#WHAT DO YOU THINK WOULD HAPPEN IF WE MIXED AMO-

[metlbeetl]

arthur & charles + dont starve.. . very self indulgent

[anosrepasi]

10 Character/10 Fandoms/10 Tags

Tagged by the wonderful @aeide :)

Nil (Horizon Dawn Zero/Forbidden West) - My current obsession I'm rotating around in my mind. What's not to love he's charming in the sense that his most common AU occupation is "Serial Killer." Will he kill you? Depends! Only if you suck, and he promises to never stab you in the back, he wants to look you in the eye if he tries to kill you. But actually, I find him utterly fascinating and in the context of HZD he's just. so nuanced it destroys me. This man has decades of c-ptsd and asks the question of what happens when someone drenched in violence is suddenly expected to stop fighting- the answer is, it takes a lot! I adore him.

Kassandra (AC:Odyssey) - Look the more I think about Kassandra and like the canon quests in that game the more I'm like. They did you wrong, girl. They did you so dirty. SHE JUST WANTS TO GO HOME. IT TAKES DECADES. HER STORY IS A FUSION OF THE ODYSSEY AND THE ILIAD. YOU CAN APPLY THEMES FROM BOTHA ND IT DRIVES ME INSANE. And. And then they say, all thsi you worked so hard for? Well. We have other things we need from you. I am going to chew through my arm.

Mizu (Blue Eye Samurai) - Look. I could link thousand upon thousands words of meta about Mizu and her/they're relationship to gender and existence as a mixed race individual in isolationist Japan. And it still wouldn't capture it all. And past that it's hot person brutally murdering people in absolutely fantastically animated fight scenes.

Vincent Valentine (Final Fantasy VII) - Look. He's my original blorbo. I saw 10 minutes of screen time of him in Advent Children and have been insane ever since. I bought and played through Dirge of Cerberus for him. Something about him apparently just imprinted on me as a child, I've been a lost cause ever since.

Xaden Riorson (Fourth Wing/Iron Flame) - These books are still relatively new so I'll hold my tongue since a lot of what I am obsessed with re: him is spoilers but oh my god. oh. my. god. buddy.

Axel (Kingdom Hearts) - Also an original blorbo from childhood, imprinted on him like a baby duck. His death in KH2 made me bawl. His entire storyline makes me sob, he's the reason why every single aspect of Roxas' story was a gut punch cause like. The best way to make people care about characters is give them someone who loves them then make it sad.

Charles Milton Porter (Bioshock 2: Minerva's Den) - Look. This dude's DLC made me cry. big cry. I still kinda get choked up when i think about it for a while. it's about the grief.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits - I can't choose a characters from this, so I just advise everyone to play this game. It's so good. You're going to be emotionally devastated. It's also about grief. Every character in this game is so so good and you will feel things.

Joe Miller (The Expanse) - He was not the first but he was my defining love of shitty noir space detectives. I loved him from when he was introduced to when he left the series and my love was rewarded so much. Holden and Amos were the runner up characters for this fandom.

Death (The Book Thief) - I read the book thief for the first time in 7th grade I think? Every day of my life since them on my commute to work or when on break I look at the sky and think about how Death would describe the taste of the colors. This book irrecoverably changed me from the day I read it and firmly cemented this Death as the death i hope is there at the end of everything, i love this version of it so much. This death is like. look. go read the book if you haven't had the opportunity.

Tagging for anyone who wants to do it: @ongreenergrasses @lobstermatriarch @airmidcelt @tirsynni @aevallare @duesternis @salsedine @avelera @thehoundkeeper @green-nbean

[deadrlngers]

3, 4, 9, 17 for ves and nix ‼️‼️‼️

more clownery from the two clowns :)

ask game

3. By contrast, what was the moment that first made their ~heart~ Soft for the other person? Not necessarily a conscious realization of “I love this person,” but a moment that had them like “Oh…I adore them…”

I think that for both it's a build up of things, it's a gradual realization. It comes from the little moments when Fenix finally sees how there's someone who's reliable and strives to help him and cares for his wellbeing and Vesper suddenly realizes that she smiled more in the last week than in the last 2 years, when they're together in such a busy city like the one they live in and it suddenly feels like it's just the two of them in the whole world, in the smiles and laughs and longing stares, it's all an explosive mix until they just have to surrender to the realization..they make me white knuckle grip the sink fr.

4. Does this change over time? What will always reliably make them melt with how much they adore the other character?

It's the small little things for me!!!!!!!!!! Fenix getting a little :) seeing Vesper bicker with her brother like they are 15 y/o, or when it's just the two of them and she allows herself to be a little soft, to get a little cuddly,,and says he's Everything to her; Vesper melting like an ice cube under the sun when he gets all funny and cracks jokes and does his stupid little grin and she has to fight back her smile to not stroke his silly ego and then fails every single time. When Fenix goes ti amo and Vesper doesn't know how to answer back in a mix of shyness and embarrassment and it's been 10+ years girl get a grip!!! When Fenix begins rambling about whatever book or thing only him and other 5 ppl in the world are interested in and she says 'u look very handsome when u get all clever' and he's like 👉👈 who, me? genuinely so unwell about them let's move on

9. What do they think about commitment? Is a long-term partnership the goal? Are they thinking about building a life with their partner, or are they focused on the present?

Inch resting question fr. Vesper thinks of the present, living the current day type of feel, and while a 'forever and ever for the rest of our days' lives somewhere in her mind she doesn't actively think of it, mainly out of fear of the future. Fenix on the other hand is a lover. A hater on the surface then a hater deep down and i'm sure there's some more hater until we reach lover BUT it's there and it got unlocked the moment he got with Vesper. I think he genuinely hopes and dreams of spending every moment of his life with her, he's the type of fella that looks back at his life and goes it would have zero meaning if you weren't there with me, he's so sweet :// plus neither of them ever thought of stuff like marriage because they both considered it smth that was never going to be for them until Fenix was like (dead serious, heart about to explode in his chest) we should get married :') and Vesper was like haha you're hilarious :) wait what do u mean it's not a joke. They are building a life together yea <3

17. Under what circumstances would they want to be left alone by their partner?

Game events are the longest 'i want to be left alone by every single person in the world' event Vesper had so that tells you that, in the face of a crisis or rough times that personally involve her, she prefers to be left alone which isn't exactly the greatest choice let's be honest. She thinks that she can handle everything on her own, pushes Fenix away when he tries to offer his help, she simply needs to swim in her own pool of desperation sjfjsjk

Fenix wants to be on his own after a fight, just like Vesper tbh but while she could keep on fighting for hours he just walks away before saying stuff he could regret. He's veeery good at saying stuff he could regret later, especially when he's angry himself which doesn't happen that much, seems unlikely but it's very hard to make Fenix lose his temper but when it happens it's..not a pretty show

[kinetic-elaboration]

July 30: The Expanse 2x08

Hmmm. I… see things moving along, I suppose. Literally every time I watch this show I am begging, begging for a previously on. Some exposition. Please. Maybe I’m just dumb or not paying enough attention—I don’t actually think it’s that complicated—I just feel that with slightly more of a crutch I could enjoy it more because I could follow things happening and not always be like ‘wait, what?’ trying to piece it together with everything else with half my brain while the other half follows the adventure or whatever.

This episode felt a lot like much was happening and also nothing was happening. Very Tycho focused so a lot of story lines weren’t advancing at all, and it was definitely primarily a set up for the next episode or arc of episodes: getting the crew off the station with a new guest (sorry, guide) in tow. I didn’t really care about the tense action scene of the day, in part because I kind of missed exactly how the Heroes got to know about the hostage situation and involve themselves in it. Though, I do appreciate the one (1) comedic moment we got: Alex watching Drummer shoot two guys in the head before walking off on her own, when he was trying to be all helpful about it.

In terms of overarching plot, my understanding is that there are… two protmolecule pieces? The one Naomi hid that she definitely thought they were talking about originally, and this new one on Gannymede, which I seem to recall was the Martian moon that was blown up but I really can’t remember any of the details of this or why there was a battle near there or literally whatever.

I have sort of mixed feelings about these new/minor characters they’re always bringing in, who suck up so many minutes of so many episodes with their establishing stories and backgrounds. On the one hand, I get that this is an expansive universe (lol pun not intended) and that the complexity of the story requires a lot of characters. I also suspect this is a consequence of it being based on a book series, where this sort of thing is probably more acceptable. And I don’t necessarily think the characters or their stories are bad or badly done. It’s just… there are so many, and they come in, and they’re often not important for all that long, and while I don’t think the characters are BAD I wouldn’t say they’re amazing either. Like this botanist. Okay. It looks like he’s being set up to be important at least for a time, so I guess it might be worth all the time spent on setting up his whole thing. And I do like that he’s a little softer—the missing daughter story is classic to the point of being cliché but still, he’s overall just a normal guy with a normal job and normal sets of expectations about the universe, which is pretty rare around here, and I like the inclusion of that perspective. Someone actually trying to report a crime! Cute! But it was so much air time. And for all I know he’ll be gone within 2 episodes. Or he’ll be important for 1-2, disappear, then come back later and I’ll be presumed to know who he is (Diego, looking at you). Maybe it’s just my mood but I am so tired and this makes me feel tired.

I dislike that Amos is becoming all earnest and sad and stuff. This guy was so left-of-cliché and now all of a sudden he’s been given feelings and angst in the most cliché way—mom-related guilt. He used to love but then the world made him hard… snooze. I don’t care. Let him be weird. Let him be loyal, violent, and horny in that order. Why must he have other thoughts? I did like his delivery of ‘Don’t make me hurt you. Then who would fly the ship?’ Really spoke to a man out of control of himself. And I like him and Alex still. But ugh I just hope he gets over whatever this foray into allegedly complex characterization is and soon.

[imagines-babes]

Curl up & Die (c!quackity)

hello everyone I'm back and here is another, This is a little bit of everything in the dreamsmp with some twist i hope you enjoyed this. This does the mix between first and third pov. as well as switching povs. The song is 'Curl up & Die'  by Matt Maltese. If you have any requests just let me know. Also, the italics are thoughts or main points and y/n words.

Quackity List Masterlist

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

He was the only one that made me feel alive.

Quackity before he went running up against Wilbur. He was the nicest person I've met. We would leave L'Manburg. The joke he would make. Or when he spoke Spanish. Just made me like him even more. I would question most times if I love him. Deep down I knew I did but didn't want to accept it. So I stayed with him every second of every day.

He was the one that made me a question.

When he left L'Manburg he wanted me to be his Vice President. I wanted to but I couldn't leave. I couldn't leave the only place I knew. He was angry at my answer. Left me that night. The Next time I saw him,  George stood beside him. Didn't even look at me once.  I would think about that night, thinking I made the right decision. I didn't know.

He was the one that made me cry.

Once he won the election with Jschlatt. He finally noticed me but held onto Schlat's hand. That is what broke me most. He left to go with someone else that followed his ambition. While I stood beside BadBoyHalo rubbing my back. He noticed the tear rolled down the side of my cheek. I turned to look at him. He nods as I hug him crying into his chest.

For Quackity, he saw this. It broke him while he held schalt hand. All he did was smile and wave. Trying to ignore the way Bad held to y/n but he was with Schatt. H wished it was y/n next to him he lo- liked them but y/n didn't want to leave the town. We both wanted different things.

Then again He came to me on his knees with his eyes full of tears.

It was raining a storm tonight. He rushed to my house near Tommy's base. Heard my front door being pounded. Hoping it wasn't another day of tax day with one of Shlatt. pulled out my sword, Asteroid, walking over to the front of the house. I slowly walked up and looked around to only see him on his knees crying. In seconds, dropping my sword to hug him. That night I noticed him change. The touch. He flinched. His eyes. Just full of tears. He just wanted to be with me. That's what I thought. Or maybe he just wants a friend.

After the revolution, he stayed beside.

It was like how it used to be. We stay with each other. He told me about his far travels before he came here. Seeing different animals seeing a meadow. His thoughts of his own country. Honestly, o was happy he was here beside me. He sang different songs he heard. I even continued my Spanish lesson with him. He would try to trick as he does with tommy and tubbo. Every once in and while he would say Te amo mi amor.  He would only say that when I was asleep or thinking i wouldn't hear him mumble those words.

He joined the army for revenge.

"Just join us y/n. He took everything away from us. He deserves this."  Quackity stood up in front of me. "He did it for his own reason quackity please just let go back to the house and forget it." He stood still as  I placed a hand on his cheek.  It was my choice. My move once again.

He left for the second time with no explanation.

The day after the explosion I wanted to see him. So I went to his house hoping he was there. I had a key to his house so when I walked in. Nothing was there. No sign. No note just nothing

I was alone. He lifted. I curl up in a ball as i cried. Hoping he would walk to the doors. But it never happened.

I saw him with 2 other men and that was the last straw.

I went up to him and I slap him across his face, He put his hand up to his mark. "You are Nothing to me. Do I make myself clear? If this little fantasy of yours with them ends and you end up broken don't come to my house late at night."  I looked at him with a tear coming from my left eye. He never saw me as this no one has. Punz came up behind me aside with Niki to take me away from Quackity. "He's an idiot you know for not staying with you,"  Punz said trying to help me all I did was laugh. 

But that all happened a year ago

  Things were different now everyone left, only a few stayed around. While others stayed in their houses keeping to themself. Hearing a knock slowly walked up to see ponk with a red suit handing me an invitation. "Y/n you have been invited to the red banquet. I hope you could make it." All I did was nod as he walk away. Reading the paper as i give one look up to ponk. It felt off but then again something always feels wrong about here.  

I should've followed my gut but no I came here to the banquet.

Now I have a sword to my neck with bad beside Ponk and me holding me to keeping me still.  Bad was telling everyone how this was a sacrifice. While Foolish tried to kill the egg only to be first killed by Antfrost. While puffy saw her son die right in front of our eyes. Bad had no remorse for what he did. He only told Ponk to bring me closer to the egg. Walking closer hearing my name be called by Nikki. Only to hear the one person I haven't seen or heard from in a year there he was.  He changed in many ways.  he's more confident now with a scar across his eye. He looked at Bad then looked to see me. I saw a small grin. 

Seeing the billboard of a new country. Las Nevadas.

 Walking in looking around to see the lights with the water fountain. Not a lot of people lived here. Hearing the cows moos. Went to the Effie tower looking all the way up to the top with the light shining. Hearing footsteps. "Didn't think you would be here? Or anywhere near here. " He stood beside me. "Well, I just started walking and found myself here." Looking down to turn my head. "Let me take you to my favorite spot."  All I did was nod. We both walked to the needle. It was crazy how he build this. Taking a water route up seeing the moon go to the center of the sky. Looking over the rail. No words were passed teaching it was silence between us. "I'm sorry" That's all he said. Nothing else just he's sorry.

Then once again disaster hit.

 Tubbo and I were walking around till we notice Ranboo He seemed to be hiding something but we thought nothing of it. Till I heard a horse then looked to the side to see Boner, Quackity horse. Tubbo also heard the horse as he tried to question. It felt off so I tried to follow Boner. There was a lead connected to him as a puff of smoke appeared to see Wilbur. He was taking the house to a bunker. I marked where it was as I turned to see ranboo leaving tubbo alone. Telling tubbo that we were going on a rescue mission the next morning. So we did just that. We tried to stay quiet as it was dark. Tubbo followed my steps as I was on a pressure plate staying still I told tubbo to go. Hearing the voices telling tubbo to run as I stayed still seeing the lights turn on. For the boys, to just see me not a horse just me. Quackity started to argue more telling him to let me out but it wasn't worth it. I screamed his name getting his attention. 

"Quackity I never told you but I was sorry. Ever since the first time, you asked me to leave i should of went with you but I didn't. I am so sorry. And you gave me another chance to follow you but i  didn't. We both know how this ends Quackity.."  

He turned to convince himself that there was a way out starting to push Wilbur to the floor as i see tubbo and ranboo in the corner. Yelling his name for the last time. 

"Quackity te amo, lo siento, me tomo tanto tiempo decirlo hasta que nos encontremos de nuevo, mi amante" "Quackity I love you, I'm sorry it took me so long to say it until we meet again, my lover"

 with that the explosion was made as i stand off.

[fireflykaizoku]

Hola Mi Reina <3 may I please request a affirmation from you please! My body accepts this baby; (pregnancy/birth) for Marco and fem reader please thank you so much babe <3 Te Amo Mi Amor <3

Aqua Tofana 😘

Val, meu amor! I hope you like it, so much fluff aaaa Te amo! ❤ ~aqua tofana~

As soon as your relationship with Marco became stable, you two spoke about the future a lot. The blonde wanted a big family, especially after the Whitebeard Crew retired. He got used to the noise all the time, and that’s one of the things he missed. The plan was to have two boys and a girl, but now you had two girls, but no boys yet. Your husband didn’t complain, after all, he had his beautiful family. Marco was already a very happy man and couldn’t ask for anything else.

It was your birthday, and your daughters and your husband woke you up with breakfast in bed. They prepared your favorite snacks and juice; your favorite flower and little cards decorated the tray. The girls jumped in bed and kept saying “happy birthday, mommy” and “I love you”, so many times.

You’ve been feeling very emotional lately, and this morning wasn’t different. You couldn’t hold back the tears when you hugged your babies, kissing their head and thanking them. Marco watched everything with a smile before kissing your lips softly and wishing you a happy birthday.

Before you could take a bite of the food, you felt your stomach flip. The nausea made you ran to the bathroom and closing the door behind you. Even though the breakfast looked delicious, the smell made you sick for some reason.

