#SHE NORMALLY DRINKS OUT OF THEM WITHOUT COMPLAINT

[fictional-worlds-are-exquisite]

idk how to mute so just ignore my scream but THE CAT HAS TWO FULL WATER BOWLS AND STILL-

[chukys-mouthguard]

surprised nobody wrote anything about cowboy rempe at the stampede. he looked 🙃. would love a written concept on bumping into him there and maybe he spills a drink on you but you end up getting dragged away and he catches up to you later on in the night and you end up dancing and maybe he even wins u a goofy prize playing ring toss or a corny game.🤠

step right up

1.7k words

pairing: matt rempe x female reader

genre: fluff

warnings: none

note: i didn’t not proofread so i apologize for any mistakes 🫶🏼

Spinning around the dance floor, you grabbed a hold of your cowboy hat, holding it tight to your head as you swayed along to the familiar line dancing song. Trying your best to pick up the steps from your friend as she was the expert of the group, always prepared to break out any line dance she can at the drop of a hat.

Throwing your head back laughing you opted for doing your own thing, moving to the music as you sipped your drink. You had forgotten just how fun the Stampede could be; drinks, live music, fair food and games. It was the highlight of the summer.

“Oh shit-”

As you’d done one too many spins you found yourself crashing into a taller boy, towering over you as his chest was smacking you in the face. Your drink spilling all over your shorts, thank god they were black denim and it wasn’t too noticeable.

“I am so sorry, oh my gosh. Are you okay?”

You smiled up at him, laughing as you wiped your hand on your shorts, drying it as best you could though it would do nothing for the stickiness that would remain.

“I’m okay, honest. I’m the clutz not paying attention to where I’m spinning. Are you okay?”

Looking up at him you’d not noticed before how handsome he was. His black denim jacket just tight enough to show off his build, paired with a black t-shirt and blue jeans then topped off with a cream colored cowboy hat. He had a mustache that you’d found fitting on him, though you normally weren’t a fan. Perhaps it just looked good with his choice of outfit for the night.

“Me? Yeah, I’m great, no complaints. Um, sorry about your drink, and your clothes.”

You shrugged it off, little did he know you’d not paid for the drink so you didn’t mind. As the boy went to offer you a replacement your friends were pulling you off into the crowd as a familiar song began playing.

Waving him goodbye he softly smiled, mentally punching himself for not being quicker to speak and get your name. As he watched your figure fade into the crowd he sighed, hoping that somehow he’d cross your path again.

“Matt, dude, you good?”

Ty appeared at the boy's side, offering him a beer as he tried to pinpoint what his friend was looking at. Not seeing anything but a sea of people he gave up, now standing in front of Matt to try and get his attention.

“Sorry, um, yeah. I’m good.”

Matt made a point to keep his eye on you, hoping he’d have another chance to make up for his clumsiness. To get your name and drink order, perhaps even your number. But as he saw you and your friends heading for the door, he knew that window of opportunity was closing.

“Ty, let’s head out, yeah?”

Ty didn’t bother questioning Matt, assuming he’d grown tired of the bar they were at and wanted to make the rounds. Matt’s strides were swift as he maneuvered through the crowd of fairgoers, Ty having to rush to keep up. Unsure as to why Matt was in such a hurry, with it only being eight o’clock and the fairgrounds open until at least one in the morning.

Suddenly Matt came to a halt, Ty finally catching up to him as he followed Matt’s eyes. Seeing you and your friends crowded around a carnival game that surely was rigged. The objective? Knock down the milk bottles without them falling off the pedestal, practically impossible.

“Ohhh, I see. You’ve got your eyes on a girl huh?”

Matt smiled, slightly embarrassed as he tried to shrug off his friend’s comment. Watching you point out a stuffed animal elephant holding a peanut that you so desperately wanted. The only way to win that prize was to be absolutely perfect in the game, but with several drinks in your system, Matt could tell by your first throw you weren’t leaving a winner.

“I spilled my drink on her Ty, I wanted to try and repay her, but she left the bar before I could.”

“Soooo you’re stalking her now to buy her a ‘sorry I’m a tall lanky clutz’ drink?”

Matt shot Ty a glare at his comments, leaning against a nearby building as he continued watching your failed attempts at winning your desired prize.

“Not stalking Ty, simply a man after something he wants. And I hate to say, I want her number. She’s beautiful.”

Ty flicked the brim of Matt’s cowboy hat, rolling his eyes as he found a spot against the wall to reluctantly join him. “Okay lover boy, so what’s your master plan to get her number? Star at her from afar all night and hope she notices your eyes burning a hole in the back of her head?”

You’d handed another ten dollars to the worker, getting another three chances at the prize you’d been listing over. A smile on Matt’s face as he watched your friends giving you a pep talk, laughing at how hard you were working for this prize. Though he admired your persistence for the plush that surely wasn’t worth the money.

“Well, that’s thirty bucks down the drain. I need another drink!”

Matt watched as you and your friends made your way across the path to a new bar, finding a place at the counter to order a round of drinks. Once the game had been available and reset, he walked up to the counter to take his chances. Ty rolled his eyes with a groan as he joined Matt at the booth, praying that he’d somehow get lucky and win so that the boys could get back to drinking.

“I do not come to the Stampede for carnival games dude, and you’re twenty-two years old by the way. Trying to win an stuffed animal elephant for a girl…who if I had to guess-”

Ty glanced back at you and your friends tossing back shots at the bar, turning back to Matt as he studied the baseballs to find the perfect one to throw.

“She’s definitely at least twenty-one, maybe if we are lucky she is older and can get you to act your age for once.”

“Newsflash Ty, she was just playing this same exact game so shut your goddamn mouth for five minutes so I can concentrate.”

Matt took a deep breath, stretching his arm a bit as if he was getting ready to pitch the final game of the World Series. Ty just shaking his head, praying that no one passing by was catching a glimpse at how embarrassing this scenario was becoming.

“Fuck!”

Matt’s first throw not even close to the tower of milk bottles, a soft chuckle coming from Ty as he tried not to add to his friend’s frustration. Simply giving him some halfhearted words of encouragement as Matt picked up his next baseball.

As you finished your second drink at the bar, you glanced out at the crowd passing by, a tall figure catching your eye at the booth of the game you’d just thrown thirty dollars at. Only for you to realize it was the culprit who had spilled your drink at the previous bar, mainly since he was the tallest man at Stampede and was too hot not to notice.

You watched as he handed over another bill to the worker as he was handed three more baseballs, his friend clearly fed up with having to watch the taller boy failing continuously at the game. Chuckling to yourself you’d ordered another round of drinks for your friends, keeping an eye on the two boys wondering how long they’d keep at it before calling it quits.

The next ten or so attempts continued similarly to the first, only getting slightly better as Matt had managed to knock over a maximum of two of the three milk bottles, though they’d not stayed on the table as was the point of the game. Ty had grown restless as he watched Matt reach in his pocket for another ten dollar bill, patting him on the shoulder as he decided to head over to the bar you were occupying and grab a drink.

“Hey! Is he having any luck over there?”

You smiled at Ty as he shook his head, throwing a shot back before he leaned against the bar to see Matt still trying his darndest to win you a prize.

“Well he’s doing it all for you, you know? He’s dropped like almost fifty bucks all to make up for your ten dollar drink he spilled on you back at the other bar.”

Your eyes went wide as you looked at Matt, seeing him hang his head as he’d thrown away another ten dollars in failed attempts. Needing to put a stop to things before he dropped a hundred dollars trying to win you a no more than fifteen dollar stuffed animal that you did not need in the slightest.

“Hey, cowboy.”

Matt turned to see you now next to him, a smile on his face as you were the last person he expected to see at his side.

“What the hell are you doing over here?”

“Isn’t it obvious, trying my luck at becoming an MLB pitcher.”

You laughed at his sarcasm, seeing a ten dollar bill in between his fingers and quickly reaching for it. Tucking it in the breast pocket of his jean jacket, leaving him with a confused look on his face.

“While I appreciate you embarrassing yourself at this carnival game that is surely rigged just to repay me for a drink…did you ever think of just buying me a drink?”

Matt scratched his head as he’d realized that would’ve been the logical thing to do, despite Ty telling him several times it had only gotten through to him coming from you.

“I mean, that would’ve been the more obvious route to take. But, I wanted to stand out I guess? Be different than just another guy offering you a drink?”

Nodding your head you smiled up at him, his smirk causing you to blush but luckily your cowboy hat hid your cheeks from him.

“And how did that go? Wanting to be different and all?”

“Wanting to be different ran me about fifty bucks.”

He awakedly rubbed his hands together, watching as you reached towards his pocket pulling the ten dollar bill from it and flashing it at him between two fingers.

“Well, lucky for you the drink I like will only cost you less than ten.”

[pigeonpeach]

Yandere Genshin

Prompt: youve caught their eye but… you’re already taken… that won’t be a problem…

Cw: yandere duh, mentions of murder and violence, manipulation, kidnapping, etc. fem reader

Characters: Jean, Diluc,Yelan, Neuvillete

Jean finds herself more and more infuriated with your commitment everyday. A simple hunter from Springvale is the one that catches your eye? How absurd! She knew she should’ve been more forward with her tatics. Oh this frustration and heartbreak has been tormenting her, impacting her work ethic as she tries to give you space. But its hard because you work for her. A cutesy little maid. You belong to her.. you’re everything she could want in a partner. So delicate, so plump, you’re the perfect bride. There’s no way she’s letting a man who can’t read s kid’s book without struggle surpass her!

So… she staged a little accident lets say.. she happened to cut the patrols in the area, making them closer to the city itself. That way there still was protection for the city… just not for the hunters. For awhile they’d been complaining sbout how the patrols spooked the boar. Even though those patrols were meant to cut down and discourage hilichurl camps. From a political perspective she just gave the hunters what they wanted. To up the anti more she had Kaeya tell him about a legendary boar deep into the wilderness. How the boars get bigger in hilichurl camps because they’ve started to fence them off and fatten them up, if he goes at night when they’re asleep, he could surely nail himself a big boar and pass it as a authentic catch…

The short of it was this. Your almost boyfriend snuck into one of the biggest hilichurl camps without the knights patroling nearby. And Kaeya knowing Jean’s work was negatively impacted by him.. may or may not have done something to alert the hilichurls to the the intruder. Quickly he was overwhelmed and beaten. With no knight in sight he was all alone. His struggle only made the hilichurls more violent. They threw him out, beaten to a pulp. When he saw Kaeya he was relieved thinking he was saved. But Kaeya had orders to finish the job of need be.

His death? A accident. Later hunters found him rotting near the camp, no foul play found. No one knew of his idea or who gave it to him, or who gave that person the idea. In your devastation you ended up right in her arms weeping.

“I am so sorry for your loss. I’ll make sure patrols return to normal and those camps are wiped out soon enough. I won’t let you experience such hardship ever again.” Crying to your boss felt so unprofessional but Jean was just so comforting to you. You had been putting on a brave face until now. You stood as she held you. “Lisa bought me this tea recently. It helps to steady my mind when I’m stressed, would you like me to give you some. I know it won’t remove your pain but it should help you somewhat. Unfortunately I can’t give you time off as two others are currently sick. But once they’re back I’ll give you some vacation okay?” She wiped your tears as you nodded.

“Th-that’s reasonable.. th-thank you.. oh god i must be such a burden. You’re already so stressed i didn’t mean to make it worse for you-“

“That’s not the case at all. I care about you. I want you to be safe and happy as every citizen in Mondstadt should be.” She kissed your forehead as she handed you the cup she prepared. “Here drink some tea. It was originally for me but I figure you need it more. I haven’t dranken from it.”

“Y-you’re sure that’s okay? I don’t mind waiting for another cup.” You asked. Oh how innocent you looked. Jean hated how she had to come to this, asking Lisa for a love spell to be put into the tea. But she couldn’t risk doing this to every suitor who got close to success. She needed to make sure you chose her otherwise she might go further next time.

“Its fine.” She said. You drank it with no further complaints.

Diluc was certain this was some sick prank. You, his beloved little maid, in love with nothing more than a simple merchant? Its not uncommon for the route from dawn winery to be used. But a certain merchant he purchased seeds from seemed to be getting far too close to you. Sure you two weren’t dating, he hadn’t even made the first step. But now he was absolutely was going to take drastic measures.

The first step: Distract you. You found yourself being assigned to chores more indoors an less outdoors. Diluc could sense how you would look out beyond hoping to see him again and he didn’t want that to continue. The second step was to lure said merchant back on a day you weren’t working. His arrival was horrible as the maids had all gone home leaving Diluc and Adelinde to recieve him, on a new moon, there was no moon to illuminate his path home so Diluc offered him to stay the night. He thought of this gratefully, originally the death Diluc planned was a simple killed in his sleep. But when he asked about you… oh it activated something in him. He even brought you a gift… how thoughtful… Diluc struggled to maintain his composure.

The merchant never did make it past the night. Despite his struggles. His body found beneath the bridge near Stone Gate. A investigation launched but ultimately blamed on bandits. With it his gift was smashed. You were devastated yes but your employer seemed to suddenly be more attentive than usual. He offered you meals and tea. Often requesting just to talk to you.

“Its getting late. I really should be going.” You set the tea cup back. “This was nice though. I wouldn’t mind doing this again but… oh.. is it raining?” You look out to see water coating the windows as what sounding like rain came from outside.

“Oh my it appears to be. At this hour you would be most vulnerable if you left now. You have no pets correct?”

“No.. oh dear…” you silently began to worry.

“You could always.. stay over. There is many a guest room and there’s spare pajamas for you. I’m certain it’ll be better than getting sick. Besides there’s bandits on the roads at these hours. You remember what happened to that merchant.” His voice luring you to s false sense of safety.

“Yes… I’ve been quite nervous going home now to be honest. Do you know if they ever found who did it?”

“Still nothing. Guards are posted more though. But it wpuld be easier. You do have a early shift here anyways in the morning so you wouldn’t need to go home right away. If that sounds alright.” He says, you jolted slightly as his hand gently grazed yours as you held your jacket. At that moment thunder clapped, startling you.

“I suppose that makes sene. I’ll take you up on that offer then..” you smiled shyly.

“I’ll lead you to your room then.”

He wasn’t going to let you leave.

(A/n: this is a alternative route to my other work Yelan vs Pantalone, dont consider this cannon to that piece but as its own spinoff)

Everyone has secrets. And Yelan’s is the fact that she stole a bride straight from Pantalone. It was mostly just to spite him, and also because she’s a sucker for a pretty face and couldn’t stand letting that happen. But oh they’re far more irresistible than she could’ve imagined. Now that they’re safely hidden in the jade chamber, working as a intern. She’s been visiting them when she comes to visit Ninguang, lucky her that Ninguang would allow her little damsel to stay in the jade chamber. But while her back was turned to her former life, she set her eyes on the people once known as parents to them. Her little Damsel cannot return to her former identity ever. And thus its better for her to believe that Pantalone went back on his word and killed them.

And that’s exactly what ended up happening. The Fatui’s search was halted and stopped because the Millieth wasn’t going to let the Fatui kill civilians just because they lost a bride. Even though they insisted they didn’t all signs pointed to that. She then forged documents to show to her beloved little damsel that this was the plan from the beginning, that Pantalone would have killed her parents upon acquiring her. Like the others so far, she used this opportunity to soothe them and bring them closer. At least this way they are alive and safe rather than in the hands of their families killer. Only… they are infact in the arms of their families killer. All seemed well until some stupid guard started poking around. He seemed more interested in courting them, believing they myst secretly be from s powerful family outside of Liyue and hiding. It was a rumor she purposely started to cover for their true identity. But now it backfired as this man saw a opportunity to climb up the social ladder. She isn’t quite sure what his exact plan was but her guess was he intended to make her fall for him and then marry him when she returned to her life, this guaranteeing a life of luxury. Unfortunately for him that won’t be the case. But Yelan can’t go killing her own. So she decided to simply use her influence to have him demoted to ground work instead. Convincing Ningguang that if allowed to stay he’ll uncover their scheme. The reason given to him was that apparently he was too loud or social than was acceptable in such environments. Afterwards he died to a hilichurl raid. Whoops.

