#a black eye lasts what? a week? legal costs take a fucking long time and a lot of work to pay off. just saying

[fingertipsmp3]

People find out about shit I’ve put up with in the past and are like “how did you not punch this person omg” and I just need to explain one thing to you about me. I can store up things indefinitely if I have to. I am capable of rational thought in even the most insane of circumstances and if I decide it’ll be infinitely more satisfying to get back at someone at a later date when I’m more coherent than to yell at them now, by God I’ll do it

[ericspinkhair]

guys my age don’t know how to love me good

pairing: dom!juyeon x noona!reader

synopsis: lee juyeon is the only guy who makes sex worth it

word count: 3.1k

warnings: noona kink, mentions of toxic and abusive sex, deep throating, no mentions of protection (wrap it before you tap it), inexperienced/unsure reader

a/n: this is for @rolezeure + anon

requests are open!!

masterlist + requests

'y/n, I swear to god if you won't come to this party with me I will actually never talk to you ever again. you know what this is?' your best friend siyeon dramatically held up a pair of scissors. 'scissors, to cut our friendship.'

'but what am I supposed to even do there?' you scoffed. parties were stupid 'I don't know how to talk to people.'

'you don't need to talk, dumbass. you get drunk, grind on some hot dude and get laid.' siyeon rolled her eyes as she was so done with you.

'as if that is supposed to convince me to go. sex is completely overraded, my dude. it just hurts and the guys don't even care. as long as they get off on you it's fine.' you had not have had any positive experiences with sex. it usually hurt, the guys were rough and didn't really care if you were crying. there wasn't any pleasure you associated with it.

'that's cause you've been with only toxic men. but please, come with me! it's way too awkward to go alone and I need a hype woman. Sangyeon will be there. I cannot miss the opportunity to get with mr. dilf. have you seen him? he is sooo hot, y/n. I might never have another opportunity like this. and I need a lot of alcohol in my system first before I can initiate something,' she whined. she gave you the best puppy eyes she could to make you give in.

you knew your friend had been eyeing sangyeon for weeks. siyeon had tripped the first time she saw him and had to wipe away the drool from her chin. she then memorized his schedule and you would always have to watch him from afar. however, she could not utter a single comprehensible sentence without alcohol if she was nervous but when she was drunk she was the most sociable and flirty person and always got with whom she wanted.

sangyeon was usually never to be found at parties but this particular one was for his friend's birthday so siyeon knew he would show up. who knows if she would ever see him again, after all, he had just graduated from college and would be leaving campus. this was her last opportunity. you sighed.

'fine,' you finally gave in. she squealed and hugged you so tightly that you had trouble breathing.

'omg, I love you so much, y/n! you're a lifesaver. I owe you big big time.'

'you certainly do.'

you tried to convince yourself that maybe a party was just what you needed. finals were finally over and you were on your well deserved break before you started your last year of college.

a week later, the two of you took a cab to the party location. you arrived at a huge mansion that must have cost a huge ton of money. it felt like thousands of people were there, getting drunk and going skinny dipping in the gigantic pool. you recognized some of the people. you didn't really know them but you often saw them walk around on campus.

when you entered the house some dudes whistled at you. ew. you definitely had to get a drink to be able to stand all these gross men lurking around here. at least you had your pepper spray with you. better safe than sorry.

siyeon and you found the bar and immediately downed a couple of shots. the alcohol burned in your throat as you drank one after the other. your friend needed the effects alcohol brings with it quickly.

'have you found him already?' you scream over the music at siyeon.

'no, he's nowhere to be seen… maybe he's not here at all' she was pouting.

I grabbed her by the arm. 'come on. let's go search for him somewhere else. hmm, maybe he's outside?' you dragged her through the mass of people. she was gonna get laid tonight, you were gonna make sure of it.

the backyard was just as crowded but at least you got some fresh air. a lot of people were grinding on each and making out in the pool and hot tub.

'oh my god, oh my god, oh my god. he's there!' siyeon whisper shouted at you.

'where?' you couldn't find him in the crowd.

'over there next to the huge ass plant. he's standing next to jacob.' ah, you saw him. him and jacob were engaged in a deep conversation and occasionally sipped on their drinks.

siyeon just grabbed a drink out of a passing person's hand, ignore the complains and drank it all in one go.

'I need more.' so you went to get more alcohol before you could convince her that now was the time.

'how do I look? is my makeup smudged? do I look enough like 'daddy, I've been a good girl. pls choke me?' she kept on trying to flatten her hair hastily.

'you look absolutely gorgeous, girl. go get him, tiger.' she did look stunning. the red lipstick matched with her bold red dress. it was short and showed a lot of cleavage. her beautiful curves were perfectly highlighted and if sangyeon didn't drool over her then you would seriously have to buy him new eyes.

you high-fived each other and then she went to go on her mission.

you watched how he scanned her up and down, taking in her beauty, when she approached him and then smiled brightly. she touched his muscular arms as he said something that made her laugh. he seemed to be enjoying her company jacob, who had understood what was going on, had joined his other friends kevin and eric on the dance floor inside.

'who are we spying on?' someone whispered in your ear, making you jump and almost spill your drink. rude.

'oh, seeing if my best friend's gonna get laid tonight like she'd hoped to. seems positive so far.' the guy who had come up to you nodded interested. you had no idea who he was but you didn't exactly mind his company. he was a handsome fellow, with a face sculpted by the gods. his dark blue hair made him stand out even more.

'so what are you gonna do if she leaves with him? are you just going to leave?' he asked.

you shrugged your shoulders. 'probably. she's the only reason I came to this god awful party.'

'oh, you don't like it?' he raised his eyebrows.

'no, it's too full, it's too loud and I'm bored. who even is this guy who threw this party. I actually have no idea who he is,' you complained about everything. he seemed to become more amused as you went on.

'then allow me to introduce myself. hey, my name is juyeon.' he held out his hand.

'what does that have to do with- oh my god this is YOUR party!' you realized in shock. your face was burning with embarrassment. but he didn't seem to mind at all and just laughed light heartedly.

'yeah, I'm sorry you don't like it. if you like I could take you somewhere quieter with less people.' oh dude, he was flirting. why? you did look hot as fuck in your short black dress but you had literally just insulted his party.

'I'm sorry I'm not really up for sex or whatever it is you're offering.' you scratched your neck awkwardly. you wouldn't mind if he visited you in your dreams sometimes tho to have a good time.

'that's too bad. I was hoping I could make you feel good.' he brushed a finger over your cheek.

'I doubt you could. no one ever has.' he snorted at that.

'how old even are you?' you asked him.

'19, you don't have to worry. I'm a legal adult. you?' 'almost 21.'

'ooh, that's fun! are you sure you don't want to spend some private time with me, noona?' that was fucking unfair. he was using this noona thing to get you to give in. he knew exactly what he was doing and you could feel yourself getting aroused.

'I just don't think sex is right for me. it just hurts and doesn't do anything to make me feel good,' you explained to him.

'seems like you've only been with douchebags. I have a 100% rate of making women come. you should try and see for yourself, noona.' his lustful gaze stared deep into your soul, making your legs wobbly.

it seemed so tempting. he was super hot and couldn't help but notice the outline of his abs on his shirt. the alcohol was also encouraging you to make some bad decisions and step out of your comfort zone. this man somehow made you super horny with his toned body and god like face, whether you liked it or not. you caught yourself seriously considering going with him.

'here's a proposal. I give you head and if you're not satisfied with my services we can just stop there.' he leaned down and whispered in my ear. 'I would love to hear you scream my name, noona.'

his offer actually didn't sound too bad. juyeon might just be more skilled than the rest of the men you had slept with, who knew. you didn't have anything better to do anyways so you might as well see if he can make you feel good.

'where do we go?' you finally asked after staying silent to keep a suspenseful silence. his eyes lit up and he grabbed your hand. he led you back inside, up the stairs and into the room on the far right.

you could see posters of football player, trophies and pictures. this was obviously his room.

you didn't have much time to look around as he locked the door and kissed you

you were surprised by just how not slimy it was. usually, the guys would always try to wet your whole face and you had to wipe your mouth every other second.

but he started off soft and placed his hands on your hips. you put your arms around his neck to get closer to him and deepen the kiss.

his hands started roaming your body and when he squeezed your ass, you let out a moan. juyeon took this opportunity to slip his tongue inside your open mouth.

the kissing made you dizzy and you desperately tugged at him to get him closer to you. he picked you up and held you up against the wall. you let your hands wander under his shirt and started tracing his abs while grinding your core against him. you could feel his dick harden with your movements.

juyeon carried you to the bed and slowly let you down so you laid on your back. while he quickly took off his shirt you tried to catch your breath after the intense make out. you didn't have long to admire his muscular upper body before he lifted the dress so you were only there in your underwear.

he startes placing open mouth kiss from your collar bones, to your boobs, to your stomach until he reached the hem of your panties. he made sure to keep eye contact as he put the fabric between his teeth and slowly pulled them down like this. you felt cold air hitting your core.

'so pretty, noona,' he admired your clearly dripping pussy. he dragged one finger over your lips to see just how wet you were.

'I haven't even touched you yet but you are already so wet for me. I told you I'd make you feel good. I'll show you just how much, noona.' and with that he dove right in between your lips to prove his point. the feeling of his tongue fucking you was unfamiliar. no guy had ever even cared to get you wet and pleasure you before actually having sex.

Juyeon was desperately devouring your juices as if he hadn't drunk for ages. additionally he started massaging your clit with his thumb, knowing exactly what a woman likes. he had to hold down your hips to keep you stable because you were trying to buck up into his face as it felt so good. every time his nose came into contact with your clit while licking you felt like you were losing control.

involuntary moans were spilling out of your mouth and you could feel juyeon smirking against your core.

suddenly, he slipped a finger inside you and started slowly pumping it in and out of you. it felt a bit uncomfortable at first but you got used to it quite quickly and when he noticed, he slipped a second finger inside. damn, those were some long ass fingers.

your pussy made squelching sounds which you couldn't care less about in the moment as he rapidly fucked you with his long digits. you were pulling at his hair as he took your bud between his teeth, alternating between softly biting and sucking on it.

you suddenly couldn't take it anymore and your orgasm washed over your body like a wave and juyeon slowly continued until you had fully come down from your high.

he sat up straight again. 'I promised I could make you feel good, didn't I? god, you look so hot when you come, noona.' fuck, where did he learn to do all this? maybe he was right after all.

you noticed that his nose was coated in your juices but he didn't seem to care at all. 'do you want to continue?'

'only if you can make me come again,' you challenged him.

he scoffed. 'that's not even a question, noona.'

he quickly unbuckled his belt and pulled down his pants. the shape of his bulge was clearly visible through his underwear. you reached inside and whipped out his already hard dick. you gulped.

'it's so big,' you whispered afraid. he was bigger than the other guys you had slept with and if they had already hurt you then his cock would probably hurt even worse.

he stroked your hair out of your face. 'don't worry. I've already prepared well so you should be able to take it without a problem. I'll make sure to go slow to not hurt you, okay?' you needed to trust him. it seemed like he actually knew what he was doing.

you gave his dick a couple of strokes to see how he reacted before you wrapped your lips around his leaking tip. seeing juyeon throw his head back gave you the encouragement you desperately needed to go forward.

you took him all the way until you started gagging. this was something you were good at. you started deep throating him and he moaned out your name.

'fuck, noona. you are so good with my cock.' he brushed your hair to the side so you it wouldn't be in the way when you sucked him off.

you noticed that he tried to control himself but couldn't refrain himself from bucking up his hips a few times, making you gag.

he then stopped you. 'I can't come yet. I need to show you how proper sex is done first.'

you laid down on your back and he positioned himself between your legs. he pressed your arms down next to your head and intertwined his fingers with yours.

'are you ready?' you gave him a nod.

'just squeeze my hand if it hurts.'

he slowly pushed his tip inside. you shut your eyes tightly and juyeon stopped to give you time.

'no, no. go all the way in first,' you whined.

his dick filled your walls up to the brim. you tried to calm down your heavy breathing. you squeezed his hands in pain and he held still. juyeon placed a kiss on your mouth.

'you're doing so well, noona.', he praised you. 'just tell me when you feel ready to go.'

it did hurt but not quite as much as the other times. and no one had ever waited for you to actually adjust before beginning to pound into you.

juyeon distracted you with kisses and as you started getting more comfortable you slowly started moving your hips against him. you gave him a slight nod to tell him he could continue.

he still started off with a moderate tempo and you needed more.

'faster!' you urged him and he picked up the pace. the way he snapped his hips made you see stars.

the pain was now completely gone and you were lost in your own pleasure.

when he started  thrusting into you from behind, he hit spots inside you you had never felt before. the new position allowed him to go even deeper and faster than before.

you moaned surprised as he spanked you.

'you like this, noona?' you could only groan out his name to show him how you felt.

the knot in your stomach became tighter and tighter.

'I think I'm coming!' you manage to get out.

'come for me, noona!' with that he went into overdrive and fucked into you like a machine.

your arms gave in as your walls clenched around his huge cock tightly and you came hard while screaming his name.

he rode out your orgasm and then pulled out. he stroke his dick fast and shot his big load on your butt and back.

he lay down next to you exhausted. his fingers wiped away the tears of pleasure you didn't know you had cried.

'did I make you feel good, noona?' 'more than just good,' you admitted satisfied.

'I guess guys my age just don't know how to treat me.' he hummed in agreement.

'that makes no sense. you are absolutely gorgeous. they missed out on the opportunity to see your beautiful face when you come.' this was weird. he was still nice to you even after he already came. what was this?

'thank you for making my birthday wish come true,' he said. 'huh, what do you mean?' you questioned him.

'actually, I've noticed you on campus before but I was always too shy to talk to you.' 'oh really?' you laughed sceptically.

'yeah, I wanted to ask you on a date first but it seems like we skipped a couple of steps.' he was blushing. gosh, he was kind of adorable.

'I mean we could still go on those dates if you'd like, birthday boy.' strangely enough you felt like you could trust him and kind of wanted to get to know juyeon as a person.

'awesome,' he smiled at you before he pecked your lips and went to clean you both up.

you had completely forgotten about siyeon. hopefully, her night had been just as satisfying as yours had been.

[necros-writing-stuff]

Could we get wedding HC's with Bailey, Eden and Mason? The sort of ceremony they have, where it is, how intimate it would be, how they wreck PC's insides on their wedding night, the sort of langire they'd like to see their spouse in, who's invited, who's NOT invited, what kind of honeymoon they'd have, how long would it be, etc 😇

I know jack shit about dresses and fancy clothes

NSFW below

Bailey

There's a prenup. No chance in hell they're giving you even the slightest chance of running off with their money in a divorce.

Your idea, and it'll take a long while to get that yes.

Would prefer for you to grab a witness and just elope at the town hall, but you have to make it difficult and want a ceremony.

It's expensive, you know? Flowers alone can cost several thousand.

Whos gonna give you away? Doren? Your English teacher? Well alright then.

Let's you plan, and by letting I mean hovers over your shoulder and makes constant comments that what you're doing is wrong.

Pulls in every favour to cheapen prices.

Expensive ass showy rings, though. The best of the best.

Classic black tux for masc Bailey. Nothing too fancy or boring. He hates how he looks in all white, reminds him of those shitty Vagas weddings you see.

Short sleeved, open back white dress for fem Bailey. Shows off her tattoos nicely.

If you're making a big show out of it, then may as well use it as a publicity stunt.

The orphanage is there - and they're all on their best behaviour. Smile and wave at the lovely people, maybe you'll attract customers so Bailey can make their money back.

Quinn is there, too. Maybe the local news paper. There's a lot of people you don't recognise but Bailey says they're important.

Hires security. Probably knows about people like Whitney or Kylar that might gate-crash and won't let them in.

Acts perfectly charming and like they're enjoying themselves the whole time. They might be enjoying themselves, actually, that smile looks real.

Chokes a little seeing you walk up the isle/walking up themselves. Has to clear their throat and blink a few times to regain composure.

Uses the ready-made vows. Not about to be vulnerable in front of an audience.

Surprisingly soft when they kiss you.

Okay so this is fun. It's a break from work, there's tons of free gifts, you look amazing and the cake is delicious.

The honeymoon has to be short, Bailey can't leave the brats for too long.

A trip out of town, a week or so away with just the two of you. Maybe a spa, with couples massages and hot tubs. And wine.

Regardless of your gender, Bailey wants you in lingere. Wants to unwrap you like a present, watch how the material bunches in their hands as they slide it from your skin.

Will spend so long fingerings you into overstimilation, having you lie across their lap and drool into the bedsheets while they talk dirty in your ear.

Eden

You're already married, what are you talking about?

Oh you mean legally. Right.

Doesn't see the need. Hates that much attention on themselves, doesn't want to be in town, doesn't want anyone at the cabin, doesn't need a piece of paper to say they love you.

Might give into a small ceremony, by the lake, just you, the officiate, and a witness.

But Eden chooses them both, control freak that they are.

Reluctantly goes shopping with you to find your clothes. Does not believe in silly things like not seeing the bride in the dress, so will show you which ones they like and ask you to try them on/watch them do so.

A little self conclusion being dressed up. Would prefer to do it in their own clothes, if only you'd let them.

Gets handsy in the changing room.

Or helps you handmake a dress.

Gathering wild flowers for the bouquet and to add to your hair or theirs.

The day comes and the witness turns out to be Bailey. You ask about it and they'll just shrug and say "Don't really know anyone else."

File away into things to investigate later.

Prepared their own vows actually. They stumble through them, eyes flickering to the ground but it's heartfelt and real. You may end up crying.

Very harsh, possessive kiss. Lasts only a few seconds though, there's people watching.

Thanks Bailey and the officiate before sending them off with the signed papers.

Honeymoons are difficult to have when you live in the forest. Maybe Bailey hooks the two of you up with a hotel, for a price, a chance to relax. A chance to eat so much.

Eden is going to abuse that room service.

Meal after meal they don't have to prepare? And you don't, so they can fuck you till it arrives? This is amazing.

Now picture Eden in one of those massive robes, lounging in a comfy bed, satisfied smile on their face from having a full gut and their spouse at their side.

Does the tearing the garter off with their teeth thing if you're wearing it. Immediately goes down on you when it's off.

Breeding kink turns up to 1000%.

Getting Eden a ring that has a matt black texture to the metal so that light is less likely to reflect from it and spook their prey.

Mason

Oh look a normal person.

Proposes to you, very flustered and scared you'll say no.

Plans the proposal out, has a lovely dinner, takes you for a walk, does it in front of a view.

Cries and hugs you tight when you say yes.

Planning together, going on food testing days, touring venues, finding your perfect rings. Not too expensive, but still pretty.

Tells you all about their family, gossiping about who does what and where to sit people.

Warns you about certain relatives being rather traditional, so if anyone asks you're both virgins.

Even if Mason has ruined you pretty much every day since you've moved in.

Is curious about who you'll invite. Who's going to give you away?

Having to deal with Bailey seems like a bad idea if you need someone to give you away, you should probably choose someone else. Sam? Sam could work. Maybe Darryl, even Charlie.

Leighton is not invited. Whitney is banned. Robin can come. Kylar is also banned.

Doren will be there, maybe River, maybe Winter. Doren is the only one that looks genuinely happy to be there out of the three.

Modest dress for you/them. Again, it's the traditional thing. But it's beautiful all the same.

Won't see you the night before the wedding, but will sit on call with you all night even if their bachelor/hen party tries to pull them away.

Refuses to go to a strip club, goes to a fancy restaurant instead for the bachelor/hen party. Or maybe even laser tag.

Also prepares their own vows. Cries when you/they walk down the Isle.

The kiss is long and accompanied with a bone crushing hug.

A proper honeymoon, takes you someone tropical!

Swimming in the ocean together! Even going scuba diving or in shark cages! Going to theme parks, tanning on the beach. Possibly going to a nude beach, you're in a foreign country, no one would know.

So shy when you both strip out of your clothes on the first night, like it's the very first time again.

Tells you they love you every five seconds, bangs you on every surface, can't walk properly the next day.

You in lingere will send Mason nuts. Especially if you give them a lap dance, they won't be able to stay still.

Also intent on indulging their breeding kink.

[daim1812]

Unknown Number (Levi Ackerman x Reader)

Warnings: 18+, High School Reader, Reader's at legal age, Creampie, Shower Sex, Degradation (faintly), Perv! Levi, slight spanking and out-of-the-blue sex.

One Shot: 18+, One night stand (kind of)

Guides:

(Y/N) - Your name

(L/N) - Last name

(H/C) - Hair color

'Ring, ring, ring, ring!'

My eyes open delicately, getting used to the little light coming through the curtains. I stretch out on the bed, the sheets running over my body as I don't stop stretching my muscles. I make little sounds and then I sit on the bed. I look at the nightstand on the left side of my bed and notice my phone. I turn off the alarm that keeps ringing and check the time.

7:48 AM

My eyes widen rudely and I bolt out of bed. Soon I find myself in the bathroom, undressing and throwing myself into the water, taking a quick shower. I get out of the bathroom and soon start dressing.

I put on my underwear, my shorts, my black skirt and my white polo shirt. I decorate my feet with white stockings with blue lines at the top which reach my knees. I put on my black school shoes and run to the living room, grab my black jacket (uniform combination) and go back to the room to get my keys and backpack.

I walk to the door and after opening and locking it, I start running to school while I put my backpack on my shoulders.

8:10 AM

I'm a little late for school, but it was all worth it. The bell had already rung and everyone was going to their respective rooms. I run to my classroom and enter carefully, noticing that I had arrived early since there were still people missing from the class.

I sit in one of the chairs at the front and take out a folder, a pencil, and some notes.

There was an important exam that day. This exam would keep my grade for the year and no other exam this professor gave us was worth more than that exam. I had spent all that week studying like crazy so I could learn that test. My friends had spent some days with me studying, but then they decided to do it on their own, so I decided to continue with my studies.

The night before I had been feeling quite nervous to the point where I could no longer sleep. I finished studying and decided to go to sleep. I was able to fall asleep very late, so late that it was almost dawn.

I sigh nervously when the teacher comes to class. After he came in, he passed out his good morning and began handing in the exam. As soon as he gives me the test, my mind freezes and my hands immediately start to sweat, but I don't let it get me nervous.

I started to take the exam and later I could already remember some things that I had studied and read about 20 times in a row.

As I was about to finish the exam, only 5 questions unanswered, my phone started ringing. I took it cautiously so that the teacher or someone would not see me. I looked at the screen and frowned.

Unknown number

I put it back in my pocket and continued with the exam. I was almost done, two more questions so I could finish the exam, turn it in, and then leave the classroom. But my luck was so horrible that the stranger didn't seem to understand the concept of ignoring a call.

Unknown number

3 missed calls

I was getting quite annoyed so when he called again I answered, leaning my body to the side and letting my voice come out in a whisper.

"Hello?"

"Why did you do it, Petra?"

A male voice tasted my right ear and my insides wanted to know more about that voice so deep and strong.

I swallowed hard and whispered again, looking sideways and noticing that my partner on the right side was watching me curiously. I smiled at him and returned my attention to the call.

"I think you have the wrong number. Please don't call again."

I was about to hang up when the male voice spoke.

"Why the hell do you have Petra's phone number? Who are you?"

I was offended and upset. I looked at the cell phone and when I was planning to respond with an insult, someone takes the phone from me, making my face become a total poem, my body freeze in a strange pose and my heart pound strongly on my chest.

"Miss (L / N), you have 0% on the exam. Now, go to the principal's office; we will see if there you answer the phone on his face. Get out of my class now." And he hung up the call.

Perplexed, furious, stunned, my blood boiling, I grabbed my backpack and my phone which the teacher had left on my desk.

With an immense urge to cry, a lump in my throat, with an internal shame, I walk out of the room to the office to sit there waiting for a lecture that would leave me wanting to jump off a bridge.

I arrive at the office and no one is there, not even the secretary was there. After a few minutes standing in front of the secretary's desk, she arrives with some papers. She smiles at me and I explain why I'm there. She shakes her head disapprovingly and tells me to sit in one of the chairs near the desk.

I do what she tells me and soon I see her disappear from my sight.

I have tears accumulated in my eyes and I only screech when I realize that I had screwed up my semester just because of some stupid who wanted to annoy me at that very moment. This was all the fault of that idiot behind the phone.

I bite my lip furiously and grab my phone, unlock it, and look up the number I don't know, dial it, and wait for them to answer.

After a few long minutes, I hear the male voice answering my call.

"You are a fucking asshole, did you know that?"

I come out with the first thing that comes out of my mind, fury and rage blocking my reason and my thoughts.

"And who the hell do you think you are to talk to me like that, brat?" I hear him growl and it makes me angrier than I am.

"BECAUSE OF YOUR FUCKING FAULT I JUST FAILED MY SEMESTER! COULDN'T YOU GO FUCK SOMEONE ELSE'S LIVES?" I was screaming like a fool in the office, my tears starting to come out of my eyes. I notice that I scream and lower my voice so as not to attract attention.

"Tsk. That is not my problem, little girl. If YOU had studied and if YOU had not answered the call, none of that would have happened. Therefore, it is your fault. Irresponsible." I let out a frustrated sigh and dry my tears.

"Was I the one who called like 20 times? You are an idiot, an egocentric, a real piece of shit." And with that said I ended the call.

I cry like a fool, phone in hand. I hear my phone ring again and this time I curse out loud. I respond quickly with a lot of anger.

"WHAT?!"

"Curse me again, little girl, and I swear, I'll break you in two and not in a very cute way. What's your name, brat?” His voice lowers a bit in tone and I can tell that he is talking a little bored about the situation. I look sideways and lower my head, looking at my uniform.

"And what does that matter to you?"

"Brat... don't answer a question with another question. Answer the damn question. What's your fucking name?" He raises his voice a little and I stay silent.

“(Y / N)..." I whisper, but I know he heard me.

"Good. I'm Levi." He introduces himself in a short form.

"Nice to meet you..." I continued whispering.

"Anyway... what private school do you go to?" He asks and I frown.

"It’s a public school."

"For a girl very demanding of her grades, I am surprised that you’re not from a private school." He arrogantly says, making me angry again.

"Do you think public school students have no goals? We have more dreams than private school students could have. I imagine you say that because you were in a private school. I also imagine that because you were in a private school, you are a huge jerk . " My subconscious gives me a high-five and I gladly crash them. This is how it is done.

He huffs against the earpiece and then sighs.

"Do you want to play, little girl? Because I do I love to play. Fucking the lives of people who challenge me is my favorite pastime." His voice changes a bit in tone, being authoritative and mocking, but at this point I couldn't tell much.

"Moron." I whisper as low as possible, but he hears me. Still, he ignores what I said to go back to his question.

"What school do you go to?"

"None that you care about." My subconscious drops the popcorn and smiles wide, loving my responses.

"(Y / N), you are giving me a headache. Tell me where the hell is your school." He growls, and this time I bite my lip, something inside me liking that growl. I look at the floor and hear the sound of heels hitting the ground, announcing that someone was coming down the hall from the office.

I look at the phone and when I see the secretary lean in, I quickly hang up the call, lower the volume and put it on silence.

I look at the secretary whose name is Felicia and she tells me that I can go to the director now. I rolled my eyes for me and sighed, thanking the secretary and then headed for the principal's office.

After giving me a lecture and a half of all the bad things I have done, he lets me leave school, since many of my teachers had been absent.

As I'm on my way home, I can't stop thinking about the idiot that cost me my semester. Tomorrow I had planned to go to the teacher to see if he would give me the opportunity to make up the exam even if he took away some points. I would tell him what had happened and pray to God that this teacher had the decency to help me.

I get home and throw my backpack on the couch in the living room. I lived alone, but my parents helped pay for the apartment while I kept studying at that school. Sighing, I decide to just sit on the couch and put on a series that I had been watching in the previous week.

I spent most of the day watching the show, until I heard my stomach growling while just laying on the couch. So I started to prepare some food that I had in my kitchen.

After I finished, I sat back on the couch, ate something, and then, realizing that it was late, packed everything up, put the plate in the sink, and went to my room. I bathed, changed, checked the notebooks, and then went to sleep.

When I closed my eyes, the first thing that came to my mind was my semester all destroyed and the male voice that ruined everything.

I curse out loud and knock all of that out of my brain. My subconscious is moving its head from side to side, shaking its head as it makes all trace of what had happened in the day disappear.