— (Y/N), are you okay yoi? — the blonde knocked on the door, starting to get concerned.

— Yes, just a little sick. I’m alright. — you said. — I’ll be there in a couple of minutes. You can eat my food.

When you left the bathroom, the girls were under your blankets eating the meal. Marco was crossing his arms, waiting for you.

— Are you sick? What are you feeling? — he asked as soon as he saw you. — We didn’t eat anything unusual, though.

— I don’t know, maybe it’s a flu or food poisoning. — you sighed. — I’m sorry, I’m sure it tastes amazing. But I don’t think I can eat it.

Marco started feeling suspicious, but decided to ignore it. But for the next couple of weeks, you felt nauseous often, and the fatigue made him drag you to his office for some exams. You kept saying he was overreacting, until he turned to you, his face pale and an expression on his face that you couldn’t quite read.

— My little bird, you’re pregnant. — it was all he could say while his voice was almost failing. — We’re going to have another baby!

You widened your eyes and you had no words to describe what you felt. It was a mix of shock and pure happiness. You wanted to wait a while before having another child, but it was a beautiful surprise. Marco wanted to try for a boy again, and maybe he’d have the son he always wanted to have.

The girls reacted better than you expected, feeling very happy about having another sibling.

For the next nine months, Marco was protective and always making sure you and the baby were healthy. Your husband made you take the vitamins, have healthy meals and nice nights of sleep. It wasn’t anything new for you, though. After two pregnancies, you already knew what to do, but Marco wanted to take care of you anyway. Also, he wanted to know if it was a boy or a girl, but you wanted it to be a surprise. Other than that, you two had everything planned. Marco would be the doctor who would deliver the baby; the bag was already prepared with clothes, diapers and all the essential items; and one of your former crewmates would watch your daughters until you went back home from the hospital.

The blonde knew how important it was to bond with the baby even before the birth, so before going to bed, he used to whisper how much he loved them already, that they needed to meet their sisters soon, and kept saying how amazing their mother is.

Your water broke a few days before planned, in the middle of the night.

— My love… — you whispered, gently shaking your husband who was asleep, but opened his eyes as soon as he felt you little hand on his shoulder. — Wake up…

— What’s wrong yoi? — he asked, sitting on the bed.

— The water just broke. — you slowly got up. — I’ll get ready.

While you were relaxed, getting up to get dressed as if you had all the time in the world, Marco rushed to help you walk, telling you to breathe and keep calm. He called someone to babysit the girls, called a nurse and headed to his office.

You’ve done this before, but it always felt like the first time. Just a few hours and you’d see your baby for the first time.

The labor lasted a few hours, it wasn’t the easiest, but you kept thinking it’d be worth it. When you felt exhausted, you pushed one last time and heard your baby crying. You couldn’t help crying too, out of relief and out of happiness. You closed your eyes, being able to relax again.

Marco cleaned the newborn, with his eyes wide in surprise while the room was quiet, all you could hear was a gasp. Before you could ask what happened, he broke the silence.

— It’s another girl yoi. — he whispered.

For a second, you thought the man was disappointed; after all, he wanted a son. But when you opened your eyes again, you saw him smiling. Handling you the baby, you saw the tiny girl with her eyes still closed. She had his blonde hair and your lips, and she was so beautiful, a perfect combination of you and Marco.

— At this point, I think we’ll have only girls, uh? — you giggled, your voice was tired. — Are you okay with that?

— My little bird, I’m blessed and happy, no matter if we have a boy, or five girls. We have a beautiful family, and I’ll love them more than everything. Maybe we can try for a son some other time. But as long as our babies are healthy, I don’t mind having out little girls running around the house.

[dimitrescus-bitch]

Stalked (Olivia Benson x Reader)

“Look Y/n, I promise you the best protection detail I can find.” You followed your brother, Rafael through the SVU precinct. He knocked on the captain’s door and waited with you for the door to open. You were nervous, hoping that whoever was stalking you wasn’t watching you now. They hadn’t explicitly told you not to go to the police, but you’d been told not to try anything. “Liv, I need your help. This is my sister, Y/n. She’s got a stalker.” 

“Barba, has he sexually assaulted her?” Captain Olivia Benson asked you. Rafi looked back at you, waiting for an answer. Despite you giving no formal answer, the fact that you wouldn’t look at him spoke volumes. “Y/n, do you know who is stalking you?” 

“I t-think it’s an ex. A few years ago, I was engaged to a man. He got mixed up in some stuff and I left him. He was exonerated, but I wouldn’t take him back,” you told them. “He did it though. I know he did. The things that happened to the girls that were killed, they were things he did to me sometimes, even when I told him no.” 

“Liv, please. If nothing happens, he’ll kill her,” Rafi pleaded with the captain. She gave him a curt nod and the two of them sent you to talk to another detective to give your statement. 

“Hi, I’m Amanda. Why don’t you have a seat and tell me about this guy?” 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

“Rafi, I’m fine... No, you do not have to bring me dinner, but thank you for offering... You’d better keep up with me Rafi... Bye, yo también te amo.” You hung up the phone and walked over to your couch where Liv was already sitting. “Thank you for this. I know that you’ve got more important things to do than babysit me.” 

“I can tell that this is really important to your brother. Besides, I suppose this beats catching up on paperwork and reading over reports,” Olivia joked. “So, what do you do?” 

“I’m an artist. Right now, my work is being shown in a gallery in Brooklyn. Honestly, aside from the random little gallery, the only people who care about my work are Rafi and Rita. It’s nice though, gives me something to do to keep myself busy,” you told her. That started a nice conversation between the two of you that eventually ended with you telling Olivia embarrassing stories about your brother and a few other lawyers that she probably had come across. 

You ended up falling asleep on the couch. Olivia had left sometime during the night to change shifts with Amanda, who woke you up to let you go to your bedroom. Your brother came by around 8 to take you on your morning run and go out for a quick breakfast before he had to go to work. 

“What did you tell Benson about me?” Rafi asked, trying to figure out why he’d received a slew of cryptic texts from the woman alluding to things he’d done in the past. None of it was really illegal, but it did managed to fluster him no matter what. Anytime you could get your smooth-talking brother to stumble over his words was a win for you. 

“We stayed up pretty late talking. I can’t possibly remember every little anecdote that we shared with each other,” you said with a smug little grin. “Now, let’s go. I like to stick to a schedule you’re already an hour late for the run.” 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

“I told you not to do anything funny Y/n.” Everything around you froze as you heard a voice behind you. You had been in the shower, waiting for one of the SVU detectives to come and check on you. There was a detail outside, but you realized that the alley must not have been covered. “And yet, there are tons of police coming in and out of here. You told that bitch ass lawyer of a brother didn’t you? I guess if the sex police are here, I’ll give them a reason to be.” 

“The hell you will!” Captain Benson shouted as she kicked open your bedroom door. You watched your ex reach into his jacket and go to pull something out. Olivia shot without hesitation and he dropped onto the ground. She radioed in for a bus and let you get dressed before staying with you outside of the apartment. 

“Is Rafi on his way?” you asked and Olivia nodded. “Was he in court?” 

“Arraignment,” Olivia answered. She wrapped her arm around your shoulders when you started shaking again and you leaned into her arms. Whenever your brother showed up, that was how he found the two of you. Olivia left to get you something warm to drink and Rafi took her place. 

“You like her,” Rafi teased you. You shrugged and bit your lip a little bit. You definitely did like Captain Benson, but you doubted it’d go anywhere. “From what I hear, she’s on the market and looking. Take your chance.” 

“I don’t want her to see me like one of her victims Rafi. All this time, the week we’ve spent together, I was little more than a scared girl locked away in her house. I couldn’t go out on my own, surely she doesn’t want me,” you reasoned. Rafi punched you in the shoulder and you moved to elbow him in the ribs. “Ow! Asshole.” 

“Idiota,” Rafi whispered as Benson came back. “Olivia, my sister has something to tell you.” 

“Rafi!” you shouted at him as he walked away calmly. Olivia handed you the cup of tea and you thanked her. “My life can get back to normal because of you. Do you think I could maybe make you dinner sometime to make it up to you?” 

“That would be nice. I’ll keep in touch,” Olivia promised you. “Where are you staying tonight?” 

“Rafi’s, he’s just got to finish a few things up at his office,” you told her and Olivia took you to the precinct to make a statement. Your brother wanted to close this case as quickly as he could and have your stalker locked up. You knew that you had a long road ahead of you, starting with having him argue with your landlord until he let you out of your lease early. 

Taglist: @storiesofsvu​ @xixxiixx​

[wormstacheangel]

Dean has an official novio for like half a night and he just can't stop thinking about it.

Read the other parts of my latinenatural fic Aqui! Y como siempre, I don't know what I'm doing.

Dean knew su Tio Bobby was going to be the most important and hardest person to accept Cas. El viejito had trust issues with anybody he didn’t know pero americanos especially. Maybe he would accept the gay stuff easier than the fact that his boyfriend was white. Pero add white y con dinero, va a tener un infarto del corazón. It’s too far from what they are used to.

Y con Rufus talking government conspiracies with him like they’re Rosa De Gauadalupe episodes, Bobby is nothing but a paranoid viejito.

He left Benny in charge of finishing the top floor with another guy and Cas waved goodbye, his usual lame little wave that made Dean’s chest ache for him, before Benny grabbed his attention. Dean wanted to wave back but he was busy trying to get away from his Tio’s pellizcos that led him to the elevator.

On the elevator ride down, Bobby warned Dean and Sam to stay away from the actual workers of the building.

“Todos estos americanos piensan que pueden ser lo que le dan la gana nomas porque tienen dinero.”

“Pero, Tío-”

“Ni los quiero solos con ellos.” Bobby turned to look at both of them, the regular grouchy old man face replaced by concerned round eyes. He sighed as he talked slower, “Ya saben. Si algo pasa, va a ser tu palabra contra la de ellos. So nomas, dale ojo y cuidasen. Okay?”

“Si, Tio.” Dean and Sam both say at the same time.

Dean could feel Sam’s pity eyes on him the whole ride down.

For the rest of the night, Dean worked under Bobby’s watch along with Sam. Sneaking off to go with Cas might be more complicated than he thought, and while he cleaned, he kept trying to think of excuses, but nothing felt believable enough. He might just end up heading home at this rate.

Pero Cas’ promise to celebrate kept replaying in his head. Leaving him feeling all warm and fuzzy porque they haven’t really done much since getting together. It could be porque siempre cuando empiezan; Dean gets a little nervous since he hasn’t been with a guy before, so he makes some excuse to stop before the belts come off.

Though their last make-out session ended with them coming in their pants like teenagers and for the rest of the date, Dean kept trying to ignore the fact that Cas was sitting by him with no underwear on.

Luckily, Cas was patient with him and always made sure Dean was comfortable. Still, Dean can’t keep the image of Cas panting his name at bay, and now that they're official--Y Dean ya acepto que si esta enamorado de el--he wanted the first time with Cas to happen soon.

Como ahora.

Esta noche.

¡Ay, Dios mío! He’s going to have sex with Cas tonight. He’s going to fucking do it. Oh fuck. He’s going to...He needs to sit down.

“Oye, cabrón!” Dean looks up to see Bobby glaring at him while Sam watched him with an amused smile. “No se lo que estás pensando pero trabaja! O ni te pago nada.”

“I do this for free!”

“Por pendejo.”

They finished in little under an hour and luckily before midnight, so Dean still had the excuse to go out with some friends. El baile has been his saving grace with sneaking out, along with working for Victor, so he figured Bobby wouldn’t question him much if he says some friends are going to pick him up.

Pero wait.

Dean just had his hand down a toilet, he had a glove, but still, he needed to go home and shower.

He was helping pack everything up, waiting for Cas to come downstairs, so he could sneak off and let him know that he would go home, take a shower real quick and then go pick him up. Todo va a estar bien. Dean no está pensando demasiado de esto que se está sintiendo faint. Nomas tiene que respirar profundamente.

Uno.

The elevator dings.

Dos.

The doors slide open.

Tres.

Dean’s eyes widened as he choked on his breath, creating a scene when a coughing fit started. All eyes were on him as he tried to hold in his cough, but his face started to heat up.

Dean felt embarrassed as he met Cas’s concerned eyes, but he held his hand out to stop him from coming to check up on him, giving him a thumbs up in reassurance when Cas looked like he wasn’t going to listen to him.

Dean was just taken back when he looked up to see su novio de una hora en los brazos de otro. Dean felt Sam come to his side, but he pushed him away, letting him know he was okay before standing tall.

Cas laughed at something Benny leaned in close to say, with his stupid accent.

Bobby walked by, struggling to carry some of the buckets, and Dean stopped him so his Tio could see what he was looking at.

“Tio, y porque you don’t tell Benny anything about staying away from the americano?”

Bobby looked up to where Dean glared, but he just waved his hand before letting out an annoyed old man grunt.

“Él no es mi niño. Aver, que me importa Benny. Nomas quiero que llegue a trabajar a tiempo y no puede hacer eso! Pinche huevon.”

Bobby pushed his way past him, grumbling about nobody helping him even though Dean just finished packing up the extra van, and Dean scrubbed a hand down his face to leave it over his mouth. Then, watching as Cas’s eyes widen at the sight of Benny’s dumb fake fangs.

El pinche loco deals with brujeria, which is why Bobby has been too scared even to consider firing Benny for all his tardies. Dean thought Benny was cool, someone interesting to look at every once in a while, but right now, Dean would happily fire him if he didn’t get his arm off his boyfriend.

Dean whistles to grab Benny’s attention, a loud chifla that grabbed everyone else’s attention tambien. “Benny, hermano, you’re driving.” Dean points a thumb to the van outside and digs into his pocket for the keys.

He chucks the keys at Benny, who caught them with a raised brow. “Since when you let me drive?”

Benny and Cas walked over to him, Cas eyeing him with a small smile as if he was excited to just be near him. The blush that warmed his ears was quickly ignored as he cleared his throat, looking back at Benny.

“Just go warm up the car.”

“Sure, hermano.” Benny shrugged and looked back at Cas with a glimmering smirk to show off the fang if Dean has to see it again, lo va a jalar de su boca. “How about I walk you to your car, Castiel?”

Cas looked between Benny and Dean nervously, but Dean made the decision. He took Benny’s arm off Cas and started shoving him towards the door.

“It’s Mr. Novak to you, bruja. At least have the decency to respect our customers while we are at work.”

Benny chuckled as he waved back at Cas, who was following behind them. “Well, how about I walk Mr. Novak to his car then? I’m sure he’ll appreciate the company.” Benny winked, and Dean had to fight his jealousy.

“I’ll walk him! You go do your damn job!” He didn’t fight hard enough.

“Wait, no. I wanna-” Benny started, but he must have read something in Dean that made him sigh, giving up. “Fine. Have a goodnight, Mr. Novak.”

“You too.” Cas sounded like he enjoyed the whole thing while Dean was heating up in a mix of embarrassment and celos.

They locked the office building, and Benny made his way to the back of the building while Dean followed Cas to private parking spots meant for the important folks. He watched as his boyfriend dug into his backpack for the keys, cause, of course, they wouldn't be in his pocket.

“Perdón.” Dean quickly said as they walked closer to Cas’s car. “I didn’t mean to make such a scene back there.”

“I’m guessing that means sorry.” Cas clicked his car to life. It was a beautiful and new-looking car, making Dean wonder why Cas always insisted Dean drive when he had such a nicer car. “And it’s fine. I’m not really into the jealous-”

“¡No soy celoso!” Dean quickly defended himself half-heartedly. “I mean, I’m usually not.”

Cas opened his driver-side door and threw his backpack into the passenger side before turning back to Dean. “Benny was just talking to me about his...lifestyle. I found it interesting.”

“Porfavor,” Dean took a step forward and took Cas’s face in his hands. “Don’t turn into a vampiro. I need my Tio to like you.”

Cas chuckled before he took Dean’s hands. Their fingers intertwined as they swung between them. “Right now, I only care if you like me.”

“Eso si, you don’t have to worry about.” Dean leaned forward and kissed at the corner of Cas’s lips. “I think I like you way too much.”

“Then why aren’t you coming home with me.” Cas turned his head so their lips could brush, kissing him slowly. “I thought we were-”

“We are!” Dean pressed Cas against his car, feeling Cas’s hands reach to wrap around him. Bundling Dean’s shirt in his fist as he tugged him closer, heavy breaths mixing as they continued to brush lips. “Nomas me voy a ir a mi casa and shower first. But I’ll go over.”

Cas hummed in response before he tilted forward to kiss him properly. He felt the swipe of Cas’s tongue on his lower lip before Dean moaned into it. Opening up to welcome Cas and completely melting under his touch. Pero desea más. Desea tocar más piel. Desea quemarse en el calor de su novio. Y nomas…

A long honk made them both jump and pull back, breathing heavily as they continued to look at each other. Dean’s heart raced in fear of being caught, but then Cas smiled--fuck. Está completamente perdido en su novio.--as he reached over to fix Dean's hair.

Dean catches his breath, heart not slowing down, as he feels Cas’s fingers comb through his hair. The soft-touch of his hand slowly caressing down the side of his face until they fall to his side. He looked wide-eyed as his chest falls steady against Dean’s own, watching him como si tuviera la luna y las estrellas en la mano.

“I love you.” Cas breathes, his face softening with a slight relief of a smile. “I didn’t want you to go thinking I don’t. Cause I do. I love--te amo.”

“Angelito,” Dean’s voice was shaky as he dropped his face to hide into Cas’s neck.

