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astoryisaloveaffair · 3 years ago

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Fix You - Chapter 13: Make Me Better

Pairing: Frankie “Catfish” Morales x Fem!Reader

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Chapter Summary: You help deal with Frankie's stress before his hearing. Big decisions are made.

Word Count: 7500

Rating: 18+, Explicit, Grapefruit

Chapter Warnings: *This chapter contains hard kinks and if you continue to read you acknowledge you are mature enough to read it. The author is fully aware she needs to seek therapy.* E, Smut, 18+, consensual non-con, struggle kink, roleplay, slight degradation but praise also, slight choking, deep throating, tiddy fucking, cum play, spitting, one light slap on the cheek, PiV doggy style, alcohol consumption, cussing, Frankie is kinda losing his grip here, EXCRUCIATING fluff. IF YOU NEED TO SKIP THE CNC, PLEASE SKIP THE THIRD SECTION ENTIRELY. Cheers.

*There is an insinuation of breast size in this chapter, but Frankie is Frankie and he would enjoy all sizes and make it work!*

A/N: Hello!! I'm back with another chapter of this story, and I just wanted to give everyone who has read and commented and supported this a huge hug and a thank you. It has now officially been a year since I started this, and since I started writing period. I've made a lot of friends through this and that's pretty much the best part. I hope you enjoy this one. Thanks again to @musings-of-a-rose for the moodboard, this will be the last one made for this fic for a bit because spoilers. <3 Monica

Suggested Songs: Better by SYML, Only You by Yazoo, The Aeroplane Over the Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel, I Need My Girl & Slow Show by The National, Desire by Meg Myers, Hypnotic by Zella Day

*Reader is ethnicity inclusive despite moodboard. @shite-art drew beautiful art of them here.

He doesn’t mention your spat again, and you don’t bring it up, so within a few days after your Gainesville trip it was like it never happened. To him .

You were sure you were over it, absolutely, no problem. But for some reason at random moments, something would creep from behind, a prickling up your spine and over your shoulders forcing goosebumps to pebble when you remembered the way he’d spoken to you.

Get out.

Get out of my house.

I don’t like having to repeat myself.

You’d seen him mad. You’d seen him flip out, throw shit, wake up thrashing from nightmares as a scream tore from his lips, you’d seen him tie you up and Dom the shit out of you but you hadn’t seen him like that before. It was incredibly jarring, seeing someone who is usually so expressive suddenly…not. It was like he had completely detached from the moment and shut down, shut you out, saw you as an enemy. As a threat.

That is what scared you.

And what scared you even more was that when he assured you there were no more secrets, you were unsure if you believed him.

You didn’t bring it up. His hearing was only four days away, and he was already on edge as it was. You could hear it in the timbre of his voice and the way he looked as tight as the string of a bow, how sometimes he would completely zone out, his pupils dilating and almost fusing into the warm chocolate brown of his iris. You couldn’t dump your insecurities in his lap right now.

You wanted to help him, and it was driving you crazy that you couldn’t, he shrugged off any offers and repeatedly assured you it was “his shit”, and “you don’t need to worry about it, I need to clean up my own mess.”

Part of you wanted to text Will and try to weasel information out of him, but you knew by now that would piss Frankie off, and the argument would once again come to the forefront of your mind to shame you and make you feel even more helpless.

All you could do was breathe, center yourself, do what worked. He’d come to you when he was ready.

And he did.

It was Friday. You arrive for your shift as per usual feeling slightly uneasy at how Frankie would be today, considering the hearing was this Monday. He doesn’t open the door for you but you can hear his voice, so you tentatively use your key, opening the door slowly and peeking in.

The house is covered in files and paperwork, Frankie nods at you with his phone pressed tight to his ear, pressing a quick kiss to the top of your head before continuing his conversation. You set your bag down by the couches and greet Gabi quietly.

She sticks one chubby little finger in front of her lips. “Shhh! Daddy say be quiet.”

You nod seriously. “Of course. Understood.”

Certain you would follow her strict orders, she promptly pushes the coloring book she’s scribbling in so it was in front of both of you so you could work on the opposite page. In solidarity, you also scribbled outside the lines.

You fully intended not to eavesdrop, but you are quietly coloring and Frankie is making no effort to keep you from hearing his conversation as he paces back and forth behind the couch.

“I don’t understand why that wouldn’t be enough for them. Oh. I could get someone else from work I guess. No. No, she absolutely would not. And if she said yes it would only be to sabotage me. No. I mean, yea, it couldn't hurt. I agree. Okay. I’ll figure it out and call you back. Okay. Thanks.”

Your ears prick up when you hear him talk about a female, but you bit your lip and kept quiet. Mind ya business.

“Hey.”

You turn to him, manspreading on the couch with his hat floating on his head like he’d taken it off to thread his fingers through those soft curls and didn’t take the time to firmly replace it. “Hi baby.”

“C’mere.”

You crawl over to him, placing a kiss on each jean covered knee cap before slotting in between his bent legs.

“I’m sorry I’ve been so stressed out.”

“It’s okay. This is a big deal for you, right?’

He reaches for you, palm covering yours as he threads your fingers together. “Yea. I— I don’t know what I’m gonna do if they say no.”

“Hey. Look at me. They’re not going to say no. You’ve done everything right. Do you want to do your breathing exercises?”

He nods, closing his eyes and focusing on a steady rhythm. In……….out……….in……..out until he seems calmer, rubbing his thighs to soothe him as best you can. When he opens his eyes again, he smiles softly at you.

“That feels good.”

“Do you want me to keep doing it?”

He hums his assent, tilting his head back against the couch cushion as you resume rubbing his thighs. You watch him as you trail your fingers in swirls over the tops of his thighs, his scruffy jaw finally going slack after most likely being clenched all day, the creases of his forehead fading as his brow relaxes, the little slump as he allows the couch to swallow and cradle him. You switch to your fingers, scraping them across the jean fabric in figure eights around his thighs and then onto his kneecaps, the sensation for him rewarding you with a shiver and goosebumps.

You feel yourself relax too, because you’ve finally found something you can do to help. He grunts a little, lifting his hips a tick and shifting down towards you, the crotch of his jeans moving closer to where you are on the floor between his legs. You already know what he’s trying to ask for.

“Frankie.” You chide. “I don’t think so, Mr. Morales.”

“Mmmmm. If your intention is to make me not want a bj, calling me that isn’t going to help.” The side of his mouth quirks up, that sly smile when he knows he’s being annoying but too cute for chastising.

You shove his thigh playfully. “Gabi is right there you perv.”

“Oh yea…” He replies, sitting up abruptly, but shoots you a sigh and a pouty lip.

“Alright, that’s it. Get outta here. You’re messing up girl time. Gabi! Tell daddy to leave. We have stuff to do that is very important, right?”

She turns with the most serious expression you’ve ever seen and you bite your lip not to laugh. “Daddy! Leev! GoodBYE.”

You can’t control the laughter this time as your eyebrows shoot up and you begin howling, bending over your knees, stomach muscles clenching and releasing as tears leak out of your eyes, and it doesn’t get any better when you look at Frankie’s face. His mouth is hanging ajar with the same pinched brow you just saw on his daughter’s face, standing hip cocked to the side and his hands on his waist. “Gabi! After all I do for you, huh?”

“Yes. Buh BYE.”

He looks back at you with a huff of a laugh and raises his palms. “Alright, fine. I can tell when I’m not wanted. I’ll be back later tonight.” He grabs you by the arm suddenly, tugging you back to him, nuzzling against your ear as he whispers in it. “Maybe I’ll let you say daddy to me too, hm?”

“Oh my god, get out of here!” You laugh, giving him a firm push despite the way you felt warmth starting to gather at your core.

“Alright, bye.” He chuckles, throwing a wink at you as he closes the door.

Frankie can’t remember a time recently when his anxiety has been this bad, not even when he was fighting for shared custody of Gabi. Then, he knew he had the right, he knew he’d done the work. Terms were easier to shift and manipulate.

They didn’t have to reverse a suspension if they didn’t want to. They easily could just have him come in, present his case, and laugh him out the door. Sometimes revoking a license was forever. And the question of will they/won’t they was setting his damn nerves aflame.

He drank a lot that night.

“I don’t want to feel the worry right now.”

Santiago sighs, running his fingers along the worry lines of his forehead. “Fish, you have a solid case. It’s going to get reinstated. You need to try to relax.”

“That is what I’m doing.” He chugs the remaining liquid in his pint glass, slamming down on the tabletop. “My lawyer wants me to get one more reference. An ‘in person’ one. Makes me worried…like he’s worried.

“Nahhhh, he just wants to be extra sure. Who’re you gonna ask? Another coworker?”

“No, he wants someone unbiased.”

The men all quiet down, and Frankie can’t stand the silence so he gets up to get another pitcher, refilling his pint glass to the brim when he gets back.

“What about Wildflower?” Benny suggests.

Frankie takes a sip of his beer. “She’s not unbiased.”

“Yea, but they don’t know that. You don’t have her on any social media. She’s just your babysitter. And a babysitter would probably have a good idea on whether you’re still a crackhead or not, right?”

Frankie leans back, arms crossed tight against his chest. As much as he wants to smack Benny, the idea could work.

You’re relaxing on the couch when you hear it, a light tapping against the wood of the door. Confused, you turn the lights down lower and creep to the window adjacent, peeking through the curtains subtly to see who is outside the house.

There’s a slam on the glass and you reel back with a “What the fuck?!”, settling down when you realize it’s Frankie, and he’s pressing his face against the window, curved nose smooshing against the glass.

“Babieeeeeeeeeee, it’s me!”

“Will you shut up, you’re going to wake Gabi.” With a huff, you sidestep to the door, opening it wide to reveal Santiago and an incredibly buzzed Francisco Morales.

“Sorry, I wouldn’t let him drive.” Santiago informs you with a sigh.

“I told you I was fine to drive, I’m not completely wasted, just a little somethin’ somethinnnn’. Mmmmmm baby you look good, c’mere.”

Your eyes roll to Santiago’s but you can’t help the amused smile growing on your face, attempting to push Frankie back when he wraps his arms around you. He squeezes your ass, his head dive bombing into your neck to put kisses and little nips there. You try to pry him off you again. “Gee, thanks Pope. Frankie, off!”

“Aww….don’t you love me anymore?” He turns to Santiago. “You know, she wouldn’t give me a bj earlier tod—”

“OKAY. BYE POPE.” You shove Frankie back off you, advancing on Santiago and shooing him out the door, slamming it behind him.

You couldn’t even get a word out when you turn back to him because he’s on you, planting his mouth on yours. You rear your head back and away, grabbing him by the cheeks. “Frankie, I swear to god–.” He’s always handsy and incredibly vexing when he drinks a little too much, and it annoys you even more that you find it kind of cute, his pawing at your body makes it respond to him automatically. You squirm against him and it only riles him up more as he uses the overpowering bulk of his body to push you against the wall and cage you in while he moves across your jaw and down your neck, kissing and biting the whole way.

“Like you squirmin’ under me.” He husks, and the deep baritone whisper of his voice almost makes you faint in a damn swoon like Scarlet O’Hara. “Want you…” You wriggle more, trying to break free but you can’t and he moans as your body rubs against his. “Fuckin’ turnin’ me on doin’ that…can…” He pauses, pulling his head from your neck to look you in the eyes. His pupils are black as onyx and blown wide in the dim light. He hesitates.

“What?”

He doesn’t answer, grunting against you and rubbing his jean covered hardening cock on you. “I want…”

“What do you want?” You whisper back.

He whines and leans in towards your ear, nuzzling the curve of it. “Can you…pretend you don’ wannit?”

You still under him, and he immediately starts backpedaling. “Nevermind. I was just joking. I don’t know why I said that. I think I’m just stressed out, just ignore me.” He starts to back away from you, a prominent bulge still tenting his pants.

“Do it.”

He inhales sharply, and it only takes on crick of a smile on the edge of your mouth before he’s on you again, just as before. You try to slide down the wall to escape between his legs but he takes you by the arms and yanks you back up, pushing you against the wall with a thump.

“How do I know when to stop, for real?” His eyes are dark and heavy and full of need you’re afraid you’ll melt into a pool of liquid at his feet.

“I’ll say ‘stop’. Or I’ll hit something three times if I can’t speak. Everything else means ‘yes’.”

“Oh, fuck.”

You take advantage of his haze of lust, yanking an arm out of his grasp and punching him in the waist. It has the intended effect, he lets go of you with a curse and you try to bolt away but he recovers quickly this time, a hand reaching around you and clamping you hard over your mouth, another arm wrapping around your waist as he drags you backwards. “Playin’ fuckin’ dirty, hm? I can too.” He growls in your ear as you try to struggle out of his hold, but all it does is rub your ass against his erection pressed against you. He moans, licking the back of your neck sloppily, the dribble of saliva running down the back of your neck as he pushes you over the back of one of the couches. You can smell the yeasty aroma of old beer from his breath. You scramble for footing, but he holds you enough that your toes just barely graze the floor.

You whimper against his hand as he presses against you, rubbing harder against you, ripping his shirt off and kicking your thighs apart. “Gonna fuck you so hard you can’t fucking walk. Do you understand me? Been thinking about it all night.” He tears his hand from your mouth and promptly shoves it between your legs, rubbing your pussy through your leggings in a much rougher manner than he usually would.

You cry out and fight against him, despite the heat pooling in your lower belly, despite the fact that you can already feel your wetness sliding out of you. “Get the fuck off me!” You snarl, careful to not be too loud. But you can feel yourself drowning in the roleplay, all of the anger and hurt he had made you feel bubbling back up and exploding out of your limbs as you use everything you have to get out of his hold, as you make your blows land as hard as you can.

He slaps his hand back over your mouth and steps back quickly, taking the opportunity to undo his pants, unbuttoning them and shoving them down to the floor, his shoes flying off in two opposite directions.

His hips no longer pressing you in, you bite his fingers, you actually bite his fingers and he rips his hand from your mouth with a roar as you ram your shoulder into him so he bumps against the wall before hauling ass towards the hallway. But he’s too close behind you this time, close enough he can grab you by the elbow and kick your leg askew, causing the two of you to fall to the ground in the hallway entrance with sharp exhalations of breath, the thick cushion of the carpeting silencing your fall. You’re in it now, and you surge yourself forward attempting to crawl away from under him, but he’s just too big. Too strong.

He grabs you by the arm and flips you over, quickly straddling over your stomach and attempts to yank your shirt up over your head. You resist, pressing your arms to your sides, but again it’s no use, he pins them to the floor one handed above you as he rips your shirt and bra off despite your struggling. When he’s done, he sits back, pulling your arms back down and tucking them under the weight of his shins.

“Fuck, yes.” His voice is hot and raspy and breathy and you can’t help the way your back arches into his palms as he cups each of your breasts, circling a thumb around each nipple and pinching them, increasing the strength of them while you pant underneath him trying to stay in character.

“Such pretty fucking tits. Think I want to fuck them.” He scoots forward enough that you can feel the weight of his cock resting in the valley between your breasts. You grunt, frustrated with yourself that you are so weak against him at this moment. You hated feeling weak.

