#a battery for a car SHOULD NOT BE NEXT TO THE WHEEL EVER AGAIN

[fuzziemutt]

I wish I was like a god at cars and just able to fix that shit in my yard with ease and say yeah the shitbox 4th plug just needs a bit more elbow grease but I ain't letting this fucker die yet, yet here I am kicking its damn stationary wheel for the 50th time

[norman-fucking-reedus]

I’m absolutely obsessed with your writing! I was hoping I could request a one-shot where Daryl and fem!reader are married. They are working on separate outdoor projects but Daryl can’t stop watching the reader throughout the day. The dirtiest thoughts cross his mind as he watches her. Later that evening when they are home and finally alone he recreates all those thoughts with her throughout the night. Daryl has a pleasure and praise kink, includes oral, Daryl loves going down on the reader!

*Set during later Alexandria or Commonweath era (Daryl never goes to France!)

STOP IT RIGHT TF NOW ANON CAUSE WHY HAVENT I THOUGHT OF A PLEASURE KINK. DROOLING RN

Heres me admitting im only on season 9 of TWD so this takes place in Alexandria 😿

A/n: Thought I’d actually title this bc reading it again months later I just think it needs one 🥸

gif creds @daryl-dixon-daydreams

BUSY BEE

Daryl was going to simply pass away and die.

He hated his own mind for it’s never-ending thoughts, even more so when he had a literal job to be doing. His racing thoughts had been distracting him the whole day, occasionally using the wrong tool, knocking something over, and even almost spilling all the oil at one point.

It was just the way your hips looked, so well rounded in those jeans, shirt clinging to your body as you walked quickly with your own tasks in mind, not noticing your husband’s hardcore staring.

His mind was bursting with thoughts of what horribly dirty things he wanted to do to you. Sometimes he physically can’t wrap his head around how he ended up with someone like you. All Daryl could think about was just how bad he wanted to fuck you, cock already stirring to life in his pants.

No. No. He had to stay focused. He couldn’t be seen not doing his task and also now needed to hide the tent forming in his pants. It was worse that he was out in the open, having been assigned to work on the cars to keep them running longer.

You had been assigned to ask around to see what was needed for the next run, only for some reason you had timed yourself to get to everyone in under an hour, hence your quick pace and focused gaze. Daryl had seen you walk past at least three times, each time you sped past while furiously scribbling on a notepad. He felt like a teenager watching and obsessing over his crush.

God, he was so ready to blow himself up, staring down at under the hood of one of the cars used for runs. He forced his mind to focus on fixing shit instead of wandering off. Rick had been saying that the brakes had been failing, only Daryl couldn’t exactly do much without a jackstand.

He decided to test the car battery instead since it had been having trouble starting. Stepping around the car to the toolbox, he almost tripped as you bumped right into him. “Bulky bitch!” You yelped as you fell down onto your ass, dropping your pen and paper. Daryl gently but quickly pulled you to your feet, picking your stuff up. “Tha’ hell ya runnin’ from girl?” He stepped closer to you, sliding a hand to your waist. “I’m a very busy woman with places to be and times to beat” You rolled your eyes, yet smiled softly at Daryl. “Too busy fer me now?” You nodded, leaning up as if to kiss him but going for his ear instead. “Very busy” You whispered sweetly, placing a faint kiss on his cheek before speeding away again.

Daryl simply stood there with his cock straining harshly against the fabric of his pants, cock pulsating as he could feel himself leaking pre-cum. He should just blow his goddamn brains out, now.

He slammed the hood of the car shut and climbed inside, dropping his head onto the steering wheel. It felt like his head was about to fall off with how many filthy thoughts were flooding in. You were the biggest tease and absolutely knew it, sweat dripping down his face as he tried to silence his brain, hands gripping the steering wheel. He wasn’t about to jerk off inside a car with the clearest windows ever, at that point he might as well do it out in the open.

While Daryl was suffering silently, you were simply serene as you rocked on the porch swing of your house, turning in the list to Rick right before your timer hit fifteen minutes. You toyed with the ring on your finger, smiling down as you thought of how Daryl refused to get you something small. He had found a jewelry shop out on a secret run and spent an hour overthinking and questioning himself before finding the perfect ring. It was a sliver band with clusters of smaller diamonds around a larger one that so happened to be the shape of a skull, matching the one he wore every day. He smashed the glass without a second thought.

You smile fondly, also remembering that the same man was probably struggling to do his work. Getting him super worked up was your favorite thing to do as he basically melted in your hands the second he stepped foot inside.

Speaking of inside, you had stepped in earlier to change out your underwear, switching into a black thong you found. You could practically feel Daryl’s hands roaming your body, shivers running down your spine at the tingling sensation.

Whilst you were enjoying yourself, Daryl was still sitting in the car, staring down at the steering wheel as he tried to focus his mind on anything else, aside from the cocky sway of your hips, and the ghost of your lips against his ears.

He needed to get off badly. The only thing really stopping him were these shitty windows, however he proceeded to begin rubbing his hand on his clothed cock, letting out a shaky moan. Daryl slammed his hands back onto the steering wheel, gripping it tightly as he tried to recenter himself. He thought for a moment, sweat rolling down the back of his neck.

The car door swung open and he kicked it shut behind him, walking quickly to avoid anyone who might wanna talk, quickly making his way back home. He passed Carol, who was sitting out on her swing. She waved and he gave a short wave back, trying his hardest to keep his hard-on concealed as he sped past.

He stepped heavily up the stairs, the wooden porch creaking under his weight as he opened and shut the front door. It was remotely quiet as he kicked his shoes off next to yours, tearing his shirt off as he stomped upstairs to your shared bedroom, where he found you in one of his shirts lying on your stomach reading a book, closing it at the sound of your husband's arrival. “Already stripping nude for me, Dixon?” You pushed yourself onto your knees and he approached the bed, grabbing your face rougher than intended and crashing his lips onto yours.

It seemed like in that moment, Daryl’s hyperactive mind finally shut itself down, his shoulders relaxing as his hands held your soft face, licking into your mouth desperately. Your hands wrapped around his neck, fingers splayed out on his upper back as he moved to join you on the bed, readjusting you so your legs rested comfortably on either side of his hips. There was a burning desire in his gut as he sucked harshly on your skin, grinding against you as he did.

Daryl’s hands stayed locked at your hips, massaging and groping the flesh as he continued marking up your whole body, practically eating you. He reached your boobs and ran his tongue over the right one and started to suck deep marks into the sensitive flesh.

His hips picked up speed, becoming erratic before burying his face in space between your boobs, shaking as he literally came in his pants. It was the hottest thing you’d seen. “Feeling better?” You whispered breathlessly, watching him groan and lift himself sluggishly off your chest. “M’not done yet” His words were slightly slurred as he leaned back on his knees, hands fumbling to undo his pants.

You eventually reached down to unzip his zipper, and he was back on you instantly, shoving his boxers down enough to free his hard and dripping cock, precum pouring from the puffy tip. “God, Daryl, you’re so needy tonight” You moaned as he pulled down your pajama shorts, eyes staring down at the black thong. “Yes tha’ hell I am” He whispered, hands sliding up your sides and he slid down, cock pulsing as he got a look at your cunt even with the thong on. There was just so much he wanted to do to you that it was overwhelming his senses.

He ran his tongue up and in between your folds, tasting you through the measly garment. He rubbed circles in your clit as his tongue explored every inch, slipping past the thong and into your entrance, causing your brain to short-circuit as he worked you to release, especially since his own was drying in his underwear. Alongside his tongue, Daryl eased two fingers in, stretching and scissoring you open, his tongue going in much deeper and curling. “Fuck yes, baby just like that” You bit your bottom lip harshly, sliding your own fingers down to stimulate your clit, knowing how to push yourself off the edge quicker. He got so fucking hard at the sight of you playing with yourself, even more so that it was your ring finger, the diamond skull standing out as your fingers sped up. Daryl pulled his tongue out, continuing to move his fingers as he licked your clit, a strangled sob coming from you as you came.

Daryl settled for unleashing another attack on your torso while you recovered from your orgasm, licking, kissing, sucking, and biting at the smooth flesh of your stomach, one hand holding your thigh over his shoulder, and the other resting right by your boob, his thumb teasingly stroking the skin under it. He felt every curse, moan and gasp you let out, licking right in between your already marked boobs, kissing the junction of your throat all the way up to your lips. The head of his cock nudged your pussy slightly, and the heat of the kiss had you dizzy. “C’mon handsome, I can’t wait much longer” You batted your lashes at him, running your hand down his one of his big arms, your ring shimmering in the dim lamp light.

Your other hand slid in between your bodies to shift your soaked thong to the side, pulling him closer by wrapping your legs around his waist. He used one hand to steady his cock, and gripped the headboard as he slammed in, two of you moaning in unison. Daryl’s cock was more sensitive than ever, eyes rolling to the back of his skull as he readjusted himself, pounding roughly into you as you gripped his bicep.

Daryl’s thrusts were relentless as he kept his pace up, bed creaking and headboard slamming as he panted like a dog, watching the way his cock was sliding in and out of you, a giant wet spot forming on his jeans as he showed no signs of stopping. “My big strong man, always fucking me so good with your fat cock” You bit down on your lips as one of your hands came to rest on his cheek. He turned his face to the side, kissing your palm while staring into your eyes with a lovingly lustful gaze. “M’all yers, m’gon always give my woman wha’ she wants” His voice was raspy and breathless against your hand before he locked your fingers together, pinning your hands onto the mattress and dipping his head down to press his forehead against yours, simply panting into each others spaces.

From how tightly you were holding hands, your rings dug into one another’s fingers, and it only turned Daryl on more. You were his and he was yours. “M’so proud ta call ya Mrs. Dixon. Gon fill ya up w all my kids” He whispered, bumping his strangely cold button nose against yours. “Let’s just start with one?” Your voice sounded foreign to your ears, and by the way Daryl’s hips had sped up you could tell he was close “Not one now!” You shrieked, nails digging into his hands as he railed your sweet spot, orgasm already hitting him incredibly hard as he practically laughed in your ear from how hard he came, pulling out just a little too late.

He fell on top of you, but recoiled when something wet touched his navel, eyes flickering down to see his cum soaking into the black fabric of your thong and seeping out your hole. “Gonna clean that up for me?” You winked suggestively at him, and he lowered himself to be eye level with your messy cunt, massive hands spreading you further apart as he licked his lips. “Yes ma’am”

｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆

I made myself very horny writing this but I also kept falling asleep as I was writing

also I based both rings off Normans ring :3 (he should put his finger in my body)

[eomayas]

handsome stranger • kjm

pairing: non-idol!junmyeon x f reader

genre: fluff (meet cute)

synopsis: your car battery dies and a handsome stranger helps your jump it. he’s so hot and you can’t mess up this opportunity so you shoot your shot

warnings: flufffff

groaning, you slap your hands against the steering wheel and look around your car helplessly. every light flashes for a few seconds before turning off and signifying that your car is dead. you blow out a breath and open your glove compartment to find AAA information.

you dial the number once you find the slip that’s been in your car for the last four years. “all of our lines are currently busy. please stay on the line until our next available associate can help you,” you roll your eyes at the robotic message and put the phone on speaker as you’re put on hold.

you wait about five minutes before getting frustrated and googling how to fix a dead car battery. none of the articles make sense, talking about cables and the hood of your car. you know nothing about cars, having always called your father whenever you had issues with your vehicle. but now that you’ve moved away from home, you can’t just dial him up anymore.

sighing, you pop the hood of your car and get out. you lift it up and look down at the inside, not able to put a finger on any single entity. you look around the parking lot, hoping to find help. all of the cars are parked and empty in the lot, or just drive past you and give you pitying looks.

you place a hand on your forehead, your phone still on hold. you don’t know how long it’ll take for AAA to get here, and you’re ready to lock yourself in your dead car and just die.

that is, until, a car pulls into the empty spot in front of you and you make eye contact with the driver. he gets out of his car, and you let out a breath. this may or may not be the finest man you’ve ever seen, and whether he offers you help isn’t even on your mind anymore.

“hey!” you say, leaning against the side of your car, hoping to appear casual and sexy. you definitely dont appear casual to the handsome stranger, but sexy? spot on.

he shuts his car door and looks around before replying, “hi?” like he’s not sure you’re talking to him. “car troubles?” he asks, stepping in front of his car.

“dead battery,” you say. he raises his eyebrows and nods, coming over to look into the hood of your car. he glances at you and offers you a kind smile, which your return. butterflies erupt in your stomach at his shining smile, and you remind yourself to keep it together.

“i can jump it, if you want,” he says. he’s a bit shy and awkward, but polite nonetheless. it’s endearing, and you find it hard to keep your smirk to yourself.

“sure,” you say, brushing hair behind your ear.

“do you have cables?”

“cables?” you question, looking at him quizzically. his cheeks flush as he lets out a small chuckle.

“cables… to, you know, jump your car?” he offers. you only shrug and he runs a hand through his hair. “i should have some, it’s no big deal.” he says and goes around his car to the trunk. he comes back moments later with two wires that have large clamps at either end.

“cables!” you say. he chuckles again and hooks them up to his car. you watch him work quickly on his side, before coming over to your car. he catches your eye and his cheeks blush red again, and he awkwardly clears his throat.

the man attaches the cables to your engine and straightens up. “okay, try starting your car,” he instructs. you nod and quickly hop in, turning the key in the ignition. the engine sputters, but nothing comes to life.

you see him put his hand on his chin before looking into your car again and adjusting the cables. “try again,” he mouths through the glass of the windshield and you do, the engine sputtering once more before roaring to life.

he stands back, a satisfied smile on his and you hop out of the car. “oh my god, thank you!” you say.

“no problem,” he says, unhooking the cords from your car. your smile falters as you realize that this is your one and only chance to make your move. “i’m y/n,” you blurt, following up your awkwardness with a cute smile. the handsome man returns it and bows his head slightly, like he’s shy.

“junmyeon,” he says, extending his hand. you shake it. his hands are rough yet soft, and much larger than your own.

“well, thank you junmyeon. i don’t know what wi would have done without you—i literally had to google how to fix a car battery,” you admit and he chuckles, and you find your smile getting wider at the sound.

“you know, you should really carry cables. just in case,” he says, and you wrinkle your nose at his practicality.

“why would i do that, when i could just call you?” you ask smoothly. junmyeons cheeks tinge pink at your words, caught off guard with your forwardness and flirting.

“or you could just call me,” he repeats, cheeks turning redder as he takes your phone from you and plugs in his number, texting himself so he can save your contact as well.

“that solves a lot of my future problems,” you say. if you have to kill your car battery everyday in order to see him again, you just might. you really might.

“you know, you could call me for other things too,” junmyeon says. you raise your eyebrows, fighting a smile.

“yeah? like what?” you ask, biting your bottom lip. he looks at you bashfully before averting his gaze elsewhere.

“i dont know—i’ve been told i’m a good cook. decent bowler,” he offers, a grin on his face. you can’t help but smile, wanting to giggle like a schoolgirl.

“just decent?”

“if you call me tonight, i can prove it,” you’re full on smiling brighter than the sun, showing every tooth in your mouth. your cheeks are going to start hurting any second if you don’t get control over your facial muscles.

your heart leaps in your chest, and instead of having a flirty remark, all you can say is “okay,” slightly breathless. junmyeon just smiles back at you and nods, walking backwards to his car.

he holds his hand up and waves as he gets back to his car door. “it was nice meeting you. i’ll be waiting for that call, by the way,” he says and you just keep on grinning. you thank him again and hop back into your car.

who knew a dead car battery would lead you to a date?

[amourkive]

EXPEDITION| MYG

a/n: erm....hit a writers block with this one NGL...and I feel like I made it too long at the end. Also added Jungkook bc of the circumstances of the fic lol, I hope you enjoy it nonetheless !! Stay Gold⁷ -miri

masterlist

/ᐠ• ㅅ •ᐟ\

"Hey, you ready?" Yoongi asked, leaning against his car, hands cradled in the warmth of his hoodie pocket. You had just walked out the house, eyes squinting at the assaulting brightness that your house lacked a few minutes prior.

With a single nod, you dragged your suitcase down the driveway of your house, hauling it into the trunk, as you pushed yoongi away to start the car; it was cold and you didn't care for a "gentleman's gesture" at this moment.

"I'm so tired! I should have chosen a later time to leave." You buckled your seatbelt with a whine as Yoongi let out an amused snort, putting the car in drive, slowly leaving the side of the street.

"that's why I'm here...so you don't have to drive yourself, just close your eyes, I'll wake you up when we arrive at the airport, okay? Let Min Yoongi handle this." He stated, pulling a blanket from the backseat, over your lap.

"....okay, min yoongi. I'm trusting you." you muttered, poking the side of his arm, and with that you lowered the seat, covered yourself better, and went back to dreamland.

"Hey, uhm, baby?..." You heard, and you couldn't tell if it was from your dream or not. "baby..." you heard again, and realized it was yoongi. Which, was alarming.

He only ever called you baby in two conditions:

1. when he really wanted you to do something

2.when he does something that he knows is going to upset you so he tries using the baby card

You opened your eyes, face to face with a sheepish looking yoongi, who had his lip in between his teeth. "you called me baby, what did you do." and he put his head down, with a sigh.

"it wasn't my fault! totally out of my control!" he defended himself immediately, pulling away from you, placing his hands on the steering wheel, "the car broke down." he muttered, and you sighed, leaning back into the seat.

of course it did.

Before you could say anything, Yoongi was already next to you again, head on your shoulder, and you knew he felt bad. "you know how the battery gets when it's winter....i should have asked Hyung for his car like you said, and I'm sorry about that, but- then what would be the point in having our car? I thought it would at least make it to the airp-"

"gigi...nicest way possible, shut up." you spoke softly, placing your hand on his cheek, rubbing it comfortingly. "you didn't know it was gonna break down at this moment...did you call anyone?"

you feel him nod his head, with a sigh, "yeah I called a tow company, and Jungkook-he's the closest so he said he'll take you. I'll have to wait for them here." Even though you figured that much, you still frowned hearing it out loud. Yoongi wasn't going to see you off back home.

"well come on...it's cold, and I'm still tired." you sat up, him moving away from you in the process, watching as you, quite difficulty, went to the back seats, with the blanket. You turned to face him, as he sat in his seat, and rolled your eyes.

"I want cuddles, gigi. C'mon~ before I leave, please?" you griped, holding your arms open, for him. (he was going to whether you asked or not, but he liked the extra effort)

once he made it to the back, like a koala to a tree, you clung to him right in-between his legs, his warmth stopping the cold that lingered. Sighing with satisfaction, you leaned into him more, as he ran his fingers through your hair. It was like you forgot the car broke down and you had to make it to the airport in less than an hour.

"how long are you staying at your parents, baby?" he asked, him trying to keep conversation for he felt a little drowsy now himself. "just a month...maybe less, depending." weakly shrugging, turning to face him,

"are you gonna miss me?" and really, him laughing was not the answer you expected. "of course I'm going to miss you. who else is gonna bother me-" "hey!" "sorry not bother, keep me company! who's gonna keep me company?"

You smiled, "Jungkook."

yoongi tsked, shaking his head, "yeah right. more like he'd keep me up more than I already do." "no, baby, Jungkook's right there." In a swift motion, yoongi turned his head to see Jungkook drawing hearts around his head, and he had to force himself to not roll his eyes.

"oh, yay, how nice of him to arrive." he muttered sarcastically, patting the side of your leg, for you to get up, so he can get out and help.

"hello you two lovebirds! having fun ? I bet you were~" with a smack to the head, he pouted, crossing his arms. "I was just kidding! gosh, can't take jokes anymore? what a loser."

At this point, Jungkook was talking to himself, because yoongi had all his focus on you, clambering out of the backseat, and right into his arms.

"can't Jungkook stay with the car, and you take me? no offense kook-" "none taken, really." "-i just...I really wanted you to be there when I left."

Yoongi pursed his lips, looking down at you, wishing he could. "you know I would if I could...but they're gonna need me for the information. I'm sorry, baby."

you nodded, understandingly, because once again, you knew that. But still the circumstances sucked. "it's okay, I give good hugs too hyung." Jungkook added, with a shrug which made you laugh a little. He was trying to lighten the mood, but you don't think yoongi appreciated it.

"you want to get smacked upside the head a couple more times don't you?" he asked, looking over towards Jungkook, his grip tightening on you. "be nice, gigi... he's only trying to be nice. Plus-" you look down at your phone that you pulled out from your pocket, "I should be going now."

yoongi sighed, "how about I just take you instead? Jungkook give me your keys, I'll be back before they even come." jungkook shook his head, "not possible! it's a 30 minute drive there and back! that's more than an hour! I highly doubt you'll be back before they come."

You nodded in agreement, "he has a point, yoongi. Just do what needs to be done." he frowned, "but if we go now-" "Sorry to interrupt but any of you Min Yoongi?" With a look towards you, Yoongi nodded, walking up to the guy, "yeah. that's me. Just- can you give me a minute?"

Once the guy nodded, Yoongi turned back to you, grabbing your face in his hands. "I'll miss you." You nodded, grabbing onto his sweatshirt, "I'll miss you too...I'll call you when I make it there." He smiled, "I know you will...please be careful. If anything happens to you I will-"

"-be on the first plane to me." you laughed, "I know. you say it all the time. I'll be careful, you know, all that good stuff. So, don't worry so much."

"augh, my sweet girl has to leave, what will I do for the next month?" Yoongi muttered, leaning down placing a kiss on your nose, before placing two on your cheeks. You smiled, relishing in his kisses, giggling as he placed one on your lips.

"you won't have to worry about her leaving if you guys don't finish this goodbye. Sorry to ruin this cute moment of course-" "we were getting there, Jungkook! Read the room sometimes man, just go before I might actually keep her here." Yoongi whined, letting you go with one last kiss.

As you walked with Jungkook to his car, Yoongi kept his eyes on you, until you disappeared in the car. As Jungkook drove past, you blew yoongi a kiss, smiling as he pretended to put it in his pocket, finally turning to face the tow guy.

You sat back in your seat, smiling softly. A month. Then you'll be able to give Yoongi all the kisses you wanted.

[justanotherfanwriter]

And they were ROOMmates

Cht list: (1) (2) (3) (4)

a/n: Soul Eater. Soul X Maka. Maka's hurt, Soul's anxious, and "dignity" gets in the way.

I bet people can be weird about co-ed partnerships between a meister and a weapon, so I wrote something that tackled it. But lol I lost the rest of the outline, so here's just a part. I can continue if anyone is interested.

c/w: hurt/comfort, depictions of blood and injuries.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

“Just get the room open,” Soul hissed at Ox, “we don’t have time for this.”

“Maka needs her own room. It’s against protocol, and—”

“Protocol? I literally live with her! Just open the door. You’re making a scene,” He fumed, shifting Maka’s weight in his arms. She was cradled against his chest, bloodied, battered, and more than a little dazed.

When Ox continued to stand in front of the hotel door, neglecting to open it, Soul turned his glare on Harvar.

“Talk to your Meister before I punch his face in,” He demanded. Harvar glared back, his stupid glasses long gone, buried somewhere in the aftermath of their battle.

He shifted Maka’s weight again, and she groaned, causing his heart to palpitate. For fuck sake, he didn’t want to pull rank on these assholes, but he wasn’t above it!

“It’s not like she can bandage herself!” He pleaded, shooting her a worried look. Blood caked one side of her head, and while he knew head wounds purposefully bled more, it was making him lightheaded. Coupled with the beating the rest of her face had taken, he was close to a nervous breakdown. And that was without considering the odd angle her right ankle was hanging.  

“We should be taking her to a hospital!” Ox snapped back, “This is ridiculous!”

“Wow! A hospital! How come I didn’t think of that—oh wait! Because there are no hospitals! Did you see a hospital? Cause I sure didn’t! And it’s not like we can drive to one! Because someone fried the damn battery!”  

They had been lucky enough to find a hotel if it could even be called that. It was more like a motel, but shittier, located next to the mechanic that would hopefully be open tomorrow morning, so they could get their DWMA-leased car to work again. They had pulled into the parking lot literally on their last wheel, with poor Maka in the back wheezing the whole ride down.

And, wait, did the wheezing mean she had a broken rib?

He felt cold sweat slip down his neck as he paled.

Yeah, he was definitely close to hyperventilating.  

Of course, none of them would have been in this shitty situation if they had just listened to him in the first place. He hadn’t wanted to take this joint mission with Ox and Harvar, not because of the company (though it was quickly becoming “because of the company”), but because after everything they had been through, a D-rank mission had a certain “below them” quality to it. But, unfortunately, Ox and Maka couldn’t let go of their pissing competition for more than five minutes to figure that out for themselves or listen to reason, and fucking Harvar was as unhelpful as ever in that regard.

In the end, though, they had all been wrong. Neither Ox’s nor Maka’s “superior intellect” had broken any supposed DWMA D-rank records, and Soul had extremely misjudged the difficulty of the assigned task. If Soul hadn’t already had his suspicions that Kid reshuffled the assignments so each rank would have an equal and even number of missions to complete, which was, evidently, how a D-rank mission could become a B-rank without warning, he’d also think this meant the new Death Lord had extremely misjudged the difficulty of the assigned task. But really, this just confirmed his (and Liz’s) suspicions that Kid was skipping out on his anxiety medication. Again.

