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cas-kingdom · 2 years ago

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Instinct

A/N: My exams finished and what did I do first as a free woman? Write.

My first 9-1-1: Lonestar fic, a small one (with questionable quality), but a subject that hits pretty deep right now. It’s for that reason that this fic isn’t reader-centric. Hopefully “ya’ll” love Connie Strand anyway. Enjoy, and bear with me as I return to writing now that summer’s here!

(Connie’s about 19).

Title: Instinct

Summary: Owen and his daughter discuss the possible return of his cancer.

Words: 2108

The nerves came when the coughing did.

It was instinct at this point. The moment the familiar, guttural sounds reached her, they immediately broke down doors in her mind and wrenched free the memories she’d locked away.

It was instinct also that had her putting her laptop to the side and staring at her bedroom wall for a moment. Heart revving into that familiar gear, hands growing familiarly clammy, breath stopping in that familiar place just at the top of her throat. A sick sort of feeling climbed from her stomach and crawled its way up to her chest, settling there when the coughing stopped and broke down into small croaky things. Barely-audible things. Nothing-to-worry-about things.

She stepped out of bed and hugged her arms to her chest, walking quietly on bare feet towards the halfway-open door. Her room was closest to the kitchen, so she saw him when she stepped out, hunched over the island, head bowed, hands in fists on the marble. For a scene that had moments ago been overwhelmed by a coughing fit, it was scarily silent now.

A time when something like this would not dare cross her mind had passed the window of impossible with her father’s initial cancer diagnosis. Almost a year ago now, he’d been in remission for most of that year, but every cough, every hoarse throat…hell, every stubbed toe had Connie Strand’s nerves skyrocketing. That was normal, she’d been told. That was instinct.

Instinct was a bitch.

Owen saw Connie before he could automatically situate himself into a position that looked the picture of health. Still, he tried, straightening the moment his eyes caught sight of her padding down the hallway. He cleared his throat and picked up a knife, pointing it at the half-cut banana in front of him.

“Morning, Sunshine,” he said, throwing a smile in her direction for good measure. His voice was crackly. “I’m making a protein smoothie. Want some?”

It was in the fire captain’s nature to act oblivious, but Connie didn’t think there was much point in it now. He’d had cancer, he’d had chemo, he’d beaten cancer, he’d beaten chemo. He hadn’t told his kids, then he’d told his kids. It wasn’t as though Connie could no longer tell when he was feeling off. She’d known the difference before the tumours, and she would continue to know it long after. T.K. called that a superpower. Owen called it a pain in his ass.

“I’m allergic to protein powder.” Her answer every time, it was the second reason she wished T.K. still lived with them. When he did, the two were able to sneak a packet of potato chips in through the front door, or even a chocolate bar if they were lucky. But Owen controlled the grocery shopping now, and when Owen controlled the grocery shopping, not a morsel of candy made it in the cart. The first reason lay in the possibility of these exact moments. When she needed her big brother, it wasn’t often he was around.

Still. Connie was and always had been more like her father than her mother, and smoothies, minus the protein, were still a favourite. Owen was extremely proud of that small achievement.

“In that case, My Sunshine Lady Princess—” He turned to grab another glass as she sat in a swivel chair— “One protein smoothie, minus the protein, coming up.” Connie breathed a laugh and he sighed exaggeratedly. “Let me believe it, Con, please.”

He returned to chopping the banana, but Connie could see his face fall. He wasn’t stupid, and neither was she. He knew she hadn’t come into the kitchen at seven am to escape her homework or procure one of his morning smoothies.

“Dad?” She glanced down at the table, following the lines of marble with her finger.

Owen stuck a handful of bananas in the blender and reached for an apple. “Yep.”

“You’re alright, right?”

There weren’t many people who could answer that question truthfully, and once upon a time, Owen Strand would have been at the top of that list. Recently, though, he’d learnt to be a bit more open. He’d had to be. After T.K. had figured out what he’d been keeping from his kids, scepticism followed them both around like the plague.

So, it was with this that the fire captain put down his knife and placed the palms of his hands on the counter, bracing himself against it. He looked up at Connie, her upper lip unknowingly caught between her teeth. He sucked in a breath and cleared his throat. “Banana went down the wrong tube,” he tried.

Connie dropped her head and rose her brows in a very Owen Strand way that had her dad cringing and pulling back.

“Okay, okay. I might have a little tickle in the back of my throat that’s been there a few weeks. And that’s a might, so you take a chill pill right now, Miss, ‘cause I won’t have you worrying about nothing ‘til it’s something.” He had one hand aimed at her, a finger pointing forwards. The Owen Strand look settled quickly on his own face and Connie had a difficult time keeping the smile from her lips. Her dad was her dad, after all. Her hero and entertainer.

At her smile, Owen let one of his own slip onto his face, knowing he’d got her. Just to make sure, he lifted his eyebrows higher and sent a teasing: “You hear me?” to which she just about refrained from rolling her eyes at. Swivelling in her chair, she mumbled an answer, averting her gaze.

“Hey, don’t make me come over there and fix up a smile.” Owen had a habit of turning negative situations on their heads when it concerned Connie and T.K.. Even before the cancer, they hadn’t had the most perfect of lives, switching between mom and dad’s house and suffering the odd babysitter when representing clients and fighting fires overlapped a bit too much. He guessed T.K. had had it worse—he was older and remembered the choppy months after the divorce. Connie had been born in choppy month eight, the most surprising of surprises, but their new way of living had always been her norm. Still, life had had its downs, and a Connie frown broke his damn heart every time.

“Alright—” He dusted his hands together and threw his arms up, resigned— “I’m coming.”

Connie jumped to attention immediately, not quite having expected the change in mood. Though it was certainly like him. “I didn’t say anything!”

Owen clicked his fingers as he made his way intently around the counter. “That’s exactly why I’m coming.”

He wasn’t even hiding the mischievous intonation of his voice. That teasing lilt made its familiar way in, dutifully pushing all negative thoughts from Connie’s mind as she spun in her chair and stretched her arms out. “Hey, hey, okay!” Owen stopped a foot from her chair, eyes narrowed, hands poised suspiciously like they were seconds from launching a tickle attack Connie had told her dad a hundred times she was way too old for. He’d never taken that to heart, nor had T.K., and somewhere deep, deep down she appreciated that. Still, she could pretend not to enjoy it, and probably would until the day Owen himself deemed her too old, if that day ever came.

“Okay,” she said, “not worried. I’m not worried! See?” She pointed at her face, forcing the widest of toothy grins possible. “Look at my smile.”

Owen couldn’t help but snort, amusement at the situation overriding his brief venture to remain serious. “I see it,” he said, letting his arms hang limp by his sides and walking towards her. Connie spun around again to face the counter and he stopped behind her, lifting his arms to drape over her shoulders. Quiet, Connie let her dad pull her back against his chest, feeling his chin come to rest on her shoulder. The ticking of the clock on the wall was the only sound for a moment, father and daughter acting completely on instinct in their need to hold each other for a moment. Worrying about nothing ‘til it was something was Connie’s forte, after all.

“It was just a cough, Sunshine,” Owen reassured her.

“And a tickle in your throat.”

“Mm, I’m pretty sure that was the banana.” Connie smiled and he hailed that a silent victory with a kiss to her cheek, hugging her closer. “My next check-up’s not for another month but I’ll book in with the doc tomorrow. Just to be sure.”

Connie nodded and placed her hand over his. “Just to be sure.”

She could hear him hesitate beside him. “Con, kiddo…I know you’ve got reason enough to be worried, and I’m not gonna take that right away from you. It’s okay to be worried, reminds us all we’re human. But…”

“I worry too much?”

He hummed. “Not that. Sometimes—you just don’t need to worry. And I know you can’t help it, neither can I, I guess we just gotta batten down the hatches a bit, huh? If we worry about anything and everything that could be tumour-related, there’ll never be a time we’re not shaking in our boots.”

He was right, of course, always was, but Connie didn’t know how to answer him. The mood might have continued to plummet, probably would have continued to plummet, if her phone hadn’t pinged at that moment. Connie couldn’t have reached for it quicker, feeling her dad press another kiss to her head before moving back to his side of the island. In the blink of an eye, the dismal air of the kitchen seemed to shatter as Owen opened the blinds and called for Alexa to quietly play his breakfast playlist. They’d talked about what they’d needed to talk about, defeated the elephant in the room. The C word was buried for now.

“T.K. wants to meet for breakfast,” Connie said, her brother’s u me & pancakes b4 shift? shining at her from her bright screen and waking up any residual exhaustion her eyes had been harbouring.

Owen sighed dramatically and visibly deflated. “After I slaved away at the counter cutting fruit for your smoothie?” Connie smiled as she typed a response. “Does he want me to drop you off?”

“He’ll pick me up. You wanna come?”

Another dramatic sigh and the knife clattered to the marble top. Connie rose an eyebrow at his spectacle, knowing deep down he was attempting to shake off any gloominess floating around the kitchen but letting herself enjoy his puckishness all the same. When a theatrical: “After I slaved away at the counter cutting fruit for my smoothie?” came from him, she finally laughed and shook her head.

“Come on, Dad. Pancakes over smoothies every time.”

Hand on his heart, Owen frowned. “Don’t, Connie. Just don’t.” And with that, the Captain of Firehouse 126 promptly turned on the blender. When Connie made half-hearted attempts to shout something over the noise, he put a hand to his ear and leant forward, yelling back: “What’s that? I can’t hear you over this blender! Can you say that again?” Perfectly dad like, perfectly Owen, perfectly instinctual. Still, Connie rolled her eyes and jumped from her chair, marching around to his side and holding up her phone as proof she was ringing T.K. and needed him to turn it off.

Owen peered at the screen but shook his head. “I’m making a smoothie!”

Connie put her phone to her ear and blocked her other ear with a finger. “T.K.? Huh?” Barely audible over the sound of the screaming blender, it apparently did not occur to Connie that she could leave the room. “T.K.!” A chuckling Owen heard her all but yell down the line. “Dad’s not coming! He’s gonna stay at home and sulk over a glass of protein smoothie!”

Owen stopped the blender and made a grab at Connie’s phone. “Uh, that is so not what I said!”

“It so is—” Connie just about leapt away from him— “Yeah, he’s not feeling so hot. Says he has a tickle in his throat.”

Not many could best Owen in a battle of wits, but he was damn glad that the one who could was his kid.

With a deep, insanely proud chuckle, he clapped his hands together before wiggling his fingers towards her. “I’ll show you a tickle in the throat.”

Instinct. Total instinct.

And, even as her shrieking resounded throughout the kitchen that Sunday morning before the clock had even struck seven am, Connie Strand loved every bit of it.

Lone Star Masterpost

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n1ght5h4d3-24 · 3 years ago

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Travel to Jurassic World -Chapter 10

Pairing: Owen Grady x Mitchell!OC

~Previous Chapter~

Claire, Owen and the Mitchell siblings all ran into the Samsung Innovation Center, the siblings ahead of the adults.

"This way!" Claire said before leading the way.

Claire was starting to head past the lab when she stopped running, causing the others to stop behind her.

"They've cleared out the lab." she says before walking into the place.

The siblings followed their aunt and Owen brought up the rear. As they all looked around the lab, there came a sudden noise that took them by surprise before seeing two InGen agents loading vials into a cooler box.

"What are you doing?" Claire asks them.

"I'm afraid that's above your pay grade, honey." another voice says.

It was the hefty man from before that Owen had punched in the nose.

"Hoskins. Where's Henry?" Claire asks him.

"Dr. Wu works for us." he answers.

Owen stepped forward, guarding Claire and the siblings as Hoskins walked up to them. Gray glanced at a computer screen that had a DNA strand on display and a diagram of the Indominus Rex.

"That's not a real dinosaur," he says.

Hoskins looked at the screen before looking at the small boy.

"No it ain't kid." he says. "But, somebody's gotta make sure that this company has a future," he continued.

"Imagine, that one, a fraction of the size. Deadly, intelligent, able to hide from the most advanced military technology. A living weapon unlike anything we've ever seen. You see, millions of years of evolution, what did we learn? Nature is a gift that just…" Hoskins speech was cut off by Delta crashing into the lab.

"Shoot!" he exclaimed.

Owen pushed the others back a little as Delta slowly approached Hoskins.

"Easy boy. Easy. Hey, hey…we're on the same side, right? Right? Easy. I'm on your side." Hoskins said to the raptor, holding his hand out to keep Delta back like Owen had done in the paddock earlier that day.

Delta gave the man a weird look before she lunged forward and bit Hoskins hand, which caused him to scream in pain. Owen pushed the others, and they all ran out of the lab.

"No, guys. Guys, this way. Come on." Claire called out after her niece and nephews who had ran ahead of her and Owen and were continuing down the hallway.

The Mitchell siblings stopped running, turned around and followed their aunt. Suddenly, Delta bursted through a glass window. Owen stopped everyone before they turned around and ran a different way to the exit. As they crossed the holo-platform, Gray hit a button on one of the display screens and a hologram of a Dilophosaurus appeared that caused Delta to stop in her tracks. The five of them exited the building and ran down the stairs, Owen leading the way when he stopped. They came face to face with Blue, then Echo and Charlie approached from the left and the right. Delta came up from behind them. Owen looked at all four raptors before putting his attention on Blue.

"That's how it is?" he asks her.

Blue only growled softly and Owen dropped his sniper rifle. He slowly reached out towards Blue, who was still growling slightly.

"Easy….easy. Easy, that's it." he said in a calm tone.

He managed to get his hand on the headgear around Blue's head and took it off her before tossing it aside. He smiled slightly at his beta when the Indominus Rex showed up. The Velociraptors turned to the bigger dinosaur, who began to communicate with them. But the raptors turned to Owen, waiting for a command from him. Owen looked at them before looking up at the Indominus Rex, a smirk on his face. He gave a sharp whistle and the raptors attacked. Maya took the opportunity to shift into her wolf form to help out the Velociraptors.

"What in the world?" Claire said in confusion.

She had just seen her niece become an animal, a wolf for that matter.

"It's a long story that we'll explain later." Zach tells her.

While the raptors and the wolf fought the Indominus Rex, Claire, Owen, Zach and Gray took shelter in a souvenir stand.

Chapter 11

#Travel to Jurassic World #Jurassic World imagine #Jurassic World Franchise #Jurassic World Trilogy #Jurassic World imagines #Owen Grady x OC #Zach Mitchell #Gray Mitchell #Maya Mitchell #Mitchell!OC #Owen Grady #Owen Grady imagine #Owen Grady imagines #Claire Dearing

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skieswords · 4 years ago

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Sorry For The Wait {Charlie Gillespie x OC}

Summary: Alex is a lowkey youtuber, known for funny vlogs of her just existing. She’s avoided the relationship question for the longest time, but has decided it’s time to come clean to her followers.

