#Sydney is such a cool OC

[aceghosts]

OTP Moodboard: Sydney Williams x Lysandre

for @sstewyhosseini

[crescentfool]

🌠

[ask-head-of-cardio]

some photos of me if you care..

first four by: @professeurm

5th: @sillyhyperfixator

6th: @lefthandedspaghetti

all very talented artists!!

[lizardbrainlabs]

never drawing a skyline again 👍👍

[allgather]

anyway which mutual is gonna pick up carmy from the bear so we can begin to deliciously untangle his and sydney’s relationship and fuck around and find out.

[del-uxie]

beach episode

[saltedsolenoid]

OH SHIT I FORGOT ABOUT ALUZIE'S BIRTHDAY

[inactivecam]

How come Murdoc didn't hurt Sydney?

OH uuuhm,,he did hurt her in plastic beach but it didnt exactly affect her due to her being desensitized to abuse and the fact she was overly loyal to him bc of murdoc reminding her of a CERTAIN SOMEONE

[etherealising]

chapter five | we keep this love in a photograph

masterlist | ↢ previous chapter | next chapter ↣

pairing: carmen berzatto x f!reader | f!reader x the bear crew | male!oc x f!reader | carmy x claire | carmy x wingwoman!sydney |

summary: as plans are set in motion and renovations move forward, carmy finds himself entangled with the thought of you.

warning(s): guilt | grief | language | mentions of death | mentions of suicide | substance abuse | recovering addict | idiots in love | self-sabotage | insinuation of sex | semi-edited | please let me know if i missed anything

wc: 7.1k

It was 4 am, and the heat from your oven warmed the kitchen. The biscuits lined up nicely on the cooling rack, You hadn’t given much thought to the task at hand, too busy trying to remove yourself from the guilt-ridden thoughts that plagued your mind most nights.

Peach juice coated your hands, the rhythmic act of peeling them helped you to silence the foreboding thoughts fighting their way to the forefront of your brain.

The handwritten recipe card was placed strategically out of the way to not get ruined while you worked around the kitchen. You were no chef that much was obvious, but your mom taught you the art of cooking from a very young age. Instilled in you a sense of independence.

Standing in your kitchen as the night began its metamorphosis into day, you couldn’t help but reminisce about the role your mom played in your life. As a single parent, your mom was adamant about you knowing how to live life without having to depend on the goodwill of others. And even when the Berzattos entered your life, she made sure that you were never too comfortable.

You were allowed to spend as much time with the family as your heart desired, your mom wanted you to understand and enjoy human connection. But she’d always make sure you knew how easy it was for a person to walk out of your life. She liked to remind you that you couldn’t control other people’s actions, and just because you were important to someone today, didn’t mean those same feelings would transcend into tomorrow. To take a little, but never too much, to allow a certain level of comfort but always remember your role in other people’s lives is never as important as you may think.

All the peeled peaches sat atop the cutting board, awaiting the moment they would be pitted and cut into symmetrical slices.

Parents, either unknowingly or not, pass down their own beliefs and ideas to their children. Children who were essentially sponges waiting to soak up whatever knowledge and information was thrown their way. You knew this first hand, your mom’s need for independence is the same flaw that now afflicted you even into adulthood.

The independence that was so far from what you craved growing up, so drilled into you by your mother, that you instead hid behind your dependency on the Berzatto family.

That same need for independence that you had finally given in to and had almost killed you five months ago.

While your mom saw her life lessons as a teaching moment to never overstay your welcome. You easily disregarded it growing up, how could she not expect you to live in your vulnerability, to depend on people she had so easily allowed to love you and take up space in your life?

You didn’t blame your mom for allowing you to know the Berzattos but you blamed her for the part of you that would always remember her words. Always make you second guess if your actions affected people the way theirs did you.

Her words once again made an appearance when Carmy first distanced himself from you and finally made a permanent home in your head when Mikey passed away.

A shrill beep alerted you, the oven was ready. The peaches are pristinely cut, along with the previously made peach simple syrup both awaiting use.

Gingerly adding all the ingredients to your Dutch oven, you placed the lilac pot into the oven before beginning to clean up the mess you made.

You knew your mom did her best raising you with the hand she was dealt. Your father, a shadow you’d never know. Her own life experiences an excuse to protect you from the world, from yourself.

As her health deteriorated, you watched your mom's outlook on life become less skewed. But what good would that do you? The little girl you once were absorbed her constant message and stored it in the back of your mind for safekeeping, awaiting the day such a pessimistic ideal system might one day be put to use.

The timer on your oven was ticking down, the hoard of minutes left until the peach cobbler was done brought on a feeling of despair. Watching the timer dwindle minute after minute felt like a metaphor for your life at the moment.

Time was running out, and maybe that wasn’t true but you sure as hell did feel that way. The time you had left to confess your shortcomings to Richie quickly passed by. The expiration date for whatever the fuck was going on between you and Carmy fastly approaching.

You couldn’t allow these things to continue festering in your life. The weight of them exhausting you, you couldn’t keep pushing on like everything was okay like nothing had changed between any of you.

Choices you made inadvertently affected them just as much as they affected you. You didn’t want this wall between you and them anymore, and even if the wall was nonexistent to them; it was very much real to you.

You would figure things out, you had to. There was no time like the present to commit yourself to fixing the lives you had messed up.

It was easy though walking through life as if you hadn’t ruined anyone else’s. It was almost like you hadn’t, if they weren’t privy to your vices, was there any point in coming clean? Any point in apologizing to them?

Those thoughts were wrong and you knew it. You had to admit your wrongdoings to yourself, to understand why the people you loved the most in life were deserving of an apology, because if you didn’t you would constantly spend the rest of your days justifying why your actions were okay.

Justifying the fact that because you didn’t mean to overdose, that made everything you did okay. That, because you were just going through a mentally tough time in your life, turning to stimulants to aid your grief, was fine. That you were trying to forget for all the right reasons.

Reality was though, there was no right reason for the choices you had been making this whole time. And that was something you still had to come to terms with.

Closing your eyes, your head fell back, face pointed towards the kitchen ceiling. A tired sigh escaped your lips, the exhaustion of recovery taking its toll on you. Tired of standing in the kitchen and being berated by your mind you decided to begin outlining the exposè you were hoping to write on The Bear.

Busying your mind was the easiest option right now, too much unnecessary thinking put you back into the mindset that got you into this mess. Silencing any unwanted thoughts was no longer an option for you, but focusing on something else was proving to work for the time being.

You had made a colossal mistake. Who did you think you were to bring people who cooked for a living a sweet and savory cobbler? That wasn’t your initial plan when you couldn’t sleep this morning and decided to bake. But after removing the dish from your oven allowing the aromas to swim through the foundation of your house, you couldn’t bring yourself to keep it.

A dish that was introduced to you through your mom and the lineage the both of you carried. A dish that Mikey would always want for, but never expect when you did make it for him. A dish that you had spent countless times baking with Carmy by your side the two of you messing up the recipe more than once.

A dish that you once loved so much, but after your mom's death it always tasted like something was missing. And now baking it for the first time since Mikey’s passing you couldn’t even stomach the sickly sweet smell of it.

Walking through the lot to the back door, you were unsurprised to find it unlocked. Entering, you began walking through the kitchen making your way to the counter to place the pastel Dutch oven, the tote bag with vanilla ice cream you picked up on your way there following quickly after.

You weren’t sure who was already here at this time but thought it’d be a nice thing to do by offering them a bowl of the diabetes-inducing dessert. The chunky knit cardigan you were wearing was relegated to the stool next to you, the kitchen felt unusually warm, or maybe that was just your body's natural reaction to being in the restaurant.

Since Carmy had taken over the joint you couldn’t pretend you knew where anything was located. You knew Carmy to be the type of person to run a tight ship, expecting a certain standard from his co-workers.

Searching through the various storage spaces lining the kitchen, you unconsciously bobbed your head to the music singing through your headphones lost to the angelic voice streaming into your ears.

Locating a stack of clear containers you grabbed them before searching for any utensils to eat with, trying four drawers before finding and pulling out a mix of forks and spoons. Finally making your way back to the counter you began ripping the plastic from the store-bought ice cream.

The noise in the kitchen alerted Carmy, the time on his phone signifying that it must’ve been Syd. Inching toward the kitchen he stopped for a moment to check the monthly timelines that were hanging in the front. Every day was filled with a new task, it would be do or die from here on out to even think about opening in six months.

Making his way into the kitchen he stopped the body taking up space notably not Sydney. Your head bobbed up and down to whatever was playing through your headphones. The quiet hum of your voice easily met his ears in the silent kitchen.

He watched as you raised a spoon into your mouth, confused as to why you were in his kitchen this early in the morning. The closed-off kitchen setup didn’t allow him to see what's taking up your attention.

Quietly maneuvering around to get a better view of you, the sudden thought that this may have been an invasion of privacy quickly crossed his mind. He was moments away from leaving you to your own devices before he spotted the scars painted down your right arm. The deepest one tracing from the top of your tricep to your elbow.

Small cuts littered around the larger one, almost like the smaller ones were put there as accent pieces to the main scar. Carmy couldn’t help but wonder what the fuck happened to you after you left his apartment that night, looking from afar it looked as though someone had gone at you with a broken beer bottle or something.

The movement of your arm drew his attention to the reflection of light off of the tape-like bandage above your elbow. His eyes found two bears he would know fucking anywhere, the amount of times you forced him to watch that movie with you and Mikey drove him fucking insane.

Seeing you in this kitchen reminded him of when you were teenagers. It was hard to come to terms with it but he resented you for working at The Beef, resented Mikey even more for allowing you to. It wasn’t fair to you, the more he thought about it the more he realized a lot of the shit he did and felt wasn’t fair to you when you were both younger.

Carmy made his way around the counter you were working at, stopping in front of you the only thing separating the two of you was the steel slab of metal. He wasn’t sure how to get your attention, not wanting to startle you. Standing there watching you shovel what he now knew to be peach cobbler, the nutmeg and cinnamon aroma delicately caressing his nostrils.

The scent easily transported him back to all the moments the two of you spent in borrowed kitchens making this exact dessert.

You were so caught up in the music blaring through your headphones that you hadn’t realized the presence standing in front of you. You jumped spoon clanging against the table as a tattooed hand reached out for the no longer empty container housing the contents of your homemade cobbler and store-bought ice cream.