“Ox,” Harvar eventually sighed, pushing his not-there glasses up his nose, “he’s right, she’s not well, and we don’t have enough money to afford the mechanic and another room. I believe the front desk attendant knows we’re—” He paused, “—unfortunately desperate and skewed the prices.”   

“What’s the big deal anyway?” Soul huffed.

“She’s a girl,” Ox whined like he was still twelve, and they were all still stuck in the single-sex dorms at DWMA. He had bitched about it when Maka would sneak in before they moved off-campus together. “It’s inappropriate.”

“And we wonder why you haven’t gotten laid yet.” He deadpanned, clutching Maka closer to him, who had begun to shiver.

Ox’s cheeks flooded with color, “H-hey, I—” He straightened, “—I won’t stand for that! I have to!”

Of course, he hadn’t. They wouldn’t have heard the end of it if he had. And by “they,” Soul meant the “boys-only” group chat Ox had explicitly created so he could bitch about Kim without Kim finding out. He was probably the only one who actually used it.

Soul felt his shoulders slump as exhaustion rolled through him, but he kept a tight grip on Maka.

It had been a long two days of driving, roughing it in the woods, fighting for their lives, and now, this, with Maka hurt and him feeling useless, crummy, and anxious beyond belief. He hated—absolutely loathed—Maka getting hurt. It physically made him nauseous. DWMA nurses told him he was a casebook study of Couvade Syndrome, which was better known as sympathetic pregnancy to ordinary people, and commonly found in meister-weapon relationships on account of the soul-bond, of which his and Maka’s was very strong for obvious, black-blood related reasons.

“Just open the door, please,” He begged, letting his eyes fall shut.

Maybe they could hear the desperation in his voice because, after a short pause, the door clicked open. He didn’t wait for grand gestures as he breezed past them, gingerly putting Maka down on the closest of the two full-sized beds. If she were more coherent, she would have been beyond pissed. She never laid down on a strange bed without first checking for bed bugs, but Soul was well past the patience needed for that.

He began unlacing her combat boots as Ox and Harvar sat their things down on the other bed. They had a ridiculous amount of luggage, most of which held Ox’s copious amount of hair products. On the other hand, Maka and Soul’s stuff was all contained in one duffle bag currently strapped to his back. They preferred traveling light with nothing valuable just in case they were whisked away to, hell, the moon? It had happened before, and the moment they thought it wouldn’t happen again, it was sure to happen again. His favorite headband was still up there, sad, lost, and alone.

Or, well, alone wasn’t the right word, but whatever.

Regardless, Ox and Harvar didn’t seem to care about Murphy’s Law. It was frustrating and so different from how he and Maka operated as a team. The two other boys were so smart, but they didn’t share even a single brain cell when it came to common sense. How they had made it this far in the DWMA program was beyond Soul, but he had other things to worry about—Maka-related things.

“That fucker got a good swipe at her back. I’m going to have to clean the cut. Maybe do stitches?” He shook his head, “I dunno. I need to get her cleaned off. It shouldn’t take long.”

He scoped her back into his arms and, for a split second, marveled at how light she was for someone who could pack such a punch.

“You’re going to the bathroom?” Ox asked, mouth falling open.

Soul scowled, “I’m sorry did you want to go first?”

Ox had enough grace to look offended, “Of course not! I—it’s just, well, you’re going in there with her?”

He looked down at Maka, cradled snuggly in his arms, half-mumbling, half-moaning, “Uh, duh? She’s half-conscious?”

“Should we—” Ox shared a look with Harvar, “—uh, come supervise?”

Soul blinked, “I’m sorry?”

“Well, you know, for dignity’s sake.”

He stared at Ox and Harvar for a full minute, trying to figure out what they meant when it hit him square in the face, and whatever ill-boding feeling he had developed for them over the last two days did a seemingly impossible speedrun into hatred.

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” He asked, knowing full well what the fuck that was supposed to mean. His blood boiled as his grip on Maka tightened, turning her slightly away to obscure their view of her.

In a pacifying motion, Ox threw up his hands, “It’s not that we don’t trust you, Soul. It’s just that she’s half-unconscious like you said,” he emphasized, “and we don’t want anyone getting the wrong idea. I’m just trying to take Maka’s best interest into account.”

He was beyond offended, literally dumbfounded.

“Right,” He sneered, turning towards the shitty motel bathroom, “makes total sense, three guys watching her bathe as opposed to one, got it. That’s so much better.” He bared his teeth, pushing the door open with his shoulder, “Do me a favor, Ox, and go fuck yourself, okay? Maka’s my meister. There’s nothing about her I haven’t seen before.”

And with that, he let the door slam close behind him.

He stood there momentarily, huffing and puffing until she gurgled a half-attempted word. It was the total gibberish of a half-conscious person, but it stopped the red and black haze threatening to take over his mind. Then, gently, he set her down on the dirty tile floor and examined the sorry state of the bathtub. He crinkled his nose in distaste.

Looking around, he noticed the whole bathroom was just as grimy. Colonies of Silverfish bugs crawled in and out of all three drains, one for the sink, one for the bathtub, and a mysterious third one in the center of the room.

He mumbled obscenities to himself as he set up a measly washing station and decided not to put Maka in the tub. Instead, he sat her on the lip, balancing her as best he could with his limited resources.  

His actions were mechanical as he undressed her, leaving her underwear on for now but removing her sports bra. Then, carefully, he examined her, noting the various wounds and taking special care of the angrier-looking cuts and scratches. He had been right, her head bleed wasn’t as serious as it looked, but the scratches on her back were deep. Luckily, he didn’t think they would need stitches, which was good as the bathroom clearly wasn’t sterile, but she wouldn’t like it when he disinfected them.

His anger faded as he fell into his work, thinking nothing of her nakedness. After years of fixing Maka up after fights, he was used to her naked body in the most platonic way possible, like she was with his. It was a part of the partnership that every weapon and meister formed, same-sex and co-ed. Because who else was going to stitch you up when there were no doctors around?

Obviously, Ox and Harvar didn’t understand co-ed partnerships were exactly the same as same-sex ones because those two were a same-sex partnership, and worse, they were both totally guys about it. Chicks seemed to get it more than the guys ever did. Guys all had this same preconceived notion about co-ed partners that non-meisters and non-weapons had, which always boiled down to the same stupid question without fail: “Are you two hooking up?”   

Soul didn’t understand why same-sex partners weren’t drilled about the same thing. He had seen Kim and Jackie in way more provocative situations than he and Maka had ever been, seemingly on purpose, but no, nope! Soul was the degenerate for helping his meister!

It was fucking ridiculous.

Rolling his eyes, he brushed hair from Maka’s face and returned to the task at hand. There was a nasty lump on her forehead that would have given even Black*Star a concussion, a big ugly bruise wrapping around the left side of her chest and waist, and a twisted ankle so swollen she couldn’t possibly get her boot back on around it.

“Oh, Maka,” He let out a heavy sigh, leaning over to turn on the bath faucet, “you gotta stop doing this to yourself.” 

The faucet sputtered to life. The water that came out was hardly lukewarm but, thankfully, clean-looking. Grabbing a spare washcloth from their pack, Soul cleaned the muck and grime off her, wincing in sympathy when she did, even at the lightest of touches.

“I know,” He comforted, “I’m sorry. I’m almost done.”

“Soul?” Her eyes blinked open blearily.

“I’m here.”

She sighed, “My head hurts.”

“I know. We’ll get to that in a second, okay? Gotta get the blood off.”

“I’m tired.”

“Just a little longer.”

She groaned and then whined, “I’ve gotta pee.”

He snorted, cracking a smile for the first time that night, “Okay, hold on. Do you think you can manage wiping your own ass?”

She scoffed as much as she could, “Yes.”

“Then clean yourself first—” He gestured to her bottom half, “—while I get your clothes ready. Then, bathroom, I promise. Just keep holding on to me.”

“I won’t let go.”

Her words rang clear and sober, and his heart skipped a miserable beat.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

The whole bathing charade couldn’t have lasted more than fifteen to twenty minutes before Soul was helping Maka hobble out the door. Despite the colder weather outside, she was in a fresh set of pajamas consisting of an oversized shirt and a pair of shorts.

“It’s yours,” he said gruffly to Ox and Harvar. “Don’t worry. Dignity still intact.”

“What?” Maka stared at him.

“Don’t worry about it,” He shook his head, glaring at Ox as he entered the bathroom.

“Are you feeling better, Maka?” Ox pushed his glasses up his nose.

“Hardly.” She sighed, “But don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”

“Of course,” He nodded, closing the door.

“And how about you? Are you okay, Harvar?” She asked, staring at the other weapon setting up a makeshift bed with the room’s two armchairs.

“Yes.”

This was a standard, flippant Harvar response, but Maka’s eyebrows still furrowed together in confusion.

“What’s their problem?” She whispered, but he shook his head.

“Come on, time for bed. Lay down.”

She looked at the bed with disgust, “Did you check it for—”

“Maka, bed.” He gently pushed her down, “Here—” He pulled out his spare sleep shirt and wrapped her pillow in it “—just lay on top. You don’t have to get under the blankets.”

“That makes it not better.”

“We really don’t have a choice.” He rooted around their duffle bag for his hoodie and passed it over to her, worried she’d get too cold in the middle of the night without a cover of some sort.

“It’s yours,” she protested. “I already have your—”

“Just take it,” he said, exasperated. Couldn’t people just do what he wanted without arguing?

“Should we flip a coin for it?” Harvar spoke up suddenly, and he and Maka turned to look at the boy.

“What now?” Soul asked, reaching the end of his patience.

Harvar gestured to the makeshift bed, “Maka, of course, will have a bed, and Ox too since they did the physical stuff. It’s only fair, after all. But me and you, one of us gets the floor, and the other gets the chairs.”

“Oh no,” Maka shook her head, “you don’t have to do that. The beds are big enough, Harvar. Me and Ox can share them with you guys.”

A hard look passed over Harvar’s face, “That’s hardly appropriate.”

“What do you—”

“Holy shit,” Soul seethed, interrupting Maka’s question, “fuck off with the appropriate bullshit. I’ll share the bed with Maka; you can be weird and have armchairs. I don’t care! Literally, no one cares! I’m not going to—” He sputtered, looking for the right word, “—to defile her, so quit the hero act! Now! Good! Night!”

Still covered in his own healthy layer of muck and grime, he flopped onto his and Maka’s bed with his back turned toward Harvar. And then, after a second, pulled Maka down with him to make a show of how normal and totally not weird it was, ignoring the way she hissed, “Be careful, idiot!”

Soul glared at the wall closest to Maka, shielding her from the view of the other bed. Then, fidgeted, sat up, and pulled the shirt he was wearing off by the collar before plopping down again.

“What’s going on?” Maka whispered, touching his cheek to get his attention, “Did you three fight? I…I can’t remember much.”

His anger dissipated slightly at the worry wrinkling her forehead. He grabbed the hand on his face and felt some relief flood into his shoulders. It was good that Maka was well enough to be doing Maka-things, like worrying about other peoples’ feelings while she was falling apart. It made him worry less, though her memory issues were still concerning.

“Sort of,” He whispered back, “but it doesn’t matter. Just go to bed. We can talk about it later. Alone.”

She nodded, letting her hand drop from his face as her eyelids started to droop. “Hum me to sleep?” She asked.

“Maka,” He groaned again, hyperaware they weren’t alone.

“Please?” She peeked open one eye, “I’m so skeeved out by this bed right now. I’ll never sleep at this rate.”

“That’s a lie. You’re falling asleep as we speak.”

The edges of her mouth quirked up. “Please,” she asked again, anyway.

Now, here, if he were Ox or Harvar, is where he would have started to worry about the state of his and Maka’s dignity. It wasn’t the nakedness, or the shared bed, or their general touchy-feely bullshit, though Soul was smart enough to understand what those may have looked like to an outsider.

But the music?

Someday, it was going to give him away. Someday, someone who wasn’t so tone-death was going to look at him and call him out on all his bullshit.

Still, because she had asked, he hummed, falling asleep with her tangled up in his arms.

Platonically, of course.

--------------------------------------------------------------

A throat was cleared, once, twice, then, “Soul.”

“Eh,” He groaned, nuzzling further into his pillow. His body ached with fatigue and he couldn’t find it in himself to care about whatever the ominous voice wanted him to care about, “’ive more m’nutes.”

“The mechanic’s open. Wake up.” A blanket was ripped off of him, and he shrunk into a ball, screwing his eyes shut as he patted around the bed for the lost source of comfort.

“H—ey,” He whined, “no.”

“Soul!” Maka shoved him off of her, “Let go of me! And wake up!”

 He landed hard on the motel’s floor, eyes flying open as his brain worked overtime to orient him in time and space.

“Hey!” He cried when he realized what had just transpired, “What’s the big idea! I was sleeping.”

“You need to be waking,” Maka hissed back, rubbing her arms.

He blinked, angry and then worried, watching her rub her arms. A collage of purple and yellow bruises littered them, which was confusing until yesterday hit him like a sack of bricks.

He sat up straighter, remembering that he wasn’t home safe and sound in the comfort of his own bed.

“How are you feeling?” He asked her, scrambling to his feet.

She huffed, rolling her eyes as he fussed around her.

“Worse has happened, Soul,” She allowed him to prop her swollen ankle up on the pillow he had been using, “just go with Harvar, okay? He’s been—” She waved towards the other weapon, who Soul finally noticed at the end of their bed, watching, “—staring.”

“You’re still a heavy sleeper,” Harvar sniffed, walking out, “The mechanics open. I’ll meet you in the hobby.”

“Uh, yeah, okay.” Soul nodded, then looked at Maka, who shrugged.

“He woke me up while he was trying to wake you up. I don’t know how you didn’t feel it,” She whispered, referring to the weight of Harvar’s notorious stare, “seriously, what is their deal?”

Soul thought momentarily about how he had held Maka while he slept, and something warm stirred in his gut.

“I think we are,” He muttered to himself, pulling on a clean shirt.

“What?” She leaned in, “I couldn’t—”

“Excuse me,” Ox said from the other bed, sitting up on his elbows to glare at them—or well, that was likely his intent because the plush, pink sleeping mask he was wearing obscured the gesture, but it rang loud and clear in his tone, “some of us are trying to sleep.”

Soul glared back before turning back to Maka, “Are you okay? I’ll see if I can rustle up some coffee.”

Her face fell and Soul ached with her.

“Pain killers?” She finally asked, “I think I only packed my migraine stuff.”

“Right, no problem.” He patted his back pockets, checking for his wallet, “Need help going to the—”

“Still trying to sleep!” Ox snapped, making a show of tossing and turning, then beating his pillows back to plump.

“Just go,” she said through gritted teeth, giving Ox a crossed look, “obviously—” She chucked one of the pillows she had behind her back at the other bed, “—sleeping beauty here can’t be disturbed even though this is all his fault.”

“Excuse me!” Ox sputtered, sitting up, arguing with his eye mask still on, “My fault!”

“You heard me, Poindexter!” She argued, “Your fault!”

“I’m not the one who charged in head first without a plan!”

“I had a plan, asshole! You didn’t want to listen to it!”

“You weren’t being reasonable!”

“You fried the car!”

Soul was out the door before things could turn violent.

----------------------------------------------------------------

“Sorry, they were fighting.” Soul offered to Harvar as an explanation for his obvious tardiness when he finally made it down to the lobby.

Harvar didn’t respond. He simply turned on his heels and made for the door to the sad, rundown parking lot.

The walk to the mechanic was silent, which wasn’t unexpected. Neither of them was the type to initiate conversation.

“Are you two close?” He remembered Maka had asked a long time ago when they first partnered up. “You’re pretty similar, you know, in some ways, mannerism-wise.”

He had found the comparison largely offensive and told her so over the sound of her laughing.  

Harvar had been his roommate the first year he had been at DWMA. While Harvar had already been at the school for two years prior to Soul attending, they had been paired together based on their NOT year courses, not seniority. So while it had technically been Soul’s first year at the school, in his NOT courses, he had been a seventh year, and up until he met Maka, he figured he would be staying in the NOT courses, but no way in hell did that mean he wanted to stay Harvar’s roommate.

On paper, Harvar was a fine roommate, Soul supposed. He was quiet, kept to himself, and neat about things, but Soul instantly preferred Kilik, their suitemate and Ox’s original roommate. Harvar had always been too cold. Not cool. And boring. And intense about it. He had a pension for ratting Soul out whenever he broke a rule, which, yeah, included sneaking Maka into their boys-only dorm, among a few other, more incriminating stunts, and he cared way too much about schoolwork. Sure, Maka was also intense about it, but she liked school in a cute nerdy way. Harvar (and Ox) took it to an unlikable extreme.

So, yes, while Harvar was maybe quiet like Soul, and they had been fine together as roommates and worked together as part of the Spartoi, that was all he has was to Soul. His first-year roommate.

“You know I’ll have to inform Lord Death, correct?” Harvar spoke suddenly.

Soul stared at him, surprised he had spoken. They were now waiting for the mechanic to look over the car. Soul had been elected to attend the appointment because he knew a few things about cars. Harvar had volunteered to attend because he probably thought Soul was incompetent.

“About what?” He drawled out, “The fight? The car? The incorrect assignment rating? I’m pretty sure Maka can cover chewing Kid out for all of us.”

“Lord Death,” Harvar corrected, and Soul did his best not to roll his eyes. He’d be long dead before he addressed Kid by his fucking title. Black-Moon-Last-Death-Scythe-One-of-His-Best-Friends privilege and all that.

“And no, I mean about yours and Maka’s relationship.”

“And what about our relationship would you be reporting? The part where I didn’t let her bleed out?”

“You still think of her as your meister.”

He made a move to argue that she was, in fact, obviously, still his meister but immediately clamped his mouth shut because Harvar was right. Maka wasn’t actually his meister anymore. He was a Death Scythe. He was Kid’s, but that was a load of bullshit, in his opinion. All of Kid’s directives had paired Soul with Maka, and that was normal. Usually, the meister who created the death scythe continued to work with said scythe. He honestly didn’t think Kid would make a habit of pairing him with someone else, all things considering. Sure, there would be times when they would be called apart, but Maka would always be one of Kid’s top agents, Soul had no doubt about that, so “apart” for them would never be too long.

And despite what Maka’s old man claimed, Soul wasn’t gunning to be Kid’s right-hand man. Spirit’s real competition was Liz and Patty, who were technically Death Scythes just by virtue of being Kid’s first chosen weapons, and no way would Spirit come out on top against those two. Soul didn’t think the old Scythe would be reassigned, but he knew where Kid’s preferences lay.

Regardless, he didn’t appreciate being threatened. Obviously, Harvar’s issue with him wasn’t the same trivial technicalities Spirit worried about. To Harvar, Soul had broken a rule every death weapon knew when they were told about the “wonders” of becoming a Death Scythe. In some way, you gave up your idea of meister. You no longer got to choose who wielded you; you were Death’s and Death’s alone, a title worth the sacrifice of choice.

Harvar had been one of those death weapons who had wanted to make that sacrifice before Kid had gone and changed the rules. Soul had been one of those weapons, too, at first. Definitely, before black blood had changed everything and Maka had become too important to lose.

There had been a time when he couldn’t fathom why some weapons had no desire to be Death Scythes. He understood now, a little too late.

And Harvar, the preceptive piece of shit, had caught on to that.

He swallowed his panic, fighting to keep it off his face. On the off-chance Harvar wasn’t bluffing, Soul didn’t know what Kid would do when he found out, but for propriety’s sake, he’d probably have to do a few missions sans Maka, and the dependency problems he was avoiding screamed at the very idea.

“Sure, Harvar, and don’t forget to tell him the part where you wouldn’t let us into the hotel room and then wanted to watch her bathe. I bet he’d love to hear that, especially with Liz and Pat right there next to him. Hey,” He turned to stare at the other boy, “FYI, those three have shared a bed before, too, so don’t forget to mention how inappropriate you think that is, okay? They’d get a good laugh out of it.”

Harvar didn’t reply, and nothing else was said between them. When they returned to the hotel, Maka and Ox weren’t speaking either. To say the least, the ride home was long and awkward.

[ratherembarrassing]

2024: weeks 39 and 40 (wtf?!)

time is a fucking hamster wheel and i'm literally too lazy to edit this into the way i usually do, so. enjoy!

england!:

the cold that hit me on the bus home after chappell roan persisted through every event recorded in this post. just a little context for fun.

monday morning, awoke to a giant fucking billboard ad for hinge literally outside my hotel window having gone up overnight, which felt unnecessarily pointed and i decided i had to leave london immediately.

but i didn't, because i needed food. can we talk about eggslut's hashbrowns again? cause they are fucking incredible.

was immediately punished for not leaving london, as i turned a corner in shoreditch and walked straight into a film set, which did in fact give me a mild panic attack because reasons. it was citadel, so it was fine.

then i got the hell out of london. i got in a car and i drove! off into the countryside! apparently there was flooding across southern england, but as i drove literally all the way across southern england in both directions, i saw little more than puddles, so i'm not convinced. also, trees. so many trees!

thus begins what i think i will simply refer to in the future as "that time i drove all over southern england just because."

i did absolutely zero research or planning for anything beyond typing "seven sisters" into google maps to check how far it was, but i did not die so it's fine, and then i did in fact see the seven sisters. i did get asked if i was there to kill myself, which i was not, but i can see how i might have given off that vibe.

salisbury can go fuck itself, but it's probably not the town of salisbury's fault so much as the weather, the cunt at the front desk of the hotel i was staying at, and the horrible potato thing i ate there. they do have a very cool cathedral.

stonehenge can stay.

bath is in fact prettier than advertised. the hotel i booked while in some jetlag-fueled delirium was in fact a bath. at this point i did feel like wandering the english countryside was revealing something to me, which might have just been the general lack of sleep talking.

after a very early morning trip to the actual roman baths and stomping around in the rain, i had had enough of doing things, and that is how i ended up eating kfc at 4pm in my hotel bed and then sleeping for like 12 hours.

three days in the country was all i thought i could tolerate, so i went back to london for a hot minute to look at some art at the national gallery. once again i was denied seeing the turners i should have been able to see.

insert here the story of me frantically trying to find a way to charge my phone with only 1% battery and my train ticket trapped inside it and all of st pancras having exactly zero ways for me to do so.

train - the bad version.

@notabuddhist treated me to the sights of her lovely town! again, i feel like Seeing England has revealed something to me, if not about myself then at least about the goals of the white people in australia that were previously unknown to me. don't know what to do with this knowledge yet.

train - the good version.

and then: emma time. listen, i don't think that play was any great work of art. it might actually have been corny as hell. but that's not the point. the point is i didn't die, and i went back again the next night and didn't die again. growth!

i wasn't planning to go to the tate, but sometimes you just have to go to the tate.

refusing to concede my final day in england, brunch in soho, wandered over to the royal academy for some more art, took my life in my hands again biking from buckingham palace back to my hotel.

i did not manage to find a lick of football to watch, so i went to the airport and went home.

the nightmare that followed:

monday did not exist for me

tuesday i arrived home at like 5am, slept all day, slept all night.

wednesday???

thursday i went back to work.

friday, i have no fucking clue.

weekend??????????????????? will my sleep schedule ever return to normal, we just don't know. i'd like to be a cool international traveler who just bounces from place to place, but the timezones between here and there specifically have destroyed me every time on returning to australia.

the end.

[art-of-manliness]

How to Plan, Organize, and Execute a Convoy

If you’ve driven on America’s highways, you’ve likely encountered a long line of military vehicles. That, my friends, is a convoy. In the military, convoys are used to move personnel and equipment long distances. Doing so in a group provides support to each individual vehicle. While a convoy looks like just a bunch of vehicles following each other, there’s actually a lot of planning and preparation that goes into it to ensure everyone arrives safely, on time, and together. Civilians often engage in convoys themselves. If you’ve ever gone on a big camping trip in a remote area that required multiple vehicles to follow each other to get there, you’ve taken part in a convoy. I did many of these convoys back in my Boy Scouting days when our troop would drive from our homes in Oklahoma to camp in Colorado. My 13-year-old brain caught on to the fact that the adults talked about our vehicular caravan as a “convoy” and had designated a “convoy leader,” but I didn’t really pay much attention to how the whole thing went down. It wasn’t until I became an adult youth leader and started taking boys on camping trips myself that I realized it might be helpful to learn some tips on how to effectively plan, organize, and execute a convoy. So, I talked to Harrison Anderson, a former Green Beret who did 12 years of active duty service in the Army, about how it’s done. Here’s what I learned. Pre-Departure Briefing: The Foundation of Success Before wheels hit the pavement, a thorough convoy brief is essential. Convoy leaders, truck commanders (see below), and drivers should attend this pre-departure briefing. Here’s what it should cover: Establish the Chain of Command Harrison recommends having the following chain of command for your convoy: * Convoy leader. The convoy leader should be in the first vehicle. His job is to oversee the planning and execution of the convoy, ensure the safety of everyone in it, and make navigation decisions like route adjustments. * Second-in-command (2IC). A convoy should have a second-in-command who should sit in the last vehicle in the convoy. His job is to support the convoy leader in his responsibilities. By being positioned at the end of the convoy, the 2IC can monitor its length and respond to any issues, such as a vehicle in the line getting a flat tire. Harrison also told me the 2IC monitors the weather and informs the convoy leader of any inclement conditions that could affect the convoy’s safety. * Truck commander (TC). Each vehicle in the convoy should have a truck commander who sits shotgun to the driver. The TC’s job is to monitor the communications line with the convoy leader to stay abreast of updates and keep things coordinated. Drivers, of course, shouldn’t handle communications for safety reasons! Vehicle Checks Convoy leaders should check with drivers to ensure that vehicles are completely fueled and tire pressure is at a safe level. Harrison also likes to check with drivers to make sure their vehicles have a filled spare tire and a working jack in case they get a flat. Also, check that the drivers have adequate supplies to manage an emergency situation, like being stranded away from civilization for a bit. See our article on what every man should keep in his car. Communications Check After establishing a chain of command for the convoy, the next part of your pre-departure briefing should be a “comms check.” Communication is a key part of a successful convoy. It allows for adjustments to be made on the fly while ensuring the convoy stays together. Again, truck commanders of each vehicle will be in charge of communications. If you’re using radios for communications (see our guide on walkie-talkies), Harrison recommends checking the following items on your radios: * Radios are fully powered * Everyone has backup batteries * Everyone is on the same channels If you’re not using radios, establish a group text chat that everyone will use for comms. The convoy leader sends a text to all the truck commanders and… http://dlvr.it/TBZzcp

[terror-time-again]

Today's the day! She thought to herself giddily as she put her final suitcase in the trunk of her car.