Cas wrapped his arms around Dean’s shoulders, holding him in the safety of his arms. He felt a kiss on his shoulder; it was warm and lingering.

“I’ll see you later?” They heard the loud and long car horn again. Reminding Dean he had to leave.

“Yeah. Yeah, nos vemos.”

-

Dean walked over to Cas’ front door, smelling himself. He already knew he smelled good from Sam’s comment about using a whole bottle of cologne--he aired himself out on the drive over just in case he wasn’t lying--and because he scrubbed himself raw in the shower. Every inch of him, and he means every goddamn inch, was clean like never before.

Pero todavía está un poquito nervioso. Va ser la primera vez que va mirar adentro de la casa que ni Maria la del Barrio podría quejarse. Esta bonita de afuera; grande, blanca, y zacate cuidado como si ningún perro lo hubiera tocado. Pero de adentro, que sabe. Se imagina se va mirar como una casa de Architectural Digest pero también no tan así.

Cas does live just a few blocks away from la colonia, so it can’t be that fancy. Hopefully.

He rings at Cas’s doorbell as he switches from one leg to the other. His mind was focused entirely at what he would say to Cas as soon as he opened the door--maybe he should just kiss him and not say anything--that it scared the shit out of him when he noticed someone standing beside him.

“Ay! Pinche-” Dean took a deep breath and glared at the guy standing beside him with an amused grin. “Who are you?”

The guy lifted the brown paper McDonalds bags. “Delivery.”

“Oh. I didn’t know he ordered food.” Dean reached to take them, but the guy pulled them out of reach.

“Unless you are Cas Novak, then I can’t give you these.”

“He’s my-”

The door quickly opens wide to a freshly showered--like still hair dripping showered-- no shirt, sweatpants hanging low, and wide-eyed looking Cas.

Both Dean and the delivery guy stop bickering to say, “Wow.” simultaneously.

Porque, Cas looked so good. Mejor que good! Era el hombre más guapo que había visto. Swayze y Ford no podían compararse con su novio.

¡Su pinche novio!

He wanted to touch him, but at the same time, he was suddenly too scared to make the first move. But that’s his--fuck!--that’s his boyfriend. That’s his boyfriend.

That’s his fucking white, gorgeous, and totally out of his league class-wise boyfriend!

Ay. Dean felt weak in the knees, his eyes still stuck on his boyfriend, while Cas took the food with a shy smile.

Dean only looked away when the stranger nudged him. “Lucky bastard.” He mumbled as he walked away.

And yeah.

“Dean, come in already!”

Yeah, I am!

Pero también es un pinche cobarde.

[iotiamohd]

@iotiamo follow for follow? <3

Schrödinger’s Leak

We’re extremely sorry to say: this is fake. We made it because we’re agents of chaos  to prove that it was possible to do something like this in two days. It took a lot of work at the sacrifice of our sanity, but we did it, and filmed on a phone like the original leak was, it could pass off as real. (Look through this blog if you want to see the ugly truth of the HD version.)

The problem is...we were originally doing this to prove that the leak was real, because “no way someone would do this in two day, especially without getting paid”, and instead not only we realized it’s possible, but we’re left with more doubts than before. Keep on reading if you’re interested in what we (didn’t) find out, and what we did to put this together. 

We could have posted this a bit earlier, but we didn’t want to distract from the #SomethingToSay campaign.

IO TI AMO

Guys. Guys, we wish we could explain the sheer amount of things Vittorio Guerrieri, Cas’ voice actor, has been in. This man is in every anime dub ever, it’s impressive—we knew finding that specific “Io ti amo” was a losing battle, but we still tried. 

Oh, God, did we try. We went through English scripts of all the rom-coms he’s dubbed; compared that to the Italian subtitles of those same movies, looked for working links to stream the Italian dub and check if the “I love you”s we found were the right one....brain cells were lost. Progress was not made. 

We settled on using the one in Marley & I (lmao), that Owen Wilson’s character says to the dog  to his wife. It’s even better than the one in the leak, in our humble opinion, @ og leaker, suck our collective dicks.

Pictured here: Owen Wilson confessing his undying love for Dean Winchester (as he should).

ANCHE IO

The closest match we had is Dean's Anch'io, (me too).

Although it wasn't a Supernatural "exclusive" line, we decided to search within the original scripts and look for an Italian corrispondance. We found it.

2x20 [9.54] - What Is And What Should Never Be It not only was a perfect match in terms of sounds, but after analyzing the file with Audacity we had no doubt about it. Furthermore, if you overlap the OG leak's "me too" with the one we found, they seem to perfectly fit. 

Listen to the cleaned and compared audios here, and stay tuned for our mixtape, it’s gonna be straight fire. 

Here are the graphs. The “Anche io” from 2x20:

“Anche io” from the leak:

Obviously we didn’t expect them to look the same, considering the differences in audio quality, but they’re still very similar. It was listening to the audios side by side that convinced us. 

...Is this proof that the leak is fake? Idk. Probably yes. But what if it’s a coincidence that they’re so similar? How different could the two graphs for two small words said by the same person possibly be, after all. And what about all the other lines that we couldn’t find a match for? You see now why we’re conflicted. 

CASTIEL

The original idea was to go through every. single. time. Dean says “Castiel” in the Italian dub, hoping to find a perfect match for the one in the leak. We figured every other line could have been taken from the voice actors’ older works (both Castiel’s and Dean’s are very popular here in Italy, and their voices have appeared in...everything, basically)—but that “Castiel” had to come form Supernatural. 

We didn’t find it. We went through a lot of the episodes with Castiel in them, the ones with more emotional scenes first, and found nothing...we ended up getting distracted by the search for Mi dispiace, Dean, when we realized that also had to come from Supernatural. We settled on using the first close match we thought of: the scene in 09x01 where Dean is praying in the hospital’s chapel. 

This is not the “Castiel” used in the leak, so we can’t prove that it’s a recycled line stoled from an older episode of the Italian dub. For all we now, Stefano recorded it for 15x18. 

“Castiel” from 09x01:

“Castiel” from the leak:

Does this prove anything, considering how bad the audio quality of the leak is? We wouldn’t get the same exact graph even if it was the same snippet of audio. (By the way, when we started this we thought that Dean had rarely said Castiel’s name like that in the dub. We’d forgotten than Italian!Dean never calls him Cas, the asshole.)

The same problem remains: did the leaker find some obscure anime episode where Guerrieri says Io ti amo and used it to dub Castiel, or is this all very real, and that’s why we couldn’t find it anywhere? We don’t know, we just don’t know. 

MI DISPIACE, DEAN

Apart from the very wistful "Castiel..." right before Dean gets chucked on the ground (lol get rekt), the other line that came without a doubt from Supernatural is "Mi dispiace, Dean."

I'm sorry, Dean, a sentence that Cas doesn't say that often throughout the show: we checked the English scripts, and we found only three instances where it happens (we only have up until season 13 dubbed in Italian, so if he ever says it in the remaining two seasons, it certainly doesn't have an Italian version). 

5x22 - Swan Song: Cas says it, and it's very obviously not the one in the leak. The tone is completely different. 6x22 - Meet the new boss: again, close but no cigar. 7x01 - Reading is fundamental: at first we thought it was the exact same one, and that's why this particular Mi dispiace, Dean is the one you can hear in our fake leak. After checking with Audacity, the one in the episode and the one in the og leak don't correspond. It's just the closest we could find. 

So...? What does this mean? We don't know. It's very possible that Italian!Castiel does say Mi dispiace, Dean somewhere in another episode, straying away from the original English script, but without transcriptions of the Italian dub available online, we had no idea where to start. 

It's also possible that the leak is real, and that's why we found no doubles for this line. 

Also: we've seen people in various posts about the leak saying that the change from "Goodbye, Dean" to "I'm sorry, Dean" is suspicious. It's not uncommon to change lines if it means lipsinking them better, and considering what was happening in the scene, it's not out of place to have Cas apologize to Dean. It wouldn't sound weird to someone who has never watched the original episode. 

But, there's another argument to make...Cas has never said goodbye, Dean in older episodes (as far as we could find), and the og leaker was forced to use the next best thing they could find in the Italian dub. 

THAT MONITOR...THAT DAMNED MONITOR...

That monitor in the leak looked so sus at first. Is it normal for professional studios to use equipment older than some people on this hell site?

Apparently yes. 

We've found a bunch of photos of voice actors in front of the screen they use at work, and they all look like that. Dusty. 

These pictures also confirmed that the punctuation in the frame rate changes—sometimes it's all :, sometimes it's all ; (like in the case of the OG leak), sometimes it's mixed. Once again, we can't prove anything one way or another.

This is a pic from 2009 of Davide Chevalier, Sam's voice actor, and the framerate looks different from the one in the leak...then again, it's from 2009. What does it mean? What does it all mean?

FINAL CRIES FOR HELP

If you know more than us, please tell us:

Did we read the Audacity graphs correctly? Do they prove/disprove anything that we didn’t mention?

Does the framerate make any sense? Are we being bamboozled?

Do you have any insight on whether or not season 15 is already been dubbed? We know that season 14 will go on air in bundles of three episodes starting from the 12th of December, so it’s not crazy to think season 15 is already in the works.

Was this worth it? Was any of this worth it? We slept very few hours last night. 

tl;dr: in conclusion, we CAN’T affirm with absolute certainty if the Italian leak is fake or not, since we have evidences leading both way. Sadly, the final word will be when the episode will actually air next year.

IRTF - Internet Research Italian Rogue Task Force

[baodurs]

i filled out this super cool button character profile by @extraordinarymage for sabrina! thank you for making this, it was a lot of fun to fill out <3 the bulk of it is under a cut and oh boy is it long !!!

Short, Quick Reference

Name: Sabrina Wiseman

Pronouns: She/her

Sexuality: Bisexual

Love Interest: Kent

Main personality trait: Confidence

Secondary personality trait: Morbidity

Relationship with Nick: Full of love, haunted by unaddressed guilt and frustration. But mostly full of love.

Nickname for Nick: Saint Nick (used sparingly)

Resentful or accepting?: Slightly resentful

Main strategy (interpersonal, insightful, innovative?): Insightful

Ethical or expedient?: Expedient

GENERAL

Name: Sabrina Larkspur Wiseman

Nickname(s): Sab, used by anyone; Sabby, only Nick and Sally; and, of course, Button for Nick.

Birthday: I think I made her an October Libra for the purpose of a template I did months ago, but I’m not sure! No concrete birthday yet, I’m always very slow to nail down details like this.

Age: 20

Pronouns: She/her

Sexuality: Bisexual

Hair color + style: Blonde. A little past shoulder length, sometimes wavy. Usually a middle part. For Aeon, tied back in a bun.

Eye color: Blue, entirely because of the section of Frank O’Hara’s “Meditations in an Emergency” that goes, “My eyes are vague blue, like the sky...”

Height: 5′5

Piercings: Multiple in each ear, but a couple have started to close.

Tattoos: None yet! Sab likes the idea of a tattoo but is worried about finding the perfect design, whether she’d end up hating it, that the pain might be greater than she expects and she’ll look like a baby in front of her tattoo artist. I’d like to think she eventually consults Sally and/or Glitch to come up with an idea that she falls in love with, but I haven’t come up with what that would be!

Clothing style: Mostly solid colors, not a lot of patterns. Nothing super bright, but a fairly varied mix of pastels, neutrals, dark colors, black. Partial to denim skirts and sweater tops. Ankle boots. Likes a good turtleneck. She’s bolder when it comes to formal wear, and especially loves suits. Big fan of silk and satin.

Since she has a pretty accurate face claim, I’ll link some gifsets I’ve rb’d for appearance ref if you are so inclined.

STATS

I’m always adjusting minor things and swapping scenes around, but these are from my most recent Sab run! Most scores hover somewhere around these values.

Personality:

Confidence: 53%

Humor: 5%

Morbidity: 22%

Resentful: 57% | Accepting: 43%

Strategy:

Interpersonal: 12%

Insightful: 50%

Innovative: 10%

Ethical: 43% | Expedient: 57%

KEY DECISIONS:

What is Nick’s nickname and why?: Saint Nick, used very rarely. It’s a joking reference to the time she thought Santa was an evil Ment out to ruin Christmas, and a point about Nick overdoing it with the cheer. “Saint Nick” is usually code for “I know you mean well, but please mind your own business.” Otherwise, she just calls him Nick.

What is their favorite type of cookie (and its name and why?): Salted caramel chocolate chip! No special name.

What was their initial reaction to Sally hugging them, as kids?: She just froze. That could just be me projecting adult Sabrina onto her childhood self; I don’t imagine that she was as uncomfortable around strangers or quite as cautious back then. But that’s what I’ll stick with.

How did they ace the ASE test?: The in-game option she takes is “My entire life has revolved around strategic avoidance,” but the one about being just plain smart also sounds like her. If Sab has the chance to thoroughly (over)prepare for something, she will do it. Her mind blindness also has her constantly (over)analyzing situations. So, hard work and relentless anxiety!

Did they manage to win their first assignment? How?: Yes, by having Sally block the door. I’ve headcanoned some slight differences in how it plays out, which I wrote about in-depth here. To summarize, Sab thinks of blocking the door as a desperate last resort, not a clever loophole, and she pushes back against Rosy’s praise because she wishes she could have done it the “real” way. Rosy goes from being impressed to being annoyed that she’s willfully missing the point.

What was the primary emotion Button felt during the Aeon bombing (love, gratitude, etc?): Guilt. She feels very guilty about how much Nick has given up for her in general, but I think that in the moment, it’s on a smaller scale. The fact that Nick was on the phone with her when it happened, coming to her rescue like always, becomes emblematic of their whole relationship for her, and she really fixates on that.

Who drove them home from the hospital from and why?: Glitch. Sab responds to her initial text with “Are you sure?”, and is relieved when Glitch takes that as “Yes, please.” She doesn’t relish the idea of being around someone more connected to her family or Nick at that point.

How do they feel about Nick riding around in their mind?: Worried, at first. Just because it’s so unknown and absolutely insane. After seeing Doctor Amari, she’s excited! Sab is thrilled to be a Pollard Five and intends to take full advantage of it. I am not looking forward to seeing how she reacts when that’s taken away from her.

Why did Button agree to do the undercover mission?: To prove she still deserves to be an MIV. Sabrina feels stupid and reckless for putting herself, Nick, and Aeon in this position, but she knows she’s smart, and she hasn’t worked this hard for nothing. She wants to prove what she could do with a normal Pollard Score and make herself too valuable to give up even when she’s back to Zero.

Told Glitch about your mind blindness?: Depends on the playthrough. I’m constantly going back and forth on whether Sab meets Glitch for coffee or wanders the city with Nick in her second chapter 5 slot (after trying to track down Kent). If she does meet Glitch, though, she absolutely tells her; with how touchy Sab is about privacy, she couldn’t stomach not warning Glitch that Nick could hear everything they said.

Figured out K’s secret?: Nope. She finds enough of the clues to be given the “I knew it!” option in-game, but she didn’t actually put it together. Sab is too angry and embarrassed by learning that Kent is an AMO to find any reason to interrogate it. “The random guy I met before school just happens to be a jerk” is a perfectly sound explanation to her.

Found Noh’s clues?: Not at the metro station. Sometimes she sees the Vengeance brooms in chapter 5 (again, depending on the playthrough), but that’s it.

ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP:

Love Interest: Kent

Why them?: Sab feels an immediate kinship with Kent after learning about the NPO program. It’s kind of funny how quickly he moves from the least sympathetic position in her eyes (Ment who got past me and read my mind without my knowledge) to the most sympathetic (non-powered child of a prominent family aiming a league above where he “belongs”). A lot of new respect for his competence. Her fate is sealed when she realizes that his kindness at the hospital wasn’t him trying to make up for some wrongdoing, but just him being very sweet. (She had scoffed over “You needed help.” But now she’s like, “Oh. He meant that?! Fuck.”)

As they spend more time together, Sab realizes how weirdly similar they are in other ways, too. And she starts to feel safe/secure around him in a way that she’s extremely not used to. Growing up surrounded by Ments, Sab has a lot of issues about being too much, too difficult, needing to “be worthy” of love. So someone like Kent who is not a Ment, who has no “obligation” to care about her, and whose judgement she trusts implicitly? Being around him and being loved by him mean a lot, and I think will go a long way towards helping her reflect on her other relationships!

What are their first impressions of each other?: Okay, there are like 3 first impressions with Kent. First: he’s tall and handsome and secretly adorable, and they have similar career goals, so she’s drafting a five-month plan to woo him and get his number. Second: he’s a lying, self-obsessed loser who owes her many explanations. Third: oh no, the first impression was true! And he’s been continually, selflessly kind to her in spite of her overt hostility. Scratch the five-month plan, because the crush was only fun when it was entirely superficial; now she really, really likes him and that just sucks.

We know that Button makes a good impression on K by stopping for their dogs, but apart from that... I mean, the “we confused each other” from chapter 7 is very apt. Sab has lots of shifting personas, and Kent sees pretty much every one within 24 hours. The prevailing impression before everything gets cleared up is probably just that she cares a lot? About everything? Her stopping for the dogs, how seriously she takes the first assignment, the way she seems so deeply affected by something he said or did that morning. It’s a rare side of her to meet first because she usually pretends to be above everything.

What feature does your Button find most attractive in their RO (ex. appearance, personality, etc.)?: Probably his composure. And his... steadfastness? The way he seems unruffled by anything, his soothing presence. She really admires that about him and finds the calm contagious.

