#and Booth's reaction is to take the boy by the scruff and say 'be more reliable'

[darkfrog24]

Maybe now that we have gay marriage anyway, people won't be as adverse to formal palimony-type agreements like these b/c oh no the gays might use it. I'm picturing siblings heavily involved in alloparenting.

we need civil partnerships for siblings and I’m not joking

the desire to file taxes jointly =/= the desire to screw each other

a pair of identical twins who live in the same house should be allowed to share social security benefits and they shouldn’t have to pay inheritance taxes

i think it’s reasonable to want to extend your health insurance to your own flesh-and-blood that lives in your home. I mean, hypothetically, I could just marry a random person I met last week and get all of those sweet, sweet legal and financial benefits, but as of now, in the US, the law makes it impossible for a pair of siblings to contribute to each other’s IRAs, and I think that’s a travesty

just my wacky, controversial opinion

[searchingwardrobes]

Self Promo Sunday

I have honestly really enjoyed going back to my older fics and making picsets for them to post here on tumblr. This one is a cute little one shot that came to me because I did a brief stint in direct sales and was HORRIBLE at it! (I sold - or tried to sell - scrapbooking supplies). I know Killian is good at charming his way out of trouble and using his charm to steal things, but I imagined that being a salesman wouldn’t be as easy for him. You see, I was horrible at sales because I don’t like talking people into buying something when they clearly don’t want to. Killian Jones is very passionate about choice and free will, so I imagined the following story!

Words: 2k and some change

Rating: G for silly, sweet fluff

Also on Ao3

Tagging:  @snowbellewells​​​ @whimsicallyenchantedrose​​​ @kmomof4​​​ @let-it-raines​​​ @teamhook​​​ @bethacaciakay​​​ @xhookswenchx​​​ @tiganasummertree​​​ @shireness-says​​​ @stahlop​​​ @scientificapricot​​​ @welllpthisishappening​​​ @resident-of-storybrooke​​​ @thislassishooked​​​ @ilovemesomekillianjones​​​ @kday426​​​ @ekr032-blog-blog​​​ @lfh1226-linda​​​ @ultraluckycatnd​​​ @nikkiemms​​​  @optomisticgirl​​​ @carpedzem​​​ @ohmakemeahercules​​​ @branlovestowrite​​​​ @superchocovian​​​​ @sherlockianwhovian​​​​ @vvbooklady1256​​​​ @hollyethecurious​​​​ @winterbaby89​​​​ @delirious-latenight-laughs​​​​ @jennjenn615​​​​ @snidgetsafan​

Emma Swan really hopes Killian Jones has a second job. Because she’s never seen a worse salesman. The first time he comes into the diner, the last thing she would have pegged him as is a salesman. All mussed hair and black leather with piercings and a tattoo. The heavy black vinyl bag leaning against the booth next to him that says Buy the Book: Direct Sales is out of place.

He’s so bad at it that it takes him forever that first day to give her his sales pitch. Until his second cup of coffee, to be exact. That’s when he hems and haws as he gives her his business card. She stares at it, wondering how she can politely decline as he scratches behind his ear and slides a glossy catalogue across the table. She normally wouldn’t have any qualms at turning down either a sales pitch or a pick up line with a gruff not interested, but he’s so adorably nervous. He starts pulling sample inventory out of his bag, and that’s when she’s in trouble because Henry sniffs out the books like a bloodhound. Her son hops from his stool at the counter where he’s been doing his homework, and eagerly starts looking through the books.

“Look at this one, mom!” Henry exclaims, holding up a pirate sticker and activity book. “It’s not for babies. It’s got cool facts about the history of real pirates.”

Yes. Emma Swan’s son is not your typical ten year old. He’s both a bookworm and a history nut. And she loves him for it. Which is why she buys it. Not because salesman Killian Jones has killer blue eyes.

She pulls a twenty from her apron pocket, hands it to him (because there’s no way she’s giving a guy she just met her credit card information), and tries not to swoon when he smiles. It’s killer, too. She’s his first customer, he tells her, and she can’t help smiling back. He frowns, though, when he realizes he doesn’t have change for a twenty, and then Emma rolls her eyes because, really? It’s just a nickel. He smiles again at that and, well, crap. That smile!

She rolls her eyes later when she sees the ten he left for a tip along with a note telling her she’s “bloody amazing.” The fool went and gave the majority of his profit right back to her. Yeah, he really sucks at this.

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

The second time he comes into the diner, he wisely comes in the afternoon again, ensuring Henry is there doing his homework. But this time, he tries (and fails) to chat up fellow customers to get a few sales. They seem skeptical of a salesman who looks more like a biker/rock star than someone who peddles used cars. Emma almost laughs when the only single woman in the diner’s face instantly falls when Killian Jones produces his business card and a catalogue. Seems his blue eyes and his smile are powerless against a woman scorned. She huffs as she tosses her tip on the table and exits the diner post haste, leaving a clearly baffled Killian behind.

When Emma approaches his table, he smiles half-heartedly and she feels sorry for him. Once again, he doesn’t try to sell her anything until she fills his coffee mug a second time. That’s when he pulls out a book he thinks Henry might like, all about knights and castles of the Middle Ages. Henry eagerly peruses it, and Emma is a sucker once again. She buys it because Henry loves history so much he’s the only ten year old Emma has ever heard of who was pumped about a weekend trip to Gettysburg. It’s not because of the way Killian Jones swipes his tongue over his lower lip when he’s nervous.

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

The next time Killian comes into the diner, Christmas music is playing and a garland of evergreen hangs in loops over the counter. It’s mid-morning, so Henry’s at school. After his second cup of coffee, Killian admits he came when he knew Henry would be at school because he was hoping . . . and then he’s hemming and hawing again, rubbing at his neck and scratching behind his ear. Emma thinks for a split second that he’s trying to ask her out until he pulls his company’s Christmas catalogue out of his bag. She tries to ignore her disappointment when he asks if she’s finished her Christmas shopping yet.

She ends up buying a “Daily Inspirations for Teachers” desk calendar for Mary Margaret and Nicholas Spark’s newest bestseller for David (a guilty pleasure she loves to tease him about). For Granny she gets a book of knitting patterns. Killian pulls out a book he thinks Henry would like: a leather bound book of fairy tales with the title Once Upon a Time embossed in elegant script across the front. Emma knows Henry would love it, but gasps at the price. A forty dollar book is way over her budget, and like the horrible salesman he is, Killian doesn’t push it. She orders two graphic novels for Henry instead, and when she places the order she slides her credit card across the table.