“Jesus fuck Carmen!” A hand raised to clutch at your chest, you understood how Tina felt yesterday after you snuck up on her. You quickly pulled the headphones off dropping them onto the counter, “Why the fuck are you sneaking around and shit?”

Carmy stared at you blankly, eyebrows raised before his head nodded toward the bowl he was aiming to grab. You rolled your eyes before nodding, “Sure Carmen, almost give me a heart attack in this shit hole kitchen, oh and while you’re at it don’t forget to try my peach cobbler.”

“Heard.” A small nod was sent your way before he shoveled a spoon full of the dessert into his mouth.

A scoff escaped your lips, you picked up your discarded spoon before taking another bite of the ice cream. The atmosphere between the two of you became awkward real quick, neither of you willing to break the silence, neither of you knowing what to say to break the silence.

“So uh, what’s with the cobbler?” You eyed Carmy surprised he was the first to break the silence, you shrugged distracting yourself by putting the lid back on the Dutch oven to persevere the content's warmth.

“Dunno, couldn’t sleep,” it's not like you were lying to him, but standing in his presence acting as though everything was okay made you feel guilty.

“You uh still bake when you can’t sleep?” The sigh you let out was an indication of how this small talk was the last thing you wanted to be doing.

“Obviously Carmen,” your hand shot out to gesture to the pastel pot between the two of you.

“Right…right.” The drumming of Carmy’s finger’s against the steel caused a slight irritation in you. Nodding you wiped the non-existent grime from your hand on your pants.

“Right, well I need to finish my proposal.” You walked the spoon you’d been using to the dishwashing area before joining Carmy one more time, “I’ll be in the dining area if you need anything.”

“You said uh, that you were writing about Mikey and The Beef.” You nodded, waiting for him to finish his sentence, it didn’t sound like much of a question so you weren’t sure what form of response he was expecting.

The silence stretched around the kitchen, an unwavering stare down between you two filling the air with even more tension. You expected things to be stilted between the two of you, but things felt like they were on a whole other level now.

“Well, this is for everybody,” finger quickly pointing at the treats you bought. “It’s kind of a thank you for letting me be a part of this, even if you guys don’t sign off on the article.”

“No, yeah um awesome.” The blank stare you aimed in Carmy’s direction bordered on disgust, leave it to him to make an awkward situation even more awkward, it sure was a talent of his.

You picked up your tote bag and cardigan before heading to the dining area, hoping there was still a table and chair you could occupy. If working here with Carmen meant every interaction would be like pulling teeth, you’d make sure to ignore him like the plague.

“Is that peach fucking cobbler I smell?” Richie’s voice carried through to the dining area where you had sat staring at your finished outline.

You finished a bit ago but didn’t want to chance running into Carmy while it was still just the two of you here. Hearing Richie’s voice and the slight noise as you slipped your headphones off proved that you were no longer alone with one of your oldest friends.

“Baby! Where’s Baby?” You laughed maneuvering out of your seat to head back into the kitchen, unsurprised to find Richie and the rest of the crew gathered around containers of ice cream and cobbler in their hands.

It seemed too early in the day to attack your tastebuds with such a sweet confection, but it was kind of your fault for bringing it in in the first place. You made your way to Sugar’s side with a small smile on your lips as she ate her portion.

In the month after your release, before your house was ready you stayed with Nat and Pete. Your restless energy was channeled into your mom’s dessert recipes, a way to keep your mind occupied and the only way you knew to thank the two adults who hadn’t given up on you.

Nat constantly made it obvious that she missed the constant sweets you would bake just for her.

The two of you made your way to where everyone else was gathered around, you couldn’t lie seeing the empty pot caused a sigh of relief to leave you. You weren’t sure if you could handle being ridiculed by chefs for your poor-tasting dessert.

“This don’t taste like moms baby, you do somethin’ different this time?” Richie eyed you as he raised the spoon to his mouth, it may have tasted a bit different but that didn’t deter him from finishing his serving.

“Uh yeah, a friend of mine taught me how to make this peach simple syrup. It like helps the biscuits stay moist or something. Chef talk isn’t my strong suit.”

Carmy wasted no time before looking in your direction, he was situated across from you, and no matter how hard he thought about it, he couldn’t remember ever teaching you how to make a peach simple syrup. He watched as Marcus began talking your ear off about the dessert, the two of you falling into quiet conversation as you found a connection in sweet confectionery.

It was hard to watch as you so easily integrated yourself into the crew, Syd raptly listening to yours and Marcus’ conversation as if you were some award-winning chef and not just some journalist who knew how to bake. As he stood there watching everyone in the kitchen, he couldn’t pinpoint why his thoughts surrounding you seemed so bitter, he didn’t hate you, didn’t think he ever could.

But as he focused on you more, he realized that you were a part of Mikey he never really got to know. Of course, you were Carmy’s best friend but when things between the two of you fizzled out, Mikey’s role in your life became larger, even if you were separated by states and time zones.

Carmy knew he didn’t hate you, but it was hard for him to look at you and not see the relationship he wanted with his brother. He didn’t blame you, but he resented the way it seemed so easy for Mikey to love you, to be open with you.

Catching your eye he nodded his head in the direction of the dining area curious to hear about this article you were thinking about writing and maybe learning more about how it all connected back to Mikey and The Beef.

He made his way to exit the kitchen assuming you would be following behind him. Carmy stopped before turning around, he couldn’t make this decision by himself or at least that was his excuse as he called for Sugar and Sydney to join the two of you. It was probably all for nothing though as he knew the two women were already on board.

The four of you took seats at the table, the arrangement was oddly reminiscent of the meeting yesterday, this conversation taking place at the same table. You sat lonely on one side of the table while the other three occupied the other side.

You glanced down at your laptop in front of you realizing it might be better to join the others, the graphics would have been all for nothing if they couldn’t see them. Quickly grabbing your laptop you wandered over to the three individuals before plopping it in front of them on the table, you walked to grab the closest chair scooting it next to Carmy. You were too worried about the response to your proposal to be worried about being in such close contact with Carmy.

Sitting down you tried not to let the brush of Carmy’s leg against yours bother you, adjusting yourself in your seat before clearing your throat.

“Uhh, I made a PowerPoint,” the time you spent hiding from Carmy this morning allotted you the opportunity to do so. “It’s pretty self-explanatory, but I’ll walk you through it.”

You began clicking through the slides, the nervousness you were feeling earlier taking a backseat as you so easily settled into your element. Time flew by as you grew more passionate about the article with each slide going into even more depth than the information in the presentation did.

“The reach this article will have might just be the difference in The Bear’s success or the lot of us paying back a loan in 18 months.” The smile on your face was enough to show how excited you were at the prospect of being able to go forth with your project.

“Or you know, the food might actually play a part in The Bear’s success,” you looked in Sydney’s direction, confidence shot before noticing the small uptick at the corner of her lips.

You nodded a small chuckle leaving your lips, “I guess the food might play a part.”

Two smiles directed towards you helped to make you feel infinitely better about the whole situation, you were doing your best to disregard the figure sitting next to you. Not doing a very good job as his leg continued to brush against yours which felt like every millisecond, you didn’t want to assume he was doing it on purpose but it did disrupt your focus while explaining your presentation.

“I think it’s a great idea. We’re going to need the exposure,” your eyes shot to Nat as she began speaking. “I mean, there’s really no cons to going through with this.” The encouraging smile Nat sent you reciprocated on your lips.

When nobody spoke up Syd began nodding along, “Yeah, I-I think it’s a great idea, though my opinion may be a little biased.” Her words drifted off into a soft mumble as she realized her previous reading of your work may have influenced her answer.

The two women’s agreement seemed like all you needed, no sign of Carmy itching to chime in. The lull in conversation created an opportunity for everyone to take their respective leave and work on their tasks for the day. You gathered your laptop in your hands and moved the chair you were using back to its original spot.

Making your way to your bag and cardigan you began putting your laptop away and making sure all your belongings were in there so you didn’t leave any valuables behind. You tried to ignore the presence that stayed in the room with you, not in any mood to deal with Carmy’s hot and cold attitude.

“Why is this article so important to you?” Carmy hadn’t said a word doing your entire explanation. It would've been easy to believe he wasn’t in the room if it wasn’t for his warm leg constantly pressing against yours. His arms crossed over his chest, it was hard to pretend you didn’t know what was hiding under the knit crew neck he was wearing.

You found his eyes, the exhaustion in them a mirror to your own. For a minute it was easy to imagine the two of you were teenagers again, the urge to find a seat next to him again and pour your heart out scratching at the back of your mind.

“Can I be honest with you?” You took a glance in Carmy’s direction watching as he relaxed his arms almost like he was opening himself up to whatever you had to get off your chest.

“I uh,” a sardonic chuckle passed through your lips. “I told Mikey I’d write about him one day and…and by the time I finally made it far enough into my career he…he left us.” Carmy’s face didn’t give much away about his feelings making it a little easier to continue your train of thought.

“It's just something I need to do I guess,” you shrugged your shoulders as you faced Carmy once more. The want to be near him won over, taking a few steps to the middle of the table before leaning against it, the once large gap between the two of you now lessened.

“He uh, called me that night. I was at a screening for a friend’s documentary so I just let the call go to voicemail. Texted him after that I’d call him in the morning.” It was weird, Natalie had seen you at your lowest and you had yet to tell her the whole story behind the infamous voicemail that kept you up that night. But standing here with Carmy at this moment gave you a sense of safety you had been lacking.

“I remember waking up in the middle of the night with so many missed calls from Nat and Richie, your mom even called me once,” a humorless laugh escaped your lips, the confidence you had earlier to tell this story dwindling with each word.

“I finally answered Sug’s next call and I remember before she even said anything, I felt like this ache in my chest.” Your hand had subconsciously moved to your chest pressing against it as though you were trying to relieve a bout of heartburn. “And I just…I could feel that something was wrong and you know my first thought was you, tha-that something happened and we never got a chance to fix us.”

“But then Sugar lets out this heart-wrenching sob, like this bone-chilling cry that just like freezes your blood and I’m sitting there listening to her cry and then I’m crying and I don’t even know why yet. And it feels like…like we’ve been on the phone for hours just crying with each other before Pete calms her down enough,” the shakiness not only evident in your voice but your hand that was still resting on the table by your hip. “And it's silent for a moment but I know, the moment the first syllable passes her lips it's like I lose all of my senses and I’m just sitting up in bed, numb to what she’s saying. And it can’t be real, you know because Mikey just called me only a couple of hours ago.”

