#Simon's two mums AU

[larkral]

Hello! Thanks for the tags @forabeatofadrum , @you-remind-me-of-the-babe , @hushed-chorus , @youarenevertooold , @wellbelesbian , and @blackberrysummerblog , and everyone else who has been tagging me over the past couple of weeks!

Fun fact! I started drafting this for WIPsday and then got buried under work. This describes my whole week.

Anyway, I'm really focused on my Holsom Timeloop at this moment so I will take this chance to again encourage all of you to read Check Please so that I can coerce you into reading this fic when it's ready. I am TRULY unreasonably excited about it. And of course @petedavidsonscock is only encouraging me. :-P Some of that below the cut per usual because I know most of y'all are here for my Simon Snow.

I have also been writing in fits and starts on Simon's Two Mums AU. Finally I understand the meme where someone is letting their old WIP drown in the pool while they toss the new WIP in the air. Sorry Simon's Two Mums, I'll be back with you full-ish time soon.

I also signed up for @carryon-reverse-bang as a writer. So. I'm excited about that. A little anxious. But excited! (Does this count as a collaboration re: my goal of collaborating on something this year? Maybe...)

Some words from Simon's two mums:

"Unfortunately the kind of information you're looking for is taken for granted in every magical text we have in our library. In our world, I would venture. Not much use in a primer on something you can just ask your parents about."

I wonder how different an upbringing he had to mine. In my youth there was no topic I'd have asked my parents about if there were a book available on it.

I make affirmative noises regardless.

Holsom Timeloop, which at this point I should just reveal the title of, since it's set in stone, and is Friday Prime. And here are six sentences!

Justin surfaces from sleep to a hand on his back and Holster's voice.

"Hey, bro, mind if I snuggle up?"

"No, man, come on up."

Holster climbs up the ladder and nudges himself into Justin's belly. He's a few inches taller, so he usually takes on big spoon duties, but Justin doesn't mind. With Holster's shoulder under his chin and one of his calves twisting into Justin's, he feels almost more embraced than when he's wrapped up in Holster.

Tagging and Sunday hellos to everyone!! Would love to know what you're up to!! @stitchyqueer @thewholelemon @confused-bi-queer @raenestee @facewithoutheart @cutestkilla @sillyunicorn @you-remind-me-of-the-babe @basiltonbutliketheherb @ileadacharmedlife @asocialpessimist @bookish-bogwitch @aristocratic-otter @captain-aralias @artsyunderstudy @yeonjunenby @carryonvisinata @takenabackbytuesdays @martsonmars @nightimedreamersghost  @chen-chen-chen-again-chen  @ionlydrinkhotwater @aroace-genderfluid-sheep @shrekgogurt   @palimpsessed @fatalfangirl @valeffelees @imagineacoolusername @orange-peony @j-nipper-95 @whogaveyoupermission @rimeswithpurple

[the-raindeer-king]

(A/N: prt 4 and the finale of the Mama Riley au! Thanks for all the support and nice comments. It means the world to me! No content warnings. Enjoy!!)

If the ground would swallow him whole, Simon would consider that a blessing. God, he never should've asked his mom about you. Of course she'd clock him. Who knows the man better than his own mom?

He stares blankly at you for far too long. Long enough that you're wondering if there was a chance Mama Riley had it all wrong. You open your mouth, ready to backtrack the statement, when Simon settles a hand on your thigh.

“I… yeah. It's true,” he answers you. He tells you it's fine if you don't feel the same. You were his mom's friend first, and he can see how deeply you care about her and vice versa. He wants his mom to be happy.

“What about what you want?” You ask, curious.

Simon's quiet for a moment, thinking. He wants to marry you, but that might be a bit much to admit right out the gate. So he gathers his nerves, and quietly admits, “I want to kiss you.”

You can't help but smile in response. You lean in a little closer to him, your eyes already half lidded. “I want you to kiss me,” you reply softly.

The kiss is a little awkward. It takes Simon a second to get comfortable in the kiss, but it's good once he does. (You find out later on that it's his second kiss.) His hands come to cradle your face, tipping your head back to deepen the kiss. That's when the kiss becomes perfect, the kind that makes your head spin.

You break away at the sound of the door opening. Simon's hands linger in your face for a moment longer, before he drops them back down to his sides. But you're quick to lace your fingers with his, more than eager to start displaying affection. You've been holding back for far too long.

Mama Riley smiles at the both of you, a coffee in hand. “You kids get your feelings worked out?” She teases.

You and Simon share a look, before responding simultaneously.

“Yes, ma'am.”

“Yeah, Mum.”

Going to sleep that night is incredibly bittersweet. You two finally made progress, just barely started your relationship, and he's leaving in the morning. Simon has never hated his job more than now. He's waited, since the day y'all met, for this, and he doesn't feel like he even has a chance to enjoy it.

But it makes returning, two months later, all the more worth it. This isn't the first time you've gone with Mama Riley to pick him up, but this time is different. There's no fanfare, no balloons or signs, although you and Mama Riley had joked about it. But there is a new energy in the air, excitement to see your boyfriend.

He's easy to spot amongst the crowd, tall and imposing. But you see the way his shoulders sag with relief, when he spots you two. He greets his mom first, crushing her in a hug. There's some whispered words between the two of them, before Simon turns his attention to you.

He hesitates, before tugging his face mask down. “Can I kiss you?”

You can't help but giggle a little, nodding your head. His hands move to cradle your face, so gentle despite the horrors he's witnessed. And when your lips meet his, Simon decides there's no better way to welcome him home.

[rookiesbookies]

Um… Kilt fuck with Soap anyone?

“Oh yeah, bonnie,” he breathed out in her ear, his eyes pinched closed. His chin rested on her shoulder and neck, his chest against her back. His hand over her mouth to keep her squeaks and moans quiet.

He was breathing heavily, placing wet, open kisses on her neck. “Just couldn’t resist meh, huh? Saw ya lad all strapped up in his kilt,” he breathed with a chuckle as he ground his hips against hers, his kilt lifted over her butt. He watched her eyes roll back in the bathroom mirror. 

“At meh Captain’s weddin’ too? What a dirty thing.” his hand weaved under the front of her dress and he pinched at her clit making her squeak. “Sorry I kept ya waitin until after the ceremony, love.”

He kept his shallow movements up, fingers toying with her fun button and his other hand covering her mouth to muffle her pretty noises. He had already cum, he was just toying with her because he liked having her like this. Her hands gripped the sides of the sink white-knuckling as her legs quivered like a baby giraffe. “That’s it, my bonnie,” he purred in her ear as she came undone. 

Johnny didn’t know there wasn’t a second bathroom.

Johnny didn’t know his LT was standing outside rolling his eyes while holding a shit. 

When the two emerged Johnny was laughing and holding his girl around the shoulder, he looked quite proud of himself and there was almost no evidence of what had happened, except for his girlfriend leaning against him to be able to stand. “Sorry LT, was taking a shite and needed a pretty lady to hold my hand for support like meh mum used to.”

Simon just rolled his eyes again and walked into the bathroom to take his poop.

Masterlist is pinned on profile as always, check out my AU list for more like this. Don’t forget to leave me a comment or a request in my inbox (I dont get them often but really enjoy them), a reblog, or even just a like to let me know what yall want to see!

[chaosandmarigolds]

( っ'-')╮ 🌲

Adoption Au!! Because again, I miss my unbridled and cute fluff but all I think about is the holidays

Adoptive!Dad Simon was fully aware that the first round of holidays were probably the most important, as far as giving expectations and showing the girls that they were serious

“Don’t stress it, Mister Riley,” Macey had said all too easily the one morning he brought up what she may have wanted for the holiday, not even looking up from her backpack as she spoke, “don’t really…do holidays.”

Taylor heard this and she seemed utterly disgusted, “No!!! no!! I wan-I want Barbie ‘ouse!” Simon! Who takes that for what it was but all the same didn’t want Macey to be left out so he chose to treat it as if both girls were eager for Christmas Simon! Who is generally more of an acts of service person naturally so what did he figure to do for Macey? Fix up her mountain bike

(that thing came with her in the adoption, it was just a bunch of metal and two worn out wheels but she stuck by it)

Simon! Who when the girls first moved in helped Macey mount it on her walls since she loved it so much

Simon! Who spent two days making a replica of the messed up thing just so she wouldn’t notice the original missing

Simon! Who replaced it while she was at school

“Mister Riley!!!” The twelve year old practically came tumbling down from the stairs once she got up to her room, panic in her eyes and a heaving chest. Simon swore he had been caught, “What’s goin on Kiddo?”

“I need a poster board for my science project tomorrow- I’m so so sorry I swear I completely forgot and I’m so-“

“oh thank god.” “What?” “Mmm? Nothin, go on, grab yer mum an’ sis we’ll all go.”

Simon! Who brought the scrap of metal to the boys during a night out and well

“jus get er a new one, LT.”

“no,” Kyle interjected as he looked it over, “well-eh- it’s from the 90’s probably her dad-her uh…”

Simon shrugs it off, “She said it was er uncles fore they passed, old thing but imma fix it up.” johnny downs the beer and walks over to it, “Mm, alrigh- but I wan to come over to Christmas dinner, er missus does it nice.” Of course that motion got seconded by Kyle and Price already had an outstanding invitation so…well he’ll take that on later.

Simon! Who spent about a week working on it, and most of it was waiting for parts

Simon! Who kept all of the gifts in the shed out back with his gear because he knew the girls didn’t like the shed and he had made it a rule to not go since it held all of those more sensitive things

Simon! Who wasn’t super well rounded in traditions but he would happily help the girls frost Christmas cookies every day until he died

matching pjs? Okay, well fine he will tolerate it

Simon! Who accidentally knocked a shelve down in the shed when he was getting all said gifts out so of course the very nosy twelve year old came outside within two seconds

“Mister Riley?” She shines the flashlight and looks outside, and she lets the light adjust before she gasps, “Is that my bike?”

Simon was currently a foot deep in snow and freezing, so the girls remark fell on somewhat deaf ears. “Baby, go back to bed.” “oh my god!” She beams, leaping over the snow to get to him, “It’s my bike!”