Killian tells her it’s his biggest order to date and smiles so wide Emma is able to confirm her suspicions. There are dimples underneath that scruff. She begins to second guess her assertion that he’s a bad salesman. Because she’s pretty sure he could sell beachfront property in Kansas with those dimples.

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

In January, Emma is alarmed when a dejected Killian Jones enters the diner and slumps in his usual booth, his head in his hands. Emma decides to stop the charade when she approaches his table.

“You don’t have to wait till your second cup of coffee.”

Killian lifts his face to hers and quirks an eyebrow in confusion, “I’m sorry, love?”

“You know,” Emma says, gesturing with her order pad, “selling me books. What do you have for Henry this time?”

Killian sighs and leans back in the booth, “Alas, Swan, I am no longer in the business. I’m pretty much the worst salesman in the world.”

Emma hates that she chuckles, but she can’t help it, “Yeah, you pretty much sucked.” Killian, thankfully, laughs as well. “I’m glad I was your best customer, then. While it lasted.”

Killian winces, “Actually, love, you were my only customer.”

Emma’s jaw drops at that and her sympathy grows exponentially. She never bought that much, really. She glances around for Granny as she slides into the booth across from him. Although, based on Granny’s reaction to the knitting book (Why don’t you kiss the man already instead of buying all his books?), she doesn’t think she’ll mind.

“Are you okay? I mean, you don’t seem like you’re starving and destitute, so I’m assuming you have another job.”

“Several, actually,” Killian says, drumming his fingers on the table. “My brother and I do seasonal work on the Cape with a boat charter we own.”

“Cape Cod?”

“Aye. The Cape is beautiful in the spring and summer, but in the winter it’s downright depressing. So I like to come here to Boston once we winter the boat. The hustle and bustle is a nice change of pace, and I love city life during the holidays. Plus, like your boy, I’m a bit of a history buff. I work seasonally at the bookstore down the street.”

“So why the direct sales?”

Killian sighs, “A foolish notion. The bookstore only hires me through the end of December. I thought with this second job I could stay in the city until spring,” he shrugs. “Turns out convincing a customer in a bookstore to buy J.M. Barrie’s original Peter Pan instead of the abridged illustrated version is a mite different from selling books all on your lonesome.”

Emma’s heart drops at the implication of what he’s saying. “So what will you do now?”

“Slink back to the Cape with my tail between my legs and help my sister in law at the ice cream shop, as usual.”

So he’s leaving Boston. He’s leaving, and Emma is surprised at how much it disappoints her. “An ice cream place on the cape can make it through the winter?” She almost face palms. Can she sound any more desperate to convince him to stay?

Killian doesn’t seem to pick up on any subtext, thank goodness. “Elsa inherited the place from her aunt. She and her sister helped out there since they were kids. They know how to make it through the lean months. Dull as tombs, though. Yet, as they say, spring will come again!”

Emma tries to smile, but she knows it’s half-hearted. Killian reaches into his bag and pulls out the leather bound book of fairy tales she couldn’t afford at Christmas. Emma arches an eyebrow, “Still trying to make a sale?”

“Oh no, Swan, this is a gift. To thank you.”

“Killian, I can’t accept that. You need to sell off your inventory, or you’ll lose everything you invested.”

Killian chuckles sardonically at that, “Too late for that, Swan. Besides, you’re the only one who ever bought anything, and you know it wasn’t for the books. You felt sorry for me.”

Emma’s face flushes, and she wishes she could tell him that wasn’t it. She’s always despised pity and vowed she’d never doll it out. But how can she explain that while still guarding her heart? Instead, she accepts the leather book and hugs it to her chest, mumbling a soft “thank you.” Killian smiles in return and exits the diner without ever ordering a thing. And she hates the finality of his departure and the possibility that there could have been a them, but now she’ll never know.

She looks down at the book in her hands and notices a little rectangle of cardstock poking out of its pages. She pulls it out, expecting it to be Killian’s Buy the Book business card. Instead, it says Jewel of the Realm Charters with the names Liam and Killian Jones and a phone number. Emma’s heart flips in her chest when she sees that Killian has jotted a note on the back.

I owe you and Henry a free day of sailing. – Killian

The fool still knows nothing about making a profit.

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

In February, Emma Swan walks into Any Given Sundae along the shores of Cape Cod. She convinced herself there was nothing stalker-ish about her showing up here, but now that the bell is jingling above the door and the blonde woman behind the counter is smiling at her, she’s having second thoughts. Killian had mentioned his sister-in-law’s name, so it’s not like she had to be a private detective or anything to find the place. Still, who drives all the way from Boston to Cape Cod just to visit an ice cream shop? In February?

“May I help you?” asks the blonde, and Emma fiddles with the end of her scarf. She was kind of hoping Killian would just be there when she walked through the door.

“Um . . . I . . .” and she almost laughs thinking of the way Killian would hem and haw when selling her books. She glances around the store. It’s one of those tiny places that beach goers walk in and out of on hot summer days. There are no tables or chairs anywhere in the place. But in the corner a display table has been set up. A display table of books. Emma walks towards it. “You sell books?”

“Oh,” says the blonde – Elsa, she assumes – with a dismissive wave of her hand, “that’s a failed business venture of my brother-in-law’s. Please buy one. I need to get those out of here before tourist season.”

Emma reaches out and runs her fingers along the edges of the books.

“Swan?”

Emma turns to see Killian standing behind the counter with a large tub of ice cream in each arm. He deposits them quickly into their slots behind the glass then comes around to face her. They stand there staring at each other for a few moments, grinning like a couple of idiots.

“Wh-what are you doing here, Swan?” he stutters, and she swears he sounds more nervous than he did when he was trying to sell books.

“Guess it’s too early for that day of sailing, huh?” she teases with a shrug.

“Yeah, I’d say so,” he teases back, “there’s a foot of snow on the ground, Swan.”

Emma bites her lip and fiddles with her scarf again, “Actually, I came to tell you thank you. For Henry’s book. He loves it.”

Killian raises his eyebrows, “You drove all the way out to Cape Cod to tell me that?”

