dimension traveling device, but its also a welcoming, y/n I know your lost right now but i want to give you a place to belong"

"Miguel..." y/n looked at the device

"Welcome to spider-society y/n"

y/n then gave Miguel a big hug, he tensed up for a little bit but slowly relaxed into it and wrapped his arms around them. Miguel felt something he hadn't felt in a long time, all he knew is that he will help and train y/n to become the best they can be. To look after them when things were getting rocky. y/n felt happy that they made a good friend, one who will pick them up when they fall. this was the start of an amazing friendship.

#miguel o'hara #spider man 2099 #across the spiderverse #platonic #miguel x reader #platonic Miguel o’hara #reader insert

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impala-dreamer · 2 years ago

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Ok ok ok...ya know the Seb outfit yesterday? with the jacket and the coat and the all black and the scruff? Of course you do ok anywhore, picture Bucky. In that...but BUT he's like on a mission right? So who knows what he's got hidden in there. I'm just saying.

*sigh* Just for you...

It was all going so nicely and then- out of fucking nowhere, there are bullets flying past your head, people screaming, glass shattering. The gilded crowd of charity gala goers was in a panic, rushing around you to reach the exit. Jewels and fur stoles blurred in your vision, high heels and polished shoes battered the polished marble floor like so many tiny hammers as they raced to safety. Once, twice, three times, you’d been knocked aside, shoved against the wall, slammed into by careless fat cats who cared for nothing but getting themselves and their trophy wives out of the grand hall and into the cold night.

As you trembled behind an expensive piece of rubbish that some asshole was calling art, you stared at the intruders as they overtook the room. A group of men cloaked in black from head to combat boot were trashing the place, knocking over tables, grabbing at jeweled necklines, and shooting machine guns into the air.

Your heart was racing, pulse beating in your head so loudly that it hurt. You scanned the room for salvation, but you were on your own. There was only one thing to do- run.

Grabbing up the heavy skirt of your gown, you kicked your shoes off and went for it. The exit wasn’t too far, but there was an ocean of trouble between you and the giant glass doors, not to mention bullets, scared old men with gem-encrusted canes, and what now appeared to be specially trained assassins. If only your date hadn’t split…

Taking a deep breath, you pushed off the ground and broke into a run. Unsurprisingly, you didn’t get too far before you were ducking and screaming as the wall beside you was impregnated with a spray of bullets that sent the plaster tumbling down upon you. Gritting your teeth and clenching your dress, you ran like Cinderella being chased by midnight. Just a little bit further and-

Your breath stopped as you slammed into a solid wall of black-clad flesh. He grabbed your upper arm and spun with you, pulling you out of the way of an incoming chair.

When your eyes cleared, you stared up at your date. His hair was a little messier than when he’d left you, his eyes a little more focused. Bucky.

“Where the hell have you been!” you yelled, slapping at his chest in annoyance.

He looked down with a smirk. “You’re welcome for saving your life.” Leaning down, he kissed you hard, sucking at your lips in a hurry. You swooned, momentarily melting against his expensive suit, but the moment was shortlived.

Just to break you apart, a nearby table flipped in your direction and you jolted, clinging to him.

“Doesn’t feel saved yet!” you snit.

Bucky winked and despite the danger, you felt your tempterature rise with desire.

“Give me a sec, doll- I got this.” Letting you go, he turned back to the danger, black trench coat flapping in slow motion in your eyes. He reached beneath the coat and came back with a giant gun, immediately taking on the competition. He spared one more flirtatious look over his shoulder at you and then rushed forward into the fray.

You sighed and watched in awed exasperation as he went to work. “Next time, I’m taking Steve…”

He laughed. “I heard that!”

Impala-Dreamer’s Masterlist ~ Patreon ~ Published Works ~ Buy Me A Coffee ~ Feedback is Gold

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 @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 @the-wounded-healer05 @thoughts-and-funnies @vulgar-library

#marvel fanfiction #bucky x reader #drabble #oops?#fluff

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bluewinnerangel · 2 years ago

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right back at ya cowboy

Omg ella I'm so sorry I was gonna do this "later" and then it got buried. OK. I clicked. EDIT: I JUST FOUND THIS IN MY DRAFTS IM DOUBLE SORRY lol imma expose my ramble draft

[So in case someone's reading this thinking ???? we sometimes throw a spinning wheel of songs at each other and then just go rambling yelling analysing whatever it gives back. I've kept track with this tag, feel free to copy any of them wheels links and go off or bug someone with it actually pls do]

Oh you mean that song I for some reason like some total idiot put on first thing in the morning and just bawl my eyes out, you know when its so early you're just so vulnerable and everything feels raw and there's no thoughts just something primal happens and it's me drowning myself in this song and then the day can start I guess am I fine nobody knows. It's now my Saturday morning ritual where before coffee I see some sun and I just bawl there's something therapeutic about it. I'd recommend it. Just some sun some coffee brewin some confused pet wondering if you're OK yeah.

Anyway. The song I can place extremely easily in like "1d ended and it sucked" context, but it works with a lot. whatever I can think of him, or anyone, writing about, whatever it means to me. (general Louis' songwriting ramble incoming:) I'm looking at FITF differently compared to Walls and previous work and he's approached it differently, I feel like what he's been saying about his discography fits that as well. I think (this is a mash of what i think to hear in his lyrics and in interviews, so heavy paraphrasing:) before he had this idea he should be writing where the whole thing makes sense to be about this one situation/idea and it has to be about him too and sure perhaps a context might have been written around it, but i think in the past hes been pretty perfectionist on having every single line fit the thing he was thinking of what that song is, and now thats no longer the case. Now it's whatever works, whatever hits, feels, does it. It doesn't matter one thought/situation flows into another.

I guess that was a long rambley way of saying I wanna do line by line lyric analyses of his stuff but I don't know how to make that work as it did previously, for me at least. But on the other by temporarily running with one interpretation and seeing what you can find in the lines can really help see more angles, bring more depth to the line, and consider other meanings and stuff so.. idk not much wrong with it. I wanna do that too I think. This is I guess A Promise I'll do a Holding On To Heartache lyric breakdown. At Some Point. :D

But I think his choices of words and soundscapes and perhaps all them being little references are just wonderful. I cherish it so much. I'm slightly afraid he did the same in Perfect Now (like after seeing a web of possible perfect now lyrical referencing that song did become one of my favs as I love that idea like it gives so much more body depth meaning whatever to a song to me even if not on purpose lol its not even relevant at that point anymore anyway) and long term didn't value it much so now I'm afraid my new little more poppy fav will be his new neglected child but time will tell. Just... have an itch. Rip. EDIT yeah that itch got worse because of the track by track we got now.. it's got that bit about HOTH being a poppy one and the way he's talking about it sigh i feel him but sigh also hes sigh i dont wannt start that discourse over that shit so no. but itch. I uh... luckily don't let how I interpret his reactions to his own songs affect the way I feel about his own songs haha brainpayne this.

ok ok ok last ramble it sounds so fucking liquid? so wet?? how do I explain this why does it sound w e t EDIT: help me he said the sound is like a guitar under water like he's drowning it's flooding we're in a puddle of tears this song, it's what makes me bawl I think, because the song sounds like bawling, and your cheeks are puffed up and we,t and you find a moment of quiet and stare up at the sky with your wet lashes exhausted defeated but you're still here you're still breathing. Also the bridge with the "space between us just comes FLOODING back" at the end of it, it's not the bit that hits the hardest in an obvious way, instead it kinda gets overlooked a way, theres no moment to sit and waddle in the SHIT FLOODING BACK RIGHT THERE it just goes right into the quiet bit again,there's no time given to recover from getting crushed by the wavesm and it just does something to me... I can't leave that bit as the little end of a big thought it sounds like, but the way its sung... time just keeps ticking and we're at the end. I'm almost sure that wasn't intentional and like @ me why focus on this of all the overwhelm that's in this song, but that just feels like a reflection of the feeling I get from this song, you're just fucking sitting there in the middle of this overwhelming ache these waves of hurt and shit just moves on and youre just there stuck there with but i wasn't done? But I guess I should be? Like there's no room for me drowning in this even more but I feel like I need to still?

ramble out.

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somewhatclear · 1 year ago

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ok so @greypetrel tagged me (@deerna) on this meme like *checks timestamp* two months ago, but i got around to empty out my inbox only now so.... better late than never...?

some rambling about the choices, and blank under the cut!

if you feel like doing it, consider yourself tagged :3

what do you mean "i had" an old account?? i still cross-post everything on my dreamwidth, i'll have you know!

obviously i have an ao3 account

i do write smut even if it's hell

beta-reading for friends AND publishing without a beta are often going hand in hand for some reason

if you're not writing self-indulgent fic, why the hell are you writing fic for???

i am terrible at commenting bc by the time im at the end of the fic my brain is mush so yeah. you get the ol' keysmash more often than not. im turning to emojis a lot now in my old age tho lmao

leave kudos! leave feedback! always! or as often as you can.

i mostly write m/m so. yeah.

fanfic is an actual literary genre! beside the fact that it doesn't follow the normal rules for worldbuilding and setting up, fanfic is generally more character-driven than "regular" fiction. if you hear "contemporary sff reads like fanfiction, these days" it's bc it's becoming more character driven! and if you're saying that because you're making a comment about the poor quality of the writing, i have a spoiler for you: we always had bad literature. published literature can be extremely, appallingly, entertainingly bad. and it has always been.

my hyperfixation bounces around a lot, and my old fandoms are never forgotten.

...i do too much research. i have spent the past three days on the harvard website just to try and figure out their schedule for the years 2013-2015 NOBODY CARES ABOUT THAT DEE!!! STOP!!!

listen. sometimes. things that are outlined. are worse. -- and here's another meme for you: "i will outline this fic so i can write it!" (AND THEN I DIDN'T)

i think it's normal to wait for feedback. i am firmly in the "writing for myself" field of belief, but if i share it, i want to know what people think about it. i wouldn't share it otherwise.

IT HAPPENED A FEW RARE TIMES, BUT IT DID HAPPEN-- also one of my little dreams is to commission a couple artists but disposable income is hard won these days.

"at least one" unpublished/unfinished story. AT LEAST 🤣

editing is fun, formatting is hell.

i do get ideas in the middle of the night WHICH IS WHY I DEVISED A SYSTEM TO KEEP TRACK OF ALL THE PLOTS I THINK ABOUT. you never know when you might get the itch to write that one stupid idea. (sometimes, it's just me yelling in your discord dms. you know who you are. thank you. im so sorry)

write while drunk and edit while sober! i actually have fond memories of doing that new year's eve between 2010 and 2011. i was stuck at home with the flu and celebrated all by myself lmao.

#meme

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cuprohastes · 1 year ago

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Starfield!

OK I've been playing the heck out of this and I have some thoughts. Under the cut.

TL:DR - I'm enjoying it a whole lot.

OK, this is a very Bethesda game. I mean you can see the Fallout 4 DNA, and it's distant ancestor, Skyrim.