Warning: Fluff, swearing, mention of alcohol, and sexual innuendo cause I’m incapable of writing anything without it.

Alex was wandering round the kitchen, in his old shirt and a pair of pyjama shorts that really didn’t cover much. She hummed an undistinguishable melody under her breath as she went about making her morning coffee, dancing to the song in her head. Charlie grinned from his position in the doorframe, leaning up against the wall with his arms crossed as he watched his girlfriend be her usual dorky self. She spun round suddenly, feeling eyes on her. “Oh, morning Char, when did you get back?” Charlie laughed under his breath and uncrossed his arms, stepping towards her and pulling her into his chest. “It’s not exactly morning, is it.” He nodded towards the clock on the oven that read 13.47, sighing when she shrugged and pressed a kiss to his cheek before stepping away to pick up her coffee cup. “It’s my morning.” Charlie rolled his eyes but nodded, helping himself to a banana from the fruit bowl, and leaning against the counter. Alex jumped onto the counter opposite, and swung her legs, sipping happily. Sitting there looking absolutely content, in his clothes and drinking her coffee, Charlie felt his heart swell. “I wanna go public.” He blurted it out, rather unexpectedly, for both parties. His eyes widened as he realised what he’d said, and looked down to his boots, still caked with mud from that morning’s not so sunny hike. “Didn’t we agree you’d stop wearing boots in the house? You hate vaccuming.” She jumped off the counter and made her way towards him, wrapping her arms around him and setting her coffee down on the countertop, resting her chin on his chest. He looked down at her with a soft smile, her blue eyes bearing into his hazel ones. “If you’re up for it, I’m down.” She smiled up at him, her voice soft and slightly excited. He pressed a kiss to her forehead and let his hand wrap around her waist, fingers drawing light patterns on her spine. “Yes please. I want everyone to know you’re mine.” Alex grinned and kissed along his jaw, until pressing a lingering kiss to his lips. “Okay. When?” She broke away from him and unwrapped some toaster waffles, pushing down the button on the toaster before making her way back into his arms. “Today. Fuck it, let’s do it now.” She raised her eyebrows at him, and fiddled with his chain nervously. “Have you checked with Kenny? Didn’t he say-” Charlie sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Uh, Kenny gave me the all clear like 2 months ago. I just wasn’t sure if you were okay with it.” Alex rolled her eyes, and patted his head jokingly, stretching like a cat and moaning happily when her back cracked loudly. “Of course I am. Dude do you know how many videos I’ve got planned for when people know about us?” Charlie laughed and stood up properly, kicking his shoes off and frowning slightly at the mud that scattered the floor as he did. “Great, let’s get them all filmed. Go get changed though, I’m not taking you on live in them.” He indicated her shorts, reaching a hand round to grab her ass. “Hey, they’re not that bad.” Charlie raised his eyebrows at her, and pointed to the doorway. “Fine. But I’m not wearing a bra and you can’t make me.” He rolled his eyes and smirked, pulling his phone out and walking through to the living room, stopping outside their bedroom door and watching as she pulled her shorts down. He bit his lip and caught her eye, shooting her a wink, before settling onto the sofa, setting his phone up on the tripod.

“Hellooo, people. Okay, so I’ll just let some people file in. Sheesh, how many of you are there? That’s like 4000 already and it’s been like 10 seconds. Okay just a few more... Great. Hi everyone, uh, this is just a quick one to answer a question a lot of people have been asking me since the show came out. Before I do, I just want to say you guys know how much I love you, and how grateful I am for all the support, but I really need you guys to respect me with this. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, and I’ve only held off because I was waiting for someone to agree.”

From behind the camera, Alex emerged from their bedroom, her hair freed from it’s bun and falling around her shoulders as she fidgeted. She was nervous, having only been in front of an online audience of a couple thousand before, and she’d never been exposed to Charlie’s followers. They read the comments on his posts together sometimes, and she often stalked fan pages when she was bored and he was out hiking. The girls were crazy about him. Understandably of course, the man was gorgeous, and talented, and funny, and a million other things that had indeed made her fall in love with him in the first place. Kenny had asked that cast members (besides Jeremy, who already had a very public fiancée) to keep any relationships on the downlow, in order to keep the guys sex appeal up to fans. Alex had agreed, knowing it would help the show sell, and had deleted the few posts of Charlie on her instagram profile. None of them really made it look like they were in a relationship, and they were mostly group shots anyway, taken on day trips to Newfoundland, or on the beach with other friends. So her own followers, besides her close friends and family, had no idea she was even in a relationship. Still, it wasn’t fair to tease his fans, so she’d removed the posts all the same. Thinking of her instagram, she pulled her own phone out and took a picture of herself in the living room mirror with her tongue out, captioning it ‘head over to @charles_gillespie for an exciting announcement!’ before leaving her phone on the sidetable and grabbing her coffee from the kitchen.

“Okay, so we’ve waited like 3 years or something to do this. Guys, this is Alex. My girlfriend.” Alex walked into the frame and took a seat next to Charlie, avoiding eye contact with the camera. She wasn’t camera shy- she was a youtuber, it was second nature to her. But a bunch of batshit crazy fangirls? Terrifying. Charlie slipped an arm around her shoulders and made a show of bringing their heads together, plastering a silly grin on his face. His smile was infectious, and Alex mirrored it, sipping her coffee carefully before setting it down next to wear Charlie’s foot sat on the coffee table. “Knock that over and I’m kicking you out.” He laughed and kissed her hair, leaning forward to read the comments.

“OMG, it’s @alexmvlogsz!”

“I knew it, there are old photos of the two of them everywhere.”

“It won’t be serious, they’ve probs only just got together.”

“She’s defo with him for the fame.”

“He’s too hot for her.”

“I’m so here for this!”

Alex noticed Charlie’s frown and leant forward, reading them over his shoulder. “Ha, you guys are funny. Yes, hi it’s me, Alex. Yes, there are a lot of photos of us going around. Yuh okay you’re wrong, been together for like 4 years now I think? Also, we started dating while I had more followers than Charlie. So, uh go follow me because I’m cooler than him. Oh you are so right, he’s way too hot for me. And we are also here for this!” Charlie looked at her with an adoring smile, kissing her head again and pulling her into his side. “She’s hotter than me, actually. Anyways, this is Alex, love of my life. Just thought I’d share that with you guys.” Alex waved and laughed as a storm of comments came through, a combination of support and hate. “Okay, I’m gonna end it there. Bye y’all.” Charlie clicked the end button and collapsed back onto the sofa, frowning slightly. “People are so mean. Why can’t they just accept that I love you?” Alex shrugged and kissed him, moving to straddle his lap. “They will in time. But half of them are in love with you, they don’t want to accept it. It’s fine though, I’m used to it, don’t worry.” Charlie grumbled under his breath, leaning forward to rest his head against her chest. “Hey, while their all still on their phones, do me a favour and put a question box on your story for a Q&A video?” Charlie nodded and grabbed his phone from behind her, keeping one hand on her back so she didn’t fall. Alex yelped as he stood up, automatically wrapping her legs round his waist, and her arms round his neck. “What the fuck Charlie?” He laughed and wandered over to the same mirror Alex had taken her selfie in a few minutes earlier, holding up his phone and taking a photo of them. “For the story. I can post photos of you now, thank god.” Alex held on, resting her head on his shoulder as he typed behind her back, before tossing his phone onto the sofa and grinning at her. She raised her head and looked at him with her eyebrows raised. “Are you going to put me down now?” Charlie shook his head and walked towards the bathroom, arms wrapped around her. “I need a shower, and you’re joining me. “ Alex laughed but let him carry her, kissing along his jawline with a happy smile.

*****

Hair soaking wet and faces flushed, they collapsed into bed side by side, Alex resting her head on Charlie’s chest. “I have an idea.” Charlie looked down at her, and ran his fingers through the damp strands of hair. “We should call Owen over. We’ll do a Q and A, but he has to read out the questions, and if we try to answer wrong or something, he can reveal the truth. Plus he can throw in his opinions, and it’ll be funny.” Charlie laughed softly, and nodded, reaching over to his nightstand to grab his phone. He clicked on Owen’s contact, and facetimed him, pulling the duvet up to cover Alex just in time. “I didn’t mean ask him right now. But okay.” Owen picked up, and grinned into the camera as he saw Charlie. “Hey, I’m just heading out to do some stuff but I can speak to you in the car. What’s up?” Charlie didn’t speak, simply angling the camera so that Owen could see them both, Alex’s red cheeks standing out against the white of the duvet cover pulled up to her shoulders. His face fell when he took in her appearance, groaning and pulling his hat over his face. “Look, Charlie, I love you, and I tolerate you Alex, but I saw enough of this in Vancouver. Seriously man, she has no clothes on.” Charlie nodded, and smirked. “Yuh, and she’s staying like that for the rest of the day. Anway, she wants to talk to you.” He handed the phone to Alex and sat up, reaching over to grab Alex’s phone from the charger. Owen rolled his eyes and sat Alex on his car stand, turning the keys in the ignition, and starting to drive. Alex made sure the sheet was tucked tightly under her arms, before moving out of Charlie’s grip, and leaning against the headboard. “Okay, so I was thinking.” Owen grunted in response and raised his eyebrows, avoiding looking at her. “Never a good thing. Just saying, if you flash me it’s not my fault, and manchild over there can’t get mad.” Charlie stuck his middle finger up at Owen, not looking up from Alex’s phone, which he was spamming with selfies. “Yeah, whatever. Anyway. I was thinking, Charlie just told all his followers we’re together- just incase you didn’t notice- and I want to do a Q & A on my channel. I think it’ll be even funnier if you ‘host’ it, and you can throw in random stories and opinions and whatever? You know us better than anyone,” Owen laughed bitterly and leaned forward, looking out his window. “Yeah, unfortunately. God, I was so happy when you went home. Okay, so when do you want to film this?” Alex looked over at Charlie and smiled seeing him scrolling through her instagram feed. “I don’t mind, when you next free?” Owen shrugged, and the familiar ticking of an indicator came through the phone. “As long as you two are fully clothed, I’ll come over on Wednesday? I have to come to LA to meet some people anyway, we can grab dinner after?” Alex nodded and watched as Charlie set her phone down, and slid down the bed, resting his head on her stomach. She ran her free hand through his hair, smiling as his eyes closed at the sensation. “Yeah that works. I’ll see if Sav wants to come too. Okay, I’ll see you then.” Owen nodded and waved at her, smiling as she flipped the camera to show Charlie. “He’s such a baby. Okay, you two go do whatever you two do. I’ll catch you later.” Charlie flipped him off once more, not lifting his head from where it rested, and Alex hung up. “You want a nap?” Charlie groaned slightly, indicating yes. “Cool, me too. Let me get the blinds.” Charlie sat up with an incredulous expression. “You woke up like an hour and a half ago woman, how are you tired already?” Alex looked at him with raised eyebrows and pulled a shirt out of their wardrobe. His shirt, to be clear. He watched as she dragged it over her head and flipped the blinds so that the room was darker, and held his arms out to her as she climbed back into their king sized bed, cuddling into his warm chest as they passed out for a couple of hours.

*******

“Hey guys! Most of you will already know, because we announced it a few days ago, but for those of you who don’t, today I’m introducing you to my boyfriend properly! The incredibly hot Charlie Gillespie.” Charlie waved awkwardly to the camera from his spot on the sofa, looking to Alex who was on the other side, almost 2 feet of space between them. “We figured we’d do a Q and A, so you guys sent in some questions, and well, we’re gonna answer them. Also, we have another special guest with us.” Owen appeared, and sat in between them, grinning at the camera. “Wouldn’t be a show without me. Okay so basically these two are disgustingly in love, and have been for a disgusting amount of time. Alex is using me for clout, and now you’re going to find out all of the gory details about their relationship.” Alex smacked him gently and handed him Charlie’s phone, the question response boxes all ready to read. “Okay, first question.

How long have you guys known eachother, and how did you meet? Owen looked between them, and pointed to Charlie. “I want to hear him get this wrong.” Charlie rolled his eyes and leaned forward, looking at Alex, who nodded. “Okay. We met nearly 4 years ago, when Alex moved over here for college. I was in LA that weekend, and I bumped into her in the street. We got to talking, and I ended up taking her out that night. That was pretty much it if I’m honest, nothing that exciting.” Alex scoffed and flipped her hair behind her shoulders. “Not quite. I took him out, and he fangirled the whole time. His sister had watched a few of my youtube videos, and he- and I quote- thought I was really pretty.” Charlie stuck his tongue out at her, and Owen groaned, resting his head in his hands. “We’re only one question in and I’m already sick of the both of you. Okay, next question.”

Do you guys live together, and if so where? Alex raised her eyebrows and laughed. “Most of the time we live together, yes. This is my apartment in LA, and I’d say we’re here at least 8 months of the year. But at christmas we go to New Brunswick to see Char’s family, and we go visit my family in thesummer. And sometimes I’m in New Zealand, and he’ll go on holiday with his boyfriend here.” Owen grinned and held Charlie’s hand, resting his head on his friends shoulder. Charlie leaned into him, making them appear like a very loved up couple. “Yeah, so we live together most of the time, apart from when we’re visiting friends or family, or if he’s working.” Charlie nodded and looked to Owen, who continued scrolling through boxes. “Oh my god some of these are dodgy. Jesus, look at this one!” He showed it to Alex, who burst out laughing. “Okay, I’m answering that but we’re not reading out the actual question.” She climbed to her feet and turned side on to the camera, smoothing out her t-shirt against her chest, giving a decent view of her side profile. “Whoever asked what kind of man Charlie is, I’ll let you figure that one out for yourself. He doesn’t get a choice in the matter- I only have one of the above.” Charlie read the question over Owen’s shoulder, before frowning and reaching out for Alex, pulling her onto his knee. “Shut up, you’re perfect and I love every bit of you.” He started peppering her face with kisses, laughing alongside her. Owen jumped to the other side of the sofa, grimacing. “Disgusting. Okay, next question. Ooh, this one’s juicy.”

Alex, do you and Madison get along, and have you ever been jealous of her relationship with Charlie? Owen made a show of trying not to laugh, and Alex rolled her eyes. “Mads is like a little sister to me. We get on really well, and her and Charlie’s relationship is best friends, nothing more. I mean, to be fair I’d totally adopt her if I could. Having her living with me would me pretty cool.” Charlie frowned and shook his head. “No. I’m not living with the both of you. You’d never stop singing.” Alex nodded happily. “And the only thing I’m jealous of her for is she doesn’t have to live with him. Or share a kitchen with him.” Charlie flicked her in the side of the head, kissing the afflicted area shortly after, while Owen nodded in agreement. “That brings us nicely on to the next one.”

