#ana: people being nice to me? sounds fake they have to be after something

[kravinova]

@wnterslder sent: i brought you some food.

“I could have caught some myself, you know.” Despite the words and her rather chilly demeanor, she doesn’t turn the food away. “Thank you.” She does still have manners. 

Eyeing him warily, she shifts in place. If there is a reason for him to be offering things to her, it’s not a reason she’s aware of. It seems unlikely that he would need help - the winter soldier is more than capable alone - so what? Is this an attempt to get close to her for some reason? Is he after intel? Something with her family’s assets?

“What are you doing here?” she finally asks. Sometimes it’s necessary to be outright.

[gayhotpriests]

Thank you so much for tagging me in 'send me a prompt and i'll write you a fic!' May I please request Buck and Eddie prompt where Buddie is already together and Ana makes a comment about Buck or the tsunami? I'd love to see protective Abuela and Eddie ❤❤

hey! i'm sorry i couldn't fit abuela into this but I hope you like it! i had a great time writing this prompt, and it turned out to be almost pure fluff. enjoy! send me a prompt and I'll write you a fic.

this right here, in a grocery store. [one shot, 1.4k, buddie, ao3]

Buck stares alternatively at the two boxes in his hands, taking his sweet time deciding which pasta brand to buy. He and Eddie are getting groceries for the week, along with Christopher, who is happily seated in the cart and has very seriously accepted the task of organizing the items in categories. Eddie has left them in the pasta aisle to go look for Christopher’s favorite cereal and they have agreed to meet at the fruit and vegetable section in two minutes- Buck has to make a quick choice, or else, Eddie won’t get him his quinoa chips.

“What do you think, Superman?” He calls out for Christopher’s attention, showing him both boxes, “Fusilli or farfalle?” Buck asks. The boy scrunches up his nose and rubs his chin between his fingers, thinking hard. It is a hard question, after all.

“I like the little bowties better,” Christopher answers in a serious tone, “I want that one.”

“Farfalle,” Buck corrects softly, handing him the box so he can place it between the bread and the tomato paste cans. “Alright, let’s get rolling.”

Christopher giggles as Buck pushes the cart and makes car noises, reaches out a hand to pat Buck's when they pass a shelf stocked with chocolate on sale. They share a knowing smile as they grab a couple of bags of M&M's.

They are reaching the fruit and veggie section, with Christopher babbling about wanting to get kiwis and tangerines when Buck spots Eddie, a beautiful looking woman standing next to him, facing Eddie so Buck can't see her face. She's sort of tall, slim, and tan, and her long dark curls cascade down her back, shiny and perfectly styled.

A strange feeling of uneasiness settles down in Buck's stomach- he's never been the jealous kind, but his relationship with Eddie is still kind of new (the romantic aspect to it, at least), and they haven't really announced it to the world yet, so he wouldn't blame him for getting hit on at the grocery store. Still, something's not right, and the feeling intensifies as they approach Eddie and Buck takes note of his tense shoulders and a tight smile. He's uncomfortable, eyes flicking from the woman in front of him and the end of the aisle. When Eddie finally sees them, he relaxes for a second before panic flashes in his eyes and he turns back to the woman, scratches his neck, and looks at his son and Buck again.

The woman turns around.

“Miss Flores!” Christopher exclaims, genuinely happy to see her, and she smiles wide, eyes crinkling cutely and all. Buck stops the cart a few steps before he crashes it against them.

“Hello Christopher,” she says, voice syrupy sweet and a little on the edge of childlike, and she crouches down to be on Christopher’s eye level, “long time no see.”

“Hey, Ana,” Eddie clears his throat, “you know Chris, and this is, uh, this is Buck. Buck, meet miss Ana Flores.” Ana directs her thousand-mega-watt smile at him now, and Buck tries not to cringe.

Eddie didn’t introduce Buck as his boyfriend, which, okay, fair, he can’t imagine how awkward it must be for Eddie to run into his ex-girlfriend who doesn’t know he swings both ways at the grocery store, but still. Buck has to pretend that his stomach isn’t tied in knots and slap a fake smile on his face, his mother’s ‘be nice, Evan’ echoing behind his thoughts. Buck takes a deep breath. He’s going to be nice; he can be polite and get out of this as fast as possible.

“Nice to meet you, I’ve heard a lot about you, Buck," she says, but there’s something wrong in the way she says her name, laced with something Buck doesn’t have the time to dissect right now.

"Likewise," he manages to choke out. His skin feels like it's being crawled by ants.

“Miss Flores,” Christopher interrupts, and the three adults turn to look at him in the shopping cart, “Buck is the one who saved me from the tsunami!”

Buck’s stomach drops, suddenly

“Sure, sweetie,” she replies lightly- and God should strike him with lightning if that dismissal didn't make his blood boil- then turns back to Eddie as if Buck wasn’t there, and asks “He’s your best friend, right?”

Eddie bites his lip, his eyes flicker to Buck. He nods, silently communicating that he’s okay with whatever Eddie comes up with to protect them. Buck knows Eddie is not ready to come out publicly, and they decided to keep it inside the family for now- Christopher knows they are together, but they also had a very extensive conversation about what that meant and about talking to other people about their relationship. Their kid is amazing, and they never ask him to lie about their family- but Christopher does understand that his dad needs to be the one to tell people, for now. Buck would never let Eddie hide anything from his son or make him believe that there is anything wrong with their relationship and that it is something to be ashamed of.

Buck trusts Eddie, and that’s all that matters.

“Yeah, no, actually, we’re together now,” Eddie says, twisting the plastic bag he’d been holding in his hands nervously, “Buck is my boyfriend.”

“Oh,” Ana’s face falls, and Buck’s heart speeds up. She looks nervously between the two of them, before settling in Buck again, only a trace of her fake smile left. “I’m happy for you, guys.”

“Thank you,” he utters, completely at lost for words- this is the last thing he expected. “We’re really happy.”

“Buck is the best!” Christopher says, tugging on Buck’s hand, so he lets go of the shopping cart handle to hold his small hand back. Looking down at the kid and his warm smile, every insecurity he has ever had vanishing and replaced by the overwhelming love he feels for him. The way Christopher loves him is something no one could ever take away.

He looks up, finding Eddie's eyes, giving him one of those looks, all soft and fond. It makes Buck feel seen, not just because Eddie had come out to his ex-girlfriend in the middle of a grocery store. They smile at each other, and for a second nothing else exists in their little bubble.

“Wow, yeah, I think- I think I better leave you to it,” Ana twists a curl behind her ear and clears her throat, breaking the spell.

“It was nice to see you, Ana,” Eddie replies with a relaxed smile, steps around the cart, and slides an arm around Buck’s waist. His chest swells with pride, he’s not ashamed to say he loves that Eddie feels comfortable enough to show not only Ana but everyone else around them that Buck is his partner. Buck leans into his boyfriend's hold, smiles brightly at the woman in front of him.

And, well, if he’s also enjoying the fact that Eddie is showing him off to his ex… well, that’s his business and no one else’s.

“You too, Edmundo. Take care,” and with one last smile and wave, she’s gone.

Buck lets out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding, the last knots in his stomach dissolving. He turns to Eddie and what he sees is probably the most adorable thing ever- a blush spreads all the way from Eddie’s neck and cheeks, avoiding Buck’s eyes, checking out the label of Buck’s pasta.

“What was that?” he asks smugly, just to pick on Eddie. He’s so fucking proud of his boyfriend right now, but he’s going to take advantage of his flustered state, or his name isn’t Evan Buckley.

“Well, you’re my boyfriend, aren’t you?” Eddie retorts, still not looking up, and Buck shares a glance with Christopher, who has turned in his seat and is covering his mouth as he giggles, and winks. Sneaking a hand around Eddie’s neck, he pulls him closer and places a wet smooch on his flushed cheek, mwah sound included.

“Gross, daddy!” Chris laughs, and Buck exchanges a look with Eddie- both thinking the same, a mischievous glint in their eyes- and instantly lean down to attack their kid with kisses all over his face.

Right here, Buck decides he doesn’t want big, public declarations of love or expensive gifts. Just this, their family, the reassurance of his hand on his waist and spending time together in something as mundane as grocery shopping with Christopher. Taking small steps together- coming out one person at a time, making Eddie feel safe enough to do it, to even hold him and kiss him in public.

This is all he needs.

-

taglist: @buddiextarlos @eddie-diass @sunbeambuck @twofirefighterdads @justsmilestuffhappens @firefighterhan @agenderbuckley @allison-usn126

[wrenhyperfixates]

Of All the Places

Chapter 4

Pairing: Loki x reader Series Summary: Washing up in a small town in Oklahoma was definitely not part of Loki’s plan when he came to conquer Midgard. There is one good thing about it, though: No one recognizes him as the one who just wreaked havoc in New York. So, Loki plans to recover from the battle and move on with his life. The only problem? He’s not sure he can leave you. Chapter Summary: Loki continues to struggle with his emotions as he tries to figure out his bond with you. On top of all that stress, he finally learns what the rest of the world is hearing about New York. Chapter Warnings: long, angsty, and fluffy A/N: Woohoo! Fourth chapter is here! Totaling almost 5,000 words, the longest thing I have written to date. Any comments, questions, or predictions? I’d love to hear them and chat with you! Well, guys, gals, and non-binary pals, hope you enjoy :) Updates every Friday.

Tag List: @lucywrites02 @frostedgiantfavs​ @lunarmoon8​ @twhiddlestonsstuff​

✥ Start at Beginning ✥ | ← Previous Chapter | Next Chapter →

Disclaimer: Gif not mine 

Loki hadn’t slept well in days. Between nightmares and dreams of you, his mind was a constant hub of activity. He didn’t need as much sleep as you mortals did, but after the whole ordeal with Thanos, the lack of rest was taking a toll on him. You were the first to notice, and started hovering even more than normal, something Loki was reluctant to admit he liked. In his final days on Asgard, he’d made himself a complete loner, going so far as to isolate himself from Frigga. It was nice to have some companionship again. That was as far as Loki ever let his mind wander, though, cutting himself off before he could deeper analyze the constant pull he felt toward you. Certainly there wasn’t even anything else to analyze anyway, he convinced himself. You were, after all, only human.

Before he could get lost in thought again, Loki refocused on Matt’s caramel blonde hair as he chased him between the barn and the house. The boy’s light curls were the only thing he’d inherited from his father and looked almost exactly like Ana otherwise. It made Loki wonder how he never guessed he was adopted, seeing as he looked nothing like either of his parents. This fresh air was really starting to get to him, he decided, because he was continuously going down these deep contemplative paths in his mind. It was a constant loop of his feelings for you, his true heritage, and how he was taking advantage of your family. Then again, it may have been the traumatic, near-death experiences and hours of torture that was doing this to him. That was the one thing he always liked to forget about.

“Tag, you’re it!” Loki cheered as he tapped Matt.

The challenge in this game, for Loki at least, was not to overtake Matt’s strides too quickly. It was the perfect balance of fake chasing and finding just the right moment to execute the tagging. Still, he was having almost as much fun as the child was.

“Now you’re it!” Matt declared a few minutes later when Loki let the boy catch up to him.

If there was anything to admire about the kid, it was his tireless energy. Loki was glad to have found someone to keep pace with him as far as that went. His mind, too, was kept plenty stimulated by late-night talks with you. Ever since you’d showed him the creek a few days ago, you seemed to talk into the wee hours of the morning. He’d never noticed before just how deep and intelligent mortals could be. It was quite the accomplishment that you were changing so many of his opinions in such a short time. Then he realized he was thinking of you yet again and cut off the train of thought before it could persist.

“Loki. Matt,” Ana called, waving at them from the front porch.

After scooping the boy up in his arms, Loki jogged over to where she was standing. Matt was happily transferred to his mother’s arms as he was carried into the kitchen for snack time. The God of Mischief looked out over your land, trying to give in to the feeling of contentment he was so close to achieving. If only he didn’t constantly have that voice in his head telling him he was a monster, he didn’t belong here. Maybe then he could be happy. A part of him wished he’d lost his memory for real.

“Oh, there you are,” you said, walking out of the house. “I’m heading into town if you want to come with me and see if anything jogs your memory.”

“Yes. I would like that very much.”

As the two of you made your way to the car, you repeatedly tossed and caught your keys in a nervous pattern. Loki held the door open for you as you got in and quickly hurried around to the other side. He stared at a weird strap by his seat as he sat down. You saw his look of befuddlement and couldn’t help but let out a little laugh.

“Do you not remember how to use a seatbelt?” you asked kindly as he nodded his head yes. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you came from an alien planet.”

Then you reached across his seat to buckle him in. Unfortunately, it was a bit farther than you realized, and you fell into Loki, hand splayed on his chest, his hands immediately reaching out to steady you. For a minute, the only sound in the vehicle was your pounding hearts. You cleared your throat in embarrassment as you finished your task. The air between you held a distinct awkwardness, and Loki realized that this was the first time you’d been truly alone since the creek. It sent a thrill down his spine, even as he tried to ignore his racing thoughts. Determined to look anywhere but in your direction, his eyes landed on Mama, scowling in the window. She’d made it clear that she wasn’t keen on him spending so much time with you and Matt. If he was any smarter, any braver, he would listen to her and just leave already.

“So,” you began, clearing your throat again and driving off, “how are you feeling today?”

“I am quite well, thank you. I do believe I am fully healed.”

“Promise to still take it easy, ok?”

“Alright.”

You lapsed into silence as you cruised along the road. Loki stared out the window, hoping to find some clarity in the scenery streaking by. You were a mortal, he should not have felt any sort of attachment to you. Then again, he hadn’t spent time with one since the Middle Ages. It had all been so dreadfully dull back then, but things had changed. You and your family were so exuberant, so captivating. But he was a god, and he should not concern himself with that. In fact, he should be on his way of this planet, which was maybe not so miserable, after all.

Before long, you reached town and pulled into a small parking lot of a building with a sign that said “24 Hour Convenience Store” and had many light-up neon signs, declaring they were open. You got out and Loki followed suit.

“Anything look familiar yet?” you asked. “I know you don’t live here, but maybe you passed through.”

Lying was his specialty, and it’s what he should have done now. He could hear himself in his head, his silver tongue weaving a tale about how things were coming back to him. Then he could pretend to contact someone and create an illusion, so you believed he had a happy reunion with his family. It would be prefect; he would leave and you wouldn’t worry about him. He truly wanted to believe it would perfect, anyway, but it wasn’t. Not if he never saw you again. There must be something special about you, he decided, and the Tesseract brought him here so he could figure it out. That was it. That had to be it.

“I am afraid not,” he replied. “Perhaps I came from the other way.”

“Yeah, maybe. Don’t worry, we’ll figure this out,” you comforted him with a hug, mistaking the reason for his sadness.

His body went stiff in your embrace. He hadn’t been hugged in centuries. Granted, that was in part his fault because he was afraid receiving hugs from his mother would hurt his carefully crafted image. Now here you were, holding his body against your warm frame. Once his mind cleared a bit, he awkwardly hugged you, too, and gave your back a few uncertain pats. He should not have been encouraging this behavior, but he was. Maybe if he caused some mischief he’d feel more like his old self. Or maybe he didn’t want to be that person anymore. It was all too much. He was exhausted by the incessant back and forth of his thoughts. He untangled himself from you and gestured to the store.

“After you,” he said.

You pushed open the glass doors and were greeted by the cashier as you walked in. Loki followed you to the back where the refrigerator section was, and he chivalrously held the milk that you’d come to pick up. You also grabbed some coffee grounds and then proceeded to checkout. After setting down the items on the counter, Loki turned over a chocolate bar in his hands, feeling like a child as you took it out of his hands and put it down with the other items. You grabbed a few other bars too, flashing a smile at Loki and keeping up a conversation with the clerk all the while.

“And who’s your new friend?” the cashier, whose name tag said Mr. Berkeley, asked you.

“This is Loki. He’s staying with me until... Well for a while,” you finished, not sure how much Loki felt comfortable revealing.

“Where’re you from, sonny?”

“Unfortunately, I cannot remember. It seems I had some kind of horrid accident,” Loki explained before you could fret anymore. He was very tired of being called son by people when he was a thousand years their senior, though. “I was very lucky to have found my way onto their farm.”

“Well, that’s quite a story. You should talk to the newspaper, get the word out.”

You shot an “I told you so” look at Loki to which he responded with one that said, “We’ll talk about this later.” Before either of you could say anything, though, the news came on the TV which Loki hadn’t realized was on.

“Do you have cable back?” you inquired as Loki began to panic. “It’s still out on the farm.”

“Nah. I got a satellite on the roof. Just got it set up again this morning.

You nodded along as the anchors began the next story. “New York is still reeling from damage, but the group of superheroes, going by the name of the Avengers, is leading clean-up efforts. The perpetrator has still not been caught-”

Loki discreetly turned the TV off with his powers before you could hear any more. He’d have to make sure the satellite took significant damage before leaving.

“Dang it. I just fixed that damned thing,” the cashier said.

“What was that all about?” you asked, completely bewildered by the sudden influx of information. “What happened in New York?”

“I guess you missed it in the paper last week,” Mr. Berkeley explained. “Some crazy group of aliens attacked, led by some power hungry god. Supposedly it was Thor’s brother, but they haven’t disclosed that information yet. Reckon they want to wait until he’s caught, avoid a panic.”

“Oh my god. That’s terrible! Gosh, you miss one paper,” you laughed, trying to keep the mood light.

A dark cloud passed over Loki’s features, even as Mr. Berkeley laughed along. Despite those SHIELD agents covering this up, word had still gotten out in some capacity. He had to be careful, or else he was going to get caught, and then you’d be in danger. He cursed under his breath. Your safety should be the last thing he was worrying about, and yet it was the first thought to come into his mind. A little kindness thrown his way should not make him into the mess he was. Of course, there were so many other things to like about you, too, and he kept finding more. He didn’t want to, he didn’t want any of this, but the Norns were punishing him for something. What would have happened, he wondered, if he’d listened to Thor and just held on that fateful day? If he hadn’t let go of the staff and fallen to what should have been his ultimate demise?

“Sonny, are you alright?” Mr. Berkeley asked as you laid a hand on his arm.

“Fine, but I think we should be going. I’ll meet you outside.”

He jerked away from your touch before you could do anything else and stalked outside. At least the satellite was hanging half off the roof with a huge dent in its side. He opened his door and got into the car as you unlocked it and raced over to him.

“Loki! Loki!” you called as you hurried over. “What was that? Are you ok?”

“Nothing! Nothing at all. Can’t you see I’m fine?” he snapped, struggling with the seatbelt. “I’m fine,” he whispered again.

“Hey, look at me,” you soothed, filled with compassion and placing a hand on his cheek. “Whatever it is, just let me know. I’m here for you. Talk to me.”

Loki’s eyes fluttered shut as he enjoyed the warmth from your palm. He let go of the seatbelt and took a few deep breaths, just like his mother had taught him. A part of him wanted to hang onto this anger, knowing that it might finally drive him to leave. He knew from experience, though, that acting in moments of blind rage would never lead to anything good.

“Is it New York? Did you remember something?” you gasped. “You had felt it was important in some way.”

“Perhaps,” he said after one last steadying breath. “It may have triggered something. But really, I am just a little tired. Maybe I am not as healed as I thought.”

He turned his head away and rested it against the window as your hand dejectedly fell into your lap. It’s not that he wanted to pull away, but he knew it’s what was safest for you.

“Ok then. We’ll go home.”

Loki whispered his thanks and succeeded in buckling up. He closed his eyes as the car started and a wave of emotions crashed over him. When you said home, he immediately pictured the farm. He knew he shouldn’t, but he did.

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

Loki holed himself up in his room for the rest of the day, working through the new information he’d learned. He pretended to be asleep when Ana came to bring him some dinner. Notably, you had not been the one taking care of him, and he cursed himself for pushing you away. He didn’t even bother trying to convince himself it was for the best; he knew it wasn’t. After so many years on his own, he finally had a friend, and he drove you away. Why he expected anything less from himself, he didn’t know.

At some point, he fell into a restless sleep. The food from last night was still on the bedside table, but it was now joined with the Snickers bar you’d bought for him yesterday. Someone had also come and tucked him in. Maybe he hadn’t lost his friend, after all. He opened the chocolate and took a bite, delighting in the sweet and nutty flavor. He polished it off, then waved a hand over the rest of the food, causing it to disappear. He wasn’t much in the mood for eating it, but didn’t want you to worry. He nearly ran into John as he walked into the hallway with the empty tray.