What do they do to spend time together?: Going on drives together! Kent driving while Sab plays songs she thinks he’ll like, talking or not talking. Cuddling on the couch while reading their own separate books. Museum dates. Walking the dogs together.

Do they argue? How do they handle arguments and disagreements? How do they make up?: I imagine that the first month or so of their relationship would be difficult, just because they’re both bad at expressing themselves and not used to relying on other people. Kent kind of negates a lot of Sab’s impulses to get defensive or hostile, so instead of arguments, I think there are more likely to be awkward periods where she’s just stewing in something without addressing it. Most of their fights would be, like, one of them becoming really distant for a concerning number of days until the other tries to awkwardly check in on them.

What does their future look like?: Uhh some random lore: I think eventually they do get married, despite neither of them caring that much about it. Sabrina would be excited to have something to plan, and she knows it would make the people around her happy. They have a long engagement; there’s never really an “official” proposal, just an acknowledgement that yeah, they’ll get married one day, and then eventually they get rings. The engagement is almost Sab’s favorite part, honestly. She likes planning and showing off her ring and calling Kent her fiancé, a lot of fanfare on her part for a wedding that ends up being very modest and chill.

OTHER RELATIONSHIPS (Feel free to go in depth!)

Relationship with Nick: When I first started developing Sab, I thought that with as difficult/prickly as she can be, her relationship with Nick would be worse than it is. Never bad, but certainly strained, with more jealousy/resentment on her side. However, she rejected this. She is resentful, but never towards Nick—she internalizes the negative parts of their relationship so they manifest as guilt instead. And that’s the problem, not resentment. Sab thinks he’s overprotective, but that doesn’t make her angry; it just makes her sad. She wishes things were different and he didn’t feel so responsible for her, but she also doesn’t know how she could manage without him taking on so many of her burdens. So, guilt! So much love, but always looming guilt.

Having Nick in her head has helped. It’s added a new kind of guilt (“I’m a horrible person for being so giddy that people can’t hear my thoughts even though that requires my brother to be in a coma”), but getting inside Nick’s head for once and really feeling his love for her changes things. Makes her feel way more secure, I guess? It’s easier to see her brother as human person, a friend who loves her, rather than a perfect selfless paragon who sacrificed everything to raise her, which is an important shift.

There are also Things happening with self-presentation in the fact that they’re both models, and flirts, and pretend to be shallow. And the ways that they’ve responded to vastly different expectations. And selflessness versus selfishness. But I have no idea how to talk about that yet.

Relationship with Father: Strained and distant. Sabrina doesn’t necessarily blame him for leaving, but she hates how he’s handled it. She’s incredibly frustrated that John insists on keeping them in this miserable limbo of uncomfortable visits, even though moving away was (to her) a tacit acknowledgement that she and her parents are better off without each other. He’s trying to force a relationship that Sab thinks is ultimately harmful for everyone involved. For Nick’s sake, she’s willing to grin and bear the visits, but it never works because John can obviously tell it’s an act. He pushes her, she gets defensive, and so on to infinity.

Relationship with Mother: Like with John, Sab doesn’t resent Hope for the incident itself, or for leaving afterward. It was terrifying, and the idea of being around Hope makes her panic—but she thinks of that as just another irrational anxiety symptom, and she’s trying to work through it. What she does resent Hope for is letting it get to that point at all. Sab is incredibly bitter that Hope will suffer silently to the point of almost killing her (during the incident) and potentially herself (with the BRS), while Sab has no choice but to be completely open. Especially because they’re so similar in that way—she’s almost jealous. “Oh, so your silence is allowed to almost kill me and it’s ‘nobody’s fault’ but I can’t pretend to enjoy a single lunch with Dad without him calling me out for lying?”

And even though she doesn’t hold the incident itself against her, Sab is very hung up on “Why are you never quiet? Why are you always there?” She knows, on some level, that this was not a Personal Judgement against her. But because Hope keeps so much quiet, this is the only honest expression of her mother���s feelings that she can remember! It would take a lot for Sab to believe that Hope was really, genuinely interested in reconnecting with her, rather than just pretending to love her "enough” this time because to do otherwise would reflect poorly on Hope as a mother.

Relationship with Sally: Besties <3 Sally is the only member of the Wiseman inner circle that Sab doesn’t have complicated feelings about. They both have hidden morbid streaks that they bring out in each other, and can laugh about. They both have competitive streaks that work well together because they’re always on the same team. And their wants/needs from the relationship complement each other well, I think. Sally has always felt valued because she’s useful and not because she’s loved, while Sab has always felt smothered by love/care without feeling like she genuinely adds value to other people’s lives. So it means a lot to both of them that they’re able to help each other practically, while also genuinely loving and supporting each other outside of that.

Relationship with Gray: Full of trust and genuine care, but predicated on distance. Sab loves him a lot for being so careful not to cross any boundaries, physical or emotional, with her. She’s grateful that he’s there for Nick in a way that she doesn’t feel she can be. But "I like Gray because he doesn’t push me and is good to Nick” means that any hand he extend makes her defensive, because she’ll either view him as an emissary of Nick or start to panic because their normal routine is being disrupted (she doesn’t tell him about Hope in ch 3, for example).

They get along very well in a friend-of-a-friend sort of way, and bond over being cautious counterparts to Nick. Also, Sab never had a crush on Gray, but she is not immune to tall superhero and thinks it’s fun to fake flirt with him. (You know Isabela’s “You have pretty eyes” routine from DA2? Sab does that to Gray when conversations steer towards things she’d rather not talk about.)

Relationship with Glitch: I’m really excited about these two! They click from the start, and Sabrina feels immediately comfortable around Glitch, which makes her feel distinctly uncomfortable whenever she catches herself. Externally, they have pretty different personalities, but they’re both perceptive and... socially manipulative? aware of their self-presentation?... in ways that they both pick up on right away. So it’s a lot of conversational maneuvering and trying to figure out what the other’s game is, while also genuinely enjoying each other’s company.

Relationship with Kent/Kenna: I could go truly insane here. See the romance section above instead.

Relationship with Kim: Sab wants him to like her sooooo bad. He’s one of the only people to ever really get through to her, re: my headcanon conversation after the first assignment. Authority figures tend to treat her as special, whether that’s negatively because of her mind blindness or positively because she’s such an overachiever. She had no idea how to respond to that not being the case (and didn’t handle it well at first), but chapter 6 solidifies her respect for him.

It also turns Rosy’s opinion of Sab around; he was impressed by her in class but left his office thinking she was self-absorbed and naive. But the bombing is a reality check, and her response is very measured and practical in a way that surprises him.

Relationship with Lev: She doesn’t mind the comparisons to Nick or the “maybe one day they’ll fix you” comments as much as you might think. They aren’t her favorite, but she prefers that sort of thing to the inspirational platitudes belied by coddling that she got from her family growing up. Sab has fond memories of Lev and is grateful that he’s always been kind to her, but doesn’t have any particular feelings apart from that.

Relationship with Clarence: Holds a grudge against him for causing a scene, making her late, and generally being a jerk. But she can’t fault him for being right, after what happened! Mostly she just wants to avoid him, but she’ll be thrilled to lord her success over him if/when she proves herself.

Relationship with Dean Branham: Like Rosy, another authority figure that Sab desperately wants to impress. But without the personal investment she has in Rosy’s validation, more “Oh, this person is in charge, so I should make her like me!” Despite Nick’s and Rosy’s reservations, Sabrina doesn’t really have a problem with being “strongarmed” or manipulated into cooperating; for now, she figures Branham was just doing her job and respects her tactics.

Relationship/attitude towards Ments in general: Mostly just uncomfortable and wary around them. Sab doesn’t want her mind read, and she figures that no Ment wants to be forced to read it either. So she has a pretty strict “no Ments” rule for close personal relationships (excluding Nick, Sally, and Gray, of course. But only Nick really counts because he’s the only one who can hear her thoughts whenever she’s nearby). Not out of hatred or resentment, just because she knows it will be easier for everyone in the long run.

Do they have any other important relationships, past or present? (Relatives, friends, etc.?): Not many, but yes! Sab dated around a lot in the 2 years before Aeon (more like year and a half, because she completely shut it down once she was more focused on preparing for the MIV program), but there are 2 relationships that were formative/important for her. A high school sweetheart, and someone Sab met through modeling. She doesn’t keep up with her high school ex, but the model is her best friend outside of Sally and Nick, and they still keep in touch! I’m still developing them/the relationships, and I’ll probably post more about them someday. They’re fun!

PERSONAL BIO

Describe their personality: Confusing and contradictory. She has two main modes that confuse people who meet both (e.g., Kent). She’s either cold, stuck-up, and sometimes hostile, OR she’s charming, frivolous, and sometimes flirty. Mode 1 is tense but stoic and inexpressive; mode 2 is seemingly relaxed but very posed and insincere. Mode 1 is for when she feels uncertain or has no agenda apart from “get to point B”; mode 2 is for when she’s more comfortable or trying to manipulate someone. Her actual personality is a bit closer to the second, but she doesn’t pretend not take things seriously or hide when she’s annoyed.

Strengths: Analytical, methodical, detail-oriented. Very driven and hardworking. May not always act like it, but does have social skills/charisma; a great liar, if you can’t read her mind. Unfailingly loyal and loving to her favorite people, so so so warm and affectionate and supportive if she really loves you. Very perceptive.

Weaknesses: Way too proud. Can be petty and vindictive. Self-absorbed (she doesn’t mean anything by it, but it’s hard for her to see past herself sometimes). Stubborn, hates being wrong. And... emotional isn’t the word, but strong negative emotions can really cloud her judgement. It ties into her being proud, petty, and stubborn; if she’s really upset about something, she can cling to that emotion instead of re-evaluating it or moving forward.

Phobias: From this ask about the phobias that are planned to show up in-game, there are a few that I could see fitting Sab, but I want to wait to see how they’re implemented before I fully commit. Which is very metagame-y, I know (and I am very metagame-y about IF), but “fear of X” is so broad that it really does depend on when/how it manifests in the text.

That being said, agoraphobia is almost a lock; crowds do make Sab very anxious if she can’t keep track of everyone within a certain distance, and if she can’t leave when she starts feeling antsy. Claustrophobia is a maybe. The choice that triggers it (in chapter 4, about hating MRI machines) suits Sab, but I’m not sure if she hates MRI machines because she hates tight spaces, or if it’s more related to her general anxiety about hospitals, medical tests, etc. Which she definitely has!

What activities/club did they do in school?: She avoided anything group-oriented as far as possible. She took piano (maybe violin?) lessons and did recitals, but wasn’t in orchestra. The one exception was maybe National Honor Society or some equivalent, which she would have joined for her resume’s sake. And I think she would have tutored!

Where do they escape to when they need space?: A little used library corner, where she can people watch without being seen/heard.

How do they feel about/cope with their mind blindness?: Sab hates it but tries not to dwell on it. She knows that it’s no one’s fault, and she mainly just tries to... minimize it? Drown out her thoughts, limit her contact with Ments. And, least healthily, very rigidly managing herself. Because there’s so much of her that exists outside of herself, without her control, she tries to either filter or completely suppress everything else. Part of why she got into modeling, she can perform and be perfect and have total control over the final product of her body in the photographs for whatever campaign. Some Day This Will Be Better. But definitely not where she is in current canon.

How has your Button changed since the Incident with Hope?: Developed many new anxieties and disorders and syndromes :) She also became way more self-conscious, as in literally conscious of and way more tightly monitoring herself, what she’s thinking, what she’s expressing, how she’s sitting, etc. Less emotive face, more rigid posture.

If they weren’t an Aeon student, what would they be doing?: Sab would have beaten herself up forever if she “proved everyone right” by avoiding Unity/Ments entirely, so she’d want to stay in the family business somehow. She probably would have ended up doing scientific research on mental agility. Maybe even working for Mirrortech or some other biotech company, which I imagine would have been an interesting conversation to have with the family.

RANDOM FACTS:

Zodiac sign: Like I said, I assigned her Libra months ago for the sake of a template. But I don’t know enough about astrology to commit. Libra or Leo, probably.

Hobbies: Music, reading poetry, “cooking” (i.e., sitting on the counter and not helping while Nick makes dinner)

Likes: Watching other people (Nick) play video games, dressing up, taking long showers/baths, dark chocolate with caramel, back hugs

Dislikes: Being patronized, hot weather, going to the doctor, driving, doing anything she is not good at

Type of bedsheets: Bamboo.

Drink of choice: Cucumber mint lemonade! For hot drinks, some kind of caramel coffee. For alcohol, she refuses to get drunk because she’s terrified of having even less control of her mental broadcast, but at home/around people she trusts she’ll have a glass or two of wine. Doesn’t know enough to be picky, but doesn’t like it too sweet.

Favorite food: Probably some pasta dish Nick makes with asparagus and tomatoes and a lot of garlic.

Favorite color: Like a light turquoise!

Favorite music: Music to her was another mind-shielding tactic before anything else, so she tends to like upbeat-ish electronic/pop stuff. Catchy and repetitive, and/or with lots of personality to drown out her own thoughts. On the other end of the spectrum, she does have a soft spot for crackly, lo-fi, old or old-sounding slow songs—something about fuzzy recordings simulating a weak telepathic signal.

Favorite season: Hmm, spring and autumn are both good. She likes either side of winter.

Anything else you’d like to share: My heart and a long, fulfilling marriage, with anyone who reads all this 💍

[marisfavoritedcandvertigostuff]

Aight, so these are some fun experiences I've had. Doesn't matter if ya'll don't believe me; I know what happened. But I thought I'd share. After all, the universe works in weird ways, and Lord knows the weirdness increases ten-fold whenever John Constantine is involved.

Back in November of 2020, I was working toward my 2nd BA and working an unpaid internship a few days a week. It was a little before this time that I got into Hellblazer and I started consuming as much Constantine related comics as I could. I started out with a bit of Swamp Thing, some early Hellblazer, and some more recent works to get a feel for the character before getting really serious. After all, reading the entirety of Hellblazer is a bit of a feat. I had to make sure it was something I really wanted to commit to doing. So, I was working in the linguistics room cleaning up and sorting audio from a word elicitation session. Us linguists shared a room with the IT department because it was the quietest room in the building. The head of IT, a guy not much older than me, had a few playlists and would sometimes have music playing quietly in the background as we worked. Thanks to the industrial strength headphones I had, for the most part, I didn't hear it unless I was giving my head a break and took the headphones off (those headphones HURT). One day I was reading the very cursed first issue of  Hellblazer: Rise and Fall (God I hate that series) before my internship started and there is a small part where John and a friend are trying really hard to drunkenly sing Tiny Dancer by Elton John (gave me something to do on the bus). After about an hour, I took off my headphones so I could take a pee break, and what I heard made me freeze in place; Tiny Dancer was playing. I turned to the head of IT and said "wow, nice playlist". His response? "Oh, this isn't my playlist. This is a random one I found on youtube. It's got a good mix of modern and classic." At that moment I just shook my head. It felt, in that moment, like a crazy coincidence.

Months later, in 2021, I was at the local book retailer trying to find a planner to use for my new job. Must have been about 7 months ago (at the time of writing this). I found a planner that was exactly what I was looking for, but it was much more expensive than I hoped it would be. Still, I had to get it. I decided to torture myself by looking in the comic section. Looking in the H section of the DC shelf, it didn't appear that there was any Hellblazer in stock.This was lucky, in a way, since I couldn’t really buy anything more and still say I was being responsible with my money. On a whim, I decided to look at the Marvel shelf behind me and, wouldn't you know it, John Constantine, Hellblazer Vol. 1: Marks of Woe was on the bottom shelf beneath some books of Spiderman. I was super tempted, but I was already spending more money than I had planned. Standing there, thumbing through the book, a song came on over the radio in the store; Heroes by David Bowie. I had never actually heard the song before (no one in my family was into Bowie, and I have honestly never been interested. Never seen Labyrinth. I know this is sacrilege), but I recognized it immediately. The day before I had been reading issue #11 of Hellblazer. At the beginning of the issue, a friend of John's is blasting that very song on the radio, so the lyrics are written out. I felt like I had just experienced a crazy plot twist in a movie. You know what I mean, yeah? I was frozen in place and just felt like ‘woah’. It felt almost too crazy to be a coincidence. Regardless, I shook my head, said "okay John, you win" and bought the book. Spent way too much money that day, but it was worth it.

I was thinking about all this again because of an incident that happened yesterday. I had a truly terrible weekend. I ended up in a book store again, trying really hard to hold back tears and keep it together. I looked in the comic book section with the goal of spending an unhealthy amount of money on comics in order to help distract me. Unfortunately, the only Hellblazer they had was Hellblazer: Rise and Fall (which, as previously stated, I haaaaaate) so I started to wonder around. I finally ended up in the back by the study aids. Alone, I started to cry. I felt my ability to keep it together begin to crumble. But before I could really start to sob it happened again; Tiny Dancer came on over the store radio. In that moment, rather than stunned, I almost felt like I was being encouraged. Like a pat on the shoulder. It was so weird, and maybe it was due to the shock of it, but I actually felt better. I was able to pull myself together. It was strange, but somehow I felt comforted.

Now, I have no delusions about all this. John is not communicating me from beyond. No matter what some Hellblazer writers have said/seen, and although it is kind of fun to think that John is real in some way, I know that isn't what's happening here. But, supposing that there is any merit to the theory of synchronicity, then I'd like to think that these things are connected. That somehow the universe it trying to give me a hand, or something to help me feel a bit better that day. Coincidence, weirdness, placebo, etc. Take your pick. It was still nice.

