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pink-pearl-plain-jeans · 5 months ago

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spiderman!baxter / Ourlife × Spiderverse?

!disclaimer!

these aren't meant to replace the original characters on both side of the series, it just what seemed to me which role the OL characters would fit the most if they were in a spiderverse scenario!

(this was done on a whim, didnt mean to write all that)

((also english is not my first language))

(((also i never write)))

☆☆☆

[originally it was only the boy's club members as the trio from the spiderverse, i didnt get to draw them yet, but here's the idea:]

• Baxter | Peter

It's clear that Baxter knows what he's doing, people's opionion of him was either he's weird and that's why no one's friends with him or that he's too cool to have friends. In his universe no one knew who spiderman really was, but it's an easy guess that he's rich- his suits were always new and clean, almost sparkling even! And he there's always this certain smell when he's present, it's probably branded perfume, body lotion, etc. Plus, he spoke fancy and he never hurt his enemies, like a gentleman. People joked that he might as well wore a full-suit and the next day he showed up to a fight in a tuxedo, no one knew if he did it on purpose or not, but it sparked a debate whether spiderman was one of them, the commoners, or he just understood commoner's joke.

Although the world couldn't figure out his identity, there's yet another side of him that he kept a secret from the world, any world in universes, really. Baxter Ward was actually a pathetic man who definitely didn't drop to the floor and had panic attack when he got bitten by the radioactive spider. Yes, he's a questionable, rich, pampered mentor for Renee.

He met Jamie in Renee's universe, they were... colorful. He couldn't describe them with any word that existed in his and their universe. Colors were the most beautiful thing he had encounter, and they had all of the colors. And he did not have any. But he had to leave and go back to his world, never to came back. He didn't realize his universe was essentially empty now, there's no color, no Renee, no Qiu and no Jamie. He might really be a weirdo no one wanted to be friends with, just like they said. But he's way more sad thinking about how he especially missed Jamie's eye color and, it was a weird feeling, but their "colorful" personality too. Baxter didn't know a person's trait could have colors in it, and that those colors could feel warm, he missed those dearly too, more than their eyes. But less than their lips. No! He needed to stop thinking about them. To distract away from his sorrow, which was caused by himself, he joined SpiderSociety right away, and went on missions whenever he's allowed to. Even though he missed Renee (and Jamie), he actively avoid her universe because there are odds of crossing path with them. He made them cry, their tears were transparent. He was just a stranger from another universe, and he had hurt them. Yeah, going back there and apologize was a choice, but well, it seemed like it'd be an unfinished business for a while...

• Darren/Renee | Miles

Going through a lot of changes; mentally and physically, Darren had only figured out his behavior towards girls and to his reflection as his insecurity. He understood that he's not angry because of the physical changes- puberty and whatnot- he's angry that he's not a girl. His mom was the most beautiful woman in the world, why was his similarity with her were only their eyes? He wanted her hair too! Actually, he wanted whatever other girls had, and he's upset that he didn't. Getting bitten by a spider, witnessing Spiderman died, got chased by a criminal, hands sticking to a wall and to Qiu's beatiful long hair weren't helpful either. He knew he needed to change. He- no, the first step SHE needed to take was to introduce Darren to Renee, to embrace herself. Baxter and Qiu didn't help much with the journey except making her understood that her reactions were not normal teenagers tantrum, but Qiu, being unapologetically non-binary (and their sarcastic nature), did make her a little bit braver to be more of herself. Qiu was cool. Baxter's just a pretty chill guy, so that's good, but Qiu joked that they're glad Renee's not a good student becauae they didn't want her to take after him.

Renee housed Baxter and Qiu, they didn't have anywhere to go. They did actually, to Uncle Holden's house, whoever that was, but Baxter was too unwell to navigate. He kept puking because he was overwhelmed and overstimulated by all the lights colors. He explained that his universe were only black and white, but not like the old movies, like Renee and Qiu's world "manga" instead. This wowed them, especially when he removed his mask and his skin was pale- literally paper white. His eyes were brown, but he didn't know what brown was. They kept touching and pinching his skin, it's smooth but weird. He had no shadows no matter where the light was shining from, he's just black and white. After his fifth time throwing up white and black liquid, they decided to help him (Qiu actually wanted to try feed him normal food and see how his body process it).

Although basically new to, well, both her spiderwoman identity and herself, Renee would eventually be able to stand on her own and surpass Baxter and Qiu. Currently, she's not as close with her friends from the other universe anymore, in fact, she had never seen or heard from them again.

• Qiu | Gwen

A very agile ballet dancer, used to be social but now they literally would bite, or so it seemed. They most likely wouldnt have a single friend if Franky didn't make the sacrafice to try and understand them. Qiu was hard to handle, even for themselves. They didn't know why it was so hard to do simple things, it's like they needed to break themselves out from their own. Alas, that wouldn't work. This wasn't an interactive game about androids becoming human-like, their "errors" didn't came from a program and they had no reset button, unfortunately. It was frustrating for everyone, but it's especially distressing for them. Boy, they're glad their identity as Spiderperson was unknown by everbody except Franky, they wouldn't want to have enemies and fans knowing their weaknesses. Fortunately, the spidey-sense had help them do the Spiderperson's stuff normally.

Qiu, Franky and Tam were friends, but growing up happened, it was just shitty, and now they're all just neighbors. Sometimes they saw each other outside thier houses and didn't say a word, avoiding eye contact or just straight up ignoring each other. Except Franky, they always had something to say, that's annoying when Qiu tried to obviously avoid them on purpose, but they never relent. At least their one neighbor didn't change, so that was nice. But they're almost always with Tam- like a puppy and her owner or whatever- and Qiu hated Tamarack. They had to pay attention to EVERYTHING when she was there because she's easily hurt, actually scratch that, she'd feel hurt by almost anything, even the wind! Probably. Qiu's had enough playing guardians as the town's hero AND their real life. They're tired of everything, they should be allowed being tired without feeling guilty. Her being like that was just stressful to them, Franky and herself. The relationship wasn't healthy anymore, so it couldn't be helped, not everything can be protected forever. When Tam found out Qiu was THE Spiderperson, it was like her bravery from childhood resurfaced, she'd been a fan! She blurted out for a sign on one of their scattered papers. They rejected the request. Franky got it for her though. But it felt less special, and now she felt a little sad whevener she's thinking about Spiderperson... they were just her neighbor, still awesome, but just a neighbor- and not even a friendly nighborhood Spiderperson.

Qiu was more than surprised to meet Tamarack in SpiderSociety, she was also a Spiderwoman! What! And they actually went on a couple missions together (after the leader had enough of them and their weird excuses to avoid those missions). But there's something off about her, Qiu was sure of this. They could see the striking confidence exuded in anything she did, she's good at fighting and yelling, just like their childhood Tam. Was it the effect Radioactive Spider's bite on her? They wanted that too! It took a while before they realized she's from another universe. Was the Qiu in her universe... better? At least normal, just like how people were supposed to be? They wanted to know but didn't want to ask. But they had to admit, the mission they did together made them missed the old times. This was what pushed Qiu to reconcile with their own Tam, although it didn't make things turn back to its original state.

• Tamarack | Miguel

Tamarack was indeed the leader of SpiderSociety. Her canon event was losing her bestfriend Autumn to her parents' experiment- accidental, but she couldn't condone her parents anymore. She left home and traveled through the universes until she found where they're both friends. Tamarack would surprised Autumn everytime their universe's Tamarack went the other way and she appeared from another in mere seconds. She'd joke she had superpowers. But Qiu had always been smart and their gut feelings were strong. They confronted Tamarack for explaination, because what had been happening weren't normal. She had to come close or else, they'd stop talking to her. Autumn cried and apologized that she lost her bestfriend, he wouldn't know what to do if they lost their Tamarack. She tried to comfort them, but the moment she touched them, their body started to disintergrate. Their cries were not sad anymore, it was fear. A familiar voice came from behind, it was their Tamarack, she must had been listening. Just as quickly as she came and hug her Autumn, they both disappeared. So did their universe. Tamarack went back to her own universe, scared to admit to her close friend, Frankie, of what she had caused. Autumn died in her hands again.

Now, Tamarack and Frank had been helping each other with the programs and informations on every Spiderpeople in every universe. She needed to prevent the same thing from happening again, this was her responsibility now that she attuned the knowledge. She couldn't witness another Autumn die from unnatural deaths. Keeping the canons intact sounded cruel, but it'd be crueler for her to let everything fall apart. She did what she had to do. Although, she had been avoiding Qiu in the SpiderSociety, so much so that she didn't realize they were doing the same thing. But some things couldn't be avoided forever. Or maybe Frankie had been tampering with the schedules from time to time behind Tamarack's back. Their missions were fun, even though they're yet fron another universe, Qiu 'Autumn' Lin was easy to talk to. They even had a moment of somewhat heart-to-heart talk, but Tamarack made sure that they were not becoming friends. The chance of having natural death as a Spiderpeople was reduced at least by 50%, but what if Qiu died unnatural death in her hands again? Or, again, because of her? Even the thought was too much for her. She's almost too scared to even look at them, but she had the leader image to keep up with.

Meeting Baxter and Qiu wasn't a problem with her, she hand monitored them throughout the events in Renee's universe. She's pretty, but she's an anomaly. Tamarack didn't ban Baxter and Qiu from visiting Renee's universe, but she had made them understood to restrain themselves from going there. None of them know what would happen if they keep contacting with an anomaly- worse case scenario, that universe vasnihed. Worst case scenario, every universe perish from existence. So to help them ease their focus on Renee's universe, she reminded them other universes need their help to keep up with the canon events.

Qiu had never been the rule-follower, so they visited Renee more than a couple times. Tamarack knew about this, of course, but maybe she still had a soft spot for someone who shared the same face as he own bestfriend. They seemed so lost at times, but Tamarack couldn't be their friend even when she wanted to be. She's also not Baxter's friend, so she had no way to get close to Qiu. It made her feel a little bit helpless, but Frankie always knew how to get her back on her feet. Plus, as long as they didn't mess around with the canon events again, nothing weird had happened ever since Qiu visited Renee.

The result of contacting an anomaly still wasn't clear, but one thing's for sure, Qiu had brought Renee into the SpiderSociety. Not accidentally, they had offered it to her.

[none of them are romantically involved like the actual chracters' role in the movie! but you're free to imagine. they're all from different universes anyway]

☆☆☆

there probably would be part 2 but only for OLBA characters as spidermen! bc i dont know how to proceed with the story lol the third movies isn't out so the story would be pretty close to canon OLNF, which also ISNT OUT SDSJSJSK im using creativity to grasp renee's personality.

i actually didnt have and inspiration for tamarack actually, but i wanted her to be included too bc my girl's gotta be an amazing spiderwoman! so i did hers on the spot. she's pretty different from OLNF but its still herrrr 🩷🫂

pls let me know if anything is offensive! im not a writer, not trans and not sure if i do have adhd or not.

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clonerightsagenda · 1 year ago

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i would love to hear anything more about communications director minkowski that you would care to share, it sounds like a very fun route for postcanon! 👀

It IS very fun. In lieu of writing a coherent post I just spent quite a bit of time scrolling through 3 years of discord messages for good tidbits:

Gill spent part of my day wondering “you know you’d expect Lovelace to have some Loud And Pointed Opinions about Minkowski being offered the post of Communications Director but maybe instead she’d be the first to figure out there’s no better way to dismantle the company than from the inside out” Kat If you want a job done wrong you gotta do it yourself Gill Minkowski: They… want me to be the next director… and I think I’m going to take the job. Lovelace: …actually. That sounds like an amazing idea. Minkowski: Minkowski: who are you and what have you done with Captain Lovelace Kat Careful Renee. That joke has a bit of an edge to it Gill Nobody’s getting out of post-flight quarantine without an identity crisis of some kind it seems Kate I bet Lovelace would jump at the chance to have a woman on the inside… who has a lot of practice ruining Goddard's plans. Gill Lovelace, probably: You’re gonna need your own version of Cutter’s hypercompetent Right Hand Minion, and it seems to me that the person who kept him distracted while you put a harpoon through his torso would be the ideal candidate. Lovelace: Also, it’d be fun to deface Kepler’s old office.

Kat was thinking about Minkowski marriage drama in the context of her voluntarily signing on to be comms director under the same contract as the last one fully aware this means everyone will try to kill her just in case she can keep everyone else safe and then having to explain that to her husband tfw your wife never prioritizes you bc she's too busy prioritizing a) dying in space b) dying on land now Gill Dominik Koudelka, maybe: it just feels like I have to get myself kidnapped by shadowy corporate goons if I want to spend time with you!

Kate Communications Director Minkowski 1) definitely publishes her own adapted fifth edition of the Survival Manual that’s not a joke and full of useful things and 2) mostly inspired by things Eiffel did that his justification was “well no one ever TOLD me this would happen in space!” Gill “Leprechauns are not real. Ghosts, however, are.” “In the unlikely but theoretically possible event that leprechauns are discovered at some point in the near future, disregard previous. It’s important to keep an open mind.” Kate Adaptability! Flexibility! Priorities! Acknowledgement that space is full of unpredictable and incomprehensible bullshit! The spirit of the new space age Gill Tip #1002: You may say “fuck”. Once.

Kat thought: re Goddard possibly having prison labor going on, maybe when they got Eiffel out of jail they just transferred his sentence to them, and Comms Director Minkowski finds out she technically owns two of her crewmates now and isn't super happy about it Eiffel: so for the next 23 years my ass is yours I guess Minkowski: I don't want it Minkowski, sifting through paperwork: why… why do I own prison laborers now? Can I pardon them? What is this news anchor voice: Goddard Futuristics stocks dipped today as new director Renee Minkowski gave the entirety of their asteroid mining staff early release, quoted as saying "Go home. The fuck." Gill Comms Director Minkowski like ok first off we’re actually giving our workers benefits Kat we'll reroute some of the money headed toward all the R&D for evil shit Gill we’re also defunding our paramilitary branches. Why do we even have those?? Kat Jacobi, raising hand: To do stuff like break into Elon Musk's Mars colony and take him out with extreme prejudice Lovelace: ok that one sounds justified actually Gill Lovelace: Can I go fuck up Elon Musk’s stupid libertarian summer camp? Minkowski: Later, I need you here right now. Lovelace: Aw, ok. ): Kate Okay project Fuck Up Elon Musk can stay

Kat underappreciated aspect of the comms director Minkowski concept: DC girl Minkowski finds out she now owns like 75% of the politicians on Capitol Hill. Is not sure how to stop owning them It's like feeding wild animals, they keep coming back for your money even when you try to cut off the lobbying Gill Minkowski: next time a senator shows up at my house I’m siccing Lovelace on them Kat Minkowski: Cutter had an entire budget line for funding ballot initiatives and…. wow, that's a lot. Hey Doug, what are your thoughts on felons being able to vote? Eiffel: Felons can't vote? Minkowski: …. yes?? Eiffel: Oh. Huh. I don't ever vote so I didn't notice. And I see from your expression that you don't approve of this.