“There you are!” John exclaimed. “We were getting worried. Do you need the doctor?”

“No, I am quite alright, thank you. I think I just needed some good sleep,” Loki lied.

“Only if you’re sure. Take it easy today, though, ok?”

“That’s an order,” you said, appearing behind your brother-in-law and taking the tray from Loki. “Are you hungry? You missed breakfast, but I can heat up some leftovers from you.”

“I am fine,” Loki began, but noticed you frown. “Though, I suppose I could do with a small breakfast.”

“Great!” you said a little too brightly. “I’ll meet you down there.”

“Loki, can I talk to you for a minute?” John asked, pulling him aside. “What exactly happened yesterday? We heard about New York, but it seemed like there was something else bothering them.”

Loki felt a pang in his chest at the man’s words. As if the news weren’t upsetting enough, he’d been rude to you. He could only imagine how you would feel if you knew he was the one who had caused the mayhem. He wanted to pin the blame on someone else, but the blood was on his hands and he knew he had to take some responsibility. Doing that would help him change, which he recognized was absolutely necessary after all that had happened.

“I fear I may have upset them,” Loki started, shedding his old ways by telling the truth. “I was not feeling quite right, and I turned them away. Now they clearly blame themself for it. I deeply regret it, but I am not sure there is anything I can do.”

“Just talk to them. Apologize.”

Loki did his best not to look shocked, but the last time he said sorry was when his parents caught him playing tricks on Thor, and even then it was done begrudgingly. He wasn’t even sure he could make it sound sincere.

“Listen, I’ve got an idea,” John said. “We’re heading to the city today if you want to tag along. They’re off to get some gifts for Ana while I’ve got a few potential distributors to meet with. I’m sure they would be thrilled to have your company. Unless you’re not feeling well, of course.”

“No, I’m feeling fine. That is a great idea. You have my thanks, John.”

“No problem. Now, you’d better head down for breakfast before we both get in trouble,” he laughed.

With a final nod of gratitude, Loki took off down the stairs. His light footsteps went undetected as he neared the table, once again giving him the opportunity to eavesdrop on Mama’s suspicions.

“I know something else must’ve happened yesterday. You weren’t upset over nothing.”

“It’s just the New York thing,” you replied. “I’m fine. Really.”

“You tell me what that boy did right now or so help me I’ll kick him out of this house myself!”

“Mama! He didn’t do anything wrong. I get that what happened with James hurts, believe me I do, but you can’t let it run your life. You have to be able to trust others, to trust me,” you pleaded.

“How dare you drag your brother into this,” Mama shot back, her voice cracking. “How ’bout you trust my gut when it tells me that boy is trouble. I swear-”

She was cut off by Loki doubling back and thudding down the stairs, making his presence known. He’d heard more than enough of that conversation and wouldn’t allow you to feel any more hurt than you already were.

“Good morning,” he coldly said to Mama as he walked in, nostrils flaring slightly before he regained some composure. “I am not interrupting anything, am I.”

“Only our entire lives. Why don’t you go to the police, huh? And what about the missing person ad? Why haven’t we gotten that out yet? I don’t know what game your playing, but when I figure it out, believe me you’ll be sorry.”

“Fine! You want to know what I am doing here? I do not know. I have no idea why I ended up here or why I have stayed as long as I have. So when you ‘figure it out,’ by all means, please let me know.”

“Fine!” Mama shouted as she stormed off.

Loki was comforted by the fact that in his little outburst, he hadn’t technically told any lies to you. Half-truths? Most certainly, but no outright lies. Now that he was left alone with you, though, he felt embarrassed he lost his temper. He cleared his throat before speaking.

“I am sorry,” he said, not looking at you.

“Loki, you don’t have to say sorry for defending yourself. I understand.”

“That’s not what I’m apologizing for,” he confessed, now looking into your eyes. “Yesterday I was not feeling quite right, but I should not have snapped at you nor pushed you away like that. For that, you have my sincerest apologies.

“It’s really ok, it happens to everyone. I just care that you’re feeling alright.”

You stayed where you were standing, still hesitant to move toward Loki out of fear of being rejected again. So, it fell upon Loki to close the distance between you. He took your hand in his and placed a kiss to your knuckles as a light blush coated his cheeks.

“Thank you, darling. I assure you, I am feeling more than alright now.”

Whatever was about to happen between you next was cut off by the beeping of the microwave. You finished putting together his breakfast before sitting with him at the island. Though your relationship had been repaired, the conversation was still a bit choppy and awkward as you found your footing in the friendship again. John walked in just as you were cleaning up, whistling a happy tune.

“Ready to go whenever you guys are,” he said as he leaned against the doorframe.

“You’re coming?” you asked Loki, feeling worried for his health. “Are you sure you’re up for that? I can even stay behind with you if u want.”

“Please, do not change your plans on my account. I am in a great condition to go.”

You still seemed reluctant, but agreed he could come as long as he let you know the second he started feeling unwell. He conceded, and you went to fetch your jacket with the promise you’d be back in a minute. John gave Loki a thumbs up, to which he replied with a very self-assured smile, bolstered with confidence by your latest exchange.

A few minutes later you were all piling into the car, with Loki insisting you took the passenger seat and that he’d ride in the back. He was very pleased to get the seatbelt buckled on the first try, and the two of you shared a laugh at the little inside joke. His cheeks burned slightly, remembering how you’d fallen against him. Over the next few hours, you passed time by talking, laughing, and singing along to the radio. Just as you were entering the city, a troubling thought occurred to Loki; the people here had heard the news. Even if it hadn’t been officially announced that he was responsible for New York, those rumors about him had to have included a description. Sudden inspiration struck as John parked the car.

“You don’t happen to have a hair tie in here, do you?” he inquired.

“Yeah,” you replied, reaching into the glove compartment. “Ana keeps some in here for emergencies.”

Loki thanked you as you passed it to him and quickly put his hair up in a low bun. When he turned his attention back to you, you were staring at him, and he gave you a charming, lopsided grin that had you ducking your head in embarrassment.

“Ok,” John said with a clap of his hands once you were all on the sidewalk. “We’ll meet here in, say, about 5 hours.”

“Sounds like a plan,” you agreed, before waving goodbye.

Now it was just you and Loki again as you took off towards some stores to look at some baby gifts for Ana. It would still be half a year before the baby arrived, but you were always indecisive when it came to purchasing gifts. On the way, Loki ducked into a small shop and bought a pair of sunglasses, furthering his disguise. Between that, the new clothes, and the different hairstyle, he felt pretty confident in his ability to blend in.

After two-and-a-half hours of shopping, you’d found a bunch of things to maybe get, but hadn’t decided on anything. You would go back and look some more, but you were bone tired after all the walking around. The fact that you were so exhausted made you concerned for Loki’s condition, too, not entirely trusting that he would tell you if he was feeling ill, despite his promise to.

“How are you holding up?” you cautiously asked, afraid of a repeat of yesterday if you pushed too hard.

“I am doing quite well. You, however, seem to need to stop for a spell. Come, let us rest for a minute.”

He led you over to the food court of the mall you were at and pulled out a chair for you to sit in. He glanced around at the options and, though there was nothing there that appealed to him, there was certainly something that you liked. Besides, he didn’t need to eat, but your frail mortal body would need some sustenance sooner rather than later.

“Can I get something for you to eat?” he offered.

“How about we go see a movie instead?” you proposed, eyeing up the nearby theater.

“Only if you eat something.”

“Wow. Look at how the tables have turned,” you laughed. “Fine, but you have to also.”

After a minute’s debate, you and Loki agreed on a comedy starring your favorite actor. It wouldn’t have been Loki’d first pick, but after all the stress and angst of the last 24 hours, he figured he could use a laugh. You also convinced him to try some popcorn and Pepsi. He wasn’t much a fan of the soda, but the snack was tasty enough. Though, you did end up stealing half of his after finishing your own, which was fine with him. The best part of the whole experience, though, was getting to hear your laugh over and over again. Loki thought it might be the most beautiful sound he ever heard. Well, perhaps the best part was actually when your arms brushed each other as you both went to put them on the armrest at the same time. Loki filed away all these little mental notes to dwell on at a later date. Or, if he were lucky enough to rein in his hurricane of thoughts, never again.

“Well, that killed a lot of time,” you said after the movie ended and you were stretching out, aching from having sat for so long. “We’ve still got some left though. What do you want to do?”

“I believe there was a library over by where we parked. Let us go there,” he said, quickly thinking up a plan.

By the time you walked over, there was only about twenty minutes left for him to complete what he needed to do. He hurried over to where the computers were, and though he wasn’t particularly adept with modern Midgardian technology, the directions taped to the wall were clear enough that he was able to look up a book. He sent you off to get it, claiming that the title had just popped into his head and that he was certain he used to love it, and that he wanted to check on the status of a few others. You obliged, hoping that seeing the book would bring back some more of his supposedly lost memories.

Once you were gone Loki quickly searched for information on what he learned was being referred to as the Battle of New York. Thankfully, there was as little information about him circulating as Mr. Berkeley had said. Mostly, it was just speculation and stories from people claiming they’d been there. A great number of posts and photos had been deleted, too, and Loki assumed that they were ones with more valid claims and information. Knowing how SHIELD is, Loki was sure it was all removed almost immediately, so he felt relatively safe but decided he couldn’t be too careful.

“I found it!” you said, setting the book down as Loki closed out the tab he was on.

“Wonderful! Thank you,” he replied, flipping through it. “Most unfortunately, the other books were checked out.”

You leaned over shoulder to look at the book in his hands. “That’s too bad. What about this one, though? Triggering any memories?”

“Well, I think I enjoyed reading. Other than that, I am afraid not.”

“That’s ok. We’ll keep trying.”

Your hand slowly drifted over to rest on his, and he gave you a brilliant smile. It made him wish he’d found a friend in the universe far sooner than he had. Then maybe he wouldn’t have ended up in the hands of Thanos, committing atrocities against his family and strangers alike. Then again, if none of that happened, he never would have met you. He was torn over which he preferred.

“There you guys are,” John said, walking up to where you were. “Ready to head back whenever you are.”

After putting the book back on the shelf, you were ready to leave. Loki hung back with John as you exited.

“Your plan has worked miracles, my good man. You have my sincerest gratitude,” he said.

“No problem, dude,” John said, patting Loki on the back. “Glad to bring a happy couple back together again.”

Loki’s steps faltered. Between his companion’s smirk and teasing tone, Loki knew it was meant as a joke. Mainly, anyway. John really was very off the mark, though. He and you were merely friends, nothing more. And surely that was just barely so, seeing as you were a human. There was no way you meant anything else to Loki. Right?

It wasn’t until you were back on the road, and Loki couldn’t stop looking at the back of your head, that he even began to realize just how much trouble he was in.

[nooneelsecomesclose17]

I’ll leave what I’m chasing - part 6

This is the part that kind of started the whole fic. I wanted a fic where Sarah went up against Chas. It’s kind of got out of hand, but here it is. I’m the most nervous about this part!

(AO3 link)

“I’ve been thinking.” Sarah announces after their food has arrived. 

“Always a worry.” Robert snorts back a laugh at Aaron’s reply, his husband innocently eating his meal as if he hadn’t spoken.

When they’d arrived the pub had fallen into silence and he still felt uncomfortable, as if everyone was watching, judging. Aaron’s hand had been firmly in his until their food had arrived and that had helped, but now he can’t help notice Chas’s glare in his direction from where she’s standing talking to Sam and Lydia. Sam, bless him, had raised the glass he was holding in his direction when they’d walked in but Chas had said something so he’d put his head down and that was it.

A few people had come over to the table and said hello, some he knew, some he didn’t, but he’d plastered on his fake smile and made polite conversation, mind whirling with thoughts of what they thought of him. He wished he didn’t care so much, wished he could ignore the looks, the whispering. Chas had let Bob serve Aaron and he’d seen the look he’d given his Mum, a mix of disappointment mixed with indifference and he’d just felt bad about the whole thing all over again. If it weren’t for Aaron he would’ve left by now.

“Rob, you listening?”

“What? Sorry.”

“I was just saying, your sister is back next week, so I was thinking, how about having Ana christened?”

“Why?” He’s trying not to think about seeing Vic again, they’d not exactly parted on the best terms and he couldn’t help but feel this trip back to their Gran’s villa in Spain for a couple of months had been timed just so she could avoid him despite his Mum’s assurances that it wasn’t

“Because it’s nice, and it’d show everyone that you’re a family.”

“What happened to not caring what everyone thinks?” 

“Nothing wrong with showing them you’re settled though is there. Besides, like I said it’ll be nice to have a family occasion, and don’t tell me you won’t like the chance to show her off. You could always have Seb christened too if you wanted as Rebecca never got round to it.”

“Do you get a deal, two for the price of one?”

“Charles might actually offer that.” He looks across at Aaron, who surprisingly looks interested in the whole idea.

“Who’s Charles?”

“The new vicar.”

“New vicar? What happened to Harriet?” He hates this, hates that he doesn’t know the people in the village any more, that’s he’s totally disconnected from everything that’s been happening.

“It’s a long story. Charles is ok though, he and his son lived next door for a couple of months until they found a house in the village. You’ll like them.”

“So, the christening? Shall I talk to him about dates? The weather’s nice, we can have people back to the house after.”

“What’s this?” Robert’s annoyed that he jumps at the sound of Chas’s voice as she appears at the table. She makes a show of clearing their glasses but he’s not convinced, he’s sure she’s just being nosy. He sees Aaron look at Sarah, and he’s willing her not to answer. He knows her better though, there’s a glint in her eye.

“We’re talking about a christening for Ana and Seb.” She tells her and turns right back to them, effectively dismissing Chas and a part of him wants to laugh.

“Nice. Where are they then?”

“With their Grandma. Less likely to hear things they shouldn’t with her.” He can’t help himself, hopes Aaron doesn’t mind, the hand on his knee says he doesn’t.

“Are you going to let him speak to me like that?” He catches his Mum’s look, telling him to leave it to Aaron.

“He’s not saying anything that isn’t true, Mum. What do you think it would’ve done to Seb to hear those things you were saying? It was bad enough that I heard them.”

“I didn’t say anything that wasn’t true and you know it. Maybe I’m not the one that needs keeping away from them.” He’s not quick enough to stop Aaron jumping to his feet.

“Don’t! Those children are loved and safe and that’s all any kid needs.”

“With him as a father?”

“That’s enough.” Aaron’s voice is quiet, almost a whisper. “I told you I won’t have you talking like that. Come on Robert, let’s go home. Sarah, I’m sorry, I know you wanted to try and have a nice dinner but I’m not staying here and listening to this.”

“Of course not love. You go on ahead, I’ll collect the children from Diane and bring them home.”

Robert follows him, almost in a dream, still a little stunned. It’s not like Aaron hasn’t stood up for him before but even so it’s still a surprise to him when it happens. 

“Aaron, wait!” Chas’s shrill shout makes him wince and he waits for Aaron to go back like he would have done once upon a time, but he doesn’t, he holds onto his hand a little tighter if anything.

“Ignore her. We’ll get the kids and when they’re sleeping we’ll curl up in front of a film.”

They’re halfway home when he realises he’s left his jacket, assures Aaron he can fetch it himself and tells him to pick the film while he waits. The pub is quieter when he gets inside and as he pushes the door open he can hear why.

“...does whatever he wants. He can’t go around hitting people with shovels and expect to get away with it. I’m just looking out for the children.”

“No you’re not. You’re just holding a grudge you’ve had for years. You never wanted Aaron with Robert, and ok maybe he made mistakes in the past, but not this. They should’ve given him a medal for it, not locked him up.” It makes him feel warm inside hearing his Mum defend him. She always has, but for so long no one else did and now he knows he has Aaron who will always be there.

“He hurt someone!” He winces at how high her voice gets. He should leave, go home to Aaron, but something stops him, something makes him want to hear what she says.

“A rapist who had harassed my daughter for weeks, who taunted Robert to the point of breaking. I’m just sorry I wasn’t holding the shovel myself.” He almost laughs because he knows if she’d been in the village she would’ve done the same as him. It had only been Vic and him assuring her she should stay where she was that stopped her coming back.

“You can’t just take the law into your own hands.”

“Well that’s rich coming from a Dingle! Do I need to point out to you that you sent your brother round to deal with your ex? That you graffitied his car? I always knew you were a hypocrite Chas Dingle, but I never realised quite how much of one you are.”

“You don’t know anything about any of that. You weren’t even here back then!”

“No, I wasn’t, but I still have friends here. It’s really no skin off my nose what you do, but if you don’t want to lose your son and your grandchildren then you’d better do something about your behaviour towards Robert because Aaron’s not going to change his mind”

“Not with you and your son poisoning Aaron against me.”

“Oh Chas, he doesn’t need us to do that, you do a pretty good job yourself. If anything Robert wants you both to make up. This is all Aaron, because despite what you and Paddy think he’s an adult and fully capable of making his own decisions and has been for a very long time.”

“How dare you! You’ve only been here a few months and you think you can come in here and lecture me.”

“Oh I dare. I dare because I’ve talked to him, because unlike you, I’ve been there for him when Ana wouldn’t sleep, when Seb played up because he didn’t understand where his Daddy was, when he just wanted his husband. Where were you?”

“Where was Robert more like. Aaron wouldn’t have been in that state if he’d not cut him off. Left him alone to deal with a newborn baby and his son. In my book you don’t do that to the people you love.”

“Well, I guess you’d know more about that than me. At least when I left my husband my kids knew where I was.”

“Mum.” He’s quiet, but she hears him because the pub is quiet, too interested in the show that’s playing out in front of them. He has to stop them before it turns into something more ugly that they can’t come back from. Not because of him, he can’t handle it. The rest of the customers are agog at them and he’s surprised no one is trying to defend Chas. There’s a couple more Dingles in, but even they’re keeping out of it which surprises him. “Let’s go.”

“I’m sorry love, but it needed saying.” She leaves Chas standing there, fury all over her face and joins him at the door. “Am I in trouble?

He wants to hug her if he’s honest with himself but he doesn’t, just wants to get out of the place. When they’re out on the street he does, holding on that little bit longer. “Thank you.”

“I didn’t say anything that isn’t true.”

“Did leave him though, didn’t I? She was right about that. I left him, and I left Seb.”

“She’s got no room to be lecturing anyone on leaving a child. Or anything else for that matter.”

“How much did I miss out on?” He links his arm in hers as they make their way to pick up the children.

“Oh not much.”

“Oh great. You really went to town didn’t you?”

“I gave as good as I got, yes. Robert, I’m not going to stand by and let her say those things. I’ve not been here all the time I should have been, I’ve a lot to make up for.”

“And you’re doing that by going toe to toe with Chas Dingle? You know, you really don’t have anything to make up for Mum.” He pecks her cheek. “Thank you anyway.”

[s-horne]

26. Forget-me-nots (do not forget me)

1/ His daddy was often late. It was okay, though, because Tony knew that his daddy had an important job that kept him busy a lot of the time. It wasn’t always fun for Tony, though, even when he was told time and time again that his daddy was very sorry to be missing him again.

And he got told that a lot. It wasn’t rare for his daddy to go for days without seeing him because he was stuck in meetings or out on a business trip in some country Tony couldn’t pronounce. Sometimes it was even weeks, and there was a big time difference that meant Tony would be tucked up in bed and fast asleep before it would be finishing time at his daddy’s work. That’s what Jarvis always said, anyway, and why would Tony not listen to Jarvis?

On those weeks, Jarvis would pull out a big, colourful globe over breakfast and point out random blobs with funny names that Tony giggled about. Apparently, that’s where his daddy was and Tony would beg Jarvis to tell him all about the places.

Some of them had animals that Tony had never, ever seen, not even at the big zoo. When his daddy got home from those trips, he never wanted to tell Tony about what he’d seen, though. He was usually too busy packing for the next place, but it was okay, because that meant that Tony got to watch Jarvis spin the big globe again and learn about somewhere new.

 Having a busy daddy also meant that sometimes Tony didn’t get picked up from school on time. When his daddy was actually at home and had been told to pick Tony up, he sometimes forgot. It didn’t happen all the time, but there were days when Tony would be left sitting on a bench outside of school, his little legs swinging through the air as all the other kids waved goodbye and headed home, their hands firmly held by their own mummies and daddies.