“You.. you got my stuff?” You were surprised when she came to you with a crate.

“Yes, since legally you’re dead, your parents stuff was sold at auction at request of your family members. I grabbed what I remembered you valued myself.” She said with s smile as you beamed at the sight of your old things.

“It won’t raise suspicions will it?” Yu asked.

“I won’t let it. Don’t worry your pretty little head about the details.” She said patting you.

“I-i don’t know what I could do to repay you. You’ve done so much for me i-i truly have never had someone like you in my life.” You looked at her expecting a sort of humble brush off or something to actually be named.

“A date would be nice. Once everything cools down of course.” Her voice was like a purr, making you flustered.

“O-oh sure.. as long as it won’t cause you any trouble.”

“Perfect.” She said. You didn’t see it but she was considering drugging your tea that sat on the table behind her. A love potion, how typical but how effective. But seeing your blush she could tell you had infact fallen for her already. Which made the potion more of a backup if you ever lost feelings.

Neuvillete is anything but dishonest. But… seeing you cling to the arm of a guard, how happy you two looked.. it left him green with envy and red with wrath. To control himself he decided to simply change the guards routine to be out of your way. But you just went to meet them after work. His favorite little employee falling for the guard rather than him.. he felt deeply insulted.

Time for more drastic measures. He asks a favor from the clueless and happy Sedene (a simple melusine) to sneak into his house. To which she happens to find something. Just as planned he spends his time arranging scenarios to increase suspicion causing the other guards perform a check up right as he is planted with primordial sea water. He is quickly taken away to be questioned. Meanwhile you are distraught. You never thought him capable of such feats. But alas he was hardly the man you thought he was.

“I-I’m so sorry.. i truly didn’t know anything… i- Oh god ll this time..” you were hyperventilating as you were brought into questioning. “I-i.. oh god.. am i in danger? I could’ve ended up just like those missing girls..” Neuvillette’s hands reached out to your space as if to tell you to quiet down.

“I understand this situation is difficult. If necessary I’ll give you a moment to compose yourself. There isn’t any reason I have to suspect you but I still have to take precautions. You agreed to the random house search and no trace of seawater was found. I’m simply asking if he told you of anything suspicious or gave you any implications of his true nature.” He lowered his voice in a more gentle manner than he would in court. You sniffled as you wiped your tears.

“He.. he did keep inviting me to his place. I never went though. I didn’t think we were far along to do such things.. you know like… intimacy..” you nervously muttered. He still heard you, he was pleased to know you two didn’t get too serious.

“Were you two officially a couple?”

“No.. but we were close… i was going to ask him but then this all happened and… you know the story from there.”

“Hmm.. I see. It appears you infact were a target. Is there any reason you can think of?” He says. The sight of you so heartbroken and shaking is strangely attractive to him. So timid, so easily manipulated.

“No.. no not at all.. i don’t understand why?” You seemed more and more frightened. “S-should i not leave the house for a bit. This sounds very scary.. i don’t know if I can continue my routine as normal like this!” You whimpered as your hands seemed to get closer to your body. As if you retreating into she’ll to hide in.

“Fear not, I’ll have the secret patrol watch over. And each guard will undergo inspections from here onward. But i will be seeing you more. I want at least weekly updates to know of any strange activities or unexpected changes. Understand?” He said. You nodded. “With my life, I promise you, you will be safe. And I will let no harm come to you.. ever.”

[captainsophiestark]

Hypocrite

Bucky Barnes x Reader

Masterlist - Join My Taglist!

Requested by @flowers-and-fichte! Hope you enjoy, Novalis, and thanks for the request!

Fandom: Marvel

Summary: Bucky's gotten close with Peggy's best friend, the two bonding over the reckless mavericks they both chose to care so much about. But Steve and Peggy aren't the only couple dancing around each other in this war.

Word Count: 1,396

Category: Fluff, Humor

A/N: I can't believe this is my first time writing for Bucky, lol. Most of the rest of the fandom has been here since Winter Soldier, but better late than never I guess!

Putting work into an AI program without permission is illegal. You do not have my permission. Do not do it.

I shook my head as I barely managed to put one foot in front of the other, heading through the front door of my favorite dive bar. The Howling Commandos and I had spent many a night here, toasting success or planning our next move, but tonight I was without the rest of my group.

Peggy Carter was going to well and truly kill me, and I needed a night to process that.

She'd been my best friend for just about as long as I could remember; we'd joined SOE together, and somehow managed to end up on General Philips' staff, two of the only women getting as close to combat as we did. We made an excellent team, and normally, I had no complaints. But sometimes she could just be so reckless, flying head first into insane danger, that my heart needed a break lest it burst on the spot.

Tonight had been no exception. Peggy and Steve Rogers, the one and only Captain America, had worked together on a Commandos mission just across enemy lines. We'd been successful, and the two of them together had made an incredible difference in the war effort, but damned if I didn't also rue the day they'd met.

I slumped into a stool at the bar, barely registering my surroundings until someone slid a glass of my favorite drink in front of me. I frowned at it, then turned to my left to see who exactly it had come from.

Sargeant Bucky Barnes, Steve Rogers' best friend, stared back at me with a faint smile on his face. He looked almost as tired as I felt.

"You look like you could use this," he said. I huffed.

"Thanks. How'd you know what I liked?"

He just shrugged, his eyes never once leaving mine as I took a drink, the corner of his mouth gently tugging up.

"I usually pay attention to the drink orders of pretty girls."

I snorted so hard a bit of my drink came out of my nose. It burned like hell, so it took me a few moments to recover myself enough to meet Bucky's gaze again. He'd leaned forward a bit, one eyebrow raised, looking a bit concerned.

"You alright there, sweetheart?"

"Yeah, fine. Just wasn't expecting you to hit on me, especially with that lame ass pickup line."

"Lame?" Bucky asked, a hand flying to his heart in mock-outrage. "That hurts."

I just rolled my eyes. "Knock it off, Barnes. We've quite literally been through hell together, I think we're a little past you trying to get my number in a bar."

"Well then how would you suggest I get your number?"

I paused, drink halfway to my lips again, and cut my eyes towards Bucky to let him know how truly ridiculous I thought the question was.

"You already have my number. It's the same one for Peggy and all the Commandos, as long as we're all stationed at the same camp."

Bucky just stared at me for a long moment. I sipped my drink and set it back down on the bar before he finally spoke again.

"Shit."

"Yeah. Nice try though."

Bucky huffed a laugh and took a sip of his own drink, then turned back to me with renewed energy and a bright, charming smile. I held up a hand before he could launch into whatever he was planning to say next.

"Okay Buck, why don't you just tell me what this is about. Because I came in here exausted after dealing with our best friends, and I don't have the energy to coach your rusty ass on how to flirt, if that's what you're trying to practice."

Bucky cleared his throat, deflating a little, but not all the way. He sighed, then set his shoulders and met my stare again with a determined expression.

"Actually, I'm trying to ask you on a date."

I laughed, until I realized Bucky wasn't laughing.

"Wait, are you serious?"

"Very. Although you're really testing my resolve, since you've now laughed in my face twice. You know I used to be good at this before the war?"

I shook my head, a disbelieving smile subconsciously forcing its way onto my face.

"Bucky... I'm not saying no, but... I mean, why? Why me, why now? We've known each other and been working on missions since Steve got you out of that prison... what changed to make you think this was a good idea all of a sudden?"

He sighed heavily, the muscles in his jaw working as he apparently forced the words to come.

"I've been feeling like I wanted to ask you out since I saw you, honestly. But we were going to have to work together, and I think it's pretty clear I'm a little rusty. So I waited, and I was just starting to convince myself to wait all the way to the end of the war, until I tried to get Steve to ask Peggy on a date."

My eyebrows shot up. "You did? How did that go? Those two have been dancing around each other for way too long, I've been trying to tell Peggy the same thing-"

"Well, maybe between the two of us we can actually get them to take the leap. But I realized when I was talking to Steve that I can't expect him to take my advice when I won't take it myself. I'm turning into the biggest hypocrite in the world encouraging him to talk to Peggy while chickening out on talking to you. So... here we are."

"Here we are..." I repeated, my voice a little faint as the full weight of Bucky's confession sank in. He had feelings for me, and apparently had for a while now. And now he was asking me on a date, the fact that we were in the middle of a war be damned.

I grinned.

"Is that a good sign? That looks like a good sign, but now I'm not sure..."

"It's a great sign, Bucky," I said, meeting his eyes and feeling a spark of excitement in my chest. "I'm glad you decided to take your own advice."

"So that's a yes?"

"That's absolutely a yes." Bucky's shoulders finally relaxed, a smile appearing on his face to match my own. "So... when do we do this? Do we call tonight our first date? We're out together, the two of us, at a bar..."

"No. No way," Bucky quickly decided. I raised an eyebrow at him, so he continued. "Tonight's not a date, sweetheart. Even in the middle of a war, I can find a way to make our night on the town something special. A little magical, and definitely just about the two of us. Tonight might be just the two of us, but it's about the two reckless idiots we call friends."

I laughed, then reached for my drink and raised it towards Bucky.

"I'll toast to that. To taking tonight to cope with the people we care about, and putting something on the books for a real night out together soon."

"Hear hear."

Bucky and I shared a smile, then each took a drink. I finished mine off, then sat back in my chair and stared at the man before me.

"So... how do you feel about a game of darts? Person who's not throwing is allowed to distract the other person, but only by relating the most insane shit our friends have done lately. True stories only."

"Bring it on. I've known Steve long enough that nothing's gonna surprise me anymore."

I snorted as the two of us grabbed another round of drinks and headed for the dartboard at the back of the bar.

"Look, Peggy might've gone through a phase of trying to be a proper lady, but she's been making up for it by doing even more ridiculous nonsense lately. Your boy's got nothing on her."

"I guess we'll just have to see about that, won't we?"

Bucky and I shared another smile. The routine was familiar, but now, there was an extra spark attached that hadn't really been there before. Even though tonight wasn't a date, spending time with Bucky felt a little different, now, in a very good way.

Maybe this could be the silver lining I held on to the next time Peggy tried to kill me via heart attack, until the end of the war and beyond.

****************

Everything Taglist: @rosecentury @kmc1989

Marvel Taglist: @valkyriepirate @songbirdcannabe @infinetlyforgotten @coinsublime

If your name is crossed out, Tumblr wouldn't let me tag you for some reason

[igsuhrheos]

Bathtub Fun | Wanda Maximoff

This is my first story so please be kind.

Wanda’s a bottom and Y/N is a people pleaser. What more could you want?

Words-3.7k

Warnings: mention of alcohol, fingering, a bit of degradation, praise, neck squeezing, y/n is AFAB but it’s pretty gender neutral.

Translation: Милый-(sweetheart),

Детка-(baby)

——————————————————————

Tonight was again,a big party Stark put together but tonight he had a reason, a reason he used most of the time but most of the time, it worked. It was because there had been a whole month full of missions and training without any fatal accidents or anything that cost him a lot of money. So all the money he would’ve spent on the injured people he used it to host a party, and more importantly a party with alcohol.

But now it’s the middle of the party and some how it got even louder than before,with you and Wanda all danced out and a bit tipsy you take a break only now you’re realizing that Wanda is nowhere to be found. She said to you awhile ago that she was going to get something to drink and you thought that she was just sitting down some where.

Looking around you can’t find her anywhere, so when you walk up to Natasha and Tony with a confused expression and no Wanda on your arm before you can even speak.

“No, Y/N ,we haven’t seen your girlfriend” Natasha says with a smirk.

“She’s not my girlfriend”

“But you want her to be, we see the way you guys look at each other” said Tony with the same smirk as Natasha.

With a pink face you say “Why am I even friends with you guys?”

Natasha replies with a “because you love us” and Tony follows up with a “but not as much as she loves her little witch”

With a quick “i hate you” you start to walk away but make a u-turn and go to the bar to grab a bottle of wine and some glasses.

When you pass by them again you get a “go get her, tiger” from Nat and a complaint from Tony about stealing his alcohol.

If Wanda walked away from the party without telling you is because, she’s probably stressed. So with the wine bottle in hand you go and try to find her. You look on the balcony, in the kitchen, in her room, etc. So the final place you look is your room seeing how you and Wanda sleep in the same room sometimes, and that’s where you find her but not in your bed watching sitcoms like normal.

No,she’s in your bathroom,in the tub with the door wide open but it’s not the first time you’ve seen Wanda naked it’s been several actually but never like this anyway, just laying there with warm water over her body just so relaxed to the point where it looks like she’s almost asleep.

So as quietly as you can so you don’t scare her you walk into the bathroom and make yourself known “You left me alone down there y’know” and despite you trying not to scare her you know you failed when she shoots up and lets out a little yelp.

“Don’t do that you sacred me” she says, as she lays back down after knowing it’s just you and not some random party goer, but before she can reprehend you some more she gets a good look at you but of course she’s seen you tonight many many times, more than she would like to let on.

Even though it just barely an hour ago she thought back to how you held her close on the dance floor, how your hand was always reaching for her or touching her, how her painted red lips were on your neck and how they left a residue mark of lipstick on your collar.

When she looked down she saw the wine bottle and glasses in your hand and with an airy giggle she asked “Don’t you think we already had enough to drink tonight” as she pointed at the bottle. “Oh you think this is for you, no way, you left me. Out there. All alone.”

She simply just rolled her eyes and shook her head at you “I didn’t leave you alone” she said “Nat was right by you, a little too close” she spoke the last part under her breath but you heard it. “You sound a little jealous don’t you think, Witchy.” Y/N said with a smirk. Now, with her face a more flushed than before, but not because of the heat in the bathroom, it’s because of your teasing tone.

She lets a fake hurt gasp “I am not jealous” and this time she gets even more red by your saying “If you were jealous” before you even get to finish your thought, she interrupts “But I’m not” with her voice going up a bit when she finishes her sentence, a telltale sign she’s lying, you continue from where you left off “If you were jealous, you have no reason to be.” She then titles her head to the side with the perfect look of innocence as if she has no idea where this is going “I’m all yours, pretty girl.” She softly gasps as if she’s never heard such words before, but it wasn’t, time and time again from the moment you first met Wanda from being friends to where you two are right now.

You always put Wanda first no matter what and you always reassured her in anyway she would ask for it. Once she got over her shocked state,she realized you had now sat down outside the tub and opened the bottle. She then grabbed the wine glass you offered her, and of course you poured her glass first. She accepted it with a smile,that she only ever gave to you, “My sweet girl,” she thought.

Once your glass was a little ways filled, you were already tipsy from the drinks you had at the party and just from looking at Wanda and the way she was looking at you, she asked with a smirk, eyes shining with mischief, “So you’re all mine?”

As fast as her brother you answered “Of course I am” with a loving smile, “Would you do anything for me? Anything I asked?” She pondered.

With a questionable look you gave her the sarcastic answer of “What you want me to scream it from the rooftops?” Even though it was said as a joking you and Wanda both knew you would do it, if she had asked you or not.

She laughed at your sarcastic statement and taking a sip of her wine, so she could say her next sentence without chickening out “Would you like to get in with me?” she said sitting up and scooting forward so there’s space for you behind her.

Honestly, you were a little bit caught off guard, thinking that she was gonna ask you to go get her some clothes so she could get out and go to bed. But of course you liked this idea a bit better, you were also a little nervous.