( is that it? Yeah that’s it. Anyway, comments mean so so much to me, they truly lift me up. Anyway! Tootles!!)

this is the bike btw

[aethelwyneleigh27]

More Dad!Simon "Ghost" Riley and Taskforce Moments With Little Ghost

+ Featuring Los Vaqueros Uncles, Meemaw Laswell (and her wife?), Peepaw Nikolai, Aunty Farah and Uncle Alex

Did I use the same pictures as I did with the last posts? Yes, because these pictures are so Ghostie coded. Also there's like a slight ✨sprinkle✨ of Angst in there, good luck <3

Tag list: @puff0o0 @simp4konig @blingblong55 @azereus @rustic-guitar-notes @shadofireshinobi @anonymuslydumb @skeletalgoats @icarustypicalfall @ghosts-cyphera @cutenote @connorsui HAS THE BEST FREAKING COMMENTARY AND IS SO SWEET, SHE MAKES ME SOUND LIKE I'M SOME AUTHOR WHO WROTE A FAMOUS BOOK, ILY CONNORSUI <3 (ngl, I go back to read her commentary over and over again because if how nice they make me feel 😭)

Pairings: Ghost x Wife!Reader

This is my personal AU, I don't think anyone has written on little Ghostie before I did. Not to say that there aren't any works on Dad!Ghost and his kids however Ghostie is a character of mine who holds such a special place in my heart, especially after I started writing more about her and how she acts around everyone.

Possible ships: Farah x Alex (Faralex)?? Alejandro x Rudy (Alerudy)?? Price x Nikolai (Nikprice)??

I know Halloween season is over but y'all can't do anything about this, it's been cooking in my brain for a while now. (Some of these are just regular scenarios though) Ghostie is back y'all!!!

❥ Ghostie who simultaneously made her way into convincing the Taskforce to go with her trick or treating, having her little army uniform that was commissioned for her, a bit visible underneath her pink puffy jacket. Yeah I don't think she's going to stop wearing it unless she's outgrown it, in which case, that would just break her big heart :((

❥ Simon holding little Ghostie's hand while she toddles, she would NOT go anywhere without either her dad's, her mum's or her uncle Gaz's hand. Having her tiny chubby fingers gripping onto two of her dad's fingers as he guides her up big steps. Catching her when she accidentally slips on the slippery steps.

❥ The rest of the Taskforce being behind her like a bunch of guard dogs, ain't nobody is gonna try and scare her because of the big burly men next to her. Photo was provided by my favorite artist last Halloween, @puff0o0:

❥ Ghostie having the sweetest voice ever, she so polite, so much so that she makes the her dad and uncles chuckle at her. (This is how I imagined her voice to sound like)

"Say trick or treat.." Gaz whispers, coaching her from behind as someone from the house opens the door. Two women in costumes, holding a big candy bowl.

"trwick or trweat.." Little Ghostie mumbles, far too shy and almost hiding behind her uncle.

"What a cute costume you have there, here, take these ones" one of the women said, adding the candy to Ghostie's little basket.

"Thank you!" Ghostie exclaims, making the two girls awe at her politeness and eagerness.

❥ Yeah Ghostie definitely pronounces Halloween as "Ha-Hoween".

❥ I can't help but think that they came across that one house with a sign that said "leave your single dad's number if he's attractive" and as a joke, uncle Gaz threw in a piece of paper with peepaw Price's number on it, only to have peepaw Nikolai fish it out of the candy bowl when he thought no one could see him.. but Ghostie did.

Not Halloween related:

❥ Safe to say that when uncle Gaz doesn't like someone, neither does Ghostie, if you all can recall that cutscene from mw3, Gaz did NOT even bother to acknowledge Philip's existence. That being said, Ghostie gives the nastiest side-eyes to him the moment he even opens his mouth. (Yeah she got from her dad)

❥ Ghostie absolutely loves getting head pats and giving them, to her, it's one of the best forms of praise. Anyone gives her head pats gets to witness her absolutely adorable reaction, the way her eyes light up, those little lips curling into a smile causing her chubby cheeks to be prominent and her eyes squinting. Mostly loves doing it to uncle Soap, because the mohawk is fluffy.

❥ Maybe at some point, when Philip decides to behave then he can earn the head pats from Ghostie.

❥ Meals with the Taskforce and Ghostie are a certified hit, she has quite the appetite and she shows it. Simon takes it upon himself to always does what his wife does at home when he's out with Ghostie, bringing her silicone bib and baby utensils. (Even the bulky ass highchair attachment that he keeps in that back of his car/truck)

"More please..." Ghostie says, making grabby hands, in the middle of chewing after observing that her plate is yet again empty.

Price chuckles, looking at Simon who was now careful about the amount of food to add on Ghostie's plate because the toddler is on her third round of food.

❥ Ghostie enjoys clapping her hands and anything as well, especially after eating and being satisfied.

❥ Ghostie is into tea, her dad got her hooked on it.

"Aye, what about you Ghostie? What'd you like?" Soap asks the little one who's currently keeping herself busy with her custom coloring book.

"Tea!" She says, looking up for a bit to Soap before focusing back on her coloring.

"You heard her Johnny, make that two.." Simon says with a pretty firm pat on the back for Soap.

"Fuckin' Brits..."

❥ Auntie Farah and uncle Alex are the babysitters when uncle Gaz, uncle Soap and peepaw Price ain't around. Farah loves that kid to death, if she was being honest, she saw a lot of resemblance between Simon and Ghostie. Of course there are looks were, she's basically a carbon copy of him but also mannerisms;

❥ Ghostie who copies her dad, being adamant about being cleanly and tidy, oftentimes catching people surprised that she tidies up after herself immediately after playing before moving onto another set of toys, coloring books and coloring materials. She notices and mirrors how Simon is consistent in keeping things tidy and out the way.

❥ Whenever Ghostie is at home with her momma (you) and Simon had to run errands, she always wakes up first, seeing how her dad gets up early too.

Ghostie rises up with a soft yawn, rubbing her tiny eyes with her hands, she looked around at the still dimly lit room. She turned her head from side to side looking for her dad.

She was met by him standing and dressing himself up in a black hoodie to go out and buy something. She gives him that cheek to cheek smile before leaning her cheek and closing her eyes, mandatory kiss from dad before he left.

"Alright pumpkin, dada's leaving now. I'll be back later, be good and don't give momma a hard time.." Simon reminded her after giving her cheek a kiss.

"Okay dada- promise.." Ghostie yawns mid sentence.

❥ Ghostie who, ever since she way younger, loved to cup her dad's face and nuzzle her nose into his. A tradition that Simon doesn't know if he's ready to see it go when she grows up. Neither is he ready for her to start correcting the words she's been pronouncing wrong;

❥ Dad!Simon whose heart broke once he realizes that the "I love you"s will slowly start to be less and less when she becomes a teen, he's silently wishing to himself that it won't be reduced to not being said at all. You had to reassure him that it won't happen, not when Ghostie's the sweetest little girl anyone could ask for and Simon is the best dad anyone could as for.

❥ Uncle Alejandro and uncle Rudy being the seasoned uncles who happened to be absolutely adored by Ghostie, not as much as uncle Gaz but let's be real here, no one is on uncle Gaz's level.

❥ Uncle Alejandro and uncle Soap having bets and arguments on who gets to reach their language to Ghostie while she just sits there on uncle Rudy's lap, sipping on her apple juice, quite entertained.

❥ YOU CANNOT TELL ME THAT RUDY ISN'T RESPONSIBLE FOR GETTING HER TO SLEEP OR NAP, that man is a walking heater. I can just see him standing there while holding her in his arms while she's trying her hardest not to fall asleep, yawning "Uncle Rudy.." before immediately snoring, snuggling her face into his soft blue hoodie shirt. (@icarustypicalfall is living for this, I just know it)

❥ Alejandro who gets smacked in the back of the head by (his husband) Rudy for being too loud and almost waking Ghostie up. (Alerudy when? This is a joke to y'all Alerudy haters, I like the ship, it's cute. Not sure if it's canon here in my AU, up to you guys to decide)

❥ Laswell and her wife absolutely fucking adore Ghostie, shit she makes them want to have kids, she has almost the same effect on almost everyone. Silently making her uncle Gaz wish that he isn't single.

❥ Let's be real here, peepaw Nikolai was the one who Ghostie jammed with while listening to heavy metal. He also got her this mini leather jacket that matched his, with her nationality country/countries flag/s embroidered patch on the side. I can just imagine her little head bangs that peepaw nik taught her 🥺😭.

❥ Also Ghostie has access to almost everyone's prized stuff, uncle Gaz's and peepaw Price's hats, uncle Soap's medals and even peepaw Nik's jacket which looks like she's swimming in it when she's wearing it.

❥ This pic is so Dad!Simon and Ghostie coded:

❥ Something tells me that Simon would send you this pic and you'd probably have a heart attack, your husband isn't the best driver after all but you trust him since he won't put your daughter in imminent danger.

❥ I think most of the time, Ghostie is in her uncle Gaz's arms and/or lap while he sits on the passenger seat, doesn't really matter who's driving.

My past works on Ghostie, in case you haven't seen the posts before this one on my most favorite mini Ghost:

Little Ghost (Drabble)

TF141 Interacting with Little Ghost Hcs

This was far longer than I expected, I just love Ghostie so much and I just have a lot to say regarding her.

A/n: This is now an official taglist for most of my generic CoD works, none of these people asked to be tagged on my mediocre content and I understand that, if y'all wanna be removed from the taglist then y'all could tell me privately or on the replies if you guys prefer it :))

Sidenote: Is it normal to be so excited over something you bought? I literally bought my first ever concealer today, a mascara that I've been looking for and lip oil. I was so excited that I squealed when I got home and immediately used them. Any makeup tips that you guys have? Sort of a beginner at this stuff.. Also does anyone whose had viral posts ever feel like their popular strike is over because none of their works get as much attention? Looking at all my recent posts and hyperventilating because the numbers are lower by so much.

[peachesofteal]

I need the next part of the disco baby trap hospital drabble🥺 Simon and Johnny take Darling and Bee home, maybe their apartment where they can better keep an eye on them, but it’s so tense because Darling is worried they’re going to try to take Bee from her, is still feeling the sting of betrayal, maybe is afraid they’re trying to trap her again

🍄

🩵

18+ / Takes place after this / baby trap au

“Alright, alright.” Johnny murmurs, walking a pattern back and forth in the kitchen, arms slightly bouncing an unhappy Bee to try to settle her. “I know, ‘m not mum. I know.” He can’t help the anxiety that flickers through him, eyes casting quickly to the closed bedroom door, where he can just barely hear the low hum of Simon’s voice, vibrating underneath the echo of your coughing.