Who’s got the worst eating habits? Owen rubbed the back of his neck and looked straight at the camera. “I can’t believe I’m about to say this. Alex is worse than Charlie, folks. And you’ve seen how he eats.” Charlie pushed Alex off him and jumped up, pointing his fingers at her as he danced around in front of the camera. Alex’s jaw dropped, and she leant forward, pointing at Charlie accusingly. “He eats eggs with peanut butter. Do you know how gross that is?” Charlie grabbed her hand and kissed her knuckles, sinking back into his seat. “You eat ham, and peanut butter. You can’t talk.” Alex groaned and flipped him off behind Owen’s head. “Fine, what’s the next one?” Owen grinned and scrolled a bit, laughing out loud before putting the phone facedown.

Who’s most likely to get jealous? He smirked at the camera, and shared a look with Alex, who was grinning. They turned back to the camera and spoke simultaneously. “Charlie.” At his name, he groaned and grabbed a pillow, smothering his face with it. “Very much Charlie. Do you want to hear something funny? Of course you do. Owen, I’ll let you take this one.” Alex sat back, smiling smugly, while Charlie looked at her with pure betrayal written all over his face. “While we were in Vancouver last year, filming for the show, Alex here, came to stay with us for 2 months. This was the first time I’d met her, besides a few facetime calls. We got on really well, and hung out a lot on and off set, while I wasn’t filming. Our lovely Charlie, decided he was going to absolutely freak out about this, and started a fight in the middle of the freaking lot, in front of the entire cast and crew, because he thought I was after Alex.” Charlie groaned from behind the pillow, and Alex laughed. “He thought Owen was flirting with me, and yelled at him for a straight 7 minutes, while we just kinda stood there and looked at each other. I felt so bad, I took Charlie home that night and sat with him for like 3 hours, and then I took them both out for dinner the next night. It was weird.” Owen snorted and rubbed his forehead. “You did not just sit with him. I shared an apartment with you, I was in the next room.” Alex punched his arm, and leaned over to ruffle Charlie’s hair. “He’s just protective, you should see him when we go out together, he literally refuses to leave my side.” Owen nodded and smiled at Charlie’s flushed face. “He’s stupid protective of her. One of the crew members actually did flirt with her. We’re lucky the guy’s still alive.” Charlie rolled his eyes at them both and held his hands up. “I had to compete with an entire college full of guys to keep her. And I have 3 brothers. I’m used to fighting for what’s mine.” Alex smiled and stood up, pushing Owen into her spot and sitting beside him, taking Charlie’s hand. “Yeah, what he said. Next question Owen?” Owen shook his head and scrolled once more, raising his eyebrows occasionally. “Okay, this should be easy.”

Who’s the most annoying to live with? Charlie and Alex both immediately pointed to her, and Owen nodded his head. “Even just while we were in Vancouver, this girl drove me up the wall. I don’t know how Charlie does it.” Charlie smirked and rubbed his jaw. “He gets well compensated for his troubles.” Charlie shrugged and nodded, laughing at Owen’s expression. “She’s incapable of showering without leaving the entire bathroom flooded, she never does the laundry unless I phone her four times and ask her to do it, she has never touched the vaccum in her life, and the bed only gets made when she’s not living here. Not to mention she’s the messiest person in the world, and our room is literally carpeted with her- actually wait no, MY clothes, because she never wears her own stuff. Exhibit A.” Alex stood up and spun around, showing off her outfit of Charlie’s t-shirt and a pair of jeans. “He loves me for it though.” She dropped back onto the sofa, smiling as she felt Charlie’s arm slip around her waist and pull her in to his side. “Let’s do some nice ones.”

Are you guys morning people? All three of them laughed, and Alex buried her face in Charlie’s chest. “Owen, is like a late morning early afternoon person. I’m always up before 9, I like doing stuff in the mornings. I sleep in on Saturdays sometimes, or I’ll stay in bed and watch a movie with Alex. But Alex doesn’t get up unless she absolutely has to. Today she got up at like 1230 I think? And that’s early for her, and it was only after a lot of persuasion.” Alex bit her lip, remembering the persuasion Charlie had used that morning, and feeling a familiar heat take over her face. Owen pulled a face, also knowing what he meant, and gagged. “Disgusting. But yeah, I’ll second that. When she lived with us, we’d go home for lunch sometimes, or we’d have a halfday, and she’d still be sleeping. Like Charlie would go in and get her at like 4pm. And she’d wake up and go get coffee. At 4pm.” Charlie nodded, and Alex sighed, sitting up and brushing her hair out of her face. “In my defense, I’m normally up pretty late. I work best at night, and I can never fall asleep before like 3 or 4am.” She shrugged, and leant on Charlie, who was blushing ever so slightly. “We know, Alex, we know. Let me give you a piece of advice, folks. See if your best mate’s girlfriend comes to stay, after 2 months of being apart? Stay away from the apartment for at least 3 days. Maybe a week. Move out if you can. They kept me up, Every. Freaking. Night. I don’t know how Charlie was able to function at 5.30 in the morning, considering he could’ve gotten like maximum an hour of sleep. He was on vocal rest for a reason.” Owen raised his eyebrows at the camera, and Alex hid her face, while Charlie puffed out his cheeks and looked around, avoiding the camera. “Moving swiftly on, what’s the next question Owen?” The blonde grinned and scrolled once more, chuckling under his breath.

What’s your guys favourite thing to do together? Owen looked at them dubiously as Alex clapped her hands, and Charlie grinned. “Besides that.” Charlie rolled his eyes and reached over to clip Owen over the ear, and Alex ducked as they play fought over the top of her. Finally breaking apart, Charlie straightened his shirt and resumed his hold on Alex. “It’s between travelling and playing. With Alex’s family in the UK, and mine in Canada, we fly around quite a lot. Besides, we both love seeing new places, and we have friends all over the place.” Alex nodded and smiled excitedly. “I can’t wait, we’re going to see Mads for her 17th birthday next week- she doesnt’t know, but I won’t post this until we’re there, so it’ll be fine. And we went to visit my dad in New Zealand last month- that was fun. We went to Hawaii, of course, with Jer and that. That was incredible.” Charlie nodded, watching with an adoring expression as his girlfriend’s face lit up, while she spoke about the places she loved so much. “Hawaii was awesome, but I gotta say, going to the UK is like wow. It’s so different over there.” Alex looked at her feet shyly, nodding slightly. “For sure, and my friends are uh, very different from our friends here.” Charlie raised his eyebrows in agreement, feeling Alex’s grip on his hand get a little tighter. “But yeah, besides travelling it’s got to be playing together. We sing together all the time, I’m pretty sure our neighbours hate us.” Alex brightened up and laughed, nodding eagerly. “Honestly, most of the time that’s what we’re doing at like 1am. I’ll get a song stuck in my head and force Charlie to play it for me. He’s so much better at guitar than I am.” Charlie shook his head and held a hand out in excitement. “Nah, see when I tell you this girl can sing, oh my GAWD. There’s a reason I fell in love with her. And she plays piano, and guitar, although I am still teaching her that. And violin!! How cool is that? She’s teaching me. So yeah, our neighbours hate us.” Owen smiled as he watched his best friends talk about each other, the love between them so obvious and real. “Okay, we’ll do like two or three more.”

Who takes longer to get ready in the morning? Instantly pointing at each other, Owen laughed, and pointed to Charlie. “100% this man. She just throws her hair up and puts on whatever he wore the day before. This man has a full haircare routine, every fricking morning. Like seriously, it’s just hair!” Alex nodded in agreement, running her hands through Charlie’s hair. “It is very nice hair though. Nah for sure, Charlie takes longer to get ready first thing, but when we’re going out, it’s me. Like out out, I mean. I’m so indecisive. In Vancouver Savannah literally nearly stabbed me cause I was taking so long.” Charlie grinned and nodded, Owen mirroring his actions. “Never ask her to go out unless you have at least 4 hours to kill. 3 hours for her to be indecisive, and then another for her to be late.” Alex grinned and tilted her head to the side. “Girls, am I right? HA. I’m funny. Okay, moving on.”

Who’s most fun on a night out? Charlie and Owen pointed to Alex simultaneously, who just shrugged and nodded. “I was raised in Scotland, so when I drink, I drink hard. Nobody could keep up with me when we went out in Vancouver. Seriously, Charlie tried and we nearly had to take him to the ER.” Charlie scoffed at this, but the blush spreading up his neck said all that needed to be said. Owen laughed at the memory, and set the phone down. “No really, it was so funny. This tiny 5′5 girl knocking back vodka like it’s water, and Charlie’s trying not to throw up in the corner after like 2. This girl’s liver is deceased.” Alex grinned and kicked her feet up on the table proudly. “Proud drinker since I was 13. Shit, this is going on the internet. Okay, forget I said that. Owen?” Owen reached out and grabbed the phone, scrolling through again.

Do you have any tattoos? Owen rolled up his sleeve and showed off the ghost drummer on his forearm, and Charlie stood up next to him, placing their ghostly characters next to each other. They pulled their shirt sleeves down, and looked to Alex, who groaned and stood up. “I have a few, but they’re pretty small.” She came up close to the camera, followed by Charlie, who helped her pull the collar of her shirt down, and swept her hair away from the nape of her neck, revealing the small outline of a triangle at the top of her spine. “I’ve got that, and then-” She pulled her top up, and showed a single word written on her ribcage, in gaelic. ‘teine’. “It says fire, in scottish gaelic. And this one.” She held her hand up to the camera, showing a daffodil on the inside of her middle finger on her right hand. “And then I have another one on my leg, but obviously can’t show that.” She settled back onto the sofa, smacking Charlie when he laughed. “It’s hardly on her leg. It’s like-” She held a hand over his mouth and smiled at Owen, asking silently for the next question. “Oh wow, okay I like this one.”

Alex, how do you get along with the JATP cast, and who’s your favourite? Owen looked at Alex expectantly, who just rolled her eyes and crossed her legs. “I love them, so much. While Char was away I was constantly on the phone, and they’d just pass me around depending on who was filming. A lot of it was because Charlie was afraid I’d get lonely, but also because he was so busy that he could only grab a couple of minutes to speak to me every now and again. While I was in Vancouver, me and Owen definitely spent a lot of time together, and he showed me round the city while Charlie and Mads were doing perfect harmony shoots and stuff, which was an experience and a half. Note to self, Owen is incredibly competitive at arcade games.” Alex slipped her hand into Charlie’s as she spoke about her time with Owen, knowing he’d probably start overthinking it. “But Mads and I got super close. Like everytime the boys were filming we’d go to craft services and eat our weight in brownies. We made them a lot too, in the apartment. We literally facetime everyday. And Savannah too, oh my god I love that girl so much. She’s like my best friend. I wouldn’t have made it over there without her, she literally picked me up from the airport when someone forgot I was coming.” Charlie held his hands up in defense, and Alex rolled her eyes. “He didn’t forget I was coming, he just ‘lost track of time’. But honestly, I can’t pick a favourite, they’re like family to me.” She smiled at Owen, and leaned back against Charlie, meaning every word. “Aw. How cute. I’m the favourite. Next question. Oh wow, this is a biggie.”

Charlie, are you going to propose? Alex’s eyes widened, and she coughed, turning to look at Charlie. “Good question. It’s nearly four years. Where’s the ring, Charlieboy?” Charlie chuckled and ran a hand through his hair, leaning back against the sofa. “Got a while yet, got to train her up a bit better first.” Alex punched him in the arm, and he winced, rubbing it and glaring at her. “I’m joking, obviously. She’s only just 21, so we’re gonna wait a bit- but yes, I will. One day. If she doesn’t kill me with her cooking first.” Owen raised his eyebrows and brought a leg up underneath him, scrolling through the questions. Alex looked at Charlie with a pout, crossing her arms and moving away from him. “Oh my god, you’re such a child. Yes, I’m going to propose, just not now and not anytime soon! Yikes.” Alex grinned and kissed his cheek, waiting for the next question. “Right, we’ll make this the last one?” Alex and Charlie nodded, Alex tucking her legs up to her chest as she leaned back against Charlie, her head resting on his arm, which was thrown across the back of the couch.

What’s your favourite thing about each other? Alex smirked and looked Charlie up and down, winking at the camera. Charlie did something similar, his arm moving down the sofa and grabbing at her hip, making his intentions more than clear. Owen gagged, and spun round, holding his forehead in his hands and shaking his head. “Joking. I love Charlie’s passion. He gets so invested in the things he loves, and watching him speak about stuff he’s genuinely interested in and excited for is the cutest thing in the world. He gets these like sparkles in his eye, and he jumps up and down and god it’s adorable. I also like his abs. They are, in a word exquisite. Not to mention his arms.” Charlie rolled his eyes, but pressed a loving kiss to her temple. “I love how talented Alex is. There’s not really anything she can’t do. Literally, she’s musical, athletic, and she’s like stupid smart. She has a degree. From college. Like woah. And I also love when she gets super excited about something, or when she gets like really emotional- not sad, just when she’s feeling something really intensely, she starts like bouncing up and down in her seat, and clapping her hands or shaking them really fasr. It’s literally like the most adorable thing ever. And her ass. It’s pretty cool too.” Owen coughed and held a hand up. “Right well, there’s one thing she can’t do. She can’t dance. Like at all. It’s quite funny.” Charlie nodded, as did Alex. “Dancing, definitely not my forte. Also, when he says athletic, he means I played field hockey in high school and college. The most exercise I get now is when he’s hor-” Owen stood up quickly, and Charlie covered her mouth with his hand. “Okay, that’s all for this video! Hope you guys are suitably grossed out. Thanks for watching, goodbye!!!”

Owen turned off the camera, and Alex grinned before turning to Charlie, connecting her lips with his in a soft kiss. Finally being allowed to talk about her relationship was a major relief, after having to hide it for so long. “Gross, can you wait til I’m gone at least?” Alex rolled her eyes and flipped him off, climbing off the sofa. “No, cause we’re going out for dinner. Can you call Sav, baby? Let her know we’ll be like an hour?” Charlie nodded, watching her with a dazed smile as she wandered into their bedroom, already tying her long hair up out of the way for a hard session of outfit searching. “You’re in so deep with that one, man.” Owen looked at Charlie knowingly, who just shrugged and continued to smile. “What can I say. She’s the one.” Owen shook his head and rolled his eyes, but he was smiling, happy that another one of his best friends had found real love. Charlie scrolled through the contacts on Alex’s phone, clicking on Savannah’s name and raising the phone to his ear. He jumped when she picked up, holding the phone at arm’s length. “Oh my god, Sav it’s me, not Alex. She said to tell you we’re going out in a couple of hours, and to be ready to go for 7. That cool?” Savannah spoke rapidly on the other side of the line, agreeing and squealing with excitement when she heard Owen would be there. “I’ve missed you guys! Okay, see you soon!” Charlie hung up and set his girlfriend’s phone down, reaching for the remote, and turning on the TV. “Wanna watch the NHL?” Owen nodded, kicking his feet up on the coffee table, and looking at the clock on the wall. It was only half three.