Anyway, that shit was weird. I relived all this a little while writing it, which is nice considering that today sucks just as bad as the weekend lmao

[neon-junkie]

Your recent post made me think of a bath fic👀you persuade Flaco to come take a bath with you but you actually make sure he gets a proper scrub down followed by spicy times 👀👀

finally, the bath fic!! i’ve not written any tender/loving stuff before, all my work is so dirty and sinful, so this was a nice and interesting change :0  

Female reader :) 

Trying to sneak Flaco into Strawberry was... hard. More than hard. He's a big guy and a heavily wanted man, but you both waited till the dead of night and had him sneak in and head straight upstairs whilst you distracted the receptionist with some silly nonsense, though he was definitely suspicious. How he got past the Sheriff's office was unbelievable, but the law in this town seems to constantly be asleep, so you're not really surprised. Either way, he's here now, settling into the tub whilst you finish stripping off your clothes, leaving them on a chair in the corner of the room. You turn to face the bath and Flaco's already staring at you, his arms resting on the brim of the tub with that mischievous look on his face.

"What?" you ask as you approach him. "Nothing, nothing," Flaco shakes his head, shuffling back in the tub so you have room to climb in. "You have that look on your face, Flaco," you tell him as you step in, trying to not tread on Flacos legs, even though he takes up far too much room. "I was just admiring you," Flaco shrugs. "Admiring, sure. I know what you're thinking," you say as you settle down, lying back against Flacos' broad, hairy chest, one of his arms coming to rest around your waist. "And what would I be thinking? hm?" Flaco asks you, placing a gentle kiss on your temple as you lie your head back on his shoulder, enjoying the bubbles resting along your chest. "I'll have to find out, wont I?" "You will, if you're patient," Flaco teases, kissing your temple again. "I'm always patient. You on the other hand, hm, not so much," you tell him as your eyes fall shut. "Hey, I am patient... when I need to be," Flaco replies, his thumb rubbing gently against your waist. "Sure, sure," you shake your head. Flaco lets out a chuckle as he leans his head back against the brim of the bath, closing his eyes and enjoying your company. The fire is lit, the room glowing a dim orange shade as it's the only source of light. It's begun to rain outside, and you can hear the faint pitter-patter sound tapping on the window. There's a glass of champagne each on the bath rack, and you peek an eye open so you can lean forward and take a glass, resting back against your lover as you take a sip. You keep one hand on your drink, the other resting on Flacos thigh as you gently move your hand up and down him, enjoying the sturdiness of his structure. The two of you spend some time just relaxing, enjoying not being shivering up in the mountains despite having a hundred layers on. Maybe the two of you should do this more often, or move down to Thieves Landing where Flaco can move about so freely. The law dare not go there, though the Pinkertons might, but that's a discussion you'll have with him another day. You finish off your glass, leaning forward to place it back on the rack. As you lean back, Flaco puts his hand back around your waist, but he quickly trails down south. Your legs are already slightly parted, so Flaco's fingers easily slide onto your clit and begin to rub firmly. The plan was to bring him down here so he could enjoy a hot bath, but of course, the two of you knew exactly what else was going to happen. A sigh escapes your lips as Flaco continues to tease you, taking his time to slowly insert his trigger finger into you, the tip of it rough from all those years of gunslinging, which only seems to satisfy you even more. He gently hums as you moan, dipping his head down to kiss along your neck, his other hand softly holding your jaw as he tilts your head to the side. "Amor?" Flaco gently sighs. "Mhmm?" you ask. "You're far too good for an old man like me. Dragging me down that mountain just so you can give me a bath. And to think, when I first met you I called you a cabrona. Looks like I'm the cabrón for not letting you drag me here sooner, hm?" Flaco tells you between kisses. "You're not a cabrón, Flaco. A grumpy old man, yes, but not a cabrón," you softly reply, your eyes falling shut as you enjoy the way Flacos moustache brushes against your neck, his finger still curling inside of you. "What's the difference?" Flaco asks with a soft chuckle, sliding another finger into you, pushing a louder moan from your lips. "One of them is you, and the other is me," you laugh. "You're a grumpy old man?" Flaco laughs back, placing a kiss upon your temple. "I will be if you don't stop teasing me." "One of me is already enough. Come on, get out of the bath," Flaco orders you as he slips his fingers out, smiling at the way you whimper. "Why?" "I've been eyeing up that rug in front of the fireplace as soon as we walked in here. A more romantic setting than that derelict cabin in the snow, don't you think?" "Oh?" you smile as you look over your shoulder at him. "You're in a romantic mood?" you tease. "I am," Flaco tells you as he leans forward and steals a kiss. "Now get out of the bath so I can make love to you!" How could you deny such a request? You climb out of the bath, thankful that you hadn't got your hair wet yet as that was always a pain to deal with. Flaco joins you by the fire, sitting beside you, propping himself up with one hand, the other resting on your thigh. He quick to steal more kisses from you, the kisses quickly turning into a make-out session. Your lips are still occupied as Flaco lays you down, pinning himself over you. His hand slowly slides down your body, admiring every part of you, taking his time to reach your thigh that he wraps around his waist. The kiss breaks with a pair of moans as he slides into you, his hand trailing up and down your thigh as the other one keeps himself pinned up. "Always so tight," Flaco sighs as he kisses along your collarbone, slowly rolling his hips against yours, giving you time to relax as his length stretches you out. Once you're ready, you softly ask Flaco to start moving. He's usually so rough and feral, pounding you with all of his might, but tonight was different. Flaco continues to kiss all over your body, his moustache softly brushing against your damp skin as he slowly fuck you. Flaco feels romantic, sensual, as he makes love to you against an open fire, the heat of the flames and Flaco's large body keeping you warm. Within time, Flaco picks up the pace, though there's still a perfect roll to his hips, hitting your core with every thrust. Chills continue to trail down your spine, your orgasm building up slowly. Your eyes fall shut as you roll your head back against the rug, moaning loudly and squirming underneath him. Flaco moans at the sight of you enjoying his company; the sight of you alone is always more than enough to get Flaco off, but to see you like this, and to know that Flaco's the cause behind it makes his heart ache for you more than it already does. "Flaco," you moan, catching his attention as he lifts his head to look at you. "Hermosa," he sighs. "So beautiful."   Your eyes open as Flaco speaks. His usually swept-back hair is falling forward against his eyes, so you move your hand from around his neck to brush your fingers along his hair, holding it off his face. He gives you a warm smile. You can tell how much he adores you just from his eyes, always dark and full of lust. Your other hand comes up to cup his jaw, pulling him down against your lips once more. He slows his thrusts so he can kiss you, enjoying the taste of cheap champagne on your lips as it mixes with his tobacco flavoured ones. His hips pick up their pace again, and Flaco has to break the kiss to let out a moan, dipping his head down to rest in the curve of your neck. "You seem different tonight, my love. Are you alright?" you ask your sweetheart. Flaco moves his head back up to look down at you, propping himself up on one elbow as his other hand continues to trail along your thigh, often finding its way to your ass and giving it a gentle squeeze. "I'm perfecto. I just..." Flaco trails off, his thrusts coming to a halt as his eyes wandering off to gaze at the fire. You cup his cheek and Flaco moves his head against your hand, his eyes coming back to meet yours. "Do you realize how much you mean to me?" Flaco asks. "What's brought this out?" you giggle, moving your hand off his cheek to brush his hair off his face again. "Ah, I don't know! Maybe it's the setting, enjoying a bath with you then making love to you by the fire," Flaco shrugs. "Maybe it's the fact that you look so good tonight. You always look good and you know it, but... I don't know," Flaco shakes his head. "I know what you're trying to say," you inform him. "Good, good. Maybe it's because it's our anniversary, and I just... I dread to think where I'd be without you, amor," Flaco tells you as he takes your hand from his hair, kissing along your knuckles. "Don't think about it then. I'm right here," you smile at him. Flaco places your hand back on his cheek, his hair now falling to the side, mostly out of his face. Your thumb rubs against his thick skin, over his wrinkles and the little scars he's gained from over the years. "Te amo tanto," Flaco warmly tells you, his words coming straight from his heart. "Yo también te amo," you reply. Flaco always grins whenever he hears you speak his native tongue. You picked up a few phrases here and there, and the first time Flaco heard you speak Spanish was when you called a stranger a 'hijo de perra' after they shot a hole in your hat. Flaco let out a heavy laugh, grinning from ear to ear as he told you over and over how good it was to hear you speaking his language. After that, Flaco would teach you phrases here and there, his phrases becoming more intimate when the two of you finally got together. Flaco leans down to give you another kiss as he picks up his thrusts again. He moves his head to rest in the curve of your neck, enjoying the way your hands roam his broad shoulders. You move one hand from him to rub at your clit, softly moaning. "Flaco, cum inside me, please," you beg. "Are you sure?" Flaco asks, his lips against your neck. "Yes," you reply with a small nod, wrapping your legs around his waist, pulling him into you more. "You're spoiling me here, chica," Flaco chuckles. Within a few more thrusts your walls tighten around Flacos length, moaning and shaking as your orgasm hits you. Flaco does the same, thrusting his cock deep inside of you as he spills his load. Flaco moves his head up to kiss you, both of you moaning between kisses as you ride your highs. Your ankles cross, keeping him deep inside of you as Flaco moves his hand off your thigh to cup the back of your head. Once the two of you have calmed down, Flaco rolls off you, slipping out as he lays on his back beside you. Both of you spend some time just lying there, catching your breaths, and enjoying each other's company. "I still need to wash you," you tell Flaco as you tilt your head to kiss his shoulder. "Aye, I really am a dirty boy now, aren't I?" Flaco asks with a chuckle. "You're always a dirty boy," you joke. You're the first to get up, picking yourself up from the floor. You check the bathwater and surprisingly, it's still warm, so you climb in, urging Flaco to do the same. He groans but gets up, shuffling in behind you. Both of you take your time washing each other, often getting distracted by kisses but eventually, you're both finally clean. Once you're dry and ready for bed, you head to your hotel room, enjoying the space the double bed provides. Although you enjoyed being snuggled up to Flaco in his single bed every night, it was always nice to have some extra room, along with a nice mattress and warm covers. Flaco snuggles up to you for a change, resting his head against your chest as you attempt to wrap your arms around him, though he's a little too big as your fingertips barely meet. Both of you fall asleep within minutes, more than satisfied with your anniversary treat, and looking forward to another round when morning comes.

[rpmemesbyarat]

RP meme from Tori Amos quotes

- Healing takes courage, and we all have courage, even if we have to dig a little to find it.

- I think that people who can't believe in fairies aren't worth knowing.

- I know I'm an acquired taste - I'm anchovies. And not everybody wants those hairy little things.

- Some of the most wonderful people are the ones who don't fit into boxes.

- I have so many different personalities in me and I still feel lonely.

- The violence between women is unbelievable.

- I'm too wacky for most weirdos. Who am I to judge?

- If they keep crashing stuff into the moon, the moon's gonna get pissed off, and the tides'll change, and all the women'll start PMS-ing together. Then you guys are going to fucking regret it.

- If you really want a challenge, just deal with yourself.

- I don't see myself as weird, I just see myself as honest.

- I see the dream and I see the nightmare, and I believe you can't have the dream without the nightmare.

- Some people are afraid of what they might find if they try to analyze themselves too much.

- Once the bleeding starts, the cleansing can begin.

- On some of my darkest days, Lucifer's the one who comes and gives me an ice cream.

- Most people would rather be sheep than stand on their own with antlers on.

- The sense of loss is such a tricky one, because we always feel like our worth is tied up into stuff that we have, not that our worth can grow with things we are willing to lose.

- When you've got the virgin and the whore sitting next to each other, they're likely to judge each other harshly.

- I think you have to know who you are.

- Get to know the monster that lives in your soul.

- Dive deep into your soul and explore it.

- I don’t want to renounce my dark side.

- The truth has always held an enormous interest for me.

- Healing for me is being able to sit next to the butcher and say 'Yes, I’m sitting next to the butcher now,' instead of saying 'there is no butcher'.

- This is very simple in the world of chicks; some are hoochies, some are not, and some should never try to be.

- We don't often see our own stories. Good artists are the ones that whisper our own stories back to us.

- Music is about all of your senses, not just hearing.

- Again, we go back to the power of words and how they can make you feel. They bring liberation or stagnation, they're chains.

- You don't have to apologize for growing and learning and changing your mind.

- Music has an alchemical quality.

- Certain relationships can just wear you down.

- Containment of your opinion is a must if you are going to nurture an artist's development.

- It's a good thing I'm curious, because sometimes I just research how a soccer player kicks a ball and the impact it has on his foot. I haven't used this yet, but I might.

- But over the years you can cultivate hate for the art you love.

- I don’t believe anyone’s story is boring. Every story has value because it belongs only to you.

- Sometimes I fantasize backstage about how people do their laundry. Woolite? Mixed-color loads? Do they fold? Do they press? Do they Shout it out? And the thing that kills me—do their whites come out dingy?

- Our generation has an incredible amount of realism, yet at the same time it loves to complain and not really change.

- We like our pain. And we’re packaging it, and we’re selling it.

- Festivals or radio shows can be the heavyweight championships of arrogantly detached clusterfucks.

- People who are addicted to power can live on the same street or attend the same school as us or even play on the world stage.

- None of us are this light and dark fantasy. What's dark to you may be light to me and vice versa.

- I don't think that many performers necessarily want to see their audience empowered. I think a lot of performers, no different from priests, need the hierarchy.

- Modern, celebrity-driven entertainment turns the stage into an altar, and so many celebrities refuse to be removed from those altars once they manage to ascend.

- All storytellers, all troubadours worth their salt knew their myths.

- The Sídh's historical myth is the source of the bastardized concept of a fairy—as if anyone gives a rat's ass.

- The problem with Christianity is, they think everything is about outside forces, good and evil. There's not a lot of inner work encouraged.

- Over the last few hours I've allowed myself to feel defeated, and just like she said if you allow yourself to feel the way you really feel, maybe you won't be afraid of that feeling anymore.

- I'm the queen of the nerds.

- Don't give up. Don't listen to these foolish critics that are so small minded they don't get it tonight.

- Sometimes listening to music can motivate you.

- I think even in a good marriage, especially if you stay together long enough, there are going to be events that happen.

- An ounce of breast milk is even more potent than the finest tequila.

- Music is always a reflection of what's going on in the hearts and minds of the culture.

- Many people lock a part of themselves away. It's a bit sacred.

- I've always seen the songs as having a consciousness.

- Our world is a huge mess right now, and not big enough for masses of intolerant people.

- We are all fairies living underneath a leaf of a lily pad.

- That is some funky-fresh, pop lockin' shit.

- If I saw someone destroy a piano I'd fuckin' kill 'em. Wouldn't think twice.

- I experiment with things that are usually an internal experience, because that's just what excites me. And yes, it does sometimes give me visions.

- Some of those trips were eighteen hours long and I'll never forget, once I ended up sitting by the bush trying to ask the flowers why they didn't like me. It's like, Why can't I be your friend?

- You might not like my story because I'm not gonna tell you how it ends yet, and you need to travel it with me.

- I just imagined a huge juicy vagina coming out of the sky, raining blood over all those racist, misogynist fuckers.

- You can't control your popularity

- If you can't create physical life, you find a life force. If that's in music, that's in music.

- I started to find this deep, primitive rhythm, and I started to move to it.

-I held hands with sorrow, and I danced with her, and we giggled a bit

- I usually get myself into situations that cause sparks.

- I love feeling alive, I love walking out in the cold in my bare feet and feeling the ice on my toes.

- For the most part, pianos are female to me.

- Anger is natural. It's part of the force. You just have to learn to hang out with it.

- In our minds, love and lust are really separated.

- I think all the boys that write the screaming stuff would write the best love songs

- When you stop putting yourself on the line, and you don't touch your own heart, how do you expect to touch other people?

- Guys would sleep with a bicycle if it had the right color lip gloss on. They have no shame. They're like bull elks in a field.

- Your worst enemies are made when you ignore people.

- It's as if the horses have come to take us back, to descend, to find the dark side. By dark I mean what's hidden, not necessarily satanic.

- There's room for everybody on the planet to be creative and conscious if you are your own person. If you're trying to be like somebody else, then there is isn't.

- Sometimes you have to do what you don't like to get to where you want to be.

- You know that saying, bad things don't happen to good people? That's a lie.

- I'm not a habit, I'm a lifestyle.

- There are a lot of hidden nerds.

- People who become the front runners often used to be outcasts or loners.

- Um, don't get me wrong because I love boys, it's just that sometimes we don't need you.

- There are only ten ideas under the sun. What makes the difference is how you spice them.

- So I'm in Virginia, and I had crabs--I keep saying that! I had crab sickness, I had eaten bad crabs in Maryland!

- I'm a winter girl; I like coming out when things are desolate and everybody's ready to slit their wrists.

- You can only be you. A lot of times it's never enough for people.

- I've never played the guitar, except throwing it against the wall cause it was pissed off I couldn't play it.

- Truly, I was a sweetheart when I was little, like the Honeysuckle Faery. Sweet-pea. But sweet-peas are not popular after second grade. Sweet-peas become nerds really fast.

- I really enjoy having a giggle with a friend, but then someone crosses my line, then I don't really take it lightly.

- I sometimes forget I'm not 7'2" and a Viking.

- A boundary was crossed. And maybe I drew a boundary, consciously.

- It was a bit violent, a bit sexual.

- When nothing makes sense, music seems to come and bring me a margarita and sit down with me.