He paces in the between the countertops and the fridge, working a pattern, stepping in time to a melody that he’s barely whispering to his daughter, something old, a forgotten tune his mother used to lull him to sleep with. At first, it doesn’t do much to settle Bee, and a wash of emotions threaten to pull frustrated tears to his eyes.

Why should it? He’s but a stranger to her, after all. She does not know either of them, and there’s no one to carry the blame of it except for him, and Simon. She was miserable in the hospital, and neither of them could soothe her, the only thing that succeeds in calming her was to be placed in your bed, by your side, even though you were too weak and too sick to even hold her.

“Let’s get ye some food, eh?” He fidgets with the jar lid, and Bee’s brows furrows with indignation as she glares upwards. This attitude reminds him so much of you, from before, when things were good, and you were happy, safe and secure, confident. Bee fusses at him, but when he goes to put her in her high chair so she can eat, she wails in protest, like something new is upsetting her. “What is it?” He strokes a finger across her cheek and then up to her forehead, checking for warm skin, and breathing a sigh of relief when it feels normal. Her fever broke in hospital three days ago, and your doctor finally agreed to allow the two of you to go home yesterday, even though you were still incredibly weak and exhausted from the pneumonia.

“I’d feel better releasing you both if you could assure me there will be someone to support you at home.” Your doctor sighs, while she thumbs through a tablet at your bedside. Bee sleeps in the bassinet next to your bed, laying between where they sit on the other side of the room, and you. “You’re still running a low fever, and the shortness of breath is going to persist for a while.” Your lower lip trembles, and a tear forms on your waterline, spilling over onto your check when you try to take a deep breath as you quickly wipe it away.

“We can help.” Simon says, keeping his voice soft. The doctor glances at him, before looking back at you. “If you’ll let us.”

“We’d love to be there, for you and Bee.” Johnny adds, hopefully, rubbing a palm against the back of his neck. He’s having a hard time standing still, and Simon knows it, tries to calm him by pressing the outside of his thigh to Johnny’s.

“I’ll let you three talk it out.” The doctor says, before putting the tablet away and patting the bed. “I’ll be back in a bit.”

Bee cries aloud, and he holds her against his chest, patting her back gently, swaying side to side. “Okay baby girl, you’re okay.” He kisses her softly on the top of her head, trying to shush her gently. Your voice crests from the bedroom, a sob that fades into a cough, and he tenses, worry thrumming through him. Bee settles a little, her face going blissfully sleepy, and he picks the lullaby back up, eager to rock her into her dreams.

“You need more sleep.” Simon tries to ease you into closing your eyes from where he sits on the bed, halfway down the mattress, far enough away that you’re comfortable, but close enough that he feels like he can get you to focus. You’ve been in a fog, head cloudy and a little off kilter, the low grade fever still running through your system and the cough wrecking havoc on your rest. He doesn’t think he’s seen you sleep for more than a few hours at a time, and your body is weak as a result.

He’s trying to be gentle, to be soft, to let you choose and decide. He’s determined not to overstep, not to make you feel like you’re backed into a corner, or that they’re here for nefarious reasons. He knows, you don’t want them here. He knows you reluctantly agreed because you’re doctor practically demanded it.

He also knows you know, that you’re too sick and run down to take care of Bee right now. The realization is a difficult one to swallow because you’ve been so strong, so resilient all this time.

He’s in awe of it, of you. Of how incredible of a mum you’ve been to Bee, all the sacrifices you’ve made to give her an opportunity to flourish, how you’ve taken care of her, given her the best of everything you could find. It doesn’t escape him, the toll it’s taken on you, the way you’ve neglected yourself for her, the way you’ve put yourself dead last in every aspect to make sure she’s well and happy.

Their darling girl, so brave. So strong for your daughter, but never for yourself.

But at the same time, it makes him hate himself even more. Hates what he’s done, hates how he let himself get out of control and do something so hideous to the person he loves. Hates how because of him, you’ve suffered so greatly. Hates that he let his most selfish urges cloud his judgement, hates how he ruined everything for you, and Johnny. How he ruined your happiness, Johnny’s happiness, his own. He tries not to think about how it felt to see the fear in your eyes, how it was when you were convinced they were there to take Bee away from you, like he was a wretched monster.

Like he was a man as wicked as his father.

“No.” You shake your head, trying to reach towards where Bee is cradled in Johnny’s arms. “I wa-want Bee. Give her to me.” You cry, and push away from Simon, stumbling before careening towards the ground. He catches you, wrapping an arm around your waist.

“Darling, we’re at the hospital. We need to go inside.”

“No, no. I won’t… I won’t let you take her.” He grits his teeth, jaw tightening as he turns your face towards his.

“Look at me.” You try to twist away but he holds you still. “Shhh, darling. Look at me. It’s okay, everything is okay.” Your breath is ragged, wet and heavy, and he can feel how hot your skin is beneath his touch. “We’re not here to take Bee. We’re going to see a doctor okay? Bee needs a doctor, right? That’s why we’re here.”

Your hand curls into a fist by your side, and he beats back his urge to reach for it, to try to comfort you, even though he knows you’d recoil from him. He wants to soothe you, pull you into his chest, ease your worries and fear. He wants to take control and fix this, to do what he knows to do best, but he can’t.

You’ll never trust him again.

You cough, hunching forward, and he grabs the glass of water from the bedside table, pointing the straw towards your mouth. Your features soften when you sip, and once he’s satisfied you’ve had enough, he pulls away. You sag where you’re propped up against the pillows, practically wilting and he wants to scream in frustration, in fear. He has half a mind to take you back to the hospital, and almost did this morning, but stood down after talking to your doctor on the phone.

“Do you think you can sleep?” He asks, and you blink at him, lips parted, like you’re processing his words but unable to answer.

“I don’t know.” You moan, miserably, and his heart breaks a little bit while tears web in your lashes. You’re so sick, and uncomfortable, and he wants to help you but no matter what he does, nothing comforts you. “Where’s Bee?”

“Johnny was going to give her a bit of lunch. In the kitchen.” His fingers spread wide on the bed, desperately seeking you, like they’re moving on their own accord, pulling him closer and closer.

“I want to-“ your words are choked off by another cough and he grimaces. “I want to see her.” You cry, the tears that were gathering in your eyes spilling freely down your cheeks, and you gasp a sob. “I want Bee.”

“Okay, okay.” He tries to console you, and his hand moves closer, now resting against the outside of your knee. “You were resting, darling. He only took her to the kitchen.” He explains, and you shake your head before slumping farther into the bed, your body now overcome with sobs.

“Please.” You moan, and then cough between your tearful breaths. “Simon.” You cry his name, eyes half closed. Something shifts above the sheets, and then warm fingers are brushing against his.

His heart stops in his chest before he realizes it wasn’t intentional, that you were just moving. Still, he can hope.

He says your name, and you cry harder, head heavy, your lungs fighting for each breath, the combination of your distress and the pneumonia choking off your air. “Hey, hey. It’s-“

“Si-Simon.” You gasp, and then your eyes are widening in a haze of fear. “I ca- can’t… can’t breathe.” You’re panicking, you’re scared, and he can’t fight himself well enough to keep his hands for reaching for you.

To his shock, you don’t fight him. He moves slowly, painstakingly so while your body shakes with sobs, but you don’t tense or flinch away.

“Darling,” he whispers. “Can I hold you?” He wouldn’t dare try to without your say so, not when he’s hurt you so badly, betrayed your trust beyond a level of comprehension. If you don’t want him to, he won’t.

But you’re also free falling into a panic attack. Your body is trembling, and he’s scared, holding his breath while you answer with a nod.

It’s enough, enough for him to move forward and pull you into his arms, wrapping you up without holding you too tight, settling his palm on the back of your neck to gently squeeze you there. He runs his other hand up and down your back and you cry into his chest.

“I want Bee.” Your plea is interrupted by another coughing fit, and he leans you back slightly and tilts your face upwards to try to help you breathe.

“Shhh. It’s alright. She’s just outside, Johnny will bring her in. You’re okay. Everything’s okay.”

“It’s n-ot.” You wheeze as he coos above your ear.

The bedroom door creaks open, revealing a hesitant Johnny with a very sleepy baby in his arms, who stops dead in his tracks when he sees what’s happening the bed. The image of you, cradled against Simon, letting yourself be held, letting yourself be touched. He blinks in surprise, and Simon gives him a look. Do not make a big deal.

“She’s right here.” Johnny calls to you, crossing the distance and then sitting hesitantly beside Simon. “Bee’s right here. We didn’t go far, just to the kitchen. Promise.” Your shaking hands reach for her, but you don’t try to hold her, you just place your palm on her chest while you rest against Simon. Your breathing evens out slowly, matching his own, and Bee’s, and your cries quiet to occasional sniffles while your lungs rasp. Minutes pass, and yet you still don’t pull away, instead staying tucked into Simon, body relaxing slowly. His thumb rubs circles into your neck, and Johnny watches with wide eyes.

“Everything’s alright.” Simon murmurs into your hair. “It’s okay. Bee’s here.” You nod, eyes starting to slip shut, body and mind wrung out with exhaustion.

As you drift, Bee does too, until you’re both asleep, with Simon and Johnny holding their breath collectively, eyes flicking from you, to Bee, to one another every other second, like they can’t believe what they’re seeing.

[aoioozora]

Simon.

Part 8

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6 - Part 7 - Part 9 - Part 10 - Part 11 - Part 12

Character: Simon Riley / Ghost Content: Biker! Ghost x Fem! Reader, strangers to lovers, fluff, civilian au

Note: I still can't believe that I've written 8 whole chapters for a oneshot that I never planned on making into a series! But I'm glad it's coming along well and that you're enjoying it :) I hope you enjoy this chapter too.

Tags: @cmbghost @gluttonybiscuits @paintlavillered @eatingtheworldsoffanfiction @iimichie

@mxtokko

“Morning, Simon!” 

____ and Lindsey arrived at Simon's door at seven in the morning as planned. His crush was the one who excitedly greeted him, while her friend looked disgruntled and ticked at having to be up so early. 

“Morning,” he greeted them civilly as his hand instinctively ran through his hair, trying not to appear even the slightest disheveled or flustered at the sight of ____’s smiles, and moved away from the door to let the two in. 

“Have a seat. I'll bring you some tea,” he said, promptly moving towards the kitchen. 