#charliegillespieimagine #charliegillespie #charlie gillespie fic #charlesgillespie #charliegillespiesmut #jatpimagine #jatpcast #jatpimagines #jatpluke #jatpsmut #jatp #lukepattersonsmut #luke patterson imagine #lukepatterson #luke julie and the phantoms #julieandthephantomssmut #julie and the himbos #julieandthephantoms #julieandthephantomscast

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gloomyhearts · 4 years ago

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Mellillla || Owen P. Joyner

Chapter one~ I'll be dead

High school sweethearts as their friends called them but they were never in a relationship. Several years passed them when their life moved on. Will their paths meet again?

AN: Hey guys.. so here's my first Owen Joyner x fem!OC. Hope you enjoy it :)

The brunette girl hurried through the hallways to her next class, many other students stood by their lockers chattering with one another. Her flow was interrupted as someone grabber her arm making her stop.

"Why are you running, Dahl?" A breath of relief escaped her lips when she saw Lilith.

"We have a class in like two minutes," she argues.

Lilith let out a chuckle. "We have lunch you idiot" her chuckle grow into a loud laughter.

"What really?" Dahlia turns her left wrist to see the watch.

"What the.."

"You're hilarious," her hand resting on her abdomen from laughing.

"That's not funny," Dahlia's index pushed her glasses further on her nose.

"Come on, let's get you some food," the red haired girl grabbed her wrist pulling her to the cafeteria.

When they arrived there her graze felt on her group of friends sitting on one of the tables near the wall as always.

"You made it, D. Finally," Samuel raises his hand for her to high five it.

She came to a halt and her hand met a wet one.

"Why.. what was that," she groans bringing her hand up to her nose. It didn't smell at all.

"Chill it was just water" he holds his bottle up.

Dahlia rolled her eyes while sitting down.

"So what's your plan for the weekend?" Chloe asks.

"Well, I have volleyball on Saturday and Sunday there's this school play where the bands playing," Dahlia explains as she steals some carrots from Lilith.

"And after that?"

"Serious? After that I'm dead" she knitted one of her brows.

"There's a campfire at Josh's," Jacob suggests.

"Feel free to go" she gestures with her hand.

"Not without you D." He states.

"I'm not coming"

"Please Dahl," Emma had her puppy eyes as she pleaded.

"Guys.. fine, maybe" Dahlia grabs her backpack.

"Where you're going?"

"The break is over in a few. I'm just eluding the big crowd." She winked at them and made her way over to the door.

"She really left. What a girl" every single one at the table began to laugh.

After her last class the brunette had her last rehearsal for the show on Sunday. Her feet steps into the room and her eyes laid abruptly on this special person.

His cap was turned around and held most of his hair back yet single strands of his blonde hair were falling into his face as he played enthusiastic the drums.

She walked over to the piano and took a seat. Her finger run softly over the ivories. A shy small smile suited her lips, deep in her thoughts. Dahlia didn't noticed that someone walked over to her, she shrieks slightly as the shadow laid over her.

"Hey gurl," the familiar voice spoke.

"Val," Dahlia was on her feet again throwing her arms around her.

"I thought you wouldn't come"

"I can't miss this. You know" she rolled her eyes with a smile on her lips.

"Didn't saw you during break" she points.

"I came just for this" the blonde explains.

"Cause I couldn't do this without you"

"We're just rehearsing," Valerie laughs.

"I couldn't do it either," she retorts.

"I know."

"Please take your seats," the teacher shouts.

"We begin with song 3 cause y'all suck at it."

Dahlia was the first to play in this, she nervously let her fingers fly over the keys again. Then the drummer began quietly, giving it all a rhythm and then the rest. Their teacher was somewhat disgusted but also kinda hopeful that her class could do it just good.

"Dahlia, a little louder please," the named girl hit the keys a little harder and her teacher send her a thumb up.

The chords of the last song echoed through the room and the students as well as their teacher seemed pleased.

"Great guys. Go home and get some rest before sunday," the teacher suggests suggests as the music stops.

All the students gathered around the drums giving the person behind various compliments. Dahlia herself moved to the door already out of the room as her teacher calls after her.

"What's wrong?" She arrived at the table.

"You sure about the scholarship?" He questions.

"Yeah, I think I suck too much. I wouldn't make it in the business," Dahlia insists.

"Whatever you say sweetie. I don't wanna push you into something," he states.

Her graze falling on her hands.

"But it'd be a loss," Dahlia's view rose up.

"Thanks but.. I really don't know," she shrugged her shoulders.

"It's okay, Dahlia, really," he gave her a resuring smile. Dahlia nodds and waved to her as she made her way out.

"What did he wanted?" Valerie throws her arm around her shoulder guiding her to the exit.

"Just the scholarship thing"

"Just? Are you serious? Are you stupid? Actually don't answer. I thought we'd have a girl night. At 7 at mine?"

Dahlia nodds as an answer and went to her mother's car.

"See you baby," Valerie shouts after her, Dahlia just winked at her.

"Hi mom," she opens the passenger door and threw her backpack in, following it shortly after.

"Hey hun."

"Can I sleep over at Val's?"

"Yeah of course but don't forget your game tomorrow"

"She'll drive me there."

Actually Valerie is a senior like most of the people in the band but Dahlia is allowed, due to her outstanding grades and well playing, to be in the band. At first her parents were suspicious because the kids were all two til three years older than her innocent Dahlia.

But surprisingly the others hadn't a problem with her joining the band they were even keen. Mostly all of them.

"Can you maybe bring me to her?"

"Your sister said she's going to a friend too, she'll drop you there," she explains.

"Great," she comments. Well since Dahlia joined the band at the end of her freshman year, her sister hears her name more often from her friends having no spare time of her.

"I don't know where your problem is"

"Well since I joined her some of her friends in the band she hates me."

"She doesn't mean it like this. I think she's scared you're stealing her friends."

"That was a year ago and I haven't, not even one. Just Val," and that was the point.

Valerie and Serena were friends, best friends until high school started for them but Valerie and Dahlia became friends after two years off their "break up".

It wasn't pretty , it was filthy to be honest but it was Serena's fault mostly but that's yesterday's news.

"You're breaking the news to her," the young girl says as she exits the car.

When Dahlia entered her room the first thing she does is to put her glasses into its case, the second thing is to pack her suitcase for the weekend, during the drive home she clarified that she'd stay the whole weekend at her friend's house.

"I'm not driving you there," her sister rushes into the room.

"Well good afternoon to you too, sister," she comments.

"But it's literally on your way. You're even driving her road," dahlia adds.

"But I have to stop right in front of her home," Serena argues.

"I'd jump out the car," the brunette suggests.

"That's a great idea," she turns around and leaves as fast as she got in.

She's so dump Dahlia thought.

"I'm leaving on 6.30" Serena shouted through the door and a smile creeped on Dahlia's lips. She continues to push her things into the suitcase.

"You're moving out?" Her younger brother questions as she wandered to the stairs.

"Shut up."

"Just that you know. Mom says if you blow up the house she puts you up for adoption," she announced as her feet steps on the first stair.

"You ready?" Dahlia nodds and followed her sister behind.

The car ride was covered with silence, neither of them said a single word until they arrived at the front of Valerie's house.

"Thanks for driving me Serena," Dahlia gave her a weak smile as she grabs her suitcase and moved the way to the front.

"You're finally here," Valerie throws the door open and pulled her inside.

"Had Serena really droped you here?" Dahlia nodds, waving Val's parents as they walked past them.

"Hello dear. Nice to see you again," her mother greeted the brunette.

"You'll find us upstairs," she tells them.

#owen joyner fanfiction #owen joyner imagine #owen joyner x reader #owen patrick joyner #jatp fanfic #jatp x oc #julie and the phantoms #julie and the phantoms fanfiction #owen joyner #owen joyner fic #julie and the himbos #julieandthephantomsimagine #julie and the fat ones #jatp fic #jatp cast #alex mercer #alex japt

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dream-a-little-bigger-x · 4 years ago

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Chapter 4 -- Perfect Harmony | Charlie Gillespie

Summary: Emily Fox is a talented 17-year-old with a passion for all things music. Her dream is to become a successful singer-songwriter one day. But to achieve that dream, she needs to get into one of the most prestigious music schools in her district – it’s all been part of her plan since she was six. Sadly enough, those schools cost a ton of money that her parents don’t want to invest. They don’t even want her to pursue her dream. So, now Emily’s hustling, working at the music store to save up to get into college. That’s until she meets Charlie, an annoying seventeen-year-old boy with the same dream as her. The only difference is, he’s just doing it. He doesn’t need a fancy college to pursue his dream to become famous with his band. He just writes his songs and books small gigs here, there and everywhere. Will meeting Charlie defer her from her dream college, or will he actually help her achieve the dream?

Pairing: Charlie Gillespie x OC (Emily Fox)

Warnings: mentions of death, sexual assault

Important note: the characters of Charlie, Owen, Jeremy and Madison are based on the characters they play on the show and i do not own their names, only OC are mine. The songs aren’t mine either, they’re all from the show except for one.

Chapter four

~|Emily Fox|~

“Guess what I did this weekend?” I ask Madison excitedly when I see her at her locker on Monday morning. She stares at me, blinking a few times. She did not expect me to be this excited on Monday morning. “You rode an elephant?” she asks when she realizes I won’t continue until she guesses. “Don’t ever ride elephants. They’re not made to do that,” I tell her off, “No, I finished writing my song!” Madison’s eyes widen before an excited squeal leaves her mouth. Now we’re getting weird looks from other students, wondering why the hell we’d be so excited on Monday morning. “Let me hear!” she shouts loudly, but I quickly dim the fire inside her eyes by shaking my head. “I still need to tweak it a little, but I think it might actually have potential,” I say. Madison pouts. “I’m sorry, Mads. I promise you, I’ll let you hear it once I pick up the courage to ask someone to duet this with me.” “Like on TikTok?” she asks, visibly confused. “No, I think it might sound better as a duet. I sang like part of it with this Charlie dude at the Music Store.” Madison’s eyebrows rise whilst her eyes widen. “Who’s Charlie?” she asks, the bell nearly ringing out her voice. The two of us make our way to class together. “The Cute Douchebag I told you about?” “You never said he was cute…” “I’m telling you now. He kept coming back to play this one guitar in the store to escape from his parents and I let him while I cleaned up the place. And then on Saturday, he suddenly started singing this verse that fit perfectly what I already had. It sounded amazing, Mads. Our voices blend really, really well together.” I take in a deep breath and release it into a sigh. “Mmh… Cute Douchebag Charlie serenades you and you turn it into a duet… Sounds like the start of a great Romantic movie,” she thinks about it for a moment, “I’d watch that.” “I’m going to put your feet back on the floor, Madison, because nothing’s ever going to happen between Charlie and me.” I can’t hide the smile tugging at my lips though, and I think Madison has seen it too as one of the corners of her mouth curls up into a smirk. “Mmh-mmh…” she hums and before I can bring anything else in, she dips into her classroom, leaving me all alone to find my way to the room next door where I have my first class. Let’s pray today goes by fast. Which only works by constantly imagining what it would be like to show Charlie the song I wrote with his verse added to it and what it would be like if we sung it together. I wonder if he’ll be at the store tonight and if he is, do I immediately tell him I’ve finished the song? Or do I wait until I’ve perfected it? Or do I—I can’t even finish my thought when the bell rings, signaling lunch time. Halfway through.

“Dreaming about mister Cutie Pie?” Madison’s voice startles me as I stand in line for lunch. “Hell, Madi. Give me a heart attack, why don’t you?” She gives me her most mischievous grin. “So, you’re not denying that you were dreaming about mister Cutie Pie?” “No,” she raises her eyebrows, “I mean, no I wasn’t dreaming about him because he’s still a douchebag.” I take a sandwich from the canteen lady. “A very cute Douchebag,” Madison wiggles her eyebrows. “How do you know he’s cute?” I ask as we move towards the fridges for some soda. “You told me. And I found him on Instagram.” She reaches in her bag for her phone whilst we head towards the table we always sit at. “How did you find him on Instagram?” I ask her, sitting down and taking the phone from her to look at his photos. Some of them look really cool and artsy, most of them with his guitar, whether that be electric or acoustic. “I checked the Music Store’s Instagram and looked through their followers and found about fifteen Charlies, but none of them as cute as this one.” I glance up at the handle at the top of his page. Charles_Gillespie. Gillespie? That’s a very unique last name. “You should be in the FBI, Mads,” I tell her and find myself scrolling through all of his pictures. “I mean, it’s no rocket science, babes,” she shrugs off her FBI-abilities. I shake my head at her, and then deep-dive into the wondrous world of Charlie Gillespie’s Instagram. Those eyes. They seem more golden in real life than they do in the pictures on here. And that smile. In one photo, he has like a really lazy smile on his face, but it looks so freakishly adorable that I nearly melt on the spot. “Someone has a crush!” Madison sings into my ear. “I do not,” I sound way more offended than I intended to. “Okay, fine. You do not. But when you stop being in denial, I’ll be here to tell you ‘told you so’,” Madison tells me sassily. I so want to say something to that, but I’m stumped. And too distracted by Charlie’s Instagram. I’m so distracted I even forget to eat and only leaves me with five minutes left to eat an entire sandwich. I shake my head at myself, disgusted by my own thoughts. This boy.