And there's some classic bugs: Putting your super rare and cool looking space suit on the Armoury Mannekin is great. And if you change the least amount of your ship it will vanish forever.

Not all your very cool, upgraded weapons will stick around. They'll just show up missing. The tutorials on navigation or ship building appear to be 100% missing. The speech challenge is... hilariously crap and badly explained

But... but...

Out of days of play that's pretty much the only issues I've had, apart from 'Oh dear god I'm over encumbered AGAIN?!' Because for some reason, Bethesda thought that an upper limit of 150KG before buffs or perks or suit mods was acceptable. I mean... OK. It probably is, but given most of your income is hauling gently used equipment and other goodies back to your ship and flogging it off for space bottlecaps septims dollars, it can get really annoying that while carrying the equivalent of two adult humans, you can only sprint for a little bit.

Unless you get your robot butler to pick up the load, but say goodbye to stealth play because at the merest hint of Bad Guy activity, it'll sprint into the thick of things yelling about how it's not programmed for combat, DIE SQUISHY HUMAN RARG RARG PUNCH KICK TWIRL... yes dude, please back off so I can fire this proton canon into that bad person's kneecaps.

I mean you can just park it and say 'wait here'. You even get a quest and marker to find it again if you forget.

But it's a very mellow game. Yes it is super easy to make the game spawn a couple of loot dungeons. But have you tried going to Mars where the horrible grimy mine is... staffed by fairly happy and content miners who are not being exploited, and where you can pick up a mission to put up posters so that people will feel happier? OR that fetch quest designed to get you visiting other locations on behalf of the comic book fan? What about the first faction you meet who won a war but who's citizens were so horrified by it that they formed a working peace with their erstwhile opponents, and admit, yeah, the enetire thing was their fault: Let's rebuild and be better people.

They have a museum where they have a display explaining 'We won but when we asked AITA, the answer was Yes.'

And then you can go sit in the park and eat meatloaf. Maybe build your own colony and put up Space Frog, the Frog from Space posters. Start a garden. Get eaten by a Terrormorph

But you want to be a pirate, a smuggler, a Space Cop, A Ranger, a spy, a bounty hunter, a collections agent or a freelance bad-guy murderer? Oh yeah that for SURE is a bunch of things that you are basically offered right away, and that's not even the main plot. These are fun sub plots. This is a way to rack up XP and bank the hilariously small amount of money it takes to re-build your ship into the space Winnebago of your dreams.

How's that work?

OK you have a space winnebago. Cockpit at the front, mobile home in the middle, then a bunch of engines and pew-pew sticks. Porch on the belly and buncha legs to stand on.

You can swap the middle part - Bed n' kitchen, science room, workshop, infirmary, armoury, captains quarters, living quarters, a couple of other options.

Want more? Well... click a second unit on. Or a long version. Or some passages. Hell, make a star destroyer with every type of room and cover it with engines and lasers and storage units.

You just need to be able to train up to get the reactor to power it all. The good news is that you can absolutely hire staff to run all your systems and have ship with a crew, and a companion who'll happily tag along and provide banter. Or solo it all.

And so far there's no Preston Garvey.

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xoxo-ren-xoxo · 5 months ago

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Ok ok it's time for both some self-promo and some promo of other people's stuff ... again. This fandom is just so full of talented people honestly.

self promo

I'm flattered to see that someone already recommended my current long multichapter INCOMING MESSAGE - COMM RECORDS, but if you didn't see that post, here's a quick summary / why one should read: After a server reset gone wrong, the Hermits are in grave danger. The multiverse is tearing itself apart, the deities of each world are causing even more issues, and a certain hermit is risking everything at the centre of it all. This fic is told in an 'audio log' format, so it's a pretty easy read, though the mystery element will have you coming up with lots of theories along the way. I try to update as often as I can!

My Watcher / Listener lore fics, You Say You Feel Hollow (and you know it's 'cause you are) and Who can really tell? follow Grian and BigB as they navigate their lives as a Watcher-vessel and Listener-vessel. These oneshots deal with existential and philosophical issues surrounding both characters' existence. Heed the tags, these fics involve major character death. I am very proud of the worldbuilding in these ones :) [wearing a shirt that says 'please ask me about my watcher listener lore']

My convexian / life series / ??? cannibalism series. I think most people know me for these fics. If you like a bit of gore and horror but with cutesy gay feelings attached, this is basically the series for you. The convexian fics are all from the same universe. The others are up to interpretation. Enjoy.

others' fics

I've already made a couple of posts about other people's fics (here and here) but I've already picked up a few more so!!

Maybe This Is How It Starts by @silentending is a really great take on the superhero/villain AU. I love how the worldbuilding is done in this fic and its sequel. Also, I like how this fic is not afraid to make its characters flawed. There are moments where I just want to yell at all the characters, and those moments make them feel more real. All around a great idea and fic.

The RED series by Sleepy_Duck makes me insane, actually. Another superhero story with brilliant worldbuilding and some very dark story beats. I love how Scar is characterised throughout, and how his experiences have clearly shaped him as a person. I'm so so so obsessed with hero AUs where the heroes are kind of terrible and the villains are right.

Potion of Forget This by @thatonewatercat is a great take on the amnesia trope. I like the concept of Xisuma, usually deemed the server's "leader", losing his memories completely. A simple concept executed really really well. I was slightly devastated by the most recent chapter, but this fic balances humour and drama really well. It's lovely!

breathe easy here with me by @gladumfdoodles, because no one can stop me from my obsession with mermaid AUs. This one follows Scar, a mer trapped in a seaworld-type aquatic park, and Grian, a university student specialising in marine biology. This one leans heavily into ideas of systemic corruption and exploitation, which I really love as themes. All mer AUs are great, but I like how this one brings us into the mind of each character!

errmmm I hope this post wasn't too long. masterposts for my fics can also be found in my pinned post!!!

you know what I haven’t seen going around in a while, and could use some of myself? fic recs! so, consider this both a rec and a self-promo post: recommend some fics to me in the reblogs and I’ll reblog your recs! in general, try to include both a summary and why you’re reccing it (whether it’s a self-promo or someone else’s), and let’s get some eyes on fics!

#reblogs #ben chats shit on the internet #hi second. i am so sorry. this post is long #hermitcraft

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violetsystems · 1 year ago

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Day two of detox woke up with a splitting headache. I think I dreamt I drank a margarita in anticipation of a hangover. But I'm ok. Not going back to drinking ever. I have cops following me around in the Costco making it a point to administer eyedrops in front me in the middle of the aisle. (One of the positions I'm interviewing for is for police accountability.) All the while the people in knock off Chanel stalking me with copies of diary of a wimpy kid near the checkout line. (A step up from the people following me around with the diary of Anne Frank... yes that happened too.). I have people two days in a row filming my apartment window from the train platform. I had to go out there and yell so I'm sure you'll see it on TikTok. Maybe I'll finally get my big break. have garbage and wild animals roaming my porch and the tattooed gabber neighbors who fill the laundry room with weed smoke seem to just walk on by. I have no rights whatsoever and I'm cool with it. I'm also completely sober. Hopefully the anger will subside. But honestly the accounts that I block I feel bad about blocking are like the friends I had to let go off for not listening to me. Not to mention some. of those accounts are less than a year old. I can feel when you are just there to spy on me and I can feel when you want to be my friend. Call it psychic. But that's the whole shame and isolate tactic out here I've lived for the last three years. Make you feel bad or crazy so you don't question it. I think I'm done blocking people for now. I'm not really here to socialize if you haven't guessed it. If you are going to tag my possum videos as mature maybe you should be a little more mature behind the scenes there and do a better job. If only there were an office of police accountability for Tumblr... I'm not crazy. This country about to go broke. Legal weed is expensive I get it. But last time I checked? I don't do drugs and you don't have a warrant unless it's the fisa. So maybe the police can start doing their job correctly and respecting my civil liberties instead of playing guerrilla games with insurrectionists in the grocery store for America’s funniest home videos Thankfully my interview is after Juneteenth. I mean that how I say it. Maybe people should learn how to read. Before you go lumping me in with the writer's strike? I have never received income from Tumblr ever. And you should remember when I gave people on here five dollars for school text books way way back. (I never did get my picture but I found a better coloring artist in the long run.) You should also know that behind the scenes if you think my community is "mature." Trust is something you have to earn with me. And I've been on this platform over ten years dude. So have some of my followers. That's called history. And you can choose to erase my narrative all you want. It's still here for the government to practice their reading comprehension. Thanks FISA. 🙏🏻

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thr-333 · 4 years ago

Text

Drastic Measures- Part 5

@daminette-december2019-2020

~Sweater~

Shoves romance to the side and shoves friendship in your face!!!

Ao3

First< Previous > Next

----------

“Marinette,” Adrien whines as she opens the curtain the second they get back, “Sleep,”

“Just a minute, I want to design Damian something,” Marinette takes up residence at the desk, throwing open her sketchbook, “I will be friends with him!”

“Wasn't he kind of a jerk to you?” Adrien flops onto the bed, Plagg rig after him, "I think we should go back to that point, maybe sleep on it,"

“You were a jerk too~” Marinette sing-songs finishing up a rough sketch of a sweater.

“I was trying to get the gum off your seat!” Adrien slams his hands down.

“Sure you were~”

“Mariiiiiii,” Adrien collapses back into the bed covers, muffling his whining.

“Come on you,” Marinette collects her sketchbook, “Come get material with me,”

“No, it’s time to sleep,”

“It’s midday,”

“Your point?”

"Ok, Plagg 2.0 should I get you some camembert while I'm out too?"

"I'm up!" Adrien sits bolt upright, "Never call me that again,"

Marinette ends up dragging Adrien out of the mansion he pouts as Alfred delivers them into the city she thanks him profusely.

“We were just in the city why didn’t you pick up fabric then?” Adrien walks by her side down the street.

“Because I’m stuck between 2 concepts and I need to see the fabric before going forward,” Marinette bounces along looking through the windows there are quite a few craft shops in the area which suits her just fine.

“Please don’t run off,” Adrien gently holds her sleeve, “Marinette this city…”

“It’s filled with a dark energy,” Marinette agrees, even in this nicer area had something ominous hanging over it, “It’s like it’s seeped into the city’s very bones,”

“And the Akuma aren’t helping things,” A child across the street starts crying and they both instinctively lookout.

“On the plus side at least hawkmoth doesn't send Akuma after every little thing,” Marinette forces herself to relax, moving on as the kids parents comfort them.

“On the downside, he sends them after emotions that are a lot worse,” Adrien follows along into a store as Marinette filters through the shelves.

“Maybe but we can handle this,” Marinette absent-mindedly raises her fist, meeting Adreins, “Do you think I should make something for everyone, you know as a thank you?”

“I haven't gotten them anything,” Adrien takes the armful of fabric Marinette passes him as she brings out her sketchbook to select old designs.