- You don't have to justify everything. Being pissed off is just absolutely okay.

- There is a level of the vampire in me, which is OK.

- It hurts me when a woman doesn't come through for me, more than a man.

- I'm a grown woman. I've earned my experiences, my scars.

- What is an angel but a ghost in drag?

- I'm beginning to accept and love the parts of me, of women that I was trained to hate all my life.

- People can be so vicious toward the imaginary world and it saddens me. You kill a lot of little people's dreams that way.

- Even if you don't read history or you aren't interested in anything that happened before the '60s, there are reasons why we think the way we do.

- That's how the story goes but I don't believe the story.

- I would find myself either the lovey-doveyest-woviest sweet pea, or a mad-woman.

- I believe in eating.

- You can't change what happened. And nobody's asking you to forgive.

- Why be afraid of these cuddly, soft, adorable things?

- I have good days. Like if I get really good coffee ice cream with just the right amount of chocolate syrup.

- A lot of people see themselves as victims, even when you have to stand in line for ice cream.

- It's so difficult to be critical of children because they need to discover themselves. We're always telling them, "No, the tree has green leaves!"

- I'm tired of being a rebel. Now I just want to be me.

- When things get really empty for me, empty in my outer life, in my inner life, the music world, the songs come across galaxies to find me.

- Do you know what it's like to be a girl and have blood running down your legs and think that you're dying, just because no one's told you that's what happens? It's horrible.

- An angel's face is tricky to wear constantly.

- Mess with me and you will not survive.

- I think that happiness is when you can let yourself feel every emotion you want at any time instead of being a lying little fuck.

- I'm not into this dieting thing.

- The cross has been used as a weapon, as it has been used against all women throughout the ages. And that's the greatest evil of all.

- I think you've got to find a giggle somewhere in stuff that would scare the poop outta ya.

- A cornflake girl is Wonderbread whereas a raisin girl is whole wheat bread.

- I would like to think I'm a raisin girl, because in my mind they're more open minded. Cornflake girls are totally self centered, don't care about anything or anybody.

- I like butter and the people who like butter."

- I'm known as that girl who has tea with the Devil.

- I'm not afraid of sadness.

- Everybody has creativity and each person has it in a different way. Some people aren't musical, some musicians can't even think about painting or gardening. There's so many different ways to be creative.

- I wanna be burned, definitely burned, like the witches.

- Give the kids tools, so they can go build their own houses; not the blueprint of what the houses should be.

- Look at me now. I'm breast feeding pigs.

- I wish I had more of a sense of humor.

- I can be so hard on people.

- If somebody's being a jerk, I would like to go wee on their head. And then I do that, mentally.

- The people on the internet know more about what I am doing than I do. Like, they will say that I am going to be in this mall on this day, and sure enough, I am there!

- I'm like a lioness who kills her own prey and no one else has to kill for her. But if some other lioness comes to me and says "I just got a good prey, do you want a piece?" I can say "of course" - and the other way around.

- There are things that I would disagree with Jesus about, and I feel really good about that.

- History has recorded some pretty nasty things that have happened to people. I think we remember. I think it's in our cells and I think it can still hurt sometimes."

- I don't believe in the saying that it all happens for the best, it's just not appropriate.

- Of course I believe in past lives, I mean, three quarters of the human race believes this, it's not like a great new thought here.

- I use innocence in my demeanor like a Venus flytrap.

- I do like to talk about things no one wants to hear at the dinner table.

- I'm not interested in being a really nice person; I want to be a creative, responsible person that's balanced.

- Boys are cute but food is cuter

- Do any of you dream about crocodiles?

-I know I dream about crocodiles. I'm obsessed with them.

- If people can't see things from the other side that's not my problem, it's theirs.

- I think I give equal time in my hatred, right?

- Sometimes I'm mad at some guy, sometimes I'm mad at some girl, and sometimes I'm totally loving some guy, so and sometimes I'm loving some girl.

_ Well, Pele is the volcano goddess and I thought of like, um, sacrificing some of the boys in my life to her but then I decided that that wasn't really a very good idea.

- Anger originates from envy and outrage, not being seen, not being heard.

- We don't know where souls go when they die. We don't know a lot of things. We didn't create the planets. We didn't do this all by ourselves. So, therefore, why wouldn't there be a creative force if it can create humans and planets?

- I've been hanging out with some of the Hell's Angels in England. They're some of the sweetest people I've ever met.

- Real friends have to be understanding of each other, and their faults.

- I think I'm really hard to get to know on a personal level.

- Thailand is calling me.

- People I see laughing all the time, check for razor blades in their anal-force underwear, because it's just a little lie.

- I'm not interested in taking drugs. I do hallucinogens once in a while for journey experiences.

- I hear the wine. It's like a structure. I see it as a piece. I hear it before I taste it. It's calling me. And then I start to hear it when I'm tasting it.

- Not that I use crystal suppositories, I'm not New Age.

- A peach tree says, 'Some of me will be juicy and some of me will be dry I'm not growing for you; I grow because that's what I do.' You always hear some person complain about how dry their peach is and the peach says, 'It's not our fault you have no understanding on the proper use for dry peaches.'

- My theory is that women were the Mona Lisas for a long time and now men are Mona Lisas with little goatees. They are our muses.

- If you're gonna tell a story, you have to grow into the head of the rapist as well as the raped.

- He was a lite sneeze, and not the flu. Most boys would like to think they're the flu, wouldn't they? But they're really just a achoo.

- If you call me an airy-fairy new age hippy waif, I will cut your penis off.

- It's a double-edged sword and if you pretend you don't want it you're a liar and that is going to rip your soul to pieces.

- I'm always dreaming that these bulls are chasing me. Half the time I don't get away - I almost get over the fence, and then they gore me.

- I believe in energy, everything is energy. And therefore sometimes magic can be created if somebody is open to letting energy do what it does, instead of being so cynical, that you miss magic happening.

- I feel like a work really has many sides to it when people have such extreme reactions. When a work is greeted with just, 'Oh, you know, it's nice', then it's not affecting people. So love it or hate it, that's okay.

- I am a real believer in looking at pain and taking it out shopping.

- The music is the magic carpet that other things take naps on.

- I just try to strip myself, peel myself like an onion. At different layers I discover stuff.

- Why is the world where it is? It's so deep-rooted, if we really start looking, and we might not like what we find. But I think we have to, we have to ask the questions.

- I'm beyond the fury of youth.

- I love young women who are angry. They're wild mustangs.

- I didn't want her looking and hearing me and thinking, "Oh my God, that's a scary lady!"

- They felt that it was detrimental material for their children and that it was blasphemous.

- They've decided they kinda' have you figured out.

- My nightmares are so bad, that I mostly reject it when my friends want to take me to a cinema to watch a horror movie. Then I say, "No, thank you. I will dream in a few hours."

- I don't know of anybody who's gonna be fulfilled if they get hit by a bus. You have to surrender to that eternal need to be fulfilled.

- How do you know I'm not having a margarita with Jesus tonight at 10 o'clock?

- Let's be honest, religion has not supported women and men exploring all sorts of their sides, their unconscious. It has not been supportive of, you know, go into the places without shame, without blame, without judgment, and just let yourself really see what's cooking in there.

- I think human beings are so much more capable of what they told us we're capable of.

- Anyone can attend yoga, kabbalah classes, church, lectures by the 'Dalai Lama', yada, yada, yada - but can you be present for your life, and live with the way you treat other people?

- Only a few people should have a "greatest hits". I'm not one of those people.

- I feel like our leaders have hijacked America's personality, and taken her to personality plastic surgery school. And they decided this is who she is.

- The playground is the biggest war-zone in the world.

- You have to read visionaries to have visions.

- They squash the baby bird because their bird got squashed.

- I love reading. I'll read the first sentence and if it makes sense to me I pick it up.

- It's ridiculous saying there's only one true faith, it's like saying there's only one map to get you up the mountain. I want to see those other maps, man.

- I kinda have all the aspects of my personality round one table for spaghetti.

- If it's too loud, turn it up.

- I was doing drugs with a South American shaman, and I really did visit the devil and, well, I had a journey.

- There is no passion without broken crockery.

- You have to ask, how could a nation nearly vote in somebody who isn't qualified for the job?

- We're living in a frightening time and I wish people would wake up and realise they're surrendering their civil liberties.

- Who wouldn't want to shag a queen?

[dindjarindiaries]

Resist

summary: You’re Steve’s cousin and you have a secret relationship with Javier—which you know will be much to Steve’s distaste. (requested by anon)

note: translations included at the bottom

pairing: javier peña x f!reader

warnings: swearing (obviously), a little bit of fluff, angst? idk how to describe it

rating: R

word count: 3.872k

masterlist

“Javi!” you exclaim between kisses and giggles, pushing your boyfriend closer and closer towards your apartment door. “I’m—serious! You have—to go—before Steve—gets—suspicious.” You leave a firm and final kiss on his lips before pulling yourself away completely, still finding yourself trapped in Javier’s arms.

“Pero no quiero dejarte,” Javier mumbles, trying to convince you by planting fervent kisses down your neck.

“You’re… always there… well before us.” You struggle to get the words out, having to intermittently swallow the breaths of pleasure that try to escape your throat.

“Puedo decir que me desperté tarde.” Javier pulls away but leaves his face just inches from yours, looking deep into your eyes with his alluring dark gaze.

Damn, he’s good at this.

“Usa tu inglés.” You earn a chuckle at that. “They can’t be suspicious, Javi—especially Steve. He’ll kill us.”

“He’ll kill me,” Javier corrects you, causing you to scoff at him. You swallow that sound right back when Javier pulls your body tight against his, smiling down at you. “But it would be worth it.” He leans down to kiss you once more before pulling away. “I’ll go just to make sure we can have more of a future.”

You smile up at him, momentarily losing yourself in his dark pools of affection. “Muchas gracias, mi amor. Te veré pronto. Te amo.” You run a hand over his cheek as you speak.

“Adios, amada. Te amo mucho.” Javier leaves a soft kiss on your forehead before he pulls away from you completely, opening your apartment door and closing it quietly. You secure it behind him, closing your eyes as you take a deep breath and let your smile persist.

You haven’t been this happy in so long—but there’s limitations. The thing is, the embassy would not be as happy to know you and one of your DEA partners are dating. And Steve, well… it was going to be hard to convince your closest cousin that you and Javier made a good couple.

You and Steve had grown up very close together, and he was the closest thing you had to a brother. It’s how you both ended up in the same career field. You trained together, confided in each other, and you even worked together—when Steve’s partner got killed. You and Connie were his main sources of strength during that time, and so, naturally, Steve asked you to come to Colombia with him when he was reassigned. You were hesitant at first, but you agreed, and you soon found yourself living right down the hall from him in a Colombian apartment building.

A building in which you soon discovered your other new partner lived: Javier Peña. As utterly handsome as you thought the man was, your first impression of him was… not extremely flattering. Steve had warned you about his tactics, and you could easily see how he operated like that. The man oozed sex appeal, from the tight shirts he wore to the excessive buttons he left open on his chest. Not that you had noticed or stared at those details perhaps a few moments longer than necessary. Still, it’s not like you were one to make judgments on his love life—or lack thereof. His gruff responses and know-it-all nature were enough to make you extremely wary of him.

Long story short, you got to know him much better—thanks to encouragement from Connie, who invited the two of you to many events to force you to actually interact with him—and you soon found yourself falling for more than just his physical appearance. You noted the way he deeply cared about not only his job, but the people, and how he always put everyone’s safety first. He became especially protective over you, beginning to stick closer by your side on any outside ventures and offering to accompany you whenever you had to go somewhere outside the embassy or your apartment.

It happened on a day when you hadn’t read the weather forecast. You’d needed to do some grocery shopping, and as you were leaving your building, Javier caught you and asked if you wanted a companion. You agreed, craving his presence at that point, and found yourself lost in conversation with him the entire trip. Soon after you’d finished your shopping, thunder had rumbled in the distance, and rain followed it quickly. With no jacket and no umbrella, you found yourself completely vulnerable to the harsh rainfall—but Javier wouldn’t accept that. He’d taken off his own jacket and given it to you, holding your bags for you so that you could hold the jacket over your head. By the time you’d gotten back to the apartment building, you were semi-dry, and Javier was soaked. You felt terrible, and you offered to have him over for some soup and coffee once he’d gotten himself dried off. Of course, he obliged.

That gesture alone had told you that Javier likely felt the same way about you that you felt about him, and so it wasn’t a surprise that after your dinner conversation had sidetracked greatly, you somehow came to the topic of what’d happened. The feelings came out—on both ends, surprisingly for you—and you found yourselves making out on your couch soon after. Javier had promised to wait for more as soon as you were ready and had also promised that as long as he had you, he was done rendezvousing with his informants. You’d also agreed that absolutely no one could know, especially Steve—who was still skeptical about Javier as far as his personal life went.

Now, it’s been months, and you’ve somehow kept your relationship successfully under wraps. Sleepovers are a regular thing for you both, typically at your apartment—since Javier’s was directly under Steve’s—and you try to get Javier out for work at the usual early time he shows up so no one suspects anything. If you arrive together, it’ll just be obvious that you’re operating on the same schedule. Also, Javier’s been teaching you more Spanish, so that you can speak to him around Steve and Connie and not have them pick up anything too obvious. Since Steve’s Spanish is shit, you find yourselves communicating easily without fear of him finding out what you’re saying. It’s all been working perfectly, but you know the secret can’t last forever.

Steve’s been acting a bit different around you two, now. You try to act as natural as you can when you go out with him, Connie, and Javier, but you can’t help wondering if he can sometimes see yours and Javier’s hands entwined underneath the tablecloths, or the two of you hiding in the dark corners of the bars to dance together. He’s been asking you a lot of questions about your life outside of work, more than usual, and you’re beginning to run out of excuses. You always tell each other everything, and so you also feel a pang of guilt for not telling him about a major part of your life. But you know it wouldn’t be good for anybody if he found out, so you continue keeping it to yourself.

You think of all of this as you exchange one of Javier’s shirts you’ve been wearing for an appropriate work outfit, humming one of Javier’s favorite songs under your breath as you get ready. You find yourself going faster than usual, already missing Javier’s presence. The room still smells of him, a scent you pick up especially when you finish making the bed. It’s a strong smell of his cologne mixed with a touch of smoke, and you find it intoxicating. You can’t help laughing a bit to yourself at the way you’re thinking and acting. You hadn’t imagined in a million years that you’d be head-over-heels for the man the day you met him.

You’re ready a few minutes earlier than usual, but nevertheless, you find Steve waiting for you when you walk out of your apartment. He jingles the keys in his hands, giving you a nod before you walk out of the building together. He always drives you over to the embassy, since it’s your chance to have some conversation before the workday begins. It’s just another one of the many reasons why you have to kick Javier out of your apartment so early every day.

Your drive begins in silence, but it’s soon broken by Steve as he does a double take over at you. “Hey, you dressin’ to impress today or what?” His question is accompanied by a scoff, and you look down at your outfit to see what he’s getting at. You curse mentally as you observe that, because he was all you could think about throughout your morning routine, you had subconsciously dressed to impress Javier. Your three-quarter-sleeve button-up’s one of your tighter-fitting selections, the first few buttons exposing just enough to leave any observant man satisfied at the sight. The dangling pendant necklace that Javier had gifted you doesn’t help to avert anyone’s gaze from the sight, either. Your pants also fit tightly, but that’s your typical style, so you don’t think too much of it. “And I don’t think I’ve seen that necklace before. Where’d ya’ get it?”

“I found it at a marketplace,” you inform him, bullshitting as best as you can. “And this is one of my only clean shirts right now. Maybe it’ll help us get someone to tell us something.”

Steve chuckles, shaking his head as he stares at the road. “No, I don’t want people to use you like that.” He looks over at you again. “Especially—.”

“I know, Steve, I know.” Your words come out in an exasperated sigh as you roll your eyes. “Don’t worry. I feel the same way.” It almost pains you to say the words.

“Well, hopefully he does, too, ‘cause he’s been looking awful suspicious to me lately.”

You try your hardest to keep your expression from changing at his words. “What do you mean?”

“Javi hasn’t gotten any information. Haven’t you picked up on that?”

You crease your brow, feigning confusion. “And?”

“And? Where does he usually get his information from?” Steve looks over at you upon hearing your silence, and all you can offer him is a shrug.

“Maybe he’s just… sick of being used and using people.”

Steve scoffs. “Javier? Being sick of gettin’ laid? Not a chance.”

You look over at him in a frustrated manner. “Then what do you think he’s up to, Steve?”

Steve shrugs, releasing a sigh as he stares at the streets ahead of him. “Honestly, I don’t have a goddamn clue. But… I’m afraid he might like you.”

You choke on air, trying your best to transform your panicked reaction into a surprised one. “Like me? Steve, you’re joking, right?”

“I’m serious. Connie thinks so, too.”

You chuckle, crossing your arms as you look out of the window. “I don’t think so.”

“Yeah? Why not?”

“This is Javier Peña we’re talking about. You think he could ever give into feelings like that, especially for a coworker?”

Steve’s silent for a few moments, and when you look over at him, you can see that you’ve won the battle—for now. “Well, either way, I’m still cautious. Just… be careful, alright? You never know what he’s gonna do.”

Oh, I know full and well what he does. You manage to keep the retort in your head as you nod instead, resisting the urge to take a breath of relief as you and Steve park at the embassy. You head inside in silence, hoping that the stress of the conversation goes away. Yet, as excited as you are to see Javier again, you know it’s only going to make you think of everything Steve’s just said—and that stress won’t go away easily.