Minutes later I had already fallen to sleep with my pillow on one side, sleeping to wait for tomorrow.

===============

I got to school early, walking down the hallways to get to my first classroom. I enter the classroom and meet the teacher who had thrown me out. I say good morning to him and he does not hesitate to say something to me.

He starts class and I don't stop paying attention at all times. At the end of the class, I go to the teacher and explain what happened. With a great and beautiful miracle from heaven, the teacher understood. He told me to come the next day so that I can take the test again. I left the classroom happy and headed to my next classes.

Coming out of my third class, going to recess, I decided to go out of my way to go to my friends to go to the bathroom. When I was going to go in, I trip over someone and my phone, which I had in hand rummaging through my music, falls to the floor. I almost scream when I see it on the ground and I feel like dying. I squat down and pick it up, looking at it to see if something had happened to it. This starts to boil my blood and I stand up again, looking at the person to whom knocked down my phone. I looked at the person and noticed his features. He had totally gray eyes, dark and full of many problems. I could notice it. His hair covered his forehead a little and it was jet black. He was a little short, more or less my height. I feel self-conscious, like he's intimidating me; I feel attracted to this. My cheeks turn a little red, but it quickly fades.

"Can't you see where you're walking, brat? Tsk. Reckless." I was going to continue walking, but I whispered, making him stop and turn around. "What did you say?"

"Don't you have ears?" I faced him, now speaking a little loud.

"Come and say it to my face.” He leaned closer to me a little, challenging me. I frowned, this attitude reminding me a bit of the idiot on the phone. I shake my head a bit and face him.

"That you are a fool.” I looked up at the man in front of me and he raised an eyebrow.

"And you are a very irritating brat ..." he leans a little closer to me and grabs my nape, closing the distance between us. He brought his lips close to my ear and with an extremely sensual voice, he whispered. "... (Y / N).”

He walked away.

With a mischievous smile that then turned into a fine line on his lips, indicating that he was in a bad mood, he disappeared from my sight.

I was puzzled by what happened. I came out of my trance and went into the bathroom. I did what I had to do and then I went with my friends. I wasn't paying much attention to what my friend and best friends were saying, I was only thinking about the gray-eyed man. In this Levi.

When classes were over, I went home, stopping somewhere to buy some food. I didn't feel like doing anything to eat so I bought myself some Chinese food and then went home. I breathed a little sigh when I got to the apartment, I wanted to get there to eat and then go to work at 6 in the afternoon, at the cafe on the corner.

As I got to the front of my apartment door, I realized that there was a silhouette in front of my door. I frowned and moved closer; noticing the short boy's hair, I rolled my eyes, passing by his side and pulling out the key.

"Are you following me, inept?" I look at him, as I feel his gaze on my body. He doesn't show any emotion and he just flinches at me.

"Did the cat bite your tongue, you idiot?" I said again, smiling sarcastically. He didn't respond and I was already starting to get a little irritated. I opened the door and stepped inside. I was going to close the door, but Levi's hand stops me. I look at him and mumble. "Want something?"

"Let me make it up to you for missing this semester." Finally he said, a dry and serious tone. He gave me a little chill down my spine, but I shook it off fast.

"I don't even know you."

"We can change that." He pushed open my door and stepped inside, ignoring my screams. I rolled my eyes again and closed the door. I saw him looking at my apartment, touching everything and watching it carefully.

"This is filthy dirty. How can you live here? Disgusting." He pouted his lips and the blood went straight to my head. I calmed down and went to the kitchen.

"So... Levi, right?" I grabbed a plate and served the food to myself. My subconscious kicks me a little and I curse. "You want...?" I offer him. He walks over to the kitchen and looks at the food. Then he looked at me seriously and nodded. I smiled at him, for the first time, and served the food for him. I took it to the table and put some bottled water for him, a crystal glass next to the bottle.

"And... how do you plan to reward me?" I look into his gray eyes and for a moment I lose myself in it. My cheeks turn crimson and I have to look at my plate to relax. My subconscious doesn't seem to like my behavior very much and makes me understand that I don't know him.

"I'll talk to the teacher about the situation.” He said curtly, just eating some of what I served him. I bite my lip a little and look at him. Fine lips, perfect for kissing. An upturned nose, made to measure. His gray eyes and small dark circles under his eyes, a symbol that he was not sleeping well. I felt a little bad and curiosity wanted to win me in this, but I did not let it.

"I already spoke to him. Don't worry."

"Don't address me informally.” He said quite cold and cutting, causing me to squirm in my chair a bit, feeling that what he had said was wrong.

“I’m sorry..."

"What did the Professor said to you?" He asked after a great silence between us.

"That tomorrow he would give me the opportunity to make up the exam. At least he understood that an unknown idiot made me fail the class." I look at him, not caring about the labels or anything.

He watches me calmly, serenely, boredom included. It seemed like he didn't want to be there.

"Call me idiot again and I won't answer, brat." He murmured and went back to eating, ignoring my gaze on his body. He had some buttons undone and you could see his abs a bit. I died internally and my subconscious had to fan itself with their hand.

"Okay. Also," he looks me in the eye irritably. "Could you leave before 5:20 PM? I have to work."

"Where do you work?"

"In a coffee shop on the corner. They pay good so I stayed there. Besides, I need the money." I add with a nod, picking up the chicken and putting it in my mouth, giving some liking to my palate.

"How much do you get paid per hour?" Levi is looking at me now, his eyes never stop piercing my white polo from school. I hadn't even had a chance to change my clothes.

"$5.25 an hour. It's quite a lot for me. Not much though. I only work 5 hours, plus tips from clients, which isn't much either. But I like the place; it's quiet and has a Christmas scent most of the time. That's something I love a lot. " I smile and he doesn't stop looking at my smile. I notice it and I can't stop shifting in my chair.

"How old are you?" I look at him with some food in my mouth; he's waiting for me to delight the chicken. I swallow easily and press a lock of my hair behind my ear.

"18." I muttered, going back to eating some more of the chicken, which was actually yummy.

"I see." He stops eating and grabs the crystal glass in a very strange way. He picks it up and drinks from over the glass. I feel lost in the way he holds the glass. When finished, he puts it back where it was and watches me. "You smell.”

"What...?" I whisper incredulous. Did he just...?

"You smell. Take a shower. " His back touches the back of the chair and his gaze infuses mine.

"WHAT?!" My cheeks turn red with rage and I have to restrain myself from getting up from the chair and punching him in the very beautiful face that he has. "WELL, IF YOU WERE NOT ROAMING AROUND LIKE A SEXUAL HARASSER, I WOULD HAVE ALREADY BATHED! Now, get out of my house!" I yelled at him, lifting myself out of the chair and walking to my room in a fury. I don't hear him speak or mutter anything, so I deduce that he was gone. I closed the bathroom door and took off all my clothes, the school uniform, leaving it in a place away from the water. I step into the bathroom and sigh, thinking about how long the day had been. I sigh again when the water passes through my body slowly, filling me with joy. I let the water wash away all my worries, my despair, my crazy starts and I let myself be carried away by the sound of water falling to the ground. I let go of my (H / C) locks and put my head in the water, the water sliding all over my body. I lather up slowly, loving every second and minute that I spent in the shower.

Suddenly I feel a hand surround my waist and another hand position itself in my mouth, so that no sound comes out. A silent scream comes out of me and I feel myself dying in the arms of a stranger.

"Take it easy." The cold, emotionless voice calms me down a bit, noticing whose he was. He lets his hand escape my mouth and positions it on my waist. I breathe hard, trying to get past the bad scare I had.

"Are you stupid or what? You almost scared me to death Levi. Oh my God!" I put a hand on my chest and calm down. I hear him snort and cling to my body.

Good grief of the cowboy saints and the entire galaxy!

He had a heart attack body. I didn't see it, but I did feel it. A few abs pressing against my bare back, a v-line running down his crotch and... and let's not talk about his little friend. He was more than a friend at this point.

I feel my cheeks burn and then a short, low moan escapes me. He reaches up to my ear and with his teeth grabs my earlobe, pulling it for himself. I moaned loudly and I squirm in his chest, my breathing starting to go wild.

"Le-Levi ..." his name leaves my lips and for the first time and I feel that it is the most beautiful and most sensual name that I have heard in my entire life. He seems to like me how I moan his name because he now he presses his semi-hard cock against my buttocks, taking my breath away.

"That's it... moan my name, slut.” He whispers in my ear and even though he called me a slut, it made me so wet, getting a loud moan in response. So encouraging.

His hands run through my body and never move away from me. I feel his breath on my neck and I tremble at the touch of him on my stomach. His hands slowly move up my stomach and he positions himself close to my breast. He seems to try to retract, but he doesn't. Instead, he just goes ahead and grabs my right breast, squeezing it in his hand, making me squirm at his gigantic hands that literally fit my breasts perfectly.

I screech at his hand starting to pull on my nipple, his other hand kneading my breast. Then he presses his manhood to my back and begins to rub against me, moans escaping my throat.

I can't think, everything is blocked in my mind. I try to listen to what my subconscious is telling me, but my body doesn't want to respond and begins to rock my hips against Levi. I hear him growl and bring his mouth to my neck, sighing against me, sticking his tongue out of him and licking a large part of my neck.

I moan loudly and can't stop moving my hips back. He bites my neck slowly, digging his teeth into me a little. I drop my neck on his shoulder and he now holds me in his big arms.

"Are you so needy, (Y / N)?" He whispers into my neck and then turns me around, this time letting me see the whole picture of him. His pecs, his strong thighs and legs, his gray eyes now a little black and his hair a little wet because of me.

I bite my lip and don't take my eyes off him. My eyes land on his manhood and I feel myself almost falling to the ground from the greatness before my eyes.

Could that really fit into such a small place?

He watches me lustfully, noticing that I see his manhood with eyes of concern and desire. He wraps his arms around my waist and presses me to him, slowly getting closer to my lips. He smirks mischievously and runs his tongue across my lips.

“It will fit. And if he doesn't fit in, I'll have to force him." Then he kisses me.

He kisses me with a force that pushes me back and my back is pressed against the cold wall. I groan at the cold touch and he takes that opportunity to subjugate his tongue into my oral cavity.

I feel myself dying before his lips and his hands go down my waist, resting on my ass. He imprisons me on him and his member presses on my stomach, slowly coming down into my crotch.

The water falls on our glued bodies and gives it an exciting and lustful atmosphere. Levi won't let me go, kissing me until my lungs are out of breath. He stops kissing me and starts spreading kisses all over my face until he reaches my neck where he starts giving small, wet kisses. One of his hands goes up my stomach and positions himself on my breast, grabbing the already erect nipple and manipulating it at will.

He makes me moan and gasp continuously, letting me run my hands through his raven hair and pull him with quick movements.

After a few seconds, Levi looks me in the eye and I have to blink quickly not to get behind in his gaze. I see him smile mischievously and then as he grabs my ass, he makes me jump and my legs wrap around his waist.

My hands go behind his neck and I let them rest there. His lips seek mine and when he finds them, he kisses me with passion and eagerness. I kiss him back and soon we are carried away by the kiss.

The water continues to fall on our bodies and now I can begin to moan like a cat in heat. The only thing that can be heard is the sound of water falling against the floor and our breaths accompanied by short, soothing moans.

Suddenly I find myself looking between our bodies together, noticing how Levi grabs his member and leads him to my entrance. I groaned loudly and dig my nails on his shoulder. He growls at my act and gives me an angry look.

"Do not do that." He mumbles and I know he is holding back, that deep inside him he had liked what I did.

I bite my lower lip and look into his eyes.

"I am a virgin."

All the anger has died down, going to a more formal face, a face of perhaps surprised, but he knew how to hide it quite well. I watch him warily, wandering my eyes all over his face and hear him snort.

Then, I feel his lips touch mine again, but in a softer and more subtle way, letting the cold of my lips warm to his. I feel like dying before the softness that he takes. One hand is still supporting my weight and the other now places it on my cheek, holding it gently. We kiss for a short time and then he pulls away from me, a bit of saliva connecting our lips. Levi give me a little "tsk" and then returns his gaze to our crotches.

"I know you're a virgin ... I'll try to be as careful with you. If it bothers you, just squeeze my shoulders and I'll stop." I nod and he gives me one last look, then begins to press on my entrance.

I bite my lip quickly, the same with which he looks at me while he is pressing his throbbing member against me. He pushes the head of his member inside and I let out a silent scream, internally crying.

Levi spreads kisses down my neck and my head leans back as I try not to cry from the pain. He stays like that for a few seconds, pampering me in his arms, kissing my neck, repeating to calm me down with a slow and deliberate voice.

He looks at me and I try everything to be able to look at him. He brings his forehead to mine and after giving me a little kiss on the nose, he whispers:

"I'm going in."

He subdues the entire length of him inside me, taking my breath away and finally breaking every virginity he had. I try to hold back my tears, but soon one or another comes out of my eyes. Levi kisses me and does not move inside me, understanding that it was better for him to get used to the length and thickness of him.

I pat him on the back, my head pressed to his shoulder, my teeth gently biting my lower lip. His cock throbs inside me and I feel Levi growl low. His hands make me jump a little so that the weight is just right for him and his member takes this opportunity to impale himself inside me again. My throat goes wild and I let out all the louder moans I've ever heard made before.

Levi begins to move inside me slowly, his lips pressing on my shoulder as I moan without concern into his neck. My head tilts a little and it gives me a chance to look Levi in ​​the eye. I press my forehead against his as Levi begins to sway continuously and eagerly.

"More..." I sighed between moans, my nipples rubbing against his chest, letting Levi draw a growl that felt it all over my pussy, getting me more wet than necessary.

Levi looks me straight in the eye and his heart surrenders to what he sees. Suddenly he pushes me against the wall, the water falling between us, and without letting me think for a moment what was happening, his member begins to rush in and out of me.

He fucks me with such agility that I can't almost breathe. His lips stick to my neck and he bites down hard, leaving his bite marks on the edge of my neck and my collarbone.

I hear Levi's grunting and my pussy can't help but contract and get wetter than before, and Levi notices this, making it harder for him to get in and out.

"You're so... tight." I groan in response, my head flooded in clouds and paradises as I am supported by Levi.

Even though my mind was screaming at me what the hell I was doing this with a guy I barely knew and who, to make matters worse, almost made me miss a whole semester, I didn't have the slightest desire of importance in me. It felt so good in the arms of that short boy. I felt that I could achieve glory while he pampered me with words and on the other hand made me want that sexual act more intensely.

Fuck, he felt so good. He felt so fucking rich.

Levi bites my nipples and brings me back to reality. Almost drooling into his arms that keep pressing me to the wall, I look at him with lust and a little confusion as to why he did that.

His eyes meet mine and I can't contain my moans as I watch him suck on my nipples. He bites and then licks my nipple, moving to the other to repeat the same action. Suck, bite and lick.

I screech at the itch on my bottom and instantly know that Levi had whipped my ass with his hand.

My pussy tightens around him again, and Levi moans again, loving that my pussy took the size of him so well.

"Look at me." He orders me, smacking my ass again. His mouth is drawn to one side with a mischievous smile as he does not let my nipple escape from his thin and luscious lips.

It's hard for me to look at him, but I do my best to keep my eyes from closing in pleasure. His hand grabs my chin and makes me look at him, those gray eyes now with dilated pupils and his wet hair pressing into his forehead.

So sensual.

My nails dig into his back and I moan maddeningly at his onslaught nonstop. We stared at each other, he gripping my chin tightly so that my head wouldn't tilt back, and I between closing and opening my eyes. I bite my lower lip and continue moaning, my breasts rising in time with the fierce thrusts.

"I told you... to look at me." He growls against my chest, his teeth nipping at my nipple with no subtlety, making me scream on the spot.

I look at him quickly, the water droplets almost blurring my vision. Still, I don't take my gaze away from his as he continues to grab my nipple and violently slap it between his lips. He sucks incessantly, like a baby, and my pussy squeezes my juices.

"Le-Levi ..." I call his name as my waist rises in time with his hips. His balls hit my entrance, the water and my juices creating an extravagant sound throughout the bathroom.

"I am so close." I moan at him, grabbing his cheeks and forcing him away from my nipples, letting a POP roll off his lips. I look into his eyes and push my lips against his, kissing him passionately, pushing my tongue into his mouth.

His thin fingers sink into my hips and he soon begins to thrust rapidly, in and out of my wet pussy without any difficulty.

He pulled me away from his lips a few inches when I felt my orgasm reach its maximum. I dig my nails back into his back and scratch him from the bottom up, wanting to hold on and hold on to him.

I hear him growl and gasp a little in my ear when he notices my pussy twitch around him as he presses his cock's head against my G-spot.

I bite his shoulder quickly as a high-pitched scream comes out of me, not being able to take much more of that passionate sex session. My fingers continue to dig into his back as my toes curl and my legs jerk. My moans are heard throughout the apartment and Levi seems to love it as he pulls my earlobe and growls in my ear.

Soon his thrusts begin to cease, the white liquid fading inside me, running gently down my lips and my thighs. I hear him moan as his member lets out the last drops of his semen on me.

He holds me for a few more minutes, our breaths heavy and colliding with both of our necks. My nipples are still upright on his chest and his member comes out of my pussy to give his semen a chance to come out of my hole.

Levi lets my feet touch the ground gently, still watching the spasms of my orgasm in my legs. His fingers are still buried in my hips as I lean back on the wall. I clear my throat and uncomfortably turn so the water runs down my wet, sweaty back. Levi says nothing and I pray to keep it that way.

After cleaning up and letting Levi do the same, I walk out of the bathroom to get dressed. Levi comes out behind me with a towel hooked around his waist.

My cheeks are flushed and I have to turn my gaze not to let him know that I found that image too tempting.

After dressing and looking at the clock next to my bed, I can tell that my workday would soon begin.

"Umm ..." I mumble, watching Levi put his shoes on and then stand up and look at me. "I think ... it's better now ... that you leave ..."

I almost whisper the words, but the intimidating look Levi gives me leaves me stuck on in my place.

I hear his footsteps approaching me and my subconscious starts to panic. I forget to breathe, my hands sweat and my heart pumps with more force as his hand is positioned on my waist, drawing me towards him.

"For a little girl ... you made me come like no one else." He mutters, the mischievous smile appearing on his face. My blush is higher than before and I really couldn't think clearly.

I walk away from him and point to my bedroom door, causing him to walk me to the front door.

He does not look at me at any time and I only flinch to murmur goodbye when I see him cross the threshold of the door.

Before leaving, he takes my chin, makes me look at him and with a face of loathing mixed with lust, licks my lips slowly.

Sensual.

"You don't smell now, idiot." He whispers into my lips, leaning back slowly. "Call me to screw you again ... and I hope this time is not your semester." I smile and watch him disappear from my sight as he stepped into the elevator.

I closed the door as quickly as possible and took a deep breath.

OXYGEN, ENTER MY BODY.

My legs slowly sag and soon I find myself on the ground with my cheeks red, my hands pressed to my knees and my mouth half open in surprise.

I really did something like that?

What kind of outrageous person have I become?

Fuck, but it had felt wonderful. He made me touched the sky and he swore he wanted to do it again. My fingers slowly trailed down my thighs, remembering how his hands roamed up my hips and infused me against his, his cock throbbing every time he sank inside me.

I feel my fingers position themselves on my panties, my head tilting back with a groan. I had hardly felt the glory and wanted more.

My fingers get lost inside my panties and land on my clit, giving me the feeling of desire and anguish for more. I start a slow, fragile movement against my clit, thinking of Levi's hands touching me as if it was the only thing I wanted to do at the moment. My other hand lowers the bra over my breasts and my fingers engage in kneading and pinching my nipples, which begin to rise up against my fingers.

The swaying of my fingers doesn't compare to Levi's thrusts, but they calm me with lust when I insert one of my fingers into my entrance. My head slides back into the door with a solid moan, my pussy getting wet non-stop as I masturbate in the doorway to the memories of Levi fucking me in my bathroom. I let myself sink into thoughts and continue my instinctive process of spontaneous release.

I prick and knead my nipples, my other fingers running circularly over my clit, seeking quick release and relaxation. My moans rise again in pitch and suddenly I find myself moaning Levi's name as my body contracts and rises into the air. My hips jerk as my body squirts liquid from my pussy. I continue to moan as my body relaxes on the floor, the liquid exposed all over the floor at the entrance to my apartment.

Flushed, wet, with lust clouding my head, I get up to clean everything that my body dripped. I head back to my room, taking a quick bath, putting on my work clothes, and grabbing my things to get out of the apartment. I mentally note that I had to go to the pharmacy to find some contraceptive pills since I had let a total stranger come inside me.

Before opening the door to leave, I remember my phone, rummaging through my purse. I unlock it and the message on the screen frightens me and makes me wet again.

Very sensual.

Message from: The bitch who screwed up my semester 🤦🏽‍♀️

Your moans were heard throughout the hall. I was barely gone and you were already dripping for me. Brats like you deserve a lesson. And you will see what a lesson I will teach you... slut.

The boy from the wrong number was extremely sensual.

End

Thank you so much for reading this!~

Have a good day or night, beautiful. 🥰

This is a translated version. The original version will be posted in due time.

[aesthbaby]

Ghost

Summary: Do you remember the episode Demonology where we learned of Emily’s past? What if I told you, you were apart of it. After years of silence on her end, you end up meeting her again.

Pairing: Emily Prentiss x Fem!Reader

Prompt: here

Warnings: Cursing | Sadness | Typos

Word Count:

Masterlist

An: Dedicated to my hundredth follower. Ahhhh I'm too hype about this! I also made a slight change to the prompt but everything else is the same :)  Anon, I hope you enjoy.

Indignation

The screaming crawls up the walls of her oversized, child hood home to shake her ear drums. The thunder only adds fuel to the fire that is the rage possessed by both Prentiss’ as they continue their screaming match.

“Don’t you dare walk away when I’m talking to you!” Elizabeth’s voice matches the rain. The way she stomps behind her daughter looks almost comical.

“Back off mother.” She mumbles this more to herself than her mother.

She stops walking, planting her feet firmly on the Brazilian Chestnut flooring. “I will not ask you again.” She comes to a stop, takes a breath, and slowly turns to her mother. Not meeting her eyes, of course, because it’d hurt too much to see the hate in her eyes. “Look at me.” The mother growls. She slowly moves to meet her mothers eyes and finds nothing but rage there; energy matched to the thunder and rain outside. “You will not see that-” The derogatory term gets caught up in her throat.

Taking a step towards the elder, “What?” Daring to ask the question to which she already knows the answer. “What do you want to say mother?” Her jaw tightens, a sign that Emily knows all too well. “Spit it out.” Its taking everything in her not to raise her voice again and spew the word out for her mother.

Elizabeth takes a breath of her own before replying. “You are not to see that girl again or so help me, I will make sure she goes back to where she came from.” Before Emily could object, she speaks again. “That is final Emily.” Her voice holds strong, and suddenly the storm ceases its assault. 

All is quiet in the Prentiss house yet the tension remains; so thick that you could cut it with a knife.

Disregard

The next morning you arrive to school earlier than usual, but for good reason. Some random college hoodie wrapped loosely around your torso and a dainty neck tucked under it. Your school uniform has never fit you quite right because of how late in the year you transferred, you know...left overs. Phone is going absolutely crazy in your shirt pocket but now isn't the time, you’re looking for somebody. You’re looking for her. Mr. Ricci’s voice can be heard on your left, telling a group of guys its time for class. Emily...where the hell are you?

As the day progresses you still see no sign of the brunette until now. “Emily!” Running up to her you deliver a swift punch to her shoulder. “Where the hell have you been?” When her eyes meet yours they puffy, like she’s been crying. “Em- I-”

“First of all, ouch. Secondly, I can’t right now.” She turns to walk off with her lunch in hand, but you quickly pull her back by her elbow.

“You ‘can’t’ right now? What the hell is wrong with you?” Its taking everything in you not to become overtly emotional. “And where have you been?”

“Y/n I’m sorry but I really can’t right now.” She pulls away from your grip. Leaving you more confused than before.

You scuff at her wording. “You never calls me by my first name...” Its always been her thing, starting with a joke about how she has another friend by the same name as you so she had to call you something else. The next day was the same, avoiding you at all costs.

But it didn’t stop there.

It felt as though you were left on a physical manifestation of ‘read.’ Her name with the red heart emoji attached, did not pop up on your phone for what seemed to be months but in reality it had only been a few weeks. If she were to simply pick up the phone you would have been able to tell her about your unforeseen departure time. Due to sudden changes in international studies, you had to leave and the academy needed their student back. The one of which you exchange places with in January. Tears spring to your eyes at the thought of leaving. Not only are you leaving her, but also leaving this city you got to call home.

Sunny days always seem to appear at the wrong time, your departure day. She’s not here to see you off, hasn’t been around for a while. Can you really blame her? She doesn’t even know you’re leaving because she wont pick up the fucking phone. It doesn’t matter anymore, your time is up and so is her’s. A line of black and white kittens sprint across the cobblestone streets and that right there is what makes you break down in tears. Seeing the delicate kittens run after a mouse while tripping over their own feet. Random yellow flowers peaking through the stone which you’ve never known the actual name of. That one girl in Chem that would bake cookies for the class on Fridays. Your host dad taking you to his favorite café that served an increasing number of Cuban smokers. Going to eat gelato after homeroom with that one guy who would always make Golden Girls references. Then there was Emily, the girl that gave you a dainty gold necklace for valentines day. The girl that got a random jock to stop harassing you. The person whose lap you’d lay in on Saturday mornings at the park, is the same person who randomly started to ignore you. Maybe you could have fixed things with her if you had more time. You were supposed  to have until June but suddenly everything shifted and all you were told is that you needed to come home, promptly. You couldn’t wait for her any longer, not even sure why you thought she’d come in the first place. Casting one last glance over your shoulder before stepping into the buzzing airport.

At least meet me half way.

Hereafter

"I don’t think so.” You laugh at your friend’s proposition to set you up on a blind date. “I am absolutely content with the way I choose to live my life.” Shifting a bit on the new couch that hasn’t been broken in, resulting in the stiff cushions.

He lets out this weird scuffing noise. “No you’re not. Remember last weekend when we tried to pull an all-nighter but your sleep deprived brain betrayed you?” At your nonchalant shrug, he continues. “You started rambling about just wanting to find some well educated, fun loving, female in this world full of bureaucratic straight men. Your words, not mine.” You throw a pillow at him but he swiftly doges it. “But you couldn’t have said it better.” These recent years have been a series of unfortunate dates that have ended in you lying about having to leave early for something.

“Don’t you have a girlfriend you should be getting home to?”

“Not tonight, I’m all yours. Apparently she has her knitting circle tonight.”

“That's what you get for dating an older woman.��� 

“Its a five year age difference! What is wrong with you people?”

You hold your hands up in defense. “Nothing, as long as you’re both legal and she’s good to you, its fine by me.”

“Shut up!” He screeches. “Oh shit, don’t you have a meeting in the morning?”

“Yes sir.” He stands to take your glasses and plates in the kitchen but you object. “Leave it,” At his confused expression, you continue. “Cleaning helps me relax so I figured I’ll wake up early so I can do that and reduce my stress levels by at least ten percent.”

“Dude, you’re seriously weird.”

“Say another bad thing about me and I'm sending you home.”

Throwing him a few pillows from the hallway closet and a comforter just for him to scream, “Its too hot in this cottage core apartment!”

Its not even cottage core themed?? Its just cozy with a plant or two. Am I expected to live in an ice cold home? I feel like he’s just saying this because I’m gay.

Your prepared outfit hands on the back of your bedroom door, mocking you. Making you reconsider the entire thing and simply not go but it feels as though you’d regret it if you didn’t. Maybe not, who knows?

And with that as your final though, you drift off to sleep.

You wake at the amazing time of 6 A.M to see your guest gone with a note on the couch:

I cleaned up the mess from last night and I also did the dishes in your sink. Not sure how u slept through all of that...I made a fruit salad for ur breakfast and a normal one for lunch.

Good luck with your meeting!

And one of those old fashioned emoticons at the bottom corner. Idiot.

You eat the food he left from the fridge, brush your teeth with the news playing in the background, and continue on with the normal morning routine.

Gathering your lunch and the little items you feel like you’d need, phone, charger, paper work, and keys; you know, the works. Finally heading out to your destination with nothing but ambition, you run into a slight problem. 

