#aj ten eyes

[garciaasfluffypen]

jealousy jealousy

pairing: jemily x reader word count: 1.8k warnings: men are creeps!!! protect your drinks ladies and femme presenting humans, alcohol mention, attempted drink stealing, alludes to dynamics in the bedroom (jj hates being called mommy*), #topjjrights, reader has long enough hair that jj can hold onto it, female leaning terms of endearment a/n: i tried to keep this gender neutral as possible, though there is ONE line where i couldn't think of anything better than "our girl" so that's what it ended up being. request from this ask *(yes thats a callout to aj not knowing what the term "mother" means)

the case felt like it had lasted ten years. it was one of the longest ones you could remember working on, spending almost three weeks rotating through the same six outfits you had packed in your go-bag and occasionally stealing your girlfriends’ shirts. it was only fair that morgan decided to take everyone to the bar before the jet left in the morning. you and morgan were approximately three beers in when everyone else started trickling in. your eyes fell to your girlfriends, the two of them walking over to the bar before they came over to the booth you and morgan had claimed in the corner. you knew their orders by heart. emily would get whatever the fanciest looking drink the bartender could make was, and jj would go for whatever was on tap. you typically got whatever they wanted to order for you, which most of the time was something fruity. it didn’t matter to you, since it meant your girlfriends were taking care of you. 

they made their way over to your table, both of them sneaking an arm around your waist and leaning into you. you made sure to press a kiss into jj’s neck and then promptly placed one on emily’s cheek, knowing all too well you would start something you couldn’t exactly finish at that moment if you went anywhere near emily’s jaw when she had alcohol in her system. the three of you curled up together in the corner, happily striking up a conversation with your teammates. eventually, morgan decided everyone needed shots and made his way over to the bar to grab everyone a round of shots. you usually didn’t do shots, but decided why the fuck not. a few shots wouldn’t hurt you. as long as you didn’t get sick on the plane like last time you went out drinking with morgan, everything would be fine. 

three drinks in and everyone was starting to feel it. you knew your tolerance was a bit higher than your girlfriends, but you felt it slipping considering you hadn’t eaten a single thing since breakfast and it was currently getting close to being midnight. was it a good idea? probably not. but that was a problem for tomorrow. your fingers twirled through jj’s blonde hair as you leaned into her side, emily slipping out to follow morgan and make sure he could carry all the shots he was about to order. sometimes you wondered where the man kept his extra drinking money, but decided not to question it since the alcohol was free for you. jj’s fingers danced along your thigh, moving up a bit til they were on your hip. you leaned your head back into her shoulder, a silent plea for her to continue what she was doing. 

jj knew exactly what happened when she got alcohol in your system, the game getting more and more dangerous by the minute. it was almost as if they had planned to get you going, knowing all too well that you would drag them out to the dance floor at some point and let all the tension flow from your body as you danced with them. your arms would always end up wrapped around jj’s neck while emily pressed up behind you, her arms wrapping around the two of you protectively while you danced to the beat of the music. jj nipped at your ear, her grip on your hip tightening as she waited for the alcohol to hit your system. emily appeared to catch on the second she and morgan got back to the table, sliding back into her spot and resting a hand on your upper thigh. her other hand went to play with the hair at the nape of your neck, another thing that would get you out to the dance floor rather quickly. you reached out to your cup for another sip, not noticing until you put it to your lips that it was pure ice. with a small pout, you shimmied yourself out from your girlfriend’s grasps. clocking morgan talking to a group of girls a few tables over, you silently told your girlfriends you’d be back as you made your way over to him. 

“i’m getting another drink! your tab still open?” 

“you know it hot mamas. get what you want!” 

with a smile and an appreciative peck to morgan’s cheek, you made your way to the back of the club where the bar was. you took a minute to scan the people around you, barely clocking the group of young twenty somethings in the corner who had been staring at your group all night. the vodka in your system from the shots you had taken was finally starting to hit, and all you wanted to do was drink, dance and forget the past three weeks had ever happened. you, emily and jj had barely had time to spend with each other, only scraping by precious moments in the hotel room as you all cuddled in bed together. sure, you had snuck away to get chinese one night, but it wasn’t the same since you were all technically on call. but now that the case was done, you had planned on spending the next week snuggled up in the arms of your favorite people with silly romcoms on in the background. 

while you longed to be in the hotel laying in bed with a bottle of emily’s favorite wine and a six pack of jj’s favorite beer to be split between the three of you, you had to admit it was nice to get out and let loose. sometimes you needed to get way too much alcohol in your system and sweat your ass off dancing to stupid pop hits. and the fact you were doing it with some of your closest friends was a bonus. was it silly to say your coworkers were some of your closest (and only) friends? sure. but it was the truth. you spent so much of your life surrounded by them, it was only fair that they were top priority on your short list of people who were allowed to see you with your walls down. especially emily and jj. they wiggled their way into your life and intertwined themselves so intricately that it was going to be nearly impossible to get them out. 

turning around, you felt an arm slip around your lower back as you waited for the bartender. you stiffened, trying to make it clear to whoever was behind you that you were indeed starting to become uncomfortable. 

“how’s it going, cute stuff? rough week?” 

a dry chuckle fell from your lips. “you could say that.” 

“what are you drinking? i’ll get you one.” 

“you’re very nice, but i’m spoken for.” you turned away from him, flagging down the now free bartender. 

in the back of your mind, you could feel jj and emily’s eyes on you as the man edged closer and closer. you wished you had gotten one of them to come up with you, but it was too late now. you had ventured up here yourself, thinking that nothing bad would come of it. boy were you wrong. the bartender got you a new drink, putting it on morgan’s tab. you went to reach for it before you were interrupted. 

“let me take this back to your table, sweetheart.” the man reached for your drink, not even waiting for you to answer. 

“absolutely the fuck not.” you grabbed his wrist, pressing into his pulse point. 

“aw come on, just let me take it for you.” 

“you must not of heard me when i said i’m spoken for.” 

“that’s what they all say. and hey, if there’s no label, it doesn’t mean anything.” 

as if on cue, jj came up to you and wrapped her arms around your waist. “is this man bothering you, sweetheart?” 

“mmm,” a cheeky smile appeared on your face. “just a little bit, mommy.” 

you were absolutely poking a sleeping bear, considering jj hated being called mommy. however, you needed to fend off the man in front of you, and what better way to do that then to get jj all pissy and controlling? you could feel her demeanor change, her hand sneaking up your back until she had her hand wrapped around your hair. 

“is that so? you do remember who you came here with, right?”

“i do.” 

“who are you here with?” 

“you. and emmy.” the man's eyebrows raised as you reacted to your hair being tugged. 

emily appeared on the other side of jj. “what’s going on here?” 

“some dickhead is trying to steal our girl.” jj practically spit out the sentence. “had to put y/n in their place, they were going along with it.” 

that was totally a lie, but the man didn’t have to know this was exactly the game you three typically played when people were hitting on you. 

emily grabbed at your chin. “you do remember who you belong to, yes darling?” 

“yes,” you nodded. “i do.” 

“then why were you flirting with…” emily looked the man up and down. “that?” 

you fell into the part quite easily. “i didn’t mean to, i swear!” 

out of the corner of your eye, you could have sworn you saw the guy pop a boner. you tapped jj’s leg twice, your signal that it was unfortunately not working as well as they planned it to. 

“go back to the table, lovey.” jj let go of your hair, taking your drink from your hand. “i’ll get you another one, considering this man child tried to take it from you. can’t trust men these days.” 

“hey, now that’s a big accusation-”

“accusation or not,” emily stepped closer to the man. “it’s never okay to steal anyone’s drink. no matter how nice you’re being. and by the way, it’s a criminal offense, and all three of us work for the fbi.” 

the man stiffened as emily patted him on the shoulder, grabbing you and pulling you close. you leaned into emily’s shoulder, hiding your face slightly as you let out a shuddering breath. it had been a hot minute since you had come that close to getting your drink spiked. it was a miracle you were still standing and not halfway slumped over some random guy’s backseat on their way downtown to do whatever they wanted with you. but your girlfriends had come to your rescue, and that’s all that mattered. 

jj handed you your new drink. “you okay, lovey?”

“i am. sorry i had to pull the mommy card. i know you don’t like it.” 

“you know i’d slip into any role you needed me to, right? bedroom or not, i’m yours.” 

“the same goes for me. whatever you need me to do to make sure you’re safe, i’ll do it.”

“promise?”

“promise.” jj and emily both squeezed your hands. “do you want to stay or go back to the hotel?”

“can we go back to the hotel? i’ll down my drink first but-”

“don’t worry, i stuck your water bottle in my purse. come back to the table, put your drink in there and we’ll head back, yeah?” 

you smiled. “gods, what would i do without you?”

jj wrapped her arms around you. “hopefully there’s never a world where you’d have to find out.”

[geekforhorror]

imagine riding aj GODDD

rodeo

pairing: aj x fem!reader

warning(s): SMUT (DNI IF YOU’RE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH IT!), dom!aj, sub!reader, riding, unprotected p in v sex, dirty talk, pet names, fluff, etc.

word count: 725 words

a/n: not proofread since i wrote half of this at 12 am

"Just like that baby, just like that..." AJ groans while you're currently on top of him, bucking like a stallion.

He had quite a rather stressful day which was made quite clear when he came home to your guys' city apartment. You had noticed how tense his muscles were when you went to go hug him. You had asked him what was wrong and he told you about all the shit that had gone down while they were planning their next big heist. It had already been stressful enough with how little time they had to make this heist successful. He usually was good with dealing with stress, but the guy he had fought today in order to obtain C-4 really did it for him. When he finished telling you about all of it, you made him an offer that he wouldn’t and couldn’t refuse in a million years. You wanted to ride him.

Here you guys were, now ten minutes in, and both of you had been reduced to a moaning mess. Moans that couldve been mistaken for being in porn had begun to elicit from both of your guys' lips, but both of you were too much drunk on each other to care. You didn’t care about the noises that would for sure surface off the walls or your neighbors filing countless noise complaints.

"Jay...fuck," you breathily moan. Your hands had found their way to his beautiful locks to maintain your balance through the wave of pleasure given to you by riding his cock.

“You’re gripping me like a fucking vice, doll,” he grunts.

He wasn’t lying. Your tight cunt was more than inviting when it came to sliding his dick into it. It was like two pieces of a puzzle that fit so well together. He gently forced you even lower on him, which resulted in you taking in more of him. Despite having been together for a long time and making love more times than either of you could count, you were never used to how thick he was. You could feel him every inch of him sheathed inside your aching pussy.

“Fuck baby…don’t stop,” he moans while guiding your hips with his gorgeous hands.

“I don’t know how much longer-“ you raggedly pant.

“You’ve got this, sweetheart…I know you do,” he reassures you at which you frantically nod your head. “Come on baby, be a good girl for me,” he coos.

“Anything for you,” you whine.

“That’s my fucking girl,” AJ says.

You continue to glide on his cock like you had been doing, but he takes it one step further by moving his hips faster against you, giving you no choice but to feel him bottom out. You feel yourself unravel as he jerks himself deeper into your tight little hole. Molded to him.

“Such a big dick Jay…gonna cum-“ you cry out in ecstasy.

“You’ve done so well for me, darling. Cum on me… gonna feel so good,” he praises.

He then speeds up even more, which you didn’t know was even possible. AJ had gone from being passionate to becoming animalistic with his thrusts. That’s the effect only you had on him.

With him jerking faster inside you, you could feel your vision start to get blurry and pool with stars. You felt the hot coil start to form in your abdomen as he rutted like a man gone wild. Finally, his movements sent you over the edge and you felt your release spurt out of you and onto his dick. He could feel the way you spasmed around him and he swore he was going to pass away on the spot. The feeling of your cum smeared on him only made him want to cum faster.

AJ makes his hip bones meet yours and in doing so, he finally finds the right spot inside you that brushes his sensitive cock just right. He finally lets the hot rope of cum gush onto your already slick pussy. He rides out his high along with you and pulls out shortly after. You both then lay down accordingly on the now ruined sheets and look at each other with loving eyes.

“I love you, baby,” he whispers with his lips touching the ridge of your ear.

“I love you too Jay. Forever,”

“Forever sounds amazing if it’s with you.”

[ash5monster01]

Learning to Love Epilogue

Pairing: Rafe Cameron x FemReader!PlusSize

Warnings: 18+, langauge, angst, fluff, mentions of bullying, body image issues, fat shaming, fake relationship, eventual smut, minor enemies to lovers trope.

Summary: It's not uncommon for you to be shamed for your size, it is however uncommon to be told that no one would ever date you because of it. Rafe on the other hand is used to being called a jerk, that is until he is accused of seeing people for only what's on the surface. It's purely coicidental you two meet right after these accusations are thrown your way. So even though you two don't know each other, and probably never would've looked the others way before this, now you're both going to prove a point. It's simple really, prove others wrong and don't fall in love. Easier said than done.

word count: 3k

Part 10 ←

Masterlist

Rafe wasn’t sure what to do. Now knowing you had overheard some of his conversation he knew how bad it looked. He was prepared to fix it, thing was he needed to come up with a plan. He was tired of dancing around you, never truly saying what he actually meant. This time he was going to prove to you that he wanted you and no one else. He wanted you exactly the way you were. The only problem was how do you convince a girl she’s worth it when she’s spent her whole life thinking she’s not? So Rafe was going to take his time because he was prepared to spend the rest of his time with you. That was until Mila sent him a new text.

Mila

A wave a sickness quickly washed over him at his desk, hand tightly gripping his phone as panic slowly replaced that sickness. The idea of you on a date made him want to kill whoever the hell the guy was and he had a feeling he knew exactly who it was. Slamming his phone down he dialed the pager on his desk phone to his assistant Kaitlyn.

“Yes Mr. Cameron” she answered almost instantaneously. After all of this he needed to remember to give her a raise.

“Get me AJ, now” and Kaitlyn scrambled out an okay while Rafe tried his best not to seethe at the thought of you trying to erase him completely. It’s only ten minutes later when AJ walks through his office door.

“Kaitlyn said you needed me” the smile on her face suggests she’s assuming some kind of hookup but when she spots his angry face she realizes fairly quickly this is not the case.

“You have a Tanner that works for you down there” Rafe nods his chin down to where AJ’s marketing floor lies.

“Yeah, Tanner Mason. He’s one of my best” she says fondly of her workers and Rafe nods as he processes his thoughts.

“Yeah, well today he’s just too good. I need you to up his work load, enough paperwork he won’t be getting home until midnight tonight. I don’t even care if you have to send someone home to do it” AJ quickly furrows her eyebrows, confused at what was going on.

“I don’t understand” she says, confused why Rafe who should have no clue who this worker is, is suddenly targeting him.

“Tanner has decided to ask my girl on a date, one he thinks he’s attending tonight, I’m going to make sure that doesn’t happen” AJ wears a surprised look, realizing how serious he is right now.

“Why would she even be going out with him if she’s dating you?” AJ instantly questions, looking to place blame on her but Rafe just sighs.

“She dumped me and didn’t even say why. So I’m going to get her back. Whatever means necessary” the shocked face that crossed AJ’s features doesn’t surprise Rafe, yet he doesn’t back down.

“I guess I can send Emmet home, tell Tanner he’s sick and I need a completed ad by the end of the day” AJ finally says after a beat and Rafe smiles a sly grin.

“You’re the best AJ” he says and AJ rolls her eyes as she begins to stand up.

“You’re lucky we’ve been friends so long and I’m partial to you actually being in love. Believe it or not but there was a point in time I didn’t think you were capable. It’s nice to see you care so deeply about someone” and Rafe knows she’s referring to him never reciprocating her feelings during their time together. He would feel guilty but after all of this he knows now you can’t help who you fall in love with, you’re just along for the ride.

“It feels nice” he tells her and she lets out a chuckle before heading towards the door.

“You owe me, and I want to be front row at the wedding” she tells him and the blush that crosses his cheeks surprises her.

“Anything you want” and she accepts this answer before leaving the office and towards Emmet’s. She would’ve sent him home even if Rafe gave her no reason. Everything Rafe did had a purpose.

Rafe now content with the start of his plan being set in motion glances at the picture of you on his desk. The selfie you had taken in his lap that day you were here. He knows now he’s never going to move it, loving having your smiling face looking back at him. He was determined to have you smile at him like that again so he finally responds to Mila’s text.

Mila

Rafe didn’t care that she called him out on his behavior. He used to be a very different type of insane and she should be glad that this was the only crazy thing he was willing to do these days. You had changed him for the better and he wasn’t going to lose you now. He needed it to at least be real. To know that sleeping with you made it official and not some way of using you. He wanted you the way you were forever and he was willing to go back to his old ways to make it happen.

“He’s not answering me” you groan to Mila on the couch. You had been dressed for your date for the last hour, waiting for Tanner to pick you up but so far it hadn’t been done.

“Maybe he got caught up at work, I mean you know the boss” Mila snorts out and she’s glad her acting is good enough that you can’t tell she’s internally panicking. Rafe had her delete Tanners message, one where he informed you he got stuck at work and would have his phone off the rest of the day. You’re oblivious and Mila is praying this plan doesn’t blow up in her face.

“That’s not funny” you tell her with a pout but before Mila could say anything the doorbell rang. You nervously scrambled to answer it only to be met with an older gentleman and a limo in the street behind him.

“Hello Miss, Tanner is running a bit late so he’s asked me to escort you to the restaurant. Are you all set to go?” the formality shocks you and Mila realizes fairly quickly Tanner wasn’t the one who sent this limo at all. In defense of her best friend she should stop her but even Mila knew Rafe wouldn’t have planned all of this without purpose.

“Damn, a limo! Can I tag along just to ride?” Mila asks and the chauffeur just smiles at her, told to comply with any requests.

“Could she please?” you ask the man and he nods quickly.

“Of course, what fun is a limo without guests” he says before stepping out the way and gesturing in the direction of it.

“Thank you!” you say before grabbing Mila’s hand and rushing her to the limo. You had been full blown panicking now, not having gone on a real date in ages. Now it was even more intimidating riding in a limo there.

“God, drink some champagne and chill” Mila says when she spots your nervous behavior in the back of the limo. She was already on her second glass.

“I am chill” you defend as she hands you a glass that you have down in two full gulps.

“Yeah right” she mutters as you hold out the glass, awaiting her to pour more. She obeys and doesn’t say anything more as she lets you drink in peace and sits beside you in support.

It’s not long until the limousine pulls up in front of one of the most beautiful restaurants you had ever seen. Never would you have guessed a marketing job would provide such big bucks like this, yet you don’t complain. All you do is glance at Mila who has now ditched the glass to drink champagne straight from the bottle. She smiles and gives you a thumbs up which is all the confidence you need to leave the car when the chauffeur opens the door.

“Thank you…” you trail off, realizing you don’t know his name as he releases your hand from helping you out the vehicle.

“Harold” he tells you and you smile softly.

“Thank you Harold, sorry you have to deal with her alone” you gesture back to the car with a chuckle.

“I heard that!” Mila calls from inside and Harold lightly laughs with you.

“Tanner should be here soon, just tell the hostess you have a reservation under Tanner Mason” he informs you and you nod, filled with nerves because you didn’t even know his last name was Mason until now. You suppose that’s the whole point of going on this date though, getting to know each other. So you walk into the restaurant anyways and do as told where a hostess leads you to a private booth, jazz music playing over the chatter of people, and candles lighting up the dim table.

“Sorry I’m late” a smile crosses your face before you even register that it wasn’t Tanner’s voice. Rafe notices how quickly the smile vanishes as he slides into the spot where Tanner is supposed to be.

“Why are you here?” you glare, not in any mood for a stunt of his tonight. You were moving on, trying things you never had before. You didn’t need him here and messing it up.

“Tanner got caught up at work, something about a coworker being sick and a deadline to meet by tonight” Rafe says this sentence so naturally but you know he has something to do with it. Tanner would have never planned a date let alone not contacted you about it, yet you suppose Rafe had something to do with that too.