It was okay, though, because there were people who were more important than Tony. He got told that often enough; like whenever his lower lip started to wobble when his daddy pushed him out of his big office or when his daddy didn’t have time to look at the colourful drawings he’d done at school of them holding hands in front of their big house. (Tony couldn’t find a nice brown for the bricks because one of the other boys had wanted to use it and their picture had been bigger and took longer to complete, but the red was close enough and Tony had just really wanted his daddy to see it and tell him how good it was. It was okay, though, because Jarvis had smiled at it widely enough for Tony to giggle with pride and even take it home to show his Ana.)

Even when it started to rain some days after the little hand started to move past the number 4 on Tony’s watch and all of Tony’s school-teachers had to lock the doors and go home, it was okay that no one had come to pick Tony up. One of the nice ladies from school was always kind enough to bundle a wet Tony into their car and try and give him a big smile in the rear-view mirror. Tony tried to tell himself that it was okay that his daddy never remembered about him, when his teeth chattered and his wet socks made his toes feel like ice.

His daddy loved him, even if he didn’t know how to show it.

  ♡♡♡♡♥

 2/ Gone. Jarvis was gone. The only person that had ever made Tony feel as though he had a family was gone. Lying in the ground, somewhere deep beneath the earth that Tony stood on.

It was hard to comprehend. Every memory that Tony had seemed to have Jarvis in there, in one way or another. It didn’t seem real that he wouldn’t be in any more for the years to come.

Jarvis hadn’t even seemed that old. Tony supposed that he must have been, but he was always so youthful in Tony’s eyes. Maybe that was because he was forever running around after a mischievous Tony and that was bound to keep someone young and fit.

Who was going to chase after him now? There would be no pushback when Tony stole a fresh cookie from the cooling rack, or no playful eye rolls when Tony ‘borrowed’ Jarvis’s apron for his experiments. It wasn’t a nice thought.

 The funeral was small, at least in comparison to others Tony had attended. That was another thing that didn’t make sense to Tony’s dazed mind. Jarvis was one of the best people Tony had ever met. There had been more people at the funeral of some Great-Uncle from Italy that Tony hadn’t ever seen outside of his own, bachelor-style apartment in New York than there were at Jarvis’s funeral. Why weren’t there more people mourning? Didn’t everyone know what a brilliant and wonderful man Jarvis had been?

Why was Tony standing alone?

  “Hey, buttercup.” Tony didn’t turn to see the woman at his side, though he sagged into the arm that was wrapped around his waist. “Thanks for coming.”

Tony swallowed. “Was he… did – was he wearing his apron?”

Ana let out a wet laugh and squeezed Tony a bit tighter. “Don’t think so.”

There was a moment of silence before Ana dropped her head down onto Tony’s shoulder and pressed a light kiss to his thick blazer. “He spoke of you, you know. Right at the very end. Told me to take care of you, told me that he lo–”

“Don’t.” Tony shook his head once. His vision was suddenly blurry and he blinked in quick succession, trying to fix his eyes on a small weed springing up between two paving stones.

Ironic, really. If Jarvis had seen that, he’d have dived on it immediately. No place for weeds, he used to say to a young Tony dancing around in the garden, they only spread and twist. Ugly things, young Sir. No place for them in your garden.

“But he did,” Ana whispered. “You were the reason he stayed. For you, my lelkem.”

It should have made Tony’s heart warm, but all it did was remind Tony that he was the reason Jarvis had stayed in a house full of alcohol and screaming and anger. Had put up with the long hours and the constant yelling and the whining, crying child that was just desperate for someone to please play for just one minute, or please take a second to look at a picture of a crude stick figure holding a pretty flower.

But there would be no more playing and no more admiring of pictures. Because Jarvis was gone, and Ana had no reason to stick around any longer.

Tony would be sent back to boarding school and communication with his parents would only dwindle without Jarvis there to force a weekly phone call. There’d be no care packages, no photographs of Jarvis’s blooming garden. There’d be no freshly-baked lemon squares for when Tony got home and no more hugs that made Tony feel as though he was literally being stitched back together.

At that point, Tony would even take a bedtime story if it just meant that he could feel Jarvis next to him for five more minutes. But that was impossible and, soon, Tony would be forgotten again.

Taking a deep breath and turning slightly, Tony returned Ana’s hug and pressed his own kiss to her head. He let his eyes fall shut as he held her, wishing her nothing but the best for wherever she ended up. Tony had forced his parents to set aside money for Jarvis’s retirement – and wasn’t that a kick in the head – and he knew that he would find some way to push that down to Ana. He had to.

He had to for Jarvis.

“Take care,” Tony murmured, voice barely audible above her gentle cries, “mama.”

   ♡♡♡♥♥

  3/ Tony had never really understood the appeal of Christmas. Sure, it sounded like a good time and the movies always painted it as an idyllic season, but Tony had never gotten it.

Maybe it was the way that it always seemed too perfect. Nothing was ever perfect.

Tony had been taught that sad fact from an early age. As a scientist, his father had told him to question everything and to always expect an explosion. It didn’t seem possible that Christmas was going to be this unbelievable, amazing time filled with love and laughter and overindulgence where nothing could ever go wrong and nobody was ever anything but happy.

Especially not when he was left alone in a scarily large house with not a single decoration to be seen.  Not that anyone knew where they were kept. Without Jarvis there to fetch them out of hiding and take charge of putting them up, the Stark mansion stayed in its own, festive-less bubble.

“Darling, you knew we were vacationing in Italy for the next month,” Maria crooned into Tony’s ear. “I wrote it in your last letter. It’s too cold in New York for your father.”

Right. The last letter. The one that had been sent only days before Tony had left school and had been redirected back to their mansion, arriving at exactly the same time as Tony had. The news that Tony’s parents would be spending the entire month of December in a different country had met Tony on the doorstep of the empty and unwelcoming house.

“No, mom,” Tony said, moodily kicking at the bottom stair, the marble cold even through his sock. “I know. I just thought, because of it being Chris–”

“Maria! Maria, we have to leave. The car is here.”

Even through the phone, Howard’s voice was loud and demanding. Tony winced despite himself, utterly hating his reaction but not being strong enough to stop it. It wasn’t a problem that Howard wouldn’t be there for Tony’s school break, but he had missed his mother something fierce. He’d been weirdly looking forward to seeing her, even if it would have been short snippets between parties and galas. It would have at least been something.

“Darling, I have to go. You can come out, okay? I’ll send a–”

“No, mom.” Tony sighed deeply and ran his fingers over the leaves of a fake plant sitting on a plinth next to the downstairs phone. He’d always hated the thing, but for some reason it was suddenly drawing him in.

Maybe because it was still there. A constant, when everything else had changed. Or moved on.

“I have school work,” he said as neutrally as he could. “And I go back right after New Year. I just thought you would be–”

“Maria!”

Tony flinched violently and nearly knocked the damn plant to the floor.

“Sorry, darling, I really have to go. It’s the Anderson’s Charity Gala tonight. You know, there are that many events in December, I can hardly keep up. I always wondered why so many people chose to hold their parties in December; isn’t it funny? Anyway, are you sure you won’t come?”

Typical. Tony wanted to scream. The world and his wife knew why the parties were always held in December, and yet Maria hadn’t joined the dots. It seemed that without Jarvis there to buy a tree and force Maria to take notice of the change of season with garlands and lights covering her house, she walked around with her eyes closed.

“No, mom,” Tony replied dutifully, the words spilling from his mouth without much thought at that point. He felt like a broken record player. Or a robot. “Enjoy yourself.”

His answer was a kissing sound followed by a dial tone. He let the phone fall from his hand, watching it swing from its long chord instead of replacing it in its cradle. It wasn’t as though she would call again anyway, and Tony didn’t feel like speaking to anyone else. It would be quiet through to New Year.

Tony’s shoulders slumped and he dropped down onto the floor, back against the wall as he looked around the bleak entranceway that was bare of anything remotely homey, never mind Christmassy.

He sighed and resigned himself to his fate. Takeout and a bit of peace and quiet. Things could be worse, he tried to tell himself when his throat grew tight.                                                                                                    

“Merry Christmas, mom.”

   ♡♡♥♥♥

  4/ "That’s so cool.”

Tony to smile at the awe in Rhodey’s voice. “Yeah, I guess so,” he said, his own voice flatter than it should have been given the topic of discussion.

“I can’t believe you’re going to spend Thanksgiving in France, of all places.”

“Mhm.” Tony looked down and pretended that he was concentrating deeply on deciding what band t-shirts he should throw in his duffle. “Dad’s got some big country estate there. They don’t even celebrate Thanksgiving in Europe, but it’s something of a tradition.”

“Wow.” Rhodey huffed a breath of air and Tony watched out of the corner of his eye as he flopped back onto his bed and grinned up at the ceiling. “I wish I could vacation in France every year. You’re gonna have such a great time. Don’t forget about me, will you? I want at least one picture a day.”

It took all of Tony’s willpower and continuing desperation to be seen as cool to not mutter something ridiculous about not ever being able to forget about Rhodey. It wasn’t likely, given that he was the only friend that Tony had ever had.

Instead, he plastered on a cheeky smirk and winked over at Rhodey, who had twisted onto his side to look at him expectantly. “I’ll try not to. But you know what the French ladies are like. Stunning, beautiful, magnifique.”

Rhodey didn’t return his wink, choosing instead to roll his eyes and push himself up to sit on the edge of his bed.

“God, you’re such a child,” he said, even as his tone belied his fondness. He softened a little and dropped his gaze to a slight rip at the bottom of his thick, woollen sweater. “I know we couldn’t possibly compare with the wonders of France, but my folks really want to meet you. If you ever have a spare weekend, or you decide that actually I’m right and that France has nothing on Philly, then you’re welcome to come stay with me, kid.”

Tony wanted to cry. He wanted to drop to his knees on front of Rhodey and bury his head in his lap, just like he used to do with Jarvis when he was little. Rhodey was the big brother that Tony had always wanted, had always longed for. He was someone that actually listened to Tony and remembered the things he said. There was nothing that Tony wanted more in the world than to go home with Rhodey and finally meet the Mama he spoke so highly of.

But that would mean admitting the truth, and Starks always kept their heads high. Even if that meant living a lie.

“Thanks, Rhodes. But there’s a bar in France with a lower drinking age than Massachusetts and it’s crying out to me.”

Rhodey laughed and stood up. “Well then, kid. I’d better get going and I know nothing else I can say will ever rival that. Have the best time.”

Tony looked down the duffel open on his bed and sighed. He stayed quiet as Rhodey finished checking his bags and grabbed his phone, unplugging his charger and throwing it in his jacket pocket.

Finally, he turned to Tony and grinned. “Remember. One photo a day.”

Tony summoned the best, cockiest grin he could and saluted. “Of course. Two if I bag twins.”

With a loud and final laugh, because of course Rhodey knew Tony wasn’t serious about actually doing that, Rhodey left the room, the door slamming loudly behind him as he went. When he was gone, Tony’s entire body slumped and he fell down onto his bed, kicking his duffel to the floor. It wasn’t as though he needed it, after all. He wasn’t going anywhere.

He hadn’t lied to Rhodey – would never lie to James. His parents really did have a house in France and they spent every Thanksgiving there.

They just never thought to invite Tony.

   ♡♥♥♥♥

  5/ It was stupid, really. Tony had always told himself that he was strong. Independent. Bull-headed, Rhodey would say with a grin. Whatever word he was, he certainly wasn’t the sort of person to stand by his phone and check it every three seconds in case he’d missed a notification.

Except, that was exactly what he was doing.

No one could blame him really – or at least that’s what he told himself. After all, it wasn’t every day that one lost their virginity to the captain of the college’s football team, was it? Tony was utterly giddy about it; still riding the high of his first other-person-present orgasm and the idea of actually having a boyfriend for the first time.

Ty was gorgeous. He was a few years older than Tony, having taken a gap year (or two, or three) before completing his degree. He was everything that Tony wasn’t and from the very first moment they’d met, Tony had been smitten.

It had only taken a few drunken kisses at a few loud, crowded, and not-actually-that-fun frat parties before Ty had remembered Tony’s name and asked him on a real date. Though it had all been cleverly engineered by Tony and had been all he’d wanted for a couple of months, Tony had still been shocked. He’d played it off, though, dancing his hand up and down Ty’s arm and batting his eyelashes like he knew what he was doing. Pretending to be cocky and experienced was something that Tony was quite good at; running his tongue over his bottom lip and pressing his thighs into Ty’s were moves he’d learnt from watching escorts at his dad’s galas. The tricks had served him well.

Despite Rhodey’s warnings and Tony’s inexperience, one thing had very quickly led to another between Ty and Tony.

    Tony didn’t lift his eyes from his phone when he heard a key turn in the lock and Rhodey shuffle through.

“Still nothing?”

Tony bit his lip, pressing the lock button of his cell again. Just in case the screen hadn’t lit up with the text. It did that sometimes if the lighting wasn’t quite right, because it was very sensitive. That was all.

“I’m sorry, Tones.”

“Don’t be,” Tony said, digging his teeth in even harder. The way he was sitting was starting to get uncomfortable and his thighs were burning. He didn’t have experience to test against, of course, but he wasn’t sure that the feeling was entirely what he was meant to have.

There had also been some blood in his underwear when he’d gone to the toilet around lunchtime. It had been a day and a bit since they’d done it and Tony was still feeling the aches. Was that normal? How was he supposed to know? Surely it wasn’t meant to feel like that every time.

“He said he had practice until late today. Got a game on Saturday. Quite a big one, I think. He said he’d be busy until then. And might stay over – it’s an away match.”

“Okay. I’m sure that’s it.” Rhodey’s voice was soft, understanding. It wasn’t pitying, but Tony still felt the need to turn away. There were a few bumps, the dropping of books onto a hard desk. “Want to go to the dining hall? Taco Tuesday today.”

“You go,” Tony said, not wanting to look up and show Rhodey his watery eyes. He was just being a baby. Ty was going to text him. He’d said so, hadn’t he?

Tony pressed the lock button once more for good measure. “I’m not hungry.”

“Nah, it’s alright Tones.” The bed dipped next to Tony and an arm snaked around his shoulders, a strong body warm next to his. “I can hang out here for a bit. We don’t want to miss anything, do we.”

Tony sniffed.

Ty was going to text. He hadn’t forgotten; he was just busy. He was.

“Right. Thanks.”

“It’s fine, kid. Anytime.”

  ♥♥♥♥♥ 

  6/ Tony was fed up of seeing midnight. It was becoming a disgustingly common occurrence for Tony to be at work until the early hours of the morning, not crawling into his bed until it was nearly time to be getting up again. The constant repetition of next to no sleep and a manic day was beginning to grate on him, but there wasn’t much he could do to change it. Not when he was trying to make a name for himself in the company and prove that he was a valuable member of staff.

Tony shivered in the cold morning air as he exited the taxi, shoving his wallet back into his pocket with icy hands. The sooner he had a hot shower and dived deep below his covers, the better. He walked up to his apartment almost by muscle memory alone. He was barely awake enough for coherent thoughts, never mind rational thinking, which is why he didn’t question why his front door was unlocked and the lights had been switched back on. 

It wasn’t until he walked into his living room that he stopped short and his brain seemed to wake up a little.

Tony’s mouth fell open as he took in the sight before him. The entire living room had been taken over, every flat surface covered with a flameless candle or a bunch of beautiful flowers. Tony’s gaze didn’t linger for long enough to work out what they were before he moved on to seek out the mastermind behind the operation.

 And there he was. Steve Rogers. The absolute (and only) love of Tony’s life. He was stood in the middle of the living room, a smart suit made more casual by the absence of a tie and his feet bare, toes curled into Tony’s plush, shag rug. There were yet more flowers clasped in Steve’s hands, a huge bouquet that covered his whole stomach and chest with blooms.

“Welcome home,” Steve said before Tony could get a semi-coherent thought from his brain down to his mouth.

Without tearing his eyes away from Steve’s, Tony dropped his keys somewhere to his left, where he vaguely knew there was a table ready and waiting.

“What are you doing here?”

Steve’s smile was blinding, soft and sweet and gentle and entirely too beautiful for Tony’s heart to not explode. Before Steve could give an answer, Tony continued.

“I said I was going to be working late.” The words leaving his mouth felt distant, sounded quiet. All of Tony’s focus was on the fact that his apartment had been turned into a scene from a cheesy rom-com. And that it wasn’t even as an apology. “We agreed we’d meet tomorrow.”

“We did.” Steve made no move to step closer to Tony, even as he dropped his bouquet down a little and held out his hand. “But I decided that I didn’t want to wait that long. Besides, tomorrow isn’t our anniversary.”

Tony’s heart stuttered. “Today isn’t either. Not now. It’s past midnight. I worked too late.”

Steve shrugged, apparently unbothered by the flaw in his logic. “It’s close enough. We haven’t been to bed yet.”

“You didn’t have to wait up,” Tony said, his feet finally taking him past the threshold.

“I know.” Simple. The words were causal, carefree. It was as if Steve actually meant them. “I wanted to.”

And that was so different to anything Tony had ever known. Tony was used to being a commodity, an afterthought. Even his own family treated him as an inconvenience more than a person.

But there, at one o’clock in the morning, was a man who had transformed Tony’s living room into the most romantic thing Tony had ever seen, all because he hadn’t wanted some stupid day to slip past without a celebration.

Tony didn’t even try to hide emotion he felt, letting his face show what his heart was telling him for once, as he threw himself across the room and into Steve’s waiting arms.

“Happy anniversary.”

Tony squeezed Steve even tighter and kissed his bare collarbone. “Happy anniversary.”

 And that was exactly the moment that Tony finally realised he wasn’t going to be forgotten ever again.

[thinkanamelater]

Parenting (Good Omens - Human AU fanfiction)

Crowley loves teasing his son Newton over his crush on Anathema. Until he meets Anathema's father, Aziraphale

Also on AO3!

“Having another date with Anathema, are we?” Crowley called from the couch in a mocking tone as Newton left his room, recently showered and dressing sharply.

“They're not dates, dad! Its- we're studying together!” He retorted, blushing.

“Of course. Whatever you want to call it” Crowley grinned at his son's embarrassment. It never got old “By the way, that tie is stupid”

“Thanks dad, love you too” Newton groaned, undoing his tie and going to his room to put it away.

Crowley shook his head, amused, and the bell rang.

As he approached the door, he could hear muffled voices coming from outside.

“Dad, really, there's no need-“

“Sweetie, of course there's a need”

“You're embarrassing me! I'm not a little girl”

“I'm not, and I don't care- Oh, hello!” When Crowley opened the door, he found Anathema, next to man around his age. Maybe a bit older, considering his blonde hair looked almost white under the sunlight.

“Sup, Ana. Newt's at his room” Crowley greeted and Anathema smiled at him, calling out “thank you! Bye dad!” as she walked past him, into the house.

The man just sighed in defeat.

“Hey, what's up” Crowley called nonchalantly.

“Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't-” the man focused on him, and extended a hand “I'm Aziraphale. Anathema's father”

Crowley shook his hand, and continued looking at him with an eyebrow raised.

“Name's Crowley. Did you need something?”

“Yes, well…” Aziraphale cleared his throat “Anathema mentioned this classmate of hers, Newton-“

“That'd be my boy” Crowley cut him off, frowning “Something wrong with him?”

“Oh, no! No, no, just- Well, Anathema has been coming here quite often, so I'd thought I'd make sure…”

“That they're not having sex twice a week?” Crowley talked over him again. Aziraphale looked scandalized, but didn't try to deny it “I wouldn't worry about it, I'm usually around so I don't think they do anything… indecent” He said the last word with fake disgust, and grinned as Aziraphale's face turned red “But seriously, man, they're adults already. You should let them make their own decisions” 

Aziraphale chewed on his lower lip, and nodded slowly.

“That's- yes, you're right, I think. Well, I will be on my way then. Nice to meet you”

“Yeah, same…” Crowley said, and waited until he was walking away “I can remind them to use protection, though!” He added then, and laughed in delight as Aziraphale stumbled the last steps to his car.

After he closed the door, Crowley let his thoughts linger on the guy for a moment. Fussy and old fashioned. Nothing too remarkable about him.

Oh, and he was the most beautiful man that Crowley had ever seen

*******************************************************************************************

“Are you here to control the kids' pureness?”

Crowley greeted Aziraphale the next time Anathema showed up for their study dates; again, joined by her dad.

“My daughter needed a ride. I thought I'd say hello since I was here, is it a crime?”

“Not at all. Why don't you come in? You look like you drink tea, I can get you some of that”

“Excuse me, I look like I drink tea?” Aziraphale replied, not rolling his eyes but looking like he might at any moment “Lots of people drink tea, what do you even drink?”