There’s a twinkle in his eyes that makes Emma blush, and they just stare at each other again like goofballs. She sees Elsa laugh and shake her head out of the corner of her eye, and she thinks that she couldn’t possibly embarrass herself any more than she already has. So with a roll of her eyes and a screw this, she grabs him by the shirt collar and kisses the living daylights out of him.

He dives back in for more when she finally pulls away, and when Elsa tells them, “Easy there, tigers, you’re gonna melt all the ice cream,” they laugh against each others’ lips.

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

Two months later, Henry brings his book along when Killian takes them sailing. He reads parts of it out loud to them when Killian lays anchor, and Emma finds that it’s modern versions of classic fairy tales. Snow White is a bandit with a bow and arrows, Red Riding Hood is a werewolf, and Captain Hook is a hero who falls in love with a princess. And Emma thinks that she really likes this story. A pirate and a princess.

But she likes theirs better.

A salesman and a waitress.

Make that a horrible salesman and a waitress.

[zachsreaderinserts]

Crash ‘N’ Run

ship: basicallyidowrk x female!reader x fourzeroseven

warnings: homophobia, racism, it's the 50s babe what do you expect, inspired by a webcomic called rock and riot

"This is complete and utter bullshit." Marcel raged, kicking an empty can angrily. I watched him from the sidewalk as he stomped around. Scotty was attempting to calm him down, following him around as he paced.

I couldn't help the disappointed sigh that left me as I buried my head into my knees.

Being in a relationship with two guys wasn't as easy as it seemed. For one, there are many comments about me being a "whore" for dating two men, as well as Marcel and Scotty being called "cuckolds". Two, because we're an interracial couple, we get even more flack for breaking society's roles on us.

And because of those two reasons, we couldn't go to prom together.

We weren't the only ones either. There were Craig and Tyler, a gay couple; Evan and Jonathan, an interracial gay couple; and Anthony and Melina, an interracial couple. We all were rejected from being able to go to prom.

Unwilling to face the principal's wrath, we retreated to Marcel's cul de sac, where he currently was raging his ass off.

"Marcel, Marcel!" Scotty comforted his boyfriend, quickly calming him while I sulked on the sidewalk. After a quiet few moments, my boyfriends joined me on the ground.

"This fucking blows." Scotty murmured, holding my hand. I nodded solemnly, leaning onto his side. I felt Marcel's hand on my back, which meant his arm was around Scotty. "I wish people would just accept us."

"We knew what we were getting into when we got together," Marcel whispered, rubbing my shoulder lovingly. "I just wanted a night with the two most beautiful people in the world."

"Shut up." I grinned, slapping his chest lightly. "That's so cheesy." We all sighed together, enjoying one another's presence.

But that was when I got the idea.

"What would happen if we somehow got into prom and got caught?" The two of them gave me a confused look. "Like, what are the repercussions?"

"Suspension, maybe?" Scotty thought it over, moving his hand from my own to my waist, his letterman jacket providing warmth. "I mean, we aren't seniors, nor are we troublemakers..."

"Don't lie to her, Scot." Marcel teased, grinning softly. "She knows us enough to know that we're anything but angels."

"Then let's go to prom," I suggested, smiling in excitement. Marcel smile changed into a frown once more.

"You heard the principal. No dates that are homosexual or interracial are allowed." I turned my body to face my boyfriends, grinning with mischief.

"Since when did we decide some fat fuck was gonna dictate how we get to spend our Saturday nights?" Scotty's face lit up with hope while Marcel's lit up with boldness. "I'm sick and tired of being shoved around by some balding white man. I'm gonna crash the fuck out of that prom." Scotty sat up, grinning handsomely.

"What's the plan, babe?"

---

"I can't believe we're crashing prom together!" Melina sang happily, thumbing through dresses. "I mean, I knew you were rebellious, but I didn't think you were this rebellious!"

"We all want a night out, so a night out is what we're gonna get." I declared, finding a sparkly f/c dress. It puffed out at the waist, reminding me of a princess dress. "I want that one." I plucked it off the rack, holding it up to my body.

"Oh hell yeah." Melina chirped, looking me over. "Go try it on!"

After wrestling with the zipper, I looked in the mirror, pleased with how I looked. I normally looked like an innocent teenager, but this dress made me feel like a glamorous, rich woman. Give me pearls and I'll knock off the socks of every straight man in the county.

"Y/n, are you done yet?" Melina asked, knocking on my dressing room door. I peeped it open, seeing her yellow, sweetheart dress. "Oh my God."

"You look great!" I squealed, causing her to blush. "Anthony is going to pass out when he sees you."

"Shut up." She nudged me, shaking her head. "You're a riot."

"I know." I winked at her, closing the door.

---

"You look wonderful, Y/n." My older sister, Ryb, complimented me. "Mom would've loved to see you."

"I'm sure wherever she is, she's proud of me." I retouched my lipstick, looking in my vanity mirror. "I'll call you if we get arrested."

"Knowing you, you'll find your way out of it." She teased, taking a photo of me. The doorbell rang, causing me to grow nervous. "That must be your boys. I'll go let them in." As she walked away, I looked myself over one last time.

I was really about to do this. I was about to crash my junior prom. And somehow, the only thing that made me nervous was Scotty and Marcel's reactions.

But as I descended from upstairs and saw their reactions, I knew that there was truly nothing to be nervous about.

"Holy shit." Scotty cursed while Marcel just gaped at me. I couldn't help but gasp at their appearance.

Scotty's unkempt hair was brushed neatly, going very well with his grey suit and f/c bow tie.

Marcel's hair was gelled to create a masculine look, his scruff shaved which made him look older in his black suit and f/c skinny tie.

It took me a moment to remember that these handsome boys were dating me.

"Hey, guys." I meekly smiled, going down the stairs. They stayed silent, still staring at me. The flashing of Ryb's camera brought them out of their stupor.

"Y/n, you look stunning." Marcel smiled, visibly awestruck. "Like, damn."

"Wow." Scotty murmured, cupping my face gently. My face went hot at their attention and I began to giggle shyly.

"You guys clean up nice," I whispered, smoothing out both of their suits. Marcel held my hand to his heart, tearing up slightly.

"If you guys are done being sappy, I'd like to take some pictures." Ryb cut in, making us chuckle. After doing ridiculous poses with one another, we made it out to my car. As I turned on the engine, Scotty leaned in from the back seat.