Overlapping breakfast with an old friend of yours. “Hey, babe, I am so sorr-”

“Absolutely not, I don’t want to hear your excuses.” The positive voice rings through the phone like velvet sheets after a cold shower. “You missed our reservation!” Have to admit hearing them whine is pretty entertaining. “You had one job. One!” You guys met some years ago over some random online forum, arguing over some random movie. You don’t talk as much as you’d like but breakfast is always on the menu--mostly in February.

“Quick question, am I allowed to apologize?”

There’s a beat of silence on the other end, “Yes you may, but only in fruit baskets and coffee.”

“I got you, next time though. I’m on my way to something right now.”

“Something...” In comes the teasing undertone. “Does this ‘something’ have a name?”

Bursting into a fit of laughter at what is implied and replying, “Definitely not, its a work thing.”

“Speaking of work, I have to go. Ciao!”

Just in time to end the call, you pull into the designated parking deck from the email. Going through all of the security procedures was hell but blatantly necessary; the rest was gravy. Floating through the rest of the building gave you a slightly stressful feel because of all the men walking around with perfect suits and casting no glances your direction. When the glass doors labeled BAU appear, you take a deep breath and walk in with confidence. Taking in the buzzing sound of agents at work all around you. Agent Hotcher’s office is glaringly obvious: higher up than the rest, perfect overview of the hive, and in direct eye sight of the entryway doors.

Delivering a swift knock to the office door you hear a faint invitation from the inside. Walking in with a smile and straight back you are greeted with a man in a dark navy blue suit and a stoic look to attached to him. It first starts with the small talk of your experience, early life, skill sets, and what not.

“Agent Hotchner, might I speak out of line for a moment.” He gives you a skeptical look before nodding. “I understand the nature of this meeting but I am not completely sure why it was conducted.” His furrowed brown is not a good sign, making you correct your structure a bit. “Right, well,” God his stare is fucking intense. “What I mean to ask is, why am I here?”

That was bold.

“Agent, are you not aware that this is a Career Analysis Assessment?” As it slowly sinks in an O-shape forms with your mouth. Now you feel like a complete idiot in front of this prestigious, tight suited, man. “You were unaware? Its fine if you were,” You let out a sigh at the confirmation. “I have a tendency to write my emails with an excessive amount of four syllable words so one could see where the confusion originated.” You let out a nervous laugh at the realization that this is basically a job interview.

“I see that you’ve spent time studying abroad.” Indicated by the recommendations from your Italian Psychology teacher. “Why not join the CIA?”

“Dare I say, they make me nervous?” He cracks a small, very subtle, smile at the admission.

“What made you want to leave Human Resources?”

“I got tired of analyzing decisions with nothing but dead bodies and messy crimes and having my primal focus be the agents and not the victims or perpetrators. Using what I’ve learned as material for agents in training when I could have prevented it from happening.”

“Well said, but I need to be completely transparent with you.” This can’t be good. “I will admit that I have serious reservations about adding a Human Resources officer to my team.”

Shit let me stop him before this spirals. He thinks I’m a spy. “Sir, with all do respect, I have no intentions of being a bureaucratic spy. I’d also like to point out that I wasn’t that high on the HR totem pole to the point where I had an explicit say on what happens to agents, who is hire, fired, or how they’re trained. I analyzed and compromised while expressing my findings to an unbiased extent. If I wanted to be a spy I would have joined the CIA.” Besides, Head Quarter’s is the one that does all of that internal investigation stuff, not HR.

He doesn’t say anything or make any sudden movements for a good minute. I fucked up. That spy line was too far. “I’d like to offer you a position on this team, so long as you can start immediately.”

“Yes, of course I can! I don’t have much office supplies besides a pen or two and-”

“Its fine,” He stands from his seat and straightens the dark blazer. “I’ll have one of my agents show you around.”

From across the bullpen you spot a familiar blonde. “Oh my god!” The file in her hand falls to the floor. “Its you!” She practically squeals.

“Penelope, I didn’t know you work here.” You give your old friend a tight, unapologetic hug. She said she worked as a tech analysis but you always assumed it was for an activism group or a tech firm, not the FBI out of all things. Despite having such interesting jobs, you never talk about work with each other. She knows you work for the government but not which. Although knowing how good she is at uncovering people’s secrets, there’s a good chance she already knew you work for the FBI too.

“What are you doing here? Like physically here. I thought you were in Florida.”

“I have to get back, can you take care of Agent Y/L/N for me?” Hotchner says before rushing off without an answer.

And there she goes with the snooping. “Actually, I left the Florida office and went to California.”

“Oh.” Her face twists a bit. “And now you’re here?”

“I thought you were the woman behind the curtains, the all knowing.”

“And wonderful!” She points with her perfectly painted finger.

In comes a slim man with a messenger back, making a click in your mind. “Now where have I seen him before...” Turning slightly to follow his trail.

“That’s our resident genius Dr. Spencer Reid.”

Unbelievable. “He’s twelve.” The young agent’s head snaps toward you and Penelope, “Does he have super human hearing too?” She introduces you to the Doctor who is, as expected, socially awkward in many ways. A man named David Rossi of whom you’ve met at least once during a few Bureau seminars; last you heard he had rejoined the BAU after retirement. Jennifer Jareau is gorgeous with a nurturing nature about her, she immediately recognizes your name from exchanged paperwork but that’s about it. The introductions are brief, everyone seems to be busy with their own things. “Penelope your team is kind of small.” You quietly mention to her.

“Oh!” Guess the realization that two people are missing, finally clicks in her head. She starts walking in the direction of a staircase so you automatically follow her. “This is Derek Morgan.” Standing in front of a round table is a tall man with a really toned body. “Derek, this is Agent Y/n L/n from Human Resources.” His eyebrow arches up in suspicion.

“Oh no I’m not here for anything bad, I’ve actual been transferred into the BAU. Working behind a desk and watching as others do the work I can’t, wasn’t working out for me.” Definitely won’t trust me until I save his life or something. “I’ve heard of you, one of the Academy trainers has shown a few videos of you.” He smirks at the implied compliment and finally holds his hand out for you to shake.

“Where’s...” Pen trails while looking around.

“Oh she’s getting coffee.” The darker man points behind himself.

“Who’s getting coffee?”

Reconciliation

Maybe we wouldn’t be so short handed if they sprung for better coffee. Emily thought to herself while stirring the flavorless, dark liquid. What if they attach a coffee shop to the building? Imagine how much money the shop would make off of overworked agents. But then I feel like we’d start developing a true addiction to this stuff. Her thoughts are interrupted by the approach of foot steps. She meets Derek’s figure and smiles at the resident goofball of the BAU. Followed by Penelope’s pink centralized outfit with feathers. Then there’s you, just as beautiful as the last time you saw each other. If not more. Your hair shines amongst the florescent lights, paired with the perfectly tailored outfit and jewelry. The same eyes that would brighten her day as they met. An almost unnoticeable bounce in you walk, same as it were years ago. As you step towards her there is a flash of gold on your wrist that sends a ping to Emily’s heart, its the necklace I gave you in high school.

Intersect

You would have know about Emily’s transfer here from a few years ago, had her paperwork gone through the HR department but apparently it went straight to the top because this is definitely a surprise. Once you realize its actually her you stop dead in your tracks. Can’t be.

“Y/n,” She stutters out your name in disbelief. “What are you doing here?”

“Emily, I work here.” Ripping the band-aid off like this is an every day encounter; seeing your unofficial ex who you were never actually with in the first place but had the same characteristics as a high school couple. Yeah...that.

She also blurted out a ‘no you don’t’ before Garcia interrupted. “How do you two know each other?”

You both snapped your heads to her simultaneously. “We don’t.” Also said that part at the same time.

“Right.” She drags. “I’m sensing some unresolved tension...”

“What are-” Em tries to object.

“So we’re going to go.” The tech analysis grabs the sleeve of the darker man and practically sprints off in the opposite direction. Morgan having a dumbfounded look on his face.

It feels like you’re at a stalemate, who will make the first move. What will the emotions be? Are they going to fly? Because I’d like to throw a few verbal punches her way. Who does that to someone? I thought I was over it but clearly the wound is still open. Great now watch her blame me for X, Y, and Z,

“I’ve missed you.” She barely whispers, sounding a bit broken yet insincere. Its like she’s detaching herself from the narrative. So unexpected that you almost think you’re imagining this. Why would she say that? This is not the Emily you remember.

Anger bubbles up in your throat ready to unleash upon her entirety. Instead of bursting into flames right on the spot, in the middle of your new place of employment you take a deep breath. Words of disbelief  dance on your lips before speaking. “You did not.” She tilts her head like a curious puppy. Who am I even talking to?

“What do you mean?” And just like that she’s whisked away by a guy in a suit of whom you do not recognize. Your jaw clinches in a desperate attempt to keep your cool, wondering what the hell is going on.

Realization

Besides the surprise of seeing Emily, your first day went great. Everyone kept checking up on you and you couldn’t tell if it was because they were trying to be friendly, excited to have a new teammate, or nervous of your background. “She used to work for the FBI Human Resources Branch.” You heard the skinny one tell Morgan when they thought you weren’t listening.

JJ and Penelope invited you out for drinks but all you really wanted to do was lay in your bed with a face mask and a bag of chips. Waving a farewell to the blonde women and head to your car, but a few feet away you feel a presence. You quickly loop around in search of the energy with your hand on the top of your gun. “Woah woah.” Emily holds her hands up in surrender.

At the realization of who it is you take a breath and clip your gun back in place. You give her a “what the hell look” before straightening your outfit.

“Were you going to shoot me?”

She’s met with wide eyes from your end. “Maybe?! Who sneaks up on someone with a gun?”

“I didn’t ‘sneak’ up on you.”

“Emily, you wear all black and walk like a feather. What were you expecting?” The buried anger is starting showing through.

“Okay,” She does a weird hand movement that kind of looks like she’s trying to calm you down. “I’m sorry. I just thought we could talk.”

“Talk...” You’re not really following.

“Yes, I’d like to talk.”

“Emily what are you asking? I’m lost.”

She take a moment to figure it out before answering. “For a second chance, I’m asking for another shot.”

You uncross your arms at the admission, letting them lazily fall beside you. “Em- I-” She can’t be asking what I think she is. “Its been years. More than a decade has passed since-” The words suddenly die on your lips

“I know,” And it looks like there’s a slight glimmer in her eyes, implying the presence of suppressed tears. “I’d just like to explain.”

“Explain?” You bite, tasting the bitter flavor of annoyance.

“Yes, I at least owe you that.”

And that’s how you ended up here, with her. In a cozy, minimalistic loft at nine in the afternoon with a coffee table separating the two of you.

“I’m sorry.” Was the first thing to break the silence, and this time it actually sounded sincere. “If I could have explained everything to you back then, I would have.”

You lean forward, closer to her and push the rather large vase off to the side so she has to be vulnerable with you. Nothing to help her hide from herself. At her confused face you lean back in your seat and nod for her to continue.

“My mother was always a difficult woman and although she has gotten better over the years, things were at their worst when she found out how much time I had been spending with you.” The brunette takes a minute before admitting the next part. “She was responsible for your early departure. I tried to stop her, give you more time but she’s relentless.” She waits for your reaction but when met with nothing, she continues. “She threatened me by putting our connection on the line, which in retrospect I now realize was impossible to save. She had already made calls to get you out of the country by the time I could sever what we had. I never wanted to hurt you or end what we shared.”

“And what did we share, Emily?”

Her tongue darts from between her lips, doing that weird little biting thing she’s always done since we’ve known each other. It sparks something in you that you haven't felt in a while. “I think you know. The fact that you still wear the necklace I gave you, bracelet, means you never really forgot.”

“I liked it where I could see it, but Em you could have called, texted even.” 

“I couldn’t I was scared. Then after you left I started to distance myself from everyone and everything was really going downhill.”

“How so?”

“I got mixed up with peer pressure and boys.” This doesn’t sound good. “At one point I did anything I could to fit in.”

“What does that mean?” There’s a moment when a tear wells up on one of her eyes, but not dropping. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”

“I-” She tries to speak but nothing comes out. “I couldn’t tell my mother and the church wasn’t happy with my actions.” It suddenly dawns on you, like a smack in the face. You want to make her stop and just hold her but this needs to come out. “I couldn’t call you because it would hurt too much. I hated myself at that moment more than I ever have.”

“And you haven’t dated since?”

She sniffles and lets out a little laugh at that. “God no, I’ve dated people but I haven't dated another female since. It felt wrong, like I was replacing you or something.”

“You owe me nothing. You were just trying to protect me and I see that now.”

“I knew better, its been so long and when I heard you joined the academy I-”

“Wait, you knew and didn’t say anything?”

“Y/n I couldn’t bring myself to do anything other that attempt to move on.” Silence fills the room and its not the comforting kind. Its the tense, I need to do something, kind.

“Do you feel anything?” You dare to ask.

“What do you mean?”

“You know what I mean. Were your feelings lost in transit?”

“They froze the day you left, and thawed the day I saw you again. Today.”

“So its not over.”

She appears to contemplate your statement. “No, its not over. We have a chance to start over.”

What now?

.｡.:*･゜ﾟ･*★*･ ･*･'･*:..:*･゜ﾟ･*☆*:. .｡.:*☆

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[alienoresimagines]

Heart Meet Break | Eugene Sledge x Gender Neutral!Reader

Requested by Anonymous :  Hi could you please write number 1 prompt list imagines “We’re not just friends and you fucking know it" with Eugene Sledge?

A/N : Here we are after 9 weeks without posting and more than one year after receiving this request!😂😅 Hope y’all didn’t forget about me 🤣 and that you are all safe for this holidays season To be honest I had written this in october but I’m posting it just now because.. well I have no idea but it’s here now ;) (actually I do and it’s because @inglourious-imagines​ kicked my a**) I started so many times and I’m not completely pleased with how it turned out but I hope you’ll enjoy! Also a big thank you to @punkgeekchic​ for beta reading, hope you’re doing okay darling see you in January!💙💙Title from Heart Meet Break de Liam Payne, also stream his songs please!😘

Taglist : @murphyism​ @mavysnavy​ @speirs-sexy-ass​ @order-of-river-phoenix​ @inglourious-imagines​ @liebegott​ @tvserie-s-world @stressedinadress​ @warrior-healer​ 

Posted : 23/12/2020

Masterlist Taglist Prompts

-----

You could feel the beginning of a headache building behind your eyelids, and the welcomed pain in your feet after hours of passing on your bedroom's floor in a circle. Bringing a hand to your face to pinch the bridge of your nose and let out a long sigh, you let yourself fall onto your bed with a quiet flop. As soon as your back hit the soft sheet, the urge to go back to your feet and do something came back in a rush. A distraction would save your floor.

"[Y/N]! Could you take out the trash, please, dear?" Her sudden call startled you, too lost in your thoughts but you were quick to answer, knowing already there was only one good answer. 

"I'm coming, mom!" You shouted back, putting on your shoes in a slow pace. A distraction was your floor's savior but definitely not your heart's or mind's. You could only pray you'd meet your neighbor while walking through the yard. 

The stairs were cracking under your steps, as you still didn't know if you should feel nervous or hopeful. The twist in your stomach was a mix of both, the sweat on your palms said it all. 

Always so thoughtful, your mother had put the trash bag just next to the front door, ready to be taken out. 

"Ah, [Y/N], while you're out, could you bring this to the Sledges? Mary has been kind enough to share her pie with us, the least I can do is bake her one too." Your mother appeared at the door between the entrance and the kitchen with what you guessed was a plate wrapped in a clean cloth. 

The years passing didn't do her past beauty's justice but her eyes hadn't changed, nor did the way she looked at your father. 

"Sure, I'll go to the library after, do you know if Father needs anything?" You smiled, taking the package from her wrinkled hands carefully as she smiled at you, shaking her head in denial. 

With the black trash bag in one hand and the white cloth covering the quite heavy pie, you went out, but not before kissing your mother's cheek.

The warm air of this beginning of autumn was like the wind of freedom after having spent the day in your bedroom like a lion in a cage. You were about to take a deep breath when you remembered the trash bag in your hand. Right. No matter how good and sweet your mother's pie was and smelled, your nose still felt attacked by the trash. When you finally had put the black bag where it belonged you started to walk out of your parents' property, heading to the house next door. His house. All the feelings and thoughts you had forgotten came back, overwhelming you and making your legs shake. 

"Deacon! Deacon, where are you going?" Either your lucky star was laughing at you or pitying you. You'll decide tonight, hidden under your sheets with all your dreams and hopes. 

Just a few seconds later, a small dog went panting at your legs, presenting his head for ruffles. You chuckled and kneeled down to his level, giving him what he craved for.

"Good boy aren't ya, Deacon?" Cooing, you couldn help the warmth that spreaded through your chest, and refused to acknowledge the man with the bicycle approaching you. 

"[Y/N]! I didn't think I'd found you here." His tone was nervous and unsure as if he would've rather stayed silent. In some ways, you would've wished too.

"Fortunate we're neighbors, huh?" You heard him gulp and, with all the strength you could muster, you found in yourself all the treason, sadness, anger, uncertainty, confusion and hurt to finally face Eugene. Getting up, you looked at the sweet boy from next door in the eyes, searching for his thoughts.

"You've been avoiding me." He flinched. Your tone was harsher and colder than you intended, making you feel a pang of guilt but you didn't let it show. Instead, you crossed your arms on your chest, to protect yourself from things you didn't know.

"I- Hurting you was never my intention, it was actually what I wanted to avoid the most. But it'd seem I only hurt you more, I'm sorry, [Y/N]. " He was sincere, you could see it and it was harder to stay bitter about it. Your pride and feelings have been wounded, that much was a fact, but deep inside, you knew you simply couldn't be mad at sweet, loving boy Eugene. Heart and legal things.

"Can we be friends and not strangers again?" If you were in the right state of mind, you probably would've answered something witty and watch him laugh at you but you had enough of your games. The said and the unsaid, the little gestures and the avoidance. 

"We're not just friends and you fucking know it, Gene. We've always been more and if you don't want anything to do with it, it's okay. But don't you dare act as if we don't know each other and the next day as if we were best friends. We're more than that, you are more than that to me." And I hope I'm more than that to you too. From the sad and wounded look on Eugene's face, your unspoken thoughts must've been obvious. Like a fish out of water, he opened then closed his mouth, furrowing his eyebrows as he fumbled over his words. Finally, he spoke a meteors shower over your fragile world, crushing and burning it down.

"I enlisted. I'm leaving tomorrow." Whatever was left from your previous anger died in your throat and your heart started beating faster and faster in your chest.

"What? When? What about your condition?" You blurted out, not believing what Eugene just said. He smiled thinly at you, like he didn't know if he should let you see just how happy and proud he was to finally be able to enlist.

"I went to the marines office two weeks ago; as soon as I knew it was gone." Tears started to well in your eyes, your entire body to shake uncontrollably.

"Oh. That's... that's good. You must be relieved." You forced yourself to add just a bit of happiness in your tone for him, for you knew just how important it was to him, no matter how much your heart was breaking. Eugene gave a small nod, his fingers playing with the handlebars of his bike. At your feet, Deacon was sitting still, his tongue out and his head going from you to Eugene, and from Eugene to you, as if he was understanding far more than he was letting you know.

"I'll do my part." There it was. The pride, excitement of a young man going straight into a wolf's open mouth. What felt like hours was in fact just a few minutes, not even 5 but your mind was replaying it like a movie in a theater. At that moment, it hit you like a truck. Two weeks. The last time you've both been yourself together also was two weeks ago. You swallowed back the knot in your throat and prayed your voice wouldn't shake as much as your hands were, hidden behind your back in an awkward formal position.

"When were you going to tell me?" His silence said everything you needed to know as he shifted uncomfortably, his head down in shame and sorrow. He looked at you again through his eyelashes, apologies and guilt in his eyes but you couldn't take it anymore. Eugene was too kind for his own sake, wouldn't hurt a fly and by wanting not to hurt you ended up harming you in one of the most twisted ways. It hurt because you couldn't be mad at him, that his intentions were good and genuine. You took a deep breath and made a step ahead, one hand clenching on Eugene's white shirt, looking at him in the eyes. If yours were narrowed and dark, his were widened and looking everywhere but at your face. 

"You better not die, you hear me? You come back, in one piece and we'll sort it out. At all costs, you come back!" You almost shouted to his face, not caring if the whole street had gone out to see you. Eugene's gentle hands came over yours, squeezing it lightly. In your wounded pride and building fear, you refused to face him and see his reaction, knowing perfectly you'd find compassion, and sweet understanding.

Forcing the once forgotten home-made pie wrapped in a white clean cloth onto Eugene's chest, you've waited to see his hand cover it before you turned around, fighting the urge to rub your eyes so the moisture in them would go. 

"For your mother. From mine." You whispered between two heavy breaths, nails digging into your palms painfully.

Before Eugene could fully apprehend what was happening and get out of the trance he was in, you were already in front of your house, looking at the floor.

"[Y/N], wait, [Y/N]!" You didn't look back, even though you ached to. But in a few hours he wouldn't even be in town anymore so what was the point? You just felt numb and empty, as if floating over your own body. Closing the door behind you, you walked up the stairs in silence and came into your room, your legs giving up on you as soon as the door closed.

You weren't sure how long you stood there, knees up to your chest, arms surrounding them and head buried in the safe spot it made. Your throat was still tight, making it hard to breathe.

Perhaps, it all would've been better if you hadn't spoken to him. 

Silence would've been preserved, fragile but there. Now all you could hear were those words said with so much pride and relief over and over again. 

I enlisted.

All you could hear was the sound of your heart breaking.

[josmoore]

𝕄𝔸𝕂𝔼 𝔸 ℙ𝔸ℂ𝕋 𝕎𝕀𝕋ℍ 𝕐𝕆𝕌 𝔸ℕ𝔻 𝔾𝕆𝔻 —

                      𝕚𝕗 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕕𝕠𝕟'𝕥 𝕞𝕠𝕧𝕖 𝕚 𝕤𝕨𝕖𝕒𝕣 𝕥𝕠 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕚'𝕞 𝕘𝕠𝕟𝕟𝕒 𝕞𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕪𝕒

𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕘𝕚𝕟𝕤 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕗𝕒𝕞𝕚𝕝𝕪

full name: josiah barnabas moore

reason for name: both names were chosen by his mother — josiah, meaning god has healed, was her father’s name, and barnabas, son of consolation, was his father’s name before him

nickname(s): jo, jos, josie, jojo / sparrow’s nicknames for him are plentiful and do not make the cut

date of birth: may 2, 1995

age: twenty-six

gender + pronouns: cismale + he/him

place of birth: roswell, new mexico

parents: oliver moore + laurel moore ( née abrams )

siblings: sparrow ( twin ) / jade ( older sister ) / rowan + wyatt ( older brothers )

relationship with family: grew up very close with all of his siblings, particularly sparrow and jade but became distant after their parents’ divorce as his father and his siblings all left roswell / tried to keep in touch with siblings but unsuccessful save for jade and rarely his brothers / extremely close with his mother

pets: several colonies of bees in hive boxes out back behind the trailer

𝕡𝕙𝕪𝕤𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕝

height: 5′11

build: broad / muscular / athletic

nationality: american

ethnicity: a mix of several, including english + russian + ashkenazi jewish

distinguishing facial features: bright blue irises / thick + bold eyebrows / sharp jaw

hair color: brunet that lightens in the summer

usual hair style: wild unruly curls held back with a rolled bandana / lil’ bun sometimes

eye color: bright, light blue

complexion: tanned from years outside tending to the bees ( read: farmer’s tan ) / freckled shoulders

disabilities: alcohol use disorder / intermittent explosive disorder

what do they consider their best feature?: he doesn’t think he has one, but if he had to answer, his mama always said it was his eyes

worst they’ve ever been injured?: gouged his right thigh open on some jagged fencing when he was running from the cops one night as a teenager trespassing on walker air force base + needed fourteen stitches / extensive second degree burns from a radiator bursting at the shop a few years back / broke three ribs in a fight one time and could barely move for about a week

𝕒𝕡𝕡𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕟𝕔𝕖

favorite outfit: a pair of well-worn levis / white cotton t-shirt / brown leather work boots / maybe one of his brothers’ old hand-me-down flannels depending on the weather

glasses? contacts?: twenty-twenty vision

personal hygiene: clean + showers daily but still smells like motor oil and cigarettes

jewelry? tattoos? piercings?: woven bracelet his sister made him when they were kids / a crystal tree of life inside of wire pendant shaped like the star of david that his mama made by hand worn on a chain around his neck / several tattoos, the most notable of which are an orchid on his neck + the roman numeral v on the inside of his right ring finger + a laurel branch over his heart + hebrew script on his left hip reading לחיות לא במראה אלא באמונה, or live not by sight but by faith

what does their voice sound like?: kind of gruff, the rough around the ages that comes from years of smoking cigarettes and shouting at rowdy bargoers

style of speech: slow and quiet / takes his time talking / loud when he’s agitated or feeling argumentative

accent?: a bit of one, influenced by a lifetime in new mexico and his mother’s southern roots

unique mannerisms/physical habits: twists his curls absently when he’s tired, a trait he’s had since he was a kid / chain-smoking, pacing and picking at his cuticles when he’s anxious or upset / playing with the pendant his mama gave him when he’s thinking

left handed or right?: right-handed

do they work out/exercise?: working 90+ hours/week is enough, he’s dead on his feet if he’s off the clock

𝕓𝕖𝕝𝕚𝕖𝕗𝕤 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕝��𝕖𝕔𝕥

known languages: english

zodiac: sun taurus / moon cancer / ascendant sagittarius

gifts/talents: playing the fiddle / winning rigged carnival games / mixing a damn good drink

religious stance: jewish, raised in a jewish/catholic household / observes only major holidays + holy days

political stance: liberal

pet peeves: gossip /  fidgeting / lying / unnecessary or dull conversation / tourists / alien talk

optimist or pessimist: realist / pessimist

extrovert or introvert: introvert

𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕚𝕞𝕒𝕔𝕪 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕣𝕖𝕝𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕡𝕤

relationship status: single / interested in one ( 1 ) blonde gremlin

sexual orientation: bisexual / not open about it

ideal mate/qualities they look for in mate: argumentative / affectionate / adventurous

ever been in love?: maybe, but he’s not sure he knows what it feels like / tbd / could be rn who knows?

what’s their love language?: acts of service / quality time

most important person in their life?: mama moore, no question

𝕧𝕠𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 

level of education: diploma from roswell high school

profession: mechanic + bartender

past occupations: none / got a job at sanders’ before he’d fully graduated high school

dream occupation: fulltime beekeeper

passions: beekeeping + bee rescue / his family / mixology / music / woodworking + construction

attitude towards current job: grateful he has the income of both, even if it is absolutely exhausting

spender or saver? why?: spending, but not by choice — mama’s medical bills on top of the simple cost of living mean there’s not a lot to save after everything’s paid up anyhow, but josiah doesn’t bat an eye handing over damn near his entire paycheck for her

which is more important – money or doing something they love?: right now it’s the money, because the health of the person he loves most is on the line and he’s struggling enough as it is to make ends meet, but sometimes when he’s laying in bed at night he thinks how nice it would be, in a perfect world, to work just forty hours a week doing something he loves

𝕤𝕖𝕔𝕣𝕖𝕥𝕤 

phobias: the ocean / natural bodies of water

life goals: stay in touch with his family this time around / save as many bees as he can / find love maybe

greatest fears: losing his mother / turning into his father / pushing away everyone he cares about / being alone after mama moore passes and all of his siblings leave again

most embarrassing thing ever to happen to him: probably causing a scene at jj’s birthday and being yelled at that he’s just like his daddy in front of a whole crowd of people / but also somewhere, on somebody’s phone, exists a video of him blackout drunk on tequila and shirtless, dancing to black velvet by alannah myles, on the bar of the wild pony sometime in winter of last year

something they’ve never told anyone: sometimes when mama’s asleep, he goes into her room and sits down on the floor by her bed and just cries until his head aches worse than his heart or he falls asleep

biggest regret: the first time he ever picked up a bottle + realized it was a comfort

compulsions: constantly working / being in a state of motion or busy / drinking

police/criminal/legal record: a colorful list of misdemeanor charges including  assault / battery / public intoxication / trespassing / vandalism / resisting arrest / driving while intoxicated

vices: cigarettes / whiskey / long drives / late night conversations with daphne / phone calls to jade

𝕡𝕣𝕖𝕗𝕖𝕣𝕖𝕟𝕔𝕖𝕤

hobbies: beekeeping / reading / woodworking / violin ( though not so much anymore )

favorite color: aegean blue

favorite smell: gasoline / meyer lemon / the dryer sheets out of the laundromat dispenser

favorite food: anything his mama used to cook / a full diner breakfast literally any time of day

favorite book: silent spring by rachel carson / walden by henry david thoreau

favorite movie: romeo + juliet directed by baz luhrmann

favorite song: nights in white satin by the moody blues

coffee or tea?: coffee, no cream but sweetened with honey

favorite type of weather:  clear skies / warm / breezy

most prized possession: the family trailer, under his name when he became his mother’s p.o.a.

most used word or phrase?: for fuck’s sake

[gustafsnightangel]

A Softer Side Part 2

Hunt and Strand lived, breathed, and ate the case until they had exhausted all avenues, only then did they decide to stakeout Donovan’s place.