“So what? you thought you’d just come and fill in. Take his place for the night?” you scoff, arms crossing over your chest and immediately thinking of ways to get out of this restaurant.

“Try forever. You shouldn’t be with him Y/N! You should be with me” he groans out, hands fisting the table cloth in front of you both.

“That’s never going to happen” you say with the shake of your head, trying to look anywhere but him.

“Why? We spent that night together, I thought it was finally real. That you would finally let me love you and instead you blocked me on everything!” he countered and as much as hearing that he wanted you that didn’t change fact.

“Really Rafe, me too! Which is why I came by your office as soon as I could just to hear you talking with AJ about your current sex life. How shocked she was to hear you’d sleep with me at the same time as her. Luckily I left just as I heard you start talking about not being attracted to big girls” Rafe instantly goes back to that conversation in his head, realizing AJ had used present tense when talking with him.

“I haven’t slept with AJ in over two years. I cross my heart, I haven’t even been with anyone the entirety of the time we spent together. You have to believe me” he begs, needing you to know it wasn’t true. He was desperate for you to know it was true.

“Even if that’s true Rafe, I can’t be with someone who isn’t attracted to me. I get that I’m no beauty standard and I understand my body isn’t the healthiest but I deserve to be loved for all the things that make me, me. That includes being overweight” you say, fighting the tears that burn at the back of your eyes. You didn’t want to cry over him anymore. It wasn’t worth it.

“You don’t understand Y/N, you walked away before I could finish that day. I was saying I had never been attracted to big girls before and up until now I didn’t know why. You’re so beautiful, I love everything about you. I love the way your hair always falls in your face and how when you laugh to loudly you cover your mouth with your hands. Beauty isn’t a standard, it’s just in the eye of the beholder. Anyone is beautiful when you love them and baby I love you more than you know. I love you so much that you’re the most beautiful girl in the world to me. As long as I have you, no other girl in the world matters” and the tears break free in full force, shock painting your features as Rafe’s words resonate with you. You want to believe he’s lying but what reasoning would he have? Based on his own tears in his eyes you realize that Rafe is telling you the whole truth for maybe the first time in the entirety of your relationship with him.

“You love me, exactly the way I am?” you can’t help but ask and Rafe chuckles, reaching long arms across the table to brush away your tears.

“I do, I love you more than anything and no matter what happens I always will” he says, sincerity cracking his voice and finally a smile appears on your face, chuckling through the tears.

“Well how in the hell did that happen?” you ask, the backs of your hands wiping the tears from your face while Rafe laughs at your words.

“I don’t know, guess it’s got something to do with this really cool girl I met in a bar” Rafe says and finally you stand from your side of the booth, rushing over to his own where he happily accepts you into his arms.

“You promise it’s real, everything?” you ask and Rafe smiles, a hand reaching and tucking a piece of hair behind your ear.

“It always was” he tells you and that’s enough for you to lock your lips against his own. He kisses you like he can’t possible get enough, tongue sliding past your lips as your hands toy with his hair at the nape of his neck. He is everything you ever wanted and for the first time you deserved.

“I can’t believe you hijacked my date to get me to talk to you” you say when you finally break apart, heavy breaths falling past your lips from how deeply he was kissing you.

“I had to do something, you blocked me on everything with no explanation” he says with a bewildered look and you can’t help but laugh before pulling his lips to your own and kissing him again.

“I needed something effective to get you out of my system” you tell him and he grins, squeezing you tightly against him and in no hurry to let you go.

“You remember when we first hung out and I asked you if you had ever been in love before?” he asks you gently after a moment and you nod, softly leaning against him.

“Yeah and I told you I’d like to think I was but I wasn’t sure” you respond, remembering that day in his apartment so clearly. How much fun you had ended up having while hanging out with him.

“I only asked because I had realized I’d never been in love before, but now if someone asks me I can confidently say yes” he says with a grin and you can only giggle at the handsome boy in front of you.

“When did Rafe Cameron become such a sap?” you asked, knowing you’d seen every side of Rafe other than this.

“I’m only a sap for you so don’t go telling anyone” he tells you and for a single moment you’re the happiest you’ve ever been in the arms of the man you love. Rafe was your first and hopefully only love and you couldn’t wait to spend the rest of your life getting to know him even more.

“Who would’ve thought a fake date would teach me how to love someone” you say to him and Rafe grins.

“Is that you finally saying you love me back, because I definitely have you beat on confessions tonight” he teases and you laugh loudly, hand covering your mouth which Rafe removes as he grins back at you.

“I love you Rafe Cameron, bad boy persona and all” you say and he pecks a sweet kiss to your lips.

“Learning to love, who would’ve thought it’d be me” he says referring to the journey you both had been on, going from loners to two people in love with each other.

“I sure as hell didn’t” you say and Rafe smiles just as the wine he had called ahead and ordered arrived to the table.

“This wasn’t Tanners date at all was it?” you ask and Rafe only grins, not embarrassed by his actions at all.

“Nope, this is all me. He texted and cancelled while you were in the shower and I had Mila delete it” he admits and you gasp, lightly smacking his arm as he goes to set a wine glass in front of you.

“You two are devious” you say and he shrugs, arm wrapping around your shoulders as he pulls you close and sips from his glass of wine.

“Devious but successful” he tells you and you shake your head before laying it on his shoulder.

“You’re lucky I love you both” you tell him and he smiles, lips pressing a soft kiss against your forehead.

“Yeah, we definitely are”

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a/n: and that’s a wrap. thank you so much everyone for coming with me on this journey and I hope you fell in love with their story as much as I did. clearly Rafe and the reader have a beautiful future ahead of them, no longer lost in the world. as for you my dear and loyal readers I wish this for all of you, not only find love but learning how to 🤍

[souldagger]

All songs from the Imperial Radch audiobooks (part 1)

(as sung by the wonderful narrator, Adjoa Andoh)

PART 2

some notes: in the cases of songs we hear more than once, i chose the most complete version; and songs we hear a lyric or two at a time i tried to cobble together from the fragments

My heart is a fish Hiding in the water-grass In the green, in the green.

One, two, my aunt told me Three, four, the corpse soldier Five, six, it’ll shoot you in the eye Seven, eight, kill you dead. Nine, ten, break it apart and put it back together.

I was walking, I was walking When I met my love I was in the street walking When I saw my true love I said, “She is more beautiful than jewels, lovelier than jade or lapis, silver or gold.”

Death will overtake us In whatever manner already fated Everyone falls to it And so long as I’m ready I don’t fear it No matter what form it takes.

Oh, have you gone to the battlefield Armored and well armed? And shall dreadful events Force you to drop your weapons?

The person, the person, the person with weapons. You should be afraid of the person with weapons. You should be afraid. All around the cry goes out, put on armor made of iron. The person, the person, the person with weapons. You should be afraid of the person with weapons. You should be afraid.

Betrayer! Long ago we promised To exchange equally, gift for gift. Take this curse: What you destroy will destroy you.

It all goes around, It all goes around, The planet goes around the sun, it all goes around, It all goes around, The moon goes around the planet, It all goes around, Station goes around the moon, it all goes around My mother said, It all goes around The ship goes around the station, it all goes around.

[good--merits-accumulated]

Domestic Anderperry headcanons

As requested by @aj-scott725 - thanks AJ! :] These are all kind of nebulously post-canon.

- When Todd gets into a new poem/body of work, he doesn't tend to gush about it; instead he gets into a dreamy state for a few days and leaves books lying around with pen scribbles all over the pages. Neil gets into the habit of collecting them so he doesn't lose track of them, putting them on their bedside table, and making a note of them so he can read them too

- Neil gets it into his head to learn how to swing dance one summer, and they spend a couple of weeks twirling each other around the living room. It doesn't go awfully well (Todd has two left feet and almost cracks his head open by falling over the sofa), but they're not half bad at it either. Sometimes their downstairs neighbour Mrs. Springer will play Rachmaninoff on the piano and they'll leave the windows open so the music gets in and dance around and around the room

- Todd falls asleep in a couple of minutes every time he gets on any type of transportation without fail. The first time it happens in a taxi they're still young and afraid and when the driver glances for half a second too long at them in the rearview mirror, at Todd's head on Neil's shoulder and the way Neil curves around him unconsciously, Neil stiffens and glares. But by the time the taxi arrives he and the driver have spent ten minutes talking quietly about their boyfriends to each other (the driver is "practically engaged, can you believe it" to a journalist named Martin in Syracuse, and he reminds him "just of your guy, they're exactly like each other, the wheels start going and they're out like lights"). They shake hands as he gently ushers a half-awake Todd out of the taxi and he never sees that driver again, but the memory remains a small golden jewel in Neil's mind

- Neil is unequivocally on washing up duty, because Todd can't stand feeling wet food in the sink. To make up for it he cleans the bathroom, although this also because it helps him think - not uncommon for Neil to come home from rehearsal to find him with their giant flowery cleaning gloves on scrubbing at the toilet bowl, dictating poems to a voice recorder. He proposes Todd dedicate his first poetry collection "to my darling husband and the porcelain god" and gets kicked out of the bedroom for a night for his troubles

- The apartment's heating is kind of shitty (read: the landlord refuses to fix it) so they sleep with three blankets all piled up on top of each other. Neil, who runs cold, isn't too concerned about the whole thing. Todd pretends to complain about it but secretly he loves the comforting pressure (God, have weighted blankets been invented yet? Can we get him one?) and sleeps with the blankets pulled to his chin and his face pressed into the crook of Neil's neck for maximum coverage. This also works in the mornings because he doesn't like the sun's glare, so Neil will often sleepily put a hand over his eyes before he wakes up so it doesn't bother him

[02511213942]

I love your art style and the way you draw different body types and your username. Hello. Hi, just a fan. Also, do you have any favorite aftg fics?

🥹 THANK YOU!!! you're very kind!! ! i hope to get better at drawing different body types and i like my username too!!

i do have lots of fic recs, but i've been sitting on and incubating this ask for too long so here are just five that have been on my mind again most recently!

til death do us part by @alcego

We follow Neil's professional exy career, including the ups and downs, from beginning to end.

IF IT FEELS LIKE THIS FIC WAS MADE IN A LAB FOR ME IT'S BECAUSE IT WAS!! COMMISSIONED FROM THE BRILLIANT AJ :)) if you loved reading the games in the books u will looove this... sports-heavy outsider pov and media snippets, neil gets a concussion, andreil being odd and cute, kevin day is there. all is well in the world.

Signs of Life by moonix @annawrites

In which Kevin works the graveyard shift, Andrew is the witching hour cryptid, and Neil guards the ice-cream freezer.

if i were andrew i'd make out with neil in aisle ten too... kevin thinking about his breakfast sandwich and andrew needing to touch of the roots of his box blonde hair I LOVE YOUu....

burning with you by @seasy33

The crowd whistles and cheers. People on the dance floor start to pair together, pressing close and swaying. As the song really begins, Neil realizes he knows it and starts humming along, playing idly with the ring on Andrew's finger. Andrew's hand twitches. "You know this song." Neil nods against his shoulder, still humming. "You don't know who Aerosmith is, but you know Shania Twain." Neil shrugs. - Neil and Andrew go to a bar and end up sort-of serenading each other --with country songs. That's it, that's the fic

feral stick figure on all fours dot jpeg. whenever you're still the one or johnny and june come up on my spotify shuffle i think of this fic and my aura acquires a gentle pink glow. i love country music :)

Every Sinner Has A Future by OfficialStarsandGutters

Canon divergent Neil x Aaron. - Neil Josten. A shock of red hair and ocean blue eyes. Pretty faced, but nothing special. Except he makes a throwaway comment about Andrew being off his meds and it’s like everyone in the room forgets to breathe. Even Aaron, his body still and tense with surprise that he can tell them apart. Without even having met Aaron, he knew Andrew wasn’t him. That shouldn’t mean anything. Aaron rubs his sweaty palms on his skinny jeans and tells himself it doesn’t, it doesn’t, it doesn’t.

my fav rare pair and the fic ever for them 🥹 aaron minyard i've really come around to you and i'll even let you take my son out if you have him home by 10.

sunset, like survival by animediac @jaywalkers

The first time Neil dies is devastating. The second time is just as bad. The third time has them wondering if there’s a way out of this loop that doesn’t end with Neil dead. - Night, after night, after night. Baltimore isn't something that just happens once.

kandreil neil death time loop fic you are SO famous to me. on my mind again recently because róisín is very good at being a paramedic and knowing what really happens to the body when you are critically horribly injured, and i asked them what would happen if neil got hypothetically specifically tortured, and they did not let me down.

[jessicaloons]

Chapter 33:

The rumours are terrible and cruel…

Masterlist - Previous - Next

Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

I kept staring at the phone in my hand, at the text. This was it? This was what he meant when he said he knew things about my family? A lie? A lie, that given how fast it spread and how much it was commented with nasty things, was believed by everyone. A fucking lie.

"Come on, Lizzie. Let’s go!" Charles dragged me with him, my legs complying only moderately.

"Where are we going?" I whispered, as he gently pushed me into the passenger seat of his Pista.

"Hotel." he answered, as he got in, starting the engine "If they won’t answer their phones, then we’ll go to them!" he added, steering us effortlessly through the buzzing streets of Monaco, busier than usual, given the fact that in only two days time the Grand Prix weekend started.

"Quick thinking." I let out, staring outside, watching how people excitedly pointed at Charles car, knowing who was inside.

Not even ten minutes later we walked inside the Fairmont Hotel, waiting for the elevator.

"Lizzie?" Charles whispered as soon as the doors closed and I looked up "It’s going to be okay, alright?"

"How? Once out in the media it stays there, no matter how much we deny it! The rumour stays out there. It’s already spreading like a fucking wildfire!" I leaned my head back against the cold steel of the elevator, closing my eyes, right before the doors already opened again and Charles led me outside.

"Hey! Come on in!" Mum opened the door, looking tired, as she ushered us inside. We hugged her and then walked further inside, following the voice of Dad.

Liam sat with the back to us on the sofa, headphones on. He didn’t seem to hear us coming in and for the moment it was better like this. Dad waved us hello, rolling his eyes to whatever was going on on the phone.

"Let us know as soon as you find something out! Thank you, Rita!" Dad hung up and Charles and I immediately hugged him "What a mess." he looked stressed out. Older than usual.

"Where’s Sissy?" Charles asked and looked around.

"She’s at Daniel’s place. They’re on their way here." Dad sighed, sitting down.

"It’s not just on gossip blogs and accounts anymore." I said and Mum nodded.

"No it’s not. Daily Mail, Telegraph, BBC, Sky, BILD, even the New York Times. Just to name a few."

"Is it confirmed? Did he really made a statement or is it just fake news from a gossip account?" Charles asked and I looked at Dad.

"Rita said the big news outlets wouldn’t use the information if it’s not verified to a certain level… so it’s true…"

"Fucking asshole." I mumbled, earning an angry look from Mum, but I just shrugged my shoulders "Does he know what’s going on?" I nodded towards Liam but my parents both shook their head.

"He knows something is up. From our reactions. But that’s it." Mum said and Charles nodded, walking towards Liam, sitting down next to him.

"Charlie!" he almost screamed and jumped into Charles’ arms "What are you doing here? I thought we see you tomorrow?"

"I wanted to surprise you!" Charles smiled and the little one beamed at him.

The door sprung open and Sissy walked inside, followed by Daniel who closed the door. Tearstained face, red nose and glassy eyes, Mum hugged her immediately, shushing her. I walked towards Charles and Liam on the sofa and tried to shield away what was happening behind me.

"Hey Bubba! What are you watching?" I asked him and his eyes got big.

"Hero elementary! It’s so cool! That are young kids with super powers!" he said excitedly and showed me his tablet "AJ is the coolest! That’s him!" he pointed at the boy on the right "He has the power of thought projection! That means he can project what he thinks about I nto real life objects! How cool is that?"

"That is an amazing super power! Does it work with everything? Like when he wants ice cream, can he think of ice cream and then it appears?" Charles asked and Liam thought for a moment.

"I think so, yes!" he clapped his hands together "Now I want ice cream!" he pouted a little and I chuckled.

"Hey Liam, what about you and I and maybe Charles, if he’s up for it, go down to the restaurant and see if they have some ice cream?" Daniel asked when he walked up to us and Liam jumped up.

"Yes! Oh and hi Danny Ric!" he smiled and hugged Daniel around the waist "Are you coming with us, Charlie?" he looked at Charles pleading.

"How can I say no to ice cream?" Charles got up as well and with a last kiss on my cheek and a squeeze of Sissy’s shoulder the three boys left.

"What does he want? Did he contact you in the last time?" Dad asked as soon as the door was closed but she only shook her head.

"It doesn’t make any sense! He didn’t contact you for years. He never paid anything. He never cared for Liam in the slightest. Why would he say something like this? Why now?" Mum asked .

"Because he’s an asshole. Always was, always will be!" Dad spat out sitting down on the sofa.

"I never even asked him of anything!" Sissy sat down next to Dad and leaned back "I don’t know why he would do that now! What was he thinking?"

"I think for now we can’t do much. Rita is already contacting the news outlets to find out what exactly happened. And then we’re thinking about the next step. That’s all we can do for now." Mum said and Sissy sighed.

"What about Liam?" I asked and they looked at me "We agree that we want to keep this as far away from him as possible? But if you’re not going to the paddock the next days, he knows something is up! But you can’t come to Audi or Ferrari, they all will expect you there, they will swarm you!"

"Daniel said we can watch it at RedBull. No one will expect us there, not many people know about us!" Sissy said and I nodded.

"That’s a good plan. Tomorrow you could go on a boat trip! I’ll talk to Charles. Maybe Lorenzo can take you out, Liam wouldn’t be suspicious…" I took out my phone, texting Charles.

"But Lizzie, you know that they most likely will swarm you… you’ll be bombarded with questions. It’s important that you stay calm." Mum looked at me pointedly.

"I’m always calm!" I winked and she frowned.

"I’m serious!"

"Me too! Don’t worry!" I rolled my eyes when the door opened and Liam walked in, a huge bowl of ice cream in his hands.

"It’s the biggest one they had!" he smiled at us and sat down on the floor in front of the coffee table.

"We had to go. There were some people who recognised us." Charles whispered and I sighed "Oh and Enzo will pick you up at 9." he looked at Dad.

"Thank you, Charles." he said.

"Daniel? I’m staying here, okay? Then I don’t have to come here tomorrow morning." Sissy said to Daniel who nodded.

"Sure. It’s better like that." he smiled at her "Call me tomorrow, okay? I’ll figure out how I get you into the paddock without drawing too much attention to you guys!" he kissed Sissy’s cheek and then turned to the rest of us "Good night guys! See you two tomorrow!" but I got up as well.

"Wait for us, we should go too." I hugged Dad and Mum, ruffled Liams hair who didn’t even react, engrossed by his ice cream.

"Don’t worry, okay? We’ll figure it out!" Charles said as he hugged Sissy and I nodded, doing the same.

"Good night!"

"Lizzie? Remember what I said!" Mum said and I groaned.

"Don’t worry Mum! I’ll be calm and collected! I promise."

Calm and collected, Lizzie, calm and collected! I said it inside my head like a freaking mantra when I sat in the press conference, answering question after question. Luckily no one had asked about the whole situation more than a little nod towards how my family is doing right now and how I handle it. I answered the questions as short as possible. Family is doing alright under the given circumstances. I focus on the weekend ahead. Easy. Done. But the moment I saw the Canal+ reporter I knew it was over.

"Candice Boucher, Canal +. Question for Lizzie! With everything that is happening right now, with your sister and your nephew. how do you keep something like this out of your head? It must affect your driving, having these thoughts in your mind?" she asked, a sugary sweet smile on her lips.

"When I get in the car I block everything out. It’s only the car, the track, my race engineer and-…" I began, forcing a smile.

"Are the rumours true?" she interrupted.

"No, it’s no-…" I bit my tongue as she interrupted me again, my patience wearing thin.

"So, you say the father who claims to not be the father is in fact the father of your nephew. He’s no byproduct of your sister’s wild mid twenties." and that crossed my line.