"So, we're having post-prom sex after this, right?"

"Oh, hell yeah." Marcel and I nodded in agreement as I pulled out from my driveway. "My house?"

"Where else?" I quipped, speeding out of my neighborhood. After a few minutes of driving, we reached the school parking lot. Waiting there for us was Melina, Anthony, Evan, Jonathan, Craig, Tyler, and a lot more people. "Uh..."

"It's all our friends!" Scotty pointed out as we parked the car. I stepped out, recognizing the faces around me. Everyone went silent, smiling proudly.

Gay couples, lesbian couples, mixed couples, couples of all sorts surrounded the few cars in the parking lot. I couldn't help the excited smile that was on my face as I climbed onto the hood of my car.

"I can tell many of you are here for the revolution." Various cheers erupted from the crowd as they looked up at me. "That's perfect. Because we're done being docile. We're done listening to this stupid principal and what he thinks is right for us! I say fuck the norm!" The cheers were slowly becoming louder. "Fuck the homophobic assholes! Fuck the racist assholes! Fuck everyone who says what you can and can't do! Are we gonna take this bullshit or are we gonna riot?"

"Riot!" A booming cheer rose over the parking lot, causing me to giggle with adrenaline.

"That's right, baby! Let's go fuck this prom up!"

And with that, we burst through the entrance of prom, quickly slinking into the crowd. The teachers lost us as we all split up to go wreak havoc.

I spotted the picture booth and immediately grabbed Marcel and Scotty's arms.

"C'mon!" I squealed, dragging them over to pose in front of the cameraman. We did one normal picture before doing stupid poses with one another. I gave the man a twenty before swiping the polaroids off of him and continuing to dash through the prom. Students were watching as we all made our mark, cheering us on.

I made my way to the stage, getting ahold of the microphone.

"I want you all to know that this is a revolution! And we won't be stopped!" I yelled, before turning around and grabbing Scotty's face.

I gave him a forceful kiss before turning to Marcel and giving him an equally passionate smooch. After a moment, I turned back to the mic, slightly breathless.

"And to this stupid motherfucking principal, suck my left tiddy!" I sent out a graceful middle finger before the three of us ran off again. Though this time, we ran out of the gym.

I giggled happily as we circled the school and went back to the parking lot. Marcel was practically skipping, swinging his intertwined hands as we rushed out. Scotty's high pitched laugh pierced the air, his giddiness similar to a child's.

"Last one there's a rotten egg!" He squealed, dropping our hands to run. I followed in suit, picking up my dress so I wouldn't trip. Marcel and Scotty were easily further ahead of me, which was a telltale sign that I was gonna be the rotten egg this time.

As we reached the clean car, we all stopped to catch our breath again. I bent over the trunk, laying flat on my stomach to try and calm down.

"That's a pretty sight," Scotty smirked, looking at me. Realizing my compromising position, I gave him the middle finger.

"You're unbelievable." He laughed again, straightening up his suit. "What do we do now?"

"Let's go get milkshakes." I heaved myself up, stretching.

"Then victory sex?" I snorted, looking at the two loves of my life.

"Then we'll have victory sex." Both of them fist pumped the air before high fiving, making me snicker again.

"Get in the car, you dorks."

[arianakristine]

Title: Like My Mirror Years Ago            AKA The Prompt That Won’t Be Written

CHAPTER 11

                The next day felt strange.

                She wasn’t used to this kind of town. The small kind, the one where things don’t change and everything stays the same. She sticks out in a town like this. It’s why she prefers the big cities she can disappear into.

                And of course, she now had the added spotlight of being the birth mother to the mayor’s kid. After the strained yet honest conversation with the sheriff yesterday, she knew that the town must have a keen eye on the boy.

                She glanced out the window, noting the morning bustle. A brown and tan vehicle affixed with telltale lights atop drove to the parking lot just beside the diner, and her spine straightened. She had a plan, after all. If she was going to feel comfortable in this town, she was going to have to spend more time with the man.

                And learn to ignore the sharp mix of familiarity and desire that pricked her each time their eyes met.

                A knock sounded on her door, and she jolted in surprise. She crossed to the door and opened it, expecting blue eyes but meeting dark ones and a fangy smile.

                “Did you know the Honeycrisp tree is the most vigorous and hearty of all apple trees?” she says abruptly. Her voice is unnatural in its attempt at pleasantry, stilted and coarse. Her smile doesn’t reach her eyes, calculating and sharp. “It can survive temperatures as low as forty below and keep growing. It can weather any storm. I have one that I’ve tended to since I was a little girl. And to this day, I have yet to taste anything more delicious than the fruit it offers.”

                The mayor holds out a bright, shiny red apple and she stares at it suspiciously. The monologue wasn’t exactly what she was expecting. “Thanks,” she said warily as she took it in hand.

                “I’m sure you’ll enjoy them on your drive home.”

                Emma barely kept the knowing smirk from her face. Ah, that’s what this was about. “Actually,” she said with a sneer. “I’m going to stay for a while.”

                Regina’s chin raised, eyes narrowed. “I’m not sure that’s such a good idea. Henry has enough issues. He doesn’t need you confusing him.”

                Her brow raised and her shoulders squared, though she put on an unassuming smile. “All due respect, Madam Mayor, the fact that you have now threatened me twice in the last twelve hours makes me want to stay more.”

                “Since when were apples a threat?” she asked, brow arching.

                She barely kept from rolling her eyes. “I can read between the lines,” she muttered. She planted her feet and tried not to glare at the woman. “Sorry. I just want to make sure Henry’s okay.”

                Regina pursed her lips. “He’s fine, dear. Any problems he has are being taken care of.”

                Emma looked at her suspiciously, dread prickling her spine. “What does that mean?”

                Regina leaned forward. “It means I have him in therapy. It’s all under control. Take my advice, Miss Swan. Only one of us knows what’s best for Henry.”

                She thought about the sheriff’s resigned gaze, the ‘I don’t think she can.’ Sure, she knows what’s best. “Yeah, I’m starting to think you’re right about that,” Emma replied coolly.

                Regina glanced off as if to verify the empty hallway before she glared back at her. “It’s time for you to go.”

                Emma huffed. “Or what?”