Gill Comms Director!Minkowski: If you need me, I’ll be in a meeting. /crawls into the vents Kat Local unions still talk about the super weird HVAC remodeling the new director insisted on

Gill You are an astronautical engineer at Goddard Futuristics’ special projects division. You were handpicked by the special projects manager herself to work on this new prototype. The craft you and your colleagues poured untold hours of work into is commandeered by Warren Kepler, Legendary Local Douchebag, and two of his minions (an entire ship! For three people!!) to go off and babysit one of your boss’s boss’s ultra-secret pet projects, which you quietly believe is actually an elaborate fraud scheme of some kind. You rage at this. Then, you mourn. Perhaps you drink heavily. Either way, you move on, setting aside your quiet hope that the Urania one day re-enters terrestrial skies, but gradually making peace with the idea you may never see this particular fruit of your labor again. And then a year and a half later you get it back and the interior is just plastered in printer paper that looks like a brigade of toddlers just went nuts on it with their crayons. And also your boss is dead and the apparent leader of said toddlers is the new communications director. Kat Hey at least the astronautical engineering division can feel vindicated that that shuttle a few years back didn't malfunction Gill Engineer: So that shuttle didn’t malfunction and Cutter was actively orchestrating a fake explosion and cover-up. Then he sent Warren “Oh just let me fire off this prototype in a civilian area” Kepler and his goon squad up in our prototype to go fuck around with you guys some more. Minkowski: Yup. Engineer: And you killed him. Minkowski: …yes. Engineer: …did you kill him painfully? Tell me it was painfully. (Minkowski is mildly worried about how she acquires some of her new supporters) Kat Lots of long simmering resentment Kate I imagine she gets a lot of goodwill points for taking out Cutter and Kepler… imagine

Kat comms director Minkowski having to do tax fraud to protect her team somehow Gill Jacobi, having just another day in the office, doing taxes: god this is so dull, I hate tax season. I wonder if Minkowski’s gone and holed up in the accounting department, she probably lives for this kind of thing. /smash cut to Minkowski threatening an IRS agent at harpoon-point Kat Minkowski making Hera her own LLC so she has rights now: This is legal according to Citizens United as long as no one looks at it too closely (my dad became an LLC today so he can contract with his work after he retires. I joked he will be the last person able to vote in the household once they take everyone else's rights away but corporations are people) Gill “Minkowski Commits Tax Fraud” would be an amazing chapter title for a fic at some point though Kat Minkowski early in the mission diligently doing her taxes in space because she's a good American citizen Minkowski like 5 years later: fuck capitalism Gill That one meme image but it’s, Minkowski: You mean the game was rigged all along? Minkowski @ herself: always has been. Kate This is my strongest Minkowski belief Gill Minkowski: wow, capitalism sucks, and growing up in a Soviet satellite state was also awful. Perhaps… the true problem… is giving people the power to wholly dictate other people’s lives…

Kat after the story of the Hephaestus crew breaks and they're famous Eiffel gets Minkowski a funko pop of herself it has a little harpoon Kinsey i support this wholeheartedly Gill It is both unsettling and adorable. She sets it proudly on her desk at work Kat someone coming into Comms Director Minkowski's office: uhhhhh Minkowski sitting next to her funko pop: what it's got the same psychic damage potential as Cutter having a #1 dad mug on his desk and everyone's too scared to ask about it Gill Concept: Minkowski eventually being gifted the Funko Pop versions of her entire crew They’re referred to affectionately(?) as her minions Kate If you’ve been called to her office because you’ve done something Sketchy and Capitalistic, you might even prefer looking into the creepy flat soulless eyes of the funko pop rather than Minkowski’s very, very sharp and angry human ones Gill Another mental image. Lovelace, beholding her funko pop: I mean, I don’t think my eyes are that terrifying even when I’m possessed by unknown cosmic entities, but other than that, it’s a perfect likeness. Lovelace: Look, she even has her arms folded because she’s mad at the other little plastic crewmates for being idiots. I love her.

#tales from the groupchat #wolf 359

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hannahsmusings · 6 months ago

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Renee

*I had seen all of Charles’ texts, getting some sick sort of thrill out of it, knowing he was thinking about me, pining over me, this mysterious girl who got away, who managed to withstand his charms, wondering if it caused his ego to deflate a little or if he’d just go on being as arrogant as ever, maybe even worse to make up for the hit to his ego* *I fall asleep pretty quickly, having dreams of green eyes and dimpled smiles and red race suits, waking up and immediately taking a freezing cold shower, telling myself to get into work mode* *messing with Charles was fun but now he was a Ferrari diver and I was his assistant team principal, I needed to focus and be professional* *I got dressed, dressing as professionally casual as I could, not wanting everyone to think I was overdoing it by showing up all stuffy and formal, but also wanting to show that I wasn’t just a pretty girl who wanted to talk about cars* *I straighten my hair so it was pin straight, putting some light makeup on along with my watch and simple jewelry, the total opposite of the way I looked the night before, making my way out of the room, so happy I didn’t accidentally bump into Charles or Carlos, getting coffee at the hotel cafe before heading out to the car that was waiting for me* *we make the short drive to the race track, thanking my driver and getting out, walking into the huge building and just being totally in astonishment but trying not to show it, going up to my office, it being a gorgeous space with floor the ceilings windows and so much space I didn’t know what to do with it, my heart leaping when I see my name on the plaque outside the door* *I do some quick emails and greet people as they start filtering in for the first briefing, having met a lot of them the night before, my heart racing as more and more people enter but not either driver, trying to keep myself focused on the other people around me*

_______________________________________

*me and Carlos head down to the car, getting in and making it to the track, everyone always pulling out all the stops for us as drivers, the care and attention always top tier and it was just another perk of doing my dream job, the luxury lifestyle that I loved so much* *me and Carlos talk in the car about what the new Principal assistant would be like, intrigued but finding it difficult to concentrate as my mind kept jumping back to the gorgeous girl in red from last night, tormented by the fact she seemed so into me but never returned my texts, it completely puzzling me as I’d never dealt with this situation before* *we finally get to the building and sipping my coffee as I head up in the lift with Carlos, feeling a little distracted and worse for wear from last night* *I knew we’d be one of the last to arrive, me and Carlos often running on our own time and we were allowed to get away with it as we were the talent after all, deciding I better put thoughts of you out of my brain so we could focus on this briefing* *i swing the door open of the office we were directed to, chatting to Carlos and loudly laughing as I enter the room with him before I’m immediately stop dead in my tracks as my eyes lock on you, so much so that Carlos collides with my back saying ‘what the fuck, bro?’ as I just stare at you, images of last night flashing back so fast and quickly glancing around the room as I put two and two together, you being sat at the head of the table so clearly this was your office, holy fucking shit* *it felt like a bomb had gone off in my brain, heart dropping so fast into my stomach that it made me feel like my legs would give out from under me, torn between the raging attraction I felt for you and the sudden nausea as I realise what had happened, how I’d talked shit about you to your face, how you’d played me like a fucking toy in your hand when you’d clearly known who I was* *now I was pissed, looking at Carlos as he puts it together also and begins to laugh* Fuck this.*mumbles, spinning around on my heel to storm right out of here but Carlos puts his body between me and the door with a shit-eating grin on his face*

*as soon as I saw her face I realised what had happened, Charles had been hitting on our new boss all night and it was fucking hilarious, wanting to see how it panned out* *i knew him well enough to know his anger was masking his embarrassment, standing in front of him as he tried to leave* Nope. You’re seeing this through. Sit. *cocks a challenging brow at him, knowing he’d make more of a fool of himself if he stormed out, placing my hands on his shoulders and practically forcing him into the chair before sitting next to him, grinning at his scowl* -Carlos

*I was so embarrassed and fuming, glaring at Carlos as he betrays me, sitting and slumping in the seat as the team look at me quizzically, looking at you with such a hard expression, shooting daggers with my eyes but you were pointedly not looking at me and that just made me fume even more, crossing my arms over my chest and pouting like a child* -Charles

#renee plot

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andrewsleftknee · 3 years ago

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Andrew often paints his nails when he needs something to do. it's always a cheap drug store nail polish that looks a little bit streaky, but he doesn't mind. he'll wear it until it's almost completely chipped off, taking off the little bit the remains and repainting his nails until they chip again.

he'd never let anyone paint his nails. he typically paints them when Neil and Kevin are winding down. they usually watch a game on Kevin's laptop, sharing a pair of earbuds while they lay on their stomachs on the living room floor. Andrew pretends not to notice when Neil's eyes stray over to him, distracting him from what they're watching. but with Kevin visiting Jeremy and Jean at USC during an off week, it's just him and Neil the next time Andrew paints his nails.

Neil watches Andrew get up to grab the acetone and nail polish from his desk and walk into the bathroom to get a cotton ball to remove the excess polish from his nails. Neil didn't want to stare at Andrew while he did this. he didn't know if it would put stress on him if someone was watching him. Neil decided to ask so he could leave if Andrew wanted him to.

"can i watch you?" Neil asked. "paint your nails i mean."

Andrew nodded, and Neil sat beside him on the floor. he rested his head on Andrew's shoulder, and watched as he painted his nails, waited for them to dry, and then started on the second coat.

"interesting?" Andrew asked.

"not entirely," he responded. "i just like watching you, like, exist. it's calming."

Andrew nodded because he knew what Neil was talking about. there was a weird sense of calm watching Neil live.

"do you have other colors?"

"no," he responded. "why?" he asked, finishing the last coat on his last finger. he looked up at Neil.

"want to paint mine too? you don't have to, but it looks fun."

"Renee and Allison have some," he said. he started waving his hands back and forth to get the polish to dry before he touched anything. "want to ask them for a color?"

Neil got to his feet, letting Andrew know he'd be back in a minute, and walked out of their dorm. he returned a few minutes later with three bottles of nail polish. he lined them up the on the table in front of them.

"i thought these ones looked the nicest. i don't know which one i want."

Andrew looked at the bottles Neil put in front of them. the furthest on the left was a periwinkle blue, the middle was lilac, and on the right was a coral or orange color.

"you can have all of them if you want," Andrew said.

"do you think it would look good?" Neil asked. he pushed the bottles of polish closer together to further examine how they look next to each other.

"i think it'll look fine."

Neil nodded and let Andrew paint his nails. he swapped between the three colors, making a bright pattern on Neil's nails. the girls' nail polish was more opaque than Andrew's, and went on in one coat plus some touch ups. once they dried, he brought the nail polish back to the girls room. Dan begged him to see his nails and squealed excitedly when she saw the colors he picked. Renee also commented on his nails and Allison stayed quiet, preferring pale colors herself.

Andrew didn't do Neil's nails every time he did his own, but on occasion Neil would join him. Andrew would sometimes buy a nail polish color he thought Neil would like. soon they had a small basket with the stuff for painting nails that they kept on Andrew's desk, most of the space being filled by the array of colors he picked out for Neil.

#aftg #all for the game #andrew minyard #neil josten #andriel #andrew x neil #renee walker #allison reynolds #aftg hc #aftg headcanon #aftg headcanons

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play-exy-be-sexy · 4 years ago

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Neil and his “baby”

One day Neil decides to mess with the press

They’ve been riding his ass since semi finals

And he’s tired of them

Also some of them have been trying to figure out him and Andrews relationship

And neither of them are ready for that to come out yet

So he creates a distraction

A story he KNOWS will get coverage

He comes up with it walking back from class one day

Cause this takes place like his fourth year

Andrews fifth

Anyway he walks by a lady with an empty stroller

Like empty empty

There literally nothing

No diaper bag or anything

And the plan forms instantly

He steals the stroller

Quickly

Like just snatches it when the lady’s not looking

He figures it won’t hurt

Given there’s no proof of her having a baby with her

Andrew is SO confused when Neil walks into the dorm with a fucking baby stroller

Like thirty minutes after he takes it

Cause that things hard to maneuver

And it takes him a while

He’s a 23 year old gay man okay?

He doesn’t have a lot of expiernce with babies

He doesn’t even like them

Except Dan and Matt’s obviously

Anyway Neil tells Andrews his plan and Andrews immediately on board

Cause we all know he loves causing trouble

And pissing off kevin

And this is definitely going to piss off Kevin

Like a lot

He hates the press

But not as much as pranks

So those things combined=chaos and anger

Andrew goes and buys a diaper bag and stuff to put in it

So it’s even more realistic

After, they finalize the plan

When, where, etc.

So that’s how the press finds him: walking around with a stroller all day

At some random grocery store

Next to a baby store nonetheless

Cause these boys have thought this out

Anyway people automatically find him

Cause he kinda left like clues on Twitter and led the press and others to him

Also off topic but Andrews hiding in the car just to see how observant the press is

They don’t see him

So here’s Neil with a stroller walking very slowly to the store and purposely making eye contact with the cameras

No one dares come up to him

Cause believe or not they think they’re being sneaky

Hah funny

Stupid bitches

So he walks around the store for like an hour and a half

Just to make sure everyone seen him

Press and everyone else

It’s mostly just people taking pictures with their phones that will get to news networks eventually

Afterwards he sneakily gets in Andrews car

Cause once again the press is NOT observant

Like they only see what people want them to see

They get back to the tower and automatically check Twitter

It’s all over the Exy pages

And palmetto school pages

The press had a field day

“Star Striker, Neil Josten, is secretly a dad?”

“Neil Josten hiding his secret baby, whose the mom?”

“Is it former teammates Dan Wilds kid or does Josten have a kid of his own?

Allison is definitely the main name that floats around

As well as Renee

They find it very funny

Because they are in a relationship

Obviously

Anyway by the time they play their next game it’s kinda cooled down

But obviously the press is going to ask about it afterwards

“Neil, care to comment on the pictures of you circulating the internet?”

“What ones?”

“The ones taken at a store with a baby”

“Baby? I don’t think I have a baby”

“You had a stroller with you”

“And?”

“And you kept looking in it and taking out a bottle.”

“I don’t recall.”

“It was just like a week ago.”

“Look, the only baby in my life is Kevin.”

“Hey!”

“Shut up, Kevin. No ones talking to you.”

“Fuck you, Andrew.”

“So, you don’t have a secret baby?”

“No, I don’t even know where you got that idea from.”

“YOU HAD A STROLLER WITH YOU NEXT TO A BABY STORE LIKE FIVE DAYS AGO.”

“Oh right, I remember. I was at a baby store. Kevin needed some new diapers.”

Kevin walks out.

Anyway the press is very mad because they know that isn’t what he was really doing there so it just turns into a huge confusing mess.

Eventually it dies away but it still gets brought up once and a while.

And Neil is always a shit about it

And sticks with his story

The truth doesn’t get revealed until him and Andrew come out

Like six years later

He does not have a child

He does however have a boyfriend

#aftg #all for the game #andrew minyard #neil josten #kevin day #exy #tfc #andrew x neil #the foxhole court #andreil

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headinthestaticsky · 3 years ago

Text

The Phenomenon of the Immortal Sun: Jasper Hale x Fleur Swan, Chapter 3

None of the characters in Twilight belong to be, all rights go to Stephenie Meyer.

"'Cause I'm lovesick And I ain't even ashamed And I'm hard up, for some time in your sheets Would you be down to spend all your time with me? 'Cause I'm lovesick."

Lovesick by, BANKS.

The reception looked absolutely beautiful It seemed every inch of it was covered in decorations.

"I have to admit, Alice and Rosalie know what they're doing," Jasper said.

"They even made the cake look appetizing to me... not enough for me to stomach to eat it but still," I replied, ever since I had become a vampire, human food made me sick.

"They've done their job then," Jasper said a smile was still etched on his face.

We began to sway to the music, I melted into him.

"Please call me your baby, baby Look how long that you have kept me waiting I'm all in, look at all that I have given Oh, I know your love before I kissed you And now you have only made me miss you Come get me Come love me, baby come love me."

"'Cause I'm lovesick And I ain't even ashamed And I'm hard up, for some time in your sheets Would you be down to spend all your time with me? 'Cause I'm lovesick."

"I just wish Bree could be out here with the rest of us..."

"I wish she could too, but even if she wasn't presumed dead...being around all the humans wouldn't be good for her," Jasper explained comfortingly.

"I know." I pecked Jasper's cheek.

"Please call me your baby baby baby Look how long that you have kept me waiting I'm all in, look at all that I have given Oh, I know your love before I kissed you And now you have only made me miss you Come get me Come love me, baby come love me."