"What the fuck did you just say? My nephew is a kid. A sweet, innocent, little boy. He’s not a fucking byproduct of my sister having a normal fucking life like any mid twenty year old has. What the fuck is wrong with you?" I got up and threw my microphone on the sofa, leaving the stage. I had enough. One more word out of her rotten mouth and I would rip out her throat. Julie opened the door for us and I strutted outside, chest heaving.

"If she ever comes near me again… Candice Boucher? Much rather Candice BITCHer! Byproduct? BYPRODUCT? Who would call a kid like that? I want to rip her head off!" I ranted and Julie rubbed my back, trying to calm me down.

"I’m not trying to defend her, but she quoted just some gossip blogs who called your sister all sorts of names, that she was wild and partied a lot and maybe like this she got pregnant with the “byproduct”… disgusting!" Julie said and I scoffed.

"Maybe she didn’t come up with it, but she said it! She repeated it!" I was seething. Not just that the whole day fans, reporters, photographers, hell, the entirety of Monaco how it felt, had the urge to yell their questions my way, even if I was on the other side of the street or the paddock. I also had to sit through this press conference where all eyes were trained on me, like I was some weird attraction from a circus.

"What happened to calm and collected?" Charles was already waiting for me at the Audi hospitality.

"There’s just so much I can take." I rolled my eyes and he hugged me.

"Take a deep breath, you’re shaking." he whispered "I know it’s hard. But you have to stop listening, okay? Ignore them."

"How? Did you hear what she said? How she called Liam? How the whole fucking internet calls my sister a slut? A woman in her mid twenties who, god forbid, enjoyed her life? They portray her like she was a party girl! And we know she wasn’t like that! And all the horrible words they used for Liam?" I felt sick to my stomach, thinking about what I’ve read online, knowing that it was all nothing but lies.

"I know, cara mia! But we can’t change it for now. We protect Liam as much as possible from this whole mess, Rita is taking care of the news outlets. And I already told you yesterday that I have no problem in having a little chat with fucking Sven." Charles held me close, his chin rested atop of my head.

"I just want this weekend to be over." I mumbled.

"Believe me, me too." Charles sighed "But hey, on the bright side? It can’t get any worse now."

Famous last words.

I watched how the crane lifted my car up in the air and shook my head. Last lap of free practice 2 and I bottled it. Awesome. I climbed over the wall and made my way back to the pits. Helmet on. Ignoring everything. Despite trying everything to go into the car with a clear head, it didn’t work. I couldn’t get past the things people said about Sissy and Liam. How they asked me question after question. The fact that this was Diaz' doing, although I had no idea how he got ahold of Sven, let alone how he made him say these things. He was never in the public. Was never mentioned. The fine from the FIA for walking out the press conference and for excessive use of language, was just the tip of the iceberg. I walked into the garage, apologising to my team, before I locked myself in the bathroom, taking my helmet off. Out of all places this whole mess had to happen in Monaco. The race track where even the tinniest mistake could cost you your whole weekend. I splashed my face with cold water and closed my eyes. I took a deep breath before I unlocked to door and walked outside, game face on. Or at least I tried it. My car was brought in and I inspected the damage.

"It’s not that bad! We can fix it, don’t worry!" Matt patted my back and I sighed.

"I’m sorry guys! Honestly!" I looked at him but he just shook his head.

"It’s okay, really! Tomorrow the car is like brand new and you can go get 'em."

"I know that you can do your part… not so sure about mine though." I shrugged and walked away.

I just wanted to go back home. Shower. Wash the day away and then cuddle up in bed next to Charles. And wake up on Monday, when this whole mess of a weekend was over. Later on I sent Charles a text, asking him when he wanted to leave and sat on a little wall, bordering a flower pit. I had a weird feeling, the hairs in the back of my neck standing up. I straightened my back, looking around, but the alleyway was empty. Only me and the security at the other end. When Charles answered, telling me he would be out in 5 minutes, I flinched at the notification echoing from the walls. Finally we could leave.

Charles POV:

I waved to some fans, screaming after Lizzie and me, while we were driving on our bikes down to the paddock. Something felt different though. People were waving and screaming, but they also almost immediate began to whisper with each other, looking our way.

"You’re okay?" Lizzie asked when we arrived and someone came to take our bikes in.

"I don’t know, something feels off." I shrugged and she took my hand.

"Yeah…" she whispered as we arrived in the paddock.

My bad feeling only intensified, something definitely felt really off compared to the past two days. Whereas they yelled their questions at Lizzie the last two days, they wanted to know if it’s true from me today and from Lizzie how she felt about it. Why the sudden change? I had no idea why I was in the focus like this now, but by the look of Mia, Fred and Sylvia when I walked inside the Ferrari hospitality,I knew it had to be something bad. I swallowed hard.

"Do I even want to know?" probably not.

"Have you checked social media? The news? Anything at all today?" Mia asked and I shook my head, taking my phone out.

"What am I looking for?" when neither of them answered I unlocked my phone and opened Instagram. Nothing unusual "So?"

"Search for your name in the hashtags." Mia said quietly and I cocked an eyebrow.

"My name?" I typed it in and a bunch of pictures with Liam and I popped up, I clicked on the first one, my eyes widening in an instant. I clicked the next picture, scrolled through the posts. All the same "But that’s not… no. That’s not true!" I mumble when I opened up a link.

I didn’t know who did it, but I got pushed into the nearest chair, an open bottle of water shoved in my hand. I couldn’t breathe. I began to tremble. My insides boiling. Flaming hot rage cursing through my veins.

"Charles?" Fred put his hand on my shoulder nodding to the left and I followed his look. Lizzie. Pale. Shaking. Big, glassy eyes. Devastated look on her face. She didn’t believe the article?

"Cara mia, I swear it’s not true! You know that! Please believe me!" I scrambled up, towards her, a look of confusion now on her face.

"What?" she asked and I grabbed her hand, cupping her cheek.

"It’s not true! I did never… there was never… Liam, he’s not-…" I began but Lizzie burst out laughing.

"Wait? Do you actually think that I would believe that bullshit? Are you crazy?" she wiped a stray tear from my cheek and I pulled her in.

"I don’t know, the look on your face! You scared me!" I whispered, she only shook her head.

"I just wanted to check in on you… and then I saw you sitting there and thought the worst!" Lizzie kissed my cheek and then pulled away "It’s everywhere, Charles. Instagram, Twitter, Facebook. Various news outlets. TV, radio. Everywhere!"

"I know. To think the first article about Sissy and Liam spread fast…" I chuckled bitterly.

"They thought it might be best if they stay away from here today, but Liam threw a little tantrum… he wants to come and doesn’t understand why not." Lizzie sighed and I lead her away in a quiet corner, where we sat down.

"Maybe we should tell him what’s going on?" I suggested.

"How? Well, Liam, your father who never gave a single fuck about you, claims now publicly that he’s in fact not your father and threatens to sue your mother for fraud, because he claims he paid child support for a child that isn’t his. You see Liam, he never paid anything for you, because as you know he never cared for you. Now he also declared that your father is in fact none other than Charles."

"You’re right. Maybe we shouldn’t…"

"I don’t know what we should do. Rita is trying to figure out where the original story came from. But even if she’ll finds out. I don’t know how that will solve anything? And honestly? We shouldn’t even think about this whole mess." Lizzie sounded frustrated.

"I know, it’s just, how can we not? It’s our family! It’s about Sissy! It’s about Liam! I don’t care what they say about me, I’m used to it… but them? It’s just… fuck!" I let out. We sat in silent for a while when Lizzie grabbed my hand, made me look at her.

"Okay, listen. We can’t let it go to our head, okay? We have to focus! Clear out our head! This can’t affect us!" she pressed her forehead against mine "It’s a lot. I know. But yesterday I bottled it because my mind slipped for one second… we can’t afford that, okay? Not here."

"Okay!" I tilted my head up and kissed her forehead "We got this."

"That’s the spirit." she smiled at me and then got up "I’ll probably stay inside the garage in between practice and quali. There are too many people out there chasing me. You should consider the same!" she kissed my cheek, waved at Mia and Fred and left.

"Come on, let’s get to the garage." Fred said and I nodded, following him outside, a crowd already forming, bombarding me with questions, but like Lizzie said, I tried to ignore it. I really tried.

"Where’s Laurent? Xavi? We need to go to the stewards…" I was beyond mad. Andrea only sighed, nodding his head to the back of the garage "Can we go?" I asked when I saw Laurent talking to Mattia and as he turned around I also saw Fred, who looked at me.

"Are you okay?" he asked and I just nodded.

"I’m okay. I just want this all to get over with as fast as possible and then I want to go home." I said and looked at Laurent "So? Can we?"

"Let’s get Xavi and we can go." he said.

"Okay." I wanted to follow him when Fred held my arm.

"As soon as you’re back from the stewards, we’ll have a short strategy meeting. And right when we’re done with you, you go home! No, stop, Charles, I’m serious! You go home! Now go, they’re waiting!" he said and I sighed in defeat, following Laurent, who got ahold of Xavi. The way from the garage to the stewards felt like a marathon. Everyone staring at me. Pointing at me. Whispering behind my back. I walked faster and when we finally arrived at the Stewards, my mood turned only worse. I was given a 3 place grid penalty for impeding Lando. It wasn’t even my fault. But of course as the driver I would face the consequences. When we could leave again, I only nodded at Lando and left as fast as I could. I just wanted to go. Away from here. Home. With Lizzie by my side. But I knew she would come back home late, after she had to stop her car before setting a time in Q2, meaning she would start from P15 tomorrow. She had a lot to talk about with her team.

What a fucking weekend so far. For the first time ever I wasn’t excited for my home race. For the first time ever I wished I didn’t have to race at all.

For the most part of the Interviews I didn’t listen. Only giving short replies, not even sure if my answers matched the questions. I had enough. The rumours about Sissy and Liam. Liam and me. How people didn’t stop swarming me, Lizzie, our family. Liams terrified face this morning when he just wanted to hug me and a huge crowd began screaming his name. The fucked up quali yesterday. The fucked up race. It was all too much.

"We could hear your agony on the team radio, do you feel like you were let down by your team today?" that question pulled me out of my trance and I shook my head slightly.

"Let down aren’t the words I would use. Sometimes mistakes can happen, but yesterday and today, it’s been overall too many mistakes. The wrong tyres, the undercut, the double stack behind Carlos that cost me a lot of time. We can’t afford these kind of mistakes. It’s hard. As it’s been here the other years, apart from last year, but I’m getting used to go back home disappointed."

"Thank you Charles. And hey? Keep your head up!" Nathalie said and I nodded, walking out of the media pen with Mia.

"I just want to go home." I sighed.

"Understandable." she patted my arm and we walked back to our hospitality, where Sylvia talked to a woman, standing with her back to me "Oh shit! I forgot to tell you!"

"Tell me what?" I looked at her, right when the woman turned around.

"Hi Charles." Camille. Of course. Because that’s what I needed this weekend.

"No. Absolutely not." I spat out and walked inside, not sparing her one glance. As soon as I was inside and she was out of sight I turned to Mia "What the fuck? Why is she here?"

"Her boyfriend…" she answered and I groaned "Ignore her, okay? Just wait here. She won’t be here forever." she patted my arm as she walked away.

But she didn’t knew Camille the way I did. I leaned back in the armchair when the door opened and I just knew what was about to come. I pushed myself up and turned around, Camille grinning at me.

"Listen, whatever it is, save it. I don’t have time for this Camille." I groaned, ready to leave her behind, finding somewhere else to hide from her and the rest of the world.

"I can imagine you have a lot of things to take care of. For one, your son…" she sneered and I scoffed, glaring at her "Oh relax, I know that you’re not the father, Charles. But they? Well they don’t care what’s the truth and what not. They just had to drop a little rumour here and there and your little Bubba made a nice headline: Secret Child with the sister of his girlfriend! That was an article everyone loved to read!" Camille laughed, the sound of nails scraping down a blackboard was more pleasant to the ears.

"Whatever. He’s not my son. They can prove shit." I was losing my patience here.

"Charles, they don’t have to prove anything? It’s already everywhere? Proof or not, false result or not, that doesn’t matter. But you know, I was asked if I knew about it…" a big fake smile on her lips, her eyes focused on something behind my back for a moment before she looked at me again.

"And what did you say?" I asked, although I knew that it couldn’t be something good.

"Oh, don’t worry! I only said the truth, that Liam isn’t your kid!" she said and I cocked an eyebrow "I told them that your glad, that he’s not yours, that you didn’t want him as a kid. That he’s a handful and most of the time your so annoyed of him that you’re happy when he’s gone. You only put up with him because you have to." her face changed into a malicious grin and I was fuming.

I balled my fists, trying to calm myself down, before I jumped her throat, that’s when I heard the faint whimper behind me and spun around, Liam staring up at me, tears streaming down his face. Before I could say something he ran away.

"Fuck! Liam!" I screamed but he was gone.

Without sparing one last glance at Camille I ran after him.

I searched frantically for him when I saw how Daniel held him in his arms while Sissy rubbed his back. I stormed into the RedBull hospitality, straight to the trio, not caring for the security guy who tried to held me back.

"Hey! It’s okay, he can be in here!" Daniel said when he looked at me struggling with the security guy, who only nodded and then left.

"Liam, what happened?" Sissy asked him but he only shook his head "Come on, sweetheart!"

"I guess he found his way back alone, can you text Lizzie?"

"Text Lizzie?" I was confused, seeing Liam like this made my heart clench.

"Yeah? We texted you guys, that this little rascal here ran away… not the first time as we both know…" Daniel winked at me when Liam turned his head a little, as soon as he saw me he cried out loud and buried his face in the crook of Daniel’s neck.

"Liam? What’s going on?" Sissy asked and I swallowed hard.

"Hey! Little man!" Daniel said and sat down, trying to sit Liam up, prying him away from his chest, to look at him. Liam’s head hung low, not looking up.

"Bubba? Can you please look at me? Please listen to me!" I began but he shook his head, Daniel and Sissy both looked confused at me "Liam, please believe me! Nothing of what she said was the truth! She just said these things because she knows how much I love you and that it would hurt me, when I realise that you heard her! But it’s not true!" I kneeled down in front of him but he didn’t look at me, he buried his face again in Daniel’s t-shirt, shaking violently "Liam? Please look at me? You know how much I love you! You know that it’s not the truth what she said! Please, Bubba! You know me! I’m your Charlie bear!"

"You’re a liar! You lie, lie, lie all the time! You never loved me! You’re like my Dad! You never wanted me! You never cared for me! I don’t want to see you ever again!" he whimpered and I felt like I got hit by a freight train. I couldn’t breathe. My heart shattered into a million tiny pieces as he turned a little and looked at me, tear stained face "I hate you!" and that was my final straw.

"Liam!" Sissy gasped but I shook my head, he had every right to feel this way.

"It’s okay. Don’t reprimand him, or anything… it’s okay." I almost didn’t recognise my own voice.

"Charles…" Daniel began but I just got up and shook my head.

"Take care of him, okay? Just don’t punish him for running away…" I turned around and left. I needed to be away from here. Away from everything. I almost bumped into Lizzie on my way out but I didn’t care, I just walked off, almost running.

"Charles? Hey? Charles?" I heard her shout after me, but I didn’t stop. I made it barely into our garage where Andrea looked at me with big eyes.

"Charles? Hey? What’s going on?" he asked but I shook my head, darting towards the rubbish bin, throwing up "Oh shit! Here!" he handed me a towel and then walked away just to return with a bottle of water.

"Thanks." I wiped my mouth and tried to unscrew the bottle, but my hands were shaking, Andrea took the bottle wordlessly from my hands, unscrewed it and handed it back over. I rinsed and then drank the whole bottle. The bittersweet taste in my mouth still present.

"Talk to me. I know it’s a lot going on this weekend!" Andrea whispered but I shook my head "You’re leaving. Now. Come on. I talk to Fred and Mattia."

"I’m fine." I said, still feeling nauseous, head pounding. Liam’s words on repeat in my head. The hurt in his eyes. His broken whimpers.

After Andrea told me, that Charles was already gone, I only grabbed my stuff and left. Mum, Dad, Sissy and Liam were long gone, with Liam being silent, not saying a single word about what has happened with Charles. I got on my bike and drove to his flat and again felt like someone was watching me. I pushed myself harder to get home as fast as possible and when I finally walked inside, it was quiet. Too quiet. Charles sat on the sofa, head in his hands.

"Charles?" I asked quietly and approached him, his face still hidden from me "What happened?" as I sat down on the coffee table in front of him I saw tears streaming down his face. He looked up, his eyes full of pain and guilt.

"He doesn’t believe me, he thinks what Camille said was true, he doesn’t understand that Camille only said it to hurt him…" he cried, his voice hoarse "He said everything I ever said to him was a lie. That he never wants to see me again…"

"Camille? What happened, Charles? Talk to me, please!" I cupped his cheeks "Liam didn’t say anything the whole day…"

"Camille was there, she said that some reporters asked her her opinion. She weirdly said that she told them that I’m not Liam’s father… I was confused? This would’ve been the perfect opportunity for her to rub salt in the wound but she didn’t? Then she began to say that she told the reporters that I was glad that he wasn’t my son, that I was mostly annoyed by him and only put up with him because I had to. That I always was happy when he left again… she said that all because Liam was behind me! He heard it all, Lizzie! He didn’t want to believe me when I told him that it’s not the truth! Lizzie he said he hates me!" he broke down and I sat down next to him, pulling him into me.

"Oh Charles! He needs a little time. He’s hurt. We will explain to him that she said all of these things just to hurt you both! He loves you! And you know it!" I whispered, stroking his back, scratching his scalp.

"You didn’t see the look in his eyes, Lizzie…" his voice muffled.

"It’s going to be okay." I kissed his forehead and he snuggled deeper into me "We’ll talk to him."

We sat in silence, both lost in our thoughts, Charles breathing returned back to normal slowly, he loosened his tight grip on me a little, but stayed close by my side, not moving. I felt the exhaustion taking over slowly, let my guard down. The weekend had taken its toll on me. Seeing Liam, Sissy and Charles, knowing that all the pain they’re going through was because of me, made me sick to my stomach. They shouldn’t get punished for things I did, or rather not did. But this was what Diaz said from the beginning. He did warn me. I just didn’t listen. And now they had to pay the price for my mistakes. I felt tears prickling in my eyes and carefully wiped them away, not knowing if Charles was asleep or still awake.

"I just want to forget this weekend." Charles whispered and I held my breath but he didn’t say anything else, he just yawned a little, right before he fell asleep.

"Me too, mon cœur, me too."

There wasn’t a day without new wild theories and rumours spreading across social media. Charles thought about putting out an official statement, that although he loved Liam from the bottom of his heart, he’s not his son. The rumours were not true. But his media team advised him to not to do it. Which he didn’t like but ultimately accepted. The race weekend itself was even worse. Nothing worked. Not for me. Not for Charles. And when I came back to the hotel Saturday night Charles sat on the sofa, staring at the black screen of the TV.

"Charles?" I asked him and he didn’t even flinch.

"P19! P FUCKING 19! There was nothing working in this car! NOTHING! They want me to drive at the top? Be one of the best? I can’t do that when they provide me with a car like that! What do they expect me to do? It’s so fucking imbalanced that even though it’s made to be understeery it oversteers in some part of the corner like crazy! And the set-up? I don’t even have words for it. It’s a shame. A fucking shame."

I saw how tense he was and slipped behind him on the sofa, beginning to massage his shoulders, neck and back. After a while I felt the tension loosen up the longer I kneaded and stroked along his back.

"I’m sorry that I just let it all out at you, cara mia." he mumbled, suppressing a slight moan when I kneaded another knot out of his tense back "This weekend is fucked just like last week. This stupid car is doing what it wants. I can’t even get the car from turn one into turn two without having crazy oversteer in one corner to crazy understeer in the next. Can this season be over? We’re not winning anyways with this car." he mumbled "But you know what sucks even more? What’s up with your car? First Monaco? Then today? What is going on? At least one of us should fight for podiums!"