The ladies, particularly the author, took in the surroundings of his little flat as they entered and sat down. The entire place as a whole was simple. The walls of the living room were empty and unpainted except for a singular, ancient grandfather clock that hung alone near his curtained balcony, filling the quiet room with its rhythmic ticking. She saw that he was concerned more with pragmatics than aesthetics; if it didn't serve a purpose, then it wasn't needed. 

She saw that he favored dark colors of blue and black, and neutrals, but found that bright colors were speckled throughout the room in his red floor lamp, the gold painted knobs of his brown television stand, and the red and white chevron patterned cushions on his grey couch. The simple state of his room made her wonder if his bedroom was more personalised. 

A hint of green caught her attention and she turned to the balcony. A few potted plants of mint, tomatoes, and coriander, all of which were healthy and green, swayed gently in the morning breeze. She smiled at this. “He’s a gardener,” she thought to herself, not quite expecting it.

The smell of lemon and mint wafted through the air, bringing her thoughts back. Simon brought out a tray of three mismatched teacups and a glass teapot filled with what smelled and looked like lemon tea. 

“Have some tea,” he set down the tray on the coffee table and poured out the tea for them. 

She, wanting to use Simon as a model for her character, Frederick, watched keenly as he poured with a thoughtful, concentrated look on his face. She wondered why he used a glass teapot over porcelain or any other material, but that was probably not important. However, she was not going to let even the smallest things about him and his choices escape her scrutiny. 

“When will Johnny come?” asked Lindsey as soon as she had her sip of tea. 

Simon glanced at the grandfather clock. “At six forty-five, he said he'd be here in ten minutes. He's picking up our other friend, Kyle too. Maybe there's some hold-up,” he answered. He felt a little strange; it was his first time properly speaking to Lindsey, and she seemed to look judgingly at him, as if to find a fault. 

____ was silent, as she was more concentrated on the taste and temperature of her tea. It was lightly sweetened and refreshing thanks to the lemon and mint. A mental note was already taken that Frederick too would be good at brewing tea. 

Simon's ringtone tore the silence and he immediately slid the phone out of his jeans. Thinking it was Johnny, he looked expectantly, but it was his mum. Looking back at the ladies, he excused himself and went out to the balcony to talk. 

“What do you think of him?” ____ asked Lindsey, who took slow sips of her tea as the two watched the man pace around the balcony through the partially drawn translucent curtains. 

“He makes good tea,” she answered, “I think I'll approve of him a bit.” To Lindsey, a man who could brew a good tea was worth marrying, because, according to her, it meant that he cared about the little things, like making tea taste good. As ____ smiled, she paused for a moment before quipping, “He seems nice so far, but I don't trust him just yet.”

____ shook her head, chuckling. Lindsey was always so skeptical of everyone and everything, both a vice and a virtue. 

Simon soon emerged from the balcony into the living room, brows furrowed with concern. He looked straight at ____ and said, “I need to have a word with you, darling,” and then promptly stepped into the kitchen without waiting for an answer, expecting her to follow. 

She instantly set down her teacup and followed Simon into the kitchen. “What's the matter?” she asked as soon as she entered, finding him leaning his back on the kitchen counter, arms crossed. 

He turned to her, almost opening his mouth to speak but cautiously glanced at the open door; he looked back at her, beckoning her to come closer. When she did, he said, “I don't know how you'll react to this but I need you to hear me out, alright, darling?” 

Her curiosity heightened and she nodded.

“Y'see, my mum just called and they're going to have a family reunion soon since my old man's come back home for a holiday from his military service,” he paused, sucking in a sharp breath, unsure about how she would take his next words, but continued anyway, “And my mum asked me if I found a girlfriend yet because she's worried I'm going to die single…” he paused again, “and I may have accidentally told her that you're my girlfriend.” 

“You what?” she stared incredulously at Simon, although she wasn't quite opposed to what he did. 

“Yeah,” he sighed, shaking his head, embarrassed with himself, “I'm really sorry.” 

“Wait, does your mum know about me?” 

“Yeah, I told her a few weeks ago that I recently made friends with this lass,” he paused to sigh again, “And when she asked if I finally found a girlfriend, I accidentally said yes, and when she asked if it was you…” he paused again and shrugged. 

The lady paused. Now that he said it, it couldn't be helped and she had to play along. Not that it bothered her. She chuckled. “Well, it's alright. You take the trouble of pretending to be my boyfriend, so I guess it wouldn't hurt to pretend to be your girlfriend for a bit.” 

Simon looked back at her, visibly relieved. 

“Now, what do you need me to do?” she asked. 

“That's the hard part. We'll have to make up a story of how we met and how we hit it off. And I'll have to bring you home and introduce you to my family. And not just that, you know who else will be there.” He pursed his lips tight. 

She immediately knew. She wiped her clammy hands on her jeans and nodded. “Right, yes.”

He could see the apprehension on her face and in her body as she crossed her arms. Feeling terrible that he dragged her into this, he said, “Darling, you don't have to do this if you don't want to. If going there and meeting him again will make you uncomfortable, then I'm not forcing you to come with me.” 

She drew in a shaky breath and pondered for a moment. Simon watched her, gulping harshly. 

“No,” she finally said, resolute, “I shouldn't be so scared all the time. If I'm going to be there as your girlfriend, I shouldn't be afraid of some ex of mine.”

Simon blinked in surprise at this response. He appreciated her bravery, and felt his admiration for her increase. However, he didn't show it, and kept his facial expressions neutral with a little smile. “I guess, yeah,” he nodded. He paused for a moment, wanting to say something else, but she beat him to it.

“If anything happens, you’ll stick up for me, won’t you?” she asked smilingly, “Since you’re my “boyfriend”.”

He felt his heart leap. That was the exact thing he wanted to assure her of, and it flattered him greatly to know that they had been thinking of the same thing. Even though he knew this was going to be a pretense, it rubbed his male instincts and ego right to be depended on for protection. 

He answered with a wide smile, “Of course, my love.”

“Why d’ye drive a manual?” asked Johnny as soon as he took the shotgun seat, watching ____ take her place in the driver's seat. 

“Tut tut,” she shook her head, bringing out a mini sombrero from her pocket which she placed on the gear stick, “It's Emmanuel.”

The three passengers in the back, from left to right– Simon, Lindsey, and Gaz, watched as Johnny burst out laughing, also making ____ laugh as she got the car started. 

“Ghosty, she's a woman of culture!” Johnny exclaimed, looking back at his best friend. 

Simon made no answer as he was upset that he couldn't sit next to ____. Lindsey felt similarly, but for Johnny. Regardless of that, the drive began with gusto, with Johnny and Gaz filling the time with their singing and jokes, while the other three listened. 

____ drove for the first hour, and Johnny took over for the second and the two switched seats, exchanging jokes and quips with ease, making both Simon and Lindsey at the back miserable and jealous. Simon drove for fifteen minutes in the third hour until he nearly hit a tree, but swerved back to the road right on time to avoid damaging both the car and his crush's esteem. Gaz took over for the remaining forty-five minutes, and Simon was banished to the back seat. 

Thankfully for him, ____ sat next to him to console him, “Don't worry. After all, you did say that if you tried really hard, you wouldn't hit a tree. You did great for fifteen minutes at least!”

Simon chuckled out of embarrassment. It didn't make him feel any better, but he appreciated her effort. 

The camping spot was soon in sight. It was around ten in the morning when Gaz parked the car in the shed of a little cabin. The ladies learnt that the spot belonged to one of Gaz's relatives, who was happy to lend it out to anyone who needed it. And from how the three men scampered around the place relaxedly, it was evident that they were regular visitors. 

The fenced piece of land was right next to a little lake which afforded a view of the distant green hills speckled with heathers and daisies. A lonely little dock hung over the surface of the water, which, as Simon informed the ladies, “made a nice fishing spot”.

The group first decided to begin their hike as planned before unloading the car. England's weather was notorious for being fickle and since the skies were currently clear of all rain clouds, the hike was chosen as the first activity. 

The trail was an easy one, chosen for the benefit of the ladies who were partially accustomed to walking on rocky, uneven terrain. The end of it promised a little waterfall, which Johnny was excited about showing them, as was evident in his constant singing of sea shanties while they hiked. Gaz happily joined him, while the ladies and Simon chose to be their audience like earlier. 

“Johnny sure loves to sing,” observed ____, who trudged between Lindsey and Simon. 

“He's a born singer,” replied Simon with a sigh, sounding both proud of and annoyed with his friend, “And he was a theater kid too. Acted in tons of musicals and plays, mostly musicals. Put him together with Gaz and they'll be singing and dancing all day.”

She chuckled. “How long have you guys known each other?” 

“Johnny's my childhood friend. We've known each other since we were ten years old. As for Gaz, both of us met him in university and we quickly became friends,” he explained, kicking a rock out of the way. 

The two ladies looked at each other. “That's a long time,” remarked Lindsey, “You all must be really close then.” 

“Too close,” Simon said dryly, but there was a hint of affection in his voice. He then turned to the ladies to ask, “And what about you two? How long have you been friends?” 

“Since high school,” ____ answered, smilingly linking her arm with Lindsey's, “She's basically my sister now.” 

Simon smiled. He could tell, for the moment he saw them together, they stuck to each other like glue and didn't leave each other's side for more than a few moments. 

Johnny looked back at the calm trio behind him and Gaz. “Jolene!” He called Lindsey by her nickname. When he had her attention, he beckoned her to join him in singing. 

“I don't know any of the songs you're singing!” she protested. 

“Dinnae ye worry, wee lassie!” he retraced his steps, put an arm around her shoulders, and dragged her ahead with him, making her squeal and stumble. “Gaz and I will teach you!” he promised, and kept his arm around her as they hiked up the hillock. 

While the two men busied themselves in teaching Lindsey to sing ‘Bully in the Alley’, ____ and Simon were left to themselves. The lady smiled at Lindsey's attempts to sing, though she was no singer. 

“Lindsey hates singing,” she whispered to Simon, “It's crazy how she's doing it for Johnny.” A girlish giggle escaped her lips at the thought of a romance blooming between the two. Her authorly brain couldn't help but conjecture all the sweet moments they would have, worthy of a novel of its own. 

“And I'll tell you what, Johnny's never been this fixated on one woman for this long either. He's normally a huge flirt, a ladies’ man, if you will. I'm just as surprised as you are,” answered Simon. 