“Keep wriggling around like that all you like sweetheart, you’re just makin’ ‘em bounce around for me.” He licks his lips, gripping his cock at the base and stroking it up and down slowly as he looks at you. He reaches a hand out and covers your mouth. “Now don’t fuckin’ bite me again, it won’t be good for you. Spit.”

You glare at him, swishing your cheeks around as you gather up some saliva and deposit it into his palm. He urges for more and you give it until your mouth is wet and sloppy and he has a good amount to slather over himself. He hums in pleasure, his head tipping back, the cords in his neck flexing. You don’t even try to keep from ogling how fucking sexy he is, his chest and the swell of that little tummy rising and falling.

He grabs a breast in each hand, squeezing them hard and you wince. He ignores it, sliding his cock in between them and pushes them together with a moan, enveloping his cock in the warmth and wetness of your skin and spit. His eyes roll back in his head as he starts rocking his hips back and forth, the most obscene groan spilling from his pouty lips.

He starts slow, sliding just the tip in, then back out, each thrust is just a little more than the last until he’s stuffing the entirety of his shaft between your tits, his balls dragging across your sternum. The little hairs there tickle and make you shift under him.

The sounds of it is absolutely filthy, the squelch of all your saliva as he fucks faster into your tits, and you find yourself whimpering under him even though you aren’t getting any pleasure. It just makes you feel good to see him feel good, his tongue caught between his lips, grunting rhythmically, his brow heavy and his dark eyes staring at where you surround him.

One particularly strong snap of his hips and the tip of his cock comes out the other side, the tip flushed and oozing pre-cum. You glare at it, wondering if you could reach it and get him where he’s sensitive so you can get out of his hold. You can’t, so instead you surge forward and spit on the red and leaking head of his cock, but he laughs and shoves you back down with his palm on your throat. All you did was draw his attention to your mouth and how close his dick is to it and he slows, releasing your other tit and humming as he sees them bounce back to where they naturally rest.

“That isn’t gonna do anythin’ else then turn me on more. Open up. You clearly want me in your mouth. Gonna fuck that throat.”

You whine under the large hand resting on your throat, turning your head away from him as far as you can, but it only causes him to grab your jaw with his other hand, forcing you to look back at him. He smirks, his eyes greedy and impatient, and he presses his thumb and fingers into each side of your lower cheeks, forcing you to open for him.

He shuffles forward again, his cock bobbing above you as he hooks his calves on your upper arms, but he’s too far up now and your hands are finally free. You reach up and try to grasp his back, scratch him, smack him, punch him, but you can’t reach. You can’t find a grip.

“You’re so fucking gorgeous. Come on. That’s it…” He pushes his fingers in your mouth, caressing your tongue and pulling at the inside of your cheek before shifting his hips forward, his cock resting against your face as he continues to finger your mouth. “You know you have the prettiest fucking mouth baby doll. Love seeing those lips stretched around my dick. Like it when I’m so far in you can’t even talk.”

With that he rips his fingers out of your mouth and slides a hand to cup the back of your head to prop you up, making sure you’re comfortable even in his most feral moments, and before you can do anything but cry out, he’s stuffing his cock into your mouth, sliding as far as he can until he hits your throat. His other hand moves to join the other, the pudgy fingers threading as far as they will go into the hair at the back of your head to help you with the angle. He shifts forward as he slides in, a palm slamming beside your head to brace his hips over you as he fucks into your mouth from above, a guttural groan escaping his lips.

You scramble under him, your legs kicking out and your nails finally getting a grip, digging into his lower back and your struggle is so convincing he pulls out and away from you, taking you by the cheeks. “You good?”

You glare at him, drool running out of the sides of your mouth, irrationally angry that he interrupted the game. “Did I—did I fucking say it?”

His eyes switch from concerned to aroused so fast you almost question if the emotion was even there at all as he advances again, hovering back over you and entering your mouth, sliding all the way to the back of your throat until he meets resistance, balls next to your cheek.

“Come on.” He rasps. “Open. Take it. Take every fucking inch of it. Want you to choke around it.” You gag around him, tears leaking out of your eyes but manage to relax and swallow, allowing him to penetrate your throat and push the rest of his cock into your mouth. “Ah shit. That’s it. That’s it baby. Let me in.”

His knees are planted beside your shoulders as he fucks your throat, the sounds emitting from it as he fills you up completely ridiculous in any other situation, but is hot as fuck in the moment. You gag around him again and he groans, his head falling back between his shoulder blades as you begin running your tongue back and forth against whatever part of him you can’t. The salty sweetness of his pre-cum is trickling down your throat and you can feel some of your saliva sliding down your cheeks and soaking the carpet beneath you.

He pulls out with a grunt to allow you to breathe, and you gasp for air for several seconds before he becomes impatient, nudging the fat head of his cock against your lips for you to take again. You squirm, tilting your head away from him as far as you can with him holding you, your hands coming up to grab his thighs and press your fingernails into the meat of them before pulling them down to his bent knees, angry red marks left behind.

“Ahh!” He hisses and lightly smacks your cheek. You stare at him wide eyed, all struggling gone, but quickly notice his grip on you loosened and you take advantage of it, holding out your palms towards his broad chest and shoving him as hard as you are able to from this angle. He tilts backwards, catching himself over your calves and you swiftly roll over and start army crawling from him, but you’re still too close to him and he pulls you back by your ankle.

“You can try to escape.” He snarls, pressing you down into the carpet with a hand on your back, the angle tilting your ass up in the air for him to drool over. “But you can’t. You can’t and you’re going to take whatever I want to give you. And you’re gonna be fucking quiet about it and happy this is the worst you get, got it?”

Your back arches so much it aches, but you are completely unable to move as he pulls your bike shorts down and slams into you, your teeth clenching as you try not to be too loud as you feel the burn of his thick cock stretching you wide open and pounding up against the resistance of your body. And you don’t even want to move, you don’t want to pretend to struggle anymore because he feels so . Fucking . Good as he absolutely rails into you, the only noises the squishing of your overly aroused pussy, the smacks of his thighs against the backs of yours, the soft grunts oozing out of his tightly pressed lips, the barely audible whimpers each time you take him deeper in you than he’s ever been.

“Little girl just strutting around in these tight, tiny little fucking shorts and thinking no one would want to kick this door down and fuck this pussy.” He speeds up, how that was possible you don’t even know, the hand at your hips squeezing you so hard you can already feel bruises while he continues to sink deeper and deeper into the fantasy.

It’s so much more than you expected, you don’t even know what to do, it scares you and it turns you on and you dig your fingernails into the carpet as every thrust punches the air out of your lungs. He’s absolutely right. You’re powerless under him, there’s no way you could get away, even if you wanted to.

But you don’t tell him to stop. You don’t bang your fist against the carpet three times. You gasp and mewl under him because it’s hot, it’s still fucking hot and it’s him, and you love him, and the force of him is just so impressive you don’t want it to ever end.

And then, suddenly, the corner of your devastated consciousness feels him pressing his fingers against your clit, soft and slow at first but quickly building until you feel like your pulsating under him, the burn growing and growing, euphoric pleasure building and cresting and bursting until you cum with a long squeal, squirting all over his cock and the back of your thighs and undoubtedly the carpet as he simultaneously praises and degrades you for it.

“Ah, shit yea.” He groans. “Did you feel that? Fuckin’ squirted all over my dick. You like this, huh? Like being fucked by a random stranger so much you fuckin’ cum everywhere like a little fuckin’ slut, yea?”

“Yessss.” You can barely croak out, and he rips himself out of you and turns you around, using the haziness of your post-orgasm to bring your face before his cock as he frantically corkscrews his hand up and down the length of it. Your lips part as you see him throbbing before you.

“Look at me.” He commands. “You’re gonna look at me when I cum all over your face.” You can only hum as you tilt your head up, swaying slightly on your knees completely fuck-drunk. You don’t even think about it, your mouth opens wide for him and you stick your tongue out for him to aim for.

And that’s how you win.

”Oh god, oh fuck , gonna cum baby, gonna fuckin’ cum .” He reaches for you, cupping your cheek and stroking your cheek with his thumb as he moans over you, a low “fuccccccccccccccccccccckkkkk.” releasing from his lips as he spills his load into your mouth, some on your nose, eyelid, even some of your hair before the ropes of it start sliding over your jaw and down your neck.

You smack your lips and collect as much as you can up with a swirl of your tongue while he catches his breath, ultimately just collapsing on his back, his softening cock flushed and pink and perfect.

You wipe your mouth and face with your arm then crawl to him, draping yourself over him with a sigh. When his heart rate slows, he rolls you off him gently, then stands and scoops you up into his arms as he carries you limp and naked down the hall, through the bedroom and into the bathroom. He sets you down on the fluffy bath rug while he starts running a bath just how he knows you like it, scorching hot. While it fills, he goes to poke his head into Gabi’s room before returning, turning the water off, throwing in one of your favorite galaxy bath bombs, collecting you back into his arms and carefully climbing into the tub. He settles you in front of him, cradled by his thighs, pulling you against his chest. You turn slightly, folding yourself into him and the warm water, your hand resting on the swell of his little tummy.

The bomb fizzes around you, the blacks and blues and purples swirling in the bath and darkening it to look like the sky that night you looked at the stars together. You’re quiet for a long time and he doesn’t know how to interpret it but you’re holding him tight and your breathing is calm as you sit together in the steaming water. Yet as the silence persists, like clockwork, his brain starts backtracking. Questioning, over-analyzing, panicking, doubting.

Why the fuck did I do that?

Usually he can control himself, keep that part of himself on the back burner. The part of him that was dark, that liked the hunt, that missed the thrill of trekking through god knows what environment to find a target, or hostages, or a store of bombs. The fucking alcohol. He went too hard, it made him loose. Unhinged. He’d never tried this fantasy, he knows what implications could be made about it. But it isn’t that . It’s the thrill of pursuit, of the catch, the quick thinking to subdue, the feeling of personal strength and achievement. The veracity of how nervous he was, how stressed and tense he felt, the slight anger that he still had towards you, all now gone. He took it all and balled it up and threw the entire force of it at you and you had accepted it. You had, hadn’t you?

He feels sick. He has to fix it.

“Hey…”

You tilt your head up, smiling a lazy grin, your eyes hooded with relaxation. “Hmm?”

“Are you…okay?”

You sit up, wincing slightly as you turn around in the bath to look at him, and it feels like someone shot him in the stomach when he sees the way you gingerly turn, brow slightly furrowing, draping your arms against the side of the massive tub.

“Frankie…what do you mean?”

He sighs, looking down into the black water, his eyes trailing the tiny golden glitters swirling around his thighs. “I feel like I went too far.” A warm hand on his knee forces him to look back up at you.

“Don’t. I mean, that was definitely more than I expected, but I liked it. I don’t know what that says about me but, you didn’t go too far. I figured you just needed to get some stress out.”

“It probably means we need therapy.”

“Fine. You’re paying. You make me into all these things I didn’t think I was into.”

“Yea?”

You lean back against him, and he holds your cheek against the dip of his breastbone. “Yea, you’re just too damn sexy. It’s okay, really. And I didn’t ask you to stop.”

He nods against your hair, burying his nose into the texture of it, the scent of you relaxing him even more.

“I…have something I need to ask you.”

You don’t move from your position, only tilting your head so you can look at him from below. “Oh?”

“Yea…um, I was wondering…fuck. Shit, okay. Earlier today, my lawyer said I needed someone to testify to my character, like someone at the actual hearing. Not a piece of paper. And, well, they don’t technically know we’re dating, so, I was…wondering if—”

“Yes.” Part of you wants to make a snide remark. Oh, now you want me involved, huh? When it helps you? But you refrain. There was no reason for it at this point. It was talked out, it’s over. “Of course I will speak for you. Did you think I would say no?”

His brow pinches then rolls up, that damn big brown eyed puppy dog look that has you twisted around his finger. “Yea, especially after I yelled at you about it.”

“It’s fine. So, I’m just going to talk about how I see you as an employer, make you look as good as you are, right?”

He presses a kiss to the top of your head. “Yea, that's perfect. I don’t deserve you.”

“Don’t forget it.” You tease.

“I won’t.”

He was so fucking nervous he couldn’t sit down, so instead he paced back and forth in front of the double doors waiting for his name to be called. When he’s called in he forces himself to keep his head high, fisting his hands so no one can tell how jittery he is. He sits up front with his lawyer, knows his friends are right behind him, and it takes everything in him not to turn and look for you. He wasn’t supposed to know you well. It had to look right.

Everyone stands when the judge comes in, silence permeating the small room for license suspension disputes, the only noise is the rustling of papers as the judge makes everyone wait while he re-reads paperwork he absolutely has already read before.

Frankie feels so small, so irrelevant, he barely registers when the judge starts addressing him, only answering when a light elbow from his lawyer re-allocates his attention. The background of the suspension is read out, as well as the original decision. All the references Frankie had gathered were submitted, Will and his sponsor vouch for him under questioning.

Then it’s time for you.

He breathes out slowly, willing himself not to turn and look at you as you move forward to speak. You turn right towards the little podium directly across from him, and only then does he chance a look at you, only allowing himself one moment before pulling himself away. He can’t look too familiar.

You answer all the mundane questions. Your name, where you go to school, where you’re from before delving deeper. How many shifts do you have? Does his child seem well-adjusted? Have you ever seen him act abnormally? You answer them all with grace and aloofness, no indication at all in how deep your connection to each other truly was.

“Have you ever seen drug paraphernalia in Mr. Morales’s house, any overindulgence of alcohol?”

Your eyes never drift his way.

“No. Like I said, I’m there several times a week, often when he isn’t home. I’ve been in every room in his house, and I’ve never seen a single thing. He just told me he was in AA or something. From what I’ve seen, he’s a great dad. I’ve never felt any cause for concern.”

“If it were up to you, why should we reinstate his license today, ma’am.”

You’re quiet for a moment before speaking, clear, direct, and firm.

“I mean…I’m his babysitter. He’s a really good employer. I’ve noticed a lot of military stuff in his house, like he was in the Army. Photos, badges. I asked once in passing but he didn’t want to talk about it. The only time I’ve ever seen him so happy, other than when he comes home to his kid, is this one time when he told me he flew helicopters. I think it’s kind of messed up to take something from a veteran that makes him happy, and withhold it forever. He probably had to kill people or something for this country and you’re punishing him for, what looks like to me, clear non-treatment of PTSD.”

All murmuring ceases, every set of eyes rapt to you in shock at the insinuation.

“Abusing narcotics is very serious.”

“It is, isn’t it.” You muse. “Makes me wonder why the VA isn’t taking better care of their veterans so they don’t have to blast their minds to forget about that person that exploded from a mine. Maybe instead of continuing to punish a veteran who is clearly stable, you should question why he wasn’t taken care of in the first place.”

“You seem to have some personal stake here.”

“These things are always caused by something else. It’s self-medicating. I’ve dealt with addiction in my own friends and family, so yea, it kind of bothers me when people aren’t getting the help they actually need.”

The judge nods, sitting back in his chair, stubby fingers tracing the jowled line of his jaw. Frankie feels like his heart might stop the intensity of anxiety and absolutely blinding love for you.