“It’s like four days until his kids birthday and he’s still in town, what gives?” Hunt asked from the back of the van as he watched Donovan’s car pull up.

“A few options, he isn’t our guy, he’s snatching closer to home, or he’s paying someone else to get their hands dirty as he’s retired living the life of luxury.” Karl quipped sarcastically.

“In a run down duplex. Sorry, I’m not buying.” Jerry huffed.

“Me either. He’s dirty, we just gotta find the dirt.” Karl’s eyes narrowed as the trunk of Arthur’s car opened. Snatching the camera with the telephoto zoom lens he zeroed in on the shopping bags.

“You got something boss?”

“Shopping.” He stated and clicked away as Jerry watched the images come up on his laptop screen. “Hmmmm.”

“Hmmm indeed.” Hint said scanning the photos. “Why would a guy in his sixties, living alone need feminine hygiene products and diapers?”

“Damn good question.”

“He’s stocking up.” Jerry said quietly.

“He is, hey run the plates.” Karl smiled. “He’s changed cars, that’s not the same one he had last week when we came here.”

“Derek Strider, age 57, black hair, that’s dyed because it was a sandy blond when we met last week. Says here he’s a retired school teacher. Helps out at, oh fuck me.” Jerry said a moment later, and spun the laptop around for Strand to see.

Karl almost went nuclear. A fucking orphanage, is this guy for real? “Get Meekland on the phone, right the fuck now.” He snarled and Jerry opened a line.

Strand relayed the information and Jerry, wisely, kept his mouth shut.

“I’m not asking for a warrant yet ma’am, I’m asking for someone to go sit on the orphanage over the next few days to see what this guy does.” The line went silent for a few moments.

“You’re sure?”

“Somethings off Sarah, we can’t ignore it.”

“Very well, I’ll have someone assigned to you this afternoon.” She snapped.

“Thank you.” The line went dead.

“You guys really hate each other don’t you?” Jerry said quietly.

“No, just... we irritate each other, oil and water.” He chuckled, let him think they hated each other, it was better than I’m banging the boss. “What type of security do you think he has on that house?”

“Considering what he’s hypothetically hiding, I’d say a lot.”

“Hmmm.”

“What hmmm, I don’t like that hmmm.” Jerry said cautiously.

“He’s going to go out at some point and I want to have a snoop around.” Strand murmured.

“You can’t go in...”

“I didn’t say I was going in, I want to look around.” He shot back. “You knock on the front door while I wander around the back.”

“If we go in without a warrant.”

“I’m well aware of what happens, don’t sweat it kid, I’m not about to blow this lead by entering without a warrant.” Not yet he thought.

“Ok then, when?”

“Discretely call the orphanage and ask what time the volunteers come in, tell them your interested in helping out.” Karl lifted the camera back up as Arthur ventured out to the car again as Jerry made the call.

******

“He’s heading to the orphanage.” Jerry confirmed.

“And you know this how?” He asked sarcastically.

“Because Wainwright just texted me that he’s over there and our boy just got out of his car.” Hint smiled.

“Good, let’s go.” Karl stalked to the house with purpose, his long legs eating up the road. Signaling to Jerry, he went around the back. He heard the kid knock on the door and wait, the polite investigator just tying up loose ends. Strand committed the layout of the rear of the house to memory, the storm shelter door which was oddly out of place against the abandoned garden shed along the back fence. Glancing at the neighbors yard, their storm shelter was against the house. Hearing Jerry’s second knock and polite call of Mr. Donovan he ventured along the rear of the house, studying every weather beaten board, every window. Nothing out of the ordinary. Taking out his phone he snapped a few photos and walked toward the garden shed, now here was some security. “What are you hiding behind a rusty tin shed Arthur that needs a high end, high priced military security system?” He muttered to himself and snapped a few pictures of the lock and the storm shelter which also has a lock. The back entrance to the house was also tightly secured, he needed blueprints and a warrant.

******

Climbing back into the van Karl uploaded the photos from his phone to Jerry’s computer and gave him detailed information about the locks and where to find someone to break them. He also had him pull the county blueprints of the area.

“Ex military.” Strand said as if that alone explained everything. “They don’t ask questions and get the job done. It’s our last resort if we can’t get the warrant.”

“We’ll lose our asses if we go in without a warrant.”

“I will, you won’t be coming in if it gets to that point, because I won’t be arresting him.” He said darkly and let the kid see the rage and hatred simmering beneath the calm facade that was Karl Strand. “If it is who we think it is, I’m not letting him slip through again. This time I’ll end the fucker.”

“Fair enough.” The kid gulped.

“Set up one of the remote wireless cameras on the house and we can monitor from the office for the night. I want food and a fucking shower.” He was beat. They’d been jammed in the van for nearly a week but it was paying off, they had leads, they were following cautiously.

“Can do boss.” Karl climbed into the drivers seat while Jerry took care of the camera and they headed out once everything was online.

******

Strand went out for burgers again after his shower and walked into the conference room as Jerry was finishing up with Wainwright on the phone, the camera they’d set up showed Donovan’s car back in the driveway at the house.

“Our boy home for the night?” He asked placing food in front of the rookie and taking a seat.

“Yeah, got in about ten minutes ago. Wainwright’s gonna hang in case he scouts the orphanage out tonight.”

“Good.”

“He also setup a wireless camera so we can see the building, front and back.”

“Even better.” Karl studied the orphanage, entries, exits, windows. “Pretty secure.”

“Reasonably, the younger kid section more than the main building.” Jerry said biting into the burger.

“Begs the question of how? How’s he gonna do it Jerry?”

“How much does it cost to legally adopt?”

“Chump change to what he’s getting for them. But no, not legally adopt, too much of a paper trail, too many questions.” Karl chewed on that thought. “I wonder...”

“You wonder what?”

“I wonder if he’s visiting other orphanages.” Strand mused out loud.

“Fuuuck! I didn’t even think of more than one. It would be a bold fucking move to snatch them from the orphanage though.”

“Yeah.” Karl said wistfully as his brain ticked over each scenario. “I’d wait.” He murmured.

“Wait for what?”

“I’d wait for the kids to be adopted.” He sat up abruptly and started typing. “Cross check all the orphanages in the last few states he’s hit with parents that have adopted only to then have the child kidnapped a little while later. That’s going to be a short fucking list, at least I hope it’s shorter than the list we have.” They sat and tossed theories around as the computers churned through data. They both fell silent as the chime from the computer informed them of a hit.

“Shit.” Karl scrubbed his hand over his face. “I was hoping I was fucking wrong.”

“Me too, but it’s more weight for a warrant.”

“Ok let’s get to work.” He sighed as the hits came in, a slow trickle of more names he’d add to his list.

“He used more than one orphanage in New York State, Ohio, and Colorado.” Jerry said in awe at the amount of names popping up. “This is crazy.”

“It is, but what’s the bet you just found your milk money.”

“No we found their prime merch, the milk money will be the homeless that can be cleaned up and sold for a quick $20K.”

“Let’s get it together, I’ll call Meekland in the morning and disturb her weekend.” He grinned, in more ways than one.

“Oh she’ll love you for that.” Jerry said sarcastically.

“You sassing me boy?” Strand growled.

“No sir absolutely not.”

Karl couldn’t contain the chuckle, the kid was all right for a rookie.

******

It was 3 am Saturday morning when Strand called it a night. They were both wrecked.

“Go home, get some sleep Jerry. Good work these past few weeks.”

“Thanks boss but if you’re staying so am I.”

“I’m not, I’m heading out. We can’t help these kids if we’re falling asleep mid-takedown. Rest.”

“You too.” He said and collected his coat and headed out.

Strand was kicked back staring at his board when Meekland stepped in. “Making progress?”

“Slowly, but yes.” He eyed her carefully, damn he was in the mood to fuck her hard. “If he sticks to pattern he’ll move on the 17th kidnapping the first kid.”

“We can lockdown the orphanage.” She assured him and he smiled.

“He won’t take the kid from there, it’ll be from the family that just adopted their new baby girl.” He snarled.

“Oh fucking shit Karl.” She breathed. “Seriously?”

“That’s how I’d do it and there’s a pattern with previous states and families that have adopted.”

“Who’s he going to hit?”

“I don’t know. There are multiple adoptions each day and he visits more than one orphanage, each with a different ID. We’re still working that angle. It wasn’t until a few hours ago we were thinking it was just him and a lone operator, now I’m thinking mob or syndicate.”

“Jerry heading home?”

“Yeah, as am I. We need sleep. There’s nothing more I can do for her tonight.”

“You really think she’s still with him don’t you?”

“I heard her screaming when we were close fifteen years ago Sarah, I fucking know she exists.” He stood and pulled his coat on, jamming his hands into the pockets.

“Want to hit the bar?” Which was their code for take me home sir?

“I do, but I’m beat to hell. I need sleep.”

“Go and sleep, we can swing past after lunch.” And with that settled she turned on her heel and left.

******

He knew he should have said no to Sarah, but damn it a man has needs and she was more than a willing participant. The drive home to his downtown apartment was blissfully short given the time and for once the doorman wasn’t at his post to talk his ear off. He needed his brain to shut down for a good twenty four, a solid eight and a good fuck would suffice. Once inside he darkened the room, took a long hot shower and let the day and the case fall away. Crawling naked under the covers he let sleep claim him hard.

******

Her text tone woke him, Sarah was on her way. Slipping on a pair of lounge pants that hung low on his hips he padded out to fuel up with coffee and eggs he hoped were still good. He was clearing his dishes when Sarah knocked.

“You look like shit.” She said gruffly and handed him a bag of fresh bagels.

“Good morning to you too sunshine.” He chuckled and let her in.

“Eat your bagels.” She smirked.

“I’ll save them, I just had eggs. What is it you want Sarah?” He asked sternly.

“You.”

“I thought you had a someone special?” He joked.

“Apparently not as special as the blond bimbo on his arm last Thursday.” She snapped. Ahhhh he thought, that would explain the moodiness these past few days.

“I’m not relationship material Sarah you know that, this is just sex.”

“Sex is all I fucking want right now.” She spat and his eyebrow raised.

“On your knees.” He growled. “You forget your place little one.” She dropped to her knees, eyes never leaving his. “Bedroom.” He barked when she went to touch him, the slight flinch reigning her in. He knew what she needed from him, what she craved when she was like this. Watching her crawl on all fours to the bedroom he finished his coffee and devoured a bagel, she would wait, time it’s own restraint.

She was kneeling at the side of the bed, her usual spot, when he came into the room and shut the door. Belt in hand he stood behind her, looming, his presence enough to have her submit to him. When her head bowed he sat on the bed in front of her and hooked a finger under her chin forcing her to look at him.

“You know not to take that tone with me little one.” He growled. “Across my lap, you get ten.” He saw the realization in her eyes that they wouldn’t be a soft ten either. “Stand.” He commanded. Once she stood she kept her head bowed, hands nervously twitching in front of her. “Take your shirt off.” He purred, the slight smile tugging his lips as her hands shook while fighting the buttons. It was arousal over fear, Sarah had never feared him, nor should she. This was their game, mutually beneficial, equally satisfying. He drank in her curves, the swell of her breasts as she stripped the blouse from her body. “Now your skirt.” His voice husky with need of his own as his eyes followed the fabric down her legs to pool at her feet. She waited, knowing he was in control, he would tell her when to move.

“On the bed, across my lap.” He said after he took his time devouring every inch of her with his eyes. Holding out his hand she took it to steady herself as she got into position. “Hands.” He murmured, the command in his tone unmistakable. Binding her wrists with the belt he secured them comfortably in the swell of her spine. She’d come prepared with her hair already in a tight braid, the long rope like tail enough for him to wrap around his hand for a good grip when he was ready. “Count them out little one.” He soothed as his hand circled her ass cheek ready to strike.

He drew his hand up and back and slapped her hard. The crack of skin against skin echoed around his bedroom.

“One sir.” She said defiantly.

The second strike caused her to whimper, the large red hand print blooming on her skin.

“Two sir.”

With each strike she relinquished control, he could feel her submit to him further.

“Five sir.” She choked as the tears came. He didn’t hesitate, knew that this was what she needed. Wrapping her braid around his hand he fisted it and pulled her head back gently before striking her again.

“Six sir.” She sobbed, tears streaking her cheeks.

“Nearly there little one. He purred and brought his hand down sharply.

“Seven sir.” He felt her let go, the last of her stress and tension falling away as he soothed her ass cheek before striking again.

“Eight sir.” Her sob shook her body.

His fist tightened in her hair as he gave her the last two strikes, both harder than the rest of them.

“Ten sir.” She cried, as he released her hair gently and soothed the pain from her scalp and her glowing hot cheek.

“Will you talk to me in that tone again little one?”

“No sir.” She whimpered.

“Up you get.” He urged and he helped her up and into his lap, her wrists still bound.

“I’m sorry sir.”

“I know you are.” He kissed her forehead, the need for her to feel safe was as important as the release the rough session would bring her.

“Be a good girl now and hop up.” He said, his hand steadying her as she unfolded herself from his lap. Fingers stripped the remaining lace from her body, those curves enticing him to play. Once she was naked he cupped her face in his hands and devoured that beautiful mouth. “Such a good girl.” He purred as she stood there and let him take her as he wanted, touch her as he wanted.

He wasn’t a gentle lover, and never had been, he didn’t do it with the premise of intentionally hurting someone, but his handling was rough. Gripping her wrists he held them forcefully as he took and touched. Releasing them he positioned her face down onto the mattress, his huge frame towering over her. Nudging her knees to widen her gripped her hips hard to bring her up on her knees, that perfect ass presented ready for him to fuck. “Wider.” He growled and nudged her knees open, the whimper making him smile. She’d been begging for him to take her like this and hard for weeks. He left her there, poised for the rough hard fuck she’d asked for while he stripped, his cock aching to be buried inside her, to feel her. He opened the nightstand drawer and placed the vibe on the bed for later, she would come and come hard today.

She wiggled her ass as his tip pressed against her entrance and his hand coming down sharply on her ass cheek. “Don’t test me.” He snarled. He teased her, tormented her to breaking point, the tears and whimpers fueling his own lust. With a sharp thrust of his hips he buried himself deep, her body shaking with the force of their pelvises meeting. Hers was a guttural groan at finally being filled with him, his own grunt equally as loud as he held her hips painfully tight and began to take her.

Strand fucked her hard, his own tension and stress of the weeks past eager to find its own release, the need to fuck it out of his system taking over. Pounding into her he gripped the leather at her wrists and rode her, the sound of their bodies colliding mixing with the grunts and groans of fucking filled the room. He felt her peak, the tightness of her pussy caressing him. Just as she was about to shatter he pulled out, her release ebbing away. His throaty chuckle at her whimper of frustration only spurring him on. “I warned you not to test me.” He snarled, the slick tip of his cock pushing at her puckered hole. It wasn’t often he gave her this pleasure, knew she relished it as much as he did. “So wet for me.” He cooed, the spanking earlier doing its job, her heightened arousal obvious. “You want me there don’t you.” He teased. “Want me buried in that pretty ass.”

“Please sir.” She begged and pushed back slightly to try and force him inside her, desperate to feel him fill her again. The hard slap to her already red ass cheek made her yelp.

“Patients little one or you’ll get nothing.” He growled. “I’ll take my fill and leave you wanting.” She stilled and waited. “Better.” He stroked his engorged cock and made her wait longer, the game drawn out for her pleasure as well as his. Slipping inside her soaked pussy he gave her a few thrusts before pressing against her back door, the tightness around his mushroom tip making him groan. He fed her the tip, her muscles contracting around his head like a vice, her body trembling as she fought the urge to push back onto him.

“Please sir.” She whimpered.

“You want it all don’t you little one?” He inched into her slowly, her breath erratic as she struggled not to come.

“Please sir.” She whimpered.

Once he was seated in her tight ass he drew out and began to thrust, the ease of which he knew she’d prepared for the evening in advance. Working into a rhythm he plunged in taking her hard, the slaps to her ass adding to their mutual pleasure. Leaning over her he placed a hand either side of her head, above the shoulders and fucked her, that soft whimper making him lose his mind as he dominated her. In a swift move he straightened, wrapped her braid in his hand and pulled her head back so her body was bowed back, the other hand at her throat. She was at his mercy, bound and being fucked relentlessly.

His hand dropped from her throat momentarily and reached for the vibe he’d placed there earlier. Switching it on he held it over her clit, the cry of shock and extreme pleasure sharp to his ears. He slowed his rhythm as he eased it inside her pussy, the curved section long enough to sit against her clit. Taking a hold of her throat again he plunged in and felt the vibration ripple up his cock, the groan primal. He took her, hips snapping, pushing him deep into her ass, she was almost screaming in ecstasy.

Feeling her peak he pistoned his hips and fucked her like the primal animal he was, taking what he wanted, everything she had to offer him and more. “Come.” He snarled and squeezed her throat as she exploded. The feel of her milking him had him roar before he spilled his seed, his thrusts erratic and powerful. Both spent he pulled out and released her wrists, her body lax and unmoving as she caught her breath. “Color little one.” He said as he climbed off the bed.

“Green sir.” She panted.

They weren’t one for cuddles and snuggles afterwards, they both got what they needed out of this session and Karl headed to the bathroom to shower. She joined him as he was stepping out to take care of her own personal hygiene. With a towel wrapped around his hips he cleaned up and stripped the bed, virtually erasing the fact they’d fucked here at all.

******

“You know this can’t be a regular thing Sarah.” He said as she stood on his threshold, finger stroking down his crisp blue shirt. “I can’t go through all that shit again.”

“Pity.”

“Were no good for each other.” Except for a quick fuck he wanted to add but thought better if it. He needed to be clear with her again. They had rules and limits for a reason, especially after the crash and burn of their actual relationship years earlier.

“I know Karl, it’s just...” She sighed. “I know.” Leaning in she kissed him sweetly. “Thanks for the session, I needed it.”

“So did I.”

“You know it’s Sunday, you don’t have to go in.”

“I want to see what the our databases spat out.” He said abruptly. He wanted to chase down leads and get ahead of this fucker. “And I think better when I’m staring at the board.”

“I’ll see you around then Strand.”

“Yes ma’am you will.” He said softly and closed the door before she could worm her way back into his heart. He’d loved her once, if a man like him was able to love, but they were just fuck buddies now and it suited him just fine.

******

He didn’t expect to see Jerry at the conference room table, downing coffee and typing furiously.

“You look like a man possessed.” Karl chuckled softly as he shucked his coat and sat to look at the names the computer had pulled, he was loose and relaxed and ready to dig in. “And you shouldn’t be here on your day off kid.”

“You’re here.” He said flatly, continuing on his current train of thought.

“I’m on my own time Hunt, I don’t expect you to be.” Strand said gruffly, he wasn’t a complete asshole to drag the kid away from his scheduled time off.

“You’re here, I’m here.” He said simply. “I’m not looking for overtime, or a pat on the back. I want this prick.”

“It’s personal for you.” Karl said quietly, his gaze studying the rookie as he worked. “Not my business.” He added when the silence stretched. Yes, he thought, you’ll do kid.

“My sister.” Jerry said after a moment as he kept working, though Karl could see the pain and grief etched deep in the kids face when he mentioned her. It had aged him in a heartbeat. “Not this case.” He added quickly. “But you never know, this might give me answers into hers.”

“Unsolved?”

“Stone fucking cold boss.”

“Tell me.” He commanded, he needed to know where the kids head was at.

Strand looked at Jerry and rage looked back, that was something, Karl thought. Anger was good fuel when you had to push through the shit haunting your every step.

“Nutshell version. My sister, Eva, is 16, seven years younger than me, or she would be if she was still alive. I’m not sure she is. She ran away from home and or was kidnapped when she was 10. My mother was adamant she was taken. I’m more inclined to believe Eva took off on some hair-brained fantasy of a better life on her own, even at ten she was a hellion. Cops looked into it and shuffled it to a cold case after not so much as a we’re chasing all leads. They don’t give a shit.”

“Which is why you’re with this agency and not a cop.” Strand added.

“Absolutely.” He said vehminantly. “I’d like to believe she’s still alive, but reading this case and the possibility of her being sold, I’d rather she be dead.”

“Can’t blame you there.” Karl studied the rookie closely. “Is this going to be an issue for you?”

“No sir.” He said strongly. “These kids, the women they are now, deserve everything of me to catch this guy and nail his balls to the fucking wall. If it leads me to answers about my sister then great, if not, I’m ok with that too.”

“There’ll be other cases that blur the lines with your sister.”

“Yep, and it’ll be the same answer then too.” He said matter of factly.

“Good to know.” Karl was pleased with the rookie’s answer. A lot more grit under the shiny new investigator badge than there appeared to be. “What have you got?” He nodded at all the names and figures on the screen.

“I need to figure out what’s driving this and it’s usually money. I set up a phony encrypted account and signed up for all these websites that offer girls of all ages to be purchased. I needed to be in their system to have a snoop around. It’s my guesstimate of the different levels of, dare I call it, merchandise, and payments for each girl, for each username or seller.” He explained.

“You’re looking for a pattern.”

“Exactly.” He pointed at Karl and went back to the printed out spreadsheet in his hands.

“How far does this go back?” Strand asked, the cogs in his head turning with this new information.

“So far only three years. I can get more but it’ll take some time. I’ve already set my computer to pull data.” He turned the laptop around for Strand to see, numbers and names flicking past at an alarming rate.

“How may girls per year?” He asked softly.

“Per user or per website?”

“Both.”

“Gimme a sec.” Jerry’s brow knit in concentration as he fiddled with the spreadsheet on the big screen. “Holy shit!” He breathed out in disbelief.

“Yeah that sums it up.”

“130,000 plus girls a year over the site. 1 to 2 thousand girls, give or take per user. Some users rank higher than others.”

“We look into them all. Split the list of users in half, we run them all. Let’s build the case from our side so when we put these assholes in a cage they fucking stay there.” Karl growled.

“I’ll dig for personal information first to give you a name and username on the site.”

“Do that. I’m calling Meekland, we need more people on this. It’s not just our buddy boy Arthur, not just this handful of sites.”

“We going after them all?”

“We shut Arthur down first, that’s our priority, find the girl, his first girl. We can run the rest in the background.” Karl said as he got some notes together.

“I can set that up. Can I have Wainwright? He knows his shit when it comes to computers and hacking and tech.”

“I’ll see what I can do.” He looked at the kid. “I know you’re not in it for the pat on the back, but this deserves one. Good job.” He grabbed his phone and made the calls to Meekland, secured Wainwright for the support and began to dig into the usernames.

******

“Question.” He said into the silence, the hum of the computer fans the only other sound in the room a while later. “Did you cross the sell dates with anything?”

“Not yet.” Hunt answered. “The snatch date would be different to the sell date and we don’t know how long he keeps them.”

“Search for sell dates on our boys three anniversary dates.” He said on a whim.

“You got something boss?”

“A hunch maybe.”

Jerry ran the search on the sellers websites and the spreadsheet on the big screen. “That’s still a lot of girls.” He blew out.

“But look at the ages.” Strand grinned. “That’s the only thing that matches for three of the sellers. The girls are all 16.”

“So he keeps them from infants to 16?” Jerry’s voice choked.

“Grooms them from birth to be the whores they’ll be sold as.” Strand ground through his teeth. “Those are your prime merchandise.” He nodded to the screen. “Look at the price they were sold for.”

“3.7 mil, 6.2, 1.3, 5.4. Auctioned off, not just sold.” Jerry said reading the site.

“Can you find pictures of the girls?” Karl asked.

“They usually don’t have pictures up of prior transactions but I can look. You thinking these are Arthur’s girls?”

“That’s exactly what I’m thinking.”

“There’s three usernames though.”

“Oh I bet it’s all his, one for each anniversary.” Strand was deep in Arthur’s head now. “I wonder?” He whispered to himself and opened up his file on the wife as he scanned the account and username list.

“Got something boss?” Jerry asked and grabbed their cups to refresh the coffee that had gone cold.

“Maybe.” He mumbled, brain locked onto the current task. “Did you happen to glance around the inside of his house when you talked to him?”

“A little, I didn’t want to be too obvious.” Jerry sat the coffee in front of Karl and took his seat again.

“Were they’re any pictures or anything of his wife that stood out?”

“He had a portrait of her and a child, well I’m assuming it was his wife and a depiction of their child.” Jerry closed his eyes as if to bring the memory back. “Oh and a strange poem line under the portrait painted on the wall or something. You know how people have those chic signs and sayings and shit? He had one that said.... oh fuck me... wait.” Jerry’s eyes went wide and he scrambled forward to use his laptop. “Fuck! Fucking fuck I missed it before. NevermoreRaven that’s his fucking account username.” Jerry spat. “And he lists all three separate usernames under that one account name. Son of a bitch.”

“So our boy is into some Poe is he?” Karl grinned. “What was the poem line on the wall?”

“Sorrow for the lost Lenore.”

“The Raven by Mr. Edgar Allen Poe.” Strand stood and scrawled it across the board. “What’s the bet Lenore is his wife’s real name. Add an amendment to your report on the Peter Jensen case, tie it in. It’ll give us cause and a bit of weight.” It was a good solid lead and something he could now got to Meekland with to secure a warrant. “Damn good work Jerry.”

“I was stupid, I just thought it quirky and should have followed up, we could have known this earlier.” He spat, angry he’d made a rookie mistake.

“Live and learn kid. Without the website info it wouldn’t seem like much.”

“It would have to you.” He huffed.

“Kid I’ve got nearly twenty years on you.” He snorted as he pulled out his phone to call Meekland again, thing had just swung in his favor. “Run and focus everything on EvermoreRaven. We nail Arthur first, then we go after the others. Let’s not spread ourselves too thin and lose him.” Which is what had happened last time, Karl thought. History would not be repeating itself, his case, his op, this time around, his rules.

“When’s he due to strike again?” Meekland asked, annoyance in her voice at being disturbed again on a Sunday.

“Tomorrow is his kids birthday and the day his wife died. He’ll have his information on who he’s going to snatch and the 16 year old he’s about to sell.”

“Jesus Karl, this is a can of fucking worms.” Her sigh was one of frustration.

“Yeah and it’s going to get messy if we don’t do it right. As much as I want to bust in there and nail his balls to the wall we need to catch him in the act. The snatch and sell needs to go down, transactions completed for it to be worth anything in court, for us to dig deeper and get them all. I need to know where he’s getting all the girls and housing them. I need the warrants, I need a team.”

“You’ll have it.” She said without question. “Send me the list of who you want on this, hand pick the team. I know you Karl.” She said, that unspoken approval of they don’t all have to be department employees.

“Thank you ma’am.” He said gently, and he was thankful, she was giving him free reign which if the op went south it would be her ass too. He’d keep Hunt and Wainwright, the rest would be a team he trusted and knew wouldn’t let shit fall through the cracks. Time to color outside the lines a little, he thought as, he put in a call to Wainwright and was surprised when the guy walked into the conference room ten minutes later. “You working today?”

“I was yeah. Nothing that can’t wait. What do you need?” Karl liked Steven, blunt and no bullshit, much like himself.

“Get with the kid.” He nodded in Jerry’s direction. “He’ll get you up to speed, I have an op to plan.”

“Sweet.”

“You up for a tail?”

“On Arthur? Sure, where and when?”

“He’s going to leave sometime tomorrow for the snatch. I need you to follow him and get it on record, the snatch, the location he’s taking the kid to. It’ll be an infant going in and likely a 16 year old coming out.”

“I don’t think the teen will come out that day boss.” Jerry said softly not really sure if he should speak up.