"'Cause I'm lovesick And I ain't even ashamed And I'm hard up, for some time in your sheets Would you be down to spend all your time with me? 'Cause I'm lovesick.'

"Are you going to tell me where we're going or is it going to be a surprise still." I inquired.

"Patience my love, good things come to those who wait." He teased, biting my lip.

I whined

"I don't wanna wait..."

'Cause I'm lovesick And I ain't even ashamed And I'm hard up for some time in your sheets Would you be down to spend all your time with me? 'Cause I'm lovesick

'Cause I'm love sick 'Cause I'm love sick 'Cause I'm love sick 'Cause I'm love sick 'Cause I'm love sick 'Cause I'm love sick

We broke apart from our loving embrace when the song ended. I scanned the crowd searching to see if I could find Leah and Seth again, when I did I dragged Jasper with me eager to see them.

"Hi, I'm so glad you guys made it!" I greeted them and pulling them both in for a hug.

"Good to see you Fleur, you look beautiful." Leah said, Seth nodded in agreement. I saw Billy Black and Sue standing behind them. I walked up to them and hugged them too.

"I hope you'll be happy Fleur...I wish you both the best." Billy said with a somber tone.

"Thank you."

"Well, I don't know about the rest of you but I plan on getting drunk. Sue, could I interest you in a glass of Champaign?" Dad asked.

Before Sue could speak Billy interrupted them.

"Sparkling fire water. Sounds great." Billy said, almost running over dad's ankles." They all walked away.

"How long do you think it'll take for them to get together?" I asked Jasper.

"I give them a month or 2." Jasper estimated. Two unfamiliar voices greeted us both.

"Fleur, Jasper! Congratulations!" A woman greeted.

"Thank you." Jasper replied.

Two gorgeous vampires greeted us, one male and one female.

"Hi, Umm... Eleazar and Carmen, right?" I guessed.

"Mhm, Hola!" Carmen said.

I then saw three blonde women standing behind them, observing us. Jasper saw me looking at them and answered the thought bubbling in my head.

"Those these are our cousins from Alaska. Tanya, Kate, and Irina."

"We've heard so much about you. I'm Tanya." She greeted sticking out her hand for me to shake it.

"Welcome to the family. Bienvenida." Eleazar added.

"Thank you. You're very welcoming." I said.

"Irina, Come meet Fleur." Carmen called out to her.

I could tell something was troubling Irina and I followed to where her gaze was fixated at. She was looking at Seth, anger was in her eyes.

"I can't do this..." She grumbled.

"You promised," Tanya hissed at her.

"She invited one of them."

Jasper looked to where she was gesturing to and sighed.

"Irina, he's one of our friends."

"They killed Laurent!" She rebutted back

"He tried to kill my sister and I." I explained.

"I don't believe that." She said, getting in my face.

"I suggest you back away now... we don't need to cause a scene." I grumbled getting even closer to her face.

She backed away and left, stomping away.

"I'm sorry you guys, thank for coming." I said, a guilty look made it's way onto my face.

"No no don't worry about it..." Carmen comforted.

"Well. Let's not monopolize the bride. Congratulations." Eleazar said. Walking away with Carmen

"Thank you."

"We're sorry." Tanya said, her and Kate walked away as well.

"Well.. what's a wedding without a little family drama huh?" I asked playfully.

"C'mon you let's go, speeches are starting." Jasper said, pulling me in the direction of the chairs.

"Excuse me. Is this on? Hello?" I heard Rosalie whistle at Emmett.

"Umm, I'd like to propose a toast. To my new sister. Fleur, I hope you've gotten enough sleep these last 19 years. 'Cause you won't be getting any more for a while." Emmett laughed and winked at me.

My mouth was slightly agape and I breathed out a laugh. I turned and saw my dad who downed his glass of champagne. My mother just rolled her eyes and repeated what my father had done. I saw Leah stand up and go over to the stage.

"Fleur... I've known you for as long as I could remember. Some of my favorite memories were with you on that beach. And the reaction you would give every time I would shove you into the freezing cold water."

Everyone in the crowd laughed.

"I know I haven't always been the nicest to you, after my father died I completely blew you off.... I know I treated you coldly. But you still were kind and gracious to me and my brother Seth. So thank you... for always being there for me even when I wasn't there for you. Jasper, you better take care of her, you have a whole lot of people who are willing to hunt you down." Leah finished. Jasper gave her a nod and a smile, a silent promise in a way.

My dad stepped up next, I saw tears in his eyes and gave him a comforting smile.

"Jasper will be a good husband. I know this because I'm a cop. I know things. Like how to hunt somebody to the ends of the Earth... I also know how to shoot a gun. But I also know this because he's loyal and empathetic, and a wonderful influence on my daughter. He sniffled before continuing, I love you Fleur... and I'm so happy for you... for both of you."

"Now that you're my sister, you'll have to get over your version to fashion... Yes, you have some style but... the t-shirt and jeans have got to go... and those god-awful ankle boots have got to go too." Alice said.

"Never!" I jokingly yelled.

"Fleur, I remember when Jasper had come home saying he had finally met "the one." I was skeptical, scared even... my first instinct on you was to hate your guts and keep you away from my family. But then I got to know you and I saw how compassionate and understanding you were. I knew you wouldn't hurt my brother, who had been treated horribly for so long and deserved someone with the same amount of compassion as him. Thank you Fleur, welcome to the family. To Jasper and Fleur!" Rosalie finished raising a champagne glass.

"To Jasper and Fleur!" Everyone repeated.

Dinner had gone by smoothly, everyone was too distracted to notice none of the Cullen's and I had eaten or drunk anything. Soon enough after most of the cake was devoured it was time for us to go. I had to run to the bathroom since my contacts were beginning to dissolve in my eyes due to the venom. When I got back out I saw Alice and Rosalie putting Jasper and I's bags into my car. Before I could make it to my car dad approched me.

"Well... It's gonna be strange, you not living under my roof." He started.

"Yeah. It's gonna be strange for me, too." I replied.

"You know it will always be your home, right?"

I know dad, I love you. Forever. I pulled him in for a hug.

"I love you, too, Petal. I always have and I always will. All right. Go on. You don't wanna miss your plane. Wherever it's going."

"I won't dad... I should probably say bye to mom and Bella too..."

"Good luck Petal," Dad said, humor was in his voice. I sighed and walked my way over to them, they were embracing and saying goodbye to one another, since Bella was going on her honeymoon too.

"Oh, Bella... I will miss you so much, I love you." Renee said tearfully.

"I love you too mom, I will miss you too," Bella replied. They both stopped talking to one another when I approached them. Their faces dropped, it seemed I dampened the mood.

"Well, I'll see you later mom, Bella, have a good one." I said.

"Yes, I'll see you in nine months... I mean... later." Renee said condescendingly.

"Mother, even if I was pregnant I wouldn't let you near my child. They don't need your spews of toxicity around them." I spat out before walking away.

I hugged all of the Cullens before walking up to the car, I was about to get into the driver's seat when I threw the keys at Jasper. His face was in shock.

"Only because we got married, cowboy, it's a present from me to you."

"Thanks, Darlin." He smiled at me.

We began to drive off, I waved at the people in the crowd and smiled at them.

"Ready to go?" Jasper asked.

"Yeah...I'm ready."

#jasper whitlock x oc #jasper whitlock #jasper hale x reader #jasper cullen #jasper hale #jasper hale x oc #carlisle cullen #emmett cullen #esme cullen #alice cullen #edward cullen #twilight saga #bella swan #twilight

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trashbag-baby666 · 3 years ago

Text

From The Dining Table-Baberoe

Next part of the How To Mess Up with a Soulmate series!!!!

Gene sighed exiting his room in frustration, it was his one day off of work since the covid pandemic had swiped up the US. Well, actually his first day off.

"Gene whats the matter?" Babe stopped his cooking and turned to look at Gene.

"What?" Gene sighed as he messed with his hearing aid.

"Whats wrong?" Babe frowned as he signed.

"I got called into work," Gene sighed as he grabbed his coat and fished his mask out of his pocket.

"Really?" Babe walked over to his boyfriend and grabbed Genes hands.

"Yeah," Gene sighed and kissed Babes cheek.

"I just started our brunch," Babe pouted.

"And I'm sure its delicious just share it with Joe and David," Gene frowned and kissed Babe on the cheek, "I gotta go."

"What time are you going to be home?" Babe signed trying to stall his boyfriend from going to work. He worried about Gene working in the hospital was a lot for him already. But when COVID took control it was a hell storm. With all the masks and PPE it was harder for Gene to hear and read lips.

"I'm not sure Edward, but I'm going to be late." Gene sighed and opened the door stepping out so Babe couldn't further distract him, "I love you."

"I love you too," Babe sighed sadly as Gene left and shut the door after him. He went back into the kitchen and Joe stood at the counter already picking at the pancakes.

"Gene get called in?" Joe signed.

"Yeah," Babe sighed, "Have what you want I'm not hungry."

Babe walked over to the fridge and reached for a beer.

"Babe, its 9:00 AM you don't need to drink." Joe signed as he pulled away his arm from where it was stopping Babe.

"Yeah but I'm just," Babe stopped signing and threw his arms over his eyes. He was so frustrated, this goddamn pandemic was taking away everything. Babes grandma had caught COVID and died. But it also sucked away all of Genes free time. He was always at the hospital and Babe was scared Gene was going to get sick. When the pandemic first hit he even stayed at Renees because he didn't want to bring any germs home to Babe or his friends. "Frustrated," Babe signed finally.

"Do you wanna talk about it?" Joe signed as he plated some two pancakes onto a plate.

"Sure, I don't have anything better to do." Babe signed and grabbed his coffee sitting down. He hugged the mug and sipped on it tasting the sugary coffee run down his throat. Joe sat down across from him and cut a piece of pancakes and took a bite setting his fork down.

"Talk to me Heffron," Joe signed and picked up his fork.

"I just I'm worried about him he's over working himself. He's only home for like maybe 6 hours at a time. Plus I'm worried about his physical health too. What if he gets sick?" Babe sighed trying to slow his signing knowing it wasn't the best hoping Joe caught it all.

"I understand maybe I can't relate too well but it was hard having to get my flight canceled. I haven't seen my family in a little over a year and I'm worried." Joe signed trying his best too relate to Babe. David came out of their bedroom in sweatpants and a t-shirt and stumbled sleepily to Joe.

"Good morning," Joe signed and kissed Davids cheek as David snaked his arms around Joe and leaned his head on his shoulder.

"Did Gene leave?" David signed and walked towards the coffee pot.

"Got called in," Babe signed and stood up from the table, "I'm gonna call Bill, eat what ya want David. Joe have more if you please."

"Thank you," Joe signed quick as he got up. Babe took his coffee and kept his eyes pointed toward the dark wooden floors as he shuffled to their room. He dipped inside and shut the door, he walked over to Genes desk and grabbed the Harvard hoodie he had laying on the desk chair. Babe picked it up brining it to his face and inhaled the scent of Genes perfume before sliding it on. God he missed him so much. Babe slid back into his and Genes bed. He opened his laptop and began mindlessly scrolling through Netflix before he'd just watch Community again.

Gene rushed around the hospital trying to help the best he could before he got ushered to take a break. "Eugene go take a break," Renee signed approaching the raven haired man.

"Can you take this test to the lab then please?" Gene spoke handing the sealed up COVID test he'd just gathered from a patient.

"Yes," Renee signed and took the test from Genes hands. He rushed off to the break room peaking in to make sure no one else was in there. He stripped of his two layers of gloves, face shield, goggles, plastic gown over his scrubs. He threw away the gloves and gown and sat down, he pulled off his cloth mask then the N95 one under it. He sighed taking a deep breathe and fishing his phone from his pocket. He clicked through the texts from Babe and hit FaceTime. He could squeeze in a quick call with the beloved red head. He hit call and the phone rang three times before the red head popped up on the screen.

"Hi Genie!" Babe smiled.

"Did I wake you?" Gene frowned as he noticed the boy laying in there bed. He had a sleepy look his eyes slightly squinted and his hair messed up.

"I'm glad you did I missed you!" Babe smiled sitting up, "Did you catch that?"

"Yes Edward," Gene nodded, "Did you share our breakfast?" Gene smiled running his hands through his black hair and taking a sip from his coffee.

"Are you okay? You got lines on your face?" Babe asked suddenly as he got a better look at Gene.

"Yes it's just from the masks and goggles and all that." Gene explained, "Good news they're switching out our nursing and ER staff so we can have a week off."

"What? Really?" Babe smiled wide.

"Yes, but you never answered if you shared breakfast?" Gene giggled to himself, he loved Babe but that man was going 100 miles a minute.

"I did, pretty sure Joe ate all of the pancakes." Babe snickered.

The head doctor popped in to remind Gene he had to get back out on the floors.

"Je t'aime Edward, I have to get back to work." Gene frowned.

"I love you too Genie," Babe sighed.

"Goodbye," Gene sighed and hung up. He put his phone back in his locker and suited himself back up to take on the crazy demand.

Babe sat on the couch repeatedly nodding off as he waited for Gene to come home. It was nearing 10 and the pure thought of Gene working a near 12 hour shift made him upset. But when he heard the key in the lock he perked up. He paused the show and got up as Gene came in.

"I missed you," Babe signed as he walked over to Gene helping him out of his jacket and hanging it up, "How was work."

"Edward my hearing aid batteries died just give me a minute," Gene sighed seemingly frustrated and not in the mood for Babe flying off the walls. "I'm gonna eat some leftovers and go shower. Why don't you go lay down?"

"Okay, just let me know if you need anything hun?" Babe signed. Gene nodded and Babe kissed Genes cheek returning back down the hall and to bed.

Babe laid in the big bed mindlessly when he noticed Gene had been in the shower for 30 minutes already. Babe rolled out of bed and walked down the hall knocking on the bathroom door then going in.

Gene peaked his head out of the curtain.

"Can I join you?" Babe signed and smiled sheepishly.

Gene nodded and shut the curtain patiently waiting for the red head.

Babe undressed as fast as he could discarding them in the pile of Genes clothes. He opened the shower and stepped in.

"Hey," Gene breathed out.

"Hi," Babe smiled and ran his hands through Genes black hair. Gene sighed and rested his head against Babes chest.

Babe was awkwardly tall and Gene did the best he could being significantly shorter.

"How was work?" Babe pulled away to look at Gene as the hot water ran down Genes back.

"Stressful, lots of new COVID cases." Gene frowned and took his turn running his hands through Babes ginger hair noticing how much darker it appeared when dark.

"I worry about you, maybe you should go on leave?" Babe massaged Genes shoulders.

"I'm taking this week off and see how it goes. Okay?" Gene rested his hands on Babes shoulders. Babe gently looped his hands with Genes.

"I love you," Babe smiled down at Gene. Gene meant SO much to Babe it was near impossible for Babe to get and stay mad. When Babe had found Gene and they learned they were soulmates it was opening a can of loving worms.

"I love you too," Gene closed his eyes for a moment, "Edward I gotta finish up this shower I'm really tired." Gene laughed pulling out of Babes grip.

“Okay fine,” Babe smiled and kissed Gene on the cheek. He got out of the shower and dried off. He went to their room and dressed himself. Babe got out some of Genes comfiest pajamas and set them out on the bathroom counter for Gene.

He’d take care of Gene the way Gene takes care of everyone else.

#band of brothers #babe heffron #eugene roe #baberoe #joe liebgott #david webster #webgott #modern au

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bellafragolina · 2 years ago

Note

Not sure about a nursery but I remember a game where you can get a couple of farms and fill it with digimon. It's called Digimon World DS. I still have it. I don't think they kept that feature going forward? I'm not too familiar with the games unfortunately.

Also RIP beloved. You got a case of digi-destined and I think you're passing it on.