James and I have been excited for our cabin date for months! She grins ear to ear as she slams the trunk closed.

Annie had met James on a dating app roughly 10 months ago. They've been talking for awhile, but meeting up just never seemed to happen. When one was free, the other was busy. Classic.

Annie scrambles into the driver's seat and clicks her seat belt in. Shit. She says out loud before unclicking the seat belt. I forgot something

She runs back to the front door of her apartment building and is cut off by the creepy guy who lives a few doors down on her floor, Scooter.

You going on a trip? He asks breathily. Need somebody to watch your apartment for ya?

No thank you, Scooter. she says in the same annoyed voice that she uses everyday with him, avoiding eye contact as she squeezes past him hastily. Annie jogs upstairs, her breasts bouncing with each step. She looks over her shoulder. No Scooter. Good.

She unlocks her apartment door and runs to the bedroom. There you are she whispers as she grabs her soft suede purse James had bought and sent her on her 19th birthday last month. She unzips the top and peeks in. Lube, condoms, a butt plug and her favorite vibrator. Can't forget these. I can't wait to see the look on his face when he sees I find a nice use for the purse.

Annie starts to head out her front door again and notices Scooter skulking down the hall, looking in her direction. Scooter quickly pretends to be looking for something on the ground.

Ugh. She goes back inside and grabs her serrated pocket knife that she inherited from her grandfather, sheathing and tucking it in her jeans pocket before heading back out the door.

She speed walks past Scooter, his breathing wet and heavy. Have fun, Little Annie.

GPS says 20 more minutes until I reach the cabin she grins uncontrollably, bouncing in her seat, her favorite YouTube Playlist on a loop.

I hope he's just as nice in person as he is online. I wonder if he'll be weirded out by my sex stuff. Did we ever talk about kink? Am I too excited? Oh God, am I going to scare him off??

Her bouncing enthusiasm leaving her as paranoia and fear of rejection start to set in.

15 more minutes till the cabin.

Shit SHIT should I turn around? No, I can't do that to him, he's probably already waiting for me. Maybe he'll be understanding? Maybe he'll think it's hot? Maybe he'll--

BANG

Annie let out a scream as her car begins to shakily veer to the left. Knuckles white, she tries to fight the car to pull in the other direction, but it's no use.

BANG

Annie had never been in a car accident before. Hopefully this tree has insurance she groans, resting her forehead on the steering wheel. She looks up at the GPS on her phone. I'm not terribly far, maybe he can come pick me up. She starts to smile What a cute way to officially meet. As she reaches for her phone, the screen dimmed with the 5% battery warning.

OK, maybe I'll have time to get ahold of him and he can come get me. She calls him, no answer. 4%. She tries once more in vain. 3%

Fuck. Annie opens her glovebox to find that she forgot to pack a car charger. FUCK.

She sighs, defeated, before opening her car door and stepping out. She walks over to inspect her blown tire. She screams out in frustration. She tries to call one more time. Nothing. 2%

She opens the trunk and tosses all of her bags to the ground to pull out her spare tire. As she turns around, she could've sworn she saw a tall dark figure disappear behind a tree. She stares in that direction, scanning for motion.

God, I'm stressed...

Annie lugs the tire and jack over to change out the damaged one and gets to work, her phone on the ground next to her in case James calls back.

She gets the car off of the ground when suddenly, she's shoved against the car from behind. The car falls off of the jack, flat tire pinning her right hand to the ground. She let's out a blood curdling scream before a hand wraps around the back of her head to cover her mouth. She continues to scream through cold fingers.

Shhh shhh I'm so sorry, so sorry, I didn't mean to scare you, a familiar voice. A calming voice.

James?? She tugs at her trapped hand in vain. She tries to turn her head to meet his gaze, but has her head sternly turned away and slammed into the car door.

Ow! What're you doing?! She protests. James, my hand is stuck under the car, this isn't funny! Help me!

She feels his cold hand follow her arm down to her hand, tender from pain. She can feel him breathing in the back of her neck, making her shiver and get a tiny bit wet.

He chuckles quietly in a smooth sexy tone before tracing his hand back up her arm to her neck, caressing it gently.

She squirms but doesn't fight back. James, we can have fun later, her voice shaking, I'm really scared and I think my hand is broken. Can we please just--

She gets cut off by the sound of her phone ringing. Sliding her face against the car door, she glances down at the caller.

It was James.

Wait- is all she can muster before feeling his caress quickly become a grasp. Realization sets in as she let's out a weak scream, coming out as a gurgle. She struggles, flailing in all directions as she feels another hand rubbing her crotch through her jeans. She can feel herself getting reluctantly wetter as her consciousness starts to fade. Her phone dies mid ring.

With the last bit of energy, she manages to pull her hand free. Grabs the knife from her waistband and slashes at the hand on her throat.

Aargh! You stupid cunt! The voice growled, becoming more warbled. Less human. Annie whips her head around just long enough to see 2 pairs of glowing white eyes from the silhouette. Her eyes widen in horror before 3 more arms emerge from the creature, 1 on each of her thighs, forcing her legs apart for the original hand to force its way into her jeans, the last hand wrestling the knife away from Annie, weak with fear.

The knife hits the ground with a dull clang as she gives up on fighting. This is it she thought. Killed by a monster in the woods. The thought makes her even wetter.

She avoids looking this creature in the eye. She feels her jeans start to rip from having 2 more hands start to aggressively tug them down from her hips.

Annie moans softly closing her eyes, accepting her fate but not wanting to look. She let's out a small yelp as these hands tear her jeans completely off, leaving her with just her panties and a blue button up.

Before she can react, the 6 hands lift her up off of the ground with ease. 1 on either wrist, ankles, 1 on her throat and 1 plunging it's fingers deeply into her pussy.

She writhes and squirms in vain as each hands grip tightens, pulling her body more and more taught. 4 fingers inside of her hole, the thumb rubbing at her clit while completely suspended. The grip around her throat tightens just as she feels herself cum, letting out a gargling moan, her face turning red. She can feel her soaked cunt dripping down her legs and splashing onto the dirt below her. The thumb rubs faster. Harder. She tries to scream only to be met by a tighter grip. Her vision blurs as her fingers reach out frantically, unable to move anything else. She cums again, tears flooding her cheeks.

The grip on her throat loosens slowly before completely letting go. She screams, coughing, gasping for air. She looks toward her assailant, unable to think.

Are you having fun, Little Annie?

Her eyes widen in horror, before she can let out another scream, the hand quickly finds it's way back to the hand marks on her pretty little neck.

No, please, i-

It's useless. She's reduced to an airtight gargle. She sobs mutedly as the thumb that was on her clit disappears into her cunt completely. Fisted. By a monster in the woods. The mere thought brings her to climax once more. She feels herself welling up, trying to push the hand out of her, but it did not budge.

Are you having fun, Little Annie?

Another arm slowly emerges from behind the creature. Reaching towards her button up and slowly undoing each one.

Losing oxygen to her brain, all she can do is lie limp and be used. The hand in her cunt thrusting in and out, Her eyes roll in the back of her head, cumming over and over, her pussy clenching on it's wrist, certain that this was her final moments before the creature loosens it's grip once more.

Annie gasps desperately, sobbing loudly and hoarse.

Why why why whyyyyy? Her voice shakes quietly as the hand that once occupied her neck is now caressing her cheek sweetly.

Because the wet, breathy voice coos

We're having fun

Story inspired by @loreandorder

[brucstew]

All About Vehicle Tune-Ups: What’s Included & How Often You Need Them!

Living in Edmonton means we experience all kinds of drastic weather. This range of extreme cold to hot hot hot can take quite a toll on our vehicles—more than those in milder climates.

Since cars are such a huge investment, and we rely on them to get us from point A to point B without issue, it’s a good idea to schedule regular tune-ups and vehicle inspections at an Edmonton auto repair shop.

You’ve probably heard the term tune-up, but what services exactly does it entail? As a generic term used by mechanics and the industry, the meaning can vary depending on whom you visit! Here is what you can expect when you ask to schedule a vehicle tune-up.

What is a Tune-Up?

Back when cars were much more mechanical, the term tune-up frequently referred to working on the ignition system. Cars used to need much more frequent repairs and replacements to run smoothly.

Nowadays, tune-up has evolved into a term used to describe routine maintenance. Modern cars have excellent computer systems to help us know when everything is in check. However, a tune-up prevents those little lights from ever coming up on your dashboard in the first place!

While the term tune-up fluctuates from mechanic to mechanic, it typically refers to completing preventative maintenance on the vehicle. Preventative maintenance extends the life of your car. It ensures the engine operates at top-quality to get you the best mileage possible.

Everything to Expect From a Tune-Up

For a tune-up, a vehicle technician will look at all the usual parts of a vehicle that go through wear and tear and see if anything is due for service or a replacement. For a tune-up, they’ll find any minor issues that may have gone unnoticed and could potentially turn into something bigger.

Under the Hood

Under the hood, they’ll look at all aspects of the ignition system to ensure the air and fuel are working correctly in the combustion chamber. This includes spark plugs, ignition wires, ignition coils, and other electrical parts. They’ll also look at the serpentine belt, belt tensioner, timing belt, and radiator and heater hoses.

Filters

Next, they will look at all the filters in the car, including the engine air filter, cabin air filter, fuel filter, and PCV valve. Dirty or old filters can lead to contamination and build-up where you don’t want it.

Tests and Fluids

A technician will perform basic tests, such as the front and back lights, the battery performance, wiper blades, and brakes. They’ll check to see if the fluids are at the right level, including motor oil, coolant, brake fluid, automatic transmission fluid, and power steering fluids.

Tires

During the tune-up, they’ll also check the tire pressure and the tread. Depending on their findings, the technician may also suggest a wheel alignment, rotation, or new tires altogether.

How Often to Get a Tune-Up

The requirements for a tune-up will vary from car to car, but the owner’s manual will tell you how often you need to go. A technician will also inform you the next time you should stop by after you schedule a vehicle inspection in Edmonton.

In most cases, a car will require a tune-up every six months or 8,000 KM. This number is based on the industry standard 3-year warranty or 60,000 KM.

Most people will have their tune-up when they get an oil change. During an oil change, a technician will also check the core systems of the vehicle and ensure that nothing else needs service. They may make immediate suggestions or tell you that a part needs service at the following tune-up.

How Bruce Stewart Can Help

At Bruce Stewart, we look at anything that may not be in tip-top shape and see how we can help increase the engine performance again. We look at all the small problems and ensure they aren’t affecting the overall system.

In addition to our oil change services, we offer seasonal check-ups and complete 300 point vehicle inspections for Edmonton drivers. We’ll get you ready for spring and summer travel!

Connect With Bruce Stewart Automotive!

We're on social media! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date with what's going on in our shop, promotions, and general car care tips! 

Contact us with questions, comments, or to ask for availability using our convenient online tool here or call us at (780) 465-2783. 

[writerpeach]

Downpour

fromis_9 Jisun x Male Reader

8595 words

Categories: smut, mommy kink, oral

---

Read on AFF

Read on AO3

masterlist

Thirty-percent chance of precipitation today.

The loud squeak of windshield wipers working their hardest proved the contrary, trying to keep up with the furious rain pounding your car. Weather forecasts were always full of shit, you’d probably have a better chance winning the lottery than them correctly predicting the weather.

Another crack of lightning lit up the obscured road, being trailed by a deafening roar of thunder that made your heart race. You’d never seen the skies so dark, so gloomy, so angry as if Mother Nature was enacting revenge on some poor soul.

Guided only by taillights it became harder to see much of anything, keeping your distance in between impatient cars. The right choice was made as cars sped by, splashing your windows and ruining visibility further as if they had forgotten they were on oil-slicked streets and not the Daytona 500.

You still had a good thirty minutes left to your place, normally no less than a five-minute drive in usual circumstances as the harsh storm showed no signs of letting up.

More lightning struck in the distance as the rain continued punishing the highway, thunder roaring enough to vibrate the windows, demanding its presence be known

“Thirty percent my ass,” you mumbled to yourself, cursing the idea of men and women in suits fabricating lies and getting paid to do so. You just hoped it didn’t hail, you would be home soon safe and sound with a cup of hot tea in your hands snuggled under the blankets.

The thunder grew louder, and you felt you were tempting fate at this point by continuing on, but consequences be damned, you felt no need to pull out.

Right before you were about to make your exit off the freeway, a stranded car caught your eye pulled off to the side of the road. The hood popped, blinkers flashing and you could barely make out the outline of someone waving desperately for help to anyone to no avail.

Traffic was light in this part of town, especially at night. Maybe it was too dark, maybe people didn’t care or both. You couldn’t just pass by without offering assistance, pulling behind them and shutting the engine off.

You grabbed your umbrella out of the backseat, pulled the hood of your jacket up over your head as you stepped out of the car. You were immediately bombarded by cold rain as you opened your umbrella as a shield to deflect it, heading towards the troubled car.

“Need any help?” you asked, as you approached the stranger, umbrella in hand. The owner of said car was a young woman, wearing a thin jacket that did little to protect from the rain, and you couldn’t tell if she had tears on her cheeks naturally or from the rain.

“Y-yes, thank you so much for stopping!” she said, suppressing a sniffle as you were able to clearly see her face, the rain doing its damndest to cover her beautiful features up.

“I-I don’t know anything about cars, it just stopped working. I tried to call for help but my battery died. I just filled the tank this morning, I don’t know what’s wrong with it.”

“I’m afraid I don’t know much either. Let’s get you out of the rain and I’ll see if I can call a mechanic.”

“T-thank you!” the woman graciously said, keeping your umbrella hovering over her head, trying to keep her from getting even more soaked.

“You must be freezing, I have a blanket in the backseat of my car if you don’t mind sitting in it.”

“N-not at all, thank you!” she said, as you led the way, opening up one of the back doors to allow her passage as she carefully stepped inside, taking a seat next to the window. You closed the door as the shivering woman wrapped herself in the thick blanket you kept back there for emergencies, heading behind the steering wheel and caught your first serious glance of the beautiful woman in the rear-view mirror.

Doing a quick search on your phone it took three different shops before any picked up, the result being unsatisfying.

“Are you doing okay?” you asked, as you looked over your shoulder at the beautiful stranger, her expression much more jubilant in nature now.

“Y-yes, thank you so much for saving me.”

“It was no problem. They said it would be at least an hour before they can send a tow truck to come pick up your car. They’re all backed up. I’m sure other places will be the same.“

“That’s understandable,” she said with an audible sigh.

“Is there somewhere I can take you?” you asked, vicious thunder rudely interrupting the conversation.

“Maybe we should wait out the storm?” she suggested, tilting her head to the side as you could see her nervous expression, her lips quivering.

“That’s not a bad idea.”

The woman sitting in your backseat flashed an innocent warm smile for the first time as a sense of relief overcame her, releasing a deep breath as she relaxed into the seat.

“It’s really coming down still. Would you mind keeping me company back here?” she shyly asked, patting the seat next to her. The rain crashed against the roof harshly, droplets sounding like a golf ball being slammed against the protective roof.

“Sure thing,” you said, crawling over the center console towards the back seat, smacking your head on the ceiling as you took the middle seat next to her.

“Are you okay?” she asked, giggling cutely as you rubbed the top of your head, checking for any bumps but the only thing hurt was your dignity.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

You fumbled in the dark, turning on the dome light to shatter the darkness as you both flinched, regretful that you didn’t give a warning beforehand.

“Sounds like you’re having a bad day,” you said, stating the obvious.

“You could say that,” she shyly said, her charming voice light and airy as she tucked strands of light blonde hair behind her ears.

“Thank you again.”

“Of course.”

“I was so worried when my car broke down, I didn’t know what to do,” she said, her arms still discernibly shivering.

“You’re safe now. Are you still cold? I can turn the heater on.”

She shook her head politely. “I think I just need to take this wet jacket off,” she said, removing it from her body as you took it from her, placing it on the empty seat next to you.

“That’s better.”

When she was in the right position you caught a glimpse of cleavage, but you tried not to stare.

The attractive blonde had on a simple white top underneath with a thin gold necklace that resembled more of a bra than a shirt as she adjusted the straps. Her pretty shoulders were exposed and didn’t have on more than a pair of jean shorts. It wasn’t that surprising why she was a bit chilly.

“You know...I’ve heard that huddling together is a good way to keep warm.”

“Is it?” you asked, feigning ignorance as you admired the color in her pupils.

“It’s worth a shot,” she replied, making her way over to your side as she climbed your lap. She left the blanket on the seat and avoided making the same mistake you did, clearly losing the height advantage you made it easier.

Her legs wrapped around your waist as you could feel the body heat rising already as she got comfortable.

“Is it helping?” you asked.

“I’m not sure yet,” she coyly said, pressing her body closer against yours, her breasts pressing against your chest.

“I’m feeling pretty warm myself now,” you said, looking into her gaze. She had the most beautiful eyes you had ever seen, just one look made you liable to get lost in them.

“I wouldn’t want you to overheat now…” she said, abruptly grabbing on the collar of your shirt and gently tugging on it, pulling it up and over your head as you lifted your arms to assist her.

“What about now?”

“I think I’m feeling much better.”

“Good,” she replied.

“You’re so pretty.”

She blushed, her cheeks helping warm the rest of her body. “Thank you. I think we can still do better,” she said, searching for the dome light and turning it off, leaving the car cloaked in almost complete darkness. Only scattered lightning strikes assisted in lighting up her features.

“What's your name?” you asked. She hesitated for a moment placing a hand on your shoulder and began tracing your bare chest with her fingertip.

Without saying another word she traced random patterns, moving from your neck down your abdomen, her touch tantalizing your senses. She moved back up to your chest as she formed the letter “J”, picking her finger up as she proceeded to write her name on your bare skin.

“...I”

“...S”

“...U”, she traced one more letter as you put them all together, her fingernail digging into your chest just enough to not cause any pain.

“...N”

“Your name is Jisun?”

“Yes.”

“That’s a pretty name.”

Her cheeks reddened again. ”Thank you. For everything. You’re really sweet.”

Jisun caught you by surprise, her small hands cupping your face as she leaned inward. The next fit of lighting struck perfectly, lighting up the back seat as her warm lips pressed up against yours, earning your first taste.

Her lips were impossibly soft, she tasted like a sweetened version of the rain, an addicting sample that you needed more of.

“Without you I’d still be stuck in the rain. Let me pay you back.”

“You don’t owe me anything, Jisun. You really don’t have to do anything.”

“But I want to. You’re my savior.”

You shook your head repeatedly. “I’m not, I would have done it for anybody.”

“I’m glad you did it for me then,” she said, kissing your lips again with more passion, more fire behind her gaze. “Let me do something for you. Anything, please?”

Her offer wasn’t necessary, but it would have been rude to refuse her generosity. You noticed at that moment you couldn’t tear your eyes away from her chest, even in the dim moonlight shining through.

“Can you take this top off?” you reluctantly asked, hoping you wouldn’t get a slap in the face in return.

“Of course. I meant anything,” she said without any delay, lifting her top up and over her head, flinging it behind her as it landed in the passenger seat. Her clothed breasts look so large and inviting, her skin soft and immaculate you just wanted to caress every inch of her.

Jisun didn’t waste time as your eyes roamed her body, dismounting your lap long enough to peel her jean shorts down her wide hips.

“Won’t need those anymore,” she smirked, leaving herself exposed in a cute set of white bra and panties. Her breasts were pushed up perfectly, and you didn’t know whether to stare at her surprisingly thick thighs or her bottomless cleavage.

“You have a really nice body, Jisun.”

Her charming eyes were intense and mesmerizing as she held her sweet gaze on you. “You can see more of it if you’d like.”

“Please,” you said, as soon as your syllable finished Jisun reached behind her back to unhook her bra, divesting it into the darkness as it landed on the rear dash, freeing her beautiful full breasts.

You grew speechless as you stared at Jisun’s newly exposed chest, her breasts such a perfect shape with beautiful cherry pink nipples, stiffening already either in part to the weather or her arousal, you didn’t care which.

“Can I touch you, Jisun?” you cautiously asked, instantly met with an approving nod.

“Please do.”

Not wasting a precious second you grabbed her hips, her skin warm to the touch and silky soft as you explored her body, touching her stomach and stopping just below her wonderful breasts, waiting for her blessing.

“Put your hands all over me,” she pleaded, the necessary invitation you craved as you cupped her warm breasts, delicious flesh in your fingertips as you felt the weight in your hands. Your pants tightened as you ran both thumbs over opposing pretty nipples.

Jisun moaned softly and closed her eyes for a second, trying to hide the desire in them.

“They’re sensitive,” she whined cutely, and you wanted to test that out as you pinched her nipples, rolling them between your fingers and sucked on the one closest to your mouth.

You felt Jisun’s hips buck as your lips latched on to the beautiful bud, applying firm pressure as you slurped gently on it, swirling your tongue around it and earning more beautiful moans that were drowned out by the still obnoxious thunderstorm.

Switching breasts you suckled them hungrily, devouring her tits and starving for more. Her wide eyes filled with pleasure as her nipples grew swollen and doused in saliva. You gave her sensitive tips a brief respite, licking in between her breasts, tasting the sweat that had formed which did little to quench your thirst as you kept your face buried in her cleavage.

You were content to stay there until the dawn broke, smothering yourself with her perfect breasts, but held back as you wanted to explore more of her body, kissing her collarbone and neck in several places, only to be met with more sensual moans.

More kisses, more places to touch, her deliciously soft skin being peppered with your lips, kissing wherever you could as you rested your hands on her back, keeping her small frame close to you.

You returned to her delicious lips, drinking in the intoxicating taste of Jisun as soft kisses grew more heated, hands wandering everywhere in the dark and desperate to touch naked flesh.

Jisun came up for air, gasping lightly as she angled her head into the crook of your neck, sucking on it with much fervor, living her lipstick stains on your flushed skin.

“I want you,” Jisun whispered seductively in your ear, nibbling on your lower earlobe while a hand found your crotch, cupping your bulge wantonly.

“I want you inside me,” she said, licking the side of your neck as her seductive gaze met yours, impossible to look away and you’d do anything she asked at that moment.

“I want you more,” you replied, kissing her breasts as she lifted herself off your lap just enough to slip her panties off, as you unbuttoned your pants, yanking them down to your ankles along with your boxers and you’ve never been so thankful to be freed of clothes.

Jisun took her place back on your naked lap, straddling you tightly as she grabbed your stiffening shaft, stroking you from base to tip slowly.

“Do you think anyone will see us?” she asked, running her slim fingers around your length with a delicate grip as you throbbed, another abrupt roar of thunder that startled you both as you caressed her cheek in reassurance.

“I wouldn’t care if they did,” you said, Jisun flashing a smile in agreement.

Jisun lined her inviting entrance with your shaft, carefully positioning herself and elevated her body. She took an audible deep breath as she pushed her hips down and sank down onto your cock, the tip penetrating her and sending a flood of pleasure as you both moaned together.

“F-fuck…”

Jisun leaned in as her hands wrapped around the nape of your neck, taking a second to adjust and began to take a ride on your stiff throbbing cock. One look in her sensual eyes heightened your arousal and her hips moved, stretching her out ever so gently.

The rain had finally calmed down, no longer causing alarm but now a calming presence, adding a beautiful soundtrack to what was happening in your steamy backseat. Jisun moved her naked body in a slow, precise rhythm, savoring every time your shaft left her pussy, anticipating the next stroke inside her.

Jisun was incredibly tight as was expected but not like this. Her pussy was so warm and wet, smothering your shaft as she impaled herself with half your length, taking in the pleasure one step at a time. With each ride she released a steady stream of erotic moans, her voice an orgasm in itself.

“You feel really good inside me,” she whispered in your ear, insisting on keeping her cute voice low as if she were your own personal sexual ASMR, every syllable of honey shooting tingles up your spine.

“Not as good as you feel around my cock,” you replied, placing your hands on her soft buttcheeks, squeezing the soft flesh she grew drunk with pleasure.