Obviously you and Wanda have had sex before, anyone that looked your guys way either knew or thought that it’s just a matter of time before you “jump each others bones” as Tony put it. You’ve had sex in the bed, a quickie in a broom closet or in the kitchen when you could, even in the shower after not seeing each other for awhile because of missions or even just because you had both gotten out of training, and with all the panting and the sweating done in the gym, it just migrated into the shower along with more panting and hushed moaning.

But this, this felt vulnerable, having to just sit there, it was never easy to sit next to Wanda without having the urge to do something, let alone a naked, tipsy, wet Wanda.

Of course, as always you did it, for Wanda. You asked Wanda to hold your glass for you, then you started to get undressed,starting with your belt that held up your pants, then your white buttoned up shirt. If Wanda was being honest with her self she was a little sad to see the shirt go because of the way it fit your body, to it hugging your biceps and your shoulders, and the lipstick mark that she left.

Then the shirt was completely off and of course she seen you without clothes on but “fuck”, without the shirt she could she everything, the defined muscles of your arms, your tight abdomen that you worked on for hours in the gym.

Then came the pants, she already knew that your legs were pretty defined, of course she would, no, she could spend hours grinding and grinding down onto your thighs. It made it even better when you helped her move her hips.

Then, the boxers, she absolutely loved you in boxers the way they hugged your waist and ass, she honestly couldn’t get enough of you, with or without your clothes.

After you were fully undressed you finally stepped into the tub and laid back. Right away Wanda laid down on your chest with her back to your front and your arms on the side of the tub once you grabbed your glass back from her.

“This is nice” she said in a voice full of contempt.

“This is the only thing you wanted me to do for you?”

She turned her head side ways and looked back at you “Did you want more, Детка?” She asked in a sultry voice, her accent coming out a bit since she’s more relaxed than before.

With a red face and a kiss to her shoulder you answered “N-no I was just checking to see if I could do anything else for you.”

“My sweet girl, wanting to do so much for me, but there is one more thing you could do for me.” She said in a voice that made a shiver go down your spine.

“W-whatever you want, Wands.”

Now with you exactly how Wanda wants you to be, sweet, willing to do anything she desires. It’s no secret that you are the one who is in control in the bedroom, you would most likely go back to having control in the next few minutes, but Wanda couldn’t care less. She liked when you had your way with her, most of the time it was hot and heavy but gentle with praise and on the off chance, degradation.

Wanda was a fan of both, it was you who didn’t really like to degrade her, as you told her time and time again when she asked why you didn’t want to and it was always the same “You’re to precious to say mean things to” or “Your pussy always gets so wet when I praise you, so why would I change that?”

But this time it was an off chance, with the drinks and everything happening around you, you think you could do it just a little bit.

Whilst you were, once again, wondering what she wanted you to do for her. She said “How ‘bout you be a, good girl, and touch me?”

Again, with lightening speed you got to work to make Wanda happy. You took yours and her empty wine glasses and put them on the floor outside of the tub.

Now with your hands free, you wrapped your arms around her stomach and caressed her sides, digging your fingertips into her just enough to get a soft sigh from her. She moved her hands into the back of your head into your hair and pulled you forward so that she could crash her lips into yours.

With her lips moving sloppily against yours you decided it would be a good time to let your hands trail all over her body, from her breasts, to where you twisted and pulled her hard nipples, to her thighs where you squeezed and pulled them apart so that they were opened enough to your liking.

Now with her legs spread you disconnected your lips from hers and let them trail down her jaw, to neck then to her ear, where you asked “Are you needy, my love?” She then proceeded to let out a low moan along with a whiny “yes.”

With that response you brought your hands away from her thighs, and the place she wanted you the most, one of them going to wrap around her neck with a gentle squeeze and the other hand back to right where her hip and legs meet.

With a huff she said “If you don’t get to work soon I’m doing it myself, and you can just sit there and watch.” She was expecting you to do as you were told, but she definitely didn’t expect you to laugh at her, you actually laughed at her and before she could even process getting mad and telling you off, you said, “Stop being a brat unless you want me to fuck it out of your system.” With a playful degrading voice and another squeeze to her neck.

After that she went silent with a red face, which you followed up with a nip to her ear and a “That’s my good girl.” Now with a very needy Wanda who was practically shaking with arousal. Now you just needed one more thing from her before you actually touched her.

With you moving the hand that was on her hip back up to her breast,“I know you like thinking you can boss me around. But be honest with yourself baby, you like it so much more when I’m in charge, don’t you?” You say while sliding your fingers over her wet pussy, and even though she’s wet from the water, you can feel the sticky slick that you could spend hours devouring.

With a buck of her hips towards your hand that you moved before she could get what she wanted. With a hoarse voice she pleaded “P-please, Детка?”

With your hand tilting her head back so it could rest on your shoulder and a kiss to her cheek, you wanted to tease her a little bit more so you asked,”Please what, pretty girl? I know you can ask better than that pathetic attempt. Go on beg for me,my slutty girl.”

A sob made its way through Wanda’s lips and then came her begs for pleasure, “Please t-touch me Милый. I-I’ll be a good girl. Just please fuck me.”

Wanting to push her a little more you asked, “Are you mine?”

“Yes! All yours”

“You promise?”

“I promise! Just touch me, please.”

Your fingers then started to move slowly over her pussy making her squirm and whine. But when you moved your fingers to her clit and teased “Does that feel good, my love? You like when I touch your pussy like this?”

With lust and arousal surrounding her, just nodding and moaning loudly in your ear as a sign of yes and for you to keep going. But of course you were in control, you weren’t just gonna let her get away with her not verbally answering you. So you pulled away your fingers from her pussy and getting a whiny, “Why did you stop” along with a pout.

“When I ask you a question I expect an answer, understand ” you said with a hand still on her throat and a light slap against her inner thigh.

“Y-yes”

“Yes, what?”

With a flushed face she replied “yes, I understand” in a meek voice.

“Very good, see that wasn’t so hard was it.” Whilst saying this your hand slipped back to its position on her pussy, and started to tease her opening.

By now you could tell Wanda was close to her orgasm and so to help her get there you pushed a single digit in her, finally getting what she wants you’re rewarded with a moan, a smile, and a pleasure filled “thank you.”

Whilst pumping your single digit in her you asked,”Is this what you wanted, my Wanda? Me to finger your pretty needy pussy?”

With a hip buck, a loud moan and something along the lines of “more” and “faster” you decided that she had enough teasing for tonight or at least for now. So now replacing one finger with two, you started to pump your fingers faster, just as she had requested.

After a couple of seconds you heard the lust induced “I-I’m close, Детка.” With a sultry laugh from your end, you curled your fingers and with a feigned sad voice “All ready? But I just got started, can’t you hold on a little while longer.”

She nodded her head but you both knew she wouldn’t last longer than you actually wanted her to. So with a “y’know, maybe if you begged me, I might let you cum right now.”

Without having to ask anymore she let out a breathless sentence of,”Please, please, please, can I cum? I’ve been so good for you.” As you acted like you were thinking about it, she turned her head and started to kiss your neck feverishly, in hopes it would help persuade your mind in letting her cum.

With you bringing her head back up so you could whisper into her ear “Since you asked so nicely, cum for me, my beautiful slutty girl, cum on my fingers.” and with your permission that’s what she did. She grabbed your face and brought your lips together while she squirmed, and moaned.

Once she let go of your face and you stared to pepper kisses to her cheeks, neck, shoulders really anywhere you could reach. You gave her time to come down from her high with praises of “You did so good for me.” and “So pretty when you cum like that.”

With her turning her head towards you she showed off a dazzling smile and a “thank you for everything.” and a “No problem, princess.” from you she brought into another kiss but this one was calm and loving but with the taste of the wine from her mouth brought into your mouth you couldn’t wait to ask if you could go for round two.

[magicbystarlight]

Venomous - Part Ten

Masterlist, Part One

Summary: A wife. A mother. A witch with someone else's name. That’s the life you didn’t want. So Tom offered you more.

Word Count: 1.7K

Warnings: 18+, arranged marriage, age gap relationship, misogyny, terrible parenting, war, jealousy, small injury. Minors DNI.

If you could Apparate, you’d have done it at that moment. Not even the fear of Splinching or censure from the Ministry would have stopped you. The only thing that did stop you from going was the shock of feeling a deep crack running along the length of your wand.

McLaggen was the one who finally stepped forward to disappear the unsightly mess as you stared stupidly with a hand in your pocket. He sat down the bottles to squat in front of you and, like earlier, reached out his hand. Not to check your forehead this time, but to use his sleeve to wipe at the corners of your mouth. "That happens sometimes with the fainting." He smiled in a way that tried to seem encouraging. “Completely normal.”

That seemed to snap Abraxas out of his disgusted haze. His wand, sleek unblemished hazel, was at McLaggen’s chest causing him to stumble over. He hissed, “Keep your filthy, Muggle loving hands off my fiancée,” venomously.

“Someone had to check on her,” McLaggen spit back, pushing the wand away to stand. “If you hadn’t been more concerned with your shoes—”

“If you ever touch her again, I’ll—”

“Oh, I’m quaking in—”

“Stop it!” Larissa stepped between them, uncharacteristic fury in her voice.

Abigail helped you stand, her arm wrapped protectively around your waist. “She’s been through enough, she doesn’t need the two of you getting into some pissing match in the middle of Diagon Alley!”

They looked as if they were going to continue, but then seemed to finally take in the people milling about and watching. McLaggen took a step back, clearing his throat, running a hand through his hair, and muttering a quick apology. 

Abraxas tucked his wand away and mimicked the apology. “Let me take you home, have a Healer come check you out.”

Abigail, with an uneasy glance at you, said, "She should have a drink first. She’s gotta get something in her stomach or she could faint again."

"I’ll call on a Healer," Abraxas repeated in a dismissive tone.

With her lips set in a grim line, Larissa turned her back on him, picked up a bottle, and popped off its top. "Drink one of these, okay?" She held it out to you before adding, "Please," in a softer voice.

You downed it without complaint. And then, as if the past twenty odd minutes hadn't been humiliating enough, burped. "Merlin, I'm sorry!"

“Nothing to be sorry about, love.”

“Ralph!” Larrisa sounded murderous.

Abraxas looked murderous.

—

It had been an awful evening. The Healer came and blamed the fainting spell on menstruation. You had to bite your tongue as the idiot explained how fragile the fairer sex was. It was better than explaining the truth. And when he was gone, you sat with the taste of copper lingering on your tongue as Hestia and Sixtus Malfoy made contemptuous remarks about poor health and its effects on childbearing. Abraxas said nothing, he barely even looked at you.

The relief as you finally sank into the bed was beyond words. Your body ached in ways you hadn’t felt since the days after flying lessons in First Year. The relief, however, didn’t extend beyond the physical discomforts.

War. It was still raging on around you and you hadn’t even known. Why? It’s not like you were uninformed. You read the every morning and evening edition of the paper. There should be some talk of it, but it was only ever mentioned when Grindlewald used the Muggle war to cover his own. And those instances were few and far between.

Why would they want to keep the community ignorant on something so critical?

It wasn’t something you could find the answers too stuck in Malfoy Manor and you were sure your mother wouldn’t let you out again. So you turned your attention to a more immediate situation. Hesitantly, you pulled your wand from your pocket. Frayed green hairs poked out from the split in the walnut wood. 

Your wrist flicked, other hand extended to catch the quill from the desk you summoned. Nothing came. Another flick. Another empty hand. “Accio,” you whispered. 

A hiss of pain escaped as the end of the quill embedded its tip into your palm and the wand slipped to the bed. You sat up, dropping the wand and pulling out the quill. Blood blackened from ink seeped slowly from the wound left behind.

“It was an accident, you know? I didn’t mean to crack you,” you said to the stick now laying listlessly on the bed. It still worked, at least. Resistant, angry even, but hopefully with time it would return to normal. You didn’t have to replace it. Wands broke all the time, yes, but this was your wand. It had chosen you. Discarding it would be an amputation.

For the moment, though, you feared if you tried anything more it would snap in half. Or retaliate. Even now, lying still, it seemed to protest at the mere thought of magic. You wouldn’t push it further tonight.

A knock on the door had you stuffing the wand under a pillow and wiping away the blood on a scarf.

You'd expected your mother to be there, ready to reprimand you for your unsightly display in Diagon Alley or for not trying harder with the Malfoys. But it was Abraxas who opened the door.

“Can I come in?” he asked, holding a bulging sweets bag up as a bribe. He made sure the door clicked shut behind him at your nod. The bed dipped as he sat on the edge, leaving only an inch between your crossed legs and his thigh. He didn’t say anything, his attention focused on rummaging through the sweets until he pulled out a box of Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans and held it out to you. “Hope they’re still your favorite.”

You took them. Mother never let you have them growing up, but he’d bring you a box whenever he visited Rick. “No one says no to a Malfoy,” he’d whispered to you the first time he handed them over in front of her. And that one year you overlapped in school, the two would always bring you back a bag of sweets from their Hogsmeade trips.

“They are.” You peeled the box open and popped one into your mouth. The taste assaulted your tongue, pinching your face at the foulness. Nothing, it seemed, would go your way. “Rotten egg.”

“And that,” he laughed, unwrapping a chocolate cauldron, “is why I prefer these.”

You shook your head. “Where’s your sense of adventure?” The next bean wasn’t as bad. Mashed potatoes.

“Far, far away from my tastebuds.”

Silence lapsed as he chewed. The sight was reminiscent of dinner. You focused on the box, a nail digging into the corner of the flap. It split easily under the pressure.

“Little Bird?” His hand reached out and rested firmly on your knee. “How are you feeling?”

You tugged at the edges of the split. Some honesty was needed. “Overwhelmed. It’s been a lot lately.”

He let out a breath. “Our engagement?” 

The hurt in his voice had your head snapping up. “No,” you were quick to say, dropping the box to grasp his hand. “Well, yes,” you corrected. Some honesty. “But it’s not you or us, it’s—it’s everyone else.” Your mother, his parents, Rick, The Daily Prophet, classmates, Velena Fawley, Cantankerus Nott, McLaggen, Azar. Tom. This ring wouldn’t chafe as much if everyone else would stop twisting it. “And everything else around it. I still have N.E.W.T.s to study for in between trying to plan the wedding.”

He shifted closer. “We could always forgo all of it.”

“Really?”

“Of course.” He leaned in and kissed your cheek. “We can go to the Ministry tomorrow.” He kissed the other. “The honeymoon would have to wait, but we’d still have two nights as man and wife before you’re back to school.” His hands trapped your face and then his lips were on yours.

Would a kiss ever not taste like manipulation?

“Brax,” you protested against the kiss, pushing softly on his chest. “We can’t.”

“Can’t we?” It didn’t deter him, just encouraged his lips to trail down to your neck. “No need to plan a wedding if you’re already Mrs. Malfoy.”

Your fingers dug into the fabric of his robes. Child bride. A witch with someone else's name. Not yet. It was too soon. Say something. Say anything. “I want a real wedding.”

“We can have a reception over Easter.”

“I want a wedding with our families and friends there, with Rick there. I want the white dress, the beautiful venue, all of it.”

“We could still—”

“No.”

He finally pulled away, the bluntness seeming to catch him off guard. Or maybe it was the word itself that staggered him. No one says no to a Malfoy.

“Is it because of McLaggen? Do you still have feelings for him?”

Resentment burned on your tongue. “I never had feelings for him.”

“Didn’t seem like that today. He was very comfortable touching you.”

“There seems to be an ongoing theme with people not respecting my nos.”`

He had the decency to look guilty. 

“I don’t know what you heard about me and him, but don’t believe any of it.”

“And what of what I heard about you and Tom Riddle?”