Please liveblog anime reactions? (maybe in a side blog?) But if you feel like it's detracting from the experience, it's not necessary. Not that it was in the first place.

They recently made a remake of Digimon adventures in 2020, I'd recommend starting with the 1999 anime for full effect - there's still jap dubs with eng subs floating around the internet which is impressive. Both Japanese and English dubs are fantastic.

💙

i have a sideblog!! it's @ridicolapatatina and i usually reblog art and post about my struggles with pkmn black on there. but i'll do a live reaction to the first few episodes if you want!! lolol, i can't promise much, but it sounds fun!

i prefer dubs myself so i don't have to distract myself from the show with subtitles. i'm easily distracted, so it's a precaution to make sure i actually pay some attention to the details of the show lolol. i'll try and find the 1999 version, and let y'all know on my side blog!

~Renee

#💙 anon #this is gonna be a fun night

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fiddlepickdouglas · 3 years ago

Text

Viva Las Vegas, Pt. 16 - Be Careful

Summary: Sunset Curve Alive AU, Willex, can they bear the news?, 2.2k

@trevor-wilson-covington is the bestie who makes these lovely edits, we stan supportive friends

WARNINGS: cancer mention

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15

Julie sat beside Luke at the small table they had set up beside Rose’s bed. A stack of photos, glue sticks, stickers, scissors, and tons of colored paper covered the table, as well as another stack of photos sitting within Rose’s reach.

“Oh, look at this picture of Carlos,” Rose said in her raspy voice. She lifted one of him as a chubby two year old wearing a baseball cap that was too big, clapping his hands together.

“Aww,” Julie looked affectionately at the photo, tilting her head.

“He’s a cute kid, Mrs. Molina,” Luke said. He continued cutting music notes out of a sheet of purple paper.

“Thanks for visiting me today,” Rose said. “I heard you and the boys have been busy in the studio?”

Grinning like the goof he was, Luke nodded. Julie couldn’t help suppressing a giggle. Even though she knew he was tired from long hours and he only had a little time to get away, he’d still been all about coming with her to visit her mom this morning. She wasn’t sure he was that interested in scrapbooking, but it was sweet of him to come along.

“Yeah, it’s been so fun,” he was saying. “I don’t know how the guys in production make us sound so good. I mean, we already sound awesome, but they make it just perfect. I feel like I would go out and buy ten copies of the album when it gets out.”

Rose chuckled. “Really? That’s great to hear. I remember with the Petal Pushers, I could’ve spent hours in production, tweaking everything until it was just right. That’s why it almost took us two years to release our debut.”

“Two years?” Luke sat back, letting it sink in.

“I was a bit of a perfectionist; the rest of my band wasn’t so patient. I don’t mind though, I had other things to put my time into.” She gazed fondly at Julie, who looked back with a similar fondness, if not slightly clouded.

She wasn’t responding to treatment anymore. It had just become official last week and Julie wasn’t ready to break the news to Luke or anyone else. There wasn’t anything she could think of that would make it easier, no matter how much she knew she needed to let them know. It just seemed like everyone else was doing so well: the guys were finally moving on up, Flynn was coming out with her own music, and even she had barely finished a successful tour. But this was more than just a wrench in the gears.

In the middle of cutting out a heart, she was too lost in thought and snipped on the end of her thumb.

“Ow!” she cried, immediately sucking on it. “Do we have band aids in here?”

“Oh, sweetie,” her mom said fretfully. “I can’t remember where they are, but let me call the nurse.” She pressed a button on the remote beside her bed. Luke tried to get a look at the cut, but Julie insisted on sucking on it.

Moments later, the same woman Julie had seen before entered the room. Her hair was in a braid today, and Julie tried to smile at the sight while her thumb remained in her mouth.

“Hey, Rose, what’s up?” she asked, appearing surprised to have gotten a call.

“Sorry this isn’t a big emergency,” Rose apologized. “My daughter just cut her thumb and I can’t remember where you put the bandages.”

“Oh, don’t worry, I’ve got you,” the nurse said, going to a cabinet and pulling out supplies to bandage Julie’s thumb. “Here, let me see it.”

Finally releasing it, Julie held her hand out and let the nurse sit down and get to work cleaning and wrapping it.

“What are we working on here?” the nurse wondered aloud, looking at the table of craft supplies.

“We’re putting together a scrapbook,” Julie told her, knowing she was using the conversation to distract her from the pain. “You know, so we don’t forget the good things.” She got a knowing look from the nurse. Her eyes were soft and full of understanding, and Julie offered her a little smile. “I know I’ve seen you before, but what was your name?”

“It’s Renee,” the nurse said. “I was just realizing that I never properly introduced myself, either.” Closing the band aid around Julie’s finger, she patted her hand and stood up.

“Well, it’s good to see you again. This is Luke, by the way.” Julie pointed toward where he was simply watching them, slightly spaced out. He blinked for a minute before smiling at Renee and nodding.

“Nice to meet you,” he said. “You’re a lifesaver.”

Renee smiled demurely. “Oh, well, I certainly aim for that at the end of the day.”

Luke could only respond with his dorky grin.

“Luke, here, is a musician like Julie,” Rose piped in.

“Is that right?” Renee replied, raising her eyebrows in interest. “Your family seems to attract the most talented company.”

“Oh, well, I’m definitely talented,” Luke said. “But Julie’s the real wrecking ball. It doesn’t surprise me she got to touring before me and my band.”

She rolled her eyes, but Julie enjoyed the compliment. That was pretty modest for him when it came to music.

“Yes, I remember mentioning my niece is a big fan. I have to refrain from telling her you’re related to Rose, otherwise she would ask for a lot of favors.”

“Oh, how old is your niece?” Julie asked.

“She’s thirteen,” Renee said, leaning on her hand. “Just started middle school.”

“Oh, middle school is rough,” Luke murmured.

“She’s definitely having a rough time,” Renee said to all three of them. “But I think your music has made a difference. Her mom might buy her keyboard for Christmas.”

Julie looked back at Luke, who was already beaming at her, and knew what he would say. He didn’t have to, but she could hear his mantra about the importance of music echo in her brain: it’s about connecting with people, making a difference in their day. She turned back to Renee, whose pager was beeping and made her turn to leave.

“Thanks for the bandage, and of course being there for us,” she said.

“You’re welcome. Glad I could see you, too, Julie.”

“I’ll see you later, Renee,” Rose rasped as she disappeared.

“She seems pretty cool,” Luke said, picking up the music note he was still trying to cut out.

“Yeah, I like her,” Julie told him. “She gave me some good advice.”

“I know she kept talking about her niece, but I think you have another big fan,” Rose said.

“Maybe,” Julie shrugged, trying to focus again on the scrapbook.

As she and Luke left the hospital, Julie had to steal a long glance at her mom, now fast asleep. She had to remember the good things, but there were so many questions she felt like she had to answer. Now that she was off tour and back in school, it was only a matter of time before she had to return to the studio. Once that happened, visits like this would be nearly impossible. She felt a hand slip into hers and fingers interlocking, and she looked up at Luke gently nodding at her to move onward. His puppy-like eyes gave her enough courage to go.

“So how long do you have to be in the studio today?” she asked him, forcing her mind to switch gears.

“Uh...till about seven,” Luke said. “We’re mostly working on Lakeside Reflection today.”

“Aww, I love that one,” she melted into his side as they stepped into the elevator.

“I know you do,” he chuckled softly. She continued leaning on him, feeling his thumb rub over the top of her hand like a lullaby. They remained silent the rest of the way down, just enjoying each other’s company. Julie loved Luke’s calm, quiet moments where he didn’t need to use words. Like the way he used music to speak his mind, he could also communicate with the way he held her. He offered the best comfort. Stepping out of the elevator and to the front of the hospital, Julie saw Bobby’s van already waiting.

“Do you need a ride?” Luke asked.

She shook her head. “No, my tía is taking me and Carlos to see a movie. She’ll be here any minute.”

Forever a pleading look in his eyes when they said goodbye, she shook her head and rolled her eyes at him before he could suggest she change her plans. It happened so often now that she’d had to learn how to say no, no matter how hard it was sometimes.

“Okay, fine,” Luke said, the silent argument over. One hand grabbed onto her head as he planted a kiss on her forehead, letting the other slowly slip out of her fingers as he went to climb into the van. Julie waved at all the guys inside as Bobby took off before looking back down at her bandaged thumb. She still couldn’t tell them about her mom.

Tapping his fingers on the seat, Alex nervously fought to decide if he could break the news to Luke and Bobby. Reggie peeked back, giving him an uncertain glance. They hadn’t exactly discussed it or practiced what they’d say to them, but the clock was ticking. Luke and Bobby needed to know what Caleb was really like now. For some odd reason, Alex’s tongue remained on lock for the whole ride, and it seemed to plague Reggie, too. He felt his muscles twitch as they pulled into the parking lot at the studio. Listening to the squeak of Bobby’s brakes, inertia let them all lightly lurch forward before coming to a full stop.

“Guess who me and Reggie ran into last night?” Alex cried out, almost reflexively. All the guys turned back at him.

“Who?” Bobby prompted.

“Willie.”

The two of them stared at him, stunned, as Reggie took in a deep breath. It was hard to tell whether it was relief or something else.

“Reggie, is he okay?” Bobby asked him.

“Actually, yes he is,” Reggie stated solemnly. “I saw Willie too. He’s here in LA.”

Bobby looked at Luke.

“Caleb said he died. There’s no way he could be here.”

“Well, he is,” Alex said firmly. “Flynn can prove it too, we ran into her as well.”

“Alright, that’s good news, but why are you guys telling us now?” Luke queried.

“Because he knows things about Caleb,” Alex said. “Really bad things.”

Luke and Bobby both blinked and then looked at each other. Alex shot a glance over at the door to the studio. He was already afraid to enter. Caleb wasn’t always there, but he always arrived unpredictably.

“Like what things?” Luke asked.

Later that evening, all the guys sat in the garage where they usually practiced. Luke was lying on the couch, despondent as he gazed at the ceiling. Bobby was sprawled on the floor while Reggie had lain sideways across the armchair. Alex paced, occasionally running his hand through his hair.

“Anyone else never want to set foot inside that studio again?” Reggie offered cheerlessly.

“We can’t just quit making a record,” Luke contested.

“Maybe we wouldn’t feel like we want to if we hadn’t jumped the gun and just signed onto the first place that wanted us,” Bobby said. Luke sat up, clearly bothered by those words.

“Dude, what are you saying?”

“Caleb’s a creep,” Reggie supplied. “I don’t know what his game is, but if what Willie says is true, then working with him is a major no go.”

“If?” Alex retorted, stopping to target Reggie. “If we’re gonna trust anyone between the two of them, I would trust Willie. He’s not the one killing people for convenience.”

“Hey,” Bobby interrupted. “You can defend him all you want. We’re not saying we don’t trust him.”

Alex took back to pacing again. Sighing heavily, Luke sat upright on the couch.

“So what, do we just give up?” he demanded. “We didn’t work so hard to get this far just to drop our dream over one shady guy. I mean, what else could he possibly want with us?”

“Look, I don’t know,” Alex said. “But what if it’s not just about us. I mean, thanks to Caleb, Willie can barely remember who he is.” The guys fell silent and serious as that reality sank in. “I mean, he’s not the only one that Caleb has messed with for years, manipulating them into working under him and giving up almost all of their control. Maybe he doesn’t need to get foster kids for it anymore. What if we’re next?”

“So what should we do?” Bobby wondered. “Break the contract and risk losing the rights to all the work we’ve been doing?”

He had a point. Joining Luke on the couch, Alex rested his face in his hands, feeling the frustration seethe out of him.

“No, guys, we need to think about this,” Luke began saying. “I know this is messed up, but I also know that backing out isn’t the right answer. And I know I’m usually not the one to say this stuff but...we need to be careful.”

#julie and the phantoms #jatp #fanfic #jatp fanfic #sunset curve #alive au #willex #willie #alex mercer #luke patterson #reggie peters #bobby wilson #julie molina #caleb covington #rose molina #viva las vegas #be careful #fiddlepickdouglas

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rhenuvee · 4 years ago

Text

Mission Impossible (George Weasley x Beauxbatons reader)

A/N + Summary: YEAH you’ve seen Fred Weasley x Beauxbatons reader but now I give you GEORGE WEASLEY X BEAUXBATONS READER (wow so cool).

Key: (y/n) - your name, also I just gave your friends names because it would be a hassle to do (y/f/n/1) and so on.

*I realized I’m an idiot for not doing this sooner so tell me if you’d like to be tagged in my future fics. I write for 3 fandoms so please specify which one!*

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

The moment you, your friends and headmistress waltzed into the great hall with your elegant movements, it didn’t take long for people to turn heads in admiration- especially for George Weasley.

Was it merely a coincidence that when you looked his way, he was looking right back at you? For a second you almost forgot that you were part of everyone’s center of attention, and that you weren’t the only one in the room.

He threw a wink your way when your group stopped to flourish butterflies to the crowd. You giggled- God, that certainly wasn’t in your choreography, you didn’t even know if it was directed to you! You hoped that nobody saw that.

Once everyone was settled down, one of your friends Camille tapped you on the shoulder almost urgently.

“Who were you looking at?” she whispered, but still loud enough for your two other friends Renee and Jacqueline to hear. “You were looking at someone, (y/n)?” asked Jacqueline. Well, she said that out loud. Most of the Beauxbatons were staring at you waiting for an answer.

“Camille, I wasn’t looking at anyone.” you lied. Camille obviously didn’t believe you, and lifted herself slightly off the bench table to look around. There were too many people that could’ve been the one. Camille furrowed her eyebrows. “Whoever it was, they were on that side of the hall.” she said with her arms crossed.

“Maybe it was a boy...” said Jacqueline with a smirk. Jeez, if anything, she was always the person to suspect the reason to everything was someone you liked. Suddenly your mind reverted back to your few seconds of memory of the red headed boy. He was handsome, no doubt, and that wink could’ve made you blush more than the Beauxbatons entrance.

“She’s blushing! It is a boy!” exclaimed Jacqueline. You immediately cringed and wished that you didn’t know them anymore. “Don’t worry (y/n), we’ll find this boy sooner than you!” said Camille cheerfully while high-fiving Jacqueline. You facepalmed, as if your first- not even hour at Hogwarts had an interesting start.

“All of you are clowns-” you muttered. “well not Renee I guess.”

“No, I’m totally in on this too.” she said quickly.

“Oh... never mind then. Guess I’ll just be miserable then, with three clowns...” you said a fake sadness which made you and your three friends laugh.

Meanwhile, at the Gryffindor table, a similar conversation was happening.

“Georgie, helloooo?” said Fred waving a hand in front of his face. He was too distracted by the pretty smile that left your lips as you laughed. Fred groaned dramatically.

“Hi! I’m a pretty Beauxbatons girl who the less attractive Weasley twin seems to be distracted by!” said Fred in a mock girly tone.

“Huh?” said George out of his daydream.

“Well that got his attention.” said Harry as he and Ron snickered.

“What are you on about, Fred?” asked George. “I’m saying you’ve been staring at where those Beauxbatons girls are sitting, Georgie. One of them caught your eye?” he asked slyly, but with a knowing smile.

“No-”

“Well then why you looking there? You like the colour blue?” asked Fred laughing into his question. The people listening into the conversation around them went into a fit of laughter. But jokes aside, if anyone knew George it obviously had to be his twin. He saw how his cheeks were tinted a slight pink, and the daydream? It was a dead giveaway to him. The question only remained as to which girl it was- there were lots of you. Fred was more than welcome to play detective.

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

The next night, you went to accompany Fleur to put her name in the goblet. You decided to stay for a while to watch and clap for the other people who were planning to enter. It was very brave of them to take on the tournament after all.