“Heading to work?” Madison asks me when she meets me at my locker after the final bell. “Yep, have to lock up again and work on my song,” I tell her, shutting my locker and shouldering my bag. “Do you think he’ll be there again?” I chuckle, “It would surprise me if he wasn’t. He’s been at the store every day since the day I met him.” Madison raises her eyebrows again. That’s how she looks at me a lot lately. “Someone has a crush on you.” That mischievous grin appears on her face again, and it just makes me shake my head disapprovingly, but I can’t help but smile too. The thought of him having a crush on me disgusts me and makes me feel all giddy inside at the same time. “Yeah, sure,” I say, “See you tomorrow, Madi,” I wave at her, leaving her behind at the school to make my way to the Music Store, where, to no surprise of mine, I find Charlie at the guitars again. He doesn’t even notice me walking in. “There’s only one customer left,” Ash tells me, “He’s been here a lot, hasn’t he?” “What? No? This surely is the first time I see him,” I reply, not being able to hide the sarcasm. “Just lock up when you’re done,” she says throwing me the keys before hopping across the counter. She’s the only person who could ever do that so smoothly. “And don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” she yells over her shoulder and rushes away before I can come up with a good comeback. Completely leaving Charlie to his devices, I begin sweeping up the place. Scattered sheet music goes back in its place, dropped food wrappers are being picked up and thrown away, misplaced instruments go back into their place. I’m nearly done when I hear Charlie cough behind me. “Ah, Charles. Didn’t see you there,” I say when I turn around to face him. “Well, yeah… People tell me I can be very quiet,” he replies awkwardly. I hardly believe that. He’s the most obnoxious person I have ever met. “I wanted to ask; did you finish that song we sang the other day? I really liked it and I thought maybe if you’d finished it, we could sing it together?” My eyes widen at the mention of the song. Should I tell him the truth? “Uhm, no, I haven’t finished it yet.” The lie rolls off my lips before I can stop it. “Great! I actually had this idea for a verse last night,” he reaches into the pocket of his skinny jeans and a piece of folded up paper appears. “I think it would sound good as a bridge.” He unfolds the paper as he says it and then places it on top of the piano wing, reaching just past me. I get a whiff of his deodorant and aftershave. A blend of minty fresh and musky undertones. I realize it’s my favorite scent in the world. “I feel your rhythm in my heart, yeah You are my brightest, burning star, woah-woah I never knew a love so real We're heaven on earth, melody and words When we are together we're” He looks up at me every now and again when he’s singing. And all it does is cause hurricanes in my mind and the rhythm of my heart quickening. “And then it goes back into the chorus you wrote,” he finishes, breaking our eye contact once again. “Because, you know, that was really good.” He awkwardly coughs again. His eyes pleadingly looking up at me from underneath the strands of hair. That’s when I realize he isn’t wearing the beanie I’ve seen him with so many times. His brown locks lay messily across his head, but it creates a rougher look, which works for him. “Yeah, okay, thanks, Charles,” I say, recomposing and returning to the tougher façade I’m used to putting up around him. “You done? I need to clean up.” I point around the room to emphasize my lie. The room is entirely clean, I just need to get out of the situation. “Why are you pushing this away, Emily?” The question takes me aback a bit. “It’s obvious we’re supposed to write this song together. With both our ideas and creativity together, we can create so many amazing songs. This is meant to be, Emily. Why can’t you see that?” I’m not entirely sure what he means by ‘meant to be’. We are? Or as a band? Or a singer-songwriter-duo? I don’t even have the time to ask him, because he’s already turned around and making his way to the door. “I write alone,” I tell him quickly, causing him to freeze with his hand on the doorknob. He looks back at me with those pleading puppy eyes. “So, whatever you think is meant to be, it’s not going to happen.” He simply nods his head at that. “Good to know.” For the rest of that night, I wonder if that’s going to be the last I hear of him.

Even Uncle Mitch can tell something’s wrong when I’m in the kitchen making myself some food after my shift. He stares at me with those worried green eyes of his and sits down across from me at the table. “You want to vent?” he simply asks, which he knows is enough for me to break. I take a deep breath, wondering where to begin in this story and what to leave out for my old Uncle’s sake. “There’s this boy—” before I can continue, he jumps up. “Who do I need to chase down?” he tries to sound tough, but Uncle Mitch is the gayest of all the gays. He’s not afraid to show off his more feminine side. But in situations like this, when he pretends to be all tough dad and everything, it’s just kind of endearing. Because that’s not at all who he is. “No one, Uncle Mitch.” He slowly sits back down and lets me continue, propping his head onto his hand, elbow resting on the tabletop. “This boy always comes into the Music Store during my shifts. He either has this excuse to be there, buying picks or strings or polish or whatever, and one night he asked if he could stay and play some guitar whilst I clean up because he wanted to escape his parents,” I take a deep breath, remembering what my parents told me when I said what college I wanted to go to. “I couldn’t say no to that, could I?” Uncle Mitch hums with a small smile on his face. “So then he sang part of a song he wrote and it kind of matched with the song I was writing, so I sang along with him, and then we sang the chorus together and our voices match really well and they blend so beautifully and I bet you would’ve gotten goosebumps, Uncle Mitch,” he chuckles at that, “And today he came up with a bridge for the song and he sang it to me and it was perfect and I kind of shook him off. I should’ve told him how beautiful it was, but I didn’t.” I sniffle, tears pooling in my eyes, and I’m not even sure why. “And then he asked why I pushed him away because we’re meant to write songs together and I don’t disagree with him but…” I trail off as sobs take over my body. “But you can’t write songs with anyone else but your Uncle Bobby,” Uncle Mitch finishes, his voice sounds closer suddenly. When I wipe away the tears, I feel his arms snake around my body. All I can do is place my hands on his, and softly cry as he speaks. “I know it’s hard, Muffin, but you have to know that your Uncle Bobby wouldn’t want you to stop making music. He’d tell you to go for it if he heard how well the two of you work together. I think you know he’d want you to work with this cute boy.” “I never said he was cute,” I chuckle between the sniffles. “You’re crying at the dining table about a boy. If he’s not cute, I don’t know what you’re crying about.” He lets go of me and assesses me from a distance. I look up at him. “He’s cute right?” I nod my head. “I’ve taught you well.” He presses a kiss to my head and makes his way out of the kitchen. “I don’t know what to tell him when I see him again though? If I ever see him again.” “Just make sure your song is finished and show him what you’ve made of it. Then he’ll realize you’ve changed your mind.” I nod my head, taking in all the advice. “And I’m sure you’ll see him again, Muffin. You’re a catch.” He winks at me before completely disappearing out of the kitchen. “It’s creepy when you say that!” I shout after him before turning back to my food. “But it’s not when Cutie from the Music Store says it!” I hear him faintly somewhere in the house. Uncle Mitch is the best person in the entire world. I wouldn’t know what to do with him. Mom and dad wouldn’t know what to tell me in a situation like this. Dad would probably hunt Charlie down and mom would tell me I wasn’t ready for a relationship with a boy. Thank Heaven’s for Uncle Mitch. The light in the darkest dark. He’ll shine bright forever.

Taglist: @parkeret @lukeys-giggle

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#julie and the phantoms #julie and the himbos #charlie gillespie #charlie x oc #jeremy shada #owen joyner #madison reyes #Luke Patterson #reggie jatp #alex jatp #julie molina #oc emily fox

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blueathens · 3 years ago

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Flying To Texas

Act 1, Scene 3

𝖲𝗈𝗇𝗀: 𝖢𝖺𝗇𝖼𝖾𝗋 𝖻𝗒 𝖬𝗒 𝖢𝗁𝖾𝗆𝗂𝖼𝖺𝗅 𝖱𝗈𝗆𝖺𝗇𝖼𝖾 𝖰𝗎𝗈𝗍𝖾: "𝖨'𝗆 𝖻𝖾𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖺 𝖻𝗎𝗋𝖽𝖾𝗇 𝗍𝗈 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝖤𝖽𝖽𝗂𝖾."

𝖳𝖶: 𝖠𝖻𝗎𝗌𝖾, 𝖵𝗂𝗈𝗅𝖾𝗇𝖼𝖾, 𝖨𝗇𝗃𝗎𝗋𝗂𝖾𝗌, 𝖡𝗅𝗈𝗈𝖽, 𝖲𝖾𝗑𝗎𝖺𝗅 𝖳𝗁𝖾𝗆𝖾𝗌

Masterlist//Dusk Till Dawn Masterlist//Agape Masterlist

It’s been a while since the Earthquake happened, but a various of important calls still happened, making the 118 very busy – per usual.

And Eddie has been struggling.

It’s hard to be a single parent looking after a kid and being a firefighter. He loves Christopher and he loves his job, but it’s so hard to do those two things at once. But Eddie being Eddie he wouldn’t ask for help. It’s not like he didn’t want it or need it, he just hasn’t found anyone he could trust enough to leave Christopher alone with them.

Buck and Kasey were rising up the scale of trust, but they would be too busy working with him, meaning they wouldn’t be suitable babysitters.

Eddie needed the help, but he just didn’t know where to go for it.

“When can we see Kasey again?” Christopher asked his dad as they walked to school.

“Well, I’ll be seeing her at work later.” Eddie smirks a little, knowing that wasn’t what Christopher meant.

“Dad!” He whined, dragging out the name. “When can I see Kasey again?”

“Soon, buddy, soon.” He messes his hair up slightly.

“As in now?”

“What?” Eddie looked down at him, in confusion, only to see Christopher attention on something else as he smiled brightly at it.

“Kasey!” Christopher yelled, pointing her out to her dad. And indeed it was Kasey, even if they could only see her back, Eddie knew it was her. She was in the park, throwing a ball whilst a German Shepherd runs back and forth, catching the ball and bringing it back to the brunette. She was wearing her LAFD t-shirt along with black trousers and boots. Her hair was in a side plait and blue headphones were over her ears.

“Buddy, she’s got headphones on she won’t-”

“Kasey!” Christopher yelled louder, and Eddie didn’t know how Kasey heard but she did, she turned around in confusion, pushing her headphones down (so they wrapped round her neck), trying to figure out who called her name. Christopher started to walk into the park, Eddie closely behind, the boy waved and called her once more, smiling widely when Kasey sees them.

“Aren’t you meant to be in school, little man?” She asked him, crouching down slightly, and rubbing her dog’s side as he sat and panted next to her.

“We’re heading there now, but he still got time.” Eddie answered with a soft smile, that Kasey returns, squinting slightly as she looked up at him due to the sun behind him.

“Who’s that?” Christopher asked, pointing to the dog who was now smelling his hand.

“This is my best friend in the entire world.”

“Don’t let Buck hear that.” Teased Eddie.

“Oh, he knows, he always has a stare down with this guy, and tells him that he’s my best friend, which isn’t true.” She looked at her dog, who started to lick at Christopher’s hand as he giggled slightly at the texture of it. “You can pet him if you like, he’s the nicest and well-trained dog in this world. He’s name’s Bear. He’s technically an ex-police dog, but he only did he’s training and went out on the field once before getting hurt really badly, leading to this cool scar on his eye.” Kasey traced the scar with her finger.

Eddie squatted down to pet the German Shepherd with his son. “How do you have time for a dog?” He questioned, cooing at Bear who was loving the extra attention.

“I sometimes bring him down to the station or I go home at my breaks to look after him. I’m surprised you didn’t see him the other day, he was at the firehouse, but he does have certain spots that he likes to hide and sleep in.”

“Well, I’m just going to have to look better to find him then.” He looks up to Kasey. “Is he going to the station today?”

Kasey shook her head.

“No need for him to come, sadly, I don’t have a long shift today, unless Bobby changes it, then yeah I’ll drag him to the firehouse.” Kasey pulls her phone out of her pocket, with the home-screen of her, Buck and Bear on it. She clicks to turn it on once before turning it back off again, sliding it back into her pocket. “Come on, school time, gotta get that brain smarter.” Kasey pulled Eddie up by the hands, who proceeds to pull Christopher up.

“She’s right, Christopher.”

“But Bear.” He frowned, and Eddie nearly allowed him to just stay there with the dog.

“I tell you what, you can come over to mine the next time me and your dad have a short shift together, yeah? And you and Eddie can have dinner at mine too. How does that sound?”

“Good.” He nodded looking at Kasey with a wide smile. “Can we dad?” He begged, looking up at his dad.

“Course we can.”

Christopher and Kasey high-fived, grinning like fools, which Eddie chuckled at.

“I’ll come with you guys.”

There hasn’t been many emergency today’s, strangely enough. The whole crew, except Bobby, was sitting upstairs doing their own things, waiting for the bell to ring.

Kasey as usual was eating, and the choice of foot today was the cookies that Bobby had just recently made.

“Kasey!” A familiar voice yelled. But Kasey thought nothing of it cause that person couldn’t be here. “Kas!” It yelled again. “Hi, sorry, this is the 118, right?” The male voice asked somebody from downstairs.

“A man yelling for Kasey?” smirked Chimney.

Kasey stood up, her friends eyes following her as she leaned over the metal bar to look at the man who was calling for her.

And there he was, in all of his glory, talking to her captain.

“Yes, this is the 118. Did Kasey do something?” Bobby questioned, hands on his waist eyebrow raised as he looked at the man.

“When hasn’t she done something.” The man answered, rolling his eyes whilst smiling, happy that he got the right place.

“Are you an ex of hers?”

“Ew.” He said in disgust. “I’m her bro-”

“TK!” She yelled down, beaming at the sight of her older twin brother.

“Kasey!”

When Buck heard Kasey say her brother’s name, his ears perked up, as he stumbled off the sofa he was sitting on. But he wasn’t the only one to grab interest at Kasey’s brother being here, as the whole team were now at the metal bars, watching Kasey run down to her brother and jumping into his arms to hug him.

“My god, he’s hot too?” Hen sighed, as she got a brief look at the man. “I don’t want to think how beautiful her parents are.”

“This is my chance!” Whispered Buck. “I can find out every embarrassing story of Kasey.”

“Have you guys never met him before?” Eddie questioned, eyes not leaving the siblings, who were now holding each other’s arms, laughing along with Bobby.

“Nope.” All of them answered back, them too not one of them looking away from the duo.

“You know, now that I know you’re her brother, I can see the resemblance.” Bobby pointed out as the twins stood side by side, TK’s arm wrapped around her shoulder.

“I’m the better looking one, right?” Kasey asked.

“He must be blind if he thinks you’re good looking.” TK teased.

The bell rings, interrupting the conversation.

“TK, you want to come along with us?” Bobby asked him.

“Can I?”

“Firefighter right?”

He nodded. “Kasey, go grab the spare kit from the cupboard, quickly.” And with that Kasey runs to grab the spare kit and hers.

“Buck, Eddie, Hen and Chimney.” Kasey pointed at each one as she said their names whilst TK put a spare LAFD jacket on. “Guys, this is my ugly brother, TK.”

“You do not know how long I have waited to meet you.” Grinned Buck.

“You’re the best friend, right?” TK questioned, looking at Kasey before looking back at the blond.

“She talked about me?” He asked hopeful.

“Don’t get your hopes up, Buckeroo. I told him nothing good.” Y/n joked.

“Whatever.”

“Hen, the badass paramedic-firefighter.” TK smiled at Hen.

“Oh, you say that about Hen.” Buck said. “What she say about me?”

“An annoying-jackass-who-is-always-claiming-that-he’s-her-best-friend-when-he’s-not-he’s a-crazy-guy-who-just-follows-and-talks-to-her-all-the-time-who-steals-firetrucks-and-she-doesn’t-even-know-he’s-name.” TK answered blankly.