The mention of Johnny being a flirt worried her. She knew Lindsey to almost easily give her affections to anyone who would look her way, starved for love as she was. But she decided to stay out of the way and watch the two for now. If Johnny ever did anything that would hurt Lindsey, she would not hesitate to confront him. 

The hike was now proving to get a little tiring, and ____ let out a sigh as she paused to catch her breath and drink some water. Simon stopped too, looking down at her from the slightly steep ascent. 

“Are you tired?” he asked. 

“A little, yeah.” 

He bent his knee and lowered himself slightly, holding out his hand. “Come on,” he encouraged, “Just a little more and we'll be at the waterfall.” 

She took his outstretched hand, and no sooner they made contact, a jolt of electricity ran down both their spines. Simon gulped harshly at this reaction, and she felt an additional tingle in her stomach. His larger, more rugged hand held her softer and smaller hand in his, and he pulled her up the ascent with ease. She thanked him as soon as they were next to each other, Simon, eager to be of further assistance, held out his arm to her. 

“You can hold my arm if you want to,” he offered, trying to sound as casual as he could, though his thoughts begged her to give him the honour of accepting him. 

Her hand practically flew to his arm in an instant, wrapping just below his bicep. Simon never felt more depended upon than now as the two began walking together. And she was completely flattered by his kind offer, trying to suppress her smiles and blushes. The two were, without doubt, over the moon. 

The lady was sure to make mental notes about everything Simon did. Frederick would be tall and brooding, but a kind-hearted and observant gentleman with a soft spot for Adelheid.

“This reminds me of the Jane Austen novels where the men would offer their arms to the ladies when they got tired as they walked,” she commented with a bright smile and a certain twinkle in her eye as she moved closer to him, allowing her hand to curl tighter against his arm. 

He noted the expression on her face and the movement and instinctively flexed his bicep so that she could feel it. He smiled in response to her comment and said with a chuckle, his cheeks overspread with a light pink, “So it was a custom back then? Interesting.” He hadn't read a lot of Regency era novels to know of past English social customs, but he seemed intrigued by this one aspect that she mentioned. Wanting to know if she really approved of it, asked, “Do you like it?” 

She loved it, but for the sake of being mild, said, “I think it's nice, especially now when I don't see men doing this sort of thing.”

“So you like gentlemen then?” 

She giggled. “A lot.” 

Simon took note of this immediately. If she liked a gentleman, a gentleman he would be. If men of his day didn't do the things he did, like offering their arm, or pulling out the chair for her at a table, he most certainly would do it, for he didn't want to be like other men. He wanted to be special and singled out by her. 

They began descending down a slightly slippery, gravelly path that led to the waterfall, and Simon took hold of her upper arm this time as he led her down so that she wouldn’t fall in case she slipped over the loose gravel. He was reminded yet again of how much smaller she was compared to him, and it only heightened his desire to keep her safe. 

The gurgle and rush of water from the distant waterfall was soon heard, and a few meters of walking on level ground finally brought them to the waterbody familiar to the men. Johnny cheered like he never saw a waterfall before, loud enough for his voice to echo in the wilderness, and for Lindsey to cover her ears and curse under her breath.

“We're here!”

End of Part 8.

Part 9

Like always, leave a comment if you want to be added to my taglist!

[thesleepyfable]

~ SWTD: Still Here AU Part 20: ~

Some Odd New Followers:

This is by far the funniest chapter I've written, which says a lot about my humour.

Part 21:

O'Connor stepped outside, coffee in hand, and nearly dropped it at the sight of Simon.

After their reunion, Trots and Simon quickly got back to work in shovelling the snow off the drive. O'Connor's face lit up. It was about time he saw someone from home. What was just a couple of months, felt like years since he saw the man with a lion's mane for hair. 'Simon?'

Simon popped his head up and followed the voice. His face also lit up at the sight of the elderly Irish man. 'O'Connor!' The pair met and hugged at the base of the porch steps, O'Connor balancing his coffee.

'How long have you been here?'

'Only just got 'ere. You're still looking fabulous.'

'Of course.' He made a motion as if he was flicking long hair back. 'Have you seen Gibbo?'

'Gibbo's here?'

'He's in the barn.' O'Connor called over to Trots, who was still hard at work. 'Trots, I'm stealing your man for a bit.' Of course, O'Connor and Gibbo knew Trots was gay. It just wasn't something he wore on his sleeve like Simon.

Trots didn't look up from his work and gave a quick thumbs up over his shoulder. 'Make sure he doesn't get lost.' An inside joke from when Simon, the bus driver, got lost when he had to take an alternative route when the usual roads were closed for matienance. He didn't pay attention to them leaving, but he did overhear O'Connor warning Simon that Gibbo was infected, along with the others.

Being the work horse he was, or slug in this case, Trots didn't know how much time passed. When he focused on his work, nothing else mattered. You had to call for him to snap out of his trance. However, this time, he managed to finish his task. Good timing, too, as Logan opened the garage connected to the house, revealing three cars, with two rumbling to life. Bonnie and Grace were packing their small suitcases with the help of Lily and Moira. Angus and Harris were busy warming up the engines before Angus left to the drivers seat and joined the second car. Trots watched, then turned when he heard Muir and Fiona approach from the other side.

'Are you sure they know what they're doing?' Fiona asked Muir, her eyes quickly glancing to the barn. Or what she could make out of it. Only in broad daylight did she see how big her son was.

'They're no stranger to heavy liftin' ma. We'll be fine. I'll show 'em the ropes.'

'Alright then. We'll all be back after New Years. There's beers and wine in the fridge, but don't go crazy with children around. The car has petrol, but only use for emergencies. Keep out of mine and your pa's room, and the cows have gotten out again. Mind getting them back in before their hooves freeze off?'

'Nae bother ma. We'll be fine. And, we will.' If Muir could salute, he would. He opted to give his mum a light hug with a tendril around her upper back. 'What are ye gonna tell them?'

'Just that you didn't feel like coming.'

'Alright. Drive safe.'

The car with Logan, Bonnie, and Grace inside honked for Fiona. With one final wave, she hopped into the passenger seat. Bonnie and Grace kept waving until the cars turned into the blind spot of the drive. Of course, they wanted to stay with Monster Muir, as they now called him, but this trip had been planned for months, and there was no getting out of it.

Innes stood beside Muir, holding his coat close to his chest as the zip was broken. 'Going to see family?'

'Yeah. We have them in Aberdeenshire. If they don't come here for Christmas, then we go to them for New Years.' Muir clapped two tendrils together. 'Right. Ma and Pa have left us with maintenance duties, Innes, and I know what to give everyone.' Going by the tone of voice and grin, Innes didn't know if he should be worried.

'...And this is Brodie,' O'Connor finished, which was accompanied by a wave from the diver.

'A pleasure to meet you,' Simon said as he stepped closed and offered a hand to shake, that Brodie accepted. 'Must be scary to swim under a rig?'

'Aye, but you get used to it. All depends on the weather, and winter isn't the kindest to us.'

'Well, you're a lot braver than I'll ever be-'

'Okay, everyone!' Muir called out with Innes, grabbing their attention. The infected left the barn, Roy, Trots and Caz left the house, and Brodie and Raffs leaned against the barn door. 'Ma and Pa have left us a list of things to do whilst they're away.' It was easy to forget Muir was a member of the safety protocol, but everyone listened. His tone had become formal, and Rennick remembered why he chose him over Innes. At least he didn't smoke over dangerous equipment or use it as a chair. 'If we get these done now, then we can spend more time with our loved ones when they get here.' That put the crew into high spirits.

'Alright. Caz, Pa said the attic light had a fault if you could start there. Trots and Brodie, I'll show you how to seal the hay correctly. Gibbo and Innes can clean the chicken coups. Addair and Raffs can see to the fencing around the entire farm, and finally, Rennick, can you make sure the cows are rounded up with Roy and O'Connor, please? Buggers made a prison escape this morning.'

'You don't have dogs for that?'

'We don't, and they're for sheep.'

'But you have sheep.'

'We hire for a shepherd for them'

'They still exist?' Rennick was genuinely surprised by that, completely exposing himself as a man who never left Edinburgh unless it involved the rig.

'...Yes.'

'Well,' that was embarrassing. Rennick glanced to Roy and O'Connor. 'Three of us. How hard can it be?'

O'Connor stood at the fencing and watched the duality of man.

Roy lead two cows back to their barn with hay and dead grass he dug up from the inches of snow. Rennick, meanwhile, was chasing after them, hoping they'd listen to him. They obviously thought he was a predator. Why wasn't O'Connor helping? He knew he didn't need to do anything. He was just enjoying this. Plus, the field was massive, and Rennick was becoming more of a little blip with each second. When he was far enough out of ear shot, O'Connor just burst out laughing.

'No. No. No.' Rennick's voice went from desperation to annoyance quickly. He, at first, didn't notice how far he had gone, until the cows made it into another field and began to make their way towards a small country road through a hole in the fence and hedge Addair and Raffs hadn't reached yet. 'Oh. Fine then. Get run over, see if I care!' With a huff, he came to a halt. The cows came to a stop and began to wander onto the road. 'Pricks...'

Rennick turned to walk away, but his attention turned to a robin nestling on the hedge. He paused and locked eyes with it. It didn't fly away. The bird was completely unphased by his appearance and frustration. 'What?' It, or she, didn't reply and continued to stare. 'What's the problem? They'll be turned into mince for Tescos in a year. I'm just giving them a headstart.' The robin opened her wings and flew. But instead of flying away, she landed on the tip of Rennick's nose, making him cross-eyed. She chirped and tilted her head in curiosity. Rennick's body began to relax. Animals had that effect on him. He's always loved them because they were easy to talk to. Never judgemental.

When Roy gave him his food on the rig, if he couldn't stomach it, Rennick would often feed it to the passing seaguls. He missed them. Still, he never expected a robin or any bird to be so comfortable around a giant head attached to a fleshy mass. Must have always nested here all her life. A small chuckle escaped him.

The noise of tires against wet tarmac brought Rennick to his senses. His body tensed, and he, without thinking, because he'd never do this, shot out a flurry of tendrils. They wrapped around the cows, and he quickly pulled all eight of them back. They didn't weigh anything to him. Thankfully, it was only a tractor going no faster than 10 miles per hour. Rennick didn't wait to see if the driver saw him. He marched back with the cows hovering above him. The robin followed and nestled on the crown of his head. He didn't notice a barn cat had been by his side the entire time until he was halfway across the field. The King had found some odd new followers. 'I cannae wait to eat you lot.'