“As soon as I’m off the phone with Nat I immediately call Richie, and the first thing he says to me is ‘Baby I’m sorry’ he apologizes to me like his best friend that he probably spent his whole day with didn’t just blow his brains out.” The lump in your throat was begging to be free, something you wouldn’t allow to happen. “And Richie is sitting there fucking consoling me because I’m too goddamn selfish to take one fucking breath and make sure he is okay.”

You finally meet Carmy’s eyes again, waterline wet with the tears you won’t allow to fall. “I guess I say all of this to say I owe this article to Mikey, maybe if I had just picked up the fucking phone he’d still be here with us.”

Carmy has no idea how to respond to anything you’d just told him at a loss for words as he allows your emotions to sink into him. He gently reaches his hand out, not knowing if a comforting touch would help, but wanting to do his best to let you know he was there with you. The two of you sat in each other’s presence, the weight of your confession weighing heavy in the room. Carmy knows nothing he says will change anything, it won’t bring Mikey back and it won’t lessen your grief, so for a while, he doesn’t, the two of you sit there connected by your hands.

“Uh, I’m not sure how much Sug told you, but there are these Al-Anon meetings for uh family members of addicts and I’ve been going for a while now,” he gave your hand a small squeeze to make sure you were still listening. “It helps to understand what Mikey was going through.”

You looked down at the man below you, a blank look on your face. You gave him a soft smile as your thumb caressed his knuckles, “Yeah I uh I’ll look into it.” You had wanted to laugh, the irony of the situation not lost on you but you appreciated the help Carmy was trying to offer.

The approaching footsteps easily forced you back to your side of the table, quickly occupying yourself to look busy so you wouldn’t have to explain why you were alone with Carmy. You listened quietly as he and Syd began conversing about something that was none of your business.

“I’m just gonna hang around here before I’ve gotta be at work if that’s cool with you guys?” You looked at the two chefs more so telling rather than asking but still wanting to be polite.

Syd nodded “The more hands the better I guess.” You sent a small smile in her direction before heading to the door hoping to make yourself useful and occupy your mind from the guilty thoughts.

Avoiding Carmy’s eyes as you not going unnoticed by him, though neither of you expected the conversation to take the turn it did. He was relieved that you still felt comfortable enough with him to have a conversation of that nature.

Sydney was doing her best to focus on the chaos menu with Carmy. But with it being the first time in a space so personal to him, she couldn’t help but take in the small details around his apartment that gave a look into who he was.

It was surprising to her really, the whole apartment was bare, lackluster of any interpersonal items besides Carmy’s belongings that one would expect to see. Syd tried not to come across as nosy, or too interested in the small things her eyes did catch onto, but it was hard.

Like the group picture stuck to his fridge with a random cheap banana magnet that no one ever knew they had but it just appeared in their kitchen one day. Or the aesthetic-looking knife set that Syd would equate to something a suburban mom might have in her kitchen and not the gritty anxiety-riddled chef she was cooking with.

What really prickled her curiosity though, was a picture of the two of you strategically placed above the stove. Syd was awarded a glance as Carmy removed his closet from the oven, she couldn’t tell how recent it was from the few seconds she saw it, but it did make her question what Carmy’s idea of an ‘old acquaintance’ was.

It was probably her third pass by the stove before she was finally able to take in a clear understanding of the Polaroid. She would admit she was surprised, the content of the picture far from anything she would ever equate to Carmen Berzatto.

It was of you and Carmy. The two of you were lying next to each other, whether on a bed or the floor, Sydney couldn’t tell. One of your arms was raised, presumably holding the camera in your hand. Even though the moment was captured in time, Syd could feel the intimacy through the photo, almost making her feel too uncomfortable to even be so intrigued by it.

Syd had seen the smile gracing Carmy’s face once or twice in real-time, something he usually kept to himself. He looked happy lying there next to you, like your being there eased him. She focused on you to find you were focusing on him, your head tilted up a little, eyes gleaming full of love.

You looked at Carmy the way Syd’s dad talked about her mom. Like your entire life was destined to be entangled with Carmy’s.

As Sydney focused on the picture once more, she finally noticed the number written on the white space of the Polaroid. Her only assumption that it must’ve been yours.

Her curiosity had finally gotten the best of her. From the way you two interacted, to the Polaroid she was sure she had taken in every detail of , there was history between you and Carmy.

“Hey uh, can I ask you a question?” She moved to sit at the table where Carmy was prepping pasta. She wasn’t sure whether she should beat around the bush or just outright ask her question.

Carmy raised his head, eyes catching hers before giving a slight nod, Syd took a deep breath. She would consider her and Carmy friends, but she didn’t want him to think she was crossing some line. “Uh what’s the deal between you two,” she said your name for clarification, not yet sure if she was allowed to call you by the nickname so many others did, and not wanting to make you uncomfortable.

Carmy froze for a minute, but his recovery was so quick if Syd wasn’t paying attention she wouldn’t have caught it. “It’s just uh, you called her an acquaintance, but I don’t think anybody gets those vibes from you two,” she trailed off not wanting to make Carmy feel pressured.

“I mean you have a shrine to her above your stove.” Carmy’s head snapped up to Syd before looking at the picture above his stove, Syd’s soft laugh signifying her quip as a joke.

“Fuck off,” he chuckled along with her, the weight on his shoulder at the idea of talking about you lessening a bit. “She uh, we were best friends growing up, she lived across the street from us.”

Syd nodded her head waiting for any more details, she wasn’t normally one to pry but Carmy’s explanation sounded like such bullshit compared to the way you two acted around each other. “So you guys like never dated or anything?” Syd’s curiosity caused the question to come across as less casual than she hoped.

“No, no. Just friends,” Carmy nodded eyes still on the pasta doing his best to distract his mind from Sydney’s line of questioning.

“Did you ever like, I dunno want more with her?” Carmy stopped eyes finally meeting Syd’s, he stood there for a moment just taking in her question. Although you once admitted your desire for something more with him, he still hadn’t. And he wasn’t sure if now in his kitchen with Sydney was the right time or place to do it.

But Syd didn’t need him to verbally answer, the look in his eyes told her more than what she had even asked. The two of them were only speaking about you and the longing in Carmy’s soft blue eyes was enough for Sydney to feel like she interrupted a sudden declaration of love.

Sydney cleared her throat, averting her eyes not at all meaning to get into anything too personal. Just a bit curious about the nature of the relationship between you two. “So any ideas on how to make this chaos menu…thoughtful?”

Carmy was grateful for Syd’s diversion of topics. If she had picked up on the tension between the two of you, he was sure the rest of the crew had. And if that meant everyone was privy to the unfinished history between the two of you then neither of you were as sly as you thought.

You lost Hayden somewhere between first entering the store and him wandering off for his necessities. You didn’t mind though, he was nice enough to offer you a ride home and stop by the store as the two of you brainstormed about your respective dinners for the night.

Wandering around on your own in a store you had never been to probably wasn’t the smartest decision you made. Case in point is the fact that you were standing in the alcoholic beverage section trying to fight the urge to peruse through the variety and pick your favorite form of poison.

The sound of your name caught your attention, eyes shooting to Hayden’s impeccably dressed form. You’d be the first to admit maturity had done him good, the sleeves of his button-up shirt rolled up to show off his toned forearms. The top three buttons were undone, his chest giving a preview of what he had to offer.

His lips wrapped around your name again, a slight frown to his brows. He looked around the aisle before his eyes landed back on you with a small smile decorating his lips, “You okay?” You watched as he checked you over, the action irritated you a bit. Was he expecting you to go batshit crazy in the middle of the grocery store and just start hammering away at the countless bottles?

“Fine, just got distracted. I um, I just need some açaí and I’ll be good.” You gave him your best smile hoping it would reassure him, the one he returned ensured just that.

The two of you made your way to the frozen food section, meaningless small talk passing between the two of you.

“I can’t believe you still eat this shit,” you scoffed, quickly grabbing the bag of frozen açaí from the freezer. Closing the door as you made your way back to Hayden the two of you ready to make your leave.

“If I recall, you had no problem eating this in my dorm all those years ago,” the boisterous laugh that escaped Hayden caused a similar one to leave you, neither of you having brought up this topic of conversation since reuniting.

“Had to replenish all that lost stamina somehow,” your eyes widened slightly Hayden’s smirk did nothing to quell the heated feeling spreading through you.

He walked past you, grabbing your hand so you would follow behind him. “What’s got you quiet all of a sudden?” You knew he was teasing you, the tone in his voice bringing a chuckle out of you.

“Just wasn’t sure how well you remembered our college shenanigans.” The shrug of your shoulders was supposed to feign nonchalance, but the wide grin on your face proved the opposite.

The two of you had lost any rush to leave the grocery store, casually walking around hands entwined together. “To forget a girl like you would be criminal,” you faced Hayden nose scrunching up at his words a laugh bubbling out of your lips.

“Didn’t you get married?” Hayden laughed, throwing his arm around your shoulder as the two of you continued around the store aimlessly just enjoying the company of an old friend.

“You didn’t want me the way I wanted you. Had to move on at some point.” The melancholy tone in his voice caused a feeling of guilt to shoot through your heart. You nodded a sad smile gracing your lips, the squeeze on your shoulder helping to alleviate your remorse.

“Listen, Hayden, I didn’t mean to hurt you or anything,” you sighed as you moved to stand in front of him. “It just wasn’t fair of me to commit to a long-term relationship with you when my heart wasn’t in it.” He nodded a smile sent in your direction.

“No, I uh I appreciate it, wouldn’t have married Marlene if you didn’t set me straight,” you smiled happy there was a bright side to this whole situation. “Probably wouldn’t have divorced her either. Hey, should I send you my lawyer fees or.” Hayden trailed off, grin returning to his face as you laughed swatting at his bicep.

All he saw in his head was you. As dramatic as it sounds it felt like the thought of you was keeping him alive, from the way you had all but disappeared when they opened Mikey’s locker. To the photo above his stove that was seared into his brain. So preoccupied with thoughts of you he had missed the aisle he intended to go down three times.