@hausofobsession @ill-skillsgard @grandpa-sweaters @authentic90skidd @tuckersgirl @fairlyfallacy @flowers-in-your-hayr @raewritesfiction @stinkerbelle007 @kamie-b @mrsaugustwalker @skrsgardspam @loliwrites @trippedmetaldetector @lihikainanea @fay-walden

[mellifluoushood]

Into The Dark - C.H. AU [Chapter 2]

A/N: It’s chapter 2 already! After having a conversation with @calumscalm​, I got inspired, again. I was originally gonna leave this at 2.5k words, but then Nads and I got talking and then it ended up being 5k so hahahahaha, whoops. And a very special thank you (and CREDIT) to @ammwritings​ for making this mood board for the series! I absolutely adore it. xx Synopsis: Full-time college student, Seraphina Sallow, works as a receptionist for world-famous tattoo artist, Calum Hood. Their friendship blossomed when she wrote an article about his tattoo parlour, Fallen Angel Tattoos, for a journalism project at school. Since then, she’s been working as a receptionist at his parlour to put herself through school. As college tuition increases and her social security checks get smaller, she’s beginning to struggle to keep up with her payments. And then, a fallen angel shows up in the parlour, offering her the solution to all of her problems. But, at what cost? (TEASER) (CHAP. 1) Genre (this chapter is): angst / fluff / smut / normal Warning: heavy mentions of drug use and selling, strong language, weapons (firearms), some suicidal thinking, vomitting Taglist: @calumscalm​ @gigglyirwin​ @ammwritings​ @loveroflrh​ @dukehoods​ @toofadedtofight​ @babylon-corgis​ @talkfastromance4​ @thesubtweeter​ @vipclifford​ @spicycal​ @cals-wildflower​

“I’ll walk her home, Cal,” Michael states, grabbing his jacket from the back of his bar stool. It was closing, the ceiling lights were being flicked on and the music was switched off. 

“No, I’ve got it,” Calum grabs his own jacket, not even looking at Seraphina. Her gaze drifts between the two men, one a lot more intoxicated than the other. She always felt safe with Calum, but there was something about his stature tonight that lit her stomach with unease. She wanted to explain it away because her situation earlier, that she was naturally on edge, but his silence throughout the night did nothing to calm her.

“You’ve had like, eight or nine glasses of whiskey, Cal. I can get it-”

“-I’m walking her home,” Calum states, turning to look at Michael. His eyes are daring Michael to challenge him, to try and argue with him about who walks her home. Michael looks over Calum’s shoulder at Seraphina, to check on her, but she’s looking at her shoes. He looks up at Calum again before sighing, giving him a pat on the shoulder goodbye. Calum watches as Michael walks around him and hugs Seraphina. He bends down, his taller frame towering over her’s,

“You okay with him?” He asks, close enough to her ear that only she can hear his question.

“I’ll be fine, Mikey, thank you,” she looks up at him. The exhaustion on her features is prevalent. The lids of her eyes are hooded, complimented by dark circles underneath them. Her posture is no longer stiff, but slouched and lethargic, “I just want to go home.”

Michael nods at her before leaving the bar, leaving Calum and Seraphina, standing in silence. He doesn’t even look at her before heading for the entrance, his Docs clabbering against the wooden floor of Steve’s. His leather jacket squeaks as he heads out the door. She sighs, rubbing a hand down her face before following him.

He’s standing against the brick wall, lighting a cigarette. He holds the pack out to her, where she fumbles to take one. When she does, he hands her the lighter without saying anything. She sparks the lighter, bringing the flame up to the cigarette, taking a breath. The cigarette lights and she hands the lighter back to Calum before beginning to walk in the direction of her house. Her decision to leave her car for her to collect in the morning was a smart one, weed and alcohol swimming through her bloodstream and Calum was too drunk to drive it for her.

The beginning of the walk is silent. Calum’s boots thud against the sidewalk as Seraphina shuffles along next to him, sucking on her cigarette with intensity. She can feel the beginning of the nicotine buzz in her system, her head going slightly fuzzy. She doesn’t look at Calum, knowing his silence will only last for so long. She looks down at the walkway under her feet, counting the cracks in the pavement and stepping over the seams.

“Where were you tonight?” Calum cuts straight to the point, his voice void of emotion. She looks up at him. His gauges and nose ring twinkle under the street lights. When he looks down at her, his eyes are stone cold. They stare right through her act and down to the very being of her soul. She shies away from his eyes, looking back down at the sidewalk.

“As I said, I had plans.”

“What plans?” He scoffs, finishing off his cigarette before tossing the butt in a storm drain. He turns to look at her again, “Where were you?” She can smell the whiskey lingering on his tongue and inner cheeks. The stench of alcohol is one she smells on Calum once a week, but this time, it smells different. It smells dangerous.

“I had plans,” she shrugs, “It’s none of your business.”

“It’s my business if you’re doing stupid, Seraphina,” he uses her full name and it almost makes her stop in tracks. But she keeps walking, attempting to build her exterior walls higher than Calum would ever be able to see over. She had to protect him. She wanted to protect him more than she wanted to protect herself.

“I had plans, Calum. Drop it,” she snaps at him, his prodding getting dangerously close to the topic she so desperately wanted to avoid.

“Plans where you come back, completely dishevelled, after being vague about your plans and not answering your phone for two hours. Okay, those kinds of plans,” Calum begins to slur his words at the end, antagonising her. He’s poking at the weak spots in her walls she’s ferociously building up, trying to get her to crumble in any way. She doesn’t budge.

“Honestly, Calum, it’s none of your fucking business.” She stops walking, looking up at him. She’s a few feet from her apartment building, but the anger beginning to swim through her blood is keeping her feet from moving. 

“It’s my fucking business when there’s a gun in your fucking pocket,” he seethes. He points to the Glock that she hadn’t tried to conceal on her walk home, “Because I know that’s not fucking legal.” Her fingers fumble to move her oversized shirt to cover the bulge on her hip. 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Fuck off, Seraphina. Why do you have a fucking gun in your pocket?” He’s angry. He can feel the anger seeping out of his ears like steam. His heart is pounding out of his chest, his pulse beginning to speed up at the adrenaline starting to course its way through his system. The whiskey makes the corner of his vision blurry, but his anger only intensifies his tunnel vision. He steps close to her, only a few inches from their chests touching. She’s quiet, staring up at him, defying his questions, daring him to continue just the way he had dared Michael to defy him, “I’m going to ask one more time. Why is there a gun in your fucking pocket?”

“You can ask all you want,” she says through gritted teeth, “You’re not getting an answer because I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You’re unbelievable,” Calum mutters, shaking his head and bitterly chuckling at her answer, “I’ll see you tomorrow.” And with that, he turns on his heel and leaves. He heads back for the bar, hoping to catch a cab. The anger causes his head to pound, but as he walks away, just like he did earlier, the anger dissipates and he wonders to himself if he’s making the right decision by walking away. His question is answered when he turns around to see if she had gotten inside okay.

She’s sitting on her doorstep, unmoving. Her face is covered by her hands, hair tucked behind her ears. He notices the way the piercings on her cartilage sparkle. He can’t hear her, he’s too far away and his hearing is shot from the amount of alcohol in his system. He furrows his brows, turning around and walking back to her. As he gets closer, he notices her chest heaving. He begins to hear her whimpers of cries and the sound of her sniffling. She hears his boots approaching, quickly wiping at the tears on her cheeks and looking up at him,

“What, Calum?” Her voice bites at him, “What do you want?” She has a scowl on her delicate features and Calum frowns.

“I want to help you,” he says, his tone gentle for the first time all night. She shakes her head, 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she instinctually sniffles from her tears earlier, “There’s nothing to help with.”

“Okay,” Calum drags out, looking down at her. Her brown eyes meet his and she has the same look in her eyes when she saw that text message earlier in the night. His eyes flick from her left to her right, trying to decipher what the emotion was, but he had never seen it on her before. His mind swims with alcohol and questions, “I’m going to sit here with you until you feel like going inside. You don’t have to tell me anything, you don’t even have to speak to me, but I’m here, okay?” His words jumble together, his intoxication leaking over his lips and mixing with the need for sleep that pulled at his shoulders. She doesn’t respond before he’s collapsing next to her on the concrete stoop and sitting close to her. 

He can smell her perfume and shampoo. Her shampoo smells like lavender, she showers every night before bed because the scent of her shampoo makes her sleepy. He remembers asking her why she always smelt like lavender when she came into work one morning. Her perfume varies on the day. He’s identified around seven scents and he can distinguish which one they are based on her mood. Daisy by Marc Jacobs is her simply unbothered mood, Gucci’s Guilty Absolute Pour Femme when she was feeling particularly creative, Black Opium by Yves Saint Laurent when she was feeling a bit down, and the list goes on. She always smelt luxurious, hints of deeper scents, notes that would be found in men’s cologne but are mixed with typical notes in women’s perfume. It suited her - it was not bright.

She looks up at Calum, her eyes red-rimmed with tears instead of her high, wondering what the fuck was going on with him. He had been pestering her, questioning every move she’s made since she left the parlour earlier, but his fluctuating attitudes and simple assholery sent her into a near spiral. The last thing she needed right now was for Calum to turn on her. Calum, one of her good friends, who’s been there for her more than she’s willing to admit. And she can’t bring herself to drag him into another situation, especially one she had put herself in. She knows his past, he knows the world he was involved in before he invested in the parlour. She couldn’t bear to bring him back there, not when she had willingly made the choice to contact Roy.

Calum looks down at her, not speaking, just as he said. He was there, simply if she needed someone. She notices the way his brows have furrowed, not angry, but with concern and worry as he tries to figure out what’s wrong with her. She watches as he takes in her appearance, looking for any sign of what she’s gotten herself into besides the gun stuffed in her waistband.

“Do you... do you wanna stay the night?” She asks, noting his bleary eyes and tired stature.

“Only if you’re okay with it.” She nods, standing up from her place on the stoop, dusting off her shorts and turning to unlock her door. He waits until the door is unlocked and the door is open before he stumbles to his feet and trudges in the front door. 

“Bed or sofa?”

“Whichever,” she shrugs, walking into her bedroom before he makes up his mind. He stands in the doorway, shutting the door behind him. She takes the time to stash the gun in her pocket in her nightstand. Her fingers wrap around the grip, pulling it out and examining it. It’s heavier than she ever thought a gun would be. It weighs down her arm, straining the muscles in her triceps to keep it level. She takes a shaky breath, looking back at the open bedroom door, checking for Calum and raises it. She doesn’t take off the safety but simply gets used to the feeling of holding it. She adjusts her hips and shoulders, just like she had seen in every action movie ever, closing one eye and seeing what the aim should look like. Her spine tingles with promises she had made to herself to never own a firearm and her palms begin to sweat. She takes another breath, opening the nightstand and placing the gun over a few notebooks she had stored there. She closes it and turns around to the door. It’s still empty. 

She sighs and grabs a spare pillow from her bed and stops at the closet in the hall, grabbing a comforter for Calum. When she emerges, she finds him in the kitchen nursing a glass of water. He hears her footsteps and looks up, eyes flickering to where the gun had been all night. He notes its disappearance. She looks at him. The one light in the kitchen illuminates the sleeves of tattoos that decorate both arms, shading and line work immaculate. Decorated with swirls, patterns and flowers, the tattoos curl their way up past the hem of his t-shirt and to his neck, chest and back. She’s seen the chest and back tattoos a few times in the accidental slip of walking into the parlour when he’s pulling off his jumper and his shirt underneath rides up. She knows he has one massive piece on his back that took hours because he had complained about it after he had it done. That was only a week after she had started working at Fallen Angel. She looks down at her feet without saying anything to Calum and puts the pillow and comforter on the sofa.

“I’ll be in my room if you need anything,” she mutters, collecting a glass of water for herself, not saying another word to Calum. He watches her move around the kitchen. Her shoulders are slumped and the dark circles underneath her eyes are more prevalent than earlier. She looks defeated, whether it was from her argument with Calum or what she had been up to earlier in the evening was unclear to him. He wanted to ask, he really did, but knew he shouldn’t press her. Not right now.

“I’m sorry,” he whispers as she walks out of the kitchen. She turns around to look at him for a split second, her eyes sad. She shakes her head,

“It’s fine, Calum. There’s nothing you can do.”

She walks into her bedroom, shutting the door before Calum can ask her what she means by that. He looks down at the glass of water, his hand loosely grasping the base and he has to resist the urge to hurl it at the wall. He wants to help, that’s why he came back. That’s why he turned around and sat on those steps and waited. He wants her to tell him what’s going on. His blood alcohol only intensifies those feelings, blood pumping at the small flick of anger that originally started in his chest and begins to consume his head. But he knows her, and he knows her past, and the only way for her to open up to him is when he’s calm.

He sighs, finishing the water and placing the glass in the sink before padding over to the sofa and beginning to undress. He unbuckles his belt, the metal clanking against each other before he pushes the hem down his waist. His lower half is covered in briefs, tattoos on his thighs peeking out from underneath the black fabric. He strips off his socks, sitting on the couch. He shrugs off his leather jacket, piling it on top of his jeans and removes his t-shirt. He tosses the shirt on the pile of clothing before reaching behind him for the pillow. He tucks it behind his head as he lays down on the sofa, forgetting about the comforter for a moment. With one hand behind his head, he stares at her ceiling.

Before his thoughts get far, he begins to hear music emerge from the crack of her door and through the thin walls of her house. He frowns, struggling to hear the lyrics of the song. As if she can read his mind, she turns up the music, emphasising the words coming out of her speaker. The guitar lick and kick drum sound vaguely familiar, before a raspy female voice comes in again. She had the song on repeat. He recognises the song as 'You should be sad' by Halsey and his heart aches for her. The few times he’s heard this song is when she was so upset at the parlour that he gave her control of the playlist for the day. It was songs similar to this that occupied the speakers all day, but she always seemed to appreciate this one the most. He would always see her sitting at the front desk, foot against the desk and leaning back in her chair, staring far away. He never asked about it.

So, he pulls the duvet from the edge of the sofa and over himself, turning onto his side and drifting off into an alcohol-aided sleep.

She sits on her bed, lamp switched on, staring at the wall in front of her. Her eyes glaze over, the song background music to the hurricane occurring inside of her. Her mind thinks to the drugs stuffed under the floorboard next to her dresser. She thinks about the little baggies sitting in her purse. She thinks about the gun stuffed in the nightstand right next to her. She wonders if there was an intruder if he would find the gun, and kill her in her sleep. A small part of her wishes it would happen. The university payments stacking up and the dwindling checks from the U.S. Federal government as if to say they’re sorry that her parents were murdered wouldn’t matter anymore. The fact they were murdered only a few feet from her very house, only a few doorways down, wouldn’t matter. She thinks about the few friends she has lingering in her life. She thinks about all of the men that have fucked her over, literally and metaphorically. She thinks about everything that has gone wrong in her life, her mind spiralling out of control as loses track of where the train of thought even started. The drugs. The thing that is supposed to help her out of her financial hole, but the feeling in her gut tells her something different. 

Her stomach begins to gurgle, tossing and turning the few drinks she had at the bar. She blinks for the first time in what feels like hours, looking up at the ceiling and pushing down the bile that begins rising in her throat. She swallows, but her mouth begins to fill with saliva. She all but runs to the bathroom in the hallway, busting open the door and emptying the few drinks of her stomach into the toilet. She absentmindedly feels for the edge of the open door, pushing it shut so Calum couldn’t hear her retching into the toilet. She coughs, gagging on nothing and sucking down as much air as she can. Tears prick at the corner of her eyes, her arms finding their way around the seat of the toilet. She rests her head on her bicep, facing towards the toilet she had just gotten sick into. She thinks of waking Calum, what he might ask, what he might find out and it sends another wave of nausea bubbling out of her mouth and spilling into the toilet. 

She hears a knock on the bathroom door,

“No, don’t come in,” her voice is weak, straining against her acidic throat. Calum doesn’t listen as he pushes open the door, looking at Seraphina, kneeling over the toilet,

“You never fucking listen to me,” she sighs, shutting her eyes and reaching up to flush her sick down the toilet. Calum exhales loudly, shutting the door behind him. He sits against the door, so he’s at her level,

“Are you okay?”

She chokes back a bitter laugh, not wanting the movement of her muscles to stir up another fit of vomit. She just shakes her head, eyes still closed,

“I’m fine. Just go back to bed.”

“Seraphina,” he huffs, “I don’t know who you think I am, but I’m not going anywhere.”

“I think you’re a guy who walks away whenever he gets angry. I think you’re a guy who wants to help others, not for them, but because it makes you feel better about yourself,” she snaps. Her words are meaningless to her the moment she spews them out of her mouth, but she can’t bring herself to open her eyes and apologise, “Just... leave me alone.”

“You’re not like this,” Calum shakes his head, ignoring the feeling of his heart beginning to crack at the seams at her unkind words. He licks at his lips, eyes focused on the woman who’s still curled up around the toilet bowl.

The tone of his voice awakens something in her own chest and she opens her eyes, looking at the man in front of her, “I...”

“I know, ‘phina, I know,” he soothes, crawling closer to her. He begins to stroke her back, the tears that were pricking at her eyes spilling over her cheeks. He stops her apology before she can say it, knowing it’ll start a crying fit, but it looks inevitable now. She was going to cry, no matter what he did. So, he sits there, stroking the smooth skin of her back underneath her t-shirt. The tears start trickling down her cheeks, the warmth of the drops seemingly burning her skin in their path. Her breathing becomes laboured, her cheeks turning a pink as she sits and cries into the toilet.

“C’mon, let’s get you into bed,” Calum soothes, standing up from the floor. He crouches over and places an arm around Seraphina’s waist and helps her up. The soothing touch of his palms keeps her from another fit of tears, instead calming the anxiety in her chest, replacing another inkling of a feeling in her heart. She looks up at Calum, eyes still stained with tears, streaks dripping on her cheeks. She offers him a tight-lipped smile. Calum returns it, using his free hand to cup her jaw. He uses his thumb to wipe the stains from her olive skin, admiring the small freckles that are speckled across her nose and the blush of her cheeks. It’s sad, but she looks beautiful when she cries, at least to Calum. He hesitates slightly, before leaning forward and pressing his lips to her hairline. Her baby hairs tickle his upper lip, the frizz of her curls brushing along his jaw. She closes her eyes at the touch, basking in the feeling of safety, of protection that Calum has always seemed to provide, but in this moment, he exudes it. Safety.

She’s always liked that about Calum. After breaking through his stone-cold exterior, she noticed sides of him that seemed so stereotypical of a guy like him, but she adored nonetheless. She’s noticed the way his eyes crinkle with a smile when he sees his mother’s name pop up on the screen of his phone. She’s watched as he texts his sister daily updates, whether it was about a client or just how he was feeling. She’s watched as he’s stood up for her when a drunken man gets a little too close in the bar even though she’s more than capable of taking care of herself. She would always chastise him for that, even though he insisted he knew she would be just fine without him. But, he would do anything for the people he cared for, and that’s something she admired about Calum. His heart. She admired his willingness to stand up for anyone, no matter his feelings towards them, and his loyalty to those who meant most to him. That’s what made him so successful before the parlour - his loyalty. His nights spent behind bars, lips shut as he waited to be bailed out. 

She places a hand to his chest, pushing him back slightly. Without words, she turns to the sink and brushes her teeth. Calum’s arm remains in proximity of her, his hand drifting down to the sides of her waist as she runs her toothbrush under the sink. Her stomach begins to flutter, in a good way, when his thumb starts caressing the skin of her hip underneath her shirt. She looks up at him in the mirror, and he’s already looking down at her. She can’t read the look in his eyes, but there’s something softer, kinder about the way he’s looking at her. She notices the smile lines by his eyes and the sunburn that lightly dusts his cheeks from his days off, sitting out in the sun. She looks away, spitting into the sink and wiping her mouth. She lets him guide her into her room.

He notices the immaculate state of her room. The walls she painted grey herself, even after Calum insisted on helping her, reflected nicely in the faint light coming from her bedside lamp. She had painted her dresser and nightstands black, changing the handles to silver. She’s hung up fairy lights along the crown moulding of her room, shining down on different arrays and shapes of Polaroids. Each wall had a different shape made from Polaroids. One wall held a square, a circle, a rectangle and a triangle. He would’ve figured a heart would be more artistic and heartfelt, but he’s learned the only place she voices her emotions is in her music taste and the tattered black journal she brings to every one of her Creative Writing lectures.

He helps her over to her side of the bed, pulling back the comforter that she had been sitting on earlier and letting her slide in. She rests her head against her pillow, eyes looking up at Calum as he focuses on pulling the blanket up to her shoulders. Their eyes meet and he gives her a tired smile, his own eyes starting to show shadows underneath them.

“Goodnight, Seraphina,” he sighs, hesitating once more before leaning down again and placing one last kiss on her forehead. She looks up at him as he does, trying to memorise each detail of him so close. The scruff that trails along his jaw, the birthmarks on his cheek, the exact placement of his nose ring, the small hairs straying from his eyebrows, the length of his eyelashes. Everything she can commit to memory.

When he pulls away, he turns away without looking at her face, afraid of what might be written on it. With his back turned, he can barely hear her whisper,

“Can you stay here? With me?” He stops in his tracks, turning and looking at Seraphina who’s eyes gleam up at him. And he finds himself nodding and sliding into bed before the nerves of laying next to her set in. He lays underneath the covers, beginning to feel the traces of her body heat radiating into the linens. He tries to calm the increase of his heartbeat, looking up at the ceiling. He can feel her turn next to him,

“Can you,” she exhales shakily, “hold me?” Calum looks down at her, similarly to the way he had when she had asked her first question. Instead of answering, he turns on his side and uses his hand to hold her hip and pull her towards him. She immediately tucks her head into his tattooed chest, her own heart rate pounding against her chest, her stomach erupting with flames that dance along the bottom of her ribcage. But, she can feel the same safe feeling wash over every limb, settling her every muscle. She cautiously wraps her own arm around Calum’s midsection, which he seems to welcome. She presses her hand to his bare back, palm flat against his spine. His arm wraps around her back, his large fingers clutching to her other hip, holding her flat against him. Their hearts beat rapidly, but in sync.

“Goodnight, Calum,” she whispers, her eyelashes tickling his chest as she closes her eyes.

He exhales shakily, “Goodnight, ‘phina.”

[thousandsunnywrites]

FILE 1: WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF SMILES

⤷ word count: 1,7k

⤷ a/n: there’s no major romantic shet here, but it’s like the foundation of what’s to come

[BLACK LIVES MATTER]

⤷ TRIGGER: mentions of pills & death

“Roronoa, check the mission board.” A stack of papers land right in front of his propped feet, waking him from his light nap. Standing in front of him was no other than the assistant chief, Law. “In two weeks, we’re raiding the SMILES House.” 

Yawning, he glanced over, doing as told. Law’s right. After extensive research, their department accumulated enough information to obtain a warrant to bust down this illegal business. Doflamingo is a smart man, he evaded the police’s eyes for years now despite his brother being the chief. His eyes skimmed through the raid team while taking a mental note — Usopp, Chopper, Law, and him, along with a bunch of other extra names. Supposedly, this ambush is the most difficult in the history of the New World Station, errr, at least that’s what Zoro hears in the coffee room. 

Chief Corazon-- the name everyone addresses him as, only a select few know his real name-- lead this station ever since the retirement of ex Chief of Police, Sengoku. You and Zoro transferred into this department not long after graduating law school. As Chief puts it, it’s a miracle how you never crossed paths with Roronoa during school-- maybe he just got lost while trying to do so-- because you complement each other so perfectly: you’re academically strong, while he’s strong physically. It’s no hair-puller to know why he’s constantly paired with you.

Zoro’s train of thoughts halts as a very loud, and jumpy girl emerges from the corner, latching onto his arm almost immediately upon seeing him. “Zoro,” you cooed like a little bird, expectantly. Prior to this day, Zoro wagered that it’s easy to drive around while patrolling the area because anyone can do that, and you took him up on his little bet. It was hard, knowing the shortcuts and hidden roads within the area, but it was easy when you get the hang of it. Unfortunately for Zoro, he was blessed with confusing right with left, north and south. Call it whatever you see fit, but you can’t deny it’s like taking candy from a toddler.

“Yeah, yeah, I know.” he sighs, bringing out the iconic Starbucks cup, filled to the brim with your favorite coffee, Venti-sized. “Expensive-ass woman. You know how much that cost me?”

“Oh hunny, I know, you’re lucky I’m not asking you to pay for my rent,” you take a sip as Zoro nods along. Yeah, he’s aware of the rent surge for your apartment. That landlord of yours, what’s his name, Bella… Belle-something was a big pain in the ass, charging twice as much to splurge on gambling. He’s heard this rant so many times, he can recite it word for word.

“Y’know if you’re having a hard time with rent, then just leave. Go somewhere else.”

A pout forms on your lips, hand waving animatedly to dismiss his suggestion. “Easy for you to say, you own a house. Besides, it’s the only available one in this area. I don’t wanna go outta town. It’s hard enough to wake up on time in the morning-- what more of waking up 3 hours earlier?” You pinch his cheek, earning a groan from the man. Remind him again why he puts up with you.

“Don’t forget about our first-not-fake-date tonight,” you wink, body shimmying out of excitement. Sometime last night, you concocted the perfect date with Zoro to flaunt in front of Sanji. Zoro is to take you to the nicest park he can find and do a surprise picnic-- not much of a surprise if you orchestrated it-- whilst giving you a necklace with his initials on it-- again, nothing special especially if you’re gonna buy it. Zoro wonders why he’s even letting you use him, but then again, you pay for the propaganda, and he doesn’t have anything better to do. No rent money worries, no girlfriend to tend to, no stress that plagues the average adult. 

“Doesn’t sound like we’re dating if you call everything we do a ‘not-fake’,” his lips downturn to a very displeasing frown that marred his big-tough-guy look, while he attempts to pry your clammy fingers off said face. He doesn’t know the first thing about love, but sure as hell he’s not a dumbass.

Law pulls you aside to escort you to the Chief’s office, leaving Zoro to revert his focus back onto his reports, overlooking the new cases. A killer clown running loose, gathering a circus to cause more trouble. Nothing more than clout for a rep. 

The Massacre Solider’s, as the media dubbed, killings suddenly halted.

The Revolutionaries protesting and planning a riot downtown against the government, led by the infamous criminal dubbed as Dragon.

Firefighter accidentally sets the workplace on fire after reheating meat for too long. Damn it, Luffy.

“Hey, Zoro!” The familiar long nose approaches him, friendly as ever. “We’re partners today for patrol! Thank god it’s you.” He sobs out the last part, body turning milky white while remembering the horrid flashbacks of almost being shot at by an angry woman for notifying her about her illegally parked car in a handicap spot. The world is a scary place.

Usopp let out a huffy sigh after seeing Zoro’s nose scrunch in distaste. “No offense Usopp but Y/n is and has been my partner,” his arms crossed, gaze not leaving the paper.

The persistent sniper slides next to Zoro, slinging his arm over his shoulder despite the other shoving him off. “Yeah but the chief said that he’s borrowing her for today.”

Great.

It’s not like Zoro dislikes Usopp, it’s not like that at all. It’s just he knows he’s going to babysit the scaredy cat. Amazing how he’s a coward, yet one of the finest sharpshooters he knows. Nobody doing it like him.

The hectic, sharp alarm lights the room red, causing the policemen to spring to action. The once-chattering room fills with the sounds of rapid footsteps, police sirens, incoherent yelling, and the urgent news.

Local wealthy landlord found dead on the street, SMILES cause of death, victim unidentified.

They made it through the yellow tapes and through the crowd with the help of Usopp’s directions, and Zoro instantly remembered that face-- really, how can he forget that face when you constantly bitched about him nearly everyday. That cocky smile never left that bastard’s face despite half of the pearly whites being gone.

It was Belle...

Belle-something.

It was Belle! 

He passes by him on the staircase whenever he visits you for nonsense. The medic hoists the mass onto the gurney, and drives off, leaving the remaining team to survey the area.

His colleagues told him that the victim OD’ed on SMILES, but the marimo knew better. Although faint, his sharp eyes can see the smudged trail of blood coming from another area. This isn’t a typical overdose. Belle was dead by the time the team got here. He was murdered somewhere else and dragged into the streets for a show. A declaration. A warning. 

In short, he was murdered. And probably from the same guy who started this whole SMILES addiction.