“Oh you know, coffee, soda… wine…”

“Then maybe I can bring a wine with me, next time” Aziraphale looked up at him as he walked into the house; with such a mischievous glint in his eyes that Crowley had to rest against the door frame, worried that his knees would fail him.

*******************************************************************************************

“So… your girlfriend isn't coming over to study?”

“For the last time, she's not my girlfriend“ Newton replied automatically, not even looking up from his comic, expecting to hear a teasing “yet” from his dad.

When it didn't come he looked up, and paused as he noticed his father didn't have his usual playful grin on his face. In fact, he wasn't even looking at him, inspecting his nails with great focus instead.

“Dad? Is everything alright?”

“What? Of course” Crowley replied a little too quick “What kind of question is that?”

“I don't know. It kinda looked like you really wanted Anathema to come over, for some reason”

“No reason at all” Crowley all but yelled, slamming the door on his way out.

*******************************************************************************************

“Ah, I see… no, it's ok – yes, no, of course –Yes – yes, I wanted to see you too-“ 

Newton's hushed tone caught Crowley's attention. He peered over and saw him hunched at his desk, speaking on the phone, and silently walked into the room to wait until the call was over.

“Alright… yes… yes, talk to you later… bye” Newton hang up with a small smile, and jumped when a hand clapped his shoulder. “Jesus Christ, dad!” 

“Language, kiddo” Crowley sat down at the bed. “Was that Anathema? Don't lie to me, of course it was. When are you going to ask her out?”

Newton rolled his eyes, and turned to his book.

“Yes, that was Anathema” He decided to ignore the second part “She called to say she couldn't come over, her father is sick and she's the only one- dad?”

“Aziraphale is sick?” Crowley stood up brusquely “Well, what are you waiting for?Ask her if she needs anything! And tell her we're coming over” Crowley instructed as he left the room, cursing under his breath while he looked for his keys.

“Okay…?” Newton sighed, dialing Anathema's number again.

*******************************************************************************************

“I convinced him to stay in bed” Anathema squeezed her hands, nervous “But I can't get him to take any medicine”

“Leave it to me” Crowley assured her, as Newton put an arm around her shoulders “Take a break, and catch up with Newt” 

***

“Knock knock” Crowley mumbled, and entered Aziraphale's room. 

Maybe if he did it quickly he could pretend it wasn't affecting him at all. Except that Aziraphale sat on his bed and smiled weakly at him, and his gay heart couldn't take it.

“Oh! To what do I owe the pleasu-” The last part got lost to a nasty cough.

“I heard there was a stubborn guy refusing to take care of himself”

“Dear, there is no need-“

“Shush” Crowley was thankful the light was low, because he was quite sure he blushed at being called dear “You're making your daughter worry, you know”

“But I'm fine” Aziraphale complained, and then coughed again. 

Crowley stared at him. 

“Alright, alright” He pouted, and accepted the medicine from Crowley, gulping it down with a glass of water “I didn't mean to make her worry” He whispered “I guess I forget she's not a little girl anymore… Maybe I don't need to protect her all the time.”

“They really grow up so fast” Crowley agreed, finally daring to take a seat next to Aziraphale's bed.

“They do” Aziraphale muttered, laying down and closing his eyes “Crowley? Thanks for coming”

“No problem. Try to get some sleep” Crowley smiled softly. 

Once he was sure the other was asleep, he extended a hand to gently touch his hair. When he went to retreat it, Aziraphale reached out and grabbed his wrist. 

After a moment of shock, Crowley hummed, contently, and kept combing his blond curls with his fingers.

*******************************************************************************************

"So, Anathema's father. How is he? Is he still sick? Does he need more assistance?" Crowley hovered over his son, anxiety seeping through his hand movements.

Newt looked at him in awe, and snorted loudly.

"Oh my god! You- dad, you have a crush!" He wheezed, doubling over with laughter.

Miffed, Crowley crossed his arms.

"I can't see what's so funny-" He grumbled, trying to sound intimidating, but Newton wasn't paying attention "Young man, if you keep laughing at your father, I swear-"

"Sorry, sorry" Newton conceded, not looking sorry at all. He could now see what was so amusing about the constant teasing his father did to him "Why don't you just text him- Oh!" He laughed again at Crowley's pout "You don't have his number!" 

Newton tapped his chin, thinking, and then took out his phone 

"What do I gain if I get you Mr. Aziraphale's number?" He asked, coyly.

Crowley took a moment to feel proud of his boy before replying.

"If you don't get it for me, I'm disowning you"

*******************************************************************************************

Crowley walked out of the bathroom, distractedly drying his hair with a towel. 

"Good morning" Nested comfortably on Crowley's bed, Aziraphale smiled at him.

“Damn, you're so handsome. I really want to ask you to be mine. You know, officially” Crowley blurted out without a second thought.

“Well?” Aziraphale moved into a sitting position, pulling the covers up to his chest “Why don't you?”

Crowley sat at the corner of the bed, looking deep in thought.

“Wouldn't want to make things awkward between our kids, you know”

"You already told me, they're adults. They will be fine, dear” Aziraphale assured, and pulled Crowley closer. 

With a laughter, Crowley followed him.

[imagine-loki]

Beauty and the Beast

TITLE: Beauty and the Beast CHAPTER NO./ONE SHOT: 32/? AUTHOR: nekoamamori ORIGINAL IMAGINE: Imagine Loki is under a spell that will return him to his Aesir one if he learns to accept himself for who he is RATING: T (so far)  NOTES/WARNINGS: Also on AO3 here

Morgan relaxed in Loki’s arms after their experience.  He pressed a kiss to her hair, cuddling her close.  “I love you, Liam, she purred.  

He pressed another kiss to her hair.  “I love you as well, my Ana,” he said and cuddled her close.

“That was certainly an enjoyable way to spend the morning,” she said, her voice a pleasured purr.  “Though perhaps we should find something to eat. You get grumpy when you haven’t eaten,” she teased him and climbed out of bed carefully.  Clean clothes shimmered into place on her once she was standing.  Loki stood as well and followed suit, dressing comfortably.  Morgan reached for him when he climbed out of bed.  He took her hand and kissed the back of it before he hooked it in the crook of his arm to escort her to breakfast. She gave him a warm smile, grateful as always for his assistance.  

Loki kissed her cheek.  “Come. Let’s get something to eat,” he bid her warmly and led her down to breakfast.  He took her to her seat in the dining room and kissed the top of her head when she was seated.  

Clint grinned at Loki.  “It’s pancake day,” he told the god, knowing that would make Loki happy.

Loki gave him a bright smile.  “Sounds wonderful, Barton,” Loki replied. He was beaming, having such a good morning.  Pancakes and sex?  Great morning indeed.  

Now he just needed for Stark not to find out about him having sex with his daughter.

Clint gives Loki a knowing smile and sets a plate of pancakes before each of them.  The others filed in around the table with their own plates of pancakes and Loki happily dove into his.  Morgan doctored hers with butter and syrup, just as she liked them before she started in on them.  She was surprised at how hungry she was.  Loki wasn’t at all surprised. The lack of power and her new Asgardian life required more food.

It was still something she had to get used to.  She turned her head in Thor’s direction, shocked when he dumped another stack of pancakes on her plate when hers were gone. Loki chuckled at the interaction.  “You need to eat, darling,”

She gave him a confused look.  “But I ate a huge stack of Clint’s delicious pancakes!” she protested.  

“You’re Asgardian now. You have a much larger appetite than before,” he explained to her gently.  Of course she hadn’t known all the changes she’d gone through. She’d learn soon enough.

“Oh,” she said as she contemplated the new information.  Loki was going to have to break it to her someday that she would outlive all of her friends and family here, but he hoped that wouldn’t be for many years to come.  For now, they could happily enjoy their pancakes.  

Loki was definitely distracted from his morose thoughts when Clint gave him another stack too.  He knew how to keep the god happy.  Happy Loki was definitely better than stabby homicidal Loki.  And pancakes were a very good way to bribe him into being happy.

“So are you going to the party tonight, vedma?” Bucky asked, teasing the hermit that Loki had become since he got stuck in jotun form.  

Loki glared over at his friend.  “What do you think, cyborg?” he replied grumpily.  He didn’t like being teased about being stuck in jotun form.

Bucky shrugged innocently.  “I think your best girl will be going to the party.  It’s in her honor after all,” he replied too innocently.  Bucky occasionally slipped into 40s slang.  

Loki smiled and relaxed a little.  “True. I guess I can make an appearance. Will you miss me if I don’t show?” he teased Bucky.  The two were annoying little shits when they wanted to be. Especially to each other.  

“Dreadfully,” Bucky teased right back.  He could take the teasing just as easily as he gave it.  Which was part of why he and Loki got along so well together.  “If you don’t show, then one of us has to escort your girl around for the evening,” he whined.

“I will be there then. I wouldn’t want you to miss me too much,” Loki replied.  He wouldn’t let Morgan be alone for the evening.  Or on Bucky’s arm.  He was a bit possessive and protective of his lady. 

Only a bit.

Definitely just a bit.

He was also the god of lies…

Bucky laughed.  “Of course that’s the reason, vedma,”

Loki chuckled. “And I wouldn’t want my lady to be on her own,” he added, amending his answer slightly.

Bucky laughed.  “Ah, the truth comes out.  I feel so unloved,” he lamented mockingly.

“You know I love you, cyborg,” Loki laughed.

Morgan turned to Loki and interrupted their banter.  “You don’t have to come to the party.  I wasn’t expecting you to be there,” she said, knowing how he hated to leave the tower, or have people see him.  Especially as he was stuck in jotun form.  

“I will happily be there to support you, my love. I can get over my insecurities,” he reassured her while Tony made faking barfing noises.  He still didn’t approve of Loki.  

Morgan didn’t look convinced, but didn’t comment.  She would see how he was feeling when it got closer to the time for the party. “You don’t like the Midgardians seeing you and all sorts of press will be there,” she reminded him.

“The only person’s opinion I care about on this realm is yours. That’s it,”

Morgan nodded. “If you’re sure…”

“I am. Don’t fret,” she nodded and they finished their breakfast in peace.  “And what are our plans for today, darling?”

“I was planning a nice quiet day with a book since I have to be social tonight,” she explained.  She could do the crowds, but would rather not and had to charge up with a quiet day.

Loki gave her a warm smile as that sounded like a perfect day. “May I join you?”

She nodded and the pair started to leave to return to her suite. As they were heading through the common room, she tripped over something. Loki had to catch her and steady her. “Thor, how many times have I told you not to leave your things lying around the common room?” she growled as she picked up the offending object and chucked it at Thor’s head.  She’d only sensed that it was Thor’s, not what it was.

And the offending object had been Mjolnir.

[nerdy-flower]

Folks on AO3 seemed to like this one, so I decided to cross-post it here! Enjoy!~

Solstice

Jesse and Hanzo's wedding ceremony + Genji's best-man-by-default speech, absolutely the sappiest nonsense I have ever written.

The tile of Fareeha and Angela's master bathroom is cool beneath Jesse's dress socks as he leans closer to the mirror. A delicate touch is needed with the comb to coax his hair into the nice, slightly slicked-back look he wants without raising any cowlicks. He sings to himself, a low echo beneath the struggling air conditioner and the chaotic din of their charming cabin-type setup.

Weddings have oddly never meant much to Jesse. The slivers he remembers of his mom indicate he was born on the wrong side of the blanket. His grandfather was just a photo over the piano and a pair of boots in the hall closet, his and Gran's rings pawned to pay for something or other back then. In Deadlock, no one could afford to end up on paper, even at a drive-thru chapel out of Vegas, so relationships had to be memorialized in other, louder ways. He's been to the occasional engagement happy hour for various coworkers since, but hadn't so much as attended a wedding until Genji and Zen got hitched last year.

“Oh I'm, gonna do this ri-ight,” Jesse hums, lips sticking together as he smooths his recently trimmed, still-damp beard into tidiness. “Show you I'm not movin', wherever you go-”

“Are you done yet, Jesse?” Ana raps on the half-open door, looking like she stepped out of a high-end fashion magazine. Forever classy, despite maintaining the highest kill-count in her division. She chuckles at his suit, seeing it for the first time. “Very handsome! But I thought white was only for virgins?”

“Nah, see? It's hussy white.” Jesse gestures to the cream-coloured jacket as he shrugs it on, satisfied with his face.

Ana snorts into her hand and brandishes a red rose, its stem wrapped with ribbon and baby's breath or whatever those little white things are called. “The flowers arrived, let me.”

“Thanks, Ma.” Jesse smiles warmly, sticking his chest out so she can pin the boutonniere to his lapel. “Everything goin' okay out there?”

The theme of their wedding might be “no fuss, for chrissakes” but Jesse still wants it to be a good time. Everybody had worked so hard to put this on for them. It might not be a big shindig, but he wants it to be a memorable, relatively disaster-free one.

“Of course,” Ana demures with a smile and a slow wave of her hand. “Everything's fine, nothing's on fire, these are not the droids you're looking for.”

Jesse laughs and gets an affectionate pat to the cheek before she hurries off to check on something or other. The younger Ms. Amari appears in her wake, plum-painted lips all pursed. “Get out of my toilet, I need to unfuck this eyeliner.”

“Told ya not to use your phone,” Jesse smirks, glancing at her enormous bunny slippers as they swap places. “Oh, please tell me you're wearing those for the photos.”

“I have hose on!” Fareeha gestures exasperatedly at her legs before rubbing a q-tip over her tongue. She looks real cute, all dolled up in that blue number Angie's sure to love.

Jesse shuffles down the hall in a mild fugue state, fixing his cuffs unnecessarily. He ought to be doing something, but he doesn't know what. The reception is a while away yet, that had been more his bag. He's less about ceremony and more about celebration, he supposes, but that's a bit reductive, isn't it? The faint burn of a red dragon recently inked into his upper arm is telling. He has a poetic heart, so he's told, a love for a symbol's secret meaning rather than its apparent one.

“There it is,” Gabe says behind him, Jesse turning on his heel to see Genji jogging up the stairs, a flush in his cheeks. “You alright? I heard shouting.”

“Oh yeah, just Hanzo being himself.” Genji rolls his eyes as he passes off Jesse's missing tie, nodding at him. “Do you have the lint-roller?”

“Olivia had it, last I saw.” Jesse answers, sending Genji hurrying back to the living room, hopefully to put on something besides pants and a tank top. “D'ya mind- ah, thanks.”

Gabe smiles as he leans into Jesse's space to fix his collar and tie the tie. “So, you ready to stand up in front of God and everyone and bet half your stuff that you'll love this guy forever?”

“Damn skippy I am,” Jesse laughs, watching Gabe's scarred hands work on a perfect knot. “Oh, by the way, I had Lúcio put 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' on the playlist for you two.”

“Aw, how thoughtful.” Gabe drawls, doing that fake-grin that stretches out the hole in his cheek for effect. “Are you gonna cry?”

“'Course not, we live together. There's nothin' to cry about.”

“He's gonna cry,” Jack says confidently, leaning on the banister while Gabe fixes the tie just so and steps away to grab some things. “Hana put tissues in your inside pocket.”

“You might need some, I won't.” Jesse retorts, jokingly defiant. He rocks back on his heels and takes a second to breathe. The last six weeks were a blur, but he remembers the next steps. Enter with Gabe and Ana on his arms, stand tall and look pretty waiting for Hanzo, everything else is on note-cards. Easy as pie.

“Hey.” Jesse adds after a moment's thought, and after Jack's screen-reader finishes telling him that Lulu ate her food and is doing fine at the kennel, thanks so much. “You don't feel- left out of this, do ya?”

He isn't sure what he'd do if Jack did, at this point, but it seems worth asking. Jesse's time in their patchwork family had seen him through their good times and their not-talking periods where Gabe continually said he was fine, but played way too much shitty music to mean it. His attitude had clashed with the former soldier's early and often, and at times it felt like it was him and Gabe versus Jack. He's way too old for that shit now, and the guy had paid for his GED, amongst other things in his quest to accidentally parent everyone he ran across.

“Hm? Oh, god no.” Jack breathes a laugh, folding his arms. “Honestly, I'll be happy to sit down and relax for the rest of the day.”

“You sat down the whole way here,” Gabe notes, handing Jesse his fancy shoes. “At least you got to nap.”

“I got out and pumped gas,” Jack replies, with an almost petulant cock of his head. “And do you know how boring that highway is without the scenery? I nearly lost my mind.”

“I know, I know,” Gabe scoffs, gripping the man's bicep in a manner that could be construed as loving. “And you did such a good job pumping that gas, it's what I keep you around for.”

“Hmph.” But there's an entirely fond smile with it, his fingers curling over Gabe's. Goddamn they're cute, in their black and slate suits with the little matching pocket squares. They had best not start making out at the wet bar, though that would be an improvement on Jack pretending he knows how to do the running man.

As they step out of the sliding-glass patio doors into the heady summer air, Gabe squeezes the back of his neck in what Olivia calls a 'man-hug,' though Gabe is far from the too-insecure-to-actually-hug type. “No la cagues, alright, mijo?”

Jesse snorts, knowing he doesn't mean walking down the aisle. “I won't.”

There's nothing fancy to it, not even a proper altar, just a bunch of folding chairs and a borrowed music stand  for Mondatta to set his notes on. Camping tents off to the side, lights and flowers strung through the surrounding trees, music playing softly through Lucio's speakers- a piano version of the ending credits theme to a movie they both love. But then Hanzo walks out, in the same outfit he'd tied Genji into last year, his brother on one arm and Amélie on the other. There's some shuffling and laughing over how to link elbows properly, but then their eyes meet while everyone's backs are turned and he smiles so sweet and Jesse's chest feels so full- “Oh god, he's so gorgeous.”

“Called it,” Fareeha whispers, smug as anything at his side, rose pinned to her chest and ringbox in hand. Jesse smacks her discreetly, to the amusement of the spiritual leader behind them, but can't say anything around the lump in his throat.

It's all he can do not to smooch those lips right there while Genji steps to one side and Amélie takes her seat. Hanzo takes his hands and grips tight, the afternoon sunlight doing wonderful things to his brown eyes, and it's enough for now.

“Dear friends, we gather here today to celebrate what will hopefully be only one of many happy days shared by Jesse and Hanzo. They have asked me to thank you on their behalf, for coming together to support them.” Mondatta begins, and goddamn if he doesn't sound straight out of a movie with the gravitas in his voice. Add the resplendent, silvery robes on top, and Jesse gets the draw of his speeches, and why Lena looks like she might explode whenever he's around. Dude's got charisma for days. “There are so many people who influence our lives and the paths we take, from before we are born until after we have gone. If you'll permit me a moment's indulgence, I would like all of us to close our eyes for a minute and think about those people, perhaps especially the ones who cannot be with us today. I'll keep the time.”

In the head-bent pause, Jesse feels Hanzo's hands shake minutely and he squeezes back tight. It's one thing to wonder, with gratitude and frustration, about how he got here and why. It's another to know, and speculate with all the acute pain of memory.

“Thank you,” Mondatta says, looking up from his simple wristwatch and back to his notes, a smile in his voice. “As we stand in recognition of the commitment that these two are making to each other, we acknowledge that their life together is not starting, but has already begun. They have withstood many hardships and experienced many joys that have led them to make this proclamation not lightly, but gladly, solemnly, and with great courage. In your shared life, we all wish you peace, but acknowledge the yet-unknown hardships that will test you and the bond you share. Are you prepared to take on these challenges together?”

“We are,” they manage in almost-unison, Jesse half a beat behind. Hanzo smiles at him sideways, sweat building at his temples as the sun beats down on the black cotton of his kimono.

Mondatta nods, almost cat-like in his satisfaction. “Good. Now, while you are self-sufficient adults-” Oof, that might be a stretch. “-You will still need a community to nurture you, and many hands to help you on the road ahead. So I ask all of you here today, do you pledge to support these two and the family they've created, to speak the truth kindly to them, and to lend them your strength in times of need?”

Scarcely a second passes before the air rings with “We do!” and the occasional “Hell yeah!”- even an impressive whistle from someone. Hanzo's eyes well up then, as they smile out over the crowd, though he thumbs the tears away quick as can be. Heaven forbid someone capture him having an emotion on film, Genji's quip materializes in Jesse's mind with only a sharp smirk over his brother's shoulder.

“How wonderful,” Mondatta continues, off-script and genuine. “The two will now exchange the vows they have written. Jesse, I believe you 'called first dibs.'”