                She glowered at her. “Don’t underestimate me, Miss Swan. You have no idea what I’m capable of.” She flicked her hair back and strode down the hallway after the blatant threat, taking the rest of the fruit with her.

                “What the hell does the woman have about apples?” Emma muttered and set it down by the nightstand. She grabbed her jeans off the chair by the dresser and yanked them on. She needed to get out of this room if she was going to make any progress.

                By the time she got down to the counter at the little diner the bed and breakfast was attached to, it was fairly busy. She had seen from the corner of her eye the man in the window booth, but was ignoring his presence for now. She needed to wait to have coffee in her system before she could begin. She needed that armor before speaking to him.

                A local paper was on the counter, so she grabbed it to glance through as the waitress made her way to her. She sighed at the mugshot on the front. “Seriously?” she muttered.

                “I’m sure you’re usually photogenic.”

                She didn’t even have to glance up. She didn’t even have to hear his voice. She could feel his presence appear at her side. “Yeah, usually,” she replied with a sigh.

                “Mugshots are always a little stark,” he said somewhat apologetically, and moved to sit next to her.

                She peeked up at him and swallowed. So much for being caffeinated. “Is that speaking from experience?” she challenged.

                A slow smile crossed his face, dimples apparent behind the scruff of his beard. “Well, I do tend to take them, Miss Swan.”

                She couldn’t help smiling, her head ducking as she tried to cover it. He was so damn disarming. He caught her off-guard in a way that was both off-putting and alluring, and god help her she wanted more of it. She folded the paper a couple times over and flung it to the side. “Did you come here for the coffee, or was there another reason for your visit?” she asked bluntly.

                He raised a brow, but took a long sip from his mug. “This is an everyday occurrence, being here,” he said, his accent light and plucky. “But yes, I suppose I could check in on you while I’m here. See what your plans are.”

                She opened her mouth to answer something about not needing to clear any plans with him, when a mug was slid across the booth by the smiling waitress.

                “I think you have an admirer,” the brunette said with an air of teasing, and then rested her chin on her palm as she looked between the two conspiratorially.

                Emma glanced down to avoid her gaze and the idea that the instant connection and familiarity with this man might be noticed by others. She noted the swirl of whipped cream dusted with cinnamon, the smell of chocolate and spice tempting. She smirked. “Thank you, but I did not order that,” she said, and then flicked her hair back to look at him accusingly. “Though I’m impressed you guessed that I liked cinnamon on my chocolate.”

                He looked amused, his dark blue eyes twinkling. “I didn’t send it.”

                “I did,” a voice chirped from a booth a couple feet down. A dark head popped up, grinning merrily. The kid. “I like cinnamon, too.”

                She felt herself soften as she saw him. He sounded so cautious, but his eyes were bright and his shoulders straight as he craned his neck up to better look at her, a wide, mischievous smile on his face. She could bet that she could set her younger self down next to him and find that exact expression.

                Graham turned, facing the boy with a challenging look. “Henry. Aren’t you supposed to be at school?”

                The flare of something both envious and wistful jumped in her chest. He sounded so fatherly, stern but still soft. She needed to facilitate this, needed to have them close enough to insulate the kid from whatever indifference his mother stalked over him.

                “Duh,” Henry said indelicately. He jumped out of the booth and adjusted the backpack on his shoulders, a smug grin crossing his face. That one wasn’t her, wasn’t Neal … why was it familiar? He locked eyes with her, the green bright in the fluorescence of the diner. “Walk me,” he demanded.

                Graham turned to her, his face wholly amused. “You should do that,” he said simply, a grin half hidden by his cup.

                She bit her lip, a memory almost on the back of her mind. “Maybe you should join,” she said. If she was to implement this, best to start now.

                He hesitated, obviously not used to being invited to be with the kid. “Wouldn’t impose. You two should go,” he said.

                Henry approached them, swiping a strand of messy hair back. He looked cautious, and gripped the straps a little before he nodded. “No, it’s okay. Come with us, Sheriff.”

                He still seemed cautious, even as he rose to his feet. He buried his hands in his pockets and gave an uncomfortable smile before shrugging one shoulder. “I guess you could use a police escort.”

                She rolled her eyes at him and placed a hand on Henry’s shoulder, guiding him to the door. The kid beamed up at her, light in his steps. She stuck her hand in her pocket and retrieved the lone apple, tossing it back and forth nervously.

                Once on the street, headed for the school, she sighed. “So, what’s the deal with you and your mom?” she asked bluntly. Maybe she could catch the kid off guard, get him to reveal something.

                She noticed the sheriff’s side-long glance, but ignored it for now.

                Henry turned suspiciously back to them but shook his head. “It’s about not us. I told you, it’s the other thing,” he said.

                “What other thing, Henry?” Graham asked softly. His hands were making tight fists at his side, the only reaction to what they were saying.

                Henry stopped abruptly and turned to them both. His eyes narrowed on them and his head tilted. “Can I trust you, Sheriff?”

                The man smiled, crossing his arms over his chest. “I would hope so, Henry,” he replied.

                Henry hesitated, glancing up to Emma once before refocusing on him. “You won’t say anything to my mom?”

                Graham hesitated, but finally took one finger to make an “x” over his heart.

                Henry slumped in relief and turned once more, walking towards the school again. “It’s the curse,” he said, then slowed his pace enough to fit right between the both of them. He linked their arms conspiratorially and craned his neck up. “She cast a terrible curse on all of you, making you forget who you are. Emma’s the only one that can break it.”

                Emma felt a little bit strange linked so close with the boy, but it was worse with the Sheriff attached to the other side. Her heart stuttered for a second when she realized how they must look, all together. She shook the notion off and forced a smile. “Everyone in the town is a fairytale character, you see, they just don’t know it,” she explained.

                “Yep! And time’s been frozen -- until Emma came back.”

                “Oh?” Graham said, and an eyebrow cocked. “Who am I then, Henry?”

                He hummed as he thought, but shook his head. “I haven’t figured you out yet. But my mom’s the Evil Queen. And Archie? He’s Jiminy Cricket. Ruby is Red, a werewolf. And then there’s Mary Marg--“

                “Where do you get these things, kid?” she mumbled under her breath.

                He sighed in exasperation. “I told you, the book. You’d know if you just read it.”

                “Should I read it?” Graham asked.

                He looked thoughtfully. “Maybe. But Emma’s the one to break it, so she needs to first.”