Meanwhile as the news blared in Chief Cora’s office, your heart sunk when the anchor broadcasted the victim’s face after receiving identification for a brief moment. It was Bellemy! Holy Gorgonzolas, that’s your landlord! Crap! As fucked up as it seemed, the only thought that initially crossed your mind was Does that mean I don’t have to pay for rent? More importantly, he’s dead! Not that you feel deep remorse... he did call you a whore last week and scoped your apartment without your permission.  

“It’s a message,” Cora puffed on his cigarette, the dim lighting of the room accentuating the smoke, “He knows we’re onto him.”

He ashed his cigarette in his heart-shaped ashtray, before relighting. Paper slid across the table, a confidential report wide open. Attached to the report was a headshot of a man with fancy, bird-eye-like shades. 

“His name is Doflamingo. Known as God of the Underworld. Dangerous man,” Cora said dryly, and straight to the point. “That kid that was on TV worked under him. Bellemy.”

Your brows furrow as you flip through the pages, examining the details with careful precision. “So the assets belong to this man?” 

“Legally. I didn’t find any contract that says that Bellemy shares this property with Doffy. Doffy must’ve not liked that one of his henchmen opposed his will. We can only assume that his death was the price to pay and to promote the SMILES. Other than that, Bellemy’s apartment lots are illegally owned, so we can also assume that it’s going to be confiscated when the police connect two-and-two together. You get where I’m going with this, right?” His eyes glanced over his shoulder, expecting you to catch on with the elaborative hints he dropped. It took a while, but it clicked.

“And now I’m homeless.” Hands thrown in the air, you sighed in defeat. First it was losing your bike in the walkway, next it was having to sneak in your own office like a burglar for a last-minute report that could’ve cost your job, and now it was being thrown on the streets because you lived and paid for an illegal apartment. 

Law interjected your whine with the clearing of his throat. “You don’t have to be.” He was silently watching the events unfold before him, taking in your reactions along the way.

“You can live with us,” Corazon proposed, cutting off whatever Law was going to say. That offer left both you and Law with your jaws hanging wide open. After a second, Law collects himself and musters a very confused what. 

“I was going to say to find someplace outside of town to live!” His disbelief coated his every word, and went unnoticed. “Are you sure?”

Cora simply nods, a thumbs up affirming his decision whilst trying to convince you to take up his offer.

“Please,” Cora’s hand found its way to your shoulder, lightly squeezing it. “It’d be beneficial for both you and us. You’re part of the brains of this operation so it’s better to keep you near us. And you did say you’re homeless now.”

He nudges you once more, after seeing your silence. “C’mon, beggars can’t be choosers.”

With that one line, you concede. 

You pull out your phone and send a simple text to your date, telling him you’re taking a raincheck to pack up your shit. He never responds. Had you known the consequences of agreeing, you would’ve stayed on the streets if that could mean that he’d still be here.

[anoutlandishfanfic]

Going Up. Ch 3.

The Premise: Short. To the point. Unbeta’d.  You can find previous chapters here or over here at AO3.

________________________________

Two Hours Later; almost 10am.

“So, what does Mr Beauchamp do?”

I inhaled sharply, choking on my own saliva as I sputtered stupidly, “What?!”

“You’re wearin’ his ring, aye?” Jamie explained, but his eyes widened as he immediately regretted his words. “Oh God! Is he no’ alive? I’m so sorry, Sassenach! I didna mean anythin’ by it.”

“No, it’s alright,” I coughed.

It wasn’t, really, and my relationship status was something I wanted to avoid discussing at all possible cost, but my cellmate didn't seem to be the type for idle gossip and the truth would be out in full circulation soon enough on its own.

“My husband is alive,” I hedged, all the while wishing he wasn’t, “but Mr Beauchamp would be my father and he died when I was five.”

Jamie’s face softened, knowing the pain of losing a parent first hand as he murmured, “I’m so sorry, lass.”

“Thank you,” I acknowledged with half a smile, that particular emotional wound not nearly as painful as the one my husband had recently inflicted.

“How’d it happen?”

“A crash… he and my mother were killed by a drunk driver while we were visiting my uncle in California.”

“Christ, Claire,” he wheezed. “I should no’ have asked.”

No, you bloody shouldn’t have, but here we are.

A rather uncomfortable silence followed my companion’s pronouncement, broken only by his heavy sigh several moments later.

“So, what’s he do?” 

I caught the hint of self-deprecating good humor in his question. 

“This husband of yours who’s verra much alive?”

“He’s a history professor at Harvard,” I offered up around a quickly growing lump in the back of my throat.

I tried to divert the topic slightly and began to spew Frank’s achievements, beginning with his upcoming tenure and ending with his four-book contract with Harper Collins.

“He’s written two so far… the latest was about French philosophy and how it pertains to ancient Egyptian religious practices.”

Jame gave a vague sound of interest at this— though his eyes betrayed the fact that he had no earthly idea as to how the two connected— and nodded appropriately  

“I didn’t take his name when we married…  but it’s Randall... Frank Randall,” I slowly came to a stop, my words ceasing as his name sat heavy on my lips, their bitter taste blocking out any further discussion.

My companion stiffened as he tossed me a wary look, “Any relation to Jack Randall?”

“Unfortunately,” I responded slowly, entirely willing for our conversation to completely derail on the topic of the bad apple in my husband’s family. 

“He’s Frank’s nephew.”

“Nephew?!”

“Frank’s the seventh of nine children… Jack’s father is the eldest and sixteen years his senior,” I shrugged, having had to explain my husband’s relationship with the infamous Black Jack Randall several times.

“You know Jack, then?”

“Unfortunately,” Jamie echoed my begrudging admittance, but his distaste for the degenerate seemed to outweigh mine.

I didn’t know that was possible.

He shook his head quickly with a forced smile tugging at his lips and redirected us to the very point of interest I’d been trying desperately to avoid.

“So, how long have you an’ Frank been together?

“Almost eight years,” my tongue felt thick, gagging me with every promise that my husband had broken.

“We were together six months before he proposed and then married four months after that…”

“Quite the whirlwind romance,” Jamie quipped when I didn’t continue, eager to get the conversation off him and back to me. “Maybe his next book should be your story, Sassenach. A wee bit easier to follow than Franco-Egyptian philosophy, aye?”

“Yes, well,” I choked, my voice sounding nothing like my own, “he, er… he asked me for a divorce last week.”

A wordless groan left his lips, sounding very much like I’d punched him in the gut… a feeling I knew well.

I sniffed, tipping my head back and staring at the ceiling above us as I tried to stem the onslaught of bitter tears that threatened to fall.

“We barely saw each other while I was in med school… he was busy with his own courses and trips abroad and once I finished, he wanted to start a family,” I rambled.

“We’ve been trying for the last six months but it hasn’t happened and now — out of the fucking blue — he tells me that he’s been having an affair with that grad student of his and she’s bloody pregnant.”

“I should no’ have asked,” Jamie lifted his hands as he shook his head, completely buckling under the emotional weight of my situation, “I’m sae sorry, tis none of my business.”

“It isn’t,” I shrugged, raking the sleeve of my sweater across my eyes and turned back to look at him for the first time. I found him to be as contrite as he professed to be, his face wrenched up in concern and remorse and I added, “but it’s nice to have someone to talk to.”

A slow, compassionate smile lit his eyes as he agreed, “Aye, ‘tis… but please ken that I will never breathe a word of anything you’ve shared wi’ me.”

I nodded, a wobbly smile of my own appearing on my lips as I thanked him. We fell into a more comfortable silence for awhile but, soon, I found myself sharing even more of my frustrations.

“Most of our friends have stopped responding to my texts, they avoid me at the supermarket... one all but knocked over an end-case display yesterday in her haste to get out of the same aisle.”

Jamie growled something low in the back of his throat and I didn’t need to speak the language to understand his opinion of the situation.

“You dinna have anyone doin’ that to you here, do you?”

“No, only my nurse has met him… and she’s ready to lynch him from the nearest tree.”

Jillian had immediately risen to my defense when I’d told her, offering up her spare room for me to bunk in until I could find a flat of my own, and didn't hesitate to voice her distaste for my soon to be ex-husband. 

He nodded, one brow lifting in approval, “I see.”

What made this man so bloody remarkable was that I could tell that he really did see… he felt complete empathy for what I was going through.

Maybe he’d loved and lost too.

“Enough about me,” I sniffed loudly, changing the subject entirely, “what about you?”

“There isna much to speak off,” Jamie shrugged.

“No significant other?”

“No, er,” his hand lifted to the back of his neck, pulling at it as his gaze dropped to the floor, “not any more.”

“Ah,” my brows rose. “I see.”

“She’s the reason I moved to Boston, actually.”

“Really?”

“Aye,” he grimaced. “The lass routinely broke the restraining order I had in place… an’ I couldna bear the thought of her bein’ jailed for it… so I left an’ didna tell her where I was going.”

“Oh God,” my hands flew to my lips, thanking the good Lord that I hadn’t had to deal with that legality in the sudden demise of my marriage.

“What’s her name?”

“Laoghaire.”

[okayohay]

I Just Wanted To Be Edgy Too (Chapter 2)

I wanted to post the second chapter of my fic here, because not everyone uses Wattpad. Please let me know if you would like me to keep posting it! If you want to read ahead - you can find the story on Wattpad here

Hope you guys enjoy!

I Just Wanted To Be Edgy Too

Chapter Two

Van

I needed a change...

We ended our soundcheck with Overlap because I was sick of playing the same song every night. I was sick of singing about things that mattered when I was sixteen but didn't matter to me anymore. I wanted to do something different, so I did what I do best, jump into things unannounced. There was no warning to it. Bondy slid into the opening chords like usual and I cut him off with a riff.

He raised his eyebrows at me as I played the chorus of Overlap instead of Tyrants. Steve crossed his arms over his chest from the lighting platform in the middle of the floor and narrowed his eyes at me, a smug look on his face.

"I want to end with something else." I didn't wait for anyone's response, I just started singing the first verse, forgetting half of the words.

"Whoa, whoa, why Overlap? Why not something else?" Benji scratched the side of his face.

I kept playing the riff on a shrug. "What else?"

"I don't know man...something off of two? Something the fans already love?"

I strummed my guitar again and hummed the words. Overlap meant something to me, that's why I wanted to play it, but I didn't want to tell them that. I zoned out the questions and continued playing, even when the rest of them stopped.

Steve crossed the floor and stood in front of the barricade by the stage. "I like that you're ready to retire Tyrants, but you're going to play something people connect with."

"They'll connect with this if you give them the chance." I heard the edge in my voice.

Bondy cleared his throat and shook his head at me. I knew he was silently telling me it wasn't worth it. Overlap wasn't worth pushing Steve and I into another fight.

"You'll end with Cocoon." Steve said bluntly before he walked off with a flick of his wrist. My jaw locked into place as I ground my teeth together.

"Van, leave it." Bondy whispered.

I shook my head and flicked my hair from my face. "We'll play it now for good measure. I want to hear it live." I spun my finger around signaling the start of the song. Bob struck his drumsticks together and Benji and Bondy exchanged glances I pretended not to notice.

The song started slowly, just as it did on the album, and by the chorus, Bondy's smile returned and he was clearly enjoying playing something new. Even Bob's snare sounded different, a little bit more life to it, perhaps. Steve paid us no mind as he continued to fiddle with the lights and the soundboards, but the few roadies watching in the back seemed to enjoy the change to the set.

I sang the last lines out quickly, adding a few more words in here and there, and dragging out the last sentence rather than cutting it off. We finished and were met with a round of applause from the back. Steve looked up then, taking notice of the compliments and then pausing as he shook his head at me.

A few people walked toward the stage, a mix of roadies and local radio station DJs who couldn't wait to nab another piece of us during an interview. I rolled my eyes, noticing one girl holding a camera and scratching down words on a small black book. She stepped into the blue glow of the lights Steve had been working on, and I froze as she neared the stage. I was in no state of mind to do an interview right now, and I definitely wouldn't be having an interview with a girl looking like that. Her long hair wasn't blonde or brown, but somewhere lost in between the two, and it hung in loose waves over her shoulders. Her eyes were dark, maybe even a little too intense. I glanced at Steve for backup. He hadn't told me anything about a scheduled interview today, and I surely didn't want to go into one prior to a gig.

She said nothing as she stood by the barricade and jotted a few more sentences into her notebook. Bondy glanced at her a few times but shrugged his shoulders when I motioned to her. She looked young, mid to late twenties maybe, and she never said a word to any of us, just kept scribbling quickly into her book. I frowned. If she had something to write about me, I'd like to be the one giving her the information.

She looked up and locked eyes with me then, a shudder rippled through me. She was dead gorgeous, but I've learned to never trust a writer, despite their looks. Never trust a writer at all; trust me.

I jutted my chin at her as I sat my guitar down. "Can we do ya a favor or somet?" My accent was thick, spewing out half word phrases from back home, something that only happened when I was mad, or full of feelings I couldn't get out.

Benji looked up instantly, recognizing my tone and how many times it preceded an argument or a shitty interview. He glanced from me, to the girl, and back to me.

"Van..." he raised his free hand at me but I shrugged it off.

"No, no, no I want to know what she wants from us. She's bloody good at jottin' it down in her book, I just want to know what she's gettin’ on at before I read about it in some magazine or on the internet later."

The nameless girl's face reddened, and she closed the black book and shoved it behind her into her camera bag. She didn't leave though, she just kind of stood there keeping her sites on me, like I was a ghost on the stage and she was looking right through me.

"Van, lad...ease up a bit. It's not what you think. That's her; Barns' girlfriend."

My gaze shifted back to the girl, leaning into a roadie and speaking in his ear. Well fuck.

I bit down on my lip, jumped off the stage and stood next to the barricade. "Sorry love, who did you say you were?"

She pressed herself into the barricade and began pulling her hair into a pony tail. "I didn't. I think you were too worried about me being a journalist to care."

I said nothing, which was a rarity for me. She picked up on my hesitation and sighed. "I'm Ellie." The redness returning to her cheeks.

"You're not a journalist?"

"Legally no, but in her free time she writes damn good articles for a blog." Barns stepped beside her and wrapped her in his arms, kissing her hard. She flinched at first, until she realized it was him and relaxed. I turned away and raked a hand through my hair.

Barns Courtney had been opening for us on and off for months. At first, it was all fun and games, whiskey and beers after shows, sitting around after gigs getting high on shitty weed he'd pull from his pocket. But it escalated into moments of him shattering the glass of a hotel window, or getting in a fight with Larry. It was shortly after that when Steve caught him with more than just weed. He dug him out of several moments of chaos and kept him out of jail in Dallas, but none of that calmed him down. He started bringing more girls around, and that's when I found out he had a girlfriend. I kind of shut down the friendship at that point. The drugs, the girls, all of it...I'd already lived that life and let it ruin me. I didn't need it to happen again. There was enough of me that liked the wild side too much. I'd spent too much time dabbling in hard liquor and cocaine, and it cost me my better judgment. That cost me a relationship, and my anger from the relationship ending cost me any chance at a friendship. I'd lost my way a bit, lost a lot of things, and I swore I'd never do that again.

Barns made me nervous. He had too much of an edge for me to want to be around. His words were stale and full of poison when he tossed them at me or any one of the lads. Watching him kiss the girl he'd been cheating on for weeks felt wrong. It all felt wrong. My stomach churned.

When he finished with her, he shifted his weight to his other leg and smirked. His signature red leather jacket was hanging loosely off him, no shirt underneath. "This is my girlfriend, Ellie." His tone harassed me, the corners of his lips pulling upwards. "She writes for a music blog, I told her to use whatever she wants from the tour."

I shifted my gaze back to the woman who was now biting at her fingernails nervously. "You're staying for the rest of the tour then?"

She nodded and looked back at Barns casually. Barns smiled at her before nodding at me. "I'll catch up with you in a bit babe, I need to talk to Van."

She smiled and stepped away quickly, turning back once to gaze at us both. She hesitated for a moment before opening her mouth. "You should play that song. Maybe don't end with it, but it's a real barn burner. It'd be good in your set." I blinked a few times as I contemplated what she was saying before she turned around again. When she was out of earshot Barns leaned in and pressed his hand into my shoulder. "Remember our deal, McCann. She doesn't need to know about the shit from last week, or the ones before that. I love her, I don't want to hurt her like that."

I laughed and shook my head. "Some deep love you got there, mate." I removed his hand from my shoulder and climbed back onto the stage.

"Come on, man. Be cool." Barns flashed his perfectly straight teeth at me, but there was no authenticity in his smile. It was forced, he was the big bad wolf and he was in sheep's clothing. This was a threat.

I nodded at him. "Yeah, man whatever."

Barns patted the top of the barricade with his hands and spun around quickly, leaving the four of us to our instruments and the last few minutes of soundcheck.

"What was that all about?" Bondy asked as he wiped down the neck of his guitar and motioned to Barns.

I shrugged as Barns disappeared from site. "Get rid of Rango and play Overlap in its spot. Don't tell Steve, just have Larry change the list."

"You wanna cut Rango?" Bob chimed in from the background, disbelief hanging off the vowels of his words.

I nodded once and picked my guitar up again, the first chords in the song echoed through the empty venue.

[twittytelly]

What Happens in Vegas Does Not Stay in Vegas

Steve Rogers X Reader

A/N:This is my contribution as part of @teamcap4bucky‘s 2K celebration. My prompt was “I don’t see how it could get any worse.”   “Hey look, we got married last night!”   “I stand corrected.” Hope you enjoy and check out @teamcap4bucky​

Summary: When a mission goes drastically wrong, can you and Steve bear the brunt of the fallout? Mostly angst, but fluffs up at the end.

Warnings: Some swearing.

The blinding sunlight had startled you awake, warning you that something was wrong. You were usually up and about before dawn like clockwork, to the point that you could not remember when you last slept in. You quickly sat up to see what the time was, but you sat up too quickly and waves of nausea hit you like a freight train. Your head began pounding as you tried to put together the hazy pieces of the night before.

You and Steve were in Vegas on an undercover mission. After months of chasing tips and leads that ran dry, you were meeting with Jasper Sitwell, hoping to gain more intel on the location of the Winter Solider. You could remember that the evening had started well, but then after the second drink it became fuzzy and you could not recall how you got back to your hotel room. Except...

You were in Steve's room, not yours. Panicking, you jumped out of the bed and started looking for your things. Thankfully you were still in the figure-hugging black dress you had worn the night before. Make no mistake, for years you had dreamt of waking up in Steve's bed, but not like this. Anything but like this. You thanked your lucky stars that Steve was not currently there to see you in this state. Before you could wonder where Steve was, the bathroom door opened throwing you back into reality.

Despite just having a shower, Steve looked as rough as you felt. Dressed in a pair of sweats an old t-shirt he looked like he had gone ten rounds with The Hulk. His piercing blue gaze met yours  and you noted how full of hurt and regret they were, your heart sank. He sat at the foot of the bed and motioned for you to sit next to him.

“So” he started nervously, “how much do you remember of last night?”

“Honestly, hardly anything” you replied. “I remember the beginning of the meeting with Sitwell, but then he pushed that second drink on us and then it's all just a blur.”

“Just as I suspected, it hit you a lot harder than it did me-”

“What did?” You butted in, Steve was starting to scare you.

“Someone must've tipped us off” he began. “Those second drinks were drugged. I don't know what the substance was, but it affected me pretty quickly and if I was effected-”

“Then I had no chance” you finished. “Do you remember what happened afterwards?”

Steve gave a sigh that confirmed your suspicions, the mission had been derailed. “Sitwell took advantage of our condition to get away, but that was not the worst thing that happened” he started.

“I don't see how it could get any worse.”

“Hey look,” he started nervously, trying to find the right words “we got married last night.”

“I stand corrected” you contemplated. “Wait- WHAT did you just say?!”

“Well  guess I can call you Y/N Rogers now” Steve said attempting to lighten the mood.

“Don't you give me that shit Rogers!” you expressed your anxiousness giving way to anger. “It's not funny when Stark pulls this and it certainly isn't funny now. Tell me how this happened!”

“Well...um...” Steve started. His eyes were avoiding yours.

“Tell me now Rogers, I do not have all day!”

Steve took a deep breath. “You see we were trying to look for Sitwell, when we bumped into a group of girls who said that we made a cute couple.”

“Why did they think we were a coup-”

“-I don't know, but after they said that we were talking about what a great team we were and you said that seeing as we worked well together and we weren't getting any younger-”

“- We might as well be married” you finished in horror, the memories flooding back. Not only had the drugs cost you your biggest lead on Bucky in months, but they had caused you to betray your deepest desires. Feelings that you had expertly kept locked away, except in those rare, quiet moments when you were alone. Steve read the expression on your face, and reached out to grab your hand.

“Don't blame yourself Y/N” his thumb drawing circles on your palm. “It was the drugs and I should have stopped myself from getting carried away.”

You sighed and found the courage to look into his eyes, confirming your fears. He didn't want to be married to you. Not now. Not ever. Of course you didn't want to be with him like this. You had loved him since the day you were recruited to the S.H.E.I.L.D/Avengers joint taskforce dedicated to  finding the Winter Solider. As the pair of you had worked together and became friends your feelings had deepened. You knew that you could never tell him how you felt, but there was that small part of you that lived in hope that he felt the same way. But now looking at his eyes full of remorse that hope was gone.

“So what do we do now?” You asked, breaking the awkward silence that had descended.

“I've already given Fury the heads up and the legal team are working on getting this annulled as we speak.”

“Oh” you uttered, not really knowing what to think. “I should probably head back to my room and have a shower.”

“Y/N-”

You got up and left before Steve had the chance to say anything, hoping he didn't see the tears streaming down your face. You did your best to keep some control of your emotions until you were in the shower, where you broke down and sobbed. Heartbroken and humiliated, you beat yourself up for being so stupid. How could you have not realised that the drinks were drugged? How could you have completely let go of your inhibitions? How on earth were you ever going to live this down?

-

As you suspected, what happens in Vegas does not stay in Vegas. It did not take long for what happened that night to get out when you both returned to the tower. The pair of you had royally fucked up and the higher ups had demanded answers. Between the many debriefs, tests to find out what the mystery substance was and of course, the annulment; inevitably everyone knew exactly what had happened.

You were able to take the teasing from Stark, Romanoff, and the rest of the taskforce as you were able to shut them up with a witty comeback. But you couldn't stand the constant staring and whispering that followed you around. It was just what you needed on top what you were already feeling. You had started to avoid Steve wherever possible, but soon you were both back to working together and it was beyond strained. Every time you looked at him, all you could think about as that night and the look on his face the next morning. It was too much.

Eventually you couldn't take it any more and asked to be reassigned. While you were waiting for details of your new assignment back at S.H.E.I.L.D Headquarters, you had started ignoring Steve completely; figuring it was time to move on and avoiding any ungainly goodbyes. However, Steve had other plans.

-

A week later you were given the details of your next posting, and you started to prepare to make the move back to Washington, D.C. While sorting through your belongings you couldn't help but smile at the life and memories you had made at the tower. You paused temporarily to look through some Polaroids taken at a party about a couple of months before that fateful night in Vegas. The Avengers had taken down a Hydra stronghold in Sokovia. There had been no strong leads on Bucky's location, but the mission had been declared a success and Tony just had to throw a party to celebrate. Steve, looked impossibly handsome wearing a navy blue shirt and jeans; and you wore your favourite skirt and top combo that made you feel sexy and confident, That night Thor had managed to get most people drunk on his Asguardian mead, but you had turned it down and until recently it was believed that Steve was immune to all substances. So while everyone was trying to drunkenly lift Thor's hammer, you and Steve retreated to a quiet corner, where you put the world to rights.

You didn't realise that you'd started crying until a teardrop hit the photo you were holding. You and Steve had your arms around each other's waists, drinks raised in your free hands, laughing at something you couldn't quite remember. Before that awful night you used to look at photo and trick yourself into believing that Steve was looking at you like he loved you as much as you loved him. But now because of that awful night, you knew the cold, harsh truth and it reaffirmed your decision to leave.

A sharp knock at the door brought you out of your thoughts. Wiping the way the tears you went to answer it, and was shocked to Steve on the other side of the door. You noted that he seemed to be as nervous as you suddenly were. You took a deep breath to steady yourself.

“Whatever it is Steve, make it quick. I'm moving to D.C. In a few days and I need to be packed up as soon as possible.” Your words came out harsher than intended and Steve recoiled as if you had slapped him in the face.

“Y/N, we really need to talk about what happened in Vegas.”

“What is there to talk about Steve?” You snapped back. “We threw years worth of work down the drain, I made a complete fool of myself and you were so horrified by the idea by the idea of being married to me that you practically got the annulment before I had the chance to wake up!”

“Y/N -”

“But don't worry, in a few days I'll be gone, so you can find Bucky with no problems and you can forget that we were ever married!”

“Is this what this is about? You wanted to stay married?”

“No of course not Steve, but you should have given us a chance to talk thing through before acting and it doesn't make a girl feel good when she hears that their friend thinks that being married to you is worse than failing a mission.”

“Oh,”He muttered, the realisation of what he had said that morning dawning on him. “Y/N please don't leave because of a stupid comment, I was still processing what had happened and I wasn't' thinking straight.”

“No it's because of that comment I have to leave” You stammered tears threatening to fall again. “For years I have been living in the land of make-believe, but now I need to head back to reality.”

“Y/N I'm so sorry” Steve uttered moving towards you, attempting to pull you into his arms.

“No!” you almost shouted, stepping away from him, blocking his attempt at an embrace with your arms. Tears were cascading down your face now, but you didn't care. “Do you know how humiliating it is that everybody knows that I'm the last person you could ever want?! You might be able to live with the constant gossiping, but I can't. I need to leave. I need to move forward, I need to-”

Before you could finish, Steve had stepped forward, cupped your cheeks with his hands and brought his lips to yours. Initially you froze, but then you quickly relaxed into the kiss. When Steve sensed that you weren't going to push him away, he deepened the kiss. He kissed you with a sense of urgency as if he was trying to convey something words could not explain.

Eventually, both of you needed air and the kiss ended, Steve resting his forehead on yours. You looked into Steve's perfect blue eyes and saw that there were tears threatening to spill.

“I know I'm an idiot, but please don't leave, you're vital to the team, I can't do this without you, I love you.”

Stunned by Steve's confession, you pulled away. Your mind was reeling, and your heart was close to bursting out of your chest. He had felt the same way all along.

“I'm sorry I started the annulment before you knew what was going on. But I was scared and I thought that the longer it went on for the less chance we would have at being together. I was so nervous about how you were gonna react that I couldn't get my words out straight. I promise I wasn't rejecting you.”

He looked at you expectantly, waiting for you to say something; but you were still processing what he had just said. You had spent all that time wishing and praying, not noticing that he felt the same way.

“Say something Y/N, you're beginning to scare me.”

Instead of saying anything you grabbed his shirt by the collar, and pulled him towards you, brushing your lips against his. He put his arms around your waist and pulled you into him. You responded by putting your arms around his neck. Ultimately, the kiss came to its natural end, and you knew it was your turn to confess.

“I have always loved you Steve, but I guess that I thought that if I told you, it would ruin our dynamic and the mission.”

“So you'll stay.”

“I'll talk to Fury first thing, but I have one condition.”

“Name it.”

“Called me old fashioned, but I believe that you should date someone for a bit before heading down the aisle.”

Steve's eyes lit up as he chuckled.

“Y/N, will you make me the happiest man alive and go on a date with me?”

“I will” you answered beaming up at Steve, neither of you able to contain yourselves. Before you had the chance to say anything else Steve pulled you back in for another intoxicating kiss.

[fernwehbookworm]

Woke The F*ck Up- Chapter 29

August 15th, 2018

Three concerts down in her current world tour and Lena is crashing down from the high of it fast as she paces the new hotel room. Lena had released an album so shortly after her last that when it was announced that she was stepping back from music for a while, every venue sold out within the hour of tickets going up for sale. Right now though, she’s half-dressed in a new blue suit. The black pumps are waiting by the couch, and the jacket hangs by the door. She hates that she had to fly back to National City for this, but she has to see this through. Lena turns on her heel and paces the other direction while rehearsing in her head what she has to say.

“Lee,” Kara says softly from the couch.

Lena startles, forgetting her girlfriend is there. She turns to face Kara who has been watching her spiral into a near panic, pulling her out just in time. Lena smiles softly at her savior and goes to sit next to Kara. Kara immediately grabs both her hands, warm on Lena’s cold, nervous ones.