“You seem like a very smart young lady. What are you studying?” The judge says, leaning forward to peer down at you.

“Foreign affairs.”

“Hm. If I were you, I’d look into pursuing veteran affairs. They need someone like you.”

He makes it all the way to the exit of the building before bursting into tears, his friends surrounding him and congratulating him. Hugs and playful slaps until Frankie feels like his cheeks might fall off from so much smiling. He wishes more than anything you were here with him, so he could bury you into his arms and squeeze you so hard you could feel through his body how much he was so incredibly, incandescently in love with you. But you had already left, keeping up the ruse that you didn’t know each other. Strictly business.

After more jubilant hugs and threats that he better marry you ASAP, the guys all part until a celebration at the bar later. He’s giddy the entire drive home, his eyes burning from the happy tears he keeps having to wipe from the sensitive skin of his eyes with his calloused fingers.

He got it. He fucking got it back, and in his opinion, it was all because of you. The absolute gall of you turning the entire situation on its head in his favor, the fierceness with which you fought for him…he doesn’t ever think he will be able to pay this back.

He bursts through the front door and you’re there, jumping into his arms as you wrap your legs around him, arms crossed around his neck. And there are the damn tears again, his voice hitches as he whimpers against the skin of your arm, pulling you to him as tight as a matching puzzle piece. You tear up yourself from the sheer intensity of his joy.

“You did it. You did it. You were so fucking amazing! I—. How can you–I love you. I love you so fucking much. You saved me.

You set yourself down lightly, but never leaving his personal space, and you immediately step forward once more to hold him to you. “I didn’t do anything. Just said the truth.”

He hiccups into a sob, his legs giving out as he sits on the floor, pulling you with him and pressing his forehead to yours. “You did though. You did. You make everything better.” His broad hands are holding you by each cheek and he doesn’t let go, wet eyes pinched close as he breathes with you. You kiss him. His lips are wet and salty but you don’t care, you kiss him and kiss him and kiss him more, petting his face and softly congratulating him as he settles down.

How can you cry so much but still be so happy? The last time he felt like this was when he heard his baby girl wail for the first time, red and angry and wrapped in a little burrito placed in his arms as he cried and smiled over her.

He looks down at you. “You’re fucking everything to me, babe.”

Finally, the words secretly spoken to you in the cover of dark are freely given. “You are to me too. I love you.”

“Move in with me then.”

You stare at him wide-eyed.

“Look, I know it’s soon and you have your own apartment, and I don’t even know if you even want a future with me or not, but I fucking do. You’re it for me baby. Will you?”

Your heart swells and now you’re crying as you tackle him to the carpet.

“Yes!”

Frankie feels like nothing could ever tear him down as he walks into the bar with you under his arm. The entire group cheers and alcohol is thrust into hands, people he’s never introduced you to coming to meet you, and he feels like finally, finally he has the life he wants. A warm home, his baby girl, the freedom to fly, and the most perfect woman in the world about to move in with him.

The news is broken later in the evening when all have left except Delta Force, more cheers and teases flung around the table as you laugh and look at Frankie like he’s the best person on this planet, and when you make it home and stumble into bed he thanks whatever is out there that he gets a second chance.

He holds you, tipsy and giggling in his arms before covering your mouth with his, undresses you in that slightly drunk haphazard way before making you cum on his face three times, and when he slides home into your tight, wet heat, rocking his hips against you as you chant his name in his ear, he realizes he actually just wants to marry you. Because nothing could ever ruin this.

#frankie catfish morales #frankie morales x you #frankie morales x reader #frankie morales fanfic #pedro pascal x you #pedro pascal x reader #triple frontier fanfic #pedro pascal characters #pedro pascal character fanfic #fix you fic #my writing #pedrostories

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tsuki-sennin · 2 years ago

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Japan's current greatest soap opera, Avataro Sentai Donbrothers! It's not just a Tsubasa episode, but a Sononi episode, more importantly! What shall come of this incredibly turgid passion play of a dog and a condor that I just simply cannot stop watching? What's Murasame-kun's deal? And most importantly, will Haruka attain her driver's license?! Only one way to find out~!

Spoilers, I guess...

-Ah,

-"How do love work???" I've been asking myself that for years, Miss.

-Ohhhhhhhhhh... I forgot about... the penguin.

-You'd better be holding out, Jirou.

-Here we see Sonoza, evolving into a master swordsman just like a manga.

-...or, I suppose Murasame just needs some time to himself, that's wonderful of him.

-"Mother, I crave violence."

-I've actually been doing the dance in my off time, it's really difficult but fun to try and get right.

-Oh that's cute, Haruka's helmet has an oni on it :)

-Oniga Mirai!

-Is the town we're in called "Oniga"? Mirai, Mirai, Mirai... Timeranger?

-Ohhhhh, Haruka's got Mad Racer Baron drivin', don't she?

-...I mean, Naoto's actor is in Geats so I'm not exactly surprised...

-Oh yeah, Haruka's an adult now. Trust me, it ain't getting any easier.

-Ohhhhh, I feel that Haruka. I'm 21 and I still don't wanna get my license. My permit is gonna expire soon too...

-OH MY GOD, HARUKA YOU KILLED THE LADY IN THE TOMORROW RESEARCH JACKET

-Oh, she's alive

-Oh hey Tsubasa! I forgot, you were the reason I was so excited for this episode.

-"Murasame! Kill him!"

-Nooooo, my blorbos are fighting!

-SAN SHARK!

-Ohhhh, he down

-Hello, Sononi.

-"The blorbo from my show is dying. If I cannot see his progress climax in a happy ending, then I shall write his death with my own feather quill instead of Sir Inoue's!"

-Can't do it, huh?

-Even when doomed to die, he still thinks so hard about her.

-Wait, you can't see?

-Sononi, no, don't do that.

-SONONI WHAT THE FUCK

-INOUE

-Oh hey, that's Hiroyuki Matsumoto! He played Nephrite in the live action Sailor Moon show and Gamel in OOO!

-Both shows by Yasuko Kobayashi and appearing in an episode that's a tribute to a Sentai also by Kobayashi, funny that.

-Braceless.

-Haruka, did you learn how to drive from Spongebob?

-Very professional, sensei!

-If only we had walkable cities all over the world, smh

-She's a bird, Tsubasa.

-You don't know, huh?

-Blind Doggy

-Murasame-kun doesn't stand for catfishing.

-"Mother, why has my friend betrayed me? :("

-Don't think! Feel!

-Sounds like absolutely horrendous advice for driving, but

-YOU WEREN'T EVEN SUPPOSED TO BE GOING BACKWARDS OMFG

-Tsubasa was starstruck, huh?

-How kind of him.

-I really have to wonder how Murasame-kun's viewing all this.

-Shark attack-!

-Pachelbel's Canon?

-STAB

-OH SHIT HERE COMES SEYAMA

-You can't call the cops! He IS the cops!

-Okay Sononi, you're kinda making up for all that.

-OH HI TSUYOSHI

-Your wife has an umbrella and a car, doesn't she? ...on second thought, it looks pretty terrible out there, I'd wanna stay home too.

-Hello Crane Lady! That other bird (literal, and metaphorical by "woman" slang definition) from Ideon Tsubasa's entangled with got stabbed and clawed!

-Tsubasa's so desperate to be with Natsumi again, he just "hugs" her without a second thought...

-Yeah, you feel bad, huh Sononi?

-OH THE DOG CAN SEE NOW

-Ooooooh, he's mad!

-Yeah, that's totally reasonable

-And so the dog and bird run off into the storm.

-AND HARUKA'S STILL FUCKING DRIVING

-HARUKA I WAS KIDDING WHEN I SAID "MAD RACER BARON" ARE YOU ON FUCKING CRACK

-Y'know, there were probably like a bajillion other ways you could've gotten that info out of him.

-YOU FUCKING RAN HIM OVER YOU MONSTER

-ONI SISTER!

-"She slammed that car into you. Kill her harder."

-Drive-by! Hit the deck!

-This is fantastic.

-"Mother. I must recharge my batteries. It is nap time."

-Ohhhhh, that's not good. Seyama got the sword.

-Hello, Miraiki!

-Oh, everybody's here!

-Hello, Tarou! Your show has not had you in it yet today!

-Shinichi, Jirou!

-Yeah nice headbutt InuBrother. Totally knocked somebody out.

-LET'S GO, SONONI!

-Daaaaamn, you got him!

-Okay, okay, okay!

-Okay! Okay!

-Taken out of a dramatic moment by time

-Oh shit, time warp.

-Oh, never mind!

-We're just...

-Doing this now!

-That was fruitless!

-Okay!

-"I'll serve you this time instead!"

-Ninja Dog now has Ninja Shark!

-"Kill Crane Lady, and your one true love will return."

-Ohhhh, her eyes be glowin'

-Good on you this episode Sononi, you were great even if you didn't get to really fight today.

-Haruka can now drive!

-Legally.

-"RUN MY COMPANIONS!"

-Christmaaaaas~!

-Wait

-OH MY GOD, THE NOTO ARE SANTA

-Like

-Collectively.

-That's very nice of them :)

-Hahaha! Christmas Festival is coming soooooon~!

#donbrothers spoilers #avataro sentai donbrothers #donbrothers #super sentai #don! don! it's a full force peachy festival!

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howdoyousleep3 · 3 years ago

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Miss k hiiiiiiii hello hey 💜💜💜💜 I love your daddies so much they give me the most life ahhhh

so okay I’m a good lil southern girl although I moved away from the south and sometimes I like to let my redneck side come out and today is one of those times 😭 Im outside drinking shitty beer and listening to some old country music and uh I’m havin thots

I just wondered if you ever thought about a real country daddy steve and baby Bucky and what that might be like 😅🥵 like are they both down home country boys? Or does country boy (cowboy also acceptable) daddy steve show city baby boy a good ol country time or 🤤🤤 anyways idk if this will even tickle your fancy but like just know your daddies and babies live rent free in my head and even if you never imagine them as little country boys I doooooo okay bye ily

Ohhhhh, babey! You’re takin’ me back. Y’all know I grew up on a farm and in the country, sheesh. I have a super fucking weak and awful spot for someone that is country country, little southern garbage, ahaha. Give me the bonfires and the PBR (before it became cool and expensive?? I am beside myself lol) and the driving on backroads and giggin’ and those awful flannels with the sleeves cut off and driving way too fast down dirt roads.

Okay for full effect do listen to Big City by Merle Haggard. 🥰

I’ve thought about this kinda AU with Steve and Bucky so much. Like…so much and in all kinds of ways. It more than tickles my fancy, pumpkin. I’ve thought all about a City Boy Bucky rolling through a townsy bar on a Friday night and finding him a big ‘ol Farm Boy Steve and the two of them just falling head over ass for each other. Steve’s never seen anyone that resembles an angel on Earth until he sees those eyes and those lips upturned towards him. And Steve is everything Bucky never knew he could like, beard thick but not as thicc as those thighs and that ass, not donned in tailored suit pants, laugh boisterous, personality taking up as much space as his body does.

I’ve thought about Steve taking Bucky down by the river, teaching him how to catch a catfish with his bare hands, how to bait a hook, how to jump from the rope swing perfectly. I’ve thought about Steve teaching him how to shotgun a beer, how sweet his mama would be on Bucky and her teaching him how to make the perfect peach cobbler from scratch. I squeal inside when I think about Steve sitting there at the kitchen table watching his mama and the boy he’s sure he’s fallen in love with work together beautifully, the dopey look on his face when he takes a bite of Bucky’s warm cobbler and makes a surely inappropriate noise.

“Marry me, darlin’,” he’d joke with an underlying seriousness only he is aware of, and Bucky blushes up a storm, stammers. Steve is left with no choice but to pull Bucky into his lap and kiss him loudly on the cheek before finishing his helping and asking sweetly for another.

I’ve imagined the way they’d dance at the bar to Just Got Started Lovin’ On You, how close they’d be, all lined up together and Bucky moving so gorgeously and easily with Steve’s lead, the two of them looking so disgustingly in love. I’ve thought about the look of pride on Steve’s face when Bucky drinks a heckler right under the table, tequila simultaneously the best and worst thing to ever run through Bucky’s veins. Steve would stop Bucky from getting into a fight not shortly after his competitor concedes, wrapping Bucky up in two strong arms, mouth at his ear, eyes ablaze and wordlessly telling the other man to fuck right off or he’ll let this kitten go.

I’ve thought all about Bucky pushing at Steve, shouting about how he can walk to the truck, and then how he’d damn near topple over on his baby deer legs.

“You done bein’ a brat?” Steve would ask him.

“No. M’grown,” Bucky would huff as Steve wraps an arm around his waist and then picks him up under his knees anyway. Bucky biting him on the jaw for being right.

I’ve pictured Bucky reading to Steve out loud as they lay under a tree, sun high in the sky, hand knocking Steve’s hat off his head and playing with his hair as his head rests in Bucky’s lap. I’ve thought about Bucky explaining city life to Steve, the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple and how tall the buildings are and the job Bucky left behind. I’ve thought about the first time they fight, Steve getting up in his feels about how perfect and smart Bucky is and how he doesn’t deserve to be here with some country bumkin like him.

I’ve imagined how much it tears Steve up, seeing his sassy Buckaroo spittin’ and cryin’ because of him, how he’d let Bucky get in his face with a pointed finger and tell Steve that he better take his words back or else. He’d grab for and hold onto Bucky as he tries to run out of the kitchen and into the yard after Steve says he can’t take them back though, unable to watch Bucky leave.

(For full effect, make sure you do not listen to “Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain” by Willie Nelson, don’t do it, don’t)

I’ve imagined how their makeup sex has them both damn near in tears, how lucky Steve feels to be able to feel someone this close to his body and his heart, Bucky the prettiest thing he’s ever seen gasping there underneath him. I’ve imagined the way City Boy Bucky’s bottom lip would tremble, how his hands would run up and through Steve’s hair as he breathes, “I love you so…so much, Steve. Bubba…” right before Farm Boy Steve curses and cries and makes him come.