Jisun quickened her movements, taking more of you into her tight pussy as her wet lips gripped your cock tightly, demanding you stay inside her for as long as she wanted. She bounced her juicy ass on your crotch as your hands moved to the front of her torso, squeezing her breasts again as your shaft became covered in her slick juices.

“Suck my tits more,” she demanded, grabbing the back of your head and pressing her flawless breasts into your face, suffocating you with her delicious mounds. You stuck your tongue out and licked what warm skin you could, released from the confines of her flesh after several seconds as you took her sensitive nubs into your mouth, stimulating them endlessly with your lips and tongue.

“Just like that, fuck,” Jisun moaned, bouncing on your cock harder as you planted sloppy kisses on her breasts, palming and messily suckling on them as if Jisun’s voluptuous soft breasts were a top-notch meal and you had an insatiable appetite for them.

You did everything you could to Jisun’s tits, licking and slurping on her delicious nipples, teasing them with your tongue, biting them, devouring every inch of her breasts. She grew wetter with every movement, and you took a break from the buffet that was her chest, relaxing into the seat once more.

“How does that feel? Do you like when I ride your cock?” Jisun asked, keeping up the pace with every rock of her hips. Your arms spread wide and rested on the back dash as you watched her amazing breasts endlessly bouncing, unable to take your eyes anywhere else.

“It feels so good,” you said, your body feeling weightless, every sensation in your body being amplified as Jisun bounced and bounced with a limitless amount of energy. Her demeanor had changed tenfold since you met her, the stranded girl worried to no end now had lust-clouded eyes, full of wanton need and moaning easily into your ears.

“I want to make you cum. I want to keep riding your cock until you finish inside me.”

Jisun didn’t let you respond as she smothered your lips with her own, furiously bouncing on your cock as she grabbed your wrists and placed your hands on her breasts, helping you squeeze them as the loud smack of flesh against flesh filled the car.

“Play with my nipples. I’m so close, I want to cum on your cock.”

You did as instructed, wanting to fulfill any desires Jisun had as you pinched both of her hard nipples, tugging at them, teasing them with your fingertips, rolling them in between your fingers and doing anything to give her the stimulation she was desperate for.

“That’s it, please don’t stop. I’m going to cum on your cock so hard, oh god!”

Jisun’s tight dripping pussy clamped down hard around your cock, pulsating in random waves to validate her words. Her plump cheeks smacked against your lap, arms tightly wrapping around your neck as her breasts smashed against your chest, breathlessly moaning directly into your ears.

“Cum for me, Jisun.”

It wasn’t that she needed permission, but your beckoning words gave her an extra boost she needed, sending her over the edge. Her mouth agape as her head snapped back, toes curling and her breathing shallowed, holding on to your body as if she were going to collapse otherwise as her warm pussy pulsated rapidly as slick dripped out between her thighs.

Jisun’s half-lidded eyes grew heavy, closing them tightly for several moments as her intense climax washed over her like a hurricane, every ounce of pleasure hitting her all at once as she rode it out, gyrating her wide hips in slow lazy circles.

The fatigue set in as Jisun slowly opened her eyes, and as she came down from such an intense high you noticed the windows had fogged up considerably, only adding to the erotic atmosphere.

Jisun struggled to speak at first, still dealing with the aftermath of her climax as she took in several deep breaths, causing her chest to heave up and down which only aroused you even more.

“Your turn,” she said breathlessly, resting her head on your shoulder, catching her breath.

Jisun looked up at you, still in her post-orgasm haze and stared longingly into your eyes, sweetly whispering three words.

“Cum inside me.”

There was no better offer than that. Jisun did her best to move her hips, but you did the rest of the work, gripping her waist and thrusted frantically as sweat dripped down your brow.

You knew you weren’t going to last much longer, matching her slow and steady rhythm and driving yourself deep into her tight warm cunt.

“J-Jisun...I’m going to cum…” you moaned, the tightness in your core being impossible to ignore. She placed her hands on either side of your neck, her face a hair's breadth away as your impending orgasm grew closer and closer.

“It’s okay, fill me. Please, cum for me, give me everything.”

Just like before, her words were the trigger to your own climax, and with the last bit of thrusts you buried your shaft deep inside her heavenly pussy as you erupted. You grunted and groaned as your throbbing cock emptied into her, filling her to the brim with your thick, creamy load, her tight walls milking every drop out of you.

You fired everything you had into her body until your balls were drained, feeling just as breathless as Jisun did moments ago, gasping for air as she rested her pretty head on your warm chest.

Neither of you said a word for some time, communicating only in tired gasps and pants until you broke the silence.

“I think it stopped raining finally. Do you want me to try to call someone again?”

Jisun shook her head weakly. “It can wait until morning. The streets might be flooded, who knows how long it will take them.”

Her fingers ran through strands of your hair, playing with it lazily, “You can take me back home if you don’t mind. It’s not that far from here, I was on the way there before my car died.”

“Of course. Just tell me where to take you.”

“Let me get my things real quick,” Jisun said, almost forgetting that you still had your cock inside her.

“I guess I should get dressed first,” she giggled, as she dismounted herself from your shaft, her pussy leaking your hot load down her thighs.

“Fuck, you came a lot,” she said with a proud smirk as she slipped her top back on to cover herself up, not bothering with underwear as she pulled her jeans back up.

“I don’t exactly have anything to clean up with, sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it. I like the way it feels dripping inside of me,” she said, cautiously exiting the car. You got dressed yourself and moved to the driver’s seat, taking note of how the rain was thankfully now barely a sprinkle.

Jisun grabbed her purse, turning her hazard lights off and locked the door, slamming her car hood shut as she entered the passenger seat of your car, pulling down the visor to look at herself in the mirror.

“I’ve never had sex in a car before,” Jisun said, putting her seatbelt on as the engine purred to life.

“Me neither. First time for everything I guess?”

“Definitely.”

“Where to?”

Jisun punched her address into your GPS, and you looked behind you as you carefully pulled back onto the highway.

Her place wasn’t that far off, closer to your apartment than was expected as you pulled into a driveway, lights flashing onto a door with the number 009.

“Here we are, safe and sound.”

“Thank you,” Jisun said, and you couldn’t help notice the way the seatbelt rested in between her large breasts, making them appear even bigger and more noticeable.

“...You’re coming inside, aren’t you?” Jisun said, resting her hand on your thigh. “I won’t murder you. I promise,” she added.

“Well in that case...” you said, Jisun giggled cutely. You both stepped out of the car at the same time, letting her lead the way.

“I have roommates, but they’re not going to be here until the morning. We have this whole place to ourselves,” she said, keying in the number to her electronic lock as it magically opened.

Her place was smaller than expected as you slipped your shoes off and placed them in the entryway, next to several different pairs in different colors.

“How many roommates do you have?”

“Just a couple. Most of those are mine,” she responded, placing her shoes next to the pile.

You took a step onto the wooden floor that led into the living room, Jisun gesturing to take a seat on the couch centered in the room, small and cream-colored with tufted upholstery. Lounging back in the seat you were greeted with a surprising amount of comfort, trying not to hit your leg on the wooden coffee table in front, coming up to about your knees.

Jisun briefly panicked, noticing a leftover container of ramen and a can of orange fanta were left on the table as she quickly scooped them up and disposed of them.

“Sorry, my roommates are a bit of a slob.”

“I don’t mind.”

“Would you like some tea?” she asked, heading towards the rather small kitchen that doubled as a laundry room.

“Sure, I’d love some.”

“What kind would you like?”

“There’s more than one kind?”

Jisun chuckled as she opened a cupboard that she was barely able to reach filled with different colored boxes.

“Let’s see, we have blueberry, raspberry, ginseng, sleepytime, green tea, green tea with lemon, green tea with lemon and honey, ginger with honey, ginger without honey, vanilla almond, white truffle and... earl grey.“

“...I think you made some of those up,” you said, cocking your head to the side.

“How about raspberry?”

“Raspberry sounds great.”

Jisun grabbed a red box out of the cupboard, shutting the door and grabbed two black mugs, placing them on the counter as she poured water in an electric kettle.

“Shouldn’t take too long,” she said, settling down on the couch next to you and crossing her legs. You couldn’t help but notice that without the security of a bra her nipples were poking through her top, not that it wasn’t anything you hadn’t seen moments ago, but it did spark a fire in your loins.

“Are you hungry? I can whip something up real quick, I’m a really good cook.”

“I wish I was. I had a big dinner before the drive home.”

“Oh, okay,” Jisun said, disappointed. “I hope it was delicious.”

“It was, but you taste better,” you smugly said.

Jisun couldn’t help but laugh at your cheesy compliment, as there was an awkward moment of silence for two people who just had sex in a backseat.

“So, Jisun…” you said, struggling to come up with anything to say to break the tension. “This is a nice place.”

“Thank you. It’s small but cozy, and the rent is really cheap. There’s three of us here so I can afford to just work part-time right now.”

“What do you do if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Not at all. I’m a…” Jisun hesitated for a second, shyly smiling.

“I’m an erotic model.”

Jisun tried to hold back a giggle, failing miserably as she covered her mouth with her palm.

“Oh really?” you said. “So I’m not the only person who has seen you naked?”

“Sorry to break it to you. It’s not always nude though, sometimes it's lingerie or swimsuits, but I definitely don’t have my clothes on for most of the shoots.”

“You certainly have the body for it.”

Jisun blushed. “My roommate got me the job, she does the same thing. I wasn’t so sure about it at first, but then I realized then that my large breasts could work to my advantage, and it pays really well.”

Your thoughts raced of Jisun in various nude poses, baring herself for the world to see. It was at that moment that a loud beep came from the kitchen, signaling that tea was ready to be made.

“Be right back,” she said, heading to the kitchen to prepare the tea and came back right away.

“So, what about you?” Jisun asked as she sat back down.

“I’m a photographer. I haven’t been lucky enough to shoot erotic models though,” you said.

“How fun. Maybe someday you can take nude pictures of me.”

You could only dream of such a thing.

Another beep as Jisun excused herself, returning with two mugs of freshly brewed raspberry tea, handing you one, the delicious room flooding the room before you had your first sip.

“Careful, it’s hot.”

True to her word it was, but no less delicious, the aroma wafting and hitting your nostrils as you tasted it.

“Do you like being a model?”

“I love it,” she said without hesitation. “I love my body, I’m confident enough to stand in front of a mirror naked and be proud of what I see. I get to show the world that, have fun, and get paid to do it.”

“I’d love to see your work.”

“I’ve got some copies around here somewhere,” she said, bringing her mug to her lips and taking a loud sip.

“But I’ve got a better idea. I’ll be right back.”

Jisun headed out of the living room, bare feet walking up the black spiral staircase that led up to an unexplored area. You were left in silence, sipping on piping hot tea that warmed your throat as you waited for her return.

Not long after, Jisun came back into frame, standing at the top of the staircase in a very sheer black robe, loosely tightened that did little if anything to cover up her voluptuous body. She took slow purposeful steps down the staircase, her slender legs exposed through a slit in the robe as she took her time in making her way back down.

When her feet stepped off the last step she straightened her back, placing her hands on her hips and presented herself. You could see her breasts desperate to be freed once more, sporting more deadly cleavage as her small tight body was the perfect package of sexy and cuteness.

“Wow,” you said, your mind going blank as you were at a loss for words, putting your mug down on the coffee table.

“What do you think? This is what I wore for my last shoot,” she shyly said as she spun around, letting you see the glimpse of her bountiful backside.

“I think I need to see more,” you said, smirking as you tried not to salivate over her yummy body.

Jisun beamed in response, loosening the belt on her robe and letting it fall off her shoulders as it fell to the ground. She took a few steps towards you, letting you feast your eyes on the lacy pastel pink lingerie she had changed into, displaying all her delicious curves for you.

“You look so sexy, Jisun,” you said, as she sat back down on your lap, and you couldn’t take your gaze off her for a second, wrapping your hands around her waist.

“I really need to thank you again,” she warmly said, planting a kiss on your forehead.

Jisun stalled her words before continuing, placing her steaming mug next to your own.

“You took such good care of me,” Jisun said, initiating the kiss once more and pressing herself against you until both of your bodies were flat on the couch, your feet almost hanging off the edge.

“Hurry up and take this off,” she requested, pulling on your shirt, and you rushed to lift it off your body, tossing it on the ground. Jisun planted her soft lips down your body, starting with your neck, leaving a trail of kisses down your chest and your abdomen as she began unzipping your pants.

“I didn’t get a chance to suck your cock in the car,” she said, dragging your pants and underwear down to your ankles, resting a hand on your thigh as she pumped your shaft slowly.

“Mommy wants to take care of you now,” she said, staring into your eyes as she gave smooth delicate strokes from base to tip, working every inch of your throbbing shaft.

“Mommy?” you repeated.

“You’ll call me that won’t you, baby? It’ll really turn me on.”

“Of course, mommy,” you said, not hesitating for a second. Jisun’s eyes brightened and her heart skipped a beat as she laid down flat on her stomach, spreading your legs wide and rubbed your thighs.

Jisun puckered her lips and kissed the very tip of your cockhead, swirling her tongue around it, swiping against your leaking slit.

“Mommy...wants...to...pay...you...back,” she said, planting a wet kiss on your shaft after every word, smacking her lips against your flesh, leaving her wet mouth everywhere.

“You’re going to feel so good after I’m done with you, baby.”

Jisun gave your balls a tender squeeze, licking your shaft from base to tip, long delicate strokes of her tongue painting your cock as she explored every inch.

“Mommy can’t wait to make you cum again.”

The frantic licks around your shaft lowered, Jisun licking up and down your balls as she kissed her way back up, making sure not an inch of your shaft was left without feeling her soft lips.

Jisun knew you were more than ready, eager lips sliding alongside both sides of your needy shaft, running her tongue all over. When she reached your swollen head her soft lips wrapped around your shaft, sucking your tip gently as her cheeks hollowed, causing a gasp to leave your mouth.

She focused all of her attention on pleasuring you, moving just past your tip as it disappeared into her warm mouth, sucking on your shaft at her own deliberate pace.

“Fuck, mommy,” you said as Jisun began to bob her head up and down, lips sliding down halfway to your base and coming back up as her wet tongue played with the underside of your throbbing shaft.

Jisun’s dreamy eyes were etched onto yours, lifting her feet up into the air as she fondled your balls, gently massaging them as her mouth went as deep as she could, swallowing up every inch.

“That feels so good, mommy,” you moaned, feeling your shaft being coated in her warm saliva, as her slow pace continued, demonstrating she was no slouch when it came to her oral skills.

“I can tell. Mommy loves hearing you moan.”

Jisun took her sweet time, building you up slowly as you experienced a paroxysm of intense pleasure. Her warm wet mouth surrounded your throbbing needy shaft as she sucked every inch from base to tip, gently sliding up, and moving back down in smooth, carefully timed strokes.

You felt so many sensations throughout your body, unable to focus on any individual one as you stared up at the high ceiling for a moment, taking your eyes away from the oral assault between your thighs.

Your ears were filled with the wet sounds of Jisun slurping on your shaft, her tongue swirling around as her hands were kept busy, one hand resting on your thigh as her nails gently scratched your skin while the other caressed and played with your balls, making sure you were feeling as good as possible.

“M-mommy…” you whined, returning your focus to Jisun intensely pleasuring you, regretting looking back down at your crotch as it was quickly becoming too much to take.

Jisun didn’t back down, her delicious soft lips sliding down your length effortlessly, keeping those sparkling eyes on you and driving you absolutely insane, sucking off every inch of hard flesh as she caused endless moans from your mouth.

Your gasps and moans were music to Jisun’s ears as she parked her mouth at the end of your base for several seconds, tongue swirling in random patterns and you’re not sure how you didn’t immediately explode then and there.

She withdrew slowly but not without a few additional slurps, stroking your shaft gingerly as sat back up to her knees, positioning herself on the inside of your spread legs.

“You like mommy’s big tits, don’t you?” she asked, not that she didn’t already know the answer as she adjusted her lacy bra, making her breasts bounce.

“I love them, mommy.”

“Good,” she replied, taking your wet hard cock and sliding it under the fabric of her bra, trapped it between her soft pillowy breasts, causing your breath to get caught in your throat as you moaned loudly.

“H-holy fuck, mommy.”

Jisun didn’t say a word as her lips curled, spitting in between her cleavage repeatedly as she used her breasts to give devastating pleasure, grinding her chest against your shaft and causing friction.

Your shaft was being squeezed tightly by warm flesh as Jisun took you between her beautiful tits, just the sight of it overwhelming your senses. Her breasts felt so good as your shaft was sliding in and out of her delicious cleavage, aiding in lubrication by her saliva to keep the friction smooth as could be.

Jisun grabbed her breasts and squeezed them tighter, wrapping the delicate mounds of flesh around every inch of your throbbing shaft as you could only lie against the couch helpless, watching your shaft disappearing in the warm soft cavern of her amazing breasts.

“M-mommy I can’t take much more,” you cried out, feeling powerless to do anything but give in to her.

“It’s okay, baby. Mommy doesn’t want you to hold back, fuck these big tits until you explode. Can you do that for me, baby?”

“Y-yes, mommy.”

JIsun gave a bright expression on her features as your shaft was bombarded by so many sensations, warm suffocating flesh squeezing and massaging as you were thrusted into her cleavage, unable to escape her delicious large mounds as that aching feeling in your core snuck up again.

“M-mommy, I’m gonna cum!” you breathlessly said, Jisun’s bouncing breasts doing everything they could to send you over the edge.

“Cum for mommy.”

You couldn’t take anymore, with just a handful more pumps in between her large breasts you exploded, throbbing inside her cleavage and sent spurts of thick cum everywhere, landing on her delicious breasts and collarbone as you painted her body as she looked down proudly at you.

You felt your senses being attacked all at once as Jisun’s soft tits milked your cock, squeezing out every drop as your thick semen stained her skin, making sure you were granted as much pleasure as could take.

Your orgasm continued for several moments as Jisun freed your cock from her pillowy confines and stroked it, causing an uncontrollable twitch as she stroked it gently.

“You made such a mess all over mommy,” she said, rubbing your cum into her skin as it glistened, running a thumb against the sensitive underside of your cock as your whole body shook.

You caught your breath as you were able to come back down from your high still feeling the effects of your intense orgasm lingering through your body.

“You’re still hard, baby,” Jisun said, carefully working her fingers around your sensitive shaft.

“It’s because you turn me on so much, mommy.”

Jisun shyly smiled. “Good, that just means I get to drain your balls one more time. Let’s move to the bedroom.”

Jisun lifted herself off your body, helping you off the couch as she took you by the hand and led you up the dark spiral stairs into a nearby room that was unoccupied.

Her bedroom was cute and small, not unlike Jisun herself. Capturing the room’s focal point was a comfortable looking large bed, dark purple sheets with matching purple walls and light pink curtains that were drawn open, letting the moonlight in.

You didn’t have much time to admire the rest of the room as Jisun led you by your cock to the bed, and quicker than a hiccup she had unhooked her bra and slipped her panties off, lifting herself onto her mattress.

She scooted back onto the pillows, spreading her legs wide and letting you see the delicious pink flesh waiting for you as she flashed the most inviting eyes as she made a come-hither motion with her finger.

“Mommy wants to feel you inside again. Come fuck me.”

You never liked to keep a woman waiting, scurrying onto the bed between her spread legs, knees pressed firmly into her mattress. Gripping your shaft strongly you didn’t dawdle as you lined yourself up with Jisun’s heat, taking note of how wet her pink pussy had gotten as you slipped a finger inside her for just a second.

“Mommy is so wet,” you said, sucking the delicious juices off your finger.

“You should do something about that then, shouldn’t you, baby?”

You answered by pressing the swollen tip of your shaft inside her warmth, followed by the rest of you as Jisun was filled with hard flesh again, not having the patience to tease her.

Her beautiful moans filled the air, the slick lips of her tight cunt desperately clung to your shaft as you quickly formed a rhythm, gazing down at her body as her eyes were needy and thirsty for more.

You planned to do just that, grabbing her wonderful thighs and wrapping your arms around them as you bottomed her out with every thrust.

“Just like that, baby. Mommy likes it deep.”

Jisun lifted her arms up over her head, resting them onto her stack of pillows and letting you see an even better view of her breasts bouncing with every thrust. The pleasure was intense as your hips moved faster, Jisun’s delicious juices lubricating every inch of your hard shaft as you slid in and out of her warm hole with ease, feeling breathless as you fucked the cute busty woman.

“You fuck mommy so well, you like my pussy that much?” Jisun asked as you felt the need to increase your speed even more, endlessly thrusting balls deep in her tight petite frame.

“Y-yes, mommy, so fucking much...”

“That’s what I like to hear, baby. Keep fucking mommy just like this.”

Jisun’s honey voice instructing you just what to do escalated your arousal levels, putting you into an orgasmic trance as you kept her filled to the hilt, savoring the incredible warmth and wetness that never left your shaft.

“You feel so good, mommy,” you moaned, every inch of your sensitive shaft being squeezed by hot dripping flesh as you kept the fluid movements going, fucking Jisun’s tight perfect body as you began to feel the sweat misting on her flushed skin.

“Harder, baby. Can you make me cum again?” Jisun asked, biting her lip as you immediately gave in to her wishes, pistoning your hips in a way that made them smack against her luscious thighs, causing them to ripple.

“Of course, mommy.”

Your hands swapped from her thighs to her delicious waist, gripping her warm skin as you looked into her gorgeous features, increasing your pace even more and driving your shaft inside her from tip to base, loving the erotic stream of moans that escaped her sultry lips.

“Fuck, baby, you’re doing such a good job. Don’t stop, I’m almost there,” she said, squeezing her breasts as she pinched her nipples and it seemed the additional stimulation was her favorite way to climax.

“Cum for me, mommy, please cum for me,” you pleaded, watching the wonderful lustful expression on her face. It didn’t take much longer, every thrust inside her warm pussy causing her walls to pulsate harshly and in no time flat you had made her reach her peak again.

“Mommy’s gonna cum!” Jisun cried out, her back arching off the bed as she gripped the sheets with one hand, playing with her sensitive nipples with the other. Her toes curled into the mattress as she screamed with pleasure, soaking your shaft and the sheets underneath as she came even harder than her first orgasm in the car, the intensity running through her body as she struggled to see straight.

You kept the motions going through every last second of her strong orgasm, feeling her shaking in your arms as you didn’t stop fucking her for a second, dangerously close to following behind her.

“F-fuck, baby,” Jisun gasped out, eyes glazed over as she was able to regain her senses.

“You made mommy feel so good,” she said, struggling to breathe properly as her eyes closed for a moment, feeling lost in euphoria as she came down gracefully.

Her walls had squeezed your shaft so tightly, as if they were trying to steal your load early from your shaft as her thighs trembled in time with the aftershocks of her body. Your pace had lowered during Jisun’s climax, but you were ready to kick it back in full speed, giving the deepest strokes you could handle.

“Are you going to cum for mommy again? I can feel you throbbing so much.”

“Y-yes, mommy,” you said, feeling light-headed as your hands roamed bare skin, leaning forward to capture her plentiful breasts in your palms.

“Cum inside mommy. I don’t want it anywhere else,” she demanded, as your hips increased the range of motion, thrusting wantonly inside her dripping hot cunt, chasing your climax.

“Cum for me, baby. Cum inside me, fill me with another thick load. Please, baby, cum for mommy.”

Jisun’s thick thighs wrapped around your waist, letting you know that pulling out was not an option, not that you ever would have done so otherwise. Your thrusts sped up with more frequency, moving as fast and deep inside her warm inviting pussy as possible.

Your face was close enough to hers for your noses to touch, and you gave one her more chaste kiss as you felt that aching in your core that crept up on you, staring into each other's eyes and trying to extend your pleasure for as long as possible.

“Mommy, I’m cumming!” you cried out, as Jisun squeezed her thighs around your body tighter, making sure you were going to give her every drop.

You couldn’t even count the number of thrusts it took before you erupted, throbbing wildly into Jisun as you began filling her up, sending your warm cum into the depths of her pretty pussy, her soft walls seizing every spurt out of your shaft.

It was your third orgasm of the night and yet was the strongest one, each shot of cum deposited in Jisun accompanied desperate moans as you emptied your balls inside her, trying to fuck your creamy load as deep as it would go.

“You feel so warm, you came so much for mommy,” Jisun said, caressing the side of your face, her tired eyes still locked onto you.”

She still had her legs locked tight around you, refusing to let go and you were just as eager to stay in this position forever, your shaft drowning in the combined juices of each other.

Jisun made sure your balls were drained inside her fully before she loosened the grip of her, causing your twitching shaft to depart from her pussy. She lifted her legs and pressed them together to give you the most optimum view as your load leaked out of her pussy, dripping out little by little as she played with her creamy splayed lips.

Still trying to catch her breath Jisun pressed two fingers into her semen-soaked pussy, into the deepest part as she collected the mess you left inside her, bringing it to her lips and sucking them clean.

“You taste so good, baby,” she said, gesturing you to come over as you collapsed onto her sweaty body, using her breasts as the perfect pillow.

You rested on her body for several moments in silence, neither of you saying a word as you were able to feel her chest heaving, equally exhausted.

“Do you want to shower with me before we go for round three?”