Your stomach dropped. Of course he’d heard the rumors that had swirled before your engagement. It was a wonder he’d never mentioned them before. “Riddle has a staring problem.”

Abraxas was silent for a beat longer, watching your controlled expression for a crack. Your mother had trained you too well for that to happen. A small, apologetic smile broke across his face. “I suppose I can’t fault him for that.” He heaved a sigh, taking your hand again. “It’s difficult not to be jealous when I have something everyone wants. I’m afraid one day someone will steal you away.”You know the words you need to say. You know the compassionate wonder you need to school your expression into. You know that you’re going to have to kiss him again. You know you don’t have the choice to walk away. You know it could be worse. “I love you, Brax. You’re the only one I want.”

Next

HP Tag List: @bamboozledflamplant @squishytomatoes @benonlinear @byelannie @itsccc

Venomous Tag List: @pearlsofme @fck-this @ambria @sheeple @strangunddurm @weirdowithnobeardo @emberenchanted @iluvweasleys

[sleeplessdreamer123]

Fanfic Idea! (Lucemond, modern, why Lucerys is the savior of the office)

Aemond, CEO of his company, must never be without Lucerys, his dear nephew, his only surviving secretary of seven years, at any costs. The entirety of the office knows this. The moment you are in the direct line of sight of the monster of a man, and you don't see Lucerys anywhere near him, you would need to accept that you're doomed.

It was something that the employees noticed in the beginning after watching them for almost a week. They know Aemond to be a strict demonic entity with the constant need for perfection, which is understandable once you realize that the company was only handed to him because the former CEO, his brother Aegon, decided to create a huge scandal of himself in a charity ball, destroying his (nonexistent) credibility and ruining the company's good name. Aemond was damage control, named CEO in order to fix the mess of his older brother, and he will do whatever it takes to prove himself better than his brother.

So of course the company was put to hell in the very first month he arrived. Constant tears, people getting fired left and right, the fear of one mistake getting so strong it haunts some of the veterans in their sleeps.

He has mellowed a bit, now that the company is back to the way it was before, hells, it got even better, but he was still a demon. If even the slightest mistake was noticed (and it was often noticed), everyone would hung their heads as they hear the cold words of Aemond Targaryen. The worst to have it would be his secretaries, almost thirty hired in the past year, yet the longest one to survive only stayed for two whole weeks.

And then came Lucerys Velaryon, a young man, fresh out of college, eager to work for the most powerful CEO in the realms. The employees bet he would be crying and resigning in three days.

Except he didn't. In fact, the first thing he did was admonish Aemond for how he talked to one of the newly hired. They all watched in awe when all the demon did was tell them to get back to work, and ordered Lucerys to bring him his coffee. If anyone else had even breathed loud enough while he was in his angry tirade, they would've been fired, black listed, never to work in a large company ever again!

Then they noticed the differences.

No one is able to go to Aemond when certain problems arise, hells, going to him in a normal day for a normal report was terrifying enough, his glare was enough to make even the most confident man stutter.

One of them complained without knowing Lucerys was behind them, and when Lucerys asked her to report the problem to Aemond, putting her on the spot in the end of the meeting, she had no choice but to report the problem, bracing herself for the verbal abuse she will no doubt receive. She was greatly surprised when she heard nothing but Lucerys' gently voice, talking to Aemond as if they were *le gasp* normal employees.

And Aemond, the devil himself, actually sat there and listened. No glares, no pointed anger, he just sat there, nodded his head, and told her to send for the one who might have made the mistake.

They took their complaints to Lucerys after that. Then they noticed how much calmer he was when Lucerys was around. No decrease of salary, no increase of workloads, hells, someone actually reported that his lips twitched upwards. Upwards!

But the real kicker, what really showed them just how much they needed Lucerys, was when he took a day off because he had a cold.

The office returned to the hell it was before, except it was even worse. Withing the span of five hours, two people resigned, three were fired, and seven were in a verge of a mental breakdown.

They worshipped his feet when they saw the familiar curly haired boy, begging him to take his vitamins, to wear warmer clothes, to drink healthy, anything, anything at all, just please don't leave them there with the devil ever again!

And Lucerys, their sweet angel, their Maiden reborn, told them he would do his best. (He was touched that they care for his well-being, though he didn't really know just how much he saves them from the he-devil that was, is and always will be, Aemond Targaryen).

[mybiasisexo]

can i request 27 & 53 for the drabble withhhhh baekhyun? idk if i’m able to ask if it can lean towards an enemy/frenemies to lovers type trope but if not, it’s alright it’s up to your creativity and writing! i’m grateful for you and this writing, hope everything goes well for you, and thank you so much!

Effort 🤛

Genre: angst | arranged marriage!au | ceo!bbh | nonidol!au Pairing: Baekhyun x f.Reader Length: 1.4k Warnings: language

a/n: bro.... im only like half way done with these drabbles yall 😭. a lot of them are written its just getting them out now so yay for that! this is why i dont do these things. next time i know forsure to only accept like 10. thank you for the request! Sorry for taking so long 😭 but by this point yall should know the drill lmfaoooo 💖

DRABBLE GAME | MASTERLIST

You march into your condo in search for the other person that lives there.

You find him in the kitchen, sitting at the massive island, cradling a glass of whiskey.

On a mission, you make your way over to him and slam your hand on the marble top, demanding his attention.

Baekhyun jumps at the sound, turning to you with blurry eyes.

“Did you get into a fight?” You ask in annoyance.

Rolling his eyes, he huffs a laugh before taking a sip of his hard drink. “Hello to you too, Wife.”

Narrowing your eyes, you fight the warmth in your chest at the title. Wife. It’s been almost a year and you still haven’t fully come to terms with your newfound role.

“I heard what happened,” you inform him. You catch the stiffening of his shoulders and him muttering something about word traveling fast.

“If you already heard, why're you asking?”

“Because I need you to confirm it, and I need to know why.”

Baekhyun gulps, staring blankly ahead. “Mr. Lee. He was saying some very disgusting and vulgar things about you.”

That isn’t shocking. You are an heiress who spent majority of your youth causing chaos for your family. You were a wild child, spending most of your time partying for the tabloids to see. You had known the life you were going to be subjected to, so decided to live freely while you still could. Unfortunately, it earned you the reputation of being a drunk slut that followed you throughout the years. Despite getting your shit together, taking over your family business, and pushing it to bigger levels. Despite going as far as getting married, people still saw you as that reckless little girl. Many people within your company undermined your authority because of that, but it never swayed you. If anything, it only encouraged you more. You loved proving people wrong. Hearing someone as creepy as Mr. Lee was making lewd comments about you was unfortunately unsurprising.

What is surprising is your husband’s reaction.

In any other setting, a husband defending his wife’s honor is a normal act of love. That’s what they do, support and defend their spouse. But your marriage is a tad different due to the fact Baekhyun didn’t marry you out of love.

Actually, neither one of you had any say in this little arrangement. This union was only possible from the agreement of your parents.

You aren’t exactly happy about the situation, but you understand your position. That’s why you accepted the proposal without complaint. Baekhyun, on the other hand, was severely against the marriage and threatened everyone involved. Allegedly, he already had someone that he cherished around that time. You even had the pleasure of meeting her—at your own wedding, no less—and she was amazing. You totally understood why Baekhyun was angry. Still, he followed through with the arrangement, and here you are now, arguing in your shared apartment.

It isn’t the first time, nor the last you’re sure. You want to at least try to make this relationship work, but Baekhyun makes it impossible. He takes all his frustrations of your predicament out on you with cruel words and cold shoulders. He’s constantly reminding you how much he loathes you, like it was your idea to get married. As hard as you try to brush it off, it hurts. You were forced into this marriage too! You wanted the fairytale ending just as badly as everyone else in the world, but that simply wasn’t your reality. So, you make the best out of a shitty situation. Still, it feels extremely unfair for him to treat you like desperate trash just because he can’t outwardly express his pain and fury to his parents.

“And?” You reply. “Wouldn’t be the first time? They said he got a black eye and a bloody nose. He’s threatening to press charges. The board is contemplating your suspension.”

His jaw clenches, but he doesn’t answer. Only takes another swig of his liquor.

“Baekhyun.” You pinch the bridge of your nose. “It’s unlike you to react like this. I’m sorry that being tied to me is tarnishing your reputation. I know my parents promised that it wouldn’t, but it appears it is.”

“I don’t give a fuck about that,” he seethes. “It had nothing to do with me and everything to do with the fact he was disrespecting my wife!”

He finally turns and gives you his attention. The fury he still feels over the situation radiates off of him in a heat so hot you’re surprised his clothes haven’t lit on fire. Your first instinct is to step away, not wanting to be his next victim. But, you stand firm, feigning courage.

“And I’d do it again,” he admits. “I’ll beat up anyone that talks about you like you’re some kind of whore they can pass around.”

“Why?” You ask in a whisper. “You hate me.”

He sighs. “I don’t hate you. I never have. I hate the situation we’re in. I hate that we didn’t mean it when we said ‘I do’.”

He lets go of his glass to take your hands in his. “But I don’t hate you. And I don’t blame you. I know I’ve been the worst husband ever, but these past few months I….”

He nibbles on his bottom lip and you blink back tears. “I’ve also said some hurtful things, and to your face. I’ll spend the rest of my life making up for that. You’ve been trying, and it’s been working. I’ve realized now how much of an idiot I’ve been. We can make an opportunity out of this. We’re married now, and it’s time that I started acting like it.”

You give him a smile full of relief. “What’s changed?”

“It’s been little things, but the biggest change was at the merger last month.”

Oh. You didn’t think he remembered.

It was your first real public appearance together, so you had to chum it up for the cameras. You were the new It Couple, both the children of two of the most successful businesses in the country. You were tech royalty, and the merging of your families was like two warring nations signing a peace treaty. That night showed you a tender side of Baekhyun you’d never been exposed to, and you couldn’t help but to fall for this person. You knew that none of it was real, but he was just so kind and flirty and when he kissed you it sparked something from deep within. Baekhyun must had felt it as well, because the moment you were back home, you were all over each other. The both of you had been drinking, so that may have played a role on your eagerness. You convinced yourself you weren’t that drunk, and that he was your husband. This was what married couples did. When you were in the bed, Baekhyun pulled away for just a couple seconds to grab a condom and came back to you passed out. It was a reality check for him, and he panicked as the realization of what you were about to do dawned on him. Once the panic dimmed, he was relieved, knowing that your dynamic was already messed up as it was, sex would just make things worse. You woke up the next morning in an empty bed, fully clothed, and Baekhyun never brought it up.

Now that you think of it, Baekhyun has changed since. He has been a lot less hostile, and has been coming come early enough to share dinner with you. During your meals, he made a point to have conversation with you, and you’ve felt like there has been progress between you.

“Truth is,” he says quietly. “Ever since that night, I haven’t been able to get you out of my head. I don’t deserve you, but I want you anyway.”

“You want me?” You ask.

“I do,” he admits. He pulls you closer to stand between his legs and lets go of your hands to hold you by your hips. “I want to make us work. I want to know everything about you. What makes you laugh, what makes you happy, what your favorite food is, what turns you on.” He smiles suggestively and you shove his shoulder playfully. “I want to know you. I want to protect you. I want to be your husband.”

You blink back the flood of tears that blur your vision so that you can see him. “I want that too, Baekhyun. I want us to try.”

He kisses the corner of your mouth before daring a kiss to your lips, which you reciprocate. When you pull away, he rests his forehead against yours.

“Then let’s try.”

[burningreactor]

Ilshat Kuzikov - "The cook" from St. Petersburg

Russian murderer and cannibal who killed for lack of food and medical care.

Ilshat was born on February 27, 1960 in Leninabad (Khujand), Tajikistan, later the family moved to Leningrad (Saint Petersburg). As a child, he was traumatized by one event – in 1971, when Ilshat was only 11 years old, he witnessed the murder of his mother by his own father.

Ilshat's father had alcohol addiction and he was a domestic tyrant. That day, he severely beat his wife, who later died of injuries. The murder of his mother (and his father himself) affected Ilshat's psychoemotional state, as a result of which he began to show signs of a mental disorder and was registered in a neuropsychiatric dispensary.

Kuzikov was provided with one-room apartment and began to pay a disability pension. Despite this, Ilshat was unable to lead a socially prosperous lifestyle. Starting in 1982, he became addicted to alcohol. In the mid-1980s, while undergoing another course of treatment, he met a female patient with whom he soon began a romantic relationship. A few months later, Kuzikov married her, but the marriage lasted only two years. During one of the fights with his wife, he attacked her, after which she filed for divorce and left Kuzikov.

After the collapse of the USSR, Kuzikov lost all his savings, and his social pension was completely devalued. Due to financial difficulties and rising prices, he began to starve. In order not to starve to death, Ilshat working part-time at the local market as a janitor. During this period, his mental state began to worsen. Kuzikov sought psychiatric help several times, but all his requests and complaints were ignored.

The first victim was Pechenkin – the maniac killed him with a wrench, then dragged the body into the bathroom and dismembered it there. The second victim was Bochkov – was first severely beaten, as drinking companions had a serious fight, and then killed. The third proven victim, Vasilevsky, was a fellow sufferer, they once lay together in a psychiatric hospital. All his victims were also his lovers.

Throughout his terrible "career", he periodically realized that what he was doing was not normal. He tried to get qualified psychiatric treatment. This information was confirmed at the investigation – Kuzikov not just tried to making himself look good.

He practically did not disguise himself in any way – he took out the remains in the trash, almost without covering or hiding them. Ilshat washed the apartment of blood only with cold water, since he has no money for cleaning products.

As a result of the investigation and trial, Ilshat Kuzikov was released from criminal liability due to insanity and sentenced to compulsory treatment in a psychiatric hospital.

[carboardserpent]

Next gen headcanons? 🤔

Like, Jackson, Cruz, Tim, Danny, Chase, and Ryan?

Oh boy, that's a few characters. Alright, strap in then. Probably also gonna throw in Bubba because he's my favourite non-main next gen <3

(Humanised, as always)

(Quick disclaimer for this one, none of these are supposed to reflect on the irl racers that gave their names and voices to them - I'm treating these characters as though they're entirely fictional and not based on/inspired by real people. I make my HCs literally just based on Vibes (and RPs))

Jackson Storm:

6'1 and fit AF. Clearly spends a lot of time in the gym toning his body and muscles. He is male model levels of gorgeous. Physically flawless black man <3

Short black dreadlocks dyed blue at the ends.

Aromantic (female-leaning)bisexual.

Autistic.

Ray knew he was autistic before Jackson even knew himself, and is the reason he even got diagnosed in the first place.

One of his most common complaints is still about the reflections of the sun glinting in his eyes. The loud noise of the track still gets to him occasionally, but he has special earplugs to help him deal with it.

Can usually be seen drinking a can of IGNTR's flagship energy drink before a race. It helps him calm down and focus in. His sponsors love it, for obvious reasons.

Any time he's on camera, he acts calm and cool but internally he's freaking out. If they ask something he doesn't expect, he visibly tenses up and flounders for a second as he tries to figure out what to say, even if it was a simple question.

Doesn't do fan meets or signings unless he absolutely has to. Even then he tries everything he can to get out of them.

His physical attractiveness makes his already poor attitude even worse. Doesn't know how to talk to people, but gets all the praise and attention he could ever want online.

Yes, he posts photos of himself on various social media. He wasn't sure at first, but Ray convinced him to start shortly after his debut race, hoping that it would help reassure him and give him a bit of a confidence boost. Naturally, it went a little TOO well...

He's a gamer through and through. In any downtime he gets, he's still topping the leaderboards on just about every popular racing game you can play online. He also enjoys the occasional game of CoD and will verbally rip anyone to shreds if they try to come at him.