As soon as you and Steve are in sight of your tri-desk setup, you can see Javier look up from where he’s been sorting through some files. His eyes light up at the sight of you, and he holds back a smile with difficulty. This is something that only you, hopefully, can notice. You also notice that his eyes drift down a bit as they look at you, and you try not to let your cheeks heat up as you remember what your shirt is revealing.

“Eyes up, Peña,” Steve quips, causing your blood to run cold for a moment.

Javier scoffs, shrugging as he gestures with his head towards you. “Then tell her the same thing for me.”

You chuckle, punching Javier’s shoulder playfully as you sit at your desk. “Don’t flatter yourself like that, Javi. I was just making sure you actually wore a shirt to work today.”

You can hear Steve snort in amusement, and as soon as his attention is averted, Javier sends you a sly wink. You shake your head at him, looking down at the work you left on your desk for yourself yesterday. A few minutes go by, during which you try to forget the ever-present tension between you, your cousin, and your boyfriend. It’s all spent in silence, but it’s suddenly interrupted by Javier’s phone ringing. He picks it up, and you try not to stare at him as he talks. He hangs up quickly, directing his next words at Steve.

“Murphy, Messina needs you for a few minutes,” Javier informs your partner.

Steve raises an eyebrow. “Did she say why?”

Javier shakes his head. “Probably somethin’ I’m not allowed to know.”

Steve chuckles, rising from his desk with a sigh. “Wish me luck.” He then walks off in the direction of Messina’s office. Javier immediately looks at you, his dark eyes sparkling. A smile begins to tug at your lips.

“Agent, I’ve got something you should see,” Javier says, gesturing with his head towards one of the vacant soundproof offices near you. “I’ll show Murphy when he gets back.” He stands up, grabbing a random file folder and beginning to walk in that direction. You follow him, attempting to bite back your smile as you walk.

As soon as the office door is secured behind you, the folder’s tossed lazily on the desk and Javier’s mouth is on yours, and you laugh into the kiss as you find yourself trapped between him and the wall. He pulls away soon after, giving you a smile. You can’t help returning it, feeling elated to see him so joyful after all the dark shit he and you have both seen recently.

“You have no idea how excited I am to see you, querida,” Javier mumbles, his gaze drifting down as his hands crawl up your sides. “And it looks like you wanted to make me extra excited, huh?”

You let out a small laugh, using one of your hands to tilt his chin back up to look at you. “It wasn’t exactly intentional,” you tell him. “But it was you.” You use that hand to brush your thumb across his cheek. “And it’s nice to see you too, amado.”

Javier’s smile persists, and you see a flash of it before he wraps his arms completely around you, burying his face in the nape of your neck. “No quiero trabajar hoy, amada. Quiero pasar todo mi tiempo contigo.”

“What did I tell you about your inglés, Javier?” you tease, running a hand over his hair. He chuckles, tickling your skin at the sensation of it. You let out a sigh, resting your chin on his head as you think of your drive to the embassy. “We gotta be careful, Javi.”

“Why?” Javier’s question is gruff, but he still leaves his head where it is.

“Steve was talking to me on the way here. He said that he thinks you like me, and he’s suspicious of you.”

Javier finally lifts his head at that, smirking at you. “Well, he’s not wrong.”

You shake your head, trying to hold back a chuckle. “I’m serious, amor. He could be onto us soon if we’re not careful.”

Javier sighs, stepping back and taking both of your hands in his. “I know. I’m trying my best. It’s just… so hard to resist you, amada.”

You give his hands a squeeze. “I feel the same way. But, remember, for our future.”

Javier nods to agree, leaving a lingering kiss on your cheek before he begins to walk back out of the office. He picks up the folder on the way, returning to his desk as if nothing’s just happened. You do the same, and thankfully, you’re able to make it last throughout the workday. It’s a slow day, anyway, and so much of it is just spent flipping through files and trying to see if you can come up with any new intel.

You finally feel free by the time you’re back to your apartment. Steve drops you off with a quick embrace, insisting that he would’ve offered to take you out with him and Connie, had she not been so exhausted from her own workday. You assure him that it’s alright—you already have plans with Javier anyway, though you keep that to yourself—and you’re soon practically skipping around your apartment. You get comfortable, slipping that shirt of Javier’s back on and releasing your hair from where it’s been pulled back all day.

Soon, you’re stepping back out into the main part of your apartment, and you’re about to crack open a fresh bottle of wine for you and your boyfriend when you hear muffled commotion coming from downstairs. Panic climbs inside of you, and you hurry over to the door. You press your ear against it to listen for what’s happening.

There’s a vicious knocking against one of the downstairs apartments. It’s soon followed by a harsh, “Open the fuck up, Peña!” You wrinkle your brow at the sound of it. Steve? Why the hell is he bothering Javier so aggressively?

You hear the knocking stop, and you assume the door’s been opened as a new voice appears. “Murphy? What the hell—” Javier tries to ask.

“What the fuck, Javi?” Steve yells, and you hear a thud as if something’s been shoved into a wall. “What are you doing with her?” Your eyes widen at the obvious reference to you.

“What the fuck are you talking about, Murphy?” Javier tries his best to retort with confusion. “I haven’t done anything with her!”

“You’re a shit liar, Peña!” Steve laughs almost maniacally, and you hear another thud. “You haven’t done anything, huh? Then why do you stare her down every day? Why are you bringing her into the office so often? And why did my wife see you come out of her apartment this morning?”

Your heart drops into your stomach. Oh shit.

“Steve—.”

“She’s like my sister, Javi! What the hell is wrong with you?” Your eyes are widened to twice their usual size, and before you can think more about it you whip open the door of your apartment. You rush down to Javier’s apartment, seeing the door still open as Steve pins Javier against the wall of his small entryway. He’s too angry to notice your sudden presence, and Javier’s too busy trying to rack his brain for excuses to notice you, either. “She’s not one of your whores! She’s like goddamn family to me!” He pauses, grabbing Javier’s collar with both of his hands as he hisses the next question. “Are you just fucking her, Peña?”

“No, Steve!” you interject, catching both men off guard as you break them apart. “Calm the fuck down!”

Steve starts saying your name, but stops himself when he observes your outfit, his eyes darkening even more. “Is that… Javi’s shirt?”

You let out a breath, raising your chin a bit as you nod at him. “Yes. Yes, it is.”

Steve nearly gapes at you, his brow raising in disbelief. “What the hell is going on?”

You look over at Javier, seeing his dark eyes widened at you. Your lips curve up into a smile as you step closer to him, reaching for one of his hands and securing it in yours. You then look back at Steve. “We’re together, Steve.”

Steve’s speechless for a few moments, looking as if he’s gotten the wind knocked out of him. “You two? Together? What…” He trails off, evidently at a loss for words. You look back over at Javier, seeing his slight nervousness at the situation. You give his hand a reassuring squeeze before looking back over at Steve. “How long?”

You swallow hard. “Almost four months.”

“Four months?” Steve’s voice comes out almost like a squeak. He chuckles to himself, shaking his head as he runs his hand over his hair. “Damn. I can’t believe you two managed to hide this for four months.”

“To be fair, you were just starting to get suspicious,” you say, causing him to laugh a bit more comfortably.

“Yeah, I guess.” Steve then sighs, looking between the two of you with just a hint of happiness. “Sorry, Javi, I guess I was a little harsh on you. As long as you make her happy.”

Javier nods earnestly at his partner. “Of course, Murphy.”

Steve then narrows his eyes at him. “But if you ever hurt her, Javi, I swear to God—.”

“Steve,” you hiss, raising an eyebrow in warning. “It’ll be fine.”

He lifts his hands in surrender, stepping further away from the two of you. “Alright, alright, I’m just sayin’.” Steve pauses again, looking between the two of you with a growing smile. “Damn, I can’t believe it was her who got you to crack, Javi.”

Javier shrugs. “I’m just as surprised as you are.”

You scoff, turning around to slap his shoulder with your free hand. “¡Pendejo!”

Javier laughs, and you see Steve chuckling a bit. “Well, I’ll leave you two to… um…” Steve trails off, as if he can’t conceive of what you could possibly be doing. You and Javier laugh as he stumbles out of the apartment, closing the door behind him.

You let out a heavy sigh, facing Javier fully again. “Holy shit, that was terrifying. Are you okay?”

Javier smiles down at you. “I thought Steve was gonna try to beat my ass, but you saved me. So, yes, I’m okay.”

You return his smile. “Good.” You reach for his other hand, giving them both a squeeze as your smile persists. “Well, I’ve got a brand-new bottle of wine upstairs, and I know we could both use some right now.”

Javier pulls you against him, holding your waist delicately as he brings his face close to yours. “All I need is you, amada.”

You shake your head at him, brushing your lips against his as you speak. “Eres demasiado encantador, amado. Te amo.” You press your mouth fully against his, letting the overwhelming feeling of affection and pleasure run through you before Javier pulls away.

“Te amo más, amada.”

translations:

Pero no quiero dejarte = But I don’t want to leave you

Puedo decir que me desperté tarde = I can say that I woke up late

Usa tu inglés = Use your English

Muchas gracias, mi amor. Te veré pronto. Te amo. = Thank you so much, my love. I’ll see you soon. I love you.

Adios, amada. Te amo mucho. = Goodbye, sweetheart. I love you so much.

querida = dear

No quiero trabajar hoy, amada. Quiero pasar todo mi tiempo contigo. = I don’t want to work today, sweetheart. I want to spend all my time with you.

¡Pendejo! = Asshole!

Eres demasiado encantador, amado. Te amo. = You’re too charming, sweetheart. I love you.

Te amo más, amada. = I love you more, sweetheart.

[s-creations]

Return the Flames - Chapter 7

All at Dead Bird Studios knew of Amos' (The  Conductor's) ability. How the owl could suddenly erupt into flames if  angered enough. When the studio first opened, Dominic (DJ Grooves) was  told that Amos had his ability under control. Nothing to worry about. No  possible loss of anything from an open flame.

A few years later however, and that control seems to have lessened to a dangerous degree.

It should have just been a simple, week long drive to fix the problem. It really should have been.

Dominic should have asked a lot more questions and should have been prepared for a twist ending.

_________________

Fandom: A Hat in Time     Rating: General Audience     Relationships/Pairings: The ConductorXDJ Grooves   Warnings: Eventual depictions of violence, slow burn relationship, named characters, attempt of an accent, being hunted down, a race against time (sort of).

One good thing to hold onto, during this troubling time, was that both directors had their wallets. Even after being flung around in or flung out of the crashing car. They were able to purchase the needed items and rent a car from the larger section of the town. Back on the road within two hours. 

 “I’ll be honest, I don’t think I’m up for driving all day.” Dominic remarked, a yawn escaping him once completing that sentence. 

 “Do ya need me ta take over in a few?” asked Amos.

 “If you’re up to it. But I have a feeling we're both in need of an early night.” 

 “Do ya think that’s a smart idea?”

 “We can’t not sleep Amos.”

 “But we just got away from our new, unwanted stalkers.”

 “I think they’ll also need time to lick their wounds. As well as try to figure out which way we might be going next before getting to our final destination. At the moment, we have the upper hand.”

 “Ya seem ta know a lot about this.”

 “I’m just using rational thinking. Now, you get some sleep. I’ll wake you in a few to decide if we need to stop or not.”

 “Dominic…”

 “I’m alright,” the penguin gave a gentle smile, “I’m not dealing with an ‘illness’ that could possibly... Just sleep Amos.”

 The owl didn’t have enough energy to put up a fight, finding himself curling in his seat and falling asleep. His head resting against the window. His ears twitched feeling something run through his feathers. But he didn’t let it bother him, sleep claiming him quickly. When he woke again, it was Dominic gently shaking his shoulder. The sun was just beginning to set. The car was parked outside of a motel. The penguin already holding a key for one of the rooms. 

 “...I thought ya were gonna wake me when we were gonna switch.” Amos muttered.

 “You know that was wishful thinking that you would be okay to drive. Come on.” 

 They shuffled into the room and claimed their own bed. It was a simple room, with only the basic needs and nothing added in the way of decor. Both directors just happy that it was actually clean. As they laid there that familiar awkwardness settled in between them once again. 

 Normally, Amos would have claimed space in the ice filled tub. Letting himself embrace the cold to keep the flames at bay. Now, however, he didn’t feel the fire attempting to release itself. Amos didn’t need the ice nor did he want to sleep, too uncomfortable to relax. So, here he was. Sitting across from an exhausted looking penguin that went from being a rival to someone Amos needed to rely on to survive.

 “So…” Amos hated how quiet it was. Not even the neighbors were making any sounds. 

 “We’ll need to find an ATM tomorrow,” Dominic answered, “Keep using money to keep our trail as cold as possible.”

 “Won’t usin’ the machine call attention to us?”

 “I really hope not. But we’ll need to take the risk in order to make sure we have enough.”

 “Fair point… How much do we have now?”

 Dominic pulled his wallet out. “I have...32 dollars. You?”

 “Even 40…” Amos pulled the phone’s directory towards him, giving it a glance before grabbing the phone. “Ya aren’t allergic to anything, right?”

 “Right.”

 “I’m in the mood for pizza.”

 “...You know what, sure. That sounds good.” 

 “What do ya want.”

 “Anchovies.”

 Amos visibly blanched at that answer. "Of course.”

 “Oh, and what are you going to have, Mr. Connoisseur.” 

 “...Pineapple and ham.”

 Letting out a laugh, Dominic shook his head. “Well then. Aren’t we just two special cases.”

 “Hush. Ya want a drink.”

 “Yes, please. Do you think they have bread sticks?”

 “Hold yer horses!” Amos laughed weakly, “How much money do ya think we have?”

 “Enough for bread sticks.”

 Amos fully laughed at that, Dominic joining in with his own chuckles. “Fine, we can get yer peckin’ bread sticks. Ya needy bird.”

 “Just for that, I’m not sharing.” The penguin playfully huffed. He grabbed the remote, turning on the television and started flipping through the channels. 

 Amos merely rolled his eyes as he ordered. As they waited, they found a channel playing classic movies, each taking turns telling small stories from their childhood. The rest of the evening was spent reminiscing on their personal favorite movies and shows. Lazily eating away at their carb heavy meal. It was rolling close to midnight when Amos passed out. 

 Even with how exhausted he felt, stomach full and feeling warm, Dominic couldn’t follow the owl’s example. His mind was still buzzing with the thoughts and fears that had combined from the beginning of this trip. He honestly felt as if he was living in one of his movies. Except with a lot less music, which was discouraging. Someone, a government agency apparently, wanted Amos gone. Like, completely gone. Because he was apparently ‘dangerous’. Became of some ability that Amos never asked to have. 

 Attempting to get comfortable, Dominic rolled onto his side facing Amos. Without the constant pile of ice that hid him, Dominic was able to get a better look at the passed out owl. Which was honestly amazing with how much Amos had slept that day. 

 He had kicked the sheet and comforter away. Creating a sort of half nest of fabric around him. Amos himself was curled into a ball, arms covering his face. His top leg occasionally twitches in his sleep. A soft ‘thump’ was heard from time to time, Dominic realizing it was Amos’ tail moving. The penguin could only hope that the other director’s sleep was peaceful. 

Dominic let out a slow sigh as he watched Amos sleep. This trip was supposed to be easy. A way to help Amos relax and not have to stress so much over what was happening to him. Now, they had an unwanted parasite following them around as a constant reminder of Amos’ affliction. And it angered Dominic. He was stressed, Amos was stressed, and this was a situation neither of them saw arising. They needed a break. A vacation away from their ‘vacation’. Just time to sit back and breathe. 

 He wasn’t sure when he started to drift off, his mind was still racing with how to make this better. But as the clock hit midnight, Dominic fell asleep. The answer he was looking for appeared a few days later.

 “Amos, look!”

 The owl was pulled from his thoughts as Dominic’s excited call. “Hmm, what?”

 “We’re coming up on a fair!”

 Amos frowned and turned his attention back out the window. Sure enough, there were signs lining along the side of the road. A large structure seen off in the distance. 

 “And? What do ya want ta do about that?”

 “Aren’t you curious? A small town fair, it could be fun!”

 “I- what? Did ya forget, we’re kind of on the run?”

 “And we’ve been on the move for two days without incident. I’m stressed. You’re stressed. Let’s go enjoy ourselves!”

 “Are ya crazy?”

 “When was the last time you went to something like this?”

 Amos squirmed in his seat. “Never.”

 “What?”

 “Never been ta one. Ma didn’t have the money and now I don’t have the time.”

 “Well, now we’re making time.” Dominic answered simply as he pulled into the field that was functioning as the parking lot. 

 “Are ya serious? You’ve lost it! We’ll stick out like a sore thumb here!”

 “In the middle of absolute nowhere, who’s going to care?”

 “As a Moon Penguin and a deformed owl, two species of birds that don’t live anywhere near here? Yes, people are going to care!” Amos sank further into his seat as they parked. “Dominic!”

 “Come on Darling, I want to have a day to look back on this crazy trip and enjoy something about it. And not just think about the chaos that was brought from this.”

 “The pizza last night wasn't enough?” The side look with the raised brow was enough of a ‘No.’ that Amos fell quiet. He remained quiet and allowed himself to be pulled from the car. Ears flat as they joined the cue to purchase tickets, eventually joining the fair crowd. 