"Monaco was my fault. Because of the crash on Friday there was some undetected damage. I’m not blaming my team in any way. Today… I don’t know. We’re having real issues with the set-up of the car… we’ll see how the race goes." I sighed.

"Yeah… maybe tomorrow will be a better day for the both of us."

"Exactly… if anyone can do it, then it’s us."

"When’s our flight?" Charles looked outside.

"9:30 in the morning." I answered and he nodded, playing with one of his bracelets as he got in the passenger seat.

"Why can’t we just leave now? I don’t want to stay here any longer…"

"I know. I’m sorry… you did your best but it just wasn’t enough, not with this car…" I looked at him and he shook his head.

"P11. Not even a single point. I don’t even know why I’m doing this anymore…" he mumbled and I slapped his thigh.

"Hey! Stop saying that! It’s not you, it’s the car. You push harder than anyone else. Work harder than anyone else! If it’s not working out right now, it’s not because of you, you hear me?" I said sternly and he sighed, looking outside again.

"I’m sorry about your race." Charles said after a while and I huffed.

"Yeah well, it’s like this." I said but then groaned "You seriously have to stop saying that! Because of you I’ll keep saying it as well!"

"I’m sorry, it’s just so natural at this point." he chuckled and I rolled my eyes, stoping at the traffic light, looking outside. As the light turned green, the billboard to my left changed and when I saw the ad I gasped. How could I be so stupid. He sent me the clue himself months ago. This was how we could get him.

"Lizzie! It’s green! You’re causing a traffic jam!" Charles voice rang through the brain fog and I accelerated abruptly, going full throttle "Jeez! Lizzie!"

"Sorry, sorry!" I said as we drove away, our hotel ahead.

"What was that?" he looked at me but I only shook my head.

"There was a cute dress on the billboard, sorry!" I lied quickly, while my brain was doing somersaults thinking of where I had put it.

"You nearly killed us for a cute dress? Glad you have your priorities straight." Charles chuckled.

"Don’t be such a drama queen." I let out, right when my brain registered where it was. Yes. We made progress.

It was a cold and rainy morning, when we got outside the jet, a black SUV already waiting for us.

"Seems like the weather adapts to our mood." Charles sat down next to me and I laughed.

"Oh no, that’s just the German weather as you know." I answered and sighed. My palms sweaty. How would I explain why I knew what I knew. Maybe not explain it at all? Say that I’ll explain it later? Right now we have to act fast. That was important.

"Cara mia? We’re here!" Charles squeezed my thigh and I nodded, taking one last breath as I got out of the car.

I opened the door and we walked in. You would’ve found more cheer in a graveyard. The house was shrouded in silence.

"Someone home?" I asked and I could hear a chair scrape over the floor. We walked into the living room, finding Dad, Sissy and Rita sitting together, Mum walked towards us. She hugged Charles first and then me.

"Are you guys hungry?" she asked quietly and we shook our heads.

"Did you find out anything? What are we doing now?" they almost flinched at the sound of my voice "Come on! You must‘ve come up with at least one idea by now?"

"This is nothing I‘ve ever dealt with before! I’m a lawyer, a manager. But that’s it." Rita said and I nodded.

"Okay. First things first, we need a statement from the lab that the results they gave away were fake…" I began.

"And how do you want to do that? We need to find out what lab the results came from first? How should we do that without any clue? I mean getting a statement out of them would be easy, that’s not the problem here. The problem is to find that lab. To find the person who was involved." Rita said and I swallowed hard. This was it. Now or never.

"Geneticca Laboratorio de Pruebas de Paternidad in Madrid." I said, pulling out the business card from my bag, putting it on the table. They all looked at me. The tension was palpable.

"Where… how did- did you hire a private investigator?" Dad asked and I shook my head.

"I- I wasn’t honest with you. All of you. And I swear I will explain everything! But not now. Now we need to take care of this. I’m almost 100 percent sure that this is the lab where the paternity test was made and faked. We need to do a paternity test ourselves. With Liams, Charles’ and Svens DNA. To proof that he is Liams father and not Charles. When we have the right result and the proof that the one that is out in the media was faked, this whole thing will be over, it doesn’t matter what Sven will say then in the media. No one would believe him!" I said and no one said anything for a while. I began to fiddle with my cuticles but Charles laid his hand on mine to stop me, I looked at him and he smiled a little.

"Sven will never agree to give us a DNA sample. He knows that this would be the end of his storytelling." Sissy said and Dad nodded.

"But if we have proof that the paternity test was faked, we can take legal actions against him, forcing him to provide a DNA sample. He can’t decline a court order!" Rita stated.

"But how do we find out who faked the paternity test in that lab? Or if it’s the right lab in the first place?" Charles asked.

"I don’t know, maybe tell them that we have proof that show that the results they were given out were fake! Or follow the money? Maybe someone got paid to fake the result?" I said and Dad chuckled.

"You watch too many of these crime shows." he said and I shrugged.

"Yeah, but that’s why I know that this will work out. But we have to act now."

"Alright. Let me make a few calls. I might know a guy who knows someone." Dad got up and Sissy looked after him.

"That didn’t sound ominous at all." she said.

"Alright, until we have the name of the person who faked the test, I will prepare all the necessary paper work, for the court here but also for taking legal actions at the court in Madrid, finally my 2 semesters in Valencia are good for something." Rita got up and said her goodbyes, I brought her to the door where she looked at me intently "I will only ask you this once, and I want you to be honest with me Lizzie, do you know who’s behind this all?" I didn’t need to say anything she just nodded "Whoever it is, what leverage does he have against you?"

"This. This whole mess was his leverage at first. He wanted me to do something really bad, something I couldn’t do. Because I said no, he leaked this now. This whole mess is my fault Rita. And I’m so fucking deep down in this whole shit, I don’t know how to get out of it…" it felt good telling it someone.

"Who else knows about it?"

"No one."

"Good. Keep it that way. For now. One problem at a time." she hugged me shortly and then left.

I leaned against the door, head pounding like crazy.

"Lizzie?" Liam looked up at me and I bent down.

"Hey Bubba." I hugged him.

"Is Charles here as well?" he whispered and I nodded, feeling how he tensed up a little.

"Do you want to talk to him?" I asked and Liam nodded, but then shook his head.

"I’m scared…"

"You don’t have to be. Come here." we sat down on the stairs and he snuggled up to my side "Why are you scared?"

"Because of what I said to him…"

"Did Mummy explain you that what Camille said was just to hurt you and Charles?"

"Yes. Mummy said that she knew that it would hurt Charles to think that I would believe her…"

"Yeah, she’s not a nice person."

"Did I hurt Charlie, like a lot?"

"No, Bubba, it wasn’t you who hurt him, it was Camille, Charles knows that."

"But I said horrible things to him… what if he hates me now?" Liam sniffled.

"Never, you hear me? I could never hate you, no matter what!" Charles said and we looked up to our side, Liam got up and as soon as Charles opened up his arms, he jumped right into him, hugging him tight.

"I’m so sorry, Charlie. I don’t hate you. Really! I’m so, so sorry!" Liam cried but Charles just shushed him.

"It’s okay, it’s okay! Don’t apologise, Bubba! Nothing of this is your fault, you hear me? It’s all gonna be okay! I could never ever hate you, never! You were hurt. But it’s okay! It wasn’t your fault!" Charles soothed him and I blinked away the tears "Whatever happens, I will always love you, okay? No matter what!"

It wasn’t Liams fault. It wasn’t Charles’ fault either. It was mine. Mine alone. Would I just do, from the very first time Diaz threatened me in Silverstone, what he said, nothing of this would’ve happened. Or would I just told someone what has happened, what he did, how he threatened me. I felt the bile rise up my throat and jumped off the stairs, straight for the rubbish bin, and let it out. Charles looked at me worried but I only shook my head.

"It’s probably just the whole stress and everything." I walked into the kitchen, pouring a glass of water, rinsing my mouth.

"Lizzie?" I flinched a little, almost dropping the glass "Just me." Dad patted my arm and I sighed "Where do you have this business card from?"

"Dad, I ca-…" I began but he held up his hand.

"I just want to know one thing: do you know who’s behind all this? Is it really Sven? He never seemed like someone who would be able to do something like that…"

"He’s involved. Somehow at least, I think, but Dad, just let this… let us get past this crisis, then we’ll handle the next, okay?" I squeezed his arm and left him. Rita was right. One problem at a time.

After our movie night, Liam fell asleep all cuddled up in Charles arms, who also fell asleep halfway through the movie. When I woke up the next morning, they both were still laying entangled with each other next to me, snoring softly. I checked the time and groaned.

"Bubba? Come on! You’ve got nursery school!" I gently woke him up and he mumbled something incoherent, turning his back to me, snuggling into Charles chest "Na-uh, Mister. Come on. Up you go!" I gently pulled him up and he whined, clinging to Charles.

"Nooo! I don’t want to! I’m staying here with Charlie!" he whispered and Charles stirred a little.

"What time is it?" Charles mumbled, pulling Liam back in.

"Oh hell no, stop that! It’s 7! Liam, you have to get up now!"

"Lizzie’s right, Bubba, come on. We have to get up! I have to leave anyway in a while. Let’s get up and I take you to nursery school?" Charles cooed at him and he sat up immediately.

"Okay! Let’s go!" Liam jumped up in an instant, waiting for us to move.

"You first need to get ready, off you go, Mum’s already waiting for you!" I said when I read the text of my sister.

Liam climbed out of the bed and left, making sure the whole house heard him running down the stairs. I sat up and looked at Charles, still sleepy and all cozied up next to me.

"You need to get up as well if you want to drive him…"

"I know. But getting up means I’m getting ready. And getting ready means I’m leaving for Maranello and I honestly don’t want to go." he huffed but got up anyways "At least I’m leaving, knowing that with Liam everything is alright again."

"Yeah… and now Rita and Pop’s acquaintance taken care of the whole shit show that’s going on… maybe it’s getting better again for us." I sighed and Charles leaned down, kissing my forehead.

"I hope so too. The last two weeks made me age at least 5 years… I need rest. We need rest…" he said and I nodded.

"Sounds good to me." I laughed and got up as well "But for now, no rest for the wicked."

"Nope… unfortunately not." he answered and left for the bathroom.

20 minutes later Charles said goodbye to all of us and left with Liam.

"When will you go to Neuburg?" Mum asked when I sat down at the table, snatching an apple from the fruit bowl.

"Tomorrow morning. We have to get over some data for Montreal." I yawned, eating my apple.

"I know that right now it all looks pretty bad, Lizzie. But you know one thing’s for sure? The truth will come out one way or another. Always." she kissed the crown of my head and left.

That was what I was afraid of.

"I’m just getting up." I said, looking for my keys "I honestly have a good feeling about Montreal… the sim data looked good, the upgrade even better… I’m confident!"

"That’s good! Really!" Charles said and I heard him accelerate.

"Sounds like someone is exceeding the speed limits." I teased, unlocking the door and getting inside.

"I just want to come home to you faster, can you blame me?" he chuckled.

"Nope. Not really. When will you be here?" I rolled my suitcase into his bedroom.

"Two or three hours?"

"Alright, I’m too lazy to cook and the fridge is probably empty anyway, so take out it is."

"Sounds good to me. See you later, cara mia."

"Drive safe, please!"

"Promise!" he hung up and I opened my suitcase, the folder from Diaz right on top.

Just looking at it made me shudder, so I pushed it further down, covered it with socks and hoodies. I walked back into the living room and turned on the TV, needing a distraction. After an hour or two of zapping through the channels, watching a snippet of of a cooking show here and a home renovation show there I switched off the TV and grabbed some fresh clothes, ready to take a shower before Charles would come home. Turning on some music, I stepped under the shower and after a while I started singing along. Shake it off. How very fitting. What wouldn’t I give to just shake it all off.

Charles POV:

When I entered the flat I heard Lizzie singing under the shower and smiled. I walked into our bedroom and saw her open suitcase on the floor and the idea I had in the car came back to my mind. The last weeks were just too much. We needed to get away. Just a little time for ourselves. Away from everything. Maybe after Silverstone. A couple of days in New York. Somewhere where people wouldn’t recognise us. I rummaged through her suitcase, looking for her passport, when I found a folder under her socks, the first page visible through the see through material made my stomach drop. Receipts of betting slips for Monaco, Barcelona, Montreal, Spielberg and Silverstone. I opened the folder, reading through the pages. My eyes landed on Monaco, no winner was to be established but a crash between her and myself was targeted. I didn’t hear Lizzie coming in until she stood behind me.

"Charles?" she asked and I flinched, getting up with the folder in my hand.

"What is this stuff?" I said, my voice shaky.

"What stu-…" she abruptly stopped when I turned around holding up the folder "Charles…"

"Why do you have this documents? What are you doing with this stuff?" I looked at her, she was pale in an instant, breathing ragged, eyes widened in shock "Lizzie. Why do you have this?" I asked again, but she didn’t answer. She just stared at me with big eyes, like a deer caught in headlight "Lizzie! For fucks sake! Explain this to me!"

"Why did you go through my stuff in the first place?" she sounded exhausted, almost scared "What were you looking for? What did you hope to find?"

"I needed your passport because I wanted to book us a little surprise getaway! Sorry that me trying to be a good boyfriend interfered with you… fuck I don’t even know what you were doing with these? Sabotaging races and bet on them?" I was shocked. Confused.

"But I-I didn’t…" she began but then she fell silent. Her whole demeanour changed.

"You didn’t? Well the receipts and analyses say something different! There’s your name on every single betting slip! On all the receipts! That little note also clearly states what you wanted do in Monaco. Unfortunately my team messed up before you could execute your plan! But why would you do that in the first place?" I tried to stay as calm as possible, but her indifference made my blood boil "What do you want me to do now? Just act like I don’t know about it? Ignore it? Lizzie, if the FIA finds out about this? If they find out that I knew and didn’t report it? Did you think for just one second about the consequences?" I was beyond mad, my heart was racing. This all didn’t make sense. Betting on races?

"No, I didn’t think about the consequences, I didn’t think I get caught." she admitted, her voice sounding totally unlike her.

"That’s not you, Lizzie…you would never do something like that… because if that’s who you are now… then I don’t know you anymore!" I couldn’t believe my ears.

"What do you want me to say? I had to do it." no remorse in her voice.

"You had to do it?" I spat out and she just looked at me with cold eyes.

"Yes, I had to… but you caught me now… so yeah..." she sounded emotionless, almost cold.

"Why would you do that?" I asked, seething.

"I had no other choice. Don’t ask me why." she looked down, her voice cracking a little.

"Lizzie I can’t just accept it like this and ignore it? Tell me what’s going on?" I almost pleaded but she just shrugged "You seriously want me to accept it? Just like that? No questions asked?"

"You do what you have to do now." again this emotionless voice.

"I’m leaving." I couldn’t stand looking at her.

"Okay." she got up.

"You won’t even stop me?" I hoped for a reaction. Anything. But I got only one last look before she turned away "I’ll stay at Arthur’s."

I left the flat. In the car I took a deep breath before I started the engine. What the fuck just happened?

I sat on Arthur’s balcony, looking over Monaco. I couldn’t understand why Lizzie would do something like that. I went over our fight again and again. It didn’t make any sense. Seven races in and we both were certainly not fighting for the championship this year. But why would she plan to deliberately crash out in a race? Why would she deliberately take me out as well? It didn’t make sense. The documents were clearly showing what was happening, but I couldn’t believe it. Lizzie would never do something like that. That wasn’t like her. But why didn’t she deny it. Why didn’t she explain why she had these documents. And why her name was on every single receipt and betting slip. Why did she say nothing at all? My head was pounding, trying to make sense of it all. But I couldn’t. It wasn’t making any sense. I groaned in frustration, raking my brain.

"Hey." Arthur stepped out, handing me a coffee and sat down next to me "Thought you could need one, you didn’t sleep last night as it seems…"

"Thanks." I took a sip and put the mug down "Yeah no, not really…"

"You still don’t wanna tell me what happened?"

"I-I can’t tell you…" I sighed, rubbing my temples.

"Oh come on, I’m your brother, you’re favourite one even, you can tell me!"

"Nice try." I chuckled but then looked at him "I can’t tell you, because I don’t know what happened? Lizzie… she’s… something is going on and she’s not telling me…"

"You mean with that whole Liam and Sissy and you thing?" Arthur cocked an eyebrow.

"No. Whatever is going on, it’s going on for longer, I think… I don’t know. For months I had this feeling that there is something, that she’s not telling me? Like I had this bad feeling sometimes, I can’t even explain why? It’s just… sometimes she wasn’t the old Lizzie. She was this fidgety, nervous Lizzie…"

"She’s been under a lot of pressure, no? Everyone was out for her head at one point? Fans, media, team principals, fellow drivers… I’d say it’s normal to be a little out of it every now and then?" Arthur asked.

"That’s what I’ve been telling myself as well… but then again… I don’t know. This now? It’s big. Huge. It can cause a lot of trouble, serious trouble and I just don’t understand why she would even think about something like this, nonetheless do it? She’s one of the smartest people I know! She has more integrity than the whole rest of the grid combined? Why would she do something that could end her career forever?" I groaned, leaning back.

"Okay, I have no idea what you’re talking about?" Arthur looked at me confused "What did Lizzie do?"

"I can’t tell you, really. But what I can tell you is that it’s bad. Really bad. If that comes out? Her career is over! Nothing could save her from this!"

"Okay. Let me see if I get this right. Lizzie did something. Something bad. Really bad. Something that could make people question her integrity? Something that would most definitely end her career when it comes out?" he repeated and I nodded.

"Yeah. And that’s the thing. Never in a million years would I expect her doing something like that! Never! Not after she fought so hard for this! Not after all she’s been through, all the sacrifices! I don’t understand why she would do that…" I said desperately.

"Maybe she had no other choice? Maybe she had to do it?" Arthur suggested and I looked at him.

"That’s what she said!"

"Not the time for jokes, but okay…"

"No! Idiot! Lizzie said she had no other choice, she had to do it…"

"Maybe she was forced?" Arthur said it quietly and we looked at each other.

"Fucking hell…" I muttered and got up, grabbing my keys. How could I be so fucking blind.

I was pacing back and forth. My mind reeling. I should’ve told Charles the truth. He saw the documents, there was no point in lying and denying it anymore. I didn’t even know why I did it. Why I was so defensive. Maybe the months and months of staying silent, the lies, the secrets, maybe I was just too good at it by now that I didn’t even realise it anymore, while I was doing it. Exhausted, I sat back down on the sofa, watching how the sun rose above the horizon. It felt like days since Charles had left. Although it wasn’t even 12 hours ago. 12 hours of total silence. I got up again, feeling restless, pacing through the flat before I sat down at the piano, my fingers dancing slowly over the keys. Memories of hours spent next to Charles, watching and listening him compose songs, played inside my head. A notification made me flinch. Hastily I got up and grabbed my phone, secretly hoping it was a text from Charles, I opened the text. Flight confirmation. Tomorrow. Our flight to Montreal. It felt surreal to think about racing right now. I dropped my phone back on the coffee table and when I wanted to walk away I stopped, looking at the folder. Charles was right. The receipts, the betting slips, they all had my name on it. I never paid much attention to it, but I should have. I signed a form to retrieve the envelope, there were cameras in the shop. How could I be so stupid? Diaz could easily destroy my career with this. It’s like Charles said, if the FIA finds out about it? It was over. I leaned back and thought about my next move. I had to tell the FIA what happened. That was the only thing that I could do. I needed to do it myself, before Diaz had the chance to. And then it all would be over. We would get a statement from the lab that the paternity tests were faked. Sissy’s and Charles’ names would be cleared. I would be free. I just had to figure out how to tell Charles the truth. That I lied to him about almost everything regarding Diaz. Thinking of his reaction made my anxiety level shoot through the roof. He would be mad. He gave me so many chances to come clean. I kept lying and lying. He would be furious. But most importantly, he would be hurt, his trust in me would be broken. I couldn’t even blame Diaz for it. It was my decision to lie to Charles. It was my decision to keep all those secrets from him. At the end of the day, I was to blame.