Jesse's face aches from smiling while the titter dies down. He locks his eyes on his fiancé's and tries not to talk too fast. “Hanzo, you know me better than anyone else in the world and somehow, you still love me.” Muted laughter again, and an endeared chuckle from Hanzo, the same one he'll never get enough of. “You tell me all the time how I've made you a better man, but I don't think you realize that you've done the same to me and more. So, I promise to remind you of that every day, and I'll do everything I can to look after you and make sure you don't regret this, till death do us part.”

Hanzo's laugh turns wet, but his smile doesn't flag. He clears his throat at Mondatta's nod, shutting his eyes a moment to block everyone out. They had purposefully kept it short, Hanzo struggling to be sentimental in public. Even still, there isn't an ounce of hesitance in his serious, stage-worthy tone. “Jesse, I promise to always give you the best of myself, though you have often put up with my worst. I will take your family as my family, as you have already taken mine. I will work hard to make you at least half as happy as you've made me, to ensure our life together is well-lived, and I'll always draw you handsome.”

The laughter is mixed with sniffles now, one at Jesse's back and surprisingly none at Hanzo's, though Genji's glasses do nothing to hide the red in his eyes. The 'boring bit,' as their rehearsal sticky notes read, allows Jesse to catch his breath. They sign the register with their loopiest signatures, Genji and Fareeha stepping forward to do the same. Genji pours the sake for the san-san-ku-do ceremony Hanzo taught him the week before, Jesse kneading his chest afterwards. “Oof, shoulda had breakfast.”

“Do not vomit,” Hanzo whispers in that crisp, eye-narrowing tone Jesse's come to know and adore. He just snickers, though he hopes somebody remembered to make dinner rolls.

In the slim moment where the cups and bottle are cleared away, Jesse looks back. Zen's in the front row, neatly dabbing his eyes with a handkerchief, cute guy that he is. Ana is beaming, a single tear slipping down her cheek while she there-there pats a weepy Reinhardt. Gabe and Jack sit in similar tired old men poses, but their eyes tell all, Jack's arm looped around Gabe's shoulders. Torbjörn's brood takes up the two back rows, Brigitte shushing some of the younger ones as they fidget in the formal clothing they were wrestled into this morning. The rest of their friends sit rapt and smiling, leaning on each other and fanning themselves in the sticky heat. Even Amélie's smile is softer than usual.

“Now it is time for the exchange of rings,” Mondatta intones with something like giddiness, or as close as someone like him gets. He pauses so that Genji can open the box for his brother to take the ring, the glance between them speaking volumes. “Hanzo, if you would please take Jesse's hand and tell him first why you love him, second why this day is important to you.”

Hanzo obeys, having requested to go first so that he might 'maintain some dignity,' since Jesse's dignity obviously up and went a long time ago. He takes Jesse's flesh hand in his, his smile more than blue skies and sunshine to his fiancé in that moment. “I love you because you are a truly good man, one stubborn enough to love me.” Everyone gets a good laugh at that while Hanzo pushes his braid back over his shoulder. “And because I wished to show you that I'll never leave your side.”

The multicoloured band slips on with ease. They've worn them as engagement rings all this time, but slim tears still join at Jesse's chin. The levity in Hanzo's words somehow keeps the tremble from his own, but only just. Fareeha's grin is as big as his while she holds out the box, Hanzo's right hand almost fragile in the grip of his metal fingers. “I love you because you showed me that my dreams weren't anywhere near as good as reality.” Hanzo's lips pull thin at that. Who knew they'd both grow up to be such sappy bastards? “And because I wanted to prove how serious I've always been.”

The weight of Mondatta's hands on their shoulders is almost paternal, pride shining in his face as he speaks that much louder than his previous words. “What the two of you have made together, let no one unmake. You may-”

Hanzo's patience flames out exactly then. He cups Jesse's jaw and pulls him down for a chaste, but very firm and knee-weakening kiss in front of everyone they know.

***

Genji stands up and rolls his shoulders, much like their judo instructor taught them to do as boys. Lena passes him an unopened bottle of champagne (the good kind, he owes Winston a hug) with a cheeky grin. Hanzo and Jesse's thank-you speech was cute and all, but he'll never let his brother get one up on him.

“Several years ago,” Genji begins, minding his feet as he steps outside the circle of guests around the fire pit. “I agreed to go shoot pool with some weirdo I met in our dear Doctor Ziegler's waiting room, with the sole intention of getting him to stop bothering me. Spoiler: It didn't work, but at least I got him to quit calling me Shimada-san.”

That nets a laugh and Genji smiles, warmed by the setting sun and the half-finished fourth mojito in his other hand. He doesn't often drink now, beginning to fret over what medicine and addiction have done to his liver, but he's been working harder than Cinderella's mice this week and getting lit once a year never killed anybody. “Jesse and I spent a lot of time together back then, mostly eating and binge-watching stupid TV shows on a streaming account belonging to someone who shall remain nameless.” He gestures with the neck of the bottle. “But on an unrelated note, Fareeha, you should really change your passwords once in a while.”

“Son of a bitch!” Fareeha shouts from across the fire, firing a chunk of cake at Jesse which he catches and promptly eats just to spite her.

“I came to consider Jesse a good friend, one of the first I'd had in some time.” Genji keeps an edge to his smile while the crowd softens. No need to bust that emotional nut too early. “Luckily we never slept together, or this would be really awkward.”

Another chorus of giggles and snorts, the first groan of distaste from Hanzo. Perfect. “Around this time, a wild brother of mine appeared.” Genji quickly dances past the smoke, not wanting to linger on a painful point by collapsing into a coughing fit. “And in accordance with his lifelong pattern of terrible taste, developed a big fat crush on one Jesse McCree.”

“Love ya too, asshole.” Jesse smacks him on the way by, but Genji keeps going. At this point, he might need the perpetual motion to stay upright and dignified. Hanzo's eyes are trained on him, but he's not done yet.

“But unbeknownst to him, Jesse had also caught feelings,” Genji takes a sip of his drink for a brief dramatic pause. “Despite the fact that my brother is a stuck-up grouch who sucked his thumb until he was twelve.”

A proper snarl of his name sets him cackling, though Jesse is kind enough to restrain and smooch Hanzo into submission. He pushes his glasses back up, realizes he isn't wearing them, and carries on. “Jesse's approach to this situation was to drive to the other side of town every day for terrible sandwiches and a chance to glimpse his beloved's perpetually exhausted visage. Hanzo's approach was to do absolutely nothing.”

More laughter, more Hanzo grumbles. “They did finally go on a date with no insignificant amount of prodding from yours truly, but since it's their special day, I won't congratulate myself too much. Except to say, you're welcome!”

That inspires some gentle jeering aimed at the two of them, Genji bouncing back on his heels and almost slipping, gesturing with both arms. “But truly, I never expected things to turn out this way; Hanzo marrying the guy who taught me how to roll joints specifically because doing it one-handed is a pain in the ass.”

A deeper groan at that one while the others laugh and shout. “Relax, Jesse, it's not like your entire family's here or anything!” He slows his wandering to one side of the fire to avoid further swipes, lifting the bottle to draw attention to his left hand. “Being married myself now, I get to incorrectly call myself an expert and assure you that it's totally great- no, honest! Hey, I'm not here for those ball-and-chain jokes, you've all seen my husband. He's literally right over there, look at him.”

Zenyatta has been watching him with that knowing 'I will save you from yourself if necessary' look this whole time, but his posture softens noticeably, his hand on his cheek as he sits curled up on their blanket. So goddamn cute, it isn't fair.

“You already know exactly how annoying you both are, so I won't bother reminding you.” Genji grins again, lifting one finger from the stem of his drink. “Though by the same token, don't say I never warned you!

“Thanks again for letting us use your matrimony as an excuse to throw a party, that was cool of you.” He pauses for a chorus of cheers and glasses clinking, the sun nearly gone now and their friends' movements reflected in flickering shadows. “I think I speak for all of us when I say I look forward to you two enjoying a long and happy life together, and bickering like old hens when the sex gets boring.”

Another loud groan from Hanzo. Zen mouths 'be nice' at him on his way by, but Genji can tell he doesn't mean it. “Just kidding, a Shimada's stamina never dies! Don't skip physio, McCree!”

More jeering, a request from his brother to be put out of his misery. He paces again, his cheeks buzzing with laughter. “Hanzo and Jesse specifically requested no gifts- but we all ignored that and put money in the cards, right?” A beat before a series of nods and sarcastic put-offs, eliciting some whinging from the couple. “Okay good, otherwise I'd want my five dollars back.”

The laughter rises again and he speaks again before it falls, slowing the groove he's wearing into Angela's lawn. “What these two nerds don't realize is that I'm taking home the biggest gift of all, and they gave it to me without even realizing. Can anyone guess what it is?”

A few shout over each other, making Genji knit his brows together. “You guys are gross.” He smiles then, holding up his glass in proper toast. “The truth is that I've spent more time worrying about both of you than I care to say. When you two finally got serious, I was so relieved. Partly because I no longer had to listen to Hanzo's bitching, and partly because I knew I didn't have to worry so much anymore.”

Hanzo's face is rather blurry at this distance, but he can see the change in it. The way his eyes get big and how his spine straightens up. Genji's smile stretches impossibly wider. “The rest of you can laugh at this part if you want- but I honestly can't tell you how grateful I am that I get to watch you become who you always deserved to be.”

He keeps his gaze over everyone's heads because if he makes eye contact with anyone right now, he might cry and he cries super gross. “And I never thought I'd say this, but I couldn't be happier to have a new big brother.” Genji tips his glass in their direction, giggling at the odd feeling of the words in his mouth. “Thanks for sticking around, Jesse. God knows we haven't made it easy for you.”

He doesn't let more than a couple “aw's” and fond chuckles escape before interrupting, shaking the bottle as hard as he possibly can. “And on that note, congratulations! Let's get this party-”

The cork pops off suddenly, hitting the metal gutter of the porch with a spectacular bang while those nearest to him shriek and dodge the spray of foam. “Oh, whoops.”

“Trying to break my windows, are we?” Angela appears at his side with eyebrow arched, yanking him down by the tie as the others scramble up, Lúcio dashing to the DJ station he'd set up beside the bar.

“Now how was I supposed to know it would do that?” Genji giggles, filling her empty glass with flat champagne and kissing her cheek. She seems appeased as they finish it themselves, good. He's ninety-nine percent sure she could suplex him without breaking a sweat.

Hanzo and Jesse had opted out of the first-dance business because “It's embarrassing and I don't want to,” blah blah. That means Lúcio cranks the beats right from the start, to which Genji is not at all opposed. He lets Angela spin and dip him before shaking and shimmying his way to Zenyatta's side, then bouncing from person to person across the rented dancefloor like a tipsy pachinko ball.

It's not a huge group, the younger half of the Lindholm children already back at the monastery for a monk-supervised sleepover. The older half put the trampoline through its paces while the adults make fools of themselves. But damn, if there isn't a perfect energy to the night, both excitable and intimate. Emily pours him another drink and he revels in it.

Zarya ends up stealing a table to arm-wrestle any willing participants, which include his husband, who lasts an entire minute before she puts him down. Twice as long as Genji last time, he's impressed.

“You are like bamboo branch!” Zarya declares, lifting Zen's lean arm by the wrist and affectionately slapping his bicep. “Lean, but surprisingly strong!”

Zenyatta flushes, looking adorably sheepish as Gabe, Jack, Ana, Mei, and Lena clap for him and wait their turn. Genji's just about to walk up and tease the hell out of him when he feels someone grip his shoulder from behind. It's Hanzo, frowning slightly, how entirely unexpected.

“What's-” Hanzo wraps his arms around him before he can finish, his face pressed against Genji's shoulder. He can't help but laugh, though the tight embrace constricts his ribs. “Aw, two hugs in one day? You do love me.”

“Shut up,” is Hanzo's only reply, because of course it is. His eyes are doing the sad puppy thing when he pulls back. He was sort of born looking sad, but it's still concerning. “My speech at your wedding wasn't nearly as good.”

“You know, you're right! Tell you what, I'll get married again so you can do it over. Will that make you feel better?”

Hanzo scowls at him. Ah, such a nostalgic sight. “Can you stop ruining the moment for ten seconds?”

Genji downs the last of his cocktail and snaps his fingers into a point. “Nope.”

Hanzo sighs, his brow pinched like he has a headache but his eyes remain gentle, shining in the glow of the string-light canopy. He toys with the cord of his obi. “I will pay you back for this if it's the last thing I do.”

“The hell you will,” Genji huffs. “You don't have to wear that damn thing all night, you know. I didn't.”

“I like it, it's comfortable.” Hanzo insists, having not removed so much as the haori despite the heat. He folds his arms across his chest, his eyes lowered, the many piercings he chose to leave in because they were 'more attractive than empty holes' glinting slightly. His voice is barely audible when he finally speaks. “There is much I admire in you, and much I can never repay you for.”

Genji's response is stolen by the approach of Jesse. Hair askew, jacket off, and a big stupid grin on his face. “C'mere, you shit.” He hauls Genji into a bear-hug as soon as he raises his arms for it, gladly accepting it in lieu of the ones he used to dodge.

He groans as his toes leave the ground. “Ugh yes, crush me so I can skip this hangover.”

“Not a chance.” Jesse laughs, dropping him and slinging his arm around Hanzo, bending to kiss his forehead. The way he acts around him still makes Genji shake his head in disbelief. All Velcro eyes and little sighs and darlin'-honey-sugarbean's. Unbelievable.

Even more surprising is the ease with which Hanzo turns into his touch, lifts his chin to hold his gaze, lets his arm be stroked as they speak. To see his big brother smile again, watch him do the things he wants, not what he feels he must or is ordered to do- it's worth the world to him.

As he's having that realization, a certain slow song comes on and Jesse gets excited, tugging Hanzo towards the dance floor. He looks back at Genji for permission, legitimately concerned about his brother feeling ditched. Genji can't help but grab his face, squishing his cheeks and planting a smacking kiss on his forehead. “Pft, you're so cute, anija! Go have fun!”

“Ugh, don't.” Hanzo recoils from him like an angry cat before Jesse laughs and hurries him along.

He giggles and leans against the wall of Angela's house, considering asking Lúcio to put on something loud and fast after this so he can do an ill-advised handstand or twerk towards Bastion or something. No meds plus rum certainly leaves him with lots of ideas.

Zenyatta rolls up beside him then, merely smiling and setting his brakes when Genji plops himself into his lap, perhaps ten percent too confident his presence is desired there. God, he looks and smells so good. Buttoned into one of those gauzy pastel tops he prefers, features ringed with thin gold jewellery, nails painted and eyes lined in deep blue. His hand is so soft against Genji's cheek. He's beautiful. “You're beautiful.”

“And you're very warm,” Zenyatta observes, reaching for the buttons of his black vest. “Let's get this off before you overheat.”

Genji chooses comedy over tenderness, striking a pose worthy of a soap opera. “Ooh, Mister Tekhartha, are you trying to undress me?”

“Oh, you are drunk.” Zen replies, an amused statement of fact rather than a question, fixing him with a cheeky, freckle-bunching smile once he helps him out of it. “Try not to let your lips write cheques your body can't cash this time, hm?”

“I said I was sorry, I got the spins!” Genji whines in his defence, but quickly abandons that in favour of sweetly kissing Zen. He fits so perfectly in Genji's arms when he cuddles up to him afterwards, nuzzling against his temple.

“Do you want to go dance, dear one?”

Genji looks back, catching a glimpse of Hanzo tucked under Jesse's chin, Jesse's cheek on his crown, their hands clasped. With his glasses back on, their smiles are easy to see even from here. They both look so- safe, is the only word he can come up with.

“In a minute,” he murmurs, turning to share another, slower kiss with his husband in the electric night air.

[latinalesbi]

So Stef and Lena clearly foster another kid and I think he goes to the wedding too. Wouldn’t he not be allowed to go out of the country as a foster kid? Do you think they adopted him since the wedding is taking place a year from the finale?

That’s a really good question. I know that to take them out of the state I would need permission, not sure about going out of the country but they would need passports etc. The child they foster/adopt is black, he will be on the trip.

Anonymous said:                                                                      All these interviews from the producers seem very confident the rest of the cast will appear in the spinoff every so often. Do you think they’ve got an option on them or some sort of contract? I imagine those dumped will be off auditioning for other jobs so it’s a bit confident of them telling everyone that imo.             

I think it’s bravado. What else is Hayden supposed to be working on? Everyone who can get employed will get employed. There’s no reason for fake loyalty.

Anonymous said:                                                                      I had a dream that Stef and Lena got a really nice love scene. Wish we had gotten one.             

I had a dream that I kept trying to tune into it and I just couldn’t manage it. I think it was trying to tell me something.

Anonymous said:                                                                      I don’t think I’ll ever not be bitter about how Stef and Lena/sherri and Teri were treated in these past few seasons. That behemoth scene wasn’t worth squat! We didn’t even get a love scene but we had to see Brandon grind on grace?             

I never will be over it. I will never be over how we got treated as fans. I didn’t see a behemoth scene. I saw a nice scene with a less than spectacular ending. I know Sherri doesn’t lie. I expect she shot a love scene. It’s just that it was cut.

Anonymous said:                                                                      mini meet the parents reunion at the gala last night     

I wouldn’t really know. I know Robert was there.

Anonymous said:                                                                      Jude/Lena scenes are my favorite after Stef/Lena. I loved the nail polish parallel so much             

Like, I wasn’t that impressed. They were cheap shout outs. I wish they’d written something new instead of a rehash. Especially because I don’t like Jude again, he was a complete dick up until that moment.

Anonymous said:                                                                      So Brandon is in LA. Jude is studying in LA. The girls spin off is in LA. Those two as actors I think would be happy popping in and out. Though I’m guessing Brandon is the 3rd member of this new  progressive show. 🙄 The moms coming in being background characters every so often makes me all kinds of sad.             

I hope they won’t appear. I hope they aren’t even mentioned. What is clear to me is that those two, Brandon and Jude are recurring at best. The interviews make it sound like that.

Anonymous said:                                                                      I’m conflicted! On one hand I would LOVE LOVE LOVE a mom’s spin off, on the other hand I almost don’t want Sherri and Teri to work with those people again. They dumped them initially pure and simple. The love fest from the producers for the moms that has followed has made things better but thats the truth, they willingly dumped them. The family dynamic is everything. They didn’t appreciate what they had until it was too late.             

I feel you, especially after the lack of a love scene. I don’t think that they should be limited by censorship and by people who don’t want to write for their characters anymore. They’ve changed the characters so much because they are bored with them. Instead of writing Stef, they’re going to change her completely because even writing Stef for three eps is a chore.

P.S. There’s no spin off. Notice that Bradley isn’t mentioning it anymore? His leak to Perez got people to shut up. Goal accomplished.

Anonymous said:                                                                      Joanna in one of the interviews seems awfully certain they will all appear in the first spinoff at times. We know nothing really but I just can’t see Teri doing it. Things have obviously improved on set, time is a healer and all that crap but my personal opinion was she has just been being professional. She never refollowed any of the four she got rid off after the announcement. Plus I’m pretty certain her and Sherri will both get other gigs fast.             

She’s going to say that to try to get people to watch. I am hoping Sherri and Teri get busy as shit and can’t make it. The worst scenario would be one there without the other. They shouldn’t boost that show with a guest appearance. They don’t deserve that boost. I agree about Teri. If the hatchet was buried... where’s the refollow? You think she wants her heart stabbed over and over while those idiots gloat over their spin off.

Anonymous said:                                                                      Everything will die down now until the summer. The moms spin off will be conveniently forgotten. I’m assuming they’ll start to film the other spin off soon and that will take the forefront of twitter/insta chat. Creators: ‘We want it too’ bull you do. You got a load of heat for your decision and are playing with the viewers emotions. If it doesn’t happen that’s just pretty cruel and mean to those who are obviously excited about it and being given false hope.             

The spin off talk is already conveniently forgotten. Now they can say we tried, you saw the Perez post. It’s like, listen Brad, we all know that’s your bud. One of the few in the press that wrote about your shitty dinner theater. You leaked him some bullshit and now you can play it off like you tried. It is cruel. Never forget that, it’s cruel.

Anonymous said:                                                                      Sorry I didn't mean you should wtite, I just meant you can and have. It was a frustrating finale. It is time to call it quits when fans can remember the core beliefs and traits of characters even when the writers can't             

Sorry, lol, that was my stress talking. I think I agree with you. Yeah, it’s funny, but since when has Jude even hinted at emo-ness? I mean, some Jude expert can fill me in.