Oh yeah, I’ve thought all about this shit, my friend. I’ve let it consume me in full on numerous occasions. Maybe it’s because I projected and dreamt up my own little dream, hehe. Thank you for being in my inbox and for letting me pop off! I hope this is what you wanted. Lub you bunches. 💕

#askK #y'all give me the best opportunities to pop off #City Boy Buck #Farm Boy Steve #stucky #fanfic #i dream a dream #lol #should i make a country playlist #oh lord #i'm in my feels now!#i was writing some to que up but I couldn't wait to share this one

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baekhvuns · 2 years ago

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Bestie I'm dying so I have br**ding kink blocked among other stuff and your reply to my ask was blocked because of that 😭😅 I almost didn't click on it lol

I saw something F1 and San related? I had an F1 phase, even went to a few races lmaoooo just another random fact. I haven't seen San race, but I'm still having flashbacks to HongHwaSang racing 👀

I wanted to say I want to be a lap cat for sure 🤗

40+?!?!? 🤯 sounds like heaven, I would pass the fuck out if I saw a fic like that! Sometimes I see long fics, but the chapters are so short, I'm being catfished :( yeah why does vampire AU = period sex, pleeeeeaseeee. And when the story is mxm and there's mpreg?! I'm sorry but I'M RUNNING AWAY REAL QUICK GOOD FUCKING BYE

Seonghwa living the ETL life, but let's be honest he's FTL or STL, because man is too soft in reality no matter how much he pretends otherwise. Yes the abs thing happens every few weeks, like... I love Inception stages, but whenever I see photos, gifs and videos of Seonghwa's abs flash I just don't feel too good, I've known he lost weight for a long time, but everytime he opens up about that period of time my heart breaks. Also some members are more likely to show more skin and some don't wanna do it so calm the fuck down

That joke made me cackle and I passed it on, because udyhshdajshhshs Baek comedian. Yesterday two bumblebees flew into my room, like seriously I have nothing against bumblebees, but come ooooooon. Thankfully I quickly escorted them outside. But that big fucking spider on the balcony HA HA HA HA HA FUCK I'm glad it's far away from my room. If there are so many insects on 12th floor I can't imagine how it is downstairs...

I agree lore is an additional bonus, sure you might not get some things, but it's easy to ignore? Some people just wanna be upset over nothing seriously. Yessss I wanna explore XH's world more, hopefully the comeback delivers cause the boys deserve good stuff <3 SM needs to be more subtle but they're just really in our faces with everything lmao. Yes Enhypen has a vampire concept, but there are some werewolves involved as well?

Yes I'm mad at the photobooklet thing cause I literally buy albums for the design and inclusions KQ wtf are you dooooooing 😭😭😭😭 at least we're at 3 versions still, except the digipak's... but yeah it's disappointing on so many levels. People have the right to complain cause most worldwide shops have no POBs, but ofc Amereeka gets special shit, the cb date is to fit Billboard too, it's 6am for me just like the latest Skz's release 🤡🤡🤡🤡

Hopefully I get Seonghwa's album, but I already have his signatures, I don't really mind. I would like to win even though I'd rather see them in concert, but it is what it is 💔 yes when I woke up yesterday (and today) and saw I haven't missed anything I was happy, but the wait is agonising lmao. In general I'm excited for this cb, but I'm also annoyed ajjsuwuwhwshshah

Idk how I feel about San's fried hair but his pose and clothes but still he looks great

I kinda wanna watch The Great Seducer again, because I barely remember the show? But I'm stuck rn and can't really watch anything 💀

Stealing my Ateez stuff, now my LIMBS TOO?! I actually always wanted to be taller like 178cm. At least I didn't miss my faves Wonderland and DV, they played Thanxx also.

Bestie what the fuck we're talking about NFTs......FUCK YOU FUCK OFF. I wanted to buy from them cause POBs, but nah just gonna buy them from someone else, though I wish no one buys from them tbh... Lmao the NFT images are usually ugly like wtf the bears, the monkeys UGLEEEEE. The "thank you Kun" gets me

That girl is so lucky, living her best life 😭 glad you're having free content too

I'm begging so many of your Hwa's came to life MODEL NEXTTTTT I'LL BUY 10 COPIES OF HIS COVER <3333 like I cannot simply believe he didn't get any offers so far unless he did...... Hwa in oversized clothes yes yes yes I know Shinestars so whipped, clowns and simps always and forever.

"the family who all hate each other - you got family issues? don't we all." uhmmm, well what did you get? And which movies have you chosen I wonder 👀 - DV 💖

hi hello!!

Bestie I'm dying so I have br**ding kink blocked among other stuff and your reply to my ask was blocked because of that 😭😅 I almost didn't click on it lol

RHQJDHWK NO WAY 😭😭😭😭 I CHANGED IT NOW MAYBE U CAN SEE IT FBFBF ILL KEEP IT IN MIND NEXT TIME

I saw something F1 and San related? I had an F1 phase, even went to a few races lmaoooo just another random fact. I haven't seen San race, but I'm still having flashbacks to HongHwaSang racing 👀 I wanted to say I want to be a lap cat for sure 🤗

YES YES YES F1 & SAN ayo 🔫 im about to steal ur entire life what thE FUCK 🔫🔫 i originally wanted the f1 to be with seonghwa but ive been writing seonghwa since 2021 so i wanted a change 😭😭😭 but this specific video made me wanna write it i saw it last hear and couldn’t get it out my mind

EXACTLY 40+ PARTS I CHECK AGAIN ITS 90+ PARTS AND THE AUTHOR DID A CHARACTER INTERVIEW AS WELL AND ITS COMPLETED 😭😭😭🤚🏼 oh bestie the chapters were long too,,, some fics are so well written but never been updated in 5+ years and it makes me wanna start a crying party,,, RIGHT EXACTLY WHY DOES IT GOTTA BE LIKE THAT 😭😭 if i knew how to write vampires i absolutely would never fucking include the period sex at all 😭😭 twilight au <3 NO FR PLSBRNWHDKWH ITS SO CRINGY 😭😭😭🤚🏼

HE’S AN ARIES THAT MAN IS A ETL 🔫 no but strangers to lovers with hwa 😮‍💨😮‍💨 pls don’t make me think of au’s 😭😭🤚🏼 nO YEAH SAME whenever i see it i just rmr how much loss he had and it was vid bible on his face but he did look good!! just prefer his chubby cheeks more 😭😭 no bc some are showing and some aren’t but wtf is san doing slapping air 🤨 what breed is he 🤨 on stage 4K 1080p

GRKWHDKWDHWK PART TIME COMEDIAN IS MY JOB THANK U <33 gIRLIE HOW TF DO THEY ENTER WHY THEM WINDOWS OPEN 😭😭😭 “quickly escorted them out” LMFAOOOO SO RESPECTFULLY DBDB

no yeah! like just pay attention to how they look and the vocals why u gotta poke ur nose in and say “i don’t like it bc of the lore” stfu ur just hating 🔫 these all cb’s w/ theories sounds so cool but i do miss when not everyone had theories and their mv’s were just unhinged every cb 😭😭 enhyphen gotta do that dreaded exo twilight parody 😭😭

NO FR 😭😭😭🤚🏼 id tbh if the digipack is pretty id buy that 100% 😭😭😭 YEAHH WHY DO THEY GET EVERYTHING 🔫🔫 WHY THE RACISTS 🔫🔫 no bc i thought canada was classified as one if the america’s so i tried getting the signed album but they said sorry we don’t ship??? 🔫 racists

ooo hope u also get some mix and match’s !! jVDKSHJ IM SURE U WILL BESTIE FANSIGN AND CONCERTS TOO !!!! if u win pls ask him what role would be play if he was offered a movie : a duke, a bodyguard or a model 🔫

Idk how I feel about San's fried hair but his pose and clothes but still he looks great

LMFAOOOO 😭😭😭😭😭😭 san thor era <3 I just know san abt to be a whore this cb AND THE RANDOM TESER DROP?????????? YUNHO?????

I kinda wanna watch The Great Seducer again, because I barely remember the show? But I'm stuck rn and can't really watch anything 💀

JFHWKDHWK I WATCHED SOME TODAY AS WELL AND WOO DO HWAN ???? 😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨 sO FINE

Stealing my Ateez stuff, now my LIMBS TOO?! I actually always wanted to be taller like 178cm. At least I didn't miss my faves Wonderland and DV, they played Thanxx also.

YEAH IM ON MY WAY DONT BE SELFISH I JUST NEED TWO INCHES I PROMISE 😭😭😭 i have a tall family from both sides but apparently i am the short one bc the average for girlies in my side is 5’7 so <//3 crying in the club

NO BESTIE WTF IS THAT??? THE LIKES ON IT TOO??? GIRLLLL I HOPE ATINYS BULLY KQ OUT OF THIS BC 😭😭😭 SETTING THEM UP AND SHIT PLS why are ALL NFTS SO UGLY 😭😭😭

That girl is so lucky, living her best life 😭 glad you're having free content too

RIGHT 😭😭😭 GETS HIS SIGNED STUFF DAILY ????

no bc this chart is so true <3 JFBWKDHSK MODEL HWA ABSOLUTELY NEEDS TO COME BACK 😭😭😭 PLS DO U SEE THE JACKET PHOTOS WHERE HES LIKE SOLO MODELLING AND HE LOOKS SO PROFESSIONAL 😭😭😭 CLOWNS AND SIMPS SHOULD BE OUR NAMES NOT SHINESTARS 😭😭

"the family who all hate each other - you got family issues? don't we all." uhmmm, well what did you get? And which movies have you chosen I wonder 👀 - DV 💖

BDMWBDKW BESTIE I GOT THE ENEMIES TO LOVERS 😭😭😭 omg ok i chose the exorcist, jennifers body, the day after tomorrow, 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU, the breakfast club, collateral, inception & lord of the rings (i rewatched 10 things i hate abt u and fell in love with the mc again)

#✉️ : ask #dv 💖 anon

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shimmershae · 3 years ago

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So. Thanks to my new anonymous friend, this is going to become a thing.

Shae’s thinky thoughts about the latest episode--Acheron: Part 2--beneath a cut.

Because spoilers, however vague they might be.

Let’s be real here. This is more a stream of consciousness than anything else so if that’s not your thing, you are most welcome to nope right on out of this post. Trust me. I’ll completely understand, lol. Sometimes? I wish I could nope right on out of my own brain and the way it operates.

That said? Without further ado--

Episode 2′s opening, though. Maggie trapped with hungry Walkers converging? It totally gives me Glenn under the dumpster vibes. I don’t know if that was intentional or just happy coincidence but way to link Maggie to her dearly departed better half, show.

Is it just me or has Father G had more OOMPH to him these last few seasons? Again, I have to ask--Rosita’s influence or no? Regardless, I bet Seth Gilliam is loving the job these days.

Side note: am I gonna have to go to bed early every Saturday night from now until the end just so I that I might be able to SEE? Something? Anything? My curtains are flimsy-ass. I admit it. But this is more frustrating than TXF. Angela, WTF?

No, seriously. It’s like complete guess work who’s in these subway scenes. Some of that has to do with them being overly populated by redshirts and the rest of it has to do with me having to squint and turn sideways to make out their facial features.

Look at Daryl busting through concrete walls! Should I call him the Kool-Aid Man considering NR has once again allowed himself to be led right into a biased, shipper trap? Hmm. I might.

Imagine seeking refuge in those dark, filthy subways. Any second now I expect to hear the skittering of rats. Will Dog lose his effing mind a la Divergence? He’s been shown to go off half-cocked that way, lol. Oh well. Guess it’ll be in character if he does.

Impressive graffiti storyboards. Does it mean something that it immediately cuts to the Commonwealth storm troopers afterward? Maybe. Who really knows at this point? They been trying to gaslight us forever.

LOL at Princess yet again. Yumiko is just like da fuq is this person?

No, really. LMAO. “That was her. From last night. Did you see how she was looking at us?”

Then you have Eugene, hahaha. “Oh God. Why did he tell off the big guy?” Like the man is totally me in this type of situation. Not even gonna lie.

“That’s right. We want to talk to the manager.”

I literally cannot wait ‘til Carol and Daryl meet Princess. Can. Not. Wait.

How sad is that note on that $100 bill? Small moment but it totally gives me Season 4 vibes when they were on their way to Terminus seeking sanctuary.

Hmm. Remember how that place wasn’t what they thought it was? I’m sure neither is the Commonwealth. But I feel like what’s left of Team Family is totally going to do Rick proud, lol, and prove they’re messing with the wrong people if they try something.

Daryl, Man. You gonna have to get a better handle on your headstrong Fur Son. I wonder if Dog would listen better to his mama? Things to ponder.

Sounds like Miko has this group’s number. Or does she?

Princess and Eugene totally look like they’re waiting their turn for the Principal’s office, LOL.

“Stop moving! You’re taking my nerves over the edge to a proverbial 11 on a scale of 10.” I feel you, Eugene. I do. Also you, Princess. Two of the most relatable TWD characters right there, I’m telling you.

Princess is me when I really, really, really have to pee. TMI? Sorry, lovelies. LOL. I just...she’s so relatable.

LMAO. “If that fine ass dude in the orange suit...” Princess and Mercer incoming in 3-2-----

Princess’s excitement over the toilet paper=PRICELESS.

Eugene, Man. You desperately need to develop a poker face.

There’s Daryl getting another cool camera shot. Angela? You playing favorites again?

Carol’s claustrophobia could have never. I bet that’s in the back of Pookie’s mind. You can’t tell me it’s not because Carol lives in there rent-free.

Ohhh. Back to the subway car. Looks like we got the Maggie redshirts leading the way. First sacrificial “lambs”?

Maggie pistol-whipping Negan was kinda deserved, but he wasn’t all wrong so.

Damn. I’m no Gage fan. He can fuck all the way off for what he did to my baby Lydia. But Maggie over there with ice in her veins.

Yep. I think the dude just got one of the most gruesome deaths in a while. Yuck.

I think Alden’s faith in Maggie definitely took several hits. I feel like he kind of had her on some sort of pedestal dating back to Hilltop times. Father G, though? The man is continuing to show himself a SAVAGE MFer.

Josh gives Eugene such believable tics and mannerisms. He IS Eugene.

Thank you, Maggie, for lighting that flare. I could not see a damn thing.

What are these bad memories Negan alludes to? Hmm? Him being a shit husband to Lucille back when he was still taking her for granted?

Father G on Gage’s Walker--”All that is, is a shell of a man, who died a coward.” Kind of ironic considering Father G’s own origins, huh? Has he any warmth in there for anybody but Rosita and Coco? Does he equate it with weakness?

“There are worse ways.” And Maggie proceeds to paint us a horror story with mere words.

Dark Maggie really surpasses anything certain fans have ever accused Carol of being. Is she too far gone? Who the hell knows? I think it’s clear that she and Carol are both on a sliding scale of sorts when it comes to being able to compartmentalize shit to survive. Personally? I feel like Maggie might have leap-frogged Carol in this episode but it matters none because of the double standards so deeply entrenched in this fandom. Both women have endured and had to do some horrific things. It’s not a contest. But it’s probably going to be turned into a season-long one.

It’s almost like Kang was like, “Ya’ll bitches think Carol’s dark? I’ll show you DARK. Check and mate.”

Whatever the reasoning, Maggie just got exponentially more interesting to me if not likable. And before anybody out there comes at me, it’s entirely possible to be on a character’s side in some things and not be all up their ass in love with them, lol. Like I’m attached to her because she’s family and Glenn loved her. There’s a loyalty there and she absolutely is justified in her hatred of Negan. But I’m not going to pretend her shit don’t stink like everybody else’s.

Speaking of my baby Glenn. What would he think of this version of Maggie? I think he would be gutted and heart stricken that events led to her being like this but he’d understand because he’s pure like that. Don’t mean he’d be A-OK with it all.

Dog must be protected at all costs.

Confession. I know not the fuck who Pony Boy is, but I know him because all my fandom friends have pointed him out to me, lol. RIP, Man. I think you’re number’s up or close to it.

Okay, though. I admit it. I am kinda LOVING Badass Father G.