“I’ll handle the making,” Marinette ticks off a vest she thinks with be perfect for Bruce, “And you handle the finances,”

“I stole my father's credit card,” Adrien says with a grin, “He’ll probably find out where I am soon anyway so might as well start using it,”

“In that case,” Marinette pulls out a roll of incredibly expensive fabric, “We also need new phones,”

“And we should go out for lunch,”

“Get our hair done?” Marinette adds, looking at her half hacked off hair “I still need to fix mine from this,”

“I was thinking our room could use a chair?”

“And the bookshelf is looking a bit empty,”

“A nice expensive rug would really liven up the room,”

“Would it be completely inappropriate to get a motorcycle?”

“Yes,” Adrien agrees, “Let's do it,”

They stop to get new phones first, having destroyed their old ones when they ran away. Adrien finds the most expensive restaurant in town, but it's on the far end so they stop to get a motorcycle first.

“I didn’t know you could ride,” Adrien gestures for the waiter in their private room, “Yes can I please have the duck?”

“My Nona taught me,” Marinette sips at the most expensive drink she can legally buy, “I thought you hated duck?”

“Oh I do,” Adrien grins, which drops when his phone starts ringing, “How did he even get this number?”

Marinette looks over his shoulder to see Gabriel trying to call. Adrien purposefully hangs up rolling his eyes.

“We should go do our hair next,” Adrien leans over the table with a manic grin, ”I was thinking of dying it hot pink,”

“Love the concept,” Marinette cringes at the very thought, “But the execution is flawed, you need to dye it a color you actually like not one just to spite your father otherwise he's still just controlling your life, just in a different way,”

“You're right,” Adrien sighs leaning back examining his blonde locks, “What do you think?”

“A nice pastel or cherry blossom pink would look amazing,” Adrien perks up at the suggestion he can still keep the pink, “Actually I might do that too- oh wait! Will that affect our transformation?”

“Not unless you really want to deep down,” Tikki explains, her and Plagg gorging themselves on expensive cheese and treats.

“Well deep down I really don't want to give away our identities like this,”

“It’s a plan then,” Adrien smiles, “Now do you want to order anything else?”

“Thanks but I’m full,”

“What's that got to do with anything?”

---

“Looks great Nette,” Adrien gives her a side hug, the hairdresser shooing him away while he does the final touch-ups.

“Are you talking to me or yourself?” Marinette smiles at the new and improved shock of pink hair.

“Well obviously I look fabulous, but you look great too,” Marinette rolls her eyes at him looking back in the mirror. Instead of evening out her hair, they had made it look like her little episode was actually intentional giving it nice layers and even doing an undercut on the other side. Unlike Adrien, she didn't go all pink, instead the tips being white ombre up to pink and then her natural hair color.

“Thanks, you have to send a picture of your hair to Nino he's more invested in your teenage rebellion than you are, he’s probably also hurt you left him out of the running away part,”

“He has suggested, more than once, running away together,”

“Why what's wrong with Nino's family?”

“Nothing at all,” Adrien quickly covers, “I think he just really wanted me to run away, his mum offered to pack us lunches,”

“Well, maybe we could have used the turtle,” Marinette sighs, “But I could do that to Nino, you already had to leave Kagami behind, have you given her a call yet?”

“Oh um, about that-" Adrien points at her tapping his chin thoughtfully, "Never mention it again,”

“Adrien,” Marinette scowls, “Call your girlfriend,”

“She’ll kill me,” Adrien hides partly behind a seat looking meek, “Also you don't get to lecture me, you haven't called your parents,”

“That's different,” Marinette groans sinking into the seat, only to get told off for moving, “They’ll want me to come home, how am I supposed to explain that I can’t,”

“They’re your parents,” Adrien stresses, “I’m sure they’ll be happy enough to know your ok,”

“Maybe,” Marinette hums, the cloth being removed from her shoulders letting her get up, “I just feel so bad for putting them through this,”

“Maybe one day they’ll understand,” Adrien walks with her to the front to pay.

“Maybe,” Marinette looks down at the bill, “Wow this is a lot more expensive than the usual dye job,”

Made sense because they were in the higher income distinct of the city.

“Why Marinette,” Adrien grins swiping the card, “That's the point,”

Ten minutes later they were laughing as calls kept pouring in one after the other. They are only interrupted when they get the distinct feeling of an Akuma.

“Duty calls,” Adrien sighs putting his phone on silent.

“Seems so, at least we can call out skills multiple times," Marinette walks casually into an alley with him, “What are you up to?”

“About three,” Adrien shrugs transforming, “It takes about double the time for the transformation to drop now,”

“Same, wish I could say that gives us the edge but really it only keeps us from falling off the cliff,” Marinette also transforms, her new costume bringing a smile to her face.

“How eloquent my lady,” Marinette playfully pushes him, Chat catches himself catapulting over the building, she quickly follows behind.

The Akuma is standard, Marinette guesses the akumatized item is the wrist watch. The problem comes with their recurring thorn in her side.

“Ladybug-”

“Get out of the city,” She cuts Batman off, “Yeah, yeah let us handle this first,”

Marinette throws her yoyo out just in time to deflect an attack headed at Chat.

“Do you need any help?” Robin asks, Marinette smiles, partly at the aghast face Batman makes.

“Do you think you could tag-team it with me?” She asks formulating a plan, with the extra help she might not need the lucky charm, “Make your attacks big and draw his attention, grab the wristwatch if you can,”

“On it,” Robin gives her a nod jumping into the fray, Ladybug doesn't give batman a chance to object running after.

Robin does a good job they work in perfect sync falling back when the other moves to make an attack. When the Akuma focuses on them too much Chat swoops in and gets their attention giving them the chance to swipe at the wristwatch. It goes on she sees Robin get thrown back after another failed swipe at the wristwatch. Ladybug takes the chance to move forward grabbing for the wrist, she isn't watching out for the other arm, the impact hitting and sending her flying back.

“I got you,” Her momentum is stopped by a hand bracing at her back, saving her from crashing into the adjacent building.

“Thanks, Robin,” He helps steady her as she finds her footing again, “I’ll move in you follow me up,”

“No need,” He smirks brandishing the watch.

“You did it,” Ladybug beams, taking the watch and smashing it to the ground, “Great job!”

“Ah, thanks,” Ladybug doesn't pay attention to how Robin brushes, focusing on purifying the Akuma and fixing the damage.

“We made a pretty good team,” Ladybug turns to Robin when everything is settled, “Pound it,”

Robin meets her fist with some hesitance, which disappears when she smiles at him again.

“Ladybug!” Batman yells heading their way.

“Ops sorry,” Ladybug cringes, “Sorry! Cant stop gotta go, bye bye!”

They run from the scene faster than Batman can hope to catch them. They end up back at her newly brought bike stacked with fabric and protected by a bit of luck. Marinette races home to make everyone's gifts, knowing just who she wanted to start with.

---

“There you are!” Marinette exclaims, having spent the past half hour searching the manor for him.

“What do you want?” Damian snaps as if he wasn't just playing with the cat on the floor half a second ago.

“Nothing, I made something for you~” He continues to scowl but Marinette doesn't let it discourage her, “Here, I didn’t know your size so I made a baggier style, do you like it?”

Damian takes the sweater holding it up to where she put it on him looking down a little shocked. Marinette almost wants to laugh at the expressions trying to shift back from awe to disinterest, it’s cute. She smiles wondering what his face would look like if she made a matching one for the cat, and maybe Titus too.

“.... It’s well made,” Damian eventually allows, folding it over his arm, Marinette notices how his fingers linger on the soft fabric.

“Good to know,” She smiles, bidding him goodbye before the moment can be ruined. She bounces down the hall humming to herself.

“Someone's happy,” Tikki flies out of her bag.

“He liked it, why wouldn't I be happy?”

“Someones really happy,”

“Stop it Tikki,” Marinette giggles, making the kwami laugh in turn.

“Just like adrien~” Tikki sing songs floating down the hall ahead of her.

“Well then, keep Kagami far away from this one,”

“Don’t turn into a stuttering mess and we have a deal,” Tikki agrees.

“Please Tikki I’m not thirteen anymore,” Marinette brushes her off, ready to go make the others gifts, if she spent the whole time humming to herself Tikki wasn't going to explain why to Adrien.

---------

Taglist? nope don’t have one, horrible at keeping track of them sorry~

#miraculous #miraculous ladybug fic #miraculous ladybug #miraculous fanfic #ml fic #ML #MLB #Marinette #miraculous marinette #badass marinette #maribat #daminette

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mediocre--writing · 4 years ago

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after starcourt billy and el get closer, and he introduces her to the things that make him happy (rock music, basketball, etc, etc)

and el isn’t quite sure what to give back. billy has shown her so much new stuff about the world, she wants something to give to him.

she finds his mom. she goes into her little trance and finds the blonde woman she’s seen in billy’s memories. she’s living alone, has a cat or two, and is in a small apartment... in new york.

so she talks to steve. he recons they can find her in the phone book, but when asked for a name, el blanks. she doesn’t have a name to put with the face.

so she goes back into her head, waiting for someone to say it or something, then something catches her eye.

piles and piles and piles of papers on the dining table and all the chairs but one. there are even some discarded on the floor.

el walked to them, reading the best she could (she’s gotten pretty decent at it over the months she was at hoppers cabin and billy has been helping her, too)

‘Custody Agreement,’ one reads. a californian address is in the middle of a few letters, addressed to a ‘Neil Hargrove.’ a half written letter reads:

‘Sorry, ma’am, but we’ve just bought this house and don’t know a Neil, but we’re sorry for your situation.’

there’s bills and payments overdue to the apartment complex, as well as an attorney. letters dating back to 1978 that are worn and read over and over.

there’s pictures in one binder, opened to approximately the middle, showing a boy and the woman—billy and his mother— on a beach eating ice cream. it’s dated 1976.

there’s another picture of billy—cowboy hat on and a funny sheriff pin on his shirt—dancing around a small, but homey, living room.

the final picture on the page, blurry and sideways, shows the woman smiling, a cut on her cheek that was still bruised, but the caption (written in a sloppy, childish font) read: ‘taken by w.t.h. 1975’

the woman is sleeping on the couch, a journal open on her stomach and pen still in her hand, breathing slowly.

the journal is open to a page, one of the last in the book, and has a scribbly font to match the other writings in the kitchen.

they’re addressed to billy, and signed with a heart. there’s ink smeared in some spots, presumably from tears, and el thinks that this is one of the saddest things she’s ever had to see.

but she looks to the woman once more, eyes trailing along the diner costume she has on, a hideous blue/green color (that faintly resembles billy’s eyes) and sees a name tag.

she has a name for steve.

Carrie

she’s not positive of a last name, but she assumes hargrove is a good bet, and, low and behold, there she is.

Carrie Hargrove and her phone number are listed right there in the phone book, and as lucky as that is, el doesn’t know what to say.

this doesn’t feel like a quick-phone call situation. this is a big deal.

carrie has been looking for billy for years, since the week she left, it looks like, and she’s been writing to him, the billy she remembers, and tells him about things in the city he would love. little thinks people she waits on say that remind her of him. how she imagines he looks and acts now. how she wants to murder a son of a bitch named neil hargrove.