Finding his destination Carmy made his way down the aisle, stopping as he saw you laughing with a man he didn’t recognize. His mind going back to the conversation he had earlier with Sydney, Carmy did want more with you. He wanted a lot more than what the two of you allowed to transpire all these years.

Carmy wanted a life with you, a life where he was the one making you laugh in the grocery store. Where his apartment wasn’t just filled with a, year old photograph of the two of you, but filled with your presence.

He envisioned a life with you, and he wasn’t sure why he had sabotaged every chance you had given him to make that a reality. Carmy continued his journey through the store, thoughts of you played heavily on his mind. It didn’t matter what he wanted though if he never gained the courage to tell you. There was a lot unsaid between the two of you, but you had made your feelings clear. Tried to reconcile whatever relationship the two of you still had left. And the ball was in his court, had been since your impromptu visit last year.

Even when reunited with the girl he had crushed on once upon a time, you were still at the forefront of his mind. The woman in front of him is a cruel reminder of all the ways he messed up with you.

Carmy’s thoughts ran so wild with you as he entertained Claire’s conversation, that he didn’t think twice before giving her a number that had been left on a Polaroid a year ago and now decorated the space above his stove; but not the contact book in his phone.

a/n: it’s here!!! i think this chapter is pretty tame which is kind of out of character lol. thankful to be done with this chapter so i can explore some ideas i’ve been having! thank you all so much for your love and support! please support me in whatever way feels comfortable!!! 💜

tag list: @hawkins-2000 @elliesbabygirl @allbark-no-bite @anakinswh0re3005 @rexorangecouny @thecraziestcrayon @fruitcupsworld @nishinoyahhh @lilylovelyxo @ridingthehotmessexpress @noas-ark @jadeittic @hellokittyever @luvr-bunnyy @sxgees @fandomhopped @is-this-a-febreze-commercial @kravitzwhore @chanluvr @readingwiththereids @chims-kookies @ladygrey03 @ferida-kahlo @wanderlustnightwanderer @how2besalty @armydrcamers @jointherebellion215 @jackierose902109 @blkbxrbie-esther @ajordan2020 @head-slut-in-charge @magnet-girl @thebookwormlife @sevikasblackgf @writers-hes @senassn @bunnysthngs @gabbycoady13 @randomhoex @mattmurdocksstarlight @shinebright2000 @royalestrellas @khena @kailyn-g05 @ovaqma @fire-treasure-iii @frequentnosebleeder @awatt31 @cauliflowerpatch

[everyday-is-brighter-with-you]

[ ID: First there is an anon ask that reads " A character of your choice in B5. If you're doing the clothing thing. If not disregard the message please."

Then theres digital art with two OCs, Frances and Sydney, in the same outfit. BG is grey. The style is blocky, cartoony, and sketchy with big eyes and mouth, a pointy chest.

Frances is a thin intersex person with deeper peach skin, pink eyes, and black and pink hair. They have sweeping pink-tipped hair in a ponytail. They grin very confidently, eyes lidded, one hand flitting their face while the other catches their hip.

Sydney is a small, thin, pale skinned demiboy with light blue eyes and medium length ruffled white hair. He too stands with pomp, one hand on hip while the other displays glowing electric-blue nails.

They both wear a pale pink dress with a cream-and-white belt, pink boots and are shoulder robing a big white jacket. End ID]

B5 From the outfit ask meme for Frances because they really like pink !!! Good taste😎(cool sunglasses emoji) Pink is far out!!!

OKAY FIRST IM SO SORRY FOR NOT ANSWERING THESE RIGHT AWAY

SECOND OF ALL TO ANSWER BOTH OF THESE AT ONCE

YA GET BOTH FRANCES AND A CHARACTER OF MY CHOICE(sydney who else would it be)

HOPE YA LIKE

[pcttymcrlecu]

dreams of someone ✒︎ m.barzal

summary: all lina’s dreams seemingly had come true – and then she met mat in a time where they both needed ... someone

featuring: mat barzal, lina thorne (oc), sydney esiason martin, and the rest of the martin family in mention

word count: 3.8k

warnings: none -- there is a ton of food mention though especially of the baked variety

dedication: this little one shot was written for bre (@fallinallincurls) for demi's winter fic exchange!

the last time ii wrote about mat was two or so years ago so please give me some grace. but writing this was the exact challenge that i needed so i really did enjoy writing it for you and adjusting it to suit your desires. so, i hope it meets your expectations and that you enjoy it!

and a little dedication as per always to demi (@wyattjohnston) for hosting and understanding that life sometimes happens.

It was a typical opening morning for Lina Thorne. She’d woken up at 4:30am, showered and got herself ready for her shift. It was a quick morning stroll to her place when the city that never sleeps was a lot quieter than and the sun was still well below the horizon and wouldn’t be painting the skies until the first batch of cookies was in the oven. The woman couldn’t hide the yawn that left her mouth as her key slid into the lock and the front door to the store opened.

Lina never imagined that she be living the dream in New York City, especially since her dreams of staying out in the big city upon finishing her internship with her mentor never came true. Instead, she found herself dreaming of what life in the big city could be for her, working in a bakery out in Boston honing her skills and surprisingly making herself seemingly at home. She had been referred for the position by her mentor despite his own wants to let the young chef go. Working her way into management and securing respect and acknowledgement in the pastry world. All an up-and-coming pastry chef could ask for. It wasn’t until during a prep day that her boss mentioned a position that she was put into consideration for that would lead her back to the city of her dreams and training not only as a baker but rather the head baker of the newest branch of the bakery she’d happily called home for the last three years.

However, as stood in the commercial kitchen under bright cool lights, being able to say she ran the little bakery on the island, she couldn’t help but pat herself on the back. The nerves had initially consumed her and although her boss and the owner of the bakery had been around for training of staff, prepping for the opening and the grand opening itself. Almost as soon as the store was open and running within the week, she was then solely in charge. It was days like this, however, that she loved the most. Mornings where she was able to get back into the very reason why she got into baking in the first place. It was a time when she could take a moment to herself and just breathe. Especially on a day like today when she had a big order to fill out, for none other than one of her newest friends in the neighbourhood.

Lina’s eyes flitted towards the clock, keenly aware that it was fast approaching time to slip the decorated sign on the door and let customers know that they were open. She had since been joined by two baristas and two of the bakers who were due to take over from her once the store opened up whilst she got her deliveries done before working through paperwork. The shout from one of the aforementioned baristas shook her out of her haze as she iced the cookies in front of her. Calling out for a moment, she finished up the cookie she was decorating before placing the pining bag down and reaching for the dishtowel. 

Walking out into the front, she sent a smile to the two college students who were pulling down chairs and wiping tables before her eyes landed on a familiar head of hair tapping their fingers against her counter. Pulling a face of confusion, she moved towards him dropping the dishtowel.

“We’re not open yet.” She spoke before crossing her arms as he turned towards her. A smile that she could only describe as cheeky sat on his lips as he gave her a little shrug before leaning towards her.

“I was told to pick up a cookie deliver. Sydney’s orders,” He spoke with amusement filling his words, “There’s no saying no to that woman.”

“Mat, Syd’s order is set for delivery.” She wasn’t quite sure if she believed in what he was saying but it wasn’t in her nature to be unkind.

Lina had met Mat by chance and obviously all thanks to the woman currently in question. Sydney and a couple of the other wives and girlfriends of the Islanders had dropped by for a coffee date from which Sydney had made it her newest spot and was happily welcomed by the bakery’s staff as a regular. The more time Sydney spent in the establishment, the more opportunities she got to speak with young women and truly it was hard to say no to that woman. Before she knew it, she was being invited to dinners, and girls’ nights – she had even frequented hockey games which was something she hadn’t done since she was in culinary school. The late nights of the games just didn’t align with the early morning that was required of her at the store. It was one of the rare late nights she had free when she was invited by Sydney to a dinner party at the Martin residence and she had run into Mat. The story according to Syd was that Mat was only invited because of a recent break-up and them wanting him to be around people who loved him and wanted nothing but happiness for him. It, and Lina will quote, “is not a matchmaking setup” like other introductions to Sydney’s male friends of the same age as the baker had been.

The two had been seated next to one another and Mat’s glum mood had caught her attention. But not knowing anything of his current situation and maybe having had a little too much fun doing unplanned pres with the hostess with the mostess gifting her looser lips than normal, she had made a remark about his apparent brooding. A thought she assumed was just that but upon hearing the chatter quieten down a little, she realised her words most definitely left her mouth. Slowly lowering her glass to the table, she turned to apologise to the male beside her when the snort that he let out left her sorry and confused. It was all quickly replaced with intrigue when he shot back with a retort of his own, prompting the two adults into a comfortable and playful argument. It was that moment where instead of anticipating the presence of a certain blonde every day, she noticed a certain brunet make a place for himself at the table closest to the counter by the display case.

The baker had been warned against Matt’s teammates but none other than Matt himself. She’d gotten the idea that Matt was keenly aware of his wife’s ability to befriend people and more importantly take them under her wing, if how quickly she was welcomed into the family dynamic of Martins was anything to go by. Regarding dating, who was she to question a man who spent most of his time with said teammates, she doubted she’d ever even meet and if she ever did, so many faces pass through her doors, she wouldn’t even remember them. Which is why the hockey player who had chosen to make himself a fixture had initially garnered a little apprehension from her but without fail, he always came in and grabbed a coffee (and a cake on those days he chose to treat himself), his a seat and left when he was all done, never without a generous tip. He was kind enough to her staff and even kinder to the other regulars who were in at the same time as him, so she let him be. All business is good business, even though she knew for a fact there were coffee shops much closer to his apartment, the arena and even the practice facility. But who was she to complain.

She couldn’t remember when it started but she eventually started joining him when he’d visit in the mornings. Their chats were surprisingly something familiar, and comfortable, like talking to an old friend. They joked and teased but most of the time they just let go. It had been a couple weeks since they first met, and it wasn’t until the second week of them sharing a drink that he’d actually opened up about why he was looking so glum the night they had met and why he was hanging around her café. How he got her store details from Sydney and how he was drawn to the fact that she didn’t handle him as though he was fragile. How all he had wanted when it felt like someone he cared about deeply had uprooted him from his very foundation was normalcy. And that’s what Lina gave him. He was just another friend of a friend to her; he was just Mat to her. Not heartbroken Mat, not healing Mat, not even NHL superstar – Just Mat.