That scene in the subway car with all of them working to take all the Walkers out was already badass. Then Daryl arrived and made it, in @freefromthecocoon’s words, HAWT. LOL.

Eugene staring at that little black book like it contains torture tools, hehehe.

“Processed? As in administratively? Processed as in bologna or other meat stuffs? This inquiring (enquiring?) mind needs to know.” OMG, Eugene. I admit it. Even if it makes me look like a lunatic, LOL. I straight up LMAO at that one. I mean, ten years later and Terminus still fresh on the man’s mind.

“You like feeling nervous?” Well, no. None of us that do, Mercer? Do.

Then he proceeds to make me howl with his “You can’t lie for shit” to Eugene.

Josh McDermitt? I love you, Man. 40 year old virgin, LOL.

All this talk over the seasons of Daryl’s virginity and we have Eugene, hahaha. But was he telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?

Finally. Some daylight. Where I can see.

Eugene’s relief at seeing his friends safe and sound was such a beautiful thing to see. I loved those hugs.

Mercer’s face when he snarled “beat cop” in disdain to Ezekiel. I think I’m gonna love this dude.

“I went to West Point. Asshole.” Yeah. I am.

I know they probably catfishing Eugene right here because spoilers tell us that ain’t Stephanie. But my heart still did a little d’aww. Angela. Don’t play with his poor heart like that.

What’s got Daryl so pensive, huh? Is it that the note reminds him of kids being lost or taken from their family? Or separated from their family? Is he thinking of those Grimes babies and wondering if Michonne will ever make it back and why and how she was able to leave them behind? Tell me it ain’t that Find Me nonsense.

“This place sure has gone to shit since the last time I was here.” LMAO, JDM. I mean Negan. Sorry. Sorry. I still hate Negan, but JDM has me entertained at least since they gave the asshole some shades of gray. And speaking of shades of gray. I’m loving the gray beard. JDM’s looking GOOD (hear that NR? Embrace the gray). Negan can still kick rocks, lol.

Anyway. That scene was CREEPY AF. Not even gonna lie.

The Reapers strutting right on up to our group like it’s The Purge: ZA.

My bad, Pony Boy. Now RIP.

Dark, dark episode with loads of tension broken up by some welcome humor by Princess. The girl is fast becoming a fave of mine.

My baby’s back next week!!!

I’m just going to plug my ears and pretend they’re trying to capture/recapture the horses because they’re pets. Not because they’re starving so bad they feel the need to eat them. La la la la la. I can’t hear you.

#The Walking Dead #Season 11 #TWD spoilers #things that make me smile and cry #for reasons

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ssvgawara · 4 years ago

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Haikyuu boys and some oddly specific crime they’d commit

a/n: I come back and the first thing I write is a shitpost!! enjoy </3 tw for drugs, murder, alcohol and general crime committing xoxo

Karasuno

Daichi- he’s a cop sorry that’s all there is to it man

Suga- Suga has multiple charges of 1st-degree murder against him but they can’t seem to find his identity so he continues committing murder and will continue until he gets caught or ends up murdering enough people to be put in a position of power

Asahi- everyone is probably like “Oh Asahi is innocent” NO. He has learned that his slightly scary face will let him get away with a lot, he is buying alcohol illegally because he looks old enough to, and he’s buying so much other shit and just getting away with it

Nishinoya- This man gives fucking pimp vibes I can just see him in the big leopard print fur coat with a pretty girl in his lap and he calls himself big poppa but no one else will

Tanaka- Drug dealer vibes, probably runs an entire fucking drug ring with his sister and not just a Lil weed these mfkas have the hard shit too like you could probably buy meth from them, he’s not using it but it’s good business

Ennoshita, Kinoshita, and Narita- They literally rob a bank they have an entire scheme and get away with multiple bank robberies and this goes on for MONTHS

Kageyama- We know he’s volleyball smart but otherwise he’s so mfing stupid and I love him for it but he is a chronic shoplifter. Just picks something up and takes it, has walked out of a store without paying for an entire bed set once and got away with it somehow so idk props to him

Hinata- He is the little guy in any heist situation, he fits anywhere so he can sneak in and out the best, he gave himself the stupid ass code name tiny giant but everyone goes with it because somehow he is the best

Tsukishima- armed robbery, but he doesn’t have a gun just a knife like he’s tall and as an attitude, a knife will get him whatever he needs he doesn’t need the gun

Yamaguchi- He runs a catfishing scheme where he pretends to be a naive girl, scams old men out of their money, and then ghosts them and I think it’s what he deserves let him carry on especially because no one would believe it’s him. Also not really like a crime crime but still a crime in a way

Kiyoko- She kills men and I know it, Queen Kiyoko ending the patriarchy one shitty man at a time like she only kills men who deserve it bc some have rights.

Yachi- She’s too anxious to commit an in-person crime so she does a lot of cybercrime, hacking government databases and releasing info to the people, truly the anonymous we deserve

Saeko- She’s running that drug ring with Tanaka, and she loves it because there’s a thrill to it even though yknow she’s dealing literal meth but like its fine plus she loves rocking people’s shit when they get too handsy, which bring me to my next point underground MMA Saeko, like the illegal one with no rules yeah <3

Ukai- this man probably sells all kinda shit to minors that he shouldn’t he is so unbothered a 7-year-old could probably walk in ask for a pack of camels and get them and leave before he noticed what was going on.

Takeda- Did y’all see how scared Hinata was when Takeda gave him that lecture? This dude could kidnap someone and scare them into giving all the information he needed, a legend truly

Aoba Johsai

Oikawa- took steroids one time. And of course in sports, that’s not allowed. But he only did it once and regretted it for months afterward. Never told anyone and was just relieved he didn’t have to piss in a cup and have someone find out.

Matsukawa- Without hesitation, I know this man takes dead people’s bones and sells them on the internet. Has dubbed himself the bone man and he feels so much power when someone buys a femur or sumn. It’s kinda funny honestly he has a hoard of bones to sell, his fave is the pelvis.

Hanamaki- He’s in between jobs because he stole money from his last job, like he said he was sorry he just needed a little extra for gas but was sad to find out that’s a literal crime and he was laundering money.

Iwaizumi- he’s a street racer, like the fast and furious style and it’s so sexy of him like late-night races ugh to be in an expensive fast car with him where he has one hand on my thigh okay that’s enough of that.

Kunimi- Look me in the eye and tell me he does not do drugs. He does and if you don’t believe me you are wrong and I will fight you on this one.

Kyotani- If there is a crime he will commit it for fun. Like he will do it with no hesitation. He has a record longer than twilight and I’m not sure how he is not in prison actually nvm he escaped and is a wanted criminal lol

Shiritorizawa

Ushijima- Assault, he just reeks of getting into bar fights when he’s absolutely wasted. Like he most likely didn’t start it but he will be finishing it

Tendou- grave robbing, he just goes into the cemetery picked the oldest plots, and gets to digging. Has made thousands on dead people jewelry and probably won’t get caught, like besides the groundskeeper there’s no security he will never stop.

Semi- he breaks copyright laws on the daily. He’s sampling music in his all the time but he’s doing it so sneakily it’s fine its what deserves stream his band on Spotify right now,

Shirabu- His bangs are criminal enough. No, but he has stolen drugs from the hospital before he just wanted to try the Xanax, and yeah he could just write himself a prescription for it nut like it’s so easy to just go get some and no report it so that’s what he did.

Goshiki- y’all want me to say arson don’t you?? Fine. He commits arson multiple times and kills 7 people with fire before getting arrested and he doesn’t even feel bad so in prison he probably fucking runs a gang he is crazy.

Nekoma

Kuroo- he is a capitalist and class traitor and that’s crime enough I don’t care is he’s attractive or rich, He commits crimes daily by just existing but I still love him anyway.

Kai- Could not commit a crime he just wants to garden and live his life. Jk there’s at minimum one body in that garden let him kill a man he deserves it just let him have one dead body

Yaku- he keyed someone’s car once just because they pissed him off. Was it kuroo? Yes. But that’s fine because he also keyed Lev’s car but blamed lev for keying kuroo’s and Kuroo for keying Lev’s. He just wants to watch the world burn.

Kenma- cyberbullying but man he is mean. Like no bars held we will dig into every insecurity he can and that shit hurts and he doesn’t even feel bad about it he will just be as mean as he can if you’re not careful

Lev- his crime is being tall and dumb also doesn’t understand the economy and prints counterfeit money because why can’t we print more money? The government should get on that.

Inuoka- He released all the animals from a zoo, like snuck in one night and just let them all free, I’m surprised the tiger didn’t eat him but hey the animals are free, there’s still some missing uh oh he’s very proud of himself for it. After the rush, he starts sneaking into shelters and freeing all the dogs and cats

Yamamoto and Fukunaga- Have egged a house before, it was Kuroo’s he deserves all this bullying and you can’t stop me.

Date Tech

Aone- Criminal Conspiracy, sure he had an entire foolproof plan to get away with the perfect crime but someone found out, and now his plans are ruined, damn </3 and no one ever suspects the quiet guy either.

Futakuchi- Having a prostitute, he just wanted some company like mans is lonely so he paid a girl to just spend a Lil time with him it’s all good.

Fukurodani

Bokuto- I know we all haha funny laugh at tax evader bokuto and sure maybe he evades his taxes but he’s also committed vehicular manslaughter, he cannot drive and has killed someone with his car maybe even multiple someones but he always drives off in a panic because he doesn’t know what else to do.

Akaashi- Hasn’t actively committed a crime but has been an accomplice in every vehicular manslaughter Bokuto has committed why the fuck does he keep letting bokuto drive? He really needs to stop that.

Konoha- A master scammer he is so convincing everyone gives him money even if they’re a little sus because he’s just that good each scheme is so convincing.

Inarizaki

Kita- He grows weed, you can’t tell me those rice fields are just for rice he’s got all this space he is growing marijuana and selling it, let him do it I want him to be my plug.

Atsumu- "What is my perfect crime? I break into Tiffany's at midnight. Do I go for the vault? No, I go for the chandelier. It's priceless. As I'm taking it down, a woman catches me. She tells me to stop. It's her father's business. She's Tiffany. I say no. We make love all night. In the morning, the cops come and I escape in one of their uniforms. I tell her to meet me in Mexico, but I go to Canada. I don't trust her. Besides, I like the cold. Thirty years later, I get a postcard. I have a son and he's the chief of police. This is where the story gets interesting. I tell Tiffany to meet me in Paris by the Trocadero. She's been waiting for me all these years. She's never taken another lover. I don't care. I don't show up. I go to Berlin. That's where I stashed the chandelier."

Osamu- resisting arrest. He just said no and ran. Granted he shouldn’t have punched the cop in the first place to have to be arrested but like that’s not the point here.

Aran- accidental child abandonment, like he just forgot he was babysitting and left the kid alone for like a day. He felt terrible but he still forgot the kid and now is fearful of parenthood

Suna- owns an illegal weapon, like he just never registered it and keeps it around and would use it if needed Suna please just point the weapon at me maybe

Others

Terushima- Graffiti, he loves painting on the walls of buildings and tagging them, has so much spraypaint and his day isn’t complete if he doesn’t tag at least one building or train car.

Daishou- Public intoxication- he got a little too fucked up and stripped on the street he will forever have to live with everyone knowing he has an ass tattoo like damn bruh

Sakusa- Perjury he simply wanted to get out of court so he said some shit so he could leave granted he lied under oath but whatever, did they ever find out? No, so he’s fine and he’d do it again if it meant he could leave faster. Like sure he was a witness to a murder but bruh he pretends he does not see.

Hoshihumi- driving without a license he simply thought you didn’t need one because why do you need a piece of plastic to say you can drive a car like??? Just know how to drive it.

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sea-side-scribbles · 3 years ago

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Fanfiction: Sympathy For A Downer

link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22737214/chapters/83268982

Chapter 78 (FINAL)

In this comfortable position, Nick soon fell asleep. But he woke up early, a sign that he was still uneasy. By no means he wanted to oversleep the moment Arthur awoke. Quietly, he got up and went into the bathroom since he needed to knock himself into shape. A short shower later he already felt much better. He combed his stubborn hair as good as he could and submitted himself to a shave, sparing the moustache. It was still sparse, but he hoped it would have the desired effect. Together with Davey's fancy rags he felt more like Nick Lightbearer again.

Then he hurried into the kitchen to prepare breakfast. It wouldn't turn out sumptuous due to their shortage in supplies, but Nick did his best to make it delicious. Eyeing the table, he noticed that something was missing. Something that would make this special. When his searching gaze wandered to the window, he recalled that the front gardens were full of pretty flowers that no one paid attention to, so he went outside and took his pick. He decorated the table with a bright red bouquet and then viewed his own work with delight.

Shortly after, he heard Arthur call for him from upstairs: “Nick! Are you there? Nick?” He sounded upset. Nick liked it. Placing himself at the foot of the stairs, he purred his answer: “I'm right here, darling!” Arthur sighed in relief. At the same time, he felt stupid. Of course Nick wouldn't leave him like that. “Oh...good...”, he stuttered. “I won't be long...” “I'm waiting”, Nick purred back and strutted into the kitchen, cooler than he actually was. He had to calm himself down. When Arthur finally came down the stairs, he stunned Nick with his new outfit by Davey. It really suited him well. “Holy catfish! You look ravishing!” Nick kissed Arthur's hand. “You too...”, Arthur stammered. Nick smiled and skimmed along his upper lip. “You like it?” Arthur instinctively palpated the same spot. “Yes...” His voice was merely a sigh. He lifted up Nick's chin to kiss him. “Is it safe to assume that you're glad to see me?”, Nick asked with a voice as soft as silk. “Yes...”, was everything Arthur could produce.

Nick led him into the kitchen, where he gazed at the well-laid table. “Just sit down, my King. I serve you.” Arthur sat down wordlessly. “I like the flowers...”, he brought out later. “Thanks. I thought it's sad to keep them outside where we can't see them.” He put a mug in front of Arthur. “There you go, my darling.” “Nick, that's...” Nick looked at him, then at the table. “Anything missing?” Arthur almost laughed. “No...” He quickly stood up to lock Nick in his arms. “I really thought you...” He began to sob. “You won't get rid of me that easily, my King”, Nick said softly. “I don't want to get rid of you!”, Arthur sobbed. “I just want to protect you!” “I know. I feel the same”, Nick answered. “But how am I supposed to protect you if I'm not by your side? If you leave me here, you'll break my heart, you hear me? Don't do that!” Arthur pressed his eyes shut, fighting the tears. “I don't know what it is about me...why I'm running away from everyone...” “You lost your old life, too and you're still suffering. I understand. But let me comfort you. I think I made a good impact on you since we met.” “My sunshine...” Arthur smiled faintly.

They passed the time comforting each other. Soon, the town woke up and people became busy again. Also Arthur felt the need to do something. He was visibly fidgety. “Do you want to go back to your documents?”, Nick asked eyeing him. “I don't know...what would you do?” “Come along?” “This is gonna be too boring for you.” “Arthur!” “But it's true!” Nick pondered over it. “The boys said they want to see you.” “Me?” Arthur was surprised. “Yeah...If you like...They like you more than you think. It'll be fun.” “Not if we tell them our plan,” Arthur blurted out. “They need to know. Come on, seeing us like this, they can't help but have an understanding.” Arthur finally complied.