(oh, don’t we all)

the hard part starts now, though, because how do you tell a broken mother over the phone that you know her son and, somehow, know her phone number?

you can’t. it’s just not right.

so steve does it. he takes a short, weekend trip out to new york. tells the party he’s going to see his parents since they’re in nyc for the week and he’s gone.

el doesn’t know what happens between the friday steve leaves and the sunday he gets back, but he returns no different than how he left.

el hasn’t been able to ask him about it yet, she hasn’t seen him and she can’t exactly pull him to the side during party outings because that would be a little strange to to without questions.

plus, billy and max are always around. like always.

but it seems that el won’t have to ask steve any questions, she finds the next weekend, when the party rides their bikes over to steve’s house and see a car, ratty and old, sitting in the driveway.

it’s a familiar shade of blue and has a new york license plate hung on the back.

the kids assess the car but el makes her way to a window, peaking in to see steve quietly talking to a woman, the beautiful woman who is still wearing that atrocious diner costume with her hair a mess, and they seem to be arguing quietly.

not long after el peeks in, the boys come around her to look through the window, and that’s when steve sees them. they try to duck but they’re caught.

the boys are asking steve who this lady is and all other million questions they have and the woman—carrie—is still sitting at the dining table, looking ready to bolt back to her car and drive all the way back to new york.

their conversation (interrogation) is interrupted by the roar of an engine—max and billy are here.

billy is here.

max comes through the (open) door first.

“who’s car is in the drive way? steve, i thought your parents were rich?”

but she stills in the doorway when she sees steve looking more guilty than usual, the boys irritated at their lack of answers, and el, standing near a woman, who max remembers from photos—albeit a few years younger.

“woah, that’s—“

billy’s footsteps are heard before he’s seen, and he bumps into max, still standing in the door, while he’s trying to put his cigarettes in his jacket pocket.

“the fuck,” he murmurs as he grabs max’s shoulders to keep her upright

“steve won’t tell us who the lady is!” dustin yells, because of course dustin had to open his big mouth.

“lady?” billy asks before looking around the room, analyzing steve’s face (guilty), the boys (irritated and confused), then els face (hopeful and worried).

his eyes move to behind el, to the dining room, where a mop of blonde hair, not dissimilar to his own, is sitting there, staring at him.

the same eyes connect across the room and both their hearts drop to the floor.

billy takes a small step foreward. stands still for another moment, then walks quickly towards her.

she’s scrambling to get out of the chair and, for a second, this looks like a threatening scene, but then they’re going towards each other and embracing so tightly you couldn’t tell where one started and the other ended.

her name tag was poking into billy’s chest and his boot was partially over her foot, but they had their eyes closed as they breathed in and out, simultaneously calling down and getting excited from the others presence.

el didn’t realize before, when she’d seen carrie in the void, but they had all the same features. their curly, dirty blond hair, their bright blue eyes surrounded by darkness, their hands that kept readjusting and grabbing tighter onto the things they didn’t want to lose.

the way they both had their noses scrunched up while trying not to cry, the way they both didn’t move much as if that would break the trance they got drawn into.

“so who is she?” dustin asked, not so quietly.

“why don’t all you brats go outside for a few minutes?” they didn’t look happy with that idea, but followed steve outside like little ducklings, leaving carrie and billy alone.

they still didn’t break from the hug, not even when the sliding door slammed and the kids’ voices were muffled.

as carrie started moving her arm, rubbing gently across billy’s back, he finally let go of the tears that had welled in his eyes.

“i missed you, my boy,” she croaked out, leaving billy to choke out a sob, holding her tighter—if that was possible.

“missed you too, momma,” billy mumbled into her shoulder, feeling her hug him back tighter as well.

they pulled away, only when billy’s back was beginning to ache from bending down a bit just to feel small in her arms. and maybe it was because he was a kid, but he always thought he remembered her taller.

“i’m so, so sorry, it—“

“why did you leave?”

“i didn’t. no—i mean, i did, but you were gonna come with me, billy. i moved our stuff, in small amounts, to my sister’s place, maggie, you remember her? right?” billy nodded “i was gonna slowly get us out of there, but neil realized, he knew what i was doing and i—i couldn’t stand it and i—“

her throat was burning with anguish as she tried to explain, to the best of her ability, how she could have done something so despicable.

“i didn’t leave for long, i didn’t know he knew, but i was moving some stuff to maggie’s, was gonna stay the weekend, it was after that one big fight, and it was the last load of stuff i had to bring, but i came back sunday night and everything, the whole house, it was empty, i—“

billy remembered that weekend. he noticed how things around the house had been moved or were missing, then how his mom left for two days, his dad told him she wasn’t coming back.

billy didn’t believe him. didn’t want to believe him. neil promised that everything would be ok, that they would stay with grandma and grandpa for a week or two, just to get back on their feet, since they wouldn’t be able to afford the house with only one income.

billy believed his dad. believed the lies he was fed about how his mom didn’t care, left him for crap, got out while she could, stole from his dad just to get out.

in the back of his head, he always knew neil was lying, but if that were true, why did she never come back for him?

he remembers one night, while they were sitting outside, billy and neil and his grandparents, the phone rang, and billy offered to answer it.

and the voice on the other line was his mom, and he begged her to come get him and cried for her to love him again, not realizing that she’d never stopped.

neil had heard the tail end of the conversation. they moved out of billy’s grandparents within the week.

billy wanted his mom back, knew that someone had made a mistake when she’d left, that someone as pure and amazing and loving as she was couldn’t just leave a kid like that.

it all made sense now. why they moved so much. why neil was always angry and going over papers from lawyers or shredding letters that never got opened.

why they moved so far away, all the way to hicktown, indiana (among other reasons).

“neil is a piece of shit,”

carrie choked out a laugh at the off handed comment that came from billy—her boy. she nodded, though.

“that he is,”

they were both a little uncomfortable, but held an underlying relief of seeing one another.

“you know,” billy’s head turned to her, “my apartment, in new york, is filled with pictures of you and i. i was going to bring them, but i couldn’t take all of them and i wasn’t sure which ones were my favorite. but—“

she walked back over to where she had been sitting at the table, reaching into her satchel and pulling out a worn leather book, handing it to billy.

“i thought you should have this.” billy opened the book, the spin cracking with movement, and noted how every single page was filled to the brim with words. “i wrote to you, at least once a week. things that made me think of you, on your birthday and holidays, other occasions. times when i missed you a lot and times when i knew you might need me.”

billy, both listening to her words and reading the first page, was dissolving into a mixed state of joy and sadness.

his mother had thought of him just as he’d thought of her. every day and holiday and situation was filled with thoughts of the other. she didn’t leave him in the dust and start a new family.

she was still searching for the one that was taken from her.

#stranger things #harringrove #billy hargrove #steve harrington #eleven #el hopper #billy’s mom #(btw the kids are all staring in the window trying to be inconspicuous but they’re right out in the open)#jeez i love billys mom fics #if you couldn’t tell #carrie hargrove

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finiteuniverse13 · 4 years ago

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Bravo's Banned List

With the help of @bravo-four-seal-team, @@jayhalsteadfan-2417 and @rebelwrites, we made a list.

A list, posted on various walls throughout the Naval base, the plane and the cage room. About 1/3 of it is typed up, the rest is in hastily written pen. Made by Blackburn to try and corral Bravo. It's doing its best.

Tag: @rebelwrites @chibsytelford @bravo-four-seal-team @velvetcardiganbucky @supervalcsi @abby-splace @itsonautopilot @thegirlwhoisalwayswriting @pinkrockstar19 @softi92 @mrsmarvelous1995 @jayhalsteadfan-2417

Just so you're all aware, this is a 6.5-page document.

0: On the days of Adam and Swanny’s Death, leave the group be to remember them. I will not protect you.

1: Brock Is Not Allowed Coffee. No exceptions.

1.1: Do not leave Metal alone with Brock when Coffee is around.

2: Dick jokes are not required in briefings

3: If a single one of you bastards get between me and my coffee, we will be having issues

5: You made the dog sad; you die.

8: DO NOT GIVE THEM NERF GUNS

9: WHO THE HELL GAVE THEM WATER GUNS

9.1: STICKS DO NOT GIVE THEM STICKS THEY WILL PRETEND THEY ARE GUNS

10: Dirt bikes (don’t ask)

11: ARCHERY IS A BIG NO

12: FISHING. WHY AM I BANNING FISHING

13: Fire. That is all

14: KNIVES. WHY ARE YOU GIVING THEM KNIVES?

15: LADDERS (NEVER AGAIN)

16: PLASTIC CUTLERY ONLY UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES GIVE THEM METAL CUTLERY

16.1: Scratch that, they stab people with the metal cutlery. Let them suffer the consequences of their actions. They can eat with their hands.

17: MEMES ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE MEETING ROOM

18: Horse riding. (METAL IT IS NOT A TACTICAL DISMOUNT ITS CALLED FALLING AND GETTING A CONCUSSION)

19: BOY BANDS (not allowed to be played on the plane)

19.1: GIRL BANDS (for the love of god, they will try and imitate them)

19.2 RAP MUSIC (they think they are the next Eminem and will make your ears bleed)

20: Do not tell Jason he is not allowed to do something. He finds a way to do it

20.1: Apparently Ray will do the exact same without question

21: Do not leave any members of the team with upper brass. (How did you make an Admiral with years of combat CRY!)

22: Clay is under Jason’s protection don’t go after him they will not find your body

22.1: If Clay calls Jason dad just leave it ok

22.2: Actually, check on Jason, he’s been standing staring for the past hour now

23: Hairdryers are banned (HOW THE HELL DID YOU GET YOUR BEARD CAUGHT SONNY)

24: Only Trent is allowed to call Metal by his legal first name. Ensign Williams learnt that one the hard way.

25: Paintball is banned from the base the last time it was extreme and got violent

26: The transformers movies because clay tried to do a stunt it ended badly

27: Thumbtacks apparently

28: Any Marvel movie (Jason you’re not Captain America)

28.1: DC movies are out as well

28.2: Disney Princess movies as well (don’t ask)

30: Do not leave phone unlocked around Sonny, he will not hesitate to change everything

36: DO NOT LET THEM GET SO DRUNK THEY START SINGING. IF I HEAR IN THE NAVY ONE MORE TIME, I WON'T BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR MY ACTIONS

37: IF THERE IS SILENCE DROP EVERYTHING AND START HUNTING AND PANICKING

38: Grenade launchers are not required for every mission Trent

39: WHO GAVE METAL A SWORD

42: Yes, Clay does know an Admiral by name. Don't ask questions you don't want answers to.