Charles POV:

I entered the flat and the silence weighed down heavy on me. I walked inside the living room and Lizzie sat with her back to me at the piano, playing a sad melody.

"Lizzie…" she flinched and turned around and my heart broke a little. She looked horrible. Pale skin, big, dark circles under her eyes, hairs dishevelled, lips dry. She also looked thinner, which was weird, it wasn’t even 24 hours since I left last night, but she looked weaker. I approached her and she didn’t move "Oh Lizzie…" I whispered as I stood in front of her.

"I’m fine." her voice wasn’t convincing.

"What could they, whoever they are, use against you?" I asked and she shook her head.

"I don’t know what you’re talking about." she said and made big eyes, like she was surprised by her own words.

"Lizzie, drop the act!" I looked at her.

"Act? What act? You can’t just barge in here and think that I talk to you like nothing happened! You left me!" she sounded mad, but there was still the confusion from before on her face and she was right. I left her. Again. It got complicated and my first instinct was to leave.

"Last time I checked this was still my place, so…" I began and her eyes widened as she got up and tried to push me aside.

"Fine. I’m leaving your place then!" she spat out and I grabbed her wrist.

"Why are you so fucking frustrating?" I sighed.

"Why are you so-… so… fuck!" she was exhausted, I could tell, but she still tried to pull her hand out of my grasp.

"Lizzie please! Stop being so… unreasonable!" I said and she snapped.

"I’m not unreasonable!" she almost hit me with her free hand but I caught her flying hand right in time "Let go of me!"

"Never!" I held her hands, firm but not to hurt her.

"Charles! I swear to everything I hold dear! Let. Go. Of. My. Hands!" she pressed out, she was seething now.

"Never!" I repeated and she was able to free one hand, trying to pry the other one from my hold, pushing me away from her.

"Let go of me!" she yelled, her voice shaky, out of breath.

"Lizzie stop fighting and listen to me!" I pulled her close "I know what’s going on!"

"I don’t give two fucks what you know! You left me! Let me go!" she was thrashing around in my hold, her eyes glistening with unshed tears

"Never." I repeated again and pulled her even closer, our bodies colliding. Her breath caught in her throat.

"Why can’t you just let me go! You didn’t want me in your place I thought!" I knew she was close to breaking down, her voice shaky, breathing heavy.

"Will you just shut up, please!" I pleaded "Lizzie I know what’s going on. Please talk to me."

"No, I… how-…" she began, eyes wide in horror, more and more tears gathering at her waterline.

"You would never do something like that. I know you for almost twenty years! You would never do that, unless you had no other choice. Unless someone would force you to do it. And that someone must have some leverage on you. Something that scares you so damn much that you gave in to this…" I said and she sank down on the floor, pulling her legs against her chest "Lizzie. Talk to me. We’ll find a solution together. I can help you. I will help you. You just have to talk to me. Tell me the truth. Please, Lizzie, I’m begging you!"

"I didn’t do it. I had to pick up an envelope at a betting office downtown, the folder with the documents inside. But I just couldn’t do it. I told him that I wouldn’t do what he wanted. And his retaliation was… Charles, he spread the rumour about you and Liam. That was his leverage the whole time. Somehow he had contact to Sven. I didn’t knew it until it blew up. He just said to me he had something to hurt you and our family. And so I did what he wanted, I tried to. But this? I couldn’t do it! And he made me pay for it."

"Lizzie. Who’s he? Who’s doing this to you? And why?" I asked, although I had a suspicion, she closed her eyes, taking a deep breath.

"Salva Diaz." her voice barely a whisper. Tears began to stream down her face as her whole body began to tremble. I kneeled down in front of her and pulled her into me. Holding her close.

"Salva Diaz? The Spanish reporter?" I asked for clarification, although I new all too well who he was, and she just nodded "Lizzie. I’ll ask you this only once, please be honest. Did he attack you in Silverstone? Was that the reason why you tried to get his ban lifted? Did he threat you?" she began to sob loudly and I had my answer. He was a dead man walking "It’s okay. We find a solution. It’s gonna be okay."

"I’m so sorry for lying to you for so long. I just-… I was just so scared what you would do if you knew. And also what he would do. I just didn’t want that anything happen to you. Or our family. I’m scared of him. The way he looked at me in Silverstone… he’s crazy." she said, her voice hoarse from her crying.

"I want you to tell me everything, you hear me? Everything from the very beginning!" I said quietly and she nodded slowly.

"I didn’t tell you the whole truth about Assen…" she began.

I took a deep breath, listening to her, didn’t interrupt her once, just let her get it off her chest. With every minute she was talking I felt more and more sick, my blood began to boil and I wanted nothing more than to break every single bone in his body. Twice. I held her hands the entire time, rubbing soothing circles of the back of the hands.

"I’m so sorry! I never meant to lie to you! I swear! I was just so scared! I- I couldn’t let him do anything to you or our family and I thought I could handle it all alone… but I only made everything worse! I’m so, so sorry Charles. Please forgive me." Lizzie sobbed when she was ready with it all and I took a deep breath, swallowing down my pure rage and anger for Diaz, then cupped her cheeks but she trained her look down, not looking at me.

"Look at me, Lizzie… there is nothing to forgive, you hear me? You were scared, traumatised, this asshole assaulted you, twice, you did nothing wrong okay? You were just trying to protect me, us. It’s okay, you understand? I’m not mad at you… I’m more mad at myself for not seeing what you were going through…" I began but she shook her head.

"No! Charles I was the one lying and keeping it all from you! At one point the lying became so easy, so natural, that I didn’t even had to think about it anymore. It just happened. Like yesterday! Or earlier! When you already found out the truth, I got all defensive and kept lying because I was so used to it! I’m sorry!" a wave of fresh tears streamed down her cheeks but I wiped them away.

"Stop apologising! I can’t even imagine what you’ve been through! How it must’ve felt! The constant fear! Now he even tarnished your own flat! Lizzie we have to do something against him. We need to gather all of the evidence that you have and go to the police, okay? He needs to be stopped and locked away for what he’s done to you!" I hugged her close "It’s over now, Lizzie. It’s all over. We will press charges, we’ll sue him. He won’t ever come near you again, you got me?"

She was silent, didn’t move, but after a while she sniffled a little and nodded.

"I just want him out of our lives…" she whispered.

"And believe me, he will be." One way or another.

I sat next to her, my knuckles brushing over her cheek. She snuggled into the pillows and I tucked her in, kissing her forehead. She was almost immediately asleep, as soon as her head hit the pillows. I watched her for a while. Her puffy eyes, red nose and cheeks, hair all messy. Still the most beautiful girl on this planet. My beautiful girl who went through hell and back again. My hands began to tremble with anger. I wanted to find Diaz and kill him myself. I never felt this much hate and rage in my entire life. But I promised Lizzie that I wouldn’t do anything. That I let the police handle it. Unfortunately. One last look at her and then I got outside the room, closing the door quietly. Right when I walked back into the living room a phone vibrated and I answered the call.

"Hello?"

"Charles? Hey, umm is Lizzie around?" she asked.

"Oh shit, I took her phone… yeah she’s asleep, she had a rough day… can I maybe help?"

"I just wanted to let you guys know that we got ahold of the employee who faked the paternity tests. We have a written confession from him, he got paid. We even have the name of who it was…" Rita began.

"Salva Diaz." I finished and she was quiet for a moment.

"Lizzie told you then?"

"You knew about it? Lizzie said she didn’t tell anyone?"

"Well she didn’t, not really. I asked her if she knew who was behind this all and she said yes, but we agreed that our main focus was now to contest the paternity test." she said and I nodded.

"So we have proof that it was all just a big lie?" I asked.

"Yes. Ferrari and Audi are putting out statements as we speak. And Monday morning when the court opens I will file a complaint against Salva Diaz. And when you’re back from Canada I need Lizzie to tell me everything Diaz did, I know her, a little threat here and there wouldn’t scare her…"

"Thank you, Rita! Really! That’s some good news Lizzie will be happy to hear. And you’re right, he did way more than just threaten her… she will tell you everything herself." I felt relieved.

"Take care of you both, okay? I’ll call Lizzie after I went to court on Monday! Have a safe trip to Montreal!" she said.

"Thank you, I’ll take care of Lizzie, don’t worry. Goodbye, Rita!" I hung up and sat down. Then took my phone and waited for the official statement from our teams. Just minutes later I saw the post. Lizzie would wake up to good news. This whole nightmare was over. Finally.

"You sure, you’ve got everything?" Charles asked when I zipped up my suitcase and nodded.

"Yup. I’m ready. When the car’s here, we can go." I smiled at him and he took my suitcase, rolling it out with his own.

"The car is waiting for almost 10 minutes already." he chuckled and I grabbed my bag "Can you lock the door?"

"On it." I locked it and secured the keys in my bag as we entered the elevator.

Outside the driver loaded our suitcases into the trunk and we got inside. As soon as the driver sat in his seat I asked him to stop at my place and Charles looked at me.

"I just need my passport and AirPods. I’ll be down in a minute." I kissed his cheek and he rolled his eyes when the car stopped in front of my house.

"I’ll wait here. Hurry up, we have to pick up Joris." Charles smiled and I nodded, closing the door.

I waved the portier at the front desk, walked into the elevator, pushed the button for the fifth floor and pulled my keys out. I felt free. Like I could finally breathe again. It was over. As soon as I would arrive in Montreal I would go to the FIA, telling them everything. Showing them what Diaz wanted me to do, that I refused to do. He no longer had any leverage against me. I unlocked the door and walked inside. First straight to my bed room to retrieve my AirPods, shoving them in my back pocket, and next into the kitchen, where I rummaged through the drawer in search for my passport, right as I grabbed it, I straightened up. The hairs in my neck standing up. Goosebumps erupting. I felt like someone was watching me. I took a deep breath, with shaky knees I took a step away from the counter. I wasn’t alone. Faint steps from the sofa towards the kitchen. I swallowed hard against the lump in my throat.

"Honey, I’m home." a voice snarled behind me and I dropped my keys and passport.

Chapter 33 - The secret is out! I repeat! THE SECRET IS OUT. Finally! But ooops… if that’s not another cliffhanger… 👀

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[pilesofpillows]

Stars Aglow Ch. 4 || Okoye x Attuma

A Sea of Stars ~ Part 3 of 3

Ch. 1 • Ch. 2 • Ch. 3

Warnings: An Excessive Amount of Fluff, Talk of Marriage

Tags: @mamajankyy @xenokattz @tvreadsandsleep @ariyannah @iccedays @blissdoutbyattuma @karimk2 @umber-cinders @mickimomo @dontruinmymorning @princess-of-gondor

Okoye smothered a laugh with her hand, studiously avoiding Nakia’s eyes as they watched Toussaint peer cautiously over the oversized crib the triplets slept in. T’Challa’s son stood on his toes, glancing back and forth between Okoye and her children skeptically. His face was twisted into the most adorable of frowns, and she nearly lost the fight to keep her composure when the boy turned to them with an aggrieved sigh.

“They’re very small, umakazi. And they’re sleeping again,” T’Challa whispered— or at least, attempted to as he stepped into the space between her legs. 

Okoye hugged her precious nephew, trying to quell the laughter bubbling in her chest at his decidedly underwhelmed expression. Junior had waited an eternity (nearly three weeks) to meet the triplets, and Okoye feared the three small infants (who did very little but sleep and eat) hadn’t quite lived up to his expectations. 

“I know they are, sweet boy. But they will grow; you have to give them time,” she consoled with a chuckle. “They’ve only just arrived, you know.”

He returned her embrace, sinking into her arms and sighing again. “Can I still teach them Go Fish?”

“Probably not anytime soon, ingwe enci. But when they are old enough, I’m sure they would love to learn.” Okoye lifted T’Challa into her lap, relishing the ability to hold him close without the barrier of her belly. “You will be the first cousin they know, the one they love the most. You’ll be their best friend and greatest protector, and when the time comes, I’m sure you will be the best Go Fish teacher in all of Wakanda.”

Her nephew grinned at that, chest puffing out proudly. “I will teach them Go Fish when I am–,” he paused, counting quietly to himself, “ten!” he announced, holding out both hands, fingers splayed. “I’ll know other stuff then, too, so I can teach them lots.”

“Indeed you will, chan baláam.” Attuma’s voice sounded from the doorway of the nursery, drawing both of their attention. He and Namora stepped into the large room, both still damp from escorting Ixtli and the Talokanil nursing team to the eastern side of the Continent for the journey home. 

Toussaint wriggled from Okoye’s lap and greeted them with exclamations of joy, only looking a little abashed when Nakia reminded him to keep his voice down. Nonetheless, he took a running leap toward Attuma and giggled when he was caught and hoisted onto her beloved’s waist. Attuma received an affectionate forehead press and Namora, a series of salutes followed by an enthusiastic high-five. 

Her nephew touched Attuma’s hair, taking in his and Namora’s damp appearance, and scolded them in a loud whisper. “You’re still wet, Uncle Tuna! You and Nacomora need to use the dryer better.”

His face and countenance were so serious that Okoye lost the battle with her laughter at Nakia’s unrestrained snort, the mangled combination of Namora’s title and name sending them into a fit of hushed giggles. It didn’t help that Namora refused to correct him. She claimed it was a blessing from her chan aj baláam and even prohibited them from correcting him. 

Indulging T’Challa was a crime they were all guilty of, and Okoye could already tell it would be the same, if not worse, with her children. 

Her giggles tapered off, and she shook her head at her sister as Attuma set Toussaint down, crouching before the boy and solemnly promising to use the dryers better next time. Her nephew beamed at him, offering his littlest finger and extracting a pinky promise from his uncle before darting across the room to his mother, pestering her for the cashews she was snacking on. 

Attuma rose with a quiet chuckle and crossed the room, stopping at her side and dropping a kiss on her head. Reaching up, Okoye pushed his hair out of his face and pressed their foreheads together. He’d been gone for less than an hour, but she’d missed him like it’d been days. They hadn’t been apart since the triplets were born, and if this was how she felt now, Okoye dreaded to think of what she would feel when he went back to work. 

That wouldn’t be anytime soon, of course, so she put the thought out of her mind and tilted her chin up, kissing the corner of his mouth. Attuma turned his head and caught her lips in a brief kiss, and she gave a quiet hum.

“Ts'o'ok u taktal in wilech xan, in yakunaj [I missed you too, my love],” he whispered against her lips, kissing her quickly again. 

Okoye offered him a soft smile as he drew back and settled into the reclining rocking chair beside her, then turned to Namora. “Did Ixtli and the team get out okay?” 

“Chaac has blessed the winds and the waters are calm; their journey home should be swift,” The Talokanil general replied, softening her voice as she neared the crib. She reached a careful hand in and traced the pattern on the edge of B’atz’s blanket, smiling down at her godson. 

“Good, I’m glad to hear it.” Okoye said sincerely. “We’ll miss them— Ixtli especially. Please thank her again for me, for us.” She would always be grateful to the iyom k’exelom for helping her bring three children safely into the world. She and the Talokanil nurses had made a world of difference in the delivery room and helped immensely in the week of bed rest she’d been mandated to afterward. 

Namora gave the slightest nod of acknowledgment, eyes fixed on B’atz, gazing down at the sleeping infant with pure adoration. The Talokanil general loved all the triplets, but Okoye knew her secondborn already held a special place in her heart. Shuri and Ayo were the same with T’Khwezi and Ixazaluoh, and between their grandparents and godparents, Okoye could proudly say her children were well loved. 

“I don’t think she heard you, diosa. Her ears have gone, along with her head,” Attuma quietly teased his fellow general. He leaned close with a smirk and interwove their fingers. “You could not have known, of course, but babies are one of Namora’s greatest weaknesses.” Okoye snickered at his antics as her beloved gave a heavy sigh and a solemn shake of his head. “I fear our formidable Yeh Kaaye’ Nacom has gone k’iinich [sun-eyed].” 

The Lionfish turned to Attuma with a glare as venomous as her way and arched a sharp brow at him. “You have little depth to tread, Uncle Tuna,” Namora spat back playfully. She leaned back on the railing of the crib and crossed her arms.“You’ve been k’iinich since a K’iino [your Sun] buried her foot in your chest.” 

Attuma let out a garbled sound of protest, trying to deny it, but Namora pressed on, shooting Okoye a conspiratorial glance. “His head has been full of ja'páak'alo' [seaweed] since he hit the water. I fear our mighty Xook Nacom hasn’t been the same since,” she finished, flashing her beloved a triumphant smile. 

The petulant look Attuma sent in Namora’s direction caused Okoye to snort gracelessly, drawing chuckles from Nakia and Namora. Their amusement was only intensified by her mother entering the nursery with a bewildered reprimand clear on her face for their somewhat raucous behavior. Her stern expression nearly caused Nakia to choke on the cashews she’d been snacking on, and Okoye’s attempts to explain sent them back into fits of uncontrollable laughter, their mouths covered in failing attempts to keep quiet. 

Okoye blew out a shaky breath as their laughs faded, wiping tears from the corners of her eyes. Bast as her witness, she couldn’t remember if she’d ever been this happy. Here, in this blissful bubble where smiles didn’t cease and laughter came easier than breathing, there was only joy. She was surrounded by more love now than she’d ever known, and her heart sang.  

“I leave for 10 minutes and come back to a pack of cackling hyenas,” her mother scolded, hands on her hips.

Okoye smiled at the newly minted grandmother’s unimpressed glare. “Jokes are meant to be laughed at, mama,” she replied.

“Keep it up, and you’ll have more than just me to contend with,” the matriarch said, shaking her head, but the mirth in her eyes gave her away.

Okoye pressed her lips together to smother the last bout of giggles that threatened to escape, and she looked over to the crib where her babies slept, blissfully unaware of the lively chaos surrounding them. Namora’s attention had returned to the trio as well, and she reached her hand in again, thumbing the edge of Ixazaluoh’s blanket this time as Okoye’s youngest grizzled in her sleep. 

The Lionfish hummed, smile dimming slightly, and she cleared her throat, glancing back at Okoye. “K’uk’ulkan has also sent word— he plans to be here by the afternoon.”

Okoye couldn’t hide her wince at the words, feeling the giddy atmosphere dissipate abruptly at the mention of the Talokanil king. She cast a fretful glance toward her mother, and the matriarch scoffed as if on cue.

“He plans?” came the scathing question, her voice pitching along with her brow. “Did he ask?” 

“Mama, nceda,” she pled, seeing Namora stiffen and hearing Nakia sigh. “Ndiqinisekile ukuba unqwenela ukudibana nabantwana. [I’m sure he just wishes to meet the children.]” 

“Iminqweno yakhe ichitha iimbeko ezilula ngoku, hm? [His wishes overrule simple courtesies now, hm?]” Her mother retorted with a disbelieving huff, drawing a pointed hum from Nakia.

Okoye shot her sister a chiding look, and the woman shrugged, popping another cashew into her mouth. Nakia wasn’t an avid fan of K’uk’ulkan either, but they both knew her mother needed no aid in expressing her discontent. She turned to her mother, silently imploring her to choose peace. The woman kissed her teeth in response and gave a dismissive wave of her hand, agreeing to be civil for the time being. Resisting the urge to roll her eyes, she shook her head and muttered a quick prayer, asking Bast for patience.

“Did he send word on how long he plans to stay?” she asked, turning back to Namora, who’d tuned them out, murmuring quiet words over the triplets instead. A dazed, questioning hum came in response, and Okoye elaborated. “I know M’Baku won’t mind, but Ayo certainly will.” 

The Talokanil woman blinked as she considered the question, and then her eyes widened almost comically. 

Okoye bit back a snort at her friend’s distressed expression. “I’m sure it’s fine. The guest chambers likely won’t need much preparation, and Nakia can go with you so she can assist the General with security protocols.” Her sister stopped mid-cashew, gaze narrowing at her, and Okoye smiled blithely.