They met a few Wellies on the way, making it look almost like the town was intact again. “Is it still polite to say 'lovely day for it?', Nick asked one of them. “Could be worse”, the other man muttered. “That's true. Keep it bowling.” “You too.” “You know, I still have the feeling that we Wellies stick together”, Nick then said to Arthur. “You look like two Make Believes”, another man approached them. “What if I told you I'm Nick Lightbearer himself?”, Nick joked. “Gosh, Nick Lightbearer!”, the Wellie blurted out. “I wonder where he ended up.” “He's probably about to solve some problems...”, Nick assumed. “Yeah, probably. Good luck, you two.” Arthur was surprised how well he got along with people who would've slaughtered him a few days ago.

When they arrived in the backyard, Nick knocked at the worn out door, eyed by a curious Arthur. Brad opened it. “Ah, Nick, back in good shape, I see.” He slapped Nick's arm. “And Arthur...you look groovy, man.” “Thanks...I have the best supplier here...” He nodded into Nick's direction, who grinned. Brad let them inside. “Come in, get comfortable. The others will be back soon.” “What are they up to?”, Nick asked. “They went back to Maidenholm to fetch some of our stuff. Everything we can't get from the shop you looted.” “Hey, I only borrowed one guitar!” “Sure. You should put him on a leash, Arthur. It would save you a lot of trouble.” “I might think about it”, Arthur joked. “I'd have it's advantages”, Nick agreed. “Having to go wherever you go.” They laughed, but only Arthur and Nick understood the hint. “I suppose you're thirsty?”, Brad asked. “If you can spare something. I know we're low on supplies”, Nick said. “Alright, I'll go check. Make yourself at home.” They sat down on the couch. Nick didn't hesitate to place himself close to Arthur. “Relax. Now everyone is a Downer, just like you”, he whispered to his tense lover. Arthur gave him a helpless smile.

Then they heard the back door open again. “He'll be all eyes if he sees what we brought along”, they heard Matt say. “Bradley-boy! Look what we got!”, Chris shouted playfully. Passing by the living room he found their guests. “Oh, hello.” “Made a hit?”, Nick asked. “Yeah, just look at all that! It was still there.” Chris unloaded his guitars and equipment. Matt joined him. Nick got up to have a closer look. “How's the state of the place?”, he asked quietly. “Sad”, Chris said in all honesty. “But intact.” He took a deep breath, eyeing his loot, or rather looking at what he saw in his mind. “In fact, we could...” He paused. “But it wouldn't be the same again, right?” “No...” Chris hung his head. Arthur got up too and positioned himself next to Nick. “Oh, Arthur!” Matt noticed him. “If we knew, we would've brought you a typewriter.” “It's fine”. Arthur had to grin at that. “I have one at home.” They shook hands. “Have you seen our drummer by any chance?”, Chris asked. “He went to fetch us a drink”, Nick explained. “You left him alone in the kitchen? Oh dear...” Chris went for him.

“There's still a lot of your stuff left”, Matt said to Nick with an apologizing look. “It's okay. I need to see this place myself anyway.” “By the way...You won't believe who we met there.” “Fans?” “No...Our dear friend Hunt.” “What?”, Nick blurted out. “Hunt? Did you tell him the latest news? “He knows, but he has a hard time letting go of his old post. He was happy to hear you're alive.” “Didn't you offer him to come with you?” “We did, but he said the Parade District isn't safe for Bobbies. He's kinda right...His body height and all...they'd recognise him immediately. Poor bugger.” “But...We can't...I can't leave him there. Arthur, would you go to my old home with me and help me with this?” He looked at his lover with puppy eyes. “If he agrees...” Arthur shrugged. “Thank you. For a Bobby he's a good sort.”

Soon, Brad and Chris came back with the liquids and some snacks. When they were comfortable again and the drinks were served, Chris said: “Well, let's begin with the brutally honest conversation, shall we? Seems to be the new trend.” “I can't believe it's finally over”, Arthur admitted. He felt like a remnant of the old days. Him. As a Downer. “Have you really been a Downer?”, Matt asked as if he could read his mind. Arthur was taken aback by the question at first, eyeing the band as if they'd jump at him. He figured that Nick must've told them. “It's weird to talk about it...just like that...It's weird I don't have to hide...” “How did you hold on?” “I had no choice”, Arthur said with a shrug. “I couldn't just walk out of Wellington Wells, with all the detectors and alarm systems. I had to sneak around, come up with ideas...Coming back here was hard enough, because they dumped me in the Garden District.” “What's so dangerous about the Garden?”, Brad asked. From what he heard in Uncle Jack's shows it was a rather idyllic place where they grew fruits and vegetables and had everything they needed. “Well...there you have the plaque, toxic fog, Ploughboys that love to smash a Downer's head, the other people who are also not very fond of you if you show up in a proper suit, soldiers with bayonets who take you for a Gerry and of course the spankers.” “And the food? Are there any farms there?” “None at all...the people live of what they get to steal from the guards.” “Shit...”

“Wow, you're definitely tougher than you look!”, Chris said. “No offence.” “None taken. I had a lot of luck.” “Aw come on, Arthur, what about the arena-fight you won?”, Nick replied. “Er, that...” Arthur blushed a little. “That was your amazing fighting skills! You should've seen him taking on that white Bobby!” “I had your help there!” Arthur reminded him. “It was still awesome!” “Sounds like you should write a story about yourself.” Brad was impressed. “Perhaps” Arthur grinned meekly. “But I wasn't the only one having problems. The people in the Garden District...those that made it until now...they have a story to tell. “Do they know?” Nick asked. “Did anybody tell them?” “We haven't heard of it”. Matt replied. “I don't think the General cares much for them”, Arthur said dryly. “Or he's still full of Joy.”, Matt added. “No. He doesn't take Joy. Our dear General is above that.” The others were stunned. “No Joy?” Brad asked. “Just like that?” “He's not the only one. Doctor Verloc doesn't take it either.” “Right, he didn't look like he'd take his own drugs. He was much too moody for that.”, Nick approved. Brad leaned back. “That's a bit thick.” “And we played along”, Chris said bitterly.

“But if they knew better than us, why did they let everyone starve?” Matt was upset. “Why did they let us die out?” “I don't know”, Arthur answered. “Perhaps Victoria Byng knows or she'll find out. She's on our side.” “I hope so”, Chris sighed. “Or else we're fucked.” “They can't make us take Joy again”, Brad said sternly. “I rather die in another fight than becoming their slave again!” “Perhaps more Wellies think like that...” Arthur dreamed out loud. “Oh, Arthur, we must look like absolute morons to you! We played along all this time!” Matt eyed the floor. “I wasn't any smarter, believe me. It was pure coincidence that I went off Joy and it could've happened to any of you.” Arthur actually wasn't reproachful for a reason he didn't really understand. “I'm not better than you.” “Well...I guess we can only wait now...”, Brad sighed. “Let's hope it won't backfire”, Chris said. “I don't want a new Committee that kills everyone who dares to smile.” “Don't you have a vivid fantasy!”, Nick blurted out. “Remember me to never let you tell me a bedtime story.” “I'll kill everyone who tries to suppress me.” Brad scowled. “If they dare...” “They can't do that again. They went too far.” Matt was determined now. “They can't prevent us from finding a way out, sooner or later”, Nick pointed out. “Many people are digging in the tunnel or looking for another way...and those who stay won't submit.” “In any case, not us!”, Chris decided. “No way!” Nick agreed. “I won't start now”, Arthur added. “I'm done with it, too”, Matt said. “I want to see them try”, Brad repeated. “We should drink to that!”, Nick cheered. They did with pleasure.

“Now let's dream a bit...”, Chris said some time later. “What if the tunnel opened one day? Where would you go?” Arthur's face fell. “I'll go to Germany...” “Arthur!” Chris shook his head as if he was talking to a stubborn child. “You have to go to France! Paris! The city of love!” “Or how about the Maldives? Reputedly, people went there on holiday but most likely nobody of us had ever been there,” Matt proposed. “But islands again?” “Pretty islands.” “They remind me too much of this town. I want to go to a place I can easily leave when I have enough.” “So, the moon falls flat”, Brad deadpanned. Chris laughed. “That's not an option.” “How do you know?”, Matt asked. “Perhaps it's already settled and we're the last ones to notice!” Nick gave Arthur a pitiful look while the others were dreaming out loud.

“I have to find my brother...”, the former reporter said quietly. The others fell quiet. “Your brother is in Germany?” Chris had a suspicion. “He was in the train...There's at least ten places where he could have spent his childhood...I need to find him, even if it takes my whole life...” “So, your adventure continues?” Brad asked. “It's not over yet...”, Arthur muttered. “But this time he has me”, Nick announced, putting his arm around his lover and squeezing him. The room was silent for another second. “Well...that's odd...I almost got used to you again”, Chris said to Nick. “How do you plan to get there?”, Brad asked. Arthur and Nick looked at each other. “We don't have a plan yet”, Nick admitted. “We'll figure that out while finding a way off this island”, Arthur added. “Maybe we'll meet there some day...Germans might like music, too”. Nick smiled. “Sure. We become a marching band and learn yodelling...We'll be the greatest stars in Germany,” Chris joked. They laughed.

“Jokes aside, it's not too far away. We'll be close”, Brad stated. “You can visit us any time”, Nick said. “With pleasure, as soon as you moved into your estate on Lake Constance...”, Chris answered. “Not any sooner, eh? Spoilt snobs! I'm glad I don't have to put up with you anymore.” Nick crossed his arms. “Have fun with him, Arthur.” Once again, they laughed over the finality of their decision. Arthur had counted on them to try to change their mind, at least winning Nick over. Instead they had just accepted it. Also Nick hadn't hesitated to tell them his plan. The whole thing looked settled and still Arthur felt unwell.

“What will you do?” “Well...in all honesty...we don't know...or do you?” Brad passed the question to Matt and Chris. “I keep making plans and abandoning them again”, Chris said. “What's to plan anyway?” Matt found. “We don't know the world outside.” “We should collect a few informations before leaving”, Brad said. “We'll come up with something”, Chris assured Arthur. “Don't worry about us. We made a living here and we'll make it outside as well.” “Or we stay until we're filthy rich and go for a world tour”, Matt said. “Then we pick you up.” “I like that plan”, Nick agreed grinning. Arthur let himself get carried away and smiled too, but he was deep in thoughts. “At any rate, you're as stubborn as Nick.” “I take that as a compliment.” Chris laughed. Like this, they had an actually good time. Arthur hadn't had such honest and joyful company in the past few years, but he noticed how Nick and the band understood each other nearly without words. It made him wonder if he even had an equally close bond to Nick.

One time, Nick went into the kitchen to collect replenishments. Chris followed him and suddenly grabbed Nick by the shoulders. “Now you're leaving me, just when I begin to like you, you little bastard!”, he hissed and shook Nick slightly. “Make sure you become a star this time, so I don't have to come back to run the show for you!” Nick replied insistently. “Ah...that's what it's about...” “Exactly! Don't disappoint me, you hear me? Don't think I can't keep an eye on you just because I'm in another country!” Chris nodded. “You'll hear from me.” “I hope so”, Nick said less jokingly. “I'll miss you, little one...” “I'll send you postcards. In German.” “Great...So I can't even read them.” Nick pulled Chris into a short and tight embrace. “What's taking you so long? We're thirsty.” Brad came in. “There comes the gooseberry...” Chris let go and viewed Nick's face. “Any love bruises? No? Good...” “You cheaters!”, Brad shouted. “And Arthur sits right next door, I can't believe it!” Nick quickly backed away from his fellow guitarist. “You're silly, both of you”, he said pouting. “What did I do?” Chris played upset. “You're a bad kisser.” “You prick!” Chris lifted up his hand as if he wanted to slap him. Brad burst out in laughter. Then Matt and Arthur came in. “Don't drink it all alone, we have a guest!”, Matt shouted. When Arthur asked Nick what happened, he only shook his head. It made Arthur doubt their bond even more.

When they went home, Nick was still in a good mood, but it could've been the alcohol, too. “See, it all went well”, he said confidentially. “They're good chaps, they want nothing but our best.” Arthur wondered if Nick had drunk so much for a reason. "They are, but are you really ready to leave them?" "I am! I already told you!" Shortly after, Nick seemed to be sorry for his rough answer because he put an arm around Arhtur's shoulder and softly whispered: "Come, I'll show you something..."

Arthur asked himself if Nick should rather lay down and sober up, but he didn't want to ruin this for him. He let him lead out of town. When they approached the bridge, Arthur tought they'd go back to Hamlyn Village, but then Nick went straight to the handrail and climbed over it. Then he offered his hand for help. Arthur took it with pleasure. He soon understood why Nick brought him here. The place looked similar to their Garden District. It was a rawer landscape, with rocks spread over the meagre grass, but it still had it's magic. A glimpse of freedom that Arthur felt especially at the sight of the ocean. He remembered standing on Britannia Bridge and caught himself wishing he could show it to Nick. Being alone with him like this, enjoying the silence around them, only the rushing of the wind instead of the noise and hubbub that usually surrounded Nick, he suddenly had the feeling that they shared a closer bond that nobody else could break. Nick moved so casually within the silence as if he didn't need anything more. Here, Nick was just himself and seemed to be happy. Arthur noticed just now that he was still holding Nick's hand.

"It's a beautiful place", he said eventually. Nick gave him an eased smile. "I figured it'd be nice to have a moment for ourselves", he said quietly. "I like these moments." "Yeah, me too", Arthur answered just as quietly. Then he bit his lower lip, pondering if he should say what lay on the tip of his tongue. And how. "But would they be enough?", he then dared to ask. Nick didn't answer promptly. He seemed to think about it despite his current state. Arthur was glad that he took the question seriously.

"You know...looking back at my life, at everything that happened to me, everything I still see in my dreams..." Nick paused to gaze into the distance, slowly letting out the air as if he was letting go of a heavy weight. "I like the silence", he concluded and Arthur believed that he was feeling this way right now. "There's a lot I didn't tell you yet, Arthur", he went on and Arthur hung at his every word. His soft voice comforted him. "We spoke about my past with the band a couple of times but for your interviews I could only tell you the good things...I had good times, of course, and I don't want to forget any of them ever again. But in most situations I couldn't make my own decisions. I noticed it in the past few days when I was talking to the lads...I didn't know what was happening around me, I didn't look through other people's plans, I was tossed about by fate, I fell between the cracks...It was always loud around me, I barely had time to think about what happened and what I really wanted. I don't want to live like this anymore. I want to be aware of what I'm doing. I want to make my own decisions. I want to enjoy every minute, just like this very moment. It's gonna be a new start. You gifted me a new life and I want to live it." He said the last words insistently.