45: If Clay starts angrily ranting in a foreign language, don't worry. He's thinking out loud, not plotting to destroy the base

45.1: If Clay is calmly talking in a foreign language just back away slowly

48: SpongeBob is a Bad Idea because they are way too Annoying and make References (I’m looking at you, Clay)

52: Sharpies. When I find whoever gave me this sharpie tattoo sleeve, there will be hell to pay

56: DO NOT LET CLAY HAVE A GRIMM REAPER OUTFIT! THIS IS THE THIRD TIME HES NEARLY GIVEN SONNY AND TRENT A HEART ATTACK AT 3 AM

57: Red paint. I went to check something at 3 am and Clay was painting a satanic ritual on the floor

58: 3 am checks are a bad idea. (I have seen things, people!)

62: Explosives are to be locked away when not on mission Sonny and Clay will try and play catch with a live homewrecker

62.1: I expected Metal as a Master Chief to know better - he falls under the same rule as Clay and Sonny.

63: Don't wake Clay when he is sleeping back away slowly and leave the room

64: If I'm sleeping, back away and leave the room. Interrupt me if they've broken a rule, or if the base is actively being bombed. If not, I don't care.

65: Have multiple phone chargers or they will disappear and you’re not getting them back

68: If you call Clay anything other than a nickname expect to get punched or stabbed or sniped in the ass when least expected

68.1: Metal will stab you. Please remember he has a shovel and lye in his truck (WHY DO YOU HAVE IT)

68.2: Don't try to take the shovel and lye off of Metal

69: NEVER say the number 69 around them they are all immature children and expect tongue in cheek comments

70: NEVER interrupt Sonny when he is eating breakfast, he is grumpy in the morning

72: If they are all asleep make no sound - YOU WAKE THEM THEY ARE YOUR PROBLEM NOT MINE

73: For the love of god, stop giving Clay earth mineral nicknames. This is the third time this week I've watched Sonny empty limestone dust from his pack

75: Do not give them hammers! What is wrong with you people?

79: Do Not talk to Trent unless it’s after 2 coffees

83: For the love of god, don't ask Metal if he ever did nude modelling in art school. He will begin stripping, literally anywhere

91: Cerberus is a good boy and you hurt Brock you die

98: Super Glue (never again)

99: MY COFFEE IS OFF LIMITS WHOEVER PUT SALT IN IT WILL PAY

100: Do not give in to their peer pressure while they are drunk, I will not be doing it again

100.1: WHY AM I HEARING IN THE NAVY AGAIN?!

100.2: Sweet Caroline won't work twice

100.3: WHY ARE YOU SINGING BARBIE

100.4: SONNY, CLAY IS NOT A BARBIE GIRL

103: Don't tell Sonny he looks good in pink because you better believe he will keep wearing it (and probably some girl clothes too) to keep getting compliments

114: I ALREADY WROTE SUPER GLUE WHY DO I NEED TO WRITE IT AGAIN

115: HAIR DYE (Why did you dye Metal and Trent’s hair pink?!)

115.1: Face paint (Sonny, their faces did not need to match their hair)

116: Do NOT touch Clay, Charlie team learnt that, and someone ended up nearly losing a finger. (And it wasn’t because of the dog)

117: If they offer you a drink whilst smirking DO NOT take it

118: Sea shanties – if I hear one more SEA SHANTY while we are FLYING

119: If you hear someone shout incoming, run, it’s not an attack, it is Bravo, someone has done something and they’re coming to tell me

120: Vegemite is not allowed in the base after Jason let Clay eat it

121: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (JASON I DONT CARE IF YOU THOUGHT IT WAS FUNNY TO ACT LIKE LEO IT WAS A BAD MOVE)

122: Hawaii 5-0, if I hear one more thing about how we should hang people of the rook of buildings I am going to shoot someone

124: Mortal Kombat (Clay was acting like Scorpion for a month)

130: Itching Powder (looking at you Brock)

131: DO NOT TOUCH JASONS TOMATOES - you will get a bamboo cane jammed into your thigh

134: Capes - YOU ARE NOT SUPERMAN CLAY STOP PRETENDING YOU CAN FLY BY JUMPING OFF THE HOOCHES

134.1: Edna Mode said NO CAPES - I EXPECT NO CAPES WORN BY ANYONE ON MY TEAM

138: Laser Tag is fun until someone gets hurt (Sonny and Clay you know what happened)

138.1: Laser Tag! (Ray needed to go to the hospital guys, come on)

143: Basketball. My nose will never be straight again.

144: Bravo and Ice skates don’t mix (the only person good on them is Jason but no other member of Bravo is allowed on the ice again)

144.1: Same goes for rollerblades

145: Ash Spencer is not allowed to be alone with Clay (Jason punched him last time he was on base)

145.1: Do not leave Jason, Metal or Sonny alone with Ash Spenser, it’s going to end up with a murder charge.

146: Clay is Jason’s adopted kid and needs to be supervised when Jason is away

151: SLIME - FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DONT GIVE THEM SLIME

152: GLITTER WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE

153: SCISSORS - Jase cut a chunk of Clay’s hair in the night now the base is a war zone

153.1: DONT FUCK WITH COVERBOY'S HAIR see point 68 for consequences

154: NAIR (why do you even have it?)

156: Call Of Duty (Clay must be supervised when playing it)

157: Do Not leave Clay unattended with Metal (They are both recovering from the ONE CHIP/DEATH CHIP Challenge)

158: Marshmallows (don’t ask)

163: The Hunger Games (are not a good training exercise)

164: The Olympus Has Fallen movies are not allowed to be mentioned in any given time)

173: If you mention the word ice-cream just run, run for your life

176: If I am sleeping STOP THROWING PAPER AT ME

177: Yelling FOR NARNIA is not an appropriate battle cry

178: The Fast And Furious movies (Clay you are not Brian so stop)

182: Nap time is important if their asleep do something else but if you wake them run like hell

190: Any movies about WAR are BANNED (I need a drink to talk about that one)

200 (From Bravo): Blackburn isn't allowed any more paper

200.1 (From Bravo): or pens

200.2: (Blackburn) Handcuffs. They handcuffed me to my desk and wrote that

200.3 (Blackburn): Bravo will not be allowed to tell their Commanding Officer what to do

202: Who keeps giving them superglue? This is the 8th time we are having to unglue Sonny and Clay’s hands

203: Do not let any of them take point on Briefing EVER

205: Are you serious? Paperclips! Do not give them PAPERCLIPS

206: Leaving anyone unattended with fire is a bad idea - I can still smell burning

210: This is Sparta (Jason don't kick people off the roof)

210.1: JASON I SAID NO KICKING PEOPLE YOU DONT LIKE OFF THE ROOF

213: Ash Spenser is not allowed on base. DEVGRU heard about what kind of dad he is, and now its kill-on-sight

213.1: WHAT DID I SAY ABOUT ASH BEING ON BASE

214: Puppy dog eyes because Clay has been using them on anyone to get out of doing paperwork

215: RAY STOP DOING JASONS PAPERWORK

216: GO TO A HOSPITAL IF INJURED, TRENT HAS A LIFE OUTSIDE OF YOU LOT

217: THE GLEE CAST SOUNDTRACK IS NOT TO BE USED ON THE BASE

218: DO NOT PUT LION KING ON - they will cry like babies and there’s no consoling them over Mufasa

220: If I have to explain why BRAVO will not be joining teaching GREEN TEAM please see rule 1 and understand from that then ask the Green Team Instructor. (Brock terrified them by running the O Course in 30 minutes, all because someone gave him coffee)

220.1: And yes, that is the on the 50-minute-record O course. The time hasn’t been counted since it involved performance-enhancing substances

221: WHO THE HELL INTRODUCED THEM TO FROZEN

221.1 NO I DONT WANT TO BUILD A BLOODY SNOWMAN

221.2: WE WERE DEPLOYED TO SERBIA YOU BASTARDS

222: Gray’s anatomy (That is all)

227: VAPES - YOU DONT SMOKE AND ARE NOT PUFF THE MAGIC FUCKING DRAGON (clay I’m looking at you)

228: HATS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN BRIEFINGS (Sonny you know what you did)

229: MAGIC MIKE AND MAGIC MIKE XXL (still haunts my dreams)

233: I am begging you can you please BE NICE TO THE FLEET ADMIRAL (it's the 3rd time he's left in tears)

234: Chocolate - just run ok

235: Please stop re-enacting the screen from titanic when we are on a boat (I’m looking at you Brock)

235: PIZZA NIGHT IS A FREE FOR ALL AND IF YOU DONT WANT A BROKEN NOSE JUST BACK AWAY

236: Jokes. JOKES ARE BANNED - IF I NEED TO EXPLAIN WHY I WON'T BE HAPPY – NO ITS NOT FINE TO JOKE ABOUT THE FACT YOU HAVE BEEN STABBED CLAY

236.1: STAB WOUNDS ARE NOT ADDITIONAL POCKETS

237: Monopoly got violent last time and Jason got punched

237.1: In fact, any board games turn violent even snakes and ladders

237.2: Board games. Just please stop playing board games

240: Why am I revisiting the nerf guns people? IT WAS A FAMILY BARBECUE! (You lot need to learn to let your kids win!)

241: Brock is banned from Cooking - I do not want food poisoning again

244: WE DO NOT NEED A FLASH MOB EVERY TIME DONT STOP MOVING BY SCLUB 7 COMES ON

246: If they pass out around the fire pit for the love of god move them Clay and Sonny tend to like melting the sole of their boots on the flames even when passed out

251: Plastic cups only (this rule is to stop sonny from smashing them)

254: Why am I needing to revisit Sharpies? They aren’t allowed them, give them Crayola's or crayons

254.1: Scrap that YOU CAN’T EAT THE CRAYONS

256: Clay you are not Spiderman get off the walls

257: WHO GAVE COFFEE TO BROCK!!

257.1: THIS IS RULE ONE ON THE LIST WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU

258: Don't mention Hawaii five 0 just don't

258.1: They will attempt the intro to it, it’s just painful

259: Don't mention Harry Potter because they will all cry over different characters deaths

287: Soup is now banned (Ray. I honestly thought you were the normal one of the team. I am disappointed)

321: If you see Clay and Sonny cuddling just walk away, pretend you didn’t see anything, one of them had a bad day and the other is the only one they will confine in

322: Don't mention the Philippines or India just don't

330: If Metal and Trent are talking, just leave them be. (No one wants to know if Metal is yelling about something stupid Trent did)

331: Popcorn is not allowed on base it ended up in everyone's gear

342: Non-Aerosol Deodorant. (Two of them tried to eat it before realising it wasn't edible)

344: Aerosol Deodorant. (Metal and Sonny used it with lighters. to create a flamethrower)

344.1: Side note LIGHTERS ARE BAD

345: Headphones. DO NOT ASK

346: Rubber bands are not slingshots

FINAL NOTE: FROM BRAVO - BLACKBURN LOVES US REALLY PLEASE IGNORE THE ABOVE LIST ITS ALL LIES

#seal team #eric blackburn #clay spenser #cerberus #pepper #brock reynolds #trent sawyer #sonny quinn #ray perry #jason hayes #fanfic #cross published on ao3 #we wrote this in maybe 2 hours #it probably shows #chaos #discord chaos #discord friends #discord nonsense

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9layerdevilfoodcake · 4 years ago

Text

HelloGoodbye/Part 1:It’s The End Of The World As We Know It

Summary: it’s the last day of life as you know it at Camp Redwood when the apocalypse comes calling, but what does that mean for the souls shackled to this particular hellmouth?