“R-round three? I can barely move-”

“Jisun-unnie! We’re back home, we brought back chicken!”

“Shit!” Jisun muttered under her breath, staring at you like a deer caught in headlights as she found herself in a state of panic.

“They came home early?”

“Seems so, they certainly picked the worst time. I’ve never brought anybody home before.”

“Well...maybe we should take that shower now,” you suggested, as Jisun bowed her head in agreement.

“Good idea, it’s down the hall. Come on.”

The two of you scrambled down the hallway, entering a door on the left just in time as Jisun locked it tightly. She managed to turn the water on just in time as two women could be heard climbing up the staircase, stepping onto the second floor.

“Jisun-unnie?” one called out, curiously looking around the second floor. The lights in Jisun’s room were still on, clothes scattered around the floor that left a trail of evidence.

“Unnie should really learn to put up her clothes,” one of the women said, picking up one of the discarded garments and inspecting it.

“This isn’t her shirt.”

“I don’t think she wears boxers either,” the other woman said as she furrowed her brow.

The two women exchanged confused glances that turned into surprise, putting together the pieces one by one.

“She also never showers at night,” one woman said as they looked around the room.

“I didn’t see her car in the driveway when we pulled in...”

It didn’t take a detective to figure out what was going on, exchanging playful smirks on their faces.

“We should probably leave them alone…”

“But I wanna know who got in unnie’s pants!” one of them whined, a little too loud for comfort that could be heard through the shower. You and Jisun nervously stared at each other under the hot water, trying not to say a word.

“It’s not polite to be nosy, let’s give them some privacy.”

The two women headed back down the stairway, making their way down into the kitchen

“I think they went back downstairs,” you said, staring at Jisun’s soaped-up naked body.

“Are you sure?”

“No, but I don’t hear them talking anymore. Your walls are really thin.”

“Tell me about it. I had to buy a quieter vibrator, learned that the hard way,” Jisun said, her cheeks flushed red with embarrassment.

“But now that we’ve gotten a little privacy…how about you fuck me against this wall? Think you can go again?”

“Shouldn’t I be asking you the same thing?”

Jisun smirked devilishly, spinning carefully on her heels as she took up position behind the nearest glass pane.

“Don’t keep mommy waiting.”

[strangelysamantha]

crashing ☆

rafe cameron x gn!reader.

warnings: reader gets injured, car crash, swearing.

words: 3,106.

summary: rafe is waiting for you to meet him at figure 8, but he’ll be waiting awhile as you got in a tragic car accident, the other vehicle being driven by his father.

request? no! requests are opened!

a/n: use of they/them pronouns. like and comment if you enjoy this story! thanks <333

my masterlist

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“alright baby. of course. i love you!! yes, i’m leaving now.” rafe was on the other side of your phone, ensuring that you were ready for your dinner date. the two of you have plans to meet at the figure eight. you will eat at a nice restaurant, and then finish the date off with a scroll through the park while watching the sunset. rafe had planned the whole thing out, excited he could finally show you how much you meant to him. rafe smiled, “okay babe. i’ll see you in a few. i can't wait to see your precious face.” heat rushes to your face because of rafes words. “see you in a few.” you hang the phone up, grabbing your car keys.

you walk to your car that is sitting in your driveway. you hop in, starting your car. you put your seatbelt on, using your phone, you do a map search to the location rafe had sent you. you turn the music up slightly. you check behind you for passing cars or pedestrians, and when the coast was clear, you pulled out of your driveway, and started the drive to rafe.

you had only been driving for five minutes. you were caught at a red light. your light turned green so you pressed the gas to go. immediately a large black car t boned straight into you, hitting you head on. luckily, it had smashed into the passenger side, but the weight from the other car caused your car to shift, making you to hit your head against your steering wheel, and the car's window. the car crashed into a light pole. you were on the border between the cut and figure eight. nobody was ever there unless they were passing by. you struggled to look up, trying to see if you knew who had crashed into you.

the car that slammed into you looks vaguely familiar. you understood why when the guy who jumped out of the car was none other than ward, rafe’s father. you frowned. he rushed to your car, ready to yell at you but panicked when he saw who you were. ward immediately ran back to his car. he hopped into his car, speedily driving away.

you feel around for your phone. when you finally find it, your screen is cracked, and the screen is black. it won’t turn on. the phone must have slipped from your cup holder onto the side of the door, causing it to break. you drove your car forward so you weren’t positioned into the middle of the street. you shut your car off. your head begins to feel light headed, you close your eyes, trying to make the pain minimal. your eyes shut, and you could feel yourself slowly passing out. you try to stay awake, but the sleep engulfed you.

rafe was panicking. you were never late. well, yes you run late, but never without texting first. anytime you ran into trouble you would immediately message him and let him know. he hated this. he didn’t know what he should do. he tried to call your phone but it went straight to voicemail. he exited the restaurant, searching for either you or your car but he couldn’t find either. he frowned to himself. did you intentionally miss dinner? did he do something wrong? rafe was scared, what if you were in danger?

rafe pulled his phone out. he set his feud aside, calling pope. pope glanced at the caller id that was currently ringing his phone. he was shocked to say the least. “rafe?” pope questioned through the phone. pope didn’t want to answer but if rafe truly needed something from pope, he wouldn’t hesitate to get it from him in person. he knew it would be easier if he just answered and figured out what he needed. “pope?” rafe bombarded pope with questions about you; and your whereabouts. pope was confused. he hadn’t seen you since this morning.

“i’m sorry rafe, but i haven’t seen them since early this morning. i’m down the street from their house if you want me to knock on their door?” rafe sighed, “please. see if they are home.” pope nodded. “alright one second.” pope rushed to your front door. he knocked three times. “the car isn’t here, they seem to have left.” rafe smiled. “okay. thank you, pope. i appreciate it, man.” rafe felt relieved. “no problem.”pope hung up. you had actually left to meet him at the restaurant. but if that was true, why weren’t you at the restaurant yet?

rafe decided to stay put. he got confirmation that your car was gone. that shows you had safely left your house. if you don’t show in the next ten minutes then rafe would go looking for you.

you kept dozing in and out of consciousness. after the third time of passing out, you actually stay awake. you open your car door, stumbling out of it. your head hurt, and you felt light headed. you look around, no civilians. you yell out, but no one is around to hear. “HELLO??” you walk away from your car, just a little bit. you take in your surroundings. you walked back to your car.

you try to turn your car back on but the engine is stalled, it doesn’t even sputter again. you sink into the seat, laying your head on the head rest. you pull down the little mirror, examining your face. you hadn’t noticed, but the top right of your forehead was bleeding. It looked to have a pretty big gash. you had a bruise on your left cheek from when your head slammed against the steering wheel. you look at the time, noticing that it was ten minutes past your date with rafe. you jumped out the car, walking towards your house once more.

before you could step inside, you ran into pope. you noticed he peeked through your window. “peeping pope, why are you looking through my window?” you laugh at the added nickname. he stayed still, thinking of an explanation. “rafe called me saying you were late to something and he was worried.” he finally turned around, glancing at you. “what! what happened to your face?” he rushed towards you automatically inspecting the cut and bruises.

“i got in a car accident, ward cameron t boned into me.” you continued, “he got me good. slammed my head against the window and the steering wheel.” pope shook his head, panicked. “we have to get you to the hospital! you had two blows to your head; that's double the chance of internal bleeding.” pope helped you, carrying you inside his dad's car. he speedily drove you to the hospital, signing you in. they took you back, while pope stayed seated in the waiting room.

someone was going to have to call rafe; and it certainly wasn’t going to be pope. before going into the back room, you had handed pope your phone. he plugged it into the quick charging station to see if it was dead. sure enough, the low battery symbol turned on. the phone automatically turned on, showing the numerous mixed texts from rafe. pope ignored them, not wanting to be the one to answer them since it wasn’t his phone.

rafe decided to check your location one last time. the first few times he had checked, it said your location services were off. he didn’t know why it said that, he honestly believed it to be some glitch. rafe’s air got stuck in his throat when he saw your location had updated to being inside the outer banks hospital. he jumped in his car, not even thinking twice. he drove straight to you.

he gave himself a prep talk, telling himself to just remain calm and to see what was going on. he walked into the hospital, his eyes searching for you. he didn’t see anyone he recognized until he saw pope, with your phone situated in his hand. he walked towards pope, snatching the phone from his arm. “why do you have this?” pope shook his head, muttering under his breath. “shit.”

“come on pope. spit it out.” pope shook his head. “rafe, before you do this protective bullshit, just know i’m actually the one who saved them.” rafe stared at pope, confused. “saved them? from what? what do you mean saved them?” rafe questioned pope, “someone crashed into them while they were driving to you. they found me and i rushed them here.” rafe stared at pope. “how bad is it?”

pope shrugs. “i’m sorry, i really don’t know much. they said they were t boned, their head hit the window and the steering wheel. we drove by the car, it’s totaled. crashed into a pole.” rafe continued to stare at pope with wide eyes. “what… how long ago was this?” pope looked out the hospital windows. “a little after they left their house i’d say. it was a seven minute drive from my house to the crashed car, so i’d say five minutes.” rafe sat in the seat directly to popes left.

rafe was breathing erratically. his mind running wild with the amount of possible outcomes. the nurse walks out into the waiting room; and calls your name. rafe immediately stands up walking forward. “we believe the car crash caused them to undergo serious head trauma. no signs of internal bleeding; but we are still checking everyone in a while. you can go back and talk to them if you want.” the nurse smiles softly. rafe looks back at pope, and pope nods his head.

rafe continues, following after the nurse as she leads him to your waiting room. when he walked inside, you were peacefully sleeping. “they should be waking up soon. we truly believe that they will be okay.” rafe nodded at the nurse, watching as she left him. rafe’s hand reached up to yours, grabbing it. he scooted the chair closer to the bed. rafe quickly texted pope saying that he was okay to leave, and that he would keep pope updated.

the wait at the doctors felt like hours, but rafe stayed with you the whole time. he had sat on the chair by your bed, his hand always holding yours. the nurse comes back in. “i’m sorry sir, but visiting hours are over, usually we would allow people to stay the night but in this case they really need rest and if they wake up and you’re here; they will force themselves to talk to you.” rafe frowned, “they have a chance to wake up, and now you want me to go home?” the nurse frowns at him. “i’m sorry, but they need to sleep as much as they can, you can see them bright and early tomorrow morning at seven am.” rafe slowly lowers his head. “okay.”

he walks out of the hospital room, and to his car. he decides he will go home, get clothes prepared for you, and will try to figure out your car situation. then he would sleep, wake up, and meet you at the hospital right when visitation opens. he put his seatbelt on, driving home.

when rafe reached his house he realized that his dad's car had crashed in the front. it looked gruesome. rafe walked inside, greeting his dad. his dad nodded his head in response, walking away. rafe went straight to wheezy, his sister. he knocked on her door and went to open it. “rafe?” she questions him. he looked around. “what happened to dad's car?” he hoped wheezy knew. she tilted her head inviting him inside her room.

she began to whisper. “okay, so basically like our dad t boned someone on the outside of the cut, and he said it’s completely the other person's fault; but sarah believes that’s not true unless he didn’t actually t bone someone, and he was actually just getting brake checked on the highway. how could it not be his fault?” wheezy looked up at rafe’s face and was utterly shocked by his expression.

“rafe? why are you looking at me like that?” wheezy tilted her head to the side, confused. “our father is the reason..” rafe shakes his head, now pacing up and down the floor. you were in the hospital, because of his father. he filled wheezy in, telling her about what happened with you. she gasps in shock. “what are you going to do?” wheezy watched him, he was frantic. “i’m, i think i’m going to confront him.” wheezy half smiled, “okay. you got this! good luck!”

rafe left his sisters room and head to his fathers office. he was always scared of his father, now more than ever, but he needed answers. he knocked three times on the door, and his father opened it, to reveal himself. “hello rafe.” he walks inside, sitting on the chair in front of his desk. “dad, i know you are the reason the car is crashed; and you are the reason someone very important to me is in the hospital.” his dad stood up, straightening his back. “no. they twisted the story, now out. i won’t have you critique me in my own room.” rafe wanted to stand his ground, but he knew he should back down.

he didn’t want to waste all his energy, he still needed to prepare to see you. rafe went straight to his room, picking out a pair of his sweatpants, and a hoodie for you to change into after you get released from the hospital. he put the extra clothes including a pair of your socks into a baggy. rafe speedily changed into pajamas, and hopped into bed. hoping the morning would come faster.

rafe woke up at 6:20am. he had taken a quick shower and changed into new clothes. he grabbed your bag of clothes and hopped into his car. he drove straight to the hospital. he had arrived five minutes before visitation started.

at 7am on the dot, rafe was walking to your room. you were awake, the frown on your face caused his heart to drop. “hey baby.” you glanced up at him and softly smiled. “hey rafe.” he smiles in return. “how are you? i brought you extra clothes.” he lifted the baggy up, before setting it on the extra chair. you reach your hand out to him, and he swiftly moves closer to you. he pulls the chair up once again, sitting directly by your side. “i would have stayed here all night but i was kicked out.” you nod at his words, “sound about right.”

he smiles, his hand tracing shapes on your palm. “how are you feeling?” you wait. “i’m okay. the doctor said the worst thing i have is a concussion. they said if all the other tests come back good, then i’ll be cleared to go home.” he nods smiling, “yay! we’ll be able to take you home!” you bite your lip containing your smile, but it quickly turns sour. you frown at him.

“i’m sorry, rafe.” you look away from him, avoiding eye contact. “for what?” he questions, his heart speeding up scared at what you are about to apologize for. “for missing our date, i really wanted to go.” you frown. he cups your chin. “it’s okay, trust me. i already have it rescheduled,” he looks over at you. “so once you get better, we can go on like we originally planned.” the room went silent, the only thing being heard was the heart rate machine slowly beeping.

“rafe i love you.” he smiles. “i love you too.” you nod contentedly. the doctor walks in, “good morning. today you’ll be able to go home. you seem to only be suffering from a concussion. you’ll have to stay home and rest, don’t do too much or else you’ll be delaying the inevitable. the less time you relax, the longer you’ll be suffering.” rafe talked to the doctor as you played with the tape from the iv inside your hand.

rafe nodded. the nurse came over to you, taking the iv out, as well as the square patches that covered your chest. she left, shutting the door, allowing you to get dressed in new clothes. you frown, the medicine they gave you makes you feel slightly sluggish. “i’ll help you, don’t worry.” rafe untied the medical gown, he slipped it off. he grabbed the hoodie, placing it over your head. you slip your arms through the holes, rafe’s smell surrounding you.

you sit up in the bed, your feet over the edge. you hiss at the cold floor which hits your sock less feet, making you cold. rafe slid his sweatpants on to you. you go to stand up, but he stops you. “let’s put your socks on first, the hospital floor is cold.” you sit back down on the bed. his hand reaches for your foot, it is cool around his hand. he slid your socks on, and then the sweatpants. finally putting your shoes on. “thank you rafe.” he tied the plastic bag shut, it now filled with your old clothes. “anytime baby, i’m always here for you.” you stand up, your hand slipping into his hand, his arm stabilizing you.

the nurse walked in. “the medicine we gave you should be wearing off shortly. that’s why you seem so… out of place.” the nurse nodded, signing you out. the nurse walked you to rafes car. fear began to creep up, now nervous to be in a car again. “it’s okay, you’ll be okay.” you nod. you sit yourself in the passenger seat. rafe thanked the doctors, before running to his side of the car. he hopped in, putting his seatbelt on. he looked over to you, making sure you were okay. he drove extra careful, going straight to your house.

once you arrive at your house, the medicine wears off allowing you to be able to be yourself. you walked to your front door. rafe used his spare key to unlock the door. once inside you go straight to your room, rafe following after you. you lay down on the bed, you pat the spot by you; and rafe sat down by you. he cuddled with you. his head finding its way in your neck, his arms wrapping around your torso.

after a few minutes of silence you spoke up. “your dad is the one that hit me. he ran through a red light.” rafe frowned against your neck, whispering. “i know.” you nod, your hand running through his hair. “okay.” you smile softly, closing your eyes. falling asleep with rafe by your side.

<33

[dp-marvel94]

Below the Greenhouse

For Phic Phight 2021. Prompt by @ave-aria: Maddie discovers the depths of Vlad's obsessions when she stumbles upon his secret lab. Despite the shock, part of her almost isn't surprised by the stolen Fenton Tech, the ripoff ghost portal, or the eerie Holo-Maddie—but the clone she finds floating in the pod at the back of the room? That's another matter entirely.

Word Count: 7,951

Also on AO3 and Fanfiction.net

Note:

Me: *sees a prompt with the word clone*

Me: Oh no.

We all know why this happened.

 Maddie knew Vlad Masters was a creep. She did. And she’d known this for a while, even when she, Jack, and Vlad were in college. Before his accident, she had known he'd been preparing to profess his “love” and ask her out, even though he’d known full-well she and Jack were dating. And while, that might have been forgivable back then, when all of them were young and naive and Vlad didn’t hold such bitterness towards her husband, it wasn't now.

Now, Maddie knew Vlad was hopelessly bitter. After his accident, he’d refused to talk to them. He’d shut them out of his room when they visited the hospital and after he’d been released, he’d refused their phone calls and ignored their letters. Eventually, she and Jack gave up and they moved on with their lives.

That was, until Vlad chose to reconnect. And unfortunately, Vlad was worse than ever. More smug. More arrogant. More creepy. He ignored the fact that Maddie was happily married with children and he still insisted that she should leave the love of her life for him. 

Maddie really only tolerated him for Jack’s sake. Her husband still enthusiastically loved the man who’d been his best friend in college and she couldn’t bear to crush his spirit, though the woman was increasingly doubting her choice to stay silent now.

And now, Maddie realized that Vlad was much more despicable than she thought.

It started with a series of strange phone calls. The voice was robotic, yet strangely familiar sounding. It reminded her of her mother or maybe her sister? Either way, the sound somehow tugged at her heartstrings just as much as it made her shiver anxiously.

“Please save him.” The woman’s voice asked, an oddly flat plea.

“Tell me who you are.” Maddie demanded, not for the first time.

The speaker ignored the question, continuing. “I cannot get Number 6 out myself. Please save him.”

“You keep saying that, every time you call this number.” The woman sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. This was the fifth time she had gotten a call like this. All from an almost emotionless, staticky voice. All begging her to save someone or something called Number 6. Something she couldn’t seem to get anymore information about. “But who is number six?” Maddie asked, trying, probably futilely to learn more.

The answer surprised her. “Number 6 is just a boy. He should be free. He does not belong in a laboratory.”

Maddie frowned, brows furrowed in confusion “A laboratory?”

“That is correct.” The robotic voice answered.

“I’m sorry, are you talking about an actual child? What is a child doing in a laboratory?” The woman wrinkled her nose in disgust.

“Number 6 is physically younger than the age of majority and therefore meets the definition of a child.”

“Okay?” Maddie furrowed her brow and repeated herself more severely. “Why are you keeping a child in your laboratory?”

There was a pause. “I am not permitted to share that information.”

That made the woman’s stomach flop. “And why not?”

“My dearest has forbidden me from discussing the details of his experiments with outsiders.”

Maddie frowned again. “Then why are you talking to me?”

“You are a loophole.” The speaker said without hesitation.

That gave the ghost hunter pause. She opened her mouth to ask more when there was a mechanical whirl across the line.

The fast, choppy words cut through. “Dearest will be leaving on a trip tonight and be away for the next three days.” 

“Wait, what are you-” Maddie started.

“The address is 600 North Maple Drive. Enter through the trapdoor in the greenhouse. I will be waiting.”

Across the line, a male voice called from far away. “Pull up the data from the last test, dear. And prepare the subject for sample collection.”

Maddie shivered; there was something familiar-

“Please hurry. Save him.” The robotic female voice whispered before the line cut off.

Maddie sighed, dropping the phone. She put her head in her hands. She didn’t know what to make of that. At first, she had thought these mysterious calls were pranks. Maybe even a ghost trying to trick her. Except…. That didn’t feel right. It had been a week and no ghost had acted against her or her family. No ghost would wait this long to act and no human prankster would continue this charade for this long either.

So who had been calling her and what do they really want? Could the speaker really be asking for her help? The idea made dread pool in her stomach, especially now. Now that she had more information. Now she had a location. And that was Vlad’s address. And that other voice...it had sounded like… Vlad, as if the speaker was in fact in Vlad’s mansion. Her stomach flopped. He’d been talking about data from a test and preparing a subject for sample collection. That in and of itself wasn’t necessarily that alarming. Vlad had a background in science. He could be conducting research, just like she and Jack did out of their own basement. Except…

Number 6 is just a boy. He should be free. He does not belong in a laboratory. The words rang in her head, making her feel sick.

Maddie sat for a long while, staring at the phone. So many questions clashed in her mind and she wanted answers. What was really happening here? And how would she learn the truth?

An idea started forming in her mind. A surely bad, horrible idea. She still had no idea who had been calling her. It probably was a trap. So why did she want to follow the instructions? And the prospect of sneaking onto Vlad Master’s property? She could get in serious trouble. And for what? Vlad would never do anything as immoral as what the speaker hinted at. Except...what if? Doubt grew in her mind. What if?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That was how Maddie found herself pulling up to Vlad’s mansion in Amity Park. The woman sighed, putting the car into park and taking the key out of the ignition. She was really doing this, wasn’t she? The scientist could hardly believe her own actions. But it was the middle of the night and she was alone, in the small forest behind the mansion. 

Silently, Maddie got out of the car and started sneaking across the yard. She hadn’t told Jack where she was going. Maybe that was a mistake but the woman somehow knew he’d try to talk her out of this. And he would have a point. Yet the woman was still driven forward despite her better judgement. 

Arriving in front of the greenhouse, the ghost hunter stopped. She looked side to side, checking to see if anyone was watching. The yard was quiet and bare, only the sound of night insects cutting through the air. Maddie looked back into the building. To the left of the door was a blinking red light but other than that, inside was dark. Tentatively, Maddie jiggled the greenhouse’s door handle. It didn’t budge at first but then there was a buzz and a click. The door unlocked and the woman frowned, watching the blinking light turn from red to white. Was that a security system? And...had the door just unlocked for her?

Maddie bit her lip. She considered turning back but...she wanted answers. Instead, she pulled her ectostaff out of her belt. A blow to the head from it would be just as effective on a human attacker as it would be on a ghost.

The woman opened the door, quickly stepping though. She closed it and cautiously crossed the room. From what she could tell in the dark, this was a normal greenhouse. She breathed deeply, taking in the wet earthy smell of dirt, the soft perfume of flowers, and… She sniffed. That scent, old batteries, ozone, and citrus. That was familiar. Was that ectoplasm? 

Maddie turned, eyes searching for the tell-tell glow of a ghost. Her gaze fixed on something a few rows over. The huntress continued forward, brow wrinkling at the sight. Unsurprisingly, these were plants but….a faint glow enveloped the snow white leaves, the orange and black fruits. Tentatively, she reached forward and cupped one of the fruits. Even through her gloves, she could feel the ghostly chill. 

Maddie’s frown deepened. She’d never seen anything like this before. Was this some kind of ghostly plant? And in Vlad’s greenhouse of all places? Where did it come from? How did the billionaire procure it? And why hadn’t he said anything to her and Jack?

With that thought, the ghost hunters’ stomach flopped with nerves. There was actually something here, something out of the ordinary. Her mind turned back to those phone calls, the reason she was here in the first place. The speaker had said something about a trapdoor.

With that, Maddie pulled a flashlight out of her belt and flicked it on. She looked down, searching, and her eyes widened. Oh….well then. There, not three feet in front of her, was the door. The woman approached. Crouching down, she put down her staff and grasped the flashlight between her teeth. With both hands, she pulled the door up, revealing a short ladder leading to a narrow passageway.

The ghost hunter furrowed her brow, hesitating for a moment. She braced herself, forcing her shoulders to relax to dislodge some of the anxiety. Maddie stood up straight. She grabbed her staff and started lowering herself down the ladder. Once she was at the bottom, the woman turned and pointed the flashlight down the passageway. There, maybe ten feet in front of her was a metal blast door.

Dread rose in Maddie at the sight but she tried to push it down. This was probably an old cellar, or maybe even a bomb shelter. Rich people tended to have those, didn’t they? It could be…..

The woman stepped forward. Tentatively, she placed a hand on the opening mechanism. It looked like a wheel that she’d need both hands to open. She moved to return her staff to her belt but before she could, a mechanical whirl sounded. The wheel started turning. Paling Maddie rapidly stepped back. Her heart pounded in fear of being caught.

Then the door swung open with a groan. The ghost hunter registered bright light pouring through the opening. She blinked for a moment, her eyes adjusting to the change. Then she registered the translucent figure floating across the doorway. 

Maddie scowled, acting on instinct. “Take that ghost.” She swung her staff but the blow never connected, instead sailing through the blue clad figure without resistance.

“I am not a ghost.” A familiar, robotic voice responded.

It was then that Maddie finally registered what she was seeing. She gasped in shock. It was herself, except floating, translucent, and...glitching around the edges? “What are you?” She breathed.

“I am the MADDIE program, an artificial intelligence meant to emulate Dr. Madeline Fenton.”