“Well, you’re not all that Mathew.” She had stated to which he could only respond with a soft ‘Exactly’. Ever since that moment, they had shared ample time with one another both in and outside of his coffee trips. And despite the time Mat has been spending within their four brick walls, it was still a surprise to see him at the store before opening.

“Can’t be, she sent me a frantic message at 7 telling me she needed a favour and who am I to fulfil my favourite uncle duties,” He explained before sending a wink her way, “Anything for Winnie.”

“Yeah, she lied to you,” She answered, giving him a double pat on the shoulder and a short cackle before moving over and opening the gate for the man, “One time only, might as well put you to work.”

The two of them made their way to the kitchen and while Mat went to wash his hands (not before Lina pointed a firm finger towards the sink to gently direct him to do so), Lina grabbed him a free apron and tossed it over his shoulder. Moving back to the station where the last of the cookies were waiting to be decorated and then packed away for delivery. 

“So, what can I do?” Mat slipped the apron over his head as he leaned over to observe the spread of baked goods before glancing back over at her. His confident smile slowly slipped off his face as she grabbed a piping bag and handed it over to him.

“I line, you flood.”

“Didn’t you train like three years for this?” Giving the bag a gentle squish and frowning when no icing flowed out.

“It’s basically impossible to mess it up, it’s like colour by numbers,” She explained softly as she grabbed a pair of scissors and snipped the end of the piping bag while adjusting his hand to make sure no icing was wasted. Pulling the cookies, she was previously working on in front of him all lined and ready to fill in front of him, before gesturing towards the piping bag and gesturing back to the cookies. “Match the flood colour to the line colour. Winnie does it all the time.”

“While I know that’s not really true, the dig hurts.” His free hand flew up to his chest in mock hurt before laughing and finally putting icing to cookie with an almost amusing amount of concentration.

“Get filling pretty boy, I will not have my little princess disappointed.”

The two of them worked almost like a well-oiled machine. It almost felt like she was back in culinary school, helping out with the younger years. They weren’t always perfect, but their hearts were always in the right place and if there was one thing she had learnt about Mat was that his heart was always in the right place. Almost to a fault. The whole bravado he put on was more like a mask. At least in front of her. He never had any walls up with her, but he definitely had worn the walls she constructed when she moved down. She always knew that those walls had to come down eventually, but she definitely didn’t expect it would come from a chance encounter with a random stranger. The girls and her staff had done their fair share and warming her up and making her feel at home but the first time she ever truly let herself be with no pretences and no fears of being judged and not fitting in was sitting in the store over a cup of coffee with Mat.

Before long, all the cookies, cupcakes, and the grand finale cake of it all were packed into the refrigerated bakery van ready for transportation to the Martins' house, where preparations, if the texts and calls she had received from Sydney were anything to go by, were well underway.  Despite Mat’s pleas to drive, Lina kept a firm hold of the keys until they were safely parked in their friends’ driveway. Grabbing her garment bag from its place hanging in the backseat, she walked up to the front door. Mat’s knuckles were knocking against the wooden door as Lina reached him up on the front step. His eyes were drawn to the bag in her hand, and he couldn’t help but bring up his curiosity.

“What’s with the change of attire?” 

“As if I’m going to spend the rest of the day in clothing that’s covered in powdered sugar, flour and dried batter and dough. Plus, if I’m going to be around kids with surprisingly sticky hands, I’m going to start with a fresh slate.” Her words were light and humorous and before Mat could even attempt a response, the door opened and a hand was wrapped around Lina’s wrist, pulling her into the house quickly.

“Thank goodness you’re here, I need your help.” The blonde in front of her pulled her to the side before aggressively motioning to Mat who was still pulling his shoes off. He almost comically pointed to himself before looking behind him only to be physically pulled into their little huddle a second later, “There’s so much left to sort out and both Alice and Winnie want pancakes. Help Matty and I out?”

“Don’t think I’m your guy, I’mma just –“ 

“Of course we can help, go do what you need to do,” Lina responded, grabbing onto Mat’s arm before he walked away. Sydney gave her a smile and with a blown kiss, she was gone. Once her friend was out of view, Lina’s hand swung up to Mat’s shoulder, “Really?”

“What?” He was greeted simply with a shaken head as she slipped her own shoes off along with her jacket before she walked into the kitchen. Pouting at the lack of an answer, he followed her quickly “What?”

Mat watched as she made quick work of pulling out the necessary ingredients and equipment for the pancakes. Pulling up one of the bar stools, he settled into a routine that was very much a typical evening for them. Since he frequented the store so much, Lina had decided that for all the real estate he was taking away from her other customers, he had to give something back and that was how he became her official taste tester. Once, every other month they’d get together and along with a constantly refilled glass of wine (courtesy of Mat), she’d bake all her experimental recipes and flavour pairings on him. It was one of the things that she loved about him. She loved simply baking with no pressure of it being commercially viable and nothing is better than baking for someone who is more than happy to consume. Even if it means she has to put up with the constant whining about how her goods are going to make a certain someone work harder at the gym.

The two worked in a comfortable quiet, Mat had put music on the Alexa quiet enough not to disturb anything happening in the other parts of the house. Mat was picking at the tester pancake before he hopped off the stool and made his way over to the cupboard and pulled out the Nutella and a spoon, before settling himself beside the baker who was humming along to the music.

“What happened to all that ‘I’m a disciplined athlete’ talk?”

“I’m just a man and you’re out here teasing me with all those amazing treats you made me decorate and now you expect me to not have at least one spoonful of chocolatey goodness?” Forcefully scooping up a spoonful of said spread, her pointed it in her direction for a moment before shoving it in his mouth, “You have too much faith in me.”

“Oh, now that is pushing it,” She said flipping one of the pastries onto a plate before turning to face him as she poured more batter on the hot plate, “Would you please just cut some strawberries and stuff?”

Although it wasn’t without complaints, sure enough, they were working side by side. Lina flipping pancakes and Matt cutting strawberries into quarters as they quietly spoke about their weeks, catching each other up on their respective TV shows. 

“You know this is what I miss the most.” Lina hummed in question at his statement, only slightly inclining her head in his direction, “I miss just having someone to talk to. To exist with. To be with.”

Silence flooded through the pair as her head turned towards him as he continued chopping the fruit, a bittersweet smile on his face. She took a deep breath as she felt a wave of emotion flood through her as his words processed in her head. Her hand was on the dial, turning the heat off and placing the spatula down. Her words came out as an unsteady breath as she turned fully towards him.  “Oh Mat…” 

“I know I’ve already talked you to death about … that situation but –“ Mat lowered the knife but still made no effort to look in her direction and shook his head slightly before huffing out a quiet laugh,  “It’s not just that you didn’t treat me like I could break but the time we spent together, the conversations we had. It almost felt like having someone again. Except this time, it was in the shape of friend – someone I can’t lose. Until I kept getting to know how wonderful you are.”

The words to comfort the man in front of her were proving difficult to come by so Lina simply stepped towards him and did the only thing she could think of, wrapped her arms around him. With one arm around his back and the other holding onto his arm, she laid her head on his arm and gave him a gentle squeeze.

“I’ve done the whole break up thing before I don’t know why this time it was difficult. I guess I got too comfortable with the wrong person, I don’t know but I know it was wrong now. I knew it was wrong the moment I had coffee with you for the first time because you made me feel more heard and all you were doing was entertaining a customer who wouldn’t leave your store.” She couldn’t help the laugh that left her, giving him a whole-body nudge and shaking her head as it pressed against his bicep muttering a soft ‘not true’.

Lina felt Mat’s head move to look towards her, moving her own to look up at him but keeping him in her soft hug. She would never admit it to him, considering the subconscious promise she made to herself upon finding out he was still working through his breakup. Their eyes met and he couldn’t help the smile that floated onto his lips until a little embarrassment covered his face,  “Sydney didn’t tell me to come and collect Win’s treats, I just hoped if I turned up, I wouldn’t have to share your attention with your customers.” 

“I’ve told you before Mathew you never have to be jealous of customers taking me away from you. I’ll always be there for you,” She muttered, pulling away before turning him until they were chest to chest, “I know we joke but I truly will always be there for you. Maybe covered in icing but always there.”

“And I you,” At his words, she wrapped her arms around his neck giving him a proper hug.

Inhaling deeply, she felt him do the same as his arms wrapped firmly around her trapping her between them, not that she was complaining. Her mind rushed through the past couple weeks of her life since meeting the man and she couldn’t believe just how close and open she had got with him. There were people she’d met during culinary school and knew for 4 years and worked with in Boston for 3 years who didn’t know as much about who she was outside of the kitchen as Mat did, and she’d barely known him for a couple months.

He had an interest in getting to know her and just wanted to sit and speak with her, whether or not he had his own ulterior motives for appreciating her company, they bonded. They spent a lot of time together doing nothing more than talking in their own little world. Lina would go as far as to say that she knew him and not just superficially but at a much deeper level and she could entirely feel what he was saying about how being with her feels because she felt the exact same way. Releasing him from her hold, she was suspended on her toes as Mat took a little longer to pull his arms away. She laughed softly, keeping her hands perched on his shoulders as she looked up at him with a soft and gentle smile.

“You bring me peace too,” She whispered, letting out a breath as she steeled herself to admit her truth to him, something that she’d become very comfortable with so what did she have to lose this time, “I love being your someone, because you’re my someone.”

If Mat was smiling before, the smile that took over her face at her words was rivalling the sun. A deep sigh left his mouth, and it was almost like all the tension that had filled his body since he started speaking had been loosened instantly. His shoulder dropped as the tension fell away and his hands found hers up on his shoulders, holding them tight between them. He went to speak but a shout of ‘LiLi’ filled both of their ears from the living room. Touching his forehead against hers, they both laughed gently as the shouts got closer and more frequently. Pushing back up on her toes, Lina pressed a firm kiss to his cheek before pulling away. Giving him one last peck on the cheek before she properly pulled away.

“Later?” He simply smiled at her question as the sound of small footfalls got closer.

“Later.”