DUBSTEP. He loves it. If his skull isn't rattling from absolutely filthy, grimy bass, he's not interested.

So, of course, he has to have an incredible sound system that's probably worth more than the average person's car.

He doesn't watch anime. (Stop asking him if he does) Most of his entertainment comes from Twitch streams.

He streams himself playing Super Corsa 4 any chance he gets. Which isn't often with the packed NASCAR schedule, but he tries his best. His user is UrStormChasing

Still doesn't get along with Tim after their rivalry in training and isn't very good at pretending he does either. Their crew chiefs have to make deliberate efforts to stop them from running into each other before they get into their cars.

Cruz Ramirez:

5'5 with an athletic build. She is a Latina woman with visible abs and she deserves them gdi.

Side-parted brown hair a little shorter than jaw length, perpetually kinda wild looking.

Chaotic lesbian hours!

ADHD

Literally cannot sleep at night without a big, milky mug of coffee.

It's not normal to wake up and go for a run before even having breakfast?

She's teaching Lightning to use social media more regularly (for better or for worse). His homework is to send her a funny meme or video that he found that week.

The result of this can sometimes be catastrophic. She'll never be able to unhear him uncertainly attempting to use outdated slang.

Almost every race, there's someone complaining about how she doesn't weigh enough and it's unfair to the rest of them. So she forces them to watch as race officials put extra weights in her car.

Has cussed Danny out in Spanish across Pit Road and will do it again if he carries on-

Is probably the only person on Team Dinoco that is actually nice to Cal and doesn't try to tease him. They get along well.

Tim Treadless:

6'0 with a broad frame and light muscle tone.

Tanned skin and tousled brown hair.

Straight ally.

Just call him Mr. Charismatic, everyone loves him.

Everyone except Jackson, that is. Jackson is the only person who brings out his anger to the point of wanting to throw hands.

Has a wife and a baby, bc of course he does.

One of those guys some people hate for being irritatingly perfect. Usually people that don't actually know him.

Has type 1 diabetes and a bad nut allergy.

Was pulled out of a race at the last minute when he went into anaphylactic shock - the entire race was almost stopped when people started to whisper that it was foul play. The race went on, but the only reason for Treadless' absence was that he had to be pulled for "unforseen medical issues".

Some of the other racers still blame Jackson, who actually had nothing to do with it.

Danny Swervez:

5'10 and fairly slender. Not a lot of bulk to him.

Tanned skin (he's Latino) and short black hair.

Cishet male.

This man is FULL of himself. What an attitude.

Genuinely a good racer, but not many people like him.

He's not a good guy. He's given Cruz some trouble for being a woman, though after she embarrassed him by publicly cussing him out in Spanish, he's learned to keep his unpopular opinions on her to himself.

Isn't exactly what we would call "faithful".

But hey, at least he doesn't cheat on the track (smh)

Has just as little respect for the older racers as Jackson, but is less vocal about it.

Is very bitter about Jackson and Tim being more popular than him, yet still does nothing to change himself for the better.

Has at least attempted to physically fight with other drivers that messed with him on the track several times.

Chase Racelott:

5'9 with a build somewhere between Danny and Tim.

Pale skin and dirty-blonde hair.

Straight ally.

Generally a pretty likeable guy. Not as well-loved as Tim, but he has a good amount of pretty dedicated fans.

Makes jokes about being single/available.

Has pretty average performance on the track, not great, but not poor.

Fairly high energy, he gets along well with Cruz.

Probably one of the best with kids. Has a lot of younger fans because of how he interacts with them during meets and signings.

One of the few who will try not to leave until he's spoken to every fan who wanted to meet him, no matter how long it takes.

Often seen hanging around with Ryan - the two of them cause some pretty good natured trouble together, often involving pranks on the other racers.

Ryan "Inside" Laney:

5'11 with a broad build similar to Tim.

Mixed race (¾ Caucasian, ¼ African American), with short black hair.

Closeted bisexual.

Friendly, but not really a standout character as far as the fans are concerned.

Kind of cocky, but in a cool way.

Has a girlfriend who travels with him.

Agent of chaos when he spends too much time with Chase. Don't turn your back on him.

Bubba Wheelhouse

Absolutely massive 6'2 gentle giant

Another gorgeous black man (fight me), his skin tone isn't quite as dark as Jackson's

Closeted homosexual

Has a fake relationship with a lesbian woman who's actually just his best friend (the racing world is scary and the US South probably wouldn't love an openly gay driver)

Kids ADORE him. Him and Chase are the drivers with the most kid fans.

Throws a football around with fans over the catch fence during rain delays (this one is based on the real Bubba Wallace bc its wholesome af)

Gets asked all the weird gay questions by everyone in the friend group. (Ex. "Is it gay if...?" "What is X actually like?")

Legit just trying to mind his own business, he doesn't want any part of drama or rivalries.

Occasionally finds himself roped into girl talk if the guys have their S/Os around. They're very excited to include him. He's too polite to decline.

[sl-newsie]

American Woman (Thomas Shelby x American OC) Ch. 10: Equality vs Justice

Later that night we hold dinner for two hours before I finally decide to stop waiting for the Shelby brothers to return. Finn left to help about an hour ago and it’s just been Polly and me preparing Shepherd’s pies. When I tell her about Ada’s behavior she gets a funny look in her eye.

“I’ve got some suspicions. For now I’ll wait for Ada to come to me but my patience is wearing thin. She’s been avoiding me.”

A few more minutes go by and I check the clock. “Do you always wait for them to come back this late? If I were to stay out unaccompanied like this my mother would personally kill me.”

Polly laughs as she stirs the filling. “With those boys nothing is ever normal. Between John worrying about his family, Arthur wanting to be smarter than he is, and Thomas thinking he knows everything, I sometimes wonder how they can even function.”

“And Finn?”

She sighs heavily. “I hope he’ll turn out straight. He tries so hard to be like his brothers that sometimes we forget he’s still just a kid. How’s his lessons been going?”

I wipe my flower-covered hands on a towel. “No complaints at all, ma’am. Finn’s a prime student. He definitely has potential and dedication, though I’m glad to say he does not share his brother’s lack of resilience. Finn always has an open mind, which I think is inspired by his sister.”

We hear the front door open and all four Shelby brothers crowd into the room, all taking their places at the kitchen table. I can tell they’ve been drinking due to the smell of liquor but they seem to be level-headed enough. I just hope Finn hasn’t drank too much.

“How was the bonfire?” I ask lightly as I pass out a tray of slightly-cold pies.

“Affective.” 

Thomas is the only one to reply as they all dig into the simple meal. No doubt they’re tired. Finn is the only one that still shows any hint of ignorance. In these insane times a touch of ignorance might not be so bad.

“I got to leave early,” John says after he swallows. “Kids’ll be wanting their dad to tuck ‘em in.”

“Ever considered a sitter?” I ask.

Arthur slurs a laugh. “Ha! Yeah, so we can pay you double? Watch his tykes and teach Finn, ey?”

I shake my head and try to defend his accusation but John waves it off.

“‘S alright, Steenstra. I don’t expect you to. You’ve got enough on your plate as it is. I need a more stable solution.”

Thomas speaks up. “You need a wife, John.” He gets up and comes over to search through the cupboard. “Polly, where are those biscuits-?”

“In the refrigerator,” John says. “Though there may not be many left. Verena’s a damn good baker.”

“All the more reason why my decision to hire her has paid off well,” Polly comments. “Which is why you lot should treat her as the proper Peaky Blinders employee she is, Arthur.” She points a warning finger at the eldest Shelby brother, who just rolls his eyes.

“Respect is earned,” I reply. “Since my position is temporary I don’t expect to gain anything before-”

“Before you go back,” Finn grunts. “You’ve mentioned it once or twice.”

Thomas ruffles his brother’s hair. “Hear that, Verena? Someone’s gonna miss you.”

Finn swats his hand away. “I will not!”

“I will,” John says as he chews another cookie. “Without her there’s no biscuits.”

The brothers go on chatting about other Blinders business and I take the chance to finish cleaning part of the kitchen before slipping off to bed. It’s already midnight and my eyes are starting to droop. I don’t even bother thinking about reading as I dim the lights and slip under the covers…

“Clocking out early?” Thomas’ voice stirs me from my thoughts. He’s standing in the doorway.

“It’s midnight, Mr. Shelby. If I did have an established work schedule my shift would have ended hours ago.”

The man simply nods his head and walks over to look out my window. “Dinner was nice. And I know John’s exaggerated this already but your biscuits are to die for.”

In the dark I stand up to face him better. “Trying to butter me up with a compliment before delivering unpleasant news?”

Thomas’ reaction is covered by the shadows. “Only giving a compliment, Ms. Steenstra. I must say I’m surprised at how much you’ve changed around here.”

I tilt my head. “I haven’t changed much in the house besides my cooking-”

“I mean us,” Thomas gestures towards the kitchen. “You might not see it but you do more than what you think, Verena. And Finn will miss you, by the way.” He pauses. “Most all of us will miss you.”

“Most?”

“Well… Arthur’s still undecided about me hiring you.”

I nod respectfully. “I’m still grateful for your trust. In my family it’s a high honor for younger members to be part of something this big.”

Something I say doesn’t sit well with Thomas. His laid-back expression shifts to one of curiosity.

“Members? What kind of family are you part of, Steenstra?”

I slipped up. He suspects my involvement with the mob. 

“Like I said before. I’m half Dutch, half Irish. My father runs a chain of breweries.”

“And are there any business deals made under the table away from federal eyes?” Thomas inquires.

I keep a steady expression. “Do not accuse my father of bootlegging, Mr. Shelby. All his transactions are thoroughly legal.”

It’s not a lie. Father’s refused several proposals from Uncle Colon about selling his products to the Irish mobs. Thankfully my answer persuades Thomas to drop the subject.

“Your father seems like a good man. He raised a bright and resourceful daughter.” Thomas steps closer and I can smell the mint cologne and ash on him. “Good night, Ms. Steenstra.”

“Good night, Thomas. Prayers be with you.”

The gangster nods and exits the room, taking the chill of the conversation with him. That was close. At this point I’ve gone too far to confess to my family connections. The Shelbys trust me as myself, not as a mob asset. As I lay down once again to catch some sleep I can’t help but wonder if my family’s noticed I’m missing…

I open my eyes to a brand-new day and quickly get dressed. Now that I have my own clothing with English fashion I don’t feel like an oddball. It’s already 10:00. Much later than I wanted to start but there’s no use crying about it. I walk into the kitchen and am not surprised to find out that Thomas and his brothers have already left.

“Morning, love,” Polly greets from the table. “Finn’s running an errand and then you can do a lesson. He seemed eager to get back so you should expect him soon. The only other one who’s here is Ada.”

As if on cue, the Shelby sister walks into the room and slumps into the chair next to Polly.

“Good of you to join us.” Polly remarks as Ada pours some tea. “Where have you been all day?”

“In bed,” the brunette replies, sharing knowing glances with me. Sure. ‘Bed.’ “Couldn’t sleep. Then I couldn’t wake up.”

She goes on to ramble about dreams while Polly chats about recent bad news. It’s not until I hear Polly abruptly say “stand up” that I look up from the novel I’m reading. Ada does as she’s told and Polly walks around examining her, then suddenly feels up her chest.

“Polly what are you doing?” Ada shouts.

“Ada. How late are you?”

Her words take a moment to drift in the air, then it clicks in my head. You play stupid games, you win stupid prizes. It was only a matter of time before Ada’s affair would catch up with her. She’s pregnant.

“One week- 5 weeks- seven weeks, but it must be a lack of iron…” Ada desperately tries to patch up an excuse.

But Polly won’t have it. “I’m taking you to the doctor.” She gives Ada a stern look to quiet her then glances over at me. “Verena, love, it’s best you not tell a soul if you know what’s good for you. You can wait here for Finn while I take her.”

Hiding my face behind my book cover, I nod. “Yes, ma’am.”

Polly nods and drags Ada out of the room. Ada gives me one last panicked look before the pair walks through the front door. Don’t expect sympathy from me. You know what you were getting yourself into. I sit quietly at the table and continue reading until the door opens again and Finn walks in.

“Where’s Aunt Polly?”

Not a word about Ada. “She had something come up. Didn’t say when she’d be back.” I try to reroute the conversation. “What do you want to learn about today?”

Finn joins me at the table and sets down a new book. “I found this at the library. Before you say anything-” He points a finger at me. “No, I don’t agree with Tommy about using public resources. I like the library.” He holds the book up for me to see. “I found this today and was hoping you might know about it?”

The book is one I’ve never heard of before but the topic looks enticing. “You want to learn about equality and justice?”

“Yeah. We deal with social concepts like them all the time in the family business.”

“That you do, Finn. If only others would share your willingness to learn.”

“And what’s that supposed to mean?” Thomas’ voice asks from behind.

Of course he’s here. I turn around to find the blue-eyed gangster leaning against the counter with an amused smirk.

“Good morning, Thomas. Care to join us?”

“Depends. Will I like what I hear?” 

I raise a brow. “Depends. Does talk of justice bother you? You Shelbys seem to admire it.”

Thomas doesn’t answer verbally. Instead he slowly walks over to sit next to Finn. I take that as my cue to begin.

“Equality is the state of being equal, regardless of background or social status.”

“So socialism, then,” Thomas says.

“Please hold all comments for after the lesson, Mr. Shelby. As I was saying, justice is the concept of what is fair. What is right and what is deserved.”

“That sounds like the same thing as equality,” Finn says, confused.

“Think of it like this, Finn. Imagine two people watching a horse race from behind a fence. They’re each too short to see over the top. In a scenario when equality is involved, each person is given a crate to stand on. However one person is still too short to see over. In a scenario with justice, the fence would be removed to allow both people to see.”

Both Shelbys take in my words with consideration. However our lesson is interrupted when Arthur bursts through the door.

“Tommy, where’ve you been? Been looking for you in the Bull Ring and you’re here being lectured by the American?”

I suppress the urge to argue. Thankfully I don’t have to because Thomas does the work for me.

“She’s got a name, Arthur. Verena’s a Peaky Blinders employee so she’ll be treated as such. We were just finishing a lesson with Finn.”

The oldest Shelby brother takes little notice to apologize and motions for Thomas to follow him. Probably more urgent business than a lecture.

“That’s enough for today, Finn.”

He gives a disappointed sigh. “Thanks, Verena.”

The rest of the day ticks by and I do my best to make the time pass faster while I wait for Ada and Polly to return. The sound of the door opening alerts me to look up from my book and see the two sit down on the couch across from me, both holding cigarettes.

“You’re pregnant, and you’re smoking?! What is wrong with you?”

“Quiet!” Polly hisses. “I’ll talk to Tommy about it later but for now no one knows. Understand?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She nods. “Good. How was Finn today?”

How can she expect me to ignore this blessing? “Ambitious as usual. Is the baby healthy?”

“So far so good,” Ada assures me. “Have you been stuck inside all day? You should get some fresh air.”

Come to think of it, I am getting a little antsy. Some time outdoors would do me some good. Polly and Ada probably need to discuss the situation more thoroughly with privacy.

“Good idea, Ada. I think I’ll step out back and take a stroll in the alley. I won’t stray far.”

After picking out a hat to block out what little sun there is I see Polly approach me with a pistol.

“For protection.”

I take it graciously and slip it into my skirt pocket. “How did you know I know how to shoot one?”

She gives me a subtle wink. “Intuition.”

The moment I open the back door I’m welcomed by a gust of ash and dirt. Today’s much windier than normal and is not in my favor. But beggars can’t be choosers. I should stretch my legs before I develop cabin fever. The pistol's weight pressing against my leg serves as a reminder that I can defend against any unwanted violence.