                “Sounds complicated,” Graham said, just the barest hint of amusement in his tone.

                “Luckily, I have a plan. Step one – identification. I call it Operation Cobra.”

                “Cobra?” Emma asked. “That has nothing to do with fairy tales.”

                Henry nodded enthusiastically. “Exactly. It’s a code name to throw the Queen off the trail.”

                Emma felt herself getting uncomfortable and dug around her pockets for something to do. She found the apple and brought it to her mouth.

                “Hey!”

                Emma paused, looking down at the kid.

                “Where did you get that?”

                Emma traded a glance with Graham and then shrugged a shoulder. “Your mom.”

                He snatched it from her. “Don’t eat that!” He tossed it over his shoulder, where it landed on the street with a soft thud.

                “Oh, uh – all right.”

                “Evil Queen, huh?” Graham murmured. “Like in Snow White?”

                “Exactly! See, Emma, he gets it!” Henry exclaimed.

                “Okay,” Emma said. She looked up to find the sheriff’s blue eyes again, and decided to try a little reason. “What about their past, then?”

                “They don’t know,” Henry said somberly. He looked up to the sheriff sympathetically. “It’s a haze to them. Ask anyone anything, you’ll see.”

                She’s about to laugh it off above the kid’s head with the man, but froze once she saw his expression. His gaze was distant, fogged, and he cleared his throat before turning his head away. She felt a nervous dip in her stomach. “So, for decades, people have been walking around in a haze, not aging, with screwed up memories, stuck in a cursed town that kept them oblivious,” she said, trying to piece through his beliefs.

                Henry grinned. “I knew you’d get it. That’s why we need you. You’re the only one who can stop her curse.”

                Emma grimaced and stopped, turning to the kid. “Because I’m the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming?” she said dubiously.

                Graham glanced up at her from behind Henry, and he smirked. “Is she, then?” he asked, and some of the playfulness is back. “A fairytale princess?”

                Henry nods. “Exactly. She’s the one destined to break the curse, the only one who didn’t go through it back in the other world.”

                Graham nodded seriously, then looked up at her. “Explains her shy, delicate sensibilities.”

                She scoffed.

                Henry shook his head, but kept his smile. “Right now, we have the advantage. My mom doesn’t know all this.”

                Graham placed a hand on Henry’s shoulder, tilting his head to look down at him. “If she’s the Evil Queen, wouldn’t she know?” he asked.

                Henry shook his head vigorously. “I took out the end. The part with Emma in it.” He reached into his bag and pivoted to her, thrusting the pages out triumphantly. “See? Your mom is Snow White.”

                She glanced at the page Henry provided. A blond man crouched in front of a tree or something, blood staining the middle of his white shirt. He held out an infant tucked into a blanket, “Emma” across the side of it. She thought of her own blanket, the purple stitching that scrawled her name, but the cartoonish drawing was a long way from it. Pretty interesting coincidence, though. “Okay ….”

                “That’s Prince Charming holding you,” Henry explained.

                “Kid …,” she said, haltingly, hesitantly. She didn’t know how to redirect him, and she glanced a little helplessly at the other adult.

                “It’s okay,” Henry said quietly. “I know the hero never believes at first. If they did, it wouldn’t be a very good story.”

                She realized in that second how lonely the kid must be, if he believed everyone was in a fog. She needed to muster up something, some semblance of reassurance for the kid.

                But it was Graham who rested a hand on the boy’s head, getting his attention. Henry turned to face him. “How long did it take for you to believe?” he asked gently.

                Henry made a face, then his brow furrowed. “Something always felt wrong. With the town, with her. But when I got the book, it all made sense.”

                Graham kneeled in front of him, brushing his hair back. In a split second, she could read the loneliness on his face as well. It was all too familiar. “You need to believe something, don’t you, Henry?” he said tenderly, his soft eyes sad.

                She blinked, staring at the kid and the man together. Her heart seized at the image. Internally, she shook herself out of it. The two spent time together, it was only natural they’d pick up some mannerisms, making them look alike.

                Henry blew out a breath, and finally faced Emma again. “If you need proof, take them. Read them. But whatever you do, don’t let her see these pages. They’re dangerous. If she finds out who you are, then it would be bad.”

                She took the pages, making sure her hand didn’t shake. She gave a grimace more than a smile, but Henry lightened to see it.

                He turned to check across the street, seeing the milling of kids behind the gates. “I got to go. But I’ll find you later and we can get started. Sheriff … do you wanna help?”

                “Of course, little prince,” Graham said.

                Henry grinned widely.

                Emma’s shoulders squared, realizing that she was already making progress with the two. She could push this, nudge it more like. Now that Henry allowed Graham into this little group, this Operation Cobra, it would be easy. She could facilitate it, make sure that the two bonded and made a connection that could last. The kid could have someone he trusted, could learn to better deal with his mother when there was someone on his side. It would make it easier when she left in two weeks. Her hand curled around the pages, her smile growing.

                Henry walked across the street, and then flipped back to catch her eye. “I knew you’d believe me!”

                Emma opened her mouth, then hesitated. Affection bloomed in her heart, and she tried desperately to stamp it down. Finally she shook her head. “I never said that!”

                His smile grew smug, and he walked around a woman with cropped hair. “Why else would you stay?”

                Emma turned to Graham, finding him hiding a smile of his own. He reached back and scratched the back of his neck. He looked younger, carefree. Certainly not the glimpse of what she saw behind the façade a moment ago. “You look happy with yourself,” she accused.

                “The lad doesn’t understand that there is another reason. Other than Operation Cobra, and certainly other than the cocoa in this town,” he answered, smiling at her.

                She pressed her lips together. “Maybe not the reason you think,” she countered, but glanced toward the school and felt her heart wrench. You can’t get close, she reminded herself.

                His hand hovered close but didn’t quite touch hers. “I told you – it’s a good thing, I think.”

                She could feel the part of her that could get lost in him slip, and carefully pulled back.

                “It’s good to see his smile back.”

                She turned to the new voice, Henry’s teacher, the one with the credit card. She was a welcome distraction. She shrugged at her implication, though. “I didn’t do anything.”

                Mary Margaret’s head tilted, and she shared a knowing glance with Graham before smiling warmly at her. “You stayed.”