“YESSSSSSSSS!!” you heard two voices call out while running to high five other students. It was him. You immediately perked up and felt your body tense up. You giggled to yourself as they explained to a girl why their plan would work. A bit silly, he was, but it attracted you nonetheless.

Then it happened again, the boy turned his head for a brief moment from the crowd and landed on you. This time you had a closer view of him. You could see his ginger hair with the fire of the goblet reflecting it, his cute freckles, and his eyes which you could tell held a lot of mischief in them.

His mouth was slightly parted at the sight of you, but quickly split into a grin, knowing you were watching him. You couldn’t help but to smile back- in fact a little too widely to your liking, so you put a hand to cover your mouth.

“(Y/N)!” yelled a voice too familiar. Camille, Jacqueline and Renee sauntered in, earning a sigh of frustration to you. Here we go again...

“Hm- why are you so smiley?” asked Camille. Then the three of them gasped in sync. “T-the boy! Is he here?!” they all said looking around frantically. “No I did not see ‘t-the boy’.” you said mocking them dramatically.

Your argument was interrupted by the shouts of the two redheads earlier, who honestly don’t have red hair anymore, and sat up to reveal that they were growing beards. The circle of people around them started laughing as they fought. You and your friends giggled at the sight, but you couldn’t help to feel a little concerned for the boy.

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

You were thankful that your friends didn’t pester you right then and there, but that didn’t mean they weren’t on your case anymore.

It was getting late, and you should’ve been with the rest of the Beauxbatons students, but you snuck around asking people where the hospital wing was. You don’t know why you decided to listen to your heart that was telling you to go see the boy after the aging potion fiasco.

You took a peek inside and saw them already finished getting their beards shaved, and hair back to normal. You decided to wait outside for him until he came out. People started to give you weird looks since your blue uniform stuck out like a sore thumb.

Your heart started racing as you saw him come into your view. You tapped his arm lightly to get his attention. He turned around, and you could swear he had a light blush on his cheeks.

“Hi...” you said shyly.

“Hi.” he said back, chuckling at your short choice of greeting.

“I remember you,” he said, amused at the way you timidly tried to hide your smile. “I see you were worried about me.”

“I see you shaved your beard.” you shot back. He laughed at your reply while sheepishly rubbing his neck.

“Oi! George, we got- oh hello there.” said Fred with a smirk on his face. You smiled shyly. “So you’re the girl Georgie’s been staring at.” Fred’s shin was quickly met with George’s foot kicking it.

“Don’t snog for too long.” said Fred while waving and turning on his heel to leave. George was about to say something when your voice made him decide to deal with it later.

“I’m (y/n) (l/n), nice to meet you.” you said sticking out your hand. “Nice to meet you too, sweetheart.” he said taking your hand and bringing it to his lips to press a light kiss to it. You blushed- you were expecting a handshake. He seemed to be quite a charmer.

“Hey! Don’t try to make me throw up in the middle of the hall!” called out Fred. You hid in embarrassment.

“Fred, mate, I thought you were heading to the great hall.” said George. “You should be heading there too you know?” Fred shot back. George turned back to look at you and smiled.

“We’ll see you later then, darling.” he said running off. “See you...” you replied softly.

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

You felt this emptiness when George left even for a brief moment. But at the same time it was better since your friends wouldn’t expect anything compared to if you walked in together.

You sat down at the table with the rest of the Beauxbatons students, waiting for everyone else to be settled down. You looked for George at his table and he caught back your gaze with silly faces. You giggled to yourself. Fred also peaked his head in your view and waved.

“Okay now you definitely are hiding something, is it the kid with the glasses?” Jacqueline asked, surprising you in the process. “What?”

“We know where you’re looking, it’s someone at that table. Is it the boy with the untucked uniform?” added Camille. “Jeez you guys can’t even bother to mind your own business, and why do you always think I’m with a boy?” you asked a little too defensively. “Why can’t you be like Renee, she’s not poking her nose into everything.”

“To be honest I want to know too.” she said.

“Oh... well anyway- don’t you guys have anything better to do?” you asked.

“Not really, but you’re getting off topic- is it the ginger haired guy?” asked Camille. “There are a lot of ginger haired guys.” you said.

“Hmmm... very suspicious, she has the knowledge that there are a lot of ginger haired guys.” said Jacqueline stroking an imaginary beard.

“You guys are just delusional.” you said jokingly to them.

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

Throughout your experience at Hogwarts, it was very interesting, and sure enough you were kept on your toes trying to see George without any of your friends suspecting anything. If they knew the two of you snogged a few times in a broom closet, you wouldn’t hear the end of it. Luckily Fred promised to keep it a secret.

You and George had a type of chemistry between you and him, and you could feel it from day one. It was only a matter of time before the both of you expressed your passion.

“Georgie, your lips are puffy...” you said slightly out of breath while still in George’s embrace.

“And? So are yours.” he said with a smirk, and brushing a hair out of place on your eyes. You slapped him playfully on the arm.

“That’s not what I meant. Won’t your friends and siblings suspect something?” you asked.

“Mm, I guess you’re right sweetheart. In fact my sister’s on my case now.” he said.

“Ginny was it?” he nodded to your response. “What excuse are you going to use this time?” you asked crossing your arms.

“I bumped into a tree?” he said cheekily. You laughed with your hands clutched at your stomach- he swears he could die happy from that. “What type of tree is that?” you asked calming down.

“One that looks like this.” he said booping your nose. “But more importantly, what about your friends, aren’t they ruthless?” he asked.

“Ugh yes. Keeping away from them is like Mission Impossible...” you said in an annoyed tone. “A mission what now?” he asked. You shook your head, and went back to put your arms on his chest.

“It’s nothing.” you said sweetly.

“Tell me, I wanna know.” he said bringing you closer.

“Fine, maybe later. But kiss me first.”

“Gladly.”

#george weasley #george wealsey imagine #george wealsey x reader #george weasley fic #george weasley fluff #george weasley fanfiction #weasley twins #harry potter #hp fanfic #beauxbatons #fred weasley #george weasley oneshot #harry potter fanfiction #hp fanfiction #harry potter george weasley

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dammitadolfnomorecake · 3 years ago

Text

Undercover Lover prt 120

120

This was what his life had become. Watching Armin slap down a two, Eren was ready to plot an escape all on his own

“Snap!”

Yes. Eren was well and truly on his way to doing just that. Three days and he wanted out so badly he’d sacrifice his best friend to the on ward nurses if it meant his escape

“Dude, are you even playing anymore?”

Sighing at Armin noticing he wasn’t, Eren placed his cards down. Levi was with Erwin, with Armin his temporary babysitter

“Sorry, I’m falling asleep. I take it you won again?”

“Yes, but it doesn’t count when you’re not paying attention. Should I call the nurse? You look a little pale”

“I’m fine, ‘Min. Seriously, between the staff and Levi asking every five minutes, I’m about ready to bust out of here”

“You know he’s only asking because he loves you”

“I know he does, but there’s a limit to how many times you can ask a person before they turn slightly homicidal”

Cleaning up the cards on the hospital table, Armin nodded

“Still, we’re all on edge”

“Oh, I’m well aware of that. Levi doesn’t even want to go back to the hotel at night because he’s paranoid he’s going to miss something happening to me”

Annie had booked a hotel room under her name for him. She’d also come to visit, which had been nice seeing she gave him no sympathy. Her bluntness was refreshing

“That’s because he loves you. He was grumbling when you kicked him out”

Eren wanted to sleep, but he couldn’t kick the guilt of Levi having nothing to do when he did. His boyfriend had been kicked out twice now, grumbling each time and acting like talking to Erwin was the end of the world. He was fine during the day, the problem being the last two nights without Levi he’d come to realise how much he relied on his alpha being there to “protect” him and keep his omega calm enough so he could actually rest. The first morning after Levi had forced to go to the hotel, his boyfriend had come to visit smelling of cleaning products and blood. It didn’t take a genius to work out that Levi had been cleaning his blood out of Erwin’s car, not that his boyfriend admitted it as he distracted him with real food and half strength coffee

“I know he does. Anyway, have you heard from Pixis?”

“Yeah. He said to stay away for now, but wouldn’t tell me what’s going on there. Was working with Levi always this dramatic? I don’t know how you kept up if this is what it was like”

Noticing Armin changing topic, Eren supposed that not for the first time he’d be the last to know what was going. He couldn’t help being the only omega in the group, but before then he’d basically been a beta. Never once had not being an alpha stopped him before, nor had Pixis treated him as anything less. To be coddled so much felt rude, despite his shitty omega lapping that shit up. He didn’t want to be defined by the thing that lived in his head. The only good things to come out of presenting was the sex and Levi, and then Renee. If only he could go back in time and pay more attention to the things he’d ignored because he’d thought they’d never apply to him.

Still… a smile played on his lips at the thought of how much Levi really hated his work overalls and the way he’d look at engine grease as if it’d insulted every cleaning product he owned

“No… it was shit, but it was fun at the same time. Work was… it was shit. I mean, the car owners had no respect for us, and Rod only kept me around to be his pet “Killer Cop”, but then Levi came along… and it got better. He didn’t take my shit. He kept pushing me and pushing me, then decided we should date. I don’t know why… I don’t think I’m the best omega out there… half the time my omega just wants to sook it to the point where I’m done with myself. And I… I’ve told him so many times I want a partner, not a babysitter. I know he had a scare, I know I fucked up, but now I’ve got to fix this shit Floch caused and even if we get through this, I don’t know if we’ll be what we were because Floch made such a mess of things. I stayed away because I didn’t want you guys caught up in my mess. Then it turns out my mess has ended up with everything like this and I’m just so done. You’re all keeping shit from me. Do you know how exhausting it is? I’m dreading seeing Mikasa… I know she’s going to fuss. I’m dreading seeing the kids because how do you tell them that their niece might just die before she’s born because there father can’t even get being pregnant right? I’m sorry, ‘Min. Maybe you should go see what the others are up to. I’m not very good company”

There were things he needed to put in order. Things he needed to tell Levi without Levi brushing it off and telling him it’d all be okay. Levi’s scent was turning towards another stress induced rut which wouldn’t do his alpha any good. They’d talked, but Levi wasn’t able to talk about losing Renee, or putting Eren’s affairs in order. His mate would freeze up and change topic, while Eren felt he was pushing his depression onto him by wanting to make his feelings known

“Have you told Levi this?”

Levi already knew he was self conscious in the face of his accomplished sister. And he’d unloaded on him about Floch and how sorry he was that he’d dragged him into their lives

“Yes and no. I want to sort my will out, and make sure Levi knows what I want if it all goes wrong… I’m not trying to be miserable but at the same time, if anything happens, I want him to have Renee. He doesn’t think he can be a dad, but he’s so in love with her. I know he’s going to be a great dad to her, I didn’t doubt that, and don’t. Yes, I’ve told him that over and over, but he’s still scared… I’m scared too. I didn’t even think. When I saw Floch with that gun, I was so fucking angry”

“Levi yelled at Erwin about it. About not watching Floch and if he was tired then he should have swapped out. He’d let him go to the bathroom alone. I don’t know when, but Floch must have gotten your gun and stashed it in there. Levi had asked Erwin to get the keys, and Floch must have stuffed the gun in his pants or something when he came out the bathroom”

“He told me they’d talked”

“Erwin feels like shit about it. He even cried, but don’t tell him I said that”

“I doubt Erwin would cry over me”

“He’s really happy for you and Levi, and he’s beating himself up. He said he should have woken Mike or Gunther or Eld so that someone else had eyes on Floch”

“I still fucked up. I threw myself at him because he pointed my gun at Levi. Levi never would have forgiven me if I’d been shot and lost Renee”

“Tch. You really are the world’s you shitty idiot. I leave you alone and come back to beating yourself up again. Haven’t I told you it’s not your fault?”

Fucking sprung by his boyfriend, Eren hadn’t noticed him come back. Armin looked panicked at the alpha standing in the doorway

“But…”

As Eren went to justify himself, Armin spoke at the same time. His words dying in this throat

“I’m going to go somewhere that isn’t here right now”

Stupid Armin had the freedom to flee, all he had was the freedom to sit on the damn bed and feel stupid for letting himself the caught

“I thought we talked about this”

“And I thought you were with Erwin”

Walking over to him, Levi pushed the hospital table out the way, before climbing up to sit beside him. Flicking him against the ear, Eren swatted at his boyfriend’s fingers

“What the shit?”

“I leave you alone and you go and get shitty ideas again”

“It’s not shitty”

“It is if it’s upsetting you”

“You’re upsetting me”

Whelp. He’d said it now. Instead of getting mad, Levi took his hand in his

“I’ve noticed, though I didn’t think you’d be complaining to Armin about me”

“I wasn’t complaining about you… much”

“Mhmm. I thought we talked about this”

“We did”

“Then why didn’t you tell me it’s still on your mind?”

“Because you don’t want to talk about the serious stuff”

“Like how scared I was when you charged Floch?”

“And that you’re not okay. And that you’re still mad about what I did”

“I can be mad, and I can be upset, but I’m far madder at myself”

“You’re not the idiot”

Sighing at him, Levi rested his head against Eren’s shoulder

“You’re not an idiot. I’m the idiot. I should have been the one to protect you. You’re always charging off getting yourself hurt, because you want to protect everyone. I don’t blame you, and it’s not you I’m mad at”

Levi should be. Renee was their little girl

“I’m dumb. I couldn’t work Floch out until everything was too late. I couldn’t think of a plan to get us out of there when he threatened you. I keep weighing you down when you’re the only thing that makes me actually happy”

“It’s not forever. This is why I have to be three steps ahead of you. I was sorting out your discharge, after talking to Erwin”

“Maybe I should stay here?”

“Tch. You know I can’t do this conversation thing for shit. I know you have questions, and I’ve been delaying them”

“It feels like you’re all keeping secrets from me”

“I’m not”

“You didn’t tell me you yelled at Erwin”

“It was hardly my finest hour. I didn’t want you to worry”

Levi was such a hypocrite. Eren could have smacked him, but his boyfriend was holding his hand

“I’m already worried about you. You smell like you’re going to go into a rut”

“I’m not… but I have been better. I’m not handling things too well”

“Then tell me that”

“Tell you that I can’t sleep? Or that I’m paranoid Kenny is going to come for you?”

“It’s better than hurting my feeling by treating me like I’m a lowly omega”

Snorting at him, Eren saved his offence on the grounds of hearing Levi out

“Eren, you’re hardly a lowly omega. You’re still capable. My alpha… my alpha hasn’t exactly been cooperative mentally”

“I know you’ve got it hard”

“But you don’t know it reminds me constantly of how we failed you. At this stage I don’t think I can protect you”

Levi had it all wrong. His alpha didn’t have to protect him, he’d protect both of Levi and their daughter from Levi’s fears over Kenny

“You don’t need to”

“I want to. That’s the difference. I don’t want you crying or depressed over the shit we can’t control. You’re much better when you smile like the shit head you are”

“Are we going to be okay? Us?”

“Yeah. That’s the one thing I have faith in right about now. Erwin can’t do much right now, so I don’t have the answers you want… and it’s killing me knowing you’re worrying about him”

“You don’t need to be jealous, I’m not about to run off to be with Erwin”

“I know that”

Huffing at him, Levi didn’t have to be so cute. Lifting his boyfriend’s hand, Eren made sure to lock eyes with Levi before licking the back instead of kissing it

“What the fuck, you nasty shit?”

“I licked it, it’s mine. You’re my alpha. I might be worried about our friends, but I’m worried about you the most”

Levi’s nose was so wrinkled in disgust that Eren almost felt a twinge of feeling bad

“You licked my fucking hand”

“Like you weren’t going to go wash your hands as it was”

“I was negotiating your release, you disgusting arsehole. Give me my hand back”

As Levi tried to pull his hand away, Eren held it tighter

“Not just yet. You see, I like it when my boyfriend holds my hand”

“He’ll be holding your head in the toilet if you’re going to keep licking his hand”

“I licked it once. How long until I’m free?”