[mercyillustrator]

Another Art Fight that I did and I had so much fun with art fight not gonna lie even though I get busy at the times but happy that I drew different species, Mario sona, and everyone cool OCs and I can’t describe the coloring is so good ^w^ (don’t mind the messy pencil sketch TwT)

Azzie (sona) belongs to @azzie-tangerine

Sydney belongs to @cali-kabi

Moon belongs to @c0ffee-7

Mochi @pruskita

Mir Arthur belongs to @post-it-notes7

Verni belongs to @the-chaos-axolotl

Fecto Flora belongs to @metagalacafe

- 💠🎨Mercy🎨💠

[lemmejustpulloutmylightsaber]

Come again, Needle Noggin?

Hello there!

You can call me Cal (He/They), I’ll be your resident writer this morning/afternoon/evening!

Some details about your lovely time here:

I write for:

Star Wars:

Anakin Skywalker

Obi Wan

Luke Skywalker

Din Djarin

Ashoka Tano

Harry Potter: (all either in 7th year or aged up, besides the adults)

Harry Potter

Tom Riddle

Ron Weasley

Fred Weasley

George Weasley

Hermione Granger

Neville Longbottom

Cedric Diggory

Newt Scammander

X-Men:

Charles Xavier

Erik Lehnsherr

Logan Howlett

Scott Summers

Alex Summers

Jean Grey

Hunger Games:

Katniss Everdeen

Peeta Mallark

Coriolanus Snow

Lucy Gray Baird

Sejanus Plinth

The Bear:

Carmen Berzatto

Sydney Adamu

Saltburn:

Oliver Quick

Felix Catton

I also have peaky blinders/cillian murphy blog @red-write-hand, i write cool stuff and can talk over there :]

RULES FOR REQUESTS:

Remember to add in your request:

words count

pairing (x reader, x oc, x canon character)

trope (fluff, angst, hurt/comfort, smut)

maybe a summary?

I dont do:

incest

dubcon

noncon

nothing with minors (ONLY ACCEPTING REQUESTS WHERE CHARACTERS ARE AGED UP)

vomit/piss/scat

anything with actual people (such as actors, some exceptions are if i specifically say so)

NOTHING BIGOTED (transphobia, homophobia, racism, fatphobia, etc.)

I will write:

close to everything else!

just give me some time, i'm kinda slow, i will get out more headcanons out than fics but those will still get published :]

Last thing, sorry for keeping you...

BE NICE :)

[sakuralovespossums]

💀Parent Nathan Explosion HCs 💀

Inspired by @rancidpepper’s story for her oc Sydney Pot. Go check out her art!!

I’ll be honest here, you were an accident

We all know how often Nathan sleeps with so many women, whether they’re fan girls, groupies, short-term girlfriends. And you were a product of one of those countless one night stands. Wether it was cause of a shitty condom or he was too drunk to remember wearing one idk

For some reason, your mom couldn’t take care of you. So you ended up in his custody instead

Everyone was shocked and confused at seeing Nathan coming back to Mordhaus with a baby in his arms. He tries to come off as uncaring and cool about it in front of the others. But inside, he’s FREAKING OUT

How is he supposed to take care of a freaking baby when he’s already busy having to lead the most famous band on the planet

Sure he makes a good father/older brother figure to Toki, Skwisgaar, and Murderface. But they’re already grown adults who can generally take care of themselves. Raising a baby is a whole other thing

He has no idea what he’s doing and is so scared, but knows you need him. So he ultimately decides to take on the job of being your dad. He better not fuck this up

When your a baby

Just imagine the band standing in a circle looking down at a tiny baby with confused faces

Your existence is kept a secret since they know that once word of Nathan now having a kid gets out, the whole world will go into a frenzy. Nathan wants you to have a normal upbringing (as normal as it gets in Dethklok)

The first thing Nathan does is call his parents in a panic about what to do. They were surprised at abruptly finding out they now have a grandkid, but gladly accepted you

He always turns to them whenever he needs parenting advice or reassurance (which is quite often). He also drops you off at their place whenever he has to go on long tours and concerts

He went so overboard in setting up your room to look metal as fuck. He was upset when Charles told him he couldn’t line your crib with spikes cuz it’s too dangerous

You cry a lot since it’s always so loud and chaotic in Mordhaus, which definitely doesn’t help the band when they need to record or have women over. Their solution is to make your room soundproof and thank god it works

Just picture Nathan walking around with a baby sling around him and a tiny infant. He acts like nothings changed and just glares at anyone he catches staring

He is SO overprotective Holly Hell. He never lets go of you and will give his most murderous glare at anyone who even looks at you

Nathan struggled with learning how to feed you (type/temp of milk, baby formulas, etc) and needed a lot of help

He left diaper changing duty to the klokateers. One time he tried doing it himself and it did not go well

Nathan often sings lullabies to you in his low gravely voice cuz it’s the only thing you can fall asleep to. If anyone else tries, you just cry. He won’t let anyone see him sing to you tho cuz it’s not metal

Everyone thinks you’re just the most precious thing ever and will kill for you. I’m not even joking

The other band members came to really like you and now enjoy playing with you (especially Toki). They’re all still pretty irresponsible guardian figures so Nathan doesn’t really trust them to look after you

They can’t even hold a baby right 🤦‍♀️

When your a kid

Maurdhouse has def gotten a lot more chaotic now that there’s a child running around

Your family dynamic is like living with a dad and four older brothers

If your a girl, your probably a tomboy who loves dressing up in rock shirts and get mistaken for a boy a lot

You love running around and exploring the house cuz it’s so huge and full of secret rooms with cool looking stuff. The klokateers scramble to find you cuz your so small

Nathan knows that, as a parent, he should scold you but is afraid of seriously scaring you with how intimidating he can be. He probably says “stop that” in a firm voice and you obey

When it comes to doing the child rearing part, that’s more Charle’s fort

There have been countless times where you’ve touched, broken, and drawn on all kinds of priceless items until you were finally banned from entering certain rooms

Of course he takes you out on camping/fishing trips. He’s determined to give you the best father/child memories like he had with his dad

The sad thing tho is that since he’s still busy with the band, he can’t spend as much time with you and often leaves you at his parents place (it’s cool since you love your grandparents)

You come to understand and always eagerly wait for his return, planning what you’ll do together and tell him everything you’ve been doing

Your existence was generally well hidden from the public until you started going to public school. How could people not notice when Nathan had to go to the parent/teacher conferences. He knew he couldn’t keep you hidden forever

Your def gonna be pretty popular at school (wether you like it or not) since your literally the child of the Nathan Explosion

You have klokateer bodyguards secretly follow you whenever you go out. Sure paparazzis are a total pain, but god only knows how many enemies of the band might come after you

Dr Rockso once showed up to your birthday party and was quickly beaten up and kicked out by Nathan. He doesn’t want that clown anywhere near you

When your a teenager

This should be interesting

If you’re a girl, you either stay a tomboy or start going for a more feminine look (putting on makeup, girly clothes, etc). Either way is both cool. Abigail (your only mother figure) becomes way more involved in your life as you start going through puberty

Nathan finds the whole idea of explaining to his kid about safe sex, pregnancy risks, self-care SO not metal but does it anyway cuz he knows he has to as your dad

It’s still so incredibly awkward omg. He’s so bad at explaining all this to you so you end up (once again) going to Charles or Abigail

If you have periods: Speaking of Abby, she’s so helpful and comforting at guiding you through your first period. She tells you everything you need to know while Nathan goes to try to buy pads/tampons (that’s a whole other story)

It doesn’t matter if you’re a boy, girl, or other. Whoever you date must be approved by Nathan (and by extension the rest of Dethklok). If they don’t like ‘em, they’re gone

At this point, you’ve gotten in touch with your mom and have a nice relationship with her (thank god, there’s already so many people in this show with severe mommy issues)

You know how to play a few instruments like the guitar and drums cuz you literally grew up in a rock band. Why wouldn’t you know how to play??

As an adult

It can be really tough growing into your own person when you’re dad is the most famous rock singer ever. People see you as Nathan Explosion’s kid and nothing more. But you try to not let it get to you and stand out as yourself

Whatever profession you choose to pursue, Nathan will be 100% supportive

When you start living on your own, expect getting constant phone calls and texts from him every minute. He’s just worried and depressed to let you go

[xxkylarthelonerxx]

about me

this blog is to talk about my life and reblog cool posts. i don't really have anything better to do.

i'm kind of a yandere. i'll probably vent about my darling here! any romantic posts i reblog will be thinking about them..! i was nothing before them and am nothing without them and i need to express my devotion to them when i can!! ... but don't ask for any identifying information on them or i'll block you. or worse. 🔪

send asks if you want i guess..?

my main tags (tagged in this post):

#kylar.txt - all of my posts

#yandere advice - self-explanatory.

#suggestive - also self-explanatory. #dick.asks are about my dick specifically.

#recs - has any recommendations i've given or recieved for music, manga, anime. (specific tags: #manga rec, #anime rec, #music rec)

#about my darling 💚 - any posts that talk a lot about my darling (most posts mention them somewhat)

#about myself 🔪 - posts where i talk about myself more

#++jealousy - any posts that have rants, bursts of anger, etc... they help showcase my protectiveness over my beloved 💚

#sydney , #whitney , etc. - posts about those people. #townspeople has all of them.

#ask - any posts that don't fit into major categories well.

(more info under the cut)

// this is an rp blog run by @1am-yan (aka @endo03). MDNI please!

// <- any of my ooc / out-of-character comments will be marked with this.

//this blog is just for male kylar (with a dick)

//feel free to rp in any style! i'll keep his posts normal, but traditional roleplay or giving scenarios to react to are always fun! i'll leave that to your discretion.

//please don't rp with this blog as the main character that kylar's in love with, unless you keep it vague. if you want to rp with a oc and kylar, please dm or send an ask about it! i can send asks as him on oc blogs, do private rps, etc...

//this blog isn't meant to make fun of yanderes or anything! just to make fun of kylar... (/hj) it might end up getting ooc but i don't care

//i'll add any other hard limits here as I come across them, but that's all for now! please send asks!!

(last edited 21 jan. 2024)

[chil-aglia]

𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐞 |ROTTMNT| (Leo X Male OC)

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐅𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭

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It was a busy day in the lair, or at least somewhat busy. Mikey had baked tons of pizza related things for the annual Tokyo Extreme Skateboarding Finals. Adriaen wasn’t big on events like these, but over the years he had come to enjoy it, especially when he first learned how to skateboard and wanted to see what kind of tricks others could do. Nowadays, he just likes watching the live show on his phone, it was relaxing. 