This was a dairy farm.

With a metal screech, Roy closed the pair of cows he caught back into the barn. He hadn't been paying attention, even with O'Connor nearly laughing himself into an early grave, so, he was surprised to see Rennick walking towards the barn, talking to the cows like they were his delinquent teenager children.

'See? If you had just listened to me, then we could have avoided this. Honestly...'

O'Connor couldn't laugh anymore, but the grin on his face showed how easily amused he was by this. He leaned against the fence and snickered into his gloved hands.

'Have fun, Rennick?'

'Shut the fuck up, O'Connor.'

[you-remind-me-of-the-babe]

Happy Wednesday friends! I’ve got 15 teaching days left and boy am I ready for summer vacation! 😎

I’m currently writing the fourth chapter of my time travel AU, Back and Back and Back. @cutestkilla and @emeryhall are graciously beta reading for me and thanks to their help, the first two chapters are shape up nicely. 🙏🏻

Here’s a little something from chapter 2 (no, chapter 1 is not posted yet, but I’ve already shared a good amount from it.) An older Simon is visiting ten year old Baz while he’s taking a breather from Malcolm and Daphne’s wedding:

I think about some of the comments I heard the guests making tonight. Discussions about babies and starting a family. Which feels like such an odd thing to say, because Father’s already got a family. Or at least part of one. That isn’t really starting is it?

I tell him a little of what I overheard tonight and he listens intently again without interrupting. He doesn’t give me sad pity eyes like so many other grown ups when they talk to me about things like dead mums. I like that about him. He treats me more normally than just about anyone else.

“Well,” he starts, “I don’t have any siblings myself, so I can’t really speak from experience. But I always thought it would be cool to have a little brother or sister.”

“Really?” I tilt my head, looking up at him.

“Mmm. I think it’d be nice to have someone to look after. Someone you’d always have in your corner. And they’d have you.”

Baby Baz owns my heart. As does an older Simon being nice to him ♥️

Tags/thanks/hello to @cutestkilla @emeryhall @artsyunderstudy @facewithoutheart @whatevertheweather @thewholelemon @raenestee @aristocratic-otter @valeffelees @ivelovedhimthroughworse @ileadacharmedlife @bookish-bogwitch @shrekgogurt @orange-peony @letraspal @nightimedreamersworld @run-for-chamo-miles @roomwithanopenfire @rimeswithpurple @iamamythologicalcreature @prettygoododds @monbons @blackberrysummerblog @that-disabled-princess @best--dress @brendughh @drowninginships @lookinforavampire @mooncello @hushed-chorus

[the-ace-with-spades]

This, I hope, will eventually be posted on ao3 as a proper fic – current draft title is exhumation — but just in case it will not, gonna post it here and let it stew

Canon Divergence AU with secret Identity and later identity reveal drama

(also this involves the backstory from the Ghost comic because I vaguely remember reading it when I was in high school…)

Soap and Ghost meet before they become Soap and Ghost. Johnny is 20, Ghost is 25, and they’re stationed around the same place but different squads — somewhere not far away from Manchester — and they don’t know they’re both from SAS. They meet when Tommy tries to be supportive of Simon’s newly announced queerness and takes him out to a gay bar on Canal Street. Tommy is the one to chat up Johnny (while Simon, obviously not a fan of crowds or loud places, hides away in the bathroom) with ‘see, my brother this and that’  and ‘if you give my brother a chance, he will this and that’. Believe it or not, once Simon strolls back in with all his social awkwardness, Johnny is actually charmed. Things roll around for a couple of months before they admit to each other they’re in the armed forces.

By the time they find out Simon is of higher rank, they’re already gone for each other. They decide to keep going anyway — it’s legal, as of 2001, and they’re not planning on getting a civil partnership for a while, anyway, so in the end, they keep going. Simon changes his next of kin on file to Johnny, they ‘share’ a flat off base, and Johnny’s met Simon’s mum and brother. He more or less knows the lore of the Riley family, mostly how much of a piece of shite his father was and Tommy’s recently fought addiction, and somehow, Simon feels alive for the first time in his life.

It’s all going so perfect, they’ve been together for almost two years, which isn’t long for most, but feels like forever when you’re in the military. Johnny gives him a ring, a sterling silver one with thistle ornaments and a small garnet centre stone. It’s not a proposal, they can’t get married legally, and they won’t have anything but Simon’s will binding them legally for as long as they’re both in the forces — Simon doesn’t know it, but there’s a matching simple band waiting to slide in with the ring he’s got on his tags, and one day, Johnny plans for him to have a full set.

Simon and his team get send out, Simon tells him it’s going to be a long one, somewhere in one of the Americas — Central or South, if he had to guess by all the self-learning Spanish books that cluttered Simon’s bedside table — and Johnny, well, he’s got a bad feeling but when does he not, with their jobs?

Simon’s team gets back, partially. There’s talk about betrayal from his captain, and he’s painfully absent, Simon’s friends look half-dead and act half-dead and no one is telling Johnny anything. He spends his afternoons with Simon’s mum, taking care of her as best as he can while Simon is gone, even though it was never the plan, and dodges Tommy’s aggressive questions, because he knows goddamn nothing.

Johnny doesn’t give up. He waits.

Simon is gone six months — MIA, officially, but KIA in the words of anyone from the brass — when he emerges back from South America, giving Johnny a new heart and a new life. He comes back different, but Johnny doesn’t care, it’s Simon, it’s still him, and maybe there’s something dead in his eyes, and maybe he spaces out more often than not, and maybe he feels cold in Johnny’s arms, and maybe he doesn’t sleep in the same bed, but it’s still Simon, he just needs to heal and figure out how to keep on living.

And Simon tries — he’s got episodes every day, than every other day, than every week, every other week. He goes to therapy, he spends his days cooking with his mum, spends his days cleaning the whole of their flat again and again, spends his days wandering around Manchester, buying Johnny’s favourite drinks, favourite books, favourite breakfast babs.

He tells Johnny bits and pieces, about what happened, enough that Johnny can put it together in a horrifying if blurred picture, and things start to improve, slowly.

He comes back to their bed. He wakes up before Johnny, makes him breakfast, kisses him on the forehead and struggles with the crosswords from the newspapers he picked on his morning run. He goes out with his former teammates, very short trips but trips nonetheless. He stops being afraid to be alone with his nephew, stops being afraid he'll hurt him. He never quite gets used to the scars, covering them more often than not, not wanting the looks.

Second week of December, ten months after he was brought back to the UK from North America, his psychiatrist signs him off for a phased return to duty. No deployments, only base and training site duties, regular sessions with both the psychiatrist and the psychology for the first four months.

Johnny hasn’t seen his family since before Simon gone MIA — finally feeling okay-ish, Simon tells him to go Scotland for Christmas. He’s got his mum, his brother, his sister-in-law and his nephew, and he’s, weirdly, feeling almost optimistic about life.

Obviously, he can’t be happy for long and shit hits the fan.

On Christmas Day, Johnny gets a call from Greater Manchster Police. He and his sister drive down the country and in the early morning of the Boxing Day, Johnny is showed the tags with the familiar silver ring on it, sooted at the edges and slightly misshapen, melted.

Fifteen minutes after he identifies Simon’s body, they tell him he killed his whole family, probably in a PTSD induced episode, then set their house on fire and killed himself right after, when the trauma-haze went down. They tell him he was lucky not to be there when it happened.

Johnny doesn’t believe it. Simon’s mind’s been bad, but it’d always turn on Simon, not on others, he had too much control to let any episode take him over so much. So he doesn’t care what the police or the public says — he arranges the funeral and Simon is buried with the rest of his family.

Meanwhile, Simon goes on a rampage in Mexico. He kills everyone and anyone he even suspects to be involved with Roba’s people. He leaves a trail of dead people behind him for weeks until finally, the US military catches up — General Shepherd catches up and identifies him. The British Army doesn't know what to do with him — officially, he's dead already, the General Register Office has already issued his death certificate to his NOK, the armed forces had condemned his family's tragedy. His existence is…inconvenient. He is suspected to be either compromised or too unstable to be of use to the Army, even if SAS sees how valuable someone who could single-handedly destroy a whole cartel family and fake his own death could be.

Enter John Price, who had met Simon during SAS selection and had a bit too soft of a heart. There's a mural agreement — Price will take personal responsibility to keep him on a leash, at least until he proves he is not a liability, and he will remain dead on paper but active in the Army. No one is to know he is alive — not even Johnny, or maybe especially Johnny, who will be the last person anyone will see as a revenge method. Simon Riley's name is redacted from all available documents.

And thus, Ghost, a nameless lieutenant and a walking cautionary tale, is born.

The only thing Ghost has not predicted is that eventually, almost six years after he put Simon into the grave, Johnny will join the 141.

And somehow, Ghost is just Johnny's type, again.

[larkral]

Heyo!!! You know that feeling when you're blocked on writing something but you don't realize that's what's happening because you had another brilliant idea and LIFE is happening all around you? Turns out I was actually a bit blocked on the Simon's Mums AU, which is partially why I've been going so hard on Holsom Timeloop. Learned this when I went to write some Simon's Mums yesterday so that I'd have something to show y'all.

Being blocked, for me, looks like this: I have an idea of what happens next and I've tried to write it a half dozen times and nothing is working. The resolution usually comes when the thing that happens next is totally different from what I anticipated. In this case, I was thinking the mums needed to meet Mitali. I have Google mapsed the route between Harrow (where the mums and Simon live) and Hounslow SO MANY TIMES, you cannot even comprehend it, given I have written and deleted one sentence for this section over a dozen times.

Anyway, turns out the mums are going to meet Malcolm. 🤷 Whatever, it's working for me. This is like eleven sentences because I just am, I?

Malcolm Grimm may as well be an eponym. He is sour-faced and stoic as I cross the room to meet him and he doesn't stand to greet me. He asked to meet me at his London club, and it's the kind of regressive place that calls women "Mrs. Husband's Name" and will only forgive me my slacks by virtue of the fact that I have my court collar laid overtop of my oxford.

I don't offer my hand this time. Instead I sit down across from him and reach for my water. I take a sip.

"Ms. Stephenson."

"Mr. Grimm."

He makes a face like he's terribly constipated, like he's smelling something he's disgusted by but has to pretend to enjoy. "I was moved," he says, finally. "By what you said."

Tags and also Holsom time loop under the cut.