“They want a solid bowel movement. None of this squirting shit”

Levi had a big mouth and had dobbed him in

“That’s not my fault. Blame the antibiotics”

“If you can squeeze a solid turd then they’re not letting you out”

“If you bring me some coffee I’m sure I can arrange it”

“They said solid. You know, the logs you like to drop at home”

“So my getting out of hospital is pending on my ability to split myself in two, and not even in a fun way. Maybe I’ll just stay here until I get a better off?”

“Or you’ll get your shit together so I can finally get you out of this shit hole”

Leaning across, Levi drew back as Eren forced a small kiss on his lips. His alpha thinking he was about to be licked somehow made the moment funnier

“What the shit was that for?”

“For you, I’ll try my hardest to drop the biggest shit ever”

“That’s my man. But seriously brat, I’m not mad at you”

“I’m mad at me… but I’m happy with you. Think you can handle a few more weeks of your pregnant boyfriend being a wreck?”

“As long as he doesn’t push out daughter out doing that shit, I think I might be able to handle it”

“Good, because it’d really suck having to go back to everyone wondering if we’re okay”

“We’re okay, you shitty omega. And don’t worry about Mikasa”

“Did you talk to her!? Armin didn’t tell me you two talked”

Levi chuckled at him, Eren changing the atmosphere between them with his “outburst”

“No. But, I’m not about to let her upset you. There’s nothing defective about you”

Jesus Christ. Levi needed to husband him up already

“Shit, I love you. I’ve been feeling pretty fucking defective. I mean, I know people have much worse pregnancies…”

“Tch. And they feel as shitty as you do about it, but they make it through”

“I really couldn’t have made it this far without you. You’re going to be a great dad… I just…”

“She’s your daughter, brat. Every time you’re told not to do something, or you can’t, you go ahead and do it anyway”

“A bit like you. I’m proud you’re her dad. And I know you think you might not be able to do this, but you can. I don’t go around presenting for any random alpha”

Squeezing his hand, Levi gave a half shrug at the same time

“I don’t know about that… I mean…”

Smacking Levi before he could continue, Eren the nuzzled into his boyfriend’s hair mumbling against the soft black locks

“Rude. I really am dreading going back. I don’t want the fuss”

“I’m pretty sure we don’t have an option when it comes to our friends”

“I know. You know, I kind of miss the old you. Remember the days when going out automatically meant showering when we got home? And you would have damn near murdered me once for licking you hand”

“That’s what happens when you wind up with a brat 15 years your junior. Apparently I had a stick up my arse and didn’t know it”

“You were fine. You are fine. More than fine if I’m being honest, but I probably shouldn’t be feeding your ego. I’m just saying that I’ve noticed the change in you and I want you to be okay with that too”

“Tch. Sweet talk isn’t going to get out of here any sooner”

Laughing softly Eren shook his head. Levi knew how bad he was at this bed rest business, especially after three days of it, yet it wouldn’t hurt his boyfriend to accept a compliment once in a while

“Fuck you, I’m being romantic”

“And you grumble about my lack of romance. How’s that shit doing?”

Nothing screamed of “The end of romance” quite like going back to discussing his bowel movements

“Brewing… I guess it’s back to waiting?”

“I could beat your arse at a game of cards?”

“Do I have to brain? I don’t think I’ve got much brain power left”

“Nah, we’ll make it easy. If I win, you have to do one thing I tell you to do. If you win, I’ll do one thing you want me to do”

“Even if that’s drinking a beer and smoking?”

Sighing heavily, Levi nosed into him. Eren wasn’t sure why his boyfriend was going around sighing when he was free to drink and smoke everything and anything he liked. He should be the one bloody sighing

“You really miss it, don’t you?”

As much as he loved being pregnant with Renee, he missed beer. He missed alcohol. He missed chain smoking without judgement… Health be damned when it came to those cravings. Sadly, and falling flat in humour, his teasing came out sounding more like a sad whine

“You never really know what you have until it’s gone…”

“I promise I’ll buy you your first beer after she’s born”

“Shit, am I dying? Or did you just volunteer to step up and take care of our daughter so I can get drunk?”

Bumping him with his hip, Eren’s “hopes” were dashed and he was reminded all over again how good Levi was to him and how awkward his alpha could be

“Oi! One beer… and I think you’ve more than earned it for growing and carrying our little Renee. You’ve done well, brat. So good. Growing her and all that. Shit. I’m trying to say you deserve a beer for all this… Fuck. Go piss, you shitty omega. You’ve got a card game to lose”

Levi had lost at cards. He’d lost at cards and Eren had laughed until he’d been reduced to coughing. Eren hadn’t expected his boyfriend to listen to his teasing, yet his mate had borrowed a wheel chair and taken him out the front of the hospital to make good on his bet. Once outside, Eren really couldn’t careless about the bet. He could Erwin’s car, so close that it teased him.

Holding his beer and turned away from various people going about their daily lives, his alpha didn’t look to pleased about losing, even if Eren secretly knew Levi had lost to cheer him up

“I don’t think you could look shadier if you tried”

Grumbling at him as if they’d never gone against the rules before, his boyfriend cast a glance around them as if the police were going to pop out of nowhere and bust them

“You’re not supposed to be drinking on hospital grounds”

“Pretty sure Hannes would tell you otherwise. If you keep staring at it, don’t blame me if I swipe it”

Levi had even left it in the brown bag. His serious boyfriend was turning into such a delinquent

“Tch. The things I do for you”

“Mmm, but you love me. Hopefully tomorrow I’m out of this place and we can finally get shit organised”

“I’m going to try get us a meeting first thing Monday morning. I don’t want anyone feeling sorry for that sack of shit and taking pity on him. Now, beer or cigarette first?”

“Beer… I want to get a good whiff of that glorious stink”

“You’re so fucking weird”

“I’m pregnant and I’ve literally been good for months. The least you could do is send a little of that nicotine air my way”

“It’s not good for either of you”

“Nor is being murdered by your pregnant boyfriend for making him wait”

It wasn’t until Levi took a sip of the beer that Eren fully processed what was happening. His boyfriend, who hated drinking at the best of times, had gone out and brought beer just because he was craving it and had asked him. Perhaps due to Eren staring, Levi took a deep sip, before coming up coughing with his nose wrinkled as he spluttered

“That tastes like shit! Why the fuck did I listen to you?”

Unable to not laugh at the level disgust on his alpha’s face, Eren shook his head, taking the bottle off his boyfriend as Levi pulled out a handkerchief to wipe at his mouth

“I don’t know… but I needed the laugh”

“You’re a shit head. One sip. That’s all you get”

“I’m pregnant…”

“Take a sip, you shitty brat”

Not wanting to, but feeling like he’d been played, Eren took a sip. He had been. For some reason only known to his boyfriend, his mate had taken a bottle of alcohol free beer and covered it in a standard brown bottle bag

“You’re a wanker. You went to all that effort…”

It was Levi’s turn to laugh at him. His alpha had the sweetest laugh…

“It was worth it for the look on your shitty face. You looked ready to shit yourself at the idea of drinking while pregnant”

“I did think you were suspiciously okay with all of this, and you looked quietly smug with yourself when you came to my room”

Knowing Levi for as long as he had, he knew his boyfriend’s little quirks. He knew when Levi was hiding his happiness at whatever task he’d accomplished as he had this way a ghost of a smile played on his lips, yet you only noticed it if you knew him well enough to know it was there. Having been shopping, Levi normally wouldn’t be smiling. He’d make a beeline for washing his hands, then grumble about all the slow people who’d held him up

“Tch. I was pretty proud of this one”

“You should be. You had me going… You're right about the taste though. I miss going to the pub. I miss pub lunches and beers…”

“And smoking”

Eren nodded his agreement

“Yeah. I’ve got live through you now”

“I refuse to ride that shitty bike of yours”

“My bike isn’t shitty, and you’d probably grind the gears anyway”

He really should sell his bike then put the money towards Renee, but they’d been through so much together… Still, Renee and home with Levi was his future now…

“Tch. Did you just shit yourself?”

“Nope. I was thinking. I really should buy a proper car, but that can wait until the nursery is done. I don’t want labour pains as we rush to assemble everything”

“We’ll talk to Hannes about how to go about getting you a caesarean now that you need a new obstetrician…”

“Don’t remind me. It was hard enough to find a good one the first time around”

Annoyingly, he’d liked his last obstetrician. She’d made him feel at easy, and he couldn’t blame her for dropping him when he didn’t keep to his appointment schedule. Still, he missed his fortnightly trips to see Renee on screen. He missed someone who knew what they were doing being there to make sure his little girl was growing properly. Having two visits from Social Services hadn’t been exactly pleasant when he knew his job could be dangerous at the best of times. That someone could think Levi pressured him into keeping their little girl made him want to rage. He could have aborted. He could and it would have been his choice to do so. Levi didn’t own his body… just his shitty heart

“That’s probably my fault”

Despite being stuck in a wheelchair, Eren was quite proud of the kick he landed on Levi’s shin. Levi yelping and kicking the side of the chair rather than him

“Don’t be a shit. Fucking Floch fucked with my head, not every shit thing that happens is due to you. Hell, most of the unshit things in my life are because of you. Stop being a snivelling shit of an alpha”

They were outside. Outside in the fresh air without the stink of cleanliness and cancellers that weakened Levi’s scent

“Shit, brat… Were you trying to break my shin? I forgot how fucking strong you are when you put your mind to it”

“I bet I could still pick you up and throw you over my shoulder”

Glaring down at him, Eren only smiled as he held his left hand out towards his mate. Levi continuing to glare right up until he finally took Eren’s hand by his fingertips. Tugging, Levi stumbled forward, stopping himself so Eren was caged beneath him

“You’re being a shit. You do know there’s no alcohol in that beer”

Shrugging, the taste was appalling but the promise of real beer was still on the table once Renee came along

“You’re the one who started it with trying to trick me. I bet you even bought those chalk candy cigarettes”

“No. After dealing with you, I need an actual cigarette”

“I don’t think I’m supposed to drive you to smoking”

Levi could have drawn back by now, instead his alpha was maintaining eye contact as he let his pheromones flare to assert his dominance

“I need some form of comfort after that kick of yours”

“And if you keep letting your scent out like that, I’m going to get horny. You really do smell the best”

Levi finally broke eye contact to duck his head. Eren sorely tempted to kiss him on the top of his head

“I’m trying to be mad at you, shitty brat”

“Trying and failing… I… know you’re supposed to go back to the hotel tonight, but can you stay?”

“You’ve been kicking me out, and now you want me to stay?”

Affected by Levi’s scent, Eren could smell his own responding without control

“Yeah… I miss your scent. I feel better when I can smell you”

Less tired and less cranky… though he wasn’t sure that wasn’t his natural setting at the moment

“Tch. We’ll see what they say. Now stay put while I have a smoke. No wheeling yourself over to steal my shitty air”

“Spoil sport. I wonder if I’ll be able to taste it when we’re bonded and you’re sneaking off for secret cigarettes”

Shaking his head at him, Levi drew back before reaching out and ruffling his hair

“I’m not sure it works that way”

“And I’m not sure it doesn’t. Fine, go tease me with those cigarettes. I’m going to enjoy the air as much as possible before you force me back inside there”

“I know you hate it, but you’ll be out of here soon enough”

“Yep, and into the clutches of our friends. Do you think we should have grabbed Erwin?”

Not that Eren knew what to say to him…

“Shitty Fucking Eyebrows is fine in there. He’s does want to talk to you, but he’s fine. You don’t need to worry”

“He blames me, doesn’t he?”

Flicking him in the forehead, Levi scowled at him

“No, brat. He blames himself. His pride’s as dented as the rest of ours, but he’s also a prime alpha and you’re a pregnant unbonded omega. He’s licking his own wounds”

“Are you saying I should be worried?”

“He just needs a bit of space right now. Shitty fuck dared to growl at me because I smelt of you. It’s a shitty fucking alpha thing”

“Armin didn’t tell me that”

“Because he doesn’t know Erwin like I do. Those pheromones of yours are no joke”

Raising his hand to his left gland, Eren wondered how bad it must have been for all of them to have him around. He wanted to bond with Levi before Renee came into their lives, but felt shitty at the thought his ruined glands might not take the bite

“Don’t do that, brat. If he couldn’t handle himself near you, I’d never have let him in the same space”

“Sorry. I don’t know how to control my scent… it must be hard for you too”

“Tch. It’s fine. It’s a pregnancy thing. Don’t let it get you down, brat”

How could it not?

“Yeah. Now go pollute the air. I expect at you to get in at least three cigarettes before I’m trapped for the night again”

“Better make the most it, just wait until we get home”

“Thanks for that, now I’m all depressed again”

“I’ve got your back, brat. Even against Mikasa”

“I know you do”

#ashratherose #aot #snk #omegaverse #mpreg #ereri #undercoverlover #undercover lover

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hannahsmusings · 2 years ago

Text

Renee

*I was rubbing my stomach as I walked, looking at each tree and trying to imagine what it would look like in Ant’s house but I kept feeling such resentful and bitter feelings, thinking about how he doesn’t really deserve this chance and how I should be at my friend’s house where neither me or Eli were ignored or dismissed for a phone call or a damn text, my emotions being so all over the place due to my pregnancy, trying to reign them in and control them but it was hard, especially when I didn’t even feel good* *I turn to look back at the two of them, able to tell from even a few feet ahead that Eli was getting over it, really regretting the decision to not put him down beforehand, seeing Ant was starting to struggle and walking over, coming up behind the two of them and surprising Eli by tickling his side, trying to distract him from his fussiness, smiling as he squeals and laughs happily when he sees me* Hi my fussy boy. I think mommy and daddy need to pick a tree so we can get you home and down for a nap, right? Riiiiight? *I use a higher pitched voice that he always found funny, leaning in and rubbing my nose against his and kissing all over his chubby face* Distractions will only work for so long before the demon comes out so… we should just pick one and be happy with it. *I still don’t meet Ant’s eyes or even look at him as I speak, turning and looking up at the trees, still not finding the perfect fat yet tall one that I wanted, walking behind the trees so I disappeared from sight, not noticing that Eli was now just wanting me since he was getting sleepy and not liking that he couldn’t see me anymore, starting to kick and reach for me, his babbling turning into whining and quickly turning into crying as he reaches for me*

__________________________________

*a bit relieved when you come over and he perks up, grateful as I wasn't sure what to do with him but it also making me a bit annoyed that you didn't feel I was capable enough to do it on my own, frowning a little as I wasn't sure how to feel or react, hating that I didn't know where I stood with you* *looks at you as you speak to me, frowning when you wouldn't even look at me and wondering what I'd done now to upset you, you seeming impossible to please and I could never get you to communicate, frustrated as you dismiss the idea of the tree and sighing* I wanted to pick the right one.*murmurs but you'd already walked off, frowning as you being out of sight seemed to trigger Eli, him beginning to cry and squirm and I was feeling overwhelmed, annoyed that my idea of family bonding time was falling apart and I wasn't sure how to fix it, this being really important to me and it wasn't going to plan* *of course at the worst possible moment my phone rings, groaning a little as it just makes Eli cry harder and starting to look around for you in the trees as the phone rings* Renee? *calls out, bouncing Eli as he wails now seeing you and approaching you quickly* Renee? Can you take him? I have to take this. *lifts him out of my arms without even waiting for your response, feeling flustered as he wails and squirms for you when I pass him over to you, immediately pulling my phone out of my pocket at answering it as I walk away from his noise, it being my manager again*

#renee plot

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willowbird · 4 years ago

Note

Prompts open? Bet maybe foxes(and Andrew) slowly finding out how fucked up Neil’s mom was to him?(I get it was to survive but it was still abuse)

Since this one got kinda... Uh... Long... And answered both of these prompts I decided to combine them!! I didn't include a separate one for Andrew because he's present for a couple of them and by the time I reached the end it was like 6600 words and an Andrew POV would probably add another 2000 because I'm me and I always get carried away with Andrew POV.