“Well, I suppose I’ve been given my marching orders,” Nakia huffed with a roll of her eyes. She unfolded her legs and stood, passing the rest of her snack to Toussaint. “Come, Nacom. Let’s pray to Bast and Chaac that the General is in a gracious mood this morning.”

Okoye chuckled at the pained expression that crossed Namora’s face as they left the room. “You can always bribe her with baby cuddles,” she called after them, snickering when Nakia kissed her teeth in response. 

Hearing Ixazaluoh grunt softly, she glanced at the clock. If the pattern established in these first two weeks held true, they would all wake soon, and her youngest would wake first— loudly. She turned her head and found Attuma already standing and smiled as he leaned close, bracing his hands on the armrests of her chair.

“Any requests for your midday snack, na' in paalal? Fruit? Yogurt? One of your snack bowls, perhaps?”

“Can you check and see if we have more of those protein balls your mother made?” She cupped his cheeks and made her requests known through a series of chaste kisses against his lips. “The peanut butter and date ones?” A few more kisses because she couldn’t resist the smile in his eyes. “Maybe a cup of yogurt, too?”

“Bix in yaakunaj ku k'áatik,” he whispered in reply, kissing her soundly before beckoning Junior to come with him as they went to raid the kitchen for more snacks. 

Okoye rose from her seat, briefly meeting her mother’s knowing stare before rolling her eyes. “Don’t start…”

“Eh? Start what, intomba?” 

Her mother’s attempt at innocence was laughable, and Okoye snickered accordingly as she crossed behind the elder woman. 

“He’s a good man, Okoye,” she said, putting her hands on her hips and fixing her mother with the same earnest expression she’d been hit with far too often in the past few months, “He’s already an excellent father. Why not make him your husband?” 

Her mother harrumphed at the imitation and mirrored Okoye’s stance. “And why should you not?” she whispered exasperatedly. “Aside from the fact you’re both singularly devoted to one another and have three reasons to remain so, that man worships the very ground you walk on. Every day I become more convinced he believes the Sun rises and sets at your behest. And no matter what you are determined to call it, the two of you are certainly not ‘co-parenting’.”

She spat the word with such derision that Okoye couldn’t help but shake her head. Sighing, she scooped her own daughter from between her brothers, hushing her gently with sweet kisses to round cheeks. They’d had this conversation no less than ten times and would likely have it ten more until Okoye acquiesced— out loud. 

She already knew she was going to marry Attuma. She’d known even while she was pregnant. There’d been no moment of grand revelation or wonder, just a deep ease— something quiet and sure that settled over her while she’d lain in the cradle of his arms after one of their countless hammock naps. There, in the afternoon sun, the pieces of it, of them, fell together seamlessly. 

They’d be married next spring, just after the children’s first birthday. She’d wear blue, but not the blue of the Border. His blue. Attuma would wear white, as was Talokanil custom, and the children would wear a mix of both. Tradition also required they wed where land and sea met, and for that, Okoye could see no better place than Warrior Falls. It was fitting, and in some roundabout way, it would heal something in her she hadn’t quite found solace for yet. They’d create a new memory there, a better one. Yoltzin and her mother would watch the triplets, Nakia and Ayo would be her matrons of honor, and the Muscle Brain would escort her bridal procession. And she’d have henna this time. Maybe Mayan glyphs instead of the traditional patterns.

But the details weren’t so important as the man, and the man was perfect. 

Her mother’s insistent murmurings broke her from her idyllic reverie as she bustled around the room, grabbing Okoye’s support pillow and a few burping cloths while she pressed forward on her mission to secure herself a son-in-law. “I’m simply saying–”

“–as you’ve been saying–” Okoye mused, settling back into the rocking recliner and unfastening Ixazaluoh’s swaddling blanket with deft fingers. 

“–as I’ve been saying…” the matriarch looked ready to swat her with one of the burping cloths. “He would be an excellent husband. He will be an excellent husband. And you wouldn’t even be doing it just for you! Wouldn’t you like to give your mother a son-in-law? A good son-in-law?”

“Have I not just given you grandchildren?” Okoye asked in false exasperation. “Three grandchildren?” she added before her mother could protest. “Let’s adjust to them first, eh? Then, we can talk son-in-laws.”

Her mother huffed in acceptance as she stepped closer and helped Okoye arrange the baby and the support pillow for both their comfort. Ixazaluoh’s eyes blinked open slowly as she settled into Okoye’s arms. The depth of their color hadn’t fully settled yet, but they were dark and hooded, just like her brothers— just like Attuma’s. Her daughter huffed, face almost immediately scrunching into a frown, and her mother chuckled above them. 

She lifted her youngest from her swaddle and kissed her a few more times. “Good afternoon, intombi yam,” she whispered soft words against soft skin, “Your brothers are sleeping. Let’s not wake them just yet, hm?”

Ixazaluoh paid her no mind, nuzzling into Okoye’s shoulder with soft grunts. Patient was not an apt descriptor for their youngest; cuddles would come after food. 

Okoye balanced her daughter in one arm while undoing her dress with the other. Her mother kissed the side of her head, then Ixazaluoh’s, before excusing herself to go find Attuma and Toussaint. She nodded absently, repositioning Ixazaluoh, cradling her against her left breast and helping her latch before her sweet girl kicked up too much of a fuss. Okoye traced the ridge of her brow, lowly humming that same lullaby from her pregnancy. The soft woosh of the door sliding open alerted her to Attuma’s return, and she glanced up, smiling at the overflowing tray of snacks he carried. 

“I see she wasted no time,” her beloved said with a chuckle, setting down the tray on the small table between their chairs. 

“Does she ever?” Okoye replied, echoing his amusement. 

Attuma retook his seat and held out the cup of the peanut butter and date balls she’d asked for. She popped one into her mouth and smiled, humming in pure contentment. The man she loved smiled back, wide and warm, and Okoye never wanted to be anywhere else but here. 

With him and their children. 

In this space. 

In this time.

She couldn’t have prayed for anything better.  

~plus venire~

A/N: There's a long ass author's note on Ao3 if anyone cares to read that. It details my upcoming writing plans in a little more depth. I won't bore you with the specifics here 😂 Instead, I'll say thank you forever and always to the Attoye Fandom for their continual love and support. Sharing my writing has been a privilege, and I hope to continue as the years go on. Thank you to every reader and for every reblog, reply, comment, and kudos. You all make my heart ridiculously happy 💕

[timperi-fan]

Timmy's superhero origin story is a lot less glamorous than Peri's.

After being saved from a mugging by Sídhe, Timmy rethinks his entire life. He feels like he was given a second chance, and this time, he wants to be a hero, too, and help people, like Sídhe does.

The only catch is that Timmy doesn't have any powers of his own. He has to do this on his own.

He starts by hitting the gym, and taking self-defense classes. Everything he can learn about fighting, he absorbs like a sponge. He drops out of college (and doesn't tell his family about that, naturally) to make time for it all.

When he was ten, Timmy inputted his DNA into AJ's lab's security system, so now, as an adult, he does the morally correct thing and waltzes in there and takes some of his buddy's gadgets for crime fighting purposes.

Timmy has sturdy armor and shock-absorbing boots, allowing him to run across rooftops and drop down from several stories with ease. He wears a pink bandana around his mouth/nose and a pair of high-tech glasses over his eyes, that allow him to see infrared and through most metals.

His outfit mostly just consists of whatever he doesn't want to get dirty, but his staple is his white cloak, which he normally wears up over his hair.

Timmy's preferred weapon is an enormous fucking hammer. He has smaller weapons too, hidden on his person in case he needs them, but this hammer is bigger than he is and it's like a wrecking ball when he starts swinging it around.

His superhero name is Triple Threat. (Because he's more than just a regular threat, get it?)

Sídhe does not like him at first. He finds TT annoying and pompous, and more interested in the thrill rather than helping people. He's also a HUGE flirt.

But they end up working together more than once just by pure chance, and Sídhe reluctantly has to admit that TT is not only capable, but actually surprisingly compassionate.

The two of them eventually become partners in crime fighting! Which Timmy couldn't be happier about.

[idontplaytrack]

Aj x Reader, reader is Dylan’s sister? Truth or dare? Some kind of party game leads to a confession of feelings but reader has a boyfriend? I want some angst lol

Fall Into Me

AJ Campos x fem! reader

Warnings: mature themes, MDNI. angst, coarse language, quarrelling, underage drinking, attempted/sexual assault.

AJ wishes she could turn back the clock to save reader.

All eyes were on AJ the second she walked into school. Many did a double-take, buzzing about who she was. The girl was no longer dressed the way you knew her to be for as long as you’ve known her. Ten years. Also, you came back to school without your best friend. She’d ended the friendship with you. The summer ended painfully, with more heartbreaks than one. All because of one game.

~~~~~

“Why don’t you want to go to the party? Stacey’s parties are always fun!” Dylan asks. “I don’t like parties, Dyl.” You told him, calmly. Unlike his current mood— he was desperately trying to get you out of the house.

“Come on, you love going to parties with me, y/n.”

You sigh, tempted to agree, but something was holding you back. Or rather, someone. Should you tell Dylan? No, he’d kill ya.

“y/n, you’d be home alone and that’s so boring.” Dylan continues, “You literally told me you hated being home alone.”

You huffed, “Fine. Fine. I’ll go.” You got off the couch, plugging your phone in on the way to your room. “That’s more like it.” Dylan exclaimed. “We’re gonna get so wasted tonight.” You laughed, then sighed while you entered your room and shut the door. You put on the first outfit you saw then proceeded to do your makeup. “We’re leaving in an hour!” Dylan knocks on your door.

“Alright!” You replied loudly.

After getting changed, you went back downstairs. Mainly to check your phone. You had a few missed calls from your boyfriend so you called him back.

“Where are you?”

You flinched at how fast he answered your call.

“At home.”

“Then what took you so long to answer my calls?”

“What? I left my phone on silent and it was charging downstairs but I was up—”

“Don’t give me excuses. You know I—”

“y/n!” Dylan called for you.

“I gotta go, I’ll meet you soon, bye.” You cut him off and hung up.

Putting your phone down, you ask, “Yeah?”

“Stacey says we can go over earlier if we want. So, you wanna?”

“Uh, actually. I’m gonna meet you there. I kinda promised Xander I’d meet him for a bit.”

“Since when? You said you had nothing to do all weekend— and that he was out of town.”

“Maybe he came back early, I dunno.” You shrug, “I’ll be at Stacey’s as soon as I can, alright?”

“You’d better show up, y/n.”

“I will, promise.”

Hurriedly grabbing your purse off the hook, you shove your wallet and keys inside it then left the house with your phone in hand. You walk to a secluded park near home— where Xander was waiting for you. Impatient, antsy…his frame was trembling as his fists were balled up on either of his sides. You had half a mind to run away and just stay home until it was time to go to the party for Dylan, but another part of you went ahead and approached him.

“Xander.” You said, coming up behind him.

“Took you long enough.” He scoffs.

“I literally came here as soon as I called you back.”

“Lose the attitude.”

“What do you want from me?”

“What I want is for you to get this fact into your head. You’re mine. You don’t go around getting kissed, hanging out with your people.”

“My people?” You shot him a bewildered look. He glares at you displeased. You gulped, inching away timidly.

“Who’s this girl kissing you?” He immediately shows you a picture on his phone.

“That— that’s Stacy. Our student body president. She has a boyfriend. My brother.”

“Some girlfriend she is just going around kissing people.”

“It was my birthday. It was pose, nothing more. Her boyfriend is literally in the picture.” You told him, biting back a scoff.

“Did you just roll your eyes at me?” He snarled, hands gripping onto your shoulders.

You seethed, squirming to free yourself from his grip.

“I’m sorry, baby.”

You shrug. He always apologizes but never meant it— it’ll happen again. And again, and again.

“Then this?”

“That’s my brother Dylan, Xander.” You said flatly, tired. “He hugged me, because I got him something he’s been wanting a long time for his gift.”

“Fine. Sorry.”

“Whatever, can we just get to the party?”

“Ew, I don’t want to go to some lame party of yours.” He scoffs, “Come on, get in the car.” His hand ran up your side. “No.” You told him firmly. Your words fall on deaf ears, his hand nearly cupping your breast.

You slapped him, “What the fuck!”

“You bitch! What was that for?” He shrieked, holding his cheek. Xander lunged at you, hand grabbing your neck, “How dare you hit me?”

He pushes you to the ground before you could say anything else. Then, he huffs and got into his car, driving off. “Fuck you.” He shouts as he drove off.

You help yourself off the ground, dusted yourself off and went on your way to Stacy’s— in tears. But checking your neck to make sure there was no bruising. There was redness, which you hurriedly covered up with the makeup left in your purse as you walked the distance to the party.

Making sure the red marks were covered, you rung the doorbell. “Hey! Come on in, girl!” Stacy immediately hugs you as per usual.

“Hey.” You give her a forced smile, hoping she couldn’t tell.

“You know where everything is. Make yourself at home, drink up, eat up— we’re gonna play a game soon.”

“A g-game?”

“Spin the bottle.” Stacy grins, “In the den.”

By the time you got to the den, you were a little tipsy since you chugged the drinks. Desperate to forget the earlier events with Xander. “Just the person we’ve been waiting for.” Dylan announces, “Sit down, join the circle. Let’s get that bottle spinning.”

You were praying that empty beer bottle doesn’t stop at you. And it was going smoothly. But soon came your turn, so you had no choice but to spin it. It lands on AJ. Tipsy, tipsy AJ. Grinning, about god knows what. Was she happy that you made the bottle land on her?

Rules were, you had to kiss whoever the bottle stopped at. So, you did. Xander wasn’t here anyway…so who was stopping you from having a little fun. It was just a kiss, right? The moment your lips met hers, you felt a spark, a fluttering in your chess that made you feel giddy. No, no, no. Shit. You couldn’t feel this way. You shouldn’t be feeling like this.

“I like you.” She whispers.

You froze, somehow or other, your heart was happy. Relieved and scared. All at once. Then, you slowly broke away from the kiss before it got too heated. “I have a boyfriend.” You said apologetically, “I’m sorry.”

That look in her eyes, it broke your heart. You felt terrible. AJ was a really nice person. She didn’t know, because Xander wanted to keep things lowkey. She was a pretty close friend of yours too. You could’ve told her sooner because she wouldn’t have told anyone that you were dating someone already. She has never let out any of your secrets, and never will. But, it was Xander. He’d find out you told someone, somehow. And you’d be his punching bag. You didn’t want that.

“Sorry.” AJ’s apology pulls you out of your thoughts.

The rest of the night went by uneventfully, until you got home and were in bed. You’d received a text from AJ, asking if she could give you a call. You called her first and it takes her awhile, but she answers eventually.

“y/n, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”

“It’s okay, it’s my fault. I should’ve just told you sooner.”

“I’ve been sitting here thinking for a bit. I don’t think we can be friends anymore. Because I don’t think my feelings for you will be dying down anytime soon. I can’t hate you and I never will. I don’t want to make things weird for you. Or your boyfriend. Goodbye, y/n.”

You’d barely processed her words before the dial tone was heard. “Shit!” You cursed, throwing your phone across the room. Well, that night? Ended in tears for you. You cried yourself to sleep, muffling the noise with a pillow.

~~~~~

Six weeks later, AJ gets woken up from her slumber by a call from an unknown number.

“Hello, may I speak to AJ Campos?”

“You are.” AJ answered, clearing her throat, “Who is this?”

“I’m calling from Keck Hospital of USC. You were listed as y/n y/l/n’s emergency contact.”

“What?” The blood instantly drained from her face, “What happened to her?”

“She came into the ER with a head injury claiming she fell because she was drinking. But upon further examination, we found that she’d been sexually assaulted.” The nurse explained, “She said we could tell you. The local authorities are also on their way here to find out more about what happened, but if you would like to come over and see her—”

“I-I’m on my way. Bye.” AJ hung up and scurried out of bed, hurrying downstairs to her car and just drove off in her pyjamas.

“Please be okay.” AJ kept repeating to herself as she drove, “I can’t lose you.” Just like that, she’d forgotten why she even tried to distance herself in the first place. Regretting the fact that she ignored you in class when you asked for help on the trig worksheet. She chokes on a sob, “Why wasn’t I nicer to you? Why did I have to—”

After driving for a damn long time, AJ finally arrives at the hospital. Hastily parking her car in the rather empty parking lot, she rushes through the automated doors, asking the front desk which room you were in. “She’s still in the ER. To your left, bed 11. The SVU detectives are with her now. So you may want to wait outside.” AJ ran to look for you, stopping outside the hospital room like they’d told her to. She couldn’t bear to listen to the details— she couldn’t stomach it. As much as she felt that sickening feeling in her stomach, she also felt so angry. Who would do this to someone? Someone as sweet as you? She wishes it was at just a bad dream. But no, it was so very real.

AJ sat in the plastic chair leaning forward, head buried in her hands. Waiting, and waiting. She hears you talking to the detective indistinctly, your voice getting quieter and quieter, then you started to cry. Shit. That sound crushed her heart.

AJ hears them leave the room, she looks up, meeting the sympathetic eyes of the detectives. She got up and walked into the room immediately. You were a wreck the moment you saw her, wanting nothing more than a hug from her. She gave it to you, that hug you’ve been longing for. It always made you feel better. But not so much now, maybe you just missed her.

“I should’ve just left him,” You started, “I should’ve left. I’m so stupid.”

“Honey, don’t say that. It’s not your fault.”

“Isn’t it though? I knew he was hurting me but I couldn’t do it— I couldn’t leave. I was so scared, AJ. I couldn’t do it, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have stayed on.”

“Baby, please don’t say that. It’s not your fault. Please.”

“Someone showed Xander a photo of us at the party during the game.” You continued to talk through tears, “He got so mad...”

“Xander did this?!” AJ’s voice came out louder than anticipated. You flinched and cried harder. “Shit, y/n. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.” She apologizes profusely, rubbing your back.

“I told them. I told the police already, I couldn’t take it anymore. I told them everything.” You hung onto her even more tightly, tears seeping into her baggy t-shirt endlessly. One you bought her several years ago.

“They’ll get him, okay, baby?” AJ whispers, “They’ll get him. You’re safe here, alright?”

“I can’t go home, AJ.” You gasped, getting into a coughing fit and she broke away just in case. “I can’t go home. My parents will be so disappointed in me. Disgusted by me…I don’t want to tell them about it, AJ.”

Since you were of age, your parents weren’t notified. So far, AJ was the only person who knew other than the police— who you’ve also told to not inform your parents. Thankfully, they agreed and you could only hope it stayed that way. It was going to be a long night ahead. They still had to do a kit, which took quite awhile. But you knew they had to do it, they needed to get the DNA evidence against your abuser. You cried for AJ to stay with you, feeling absolutely terrified. She agreed to without hesitation, staying with you and letting you hold onto her hand to divert the pain away.

————

Hours later, you were in AJ’s car, half asleep as she begins the drive to her own apartment. You were terribly exhausted but fighting sleep. You were so on the edge, worried and anxious about something happening. About somehow seeing Xander show up.

“You’re safe with me. Close your eyes. I’m right here with you.” AJ says, turning the volume of the radio down.

“You said close your eyes

Don't look down

Fall into me and I'll catch you, darlin'

We'll dance in the street like nobody's watching

It's just you and me and the song on repeat in my head”

You fell asleep to that song softly playing through the speakers, giving into the exhaustion. You knew you were safe with AJ— like always. She softly nudged you awake once you two arrived at her apartment building. You jolted awake, but quickly realised where you were and who you were with. “Let’s go, we’re here.” She gets out of the car, shut her door and went over to your side to help you out. AJ was apprehensive, but she eventually wrapped an arm around you fully seeing that you were comfortable with it. You simply followed her lead without saying a word…what could you possibly say anyway?

Quietly shutting the front door, she leads you to her room, asking if you wanted to take a shower. You said yes and she got you a towel and clothes to change into afterwards. She leaves you alone, but in the meantime, you also got a glass of water ready along with the medications the doctor said you could take. She puts them on the nightstand, then she paced her room for awhile, thinking and thinking. Feeling herself getting angrier. She huffs, sitting down on her bed eventually. The bathroom door was left ajar, and she hears a bottle drop. You screamed and started crying. Could she walk in there? She didn’t want to upset you any further.