                She wanted to roll her eyes when she caught the grin the Sheriff was sporting now, but only crossed her arms. She felt uncomfortable enough was all this attention, and these two insisting that Henry might benefit from her presence was disconcerting.

                “So, does the Mayor know you’re still here?” Mary Margaret asked politely.

                Emma did roll her eyes at that. “Yeah, she knows. What is her deal? She’s not a great people person. How did she get elected?” she asked, directing it to them both.

                Mary Margaret gave a sympathetic nod at that. “She’s been mayor for as long as I can remember. No one’s ever been brave enough to run against her. She inspires quite a bit of, well, fear.”

                She turned to Graham to see his opinion on that, but he was staring at the ground, hands shoved in his pockets as he frowned. Maybe there was something she was missing.

                Mary Margaret shrugged. “I’m afraid I only made that worse by giving Henry that book. Now he thinks she’s the Evil Queen.”

                “Did he say who he thinks you are?” Emma asked curiously.

                She looked embarrassed, giving the answer away immediately. “It’s silly,” she said.

                Graham shifted. “Ah, then you did get assigned. He didn’t have one for me quite yet,” he said.

                Mary Margaret laughed under her breath. “Oh, you just give it time.”

                Emma shook her head. “I just got five minutes of silly, believe me, lady. Lay it on me.”

                She tucked into herself, blush rising in her cheeks at the same time as her shoulders shrugged up awkwardly. “Snow White.”

                Emma’s mouth parted as realization struck over her. Henry thought his teacher was her mom? His grandmother? She looked the teacher over, still unable to find a coherent sentence. This was too much.

                And dammit, Graham knew, too. She looked to him, finding him just as startled.

                “Who does he think you are?” Mary Margaret asked.

                Emma looked her over, and cursed over the fact that there was enough similar in this woman to support a poor kid’s fantasy. Well, this just got complicated. She shook her head. “I’m not in the book,” she said.

                She could feel Graham’s stare at that, and she gripped the pages in her hand a little more. She wasn’t. At least, not according to Henry, once he ripped those pages out.

                “I should let you go,” Emma said, still a little shaken.

                Mary Margaret smiled, and nodded to Graham before following her students into the building.

                “Maybe I need to talk to his therapist,” Emma said, rubbing her hands together to warm them. She felt so cold all of a sudden.

                Graham nodded. “Could be an idea. His name is Archibald Hopper. He’s just off the road a ways.”

                She nodded and blinked hard. At least he wasn’t teasing about the schoolteacher being her mother. “Okay. Some answers, good.”

                “Perhaps I should come?” he asked.

                She looked up, those stunningly soft blue eyes set on her. Slowly, she shook her head. “No. Thanks,” she said, and furrowed her brow. She needed some time to catch her breath anyway. “This one I need to do myself.”

                If she needed to fight to get this kid happy, she was going to do it.

 *

Eleven Years Ago

*

                 “I know how to fight.”

                He looked up at her, amusement clear in his soft blue eyes. “Of that, I’m sure,” he said, but tossed her the stick anyway.

                Indelicately, she fumbled with it, dropping it almost immediately. She huffed and looked back up with a feigned glare. “Maybe not with swords, but those aren’t so common where I’m from.”

                He shrugged. “Perhaps it’s your perspective that’s off. It was meant to look like a blade, but not a sword,” he teased.

                Her lips pursed. They were at the inlet, spending the clear day just hanging around their camp. She had gotten used to him teaching her things here and there, an old request taking shape easily. This, however, was new. She wiped her hands over her jeans and then grabbed it up again. “So, you want me to pretend it’s a Swiss army knife or something?”

                This time, he didn’t even manage to look baffled at what she generally knew to be an anachronism. “Or something,” he echoed, and flipped his own in hand.

                She lunged forward before he could, a giggle escaping as he twisted away, missing him by inches. He darted away as she slashed out carelessly, grinning widely as he did. There was a lightness to his movements, something she’d noticed long before but took the chance to admire now.

                She made a few more quick jabs, ones he easily deflected. She could hold her own at the homes she’d been in, but she had made it a preference to run before fighting, and this all was more in jest than serious instruction. Initiating the attacks felt a little unnatural nonetheless, but she soon came to anticipate his movements.

                Finally she flipped the branch around and caught his forearm. His eyes snapped to hers in surprise, and his smile turned playfully feral.

                He yanked an arm around her waist, dragging her close with the broken branch pressed against her back. His eyes were practically twinkling. “You should be quicker than that.”

                She tried to sweep her leg to pull his out from under him, but he pitched forward instead of back. It sent them both to the ground. She let out a small squeak at the unintended fall, but he caught her before her head could topple against the dirt. They both got covered in it as the dust settled around them, wide eyes on each other.

                She took a second before peals of laughter escaped her, and soon she found the answering rumble from deep inside his chest. He looked his age with the mirth in his eyes, curls tousled and sun outlining his features and again she was struck by how handsome he was. Still smiling widely, she shifted up to her elbows, pushing herself into his space. She hovered there, beats passing as they sobered.

                His eyes changed as he seemed to notice how close they were. She felt his hands tighten around her hips, and a rush of something encompassed her. She felt flush, warm, slightly dizzy with it. His eyes, they were not their usual grey-blue, deep and mysterious. Instead, the pupils had blown wide across his irises, making them darker than she’d ever seen. His breath was hot against her lips. Her breathing was suddenly shallow and heavy, and just a centimeter closer would mean everything.

                They had been close before, when opening eyes in early morning to find the other’s far too close. When there was a certain heat involved when accidentally brushing fingers as they passed food to one another. But this time they did not part just as quickly as they got into that state, did not jump away.

“What are you doing?” she asked, even though she was the one to come closer. She almost didn’t recognize her own voice. She sounded winded, her tongue practically caressing the syllables into a seductive tone she was sure she didn’t actually mean.

His eyes flicked down her body before resting once more on hers. A fractional incline of his head almost went unnoticed, his nose barely touching hers. “I d’nno.” The callous of his fingers rode up along her skin, where it was exposed as the cloth of her straggly tee bunched up. The slight brush left a trail of stung nerves, hyperaware. But he stopped, lingering in her space and halting all movement save the bounce of his pupils to take her in.

His hesitance proved he really didn’t know. But Emma, she’d seen the movies, the tv shows, had peeked in on the older kids, had awkward moments with others. She knew what came next. Without further prompting, she bridged the distance, brushing her lips against his, feather-light, experimental.