If you’d rather read this on AO3 you can do so here.

4 times the Foxes found out how fucked up Mary was to Neil, and the 1 time Neil actually admitted it

ONE - ALLISON

Allison had been taking Neil shopping, which in itself wasn't really a weird occurrence. Allison would take any of her teammates shopping if that's what needed to happen to get them to stop looking like a dirty hobo. As it happened, Neil was just the worst offender and so she pestered him about it more often than not. It was remarkable how the guy could be dating the Monster and still look like that. Not that Andrew Minyard was a fashion icon or anything, but the miniature psychopath at least understood the concept of aesthetic and made sure the people around him wore things that actually fit.

Well, most of the people around him.

Point being, Neil needed a bit of extra help, and Allison was more than happy to supply it. So she'd taken to dragging him out shopping with her once a week. It was basically therapy - and fuck if that boy didn't need some of that.

(But Allison wasn't going to say that in front of Neil or he'd probably get hives…)

Usually, the shopping trips all went about the same. Allison would drag Neil along, Neil would acquiesce until he got hungry, then he'd get bitchy and after Allison fed him he'd calm the fuck down enough to try on more things before refusing to get anything. On a very rare occasion she would get him to accept a shirt or a new pair of pants. His weakness was shoes, but she tries not to exploit that too often.

Today, however, was different - because today Allison caught Neil's eyes catching on a particular hoodie. If it had been just once she would have passed it off, but this was at least the fourth time Neil had sought it out in the whole ten minutes they'd been in the narrow clothing store and his eyes didn't just catch, they lingered. Which meant that Neil was interested, that he liked something. This was a breakthrough! Especially since the hoodie was new and had color, rather than the drab shit he was always wearing. It was a very pretty cerulean blue with black stitching and was of a less bulky design than the other two Neil owned (one of which was the Foxes one she'd never seen him wear off-campus). In the proper size it would fit his frame nicely, she could tell just by looking at it, and she was low-key impressed that something with general style had been the thing to catch his eye.

Allison grinned and nudged him. "Hey, just grab it. You could use a new hoodie."

Neil's attention snapped to her and Allison wasn't prepared for the flash of instinctive panic that raked through his eyes. "No, I didn't- I don't-" He raised his hands apologetically, which was weird, then seemed to catch himself and dropped them immediately. Allison could see him struggling not to look over at the sweatshirt and for the life of her she didn't understand why. But now she needed to know.

She gave him a look. "Uh, yes you did, and you do. What's the big deal? So what, you like it. Get it." She shrugged, hoping nonchalance would encourage him to stop being a weirdo about it.

"Nah," Neil said with a shrug. "It's fine. I've got hoodies."

Allison thought about letting it go, she really did, but she was too curious. But she also knew that the more she seemed to care about the answer she was prodding for, the less likely Neil was going to give it. So she pretended to look at some of the surrounding clothing without really registering what she was shuffling through. "You act like you've never bought something just because you wanted it before," she said with her usual level of scathing judgement.

"It was too dangerous," came Neil's distracted response. When Allison peaked over at him, her hand freezing on the shoulder of a sweater, about to slide it down the rack, she saw that he was looking at the hoodie again, studying it with a too-careful blankness she was beginning to recognize as Neil-in-memory.

"Getting something you wanted was too dangerous?" It was harder this time to keep her tone casual but she managed it well enough that Neil didn't fully snap out of his thoughts, wherever they were.

He shrugged. "It was distracting. If you had things you cared about you'd lose sight of survival, or make stupid mistakes."

Allison just stared at him. "You weren't allowed to have things you wanted… because they'd be distracting? Neil that's really fucked up."

Neil looked over at her and grimaced, pulling away from the hoodie. "Whatever, it's not a big deal. Come on, are you done shopping yet?"

For another moment Allison stared, then she stalked forward and violently grabbed the hoodie from the rack, ignoring Neil's startled protests.

"No," she said, pointing at him with her free hand. "You aren't some kid on the run anymore and you don't have to follow your mom's fucked up rules. If you want something, you're going to get it, damn it." If Neil tried to protest again she didn't see it because she'd already whirled around to head up toward the checkout.

Fuck you, Mary.

TWO - DAN

Team Night was something Dan instated right after finals last year. One night a week they all got dinner after practice. The whole team had to be there for at least part of the time. Sometimes they got along, sometimes they fought like half-crazed rabbis raccoons, but they were all together in a situation that wasn't about exy (no matter how many times Kevin or Neil brought it up). If there was anything Dan had learned over her years as Team Captain, it was that they would always operate better on the court if they could also work together off of it.

Tonight they'd gone out to dinner with the whole team before splitting off into various groups back at the dorms. Renee had gone off with Allison and Nicky while Aaron had left right from the restaurant to meet up with Katelyn. The freshmen had split into their own groups - they were still working out their hierarchy among themselves and Dan knew by now that she just had to let it happen - which had left her and Matt and, surprisingly enough, Neil and Andrew. She hadn't really expected the other two to accept her invitation to join them in Matt's room for a movie, but when she's offered Neil had easily agreed and Andrew hadn't protested.

A part of her had still expected Andrew to peel off and go back to his own dorm once they'd returned to Fox Tower, but the reticent goalkeeper had followed them all into the room with no complaint.

"All right!" Matt announced with a grin once the door was shut and locked behind them, crossing to where he kept the booze. "Power Couple Movie Night! Whatcha guys want? Babe?"

Dan chuckled and rolled her eyes affectionately. "You're ridiculous and I love you. I'll have a whisky sour." She looked to Andrew and Neil. "What about you guys? He just stocked up so there's a bit of everything."

"Babe, you're making me sound like an alcoholic."

Dan dismissed the complaint with a wave of her hand and smiled over at the other two.

"Whisky straight." That was Andrew.

Neil just shrugged. "I don't need anything," he said.

"Do you have Dr. Pepper?" Andrew asked, apparently not done.

Matt nodded, lifting a mostly-full two-liter for him to see and setting it on the surface of the cabinet.

"He'll have that with amaretto."

"Andrew."

"Neil."

Dan tried not to be too obvious about how closely she was watching them. It wasn't even a 'how could they be together?' thing. It was just that… Neil was this big mystery, and Andrew was also a big mystery. And now they were together and that just made the mystery balloon exponentially. The two of them fit together in a way that was somehow both surprising and like nothing in the world could make more sense. They had a whole language together of looks and gestures, of silent understandings that the rest of them couldn't even begin to interpret. In a way, this was just like any other couple. Even now, Dan shot a glance over at Matt and they shared a look of their own before resuming their subtle observations of the other couple. Somehow it was different with Andrew and Neil though. Somehow it seemed… heavier. It was fascinating and also kinda unsettling, which only made Dan want to figure it out even more.

After an extended silence where Neil and Andrew had some indecipherable conversation with their eyes alone, Neil sighed, apparently conceding defeat, and nodded agreement to his boyfriend's drink order.

"All right! Neilio is drinking with us tonight!" Matt pumped a fist into the air, shattering the residual tension with his enthusiasm. Dan had probably never loved anyone so much in her life.

Neil smirked his own affection for the big lug and flopped onto the couch, Andrew following with less flourish but a level of relaxed comfort that made Dan's heart soar. It was really happening. Andrew was letting himself trust them, letting himself be a part of the team, letting himself be… one of their friends.

Matt finished making their drinks and brought them over on a serving tray he had been a little bit too excited to buy.

Neil took his drink and cautiously sniffed it, wrinkling his nose. "It smells sweet," he complained.

"You have two choices when it comes to liquor, Josten. It either tastes sweet or it tastes like alcohol." Andrew was entirely unsympathetic, though his gaze remained focused on Neil even as he sipped his whisky. Apparently, this was some either-or that Neil was willing to concede to because he sighed and sipped the drink. After a moment he hummed and took another sip. Another sip turned into a second drink as the four of them collectively decided to skip the movie and instead hang out and talk about the worst movies they'd ever seen. Andrew, surprisingly, had a lot to contribute - as he had apparently seen a lot of movies and had Opinions about all of them. It was very weird and kinda surreal, but also made Dan feel almost giddy.

"Well shit, Neil, if it was just a matter of you not liking the taste of alcohol we'd have stocked up on wine coolers ages ago," Matt said as he handed Neil his third glass later on in the night. He grinned and perched on the armrest of her chair. Dan smiled up at him when he put his arm around her, leaning against him and sipping her own drink as she turned her attention back to the other couple.

The other couple. Well, that was weird.

"Nah, I still wouldn't have had anything," Neil said after another, fuller drink. He leaned back, comfortable. Dan noticed that he and Andrew weren't touching but there was still a weird intimacy with their proximity. It hurt her brain to think about so she didn't focus on it overmuch. Then Neil said, "Mom only brought out the alcohol when I needed to be stitched up," and Dan froze with her drink halfway back up to her mouth. Neil didn't seem to notice, looking into his cup as he continued. "No hospitals, you know, and when I was a kid I always cried a lot and was really loud about it unless I was too drunk to feel anything at all."

And when I was a kid I always cried a lot and was really loud unless I was too drunk to feel anything at all.

When I was a kid…

It felt like all the air had been sucked out of the room. Dan peripherally noticed that she wasn't the only one who had gone still. It was so rare for Neil to say anything about his time before he joined the Foxes. It was even more rare for him to bring up his mother - especially in such a… disturbingly revealing way.

Matt was the one to break the silence. "When you say you were a kid you mean…?" There was a false lightness in his voice, like he was trying not to alert Neil to how much he was revealing. Andrew cut him a glare but then looked to Neil without interrupting.

Neil shrugged, swirling his glass lightly, apparently fascinated with the ice as it clinked gently against the sides of the glass. He poked at them with his mixing straw. "Mm, Lola scared me, y'know? I didn't want her to stitch me up. So I begged mum. Dad would hurt her too if she couldn't keep me quiet. I tried, but being noisy was always a problem for me. 's how I usually got in trouble anyhow. Or by not being still enough. Or dropping knives." Neil shivered, his free hand rubbing against a spot on his abdomen like he was worrying away at a memory, some phantom ache from a past that he could never quiet escape from.

Andrew, apparently, had decided this was enough. He reached forward and pulled the glass from Neil's hand with a gentleness that shouldn't surprise Dan anymore. He set the glass on the table and stood, then tugged Neil up with him. He didn't let go of the striker's hand even when he got the other man standing. Once he was sure the other would be steady he glanced over at them with a dark, steady threat in his eyes. "We are leaving now."

A sound beside her alerted Dan to the beginning of Matt's protest and she elbowed him before he could complete it. In its place, she gave a strained smile and nodded. "Of course. You guys are probably tired. See you tomorrow!"

Neil raised his hand in a small wave but he still seemed a little lost, his expression closed, his mind somewhere else.

When the door closed behind them, Matt stood up and walked over to lock it, then he stood there for a moment before turning to face her. His expression was dark and angry and echoed the storm stirring in his own heart.

"Neil went on the run when he was ten."

It might have seemed a random statement, but Dan was following the same line of thought and she nodded. They'd known that Neil's dad was a bastard, knew he'd been hurt by him and his people when they'd been on the run and it wasn't a far toss to infer that he'd been hurt earlier too. But this confirmation was blood-chilling. Mary's part in it was not comforting.

"She did nothing, Dan. She did nothing. She let him get hurt and then she got him drunk as a little fucking kid to stitch him up again. I know it was a fucked up situation, and I'm sure it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows for her but fuck Dan. Fuck."

Dan nodded, setting down her drink and rising from the chair so she could go to Matt. She knew that she only had a surface understanding of the situation. She couldn't imagine what Mary might have gone through herself, but she couldn't find enough compassion in her heart to make excuses for her. Maybe that made her heartless, she didn't fucking care. What she cared about was that Mary let her own son be hurt badly enough that he needed to get drunk and get stitched up over and over again, before and after they went on the run. What she cared about was that Mary hurt her son over and over herself in order to control him, to keep him under her thumb. Maybe she did it because that's how she thought she was protecting him but intentions meant shit.

Lesser evils were still evil.

There are always choices, always options, and Mary's choices had traumatized Neil just as much as the Butcher's had. Maybe Neil had complicated feelings about his mother but Dan didn't. She had a very clear opinion, actually.

Fuck you, Mary.

THREE - MATT

"Okay so, but why Andrew?" Matt didn't mean anything negative with the question, but he flipped a hand in apology when Neil glared over at him. "I didn't mean it that way. I mean like -- is your type short, blond, and stabby or…?"

"I don't have a type. I don't swing."

Well that made no sense.

"Except for Andrew," Matt clarified, reminding Neil that he was self-admittedly committed to the Monster.

Neil nodded without hesitation. "Except for Andrew," he agreed.

"Right… but… why? Why only Andrew? Didn't you ever like… like other guys, or girls?" Matt studied his best friend, desperate to understand him. He wasn't even being anti-Andrew about this, he was just trying to learn more about Neil and this integral part of him. Neil said he didn't swing, and then of all people to fall for - he falls for Andrew. Matt had thought that maybe Neil had been shy about admitting he was gay or something, but Neil was pretty confident about the whole not-swinging thing. Matt got that there were other sexualities out there, but the idea of just… not wanting anything just didn't make sense to him.

He was surprised when Neil actually said -- "Sure, yeah, when I was like, fourteen or whatever. I wouldn't say I liked anyone, but I noticed girls."

Matt blinked and looked over at him, letting the game controller rest on his lap. "Wait, you did?"

Neil shrugged. "Yeah, but it wasn't allowed so…"

"It wasn't… allowed?" Matt frowned, lost.

"My mom knew they'd be a distraction, that it was too dangerous for me to fall for someone. I don't think it occurred to her that I might like a guy, so when she realized I was noticing girls she made sure I didn't anymore."

Matt was silent for a long moment, letting the implication of that sink in. "When you said she 'made sure' you didn't notice girls…?"

Neil shrugged. "I was stupid. Just telling me wasn't going to do anything." But his friend's casual nonchalance was gone and Matt watched as the other man withdrew into himself. His expression closed down and he scratched his nails through his hair, against his scalp in an anxious tick Matt was pretty sure Neil didn't even realize he did.

A flare of rage heated his lungs and it took concentrated effort to swallow it down. He could imagine what Mary might have done to her son to drill the lesson home.

"That's really fucked up, Neil."

Neil just shrugged, then nodded at the tv. "Are you gonna play or what?" Matt could see that his friend didn't want to talk about it so he let it go, but he wasn't going to forget it.

"Yeah. How about you order some pizza or something? I'm getting fucking hungry." A bit of the tension broke and Neil flashed him a small smile before pushing off the couch to go get his phone to make the order. Matt watched him go and took another breath to make sure his anger was packed away for later.

Fuck you, Mary.

FOUR - NICKY

Christmas! Nicky was so fucking excited about Christmas this year. Not only would Erik be coming into town, but the whole family would be there! Well, the family that mattered anyway. Aaron was bringing Katelyn, Andrew would be there and participating, and Neil was staying with them for the entirety of winter break. It was going to be amazing!!

Already, in the few days since school had let out, Nicky had set about Christmas-ifying the whole house and it was looking amazing if he did say so himself, which he did.