“Babe, you are going to be fine. I know it will be hard, but you can do this. We are all with you.”

“I know. I know. I got through Lex’s trial. I can get through Lillian’s. It’s just so personal this time. She kidnapped me, hospitalized you. It’s so much more emotional this time.”

“And you are even stronger.” Kara presses her forehead to Lena’s, and Lena closes her eyes and just absorbs Kara’s supportive presence.

A soft knock at the door and Lena’s assistant, Eve, calls that the car is waiting for them. Kara calls back that they will be right there, but she continues to sit with Lena for a few moments more. It’s going to be a long day. With a deep breath, Lena stands and Kara quickly follows. Kara holds Lena’s hand as she slips on her shoes and helps Lena into her blazer.

**

“In your own words, can you explain how you saw the events of the past year and a half?” the prosecutor asks Lena.

Lena’s pointer finger digs into the side of her thumbnail as she tries hard not to fidget. She has been briefed on this part and has practiced it over and over to try and be as calm and unbiased as possible.

She takes a deep breath. “It is no secret that I was estranged from my family. I took a path that was seen as unacceptable. My father did, however, leave money and a small percentage of the LuthorCorp stock in a trust fund before he committed his crimes that lead to his death. Before my brother was arrested, he legally transferred his shares to me as well. That left me with the majority and appointed me as the CEO of LexCorp, which my brother had changed the name to. I, however, have never had an interest in the corporate world. But as the new CEO, I had a very specific life insurance policy that essentially paid out large amounts of money to any kidnappers for my safe return.”

“And the defendant was aware of this policy?”

“I am sure she was. My father and brother had the same policy.”

“Did the defendant try to contact you before the alleged kidnapping?”

Lena tightens her hand into a fist at the word. There was nothing ‘alleged’ about it. “Yes. Several times. But after my brother’s arrest, I wanted nothing to do with my family. I already had an acting CEO managing the company as I decided what to do. My mother called and left messages that I ignored. She had made offhand comments about immigrants and the state of America before. I believe it alienated me even more. She was also not happy with my sexuality and people who were like me."

Jane Ramos paces in front of Lena as she pauses for the next question.

"How sure are you it was Lillian Luthor that kidnapped you?"

"One hundred percent. She was in my rental car when I was leaving National City Airport. She sprayed this aerosol spray in my face, and the next thing I knew I was waking up blindfolded and tied to a chair. She then proceeded to lay out her plan that either she would get the money from my insurance policy or would get to kill Power Girl when she came to save me. Or both. She was really hoping to Kill Power Girl and get the money. Cadmus had run out of funds since my brother's arrest."

"But you never saw her face after losing consciousness?"

"No. But that voice. I would recognize it anywhere. It has haunted me all my life."

"Why was your captor so sure the Power Girl would save you?" Jane asks.

"Power Girl was on a mission to end Cadmus. I'm sure she had made the connections. I'm also sure it could have been anyone that Cadmus took, and she would have been there."

"So Power Girl obviously rescued you. How?"

Lena knew this was coming. But she couldn't exactly put on record a secret government agency was working with the vigilante, who she was dating and whose sister was in that agency.

"I don't know. I was blindfolded the entire time. I remember hearing explosions and gunfire. A lot of shouting. Then something was tied around my waist, and I was hoisted upwards. Suddenly, I was on the roof with Guardian, and he was telling me to stay put while he went down and helped Power Girl get out. She took me on this zip line then and drove me to the police station. That was the last time I saw my mother before today."

Lena glances at the woman then. Lillian sits at the table next to her lawyer as stoney-faced as ever. She is careful not to show any emotion, but Lena almost cowls under the heat of fury in Lillian’s eyes. The lost little girl still trapped deep inside Lena wants to run away. Lena takes a deep breath.

“My mother is a very greedy person. She married for money and not love. She seized power wherever she could. Through connections or money or blackmail. The price of that greed has cost her more than she could ever imagine. Her husband is dead, her son is jailed, and her daughter never wants to see her again. In the end, she was the poison that tore our family apart and drove me away. I just hope our justice system doesn’t fail because my mother should not be a free woman.”

Murmuring ripples through the crowd in the courtroom following Lena’s statement, but Lillian does not make the same mistakes her son did. She stays quiet and allows her lawyer to cross-examine Lena. He tries to make it seem that since Lena never saw Lillian after losing consciousness that it could possibly have not have been Lillian afterall. After about twenty more minutes of questions, Lena is released from the stand and back to her waiting girlfriend and friends. Sam and Ruby sit in the row behind with Alex as Lena squeezes between Kara and Jess. Winn sits in the third row with Eve.

The rest of the day drags on as more witnesses are called and questions are asked. Jane warned Lena that this trial could go on for several days due to the sheer mass of crimes and how money was funneled in and out of the country. Honestly, Lena has planned to just come for this first day and then for the sentencing day. Kara squeezes Lena’s hand every once and awhile. After the lunch recess, the Arias women and Alex don’t return to the courtroom because of an increasingly bored eleven-year-old. Ruby has grown fidgety and her phone is no longer entertaining. Lena can’t blame the girl. She is going a little stir crazy also. Eventually, the judge calls a recess until the next day. It is so much like Lex’s trial but all so different. Cameras still camp out front, but this time, Lena leaves with Kara instead of Kara disappearing ahead of time. Jess, Eve, and Winn trail behind them. It touches Lena that she has more than Kara for her support. She actually has a support system with multiple friends. With a family that chooses her for everything she is.

In the end, Lillian is also sentenced to spend the rest of her life in prison, and Lena feels like a giant weight has been lifted off her chest. She returns to her tour feeling lighter and happier, going along even better with the brighter sound of her new album.

**

September 1st, 2018

“What do you mean you have to go? This was your night off! We haven't had any time together in weeks. Ruby starts back to school Monday, and who knows when we will be free again?” Sam stands in the living room on the opposite side of the couch from Alex as she slips on her jacket and pulls her gun from the wall safe behind a picture of Sam and Ruby. Alex had installed it when she started spending more and more time at their house.

“I’m sorry. But this is a high value target that they are bringing in. He’s been at the top of our list for awhile, and the task force finally nailed him.”

“But why do you have to be there? The whole point of this was so you would have more regular hours. All they are going to do is throw the man in a cell and fill out paperwork.”

“Because it’s my team! How can I expect them to look to me if I don’t show up?” Alex slides her gun to its holster with a bit more force than necessary. Alex reaches for the door knob and pauses. “I’ll be back in two hours. We can talk then.”

“Don’t fucking bother! Stay at work. It’s obviously more important.”

Alex tenses, ready to bite back with something that she knows she would regret. Instead, she bites the inside of her cheek and twists the door knob. Alex heads off into the night fuming and leaves her girlfriend near tears in the living room.

It only takes Alex about fifteen minutes to realize how big of a mistake she made. Another twenty minutes to get to the closest store that sells flowers and buy the biggest bouquet possible. Alex is back on Sam’s doorstep before the hour is over. She has called and let the Agent in charge of third shift know that she isn’t going to be in.

Sam answers the door, wrapped in a blanket and red eyed. “What?” she snaps.

“I was wrong. And an absolute idiot. You were right. I don’t have to be there for everything. I have to learn how to balance work and personal things. But you were wrong, work is not more important. You are. And Ruby. I’m sorry I lost sight of that.”

Sam stares at her, long and hard. She looks from Alex, to the flowers, and back up. Sam considers Alex’s words. “You are an idiot. But You are my idiot, and I love you.”

“You love me?”

“Yes, you big idiot”

“I love you too. Does this mean we are done fighting?”

“Take me to bed, Director Danvers.”

“Oh, gladly.”

**

December 20th, 2018

Lena’s bag feels heavy on her shoulder as she gets off the plane. A whole nine days off, but she is scared out of her mind because she’s spending them in Midville. To meet Kara’s mother. Lena takes a deep breath and walks through the airport to find her beautiful girlfriend. This is going to be a long break.

“Lee!” Kara’s voice rings out among the din of the busy airport.

Lena turns in a circle until she spots Kara. Kara hurries to her and sweeps her up in a tight hug before kissing Lena deeply. It’s been three weeks since they had last seen each other. Lena takes a deep breath of Kara because she’s missed her so much.

“It's not too late. We can get on the next flight out of here and run away.”

“Don’t tempt me. No, I should actually meet your mother. Even if she probably hates me.” Lena pulls away and fits her fingers between Kara’s to walk towards the exit. It’s a small airport about an hour from Midvale and amazingly peaceful with no cameras in sight. Kara walks Lena to the car she’s borrowed from Eliza.

“Eliza doesn't hate you. She’s really glad you are coming.”

“Glad to tell me off for breaking her daughter’s heart?” Lena slouches in her seat and crosses her arms.

“No, Lee. She’s glad to meet the woman that makes her daughter happy.”

“You’re probably right. Still, I’m worried.”

“Come on, time to cheer you up with some tunes. Alex and the Arias women will be here in three days. I need you in the Christmas spirit by then.” “Aren’t you Jewish?”

“Yeah, but the Danvers’ aren’t, so I was introduced to the joys of it. I still follow some of the bigger traditions like lighting the menorah and making latkes. Even though I don’t really follow it for the rest of the year, it’s a way to connect to my parents over the holidays. But it’s already over this year. It was at the beginning of December.”

Lena reaches over and takes one of Kara’s hands. “That’s very sweet.”

Kara glances at her with a small smile before looking back to the road, after a moment she says, “I have a whole Christmas movie lineup that starts tonight. Be ready.”

“For you, I’ll do anything.” Lena kisses the back of Kara’s hand and settles back into the seat for the rest of the ride while Kara sings to the radio.

It’s a beautiful landscape that leads to the seaside home, and Lena squeezes Kara’s hand tighter as they get closer. By the time Kara can shake her hand free from Lena’s grip to put the car in park, she can feel the blood rush back into her fingers as a thousand pricking needles. Kara unbuckles and turns to face her girlfriend. Lena bites her lip nervously and stares at the door.

“Just be yourself.”

“Myself is the problem.”

“Was. But now, we have been through a lot and are different people than we were.”

Lena takes a deep breath. “Okay. Let’s do this.”

Kara grins and kisses Lena’s cheek before popping the trunk to get her bags. Lena opens the door and gets out. She takes a deep breath of the salty, fresh air and instantly starts to feel better. It definitely feels like a place to raise kids and call home. It feels safe. The door opens, and a blonde woman appears with a smile.

“I thought I heard a car door. Glad you made it back, Kara. Lena, it's nice to finally meet you.”

“It’s nice to meet you too, Mrs. Danvers.” Lena holds out a hand as she closes the door.

Eliza pushes it to the side and wraps Lena up in a hug. “Oh, please. Call me Eliza.”

Lena hesitates before wrapping her arms around the woman. She squeezes her eyes shut and let’s Kara’s mom hug her in a way that she hasn’t felt in a long time. Lena is fighting tears by the time Eliza releases her, but she doesn't say a word about Lena’s shining eyes. Eliza just cups Lena’s cheek briefly before turning to her daughter.

“All right, Kara, take those up to your room. I put the air mattress in there. Alex and Sam will be in the guest room, and I have the pull out in the den ready for Ruby”

Kara blushes scarlet. “Eliza—”

“Kara, I’m old. Not senial. Nor do I have any delusions about my daughters. I was your age once. At least I don’t have to worry about an unplanned pregnancy.” Eliza laughs and heads inside.

“See, she loves you already.” Kara says from behind Lena as they watch after the woman.

“Fine. You were right. But I’m still waiting for some sort of talk.”

Kara sighs and leads Lena inside.

**

Lena watches quietly from the doorway as Kara sifts through boxes of ornaments to decorate the tree Eliza has already purchased. Kara had been incredulous when she found out Lena had never decorated a tree before. The Luthor's home was always professionally done, and she didn't celebrate Christmas on her own. She never felt the need to. Kara has insisted that Lena help while they put on Christmas music and drink hot chocolate.

"Lena, dear. Would you mind carrying that tray for me."

Lena moves back into the kitchen to take the tray Eliza gestured too. It is laden with chocolate chips, marshmallows, marshmallow whip, candycanes, and whipped cream. "What is all this for?"

"The hot chocolate, of course. Kara loves adding so many things to hers that it becomes a meal."

Lena laughs because that is so much like Kara. She glances back through the doorway to the woman in question when a warm hand covers hers on the countertop.

"Listen, Kara didn't tell me everything that happened between you two. But she did say you both made mistakes. Whatever those were, I'm glad you two are working things out. She's happier than I've ever seen her. All she's talked about for the past two days is you," Eliza says softly, clearly not wanting to alert Kara to their conversation.

Lena takes a deep breath and smiles back at the older woman. "I'm glad too. Even if we had never worked things out,  Kara made me a better person. Made me want to be one. She showed me that I deserved love. And I would never have stopped loving her for that."

Eliza squeezes Lena's hand as Kara shouts for them to hurry up, and Jingle Bell Rock starts playing from the speakers. It isn't the harsh talking to she’s been expecting from the mother of the girl's whose heart she broke. It’s… nice. Lena isn't sure what to do with that or the warmth she still feels on her hand even though Eliza has left the room with the tray containing the cups of hot cocoa.

The evening blurs into a flurry of sparkling lights and shiny tinsel and holiday music. By the time they finish, Eliza pops some popcorn on the stovetop and Kara has picked out a holiday movie, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Kara insists Lena has to watch all the classic claymation movies. Kara and Lena cuddle together on the couch while Eliza takes a comfy recliner. She disappears about halfway through, and Lena is thankful for her giving the two of them some alone time. Lena burrows deeper into Kara’s side, and Kara tightens her grip on Lena’s thigh, basically in between Lena’s legs. Kara just chuckles at something in the movie and reaches for another handful of popcorn. Lena watches Kara watch the television in the soft glow of multicolored lights.

Lena could write a whole album about this woman. Well, she technically already did, but Lena could write another one. And another one. She could write a thousand more and still not feel like she’s captured the beauty of this moment. Lena admits defeat and decides instead to just rest her head on Kara’s shoulder. Soon Lena drifts off to sleep. She eventually is vaguely aware of Kara helping her to her feet and pulling her upstairs.

**

December 23rd, 2018

The kitchen is covered in about a dozen different types of cookies and holiday sweets. Lena sprinkles more powdered sugar on the marble slab to roll out the sugar cookie dough while Kara selects another shape to cut out. A finger darts out in front of Lena and swipes up some sugar.

“Hey!” Lena exclaims as she turns to face the culprit.

Kara wipes the sugar on Lena’s nose with a laugh. “You’ve got a little something right there.”

“Huh, wonder how that happened.” Lena reaches for a hand towel to wipe it off when Kara’s hand stops hers.

“No worries, I’ll get it,” Kara says as she leans in and kisses Lena’s nose.

Lena scrunches her nose up with a smile. “Did I get any anywhere else?”

“Hmm… Yup. There is some right here,” Kara kisses one cheek. “And right here,” she kisses Lena’s other cheek. “And… right… here.” Kara kisses Lena’s lips.

Lena deepens the kiss and pulls Kara closer. Kara’s hands cup Lena’s cheeks while Lena’s hands cup Kara’s ass. Kara’s tongue darts out between her lips to brush against Lena’s and Kara chuckles. Lena smiles back and gives a couple more soft pecks.

“I know you’re sweet usually, but the sugar is just an added bonus to kissing you.” Kara teases.

“Oh, come on!”

The exclamation breaks them apart. Kara looks over her shoulder to see Alex and Sam laden with baggage and standing in the doorway. Sam turns and laughs into Alex’s neck as Alex fumes and blocks Ruby’s view of the kitchen shenanigans. Lena lets go of Kara and goes to hug Sam and Ruby. Kara hangs her head before turning to her sister. Alex is holding back laughter by the time Kara gets to her.

“What’s so funny?”

“You have sugar handprints on your ass,” Alex tries to say low enough that Ruby can’t hear.

Lena does cover Ruby’s ears. “That’s because she has a sweet ass.”

“Not in front of my daughter,” Sam exclaims.

“Relax, I covered her ears.”

“Not well.” Ruby laughs.

Sam shoots Lena a glare, and Lena just laughs and kisses the top of Ruby’s head. It’s getting harder and harder to do with each passing week as the girl becomes just as willowy as her mother.

“I heard voices, are the girls here?” Eliza calls from the den that doubles as her office.

“Yeah, Mom!” Alex calls.

Eliza emerges from the other room and hugs her daughter before being introduced to her girlfriend and girlfriend’s daughter. Eliza shows Ruby where the den is while Alex and Sam take their bags up stairs.

“Well, that was embarrassing.”

“Please, no worse than when you were fucking me on the pool table. Or when I walked in on them topless in the living room.”

“You what?”

“Oh, yeah. They planned a date night, sent Ruby to a sleepover, but forgot to tell me. I had spent thirty-six hours in the studio and went home to shower and sleep. Unfortunately, it was after dinner and wine but luckily before the pants had come off.”

Kara laughs and goes back to cutting out cookies. “At east for us we were in my apartment behind a locked door.”

“Very true. Come on, let’s get these cookies in the oven so that we can all decorate.”

**

December 24th, 2018

Christmas Eve brought about a party in the Midvale town square. Lights were strung up and local lenders had booths. A mix of barrel drums and outdoor electric heaters kept the temperature bearable for folks to laugh and play carnival games. Hot drinks flow freely with shots of alcohol available for purchase for the adults. Lena questions the fact that no one seemed to be ID’ing anyone, but Kara just explains that the town was so small that if you’re underage and wanted alcohol, you have to go at least two towns away to use a fake.

Ruby excitedly jumps from game to game, flitting back once in awhile to get cash from her mother for food or to introduce a new friend. Eliza is busy running a booth so it leaves the four women on a double date, sitting at a picnic table sharing stories and snacks.

“Yup, and then she left me with this poor clingy girl who just wanted to dance with her favorite star.” Sam laughs.

“Okay, but she was insane. You left out the part that she followed us to three different clubs, jumped a VIP rope, was tackled and thrown out of the first, dumped a drink on another girl for asking for my autograph, and told me she would lick my feet. That girl was off her rocker.”

“And you climbed out a bathroom window and only texted me twenty mintes later once you were safely home.”

Alex and Kara laugh at Sam’s eye roll as they continue to exchange story about one another. They also take turns getting drinks to warm themselves, alcohol spreading through their bloodstreams. Eventually, Alex and Sam drift off to join the festivities, and Kara sits sideways to wrap her arms around Lena.

“Hey,” Kara whispers close to Lena’s ear.

“Yeah?”

“So since we are all here…”

“Yes…”

“That means no one is at the house.”

“I like where this is going…”

“Have you ever done it on an air mattress?”

“I’ll try anything once. Come on.” Lena excitedly grabs Kara’s hand and pulls her to her feet.

They try not to run back to the house, but Lena is way too excited. It’s been weeks since she and Kara had been intimate. With Eliza just down the hall, Lena hasn’t been willing to risk it. They manage to make it all the way to Kara’s room before removing clothing and tumbling onto the air mattress wedged between the twin beds. The alcohol makes everything blurry and warm, and before Lena knows it, she is riding three of Kara’s fingers as Kara lays under her. The orgasm that takes her is slow and sure, but then a wave hits her and Lena sits down hard and chokes back a moan. Lena faintly registers a soft pop and a hiss.

“Oh, shit.”

“What?” Lena asks lazily.

“Ah… I think we popped the mattress.”

Lena realizes then that Kara’s hips are sinking as Kara’s head gets closer to Lena’s. Lena rolls off of Kara with a laugh, and the hiss seems to get louder as she lays down beside Kara on a rapidly deflating bed. Kara starts laughing with Lena, and they stop suddenly when they hear the front door and muffled voices from downstairs.

“Come on, we can sleep on the twin beds.” Kara whispers.

“Beds?” Lena whispers back.

“Or we can squeeze onto mine.”

“That sounds better. Plus then I can fuck you in your childhood bed.”

“Later, babe. We have a full house again.”

Lena pouts while Kara struggles to get out of the bed and throw Lena a shirt and shorts. It takes a few minutes, but they finally settle in the narrow bed with Kara spooning Lena tightly. Kara glances at the digital alarm clock that used to wake her up every morning. 12:01.

"Merry Christmas, Lee."

"Merry Christmas, Kar."

**

December 25th, 2018

Kara is woken by a ball of cloth thrown in her face. “What the— Alex!”

“You two snuck off last night. Here’s your pajamas.” Alex stands in front of the bed with her Arms crossed. “And now I know why. How did the mattress get deflated?” Alex raises an eyebrow, pointedly.

“Oh, sweet. Eliza went with elf pajamas this year. Did she get Ms. Claus for herself?” Kara accuses her sister’s accusatory looks.

Alex rolls her eyes. “Just be glad that I came up and not Mom. Be downstairs in five, or we are starting without you.” She turns on her heel a little dramatically and exits.

“I’m sorry, what did I miss here?” Lena wipes the sleep from her eyes and Kara kisses her lips before climbing out of bed over top of her girlfriend.

Kara strips off her sleeping shirt and pulls on a long sleeve button-up that looks very elf like. “Every year, Eliza and Jerimiah would give us pajamas to wear on Christmas Eve. Eliza still keeps up the tradition. I just assumed she wasn’t doing this year with all and the Arias’.” Kara pulls up the long pants that are red and green to match the shirt. “Here, there is a pair for you too. I wondered why she asked for your clothes size.”

Lena sits up much slower, glancing at the clock which reveals that it is still before eight. Lena wipes at her eyes again before standing and taking the clothing from her much too peppy girlfriend.

“You are lucky I love you,” Lena grumbles as she begins to pull off her shirt and put on the Christmas colored clothing.

“I count my blessings every day.”

“You are too cheesy sometimes.”

“You want me to stop?”

“Never.”

They make it downstairs before the five minute deadline and settle onto the couch with hot cocoa, despite Alex’s glare and Sam’s suppressed laughter. True to Kara’s word, all the women are wearing elf pajamas, and Eliza is wearing a set in red with a white apron printed on the front, very Mrs. Claus. Eliza hands Ruby her first present, despite Sam’s protests that it isn’t necessary, and then Ruby takes turns handing out gifts from youngest to oldest.

Colorful wrapping paper soon litters the floor as gift after gift is opened. Most are from Eliza to Ruby. The other women brought gifts for each other too, adding to the paper carnage.

“Alright, my turn.” Lena says and gets up. Instead of grabbing one from under the tree, Lena goes to the front door. “What are you doing babe?” Kara asks.

“I was warned you are a notorious present peeker.” Lena says, as if that explains everything.

“Am Not!”

“Are too!” Alex yells back.

“Am Not!”

“Are too!”

“Not!”

“Too!”

“Not!”

“Not!” Alex repeats.

“Too!” Kara exclaims, before groaning and slapping a hand to her forehead.

“Hah!” Alex sticks out her tongue at her sister.

“If we are done, your present should be here right about…” a knocking on the door, “Now.” Lena opens it to a warmly dressed personal currier with a large box. She balances it awkwardly as it seems to shift, and Lena pulls out a wad cash to generously tip the man working on Christmas. Lena walks awkwardly back towards the couch and carefully sets it down.

“What—” Kara begins to ask as the box shifts. Kara notices the holes in the said of the gift wrapped box and looks at Lena excitedly.

“Go on. Open it,” Lena urges.

Kara rips into the paper and hurriedly unfolds the top. A soft excited yip accompanies a shaking of the large box. Kara squeals and reaches inside, pulling out a white, wiggling, little fur ball. Everyone gasps and begins cooing about how pretty he is. Kara turns him to face the room revealing the black patch of fur stretching over one brown eye. The other was a bright blue that matched his new owner’s.

“What’s his name?” Kara asks.

“Hold on, I have the paperwork in my purse.” Lena grabs the envelope and hands it over the Kara who tries to open it and hold on to the squirming fluff ball at the same time.

When she manages to get the papers out, Kara scans them quickly. “It says Krypto.”

“Actually I think it’s supposed to be Klepto. The shelter said he kept stealing all the toys and treats and hiding them under his bed. It was an issue in the home his litter was born in, and because of his splotch no one wanted to buy him. So the shelter named him Klepto.”

Kara gasps and covers the puppies ears. “How could they do such a thing to such a beautiful creature.”

“Well, people buying purebred American White Shepherds usually do it for a show dog. The discolored fur wouldn’t look good. It’s technically a genetic mutation.”

“What a terrible thing. But don’t worry, you will be loved. And no more of this Klepto business. It’s Krypto now. Like the dog in the comics.”

“Whatever you want, babe. He’s yours now.”

Kara squeals again and lets the dog lick her face. Lena just watches her girlfriend for a few minutes before Ruby whispers in her ear. Kara gasps and hands Ruby the puppy as she sprints towards the back of the house.

“Where is she going?” Lena asks.

“To get your present.” Ruby says matter of factly.

“What do you mean? She already gave me the leather bound notebook and fountain pen.”

“You’ll see.” Ruby returns to playing with the puppy.

“Merry Christmas, Lee. I guess great minds think alike.” Kara arrives in the room room holding her own fur ball, this time black. Two little ears peek up above the Christmas bow tied to its neck. The kitten turns to the room and opens it’s green eyes, the pitch black fur only interrupted by a white streak over one eye. “One of the women in town had a litter and was going to give them all to the shelter if no one would take them, and you said you needed at least one cat.”

It’s Lena’s turn to get excited and she hops up to take the kitten. “What’s its name?” Lena lifts the cat above her head to check it’s rear end.

“I was Thinking Harry, like Harry Potter. You know, because of the ‘scar’ above his eye.”

“Hate to break it to you, but this little guy is a girl.” Lena cuddles the kitten back to her chest after being sure.

“Harriet Potter?” Kara tries again.

“Ah, no.” Lena sits back on the couch and scratches behind the kittens ears to begin the purring.

“I’ve been calling her Streaky.” Ruby chimes in, while trying to contain the squirming pup.

“You have?” Sam asks.

“Yeah, they kept her in the den with me, and Eliza made me promise not to tell. I had to call her something. She has a white streak on her head. Plus, she’s very fast, and ‘blur’ didn’t have the same ring to it.”

“She’s really that fast?” Kara asks and takes the puppy from Ruby to try and let the puppy sniff the kitten.

The kitten stiffens in Lena’s arms as the sniffing nose gets closer. Then, before Lena can blink, the kitten is gone from her arms, and Krypto is scrambling to chase her. Lena and Kara look at each other before scrambling after the animals, Kara basically vaulting over the coffee table. Laughter erupts behind the couple as they chase the animals into the hallway and then into the kitchen. Lena worries about the chemistry of the two and hopes this won’t end poorly.

By the time they get to the kitchen, Krypto is pinned on his back while Streaky bite s playfully at his ear. Krypto’s growl is less than impressive as he tries to escape while also trying to bite Streaky’s tail.

“Look, they are friends already.” Kara grins.

“And adorable. Look at them, complete opposites. Black and white, dog and cat. He and she. Yin and Yang. So adorable.” Lena tries to catch her breath while still laughing. They leave the animals to continue their play.

Back in the living room, clean up is happening before they finish cooking brunch together. Ruby has disappeared to set up her new Nintendo Switch in the den. Kara puts A Christmas Story on the television in the living room. It’s an all day marathon, Lena has learned, and Kara intends to watch it at least twice.

Lena just goes along with all the Danvers family traditions, including making these fried dough things rolled in cinnamon and sugar. Kara informs Lena that they dubbed them Elephant balls as Lena takes a big bite. Lena almost chokes as a laugh escapes.

“They are what?”

“Well, they taste like the elephant ears you get at the fair. But in ball form. Hence elephant balls.”

“Well despite the name, they are delicious.” Lena grabs a second one.

After a brunch to rival all brunches, Kara pulls out a winter themed puzzle that they work on while the movie plays in the background. When that’s finished, Alex pulls out Clue. Then Sam drags Ruby and her new gaming system back into the living room to share and play some of her new games.

It’s the best Christmas Lena has ever had. It was the best holiday Lena has ever had. They didn’t do anything but spend time with each other. For dinner, they order Chinese food from the only Chinese restaurant in Midvale. Lena does coax Kara into actual clothes to take a cute picture sitting in front of the tree. Each of them hold their gifted animals and face Alex who is taking the picture. Then, while the animals face forward, the couple kisses. Alex is a fantastic photographer, and Lena tells her so when she gets her phone back to judge the image. Lena sends it to Kara so they can post it on their respective Instagram accounts.