She stood directly behind the door, knocking softly, “It’s okay, y/n. You’re alright.” AJ hears the sound of the bottle being put back on the shelf, but you continued crying. She doesn’t stop you— you needed some form of release for the hell that was tonight.

Thirty minutes later, you walk out from the bathroom. Freshly showered but still feeling absolutely dirty. You’d nearly scrubbed your skin raw…your head was throbbing and you were starving. But you couldn’t eat. You felt too sick to eat, scared that you’d just throw everything up. “Take the pills on the nightstand.” She nudged you gently, “Are you hungry? Do you feel like eating something?”

You quietly shook your head, “I feel sick. I can’t.” You sat down on her bed carefully, reaching for the pills on the small table. You swallowed them with the water one at a time and put the glass down, staring blankly into space…your mind was racing.

“Hey.” She sits down next to you, “Let’s get some sleep, okay? Come on.”

You crawled under the covers and laid down on your back. AJ wanted to leave, letting you take the whole bed. “Will you stay with me?” You asked meekly.

She stops in her tracks, turning around, “If that’s what you want, of course.”

“Thank you.” You looked at her, then away and shut your eyes.

“You’ll be okay. I’ll take care of you.” That was the last thing you heard before you fell asleep, “I’ll be with you every step of the way.”

🏷️ Tag list:

@ashecampos @auliisflower @cheesysoup-arlo @frogs00 @reneeswif3 @ludoesartnstuffs @pda128

[ashecampos]

BIRDS OF A FEATHER

Aj Campos X reader

Warnings : angst, hospitals, near death experience, motorcycle accident, alcohol consumption.

——-

Reader has had feelings for her friend Aj for years but hasn’t had the guts to tell her. After being hospitalised and a near death experience Aj ends up telling reader her feelings and it all comes together all the time they’ve spent together and the memories

An angsty fluffy little one shot because im obsessed with billies song ‘birds of a feather’ and thought this would be cute. This took me an hour to write so sorry if it’s bad.

——-

“I want you to stayyy” Aj says dramatically her arm rested over my shoulder as she pouts, standing at her door, keys in hand and helmet in the other I look back at her with a smile, she slaps the back of my head with a sad look. “Hey we are literally going to see each other tomorrow at school don’t be so dramatic” I say with a sigh. She rolls her eyes and takes her arm off my shoulder to let me leave but not before she gives me a tight hug, suffocating even. “Aj I need to breathe, ur gonna kill me here” I say as dramatically as she did seconds ago just as she lets me go. “Fine leave me…forever” she puts her hand over her heart and pulls a sad face, earning a laugh from me. “Shut up stupid, right I’ll see you tomorrow 7am be up or im leaving without you” I say while walking out of the garden and to my bike. She closes the door and I start the engine, pulling the helmet over my head and pulling out of her street. I ride for around ten minutes before I get to some traffic lights, stopping I wait for them to turn green, once they do I make quick work of pulling out in a hurry to get home to my bed, I hear the screech of tires then I feel pain in the right side of my body before my whole body is flung off of my bike and makes contact with a wall. Then darkness. A lot of screaming then beeping then people talking about head scans and X-rays.

………..

(AJS POV…THE NEXT DAY)

I wake up at 6:30 to my alarm blasting in my ear, I jump out of bed with a little struggle and grab the clothes I left out the night before, throwing them on, I check my phone for a text from y/n but nothing. Weird but it’s happened before, she probably forgot to charge her phone or slept in. Hypocrite much. I carry on getting ready then wait for the clock to strike seven before heading outside, looking out for her motorbike. I wait for ten minutes before calling her, nothing. I wait another ten minutes before Gabi comes out of the house giving me a confused look. “Why are you still here? Wheres y/n?” She says throwing her backpack over her shoulder. I shrug and check my phone again “no clue, give me a ride?” I plead and Gabi nods. Once in Gabi’s car I check my phone another three times while she drives. “Jesus who died here?” Gabi says as we stop at some lights. I look up and see debris and a tow truck on the road, police and traffic wardens stood directing the traffic around the mess. I catch a glimpse of a bike on the side of the road and my heart breaks for whoever’s bike it is, my mind wandering off to y/n “god I keep telling them to just get a car but they insist on having that damn bike, and look there another motorbike in an accident” I say to Gabi, she hums in agreement before turning into the schools parking lot. Once parked we say goodbye to each other, our homerooms being in different classrooms “tell y/n I said their a douche for the no heads up this morning” I say before we go out separate ways as Gabi and y/n are in the same homeroom class.

Walking into homeroom I spot Tessa, one of mine and y/n’s closest friends since well forever. Me and y/n would never have met if Tessa didn’t introduce us.

……

Flashback :

Young Tessa runs over to young Aj paint smeared across her face “hide me” a young Tessa shouts toward Aj. In runs another girl. A young y/n, paintbrush in hand and an angry Gabi following her, a spot of red paint on her forehead. “Who’s that” a young Aj says, a blush spread across her face as the young girl and her sister run around trying to paint the others face. “That’s my best friend y/n, wanna meet them?” Tessa asks earning an eager nod from Aj.

……….

“Hey aj, nice hoodie, feeling nostalgic?” The girl pokes fun at me as we both take our seats, I look down at the hoodie and realise what she meant by nostalgic.

………

Flashback :

The whole gang sit in mine and y/ns hotel room the day before a track meet, alcohol in all of our systems, we play a few games and dance a little before we all end up sitting or lying down somewhere intoxicated out of our minds, y/n had just been through a huge breakup and we are all trying to help her without bringing it up. “I love the outfit but you’re gonna freeze y/n” I say with a laugh as the girl comes out of the bathroom in just her sports bra and some shorts. A blush spreading across my face. “If I turn blue don’t save me” she said while sitting next to me on the floor, taking another sip of her drink, pulling a disgusted expression. “We should really quit drinking while we are ahead we have the meet at 11am” she says “don’t be stupid” I return her gaze, grabbing the drink, she shivers and I take off my hoodie, leaving me in a long sleeved shirt, she takes it and rests her head on my shoulder.

……..

“Funny, speaking of, heard anything from y/n this morning?” I ask while I grab my phone to check again, the girl just shakes her head “you know her she probably didn’t sleep and forgot to charge her phone again” I nod in agreement.

The day goes on and nothing from y/n she hadn’t shown up to school, everyone assumes she just ditched and fell asleep for the day. I try calling her a few times on break but no answer still. It isn’t until track practice that there is any news about her whereabouts.

We all stand on the field waiting on coach when he comes out with a saddened look. “Hey everyone practice is cancelled take the day to rest. Aj, Gabi and Tessa, stay here, we need to talk.” He says allowing everyone to walk back to the changing rooms cheering and smiling. My heart drops already overthinking. “So y/ns mother has just called and she was in an accident” he starts but doesn’t get the time to finish as all three of us are sprinting to the locker rooms to grab our stuff.

We all hop into Gabis car and use google maps to direct us to the nearest hospital. I check my phone and see a missed call from y/n’s brother. I don’t call back just expecting him to tell us the same news we just heard from coach.

Once we get to the hospital Tessa runs to the reception and asks for a room number or anything information on her best friend. Me and Gabi stand a few feet behind praying we are allowed to go in and see y/n. After a few minutes of back and forth Tessa comes over and says “room 344”

We all race up to the room with help from nurses pointing us in the right direction. We end up in the ICU ward and find her room, we walk in and see a doctor checking her vitals or whatever doctors do. He turns to see the three of us stood there looking back at him, my eyes looking solely at y/n. “Hey guys are you y/n’s family, if you’re not you can’t be in here, she’s just came out of surgery and we are only allowing family members in right now.” He stares us down and puts the clipboard down, in a state of panic I turn to him and say “im her fiancé” without thinking, I hold my hand up and show him the ring on my finger. The promise ring y/n gave me as a joke one Valentine’s Day after my first ever girlfriend broke my heart. Even if it was a joke, that ring has never left my hand ever since. Surprisingly the doctor nods and lets us in without another question. “What happened?” I say before Tessa or Gabi can. “Motorbike accident, she has a cracked skull, broken collarbone. We took her to surgery to fix some things but she coded multiple times, we managed to bring her back and we are just keeping her here until we are certain she’s safe to go home.” He says pointing at her while my eyes fill with tears “she’s in an induced coma right now to help with the pain but when she wakes up she’s gonna need you all here to help her through this” I walk over to her and see the damage, broken nose, bust lip and black eye. Bruises litter her skin, the white hospital gown contrasting the purple and blueness of the bruises. I pull a chair over and sit down, grabbing ahold of her hand as the doctor leaves the room, saying something to gabi and Tessa as he leaves earning a nod and thankyou from them both. They both end up sitting on chairs too, Tessa making multiple phone calls while Gabi keeps asking if im okay.

It’s been hours that we’ve been sat here. She’s still asleep I’ve never seen her so peaceful it hurts. I remember all the times we’ve shared. This could be our last. Last night could’ve been our last movie night. “Fine leave me forever” being the last thing I ever said to her. My eyes fill with tears once again and Gabi comes over, placing a hand on my shoulder “you okay?” She asks quietly “I think I love her” I say while shaking my head, tears falling from my eyes. Tessa’s laugh can be heard from the other side of the room as she comes back in. “We know you love her, also doc mchot said she should wake up any time now, so stop throwing a pity party” Tessa says throwing Gabi a cup of jello. “Where did you even get these?” Gabi laughs. “The hot doctor snuck me a few in exchange for my number” she smirks “he’s switching jobs to be a firefighter, next week he starts training” the blonde smirks again. “If y/n was awake right now they would throw this jello cup at your head so hard” I say with a small smile. I feel y/n start to stir in her bed, Gabi and Tessa take this as their sign to leave the room “we will give you two some space” Gabi says, grabbing Tessa’s arm and dragging her along asking about the hot doctor/firefighter.

A groan escapes her mouth as her eyes open slowly, a hand shooting up to rub her eyes. Followed by a hiss of pain. “What the fuck happened?” She says with a laugh “I love you” I blurt out.

—————

(Y/ns pov)

My eyes open and my whole body aches. I bring up a hand to rub my eyes but a shooting pain follows as I hit the bridge of my nose, I bite my lip in agony and bring my hand back down, seeing aj with puffy red eyes, and the fact we are sat in a hospital I look at her again “what the fuck happened?” I ask before laughing a little. She looks me in the eyes and blurts out “I love you” I blink a few times to make sure I am indeed awake and not dead. Once im positive im not in heaven I realise im crying and aj looks at me concerned “I love you too And I don't know what I'm cryin' for, I don't think I could love you more” I blurt out immediately regretting it as I see Tessa and Gabi at the door smirking, we are never going to live this down. So I do the only thing I can think of. Dig myself a deeper hole. “I’ll love you to the day that I die”

[firstelevens]

I must ask about WEE BABIES! do you see sambucky having kids in your au? if yes, soon after they're married or wayyy into the future? hypothetically what would happen if *gasp* their child doesn't have a sweet tooth? 😱

The answer to this question would have been a clear no a few months ago but now I think it’s fifty-fifty. If they did have a kid, it would probably be a couple years into their marriage, and if that kid did not have a sweet tooth, I think it would go a little something like this:

“This is your fault, you know.”

“My fault?” 

“One hundred percent,” says Bucky, lifting their son into his lap and narrowly avoiding dragging his knuckles through ketchup. He’s opting to ignore the way that Riley dramatically flopped onto the table after pushing away his plate, a move that definitely came straight out of the Barnes playbook.

“You’re blaming me for the fact that he doesn’t like cake,” Sam says, as he brings their plates over, already dished out. The era of serving dishes on the table ended right around when Riley figured out how to get a grip on serving spoons and they haven’t gone back yet.

“He knows that—thanks, sweetheart—he knows that Daddy can’t carry him if Daddy’s carrying cake, and now he resents an entire genre of food.”

Sam snorts. “Yeah, it’s that and not the fact that he just doesn’t like sweet things.”

“He did act like we tried to poison him that time we fed him ice cream,” muses Bucky. “Doesn’t explain why he took one look at the chicken nuggets and decided that they were cake, too.”

Riley, not one to let his opinions go unvoiced, shifts his face slightly away from where it’s tucked into Bucky’s chest and cries out, “No cake!”

“No cake,” repeat Sam and Bucky, practiced enough to be in sync now.

“I think it’s the color,” says Sam, picking up one of the nuggets to examine it. “And I guess they’re shaped kind of like the gingerbread he tried and hated at Sarah’s.”

“I can’t believe cookies don’t get a pass, either,” says Bucky. “What are we supposed to bribe him with when he gets older?”

“Cucumbers,” says Sam. “And cherry tomatoes, when we’re desperate.”

“This kid’s being raised by two semi-professional bakers and he’s got the same diet as AJ’s pet turtle.”

Sam laughs out loud, and Riley immediately turns to look at him like he doesn’t want to miss it. Bucky can’t blame him, even if it does mean having to scramble to hold Riley secure in his lap as he wriggles around.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to hold him?” asks Sam. “How are you gonna eat?”

“I’ll be fine,” says Bucky. “One of us skipped lunch today, and it wasn’t me.”

Sam’s eyes narrow. “How’d you know that?”

“Cass ratted you out,” Bucky says. “How does a man spend ten hours a day surrounded by food and somehow still miss a meal?”

“J and I shot an extra video today so I could take tomorrow off,” says Sam, and points with his fork towards Bucky’s plate without interrupting himself. “I got distracted.”

Bucky takes the hint and looks down to see what put that little grin on Sam’s face: Riley’s chubby hand reaching out to grab one of the vareniki on Bucky’s plate. They both watch as he examines it, then grin wider as he seems to deem it far enough from cake and takes a bite.

It’s important that they not hover, so Bucky makes himself continue the conversation even though he’d much rather watch Riley copy the way Sam is eating.

“I swear, I’m gonna start setting a reminder on your phone like old people have for their pills.”

“Yeah, ‘cause what I need in a kitchen with six ovens and a dozen batches of proving dough at any given minute is more timers.”

“Then prepare for Cass to keep– wait, zaychik, that’s not a normal cucumber; I don’t think you’ll…”

Bucky trails off as Riley takes a bite of a cornichon, braced for his horrified reaction to the sourness. Instead, all they get is a thoughtful hum before he takes a second bite.

“What the hell?” mouths Sam, and all Bucky can do is shrug.

“Try the beets,” he mouths back at Sam, and watches as Sam spears a vinegar-dressed beet with his fork. A second later, Riley picks one up, too. This time, sweet doesn’t seem to be an issue, and he immediately goes for another one before turning back to the dumplings.

At some point, Sam’s phone came out of his pocket, and now he’s got it pointed at Bucky, shoulders shaking with laughter.

“What have we learned today, Buck?”

“That apparently you could’ve been wielding your influence way more often at the dinner table?”

“Bucky.”

“We’ve learned that sometimes picky eaters aren’t picky eaters,” he says, with a laugh. “Sometimes they’re just Russian.”

“And whose fault is that?”

“Hey, just 'cause I'm teaching him about his family, doesn't mean you're off the hook for the cake thing.”

“Papa, no cake!”

“No cake, buddy,” Bucky intones solemnly, and kisses the side of Riley’s head. "Guess we'll just do a giant bowl of beets for the third birthday then, huh?"

(This time, when Sam throws his head back and laughs, both Riley and Bucky stop what they're doing to admire him.)

[gayashawol]

𝕚𝕕𝕜 𝕨𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝕟𝕒𝕞𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕤𝕥𝕠𝕣𝕪

ships: niko omilana x aj shabeel (featuring sharky)

genre: smut, a lil bit of fluff

word count: +1500 words

content warning(s): sex, gay sex (you know what it is in this blog), aggressive sex, jealousy, usage of the word “daddy” and “bitch” (only once i believe), idk what else lmao

author’s notes: this is my first beta squad story so excuse my french if they aren’t portrayed the way y’all want them to be. i have watched niko omilana since 2018 but never would’ve thought there would be people that shipped them together lmaoooo this was requested by a friend of mine. hope you guys enjoy!

It was around six past ten, and the sun was still shining through the window. AJ was on the bed, scrolling mindlessly on Instagram for hours on end. He has forgotten the concept of time, including the current time that it was. Before he could think about getting out, he could hear a loud slam from what seems to be from downstairs, alerting him that his beloved boyfriend Niko has just arrived and he would not be as beloved due to the rage he could make out.

Once everything calmed down, a soft part of AJ came out. Maybe he was having a bad day at work? Maybe somebody upset him? He has never seen him as this aggressive. He was always the chilled back guy who had everything under control. Maybe he just needed some reassurance from the guy he saw as “his cutie” and they could make love to forget about it.

Well, he didn’t need to make that decision since Niko was already outside his door thinking about kicking the door down. Instead, he politely knocked and waited for him to come out. He was very hesitant, but he managed to gather the confidence to slowly open up, just for his arm to pull him away and swing the door open.

He just nodded, glazing at the scared boyfriend, before pushing him against a wall, touching lips with him. AJ being confused and concerned, he follows through and obeys the taller male. Niko knew he wanted to get onto him for taking his hoodies once again even though he has plenty more in his closet, but all he wanted to do was humiliate him in the best way possible – ripping him off from the very thing that was keeping him from getting exposed. But he just didn’t care at all.

He knew that AJ never wears anything under, so he took the time to caress his ass, before taking off his hoodie from the hem, leaving him completely bare while Niko was clothed. He wanted to burst up in laughter, but he just couldn’t feel anything – nothing at all. In fact, the feeling of removing his belt and seeing how his face changes from looking relieved to horrified within a second. He knew he must behave, and so stuck his ass onto his daddy’s direction.

He placed his arm in action, and a loud smack onto AJ’s skin could be heard. He could feel the harsh cold coming from the belt before it became warm enough that he could feel it burning. It went on for a while, and he wailed in pain every single time.

Soon, his ass started to turn a clear red, and Niko finally had some empathy to stop that madness from happening even more – oh so AJ thought, as he saw the equipment coming out from the closet and knew that it was going to be a long night for the two.

Every single weapon was played right in front of him as a cruel punishment by the taller male, seeing one of the ones he didn’t want to use get picked up and panicking if he does so. After being tired of his act, Niko placed a blindfold onto AJ and tightly wrapped it around his eyes so he couldn’t remove it.

Alas, he picks up a sort of feather that Niko was purposefully using to tickle him with, only to be met with harsh spanks every time he steps out of line. He hated how nasty his boyfriend was treating him, but a part of him feels like he knows why and would gladly take himself down for it.

As he started to feel remorse, which would be not moving around or crying in pain, Niko decides to put down the whips and the flannels and place it back onto the closet. Finally, AJ has a peace of mind, or does he? He was craving for touch, any sort of touch. Even if it was cruel, or out of love. He wanted it to come out of Niko, and only Niko.

It was when he felt something going inside of his ass. He knew it was his finger, and a part of him was still rather concerned but what wasn’t there to worry about Niko. Like always, carried on tolerating it and went with it – seeing where it would go.

He heard a sound of an iPhone recording before his fingers went deeper and right where the prostate was located. He felt a rush of pleasure, begging him not to stop. It went on for a while, but Niko eventually got another finger inside to use his hole with. But not only he went there, but he even went further down where his tip would land at.

It took him a while, but Niko stood up and undressed, spreading his clothes to the floor as he steps onto the bed. He lubricated and insert his cock inside of AJ, before moving deeper inside and pushing through him until his entire dick sunk.

Niko pulled onto AJ’s curls, hearing his muffled moans as allthe sensations flowing through his body. He wasn’t completely used to Niko’s cock, but he quickly adapted this once and sucked it up, giving him a tearful fuck while trying his hardest not to moan too loudly due to neighbours around.

Unbeknownst to them, someone has just walked into the house and was making their way upstairs. It was already too late for them to react, as Sharky has already came inside and saw their bare asses in display.