The ghost hunter stared for a long moment in confusion. She hadn’t expected a response and now her mind couldn’t catch up, barely processing what she was seeing.

The hologram floated backward, motioning into the door. “Come inside.”

Maddie blinked, registering the words. Her eyes flitted from her strange double to the interior of the room. Concrete floor, metallic walls, sturdy work tables, and….a soft green light. It looked familiar, very much like the Fentonworks lab. The woman’s heart skipped a beat. She’d already come this far….

The huntress took a few steps forward and crossed the threshold, all the while keeping her eyes on the hologram. The other figure was unmoving and silent, not even blinking. After another long moment staring, Maddie warily looked around. As she’d glimpsed, there were shiny metal work tables and shelves. A station with a microscope, centrifuge, and table top incubator. She frowned, eyes falling on glowing vials of ectoplasm. 

This was a lab, obviously. A ghost research lab, based on the ectoplasm. But below Vlad’s greenhouse? Her eyes flickered to another table, this one holding familiar looking devices. Ectoguns, slim and silvery with a design Maddie knew intimately, despite the unfamiliar logo and red accents.

The woman walked forward, tentatively hefting the gun. “This looks like our model 35.” She stated seriously.

Maddie then turned, facing the source of the soft green light. Her jaw dropped at the sight of the swirling green. “That’s a portal. A ghost portal.” She muttered. 

The scientist took in the design of the frame, of the ecto-filtrater and the control panel. That was her and Jack’s design as well. Her mind swam, information bouncing around senselessly as she tried to make sense of all this. This was a lab. A ghost research lab. A hidden, secret research lab in Vlad Master’s backyard, below his greenhouse. Vlad’s secret lab. But...why?

She bit her lip, her eyes falling on the Fenton Works designed weapons and the portal. Their stolen designs. Maddie could barely believe it, yet she wasn’t as surprised as she should be. Vlad still having an interest in ghosts? The creepy billionaire stealing their blueprints? Why did that seem all too plausible?

“Dr. Fenton?” A staticy voice asked behind her.

Maddie turned, frown deepening as she took in the hologram again. Her mouth felt dry. “He….Vlad...made a hologram that looks and sounds like me.” She felt sickened at the thought, at the evidence in front of her. 

“Yes. I was modeled after Dr. Madeline Fenton.” The hologram replied.

The ghost hunter put a hand on her head, feeling a headache grow. It made sense, in a sick kind of way. Vlad had a fascination with her. He was not exactly subtle in his ‘affections.’ Of course he would create this creepy copy. “Why?” She groaned, in rising anger.

“I was created to serve as a digital assistance and security system.”

Maddie looked up, blinking in confusion. She hadn’t been expecting an answer. The woman then frowned, realizing something. A security system? Did that mean… “You unlocked the greenhouse door for me...and turned off the security system.”

“That is correct.” The hologram replied.

The ghost hunter wrinkled her brow. “Why?”

Somehow, almost imperceptibly, the figure’s expression softened. “You came to take Number 6 away from here.”

That gave Maddie pause, her eyes widening slightly as she took in the AI with new eyes. “You were the one calling me.” 

It finally hit her. The voice on the phone, the monotone one that reminded her of her mother and sister. It was this AI, this AI which sounded very much like Maddie herself. Of course she hadn’t recognized that. Most people don’t know what they really sound like outside of their own head and Maddie herself was no exception.

“Yes, I did.” The AI confirmed. “Please save him.”

“Him?” Maddie bit her lip, feeling that familiar dread again. “Number 6? Who is this person?”

The hologram floated toward the other side of the room, towards a tall cylindrical metal tube that Maddie hadn’t noticed yet. “Come.” She motioned the ghost hunter to approach.

The huntress did so, fixing a studious gaze on the tube.

“Viewing panel opening.” The AI announced as the whirl of gears sounded throughout the room.

In front of the cylinder, metal paneling slid apart. Slowly a gap opened, making the inside of the pod visible. Maddie first registered neon green ectoplasm swirling in some kind of solution. Then her jaw dropped. There, suspended in the chamber was a lithe figure. It looked male, the form of a young teenager. For a moment, the ghost hunter registered white hair and a black and white garment. Phantom? Had Vlad managed to capture Phantom? No...that….

Her brow furrowed, stepping closer. She examined the glowing body. The figure’s appearance was shifting. Its skin was a mosaic of ghostly blue and a pale, more human color in ever changing, shifting patches. The black and white garment also shifted, seeming to grow and spread over the body before retreating, leaving bare skin. On the head was a mop of black and white hair, the patches rapidly changing color and appearing to move across the skull.

Maddie frowned. There was a resemblance to Phantom. (How? How in the world?) But this wasn’t the same being. “This is a ghost.” Her brow wrinkled in confusion, despite her confidence of the fact.

“Yes.” The MADDIE program answered plainly. 

The scientist turned. “I am not letting a ghost out of here.”

The hologram frowned. “Number Six is a boy. He deserves to be free.”

Maddie pointed. “But….that is a ghost.”

“Yes.” The AI confirmed again. “But he is also a boy. Observe.” The translucent figure waved a hand over one of the computers. “Display subject’s vials.”

Instantly, readings appeared on the screen, a rhythmic beeping commencing. The ghost hunter studied the words and numbers. “Oxygen saturation, Blood Glucose, Blood pressure, Heart Rate.” Her brow furrowed. “These are vials for a human.”

“Yes. These are Number six’s vials.” 

Maddie scrunched her nose in disbelief. “But...this is a ghost.” 

But the sound of the heart monitor pounded in her head. She turned, facing the figure in the tube again. The readings could be fake. But why? And why did Vlad have a ghost captured in his lab? And why did it resemble Phantom? Or at least, it seemed to. Not that she’d ever been this close to Phantom before but the white hair, suit, and lithe figure were the same. She took in the shifting appearance. And what was that? An attempt at shapeshifting?

Maddie turned back to the screen, reading again. At the top, it read Clone Six, 100% stability. “Clone?” The woman questioned. “Clone of who? Of Phantom?”

“Yes.” The AI answered. In response, the ghost hunter turned sharply. The hologram continued. “Subject Six has completed the gestation period and is now viable and capable of living outside the artificial womb.”

Maddie blinked rapidly. There was a lot of information there. “Clone? Vlad cloned Phantom and...it’s ready?”

“Yes. He is stable.” The hologram turned. “Please save him. Take him away from dearest.”

“Look.” The scientist pinched the bridge of her nose. “I am not letting this ghost go.”

“He is a boy.” The AI insisted.

“You say that but-”

“And a ghost.” The hologram continued. “He is a living boy and a ghost.”

Maddie’s heart skipped a beat. “Living?”

She turned back to the chamber, something in her resonating at the word. The strands of black hair, the human colored skin, the patches that did not glow. She looked up into the face and something itched in the back of her mind. It looked familiar, not just because the ghost looked like Phantom.

Maddie took another step. She reached forward until she was touching the glass. The heart monitor steadily beeped as the figure in the chamber twitched.

The huntress shook her head, denying. “That’s just...not possible. Someone can’t be a ghost and a human.” What the AI was saying was nonsensical, completely impossible. So why did Maddie not feel certain?

“Initiate wake up sequence.” The AI declared.

Startled, Maddie’s head whipped to the side. “What are you-”

In the chamber, something thumped. The woman’s head turned to see flailing limbs. The figure’s eyes suddenly popped open, one blue and one green panickedly flickering around the room. The rate of the heart monitor increased. The being thrashed, chest spasming. A hand pounded against the glass. 

“What did you do?” Maddie demanded of the AI.

There was no answer, just fearful flailing within the tube. The ghostly figure’s gaze shifted down and fell on Maddie. The eyes widened, silently begging. More pounding of hands on the inside of the glass. The beeping increased, pounding into the woman’s head. The ghost boy blinked and the eyes were blue, icy blue. The gaze, the familiar gaze stabbed Maddie in the heart.

The woman panicked, her own heart race. Her eyes ripped away from the boy. What do I do? What do I do? Her mind raced. Her gaze fell on a large button marked, Emergency release. She acted without thinking, slamming her hand down on the button.

There was hiss and a beep from the chamber. In the blink of an eye, the glass wall of the chamber parted. Maddie yelped, jumping back as water and ectoplasm poured out. The liquid soaked her anyway. Then, the boy inside the tub was falling. He tipped forward and the woman reached out to catch him on instinct.

A surprisingly heavy body fell onto the ghost hunter. Her knees threatened to buckle under the sudden impact. Instead she wobbled and wrapped one arm around the lithe body. Shakily, Maddie lowered herself to her knees, taking the ghostly figure with her.

Numbly, hardly believing what she’d just done, the woman huddled on the floor. She tensed at the being reached towards her. A part of her brain screamed that it was unsafe to be so near to a ghost, yet she didn’t move as ungloved hands weakly grabbed onto her jumpsuit and the ghost pressed into her chest, as if it was hugging her. 

Maddie looked down at the being, marveling at the sight. Its appearance was still shifting. Black and white hair. Black jumpsuit and bare skin. Patches of ghostly blue and pale human skin. The woman could feel the ectoplasmic energy, the ghostly chill radiating off the being as well but..... Its glow...there was something off. The glow was dimming. It flickered like a light bulb before cutting off.

In front of her came a whine as the ghost buried its head into her shoulder. Soft cold breath caressed her check. Breathe? Maddie’s heart skipped a breath. She could feel the chest rising and falling with fast breaths, pressed against her as it was. And that beeping. Maddie glanced up at the display. The heart monitor was still keeping pace with a rapidly fluttering heart.

The scientists breath lodged in her throat. No this was...ghosts didn’t breath. They didn’t have heart beats. They didn’t…. She looked down at the shaking figure again and her world turned upside down. The black suit was receding, evaporating. It disappeared off the arms and chest, every part of the body she could see, leaving bare skin below. And that skin, it was changing. Pale peach-tinted skin was rapidly replacing the inhuman blue. A warm breath blew over her check, the ghostly chill quickly vanishing. The weight pressed into her increased, the fingers holding onto her becoming warm and solid. And on the head, black overtook white until she was staring down at the full black head of hair.

Maddie’s mind stopped unable to process. This was...she was...in front...of her...this was... She blinked rapidly, as if the sign would change but...the lack of glow, the human skin tone, the warmth, the breathing, the black hair. That..that damn heart monitor. This...this was...no...no way. The ghost hunter shakily, wrapped her arms around the now hyperventilating figure. She winced feeling the warm, solid skin under her gloves. This was impossible but….

This...this was a human. No ghost...no ghost could fake this. No shapeshifting would give a ghost human warmth and a heartbeat. And she could feel it, the rapidly fluttering heart pressed against her own. 

The ghost whined again. No. no. The boy. The boy who had just been a ghost but had changed. The boy who’d just been inside that pod. Who was shaking and hyperventilating in front of her. Another whine. A tear fell onto her shoulder.

Maddie’s mind finally caught up. Her arms shifted into a more proper hug, hands reaching up to run through the black hair. “Shhh. Shh. It’s okay.” The woman whispered. “Breath with me. In.” She breathed in deliberately. “And out.” She pushed the air out of her lungs. “In and Out.”

The boy copied, his breaths following hers. In and out. In and out. His breathing slowed as did the beeping of the heart monitor. Slowly, so slowly, his shaking subsided but the boy didn’t let go of her suit.

Maddie stayed still, questions bombarding her now that the boy was calmed. This boy, who was he? Where had he come from? Why...why did Vlad have a teenager in his lab? And why did he have a ghost that could change into a human? Or was this a human who could turn into a ghost? Her mind raced, her own heart rate increasing with overwhelming confusion. How was this possible? What was this kid?

She looked down, an idea sparking. That ghost disease that all the teenagers supposedly got. The disease that gave them ghost powers. She and Jack had never seen any of the supposedly infected students. They’d dismissed the claims as absurd. Humans could not have ghost powers. Yet Jazz and Danny’s friend, Sam, had both insisted that they’d gotten sick and both had displayed a ghostly ability. And if...if that was true….. She paled, the overheard words from the last phone call hitting her. Tests, sample collection, subject, experiment. If Vlad was experimenting with that disease, experimenting with ectoplasm on...on….

“Where...where am I?” A quiet male voice asked, directly in front of her. Maddie stiffened at the words, roughly pulled out of her thoughts. “What’s happening?”

The woman’s heart stopped. That voice. That voice. Oh god. Suddenly shaking, she unwrapped her arms from the boy. Gently, so gently, she grabbed his wrists and pulled his hands off of her. The boy seemed to shrink in on himself at that, shoulders falling. 

He sniffled but Maddie shushed it. “Look...look up at me.” She quietly asked. Slowly, the teenager obeyed and again, the mother felt like her world was turned on its head. Familiar, icy blue eyes met hers. The curve of that nose, the round chin, the slightly chubby cheeks. Oh god, she knew...she knew this face intimately. A trembling hand reached out to touch, cupping the boy’s cheek. “Danny?” Maddie asked, before she could really think.

The blue eyes widened, looking at her with the most pure and innocent hope she’d even seen. “Danny? Is that...is that my name?”

The woman’s expression fell, her mind catching up to the question, to what she was seeing. No, this couldn't be Danny. She had just seen him earlier that night. And on the face in front of her….The freckles….the freckles were wrong, laid out in a different pattern. And the scar above his lips, where was it? The mother glanced down, at his collar bone. The birthmark wasn’t there. And...her heart skipped a beat. No, he was too young, maybe two years younger than her son’s current age of 16.

The woman removed her hand. “No. I’m sorry. You’re not….you look like him, like Danny. So I thought….But you’re not...you’re not him.”

The boy’s shoulders fell and his eyes fixed down. The suddenly heartbroken, lonely look broke Maddie’s heart. “Oh. Then...who am I?”

The ghost hunter frowned at the question, her mind trying to form an answer. Who was this boy who looked like her Danny? Wait…. The words on his vitals display flashed in her mind. Clone number 6. Clone. “You’re a clone.” She blinked, mouth falling open. “You’re a clone of my son.”

The boy looked up, raising a brow. “What’s a clone?”

Maddie flushed at the question. It was so innocent. And his eyes, staring up at her like she had the answer to every question in the universe. “That’s...that’s complicated.” She glanced down, cheeks reddening in a sudden realization. “Let’s umm...let’s get you some clothes first.” The mother blushed for a moment. He’d been naked this whole time, while they’d been hugging and she had been comforting him.

“Clothes?” The boy tilted his head and the innocent confusion, the lack of embarrassment, just about killed Maddie. This looked like a teenager but obviously he wasn’t actually one.

The mother pushed the thought away, head surveying the room for something to cover the child with. She gaze fixed on something white hanging on one of the walls. Lab coats. Maddie started pushing herself to her feet.

The boy whimpered, grabbing her hand. “Don’t leave me.”

Maddie’s expression softened. “I’m not. I’m just going to get you something to wear.”

Shakily, she stood and walked across the lab. All the while, the woman could feel the eyes on the back of her head. But she ignored it, focusing on grabbing a coat. She pulled the white garment off the peg and quickly returned. Maddie then knelt down and held out the coat. The boy looked at it with no recognition as if he had no idea what to do with it. He probably didn’t.

“I can put it on you then. Hold out your arms.” Maddie instructed.

The boy, the clone, (this was a clone, a clone of her son. Her son. How? Why? What?). The clone did as she said and the woman dressed him as if he was a little child. (He probably was). The woman tried to smile comfortingly as she fastened the buttons. “There you go. All covered up.”

The boy looked at the sleeves curiously. They hung past his hands as the garment swallowed him. He waved his arms, watching the ends flap. The child laughed at the sight.

Maddie’s heart clenched at the child-like display. But then she turned her attention to the AI that had been silently watching the entire time. Standing, she scowled. “Is he a clone of my son?”

“Yes.” The MADDIE program replied. “Subject Number 6 is a clone of Daniel James Fenton.”

Maddie looked down again. Somehow, despite how impossible this was, that made perfect sense. The appearance was nearly identical, to perfect for strangers. And….she swallowed. Vlad had a sick fascination with her children, with Danny in particular. She knew the man fancied himself something of a godfather, with his pet names, presents, and advice. And Danny despised it, much more than any teenage boy should even if said godfather had a tendency to flirt with his mother.

The woman paled, all sorts of horrible idea coming into her head. What Vlad must want from Danny, what he must really want from her son. And to do the scientifically impossible? She shivered. Tests, experiments. She remembered the hybrid ghostly appearance, the ectoenergy flowing off of him. From some the ghostly disease? But… “Wait...you said that he was clone of Phantom earlier?”

The hologram’s response was cut off by a scream from the floor. Maddie’s eyes flicked down panickedly as the clone looked up at her. “My...my arm...it’s gone.”

The woman’s eyes just about popped out of her skull. His left sleeve with the hand and arm inside of it were gone. Maddie knelt down, reaching towards where the limb should be. Her hand hit something solid and chilly. She rapidly blinked. “It’s invisible. Your arm is invisible.” Panic rose in her. Ghostly abilities. There were ghostly abilities. He had ghost powers.

“Invisible?!” The boy shrieked. 

Maddie’s heart clenched. That sounded just like Danny, her son when he was scared. The boy’s mouth was open with panic, his breath increasing. And all the woman could see was her son. Her son’s face, screwed up with panic and fear. It made her soul ache. She gently wrapped her hand around his invisible one. “It’s still there but you need to calm down. Breath with me. Like before. Okay. In and out.”

The boy copied her action once and his hand returned to visibility. He threw himself forward into her arms. Maddie returned the hug without hesitation. Then a breath later, cold swept over her. The body in her arms disappeared, turning into cold mist. Both the woman and the boy screamed as he turned intangible and fell through her.

Maddie rapidly stood, stepping back. What was happening?! On the floor, the boy returned to solidity, the slightly translucent appearance disappearing. He rolled onto his back, panting. The beeping of the monitor increased with his breathing as his face scrunched up fearfully. 

Then a heartbeat later, just when Maddie thought she was done with surprises for tonight, something else stole the breath from her lungs. A white ring of light formed around the boy’s waist. It spread up and down his body and everything the light touched changed. The scientist blinked away the spots in her vision. And there, writhing on the floor with a panicked expression, was Phantom. Or...he looked like Phantom. White hair, black and white jumpsuit, panic filled green eyes.

It suddenly all hit Maddie like a tractor-trailer. He was a clone of Danny.. .and he was a clone of Phantom. Of Phantom. Danny...it clicked into place. Oh god, Danny’s accident with the portal. Him setting off all their equipment. His badly hidden injuries. Falling grades, skipping class, not sleeping. Oh god. Danny was Phantom. Danny Fenton was Danny Phantom. That...that was a pun, damnit. Of course her son would name himself after a pun. And… her eyes fixed on the boy on the floor. His face even stayed the same! No wonder Phantom avoided getting close to them!

In front of her, the clone was hyperventilating again. “What’s happening to me?!” He cried, tears welling in his eyes. His legs were fused into a ghostly tail which lashed in front of him.

The mother’s brain kicked into gear, her motherly instincts taking over again. She knelt down. “Sweetie. Sweetie. Calm down. I’m here.” 

She grabbed his arm, intending to pull him into a sitting position but he was so light, as light as a balloon. With the slightest tug, he was pulled into the air, floated. Maddie pulled the ghost boy into her arms. She cupped the back of his head.

“What’s...what’s happening to me?” He cried again.

“I don’t know.” Maddie answered honestly. She had only the barest idea of what all was going on. But still... “I’ll figure it out. I’ll help you. You’re safe. I’m right here.”

The boy wiggled in her hold, crying into her shoulders. “I...I don’t understand. I don’t understand. Who...who am I? Who are you? Where are we?”

Maddie didn’t know. Or rather she didn't know how to answer those questions without making him more scared. She desperately wished she did know. She’d have to have a long conversation with Danny about him being Phantom and about what is actually going on between him and Vlad but for now...she hugged the boy tighter.

A long minute later, light passed over the clone again. He became heavy and warm in Maddie’s arms. His knees wobbled for a moment before steadying as Maddie held him up. “There, you’re doing it. You can stand.” His posture strengthened and the shaking stopped. Finally, the mother asked. “Do you think you can stand on your own?”

“I...I think so?” The boy said, uncertainly.

“Alright. I’m going to step away slowly. I’ll catch you if you start to fall.” Maddie reassured.

The child nodded as the woman backed away. He wobbled, tipping forward but the ghost hunter gently grabbed him. They stood, hands on each other's forearm for a long pause, until the boy steadied himself. He looked down at his feet, lifting one before putting it down and then doing the same with the opposite. Finally, he let go of Maddie’s arms. After hesitating, the mother did the same.

The boy studied her compassionate face, brow furrowed with deep thought. “Who are you...to me?”

Maddie considered, studying his face in kind. Her son’s face. A face so like her Danny’s. He was a clone, a clone of her son. Meaning...he was her own flesh and blood. Her lips pursed in thought. More importantly...he was a child. A confused, scared child who needed her help. And before she was a ghost hunter and scientist, Maddie was and would always be a mother.

“I’m your mother.” She said without hesitation, smiling. “Your mom.”

“Mom?” The boy asked, testing out the word. 

Maddie nodded, reaching forward and gently whipping one of his tears away with her thumb. “I’m your mom.”

The child smiled, his eyes lighting up like that was the most wonderful thing he had ever heard. It very well could be. “Mom.” The word rang out with so many emotions, with some much love that Maddie’s heart swelled. The boy stepped forward hugging her again.

The mother ran her finger through his hair. “Yes baby. I’m here to take you home."

“You will take him away from here, then?” A staticy voice asked, beside the pair.

Maddie turned, pulling away to look at the AI. Beside her, the clone tilted his head as he looked between the two but didn’t ask.

The scientist nodded. “Yes. I think I understand why you called me now.” Of course she did. This was an AI made to copy her, something of a digital clone. If Maddie was in her place, she would not so easily agree to whatever Vlad had planned. She would not leave a child here to be experimented on. And as the MADDIE programs 'original’, for lack of a better word, she wasn’t exactly an outsider and therefore a loophole.

The hologram nodded. “I will disable the microchip then.” A light on the monitor blinked out and the beeping of the heart monitor stopped. The AI then turned to the computer. She pointed to a flash drive plugged into one of the ports. “That contains all research data. Take it with you.” 

Maddie obeyed, taking the drive. The AI winked. “Excellent. Delete all research data. Command alpha-06-gamma-58-epsilon.”

There was a loud dial tone and the computer fritzed, the monitor wavering until a blue screen reading ‘System Deletion’ in large print was displayed.

Maddie raised a brow, impressed at the AI. 

Then the clone asked. “What about you? Are you coming with us?”

The program shook her head. “No dear. I am not like you. My purpose is served.” The AI turned to deliberately look at Maddie. “Number 6 has been saved.”

The boy frowned at the statement as did the mother, considering the statement and the depth of it. She didn’t know what to make of it except...it almost felt like one mother was handing off her son to another.

“Go on.” The MADDIE program encouraged. "You may go out the way you came and I will lock the doors behind you." She frowned. "I will distract dearest for as long as I can."

Maddie wrinkled her nose in disgust. "I suppose you can't just call him Vlad?"

"No." The AI almost sounded annoyed. "My programming is most inconvenient."

The ghost hunter nodded in understanding. Then she turned to face the clone. "Come on then sweetie." She wrapped one arm around the boy and started leading him towards the door. Before passing through, the women turned back to face the hologram. "Thank you."

The corner of MADDIE program's lip turned up as she offered an accepting nod. The pair then turned back towards the still open door. The clone wobbled slightly, progressing slowly as he gained more confidence. Maddie carefully stepped across the threshold with the boy still at her side. Once they were in the tunnel, a gap sounded from beside her.

"What is it?" The mother glanced to the side, eyes wide with concern.

"The ground's cold." The boy muttered.

"Oh." Maddie looked down. "You're not wearing any shoes." She'd have to get him some once they got home and some proper clothes. "Just step carefully, okay? Actually…." With her free hand, she pulled out her flashlight and shone it on the bare ground in front of them. "There." 

The pair advanced carefully, Maddie helping the boy to clumsily climb up the ladder. They crossed the greenhouse and the mother pulled the boy along as he eagerly studied their surroundings. 

"It smells nice in here." The clone commented, sniffing the air.

"It does." Maddie agreed. 

Arriving at the door, she finally opened it and the two found themselves in the open air. The boy suddenly stopped, looking down. 

He hummed in the back of his throat, pleased. "I like the grass under my feet." Maddie looked down to find the kid wiggling his toes. Then there was an awed whisper. "Wow. Are those the stars?"

The mother looked up again to find him staring up at the sky in wonder. Maddie smiled. "Yes, they are. Aren't they beautiful?"

"Yeah." He breathed.

Maddie let him look up in awe, as she herself marveled. She couldn't help but be reminded of Danny's love of the stars. But even with the resemblance, he was a different person from her Danny, wasn't he? She could already see little difference. This child-like wonder was something she hadn’t seen in her son very often now. But still she wondered. This clone seemed to know the words for things. He could speak clearly and had good coordination all things considered. How was that even remotely possible? And yet he still had the air of someone who had never seen the world before, like every was new. Because it likely was.

With that, Maddie cut off her musing. "Come on sweetie. We need to keep going."