Holsom time loop, now coming in at nearly 28k words, i.e. more than twice as long as Simon's Mums AU. Again I cannot overstate how much I LOVE writing this. It is very fun.

Have some sleepy kissing:

Holster descends, lips seeking out Justin's. He doesn't support himself over Justin, just lets the weight of his body press into him, and fuck, it's good—being smaller, being a little bit out of control.

He groans into Holster's mouth and leans up, seeking more contact, more pressure, more of the slide of Adam's tongue against his own.

But Holster is pulling away. Justin feels wanton under his gaze, syrupy and stuck, like he's let too much of the lovey-dovey goop inside of him leak out where his hands are still holding on to Holster's waist.

"You have hella sexy morning eyes, Rans."

Thanks for the tag @forabeatofadrum, and everyone else who tagged me the past few weeks. And I'm tagging @stitchyqueer @thewholelemon @confused-bi-queer @raenestee @facewithoutheart @cutestkilla @hushed-chorus @sillyunicorn @you-remind-me-of-the-babe @basiltonbutliketheherb @ileadacharmedlife @asocialpessimist @bookish-bogwitch @aristocratic-otter @captain-aralias @petedavidsonscock @takitalks @artsyunderstudy @yeonjunenby @carryonvisinata @takenabackbytuesdays @martsonmars @nausikaaa @nightimedreamersworld  @chen-chen-chen-again-chen  @ionlydrinkhotwater @aroace-genderfluid-sheep @shrekgogurt  @palimpsessed @fatalfangirl @blackberrysummerblog @valeffelees @imagineacoolusername @orange-peony @j-nipper-95 @whogaveyoupermission @wellbelesbian @rimeswithpurple

[nightimedreamersworld]

Six Sentence Sunday

Thank you for the tags @larkral ❤️ can't wait for your Simon's two mum's AU!

Today I offer you: some more from my Naked!Baz fic. I had a few people speculating about the spell's effect, so here's a snippet that gives some of it away:

“Fine,” I grumble. I pull my shirt off, then throw it at him.  Baz takes one look at it, then at me. I start turning around as he lifts it over his head, but not a second passes before he’s cursing.  My head snaps toward him again. He’s looking down at his still very naked, very furred chest.  “Nothing?” I croak.  Baz shakes his head, slowly.  Well, shit. Fuck.  This is the truth I’ve always been after, innit? All these years, chasing Baz around campus, into the woods and down to the Catacombs, I’ve been looking for proof of this.  He’s a vampire. He’s admitted so, fucking finally. 

So why hasn’t it worked?

(I know, realistically, that Baz probably doesn't have that much hair on his chest. But also Simon is thinking relatively here, and he has no other reference, so.....)

Anyway, tags under the cut:

@erotic-grope-fest @rimeswithpurple @artsyunderstudy @bookish-bogwitch @cutestkilla @iamamythologicalcreature @hushed-chorus @captain-aralias @valeffelees @facewithoutheart @you-remind-me-of-the-babe @best--dress @aristocratic-otter @blackberrysummerblog @supercutedinosaurs @alexalexinii @emeryhall @letraspal @stitchyqueer @confused-bi-queer @run-for-chamo-miles @whatevertheweather @thewholelemon @youarenevertooold @prettygoododds @shrekgogurt @shemakesmeforget @mooncello @forabeatofadrum @chen-chen-chen-again-chen @whogaveyoupermission @j-nipper-95 and anyone else who'd like to join! Have a good Sunday ❤️

[srfiv]

for a highschool setting, au if you will, what upbringing do you think the 141 would have? im really curious to know what you think of personally :)c

oooooh!! to be completely honest, i didn't have any concrete ideas i could put into words before seeing this ask so this is gonna be two things: completely unresearched and based solely off of vibes

i have to emphasise i am clueless about UK demographics. i am still researching (snail pace) but i didnt want to make you wait :(

i'm big on soap growing up lower middle class catholic with siblings. to me, he's a classic middle child - he may have naturally felt a bit neglected and jealous of his younger sibling as a kid, but he gets over it once he hit hits teens.

his parents are warm and welcoming people, but there is a little awkwardness when it comes to queer topics as well as johnny's neurodivergence. they're fully supportive of his endeavors in sports and entertain his interest in engineering. although awkwardly at first, johnny was encouraged to be upfront about his emotions and opinions (which fired back terribly during his teens, but led to more open conversations later). his parents do remind him to mind his manners often though.

his relationship with his siblings can be a bit tumultuous, especially with the youngest, but ultimately he would give his life for them. there's a lot of roughousing involved, but also caring touches, hugs, pats on the back, doing eachothers hair, helping with makeup and so on. johnny grew up with lots of affectionate physical touch from both his parents and siblings.

johnny has always struggled with the catholicism bit though. his parents aren't strict about faith by any means, but there are unspoken expectations that he sometimes has trouble with. he learned early that his grandparents should see him as nothing but masculine and ready for marriage, lest all hell broke loose.

ghost gets the unfortunate working class dysfunctional household in every universe. i am so sorry my boy. he always gets the irresponsible and ungovernable dad and the tortured madonna mum.

his dad doesn't really know what to do with a kid or how to tend to its needs and doesn't have enough emotional capacity to learn. as a person, i think deep down he is really scared to care. he thinks it makes him vulnerable - his own dad (simons grandfather) was a mean patriarch, controlling, while his mum was emotionally absent. he got out and rebeled as fast as possible, but that left him with knowing nothing but fear, anger and tricks.

he "lets" the mum do the housework and take care of the kids after her shift. simon grows up seeing his mum work herself to the bone taking care of them, including his dad. unlike his brother, tommy, simon finds himself taking his mothers side and offering to help her. he grows more and more disgusted with his father as time goes on. tommy just tries to shut it out and escape it for the most part, but there are exceptions when he won't.

the mum tries her best to provide food, clean clothes and a smile for her children, but there's a backdrop of grief to it all. they used to hug and comfort eachother, but that stopped when simon hit puberty and closed himself off physically. simon sees her suffering and it angers him, but he splits that anger in half and aims it at his dad and himself.

the trauma bond simon and tommy have makes tommy irreplaceable in simons life. unlike simon, tommy has insane charisma and a desperate need to self-sabotage, and this combo more often than not brings him amongst the worst groups in the neighbourhood. simon makes his disapproval known often and tries to be a positive force in tommys life, which doesn't always work out.

at home, whenever the opportunity arises, tommy tries to take the abuse instead of simon, who will (as a teen) openly fight his dad. tommy doesn't mind sitting down and taking it in an effort to make it end faster.

i personally can't help but see price as an only child in an upper middle class family. albeit very disciplined, he's used to getting his way and tends to hold grudges when someone opposes him, and he has a talent for finding loopholes in rule systems.

his dad and mum divorced in his preteens due to his mum having cheated. although it was an amicable divorce (at least to outsiders' eyes), it did leave an impression on young john and a doubt in his mind about love and marriage.

his parents decided to keep the cause of their divorce from him, and he visited his mum often up until his highschool years, when his mum let it slip. since then, his visits have been kept to a minimum, and he's grown bitter about her as she's tried to reach out multiple times. his mum feels extremely guilty for what she's done. she truly loves her son and john knows, but he can't help himself.

his dad would be a very stern and almost dictatorial person to him if it wasn't for the way he openly shows his love for his current wife. this also leaves a bitter aftertaste in his mouth, as he has never considered his dads second wife his "mum". they are good friends though, and they live together. his dad and her take interest in johns school life and get involved with the school itself often, which john doesn't mind much, because it gets him a foot in the door with the teachers.

he was raised manners first, so it doesn't show, but he has a healthy disrespect for authority. he often prefers to corner his superiors with malicious compliance rather than rebel outright. he's not selfish however - he has a strong moral code of his own, which contradicts itself at times, but he is very stubborn about it - and just like his father, he's very loyal to people who have gained his respect, but quick to "dispose" of people who have lost it. it is difficult to gain his respect, and very easy to lose it.

gaz would come from a lower middle class catholic family as well as johnny, but unlike him, he doesn't feel as though he has many obligations towards god. after a stern talking to from his mum however, he keeps his opinions to himself.

his dad is exmilitary and kyle has witnessed the PTSD from a young age, along with his mum comforting his dad as well as she could. his dad would sometimes do self sabotaging things he'd regret, and once kyle became older, he took care of him in those moments along with his mum. the therapy helps, sometimes.

kyle has some trouble coming to terms with the love his dad still expresses for the military though, despite the aftermath. kyle knows his dad would really like it if kyle joined the military as well. his brain is swimming with stories of his dads military buddies and the "grand ol time" they had, and with the nights he spent up at the kitchen table hugging his dad back from a damn near suicide attempt.

most of the time though, his dad is a warm and friendly fellow who has many friends in the community and often likes to include his children in the activities. kyle grew up very popular among his peers.

his mum is very goal oriented and faithful, but rather emotionally stunted. she cares for her children and her husband very deeply, but she doesn't show it well in her daily life. she resorts to showing love through favours and food whenever she can. she loves to sit with them when they're having a difficult time and listen.

i think he has a younger sister, who he has a classic love hate sibling relationship with. she often annoys him about the boys in his class and introducing them to her maybe, and kyle tells her that she'd just get bullied. in reality, he's fiercely overprotective. not only towards her, but his entire family.

[thegrinningghost]

LOTFTOBER, DAY 18 : Lyrics

Welp, I'm back, finishing off any prompts I have left or want to do even though October has technically already passed.

Oh well, doesn't matter much right? Lotf year-round!

Anyway, take some lyrics I've had sitting around in my head.