“So, what I’m hearing is that Kasey talks about me,” he pointed to himself, “her best friend, a lot.”

“Sure.” He turned his head slightly to look at the captain. “Kasey really looks up at you Bobby.”

“Yeah, I just wish she followed my footsteps and not be so reckless all the time.”

“She’s always been like that.”

“Always?” Chimney asked.

“Yeah, surprised she never got arrested or anything…Chimney…Mr. April, the funny one who likes celery and peanut butter. The other badass firefighter-medic.”

“Kas really talks us up, doesn’t she?” Chimney smirked as he chewed his gum. “Wish we could say the same for her.”

“Hey!”

“And Eddie.” TK smiled brightly as he looked at the man. “The new guy…the hot, funny, adorable one with the cute kid.”

Eddie smiled softly as his neck and cheeks flushed a shade of pink. Kasey pursed her lips at TK’s comments, knowing that he’s quoting what she told him a few days ago. Eddie and Kasey’s eyes meet, but they quickly looked away.

“So, she talks about Eddie? But doesn’t say anything about me?” Buck crossed his arms with a frown.

“So, you said Kasey’s always been a wild card? What’s the craziest thing she’s done yet?” Hen wondered, wanting to know more about the 25-year-old.

But Kasey wasn’t listening, she maybe should have so she could stop her brother from saying anything too crazy about her. If she was listening she would have been able to stop TK from telling her friends about the time she blew up the toaster by making pop tarts. But she wasn’t listening. Instead, her attention was on Eddie. He wasn’t looking at her, but she was sure as hell looking at him. She didn’t know what is was about him, but there was something that pulled her in. His cheeks were still faintly pink, but Kasey didn’t know what from. He laughed at something TK said, and Kasey wished she knew what he was laughing at, but she didn’t.

“Kasey?” Hen called. Eddie eyes went to Kasey, and she looked away, looking at Hen.

“Yeah.” She spoke into the microphone of the headphones they had to wear when they were in the fire truck.

“Yeah?”

“You really blow up a toaster by making pop-tarts?”

“I-uh-I got better at cooking?”

Screams.

That was the first thing Kasey heard, even with her headphones on.

Screams.

It was like that was the only sound that was around.

Screams.

It was like the sirens weren’t even playing.

“My daughter! My daughter is still in there!” A mother yelled.

“Ma’am I need you to tell me what floor.” Bobby instructed her.

“Top floor.”

Bobby was about to respond before stopping at the sound of the ladder moving up

“Kasey!” He called but it was like background noise to her. “Kasey!”

“The building is gonna come down in seconds Cap! We don’t have time to chat.” She yelled down at him as she started to climb the ladder whilst it was still moving.

TK, Buck and Eddie all looked at each.

“You three start to slowing down the fire so we can control it.” But TK ignored him and went to catch up with Kasey.

“Sorry, Bobby, but someone needs to keep an eye on my sister.”

Bobby sighed. “It’s like I’m not even here.”

Kasey climbed through the window of the 8th floor due to the smoke being to big in the window above her. Her gas mask was securely onto her face, allowing her to breath through the thick, grey smoke.

A hand touched her shoulder and she turned around, looking at the form of touch, only to see that it was TK. He might have been glaring at her through his gas mask, but she couldn’t tell.

“Shout at me later. Everyone else will.” She shouted through the gas mask so she could be heard over the heavy breathing and the roaring flames.

“You don’t even know what cause-”

“It’s just a Class A fire.” She told him as she worked her way through the fire, climbing the stairs she could, whilst also calling out that Fire and Rescue were here, so she didn’t miss anyone. “We have to be quick though, fires spreading fast, if anyone was downstairs they be dead by now…it’s impossible for them to be saved.” She closed any windows that she walked past. “I thought you were a firefighter.”

He blinked a few times as he followed closely behind his sister.

“I am…it’s just I-I just never seen someone work with fire as easily as you.” He never seen someone just quickly spring into action, knowing actually what was meant to done before being ordered to…even though he knows she’ll get in trouble for it afterwards. He’s just never seen someone be able to class a fire that quickly without hearing any information or seeing the source. But now he could smell the wood and plastic burning, expressing the factors of a Class A fire. “I guess you truly found your calling!”

“So have you.”

“Yeah…but I remember how lost you used to be.”

“LA changes people.” She flapped down some flames so they could pass by. “Fire and Rescue!”

“In here!” A young voice cried.

The door was already open, and as she looked in she saw a group of people there, coughing from the smoke.

“You all live here?” TK asked them which they shook they heads at.

“The fire was getting higher.” One coughed. Kasey walked towards the open window and looked down, seeing sight of the Air Cushion.

“Slowly, start jumping out the window, one at a time.” Kasey told them.

“The young child can’t, she’s hurt.”

Kasey walked towards the girl whilst TK helped everyone else out through the window.

“I’m Kasey.” She handed her a cloth to cover her mouth with. “I’m just going to check out your leg, okay?”

The child whimpered as she nodded.

“What’s your name?”

“Lily.”

What Kasey saw wasn’t a sight she wanted to see in a situation like this. A lodge of wood was digging into her calf, blood tickling down the wound.

“It hurts.”

“I know, sweetheart… I’m going to have to carry you as I don’t have time to sort it out up here, okay?” The girl nodded, raising her arms to wrap around the youngest Strand’s neck as she got picked up bridal style, this way her calves can rest against her arms as it dangles down. But as she took one step forwards, the floor collapsed under her, causing her foot to get stuck.

“Strands.” Bobby voice called over the radio. “Evacuate now.”

“Coming!” TK told him.

“TK take Lily and use this line and harness,” she handed him the equipment, “to climb down. I’ll pull myself out of here.”

TK did so, not seeing a point in arguing about it as a civilian was in danger.

He tied the harness round himself, holding the girl closely to him as he pulled themselves down and when he reached the ground he was about to be invaded by the 118 about where Kasey was. But before they could, a body fell onto the inflatable.

“Oh thank god.” Eddie sighed as he rushed towards Kasey.

More fire engines were around and was able to control the fire. Everyone who was in the building was encountered for and being treated with what they needed.

Eddie pulled Kasey up who instantly hanged onto him as he helped her get off.

“Is Lily okay?” She groaned, feeling her ankle ache slightly/

“The girl’s okay.” He informed her, guiding her off the Air Cushion and towards an ambulance to check out her ankle, and luckily it was just a bruised.

“There’s this cop.” TK said with a small smile as her looked at his sister who sat opposite him in a café.

“Hot?”

“Very.”

“Boyfriend?”

“No.” TK answered. “I slept with him like a day or something after we got to Texas.”

“So, your using him as a rebound.” It wasn’t a question; it was more of an annoyed statement.

Kasey has never liked when others used people, causing feelings to get mixed up but then finding out it was all a lie? That was one of the worst heartbreaks. TK knew this especially as Kasey has been used before in the past, quite a few times to be exact. Either claiming she’ll be a good fuck or just to boost that they got her, or just to get something from her. And Kasey thinks this is why she hasn’t been in love before because she hasn’t been in one single relationship that made her feel like what the poets say about love. There has not be one person who made her feel the way Bobby and Athena feel for one another.

“I-I don’t know anymore. There was this moment at the station between us and-”

“Hang on, hang on, hang on.” Kasey waved her hand slightly to get her brother to stop talking. “Why were you in the station?”

“I punched someone.” He winced.

“You?”

He nodded and Kasey fell into the fits of laughter. “Good joke, TK, now honestly why were you in the station?”

“Why is it so funny that I punched someone?”

“You’re too soft.” Kasey slurped up her coffee, watching TK look at her in offence.

“Well, I punched someone.”

“Sure you did.”

“I did!”

“Uh-Huh.”

“How’s your boyfriend?” TK changed the subject. He watched his sister stretch as she spoke.

“I broke up with him.” She yawned.

“Thank god.” He sighed. “After the things he’s done, I’m surprised that you didn’t break up ages ago.” He paused before continuing. “What did he do that made you finally break up with him?”

FLASHBACK TO DAY AFTER EARTHQUAKE

Kasey opened Jordan’s front door, ready to finally break up with him.

If Kasey was being honest, she was an expect in breaking up with people as she’s the one who does it the most in the relationship, due to her never feeling anything for them. But she stopped dead in her tracks when she heard loud banging and faint moaning. Her eyes drifted towards the shoes and clothes that lead her to his bedroom.

She bit the inside of her cheek before huffing a breath out. This wasn’t the first time she’s been cheated on either. And after today, she’s probably never going to date again after remembering all her bad relationships in the past. And there was a lot.

Kasey has always believed that it’s her fault that men she’s dated treated her this way. Maybe she wasn’t worthy enough to wait for her to start having deep feelings for someone instead of just attraction. Maybe she wasn’t worthy enough to wait until she was ready to move the relationship further. Maybe she just wasn’t worth the wait.

Kasey has always tried in relationships, but she could never have extreme feelings for a guy, and that’s where she thinks its not all her fault. It’s not her fault that she doesn’t have feelings for a guy and when she finally realises that there is no hope, she breaks it off immediately, not wanting the other one to think that the relationship could go any further. Whenever she dated, she always made time for them. She always tried with them. She always cared for them and comforted them if something was wrong. She always respected them. But for most of them, they never treated her the same way. It was always what they wanted and not what Kasey wanted. And for Kasey’s whole life, in relationships or not, it has always been like that. People wanting things from her rather than asking what she wanted.

She just wanted someone who would treat her the way she treats them. Someone who will actually ask what she wants for a change. She just wanted a person who balances her out. Calls her out on her bullshit and reckless behaviour. Someone who will make her safe and love her unconditionally. And then, she might just be able to fall for them. She just wanted that somebody.

Kasey opened the door, and Jordan’s head snapped back to look at her.

“Well hello lovebirds.” She whistled. “You two can stay there if you’d like, I’ll just make this quick.” Kasey leaned against the door frame. The girl in the bed covered herself up, whilst Jordan stumbled towards Kasey with the white blanket round his waist. “This relationship of ours, is nothing.”

“W-what…baby-”

“I’m breaking up with you. And it seems to me.” She eyed the girl in the bed before moving back to Jordan. “You won’t have a problem with me breaking up with you.”

He tied the silky sheet round him.

“Have fun with him, love. He’s pretty rubbish.” She turned to leave. “I won’t be back as I know for a fact that I have nothing of yours and you have nothing of mine.” She called as she walked down the stairs.

“Kasey! Babe!” He pulled her arm causing her to turn and face him.

“What?” She snapped. “You have a lovely lady waiting for you in that creaky bed of yours.”

“I don’t want her. I want you.”

“Your dick says otherwise.” She rolled her tongue against the bottom of her front teeth.

His grip on her arm got tighter as he pulled her flushed against him.

She could tell he was getting angry, as his eyes narrowed with rage as he glared at her, warning her to not test him. He smouldered with resentment at the sight of her, he knuckles turned white the harder his grip round her red wrist got.

“Get off!” She growled. She pulled her arm out of his grip but just as quickly as she got out his fingers wrapped round her neck, slamming her into the glass picture on the wall behind her. She hissed in pain as the glass shattered around her. She was glad her hood was still on her head, given her a slight bit of protection of the broken glass.

“Why are you having a hissy fit? You’re the one who’s cheating on me.” Her voice was quieter as his fingers tightened round her neck. The cold metal of his rings made a shiver run down her spine. “You think this is gonna force me to love you?” She chuckled lowly.

“Shut up.” He brought his face closer to her, voice full of venom but Kasey just threw him a caustic look.

“You pathetic hits don’t scare me Jordan. I’ve gone through way worst than a few slaps on the wrists.” She kicked him in the knee, forcing him to let her go as he doubled over in pain.

She rushed out, climbing into her car, but before she could drive off she saw the girl that was once in his bed storming out. Kasey, deciding to be the better person, drove up to her.

“Want a lift home?” She asked her, voice as smooth as it could be due to her just being strangled. She nodded and climbed into the passenger seat with a small “sorry” and “thank you.”

She spluttered out her excuses, which Kasey dismissed and told her it was easier to deal with knowing the girl was there. Kasey noticed hand marks across her upper body, her eyes were still watery, causing more of her mascara to run down her cheeks. Her dress was wrinkled up and Kasey thinks she saw her shoes on the wrong feet.

“Did he hurt you?” Kasey asked, sparing a glance at the girl who was trying to untangle her knotted hair with her fingers.

“I asked him too…I’m kind of into that shit.” Kasey gave a weak nod as she continued to look at the road, headlights of cars passing by occasionally signed into her eyes. “Just take a left here, please.”

And Kasey did so, dropping her off as she apologised before leaving to go into her house. Kasey drove to the closest shop, making sure the marks round her neck and arm was hidden. She brought a small bottle of foundation and concealer. She wasn’t one to wear make-up, causing her to struggle on what to buy to cover the bruises. But after finding one that matched her slightly tanned skin-tone, she jogged back to her car and covered up the marks on her neck and wrist.

She was driving again. She didn’t exactly know where, but she was just driving. Her mind was blank, and her voice was dry. It was like the his fingers were still wrapped tightly round her throat.

She pulled up into a driveway. A driveway she has only pulled up to once. She didn’t know why she was here, but she was. She climbed out of her Land Rover, locking the door behind her. Her sweaty hands were tucked into her mint green hoodie, and she nervously bit her lip in fear that the other person would notice what she was trying to hide. She started to breath more heavily at the thought of them finding out. Maybe she should just turn back and go…they were probably sleeping.

But instead she unconsciously knocked five rapids knocks…her signature knock.

“Kasey?” The voice questioned, as they looked at the girl who was biting her lip. They still had the same smile they always had and something in Kasey warmed up at the feeling of their positivity.

But this person didn’t know that was her signature knock because if they did, they wouldn’t have said her name as a question.

“I-I didn’t know where else to go. He…he-” She fumbled over her words, but the person in front of her just shook their head softly and brought her into a hug.

“Shhh. I’ve got you. I’ve got you.” His hand brushed her hair as he muttered comforting words to her. She didn’t even know she was crying until she felt his shirt soaking up under her.

“Dad?” Another familiar voice called. “Is that Kasey? Is she okay?”

“Go to room and just play a video game for a bit.” The male told his child, who hesitantly went.

Kasey pushed away slightly, realising that other people have lives and families of their own to be busy with. They didn’t have time for someone like her who was incapable to live the way everyone else did – with a family of their own.