Arthur remembered how he found Nick. He had lost control over his life long ago and he had no greater wish than to get it back. It was fitting. "You could try to become famous by your own decisions", Arthur proposed. "I could, but like that I'd only repeat myself", Nick said calmly. "And how it ends, I know that too. I don't know if I want that again...so soon...And if it doesn't work out, I don't know if I can bear to see me fail...It's bringing up so many memories...I want to try something I can't compare myself to." Arthur let his gaze wander along the weathered rocks. "And if you don't like your new life?", he asked quietly. Nick looked at him. "Then I at least tried." Arthur gave a meek smile. He in turn had no greater wish than to take Nick with him, who supported him and cheered him up. But... "We won't be free", he replied. "We'd have to do all it takes to find Percy, no more, no less. We'll have a mission, so to say..." "We'll have a firm goal", Nick said. "A simple, understandable task. That's good." He nodded.

Why did Arthur feel like personificated chaos while Nick kept a clear head? Arthur's head was spinning. He noticed how Nick eyed him from the side. "What is it, Arthur? Tell me the truth. Do you want to leave me?" Arthur's expression was painful. "No, but..." "You think you don't deserve it", Nick said. "You think it's your fault, your problem and you have to go through with it on your own." Arthur almost winced. The analysis was scarily exact. "You showed me that I'm worth loving. Why can't I show you that you deserve to be happy? I want to comfort you when you're sad, I want to support you when you doubt yourself and I want to help you when you're in trouble. Let me do this, if you must, do it for my sake. I need you, Arthur." His green eyes lay on Arthur, who could barely stand the look. He began to shiver. "Nick, I also didn't tell you everything, but I'm afraid I must, or else I can't look into your eyes ever again." Nick fell quiet and waited. Arthur crossed his arms and turned away. "It's my fault that Percy was brought to Germany. He wasn't even on the list, but me...We went to the station together, he wanted to come along, just because he didn't want to abandon me. He was so trusting and didn't fear for himself..." Arthur gulped. "I posed as him....I acted as if I only went along to say goodbye to my younger brother...I made it back out like this, but I saw how they pushed him into the train...he called out for me...he was so afraid..." Arthur fought back tears. "Now I wish I was there..." He fell silent, sobbing and waiting for Nick's judgement.

“How old have you been?” Nick asked quietly. “Twelve....Still young enough for the train And Percy was one year older...” “You've been a child, Arthur.” “I knew exactly what I was doing!” Nick didn't say any more. He hugged him from behind and held him close. Arthur clung to Nick's arms. “Why are you doing this?”, he asked after a while, letting go and eyeing Nick meekly. “Aren't you upset?” “Just look at you”, Nick answered. “You're not a child anymore. The man who's standing in front of me now wouldn't do this.” “But it still happened...” “You changed”, Nick insisted. “If it wasn't for you I couldn't judge you in the first place.” Nick kissed his cheek. “I'm glad you're here.” “It's not about me, Nick! I have to find him! I should've never dragged you into this!” Arthur winded. “And what do you do if you find him?” “I'll think about that later.”

“Arthur...Percy isn't a child anymore...He's leading his own life by now...Who'll keep you company if you find him and suddenly lose your only purpose in life? Who'll give your life a new meaning?” Arthur hung his head. “And if he didn't make it?” “Also then”, Nick said without mercy. “Who'll comfort you?” Arthur struggled to hold back tears. He wondered how on earth he deserved such a stubborn and affectionate man at his side. He couldn't simply push him away. “Nick, if you don't like it anymore, if you believe you made a mistake, you can go! You can go anytime!” Nick put his hands back on Arthur's shoulders. “This is an offer I can accept...”, he said quietly. He ran his hands along his upper arms, making Arthur's body tingle at the sensation. With Nick, he just didn't feel like he'll end up as shark bait while Nick drank margaritas on a desert island. Nick wouldn't give up on him, search the entire ocean if he had to and take him back to his island. Arthur already felt like he was there. He leaned closer to Nick and for a long while nothing happened other than their extensive kissing. Then Nick sat down on the grass and looked up to Arthur, inviting. “Here? Now?”, Arthur hissed. Nick took his hand and pulled him down.

Lying in the grass, Arthur found his body covered in kisses. Nick was eager to spoil every spot of him. Arthur's cheeks were salty from the tears he had shed, but Nick kissed them all away. Arthur winded giggling and gasping. His body tickled and his heart fluttered. The grass was cold, so was the air, but Nick's love bites warmed him. When his heated blood pounded in his veins, he pressed Nick down. He adored the soft foam that was growing along his upper lip, that would soon be a full Lightbearer moustache, and caressed it with his lips, before he placed a craving kiss on it. He wasn't shy with his tongue anymore. He wasn't shy with almost anything, causing Nick emit a noise that sounded like a purr. Then it was time for Arthur to redden Nick's skin with his teeth. Nick gasped, running his hands along Arthur's tights. Arthur bit him gently, his tongue massaged the sour spots right after. Arthur thanked him with every kiss, every gesture, overwhelmed by the promise he had just made.

Nick was so happy, he felt butterflies all over his body and his heart was about to jump out of his chest. He adored to see his Arthur in action and was looking forward to many, many more moments like this. With pleasure he felt Arthur expose him and skim along his lower back without shame. Nick moaned just as shamelessly when he felt Arthur shove a finger inside him. His body shivered, he pressed himself against it, begging Arthur to massage him. His blood was pounding in the right spot as his lover went along. Aroused like this, Arthur felt ready. He held Nick close while his thrusts massaged him more. Nick's quiet whimpers were music to his ears. Arthur climaxed quietly, with his hands curled into Nick's hair and his head pressed against his chest. He relaxed like that for a while, receiving kisses on his head from Nick. Then he began to feel the chill on his naked skin and decided to put his clothes back on. Nick followed him shortly after.

They walked home slowly and peacefully, with their arms wrapped around each other, holding themselves as if the could barely stand. At the bridge, Arthur promptly lifted Nick up and carried him over the rail. Nick's expression after putting him back down was priceless. In town they walked next to each other as if they were friends, but if someone had paid attention to their looks they would've known better. At home, they both had a hot bath before they put themselves to bed.

The next day, Arthur didn't intent to wake Nick up early. His lover was most likely exhausted after everything he had been trough. Arthur himself was tired as well. The day wasn't quite inviting either, being cloudy and dark. The drizzle moistened the windows with tiny drops. It was the perfect weather to stay inside, have a hot chocolate and relax. But Arthur was still restless. He didn't feel well, just sitting around and hoping for the best. He was used to nothing good happening as long as he didn't do it himself. That was why he sat at his kitchen table, absorbed in his thoughts and forgetting to drink his coffee. The house was so quiet he could hear the clock ticking that hang on the wall next to the fridge. The radio had stopped playing the happy jingle that would normally start every day in Wellington Wells. He could just as well bin it, but he hesitated to change anything in this house. To make himself comfortable in it. After all, it was supposed to be only a stopover before they would go on their journey. But to make it that, he had to do something. After Arthur had walked back an forth in between the kitchen and the living room for a while, he couldn't bear it any longer. He wrote a letter to Nick and put it next to him on his pillow. He hoped to be back before his long sleeper woke up. Then he put on his coat, opened the brolly with the colourful pattern and went outside.

Nick woke up much later, feeling cosy, lolling and stretching out. He was completely refreshed. He remained in the bed a little while longer after noticing that Arthur had already gotten up, listening if he could hear him downstairs. It was very quiet. No footsteps, no clanking of the dishes, only the silent pattering of raindrops on the window. Nick sat up, thereby noticing the letter.

Nick darling, I'm on the move again. I need to make sure we're getting out of here. Don't worry about me and take a rest. I'll be back soon. I love you! Arthur

Nick stared at it. It sounded loving, of course, and not if Arthur had had any bad intentions. Still, it bothered him. Nick was sure that he couldn't expect Arthur to wait for him to awake from his sleeping beauty sleep, and Nick had been really tired, he admitted that. Still...why couldn't they go together? Was it really too necessary to wait? Did Arthur fear that Nick would spoil it? Or be bored? Nick rumpled the paper and let it fall on the table. What are you doing to me, Arthur?, he thought sadly. Then he told himself he should trust him. That he had a good reason to do it. That there'll be a good explanation for all this. He sighed. However, he was alone now. Take a rest. How was he supposed to relax while Arthur was out there facing who knows what? He just had to play the hero again.

Nick left the bed. He couldn't sit around and wait anyway. He needed a distraction and perhaps he could even do something useful as well. On the way downstairs he remembered Hunt. Of course, his Bobby, who in a way was also his friend. If Arthur couldn't help him, he had to do it on his own. He couldn't leave poor Hunt to rot in his old home. He left a note for Arthur and went into the cold and moistly weather.

This time he went to the bridge to actually cross it. He knew the way by heart, still it felt strange. Walking by the counter where normally a Constable would control the passports, he found it empty. He went along the bridge all alone, then Maidenholm greeted him in all it's silence. It looked like a ghost-town. Nobody had cleaned up this place. Old newspapers lay in puddles or flew by in the wind. He saw rats gathering the leftovers from the pantries of the houses. The gardens were abandoned, all windows closed. In his best days, Nick had known every face in his district. A few of them had been in the church. He could only guess where the rest had ended up. How many of them had been chased into the Garden District, without him noticing? The rainbow-coloured road looked more pale than he remembered. All houses had been more colourful as well. Did he only imagine this? Still, the town could be beautiful. Perhaps this place would be populated again. He would definitely bring it up next time he was in the church.

His own home after all occurred dusky and not very welcoming to him, even though he had liked visitors in the old days. The red carpet was greasy. The former bright red was vaguely perceptible. Nick made a few steps until he noticed that someone sat in front of the door, cowering and visibly sleeping. Under the canopy he was protected from the rain, but still it must be cold and uncomfortable. The uniform definitely had seen better days. He had taken off his helmet and the blonde hair told Nick that it was indeed Hunt.

“Hunt?”, Nick tried. When the man didn't answer, Nick grabbed his shoulder and shook him a bit. The man finally awoke with a grunting noise and then looked around frantically. He seemed to back away from Nick, even though his body was already pressed against the door. “Don't worry, it's just me, Nick”, Nick reasoned with him. “The band told me you're here.” “Nick?”, Hunt stammered. “Mr. Lightbearer?” His eyes widened and he went back up on his feet. He grabbed his arm tightly, so that it stung. “I'm so happy to see you alive!” “You know, a cat has nine lives...”, Nick played it down, massaging his arm. “What are you doing here?” “Er...well...” He shrugged. “I don't really have another place to go...I'm lucky enough, escaping the Parade and all...Here, it's a safer place for the likes of me.” “Perhaps the Parade calmed down. People stopped fighting and they have other worries now.” “Yeah, Mr. Reid told me something like that, too. You know, it's different with the other Wellies. They didn't know what they did...” “You neither.” “Blackberry Joy isn't the same as normal Joy. It doesn't make you forget...We had to keep a clear head. Who else could push through law and order?”, Hunt admitted contritely, leaning against the door and hiding his face. “I knew and I only watched...” “You couldn't stop that easily”, Nick opposed. Hunt gave another shrug and made a helpless sound. “You only guarded my house!”, Nick said with emphasis. “Yeah...after working night shifts for a long time...I can't get the bloody jingle of the Jubliators out of my head...” Nick understood how he felt. “You don't have to torture yourself though. Go inside and warm up.” “My place is out here.” “From now on you have a larger field! Go inside and warm up, that's an order!” He raised a smile from the taller man. “Well...won't do any harm...”

Nick followed him inside. “Oh”, he noticed. “We should let some air in...” “Aye, sir.” “Has it always been that dusty?” Nick remembered that his last charlady had given up months ago. Besides that, everything looked the same. Nick ascended the stairs to his bedroom and looked inside. The same as always. Nick was suddenly undecided about what he intended to do here. He gave his golden records a wistful look. He'd miss them probably. But what use would they be in Germany? Then he recalled something else that was located in this floor. Back in the corridor, he opened a door to a smaller bedroom. It took a lot of effort to go inside. Too many memories were collected here, shattered dreams and pain. But also one memory he wanted to keep. He went to the desk and lifted up the little frame, not without looking at the photo as well. Arthur would allow it, right? It was his past after all. Nick put the frame into his pocket and left the room with a heavy heart. Before he closed the door, he hesitated. He felt like Morrie had called out for him. But that was impossible. Surely, it was only a plank that had creaked. He finally closed the door. In the second floor he found his iconic blue guitar and shouldered it. Then he had everything he wanted.

Back downstairs, he found his Constable sitting at the kitchen table in a sunken down position. The window was open. The look Hunt gave him made Nick ask: “Do you really want to stay here?” “I want the old days back, when this place was full of life.” “Now the Parade is where the action is. You could try to find a new home there. I can help you.” “And I could guard you...on you way back...yeah, I could do that...” The tall man stood up and closed the window. Nick was pleased with himself. Stepping outside, he took a deep breath, waiting for the Bobby. Hunt locked the door when he went out. Nick asked himself if anyone would loot this house. If so, they'd probably look for food. Who would still care about Nick's underwear?

Walking through Maidenholm, the district was as empty as it had been before. No one crossed their path. To the empty counter Hunt said: “Ah, Constable Johnson...well...He's always been kind of an arse...I guess he had it coming...” “He could be in the Parade”, Nick replied. “Maybe...”, Hunt said less optimistically. In the Parade District however they met multiple Wellies and received their mistrust. “Where do you think you're going?” Nick placed himself in front of Hunt. “We can go wherever we like. Did you forget?” “That doesn't apply for his kind”, the Wellie glared at Hunt. “He's clearly a Bobby! He doesn't even try to hide it!” “We don't want any Bobbies here!”, another man approached them. “And also no friends them!”

“You don't have to be afraid of him”, Nick persisted. “Hunt did no more than guarding my home for years. He's a good guy.” “Guarding your home?” The Wellie spit on the cobblestone. “That's neat. Must've been some big shot to afford this. Maybe Executive Committee?” “No, I'm not that relevant. I only lived in Maidenholm.” “So what? That doesn't prove anything! Your Bobby is making you suspicious!” “I never had any power! I'm just a musician!” For the first time they took notice of his outfit “You're a Nick Lightbearer lookalike?” “No, I'm Nick Lightbearer himself.” That made them fall quiet for a second. “Nick Lightbearer, eh? The one who distracted us with jolly tunes while we were starving?” “Who told us to take Joy with his songs?” “Who led us to believe everything was right as rain?” The Wellies came closer, not any less angry than before. More joined them. Hunt gave Nick a questioning look, but Nick shook his head. “I didn't know better than you! I took Joy just like all of you! What was wrong about cheering you up? That's what I always wanted, long before we started to take Joy! I never meant to force you into anything and as long as some of you like my music, I'll play it!” “Nick Lightbearer?”, another Wellie shouted. “That's Nick Lightbearer?” More Wellies came and the atmosphere shifted drastically. Suddenly, the thugs were outnumbered. “Alright, you won for now. But if we catch your Bobby red-handed...”, one of them implied before he took to his heels. “Nicky! Sing a song for us! We love you, Nick!” Hunt looked at him again. “Are we running now?”