_

[Percival]

When I grow up

I will be tall enough to reach the branches

That I need to reach to climb the trees

You get to climb when you’re grown up

[Piggy]

And when I grow up

I will be smart enough to answer all

The questions that you need to know

The answers to, before your grown up

[Sam’nEric]

And when I grow up

I will eat sweets everyday on the way to work

And I will go to bed late every night

[All The Littluns, Piggy, + The Twins]

And I will wake up

When the sun comes up

And I will watch cartoons until my eyes go square

[The Choir + Ralph]

And I won’t care cause I’ll be all grown up

When I grow up

[The Choir]

When I grow up

[Ralph’s Tribe]

When I grow up

[The Littluns]

When I grow up

[Everyone]

I will be strong enough to carry all

The heavy things you have to haul around with you

When you’re a grown up

And when I grow up

[The Choir]

When I grow up

[Ralph’s Tribe + Littluns]

When I grow up

[Everyone]

I will be brave enough to fight the creatures

That you have to fight beneath the bed

Each night to be a grown up

And when I grow up (when I grow up)

I will have treats everyday

And I’ll play with things that mum pretends

That mums don’t think are fun

And I will wake up (I will wake up)

When the sun comes up

And I will spend all day just lying in the sun

And I won’t burn ‘cause I’ll be all grown up

When I grow up

[Ralph]

When I grow up

I will be brave enough to fight the creatures

That you have to fight beneath the bed

Each night to be a grown up

When I grow up

[Simon]

Just because you find that life’s not fair

It doesn’t mean that you just have to grin and bear it

If you always take it on the chin and wear it

Nothing will change

[Ralph]

When I grow up

[Simon]

Just because I find myself in this story

It doesn’t mean that everything is written for me

If I think the ending is fixed already

I might as well be saying

I think that it’s ok

[Everyone]

And that’s not right!

_

AU: Simon actually is a mystic, and at the constant pleading, hopes, and prayers of many like Jack, God finally sends him a message, albeit, perhaps not the one they hoped for

[Simon, Eyes Closed]

I am the prophet with the answers you seek

Time, I’ve unlocked it

I see past and future running free

There is a world where I help you get home

But that’s not a world I know

[Ralph]

What?

[Simon, Showing Ralph The Stars]

I see a song of past romance

I see the sacrifice of man

I see portrayals of betrayal *mimics Roger’s scary movement*

And a brother’s final stand

I see you on the brink of death *gestures towards Ralph*

I see you draw your final breath *gestures towards Jack*

I see a man who gets to make it home alive *to everyone*

But it’s no longer you *points to Roger on “you”*

[Ralph, Holding His Head]

This can’t be

We’ve suffered and [fought] through the toughest of hells

Now you tell us our effort’s for nothing?

[Simon]

I see [this island] covered in red

Faces of men who had long [wished you] dead

I see your [friend] with a man who is haunting

A man with a trail of bodies

[Ralph, Clutching Simon, Screaming]

Who?

[Simon, Shoving Ralph Off, Opening His Glowing Green Eyes]

I see a song of past romance

I see the sacrifice of man *gestures to Pig*

I see portrayals of betrayal *gestures towards most of Choir and some Littluns*

And a brother’s final stand

I see you one the brink of death *gestures to Ralph*

I see you draw your final breath *gestures to Jack*

I see a man who gets to make it home alive *points to everyone in the crowd*

But it’s no longer .  .  . you *lands on Ralph*

_

Idk how many of y'all have heard of Grace doing posting about making a Julias Caesar musical on Instagram, but it's really cool to follow and this is a WIP song she posted about that just reminded me of two boys I absolutely hold dear. Enjoy!

_

The night before Simon’s death, he’s sitting on the beach as the other boys drift off to sleep. Well, except for the hunters. He and Jack both seem to sense something in the upcoming day; something that strikes them with excitement and awe.

Simon explores this feeling as he treads along the beach while Jack stands upon a rocky cliff-face overlooking the beach, searching for the exact same thing .  .  .

[Simon]

There is a storm in the distance

I can see it

Creeping closer

Lightning strikes in an instant

And thunder shakes the sky

I’ve seen this before, you can’t escape it

Can’t delay it

No point racing rain clouds

The only choice is to brave it

Turn and face it

No running away now

The trees will tremble and fall [starts seeing visions]

The dark will cover the moon

The birds will send out a call [stops seeing visions]

Though the end isn’t soon

The fools in darkened rooms will pray

I don’t believe in all that

But on nights like these, I do

I do

[Jack]

There is no peace in this moment

Not on Earth [looking around]

[Simon + Jack]

Nor in the heavens [looking up at the sky]

[Jack]

But then, what’s one more opponent? [hits his spear against the rocks]

Even—

[Simon + Jack]

—Tempests have their endings

[Both]

I know the others are watching

Do they think I’m one to hide? [Simon glance at the shelters, Jack turns to look at the choir lazing about]

There is a hurricane deep inside me [Simon clutching his heart, Jack grinning]

That I cannot deny

They’ll say I’ve angered the gods [Simon scared, Jack angry]

They’ll jeer as I take the floor [Simon holding his head and pacing, Jack balancing along the edge of the cliff, staring at the shelters]

And they’ll say we’re the first,

But we’ve been here before [Simon looks up at the cliff-face, Jack looks down at the beach]

And in my fear, I’m drawn to pray

I can’t run from the fight

What am I here praying for? [Simon deflective, Jack remorseful]

[Jack, Same Time As Simon]

.  .  . a storm in the distance

I can see it

Lightning strikes in an instant

An answer I already

Know .  .  .

[Simon, Same Time As Jack]

I don’t see how this can end well

I can’t prophesize the fate of [home]

Tell me how, and tell me now

An answer I already

Know .  .  .

[peachesofteal]

No but hear me out, Simon walks in and immediately knows what's going on and he tries to go the whole "listen to me, I'm gonna take over" route but Darling's well and truly out of his reach and she's about to leave and they just CAN'T have that. She makes a run for the backdoor and the other two are tripping trying to grab her before she can, frightened if she leaves they'll never see her again

I am listening. I am hearing you out. I am loving it. 🖤

18+ MDNI / baby trap au / dark and twisty themes

The tension in the flat is so thick, it clogs the air. Could suffocate him, if he let it. Like cotton, shoving down his throat, blocking his airway, choking him to death.

He can tell something is very, very wrong.

Johnny is staring between him and you, eyes wide and nervous like a newborn fawn. That level of fear, of unease, is enough to string Simon’s spine straight up.

And you… you’re crying, palm clasped over your hand, the other resting over your newly rounded belly, finally starting to show recently in your t shirts and sleep shorts that you’re always wearing. Your belly, where the baby sleeps, and grows. Safe from harm, their baby, their darling. Their whole world.

Except right now, their whole world looks like it’s shattering, holding a death grip on a half packed bag.

“What’s going on?”

“Si.” Johnny croaks.

“What’s going on, is you fucking stealthed me, Simon.” You hiss between a broken sob, stepping away when he shifts forward to stand beside Johnny. “And now he-“ your fingers stabs towards Johnny and he flinches, “won’t let me leave!”

“No, please-“

“Johnny.” Simon swallows everything that’s buzzing in the back of his mind. He shoves it down, away for later. Shoves back the questions of how you found out in the first place, how everything got to this point.

He can fix this. He can take control.

“Darling.” He wants to reach for your neck, wants to gentle you into his grip, soothe you, keep you calm. The doctor’s warnings repeat in his mind; “stress is not good for mum or the baby. Elevated heart rate, lack of hydration and sleep, all of these things can negatively impact mum’s health, and the wee one’s”.

He reaches, moving in one fluid motion, stretching forward to snake his hand around you, but you jerk to the side.

“No!’ You’re backpedaling. Even when you’re so out of reach mentally, if he can touch you, he can get a handle on whatever’s going on with physical touch.

“Let’s talk. Talk to us, darling.” He tries, but you shake your head violently.

“Fuck that. And fuck this. And fuck you! How could you do this? You were supposed to love me… take care of me.”

“We do. We do, darling. We will take care of you-“

“Stop. Just….” You move in a flash, surprisingly fast. It shocks him, jars him. That you’re running. That you’re even trying.

Johnny has a hand around your wrist just as quick, and you scream. It’s full of rage, of pain, and his heart cracks.

“Darling, please!” His heart is pounding in his head, drowning out his good sense. “Listen!”

“Johnny, let GO!” You shout just as loud, and he looks to Simon for guidance.

He takes a deep breath and then-

“We can’t.”

[panther-os]

Bastard Children Update: A Surprise Non-Bastard!

Friendly reminder that this au is entirely me doing whatever I want that I think is plausible, because this one reads a little cracky but I promise it works.

Also for clarification, a bastard or illegitimate child in this au is defined as "a child with anyone you are not in a committed relationship with" rather than "a child born out of wedlock". And also Ghost's dad is one of those bastards (as in personality) who's like "it's not cheating if there's only one committed relationship and all the rest is casual" so he did only have one girlfriend or wife at a time.

Anyways, I had this thought in the shower and the process was something like

Remember that one fic where "Price" isn't Price's original surname, he changed it to the kindly neighbor's after escaping his abusive family?

That was some good shit

Okay but what was his original surname?

John Reilly sounds nice

Wait, Riley belongs to another character already

WAIT

Price = bastard big brother????

And then this is what I cobbled together:

Laswell set up an alert for whenever Simon's DNA comes up in the results of a test, that way she can see if it's something innocent or someone getting Too Close to the identity of The Ghost (TM)

They have to run Price's DNA for insert reason here (maybe something something testing for something else and the lab has some deal with law enforcement in the fine print that's supposed to help catch criminals or something) and it comes back with Ghost (and the others) as a 25% match, which is typically grandparents, grandchildren, auncles, niblings, and half-siblings

Price is only three years older than Ghost and he's operating on the assumption it's a mistake, but he's doing his due-diligence and calls his sister to see if there's any family secrets

Turns out his mum is originally from Manchester, she was married and had his older sister there, then she got divorced, got "an evil ex-boyfriend", fled Manchester in the middle of the night with his sister to her family in Liverpool, met and had a one night stand with his dad before being ready to date again a year or two later (he wasn't ready for serious at the time either and became her close friend before anything else)

Price himself was born a questionable amount of time after the fleeing to Liverpool and one night stand and came out looking almost exactly like his mum, so they just crossed their fingers and prayed his dad was also his bio dad, his mum told his dad, and his older sister is capable of doing math

On a very educated hunch, Price sends his sister a picture of Ghost's dad, and sure enough he's the evil ex-boyfriend

Price never tells Simon this because at the time family was still an armed landmine of trauma for him, so instead he just committed to doing what he was already doing and big brothering the hell out of him

Then Simon's doing better and Cam and the groupchat come along and Price is trying to figure out whether or not to fess up to hiding it from him or if it's too late

Enter Cam being like "we should all do 23 & Me! it's not a perfect science but maybe we can find out if Simon and I have even more half siblings and it would be a fun group bonding thing to find out more about our families"

And, well, Price can't exactly be the only one refusing, that would be suspicious, now the only question is if he tells Simon before the tests or acts surprised or what - and also if it's bad that he kind of wants Gaz or Soap's test results to come with major family drama that eclipses his own