The mother hated cutting off his exploration, especially as his expression fell. But the boy nodded anyway, taking a step forward. The pair continued, cutting across the yard, into the trees, and to the car. Maddie clicked the fob to unlock the vehicle. She guided the boy to the car, opened the passenger's side door, and helped him sit. The mother then walked around and opened the driver's side door and sat down herself.

Maddie turned to find the clone looking at his seat belt curiously. She reached over. "Here let me help you." She buckled him in.

The boy hummed, fidgeting in his seat while Maddie buckled herself in. She put the key in the ignition and started the engine. Instantly, the radio started, a song from their local eighties station broadcasting through. The clone flinched at the sudden sound before relaxing. 

He turned, looking at the woman with wide eyes. "What's that?"

Maddie smiled. "It's music."

"Right. Music." The boy nodded. He tilted his head, listening to the song. After a moment, his head bobbed in time. "I think I like music." He hummed along, wiggling in his seat.

It made Maddie want to laugh so she did. She chuckled as she put the car into drive and pulled away. She turned into the road and started driving back towards Fentonworks. The song ended just as they pulled up at a red light.

The clone turned to face her. "Where are we going?"

She looked at him out the corner of her eye. "We're going home, like I said earlier."

He nodded. "Right yeah. I remember that." He hummed. "What will we do when we get there?"

Maddie paused, considering the question. "Well...we’ll talk to your dad and your….Danny and Jazz….and we’ll figure all of this out.” 

She’d hesitated for a moment, thinking to refer to Danny and Jazz as his brother and sister. But Maddie had no idea how they’d take this. Hopefully well. Those two were good kids but living with a clone of yourself….Maddie could hardly imagine. At least Jack would be eager and welcoming. She knew her husband well enough to be sure….Oh boy, she really should have told him something about all of this before she’d left.

"All of this….you mean the….clone thing and…" He bit his lip. "The flashing light and the floating and disappearing and falling through things?"

"Ghost powers." Maddie said, brow furrowing. "You have ghost powers. As far as I can tell, you're some kind of ghost human hybrid? Not that I knew that was possible until less than an hour ago…." She frowned. "Nor did I know you existed."

The boy frowned, looking worried. His lips pursed. "So...you don't know what my name is then, do you?”

Maddie's heart fell. In front of them, the light turned green. The woman turned back, removing her foot off the gas. The car pulled away before the mother pulled into a parking lot. 

She took a deep breath, the impossibleness of the situation hitting her. She was sitting in her car with a clone of her son. A clone that she’d found in the secret laboratory below Vlad Master’s greenhouse. A human-ghost hybrid clone of her son who was also a hybrid. She had another son now. A son who she now had to tell that she didn't know his name, because he likely didn't have one yet.

Maddie put a comforting hand on his arm. “I’m sorry.” She gently apologized. “You’re right. I don’t know. And sadly….” She took a deep breath. “And I know this will be hard to hear but...all I know is that hologram called you Number 6 and...that’s not exactly a name, is it? ” 

His lip quivered, eyes starting to water. “But….that’s….”

The mother took his hands and squeezed it. “That will change. Your father and I can pick out a name for you; that’s what parents normally do for their children. Or….if you have something in mind, we’ll happily call you that.”

The clone looked down, biting his lip in consideration. “I’ll...I’ll think about it.”

Maddie’s face softened. “Alright sweetie.”

He turned his head up, blinking at her. “Sweetie? Can that be my name?”

The question was asked so innocently that Maddie couldn’t help but laugh. “No. That’s a pet name. I call all my kids that.”

“Oh.” He blushed in embarrassment. “Well that’s...at least, that means I’m one of your kids.”

The mother nodded her head. “Yes, of course. You’re my son.” It should have been surprising how much her heart swelled with love at the statement but well….Maddie had made up her mind. This was her son. Not Vlad Masters’ experiment. Not just Danny’s clone. Her son and Vlad was not taking him away from her.

They would have a lot to figure out. A name for this boy. His complete origin as a clone. How to deal with having a third child, one who’d just appeared overnight. They’d have to deal with the implications of her revelation that Danny was Phantom. And Vlad...what he’d done was horrible. He’d stolen blueprints and her son’s DNA. He’d experimented on a human or...humans. She internally frowned; he was clone number 6. Did that mean that there had been five others? 

Either way, Vlad was deplorable. There, in the depth of his lab, below something as innocuous and normal as his greenhouse, Maddie had discovered that and the true depth of his obsession with her and her family. And now she knew, Vlad needed to be stopped. He needed to be punished. But what exactly to do with him, considering how taking him down would likely expose Danny’s identity as Phantom? Yes, they had a lot to deal with but….

Maddie leaned forward to kiss her new son’s forehead. “You have a family now. And a home. And everything else we’ll figure out together.”

A soft smile crept across his face. “I like how that sounds.”

“Good.” Maddie smiled. “Now...are you ready to go meet the rest of your family?”

“Yeah.” He squeezed the hand still holding hers. “I’m ready Mom.”

[youbloodymadgenius]

Ivarello (Modern!Ivar x reader) Chapter 3

Moodboard by @quantumlocked310

Ivarello's masterpost here

A/N: This is my entry for @deans-ch-ch-cherrypie 500 Followers Fairy Tale Challenge. It's a retelling of Cinderella. Congrats again, darling 💖

A huge thank you to @mrsalwayswrite , who's a great beta reader and an even greater cheerleader 😂

A massive thank you to @quantumlocked310 , @vikingstrash and @serasvictoria . Thank you for agreeing to collaborate and for sharing your talent with me. Your moodboards are beyond amazing 🤩

In this story, Sigurd is alive. Ragnar and Aslaug are dead, but Lagertha didn't kill her. I took a lot of liberties with the show, I hope you won't mind.

Unlike the tale, there will be no magic involved. Not everything will be realistic, however. It's a fayritale, after all!

Let me know if you want to be tagged 😊

Summary: Orphaned five years ago, Ivar and his brothers have been living with Lagertha ever since. Now 16 years old, he wants to attend Harald's traditional Midsummer party, but obstacles stand in his way.

Warnings: description of car crash; orphaned kids; Sigurd being Sigurd; OOC characters.

Words: 3497 (oops 🙈)

Additional note: what you’re going to read is not realistic.

Enjoy 🙂

🛡⚔️🛡

With his stomach in knots and a frown on his face, Ivar watches closely his godfather, who enters the living-room, wheeling a large trolley case behind him.

"Hello, Ivar." Floki looks around, an eyebrow raised questioningly, "Lagertha isn't here?", before flopping down on the corner sofa.

"No," Ivar shakes his head, wheeling up next to him, "She's out on a date with this English guy... Hammond, Halmund or whatever his name is."

Scratching his ear, Floki tilts his head, "but she knows you're going, right?" He pulls the trolley case closer and then snorts, mumbling under his breath, "don't think I can't see you rolling your eyes!"

"What do you think? Of course, she knows. She said, and I quote," Ivar raises his hands to make air quotes, his voice tinged with obvious annoyance, "'Of course you can go, sweetie, you know I don't want to be the one holding you back. Call me if anything goes wrong. And don't forget to take your meds.'"

"She cares, Ivar." Floki's tone is soft as he places a hand on his godson's shoulder.

Ivar lowers his gaze. "You should have taken me in." His words are barely audible and suddenly he feels like he's eleven again and he has to swallow against the sudden dryness in his throat.

"You do know that back then I wasn't in a good place." Floki's sad sigh almost gets Ivar in tears as memories of his parents and Helga flood his mind. The pain in his heart becomes nearly unbearable but he fights it off with all his might. He never wants to feel broken and lost again.

Ivar lifts his head up and Floki can see the stubbornness in his eyes. "I could live with you now."

"No, you could not, and you know it!" Floki smiles and taps Ivar on the cheek. "Ivar, I live between two flights, today in Norway, yesterday in Iceland and after-tomorrow in Canada. What kind of life would this be for you, huh? And besides, living with Lagertha is not that bad."

But living with Sigurd is! Ivar wants to shout. He keeps quiet, though, shrugging before eventually mumbling. "Guess not..."

"So," Floki starts, eager to change the subject, "where are your brothers, by the way?"

"Where do you think they are, huh, you knock-kneed fool? They're already there." Ivar glances at his watch, furrowing his brow. "Harald's party started twenty minutes ago."

"We better hurry up, then!" Crouching down, Floki slowly opens the suitcase under Ivar's scrutinizing gaze.

"Quick!" Ivar commands, barely able to contain his impatience, his nervous fingers tapping his push rims. "What do you have for me, old man, huh?" He even contemplates climbing out of his chair to open it himself, but the fear of breaking a bone at the worst possible time is stronger than his eagerness.

"You're going to calm down, young Padawan." Floki quips, slowly moving his hand in front of Ivar with eyes full of mischief. Ivar immediately slaps his godfather's hand away, mumbling under his breath, "I'd rather be a Sith Lord." That earns him a loud, hysterical laugh from his godfather.

Ivar grunts, ready to protest, but all thoughts leave his mind as soon as he's able to see what is in the trolley case. The scowl on his face obvious, he doesn't even try to hide his disappointment as he utters, "you made me braces?"

He hates braces with a passion. Along with underarm crutches, he had some, as a child. They were bulky, stiff, painful and walking with them was tedious, agonizingly slow, and exhausting. Ragnar had been adamant that he wanted his youngest to walk, no matter the struggles, no matter the nearly unbearable pain. Ivar had settled his ass in a wheelchair the day of his father's funeral, getting rid of his braces shortly after, a decision he had never regretted. So no, such torture devices were not at all what he was hoping for.

"Have a little faith in me," Floki rolls his eyes. "These," he looks lovingly at the strange contraptions in his hands, "are not braces, Ivar. Have you and your crippled ass ever heard of exoskeleton?"

Ivar's eyes widen. "It's that thing used in rehab that allows paraplegics to walk, right?" As Floki nods, Ivar gives him a puzzled glance. "But, erm, you do know I don't have a spinal cord injury, don't you? Or are you suffering from memory loss? Maybe it's your age?"

Dismissing the remark with an exasperated wave of his hand, Floki hisses, "I'm well aware that you don't, godson dearest," before narrowing his eyes, his voice now serious, "you may have full sensation in both legs, yet they can't exactly support your weight and your lack of motor function can't be denied. Not really different from some paraplegic dudes, what do you think?"

Feeling a heavy lump in his throat, Ivar frowns, not pleased with the idea of him being like a paraplegic. Almost without thinking, he contracts his quads as best he can, as if he wants to make sure he's still able to do it.

Floki doesn't miss the barely-there movements in his thighs, though, and his voice softens. "Look Ivar, you're not a paraplegic, okay? But I used the exoskeleton technology. And since you're not paralyzed, I was able to make a smaller device that you can wear underneath your clothes, and you're going to walk. I mean, really walk, not just like those guys in rehab, between parallels bars and with a PT right behind them."

Ivar, his eyes bright, stares at his godfather, slack-jawed with amazement. "I'm..." He begins to sputter, voice filled with emotion, "I'm really going to walk?" Feeling like his heart is pounding out of his chest, he fails to contain his excitement, drumming the fingers of his right hand on his lap. He'd tap his feet if only he could.

"You are." Floki nods before taking out of the trolley case a pair of dress shoes. "I put dozens of sensors in the insole of these shoes, which will enable the exoskeleton to correct your stance practically every second. Therefore, you won't need crutches, although I would say it's safer for you to use this." Reaching down, he grabs a black derby-style cane, simple and sleek in design. "You know," he shrugs, "just for extra support. Better safe than sorry, hmh?"

Ivar, who doesn't even flinch when he sees the walking stick, just reaches out, his hand grazing the carbon fiber exoskeleton. "Is it really for me?" His eyes filled with wonder, his voice trembling, his lips stretch across his face as his godfather nods. "And you made this in what?... four, five days?"

Letting out his signature giggle, Floki waggles his fingers in front of his face. "Even I couldn't make this in such a short time. No, the truth is, I've been working on it for a while. Let's say your phone call just sped things up. Though I must say, this marvel of technology is not flawless... It has a really low battery life, like four hours of autonomy at best. If I had more time, I certainly could have done better, but for now, it is what it is and you'll have to make do with what you've got." Pursing his lips, he glances at his watch, "So, just so you know, if you put this on now, you'll have to come back around midnight if you don't want to have to crawl around. And if you hear a beep, you'd better hurry, okay?"

As Ivar just nods, his beaming smile never fading, Floki adds, tilting his head, "and now, go get ready, young Padawan, you have a party to attend!"

***

Sitting on a bench at the seaside, Ivar watches the party from afar, a feeling of uneasiness tightening his chest. It was a mistake. Attending to this party was a mistake. Despite the exoskeleton, despite the fact that he walks almost normally, it was a mistake. He shouldn't have come. He shouldn't be here. Anxiety surges like the swell of a wave, and he struggles to breathe. Sigurd was right: he doesn't belong here, doesn't belong to this life.

A part of him wants to leave. It would be better to run away, to go hide in his room. But he won't. He can't. Because just a moment ago he saw you. Because he's not ready to give up on you now that he is here, eventually close to you.

He recognized you the moment his eyes fell on you. Looking radiant in a polka dot dress, you're as pretty as he remembers. Pretty? Who's he kidding? The girl you were six years ago was pretty. You're a woman now, and one of the most beautiful he's ever seen.

Glowing, smiling at everyone, you didn't even see him. In his head, of course, he makes plans to approach you, even if deep down, he knows all too well he'll never muster enough courage to talk to you. You probably wouldn't want him to anyway. After all, he may be standing tall today, yet he's still a freak, a fucking cripple. He's still cursed with his bony, twisted, useless legs. He's still a burden.

Yet, there's this little voice inside of him, barely audible, whispering that you're not like this, that you never were in the first place; and that's partly why the ten-year-old boy he was when he first met you felt drawn to you almost instantly.

Closing his eyes, he focuses on his breathing and decides to take a little trip down memory lane, bringing him back to that sunny, summer day of his first – and only – encounter with you. His memory so vivid it's like it happened only yesterday.

He can't hear the chirping of birds as his brothers are loudly playing and bickering in the pool. His beloved mother is nowhere to be seen and he's willing to bet she's taking a nap, but not without first making sure he has everything he could possibly need. Lying on a sunbed in the shade of an oak, a glass of lemonade within reach and a thick book on his lap, he hardly notices his father coming into the backyard, Harald Hårfager following close behind.

Since Ivar knows Harald is here to talk business with his father, he pays no attention to the two men, who take their seats at the patio dining table.

He nearly falls off the sunbed when a tiny voice startles him. "Hello!"

Stunned, he turns his head towards the voice and comes face to face with a smiling girl he doesn't know. You. He'd say you're about his age.

"I'm Y/N," you tell him, waving your hand shyly. "I'm at my uncle's for the weekend," you keep going, pointing your finger at Harald, "and I was wondering... May I join you?" You finally ask, dragging a second sunbed closer to his.

His first instinct is to look around, because you can't possibly be talking to him. Why would you? Surely you can't have failed to spot his leg braces, nor his hideous orthopedic shoes. You can't have missed that he's a cripple.

Frowning as he sees that no one is around, he snorts, his nostrils flaring. He can tell you're wearing a swimsuit under your pink dress. What do you want, then? Are you here to mock and ridicule him or what?

"You better get in the pool with my brothers." He knows he sounds rude, not answering nor greeting you, but he doesn't care. He doesn't want to be made fun of and doesn't intend to give you the chance to do it.

Seemingly undeterred, you speak with a soft voice. "No, I'd rather not." Your smile is so genuine he can't help but think you mean no harm. "Actually," you shrug, sitting next to him, "I'd rather stay here with you, if you don't mind. What are you reading?"

Gobsmacked, he just looks at you – and gods, how pretty you are! – for a long time, unable to utter a single word. Are you truly interested in what he's reading? Interested in him? He swallows hard, his heart racing. A small smile dancing on your lips, your kind eyes never leave his as you wait, full of hope, for him to finally talk to you.

And that's what he ends up doing, almost in spite of himself. For the next two hours, he shows you his astronomy book, a gift from his godfather for his tenth birthday, and tells you about the stars, the constellations and the nights he spends watching the sky, when his mother allows him to. And for two hours you listen to him, asking a question here or there and always smiling. He's pretty sure you're not faking being interested in what he's saying.

All too soon, your uncle tells you it's time to go and you stand up with a scowl, letting out a sigh of regret. The next moment, you flash Ivar a grin. "I had a really great time with you, thanks! I'm going back to my mom's tomorrow but I hope we can spend time together again sometime, maybe next summer. I'd love to stargaze with you, you know?" With that, you lean forward and as your lips touch his cheek, Ivar's breath catches in his throat, his heart pounding like a drum in his chest.

Ivar inhales deeply. That kiss... That's when he fell madly and hopelessly in love with you. If he concentrates enough, he can still feel the softness of your lips against his skin, still smell your sweet, flowery scent.

That day, he had watched you leave with a smile on your face, already dreaming of the day he would see you again. You had said "next summer" and even though it was a long time away, he was willing to wait. In the meantime, he would have plenty of memories to recall - your joyful voice, your sparkling eyes, your lovely smile... Sure, he could wait.

And he had waited, hopeful and happier than he had been in a long time.

Not long after, however, his life had been turned upside down, his father being murdered and his mother dying in a car crash. Lost, angry, broken, and infinitely sad, he had gone through the following months as if anesthetized - barely living, hardly functioning, sometimes feeling as if the memory of you was the only thing keeping him from drowning.

Yet, and he doesn't know why – or perhaps simply because Ragnar being dead, Harald had no reason to visit anymore – he had never seen you again.

"Hello!"

His whole body freezes and he stops breathing. This voice... Your voice... He'd know it anywhere. Yet, it can't be, right? Did he fall asleep? Is he dreaming? Is one of his brothers tricking him? Why would you talk to the cripple?

"My name is Y/N." He can hear the smile in your voice. "I was wondering... May I join you?"

Summoning the courage he's not sure he has, Ivar looks tentatively toward you.

Gods! You're even more beautiful up close. Fuck. Now that you're here, right next to him, he doesn't know what to say, what to do. Panic seizes his hammering heart as a lump rises in his throat. He attempts to swallow around it to speak, to say something, anything, but the words won't come out and he finally just nods, his hand gesturing to the bench for you to sit on.

"Thanks," you give him a broad smile before taking your seat.

Ivar cannot believe his eyes. What are you doing? Did you recognize him? Why are you here, with him?

"Woul–", he sputters, struggling to find his voice, "Wouldn't you rather be there?" Pointing his index finger at the crowd gathered in front of the makeshift stage just a few meters away. He frowns, tilting his head, "the party is in full swing."

"No, I'd rather not." You shrug and as you turn your head toward him, he breathes in your sweet scent, suddenly feeling dizzy. "The guys are already drunk and really have one thing on their minds. And those who are not are boring." You lower your gaze, as if embarrassed, and it's so adorable Ivar feels like his heart is melting. "I'd rather stay here with you, if you don't mind."

Oh, he doesn't. He doesn't mind at all. The truth is, there's a fucking firework inside of him, and he barely contains the screams of happiness that threaten to escape his lips. "That's okay, you can stay," he says instead, his fidgeting fingers dancing on his lap.

Over the next hour or so, the conversation flows easily as you speak about Karasjok, the small town where you live, telling him about your mother's people, the Sami, their culture and customs.

Ivar shares with you bits and pieces of his life too, speaking about his passion for the Viking culture and about his belief in the ancient gods. The night, his night, is full of your laughs, full of your smiles, full of you. He wants it to never end.

He's still trying to figure out if you know who he is, if you remember meeting him once when you rise to your feet, almost bouncing with enthusiasm. "Walk with me, will you?"

He's about to break the truth about his inability to walk when he remembers that actually, thanks to Floki, he can. His eyes never leave yours as he grabs his cane with a little bit of self-consciousness, wincing as he stands up, but he can't see disgust, contempt, or disappointment on your face and your smile doesn't falter as you delicately slip your hand under his free arm, curling your fingers back over it. Shaken by your sudden proximity, Ivar feels goosebumps rising on his skin.

"It's such a lovely night and I'm so happy spending it with you."

Your words leave him speechless as you lead him close to the water. A bunch of guys can be seen in the distance and Ivar is pretty sure his brothers are among them. He can feel their heavy stares on him and doesn't need to hear them to know what they're saying. "Who's this dude? Do we know him?" Standing tall, with his braided hair and a blue suit, he knows he doesn't look like himself. Yet, as he locks eyes with Hvitserk for a second, he'd sworn he sees a hint of recognition crossing his brother's face. And as the latter gives him a thumbs up, he knows his mind is not playing tricks with him.

"Oh, I love this song!" You clap your hands twice before shrugging shyly. "Let's dance, please!"

Ivar's heart breaks. Scared out of his wits, he swallows hard, his breathing uneven. "I... I can't." It's a painful admission, and he wishes the ground would just swallow him up.

He realizes you pay no mind to his defeated tone, though, as you grab his cane, leaning it against a nearby tree. "We'll go slow, I promise."

Almost in spite of himself, he places his hands on your hips as you wrap your arms around his neck. Gently – cautiously – swaying to the music, Ivar leans in close and, inhaling deeply your delightful scent, he feels like he's going to spontaneously combust. Your head resting on his chest, he's sure you can hear his frantic, pounding heartbeat. But he can't bring himself to care, not when you're finally exactly where he wants you to be. In his arms.

That's why he doesn't hear the first beep, or if he does, he doesn't pay any attention, entranced by your beauty, your kindness and the mesmerizing color of your eyes.

But when you stop dancing, your eyebrows raised, "What's that beeping noise? It doesn't stop," he hears it too, cold sweats washing over him as panic courses through his body.

"I... I must... I must go," he stammers, and honestly he's about to throw up. He can't think, can't speak. All he knows is that he doesn't want you seeing him crawling around. He won't allow it. He can't.

Fuck.

That's why he leaves. He just strolls off. He doesn't see the appalled look you're giving him, doesn’t' realize he's leaving his black cane behind, doesn't hear the despair in your tone as you shout, "wait, please! I don't even know your name!"

He has only taken a few steps when crocodile tears run down his cheeks, blurring his sight. It hurts so much he could scream, and he can barely breathe as the realization starts to sink in. Who was he trying to fool? Sigurd had been right all along. No matter the exoskeleton, no matter the genius of his godfather, he's still a freak. A monster. An abnormality.

He doesn't belong. He's not worthy.

Fuck.

His heart shatters in a thousand pieces.

Fuck.

Y/N.

Fuck.

🛡⚔️🛡

Ivar's taglist: @waiting4inspiration @honestsycrets @lisinfleur @saldelys @gearhead66 @inforapound @readsalot73 @milkkygirls @xbellaxcarolinax @shannygoatgruff @zuxiezendler @hecohansen31 @lonewolf471 @fuckindiva @tgrrose @didiintheblog @peachyboneless @pieces-by-me @funmadnessandbadassvikings @ethereallysimple @destynelseclipsa @cocovikings23 @xceafh @mrsalwayswrite @deans-ch-ch-cherrypie @pomegranates-and-blood @jadelynlace @grimeundglow @quantumlocked310 @alexhandersen-marcoilsoe-fandom @adrille88

Ivarello's taglist: @not-another-viking-fanfic-blog @hashimily @prepare4trouble @supernaturalvikingwhore @funmadnessandbadassvikings @heavenly1927 @dini73

[wdwmarveldisney]

She’s gone

Peter Parker x fem!reader

Summary: Peter and reader are dating when she finds out she has hodgkin lymphoma and makes a few videos for Peter.

Masterlist

A/N: I don’t know why I wrote this but I did. I was also emotional when doing so, so that’s probably why it turned into angst. This idea has probably been done before but eh.

Tw: Talks about Hodgkin Lymphoma (a type of cancer) and death of a character.

(Gif isn’t mine)

The camera was unfocused, the bright light that shone in the background making her a blurry silhouette. Slowly everything became clear, the girl in the driver's seat tapping her fingers on the steering wheel and staring ahead. From what was passing by the window, the people seemed to be in the middle of nowhere, passing the nothingness as they went. The last few seconds of a song faded out and another began, the girl immediately smiling to herself and reaching it over to turn it up and scream the lyrics. For You by Why Don't We was a great song but not exactly the best with her out of tune screams of the words. "HEY! SHE SAID 'I REALLY MISS THE OLD YOU'! THEN FOUND SOMEONE BETTER!" A laugh had escaped the lips of whoever filming, camera shaking as the girl finally turned to face them. "Peter, put it away! I swear to fucking god!" She reached over, the car seeming swerving every so slightly making Peter laugh at her panicked expression. "Stop being such a dick! Stop recording!"

"No, it was adorable," Finally Peter spoke before the camera flipped and moved so both of them could be seen. His eyes were practically glowing in the light, his brown hair reflecting in such a way the ends looked golden. He pouted slightly at her when she held up her middle finger to him. "Fuck you Parker," her little annoyed mutter made him smile as he faced her, intertwining their fingers and resting them on the compartment in between. "You do," the girl's jaw literally dropped as she glanced between him and the road, stuttering out responses that were really just noises strung together to make up nothing translatable. Peter's laugh echoed once more but this time his grin was captured in the shot too. It was wide and as bright as the light that filled up the car with this vintage kind of vibe. Finally, his laughter subsided, his eyes going to her and then the camera. "Anyways, I'm recording because I think it's cool to document moments like this. So future us and anybody else watching this video, me and my wonderful girlfriend here," she pulled a stupid face to the camera, tongue sticking out and nose scrunching up, before looking back to the road, "Are on a road trip. We just visited her extended family and are on our way back to her apartment where her mum is waiting and the roads are basically empty,"

"And Peter almost killed my grandma!" This time his jaw dropped, a blush making its way to his cheeks as he shook his head repeatedly. "I didn't, I swear. All that happened was that I gave her a hug and with my super strength, it hurt her like a tad," she shook her head this time, looking to the camera as she spoke, "She has bruises," Peter had a guilty and sorry expression on his face that made her laugh as she continued, "And yet, he still got more birthday cake then me. On my birthday!" They both laughed this time, the camera zooming in on her perfect grin before the video ended.