Leo was skateboarding on the ramp behind Adriaen who had been sitting in a beanbag that he brought out of his room to sit in, while Raph and Donnie are watching the live broadcast on their phones.

Mikey, wearing a chef's hat and admiring the feast he made, puts down the final touches of his long table of pizza food.

"Okay, we got pizza rolls, pizza balls, pizza tots, pizza puffs and duck a l’orange pizza!"

“As if today could get any more perfect." Donnie grins happily, being interrupted when the announcer on his tablet spoke up, “Live in Tokyo, the extreme skateboarding finals." they say, Raph immediately perking up.

"It’s starting guys."

They began to gather while Leo was continuing to skateboard on the ramp, Adriaen glanced up at him to see if he was coming over, but he was lost in his own little world.

"Three hours of insane tricks. And the rumors are true. Sydney Allen will attempt a 14-40 on the Mega Ramp."

“Is that even possible?" Donnie questions, immediately followed by Mikey and Raph’s comments. 

“No way."

“She’s gotta be a mutant."

Adriaen lightly deadpans at Raph’s comment about her being a mutant, but he focuses back on the screen, curious to see more of Sydney Allen.

Leo however couldn’t help but smirk, hand standing on his skateboard, balancing. “Hey. I bet I could do a 14-40." He challenges, causing the others to look over at him in uncertainty.

“I will forgo my usual, ‘No don’t, That four rotations. That’s crazy talk Leo. And skip right ahead to cover the food.’” Donnie bluntly responded as Mikey and Raph were quick to run to cover the food.

Adriaen crossed his arms and watched Leo who pumped his fist into the air.

“For Sydney!"

The red eared slider flips his skateboard as he jumps down. He sped right past his siblings, as they tried to protect the food. He waved his hands about to balance himself which he did, grinning confidently, he glanced at Adriaen and winks at him, making the black bandanna turtle raise a brow at him.

Leo lifts his skateboard high in the air, but his missteps cause him to lose his balance. He tumbled down as his skateboard flew around. Mikey and Raph laughed at Leo, pointing at him as the red slider looked annoyed, sliding down the ramp himself with his arms folded together. 

Adriaen saw the skateboard come flying at him with incredible speed. “Whoa!” He yelped before jumping out the way in time, unfortunately Leo's skateboard crashes into the router on the wall, breaking it.

“The Wi-fi! Wifi, skating, Raph watch, Donnie fix, Raph happy." Raph gasps out, shaking Donnie with wide eyes and handing him a tablet.

Adriaen stood back up and glared briefly at the others, “I almost got my head chopped off and y’all are more worried about the wi-fi?” He inquired, but got zero response, well besides Leo who gulps and awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck.

Donnie was far more focused on the no internet dilemma. “I need pregame. Stats, highlights of past stats, projections of future stats. We’re missing the stats, people!" He exclaims in a panic, everyone running about.

"And we’re gonna Miss Sydney and the 14-40!"

Adriaen was a bit disappointed he’ll admit, but he wasn’t going to go into a panic mode about the wifi, he’ll just have to catch next year's finals.

"Everybody, cool it. There’s worse things in the world than— Oh who am I kidding? Our lives are ruined.” Raph tried to be brave but only to send deflated, Adriaen sighs and gazed over to the direction of the living room.

”What about the TV?”

Raph immediately perked up and beams at the suggestion, “Yes! Good idea. Guys, I have an idea, but it ain’t gonna be pretty." He assured his brothers who gaze their eyes towards their older brother.

In a few minutes the siblings, plus Adriaen who stood on the sidelines, came running into the living room, on their knees in front of Splinter.

"Dad, you gotta let us watch T.V."

"We’ll do anything!"

Splinter was very much amused, rubbing a hand under his chin, "Anything? That is more than something and just shy of everything. Go on." He grins cheekily, wanting to hear what they had to offer.

"Gourmet dinners?"

"Nostril waxing?"

"Hey, Raph will even carry you around 24/7." Leo added, patting Raph on the arm, he then glanced at Adriaen and quickly grabbed him and dragged him over.

”And Adriaen can give you all the massages you want!”

”Say what now?” 

Adriaen blinks in bewilderment before glaring at Leo, putting his hands on the red sliders face and tried to free himself from Leo’s grasp. “Oh no I won’t! You can offer yourself up for that.” Adriaen sassed, Leo whining for him to not run away.

“This is quite a generous offer, but I must refuse. We are in the golden age of commercials! I would bring disgrace on my family if I missed even one."

Splinter shutdown the offers, the turtles moving to the side to see what was showing on the projector, a commercial of an ice tray shown. Donnie groans and everyone gathered around together, “Okay, ideas, people. My eyes need extreme skateboarding ASAP." He ordered, his eye twitching from lack of wifi.

“Maybe next time, let’s not put the Wi-fi in a high traffic crash zone." Leo couldn’t help but bring up, and well…he did have a point. “I agree. Whose idea was it to put it there?” Adriaen tilted his head in puzzlement, “You know what, good question.” Mikey hums in thought, trying to figure out who it was.

Raph however had other plans, gasping at an idea as he snapped his fingers.

“Wi-fi! That’s it. I know what to do."

He didn’t say anything else before running off, his brothers and Adriaen sharing a confused look but chased after the large mutant.

He led the group topside, jumping across the rooftops and headed straight to the mall. “The mall?” Adriaen wondered out loud, as Raph chuckles. “Trust me.” Was all he said before jumping down and with the help of Donnie, they managed to break in.

With a few more steps inside, they reach a food court area, Donnie smiling and sitting down on a chair, tablet in hand.

“Gilbert’s Department store after hours, an ideal per excellence, Raphael."

"I was due."

"And, thanks to April’s job here last year, we have the wifi password…one." Donnie muses, entering the single digit into his tablet where immediately the live broadcast was shown for them.

“We’ll be right back with more skateboarding. Brought to you by Ice Tray Grand Trays for ice."

"Yes!" They all cheer, even Adriaen.

"I love you guys and watching you this with all of you is my favourite bonding day of the year." Mikey heartwarmingly smiles, hugging Donnie first in which everyone else piled in on the hug.

But it didn’t last long the bonding moment, everyone had gone their separate ways to take a seat at different places, their phones in hands to watch the event. Leo and Adriaen sat at a table together, with Leo having hit feet up comfortably.

Adriaen was a bit hunched over; eyes glued to his phone. He was switching between watching the live stream and just mindlessly scrolling through social media. Something however crashed from somewhere in the mall, gaining both Raph’s and Adriaen’s attention.

"Did you guys hear that?"

Leo smirks, not bothering to look at his brother, “You mean that loud bang? No." He says with utter sarcasm, Adriaen deadpans at him with an unimpressed look, whacking Leo’s legs off the table.

”Ow!”

Leo pouted towards Adriaen; Raph looks over to everyone else who also didn’t look up from their screens.

"Is anyone gonna check it out?"

"And miss skateboarding? Sounds like a job for the guy who’s always telling us he’s our leader." Donnie responded with his own hint of sass. Raph groans and stands up, chair scraping away from him.

"Fine. I’ll go."

He leaves, and Adriaen wondered if he should join Raph. He goes to stand up, but Leo cheekily placed his legs over Adriaen’s lap, having move the chair he was sitting on closer to the mutant turtle.

”He’ll be fine. Stick around. Oh, and smile for the camera!”

Leo grins mischievously as he aims his phone at Adriaen and without much more warning snaps a picture of Adriaen, the noise of the camera app echoing slightly.

Leo smiles happily at the picture, having drawn hearts and even added little dog ears and whiskers to Adriaen’s face.

Cute.

Adriaen sighs and slumps back down into his own chair, there wasn’t anything interesting happening with the broadcast, so he stuck to mindlessly scrolling.

Raph will be fine. He’ll be back soon.

He narrowed his eyes slightly when he heard the noise of the camera again. “Leo stop taking pictures of me.” He called out, having Leo stick his tongue out in amusement, “But these are memories! I’m gonna quickly send them to myself in case I accidentally delete them or something!” He muses, doing so as Adriaen shakes his head and blushed softly in embarrassment.

Suddenly Raph comes running over, eyes wide and yelling for their attention. "Guys! Those freaky flame-guys are back stealing jewelry. Gear up, fellas. Time to show ‘em what we think of that." Raph announces with confidence, but the others didn’t share his enthusiasm, still all focused on their devices.

“Yeah, okay. Do you mean after we’re done watching the finals, cool?"

"Come on, Leo! Crime never takes a break, so neither can we." Raph tried to encourage, as Donnie tilts his head at him, “I am not sure I follow, you mean like on commercials." He asks, causing Raphael to groan and face palm.

"Oh, man, you guys are killing me. Look, this is serious fellas, okay?"

"Okay." Everyone else boredly replied, Adriaen would have been on Raph’s side of things but even he can’t help but feel unmotivated to do anything. Besides, those Foot guys weren’t really all that much of a threat. What could they possibly want in a mall?

"Fine: We’ll try to do both. Fight bad guys and watch skating. Hey, and we are real heroes." Raph concluded which finally got everyone to agree and head off in the direction of where the Foot people were.

They get to the escalator, everyone glued to their phone screens and watching the broadcast, "Sydney’s signing autographs for the judges before she goes. For those of you just tuning in Sydney Allen is about to attempt the 14-40 on the mega ramp. It’s the moment skate fans have been waiting their whole lives for." The announcer ranted on. One by one the turtles get off the escalator, moving to the side to about walking into a mannequin.

By the time they arrived at where the villains were, Adriaen took note that they were holding a gauntlet of sorts that has a red Ruby ring attached to its finger.

“We’ve got it!"

Raph was the first to call out to them, the gang with their weapons out, eyeing down the Foot people. "Alright, hot heads. Hand over the ruby ring and—“ Raphael began to threaten but was cut off when all of their phones began to speak, the familiar voice of the announcer echoing to them.

"Sydney Allen is climbing the Mega Ramp as I speak."

“Yes!"

They get back on their phones, all eager to watch the skateboarding competition and Sydney Allen. The smaller villain eyes then in curiosity and confusion, clearing their throat for the turtle’s attention.

"Ahem?"

"Hey, with you in a sec, pal."