Just as I step into the alley and wander into the nearby street the sound of hooves signals for me to peek around the corner. Thomas is back, and he’s riding his new white horse. The horse almost looks out of place here, with the whole ‘gloom and doom’ atmosphere. Thomas halts the horse and dismounts, gently stroking the animal’s nose.

“Seems to me like you treat horses like people and people like snakes.”

Thomas rolls his eyes but takes the comment all in good fun. “Yeah, yeah. The humanity in me is dead.” He pats the horse and ties him to a nearby hitching post. “On another note, I just talked with Grace. I’m taking her to the races later this week.”

My thoughts come to an abrupt stop, like a freight train tumbling off a twisted track. Why? Why do I feel so… disappointed? It only makes sense that Thomas would ask her out. Grace is pretty and kind. He’ll only ever think of me as an employee, so at least he trusts me enough with his family’s business.

“Oh. That sounds fun,” I try to sound encouraging. “Are the races here exciting?”

“They never disappoint, love. Ever been to one?”

I shake my head and stroke the horse’s mane. “My father never lets me go to the races. Says it’s not ladylike.” Another thought surfaces. “What did you think of today’s lesson?”

The gangster scoffs and takes off his cap to run a hand through his hair. “I think part of that lecture was directed at me.”

“Oh really?”

“Really. You want me to reconsider my mindset of establishing justice, eh?”

Honestly I didn’t plan for the topic to hint at Thomas’ mindset but he makes a good point. “You have heart, Thomas. But you can’t act as life’s judge, jury, and executioner. It’s not always about what people deserve. It can be about what they need. No, they may not always want what they need. But God’s plans aren’t spelled out for everyone.”

Thomas looks over at me with a happy smile. “Keep that hope alive, Verena. We all need it.”

His praise causes me to smile too. Besides being a teacher I’m also on the good side of one of the fiercest gangsters in England all because I speak my mind.

But the moment is gone when Thomas reaches for a cigarette and I see something fall out of his pocket. I bend down to pick it up and dust off the ash to reveal a gleaming silver and bronze bullet with the markings Tommy etched into it.

“Thomas, what is this?”

My boss takes a puff of his cigarette. “Oh. That. ‘S just a gift from the Lee family.”

This is no gift, this is a threat! I’ve heard of threats like this from Uncle Colon and they are no light matter. How is he so calm?

“They’ve signed your death warrant, Thomas. The bullet literally has your name on it!”

But Thomas doesn’t share my worry. Instead he chuckles and puts both hands on my shoulders. “No need to worry, love. I’ll handle it.’S not the first time I’ve gotten a death threat. Now,” he rubs his hands together and starts walking towards the Shelby house. “Where’s Polly? I’ve got a few questions for her.”

Oh. Right. And he doesn’t know about Ada yet.

“Last I saw she was in the living room.” Lord, I do not want to hear this!

I follow him inside and briskly walk back to hide in the kitchen, where Finn has settled to do some reading. He is also smoking a cigarette!

“Finn! Not you too!” I throw my arms up in defeat. “Am I the only one who thinks smoking is a death wish?”

He just shrugs and continues reading. I don’t hear a reaction from the other room but after a few minutes Polly walks in with a determined look.

“I just told Tommy.”

“About Ada?” I ask softly.

“Yes.”

“What’d he say?”

Polly sets out the kettle and begins brewing tea. “Nothing. He just stormed out to find her. The instant Ada spills his name, he’s a dead man. Thomas won’t stand for it.”

I don’t blame him. If I were to ever try something like that my brothers would kill any man who looks at me in cold blood. All I can hope is that Thomas goes easy on the poor bloke.

[hotmessmaxpress]

https://www.tumblr.com/kingofthering/758362624497975296

the first gif made me think of your fake dating au! i miss them 🥺

I am ALIVE I am not DEAD I have simply spent a week with 25 second graders (7 year old's) and my entire body has hurt basically every moment of every day because my knees are simply not meant for kneeling down so often

BUT

here's some fake dating bez/mig au lol love you

.

Bez doesn’t realize how much he and Mig have been in each other’s pockets until he’s gone for a race weekend and misses Mig like a limb. He feels off all weekend, constantly checking his phone. The only thing that takes his mind off his not-boyfriend is the few moments he gets to spend with Celin. Even then, though, he realizes that he’s come to associate Celin with his fake relationship with Mig, so speaking with Cele without holding Mig’s hand feels odd. Their conversations are stilted and Bez finds he can't keep his focus on whatever they're talking about.  

When Celin is called away to his team, Bez looks around almost instinctively for Mig so they can debrief the interaction. Not seeing the shorter man sends a pang of disappointment through Bez. He misses his not-boyfriend. 

He doesn’t tell Mig in so many words, but when they’re together again for a break the following weekend Mig gives him plenty of attention. As always, his best friend manages to read his mind and anticipate what he needs. Bez doesn't have the words to thank him, so he doesn't. He lets Mig pick t he music while he drives to the ranch, though, which is better than any 'thank you', he thinks.

It’s an easy afternoon that turns into a lazy, social evening, and Bez enjoys spending time generally bothering his best friend.

It’s toward the end of the evening when he hears Franky bring up plans to go to a bar, and he gives Mig a sad look. 

“Why weren’t we invited?”

“Oh,” Mig says. “We were. I forgot to tell you– we’re going to the bars after this.”

Bez stares at him. 

“Why wasn’t I invited?”

Mig shrugs. “You are. Celin texted me to invite us both. He assumed I’d be the one to respond, I bet.”

Bez frowns, digesting that information for a moment. 

Of the two of them, Mig is the one more likely to have their plans actually marked on a calendar, especially with how many jobs he’s doing and how busy his life has become, but Bez is still a little offended. Cele could have at least put them in a group chat. 

Mig misreads his displeasure. 

“We don’t have to go if you don’t want to,” he points out. “I’m sorry I forgot to tell you about it.”

Bez shakes his head. “No, I want to go! We can go.”

Mig gives him a suspicious look, but then Pecco walks over and launches into a complaint about their running on the track and Bez puts it out of his mind. 

Bez has been to this bar so many times that the booth feels like home. It’s easy for him to get a little buzzed, and he’s so happy to be with his friends that he almost misses Celestino coming in, hand-in-hand with his girlfriend. That sobers Bez up a bit, and he quickly takes another drink. She’s wearing a positively tiny dress with big thick trainers, and Bez drags his eyes up her body. He knows the feeling in the pit of his stomach is jealousy, and he forces himself to tear his eyes away to take another drink. 

Celestino and his girlfriend join the group at the booth, and Bez suddenly feels claustrophobic. He offers to get another round, and he's surprised that Celin stands to join him. Bez feels off-kilter and uncomfortable as he staggers to his feet. He's normally happy to see Celin, but since he found his new girlfriend and Bez and Mig started ‘dating’, things have felt off between them. 

“So,” Cele starts, as they edge their way toward the bar. “You and Mig?” 

Bez feels himself flush. 

“Yeah?”

Celestino is smiling. “You two look happy. It's good for you.”

This is not how Bez envisioned this eventual conversation happening, and he's frozen for a moment. He hoped that Celestino wouldn't be happy- that he'd be so bothered by seeing Bez with another man that he'd break up with his girlfriend and fall in love with him. 

It seems as if the opposite is now true– Cele seems genuinely happy for him, and Bez feels nausea grow heavy in his stomach. He’s thankful that their drinks are ready now, and he and Celin carry them over in silence. 

He sits next to Mig once again, who seems to sense something is wrong. He doesn't mention it, but he does lean extra close and lean himself against Bez. He stays like that, a solid presence against Bez as he gets progressively drunker. Celestino’s presence is like a thorn in Bez's side and he finds himself becoming annoyed as the night goes on. He's got a storm of emotion swirling in his chest, and he barely understands when Mig leans up and whispers in his ear. 

“Let's go.”

Bez is basically nonverbal at this point, and lets Mig say goodbye for the both of them. He tucks his face against Mig’s shoulder, not wanting to see Celestino with his girlfriend on his lap. 

Mig manages to guide him into the street, and the chilly night air manages to wake Bez up a little bit. He keeps himself glued to Mig, though, despite the fact that their friends aren’t around anymore. Mig seems fine with the situation, arm around Bez’s waist and hand pressed to his hip where his shirt has ridden up. 

“That’s it,” Mig coaxes, clearly laughing at him, as they stumble their way down the street. 

Bez looks hard at Mig, once again not paying attention to where he’s walking. He lets the shorter man guide the both of them while he catalogues the expression on Mig’s face. He’s happy, and laughing, which Bez has seen a thousand times. It feels different right now, somehow. Bez isn’t sure if it’s the alcohol, but he has a sudden feeling that his plan is never going to work. 

There has not been a single person who has seen his new “relationship” that hasn’t reacted with happiness for him. No one has questioned it or second-guessed it or questioned how and why it happened. 

And Celin. Celin hasn’t questioned it. He hasn’t acted jealous or even asked Bez anything about the relationship. It’s like nothing has changed at all.

“It’s not going to work,” Bez announces abruptly. 

Mig doesn’t argue with him, but he also doesn’t say ‘I told you so.’

“Celestino is never going to love me,” he says, as they finally make it to Mig’s. Mig unlocks the door silently and steers Bez inside patiently. Bez flops on the couch on his back, like he’s done a million times. 

“It’s okay,” Mig says quietly. 

“No,” Bez says, and he’s humiliated to find that drunken tears are welling up in his eyes. “I made you do all of this for nothing. All I’ve done is embarrass myself.”

He throws an arm over his eyes, letting himself cry until the tears run down the sides of his face and into his ears and he has to sit up. 

Mig fills up a glass of water for him, but he doesn’t sit down and he doesn’t say anything more. 

Bez looks up at him with watery eyes.

“I’m sorry.”

Mig gives him a sad smile and steps forward to ruffle Bez’s hair. He kisses him on the forehead and then turns away.

“We can talk about it in the morning, Marco. Drink your water and go to sleep.”

Bez is left alone on the couch, and he feels colder than he has all night. 

[slocumjoe]

do you think any of the companions drink? what would their habits be?

how the companions booze it 🍻

Cait; Hard drinker who, surprisingly, can't hold her liquor. She gets drunk quickly, but takes some time to drop out of the race, so to speak. Obviously, she used drink out of trauma response, but having gotten clean from the drug addiction, Cait drinks sparingly and rarely. Like, actually eats as she does so. Doesn't drink water because Cait isn't a water drinker. Her drunkenness depends heavily on her mood pre-boozing. Her booze of choice is beer.

Curie; does not drink. However, did try wine. Did not like it. She just makes sure there's water and food available for the local alcoholics, and badgers them to partake in such necessities. The worst days at the clinic are days after a party and she likes to lessen that load as much as possible.

Danse; Alcoholic. One of the alcoholics Curie is always after. Danse drinks when he doesn't have work, to sleep. No exception. And he drinks a fucking LOT. Like...opposite to Cait, he takes a lot to get drunk, and even more to fall down. He chugs vodka, whiskey, tequila...basically, if even one shot isn't for the faint of heart, Danse takes swigs right from the bottle. It impresses some people, but he isn't doing it to impress. Danse isn't that kind of person who takes pride in his alcoholism. This problem gets worse after BB, but he gradually gets better as time goes on.

Deacon; used to have a problem, so now alcohol is kind of a...soft no. He'll have a drink. A drink. And it won't be anything too crazy. A glass of wine, a beer or two, maybe a shot. He drinks as a social thing, just to be polite. Customs, yknow? Besides, he wants to keep his head clear. Also suffers from bad hangovers. The type to spend the whole morning puking even if he didn't have that much.

Gage: Also used to have a problem. He wasn't an alcoholic, but rather, weak to peer pressure. He wanted to impress all the big tough raiders by putting away as much crap as they could. And for the most part, Gage very much could outdrink most people. But being that drunk that often is not safe for a young man in his position, and he learned real quick that its better to the smart stick in the mud than the fun, cool, vulnerable target.

Hancock; the type of guy to think his problem makes him cool and fun. Im sorry, but he is. Hancock is the kind of person who's like "yeah man I was barely walking and shit, I had like, 30 shots or something? Haha I forget dude! So I'm like half crawling back to my place and its fucking...what, 10 in the morning? And I got work in 2 hours man, and everyone on the streets looking at me weird, ahah, shit was crazy!" Hancock drinks whatever he has, with no preference or complaint. However, there's a specific brand of whiskey that burns like a mother fucker that he likes to drink to show off. Doesn't eat or drink water. Curie has yet to give up on him in all but spirit.

MacCready; the most normal, healthy drinker. He likes the occasional beer, but his soft spot is a margarita. Or a sangria. Not into alcohol on its own. He doesn't want to taste it. He'll rarely have a drink without food. Drinking water is his weakness here, as he also isn't a water person. Mac will have a beer with dinner, and maybe another, and maybe another if the vibe is right, and if he doesn't catch himself, will end up tipsy. If he doesn't catch himself at tipsy, homeboy is getting pickled.

Nick; Used to enjoy a martini, a brandy, a wine, a rum. A gentleman of refined taste. At least, thats what he'll say. OG Nick bought his alcohol based on coupons or whatever was cheap. This man drinks bud light. Now, Nick mostly just babysits people who can get drunk. But he used to have his alcohol in accordance to whatever he was eating. Sub from the shop down the corner? Donuts? Afformentioned bud light. Dinner with Jenny, homemade seafood pasta? A wine. He's big on the idea that certain drinks have rules.

Piper; wine bitch. Drinks out of a coffee mug if ones clean. If not...girly gets a straw. She doesn't have a problem, but you wouldn't know it if you saw her while she enjoyed a drink. Wine is pretty much the only drink she likes. Beer is gross, moonshine has done enough to her, vodka is too strong to be enjoyed. She likes wine because it tastes good to her. Her taste sways towards the dry ones. Because she drinks for the taste, she isn't keen on getting drunk, so Piper is good about staying fed and hydrated. When she isn't, her hangovers are...demonic.

Preston; drinks occasionally, and never wants to get drunk. He doesn't like the feeling of being drunk, though he doesn't get hangovers. Even when inebriated, Preston mama-hens and keeps everyone eating and chugging water, so he ends up taking care of himself as well. His taste is both broad and limited. He'll drink anything—provided its local. Preston will not drink a name brand. He doesn't want Heineken, he wants Craig's magic wheat poison. He doesn't want Franzia, he wants a bottle of whatever the twitchy lesbian living in a boat house has fermenting amongst the seaweed and barnacles.

X6-88; the only alcohol you could get this man to drink is alcohol disguised as dessert. Ole Smokey banana cream moonshine comes to mind. He'll know its alcohol, you can't hide it from him, but provided its tasty enough...you might get him to indulge a little. If only for the fact that its basically candy. Otherwise, he isn't drinking. He probably can't even get drunk, not without causing a shortage.

[dr-spencer-reids-queen]

Catching Out: Final Part

Pairing: Spencer Reid x Female!Reader

Word Count: ~2.1k

Summary: Spencer has his suspicions about your parents but you refuse to even listen to him. There is nothing going on with your parents... right? No, they’re normal parents that are just overprotective of you. Spencer is just being paranoid.

Warnings: canon violence, canon language, canon talk of death, methods of kill

Author’s Note: So, I know in previous episodes I had mentioned the reader's birthday is in February, but I forgot that when I wrote this episode. I have decided to change it to April since I've also based some other episodes around her birthday being in April. So, from now on, the reader's birthday is now in April.

I do not own anything from Criminal Minds. All credit goes to their respective owners. If there are any warnings that exceed the normal death/kills from the show, I will list them. If you’ve seen the show, then it’s the same level of angst unless otherwise stated

x

As it turns out, all the big farms set up housing camps for the workers during harvest. However, these camps are partly subsidized by the state, so they require ID and a strict sign-in policy, giving you a way to track migrants. Penelope called the camps and asked for their sign-in lists, and now all you have to do is cross-reference to your unsub.