Word count: 3.3k

Warnings: mentions of death, implied-ish smut, the end of the world?

The day the world ended started out the same as any other.

You woke up to the sunrise, wrapped in a jumble of blankets, limbs and bleached hair.

Sleep wasn’t really necessary for the undead, but it just came naturally, like muscle memory. Plus it was a nice way to pass the time.

But it was what came after a good night’s sleep that was your favorite part of the day, more specifically it was waking up next to him.

There are few things better in life (past or present) than waking up in his arms.

Your lover? Boyfriend? Mutual sufferer in eternal purgatory?

You’re not really sure what you would call him. You and Xavier both agreed the afterlife was no place for labels.

But if you asked any of the other souls shackled to this hellmouth with you, they would all call you two the same thing; inseparable.

It had been that way for decades, you spent almost every reawoken moment together. He was the one thing that made your afterlife feel as though it’s axis tipped more towards heaven than hell.

He was the light at the end of the tunnel. And looking at him now, eyes closed, lips parted, and sleeping soundly without a care in the world. You might go as far as to say you are thankful you didn’t listen to your gut, and made the (what at the time you thought regrettable) decision to take your friend's extra ticket and step foot on the haunted site for a music festival, one that never even happened mind you.

You got stabbed in the face and she didn’t get to blow Billy Idol, you guess you would call the weekend a bust for the both of you.

You’re comfortably laying back and reminiscing, when you feel Xavier stir.

The long hum that leaves his lips, followed by their soft touch on your shoulder lets you know he’s awake and it’s followed by a mumbled “Good morning”.

“Good morning” you answer back. Leaning down to plant a chaste kiss on his lips. A little too chaste for his liking, so before you can pull away he grabs hold of the back of your neck and pulls you back down for more.

One perk of being dead, no morning breath. There’s no need to break the mood with a trip to the bathroom to brush your teeth. Not that that would stop him anyways, through your time with Xavier you have come to realize that there are very few things he won’t try, and even less he would determine “too gross” to kill his mood.

So much like countless mornings before this, it’s a good couple of hours before you two make it out of bed and decide to properly “get up”.

“What should we do today?” He asks as he’s rummaging through the luggage some ghost adventurer left behind in their haste to “get the fuck out of this place”. It had been years since anyone around here had partaken in any blood sport. But that didn’t mean there was still no fun in scaring the tourists. (And maybe occasional bets were taken to see who could get a camper to wet themselves first).

He pauses and holds up a pair of dark blue wranglers, waiting for your opinion.

You just shake your head in dismissal.

“We haven’t been in the lake in a while. We could take a dip...then maybe you could take a dip…” you say wiggling your eyebrows to insinuate your innuendo, while you make your way over to the stash, taking over the search for yourself.

“No”

“Why not?” You know the reason for his rejection, but can’t help giving him a little pout anyways.

“After what happened last time? Not happening.” His voice is stern but with the underlying playfulness that’s always present between the two of you.

“Oh come on...I won’t let that happen again.”

“Believe it or not, drowning is not fun, dead or alive. And you know what’s worse than drowning once? Coming back to and drowning again because the person with their legs wrapped around your head hasn’t even noticed!” He emphasizes his “anger” by snatching the green umbro shorts you’d found from your hands and proceeding to dramatically stomp his legs through the holes before pulling them up around his hips.

“You only have yourself to blame for that, if you weren’t always such a tease I would have known something was wrong. I just thought you were trying to work me up and build my anticipation, not give me some signal your foot was stuck in the mud” You argue back tossing him a cut off Duran Duran t-shirt, that despite its tag saying 2018 has been given holes and bleached to give it a “vintage” look. The irony of donning such items always makes you laugh.

As he finishes getting dressed you simply look at him with that same pout back on your face, although it slowly morphs into a smile as you see his resolve slipping away.

Who is he kidding, he could never say no to you. He would do anything you ever asked. He would drown every hour, on the hour, if it kept you looking at him the way you are now.

“Fine, but if I start slapping your thighs it is not to keep you in line, it’s me begging for oxygen.”

“Ok” you agree with a chuckle as you grab his hand and head to the door, but he holds his place, making you turn and raise a brow at him.

“And the next time those birdwatchers are in camp, you have to blow me in front of that Condor’s nest they all jizz their jeans for.”

“Sure” you answer, shrugging your shoulders, not a bad trade...

“While they’re taking pictures of it.”

You pause for barely a moment to think that over, who were you kidding, you’re just as whipped as he is.

“Deal”

You weren’t in the water very long before you heard it, a siren sounding in the distance.

Xavier had only just removed your bottoms before you were pulling him up by his hair.

“What?” He asks, as he emerges, shaking droplets out his face with a look of confusion mixed with some underlying self doubt. “What’s wrong?”

“Do you hear that?”

As you both listen the sirens start to get louder and new ones join in the cacophony of sounding alarms.

“Yea, they’re probably just testing the storm sirens?”

“All of them?”

Before Xavier can talk you out of worrying and let him “get back to work” you’re interrupted by Chet yelling at you from the dock.

“Hey! You guys should see this”

Once you both redress you make your way to the cabin which once upon a time was assigned to the male counselors, but now it serves as more of a clubhouse for the lingering spirits. Upon entry you see almost every soul in the camp crowded around the TV.

There have only been two occasions when you have all collectively been in the same place at the same time; when you got revenge on Margaret, and when you made plans for what to do about the “Ramirez problem”.

Something big must be happening.

“What’s going on?” Xavier inquires as you join the group.

“The end of the world” Answers Montana, in a voice so calm she almost sounds bored, it’s like that happens every week.

“Oh no did Belinda Carlyle die?!”

“No...not yet anyway”

Your attention is brought back to the flat screen television Jingle’s son Bobby had gifted you. After his visit, he had been kind enough to set up wifi around the camp, as well as pay for a cable package, with the help of Brooke and Rita (or whatever her real name was). After hours of trying to explain how a touch screen works, as well as the grappling concept of Bluetooth; he deemed the pursuit pretty much a wash. But you did all know how to work a television, so most days were spent watching reruns of Knight Rider or Press Your Luck, and checking in with the nightly news.

So now you found yourself surrounded by your fellow ghosts, watching the man on the tv announce the incoming missiles and saying a teary goodbye to his family.

“What does this mean? I mean for us?” The question came from one of the victims of the first massacre in the 70s, whose name you were now feeling a little guilty for never bothering to learn.

It was a good question nonetheless, your souls kept coming back after just about any obstacle thrown at you, staying attached to the camp, but would they stay attached to a camp that wasn’t even there?

Unfortunately this was also a question nobody knew the answer to.

“Should we go to a basement or something?” Chet chimed in

“I doubt a basement will win the fight against a nuclear bomb, at least this close to the blast radius.” Trevor now spoke up, making his way over to the television to check another news channel, before addressing the group. “Besides does that even matter for us?”

“I guess we’ll find out soon enough”

As everyone is switching back and forth between intently checking the news and murmuring confusion between each other, you pull Xavier aside.

“Xavier, just in case we don’t make it. I just want you to know” you start, averting your gaze as you feel the tears begin to pool in your eyes. “...I just...I’m really...you’ve been…” you’re trying to find a way to tell him how much he’s meant to you, and the amount of gratitude you have for his patience and understanding, how he’s made every day a memorable one for you, how he’s the best person you’ve ever known, dead or alive. How you don’t believe you’ve actually been stuck wandering the earth together all these years, because when you’re with him you think you must have done something right in your life, because there is no doubt in your mind this is what heaven feels like. But you can’t, you can’t get a single word out if you want to keep any semblance of calm and keep the flood gates from opening.

Thankfully Xavier stops you before your nonsensical blubbering can go any further.

“I know, you have too.” He says this as he clasps your hands in his, before moving one hand up to wipe a stray tear from your cheek and bringing your attention back to him. As you look at him you see glassy blue orbs filled with tears that match your own, holding behind them eons of love and unsaid devotion. But he is much better at holding himself together so he marches on.

“If something happens and we don’t make it through this. Or we end up in some new shittier purgatory, I promise you I’ll come find you there! There is nothing in this life or any other that can keep me from you, okay? We’re gonna be alright though, I promise”

All you can do is nod your head, and muster up enough strength to get out a quiet “I love you”

“I love you too”

You and Xavier sit on the bunk that was once designated as his, all those years ago when he came here with the hope of a fun summer away from his troubles. Back then he was always running; running to something, running from something. There was never any certainty in his life, not even in his after life, not until you.

Now he’s starting to feel like that scared boy he once was. The one once found on the edge of death in MacArthur Park, trying so desperately to feel anything, and trying even more in vain to make that feeling last. He had nothing to loose back then in his desperate pursuit for euphoria. But he learned real fast that when things sounded too good to be true they most certainly were.

And that’s why he holds you closer now. Because you were the greatest good he has ever known, and there is certainly no way someone as wretched and cursed as him could ever keep someone as exceptional and pure as you.

He’d tasted bliss for too long now, and it must be time for the collector to come calling. But that didn’t mean he would let you go without a fight, because here in your arms is the only place that has ever felt like home, and he would protect his fortress come hell or high water (or the literal end of the world).

But that fight may or may not come and right now was about settling your nerves and keeping you calm. So he puts his resolve on the back burner and moves to pull you into his lap to whisper words of love and encouragement while you wait for the missiles to strike.

You feel them before you hear them, the impact on the earth, who knows how many miles away, before it broke the sound barrier. You didn’t even have enough time to process the incoming force before you were knocked out and everything and everyone you had known for decades was wiped away.

There is no way to tell how much time has passed when you wake in a pile of rubble and ash, with no discernable clue as to where you were in relation to the miles of identical rubble and ash that surrounded you. You weren’t sure where in the camp you were. The only thing keeping you believing this was even still Redwood were the semblance of remaining trees around you. Other than that there was nothing else insight but dirt and debri, and no sign of any other soul.

After you got your bearings you go in search of Xavier, or anyone else for that matter.

After a few minutes you come across a spot of land that seems vaguely familiar. Although there are no more cabins and no more dock, you’re pretty sure the crater that sits before you used to be the lake.

The lake where you died.

The lake you had no escape from for the past 30 years.

The lake you were swimming in only a few minutes ago.

The lake where you and Xavier spoke your first words to each other.

The lake where you sat on the dock dipping your toes in the water as you told one another that you loved each other for the first time.

The lake that you used to think if you never saw again, would be too soon.

The lake that you would now give anything to see full again.

After a couple minutes lost in your reverie, you hear a voice in the distance. One you’d recognize anywhere.

Without a moments hesitation you take off towards its source.

After tripping over countless branches and what you can only assume used to be one of the cabins you make it to a clearing and see Xavier bounding your way with Chet in tow.