 Anonymous said:                                                                      When Lena was laying on the bed with the Spicy Times Newsletter , I had a moment I got soooooo nervous OMG . I thought the writers were really gonna take it THERE and have her read it ... to Stef .... OUTLOUD . My heart was hollering at that 😂             

We’ll never get that lol. That would have been gold. I never felt the tension in that scene because I watched babymoon and I remember that was around the time Stef got a stick up her ass.

  Anonymous said:                                                                      Why do you think Stef's asked Lena to marry her so many times now ? For Sherri , that's technically her 7th " proposal " at this point - 3x when she played Vanessa on Sunset Beach . Once when her husband proposed in real life . 3x with Stef . I love it so much 😭             

It was her assignment? It’s cute and those two sell the shit out of it but... i mean come on. I am married about the same time as those two and we only had one proposal, “I think we should go get married before election and it becomes illegal.”

 Anonymous said:                                                                      what happened to ana? did the actress refuse to come back on the show or did they write her off? 

They couldn’t bother to write for her because you know Aaron, ximena, core family members. And you got lucky, they flashed her in the finale! This question was asked before the finale fyi.

Anonymous said:                                                                      Maybe instead of two spinoffs they should've fought for a sixth season to properly end everything for everyone 

Exactly. That’s what they should have done. It should be over. One for all and all for one.

[anastasiastabbington]

DEAD MAN’S PARTY → ANAPOLEON

TAGGING → Anastasia Stabbington & Napoleon Darling (@napoleondarling)

TIMELINE → Monday, October 23, 2017

SETTING → Halloween Festival 

SUMMARY → Napoleon drags Walt’s resident scaredy cat into a haunted house at the Halloween festival. RIP Weenastasia.

Anastasia hugged her arms around her chest as she paced the Walt Halloween Festival, wondering if enough people had seen her there for her to get credit for attending. She'd even picked up a souvenir -- stolen, of course, rather than won from carnival games -- that could prove she'd done her time at this stupid, spooky carnival, and she was all set to walk out the festival gates and head back to her cottage before the sun could go down fully and the scarers could start popping out at her and making her feel like she was on the brink of peeing her pants. Instead, though, she came to a halt at the sight of Napoleon Darling, the person who'd been her companion for a large portion of Walt's last festival. "Ew, what are you doing here ?" she asked, spying the Haunted House sign standing just beside him. "Anyone who voluntarily goes in to scare themselves silly is nuts, if you ask me."

Napoleon had shown up late to the Festival - he was doing his homework but if anyone asked he was prepared to come up with a much cooler sounding excuse. He didn't mind missing out on the carnival games really, you didn't need to be a genius to know they were rigged, but arriving as the sun was setting was the perfect time to haunted house it up. Maybe he'd even get scared this time, who knew? He wasn't expecting to see Anastasia there, knowing how easily she was to scare, but he smiled at the nice surprise. "Call me nuts then, because that would be me," he laughed. The idea of Anastasia of all people entering a haunted house was too funny to pass up and so he had to get her to come with him. "Going alone is lame though. I was looking for the perfect tagalong and I think I found her," he teased, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pivoting them so they were facing the house head on. "You'll have me there to fight any monsters, come on. You aren't that much of a weenie, right?" he dared.

Anastasia tensed as soon as his arm was around her, both from the barely-familiar feeling of his touch and the direction in which he was trying to drag her. She tried to dig her heels into the ground and stay in position, but he was a lot stronger than he looked and she felt herself inching in the direction of the haunted house at his guidance. "Going alone is lame, but using it as an excuse to get a girl who's way cuter than you to cling onto you for five minutes is even lamer," Anastasia protested, trying to hit a weak point or anything that would change his mind. She had wanted to sound suave, but her words came out stammered as fear started to seize her up. She hated jump scares, she hates spooky masks, she hated her hands being shoved into peeled grapes that felt like eyeballs... even knowing the tricks, she still felt sure that she would end up having a heart attack inside of that stupid house, so she let her arm go around his waist and dug her nails into his side, hoping he'd pause and let her go. "I'm totally that much of a weenie, you can call me Weenastasia for all I care, just don't make me go in there."

Napoleon snorted at her protests, but he felt bad the second he felt her tense up under his arm. He liked to make fun of Anastasia like she liked to make fun of him, but she was clearly, like, seriously afraid. Of a haunted house. It was a hard concept to process, even seeing it in front of him. The jump scares and spooky masks and all the tricks were so expected - her nails in his side, however, were not, and he jumped, his arm not moving. "Weenastasia? Really? You'd take that, for the rest of your life? I'd get it on your tombstone somehow. Here lies Weenastasia, scared to death." He kept the joking lilt to his voice, even though his eyebrows flattened in concern. "Come on, Anastasia. No one's gonna hurt you in there. They aren't allowed to even touch you. And you're gonna feel so much braver when you get to the other end, I promise. Come on. What do I have to do to convince you?"

Anastasia chewed on the inside of her cheek, biting so hard she was sure any second it might start bleeding. She hated being a coward, but most people just let her get away with it; it seemed, though, that Napoleon Darling wasn't most people. "Cool, be sure to put that in the yard of your cottage for your trick or treaters to see, then you don't even have to wait until I die to have way too much fun with the new name," she sighed, wondering if he knew when to quit. The more he pleaded with her, the more she almost felt a twinge of guilt... almost. "Pick me winning lottery numbers, bake me a weed cake, steal me the great Hope diamond... hmm, you intimidated yet or should I keep listing?"

Napoleon raised his eyebrows. "That's not a bad idea," he joked, though he was now seriously considering that tombstone as a Halloween decoration. If Anastasia made it through the haunted house successfully it'd be a fun reminder of the day instead of picking fun at her weenieness. Now that he'd started asking her to join in, going in without her would feel like a failure, and he wasn't good at feeling like a failure when he was sober. "I could probably try the winning lottery numbers, that's just probability and statistics, and the weed cake is totally doable. The Hope diamond is something I cannot do, but I can probably take one from a dwarf kid, is that good enough?" he asked hopefully, rocking on his feet a little bit. "And I'll leave you a giaaant tip the next time I'm at the Snuggly Duckling, and I'll slay any monsters in there, I promise." He blinked hopefully, not quite sure why he cared so much, but if the gulp in his throat was any indication, he really didn't want to go in alone.

Anastasia was pretty used to people putting up with her shit, even when she was being difficult; Gio was the most laid back person in the world, after all, and she'd spent the better part of the last few years around him everyday. Still, it felt stranger coming from Napoleon acquiescing -- they weren't tight like that, unless there was something seriously different going on in her brain than there was in his. "Okay, cool, win me some money before we go in the haunted house, we'll come again next week," she suggested, attempting to duck out from under his arm but not putting up much of a fight. She knew damn well that by next week the festival would be closed, but it had been worth a try anyway and she wondered if he'd fall for it. "Wow, somebody really wants my company, it's too bad you're just darling and not charming," she teased, although she hadn't actually made any steps backwards. "What, are you scared too?" Ana finally asked him, glancing towards the door and wondering if she left, if he'd go in at all or just ditch.

Napoleon didn't have to be smart to know the haunted house wouldn't be there next week, and he quirked a brow at her, silently asking if she'd really thought he'd fall for that. "I'd have to be more creative in finding a haunted house by next week, at least this one has guaranteed fake ghosts instead of, you know, real ones," he warned with a laugh in his throat. "If I was Charming, I'd be skateboarding in there right now without you. Darlings travel in packs," he insisted. He considered her question and no, he wasn't scared, but the odds of her going in with him seemed higher if he agreed. "Don't tell anyone, it'd ruin my reputation as a total bad-ass," he joked, letting her think he wouldn't go in alone. "But it's good to face fears head on. That way you can tell yourself you deserve whatever you get afterwards to cheer yourself up."

Anastasia let her eyes dart upwards, asking, "Is that my problem? You could always just make one inside of your house, since you seem to like them so much. I'm sure your cottagemates would just lovethat." Not that she'd considered visiting him anyway, but she'd definitely never step foot inside of his cottage if he gave it a scary theme. He'd have to be seriously weird to take her up on that kind of suggestion. "Skateboarding in the dark, wow, it's like they have a death wish or something," she replied drily, saying, "Ugh, you're really not going to let me get away with just going home, are you? Fine, but I get to call you Weenapoleon for a week if you scream first, since apparently I'm not the only scaredy cat around." She didn't know if he was serious or not; she didn't even know what she was trying to prove by agreeing. All she knew was that he was being kind of pitiful and she could relate to that on a spiritual level; the least she could do was put him out of his misery and just suffer through three or five minutes of misery of her own.

Napoleon shook his head. "Haunted houses aren't made, they're found. As far as I know, no one's died at 1159 Wizard Way, it'd make for a very dull time," he smiled. It was too much effort to make a haunted house anyway, but he didn't need to say that outloud. His heart started beating faster when it sounded like Anastasia was going to agree, the thrill of victory imminent, and he resisted the urge to fist pump his hand in the air when she uttered the word 'Fine'. "If I scream first you can call me Weenapoleon forever," he promised, already calculating in his brain whether it'd be better for her if he did or didn't scream first, and what would make her more likely to talk to him again afterwards. "But great, let's go!" He didn't want to manhandle her further as they approached the entrance so he dropped his arm, settling for lightly steering her by the elbow to the front of the door. "Ladies first."

Anastasia showed no reaction to Napoleon's statement, although a part of her did end up wondering if there was a whole history of deaths in Walt that she'd never bothered to look up before. Knowing her luck, she'd be living in the room of like, Walt's very own Moaning Myrtle or something, and it would probably be better for her not to go digging into that later... yet she made a mental note to do so anyway. She smirked at Napoleon saying he could call her an awful name like Weenapoleon forever if he screamed, and she even started to calculate a way to make sure that happened -- but she quickly discarded that as fear flooded her veins the closer and closer they got to the front door of the haunted house. She was too scared to be clever and they hadn't even crossed the threshold yet. "Oh, hell no," she protested, pushing Napoleon in front of her and wrapping her arms around his middle from behind. She buried her head in between his shoulderblades, murmuring against him, "This is the right way to go through the haunted house, right? Using you as a human shield." The door swung open for them as house attendants invited them to view the horrors inside, and she shuffled along, still attached to Napoleon, silently praying he'd just let her cling to him like this instead of forcing her to be brave.

Napoleon found it so hard not to laugh when Anastasia attached herself to his back. It wasn't what he was expecting, but at least she was going into the house - if he was forcing her out of her comfort zone it was the least he could do to let her use his body as a shield. "Are you kidding? All the cool kids are doing it," he promised, entering the house and feeling weirdly personally safe with someone's arms around him. That is until the first jump scare. Whether Anastasia could see it or not from her spot in his shoulderblades he didn't know but he found herself wishing she couldn't, because the weird and spooky bloody person who jumped out of nowhere was way freaky looking. He stiffened, one of his hands automatically rushing to Anastasia's arms as if to grab her hand. "Shit," he murmured in lieu of screaming. "Can you see anything back there?" he whispered, deciding it would probably ease both their nerves if they were speaking.

Anastasia didn't dare admit to Napoleon that it wasn't just his back that was shielding her from whatever had him tensing up; she'd also squeezed her eyes tightly shut, too. "Nope, not a thing, but I'm guessing we're about to bump into something completely horrifying," Anastasia whined, feeling his hand closing over her arm -- it didn't help her to relax at all, though, it only made her more worried. She could feel her heart hammering against her chest as she imagined a wide array of horrible things, and she slowly peered around her, swallowing a scream that threatened to erupt from her lungs at the sight of the bloody, harrowing creature in their path. "It's not too late to leave," she coughed instead, air having gone down the wrong pipe as she'd fought back the urge to yell. "We can just turn around, head the other way at a nice power walk or, you know, all out sprint... I won't tell anyone we're both weenies if you don't."

Napoleon couldn't help but chuckle. "Good guess," he said softly, wondering if he was more scared than he'd usually be because he was sober or if it was because fear was contagious. Maybe he deserved it, to be a little more afraid, maybe it was karma for dragging Anastasia in. But when she suggested leaving, his head shook instinctively. "Or we can power walk till the end," he reasoned, dropping the hand that he had on her arm as they turned another corner. "I mean, at some point we're closer to the end than we are to the beginning and running back to the start means spending longer in here." He was fairly sure they hadn't reached that point yet but he wanted to finish what he'd started. "Do you think anyone gets punched in these things?" he asked casually, trying to calm her with conversation as they traversed down a cobweb ridden hallway.

Anastasia grumbled but finally unwrapped her arms from around him, deciding that the fear of the unknown was worse than just seeing more horrible monsters firsthand. She just had to keep reminding herself that this was fake, this was fake, this was fake... and more importantly, she could just glance over and see the fear in Napoleon's eyes, too, and at least remember that she wasn't alone in this. "We've only seen one gross awful thing so far, there's bound to be like at least twelve more until we're free -- unlucky number 13, I'm calling it now, should we start counting?" The idea of counting helped Anastasia to stay calm, although not for long; they started to mosey forward, Anastasia by his side now instead of behind him, but just the sound of her own breath was enough to have her grabbing his arm again and clinging to it with both hands. "I'm going to punch you if you're not careful," she hissed as they rounded a corner and something from above her fell. She didn't look up to see that it was as fake of a spider as could be; she didn't have time for anything before fear took over and she let out a blood-curdling scream.

Napoleon let out a sigh of relief when Anastasia let go of him. Now she was braving the haunted house head on, like it should be - and besides, he was more scared that her grip would become tight enough to tear him in half than he was of the stuff in this house. "I like ten better," he grinned. "It's a more even number. We should count though, definitely. Whoever's closer treats the other to ice cream." He thought the mention of ice cream might make the girl relax, but the way she grabbed onto his arm suggested otherwise. He almost laughed at being threatened by her before something fell from the sky and honestly, Anastasia's response was scarier than whatever was up there could be, and he almost instinctively pulled his arm free and threw it over her shoulder like a shield. "Two," he counted loudly, hurrying them past the fake spider and out of the webby room. "I wonder if they get faker looking with each room," he rambled, trying to maintain some level of composure. "I wonder if they spent their budget on the front of the house and the rest will be just bargain basement scares."

Anastasia rolled her eyes. "Even, schmeven, Halloween is all about the scares and 13 scares the crap out of people for whatever reason," she pointed out, knowing that the number was enough to set her hair on end when it was paired with the day 'Friday'. Napoleon probably should have guessed that by now, though; she had done a completely rubbish job of hiding just how much of a scaredy cat she was from him. "But sure, you're on -- my favorite flavor's cherry," she teased, although her voice still sounded unsteady. It was impossible to really relax in here when scares could be around every single corner. Napoleon, however, seemed more at ease every second, and she was sorely tempted to hit him for real when his response to her embarrassing screams was just to count off that it was the second scare they'd seen. "Ugh, eleven more to go," she grumbled, leaning into his touch, only slightly comforted by him being even closer than before. "They probably save the best for last -- which means that'll be the loudest scream, I'll forgive you if you want to cover your ears," she said as they entered into a room with an eerie red glow. "Vampires?" she wondered allowed, trying to guess what would pop out at them next.

Napoleon wrinkled his nose - he hated cherry ice cream. "That's scarier than anything we could find in here," he commented. "It's ice cream, why do you want it fruit flavored? It's caramel or no dice," Napoleon shot back with a laugh. He wasn't totally sure if he was making her feel better or not, but her voice sounded maybe less shaky in his wishful thinking, and she was returning conversation which was a good sign. "Thank you, but when we get to the final scare, I"m just running out of here. I'm more scared of going deaf than I am of any rando pop out creature in here." He nodded at her assertion. "Vampires. Or maybe a werewolf." She was right, though, and not even ten seconds later a vampire popped out from behind a corner and lunged at them like it was going to suck their blood.

Anastasia would have glared at him if she weren't so busy staring straight ahead, facing her own impending doom. "Ew, caramel? No way, just because I didn't use a mainstream fruit doesn't mean people don't eat fruit ice cream all the time, strawberry and orange are so popular. And if I was going to eat non-fruity I'd do mint chocolate chip, definitely not caramel," Anastasia corrected him, thinking that maybe Napoleon deserved for her to just shove his gross tasting ice cream in his face for dragging her through this heart attack house anyway. "Running away from the house or running away from me? Because if you leave me alone and traumatized I'm totally cancelling you, just be prepared," she hissed, although the hiss turned into a terrified squeak as the vampire came at them. Fortunately, at least, it didn't target them for long; it slid right back into the shadows and she breathed a sigh of relief. "Three... God, I hope they were cheap this year and there are only like five. Do you really think there would be a werewolf next?" she asked, peering up towards the ceiling for some sort of sign of a full moon.

Napoleon shook his head. "Then everyone who eats fruit ice cream is wrong, it's that simple. Save that for fro-yo, ice cream is supposed to be decadent." He actually really liked mint, but it was easier to be at odds with Anastasia. "Caramel would kick mint chocolate chip's ass in a wrestling ring and that's just the facts," he responded before laughing. "Running away from the house. Hopefully you'd be running with me, leaving you behind would rest heavy on my conscious. So if I start running, come with me," he laughed, sucking in a breath at the sight of the vampire. "I don't know, vampires cover the classic monster trope pretty well. Werewolves might be extra." The next room was strangely empty-seeming for too long, it felt like it was building to a major jump scare with all the suspense.

Anastasia rolled her eyes. "Highly unlikely, caramel's not nearly as solid as the chocolate chips are, it wouldn't be able to get a solid punch in." Anastasia perked up at the mention of running away; she wished they could just break into a run now; she really wouldn't have minded being far away from here, even if the company really wasn't terrible. Still, if she was going to keep running into Napoloen Darling everywhere she went, she was going to have to start trying harder to avoid things one or the other of them hated. "Werewolves and vampires seem to go hand in hand these days, didn't your sister ever force you to watch Twilight?" she hissed, the stillness of the room making her nervous. She felt compelled to whisper as she waited, waited, waited, her heart the only sound she could hear as it pounded in anticipation. "Nope, I can't take this anymore, come on," she said, starting to drag him at a faster pace right as a figure reached out and stepped in front of them, its arms high in the air, it's disgusting mouth open as it uttered the word 'braaaaaains'. Anastasia wanted to scream again, but instead she fought to hold it back and let out a squeak of fear instead. Somewhere in the whole transaction, she'd leapt onto Napoleon's back, jumping in the air because she'd been scared out of her wits, and now she was in piggy back position, impressed that he hadn't just immediately let her slide right off. "Get me out of here, get me out of here, I hate zombies, go," she pleaded, sure that if she got back down her knees would be all wobbly and she'd sink right to the floor for the fake-zombie to fake-eat her very real brains.

Napoleon lifted a finger like he was explaining something of vital importance. "Ah, but caramel's density would make any hit mint chocolate chip landed stick to itself." He didn't really care about the physics of which flavor could beat up the other one, but it was more fun to think about. It was almost like they weren't even in a spooky house. Almost. He wrinkled his nose at the Twlilight mention and shook his head. "My sister is an artist, she has taste," he insisted. The silence had reached a boiling point and Napoleon, who liked thinking several staged ahead, was taken aback by a few things - first of all, the zombie. Not at all what he'd expected. Secondly, though, was Anastasia finding her way onto his back. His arms fell back to support her and doing as she said was surprisingly easy, hurrying out of there as fast as he could with a girl on his back. It was only a few more turns until he saw sunlight and an exit appeared. He worked his way over there, relieved to be outside again. "And that concludes your ride on the Napoleon express," he joked, lowering himself a bit so she could disembark easier. "See? That wasn't so bad," he grinned, removed from the scary stuff now and ready to joke about it.

Anastasia squeezed her eyes closed as Napoleon took off at a brisk pace, trying to block out the whole rest of the stupid haunted house. She'd screamed enough for one day, and she didn't even care if he called her Weenastasia for the whole rest of her life, as long as she got to escape. Once they were in the sun, she blinked her eyes back open, sure that it couldn't be a part of the house anymore. Anastasia's first temptation was still to smack Napoleon for making her go in there in the first place, but instead, she slid off the ground and threw her arms around him in a hug instead. "Next time you're so desperate to hang out with me, Darling, let's do it somewhere that doesn't make me want to die, okay?" she muttered before pulling back, a little embarrassed by the unfamiliar show of affection. "I'd say thanks for getting me out of there, but well... you're the only reason I was stuck in there in the first place, so hopefully you'll understand if I pass."