While you've been busy with the newest murder, Derek and Rossi tried to figure out the first house that the unsub hit, and they came up with a woman named Mildred, his first murder. Why did it start with her? Why is she so special? Mildred Younce was sixty-eight at the time of her death. She lived by herself, making her an easy target for the unsub. She was killed in her bed just like the others, but there were no signs of a break-in.

Rossi and Derek can't come up with a suspect because they found seventeen different prints inside the house. Most of them belonged to transients since she was known to offer food in exchange for work around the house.

However, right outside her house are train tracks as well as another place where homeless people stay. They'd draw symbols around their camps that would signify if the water around there is clean to drink, whose houses were safe to go to, etc.

Rossi and Derek found those same symbols around Mildred's house, which is what the unsub used to determine if her house was safe or not. You don't think he's staking out properties for days at a time. He's using these symbols to pick out the vulnerable houses.

You walk outside to give yourself a break from seeing the deaths of the couple over and over again. Hotch is out there on the phone with JJ.

"Hey, I got an update from headquarters. Rossi and Morgan are on their way to that farm in Tehachapi. I found a representative from the local housing authority, Cesar Jimenez. He's expecting you. The press release went out to the media with a photo from the pawn shop, and I'm waiting to hear back from Garcia about tracking migrants who may have traveled the same route as our unsub."

"JJ, what are we going to do without you when you go on maternity leave?" Hotch chuckles.

"You think I'd just leave you hanging?"

"Does that mean you have a plan?"

"I don't know. You'll see."

Hotch hangs up with a smile, and you approach him from behind.

"She's irreplaceable, you know."

"I know."

The farm where Cesar Jimenez is packed with workers in and out of the field. A small truck passes by with four people in the bed of the truck. They look at you, but they don't say a word. Cesar meets you halfway and shakes hands with Hotch.

"I'm Agent Hotchner."

"Cesar from the housing authority."

"These are agents Prentiss, Y/N, and Reid. Thank you for meeting us here."

"Does this man look familiar to you?" Emily asks, showing him a picture of the man in the security footage.

"It's kind of hard to tell."

"Have you had any complaints in the camps? This man would show disruptive behavior. He might be stealing things from other workers or starting fights, and he sniffs chemicals to get high."

"Well, our facilities have a zero-tolerance policy. No drinking, no drugs, and certainly no violence. Anyone who cannot follow these rules would be kicked out."

"Have you kicked anyone out recently?" you ask.

"More than I'd like to. The camps in this area are at full capacity. We have to turn people away."

"Thank you." You four step off to the side to speak privately. "If he's pawning the jewelry he's stealing to get money, why is he still working in the fields?"

"Here's another question: Why is he circling the farm towns at all? What's keeping him here? Or, who? It could be a family member that he wants to watch over."

"It's a possibility."

Your phone rings, and you answer Penelope's call. You place her on speakerphone.

"Okay, mini-lesson. Migrants travel and work in these groups and the groups are called Cuadrillas. Now, I have found one such Cuadrilla that was in Chico at the same time as our unsub. Then, I checked the other towns, and they were in Sacramento, Modesto, and Vacaville at the same time as our unsub as well."

"What about the first town?"

"I got employment records from the apple farm in Tehachapi. This Cuadrilla last worked there two days before Mildred Younce was killed. Now, here's the whammy. A man named Armando Salinas checked in with this group in Tehachapi. Then, he falls off the map. There's no sign of him in any of the camps."

"Interesting."

"Double whammy," Penelope says. "Customs and immigration have a rap sheet on him for theft and assault, and he's wanted in connection to some burglaries."

"There's the record we've been looking for," Spencer says.

"Man, I am on a roll. Triple whammy! His fingerprints were one of the seventeen found at Mildred Younce's house."

"Get us his photo and get JJ to get it out to the media. We're going to need the public's help," Hotch says.

"I'm sending you his mug. The group that he's been following checked into Lockeford early this morning. That's not far from you."

Cesar knows exactly where this group is, and is familiar with them. He's the best chance you have of finding this person. If he can calm the locals, then you might be able to get them on your side. They're not going to like that the FBI is here, but that's why you have Cesar. You reach the camp in no time, and they are on high alert.

Cesar begins to speak to them in Spanish.

"Good evening. Sorry to disturb you. I am with the Farm Workers Council. These officers here have a few questions for you."

Almost immediately, people began to fear you. Some of them even run away from the group, and Hotch orders the officers not to chase after them. You're not here for them.

"We're sorry to interrupt your evening, but we've come here because we need your help."

Cesar translates whatever Hotch says to them. Cesar explains what is going on, and Emily passes out the picture of the man you're looking for. There is one man that can't seem to look Emily in the eyes, and he doesn't look at the picture in her hands.

She says something to him in Spanish, and he nods shamefully.

"It's his brother," Emily reveals.

The man, Ruben Garcia, is taken back to headquarters so that you can gain more information on his brother. He isn't too happy to be doing this, but it looks like he isn't surprised. He might not know what he is doing exactly, but you know he knows something about his brother's escapades.

"When was the last time you spoke to your brother?" Emily asks in Spanish.

"A few months ago in Tehachapi."

"Do you know that he's been following you?"

"Yes. He calls me from time to time. He likes to know where I'm going," Ruben says in English.

"Why does he have to follow you? Why isn't he with you anymore?" you ask knowing he can speak and understand English well.

"He's not a good worker. He got us fired from a big job. My Cuadrilla wanted him gone."

"So, you kicked him out?"

"Sí."

"Your brother has been following you ever since, burglarizing homes and killing people in every city."

The look Ruben has can be chalked up to one word: horrified.

"Is that where he gets the money from?"

"What do you mean?"

"He's been leaving me money at the camps."

"Does he know you're in Lockeford right now?"

"I found this at the camp today."

Ruben takes out a white envelope full of cash. Armando is here. This is your only chance to get at him before he goes to a different city.

"Would you excuse us?" You and Emily leave the room and join Spencer outside. "The killings started in Tehachapi. I think his brother rejecting him must have been a stressor."

"Morgan and Rossi made it there, and they're with rail security. Hotch and Liman are patrolling neighborhoods."

"Okay, we need to get these guys going." Emily clears her throat and addresses the entire room filled with officers. "Excuse me! Could we have your attention, please? This is Armando Ruis Salinas." You start to pass out his photo to everyone. "He is thirty-eight years old and a Mexican national. We believe he is currently in the vicinity of Lockeford and its outlying towns."

"He'll only target homes within a mile of train tracks. You'll be assigned search quadrants. Think the way a burglar would. Pay close attention to houses that have no exterior lights on, no security alarm signs, and no barking dogs nearby. Let's go."

All of the officers leave to do their job, but you and Spencer stay behind with Emily to talk to Ruben some more.

"Are you surprised the police are looking for him?"

"He's my half-brother. I wasn't around for him when he was young. He's been in trouble all his life, even being in jail in Mexico. I thought if he came to work with me, he would change. I'm grateful to work, but Armando hated work. Hated the camps. He always complained that he never had a nice bed to sleep on. When he was a kid, he slept on the floor. In jail, he slept on the floor. All he ever talked about was having a house of his own... a bed to sleep on."

It's clear he needs time to process what's going on, so you leave him alone to think. You don't know what he'd do if his brother is killed, and unfortunately, that exactly happens. Derek and Hotch found him in the freight yard trying to escape, but Derek ended up catching him.

Armando died trying to escape, and Ruben breaks down in tears at the news.

This isn't one of those cases you want to remember.

It's hard to forget something like this, so when you arrive back at the BAU, you try your damndest to think about something positive, like Spencer's birthday.

"Do any of you have plans for tonight?" Spencer asks.

"We do. Your birthday is tomorrow, baby. I have something planned for the two of us. We're celebrating."

"You're on your own, kid," Derek chuckles.

After grabbing your things, you head to the elevator with the rest of your team. JJ stops you before you can get on, and you look at the woman to her right.

"Before you leave, I wanted to introduce you to someone. This is Agent Jordan Todd. She'll be taking over for me while I'm on maternity leave."

"Agent Jareau has told me so much about you all. You must be Agent Prentiss."

"Yes, nice to meet you," Emily grins and shakes her hand.

"Hello, Dr. Reid and Agent Y/N. Agent Morgan. It's nice to see you again," she grins.

She must be the woman Derek met before at the cafe.

"Nice to see you, too. So, this must be the good news."

"This would be my brownie."

"Have you two met?" JJ asks.

"Briefly."

"Well, Agent Todd comes to us from seven years at counter-terrorism."

"I'm looking forward to working with the Behavioral Analysis Unit."

"We're starting her training now."

"Wait, right now?"

"We're kind of running out of time," JJ smiles and pats her big stomach. "Let me introduce you to the rest of the team."

"I'll see you in the field... team," Jordan grins.

She and JJ leave, and you're free to return to your own lives. You and Spencer head to your car, but before Spencer can get into the passenger seat, you toss him your keys.

"You're driving." Spencer doesn't drive often, so when he does, he takes joy in it. He doesn't like it, but he doesn't mind once in a while. "We're not going home."

"Where are we going?"

Spencer stops at a red light and looks at you in confusion. You lean over and place your lips to his neck, and he stiffens up. He grips the steering wheel tightly, refusing to let his feelings get in the way of his driving. You kiss his neck slowly while sliding your hand across his thigh. You can feel him tense under your touch, but that doesn't stop you.

You nip at his sensitive spot before licking up to the shell of his ear. You bite his ear gently, and he strangles out a moan.

"I got us a hotel for the weekend," you whisper. "I don't plan on leaving the bed with you at all. I have your real present later, but right now, all you have to worry about is getting me naked."

All reasonable thought has left Spencer's mind. He closes his eyes for two seconds, and the car behind him honks. His eyes fly open to see the light is green. You giggle and return to your seat, but your hand doesn't leave his thigh.

This is going to be one helluva weekend.

"Beyond the East the sunrise, beyond the West the sea, and the East and West the wander-thirst that will not let me be." - Gerald Gould

x

Follow my library blog @aqueenslibrary​​​​​​​​​​​ where I reblog all my stories, so you can put notifications on there without the extra stuff :)

[echoedcrosshairs]

Foxglove ~ Commander Fox x F reader (part 2)

According the language of flowers Foxglove symbolizes riddles, conundrums and secrets along with ambition and creativity.

Summary: A small fancy caff shops pops up in the senate building. Commander Fox is not amused.

Slow burn, enemies? to lovers, Commander Fox x reader, Commander Thorn x reader (platonic)

Warnings: Angst, Smut, implied smut, cannon violence and talks of cannon related violence, exhibitionism if ya squint, insulting banter, soft gentleman kix

part one part three

Masterlist

3.8k words

A few droids milled about dragging in sorted furniture waiting for their instructions on where to put it. Within a couple hours the space had slowly started to look like a proper coffee shop. The counter had been set up so people could watch their drinks be made and various small tables lined the wall. You let yourself stop to stare at the almost completed cafe, amazed about how quickly it all came together and how fast it was approved. It was a dream come true especially with Senator Chuchi walks in her mouth agape as she takes in the space.

"If you weren't a senator, I would hug you," you said excitedly joining in with your own awestruck expression, "I can not thank you enough."

She smiled, surprisingly gave you hug while rambling her happiness about being able to do something for the troopers even if it something small. You talked back and forth for a while telling her about the ideas for drinks, future decor and maybe even have low music playing because of how quiet the hall usually is. Both of you talked until she was pages that it was time for another vote. She hugged you one more time saying she wishes the establishment the best as her personal escort lead her away. Waving her off you noticed Fox and Thorn in the hallway nodding to her as they walked out of the elevator.

Fox looked at you through his visor noticing how the happiness of your smile touched your eyes even as you found another stack of boxes out the door. Hidden by his helmet which concealed a smile but as quick as he noticed it, it was gone. He grumbled a complaint about needing to divide the hall for incoming foot traffic which got him a tiny shove from Thorn to get moving. His eyes lingered on you as you came out to grab more boxes, fixed on the way your lips parted when you picked up the heaviest box trying to breath and mentally scowled you for lifting with your back not your knees.

"Usually we have to drag you for a night out as why are you volunteering to go?" Thorn questioned elbowing him again to get his attention.

"Choosing to go on my own volition, you want to question it?"

"I think getting laid had something to do with it, hopefully she's there again tonight," Fox didn't need to see Thorns face to hear the wiggle of his eyebrows.

"So you and the barista?" Fox said bitterly taking the attention off himself.

Thorn said your name shocked, "No. She's cute, but not my type."

"Warn her about Wolffe?" Fox asked nonchalantly.

"I'm surprised you care, Vod, but yes."

I don't care, but the comment died on his tongue as he thought about the woman last night with the uncanny striking resemblance. His temper attempted to flare up but he shoved it under the surface like he did everything else. She was naive and fresh without a real thought about what was honestly needed, putting her foot where it doesn't belong subsequently causing him even more work. Within the silent concealment of his helmet he muttered a string of curses in every language he knew about how bad of idea about it was while not being able to deny how it would make so many vods happy having another place just for them. Fox looked across the hall seeing Thorn pack up for the day and started reluctantly putting away his work annoyed about how early it was even if it was the normal time for everyone else. He kept quiet as Thorn knocked on the doorframe pulling you out of your work alerting you that it was time to go and that they were be escorting home them back to 79's. Fox did his best to tune out the conversation regretting his decision to come two nights in a row.

"I don't think he's paying attention," Thorn chuckled after the three of you left your apartment which left you in a more elegant black dress, "Wolffe's going to fuck his date on our table, your codpiece fell, your mom is a hutt, I saw the chancellor go by."

You wide eyed stared at him before laughing the air out of your lungs as the comments got more and more outrageous as Fox didn't reply as he just kept looking off. Thorn grabbed your arm for a second watching Fox continuing to walk without both of you which then caused Thorn to buckle over at Fox only noticed at the end of the street waiting at the crosswalk. Wiping the laughter tears from your eye, "I needed that," you admitted.

"Both of you need to grow up."

As much as you wanted to correct him that you were biologically older then them, you were going to allow him that punch for dealing with the both of you. Arriving at 79's both of you found Rex and Wolffe already waiting with drinks. Yourself and Thorn slipped into the side with Wolffe leaving you between both of them with Rex and Thorn on the other side.

"I apparently don't need to threaten you with your batch mates, Fox," Rex coughed to cover his laughter as a man in green was strolling over.

"Ma'am," the man greeted sitting down, "Commander Gree," he introduced taking off his helmet setting it in his lap.

You greeted him with your name, "How do you know their batch mates?" You whispered to Thorn.

"Gree is CC-1004 and Fox is CC-1010.... also never call a trooper by their number unless asked," Thorn whispered more about manners around being around clones, "So what brings you into night, Gree?" Thorn interjected.

"Bad day," he replied flatly grabbing the drink from the service droid, "Lost a lot of good men."

Mournfully they clicked their glasses together before slamming them down. Gree apologized to you about talking about the war with a lady around, "No need to sensor yourself for my sake, it's the harsh truth about what's going on."

"Get a load of this, this grub wanted to help. Opening a caf shop in my hall," Fox grunted before his jaw went noticeably tight as you all heard the stomp on his foot, "Don't make me call Bacara, no way to address or treat a lady."

Fox rolled his eyes taking a drink, "Sorry," he sneered. You drove him nuts, he hated how blind you were to the world around you and the harsher facts of what they all go through and endure but the sentiment you had nipped at him like walking through ice without the proper gear.