While watching their phones, the announcer commented once again, "But before she goes, let’s learn a little bit more about our judges." They said which had the group of mutant turtle groan and put away their phones.

“Okay—“

Raph was shoved away by Leo, who grins at the villains, while trying to seem intimidating. "Right, right. Look here, forehead flambé, we can do this the easy way or the hard way—“ Leo was interrupted by Donnie who slides on in from the other side of Raph.

"But since we only have a quick minute ‘til Sydney’s back on, we are really lobbying for the easy way."

Mikey nods his head in agreement. "Super easy." He says, as Adriaen softly sighs and eyes the two villains with footprints on their faces. “Let’s get this over with guys.” He informs, and upon his comment they attack.

The smaller Foot guy attacks Raph, managing to knock him back into a stack of mannequins.

“So that's a hard pass." Leo murmurs, Raph grunting lightly and standing back up, "Nice punch, Hoss. Too bad I snagged the ring!" He muses, holding up the gauntlet that had the ring attached to the finger.

”Nicely done Raph!” Adriaen praised the large mutant turtle; he didn’t even see Raph snatch the ring off the villain.

“What? You have no idea what you're dealing with. Give it back now!"

The Foot guy throws origami paper where they transform into these ninja soldiers, much like how they first met. 

“These paper guys—“

The origami soldiers attack, cutting Leo off his comment. Raph quickly tosses the gauntlet to Mikey who catches it with ease.

"Attention all bad guys, your villainy ends now.”

He jumps off the counter and onto a glass case where he grabbed a blue sweater and pulled it over the smaller villain's head. Smiling proudly at his work, Mikey perks up at the voice of the announcer on his phone, quickly taking it out to watch.

"And now Sydney's warm up run on the mega ramp."

"She’s back on guys. Just an easy run, Sydney. Save your strength for the main event."

“Sydney couldn’t be more primed to stay that 14-40!"

Adriaen, unlike the others wasn’t on his phone. He was focused on the fight with the larger Foot guy, who was swinging his fist at him. Adriaen effortlessly jumps back, dodging the fists.

”Is punching all you good at?” He couldn’t help but taunt, perhaps Leo was rubbing off on him as he accidentally got overconfident and tripped on some clothes that were laying on the ground.

Shoot!

Leo was quick to jump in, picking up the gauntlet that Mikey had somehow dropped earlier. Grabbing the brute of the Foot guy’s attention onto him and not on Adriaen.

"Can we call a quick time out? And I promise we’ll go back to kicking your butts."

Leo however gets hit by a paper soldier, sending him flying down the escalator, but in a few seconds, he returns back on the escalator again with a small smirk, focusing on his phone. 

Adriaen shakes his head, cursing at himself to focus, and not trip up again. That was embarrassing, he’s just glad the others didn’t potentially see it. He gets back up, widening his eyes when a paper soldier ran at him to attack. He blinks before grounding himself, using his kama’s to slice at the paper soldier, chopping it in half. More origami men came charging at Adriaen who clicked his tongue in annoyance and jumped around to gain distance. 

“Your instruction has delayed our operation." One of the villains, the brute, exclaims before knocking back Raph. “Nobody likes being interrupted in the middle of the plans they had their hearts set on. Am I right? Good irony Raph.” He laughs at his own joke, holding out his hand that held his phone.

”Mic drop.”

Unaware of what he was doing, Raph accidentally drops his phone, the screen cracked, and the phone itself was broken. 

“No! Sydney!"

"What’s a Sydney?" The brute villain tilted his head, utterly confused, which honestly only made Raph angry. “What’s a Sydney?!” He yells before sending the brute crashing down at a sales rack.

He hurries over to Leo, who continues to watch his phone. “What’d I miss?" He asks his brother.

“Everything….it’s a commercial again." Leo teases before deadpanning at the commercial, a familiar one about ice trays. Adriaen was sent flying over towards Raph and Leo, skidding to a halt so he didn’t crash into them. “A little help guys!” He hissed at the two, who just mindlessly nod their heads at him.

“Sydney box no!" Mikey cried out; his phone being taken away by the smaller Foot guy who hums in sneaky thought. "A trade. Tell the purple one to give us back our plundered prize and then I’ll return your precious phone." He informs, but Mikey just laughs cheekily. 

“Or we can do it my way. Guys, catch it!"

Mikey throws a hangar at the Foot guy, managing to swipe his phone away out of the villain's grasp, and over to where Leo, Raph and Adriaen were, unaware of the flying hangar and phone coming toward them, Leo’s own phone was knocked out of his hand and smashed on the floor along with Mikey’s.

"No!"

Mikey slides over, on his knees with devastation. 

"No, take me instead! Wait..Donnie’s tablet. It’s our last hope."

Adriaen blinks and glanced to Donnie who was busy fighting the smaller Foot guy while also watching the live broadcast on his tablet that hung over his face with his mechanical arm that emerged from his battle shell.

Adriaen sweated at them, they must’ve forgot that Adriaen still had his phone, not that he is complaining, he didn’t want them all to crowd around him.

Donnie jumped into the air about to land an attack on the villain, who kicked him into Leo and Adriaen with ease. The brute grabs Raph from behind and Mikey was kicking away at the other while Raph punches the Brute off him, sending them crashing into each other. But the tablet Donnie was holding with his robot arms broke into pieces when they came flying towards Donnie who ducked down. Leaving his mechanical arm and tablet open.

The turtles all scream, except Leo and Adriaen who were on the ground and groaning.

Leo when finally wobbling his way over, crouched down in front of the broken pieces of the tablet.

"Is there even anything left to fight for?"

Adriaen rubs his head, not noticing his own phone laying on the floor, he walked over to the others and stood behind them, one hand on hip as he eyed them at their dramatics. 

Man, we really need a hobby.

Mikey notices the Adriaen’s phone and points to it. “Adriaen still has his phone!” He exclaims, making them turn to the black bandanna turtle and then to his phone on the ground.

Adriaen quietly walked over and stared down at his phone and picked it up, he clicks his tongue in utter annoyance when he saw how it was cracked and even bent, most likely it had broke from the moment Donnie crashed into him and Leo earlier.

”Sorry guys, mines broken too.” 

Upon this the turtles deflate into defeat, forgetting about the ring that they were trying to save from the two Foot men who managed to grab it when the turtles got distracted. 

"You think she got it on her first try?"

"If anybody could."

Raph sighs in sadness, staring at his brothers and Adriaen with a frown. "My bad, fellas. I never should’ve thought we could watch Sydney and stop them." He apologised, but Mikey smiles and gently patted Raph on the shoulder.

“You were right. We’re heroes. Heroes don’t wait until commercials.”

Adriaen hums before glancing around, widening his eyes when he saw the two villains had vanished somewhere in the mall. “Wait, where’d they go?" He announces, the others searching around as well.

”Fools!”

They look up at the next level of the mall to see the two villains holding up the gauntlet.

“They got the ruby ring."

Raph narrowed his eyes before smirking. "They ruined our night. We’re ruining theirs.” He assured, Adriaen nods in agreement before noticing a green skateboard that a mannequin was holding before walking up to Leo.

”Hey Leo, another try at that 14-40 again? I didn’t quite see it last time.”

He hands the skateboard over to a puzzled Leo who took a moment to process what was being asked. His lips curved up into a cocky grin. Seconds later, he started skating down the escalator with utter confidence in himself. Using speed to zoom up the escalator ramps and head towards the villains.

”Cowabunga!”

He reached out and knocked down the two Foot guys, spinning in the air before landing safely on the floor, which earned a cheer from the others, holding the ring in hand.

The two villains fall flat down to the bottom floor of the mall.

“Not a 14-40 but three rotations and a ring saving steal. Boo to the yah!" Donnie praised, happily pumping out his fist in the air.

"So bad, so sad. Better luck next time." Mikey taunted, grinning down at the defeated villains who were groaning in pain. Adriaen softly chuckled and gave a small head pat to Mikey.

Leo clears his throat which gained everyone’s attention. "Look what I found at the guard desk. Its battery powered." He informs, holding up a small TV like device.

"Yes!"

The group head back to the food court area to watch the broadcast from the device, all crowding around it. "So close on the first two. I bet she’s gonna nail the 14-40 now." The announcer spoke to the audience, the boys cheering for her as Adriaen hums.

“I believe in you, Sydney! Let’s go, Sydney!"

Mikey sighs, turning to look at everyone. "I’ll say it again—I love you guys." He heartwarmingly declared out, leaning against Raph.

"Last chance. Can she do it folks?"

The screen shows Sydney skateboarding down the ramp and jumping in the air, so far doing 3 rotations in the air.

”One, two, three, fou—“

Suddenly the news flashed onto the screen, “We interrupt our program to report a break in at Gilbert’s Department Store." The reporter states out, Adriaen widening his eyes, at the news.

Uh oh, we better get out of here.

All the turtles screamed “no” from the interruption of their show, Mikey's dragging it out the longest, which had the others looking at him as he sank to the ground, making them dismayed. 

Outside, the Foot soldiers have fled to an alley, chuckling when they pause once they were far enough from the mall.

"Fools, they thought we were after a puny ring."

The Foot lieutenant holds up the gauntlet, the true item they were after.

Back with the turtles who were hurrying out of the mall before the police came, came to a halt when Adriaen stopped running and looked over at the phone store. 

“Wait guys, we need new phones and a tablet.”

”Adriaen…are you suggesting we steal from the mall?” Leo smirks at him, hands on hips and leaning forward, Adriaen couldn’t help but smirk in response.

”I wouldn’t call it stealing. We’re more like…borrowing them for the time being.”

He quickly snatched everyone a new phone and Donnie a new tablet. “Donne, you can make these phones untraceable right?” Adriaen questions to which Donnie triumphantly laughs.

”Scoff! ‘Course I can. Now let’s go before the cops arrive.”

One by one they exit the mall and head on back home, with brand new devices.

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A/N: I APOLOGISE FOR ANY GRAMMAR MISTAKES THAT WERE MADE, I TYPE REALLY FAST AND OFTEN DON'T SEE THEM UNTIL I ACTUALLY PUBLISH THE CHAPTER. 

So sorry if this wasn’t good or if there wasn’t much Leo X Adriaen content thrown into it. I’m running on like 3 hours of sleep at the moment and just didn’t have the energy.

First Chapter here

Next Chapter here