Sometimes, your opposite can make you whole. Lena types out. Kara kisses her when she sees it.

Not as good with words as my girlfriend so… ditto.

Lena laughs and kisses Kara back. Then they both turn off their phones to rejoin their family for the rest of the evening. Later that night, Lena convinces Kara to let Lena return the favor. Kara cumming quietly while biting her own forearm and Lena’s tongue moving between her legs.

“Best. Christmas. Ever,” Kara whispers as Lena lays on top of her.

“Ditto,” Lena sighs out.

**

December 30th, 2018

Kara follows Lena from Midvale to Metropolis to support her as she sings for the Glenmorgan Square New Years Eve Party. It is blistering cold and windy as Kara drinks spiked, hot apple cider to try and stay warm. Even the VIP section is crowded as Kara waits for her girlfriend to be introduced. The VIP section is to the side of the stage on a raised platform so Kara will be able to see the performance and the crowd. Alex steps up and joustles her from one side, Sam shouldering in on the other as they try to share body heat. They have left Ruby with Eliza and the new animal family members and made the drive into the city. Lena has rented a suite of rooms in a nearby hotel for the four of them to stay in.

Lena’s nervous. She’s seen Kara a couple of times on tour, but this is the first time she’ll be singing in front of her. She’s told Kara as much, and Kara has kissed her deeply enough to make her blush in front of the stage hands. Now Kara is waiting as the minutes tick closer to midnight. Lena has a three song set that goes straight into the ten second countdown for the final stretch of the ball drop.

A hiss sounds softly over the crowd as smoke fills the stage. “Ladies and gentlemen, I give you… Lena Luthor!” An announcer yells over the crowd before the opening notes play.

Take your clothes and rip 'em, rip 'em off

Call these hoes and tip 'em, tip 'em off

Lena rises up from below the center stage to the cheers of thousands. She’s in full on Lena Luthor mode, and Kara is enraptured.

You can tell them you are mine

I'm sick of, sick of games

No more time, you lit the, lit the flame, yeah

We live in an age where everything is staged

Where all we do is fake our feelings

I've been scared to put myself so out there

Time is running out, yeah

Need to let you know that

Last night I woke the fuck up

I realized I need you here, as desperate as that sounds, yeah-eh

Last night I woke the fuck up

I realized I need you here, as desperate as that sounds, yeah-eh

Take these walls and rip 'em, rip 'em down

Take my (uh) and snip 'em, snip 'em now

I will tell them I am yours and very, very proud

I am forced to give in, give in now cause

Kara watches and sips her drink as her sister and Sam flirt with each other and share a night free of responsibilities. Kara has heard all of Lena’s music at this point, but watching her perform has made her more and more sure that they are heading down the right path this time. Kara is rubbing shoulders, literally, with famous people, but all she has eyes for is Lena as she begins her second song.

I was just an only child of the universe

And then I found you

And then I found you

You are the sun and I am just the planets

Spinning around you

Spinning around you

You were too good to be true

Gold plated

But what's inside you

But what's inside you

I know this whole damn city thinks it needs you

But not as much as I do

As much as I do, yeah

'Cause you're the last of a dying breed

Write our names in the wet concrete

I wonder if your therapist knows everything about me

I'm here in search of your glory

There's been a million before me

That ultra-kind of love

You never walk away from

You're just the last of the real ones

You're just the last of the real ones

Kara laughs to herself. Lena told her this song was about Power Girl. It was Lena accepting that Power Girl was a part of Kara, but also sharing how much she needed Kara even though the city needed her too. It was sweet, and heart breaking. But Lena told Kara it was a good song. One that helped her process her feelings.

I'm here at the beginning of the end

Oh, the end of infinity with you

I'm here at the beginning of the end

Oh, the end of infinity with you

I'm done with having dreams

The thing that I believe

Oh, you drain all the fear from me

I'm done with having dreams

The thing that I believe

You drain the fear from me

Almost everyone around Kara is now fully focused on the performance. The crowd below is singing along, and it’s amazing. Just over four minutes are left until the new year as Lena begins her final song.

Out of the seven billion people in this world, there's only you.

Almost a million words that I could say, but none of them will do.

So many years that I have lived, but it feels like I've just begun.

Out of the seven billion people, baby, you're the only one.

I've been too many places. I've seen too many faces.

I wrote too many pages; never found a love like you. (Love like you)

I don't know how to say it. It's been more than amazing.

My whole life, I've been waiting; never found a love like you. (Love like you)

Sleep, dream, you, repeat. Live, die next to me.

Sleep, dream, you, repeat. Sleep, dream.

Out of the seven billion people in this world, there's only you.

Almost a million words that I could say, but none of them will do.

So many years that I have lived, but it feels like I've just begun.

Out of the seven billion people, baby, you're the only one.

You were unexpected, when our lips connected.

I was resurrected; never found a love like you. (love like you)

Don't care where I'm headed when the world is ending.

'cause you are my heaven; never found a love like you. (Love like you)

Sleep, dream, you, repeat. Live, die next to me.

Sleep, dream, you, repeat. Sleep, dream.

Out of the seven billion people in this world, there's only you.

Almost a million words that I could say, but none of them will do.

So many years that I have lived, but it feels like I've just begun.

Out of the seven billion people, baby, you're the only one.

Surrounded by numbers.

(Numbers, numbers, numbers)

You're the only one.

(Numbers, numbers, numbers, numbers)

You're the only one

You brought me back to life.

You did the unthinkable.

Yeah, you are my miracle.

Out of the seven billion people in this world, there's only you.

Almost a million words that I could say, but none of them will do.

So many years that I have lived, but it feels like I've just begun.

Out of the seven billion people, baby, you're the only one.

Surrounded by numbers.

(Numbers, numbers, numbers)

You're the only one.

(Numbers, numbers, numbers, numbers)

You're the only one.

Surrounded by numbers.

(Numbers, numbers, numbers)

You're the only one.

(Numbers, numbers, numbers, numbers)

You're the only one.

On one of the big screens behind Lena, just under the Giant Ball slowly dropping it’s way to the new year. Just a few inches are left as the number ten flashes on the screen and switches to a nine. Lena calls out the numbers as the crowd joins.

“Here, hold my drink.” Kara calls to her sister, not waiting for a response before shoving it in her hand.

Alex sputters a protest as Kara grips the railing and vaults over it. “Hey!” her sister calls after her, but Kara sticks the landing eight feet down and strides across the stage.

“Three, Two, One!” Lena calls into the microphone.

Kara sweeps Lena into her arms as the confetti cannons explode and dips her into a kiss. The confetti swirls around them and leaves them in their own little world. Kara pulls Lena back up and kisses her again. Lena pulls confetti from her girlfriend’s hair, even though it’s pointless.

“Did you just jump onto stage to kiss me?”

“I had to kiss my girlfriend at midnight.”

“Just had to, huh?”

“I had to start the year off right. I have a feeling that it’s going to be a good one. “

“Me too.”

They kiss again before the calls of Sam and Alex pull them apart. “Ready to party?” Lena asks.

“Ready to babysit our friends? Because I’m pretty sure Alex is already drunk.”

Alex is. Lena and Kara spend the rest of the night dancing at a party while keeping one eye on Sam and Alex. Around three, they decide to lead the two back to the hotel. Alex and Sam have been slumped together in a booth saying some not so PG things to each other. Not that either are in a state to follow through on those things. Once both are laying on their hotel bed, Lena goes to get some water for both of them in the morning along with some aspirin to leave on the bedside tables.

Kara manages to take off their shoes and outer layers before Alex throws her arms around Sam and completely passing out. Sam has already beaten her to it. Lena comes back in to set the glasses and aspirin down.

“One more drink before bed?” Kara asks.

“No. No I don’t think so.”

“Do you want something else?”

“Yeah. I think I do. Kara, I want kids.”

Kara gasps, not expecting that revelation. “Really?”

“Yeah, really.”

Kara kisses Lena then, and Lena begins to push Kara back out the door towards their own room. They start tearing off clothing and tripping to get there faster. Kara chuckles a couple of times.

“Sorry, did you mean you want kids right now? If so, it’s about to be pretty disappointing. Also, I think I should maybe teach you about the human reproductive system.”

Lena laughs too. “No, not right now. Later you can give me a refresher course, but right now, how about we get some practice in?”

“I like practice.”

“Then shut up and fuck me.”

“My pleasure. And yours.” Kara adds cheekily before pulling Lena into the room and shutting the door.

[critical-ramblings]

First Impressions

I was at Mac’s for a drink. Putting my life back together after being legally and literally dead for a year was hard work, and I deserved a break even at...I glanced up at the old wind-up clock Mac kept on the mantle. Eleven o’clock in the morning. I was here for a break, and because someone had been following me for the past few hours. Mac’s bar was Accorded neutral ground, and though I hadn’t gotten a great look at my trackers, I had snuck enough glances in the rearview mirror to know that they weren’t Formorians. Or agents of Faerie. Really, the list of people who might want me dead was getting too long for me to keep up with. They’d either follow me onto neutral ground, where we could have a nice chat about their employers, or they’d try to jump me just outside the doors. In which case things might get messy, and I’d owe Mac a few bucks. Money meant a lot less than it used to, now that the Winter Court was footing the bill. 

They followed me in. One of them was a wizard, I was certain of it. It was the only reason I’d picked up on the tail in the first place, which said something about their mortal sneaking skills. But this guy clearly had no idea how strong his aura was, or how it warped into unpleasant mirage-feeling at the edges. This was somebody who, if they weren’t a warlock already, had at least started dabbling with black magic. 

I went up to the bar and ordered three beers, on the grounds that a polite conversation would be a lot easier to handle if I had a small chuckable distraction ready to hand. Mac grunted once for both ‘hello’ and ‘you got it’ before giving a long, pointed look over my shoulder back towards the door. 

“Yeah, I know,” I said as he put the bottles on the bar. “I’m hoping they’ll come quietly.”

Mac didn’t even dignify that with a grunt, just raised an eyebrow as mirage-dude and his buddy walked up. 

“Are you Harry Dresden?” The woman was in her early twenties, darkly tanned, with a dancer’s build and a practiced don’t-fuck-with-me expression. She did have the faint aura of an untrained practitioner, but it was overwhelmed from a distance by the walking inferno next to her. 

He didn’t look like much, but most warlocks didn’t. A skinny white guy with shoulder-length red hair that needed to be washed about a month ago, wearing a calf-length aviator’s coat covered with a similar layer of grime. 

“Who wants to know?” I asked, taking a sip of beer. If I did have to waste it Molotov-cocktailing my way out of here, I didn’t want to waste all of it. 

“Uh, I’m. Traci.” The woman grimaced like she regretted the fake name choice, which sucked for her, because that was definitely what I was always going to call her now. “And this is...”

“Phillip.”

“We want to hire you,” the woman said. She still had her arms crossed, looking less hopeful and more desperate. “You’re still a PI, right?” 

“Technically my license expired when I was busy being dead,” I said, but my mind was kicking into a higher gear. This was not exactly how I’d expected the ‘conversation to go. 

“We are missing a friend,” the man said in a sandpaper-rough German accent. He studiously avoided looking at me, or even in my direction. My suspicions crept up another notch; I took another drink. Then I pointed at the other two open bottles and jerked my head towards one of the haphazardly placed tables. Mac’s place was built with grumpy wizards in mind--specifically, dispelling magical buildup to stop said grumpy wizards from accidentally setting off an explosion (on-purpose explosions cost extra). Thirteen tables had been placed at unaligned intervals amidst thirteen pillars and thirteen ceiling fans I always managed to whack with my head. It had the added benefit of wearing away at passive magics the longer you were in here, like waves breaking down stones. Just in the time it took for the Dynamic Duo to gather their drinks and get over here, I could sense the guy’s veil starting to fade. It was pretty solid veil by my standards, though nothing like the stunts Molly could pull. And as it wore down I could feel the tug of ‘don’t look at me, I’m not important fading as well. 

“Let me get this straight,” I said, as they each took a seat. I’d stolen the one with the best view of the door, but I noted that neither of them sat with their backs to it entirely. “You, whoever you two are, heard about a professional wizard. Who’d been dead for a year. You decide the best course of action, upon discovering that said wizard was not as dead as some people had devoutly hoped, was to follow him around until he...what?” 

“Until he walked into a bar, apparently,” Phillip the German said. His sarcasm was so dry you could have poured in most of Lake Michigan. 

“And here I thought your people didn’t have a sense of humor,” I said, too brightly. “Fact of the matter is, I can’t help you. I’ve got...other responsibilities now.” 

“We know about that, a little,” Traci put her arms on the table, leaning forward and losing just a hint of her prickly exterior. “We’ve got some experience with that kind of problem. But it’s not important right now.” She waved a hand dismissively at her companion, who looked like he was about to object. “You work for the faeries, don’t you?” 

“And you should never tell them that to their face,” I said. This was getting curiouser and curiouser. Who the fuck were these people? 

“Sure, I knew that.” Traci shrugged. 

“Our friend Nott is a goblin,” the German said, a little too loudly. He shot a Look at his buddy that wasn’t quite a glare, which she also shrugged off. “We think she is trapped somewhere in the Verlorenenzeitstelle.” 

“In the what?” 

He scowled at me, forgetting to be afraid, and for a second I felt his tattered veil slip away. It didn’t strengthen his aura much, but the mirage-like patterns expanded and twisted in ways that were starting to make me nauseous even without using my Sight. The Mantle surged within me, sensing a threat, and the air around the table dropped several degrees. 

He muttered something in a language that definitely wasn’t German, and wrapped another veil around himself. But I knew what was there now, and it wasn’t going to go away. Herr Schulz was a warlock, no question. As a Warden, it was my duty to smash him over the head and bring him to the White Council. And from the way Mr. Bad News was shrinking back in his chair, he knew it. 

“Hey.” The woman snapped her fingers at me, which did successfully transfer my glare from him to her. “We came to you because you have a reputation for helping people,” she said, more gravely than before. “Nott went into Faerie, and she hasn’t come back. She’s a goblin, yeah, but she’s our friend and we can’t help her. We’ve got...” she paused to dig around in her pockets for a few seconds, during which the German closed his eyes and started to pray. Finally she pulled out a sizable wad of cash and put it on the table. Mostly tens and twenties, as far as I could tell. Maybe a thousand bucks, tops. For a second or two the old calculations of rent and bills and groceries ran through my head before stuttering to a stop. I was still living in Molly’s svartalf apartment while I looked for a place of my own and she was off in Antarctica or wherever Mab had sent her this week. Sarissa had given me access to the bank accounts of the Winter Knight, which had allowed Lloyd Slate to live a rich, decadent and demented life. I remembered again the look on his face right before I stabbed him, then shoved those thoughts aside. 

Then I looked at the warlock, and I wondered what exactly the Council would do if I showed up outside Edinburgh with someone like him in tow. I honestly couldn’t tell if I’d be tried alongside him, though damned if I knew what the charges would be. 

I pushed the money back towards her, wondering just how much I was going to regret this. ”I’ll do it,” I said. “If he looks me in the eyes right now.” 

Phillip stopped picking at an imperfection in his beer bottle and clenched both hands into fists. I leaned forward a little with one arm on the table, mostly to hide the fact that I had my blasting rod ready in my other hand. Offering a soulgaze was risky on both sides, honestly. If this guy was as fucked up as he seemed, I could end up with some nasty psychic blowback while his friend went to town on the rest of me. And he couldn’t be eager to see what was behind MY eyes either, from the way his shoulders were up around his ears. 

“What?” Traci asked, glancing between us. She’d been on the defensive for this whole conversation, but she didn’t know what was up now? Her warlock buddy must not have told her very much. “C--Phillip, if you don’t–”

“It is fine,” Herr Commandant said, though the way he was hyperventilating made it clear that it wasn’t. Jeez, this guy was wound tighter than a trampoline spring. And God help whoever was there when he snapped. It was that last thought that steadied me when he raised his eyes to mine. If this guy couldn’t be helped (and odds weren’t that great that he could) better that I take some damage than an innocent--or, more likely, a whole bunch of innocent bystanders--got killed in gory and extremely unpleasant ways. 

On that cheerful note, I was pulled into the soulgaze. At first, it was about as bad as I’d expected, which was to say: very. I was surrounded by fire and screaming, the air choked with gray smoke. I was wading through blood up to my shins, passing bodies whose faces I couldn’t see through the firestorm. 

And then, just as I was about to wrench myself out of that particular hellscape, I was in a room. A library, or a study, so quiet that I had to pop my ears to get rid of the pressure. Along the wall to my right, an elaborate chemistry setup sprawled across several work benches. On the left, dark wood bookshelves and boxes full of components were crammed full to bursting. Stars gleamed through a window on the opposite wall, shining impossibly bright light on a desk, a chair, and the man sitting in it. He didn’t look up from the book he was reading, but the big orange cat on his lap did. The cat blinked, and for a moment his eyes shimmered the same startling blue as the German’s. When it spoke I just about jumped out of my skin. 

“Don’t you dare disturb him,” the cat said. Phillip raised a hand to scratch at his head, a tribute the cat happily accepted. The thing could easily have rivaled Mister for size, though it otherwise resembled a lean American Shorthair with some hint of stripes on its dark orange fur. 

Before I could really nail my one-liner (or before I could pick my jaw up off the floor) the gaze ended. I was back at a table in McAnally’s, blinking crud out of my eyes. 

The German was still breathing hard, like he’d just finished a race, and his gaze was a little distant, but overall he’d done pretty well with the soulgaze. I’d had one person faint on me, if you can believe it. And no, I don’t know what it is they see when they look at me. I’ve never asked. 

“You okay man?” Traci put a careful hand on her buddy’s shoulder. He took a deep breath and turned to nod at her, a strained smile at the corner of his mouth. I wondered what kind of history made a thief and a warlock team up to find a goblin, of all things. And more than that, what made them so obviously care about each other. It may have been because I was looking for signs of hope, but those bonds were definitely a good sign for Phillilp. If he could hang on to them. 

“I’ll do it.” I rapped my knuckles on the table for emphasis. “I’ll take the case. Disappeared from where, in the real world?”

“New York. Ja.” The German pulled a whole manila folder out of his bag and slid it over to me. He took another swallow of beer and shuddered. I don’t think it was at the taste. 

“Alright.” I glanced through the papers for a second, noting pictures and what was definitely an arrest warrant. “What’s a good number to call? I guess you figured out, my office line is a little busy.” If by ‘busy’ you meant completely defunct. I was lucky they only put out one phone book a year, or my claim to professional wizardry would be gone for good. Well, that day was coming soon enough. 

‘Traci’ scribbled a phone number on the front of the folder and pushed it back. The German was already getting to his feet, finishing his beer with a few healthy chugs. “We, uh, we’ll be in touch.” 

I nodded back, watching as neither of them completely turned their backs as they walked away. The Winter in me approved, though it was getting a little too excited at the prospect of hunting down and destroying the warlock. “Down boy,” I muttered, and went up to the bar to order a sandwich. 

[princesweetpea]

I Found | Sweet Pea x Aurora Jones (oc)

All Chapters Here

Chapter: Prologue

Warnings: Language, family death, mentions of friend death

READ IT ON AO3

A/N: Takes place after Riot Night.

   The ceiling light of the hospital’s small examination room flickered, making that dull buzzing sound of electricity that was about to go out. Aurora Jones sat rigid in her seat, occasionally shaking from her nerves. She felt so sick. So, so numb.   “Rory—” Her brother began before the door flung open. A nurse quickly shuffled into the room with another woman in tow, who shut the door quietly behind her. The nurse gently stated that she needed to go over a few things with them before they could finish paperwork, and how sorry she was to inconvenience them during this difficult time. Peter glanced over to Rory, who just stared straight ahead into nothingness, before answering the nurse’s questions. Rory had them completely tuned out, only hearing the ringing of the unclarity of their voices in her ears. She shivered again. After a while, she focused her hearing.   “Is there a next-of-kin that we need to notify?” The nurse asked.   “It’s just us.” Peter stated, staring blankly into the void as he absentmindedly squeezed his sister’s hand. Rory snapped back to reality.   “My uncle,” Rory choked out hoarsely. Her throat was froggy from being silent for so long. “FP Jones.” The nurse nodded and made her way to the door.   She wasn’t sure how much time had passed before the nurse had dipped out of the room just then. She saw Peter shaking hands with the woman who remained with them. The woman’s other arm held a thick black binder with papers sticking out of it.   Was it supposed to happen this way? First my best friend, and not even a couple weeks later, my own mother? Why wasn’t I crying? Why hadn’t I cried?   “Miss Jones,”   Am I a sociopath?   “Miss Jones!” She was snapped to reality by the shrill voice of the woman in front of her. She mumbled an apology sheepishly. “Since you’re still underage, you’ll be sent into foster care,” Rory rapidly shook her head in both protest and utter confusion. “Unless you’d rather be with your uncle?” She suggested. “He has a record… but he is your only surviving family. I don’t know for certain if they’ll allow it.”   “Can I not live with my brother and my dad?” She asked quizzically.   “Unfortunately, no, his father isn’t biologically related to you, and he and your mother split up long before her untimely death so he isn’t technically considered your stepfather,” The woman stated, shifting uncomfortably in her seat. Rory stared blankly at the woman in front of her. What did she mean they weren’t biologically related? “I’m sorry, I thought you would have known that. You didn’t find it odd that you two have different last names?” She asked condescendingly.   “They told me that they had a fight during our birth, and Peter was born first, before the fight. She said that by the time that they made up my birth certificate was already finalized, and it cost too much to have it changed,” Rory stated vacantly. Peter shifted stiffly. Her mind began to race, but she somehow managed to shove it to the back of her mind when the woman rudely snapped her fingers in front of her face. Peter hadn’t said a word. “Did you know about this?” She asked, her words dripping with agony.   “I found out a couple of months ago.” He sighed before burying his head into his hands. She felt like the knife in her chest had been twisted. He’d known for months and he didn’t bother to tell her, her own twin brother... She felt betrayed.   “Well apparently I’m the last to know important details about my own identity,” Rory scoffed with tears welling up in her eyes. She clenched her fists, almost relishing in the pain of her nails digging into her palms to calm her nerves. “I’m not going to live with a bunch of strangers, so don’t even think about putting me in a home,” Rory said ardently. “Why can’t I live at my house?”   “Despite the fact that you’re a minor— “   “I’m seventeen!”   “That isn’t the legal age of adulthood,” she sighed, rubbing her temples with her fingertips. “Like I was saying, despite the fact that you’re a minor, you guys were already several months behind on rent.”   “So, you would put an orphan on the streets?” She asked, shooting daggers at Peter on the word “orphan.” He avoided eye contact.   “No, I would put an orphan with surviving family or a foster family, like I gave you the choice of. To be completely honest, your landlord was extremely gracious to let you both continue to live there rent-free for as long as you did,” The woman suggested. Rory never bothered to learn her name. She had more important things to worry about, like if she was a sociopath or not, and who the fuck she’s been calling “dad.” “So, we can try to place you with your uncle, then?”   “Yes, make it happen. Please.” The ugly truth was that she was conflicted. Her mother worked her entire life to keep them out of the southside, away from the crime and gangs that she grew up around. She worked double shifts for them to barely scrape by, living in a small house on the edge of the northside. And now it seemed like all of her hard work was for nothing. There was too much piling on at once. She needed to interrogate Peter and to confront her “father,” but she couldn’t deal with that right now. Not now. It’s all too much.

***

  Clouds of cigarette smoke enveloped Rory as she stepped into the White Wyrm. Rock music, laughter, and the clacking sound of pool balls seemed to shake the space from the ground up. She made her way to the bar.   “Ava? I haven’t seen you here in ages! You look great.” The bartender called to her. She sucked in a sharp breath and looked behind her to see if there was someone else there, and that it was just a coincidence. But no one was there, it was just her.   “I’m not Ava,” She rasped, her voice kind of breaking mid-sentence. She still couldn’t cry. Even at the sound of her name. “I’m her daughter.”   The barkeep’s smile grew even wider, though she couldn’t understand why considering she had never seen this man in her life. “Little Aurora, right?” Rory gaped at him for a moment.   “Uh, yeah. Rory is fine. Though not quite little.” She awkwardly chuckled and glanced around anxiously.   “Oh, sorry. I made you uncomfortable. I met you a couple times when you were a little girl. Before your mom stopped coming, that is. How is Ava, by the way?” Her eyes darted down to her thumbs as she twiddled them idly. “She passed away… a couple days ago.” He went silent and his smile quickly disappeared. The man shifted uncomfortably.   “I… I am so sorry to hear that. I’m not the best at comforting people… Can I get you a drink instead?” He offered, trying to joke some light to the uncomfortable situation he had just placed himself in.   “I’m only seventeen,” She half smiled. “I’ll have a Shirley Temple though,” His smile crept back onto his face. “… What?” She asked hesitantly.   “It’s just that that’s what your mom used to order when we were all teenagers, and when she was pregnant with you.” Rory smiled at him. She was instantly grateful for that smile coming back onto his face, for that little tidbit of information about her mother that made her insides feel warm, and her eyes welled up. This is it, she thought. I’m finally going to cry. I’m not a sociopath. Then… nothing. “I’m Hog Eye, by the way.” He extended his hand. She didn’t let the nickname throw her. Being somewhat close to the “culture” of the Serpents made the things like weird nicknames familiar to her. She shook his hand gingerly.   Suddenly, the doors of the Wyrm burst open and two boys swaggered toward the bar. They were loud, pushing each other over and joking around obnoxiously. They looked familiar, most likely from the new wave of students that came over from Southside High a few months ago. They were shouting profanities toward the petite girl wiping down the bar, and she flipped them off before starting a conversation with them. The taller of the two boys caught Rory staring and she immediately snapped her head down to the Shirley Temple that Hog Eye had slid in front of her. She stirred the ice around with her straw.   “You lost, Northie?” She ignored him, fully knowing that he was addressing her. A bar stool scraped across the wood floor near the end of the counter before she heard shuffled movements coming her direction. “You hear me talking to you?” He said a little louder.   “Leave her alone, dude.” The pink-haired girl from behind the bar rolled her eyes. She gave Rory an apologetic look. Her eyes were big and soft, and she seemed to be truly genuine with her expression. The boy scoffed at her with a smirk and leaned against the counter next to Rory.   “I asked if you were lost. You deaf?”   “And what if I was? What would you do?” Rory turned to him with an amused expression. He gazed at her with his mouth slightly agape for a moment as he tried to grasp for a response. “Right.” She snorted before taking a sip of her drink. A thick black curl hung loosely between his furrowed eyebrows.   “Sweet Pea, cut it out. She’s having a hard time.” The girl piped in again. Rory was kind of annoyed that she had eavesdropped on her and Hog Eye’s conversation, but then again, they were in the center of a bar and weren’t talking in privacy.   “Sweet Pea?” Rory raised an eyebrow with a smirk, turning toward the boy with her entire body now. She needed this distraction. Even if it was sure to turn out as an annoying encounter.   “Yeah, don’t let the name fool you.” He replied flatly.   “He’s a dick.” The other boy spoke up for the first time, then grunted when Sweet Pea kicked backward, hitting the boy in the thigh. He pushed Sweet Pea’s shoulder in return, but his eyes never left hers and he didn’t even budge, aside from his shoulder jerking forward.   “If you’re going to be in my house, I need to know who I’m letting in.” He huffed.   “My name is Aurora, my friends call me Rory,” she sighed, deciding to humor him. Sweet Pea snorted mockingly. She narrowed her eyes at him. “Is something funny?”   “Aurora? You mean… like the Disney princess?” She rolled her eyes at his response.   “At least I’m not named after a vegetable.” She muttered. The two other teenagers laughed. Sweet Pea crossed his arms over his chest as he mumbled for the others to shut up through gritted teeth.   “I’m Toni Topaz. This is Fangs Fogarty.” The girl piped in and motioned with her elbow as she wiped out a pint glass. Fangs gave a lazy salute with a coy smile. Sweet Pea was visibly growing increasingly more agitated.   “Look, Northsider, you aren’t welcome here —"   “Sweet Pea!” A loud voice boomed from across the room. “Are you giving my niece a hard time? Where is your Serpent hospitality?” The room grew nearly silent aside from the music as FP filed toward them. Sweet Pea’s jaw instantly went slack as Fangs slowly walked backward, knocking a barstool over. Sweet Pea quizzically looked from Rory to FP, and back again. She smiled sweetly.   “Did I mention that I’m a Jones?”