“Oh my god! Thank god you're okay!” He breathes out as he pulls you into his embrace. You feel him exhale in relief as he holds you, before he lets you go in order to inspect you, searching for any signs of distress.

“Are you alright? Are you hurt?”

“No I’m fine, are you ok?”

After looking him over in return to make sure everything’s alright and he gives you a nod, you look over to Chet, who you had quite honestly forgotten was there.

“You too?”

“Yea we’re fine, it’ll take more than one measly nuclear bomb to take down all this” he accentuates by raising his shirt and slapping his abs.

“I’m glad to see your modesty survived the blast as well” you answer giving him a wink and a nudge before you continue.

“we should find the others.”

It took a couple hours to track down the rest of your group. At least what felt like it, with the clocks gone there was no telling what time it was.

And the haze the bombs left kept it constantly looking like dusk.

After regrouping you all agreed you should look for any pieces of camp left behind, any signs of life, or just any signs of anything at all.

And that’s how it went for the next couple of days. You would walk around looking for signs of life, and finding very few momentos left behind by the camp. Then every once in a while you would all regroup in the middle of the crater that was once the lake, and switch between theories of what was happening out in the rest of the world and reminiscing about times when this place was still standing.

Almost everyone in your group of confidants, aside from Ray, was sitting at your usual meeting spot when he came barreling towards you all.

“You guys come here I have to show you something.” His voice was full of excitement.

“What?” Montana asked back, thoroughly unimpressed with his optimism. You had never met two people more different. To Montana, Ray was like a pesky mosquito, who she would often shoo away, that is when she wasn’t bossing him around and telling him to “make himself useful”.

“Just trust me it’s important.”

After a few minutes of grumbling and feet dragging. You and Xavier, Montana, Trevor, and Chet made your way to the empty piece of land Ray was pointing at. Picking up Bertie and the real nurse Rita along the way.

“What? What are we supposed to be looking at?” Bertie questioned, taking it upon herself to ask what you were all wondering.

“Right here.” He points to a spot on the ground, that aside from the line he had made with his shoe, looked the exact same as the rest of your surroundings.

“This is the entrance to Camp Redwood.”

“How do you know? There’s nothing here.” Xavier pointed out motioning around to the surrounding emptiness.

“I have measured the number of steps to the entrance, from just about every place in this camp.”

“God somebody needs to get laid. You have way too much time on your hands.” Xavier regards. And you can’t help but let a laugh slip out.

Narrowing his eyes at that comment, Ray attempts to defend himself. “We’ve been here for decades. Chet wouldn’t even talk to me for years, and before you met y/n, you and Montana only acknowledged me when I was cleaning up your messes, and I….you know what I don’t have to explain myself. What I’m about to show you will have you praising me for the way I chose to pass the time. You should all be kissing my loafers for this.”

Ray was really getting sick of still being the butt of the other counselors jokes and jabs. Even now at the end of the world, when he has made such a monumental discovery.

Deciding not to waste more time getting upset he proceeds.

“So as you know most of the camp has been destroyed and there aren’t really any notable places left behind? Well there is one. The tree we all signed our names on, well most of it anyways. But lucky for us I could still make out both Trevor and Xavier’s names. And exactly 644 steps straight ahead of those signatures is the entrance to the camp.

“You’re point being?” Montana snips, tired of waiting for him to get to the climax of his story.

“My point being. Right now I am in Camp Redwood.”

He says, before he slowly and dramatically takes one long stride over the line he had drawn.

“...now I’m not...”

“and I feel fine”

Notes: i wasn’t really planning on uploading any of my writing here, but I feel like there is more of an interest in Xavier content than on ao3 so why not? Basically the jist of this comes from speculating what would happen to the spirits stuck at the hellmouth’s after the apocalypse (which I know many people have wondered and we’ve never been given a definitive answer). So I wondered what would happen if the whole world became one large hellmouth and the spirits could roam free. This series follows you an Xavier as you eventually make your way to rumored Sanctuary. It will involve Michael Langdon, and as of right now might get kind of dark, so fair warning. Anyways, thank you for reading!

Tagging this supporting queen: @guiltyfiend

#Xavier Plympton #Xavier Plympton x reader #ahs 1984 #michael Langdon

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rollingthunderpouringrain · 3 years ago

Note

Thanks Kritty you’re the coolest. Really long response incoming, I’ll break it up into a couple of asks so you can copy/paste and hide it under a cut if you need. Anyway it WAS a serious ask, but I also need to make everything I say a joke. Even my therapist once told me it was a problem.

(Follow up for this)

Hi anon! 🌻👋 I get that 🙈 I'm glad you saw my answer, and thank you for your other ask!

Lenghy, rambly and prolly typo-y thoughts in regards to your other ask under the cut!

Yes, I know what you mean and thanks for clarifying!

As for the judging (also, thx for clarifying!), I get that, actually - especially with takes on characters and fandom shipping stuff, it can all get kinda messy and of course an inner first reaction can be a form of judgement when someone else sees your favorite character in a totally different light than you do. Though, for me personally that feeling I get when I see a take I can't get behind (or shipping stuff that is a bit too intense/taken seriously and detached from "reality" or canon or whatever for my personal liking) is not exactly cringe, it's some kind different feeling I can't put into words rn. But maybe that's semantics, idk.

I think we all need to touch some grass sometimes, some are more Online than others but fandom tumblr people are fandom tumblr people so there is that. I totally understand the fear of being judged but that's probably something we all have, so it's important to create/find safe spaces (and/or be really obvious about it in the tags lol. I talk about being cringe and embarrassed for thirsting after celebs in my tags all the time because people i know in real life follow me and I feel very cringe - even though I don't believe in cringe culture so...). I also find it very important to imagine why people are maybe doing those things (needing a hyperfixation more than usual, defending a ship very intensely, spiralling more into fictional worlds). There can be legit reasons for that I gather.

That is totally correct! You cannot control your thoughts and oftentimes they're even wrong and not what you really feel. I have intrusive thoughts often so that's a topic that's important to me.

I love that you wrote Y/N fic and I really like the fact that you still have those on your blog! You should be proud, you were being creative and you had fun - so even if you find it cringey now it's nothing bad. I love seeing people write and reblog those, even though I couldn't ever do it. (Though, never say never amirite?! XD)

Oof the thing with the offline friends 🙈 I understand... that "disconnect" can be tricky.

I don't think my RL version is much like my online self, but maybe it totally is, it's hard to say. With some people I talk like on here, and with some people I don't want them to ever find this blog but have accidentally used tumblr-isms and felt very embarrassed. But I generally not wanna Call myself cringey, to train myself, so to speak xD What I do struggle with is being what some people consider cringey in the tags of a post about my fictional faves or especially celebrities in regards to people from my real life. I don't care about being ~cringey in fandom cos - as we established - we're all cringey so noone is. But my rl friends have responsibilities, I know they pay taxes and are Adulting out there while I'm yelling about famous strangers being pretty on here xD --- nevermind tho, that those RL people are also on here, some of them also yelling in their tags, so, idk, brain 😑😂 So it again comes back to "If everyone is cringe no one is", as you put it greatly! And I firmly believe that we all are cringe at various points in ihr lives, outside of fandom too, and that's ok ♡

(Reading too much into things is sooo much fun! I personally need reality/canon checks from time to time because honestly, fandom can feel "gaslight"y - using that word for the lack of a better word here - but I love reading too much into things lol)

I'm glad my answer made you feel better and if you wanna chat more you can always message me if you want, also via dm, I wont judge or anything :) Or send another anon ask, that's ok too. Or don't, how u like XD

Have a great rest of the weekend/good day and stay safe :)

#anon #asks #cringe culture

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summerofpinecestcontest · 3 years ago

Text

The Dream of a Normal Life

by @cornytyrannosaurus

The fresh breeze of the Norwest lands scurred between the mountains, between the hills, beneath the trees, until it reached the nostrils of a young man inside a van which was stationed atop a hillside.

He breathed deep, filling his tired lungs with the soft breeze and all the scents it brought from every corner of the undying forest. His always hurried mind took this moment of serenity to fuel itself back to be awake, he already processing within his blurred thoughts all the duties of the day.

Mile 82, 54. Mile 21, 12 up to date. We go downhill until…

Then he opened his eyes, and the list stopped. He saw her, gently snoring in her sleep, her hands improvising a pillow. He smiled, recalling how annoying she could get when her hands felt sore; but what to do about it? She looked just too adorable right now to be awoken just for the sake of a mere slumbering formality. Her neon-stained, raggedy hair fitted with her purple sleeveless shirt, the only piece of cloth she was wearing in her sleep. He rolled his eyes down to her nude legs, remembering with heated fondness how much he made her to feel loved last night. Maybe he should put the blanket over such gorgeous sight, he thought. Unfortunate, but necessary.

Heavily, he put the brown blanket over her underside, to stop at her slightly inflated belly. His eyebrows dropped, reminding the main why of her needing to feel loved last night. She was having one of those delicate hormonal moments, a thing he took years to get accustomed and now was proving itself really useful during these uncertain times.

Uncertain, never better though.

He gave a quick kiss on her forehead, rolled his body around in search of his clothes, and hurriedly put his pants on.

He opened the backdoors, sat at the edge of the white van they lived in now, and took a long look at the immediate surroundings.

The gigantic mountains came across his sight like an unfathomable Leviathan welcoming his life with its majestic shape. Around him and all across the hillside, countless trees of all shapes and sizes covered the outline of horizon like a fortress for their tiny kingdom of intimacy and solitude. What he could give for them to have a tiny home where to start a family at a place like this, he could not tell but was certain in it.

Then he heard the growls coming from the trees, and he recalled they were just passing by.

A couple of man-sized hoofed monstrosities ran wild from between the depths of the forest, galloping over the concrete and disappearing behind another line of old pine trees. Their countless mouths filled with human-like crooked teeth, placed all across their headless, dark furry bodies, screeched continuously as they waved their long rat-like black tails at the fresh airs of the of morning.

Aaaaaaw f*ck.

Tagging eldritch creatures in a national park wasn’t precisely his dream job, but was quite within the spectrum of skills of the Mystery Twins, and as these non-euclidean beasts began to reproduce, they found themselves at a chance of getting a good source of income at the aftermath of events he didn’t want to remember right now.

If only his mind could listen to him to stop rerunning the horrible memory of that day.

Before sorrow had the chance to overtake his heart, he felt the warm of a pair of arms circling his tummy, a pair of legs caressing his, and a slightly inflated belly gently pressing his back. He smiled in relief; he hadn’t figured yet how she was able to slip across surfaces.

“Good morning, Dipdop” she murmured in his ear with seductive tone.

“’Morning, Mabes” he said back, turning his head to kiss her cheek, and then her lips, to go back to look at the hill.

“Why are yah awake so early? I wanted to spoon yah” She asked, squishing his belly with her arms”

“Dunno, just… wanted to start earlier today” He said with slow content.