Today was going to be particularly exciting because he had managed to get Neil to agree to go Christmas shopping with him. Erik would be arriving tomorrow morning and Nicky still hadn't gotten his present. Or Aaron's. Or Andrew's. Or Neil's… He'd gotten Katelyn's though! He'd seen an absolutely gorgeous sweater at the mall the other week in just her color so he'd swiped it up. Point being, he had some catching up to do and he suspected that Neil was also behind on his Christmas shopping.

This was confirmed shortly after they arrived at the mall and Nicky asked Neil what he'd gotten for Andrew.

Neil blinked at him, like he was caught off guard by the question.

"I don't think we're getting each other anything," he said, looking downright confused.

"Oh. Oh Neil. Oh Neil no. No, you are definitely getting gifts for each other. You're a couple!"

Neil looked vaguely uncomfortable as he shrugged, but he didn't deny the label and Nicky counted that as progress. "I don't think we're the gift-giving kind…"

Clearly, Neil hadn't been paying attention to the fact that Andrew had been gifting Neil at every fucking opportunity since they'd met. Clothes, keys, food, drinks, more clothes, a phone. At first, Nicky had just thought it was Andrew being possessive in the way he was possessive of all the people he'd decided we're his. It wasn't until after the two had come clean about their relationship (relationship!!!) that Nicky had thought back and realized that Andrew wasn't half as generous with the rest of them. Honestly, Nicky was a bit embarrassed for not noticing it all sooner. This whole time, Nicky thought he was being cryptic when he was just being really, really gay. For shame.

"Mm, well," Nicky hedged, feeling pity for the poor blind idiot. At least he was cute. "You're wrong, but we won't get into it. Just trust me when I say that Andrew has definitely gotten you something." Probably multiple things, actually, but Nicky didn't want to shock the poor cute dummy. "And you can't tell me that you don't want to give him a gift." Nicky stopped, frowning at Neil in disapproval.

"It's not that," Neil admitted, and Nicky wasn't sure he'd ever seen the younger man look more awkward.

"Then what is it. Come on, kid, tell Uncle Nicky."

Neil made a face. "Only if you never say that again."

Nicky laughed, though he realized Neil had a point. That might have been a bit much. "Deal. So what is it?"

Neil shrugged, fidgeting in a restless way that Nicky recognized as one of Neil's tells when he was uncertain or nervous. Neil was someone who needed to be in motion, someone who needed to do things. Nicky related to that, heavily, so he linked his arm through Neil's and tugged him into walking again. The motion seemed to help, and after a few minutes, Neil finally spoke up.

"I've never really done the whole Christmas or birthday thing. Especially not since me and my mom, you know…" He drifted off vaguely, gesturing with one hand like that's was supposed to indicate all the time he and his mom were running from his psycho dad and his evil butcher-buddy minions. Nicky nodded like it had and Neil continued. "It just feels… weird, you know. Like it's a thing that real people do. They go to school and they have holidays with families that don't want to kill them or each other. They buy each other presents that they don't need and that's… normal. But it just doesn't make sense to me."

There was a lot to unpack there, but Nicky's mind caught on the first thing Neil had said and it kept replaying over and over on his head like a skipping record.

Like it's a thing that real people do.

Like Neil wasn't… real.

Nicky stopped walking again, his heart clenching suddenly in his chest. "Wait, hold on. Rewind. Neil, you realize that you are a real person, right?"

Tension wiped Neil's face into an awful blankness and normally Nicky would let it go. He'd make a joke and try and get them back to something lighter, but this was… something was just so wrong about that and he couldn't ignore it.

"Neil," he implored, hands on both the younger man's shoulders, gripping tightly, willing him to open up to him.

Maybe it was a testament to the season of sharing, or maybe it was proof that he and Neil had come a long way since those first few months over a year ago, but for whatever reason, Neil didn't brush him off and he didn't pull away. Instead, he sighed and gave a small shrug, shuffling his feet as he apparently searched for the right words like they were hidden between his shoelaces.

"I didn't feel real for a long time, you know. I couldn't be. Mom was the one who made all the identities for me, the one who chose the names and the covers. She was the one who created everything about the boys I was supposed to be, down to their interests in school and outside of it, just in case someone asked me when she wasn't around. She'd test me on them. I studied those boys with more dedication than I studied for my classes when I was actually in school."

Nicky frowned, confused. "What about your interests and what you were like."

Neil shrugged. "I didn't have any. I wasn't like anything, unless you can count fear as a personality trait."

That… didn't make sense. Neil was saying words, and individually, Nicky knew what they meant, but his brain was struggling to comprehend exactly what they meant when put together in that order.

"But… that's not possible. What about when you saw something you liked, or wanted, or did something that you just… enjoyed. A tv show or, fuck, math. You like math right? That's a part of your personality." He heard the desperation in his own voice but he was too distracted by the conundrum of Neil's 'I wasn't a real person's reveal that he didn't even care to attempt to rein it in.

"Not until I got to Palmetto," Neil admitted. "I didn't have to take a math class my senior year because my forged transcripts already had the required number of classes to graduate and it seemed conspicuous to take more than that. Your average teenager doesn't like math."

"But you thought about it, right? When you were signing up for classes, you thought about adding math, then actively chose not to." A picture of understanding was beginning to form and Nicky felt a little bit sick with what it showed.

Neil frowned, like he was thinking about it, then gave a small nod of reluctant agreement.

"So… there was something you liked, something that was you and you just, what, instinctively went 'No, bad idea'. Why?"

"It's what my mom would have done," was Neil's instant, confident reply. He hadn't even had to think about that one. Then, to Nicky's horror, he elaborated with, "Mom was a stickler on that kind of stuff. If I liked something, if I felt pulled to anything, it was dangerous and bad. I learned quickly enough to avoid anything that interested me so it wouldn't distract me. Surviving was what was important."

Yeah. Yeah Nicky definitely felt a bit sick now.

"When you say that you 'learned quickly enough'...?" Nicky wasn't sure he actually wanted to know, but that didn't stop him from asking the question.

"Mom--" Neil actively stopped himself this time. "It isn't important. Look… are we going to go shopping or what?"

Nicky wasn't willing to let it go. "Neil. Did she… like, hurt you? For having interests?"

Now Neil looked more than just a little uncomfortable, and the way he didn't meet Nicky's eyes was all the answer he needed. Nicky wanted to hug Neil just then, but he managed, at the last second, to hold himself back. He'd probably pushed harder than he should have already and he was trying to be better about boundaries. Instead he squeezes his shoulders and then pulled his hands away.

"Well, come on. Let's finish shopping. I'll help you pick out something for Andrew if you aren't sure what to get him."

Neil looked so visibly relieved that Nicky's heart broke. "Ah, yeah… thanks Nicky." The small smile he shot him was enough that Nicky forgot the boundary thing and just hugged him. Ugh, that poor kid. No wonder he was so confused whenever anyone was kind to him if his own mother had treated him like he wasn't even a real person to the point where Neil had legitimately started to believe it. Nicky had his issues with his parents, all the Foxes did -- it was part of what made them Foxes -- but this was kind of another level.

Nicky kept his arm around Neil's shoulders as he lead the younger man off to shop, now determined to make this the best fucking Christmas ever. Because Neil was a real fucking person and he deserved that frivolous normalcy. He deserved to like things and to want things.

Fuck you, Mary.

+1 - AARON

Aaron didn't usually care about whatever was happening in Josten's weird little brain. It wasn't a place he was eager to explore, to be perfectly fucking honest, and he was unfortunate enough to be subjected with the assshole's proximity often enough as it was. However, it was hard to ignore the man when he was having a literal mental breakdown right in front of him. He wished he could. He wished he could turn around and walk away, shut the door, and go back to not caring. Unfortunately, parallels had just been drawn that he couldn't unsee and now turning his back on Neil almost felt personal. It was incredibly uncomfortable and for a long moment Aaron just sat there, silent, in the wake of what just happened.

It had gone like this:

Andrew and Neil had been on separate ends of the couch doing homework. Nicky and Kevin were still sleeping off the trip to Eden's Twilight last night, and Aaron was slowly letting himself wake up to a hot cup of coffee and some random show on tv. Then that random show had transitioned into some kind of true crime show that had dragged everyone's attention to the screen with a single word.

Wesninski.

As it turned out, the show wasn't actually about the Wesninskis, but rather about crime in Europe. The Wesninski mention was due to the current segment on the Hatfords, a British crime syndicate -- the one Neil's mother hailed from. It was her picture on the screen when their collective attention all snapped to the screen, and the tension in the room suddenly increased tenfold.

Mothers were a bit of a complicated topic for everyone in the room. It was also probably the one thing that Andrew was unwilling to touch with a ten-foot pole, not even for Neil - and Aaron was long since past denying that those two had something going on far deeper than sexual tension and a disdain for ninety percent of humanity.

So the room had frozen, holding a breath with a shared lung. Then Andrew had stood, moving to snatch up the remote so he could turn off the TV when Neil said, "No."

Aaron had never seen Andrew stop so fast in his life. His twin's face remained blank, but there was a darkness in his eyes that Aaron was queasily familiar with. It was a cruel, angry darkness and he didn't envy Neil for being the subject of it as Andrew turned his gaze on the striker.

"If you want to cry over that bitch I am not going to stick around to suffer it." The words came out low and hissed and even Aaron could hear the sharp rage beneath the forced facade of indifference Andrew was attempting to keep in place.

Neil looked like he wanted to hit Andrew but he managed to keep his response to a sharp, venomous, "Fuck you."

Andrew held the remote up to eye level then dropped it. It landed hard enough on the table that it bounced off, the back popping off and the batteries scattering. Then he was striding out the front door. Aaron expected it to slam, but somehow the gentle click of it just under the murmur of the crime show was just as finite.

It was like getting to watch a moment he'd lived over and over again over the course of years from the outside for the first time. In fact, it wasn't like that - that's what it was. Something anxious and sick curled in the pit of his stomach as Aaron looked from the closed door to Neil's tense, shaken form. He hated this. He hated sympathising with Neil. He hated understanding Andrew's anger. He hated not being able to pick a side. Aaron had heard enough about Mary Hatford to know that she was just as fucked up as Nathan Wesninski, dragging her son around, forcing him into isolation, beating him, fucking him over socially for his whole damn life when she probably could have just saved them both by either going straight to the FBI or calling up her own crime family. He knew that Neil didn't blame his mom when he probably should. He knew he made excuses, that he grieved for her. He knew he missed her and he also knew that it was really, supremely fucked up.

He also knew that he was just as guilty for the unworthy idolization of an abuser. It had taken him years to get to the point where he was willing to admit that, though. It was meeting Katelyn that had him finally looking at his past with a sobering dose of reality. It was only after months of wrestling with himself that he'd finally been able to accept the truth. Months of Katelyn's steadfast support, months of sessions with Bee beyond the joint sessions with Andrew, months of introspection that left him mentally and emotionally wrung dry -- and Tilda hadn't had half the physical and emotional ammo that Mary Hatford had probably levied against her young son.

Aaron watched Neil vibrate in place, watched his hands curl and his throat work, watched the pain and the rage and the grief flash through his eyes even as he tried to swallow it all down. He watched Neil, but he saw himself, and it was more than disconcerting.

He didn't make the conscious decision to speak before he said, "I get it." In fact, he almost didn't realize he had spoken until Neil snapped his attention over to him like he'd forgotten he was still in the room at all.

Neil didn't respond, probably too caught up with the war in his own head to form words -- a rarity for the loud-mouthed striker.

"She was all you had," Aaron said, and he wasn't sure if he was actually talking to Neil, or talking to the version of himself that still clung to the corner of his memories, desperate to validate the only person that might have loved him, the one person that should have loved him, when he needed it the most. "She was all you had, and that's what kept you going. Not her rules and not whatever it was that she did to make sure you survived. That it was her and you, that you had each other, and that that meant something. She'd do whatever it took to protect you, she was the only one who would do that, and it was everything, right?"

He could tell by the widening of Neil's eyes that he'd hit the nail on the head. He didn't look away as he continued with his truths, knowing he was probably the only person that had ever vocalized an understanding -- that he was probably the only person who could understand.

"And then she was gone. And it wasn't only her that died. It was everything that she was supposed to be. She died, and all you had left were the 'almost's and 'not enough's and the 'never again's. And if you let yourself believe that she was just as bad then everything was for nothing. All the times you cared. All the times you tried. All the times you did everything you could to be what she expected of you. None of it would matter, because she was gone, and she could never redeem herself, and it was all pointless." Aaron heard his voice like someone else was speaking. It was too calm, too quiet, too knowing. It didn't feel the desert in his chest, scorching and dry and far too exposed. He saw Neil's reaction like he was looking in a mirror and it was more than a little bit unsettling. He understood the flash of anger in his eyes, the stubborn refusal in the set of his jaw, then the reluctant acceptance when his shoulders dropped. Aaron hated understanding anything about Neil Josten. He hated even more that it was this that they had to share. Something so raw, so close to home it had a permanent home inside his chest, nestled between his lungs. It wasn't fair.

Then again, he was a Fox for a reason he guessed. Life just wasn't fucking fair to a Fox.

Neil looked away, then deflated against his corner of the couch. He tilted his head back and Aaron saw his throat work as he fought emotions neither of them wanted Aaron to be a witness to. Aaron averted his eyes. He only looked up again when Neil spoke. The other man's voice was quiet but steady.

"The one thing she harped on most, more than anything else, was how attachments to anyone or anything other than my own survival were going to get me killed. Even to her. She told me so many times to run, leave her behind, but I… I never could. She never left me behind, even when there were times when I wanted her to. She'd probably be rolling in her grave if she could see me now…" Neil's voice drifted off as his gaze locked on the front door over Aaron's shoulder. Aaron didn't need to be psychic to know that he was thinking specifically about Andrew, about how much he'd risked for Andrew - not just to be with him, but also to protect him. Going to Evermore, allowing Nathan's men to take him quietly… yeah, Mary probably wouldn't be too happy about that, and not in the caring, not wanting Neil hurt way. She'd be pissed that Neil cared about something so much to take that risk, after all she'd done to try and beat that ability out of him.

"She was trying to make me soulless," Neil said without taking his eyes away from the door. "She hated it so much whenever I showed any glimmer of a personality. Whenever I was anything other than a possession she kept and controlled. My mother loved me, in her own way…" His mouth tensed, pursed, then he looked at Aaron.

For a moment, the two of them just looked at each other, a shared understanding between them.

"That's not enough," Aaron finally said.

Neil looked down, then up, meeting his eyes. "No," he agreed, "it's not."

On the tv, the show was still talking about the Hatfords. Not all that much time had actually passed since the segment started. Neil looked at the tv, then stood and gathered up the scattered pieces of the remote. He put it back together and spared one more glance at the screen, which now showed a picture of the Hatford family at some event when Mary and her brothers were teenagers. Then he lifted the remote and resolutely changed the channel.

"I'm going to take the car to pick up some food, you want anything?" Neil asked as he moved to get his shoes, then take his keys from the hook near the door.

Aaron snorted. "No. I'll order something if I get hungry." There was still some time until he'd want lunch, but he knew this dance by now. Neil and Andrew would drive off together. If he wanted food he was better off taking it into his own hands. It was entirely likely the other two wouldn't be back until closer to dinner.

Neil nodded once, then was out the door. Aaron watched him go, then sighed and turned back to his coffee, considering it.

He didn't like sharing something with Neil fucking Josten. It was annoying and uncomfortable. But all the same… he understood. And like it or not, they were tied together now. Maybe he wasn't ready to say 'fuck you' to the memory of his own mother, and Neil definitely wasn't ready to do the same regarding Mary Hatford, but they could acknowledge the similarities in their stories and that was a start -- for both of them.

Aaron sighed and closed his eyes. He pointedly didn't think about his own mother and instead let himself eagerly latch onto the other man's sympathetic demon as he thought, with vehemence, 'Fuck you, Mary.'

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