Napoleon was totally expecting an eye roll or a sock to the arm or something for basically forcing her into the hanuted house - he definitely wasn't expecting a hug, but he didn't mind. Adrenaline was responsible for weirder things than hugs, he knew. He put an arm around her in return, chuckling a little at her request. "Oh, but that still limits too many options," he teased, though his brain was already wondering what sort of place they could go to next that didn't end with, well, her on his back and screaming. "I don't even get credit for running us out of there?" he asked fake-incredulously. "I'll remember that the next time you have monsters that need slaying."

Anastasia almost replied with a 'see you never, then,' but a tiny nagging part of her brain told her that if she said that and he agreed, she'd be disappointed. Disappointed about not hanging out with a big nerd like Napoleon Darling! She couldn't believe it; she wasn't sure at what point she'd gotten actually a little bit attached to him, but she supposed there were some things you just couldn't do without liking the other person a little bit, and going through an entirely too terrifying haunted house was one of them. "Fine, I guess we'll just have to do something you hate instead," she teased, flipping her hair over her shoulder and shrugging innocently. "One look at this beautiful face in pain and you'd run right to my rescue, don't even!" she teased, finally giving in and swatting at his arm. "And speaking of rescuing me, I seem to recall ice cream?" she added, arching her eyebrows at him meaningfully, still too close to the haunted house for her own comfort.

Napoleon could think of a million things he hated doing off the top of his head, but the thought of doing them with Anastasia Stabbington wasn't too bad. She was funny, and it was so easy for her to make him smile even if she didn't realize it, and they'd never do something that could result in one or both of them dying, and that was all great news. He was aware part of his fondness for her might have to do with the adrenaline still going through him but if he was being honest with himself, he'd had a great time with her at Waltfest too, and he was having a great time of chuckling at her antics. "Ice cream, there we go! That's something I could hate. Want to go get some fruit-flavored frozen milk right now? I think I'm done with the carnival," he admitted.

Anastasia rolled her eyes at Napoleon, linking her arm through his similar to how she'd done at Waltfest. It was nice to be the one dragging him around again, instead of being dragged into a weird tower of terror, and she scolded, "Only if you're in the mood for some caramel, yuck." She tugged him in the direction of the ice cream shop, glad to put distance between her and the carnival, thinking her day was only bound to get better from here.

[alice-in-every-land-blog]

Strangers

In which Alice meets a mysterious brunette the last night of Pride and finds out some of Kiara’s dirty little secrets.

Trigger Warnings: Mention of drug and alcohol use, talk of cheating, a lot of gay.

Alice was sipping on a drink in her hands, slightly tipsy as she grinned and looked around the crowd. People kept asking if she was waiting for someone, and though she assured them she wasn't, it was clear the blonde was at least on the lookout for one person in particular. But Alice hadn't seen Kiara yet. Not tonight. So as she got another quick refill at the bar, she looked for someone that might be around Kiara's age. After all, she'd been young enough not to have an ID, right? Spying a brunette that looked far more baby-faced than Alice's warrior princess, she flagged her down with a quick tap on her shoulder. "Excuse me. Sorry. Don't mean to be rude- I just was wondering - have you seen a girl around with short pixie hair? Looks like a goddess and walks with the confidence of one too?"

Zella was out with the squad (literal squad, the cheerleading squad that is.) It was her turn to go back for drinks and she was hammered--not to mention high as a kite on some little tab Poppy had procured for them. She was floating on her way to the bar when some freckly bitch got in her way. At the description, Zella pulled her head back a little and snorted. "Uh. No. What kind of description is that?"

Alice gave a simple shrug. "An apt one, if I do say so myself. I don't know - you look to be about her age. Do you know someone named Kiara?"

Kiara. This bitch had just described Kiara as if she was some kind of manic pixie dream girl out of a romance novel. Oh, did Zella have news for her. Her eyebrows shot up at once. "Why do you wanna find her?" she asked, batting those eyelashes innocently. She was just nosy more than anything else, she didn't care, but the girl's response would determine how Zella answered.

Alice’s face lit up when recognition blossomed clear on this girl's. 

"Oh,well- I just, I met her the other night, at the bonfire. We had a lovely time. She's excellent company. I've texted, but I was hoping to run into her a bit more organically again. Like the first time. At the bonfire," she clarified, though immediately felt silly for doing so. Blushing, Alice shook her head. "It's silly. I was just curious if she was about, is all."

Ah, well, that was--boring. Friendly little Kiara. She was just as annoying as her cousin, making friends everywhere she went. "She's not here, sorry to burst your bubble. Don't you know? She's underage," Zella scoffed.

Alice rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Like that's stopped so many rowdy teens from sneaking their way into a party." Alice eyed the girl up as if to suggest she had probably done the same. "She's seventeen, isn't she? Not too far." The blonde looked down at her drink, twirling the straw a bit. "Besides, she seems very mature. Been through a lot, I think. It's in the eyes."

"Oh, yeah, real mature," Zella said with another snort. She twisted the straw around in her drink, eyeing this girl up and down. It was all in the eyes, and this girl had this ridiculous doe-eyed, innocent look. Oh, Zella was sure Kiara was eating that right up. "Like getting into fights at school and getting shitfaced at every party she goes to. Less mature, more sloppy."

Alice’s face screwed up at the girl's tone, and then even further at her words. "Fights? Wh- I'm sorry, what do you mean? Who is it she's meant to be fighting?"

"She's not meant to be fighting any one. But she got in a real scrap with some girl just a couple of months ago. I don't know the story behind it but she got her face absolutely fucked. If you ask me, it would probably be that mouth on her. Always talking before she thinks." Zella clucked her tongue and shook her head, like she was't the exact same way.

Alice gasped, a bit horrified, to be honest. "Oh my goodness. Poor thing... I couldn't even tell. I wonder what could have possibly started something like that. Did the other girl say something? Do something? Did they not get along?" She couldn't see Kiara just starting a fight out of thin air, even if it were just with her words. "I've got quite a mouth myself but goodness, I've never gotten my face bashed in for it." She had been thrown into a special version of hell because of it, though. "I feel like there's more to the story. Kiara just seems so... nice."

"Yeah, it's always the real fucked up ones that act real nice, but actually aren't. I feel bad for her girlfriend or whatever. She's got her hands full with that out." Zella scoffed again and shook her head,though she hid a little smirk into the straw of her drink.

Alice paled, face falling with the word 'girlfriend.' "She has a girlfriend? Like, a right proper one?" Kiara hadn't mentioned that. She definitely hadn't mentioned that. But, Alice sucked in a deep breath and shook her head. "They've probably got an open relationship, yeah? I've heard of those. A bit surprising for someone so young, but... b-but admired. I like openness." 

She was making excuses for a near complete stranger, but she couldn't help it.

Wow. This girl was either desperate or someone had made her seriously delusional at some point at her life. Kiara attracted crazy, though, so it made sense. Callie was like boring as shit. No wonder Kiara had already cheated on her (probably.) Man, this was juicy. "Uh, no, pretty sure they're not. Kiara is like in love with love or whatever. One of those real romantic types. Got a history of cheating,though." With me, Zella added primly to herself.

"There's nothing wrong with loving love." Alice was quick to jump on the defensive, but even she couldn't help running a hand through her hair as she looked around, feeling her heart sink. "Just as long as it doesn't define you or ruin relationships... And as long as you don't cheat." Was this Kiara really a cheater? Of course. It made sense. Alice couldn't have just met a nice, magnetic, beautiful, actually gay girl who seemed to be actually interested in her. She wasn't that lucky. She never was.

"I'm sorry, what did you say your name is?" She hadn't, Alice knew that, but she needed to know who was giving this information exactly.

Zella looked the girl up and down once more. "Oh, my name is Jenny. Jenny Foxworth. It's lovely to meet you. I'm so sorry to break the news to you. This is a small town, I forget that not everyone knows everyone."

Alice repeated the name back, "Jenny," as though it was this stranger's name she was trying to grasp and not what she'd just said about Kiara. "I'm Alice. It's... Ah, it's lovely to meet you as well. And there's no need to apologize, nothing's ruined." Had there even been anything to ruin in the first place? The feeling in her stomach would suggest so. "I'm new, so... I'm sorry, um- You know Kiara how?"

"We go to school together. Small school. News travels really fast there." Zella put on another pout. "Do you want me to buy you a drink to make up for it? I feel real awful. Truly."

Alice laughed nervously, tucking her hair behind her ear. "No, you've no need to do a thing like that. Besides, I don't want you to go about feeling bad for anything. There's nothing that's your fault, after all, and I'm fine. Really." She insisted, toothy grin and all, though it faltered slightly at the edges.

What ugly teeth. Zella imagined what it'd be like to kiss her--all teeth and no lip. Still, Zella smiled. Her freckles looked like confetti underneath the neon flashing lights, through her drug haze. "No, really, I insist. I was on my way to get a refill anyhow. It's the least I can do."

Alice gave a solemn nod, giving in. "Alright, then. I suppose that would be okay." She wanted to add Just don't go making me feel all jittery only to turn out to be a fake, too. But instead she just smiled,letting this girl lead the way.

Zella smiled wide. "Great! And--I'm gonna preface this by saying I am decidedly not taken. Also, open relationships sound practically ideal. Are you in one?" She tugged her over to the bar and flagged the bartender down. "I'll have a shot of tequila. And, whatever the lady would like."

Alice blinked at the way all this information was being thrown at her at once. She couldn't help but blush even though now a tiny voice chastised her for it. Fool me once, and all that. "Am I...? No, no. I'm not. But I've always found the idea... I don't know. Nice. All love, no jealousy or fighting..." Alice hated fighting if she could avoid it. Turning to the bartender, she balked for a moment. "Ah... I'll just have another Jack and Coke, if you don't mind." She set her empty glass on the table.

Zella was making this girl blush--that was cute, in a pathetic kind of way. Zella really hoped that Kiara liked this girl. She was so--simple. So easily manipulated. Zella was not normally very good at the whole manipulation thing. That was more Ana's style, but damn, this girl made it so easy. It was actually kind of fun. "Jack and Coke. Now, that's a classy drink. I like it. Not many girls order something like that."

Alice wanted to say that Kiara ordered drinks like that. That it was part of how they met - getting a drink. But she didn't say that. Instead, she smiled and gave a shrug. "I'm sticking to simple tonight. Looking to get pissed and have a good time, you know? Although, you're being very direct. Straight with the shots. I like it," she smiled.

"Direct is my middle name," Zella said with a smile. "Two tequila shots." The bartender brought them over complete with a lime and salt. Zella licked her hand, keeping eye contact with the girl--whose name she still hadn't got, before putting her hand in the salt. "To open relationships?" Zella asked, batting her eyelashes as she raised her glass.

Alice had a protest ready on her lips before watching the girl's tongue dart out of her own to lick her hand. She blinked,and picked up her own tequila shot. Alice had to admit, she liked it better when Kiara had toasted to pride and love and her freckles. But now the thought came peppered with doubts. So she smiled. "Yeah. To open relationships."

Zella raised her eyebrows but she smiled and passed the salt to Alice. "You've taken a tequila shot properly before,yeah? It's real easy if you haven't."

Alice blinked and gave a little "Oh!" setting down her glass. "Right. Right. Sorry." She'd been distracted. By the licking. And thinking of Kiara. Licking the back of her own hand, she poured the salt on it too and picked up her shot again. "It's been a while,sorry. Cheers, yeah?"

"Cheers," Zella clinked their glasses before knocking hers back. "No need to apologize, by the way--" she paused,she would've said the girl's name but she didn't know it. "What was you're name again? I'm so sorry, you asked for mine but I didn't get yours! That's horribly rude of me."

Alice clinked her glass against the other girl's, then knocked her shot back with a grimace before moving on to licking the salt and sticking the lime in her mouth. After a gasp, she laughed, flushed from the warmth of the alcohol, and waved a hand. "Oh, I think it might've gotten drowned out by the music, it's fine love. Alice. My name is Alice."

Whoops. Forgot her name. It was a boring name anyways. Alice. "Well, would you like to dance, then, Alice?"

Alice wiped the back of her arm over her lips and laughed as she nodded. "Yeah- Yeah, I would. I'd like that."

"Wonderful," Zella said with a grin like a Cheshire cat. She held her hand out for the other girl and pulled her along towards the dance floor. When they got to a good spot she turned and put her hand on the girl's waist. It was very soft. Her freckles were looking like confetti again. Zella moved closer so their hips brushed.

Alice slipped her hand into Zella's hesitantly. Another girl, another Pride event, another hand to hold. Was this girl hiding secrets? Alice was suddenly weary of who to trust. But she tried not to think about it. She would confront Kiara about it all later. Right now, she was just going to let this cute girl pull her into dancing. Smiling, she let the music define her rhythm and mirrored the girl's movements, brushing her hips against hers in return. It was no twirling Kiara, or snuggling by a bonfire, but it was a bit tingly in a different way.

After a minute or so, Zella took another step closer, her head tilting slightly to the side, eyes flicking down to Alice's lips and back up. Her body was zinging with that adrenaline she got when she was doing something bad. She rubbed their pelvises together slightly harder, her hand sliding down from Alice's waist to her ass, though she didn't grip it, merely rested it there, quirking an eyebrow.

Alice found everything to be moving so fast suddenly. Their bodies moving in tune, Zella's hand on her rear, and the way she was looking at Alice... It made breathing a bit more difficult. With Kiara, it had been all toothy grins and blushes and glitter exploding with butterflies. But this... this was warm blood and heart-thumping and the bass vibrating her limbs. Except... she didn't know if she wanted to kiss this girl. She still felt weird, though the alcohol was helping. Alice placed a hand on the brunette's waist as well, pretending it was more to steady herself even as she met the other's eyes, her own brows raising in response.

This had to be Alice's idea. That was what Ana's voice was whispering the back of her mind. And that was alright with her. She already had ensnared her, just needed to close the trap. "You're freckles, they’re--lovely. I can see why Kiara was taken." Kiara's freckles were nicer, a quiet part of Zella's brain whispered. She didn't listen to it. Just smiled and squeezed, just lightly, at Alice's ass.

Alice blushed, at first, a nervous giggle rising to her lips as her freckles were once again complimented by a cute girl. A girl who was very obviously hitting on her. Still, bringing up Kiara didn't help. Ironically, she had the same thought - that Kiara's freckles, particularly the splash of them she'd made from her drink that got her to laugh - were much prettier. She still didn't know what to believe about Kiara, but for right now, this girl - Jenny - she was fondling Alice and complimenting her and... shouldn't that make Alice want to kiss her? She swayed forward slightly, and stuttered out a quiet "You've got very lovely eyes. I feel like- like... there's a lot behind them."

Zella laughed a little at that. "Oh? Well, you did say it was all in the eyes,didn't you?" she purred quietly, flicking them down and then back up again. "Yours are--bright, like sunshine." Look, Zella was no poet.

Alice huffed another laugh, flushing again. "Yeah? Now that's a new one. Sunshine eyes. I'll have to remember it."

"Bright and clear," Zella said, inching her lips closer. She could feel Alice's breath on her tongue, the tequila sharp and sweet. Just how Zella liked it. 

Alice doubted somehow that her eyes were clear. Bright, maybe, but clear? They felt hazed over with alcohol and the closeness of her body against the brunette’s; the way their lips stood just inches apart. 

She warred with herself. She’d snogged the hell out of Kiara that night at the bonfire. Had really, really liked her. And thought it was mutual. But if what this girl said was true, and Kiara had a girlfriend, she stood no chance anyway. Especially if they were in love and committed and not open at all. This girl… well, she was into open relationships. No harm, right? At least, it’s what Alice told herself as she took in a deep breath and closed the gap between them, kissing the other girl firmly and winding her free hand up into her hair as she did so. Jesus, did she hope she wasn’t getting shit screwed up.

Hook, line, and sinker.

Zella smiled against Alice’s lips, but it was a grin, feral in its nature. But that was always Zella, wasn’t it? Wild and dangerous. She shouldn’t be doing this, but it just made her stomach bubble and her toes curl in her shoes. She’d kissed Kiara for the first time the same way, while she’d been in a relationship. It wasn’t something they should’ve been doing. It never was.

That’s how Zella liked it, though. Her scalp tingled as the girl wound her fingers through it. She wanted her to tug, but this girl seemed soft. She wasn’t like Kiara. She wasn’t going to bite back. Still, Zella’s hand curled around her hip. They weren’t moving anymore, both of them focused on the kiss. Her hand moved up her back to pull her closer. She poked her tongue out of her mouth, running it along the seam of Alice’s lips, tasting the tequila there.

Alice couldn’t believe she was kissing another girl for the second time in less than a week. She had been having a hard time wrapping her head around the fact that she’d kissed one girl, and now this? If she weren’t so absorbed in the moment, with alcohol running through her veins and warming her from the inside out, she might think more on the confusing nature of this entire night.

But as it stood, she was absorbed into the kiss. Just like before, she thought about how soft a girl’s lips were and how smooth the skin; how different it was to tug gently on long strands of hair rather than try to get a grip on boy-short locks. Kissing this girl, Jenny, was different from kissing Kiara in few ways. They were both soft, but Kiara had been tentative and unsure and they gave each other the push and pull closer - a mutual hesitation met with mutual encouragement.

She shouldn’t be thinking about Kiara right now. So instead, Alice focused on how kissing this brunette felt like little sparks in her stomach and not being able to breathe properly. Jenny’s tongue running across her lips caused them to open easily, and her tongue darted out to tease at the other girl’s as well as she deepened the kiss. Kiara had tasted like the fruity concoction they’d both shared. This girl tasted like salt and lime and tequila, just like Alice was sure she did as well.

It’d been awhile since Zella had hooked up with anyone at the club. The whole building shook with the music, drowning out her thoughts, turning her brain to putty, which was exactly how Zella liked it. She didn’t like to think, she liked to act.

And what better way to get revenge than kiss the girl that the girl you were trying to get revenge on had kissed?

The truth of it all would take a while to come out, but that was alright with Zella. She didn’t mind playing with this girl in the meantime, like a cat with a spool of yarn. Her tongue was soft and her mouth was hot and she tasted sharp, even though her curves were soft. Zella nipped at her lip and slid the hand on her waist farther down to grab gently at her ass again.

It was odd. Not necessarily in a bad way, it was just- strange, how Alice wasn’t the one taking the lead this time. Rather, Jenny was the one biting at her bottom lip, and the blonde sighed as she tugged at the strands of ebony in her fingers a bit more, kissing the girl a tad more fiercely.

It helped to drown out her thoughts and suddenly it was like the only things inhabiting Alice were the music, the warmth, and this small brunette. And though Alice had experienced someone gripping at her arse before, it definitely hadn’t been with the slender fingers of a female. It was different, but nice different. The kind that whispered into her mind how much nicer it would feel if those same fingers slid their way up the skirt of Alice’s dress.

Was this moving too fast? Okay, maybe this was moving too fast. Just like Alice’s heartbeat. But she loved it, that rush. She liked the way her body vibrated with the bass and how she was forgetting other people were around. She moved to take Jenny’s face in both hands and kissed her breathless, becoming more fervent and passionate. God, how long had it been since she’d been snogged and fondled? Sure, Kiara and her had snogged plenty the night of the bonfire, but that had been a chaste, almost innocent sort of snogging.

This felt nothing like innocent.

When Alice deepened the kiss, at first, Zella was surprised. This girl had that wild-eyed innocence about her that said she’d never fucked or been fucked. But, she didn’t kiss like that. She kissed like she wanted more, more. Zella was happy to oblige, opening her mouth, sucking Alice’s tongue like it was the lime they’d both just had.

They made out for a few more minutes, until the song ended. There were hands in hair and hands twisting in the fabric of clothes. Zella pushed back as much as Alice pushed forwards, fighting to stay in control of the kiss. The blood in her veins singed.

She hadn’t expected this, when she’d decided this little plan. (Still didn’t know what the outcome of the plan was, she’d just thought of it about fifteen minutes ago.) But, she wasn’t going to complain. It would be short lived. Kiara would eventually find out, Alice would eventually find out. Zella was content to cross that bridge when she came to it.

The kiss broke with a pop at the end of the song. Zella brushed her nose against the other girl’s breathing harshly. “Would you like to move this somewhere more private?” She tilted her head to nip at Alice’s lip again.

When the kiss broke, Alice was still fumbling in a haze. She almost didn’t hear Zella’s whisper as the song transitioned into a new beat, and in fact, a part of her wanted to pretend like she hadn’t at all. But she did. She heard the suggestive question and she even shivered a bit when the girl nipped at her bottom lip once more.