“Before breakfast? You gotta be kiddin’ me” she said with pretended anger.

“You’ll never let me to skip it, will you?” He mustered with a grin.

“Nope, I won’t” She asserted. “Besides…” she said, as she squished her legs around his.

“Besides?”

“I’m still just in my shirt” she whispered at his ear. His grin grew bigger, as his sister slipped back from where she came and he rolled around to follow her.

“But what about the breakfast?” He asked with fake indignation.

“First this breakfast, then food breakfast”

“Mhmm, I like the plan…” He said as he closed the van’s door behind him.

It wasn’t the most conventional form of Love, nor the beginning of a normal life. But it was theirs to live , and they loved it anyway.

At least there, away from the unsuspecting and prejudiced eyes of the world, they were free.

If only the world could know the pain it could cause.

- Six months ago…

Mabel Pines had endured many terrifying moments in her life. When Dipper broke his leg at their kickboxing practice, when she was at the hands of a gigantic childish mechanoid, when her brother was about to be devoured by a living corpse, when she was about to be erased from existence by a extradimensional pyramid god, when she got lost in that trip to the unknown… but these immediate moments were heaving in her stomach more than any of that. Maybe it was because those moments were a little far in her memory, or because her resistance to cringe was absolutely superior to her brother’s. Or maybe it was because this time, the impending threat came from within her very own family.

And now she was frozen in place inside the van, watching how Dipper stood over the grass of the family home, his forehead bleeding and his face turning to their parents, his shape contrasted between the darkness of the night and the porch’s lamp.

Maybe they weren’t as angry and freaked out as they were an hour ago, but their resolution wasn’t something they were willing to accept. Right now, Mason “Dipper” Pines was standing against the destruction of his incoming family.

“Dipper, please… be reasonable. There is no way out of this” His father reassured, trying to appeal to his intellect, trying to undo the damage of the wound he had done to his own son. But Dipper had already cried, so the wound would stay a long time.

“No” Dipper pronounced in crackly voice.

His mother approached to him a couple of steps more, heartbroken for the glance of their own children at them. “Dipper, you’re not in your right mind, you don’t-”

“No, Mom!” Dipper yelled high. “We-we tried, we really really tried. But it didn’t matter how much we tried, how much we were honest with you. You didn’t listen, and you are still not listening. You look at us like if we were just a couple of f*cking monsters!”

“Dipper… You won’t be able to live a normal life with Mabel” His father told with serious tune. Again, they weren’t listening; again, they were mistaking their love for another crooked urge they needed to repress to have fulfilling lives. If only they knew.

“Well.. maybe we don’t want one!” Dipper finally shouted, turning around to walk aimlessly to his van.

Their parents only watched impotent how their beloved children drove away from home, and away from their lives…

“Mhm… so… I’ll want a French-Fry-Fantasy and a Slurpy Surprise” the young woman finally chose her meal options from between the short menu in the grease-stained paper sheet. It was kind of her personal politics about road restaurants to “choose the weirdest dishes in the menu or don’t say yourself worthy of a road trip”. The waitress with curly black hair and more freckles than space in the face to have them, could read for her bun hairstyle, her capri pants and her lots of laces and bracelets on her arms, that she was the extroverted and adventurous of them.

“I’ll want a pancake plate and a coffee, thanks” the man said instead. Judging by the old flannel coat and his black pants, he was the quiet one. The young waitress tried not to smile too much at the enormous contrast between their breakfast options, pondering in her mind how so alike persons could have such starkly different personalities. Anyhow, they made such a lovely couple, one of those who brighten the day of a service worker doomed to attend uncourteous people the rest of the day just like she was.

“Oh right, so a coffee cup, a Slurpy Surprise, a pancake plate and a French-Fry-Fantasy” The waitress repeated as the couple at the table nodded in agreement. “Ok, your order will be done in 10; anything else?”

“Nope, that’s all; thanks” he answered with kind tone.

“Okie dokie” The waitress said. “Oh! And congrats for your baby!” The waitress said before to leave.

“Owww thank you so much!” she said in joyful tune, making the waitress to enlarge her smile as she left to attend the order.

The young woman turned her attention back to her brother, moving over her seat with impatient joy. It was one of those days where the world seemed that friendly at them; after an inconceivable quantity of bad days in between, both had learned to appreciate them.

“Gosh I’m so hungry!” she exclaimed, enthusiastic at the edge of childishness.

“Yeaaah I kinda doubt ten minutes will be enough for your order” he asserted, resting his elbows on the table, looking out the window for a moment.

“Ooh, hush you there, bro-man! Have a little of faith in these peoples; they’re experts!” she dismissed.

“Experts in road restaurant dishes?” He asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Yep, I’m sure they attend to a special college for restaurant workers and stuff” she said with erudite-like pride.

“I did!” the old cook behind the bar yelled at their table with a stoic smile, raising his spatula. Maybe they were talking too high for a public place, but as they were currently the only customers it did not seem like it mattered at first. He usually would beg for her to slow down a little, due to the obvious need for them to conceal their true identities, but given the events of last night, he was simply happy to see her so free and being herself.

“You see? Road restaurant experts” She finally asserted as she raised her arms in a gesture of obviousness.

“Ok, I’ll eat my words along my pancakes” Dipper commented with an ironical smile.

“Yes you will, you will” She asserted, bopping his nose with the tip of her finger. Suddenly, she got aware the sorrow behind her brother’s eyes, and she worried. “What’s up, Dip?”

He paused for a couple of seconds in which his always hurried mind deliberated. She didn’t like unnecessary dramas, but she also liked him to be honest, as they had committed themselves to be. So after that instant that felt eternal, he spoke.

“Dunno, kinda… I know you’ll just tell me it was some kind of hormone rush or whatever but… I really…”

“Hey, it’s ok, Dip” she interrupted him, taking his hands with hers over the table. “I guess I was just… scared about the call Mom and Dad made and…”. For a moment, she thought she could express better by enacting, so she leaned across the space between them to rob him a deep kiss, to just after returning to her seat. “I want this, Dipper. I want all of this” She said, her eyes getting moisty.

“We’re just that crazy, aren’t we?” he asked with a moved smile. She was that fantastic and brave he couldn’t contain his love for her.

“And I couldn’t be happier for it” She asserted. He raised his hand to caress her cheek. Maybe it was the magical pregnacy hormones he had heard about in documentaries, or the strange and unnamed dimensions of their mutual love reacting again for a full catharsis potential, but she looked especially beautiful this morning, and (as energetically as he showed how much he loved her earlier at the van) she deserved to feel it. “To heck with a normal life” she cited from him as both just stared each other until the dishes were ready.

- Six months ago…

Dipper was quiet, as he had been all the way the long long time of driving lasted until the gas ran out near San Francisco Bay. He hadn’t said a word, nor even tried to clean his face of the blood; anyone with no idea of what really happened could have thought he was just coming out from a horror scene.

The unnerving silence was the exact kind Mabel recognized perfectly; she knew exactly what he was thinking and why he was thinking it. The waves of fear and regret and self-hatred and so many other things too deep to have a name. She let him have his inner battle, because Dipper Pines was the man of resolutions; but at some point she got aware he was just self-loathing again. Self-loathing for loving his sister in unexpected and strange ways she also felt. Self-loathing for stripping her dreams away just because he said he wanted to be with her and promising they would fight together whatever it would take. Self-loathing about the fact he actually accomplished his promise and now faced the true, palpable consequences of not having a plan this time. If he only had a plan, if he only…

“Dipper!” Mabel yelled at him, and he raised the head to look at her. His wound had closed enough for his blood over his face to dry a little, but the scar was still cutting his birthmark at half.

“I…”

“No. Don’t you ever dare to say you’re sorry about this. And you know what? It’s because this is not your fault, Dipper!”

“Bu-“

“But nothing, Dipper! It was Dad the one who punched you, it was Mom the one who pushed me, it was them the ones who wanted to… to wanted to…”; Mabel couldn’t even pronounce the fact that her own parents wanted to kill their unborn grandchild. “This is the part where I get all serious and say to you: We did everything we could. It didn’t work, eh? Well, we just move on and keep going forward! Because we have each other, just like we always had!” Mabel said, half crying, half smiling. Dipper smiled as well, because he knew it was true. He had saved the universe (now more than once), living in it was the least of the problems if they were that powerful together. At least, as powerful as their love was.

“To heck with a normal life” He said with trembling lips as they approached each other and kissed fiercely. Young? For sure. Inexperienced? As every young adult. Willing to face the full grasp of all the risks, the current perils, and unexpected tangents of becoming a wandering couple of roadside adventurers? As few souls in the whole Creation were.

It had been a tiring day. Some unseen thing had tried to eat his leg; some random stone had pierced a tire and they had to wait until a car stopped to help them and the muscled father of the family aided them to change the tire; they had tagged 328 adults and 58 younglings within the 36 nests across 28 hectares. Should they worry about the spreading of the hairy Lovecraftian monstrosities any further? Maybe, but first they should get some profit out of it. Now they were on their way to the next town, way far along the road.

For moments, they held hands together, staying in silence. For moments, Dipper changed the gear lever. For moments, they stopped so she could pee, as unceremonious as it was; pregnancy issues, she could recall very well. But they were in their way, announced by the gorgeousness of the sunset, sealed between unsaid promises coming from silent smiles. For moments, they talked as well.

“What are we gonna call our baby, Dips?” She interrupted the sound of the radio ballad songs.

“Hadn’t we agreed we were going to wait to know what our baby is to suggest names?”

“I knoooooow but I really wanna start having this solitary baby tummy-mommy chatter and I can’t just keep calling our baby ‘unnamed baby in fabrication’”.

He laughed wholeheartedly, as only she could make him laugh.

“Ok then, what if it’s a boy”.

“Weeeeeell I was thinking about Bob, or Steve, or Ronan!” She said in joy.

“Ronan? Heck no, that sounds too much. What about Connor?”

“Mhmm, I like Connor” she nodded. “Ok, so what if it’s a girl”

“Well, I kind of thought about Madeline, or Samantha, or Cassiopeia!”

“Do you really want to call our baby girl like a Greek tragedy?” she dismissed with a defiant smile.

“Ok ok, maybe it’s kinda preposterous. That’s a hard choice, Mabes”

“What about Mabel 2.0? Like Grenda!”

“I still want to figure out how names with numbers are allowed, by the way” he asserted.

“Eh, we’ll know when we reach New Jersey”

He smiled with hope. It was a still-in-process plan, but it was something they could have for sure. That, if the thing with the eldritch furry monsters didn’t grow for them to having to change it. They were going to land at New Jersey, where the grunkles would reach in some months to help them to acquire the old pawn shop they once lived in. It was a plan, and that’s the only thing they needed to know as they approached their destiny.

“We’ll make it, Dips” She reassured with a gentle glance.

“I know” He said back, as they drove deep within the endless road. Life was theirs to live, and that was everything that mattered.

#Pinecest #summer of pinecest contest #gravity falls fanficfion #gravity falls fanfic

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