“I-Isn’t he meant to be in bed? Isn’t it school tomorrow? Oh, I shouldn’t have came here. I don’t know why I did but I shouldn’t have. You guys were probably getting ready for bed or something and I just interrupted and-” Kasey sputtered out excuses and apologises but the man was having none of it

“Hey, hey, hey, you’re not interrupting anything. It’s a Friday, remember? I’m also letting him stay up a bit longer as yesterday was hectic.”

“I’m being a burden to you Eddie.” She whispered, wiping her tears away with her sleeve.

Eddie. She went to Eddie’s. Not Buck’s. Not her best friend’s house, but the new guy’s house.

“You will never be a burden to me.” He told her softly, pushing a strand of hair out of her red, puffy face, tucking it behind her ear. She sniffled as she nodded slightly, and Eddie knew that she didn’t believe his words. “Would you like a drink?”

“Umm…just a water please.” He nodded.

“Have you eaten?”

“No.” She answered, swinging her hands around slightly. She’s never been inside his house before, only just outside of it when she and Buck dropped him and Christopher off yesterday, after the earthquake. She didn’t even think she remembered the street name or house number. But here she was. Standing inside his warm, comforting house. She moved around slightly, looking at the pictures dotted around the house. All of them were either of him and Christopher, Christopher alone, and pictures of who she guessing was his family. Many art works of Christopher’s were also round the house.

“Chris is quite the artist. I know that he told me yesterday he likes the subject. But I didn’t think he’d be this good.” She said out loud, examining the artworks in awe. Her and Christopher got along like a house on fire. She really enjoyed talking to the kid as they sat in the backseats together, him laughing and talking wildly about the things he leant and how crazy the earthquake was.

And when Eddie and Christopher got home, Christopher was just non-stop talking about how cool, funny and nice she was. Asking him when they’ll be able to see her again and everything. And Eddie was pleased that they got on really well as she was becoming a close friend to him in such a short time.

And seeing her come here when she was upset, warmed his heart slightly at the thought that she trusted him enough to seek comfort. She didn’t go to anyone else in the 118 who she would have known for years. She went to him; someone she’s hasn’t known for a very long time.

“Yeah, I honestly don’t know where he gets it from.”

“You know, having a talent in art has nothing to do with genetics, it’s actually built up in interest. It’s a skill that is learnt. Like playing a music instrument you have to have an interest in it to build up the skill for it. Art is exactly the same.” She rambled along, eyes not leaving the different art works. “Is that a dog?”

Eddie was still looking at the back of Kasey’s head. He was caught by surprise by that random fact, he knew that the young firefighter knew her stuff, but he didn’t know that she knew stuff like that. But then again they haven’t really talked about their childhoods, meaning he didn’t know what her school life was like.

He blinked a few times then shook his head to get out of his thoughts.

“Yeah…yeah he drew it because he saw a cute dog and got inspiration to draw it.”

Kasey nodded and continued to look around, realising that Eddie didn’t mind. But her looking soon stopped when Eddie placed to firm hands on her shoulder, causing her to flinch slightly, as he guided her to the kitchen table.

Eddie knocked the small flinch, but he thought that as she was lost in looking at Christopher’s work she didn’t hear him coming up. So, with that thought he didn’t think to much about the small flinch.

“What’s this?” Kasey questioned as she saw food along with her water on the table.

“You said you didn’t eat so I warmed up the leftovers we had from dinner.” He pulled out a chair for her to sit on. “You really should have come by earlier.” He joked, not really knowing why she was here. He was going to ask her why she came by in tears, but he choose not to ask just yet, as he wanted her to just rest in a safe environment and look after herself before she tells him (if she wants to) what happened.

Kasey looked over at the pasta bake, humming slightly at the taste of food.

“Chris can come out if he wants, I don’t mind.” Kasey smirked at Eddie as he scratched the back of his head. And by hearing his name, Christopher leaves his room with a smile.

“Are you okay, Kasey?” He sympathised. “You were crying earlier. What happened?”

“Christopher.” Eddie looked at his son with wide eyes.

“Oh, so that’s you dad voice.” Kasey nodded with a smug look before it disappeared when he gave her a dad look. “And that’s your dad look, gotcha.”

Christopher giggled as he sat in the seat in front of her, and Eddie decided to take a seat next to the girl.

“I’m just going through a rough patch, little man.” Kasey told him, not wanting him to know the full picture.

Eddie looked at the side of her face with raised eyebrows, thinking that there was more to it as she seemed alright these past few days. But he couldn’t judge much as he hasn’t known her for that long.

“I was looking at your artwork earlier and they are really good.” Kasey praised Christopher after she shallowed the mouthful of pasta. “And you,” she pointed her fork at Eddie, “did not cook this.”

“It’s one of the only things he can cook.” Grinned Christopher.

“Well, it’s more than what I can do. Never really had time to learn how to cook as I was in the army for nearly 5 years.”

“5 years!” Chris said in slight shock. “That’s so long.”

“Tell me about it.”

“How old were you when you got sent out?” Eddie asked, leaning on his hand as he paid attention to his friend.

“I was eighteen…I actually got the call on my eighteenth birthday and then two weeks later I’m in Afghanistan.” She took another bite of her food. “Then on the 17th of December 2016 I came back and moved to LA and became a firefighter.”

“You were so young.” Eddie muttered quietly.

“We all are.” She responded just as quietly. “But I don’t regret in going. I was doing the right thing.”

“Yeah, me too.” Eddied nodded. “That’s why I’m now learning how to cook as it’s just me and Christopher now.”

“I just usually steal the food Bobby cooks and take it home with me. Or Buck cooks sometimes and we just have dinner together. Another reason why I still haven’t learnt how to cook.”

“Maybe I should start doing that.” Eddie thought, it would put less worry on him of what he was going to feed Christopher.

“That’s plenty there for everyone.” She turned her head back to the young boy. “Are you going to watch the new Avengers film?”

“I want to.” He takes a look at his dad. “But I don’t know if dad could take me.”

“Why not.” She frowned at Eddie, who holds his hands up in surrender at her puppy dog eyes. “Why can’t Chris watch Endgame?”

“I don’t know my work schedule for when it comes out.”

“Just ask for a few hours off and then take little man out to see the film.”

“But I don’t want to be seen as unreliable to the team.” He looked down at the table, drumming his fingers into the oak table.

“You really think we’re going to see you like that?” Questioned Kasey. “It be a few hours; we’ll be alright and won’t see you as anything less. Instead we’ll see how much of a good dad you are.” She gives a brief look at Christopher before looking back at Eddie who slowly looked up at her. “You work might be important, but Chris should always come first.”

“I know.”

Kasey gave a slight nod before looking back at Chris, not wanting him to think she wasn’t paying attention to him. “You know, Thor might be my favourite superhero.”

And for the rest of the night until Chris went to Bed they laughed, joked and played video games.

And within that time Kasey forgot about her bruised neck and wrist. She forgot all about Jordan. She forgot it all. And all she could remember was how happy she felt when she was with Chris and Eddie.

It was now just her and Eddie watching a film. She would’ve left already but he convinced her to stay the night, saying it was too late to drive back now. And Kasey hesitated before taking up on his offer.

She was glad she gave Bear to Buck before heading to Jordan’s.

“I broke up with him.” Kasey muttered.

“Pardon?” Eddie paused the TV, looking at the girl who sat on the other side of the sofa.

“Jordan, I broke up with him before I came here. Found him sleeping with another girl, then we had a bad fight and by the end of it I took the girl home before coming here.”

“He’s a dick.” Eddie sighed; he fisted the cousins of his sofa tightly as angry thoughts rushed through his head. How could he cheat on a girl as perfect as she? He would treat her like the queen she is. “You deserve someone better.”

“He wasn’t the worst person I’ve dated.” Kasey chuckled. “My relationships have always been a mess, so if you know someone who will be that someone better for me, please point me in his direction.”

Eddie paused, he couldn’t say himself, she probably just saw him as a friend, her colleague.

“You took the girl he cheated on you with home?” He asked after some moment thoughts.

“Yeah.”

And when morning came, the two firefighters found themselves sprawled across the coach. Eddie laying on his back, arm wrapped round Kasey who laid on his chest. They spoke nothing of it when they waked up and Eddie and Christopher got Kasey involved with their morning routine before dropping Christopher off at his Abuela’s, who was a very kind women in Kasey’s opinion, and then went to work together, and no one thought anything of it when they saw them two enter the firehouse, thinking that they must’ve just met each other outside.

But the two Diaz’s and the Strand will remember that night as nothing but a good memory. A night full of nothing but laughter and happiness.

And no one but those three will know how much they laughed that night.

TODAY

“I guess I just came to my senses."

“Hey, I want to thank you for not coming straight to Texas like you said you would. I know you wanted to be there for me after I overdosed, but I really appreciate you listening to me and staying here. I just wanted to forget about it.” TK rambled.

“You know, no one else will understand better than me.” Kasey said comfortingly.

“I know…but I kind of need you to come to Texas with me.”

“When?” She grinned, eager to see TK’s firehouse.

“The flight I’m going to be catching later today.” He winced as he looked at Kasey’s face drop. “I’ve already brought a for you.”

“TK! I-I can’t I have work and Bear to look after. It’s too late notice for me to just come down. I mean what could be so important for me to drop everything just to come to Texas to see where you work and-”

“Dad has cancer.”

Have you ever heard such bad new before where you could physically feel your stomach drop. Where it feels like everything around you just suddenly disappeared and it just you in nothing but darkness. Where the only sound you could hear was the harsh beats of your heart. Where you throat feel dryer and your chest becomes tighter?

That was exactly how Kasey was feeling right now.

“W-what type?” She cleared her throat, not wanting to show any fear.

“1B for lung cancer.”

“How long?”

“He’s known since we left New York. I found out before I came here, thinking it be best if I told you face-to-face as I didn’t want you to do anything stupid.”

Kasey nodded and with a slightly shaky hand she picked up her phone to call someone.

“Bobby?”

“Kas? What are you calling for? Aren’t you meant to be spending time with your brother?” He asked and Kasey knew he was in the middle of cooking as she heard the sound of knife chopping something.

Kasey took a shaky breath out.

“Are you okay?” Bobby asked in concern as he heard the way she breathed.

“I need a few days off. I-I know this is late notice and all but…” she paused as she tried to find the right words to say. “I just found out that my dad has lung cancer.” Her voice was quiet, but Bobby heard it.

“Kasey I’m so sor-”

“Please don’t…I don’t want any sympathy.” She begged.

“Kasey you can go to Texas right now as long as you take some deep breathes for me.”

“Alright…can you ask…can you ask Buck to look after Bear please. He has spare keys and its his choice whether he stays at my place or not. Y-you can tell him that he can stay in my room whilst his sister stays in the spare…I-I don’t mind.”

“Kasey, breath please.”

“Right, right.” She took one deep breath in and held it before slowly releasing it. She repeated this a few times whilst she waited for Bobby to reply, knowing he won’t talk until he’s convinced her breathing is back in check.

“Yeah, I’ll tell him.”

“Thank you.”

AUSTIN, TEXAS

“Next time Kas, you can come with us to do some calls.” Owen told his daughter as he laid back in his chair.

Kasey’s leg was bouncing up and down as she looked around the hospital room.

She never liked hospitals whether it’s for her or someone else.

Hospitals were never one for good moments. So, why should she enjoy being in one?

“Yeah, I kind of bummed out that I missed the hot strippers.” Kasey joked.

“Course you were,” TK laughed as he jabbed Kasey’s side.

And then silence overtook them and the young Strands were left to deal with their nerves. Hands rubbing down their overthinking faces. Legs bouncing up and down. TK fiddling the small bottle of oil in his hand. Whilst Kasey blew the strand of hair in her face, fingers tapping the side of her chair.

“Kids.” Owen muttered making them snap their heads to him. Owen was leaning back in a chair, Pulse-Oximeters were attached to his fingertips that then leaded to the monitor next to him that recorded everything.

“Are you okay?” Kasey quickly asked, worried that something with the chemo just went suddenly went wrong.

“You need something?” TK asked, voice full of worries. “I got peppermint oil,” he held out the bottle he was fiddling with towards Owen, “or, uh, saltines.” He went to look through the rucksack next to him. “Ginger chews?”

“Headphones?” Kasey asked as she saw a pair in the bag. “Wouldn’t blame you, it help block out the horrible sounds of a hospital.”

“You two are freaking out.”

“Am not.” They both said at the same time.

“I don’t freak out, dad.” Lied Kasey.

“We’re not freaking out.” TK added as he hold the headphones out to his dad. Owen looked at him weirdly. “I’m kind of freaking out.” He admitted, “but so is Kasey.”

“Only because we’re in a hospital.” She muttered quietly, in fear that if any doctors heard her they would go evil and cut her open.

“Kasey you didn’t have to be here…I know hospitals aren’t your thing.”

“I want to be here.” She told him, but her eyes were looking elsewhere.

“I was scared the first time too.”

“Don’t blame you.” Kasey mumbled. “Chemo’s pretty scary.”

“I really am thankful for you both being here.”

“Of course.” The twins responded at the same time. Kasey eyes were now looking at her dad. “You need us, so here we are.” Kasey’s said as her fingers continued to tap on the armrest of her chair.

“I can’t believe you’ve been dealing with everything on your own.” TK sympathised as he leaned forwards to rest his elbows onto his knees. “To juggle it with the job, that’s insane.”

“It’s been a lot, but…” Owen began before stopping when he saw an older man enter the room. “Oof.” He closed his eyes as he breathed out a sigh.

“You nauseous?” The twins questioned, sitting up taller.

Owen nodded as he took a quick glance at the man approaching. “I will be when the advice starts.”

“Captain Strand, good to see ya.” The older man approached, waving his hand high with a wide smile.

“He seems a little to happy to be in a hospital.” Kasey mumbled to her brother, who elbowed her once again.”

“How you doing?” Owen asked as he shook the man’s hand.

“All right. Good to see ya.”

“This is TK, my boy,” he pointed to him before moving to Kasey, who shrunk into her seat. “And that is Kasey, the troublemaker of the two.”

“She seems shy to me.” The man chuckled.

“Trust me, she’s not, she just doesn’t like hospitals very much.” Owen laughed along with the man who was a stranger to the young firefighters.

Kasey turned to look at her brother, who was standing.

‘Was she meant to stand to?’ she questioned to herself as she looked from her brother to the man.

“Oh, so you finally came clean. Good for you.” He turned to face TK and when Kasey realised he was introducing himself, she rose to her feet. “Howdy. Wayne Gettinger.”

He shook TK’s hand’s first. “Hi.”

“You got your pop’s QB-1 looks.” He said as he squinted his eyes at TK to get a better look at him. “Lucky boy.” He gave a look to Owen.

He then moved to the younger Strand. “Hey.” She shook his hand.

“My, that is a mightier grip you have there.” He then examined her. “So, the whole families good looking, huh?”