You gave him a small nod, even if it was a fake apology it was still more then yesterday. Wolffe squinted at him for a moment before rolling his eyes also realizing the small change in his demeanor having Gree around. The six of you went on chatting until the women from yesterday appeared at the counter again. Rex elbowed Fox pointing at the counter with his pinky pointing out the woman. He ignored her stares at him choosing to sip on his beer instead maintaining the conversation about containing the unrest that was been breaking out recently. You and the woman eyed each other apprehensively before she looked at Fox with a shit eating grinning before turning her attention back to the bar. I wonder what that was about. Feeling eyes on you looking back at the table, Fox was glaring at you with an unreadable expression but you could see the fire dancing in his iris's.

"Want to go dance?" Wolffe whispered leaning into your ear noticing the tension, "For a breather, that's it."

Fox looked across at this Vod whispering whatever in your ear receiving an innocent smile over it. Finally he looked up at the woman at the counter with her back to him not realizing his finger had started tapping against the table until Gree flicked his habit, "Something on your mind?" Fox watched Wolffe and you slip away with a scowl on Thorn's face, "Di'kut." Fox grumbled about not wanting tears in his caf even though both of you were doing but laughing. He shook his head annoyed further by your presence of you running off with the known heartbreaker. He watched your hips sway to the beat and the small blushful glances you gave Wolffe while you ignored all of the various sets of eyes on you.  So innocent and wreckless... Fox sighed setting down the glass and stood up.

You watched Fox excuse himself from the table making his way up the woman at the bar. Wolffe's grip on you got a little firmer drawing your attention back to him. His expression was uncannily soft, "I don't know what his problem with you is, but I appreciate what you're doing."

"Thank's Wolffe."

"I think I need to I'll give you back to Thorn," Wolffe chuckled, "If looks could kill," he said spinning you around having you face the table gently pushing you towards it, "I'm not as bad as they say," he admitted, "most of the time."

"Anything you say Mr. Flirt," you teased, "I'm going to use the refresher."

"We'll be waiting ma'am," he teased back, giving you his signature grin.

It was almost surprising having a woman's refresher in the soldiers bar. Pushing the door open walking through a load moan caught your attention. Turning your head you saw the indecent position Fox had the woman from the bar in, her legs spread wide and her top pulled down with his hands covering her breast clawing into them as he continued thrusting into her glaring at you. Her eyes were still closed not realizing the interruption nor his distracted attention. You heard the low threatening growl that escaped him, seeing the glow in his eyes shadowed by the still growing lust and how his breathing was growing even raggeder. Red burned across your face realized you were there a moment to long you quickly ran out of the bathroom taking a quick detour to the men's refresher to do your business, "the women's is occupied," you said awkwardly, "usually is," they laughed knowing what was going on, "We'll step outside real quick," the soldiers said. You thanked them as you left still red faced walking back to the table thankful Fox hadn't return.

"You okay, Ma'am?" Gree asked.

"Traumatized," you said finishing the rest of yours and Thorns drink, "Should have warned me about the use for the woman's refresher."

Rex looked at the counter noticing the absence of Fox and the woman, "Ah, yes that tends to happen. Most of the time no one cares, Apologies."

The image of her, the serene look on her face being on the counter wouldn't leave your mind even covered in a thin coat of sweat she was still beautiful but that wasn't what was really bothering you, it was that she was tinier then you for some reason it would have made you doubt your beauty besides the several troopers eying you. Or the expression on Fox's face, it wasn't anger that you had interrupted him but just like him it was unreadable. Or the way the growl had made you feel like the temperature in the room had risen exponentially.

"Are you okay?" Thorn whispered.

"Yeah, just don't know how I'm going to face him at work."

"Speaking of which," Gree said looking up watching the two of them walk out of the bathroom and the glow across her face, "Unfortunately being around soldiers you will undoubtedly witness several... compromising situations," he added, "It is an adjustment."

"It could have been worse, they could have been naked," Wolffe shrugged.

Rex covered his face and shook his head, "Wolffe has a point, however you should decide if you want to face him now or later," he said noticing them walking this way.

"Later," you admitted.

Rex let out a loud whistle, "Kix!" he said waving over one of the blue soldiers, "Walk the lady home, brother's and I got to talk."

"Yes, Sir. Ma'am," Kix said offering his arm to you as you slide over Thorn and got out.

"Get her home safe trooper," Thorn scoffed with a threatening edge, "I'll try to keep Fox out of your hair tomorrow, maybe slip an order into his office to put up flyers or something."

"Thanks Thorn."

You eyed Kix noticing the bright red medic mark on his shoulder, "I'm sorry they pulled you away from your night of relaxation," you said sincerely.

"I am happy to be of service," he said quickly, "I take it your a fresh face around here" he asked.

"Second night," you admitted.

Thorn glared at Rex, "Why couldn't I just walk her home or to a different bar?" Before he looked up at the squint on Fox's face, "I will never understand him."

Fox's eyes danced between Thorn and Wolffe wondering what he had missed and as to why she was going home with one of the 501st. He left the woman at the counter before standing at the end of the table tapping his foot, "What." he said as more of a statement then a question.

"Did you really have to use the refresher to get your rocks off, Vod?" Gree scowled, "They're are actually woman present."

"Figured it was more private then on a table."

"Did you have to pick the girl who looks like her?" Thorn asked.

"More like she picked me," Fox shrugged sitting down, feeling the thump on the back of his head from Gree, "Apologize."

"She's just a civvie-"

"How many civs have you met that actually care? That don't just look at us like republic property but as actual men? You live here on Coruscant and see the discrimination, scowls and snide comments, you most of all should appreciate the gesture regardless of how useful it is," Gree poked, "Thorn how many pots of caf do you propose the guard goes through on a daily basis?"

Ah that's why I was told to stay, "Minimum, fifty on a bad day? Over a two hundred."

"Precisely, now with an added location there will be less wait times and the availability for stronger drinks and it seems like a morale boost," Rex chimed in, "I don't know what your problem is with someone caring but you need to rein it in. Civs don't know what we go through on a daily bases but she seems to want to know and you're setting a bad example."

"Explains why you had the medic walk her home," Wolffe mumbled.

"Kix is a gentleman."

Kix's hand went through your hair as he kissed against the wall to your apartment shielding you with his body and arm as a neighbor walked by. The kisses were warm and passionate but still modest. Your fingers found the back of his head before running them down his chiseled jaw. He pulled himself away grabbing his helmet off the floor, "Good evening ma'am," he smiled.

You watched him walk down the hall, "Kix!" you called stopping him in his tracks, "If you're not busy tonight..." you nervously asked watching him turn around, "You could be busy if you wanted too," flames danced across your stomach at your boldness.

Kix swapped balance from foot to foot debating if Rex would approve or not before heading towards you, "Whatever you want to do this evening is fine with me," he said awkwardly walking himself inside the opening door after you.

"I think she's having a good night," Wolffe chuckled playfully elbowing Rex, "Such a gentleman."

"Kix probably got called to the med bay," Rex defended.

"I'm sure their playing Doctor and patient," he teased further grinning.

Fox excused himself for the table heading towards the door, the woman from the bar followed him, "Duty calls, have a good evening," he said putting his helmet on retracing his steps back to the apartment.

"Really Wolffe," Gree uttered.

Rex messaged Kix with nearly an instant reply saying he would be indisposed for the evening. Rex let out a groan which got a snicker out of Wolffe. Thorn stared at the door debating if he should go after him, but no one knew what was really going on in his mind he looked to Gree who shook his head, "Leave him be."

Fox found himself at the door of your apartment, he took a deep breath before knocking. Finding you standing there half naked in a Gar issued black long sleeve shirt with the door open his eyes trailed over finding the neat pile of armor with the white and blue bucket sitting to the side. His fist bawled at this side but he stood there staring down at you and the puzzled expression on your face.

"Can I help you, Commander?" Kix asked formally walking over in his black pants with his chest bare.

Fox wanted to snap at him about getting court marshaled but knew he was no better and the red medic symbol on his shoulder plate stopped him, "Can you excuse us for a moment?" he said.

Kix looked to you for a moment seeing your little nod before heading back to the bedroom but leaving the room cracked just so he could listen pausing the sappy holofilm what was playing.

"Yes, Commander Fox?" you asked bitterly, his silence feeling as if it was going to consume time itself.

"You have the sophistication of a Gungan, the hopes of a child and the foresight of a foot step but I wanted to apologize for the position you found me."

"That was a shitty apology, insulting me. You mean glaring at me as you continued to fuck her? Next time lock the door Foxy," you slammed the door in his face.

Fox didn't flinch at how loud it was as the vibration rippled across the underside of his boot pad. Rage boiled up, he thought for minute that his gloves were going to burst. He raised his arm to knock on the door again, he must have subconsciously did because the door flew open again.

"What," you snapped.

"Don't call me Foxy," he growled, "Do you accept my apology or not?"

"I have been nothing but nice to you. At every turn you've done nothing but insult me but you know what? I'll accept it if you leave."

"Then that's not really accepting it."

"It wasn't really an apology, either," you snapped back, "Now if you don't mind I'm busy."

"Have fun getting discarded," Fox turned on his heel marching off.

"Doshing Bantha insufferable-" You started rattling off curses by the time Kix walked back out and put his arms around you, "Come back to bed, I'll make more popcorn... I may have ate the rest waiting."

"Fark, sorry," you mumbled heading towards the kitchen making more before he could, "Thanks for keeping me company," you said watching him follow you leaning against the counter.

"I will admit... it's a good movie," he grinned, "Don't tell Captain Rex."

"Scared he'll think your soft?" You teased.

"Endless teasing," Kix humored opening the microwave grabbing the hot bowl of popcorn, "Now let's go see if he gets the girl."

Fox took himself back to the office and shoved his nose into his work in attempts to keep himself from having to face his brothers and to keep himself from heading back to your apartment. At some point he most have been fallen asleep because his head flew forward hearing brotherly laughter. He stood up seeing how early it was and that he must have indeed fallen asleep, quickly he got up and stretched his legs peering inside finding you, Thorn, the trooper from last night and Rex.

“Come on, Kix, it’s just hazelnut espresso,” you smiled waving the coffee under his nose hoping the scent of hazelnut would entice him.

“Fine,” he replied defeated taking the cup.

“Velvet for you,” you said handing another cup to Thorn, “Basic vanilla for the Captain,” you said handing Rex a cup “and Butter pecan for me.” You barely got to sip it before noticing Fox in the doorway, you got up silently making him a cup of the darkest expresso topping it with chocolate milk and chocolate syrup, “Mocha for you,” you said flatly handing him a cup before retaking your set at the table.

“This… is dangerously delicious,” Kix stated drinking more.

“A little to sweet,” Rex admitted watching you grab the cup from him to pour some of it out and fill back up with regular coffee, “Better.”

“Only two pumps then,” you mumbled scratching down the note looking at Thorn waiting, “Maybe one more pump?” he said arching an eyebrow. You grabbed the coffee taking a sip, “Would be better as a latte, hold on.” You dumped out the cup and remade it for him. “Flavorful.”

“How is yours Commander Fox?” you asked cordially.

“It’s fine, Ma’am.”

“Did he apologize?” Thorn asked.

“In his own way.”

“While interrupting her this time,” Fox gridded out taking another sip of the chocolate substance.

“It is not what you think, we stayed in and watched movies. That is it,” Kix said defensively had Rex glaring at him.

“Kix was the perfect gentleman.”

Rex’s glare flattered into a smile, “Told you.”

“So why were you in his shirt and him just in his pants?” Fox pointed out stepping into the room closer.

“Some people choose to cuddle to be close but you wouldn’t know anything about that, you just screw strangers on bathroom counters,” you snapped back at him airing what wasn’t his story to tell.

You two were toe to toe glaring at each other, “At least I don’t invite strangers into my domicile,” he countered.

“At least I don’t enjoy being intruded upon.”

“Break it up,” Thorn said grabbing Fox and pulling him back.

“At least I don’t stand there gawking before leaving.”

“At least I’m not doing in a public refresher counter like a pig.”

“I wasn’t the only one you who seemed to enjoy it,” Fox bared his teeth before he felt Thorn’s hands pulling him back. His nostrils were flaring and his chest was heaving as he stared down at you feeling something in his core flutter as you didn’t back down under his gaze.

“Break it up,” Rex said standing between both of you, “This isn’t like you Fox.”

“Such a pleasant man,” you scowled watching Thorn escort him from the room.

You gathered the empty cups tasking them into the recycler before moving over to clean the equipment. Awkwardly Kix and Rex stayed at the table whispering back and forth as they waited for you to returned. Sitting down you rested your head on Kix’s shoulder.

“Movies tonight?” Kix whispered trying to ease the tension he saw in your posture, “I still have another rotation off.”

Before you could answer you could hear the shouting match erupt in the hall between Thorn and Fox. The three of you got up and headed into the hall knowing it was about to be a long long day.

[queer-whatchamacallit]

Weird little thoughts about the Berzatto family past

When Carmy was about 8 and Sugar was 15, she started trying to tutor him in math

After realizing that he just couldn’t manage to focus on what she was teaching, she tried to connect math with Carmy’s interest in food by assigning ingredients to different numbers

So now Carmy has a bunch of weird associations with numbers and has a hatred for certain numbers because it’s a bad combination

It ended up being too convoluted to actually get multiplication to stick, but it did lead to him spending a couple days trying and failing to figure out different ingredient-number associations that would work better

Mikey would go with Richie up to Lake Michigan a lot to just swim and drink and hang out

When they started getting a little older, he’d sometimes take Sugar and Carmy up with him too

The last time they all went together, Carmy was 16 and had just started asking about working in the restaurant, Sugar was 23 and had just moved back to Chicago after getting her law degree, and their mom hadn’t dumped the Beef onto Mikey yet who was 32

So Carmy, Sugar, Mikey, and Richie all drove up to the coast, and Carmy convinced Richie to pour some beer into a pop can Carmy just finished

Sugar would have never let them hear the end of it if she found out for sure, but it just ended with Carmy (who hadn’t eaten much that day) putting his head on her shoulder and sleep talking the whole ride home

I don’t know if this one necessarily lines up with the timeline of the show, but I think it could be fun anyway

It was Christmas Day after Carmy turned 21, and Richie and Mikey were joking around about how he could finally drink with them without worrying about getting caught

Carmy wanted to help his mom with the fishes, but he figured a couple drinks would help him loosen up a little

Eventually, she just kicked him out of the kitchen and swapped him for Mikey because he couldn’t manage to keep track of half the things she was telling him to

He hung around the Faks most of the night, but after dinner and cannolis and presents and such, Mikey and Richie dragged him upstairs instead of letting him go home

They just dicked around for a while and told stories, but at some point, Carmy just stood up and started walking toward the door, saying he needed to do something but not really knowing what

Mikey managed to convince him to put a coat on because it was completely freezing outside, and Carmy just walks into the yard and falls back into the snow

He seemed satisfied with this, and just stayed there for a while with Mikey and Richie shivering by the front door until Richie launched a snowball at his face

And that was how Carmy, Richie, and Mikey got a noise complaint for having a drunken snowball fight at about 10 pm on Christmas Day

Whenever Carmy got sick as a kid, he’d go to sleep it off, but at some point, he’d come out of his room and lay on the couch, oftentimes in the lap of whoever was on said couch

He doesn’t remember this happening, so it’s just a complete mystery of whether he was awake during these times

When Carmy was stressed about something, it made his stutter worse, and because his mom wasn’t exactly patient with him, she’d tell him to just write things down pretty often

Because he was made to feel embarrassed and like he was taking up too much of her time already, he learned to write inhumanly fast and legible

While it didn’t exactly come from a good place, it’s almost become a sort of party trick (if he was ever given the opportunity to use it) that he can write about as fast as people normally talk and still have it be easily readable