~

This time, the camera was on Peter who sat leaning against the headboard of a bed on his phone, no doubt scrolling through some form of social media. The camera was moved so it became propped up against something and once again the same girl was in the shot, sitting next to Peter whilst glancing between his screen and his concentrated look. She moved to rest her head in his lap, the boy moving the phone to see her cheeky smile. He grinned back, turning his phone off and immediately playing with a strand of her hair. "Hi," she mumbled and it seemed to make his grin go wider as he leaned down and pecked her lips, "Hey," the girl sat up and reached over to the camera to stop the video, Peter's arm going round her waist as she did so.

~

It was the same place as before where the camera was propped up except this time it looked like a sunset or sunrise, Peter sleeping whilst his girlfriend filmed herself. "Hey Pete. Okay so, I want to just quickly point out how fucking adorable you are for starters," her hushed tone was a clear sign that she didn't want to wake him up but the over the top pointing could of easily hit him in the face. "But what I really wanted to do is say I love you. I've got a secret from you but by the time you see this, you'll know and so this is just me, telling you again, I guess. I know I'll tell you soon because I can't lie to you," tears had welled up in her eyes, a small sniffle being heard as she faced the sleeping Peter, "Oh god. I don't want to leave. You deserve so much better than this. Ok," she took one deep breath, calming herself as she looked to the camera again, new tears already flooding down her face like an overfilled river. "Um, I recently found out that I, er, I have," there was a pause, the next bit being too hard to say, "I have hodgkin lymphoma. It's a, um, a type of cancer," she took a shaky breath, her focus on her fingers that had reached across to a sleeping Peter's hand and began to fiddle with his, "And I'm having treatment but, it's bad," Peter began to stir and she had been quick to wipe at her face and shut off the camera, cutting off the her actually telling him.

~

Peter was shown having a slushy, holding hands of the person holding the camera. He smiled brightly, face scrunching up, no doubt thinking it was another picture and not a video. "Ok, we are going into that store over there and you are picking out clothes for me and some for you and I'll pay for all of it," the girl from behind the camera spoke and Peter's face immediately dropped as he finished his slushy and chucked into a bin not too far away, "You will not pay," the camera flipped round to face her, her chapped lips twisted into a teasing smile, "And they say chivalry is dead," she was suddenly standing up, half of Peter's face visible in the shot before he placed a peck to her cheek and hugging her, the girl simply continuing to film over his shoulder. "I love you," his calm whisper into her hair was muffled but she could still hear it, responding in a small voice, "I love you too,"

When they got into the shop, he disappeared with a small "Bye," and his girlfriend moved to the side, sitting down in the shoe area and holding the camera up. "So a public place isn't the best area to do this but I wanted to have happy moment before each of these because that's what we are. And this is the first video of a few. I love you and I know you better than anyone else. Maybe not May, but still. The point is, I know when I'm gone you're going somehow flip the blame onto you. You've already started doing it since I told you and I hate it. This isn't your fault and it isn't mine. These things can happen and I'm so sorry, I'm so fucking sorry that it's happening to you. Because I know and have excepted that I'm going to the unknown but you, you have to live with this and you are so strong. You been through so much and you're still the best fucking person I know and I can't believe that had the privilege to know you let alone love you. You are everything that is good in the world rolled into this little package of adorableness and no matter how many punches you take, you always get up and laugh with people and make jokes and be the best human being to ever exist. So this first video is me telling you, don't blame yourself and move on. Because you deserve more than anybody can give you and I want you to be happy for the rest of your life," she was full on sobbing, looking extremely weird to passers by. "I need to go so then you don't know I did this because I cried my fucking eyes out," and once again the video stopped.

~

A loud bang followed by a frustrated scream was the first thing that filled the speakers. Peter had the camera on him, staring off at something out of shot with this dopey grin on his face. "You okay there?" He asked cautiously, hand running through his curls. Suddenly his grin was wider, rushed footsteps in the background, and he stumbled as if just pushed or hit by something. The camera lowered to show his girlfriend hugging him. "School fucking sucks," She looked at the phone, pouting slightly as she snatched it out of his hands. "That's mine," he laughed, hugging her from behind as she aimed the camera towards them, "Yeah I stole it. I was texting Ned on there 'cause mine's out of battery," the girl gave a small nod, moving her head to snuggled closer to his neck as he pecked her cheek.

Another bang was heard from elsewhere and Peter sighed, glancing behind him. "That's May. I've gotta go help her," one quick kiss to her forehead and he was gone and her smile slowly faded. "This isn't exactly how I planned to do this one but I'm gonna go with it. Hi again, this is the second one and I want to start again with I love you. I want you to do something for me. I know I live with my mum and I've rarely met the Avengers but I also know you deflect pain. Most of the time it's to helping people but when it's all too much, you get angry and you yell at people at random points 'cause you're bottling it up and I know that it's just going to be those heroes who get it. So I want you to, every time you want to scream and shout and blame someone for some small meaningless thing, I want you to tell them how you're feeling. I want you to talk about everything because as much as I love you, your dumb as fuck to not see how many people care for you and are willing to hear you out. I don't care if you don't want to burden anyone, okay? 'Cause you're not. They are there for you so be a man and talk about your feelings. I'm sure they'd prefer helping you than being at by you, okay? You're probably going to get back soon so I should go but, um, there's only one more to go and I love you,"  The camera shut off, her wobbly smile and tear stained cheeks being the last things to be seen.

~

The camera zoomed in on the intertwined fingers before going to the ridiculous amount of snacks and finally to the movie playing on the screen. Then it faced the side where Peter was shoving a hand full of popcorn into his mouth and trying not to choke when he saw the camera on him. He had a buzz-cut now, no doubt recently shaving his hair off. "It's movie night! Put it away!" The camera flipped to show his lovely girlfriend who now had no hair. And yet, she was still smiling and laughing despite things not exactly being okay. She then turned to get them both in the shot, a massive grin on her lips. "Look what this amazing human being did for me! How am I so lucky?" Peter snatched the phone, turning the video off. 

~

There was a lot of shouting in the background, laughter mixed in. the camera faced the cream ceiling, pieces of hair visible every now and then."You can't Peter! It's bad luck! Get out!" His laughter became muffled after the slam of a door and the camera finally showed the girl, no different to the time before except maybe slightly paler and she had a little bit of makeup on. She smiled brightly to the camera and moving over to some sort of desk to prop her phone up. "Ok, so no happy moment before this one because if you can't tell by the dress I'm wearing or the me just kicking you out my room, it's the non official wedding," Her hands went to the waistband of her white dress that ended at her knees and looked like something you'd wear to a prom. "You're a terrible husband if you don't remember that and I want a divorce," She let a breathy laugh leave her lips, placing her hands on her head. "In case you actually don't remember or there's someone else watching this, MJ did the ceremony, Ned walked me down the aisle and was best man and Harry was the maid of honour but he refused to wear the pink dress I got him because it didn't work with his eyes so he's got that blue dress that he's wearing. Right, this is the third and last one. I can't believe you set this up. I told you that I was so upset that I wouldn't spend the rest of my life with you and wouldn't get to have a wedding with you and you set this up because legally we can't get married so we're getting fake married. My mum and May are literally the only guests and they are getting flowers so I'm alone right now in my room until they get back and fuss over me," 

She sat down in the swivel chair, smile still present on her face. "Alright, this one is pretty much what I've been saying the last two videos except I'm actually saying it this time. I want you to look after yourself, okay? I don't want you doing anything stupid when I'm gone like getting yourself hurt overworking as Spiderman. Take a break, there are other heroes out there who are more than willing to help you if you can't do it. Move on, please. I know that it's going to be hard but I'm always going to be a part of your life, whether I'm there or not and you just have to accept that. Also, I know this probably won't help with the move on but can you check in with my mum every now and then. She's trying to act all strong but she's just like you and she's losing a daughter so just, keep her happy, for me? Please. Just be good to yourself  and move on. Ok this is the last one and I'm about to talk to my mum about sending you these when I'm gone so, I love you," And the camera stopped, catching the girl's broken expression rather than bright beautiful smile.

~

There was cheering, the video focus on Peter and his girlfriend kissing, whilst the few people around them clapped and cheered for the 'married' couple. Peter was lightly brushing away tears from her face when they pulled away, her doing the same to him. He suddenly smiled wide and picked her up bridal style, kissing her once more. "Ok Parker, you can stop kissing my little girl now!" Her mother shouted, Peter smiling sheepishly towards her but was soon brought into another kiss. When they pulled away, she stuck her tongue out to her mum before turning to Peter and pointing down the makeshift aisle. 

~

The lights were dim but the video was still clear. It was the two dancing, swaying to the slow song as Peter rested his chin on the top of her head. She was clearly crying as was Peter, the two looking like they were holding on for dear life. Sweet whispered 'I love you's were shared and then the video stopped.

~ 

Peter wiped at his eyes harshly. It was the third time watching them since... And he still sobbed his eyes dry. I mean, of course he did, it was his first love. He hadn't even told the Avengers, whenever they asked if he was going to bring her to another party or if they'd get to meet her again, he'd just walk out. Go try not to break down somewhere where no one could see him. But he felt okay watching this on the big screen in the living room of the compound because no one was home or at least that was what he thought. And to begin with, they weren't. Actually it was the time he took to set up linking his phone to the TV that they all walked in quietly. That they all saw everything on those videos. That they finally understood why he was holding back from missions or patrolling every night. Why he wasn't free for dinner every Wednesday because 'he and May had dinner with someone important'. Why he wasn't spending his entire day talking about you anymore. They had thought it had been a break up, like a really bad one but it wasn't. So Peter sat sobbing on the couch, the superheroes crying behind him, yet to make their presence known. Even Natasha and Bucky were crying.

"Hey kid," Tony finally managed to say, Peter jumping up and spinning round to see them all there. "Um, how long have you been... there?"Just from their faces he knew, trying to cover up the fact he'd been crying but Tony immediately held his hands out as if it would stop him. "Wanna talk about it?" He looked like he was going to say no but then his eyes met Tony's and he had launched himself at the man. "She's gone," He cried into the man's shoulder, holding on like he was a lifeline. 

"Y/N's gone,"

[tricktster]

i finally bought a new car, which required me to trade in my beloved old car. Now there was a lot that sucked about my old car, like, for example:

 the driver’s window seal leaked, so I had to hold a towel up to it whenever I went through the car wash or got caught in a thunderstorm, or in the alternative, appear places as my alter ego, Ol’ Wet Sleeve.

one day, for no discernible reason, the passenger door power lock made a metallic shriek for thirty minutes and then refused to ever work again

the windshield fluid reservoir was cracked, so I not only had to stop at every gas station to wipe the salt off my windshield all winter, but until the last of the fluid worked its way out of its system, every parking spot looked like my car had done a blue tinkle

something went terribly wrong with the anti-theft system which caused it to beep incessantly until the battery quite literally drained from the effort every time I locked my door and it was even mildly humid, culminating in the day its incessant wailing ruined a kishi bashi concert and then never deployed again

once there was a chipmunk on the windshield and I needed to get to work so I started the car and began driving VERY slowly in the hopes it would jump off, but it instead disappeared into a hole next to the wipers and I just had to hope it crawled out at work because i was late and surely that hole didn’t lead anywhere

the hole apparently led somewhere, and the chipmunk made a home somewhere under the hood

thereafter, the chipmunk, and I do not understand the mechanics here, figured out how to get into the cabin and left about 15 uneaten acorns, 30 partially eaten acorns, 100 acorn shells, and 1000 tiny poops on the floor

after i got the tires rotated last year, the right front wheel made an irreversible and humiliating squeaking noise whenever i went less than 50 miles an hour

it got stuck in very small amounts of snow with extreme, perverse regularity

there were inexplicable danger buttons on the steering wheel that made the automatic transmission turn into a manual - which I cannot drive. But don’t worry, they were incredibly easy to deploy accidentally and could only be fixed by turning the whole car off

the horn sounded like a clown nose

After five years without so much as a scrape, I told my mom about my intention to buy a better car and trade in the old one for a few thousand bucks. Approximately 17 hours thereafter, my mom accidentally backed into it with her car, leaving a huge dent and rendering the whole car worth literally dozens of dollars.

Three days later, my mom ran into it again, but this time with the rider mower. Although the rider mower cannot top five miles per hour, she claimed the collision was unavoidable because “the rider mower doesn’t have brakes!” although she was unable to explain how that prevented her from, you know, steering around the large stationary object. Also the rider mower has brakes. 

Now I know this all sounds very bad and dumb. However, there were three great things about my car that made up for all that nonsense:

1. it only had two seats. Examples of why this ruled:

 “oh, you guys need a ride somewhere? Oh sorrrrrry I caaaaaan’t, it’s a twooooo seater.”

 “you need help moving? SOOOOOORRRYYY I CAAAAAN’T FIT ANYTHING IN THERE AND I ONLYYYYY GOT TWO SEATSSS MANNNNN.”

“It’s my turn to be the DD? Sure, that only seems fa- OH SORRY CAN’T NOT EQUIPPED TWO SEATS IS THE THINGGGG.

2. because it was stupid small, I could go roughly 340 miles on about 20 dollars of gas (unless I pressed the red button that made it much less fuel efficient but made the engine noise go “vrmVOOM,” you know, to impress men)

Lastly, and most importantly:

3. the license plate that it was randomly assigned was absolutely incredible. Now I don’t want to get doxxed so this is a fake plate to protect my car’s identity, but it was, in essence, ORC-42069. It was fantasy creature + the funny numbers. It was so fucking choice. 

Anyway, I loved that stupid, selfish, garbage car, but it was time to let it go, on account of I Drive In Vermont And This Winter It Nearly Killed Me (On 3 Separate Occasions). So two weeks ago I agreed to trade in the Jerkmobile for, and this is no joke, ONE DOLLAR, I said goodbye to the funniest plates in automotive history, I put several thousand bucks down on a preowned car with only 8k miles and that sweet all wheel drive, and I settled in to wait for the NYSDMV to process the registration.

It took like fifteen days to get the registration settled, but because NYSDMV employees, like the rest of us, are dealing with a global pandemic, I wasn’t about to complain about the wait. And I like to think that my non-Karen energy reaped beautiful rewards. See, at the dealership this evening, I finally laid eyes on my brand new car. 

Look, I don’t believe in God. I have to remind myself sometimes that there’s nobody pulling the strings, that human beings tend to draw connections between unrelated points of data, that none of this MEANS anything. And yet, at the same time....

oh what intelligence

what divine providence

that my new randomly generated license plate should begin with a thrash metal band and end in 69.

[ambertea]

together

(read on AO3)

Day two of the Doctorrose Fic Marathon! Based on the prompt "holding hands".

“I want a job.” He announced one morning. Rose was hovering over a mirror as she lined her eyes with dark pencil. “I was thinking Torchwood.”

She stayed silent, her eyebrows furrowing as she rubbed at the mascara that had fallen under her eyes. His feet lead him to stand behind her, and he watched his nervous face reflected back at him.

“Is that okay?”

She nodded at herself in the mirror and straightened. “Talk to Pete.”

“Well, actually, I was thinking your department sounded more interesting.”

She turned and stared at him flatly.

“Tell me what my department does.”

“Alien…stuff.” He replied, rubbing at the back of his neck.

She brushed past him and his hands snatched at her wrists, quickly dropping them at the look on her face.

“Rose, please.”

Her eyes flicked to the clock behind him. “I’m running late.”

“Tomorrow, then?” He asked eagerly. She nodded.

“Tomorrow, yeah. Sure.”

The door banged behind her, and he collapsed onto the bed and let the silence taunt him once more.

It was nice, being stuck in one place, nice in a way that made his muscles tense and his fingers curl. The next-door neighbours always smiled at him when he put out the bins, and the girl at the coffee shop didn’t even ask for his order anymore, just thrust it at him with her usual dreary rage. The kids on the street all knew his name – well, one of his names – and called out to him to play football with them or help them with their homework.

Rose enjoyed it less. Everywhere she went, whispers followed. People eyed her nervously in the supermarket, would press themselves against the shelves as though she was an elephant thundering past, rather than a small human woman trying to buy milk.

Everyone he asked about it had just shrugged. Rose herself had ignored him entirely, but whether that was due to the question itself or just his presence was unclear.

He had spent three long years away from her, yet he had never missed her quite like this. She slept beside him—apparently, the only proof he had was slightly creased sheets and makeup stains on her pillows—and then would disappear with a cursory “Torchwood” thrown over her shoulder. Her phone, that was literally always in her hand, was apparently incapable of picking up his calls or answering texts, and his own only mocked him with read receipts.

He had thought she would understand this new him. He had changed his entire body before, and it was less than a day after that she had been holding his hand and snuggling into his side. It had been four months now, in this universe, four long and agonising months of sitting indoors and waiting for something to happen. Every time he looked at her, he hoped for some flood of recognition, a moment where she realised he was still him and so they ought to just get on with it.

Every day that passed brought less and less hope that that would ever happen.

“Wake up. Hey, wake up.”

He opened his eyes, blinking against the bleariness of sleep. A fan of blonde hair tickled the sides of his face, and brown eyes watched him blankly.

“Rose?”

“Come on.”

He sat up, stretching out his arms and working the kinks out of his back. The windows were dark, and the traffic outside was only loud, rather than its usual deafening. Rose folded her arms and stared down at him, and he fidgeted slightly under her gaze.

“What’s going on?”

“You wanted Torchwood. It’s time for Torchwood. Put these on,” she ordered, throwing some boots on the floor. “We need to go.”

“Right.” He said, limbs failing in his haste to stand. The room flickered with darkness for a second and he cursed stupid human blood pressure. “Where are we going?”

“Coast.”

“Which coast?” He asked, wrestling the boots onto his bare feet. Rose rolled her eyes and threw a jacket at him.

“The one next to the sea. Now come on, hurry up.”

He thrust his arms into the jacket and hurried after her retreating form. A blast of cold hair hit him like a bucket of cold water, and he wrapped his arms tightly around his sides as he shuffled forwards. Rose’s phone was at her ear, her voice hard as she barked out her instructions.

“Solomon street. Now.”

A green SUV whizzed round the corner, skidding to a stop perfectly in front of them. A young man stepped out, ginger and pale, and immediately saluted.

“Ma’am.”

“Thank you, Stewart. I’ll take it from here.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

The boy turned and marched down the street, picking his direction seemingly at random. Rose jumped into the drivers’ side and looked at him impatiently. He gawked at her through the window.

“What’s going on?”

“Later. C’mon.”

Her hands were white around the steering wheel, and he stared at them, feeling dread settle in his gut. The engine started up with a groan and he quickly ran around and jumped into the passenger side.

Before he could even reach for his seatbelt, the car lurched into action, and his head slapped into the headrest.

“Sorry,” Rose mumbled, her eyes not moving from the road as the speed only went up. He nodded frantically, quickly securing himself and then gripping tightly at the edges of the chair.

“Where are we going?” He asked, voice unnaturally high. For a moment, he thought he saw her mouth curve upwards, but within a second it was back to the same flat mask.

“Where do you think?” She scoffed. “Where else? Bad Wolf Bay.”

Their journey to Norway passed in heavy silences that were only occasionally broken by questions that Rose only ignored. He fiddled relentlessly with the cuffs of his shirt and tried to calm his stupid single heart, that pounded and screamed in his ears.

This, more than anything else, was what he hated about this world – he was never in control here, never understood what he should be doing, or what he should say. He never used to care about that stuff before. His life had always been spontaneous, he had prided himself on it in some sick, sad way, but all he could long for now was a sliver of certainty.

Was this how she would finally dump him? On the very beach they were headed towards, she had kissed him, and at the time it had felt like a hello. It seemed now it had been more of a goodbye. He had always known Rose, could always reliably understand what was going through her head at any given point. The woman he had been left with seemed like someone else entirely. A stranger, with the face of the woman he loved the most.

His whole species had died – all his family, all his friends. But this loneliness was far more insidious and hung heavily in the space between his bones.

“We’re here,” Rose said, and he startled. She jumped out of her seat and walked round to his door, flinging it open. He watched her eyes staring carefully at the space between his eyebrows. “Come on.”

“I don’t want to.”

“What, you think I’m going to drown you?”

“Well, I do now.”

She sighed. "I’m not. I promise you’re going to want to see this.”

He gazed at her, trying to understand what was behind the tense line of her mouth and her unwavering stare. Nothing revealed itself.

Unclipping his belt, he got out of the car and slammed the door behind him. Rose reached out, grabbed his hand, and pulled him towards the beach.

It was hushed, only the angry crash of the waves breaking the idyllic landscape. His eyes flickered towards where it happened – where the TARDIS had landed and stranded him in this world of mystifying social cues and angry faces.

Her hand was clasped around his own tightly, as though trying to stop him from running away, but that was the last thing on his mind. It had been so long since he had held her hand. It was as comforting as it was devastating.

“Before the stars started going out,” Rose whispered, her soft voice carrying through the wind. “I was working on a way to get back.”

“The dimension canon.”

“Yeah, but other things too. We dumped them all when the canon started working.”

Her face was sad, wistful even and he squeezed her hand tightly. She startled, looking up at him, and he was alarmed by the wetness of her eyes.

“And?”

“And I’ve been working on one of them. Since…since we came back.”

His heart had literally leapt into the back of his throat. It was the only plausible explanation for the lack of air, for the way his whole body was screaming at him to go, to get out now. He hung his head and kicked at the sand.

“This is where the walls are weakest. We made a sort of, um, portal. You can just step through, see.”

She reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone. With a tap of a key, a bright swirl opened around them, wind whipping around it angrily. He stepped back and pulled her with him.

“It’s not possible.”

“Same phone you gave me. Energy source from the original universe. Battery never runs out, so—”

“—so it has the power to send you back.” He finished darkly. She shook her head.

“No. Enough power to send you back.”

He thrust away from her hand and stared at her. She had tears running down her cheeks, and her eyes were wide and sad.

“No.”

“You’re not happy here.” She whispered, pulling on her earring.

“Neither are you.”

“No.” She agreed with a half-hearted chuckle.

“Rose,” he said desperately, clutching at her hands again, pressing his body as closely to hers as he could. “Rose, no. Please. I’m still the Doctor. I swear—the exact same man. I want to be here with you.”

Her hand came up and rested lightly on his cheek. He leaned into it, kissing her palm, greedily clutching at this small token of affection.

“I know,” she whispered. “Exact same man.”

“Yes! I’m him; I am exactly him—”

“The same man who left me on this beach.”

The wind from the portal settled. The sea calmed. Silence reigned.

“I stayed with you.”

“But left, as well.”

He was still clutching at her. His hands snaked around the back of her neck, pulling her forehead to his. Rose’s eyes were tightly shut. His were wide and searching.

“I don’t understand,” he whispered to her, and she only squeezed her eyes tighter, mascara leaking from her eyelashes.

“You left me, again. You didn’t even say goodbye. Why do you never say goodbye?”

“Rose—”

“I did everything I could do get back to you. Everything. Terrible things. But—” She opened her eyes and stared at him with open devastation. “You didn’t want me.”

“Of course, I did, I do.” he whispered. She ignored him.

“You just—left you here. To deal with me. To stop me trying to come back again, or whatever.” She cleared her throat and stepped out of his embrace and rubbed angrily at her eyes. “But it’s okay. I’ll stay here. I want you to be happy.”

“Rose, please.” He begged, voice breaking. He tried to grab her hand again, but she was stepping away from his embrace, arms wrapped tightly around herself. “I want to be with you. I told you, didn’t I?”

“You said you could spend your life with me.”

“Yes—yes—please. I want that. I swear I want that. He had to go; you know he had to. But I,” his face broke into a tiny, happy smile. “I got to stay.”

She stepped forwards cautiously, her hands shaking. He stayed as still as he could, resisting the urge to pull her tightly into his arms.

“You were dumped here too. You didn’t get a choice, either.” She whispered. He smiled and gently took her hand.

“I didn’t need a choice. My answer will always be you.”

She flung herself into his arms, and he clung to her desperately, nuzzling his face into her hair. Her hands were everywhere – along his back, down his arms, his neck. They clutched at his jaw and he pulled back, just a little, so he could take her in properly. There was still pain splashed across her face, but a cautious hope lit up her eyes.

“I love you.” He whispered. “Please let me.”

“Okay.” She whispered back.

She untangled herself from his embrace, and pulled out her phone, closing the portal as quickly as she’d opened it.

He offered out his hand, and she took it, a smile playing across her face.

“Together?”

“Together.” She nodded.

He pulled her away from the beach, feeling, for the first time in months, that they might just be okay.