It had been so long since she’d felt like this, and it wasn’t exactly as though it had led down the best road with the last - and only - person she’d slept with. Taking a deep breath and swallowing thickly, Alice laughed a bit as she flushed, embarrassed. “A-Actually, I… I’m enjoying the dancing. I hope that’s alright.”

Oh, so maybe she wasn’t what Zella had imagined, what that kiss had told her. The disappointment flashed across her face--as fast and sharp as lightning. She had never been good at hiding her emotions the way her sister was, the way her mother was. Instead she used those emotions to her advantage. But, right now, she was not supposed to be herself, she was supposed to be Jenny. L O L.

So, Zella reluctantly let go of Alice’s ass and moved her hand up her spine so it hovered around the middle of her back. She tilted her head and smiled that sharp smile again.

“Of course, dancing is perfectly fine.” Though, she couldn’t quite make her words as honey sweet as they’d been before.

Alice smiled and let out a low breath of relief. Pressing her forehead against the other girl’s, they moved back into dancing with the beat. The haze of desire drifting away now that the kiss had broken, Alice spent the rest of the night fighting both the urge to get it back as well as thoughts of Kiara invading her head. 

Eventually, the brunette left her and Alice went back to Edelweiss with another girl’s number, and a lot of questions.

[deathtouch]

⋆ femfeb day 9 // my femfeb masterpost ⋆ xposted to ao3 ⋆ ana/d.va // 2k // explicit ⋆ au, sex worker au, prostitution, sex work, undressing, lingerie, kissing, oral, violence, action/adventure ⋆ au where sex worker hana meets up with a new client, ana, for an interesting night .

Adrenaline Rush

Hana checked her phone again, scrolling up through her emails to find the one with the address in it. She wanted to make sure she had the right hotel. The soft faux fur coat she was wearing slipped down her shoulder, revealing bare flesh. She yanked it back up with her free hand, annoyed that the dumb jacket kept slipping. It was a little too big for her but it was just too cute not to wear. Who else in the world could rock a furry, bubblegum pink coat?

She found the address.

Park Hyatt Marine City 1-Ro, 51 Haeundae-Gu Busan, 48120

Suite 700

The building was a knife in the skyline, sleek and modern and beautiful. It was probably one of the most expensive hotels in town. She’d never actually been in before. She had done business at the nearby Paradise Hotel one or two times, but never the Park Hyatt.

Despite never having been here before she walked up to the front doors and into the lobby like she knew exactly where she was going. She tried not to be too impressed by the minimalist vibe, the ascending set of marble stairs, or the sleek mineral rock that covered the walls. Instead she found the nearby elevators and called one down with a button. When it arrived she got in. She was lucky she didn’t need to swipe a room key to make the elevator work.

Hana picked the floor she needed and then turned her attention to her phone again. She opened up a new email, wrote “On my way up”, and sent it off at once. She did all her business over email, never through text. She wasn't stupid enough to give out a traceable phone number to her clients. She made enough money that she could reasonably buy a second phone for work but she didn't want the hassle. Email was just a much more anonymous way to communicate and so far it had suited her fine.

Hana checked her reflection in her black phone screen. She wore minimal make-up, soft pink lipstick and black mascara. She fluffed her brown bangs a little, making sure they laid down the way she liked. The elevator doors slid upon a moment afterwards and she exited into the hallway. Her coat slid down her shoulders and she pulled it up with a huff. Hana took notice of the numbers on the doors and turned left, passing right on by Suite 500 to Suite 700 down the hall.

For a half a second butterflies fluttered in her stomach. She couldn’t believe after all this time she still got nervous. Although if she was being honest with herself there was almost a pinch of excitement mixed in with the anxiousness.  Hana ignored the butterflies. She raised a fist and tapped her knuckles on the suite door. It didn’t take very long for the door to open. Hana noticed the sleek wood decor of the room first, and then she noticed her client. ‘Ana’ was the only name given during their email exchanges.  Hana had expected someone older, but the greying hair hidden under a black silk scarf was still a bit of a surprise. Ana was dressed impeccably in a tailored pantsuit that gave her figure the shape of an hour glass. She had both a face tattoo and an eye patch. It was a toss-up as to which one was weirder.

“Ana, right?” Her coat had fallen down over one shoulder and Hana yanked it back into place. She walked into the room, looking around curiously. “I want six thousand up front.” This suite was no joke. There was an entire dining room, a sitting room with multiple chairs, huge flat-screens and even a fireplace. She wondered what the bed looked like. She’d probably be spending most of her time on it.

“US dollars, yes?” Ana asked. One of her hands touched the small of Hana’s back, and she lead the way down the hall towards the bedroom.

Hana nodded. They had already decided on which currency via email, but she appreciated the reiteration. She’d had assholes try to cheat her out of money in the past; men who claimed they thought she meant Won. Since she often did business with foreigners and travelers people had tried to fuck her over with every currency on earth. Hana wasn't having any of that.

Fortunately, Ana didn’t seem like the scamming type. Already Hana could tell. She was an elegant sort of older woman with a warm voice and gentle touch. She immediately lead the way to the dresser in the bedroom where she kept her money; crisp American bills, green and pretty. The floor to ceiling windows in the bedroom that offered a view of the ocean were impressive but Hana was much happier watching Ana count cash.

After tonight, she would finally be able to move to Seoul. Hana had been planning to move for a while now, she had an apartment all picked out. She was finally going to have a real kitchen, a spare bedroom she could transform into a game room, and hopefully some cash left over to buy a new microphone for her live streams. The sound quality on her headset mic was just unimpressive. All she needed was enough for two month’s rent and the security deposit.

Ana held out the money, but just as Hana was about to take it she swiftly pulled it back. “It’s just you, right? There’s no business partner, no boy waiting downstairs to steal half this from your wallet when I’m done with you?”

Hana smirked. “Just me," She promised. It was true too. She made her own money, she didn’t work for any pimp.

Ana softened and actually tapped Hana on the nose with a corner of the bill stack before handing it over. “Good girl. Now take off your clothes.”

Hana felt a little bit like she had been scolded by her mom just then but she laughed it off. She turned away to tuck the cash into a secure pocket of her pink furry coat. Then, finally, she let it drop from her shoulders and actually slide off. She was wearing a tank top and shorts underneath, pink and blue respectively. She immediately started in on the button of her shorts, undoing them and sliding them down.

Hana wasn’t shy about her body. She knew she was cute. Some clients complained that she wasn’t curvy enough but those guys were assholes. They still came all over themselves at the sight of her naked, so clearly it wasn’t that much of a problem. She knew she was especially cute in lacey lingerie; the kind of stuff she was wearing now. She was happy to strip and show off, casually looking over her shoulder to see if Ana was watching. She was.

“You wanna help me with this?” Hana asked innocently, gesturing to the clasp on her bra. She was standing in a pile of her own clothes with a cute smile on her face.

Ana seemed to consider for a moment before she approached. She pressed their bodies together, her front to Hana’s back. Her warm hands found Hana’s arms, sliding down them sensually as she leaned in to kiss at the younger girls’ neck. It was kind of sweet, and actually felt good. Clients often tried to do this type of romantic gesture and it usually felt cheesy or forced.

Ana was different. Her breath tickled and it really seemed like she wanted a taste of Hana’s skin. Hana bit her lip to keep a real smile from spreading across her face. She angled her head, offering more skin for Ana to kiss.

After letting her palms slide down to Hana’s elbows and then back up towards her shoulders, Ana’s fingers eventually made their way to that bra. She unhooked it gracefully and helped slide the soft bra straps out of the way. As Hana’s bra fell to the floor something else soon cupped her breasts; Ana’s hands. She was a little rough with them, squeezing generously. It felt good.

Ana’s lips kissed up the curve of Hana’s neck. “Take your panties off and get on the bed.” She ordered, whispering into Hana’s ear.

Hana couldn’t help the warm shiver that ran down her spine. Her thumbs immediately hooked into the waistband of her underwear, pushing them down to her knees in one swift gesture. She stepped out of them easily. Loathe as was to break away from Ana’s embrace she walked towards the bed. Ana let her go.

Hana climbed onto the mattress. She sat in a picture-perfect suggestive position, curled delicately on her hip with her tits pushed together to make them look a little bigger.

“Not like that,” Ana waved her off with a hand gesture. “On your hands and knees, girl. Let me see you.”

Hana scoffed. Again she felt like she was being scolded, but not like her own mom this time. More like a friend’s mom, or a school teacher or something. It was kind of hot, in a way she wasn’t expecting. She shifted onto her hands and knees as asked, spreading her thighs nice and wide so that Ana could see everything.

“Better, Mrs. Ana?” The honorific slipped out entirely on accident.

“Oh, much.” Ana said approvingly. A short hum of delight escaped her as if this was just what she wanted to see.

She didn’t need an invitation this time, she approached Hana all on her own. As soon as she was close enough she sank down to one knee. She took a moment to admire the view from a different angle before pressing her face between Hana’s spread thighs. Her hot tongue licked out at once, earning a not-so-fake moan from Hana. Most of her clients just whipped it out and stuck it in her. This was a nice change of pace.

Just as things were starting to get heated a knock on the hotel door stilled the actions of Ana’s tongue. Hana groaned in annoyance. She was even more annoyed when Ana pulled back, wiping her mouth and standing up.

“Expecting someone?” Hana asked. She hoped it was just room service and not a third person coming to join the party. She hadn’t planned for a threesome. Ana would have to pay extra.

“…not exactly.” Ana said cryptically.

Something about her had changed in the few seconds since the knock on the door. She walked up the length of the bed to the night table near the headboard. Hana watched as she slid open the drawer and pulled out a gun. A fucking gun. Hana’s heart stopped in her chest and she thought her eyes were going to pop out of her head.

“Stay here.” Ana warned.

“What the fu-“

“And stay quiet.” She added in a harsh whisper.

She disappeared out into the other half of the suite. As Hana watched her walk away she realized what had changed. Ana seemed suddenly dangerous. Whereas she had been elegant and charming before there was a certain prowl to her walk that hadn’t been there when Hana had arrived. She panicked and scrambled to find her clothes. She didn’t even care about her panties, she went straight for her shorts.

Gunshots rang out on the other side of the suit. Hana squawked in fear before clamping a hand over her mouth. Guns were so much louder and scarier in real life than any game she had ever played. She hurried to grab her coat since it had the money. She was almost about to go running out of the bedroom door when Ana swept back in.

Her scarf was a tad disheveled and she was holding her gun with intent. Hana stood stock still, heart pounding in her throat. She watched as Ana went to the dresser and took out the rest of the stack of bills. She tossed them to Hana with one hand, the other keeping her gun trained on the floor. Hana narrowly managed to catch the money. She pulled her jacket on tight, hiding her nudity with pink fur.

“Come along, darling. It’s not safe.” Ana told her, holding her hand out for Hana to take. Hana trembled but reached out to take it. “Nevermind the body out there. Just close your eyes and follow me.”

Ana paused in the doorway to do a visual sweep of the suit before leading Hana to the front door. Hana saw the dark shape of a body on the ground and a red circle of blood staining the carpet. She felt her stomach turn to ice. She realized she was holding the hand of a killer. It didn’t scare her as much as it should.

Ana checked the hallway twice before taking her out. In a hurried jog she pulled Hana by the hand, taking her not towards the elevators but to the emergency exit. The alarm started blaring the minute she open the door. Hana was still shaking, body suddenly alight with adrenaline. Ana pushed her into the stairwell.

The dinging of the elevator caught both of their attention. Ana looked over her shoulder to the elevator bank far down the hall. She cursed in a foreign language under her breath as two men exited the elevator.

“We’ll have to do this some other time.” She said, turning back to kiss Hana on the lips. “Take the back exit and run along home.” She ordered.

Hana nodded and hurried off, dully aware of Ana jerking the emergency exit door closed behind her. She descended the seven flights of stairs in record time, heart pounding. A few other hotel guests were spilling into the stairwell by the time she reached the first floor. Hana ran passed them, clutching her jacket closed as she went.

City blocks flew by. She ran until she was completely out of breath and even then she hurried into a nearby bar and stood among a throng of people on the patio who paid her little to no mind. Somehow being in a large group felt safer than ducking into an alley. She caught her breath and found herself laughing.

The adrenaline rush was like nothing she had ever felt before. It made her ache between her legs. She found herself craving Ana’s lips and tongue. She couldn’t believe that had just happened. Her mind raced and she wondered if Ana was an assassin or a spy or a secret agent. To think Hana had been comparing her to a mom. She laughed again, hoping Ana was serious about doing this some other time. Maybe with less killing and a lot more sex.

[imagined-tales]

Haunting Memories

(Attention: This story contains my OC Alcina and the OC of a dear friend of mine, Mimosa)

Blood filled her blurry vision, the stench of death heavy in the air. Time seemed to move like slow motion. It was horrifying, the scene, the surroundings. A wrecked landscape before her, a warzone. How did she know? She stood on a hill, observed. Observed, how the people fled, panicked, died. By the hands of her men. Shouting orders in Italian, she felt her lips curl into a cold, cruel smile. No, it wasn't her. Her mind screamed, begged for the body to stop, but to no avail. She was stuck in a body that wasn't hers, trapped. Sounds were dulled, sight too. It felt like she was high on drugs. Until a deafening sound tore her away.

Breathing heavily, cold sweat dripping down her forehead, Alcina shot awake in her bed. After few moments of silence, only filled with her ragged breaths, she managed to calm down, and her body stopped shaking. Slowly but surely, she recovered and hugged her knees, resting a sweaty forehead on them. It was one of those nights where the memories haunted her, merciless and gruesome as ever. It was the gift and the burden of the clan, an everlasting proof that she was the descendant and heir of a crime syndicate. No matter where she ran, nothing could grant her refuge from these memories, occuring as nightmares; it was like a spider web. The more she struggled, the more she got entangled in the sticky threads, never escaping the eyes of the hunter unyieldingly watching from the dark.

Heart beating faster than ever, thoughts rushed through her mind and she hugged herlself closer. Calm down, she told herself, everything is alright. These are just memories. You are not like your ancestors. You do not commit such crimes.

Simple phrases. But they worked. Her heart calmed down. That was, until another boom could be heard, coming from the distance. Alcina knew what those sounds were: fireworks. People who could not await silvester and decided to gloat over the colourful little explosions days before the event itself took place. Alcina also knew that these people meant no harm, that fireworks were simply ejoyable to look at, the way the colours burst through their little shell in the sky, like a painting on the dark canvas of the night sky. But no matter how many years she told herself these things, the growing  nervousness and anxiety that crept up this time of the year around never went away, but instead lingered in the back of her very being, haunting her.

Dazed, Alcina looked out of the window into the night sky. Stars littered it, beautiful as ever. A quick glance at the clock on the small nightstand told her it was five am in the morning, and so she decided to get up, make herself presentable and start her day.

As the young woman went on with her day, the cowering, terrified her from the night before seemed like an illusion; she was a proud Overwatch agent, strong, looked up to. She did not show a sign of her weakness. No matter how much she tried to hide her distress however, as the days went on, her friends noticed something was not right. She was unconcentrated, nervous, almost constantly frightened, especially when fireworks went off in the distance. Those were only single explosions, occuring at random times during the days, but every time one of those went off, the warrior flinched hard, with an increasing intensity.

Needless to say, the others were worried about their friend. Mimosa had tried to strike up a conversation concerning the matter, but was quickly shut down with a fake smile and some dull excuses. Hana too, tried to talk to Alcina, as the Korean girl was very close to her older colleague, and tried to take her mind off of things by playing games with her. Genji too, was close to Alcina, but knew that she did not like talking about what she thought made her "weak", so he tried more subtle advances. Asking her to meditate with him and his master Zenyatta in their usual spot on the rooftop, but upon learning that they were outside, she quickly shut his invitantions down too.

As time went by, Alcina was rarely seen around the base, yet alone outside, spending most of the time alone in her quarters, isolated from the others. Angela was the first one to run out of patience. The doctor knew that Alcina and her were not on good terms with each other, and that she rather visited the other doctor, Mimosa, if she needed anything, but one night Alcina stood at her doorstep asking for really strong sleeping medication. The Swiss was not having it, shoving their differences aside and refusing her aid until the Italian talked. It took a lot of pushing and threats to tell Mimosa what she came here for, when Alcina finally crumbled under the pressure. Playing with a strand of her ashen hair, she confessed what had caused her to behave so strange lately. The doctor already had her assumptions concerning the topic, and was right when the younger woman confessed about the fireworks. No matter how much she tried to tell herself she was just being delusional, the constant fear of these gunshot like sounding things would not stop.

It was a testament of the hardships she had been through, and Angela understood. During all her time in Overwatch, the medic has seen countless soldiers crumble beneath the burdens that came with being an agent, and was acquainted with the traumas that wormed their way into ones psyche. Battlefields never let you leave the way you entered them. They were unforgiving, unforgetting. Mercy sighed. She gave Alcina some light medication to help her for the night and made a mental note to tell those close to her about her predicament; they would be able to help, meanwhile she couldn't.

The next day went slightly better: Alcina showed herself around the base, though she still did not go outside. Fulfilling the unspoken promise Dr.Ziegler made last night, a few Overwatch members were let in on a little secret, and soon enough, Alcina had to deal with her very concerned friends. This time, they knew what was up und excuses were futile.

,,Cina! Why didn't you tell us sooner? We could have helped you!" It was Hanas voice that bewildered Alcina. Laced with worry and a little bit of anger, the smaller girl stood before her, a conflicted expression on her face. ,,She is right. I can help you with your trauma, you know? These kind of things are my speciality." Mimosa too, spoke up, though his face showed mostly concern and even a tad sadness. Noticing her puzzlement, he frowned. ,,Angela told us about what happened yesterday night. We had no clue you had a trauma like that..." It must have shown that she wanted to escape the situation, because Hana quickly grabbed her wrist, a begging look in her eyes. ,,Please don't run again. We just want to help, you know? We're worried about you."

,,I know, my friends, and I must apologise for my behaviour. The past days and nights have been quite... Stressful for me. I did not mean to cause you worry." Her Italian accent came out thick, as it always did, when Alcina was not feeling very well. ,,So, now that you're finally ready to talk to us, why don't you elaborate?" This time it was neither Hana nor Mimosa who spoke, but an elderly woman with an eyepatch, otherwise known as Ana. She may be a woman of age, and fairly older than herself, but Alcina still got along with her nicely. Often, the two would just sit together over a cup of tea and talk about god and the world, enjoying some peace and quiet together. Leaning against the wall however stood another person, or rather, a cyborg. Genji preferred to keep quiet and listen first, before talking. Just like Ana, Alcina had not noticed his presence. Another sign for her missing well being.

Sighing, the warrior sat down, and Hana with her, though her hand had wandered from the wrist to the hand of her older friend, giving it an ecouraging squeeze.

The four of them listened quietly, as the ashen haired woman talked about her haunting nightmares that left her sleepless at night, the fireworks that reminded her of gunshots and when asked why she did not decide to talk sooner, she answered that these weaknessess of hers felt like an unsightly shortcoming. She was a warrior and a professional Overwatch agent. Surely someone like her, who usually seemed to overflow with pride and confidence, could not be scared by something so minor like fireworks! She felt embarassed, even childish, to admit such a thing.

,,It is not unsightly to show weakness. Weaknessesses can only make us stronger if we face them." Genjis robotic voice was comforting as he lay a hand on her shoulder. ,,He's right dear. Everyone has a weakness. Besides, I have seen many soldiers younger than you with worse traumas. The battlefield affects us all in some kind of way, it is only natural to carry its burdens." Ana too, had come closer, a smile playing on her lips. Her tone was soothing, understanding. Suddenly, Alcina did not feel the need anymore to put up a strong mask and act like everything was alright. But instead, a warm feeling slowly rose in her chest, stretching out and soon reaching her lips too, causing her to smile.

,,Now, who wants some tea? I for sure would love a nice, hut cup." Ana had a somewhat motherly attitude as she offered to make tea. ,,And after that, we can play games to take your mind off of things!" Hana chirped in, visibly excited, drawing out a chuckle from the others. ,,And I could help you with a more medical approach to the situation." Softly but determined, Mimosa too stepped forwards. ,,My offer to meditate with my master and me still stands." Altough he wore his visor, Alcina was sure Genji smiled beneath it.

,,I must thank you all, from the bottom of my heart." Openly touched, she had looked around her closest friends, regretting she did not talk to them sooner. Upon hearing this, Hana squeezed her hand again

,,You don't have to thank us, that's what friends are for!"