“We get that a lot.” Kasey admitted, but then realised that probably sounded too cocky.

The twins sat back down as Wayne moved to his seat for his chemotherapy session. “Oh, hey, let’s do the left side today, Jan. I wanna visit with my friends, okay?” He spoke to the nurse before bringing his attention back to the twins. “So, TK, Kasey, you local? Uh, or are you just coming to visit the old man?”

“TK and I work together.” Owen told him. “Kasey works for the LAFD.”

“LA, huh? That’s far.”

“Er, only about a three-hour flight journey, sir.” Kasey said.

“Both firefighter’s then?”

“Yes, sir.” TK nodded, smiling proudly at the family job.

“Boy, the trouble you must get up to, huh?” He chuckles. “LA, lock up your sons. Austin, lock up your daughters.” He laughs once more, and Kasey looks at him weirdly.

She definitely wants to get out the hospital now.

Owen, who peeked at Kasey’s discomfort with one eye, laughed quietly to himself, before resting both eyes again to listen to the conversation around him.

“Actually, I play for the other team.” TK corrected.

“Oh.” He was taken back. “‘Lock up your sons’ don’t sound quite right, does it?”

“It does, considering you just said it for me.” Kasey scoffed.

“Ah, hell, I don’t judge.” Wayne told the three Strands.

‘Good, or we were going to have a problem.’ Kasey said to herself.

“Important thing is, we play when we can.” He said more to TK than Kasey. “Isn’t that right, Captain?”

“Huh?” Owen opened his eyes to turn to look at Wayne.

“Cause Lord knows we don’t get out on the playing field much.”

“Uh, speak for yourself, Couch. I get on the field plenty.”

“Ew.” Kasey uttered in disgust.

“Oh, now, you don’t have to puff up for me. I mean there’s no shame in it.” Wayne reassured Owen with a smile.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about right now.”

“Wait.” TK sighs, pointing his finger at the two older men. “What are you talking about.”

“Oh, poor TK, innocent as ever.” Kasey dramatically said, head resting in one of her hands that is propped up by her elbow on the armrest.

“Well, the treatment that we get here can…” Wayne sighs. “Well, it can, uh…make the ‘little soldier,’ let’s say, um…Take an extended furlough.”

“Please don’t refer it to ‘little soldier.’” Kasey cringed at the term whilst TK just laughed at what Wayne was trying to get to.

Owen head snaps forwards to look at his kids.

“There’s nothing wrong with my little solider.”

“Dad, please, don’t call it that.”

“Perfectly…healthy and active.”

“Ew, please stop, I’m begging you.” Kasey’s eyes were closed as she pictured herself somewhere else.

“He’s a patriot…always ready to stand at attention.”

“Oh god.” Kasey clenched her closed eyes.

She definitely wanted to be somewhere else than here.

She wouldn’t even care if an evil doctor came to take her to surgery.

Anywhere be better than here.

“Yeah, may seem like that now, but…” Wayne sighs again. “Don’t be too shocked if a day comes real soon that it turns out to be deserter.”

TK was having a great time, laughing at his dad’s and younger sister’s struggle.

“Okay, I’ll take those headphones.” Owen said to his kids and Kasey practically threw them at him, before shrinking more into her chair, just begging to disappear and go far away from here.

A/N: This was originally going to be longer, but I chose to cut it in half, but I'll probably put up the next bit tomorrow, hopefully.

-Unedited-

~BlueAthens~

𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑜𝑢𝑠 ◁ II ▷𝑁𝑒𝑥𝑡

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capricornus-rex · 4 years ago

Text

A Shadow of What You Used to Be (3)

Chapter 3: Two Ends Meet | Cal Kestis x Irele Skywalker

Requested by Anon

Summary: There is another! Years after young Anakin Skywalker departed Tatooine, his mother Shmi delivers a second child—this time, a daughter. Whilst the circumstance of the girl’s birth remains unexplained, Irele Skywalker has yet to choose the true path between those laid out for her.

Tags: Fem! OC, Irele Skywalker, Force-sensitive! OC, Anakin’s Younger Sister, Skywalker! OC, Darth Vader’s Secret Apprentice, Long-lost Sibling

Also in AO3

Chapters: Prelude – 1 | Previous: Part 2 | Next: Part 4 | Masterlist

4 of ?

22 BBY

Several months after their emancipation, Cliegg had asked Shmi’s hand in marriage—to which she happily said yes. Irele had just turned nine that time; she and mother had grown quite close to the Lars father and son. The joy in her little heart of having a bigger family was overwhelming, it’s almost as if she forgot that she and Shmi were ever a slave. That life of theirs was now past. Irele now has a father figure, and a brother to boot—and she was content.

Eventually, Irele had known friends who were the children of the other farmers that Cliegg worked with. She was also introduced to Beru Whitesun—a fair-skinned brunette who caught her stepbrother’s heart—the two girls grew quite close too quickly. The Lars siblings still helped around with the farm, Shmi had started going to the fields with them as well; though the toll of their debt to the Hutt was slowly catching up to them, having them to work extra hard and persisting to yield more crops so there’s enough to sell and to keep for themselves.

One day in the middle of working in the fields with her mother and stepbrother, Irele’s gaze trailed to her mother—bent down to pick the crops and vegetables that were ripe for the taking, she smiled to herself as she stared at Shmi, until a mild pang pierced her head.

“Irele, are you alright?” Owen noticed and caught his sister by the arm.

“Yeah, I’m okay,” she groaned. “Just the heat, maybe.”

“Do you need something to drink?”

“Sure, thanks.”

Pausing from work, she isolated herself from one of the canopies they’ve put up if ever one of them decides to rest. She continues to examine the scene of the field: the farmers including Cliegg, her brother, and her mother working. Though she always focused on Shmi; her grip on the waterskin faltered, causing some drops to spill over, and then sighed and decided to close her eyes to doze off for a bit. As echoing screams in Shmi’s voice haunted her mind, she woke up in a jolt—a single scream escaped when she woke and it alarmed the workers in the field. Shmi ran up to her daughter under the canopy, Cliegg followed behind his wife.

“Irele!” Shmi gasped. “Irele, are you alright?”

Shmi brushed up the loose strands of hair dangling over her daughter’s forehead, sweat smeared on her palm. Irele gasped when she opened her eyes once more and saw Shmi.

“Oh, Mom…”

“Darling, what’s happened?”

“Nothing, I…” Irele shook her head, incapable of explaining what she had just experienced. “This heat is making me see things.”

“Oh, Irele, dear,” Shmi clicked her tongue and sighed. “It’s alright. You can sit down for the rest of the day. You don’t need to work anymore.”

“Okay, Mom.”

Shmi smiled, though it was a worried one. She brushed Irele’s hair back to her ear and returned to work.

“If you need anything, Irele, don’t be shy to call, okay?”

“Okay, Dad.”

Not wanting to worry her family with such episodes, Irele decided to bottle it up to herself—even if the visions mostly revolve around her mother. But there was something else—something that she cannot pinpoint. She was seeing things that are about to happen, which she dismissed as pessimistic imagination, though she doesn’t know that these are events that are about to unfold. Little did she knew that the Force was making its way to her, to warn her of something horrible that has yet to come.

The next few months have been difficult for Irele herself—the visions and the voices persisted—oftentimes she wakes up in a cold sweat when the nightmares have become more jarring. She pretended that everything was fine, though she’s become increasingly worried for her mother, most of the time she pleaded Shmi not to work in the fields and just stay at home—even offering to help around in the house. Shmi detected this new concern from Irele, and then unconsciously recalled the same words that Qui Gon Jinn uttered about her son: seeing things that have yet to happen.

A Jedi trait.

Shmi shook her head and granted Irele’s request, staying at home when the ten-year-old pleaded so. It eased her for a bit whenever Irele’s expression changed when they spend the day at home, however, it worried her that her daughter was perhaps foreseeing events that could spell disaster for the family and ultimately damage the poor girl.

There was one day where Shmi went out alone, before the break of dawn, to the fields. It took her half an hour to scrounge and pick up mushrooms that she needed for her family’s meal today. The chore became her undoing. Tusken Raiders have been prowling the ridges as a vantage point over the fields, they have been scouting the fields in the hopes of raiding the crops. They saw Shmi walking off from the fields, carrying a satchel of mushrooms and other vegetables; not wanting any witnesses, they sprang out on her in numbers—their primal grunts echoed across the empty dunes, Shmi’s scream was short-lived and drowned out by theirs.

The Tuskens incapacitated Shmi by hitting the back of her head with the pommel of their long rifle. They bound her ankles and wrists, and mounted her like a ragdoll on the saddle of their Bantha.

Their echoes have died down, leaving the desert as desolate, quiet, and empty as it always has. Irele gasped, wide awake, beads of sweat dotted her forehead.

“MOM IS GONE!!” She announced with such a loud voice that it was heard throughout the entire homestead, up to the outdoor rotunda.

Cliegg was awakened by the sound of Irele’s voice, but only registered it as a loud sound; he was alerted when his free hand patted his right hand side and found Shmi’s side of the bed empty. He knew that it was her routine to leave early to pick out crops before everyone else gathered in the fields. There was daylight already. Normally, Shmi would have returned even before the sun had risen. When he stood up from bed and comforted Irele in her bedroom, a look of concerned veiled his face as he saw his stepdaughter all wide-eyed and breathing heavily.

“Irele, it’s okay, your mother just went out to pick out mushrooms, it’s okay.” he shushed but it was futile.

“Sorry, Dad, I need to go.”

“Go? Go where?”

Irele spoke while she prepares herself—putting on her overshirt, slinging her bag across her body, and producing a staff that she procured on her own.

“I’m sorry, I just really can’t say. But I do have a gut feeling that I just can’t ignore. Something’s not right, Dad.”

Cliegg was speechless. Irele joined him on her bed, sitting beside him.

“I’ll contact you with the comlink, okay? Keep the lines open.”

The man held his daughter’s cheek, taking a good look at her made him realize that she greatly resembled her mother.

“Be careful. And come home quick.”

She nodded and then left with a small speeder bike. When she had gone a considerable distance from the homestead, Cliegg commanded Owen to call the men and tell them to stand by. Going in the direction of the fields, Irele’s worry grew and grew with each passing moment. When she had caught sight of the vaporators’ silhouettes sticking out, she slowed down the speeder bike and hopped down even before it had gotten into a full stop.

Irele spotted Shmi’s tracks—a straight line from the fields to where she stood—and then discovered more. The footprints were jumbled, indicating struggle, and an impression that might have suggested that a person fell over to the ground—the girl was certain it was her mother. She searched for more tracks, propping her staff in a cautious, offensive position, and then stepped forward to the fields but was immediately stopped when she heard a shuffle amongst the sand and rock.

“Tuskens…” she muttered.

She examined the sand once more—a trail of a neat, single line, with impressions that make it too hard to guess how many have walked in the exact same path laid out before her. Tuskens, alright. She surveyed the surrounding ridges, the distance from the fields to the openness of the desert, and she thought it wise to deduce that it was indeed them. She produced her comlink and reported back to Cliegg before heading home. She already had the presumption her father had prepared a search party.

–

Anakin Skywalker is in a perpetual unrest with himself. Mainly because he had been having nightmares of his mother—the haunting echoes of her agonizing screams, her calls for help, and the quick jab of dead silence had been keeping him awake at night.

That morning, he strolled out of his bedroom and found himself alone in the garden veranda of the guest house that he and Senator Padmé Amidala are staying in the Lake Country of Naboo. He basked in the morning sunlight, the cool breeze wafting through the sleeves of his long beige shirt and drying the sweat smeared across his chest. Padmé found him there and quietly turned around to leave him alone.

“Don’t go,” he simply said, though pleadingly. It stopped her in her tracks. “Your presence is soothing.”

The young Jedi Padawan opened up about his nightmares to the Senator, she hints at the shakiness in his voice, imagining what kind of dreams could he be seeing in the middle of the night. When push comes to shove, the senator insisted she will go to Tatooine with him.

“I’ll go with you.” despite the softness in her voice, there was the conviction that cannot be persuaded anymore.

Upon their arrival, they hired a carriage into the town to escort them from the docking bay. Returning here brought back memories for Anakin—many of which are bittersweet. The carriage had brought them to the market district of the town, where it had passed by a lonely stall—or lack thereof—manned by a single Toydarian.

“Chut-chut, Watto,” Anakin greeted.

The blue, aging Toydarian grumbled at the robed stranger who took the component and started tinkering with it after speaking in the local dialect. Watto greeted back the young stranger in his raspy, aggressive native tongue then transitioned into a bumbling mess when he recognized the Jedi robes; Anakin ignored all this as he was focused with the machine component.

The Jedi spoke once more, again in dialect, “I’m looking for Shmi Skywalker.”

One more minute passed and it hit Watto.

“Ani…?” the Toydarian gasped. “Little Ani?”

Anakin didn’t speak. He simply put down the component back on the small table between him and Watto.

“You are Ani! It is you!!” Watto burst.

Following a few more compliments and one-sided catching up, Watto cut to the chase in the hopes that he can have the boy catch some people who owe him money.

“My mother.” Anakin demanded.

“Oh, right, of course… Shmi!” bumbled Watto. He scratched the back of his chubby neck as he arranged the words in his mind. “She’s not mine anymore… I sold her.”

“Sold her?”

“Years ago. I sold her to a moisture farmer named Lars. And believe it or not! I heard he freed her—and married her! Whaddaya think o’ dat, eh?!”

Both the Jedi and the senator’s reactions were identical: their lips parted and their eyebrows furrowed. Anakin licked his lips and leaned closer.

“Do you know where they are now?”

“A long way from here,” but Watto should have known that is not enough to deter the boy. “Someplace on the other side of Mos Eisley.”

“I’d like to know,” he spoke through the grit of his teeth.

Nervous, the Toydarian gave in and filled him in with all the details. Inside his newer yet smaller shop, the hovering creature produced a small ledger with a tattered leather cover. Running a clawed finger lightly on the page, careful as to not rip it, he stopped after two taps on a specific line of writing.

“I was right, it was Lars!” he chortled.

“Where does he live?”

Watto groaned, poring over his ledger again, and then moved his finger to another part of the page.

“He lives in ‘da Salt Flats, eh, you’ll find it close to Anchorhead. You know Anchorhead, eh, Ani?”

Without answering, Anakin turned tail—with Padmé walking by his side, trying to keep up with his strides—and mounted their rented carriage. Anakin ordered the droid that pulled it to bring them to a point-to-point transport service to get to Anchorhead.

Along the entire trip, Padmé could not find an opening to speak with Anakin; it began to sink into her that she’s only tagging along with the young Jedi’s personal mission.

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