Nick agreed and soon they ended up far away from the bridge. They escaped the fans and carefully made their way to the alley of the Make Believes. “I'd like to take you to my place, Hunt, but it's too close to the main road. We better hide in the band's house for now.” “So, you split up again?” “We're still friends. It's just...I'm living with Arthur now. You remember him?” Hunt didn't have to think for long. “The friendly reporter?” “Yes, him.” “Would he want a Bobby close-by?” “He doesn't have much of a choice, now that my fans know I'm alive”, he joked. “Chin up, you're a good chap, believe it or not.”

Brad answered the door again. “Hey, uh...could we hide in your house for a while?” Nick pointed at his company. Brad understood. Inside, he asked: “How bad is it?” Hunt and Nick eyed each other. “It's me...I got recognised...” Nick scratched his head. Promptly, someone knocked at the door. Nick and Hunt winced. Brad set himself into motion again. He was surprised to find a complete stranger outside. “I'm sorry...May I speak to Mr. Lightbearer? I really need to see him!” “I'm sorry too, here's no Mr. Lightbearer!” Brad slammed the door shut. “How many followed you?”, he shouted walking back to Nick. “Nobody”, Nick said meekly. “I can confirm that, Mr. Wilson! Nobody escapes my eager eyes. This fan eluded me!” “Brad?”, they heard Matt's voice. He came running down the stairs. “Brad? Have you seen the crowd in our front garden?” He came into the living room and found Nick and Hunt being abashed. “Oh, no! Are they after you, Hunt?” Brad crossed his arms. “They want Nick.” Matt looked at the still famous enough star who smiled helplessly. Outside, the crowd began to call for their idol. It wasn't long until Chris ran into the room. “What makes them think Nick is here?” Then his gaze fell on Nick and drew the conclusion. “Why am I not surprised?” “We should've been more cautious about his outfit”, Brad commented. The Wellies began to knock at the door again. “Nick! Sing a song for us!”

“Should we wait until they bugger off?” Matt wasn't convinced himself. “I can go, then you're free”, Nick offered. “They'll tear you apart!”, Brad shouted. “Why not?”, Chris muttered. Brad gave him a look. Chris ignored it and approached Nick. “If they want a spontaneous show, why not giving them one?” “Can we?” Nick asked without hesitation. It seemed to be the easiest way out. “Yeah, we got everything from your house.” “And how do we keep them from breaking in to see us?” Matt wanted to know. Chris thought about it. “We have a flat roof we can access...people could see us there.” “Is that safe?”, Hunt asked. “I'm not excited about fighting off the poor sods who climb up the walls.” “It's quite high. Nobody should climb up there”, Brad mused. “So, it's settled?”, Chris asked. “Hell, yeah!”, Nick shouted. They hurried while Hunt locked all doors and windows. When the band finally arrived at the roof the crowd went wild. “Did anybody see my Joy?”, Nick asked, seemingly nervous. The others stared at him. “I'm kidding.” Nick grinned Their first song rang out in the entire district.

Arthur couldn't express how he felt when finally the light came through. The dark tunnel that had occurred to him as if it lay hundreds of miles below ground level, an unscalable prison for every Skipper, suddenly lit up. Little fluffs danced in the air, glittering like diamonds. For a while it was silent. The rain had stopped and in the bright blue sky above them they saw fluffy white clouds pass by. Then the noise broke loose. The workers cheered, danced, cried out their relief. It was infectuous. Arthur had to laugh too, patting other Wellie's shoulders. They made it! Finally! He could see the fatigue of multiple sleepless nights in their eyes. It had been worth it.

Arthur slowly progressed, walking by the celebrating Wellies, but as soon as he was alone again, he ran as fast as he could, following the rails. He climbed out of the ravine and abruptly came to a halt. The whole town was emptied. He had feared that a crowd would scramble for the tunnel, but no one had noticed. From afar, he heard music that, after a further analysis, couldn't come from a radio. Was that...? Arthur's heart pounded after running and climbing. Or was it because of the music? He followed it and after a while, he met Wellies walking into the same direction. “Oh, no...” The crowd was getting bigger. They were all here, looking up for some reason. Further away, on a roof, Arthur recognised Nick. He was back in his element. Without Joy. Arthur was proud of him, but he also felt melancholic. Did it change everything?

Arthur wanted to reach him before anyone else noticed that the tunnel was open, but his gaze wandered helplessly along the masses. It was impossible to get through there. And then he couldn't simply walk through the door without letting everyone in. But wait...wasn't that the same house...? Sure, why would they carry their instruments any further? Arthur went a devious route, always watching out for fans, until he arrived in the backyard. But of course the door was locked. At first he knocked, but as expected, nothing happened. Who was supposed to hear it anyway? Desperately, he hammered against the door, fearing to alarm the whole district. “It's me, Arthur! Let me in!” When he felt ridiculous already, someone actually opened. It was a very tall man. The white shirt and blue trousers seemed to be the remnants of a uniform. “Arthur? Mr. Hastings?” Arthur gasped. “C...Constable Hunt?” The old escape reflex kicked in, but Hunt grabbed in and pulled him inside. Then he looked the door again, securing it with a chain around the handle and a dresser shoved in front of it. “I need to see Nick...” He felt the need to explain. “Go ahead, he's on the roof.”

Arthur ran upstairs. His heart was still pounding. When he heard that they had just finished a song, he went outside. Carefully avoiding the cables, he made his way to Nick who was talking to the other guitarists. Arthur put a hand on his shoulder, making Nick wince and turn around. Arthur's expression alarmed him, so he put the guitar down and followed him back inside. Nick waited for him to speak, so Arthur blurted out: “The tunnel is open!” “Wha...really?” Nick began to beam. “You made it?” “Come, I show you”, Arthur said. Or was it more likely a question? “You want to leave now?” Nick looked startled. “No, only show you, before they realise it and the place gets crowded.” Arthur's eyes begged. It seemed like Nick would only reluctantly go. Arthur prepared for a refusal when Nick said: “Okay. Just let me give the word.” With that, he went to talk to the band, but came back shortly after with an expectant look. Arthur was looking forward to leave this noisy place and he was even happier that Nick went with him. They sneaked out of the backyard after Hunt had opened up for them and went another devious route, hiding and watching. “This is like the old days”, Nick whispered gleefully.

Like this, they reached the ravine and climbed inside. Nick had never thought they'd conquer this again. From the bottom up it looked less intimidating. When they went into the tunnel, Nick began to feel a little queasy, watching the ceiling as if it could collapse any second. Arthur noticed and took his hand. Nick gave him a thankful look, then they went on. Nick's footsteps were more determined now. He was also surprised when the tunnel lit up and couldn't avert his gaze from the beams of sunlight breaking through. He stared at the sky just as stunned as Arthur had been, at least he found that there was a certain resemblance. But this time, Arthur took the first steps towards the light. He still held Nick, who cautiously climbed after him. Back outside, also Arthur was overwhelmed. The horizon was bright and clear. He could look much further than before. The land that had been purely black and vaguely shaped, now exposed a coastal cliff, meadows and forests. The bridge went all the way to there, it's end vanished somewhere in the distance.

“Wow!”, Nick produced. “This is the mainland? Just like that?” He pointed at the horizon. Arthur nodded. “And you wanted to go all the way on foot?” Nick pointed at the bridge and grinned. Arthur had to grin, too. He went a few steps with Nick, until they were surrounded by nothing but the ocean. Arthur rested his elbows on the handrail and Nick did the same. “Do you smell that? No Motilene, no chemical waste...” Arthur took a deep breath. Nick closed his eyes and breathed in as well. “This is the real world, huh?”, he asked after enjoying the fresh air. “Yeah...a part of it...” “Can't wait to see more...”, Nick whispered. Arthur was happy to hear that. He beamed at Nick. “And from here you came back to me?” Nick turned around, leaning his back against the rail in a nonchalant manner. The wind had already ruffled his hair. Arthur would've loved to take a photo of him now. “Yeah...”, Arthur felt flattered. “It must've been hard for you.” “Actually, it wasn't...I couldn't leave you like that...” “You have a way of disappearing and coming back...” Arthur smiled helplessly, clutching the rail.

Nick eyed the stony floor, pondering. “Arthur...”, he then said. His tone alarmed Arthur. “Why did you leave me this morning?” Nick gave him an urgent look. Arthur stared at the horizon. “Because...because I had to do this alone...” “You wanted to punish yourself again?” “No...You were tired...You needed to rest and I didn't plan to be gone for long...Then one thing led to another and...I'm sorry...” “So you wanted to protect me?” “Yeah...” “Why?” “Just look at you!”, Arthur shouted desperately. “I can't let anything happen to you!” “You put yourself in danger?” Nick became louder. “No!”, Arthur quickly replied. “Well...not more than usual...Nick, I have to put myself in danger every day! Me and...others to....But you...I can't let anything happen to you...”

“Arthur, this is over! You're not a Downer anymore, nobody's chasing you for what you are and you're not alone! I understand that you're used to this, but we have to move on! I'm not a spoiled rockstar you have to spare! I'm your partner! You hurt me when you run off all alone! The tunnel could've collapsed! Your old boss could've changed her mind and kidnapped you! And I wouldn't know where you are! How could you do this to me?” Arthur couldn't come up with a good answer. “The worst you can do to me is disappearing, you hear me? If you put yourself in danger, I want to be at your side! I want to know where you're going if we really have to split up!” Nick had shouted the last words. He was really upset. Arthur hadn't seen him so angry before. “I'm sorry, Nick...I didn't think about it this way...I just had to do something...I'm sorry, please don't tell me I fucked this up...” Arthur was at the edge of tears. Nick promptly embraced him, noticing how much he needed it himself. “Ssshh...don't panic...I still love you...” They held still like this and and slowly calmed down.

“Don't do it again, okay?”, Nick said quietly. “Okay...I promise...”, Arthur whispered meekly. “It's hard not to see you as a star...” “But you've seen my real self...” Nick recalled something. “It's the name, right?” His face fell. “I know your name isn't 'Lightbearer'”, Arthur disagreed. His partner averted his gaze. “But it's also not 'Nick'.” Arthur was really taken aback. It felt so natural to call him 'Nick'. No other name seemed to fit. He even looked like a 'Nick'. “I never meant to keep it a secret. You have the right to know the truth, but there never was a fitting moment...” He faced Arthur again. “My name is Norbert. Norbert...Pickles...If you need to laugh, just do it...” Nick crossed his arms, dropped his gaze and waited. Arthur wouldn't be the first. Some people knew his name, from gossip or any other source. Their reaction was mostly the same. “I don't know why I should laugh...It's just a name.” Arthur came closer. “It never bothered me...But after years of being The Lightbearer...”, Nick explained and shook his head. “It's hard to look at it the same way again.” He looked back up to his lover. “You don't have to use it...But you can...Just do as you like...” Arthur felt that he'd need a while to get used to it. Still, he felt that the other man had just tightened their bond. “Thank you for telling me the truth...Even thought you're still 'Nick' to me...” “Thanks for not laughing.” Nick smiled his adorable smile. Arthur cupped his cheeks and kissed his hair.

They enjoyed their moment some more before they started back. Arthur was glad not to meet anyone yet. Back in town, they still heard The Make Believes perform. “Good idea...that concert...people love it”, Arthur stuttered. “We didn't really have a choice.” Nick chuckled. “It doesn't change anything?” Arthur eyed him carefully. “Nothing at all”, Nick confirmed. They silenced, listening. “Do you want to finish it?”, Arthur asked. “If you agree?” Nick didn't urge him. Arthur smiled meekly. “Just go for it, my Golden God.” He gave him a slap on the lower back. “I'll take care of you when you come home.” Nick beamed and ruffled Arthur's hair. “Until then, my tall boy.” After a passionate kiss, Nick hurried to join his band.

Arthur stayed outside for a while, watching Nick proudly, then he obeyed his tired body and went home. There he prepared for his journey, at least emotionally. He realized that not only Nick left his old life here, but also himself and he looked for something to keep. After deciding for the medal that he had brought from his former hideout and the documents about Percy he had to keep anyway, he put the few objects on his night table and lay down on his bed. A few moments later he dropped off.

Nick was excited. The noise of their last song was still ringing in his ears. The last applause had doped him. And now this! He had to tell Arthur! His rash footsteps echoed in the night, but he wasn't afraid. The show had ended long ago and the fans had gone back home. Out of breath, he reached Arthur's home and hurried into the corridor. There, the light was out. “Arthur?” He flicked it back on. Nick assumed his lover was already in bed. He ran up the stairs. Also the upper floor was dark. In the second floor, the light went on and a sleepy Arthur appeared at the stairs. “Nick, is that you?” Nick stormed up the stairs and span his lover around who yelped adorably. “Pack up your things, my King! We're going to Germany!”, he shouted and kissed Arthur wildly. Greeted like that, Arthur had to catch his breath. “Nicky, I'm glad you're so motivated. No need to exaggerate though, it's not going to be a fun journey”, he said but laughed nonetheless. “Oh, yes, it is! I know how we get there!” “Really?” Arthur's eyed widened. “You better sit down.” Nick shoved him back into his bedroom and placed him on the bed. Arthur stared at him while Nick shortly searched for words.

“After we told the boys our plan, they went looking for opportunities. They met Birdie today who has a similar problem. Her manager is looking for ways out of here and you won't believe what he found out! Germans actually love beat music and he's already in contact with a club there! He'll organise it all...the journey...the night stop...Isn't that fantastic?” Arthur was overwhelmed once more. Their whole impossible, lonely journey, suddenly simplified? On the one hand, he was fascinated about how fast Nick came up with a solution. It was another reason to have him at his side. On the other hand, it had an unpleasant connotation.

Arthur's silence worried Nick. “What's wrong?” His lover made a pained face. “So, you'll stay with the band...” “No, you got me wrong.” Nick sat down next to him. “I'll stay with you.” “How is this going to work?” “We're travelling with the band, because it's the easiest way out. Also, we'll need money and a place to sleep. And then...” Nick shrugged. “The rest is our adventure.” Arthur pondered. “Come on, is it easier to find Percy completely without resources or help?” Nick tried a joke. “What if he'll become a fan?” Arthur had to grin even though he doubted it. “And what if you don't want the silence anymore?” “You mean, if I don't want you anymore?” Nick leaned closer and tenderly kissed Arthur's cheek. “Then I must be the biggest dumbass in the world,” he whispered close to his ear. Arthur's resistance melted away. He accepted another loving kiss from Nick.

They had a very emotional night, dwelling in dreams and wishes. They slept together and then left the house for a night walk. It was the greatest conquest of their new freedom that they could enjoy the night without fear, at least that's what Nick thought. Also Arthur appeared to be ravished by the starry sky. “It's really pretty”, he sighed. “Everything is pretty as long as you're by my side”, Nick purred, rubbing his cheek against his shoulder. “Yeah...” Arthur had to chuckle. “Alright, I believe you!...you won...! I believe you!” “Finally!” Nick shouted out loud. He went a few steps forward, spread his arms and yelled: “My man believes I love him!” “Sssshh!”, Arthur hissed and laughed. “You're crazy...” “Yes, I am”, Nick confirmed. “But happy.” He fell back into Arthur's arms. “Me too...”, Arthur said and hugged him tightly. “Me too...” They stayed outside until sunrise.

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