 It was loud. Children screaming with glee as they rushed from attraction to attraction, parents frantically following. Mechanical noises from the nearby rides and vendors created a cacophony of bangs, whistles, and screeching metal. Beings of different sizes and species shouting at each other trying to be heard over the noise. The smell in the air was a mix of grease and sugar.

 “What do you want to do first?” The penguin looked around.

 “Ya pulled be in here.” Amos growled, ears still down in disagreement. 

 “Conductor, Darling, this is for us to both enjoy! And you’ve never been to one of these, so you need to get the full experience. Meaning, you need to pick what we do first.” 

 “What I need is for us ta get movin’.”

 “Let’s start with the food then.”

 “Are ya even listenin’ ta me?” Amos snapped as Dominic merely walked into the crowd. Following without much choice and not wanting to be left behind, Amos huffed as he started after the penguin. 

 It was as a plate of fried dough topped with powdered sugar was pushed into his hands did Amos really start to question what was happening. While the penguin was known as the more social director out of the two, this still seemed a little out of character. Dominic wasn’t one to push problems away. And they were in the middle of a rather large problem. So why would he very blatantly act as if they were on some sort of actual vacation?

 Lost to his confusion, Amos didn’t put up protest as he was pulled along. Dominic more than happy to take the lead through the different fair activities. Seeming to hit every one of his favorite spots that brought up a different childhood memory. 

 They were always doing something. Eating, taking in the sights, on a ride, conversing. Amos even forgetting a few times that they were supposed to be on the run. That his clock might be counting down to his final breath. 

 Then, it hit him. As they were exiting the ‘haunted house’, laughing hard at the terrible acting and Dominic started in on another story, that Amos realized he was relaxing. Even more so, he felt...happy. Nothing like when he was caring for his family or winning another award. It was as if he was content with just being himself for a while. A feeling Amos couldn’t remember having for a long time, if ever. 

 All because Dominic had demanded that they stop.

 The penguin was unaware of the look of absolute adoration the owl held for him as they entered into the gaming area. 

 “Do you feel skilled enough to take these on?”

 Amos was pulled from his stupor when Dominic gestured to the line of booths holding numerous carnival games.  “Nah, I know better. I’ve heard how these games are rigged ta make ya lose.”

 “Oh, such an owl of little faith.”

 Amos raised his brow as Dominic made his way towards the nearest booth. Giving a shrug, the owl merely followed, joining the other as the penguin paid to play. The booth had it’s back wall filled with small, inflated balloons. The attendant handed over a bundle of five darts before standing to the side, hiding among the plushies that lined the side. 

 “Are ya tring’ ta prove somethin’?”

 “Possibly. Now hush and watch.”

 Letting out a snort, Amos leaned against the booth to watch the display. Holding one of the five given darts, Dominic cautiously took aim. The owl was planning on making some smart comment when the first dart was let loose. Fully expecting for it to be ‘a swing and a miss’. Only to have a resounding ‘Pop!’ as the dart hit it’s intended target. 

 “Ooo, one of five. Amazin’.” Amos recovered quickly, smirking seeing Dominic’s face go sour.

 “Just keep quiet.”

 He would never admit it, but Amos was impressed. Even more so when Dominic actually won two more rounds. 

 “Wonderfully done sir!” The booth runner said with a wide smile on his face. “Feeling lucky?”

 “Absolutely Darling.”

 “If you win one more round,  I’ll let you pick one prize from the very top row. The best of the best I have to offer.”

 “Well, how could I refuse such a challenge. I’ll happily accept.”

 “Okay, now yer gonna lose it.” Amos remarked. 

 “Would you just let me enjoy myself.” 

 “Fine, don’t grumble to me when ya lose.” The owl stumbled slightly when Dominic hip bumped him. “Watch it.”

 “You watch it.” Dominic countered before getting back to the task at hand. It seemed even the small crowd of people couldn’t distract the penguin as he held another clean sweep. 

 “Very impressive!” The booth attended called out, starting out the round of applause from the crowd. “Wonderful show, good show! Go ahead and claim your prize.”

 “You impressed?” Dominic leaned over to Amos as he gestured to the stuffed plushie he wanted. 

 “That ya were able to cheat the already cheatin’ system? Sure, if it make ya feel better.” Replied Amos with a smirk. 

 “I’ll still count it as a victory then. Here.”

 The owl was surprised when the won plushie was trusted into his hands. It was a star shaped pillow. The fabric was fuzzy, Amos running his hand along it, the texture soft. Realizing it felt similar to Dominic’s feathers. The design of said fabric was that of space. Inky black with swirls of pink, purple, and blue creating a galaxy. Spots of white designed to be the stars dotting the sky. 

 “Sorry, does it hit kind of close? We can exchange it.” 

 Amos realized he’d remained shocked and silent, hand resting on the pillow. “Ah, no, it’s fine. I want ta keep it. Thank ya…”

 “No one’s given me anything before.”

 Why was his heart beating so fast?

 Dominic smiled (which did not help Amos’ already frantically beating heart) and led the other away from the booth. “It’s a sort of some unspoken law that you need to leave the fair with at least one tacky item.”

 “It’s not tacky.” Amos quickly defended, startling the penguin. 

 “...I’m happy you like it.”

 “So...now what do we do?”

 “We have one more task to complete before we can leave.” 

 “Alright. Ya lead the way then.”

 With the plush tucked into the crook of his arm, Amos helped in carrying the feast of food Dominic started buying. They departed the fairgrounds proper, arms filled with food, as the sun began to set. Dominic led the way up a nearby hill and only stopped when they reached the very top. The penguin set up the food in a sort of circle, all within reach for both birds to enjoy. 

 The sun had almost disappeared behind the horizon when they finally finished eating. Amos lying on his back, stomach full with the plush resting on his chest. Dominic was next to him, eyes scanning the sky. 

 “Shouldn’t we be leavin’?” The owl asked.

 “We well. We’re just waiting for the final event.”

 “Havin’ us gain 10 pounds wasn’t the final thin’ ta check off?”

 Dominic laughed. “No. This was just a last hurrah of fair food until next year. But...it’s probably dark enough for it to start.”

 “It?”

 “The show, Darling.”

 Amos’ question fell away as a familiar sound filled the sky before a firework went off. Painting the sky and ground a vibrant red. Now, Amos had seen fireworks before. But only on set. As props for his latest movie he would have been working on. Watching them without having to set it up, or worry about something going wrong, it was far more enjoyable. Amos even sat up as he became further engrossed with the show. 

 He felt Dominic shift next to him, sitting up as well, the penguin shuffling closer. Amos didn’t argue as he was gently pulled to lean against the other. An arm casually wrapping around Amos’ waist comfortably. 

 Dominic smiled seeing Amos’ tail swaying, ruffling the grass it was resting on.

 It was worth delaying their travels for this moment of peace.

 “Thanks Dominic…”

 “...You’re welcome Sweetheart.”

[mysticalandenchanting]

Dahlias [1]

Part 1

Summary:

Elain and Azriel are happily married and about to begin their own little family to join they’re much bigger, louder family in Velaris. Sometimes, however they crave they’re own peace and quiet; a small vacation is exactly what they need before their bundle of joy takes over their lives and hearts. Peace is not found in the Night Court though, war brews and things take a devastating turn.

~~~~~

AN: This is my first story I’m posting to tumblr although I already have a couple wip’s going. So i guess, if you come across this and like it, let me know! This is just a short idea i had and worked for Elriel. Can you guess which other SJM couple this is based off?😈 This will probably only be around 4 parts.

~~~~~

Elain

“I need to get away,” I complained while sinking further into the pillows, “I can’t handle it here anymore.”

Azriel smiled at me, his eyes crinkling in a way that I loved. He tucks his wings back as he sits on the end of our bed in front of me, resting his hand on my leg, “You know they mean well, and trust me, I know better than anybody they can be too much—I spent 500 years with them.”

“Yes, but that was before my sisters came into the mix. Together they’re all insufferable.”

Azriel laughed, “Well, you know better than anybody how headache inducing they are to me as well; how much of Madja’s powder mix have I gone through over the years?”

I smiled at the memory of the gift I gave for our first Winter Solstice spent together. “It has become a reliable gift to give.” I looked to him hopefully, “So what do you say? A mini vacation to relax before our lives are too chaotic for breaks ever again?”

He hesitated, “I don’t know El, you know there’s a lot going on in the Night Court and with you so close it might not be safe.”

“Come on, Az,” I turned my doe eyes to him with a pout on my lip, “I could use the break—we could use the break.” I pleaded, moving my hand to my rounded stomach. “I still have a month left before our baby gets here, and we can just go up to the cabin where it’s totally safe.”

The stresses of being pregnant were getting to me what with living in a city in a house with all the others; I felt as if I could get no peace and quiet. The worst offenders being my sisters who have always been protective, I loved them but I didn’t know how to ask them to back off. I could not even enjoy my garden with it still being on the edge of winter.

“What if you go into labor?”

“It’s just for a week, and we will have plenty of time to get back if that happens—which it won’t.”

He took a minute to really think about it as I held my breath in anticipation. “Okay, fine.” He gave in, the corners of his mouth tugging up. I broke out a big smile, sitting up and reaching for him as he leaned forward and our lips met in a happy kiss, our baby giving a couple kicks. I couldn’t keep in my laugh at it as I put my hand over the area.

“Seems like we’re all excited.” Azriel looked between us in wonder before resting his hand over the area as well and feeling the kicks. No matter how many times it has happened, he always looked as if it was the first. It was a side of him that I couldn’t wait to see when the baby actually came and he saw him for the first time.

I leaned forward and caught his lips again, this time more gently, trying to express my love for him and for our little family that we were starting. We stayed like that for several moments, both with one hand on my belly and the other pulling each other closer. He leaned more forward, deepening the kiss, until he was lowering me back onto the pillows—

Just then a knock came loudly at our door. “Elain?” Feyre’s voice asked and I groaned in annoyance while Az laughed and removed himself from over me, going for the door.

“We’ll leave in the morning.”

~~~~~

This trip was exactly what I needed. Being out in the quiet mountain tops with no one but Azriel all to myself was therapeutic. The past two days have made me feel more calm and like myself than I had felt in months.

Feyre and Nesta had objected to our retreat from the family but after a quick statement of needing some quiet rest away from the city before the arrival of the baby they could hardly object, although they had suggested to tag along which I could not have declined quicker. Az and I had practically ran out afterwards.

I was enjoying some tea on the couch as Azriel looked over some paperwork at the table. There wasn’t very much for myself to do but I most definitely didn’t mind what with being so round in the middle.

I took a moment to admire all of Feyre’s paintings that took over the walls and furniture. They were all beautifully done and brought a comfort of nostalgia from the old house that we had lived in when the wall had still been up and we had resided on the other side of it. It was hard to believe we had come so far from that.

I looked over to my husband who just so happened to be looking back and smiled. I am so lucky to be where I am right now.

I opened my mouth to express that luck when suddenly his attention snagged elsewhere, not on any specific point in the room but a look I had grown familiar with when Rhys was saying something to him mentally. I waited to see what could be so important before suddenly Az was tensing at some unwanted information.

“Rhys needs me.” He looked to me, proclaiming.

“What is it?”

“An Illyrian camp has gone missing, up and vanished without a trace and he needs me and my spies to find it.”

“Vanished?” I asked confused, “How could they just vanish?”

“I don’t know. With the rebellion spreading, we have been tracking the threats extensively.”

“And this camp is a part of the rebellion?”

“Yes.”

I sighed, “Okay, you need to go.”

He stood and walked toward, seeming unsure what to do. “I can take you back to Velaris.”

“No,” I shook my head, “I’ll wait for you here. How long could it take to find them? They couldn’t have gotten that far.”

“You shouldn’t be alone while you're pregnant.”

“I’ll be fine. The cabin is well warded and will practically take care of me with its spells. It will be more hassle than it's worth to go home and come back when you return and I’m not ready to end our vacation.”

He hesitated again before deciding and touching the siphons on his hands so that his Illyrian leathers appeared on him and he went to retrieve his weapons. “Your not going to be fighting them are you? Rhys just wants you to find them?” I asked worriedly.

“Yes, don’t worry,” he strapped on Truth Teller and his sword before leaning over the couch and kissing me on the forehead, “I’ll be back tomorrow, I promise.”

He was going to find a dangerous camp of Illyrian warriors who hated him, how could I not worry? What if he got caught? My nerves started to get to me and I, struggling, got up from my spot on the couch and made my way to door to meet him.

“I love you and be careful, okay?” I said kissing him and opening the door for him.

“I will.”

I watched him walk out into the cold chill of the mountain before settling back on the couch with fluttering of nerves and kicking at my stomach.

~~~~~

Azriel

After meeting Rhys just before the Illyrian mountains, I flew low in the sky just as the sun was setting, perfect time to begin my search. I let my shadows encompass me, hiding me, as I followed the valleys deeper into the cold that whipped past my wings.

The Illyrians have been spreading wide in the mountains and steppes working to fortify it against us and the rest of the Night Court. After so much tension and anger after the war that spread and spread into all out rebellion, communication became nearly impossible. Rhys could have easily gone in with his power to distill fear into them but that would have earned him no respect and likely would have made things worse. There were too many of them to continuously keep in check and the wrath required to end this rebellion didn’t seem necessary when they had confined themselves to their own lands.

In the end, no matter how much hate we bore toward them and their ways, they were still our people. Killing them outright didn’t seem right in any way, so we have been doing our best to contain them and work our way to an understanding despite the huge differences in view.

Recently, though, they have been growing angrier and braver, encroaching lower into the lands of the Night Court. We have been preparing for an attack since and the disappearance of this camp was not a good sign.

Over the course of the cold night I flew to the last known location of the camp but finding no trails, I went to nearby camps. They were just as discorded with us as many other camps but I have been working my around that for years, building networks within each of those who did not agree with the rebellion. I met with a few, being careful to enter and exit secretly hidden almost completely by my shadows. All of them had very little idea where the camp went or how they had managed to keep their departure a secret.

After gaining very little intel and no general sense of direction, I decided to take to the skies again flying high to gain any sight of them. I started with south, in case our suspicions of attack were true, and worked outwards from there.

I flew most of the night but found nothing of the camp, a seemingly impossible disappearance considering several hundred resided with them and they had to settle somewhere to rest. In every direction for seemingly reasonable distances that could be travelled for a camp that departed only the night before there wasn’t anything.

I flew well into the day as the snow began to pick up until Rhys summoned me and I flew back to our meeting point.

“What have you found?” Rhys greeted looking tired and troubled. He had been reaching out with his magic to see if he could locate them from a much farther back location outside of Illyrian territory.

“Nothing. Absolutely nothing.” I admitted, perturbed, “Nearby camps have no knowledge, they’re last known location completely abandoned with no tracks in any particular direction. With the amount of supplies they would have to travel with along with the amount of females in company, I tracked out as far as they could have gotten and found nothing.”

“This is worrying. If they attack, it might lead to civil war, and if all the rebel Illyrians evasive techniques are just as good, then we might not be able to nip it in the bud as I had hoped.”

“Where is Cas?”

“He is preparing some of our forces for a defense that can be transported easily enough wherever this camp shows up to.”

“and Mor?”

“Handling her father”

“And you haven’t sensed them anywhere?”

“No,” Rhys shifted looking back out to wide expanse of the Night Court, “I’ve been reaching out as far as I can and no signs. I’d hate to think either they were so far out of reach inland that I couldn’t sense them or they had some sort of spell protecting them.”

Both thoughts were not great options but both seemed viable at this point. “So what now?” I asked.

“What can we do but keep looking? We can’t take action against them until they are found or they attack.”

We both paused, realizing just how close the cusp of war was again. It’s not exactly that we were settled in perfect peace all this time but it was enough that we all had settled down into our own routines and families. Feyre and Rhys had a child, Nesta and Cassian were happily married, and me and Elain were about to have a baby.

“I need to get back to Elain.” The sun was setting and I had promised I would be back today, I couldn’t leave her on her own too long when she was so far into her pregnancy.  No matter how close war was I would not miss my baby’s birth.

“Of course,” Rhys nodded, still distracted, “Feyre and I will keep looking covertly and Cas can handle wherever they show up, you should focus on Elain and the baby.”

A mix of relief and worry flowed through me at that, both wanting nothing more than to focus on my wife and the weeks coming in that our baby would enter the world and not wanting to abandon the rest of them to the war we had so carefully been trying to avoid.

I simply nodded placing my hand on Rhys’s shoulder as he winnowed us back to the cabin.

The dark wind blasted us as we stepped through space but what waited on the other end was not the comfort of being close to Elain again, but fire. My heart stopped at the sight of the cabin blazing high into the sky, almost completely burnt to ashes and nothing more than a frame of what used to be there.

“Elain!” I scream as I ran forward as close to the cabin as I could get, looking everywhere around but there wasn’t anybody or anything in sight except the blazing cabin and the darkening sky where the snow fell and melted as it came into contact with the heat of the flames.

I was met with nothing but silence and I felt like I couldn’t breath. What had happened here? Where was Elain? She couldn’t have been…

I ran my hands through my hair as I barely glimpsed the horror on Rhys’s face before I was calling out again, “Elain! Elain!”

My hands start to shake and a horrible feeling grows in my chest and just when I don’t know what to do I look to the ground and see it all covered in a thin veil of snow. Most looked melted so close to the fire but it was still there. Tracks. Lots of them. Everywhere as if hundreds of people had came through here. Not a second after this realization, Feyre winnowed in, fear already written on her face as she took in the sight and covered her mouth with her hands. Right next to Rhys.

I knew without a doubt then that every ward on the cabin was, somehow, down.

The Illyrian camp had been here.