“Hey, I couldn’t mind your sandwich so I got you a BLT-” He paused upon his reaction of seeing the two men. “Did I come here at the wrong time?”

Three of the men were looking at each other, not sure who was going to say anything. Sharky raised his finger up, thinking of any possible excuses to leave, including looking around the room or looking at the hallway right in front of him.

“I-I’m going to Tesco… to get… milk-”

“Join.” Niko finally spoke after what seemed to be forever. AJ didn’t seem to be pleased, even though he has been willing to hear his voice after all this unexplained suffering he had to go through. Something didn’t make sense to him, and he wanted to get to the bottom of it.

AJ turned around, facing the two of them. He was shaking, yet he knew something was coming. He was seeing him as well as being with Niko, and that could be the reason for his unusual behaviour. He gulped, thinking about the worst stuff he was going to make him do, and hoped for something better.

“What the hell are you doing? Pull your trousers down, then!!” He sounded demanding, yet it was something AJ loved from him. Sharky’s cock sprung up aggressively, causing AJ to be mesmerised by sight. Being the good boy he was, he immediately leaned in and went in from the tip, going through the neck up until he went balls deep.

Seeing how far he could go, Niko felt some sort of anger – seeing that he was giving it his all to the guy that he would have to compete with. He soon, threw the shorter man away from his reach before shoving his own cock for him to show off right in front of Sharky. Him not feeling any sort of way, he attempts to leave again – only to get dragged back in for a round of anal.

Niko went back in, and was much more violent. He was back with the whips, alongside a gag so he could use to shush his mouth. Sharky was concerned for the shorter male’s safety, but at the same time aroused. He didn’t know what to feel, whether to feel remorse or guilty. He knew for a fact that he wanted the taste of the cutie boy that was Niko’s bitch. Seeing him weeping and squirming around his spot made him want him more, and seeing his anger explains exactly why there was so much tension in the room.

Sharky went on AJ’s level, removing his gag and began kissing his lips. Niko feeling defensive, he grabbed him from the neck keeping them from a couple inches away. He eventually decided to cover his lips, reassuring him that he wouldn’t make any sound or make love with the “other” guy he was seeing.

Allowing him to use his hole once it was already filled, Sharky used the opportunity to make AJ face him, lifting his legs to place on his shoulders. He was already giving up, but the love was finally there. Niko was still looking mad, even having his arms crossed, but he couldn’t look away and miss his pathetic boyfriend get railed by a guy he would fancy to fuck.

AJ screamed loudly, turning into a moan after a while. Waiting for the moment to become a cumdump for the two of them, he feels the pleasure running through his body one last time until a warm liquid was felt from inside of him, pulling Sharky away from him – which would conclude the session for today.

AJ and Sharky laid together on the bed, holding hand while Niko left the room to do something. They weren’t sure what it was, but it was their moment together where they made out for a bit before AJ peacefully laid on Sharky, waiting for the door to bust open where he would get scolded by the one and only, Niko.

mdni dividers by @cafekitsune (i don’t remember who made the dividers)

[mickimomo]

Late Night Thoughts with a Sleep Deprived Attoye Chef

Attuma's Indecent Exposure Citation

@umber-cinders birthed this idea. I just wrote it. 🤣

This is what I'm seeing:

M'Baku furrowed his eyebrows as he settled down on the throne. He recalled coming to an agreement with everyone that he wouldn't be holding any more meetings after the last one they had discussing the plans for Shuri's coronation ceremony.

The council, however, had called an emergency meeting.

Something about indecent exposure of a talokanil warrior and mortified people at a restaurant in the capital of Wakanda.

It only took him ten seconds to realize it had something to do with:

A. Okoye

because she was avoiding eye contact at all costs.

Okoye was the legendary bald-headed demon of Wakanda. She did not cower before anyone.

and

B. Attuma

because if Okoye was acting odd. It probably had something to do with her talokanil warrior.

And if he had to make a wild guess, it probably had to do with the dinner he had attended a few days ago.

"Glory to Hanuman." He grunted as he pinched the bridge of his nose as everyone stood and sat in their respective spots. "Why am I looking at you all while sitting on this throne?" He frowned. "Did you all forget that Shuri should be here and I should be sitting with the uptight people? Was that not our goal for our next meeting?"

Zawavari wrinkled her nose. "We would not be here if there were not reports of a certain blue man pummeling one of Wakanda's greatest disappointments into a table."

Attuma launched his axe at the council woman, intentionally missing her person by two centimeters before it got stuck in the floor.

The entire room was silent as they looked at the warrior in shock.

"I apologize. My axe fell." He feigned a smile before moving forward to retrieve it. Namor grunted something, forcing him to remain by his side.

"Fell!?" Zawavari snapped. "It flew!" She screamed. "He just tried to kill me!"

"Perhaps we should discuss this matter without referring to Okoye as a disappointment." M'Baku offered. "The people of Talokan tend to get violent when it comes to defending their lover's honor."

"She does not have honor!"

"And that axe did not kill you." He warned her.

Zawavari opened her mouth in shock before clenching her hands into tight fists. "He was pummeling Okoye into a table!" She snapped.

"Pummeling?"

"My king." She frowned.

"Pummeling implies fighting." He kissed his teeth. "Am I supposed to punish the shark man for sparring with his midnight angel?"

M'Kathu clicked his tongue. "That big blue man-" he pointed at Attuma. "-was being intimate with my niece."

M'Baku furrowed his eyebrows. "Define intimate."

"My king!" Zawavari cried out again.

"Intimate could be kissing and holding hands. Am I supposed to lock them up for being a couple?"

Aj K'uk'ulkan hid his smile behind his hand at the king's teasing.

Zawavari took a deep breath. "My king, I am trying to hold a proper discussion."

"Well, the properness is not making things clear."

She narrowed her eyes. "That blue man had sex with Okoye on a table at a local restaurant."

M'Baku tilted his head. "Is that so?"

"Yes, my king."

"And what do you suggest I do to punish them?"

"We would like to request that blue man be given a citation for indecent exposure."

"And what will a piece of paper do? Mm?" He arched a brow before looking to Namor. "Are you scared of paper?"

"No." He chuckled.

"The King of Talokan said no."

"Then kick him out!" The head of the River Tribe huffed. "I have been rather quiet about my opinion on the shark warrior, but this is too much!" He straightened up in his seat. "If we let him get away this, others will start. People who are eating and drinking do not want to see them in this manner!"

M'Baku rubbed his temples before looking at Namor.

He arched a brow.

The god king only shrugged.

He looked at Okoye.

"Did you actively participate in this?"

"Please don't make me speak on this matter."

"Ah?" He arched a brow. "Then you will be punished too."

"I will accept whatever punishment you give."

"Alright." He hummed. "I will banish Attuma of Talokan and Okoye of Wakanda from Wakanda for a week to atone for this crime. They will also be expected to apologize to the owners of the restaurant and assist with repairing any damages they may have caused." He looked to the council. "Does that sound good?"

They all nodded in consensus.

"Alright. The decision has been made. Can I end this meeting?"

Everyone nodded.

"Alright. Meeting adjourned-"

"-Aht. Aht!" Zawavari bolted up. "If they are both banished from Wakanda. They will be together!"

"Whatever happens outside of Wakanda is not of my concern." M'Baku waved off the woman before getting up.

"My king!" She scowled.

"It is outside my jurisdiction-o! Do not pester me!" He grunted. "I am tired."

Aneka and Oni looked at each other before exchanging a handshake and whisper.

"They about to be in Talokan hitting it back to back to- OW!" Aneka whined as Okoye smacked her over the head. "What was that for!"

She gave her a knowing look before walking away with a huff.

She was pissed, but relieved to have gotten off with such a light punishment.

Attuma wasn't going to get any affection during their punishment, and he knew it.

It was only fair since he had gotten her in trouble.

He could only help that after everything was over and they had completed their punishment, she'd be extremely needy for his touch.

After all, distance made the heart grow fonder.

And scene.

I kept it sweet, simple, and short.

But y'all. I'm getting kinda feral about that crack ship I was talking about the other day. 👀 I was trying not to let it show between the two kings. But I'm struggling. 🫣 Might have to write something.

[the-delta-42]

Firsts 4: First Kiss

[First] [Previous] [Next]

Firsts Part 4

First Kiss

Michonne frowned at the email she’d received. She read through it three times and still couldn’t understand it.

“Everything alright?” Asked Rick, placed a cup of coffee next to her.

“A couple’s asked me to get restraining orders against their adoptive daughter’s biological parents.” Said Michonne, “I’ve tried to contact the social workers that placed the girl with them, and I’ve just been told I can’t see any part of her file.”

“Okay, so how’s that a problem?” Asked Rick, leaning back in his chair.

“I need to know how she ended up in social care in the first place.” Explained Michonne, “I can’t request a restraining order without a good, solid reason.”

Rick frowned, “Have you contacted the parents?”

“That’s my other problem,” Confessed Michonne, “I’ve got the other side trying to get my help.”

Rick let out a whistle.

F

Clementine gnawed her bottom lip, glancing around the garden.

“Why’d your parents suggest this again?” Asked Becca, dropping down next to Clementine.

“Something to do with making friends, I think.” Muttered Clementine, as AJ ran around with some of his classmates.

“For AJ or for you?”

“I dunno.”

“This looks like fun.” Drawled Gabe, joining the two girls, “where’re the others?”

“Sarita’s at the hospital, something about baby trouble. Carlos is conducting surgery, and Sarah’s watching him, and Gill’s on a date with some guy he met at his dad’s store, but they’ll all be making an appearance later. Hopefully.” Said Clementine, as Jamie, Luke’s daughter, tripped over a root and landed hard on her face.

Clementine flinched, “Ooh.” She glanced towards Jane, she hadn’t been happy when she found out she was Luke’s girlfriend. Luke had assumed that Clementine had a crush on him, until Jane told him about her past with Clementine.

Jane started making her way over to Jamie, only for the little girl to jump to her feet and continue running after AJ.

“I still don’t get why Mr Saul and his wife are here.” Said Becca, making Clementine and Gabe look over at the couple.

“Kenlee’s friends with AJ.” Shrugged Clementine.

Becca looked around the garden, “I thought you said Chuck was gonna be here.”

“Yeah, AJ specifically asked for him to be invited.” Confirmed Clementine, as the doorbell rang. They heard Rebecca hurry to the front door.

“Five bucks it’s Sarah with a gruesome story about her dad’s work.” Said Becca, getting a frown from Gabe.

“Ten if it’s Gill saying his date went bad.”

“It’s Duck.” Stated Clementine, “Because you’ll hear a thud in three…two…”

There was a thud, before Duck stumbled through the back door, with a black Labrador in his arms.

“Oh, fuck, no.” Hissed Clementine, pulling her feet onto the bench, trying to put as much distance between her and the dog.

The dog, Whistle, looked his eyes on Clementine, before bounding over to her.

“Oh oho, nope.” Cursed Clementine, “Nope. Fuck this. I’ll see you guys later.”

Clementine made a dash to the fence, before hopping over it.

“Sorry.” Said Duck, nervously rubbing the back of his head, “I wanted to come over, but I couldn’t leave him alone with Butch.”

“Oh, fuck this!”

Everyone looked over, as Clementine hopped back over the fence.

“Why the hell do you have so many dogs?!”

“Swear.” Said AJ, getting a disbelieving look from Clementine.

F

“How come people still feel their limbs after they’ve been cut off?” Asked Sarah, getting a sigh from Carlos.

“It’s called phantom limb syndrome,” He explained, “the brain is responding to the last signal the limb sent, for example, a hand would curl into a fist or a foot would tense up, the brain continues to send signals either continue clenching or to release.”

“So, why doesn’t it just stop sending signals?” Asked Sarah, frowning.

“Because it’s happening on a subconscious level,” Answered Carlos, “you can acknowledge that somethings missing, but there’ll be a small corner of your mind where you’ll keep acknowledging it’s presence.”

“So, why doesn’t it go away when someone thinks of uncurling their hand?”

“Because you can’t see it.” Responded Carlos, as they pulled up in front of the Brooke home, “The subconscious part of your brain needs to see the hand let go, which is where mirror therapy comes in.”

“What’s that?” Questioned Sarah, tilting her head slightly.

“It’s a form of therapy that, basically, tricks the brain into thinking the missing limb lets go by having the reflection of the other, remaining limb tense up and letting go.” Said Carlos, as they got out of the car, “it’s surprisingly effective.”

“Cool.” Said Sarah, as they reached the door.

“DUCK GET YOUR ANIMAL AWAY FROM ME!” Screamed Clementine, making Sarah giggle.

Carlos frowned, as he and Sarah walked through the Brooke home. Entering the garden, they found a black labrador standing at the base of a tree, their tail going a mile a minute, with Clementine clambering around the branches.

“Clem, he’s harmless!” Called Duck, the labrador barking and jumping.

“What’d we miss?” Asked Sarah, drawing level with Becca and Gabe.

“Clem’s convinced Duck’s dog is going to bite her, going on her last couple of experiences with dog sized animals, AJ and the other kids are playing with the dog, Duck’s trying to get her out of the tree and the dog wants to play with her.” Said Becca, as Clementine’s foot slipped off the branch and fell out of the tree, her hat coming off in the process.

In the blink of an eye, the labrador was on top of Clementine, licking away at her face. Grabbing the dog’s shoulders, Clementine pushed the dog until it was at arm’s length and glared at Duck, “My mouth was open!”

“But, he’s not trying to eat you!” Grinned Duck, as the dog dropped down and rested it’s head on Clementine’s legs.

Glancing down, Clementine hesitantly moved one of her hands to the dog’s heat and started patting it. AJ wandered up to Clementine and the dog and buried his face in the dogs fur.

“Okay,” Clementine stiffly looked at Duck, “This one is fine, the rest are bad.”

Duck froze, before shrugging, “Eh, baby steps.”

Clementine rolled her eyes, and reached to adjust her hat, only to find it missing. Twisting around, Clementine found her hat a couple of feet away, quickly grabbing it and pulling it on her head.

“You okay, Clem?” Asked Rebecca, getting nod from Clementine, “Because that fall was about seven or eight feet.”

“I’ve survived worse.” Dismissed Clementine, getting a grin from AJ.

“Yeah, she fell off a roof.” Said the child, making Clementine freeze.

“I’m sorry, what?!”

“It wasn’t that high.”

“How high was it?”

“…ten feet?”

“When did that happen?” Asked Rebecca, as Becca froze.

“Is Clem talking about the cabin incident?” Asked Sarah, getting Rebecca’s attention.

“When was it?”

“A couple of months ago….” Clementine winced, “…I think?”

Rebecca breathed in deeply through her nose and spun in her heel, “I’m going to get Carlos.”

“But I didn’t break anything this time!” Protested Clementine.

“THIS TIME?!”

F

“Well,” Carlos frowned, looking at Clementine, “you didn’t break anything.”

“See.” Clementine gave Rebecca a pointed look.

“But, your ankle is dislocated.” Finished Carlos, “Now, I should tell you to go to a hospital, but-”

Carlos abruptly relocated the joint.

“Fff-” Clementine sucked air through her teeth.

“There, I just saved you about sixty-thousand dollars.”  Said Carlos, as Duck helped Clementine to her feet.

“It still hurts.” Grumbled Clementine, limping as she hobbled away.

“She only found it painful because she’s never damaged that ankle before.” Said Carlos, frowning as the friend group talked amongst themselves, “I’ll speak to Vernon, see about getting her an x-ray or something.”

Rebecca hummed, as AJ ran up to her, holding a tooth, “Mommy! Look!”

“Oh.” Rebecca stared at the tooth, “Wonderful.”

F

A week later, Clementine and Gabe were quietly walking through a park together. Clementine laughed at something Gabe said.

“You know, they’re gonna find us.” Said Duck, as Becca shushed him.

“No, they’re not.” Becca looked back at Clem and Gabe, only to find they’d vanished, “Shit, where’ve they gone?”

Clementine and Gabe stopped running, with Clementine letting a laugh out.

“I think we’ve lost them.” Said Gabe, as Clementine laughed.

“Yeah.” Clementine let out a few more huffs of laughter, before leaning against Gabe.

“We need to do that more.” Said Gabe, as he and Clementine dropped onto a bench.

“Hmm.” Hummed Clementine, as Gabe looked down at her.

The two stared into each other’s eyes and, the next either of them knew it, they shared a kiss. They pulled part, before leaning into each other again and sharing a longer kiss.

Meanwhile, from another bush, Sarah snapped a picture of the pair.

F

“Is it me, or has Clementine become…affectionate?” Asked Michelle, looking at Ida.

“I think everyone’s noticed it.” Answered Ida, as Greg shifted across from them.

“Tell that to my nose.” Huffed Greg, getting an eyeroll from Michelle.

“Have you heard?” Interrupted Danielle, dropping onto a seat.

“Heard what?” Asked Ida, frowning.

“We’re going to be merging with another school.”

[shriekinghavoc]

And now for something a little different...

Further thoughts on these redesigns and my process below the cut.

Earth Ponies:

I wanted t make the earth ponies distinctly bigger than the pegasi and unicorns to give them something more to their lore. I never quite liked the idea that unicorns and pegasi got these special things (magic and flight) and that earth ponies were just somewhat normal or "default." I guess in fantasy terms, they're like orcs or half giant- other large fantasy races. I also decided they'd appear more like real world ponies, patterns and hooves and all. Of course, earth ponies can still be fun colors like Pinkie Pie here.

AJ in particular I wanted to make a bit ruddier. She's what Id call the most generic "horse looking" pony in the group, and that's very much intentional. I gave her a more athletic build to help with her farm work, and took off her hair band in favor of a short bob, and put a tie at the base of her tail to resemble an apple stem.

Pinkie, alternatively, got a chunky rounder design (You can't bake cake for all of your friends every day without giving the batter a taste test or ten haha) and threw various little ornaments and confetti into her hair that shoots out whenever she gets excited. I also brought the balloons in her cutie mark together to show that her parties are a way ths he brings PONIES together.

Pegasi:

In contrast to the earth ponies, I figured that pegasi would be a bit on the smaller side and their hooves are covered in a down fur like the rest of their bodies rather than being exposed, this helps them walk on clouds like the Canadian Lynx's furry paws do.

Fluttershy's eyes might look familiar to my Hawk and Dove followers. I just thought the "umbrella" eyelashes would fit her well and make her eyes look bigger without giving her the puppy dog look from the show. I also gave her bushy brows and I think her mane drags on the forest floor. Her bird friends probably take care to pull out the twigs and leaves that get wrapped in it for their own nests while she brushes other smaller animals in turn- a nice, quiet way to spend time with her animal friends at the end of the day. I also decided to simplify her cutie mark to better fit on her smaller body.

Rainbow Dash's mane, on the other hand, is cut shorter and I gave her some racing tape on her legs. Unlike Fluttershy, Rainbow preens her wings often to keep them in racing condition. It's like stretching before a jog, helping to take care of herself in the long run. Or, fly in this case.

Unicorns:

I am not immune to The Last Unicorn propaganda and neither are you. The medium size of the pony races, unicorns do have longer legs in comparison to their bodies than other ponies that end in cloven hooves from starting out in mountainous areas (as opposed to plain-dwelling earth ponies and sky-dwelling pegasi.) They also have prehensile tails and two common coat lengths (Long and short.)

Rarity is a long-haired unicorn, something a lot of unicorns wouldn't expect of a fashion pony. Many other designers with similar coats trim their hooves and coat down, but Rarity rocks her fluffy legs and chest and a lot of her designs sport flared skirts and pants to better show off and compliment her conditioned coat. This is also why I went against styling her mane, as I think she would be more inclined to let it flow as it chooses... after she goes through a rigorous treatment routine each morning and night, of course.

Twilight is a short-haired unicorn with a straighter mane and tail. I opted for a blunt end to her tail and I think she'd use it to dust her shelves and turn pages if she's using her magic for other things. I was initally worried the dark patterning on her mouth would look like a five o'clock shadow, but I still like how it brings her face together nad helps to draw attention to her glowing, pink eyes.