He drew in a ragged breath, and his head lolled down. Teeth scraped her neck just barely, before he nudged his forehead along her hairline. “I—“ he began, but then his lips come back to meet hers, and the words were lost.

She sighed at the contact. The kiss was somewhere between tentative and demanding, a testament to both inexperience and sheer desire.

With the miniscule amount of experience she had, she guided him into deepening the kiss. She coaxed his mouth open, brushing her tongue against his. He responded easily, only a step behind in matching her movements and then taking the initiative to explore. They matched each other’s actions, mirroring, until she felt like they were drinking each other in. It was … heady.

She broke only briefly to suck in a deep breath, and he still sought her skin with his lips. Her nails dug into his shoulders, pressing him all the closer. One of his hands carded through her hair, the other smoothed against her bare spine to press her harder against his chest.

She thought back to the Gracey home, to Tyler, and didn’t understand how she could have possibly ever called that kissing.

This was kissing. This was intimate, warm, with an unchecked desire that thrummed with power. Somewhere teetering between balanced and uncontrolled, unfamiliar yet with a brush of rightness.

Excitement tingled down her, coupled with a heat that made her want something. She couldn’t stop touching him, and her own hands slipped under his shirt and over hard muscle, kissing and nipping at his lips as he did the same. She bent her knee, using the leverage to push herself into him and he pulled in tandem, their bodies lining up in a way that made her lightheaded.

Suddenly he stopped with his face inches from hers, blinking hard. Quickly, he extracted himself from her, shock touching his stature. Cold washed against her, eyes widening at the sudden loss of his warmth. She licked her lips, still panting as her heart raced. “Wh-what?”

His mouth was parted, breaths short and ragged. He shook his head, a brief flash of disappointment in his gaze as he licked his lips. “Footsteps,” he said simply.

She sucked in a sharp breath and pulled down the hem of her shirt; it had ridden up well past the edge of her rib cage. She listened, not yet able to hear the telltale crunching. “How far?”

He was still. “Two minutes,” he said surely. He grabbed her hand and helped her stand. His face was still flushed, eyes still dark as he looked at her. He reached out, running his thumb across her bottom lip before he shook his head, clearing it. “We have to go.”

She nodded, and bent to collect their things by the trees.

There was something heavier this time as his hand reached for hers, as the longing clicked inside her when theirs palms met. She tried desperately to ignore it again as he guided them away, carefully and gracefully dodging trees and brush as he led them to their secondary camp.

Her heart thundered in her chest, and she knew she couldn’t be sure that their routine would be the same once they reached it.

[uncomfortable-writers]

Modern Psycho- Modern AU-(Ramsay x Reader)

(Gif credit to owner)

Fandom: Game of Thrones

Character: Ramsay Bolton

Persona: Female

Word Count: 1,174

Request: Hello! How you doing? Hope having a good day! If there's not so much problem, can I request a modern AU Ramsay Bolton x Reader were the reader is friends with ramsay (the psyco who nobody wants to be close) and he really likes her (reader) and he really gets mad when guys flirt with her so he sticks with reader wherever she goes which really annoys her but in the end is all cute and fluffy? Thank you, darling! (sorry for my english :( it's not my mother language) 

A/N - This takes place in a Modern Alternate Universe, enjoy <3 (I’m thinking about doing a part two for this so if it’s something you’d like to see, please let me know!)

The small, coastal town you lived in was quiet. Nothing eventful ever happened, everyone knew everyone, that was until a new family moved into the more remote area of your village. Nobody knew anything about this family only their last name, the Boltons.

The Boltons were even more silent than the town in which you lived. There was a constant flood of whispers about this family, about why they moved and why they kept to themselves and they all seemed to contain one common theme; their son. No one really knew his name, only what he looked like. The descriptions from various witnesses described him as hauntingly handsome- tall, lean, ghostly pale with cold, piercing eyes and a mass of brown hair with scruff to accompany the disconcerting calm express on his face.

Every so often someone would see the family in the local supermarket, or the local library and there’d be more rumours floating around about them. ‘There’s something sinister about that family��, your grandmother’s words echoed in your ears, ‘Stay away from them and stay away from that boy’.

At one time you planned to heed her advice, but now here you were, walking over to the young man all because of a stupid dare from your friends.

Before the dare was issued to you, you were enjoying a drink with your pals in the local pub where all the fun seemed to happen and that was when he walked in. It was your first time seeing one of the Boltons and boy the descriptions of him did not give him enough justice. He was drop dead gorgeous and if he wasn’t at the centre of the rumours, you’d of jumped on him.

“Hey (Y/N)?”, one of your friends smirked as they took a gulp of their drink, “Why don’t you go and say hi to him? He looks lonely, he could do with some company”. You shook your head and sneered, “I’m good”. “C’mon, the next rounds will be on me if you go and sit with him for at least twenty minutes”. The pleads of your other friends made you give in to the peer pressure, “Fine, twenty minutes no more”.

Picking up your drink, you crossed the short distance over to where he was sat. The young Bolton had chosen to sit alone in a booth, a glass of liquid in front of him, his blue eyes were focused on it. You noticed he sat slouched, his shoulders hunched, he looked quiet terrifying. His lean fingers danced up the glass as he wiped the drops of condensation. You could feel butterflies fluttering in your stomach, whether it was from the alcohol you’d consumed or from something else, you didn’t know. As you drew closer to the Bolton, he looked up and his gaze bore into yours.

You had to force your legs to move otherwise you’d of turned and bolted in the opposite direction.  Choking back the feeling of the butterflies, you offered him your best smile. It wasn’t returned.

“Hey there”, you grinned down at him as you stood by his booth, “Is this seat taken?”.

The man shook his head briefly. You dropped down across from him, placing the drink on the table which you brought with you. He returned to his previous position with a quick glare towards you, then he focused his attention back on the glass. It became obvious quite quickly that he wasn’t going to make the conversation, you glanced back to your friends who were giving you thumbs up, with an inaudible sigh you took the situation into your own hands, “So I saw you sat over here alone and then I realised you’re new to these parts right?”.

Again he didn’t answer.

“My name’s (Y/N) (Y/L/N), what’s yours?”, you smiled waiting for a response which you presumed you weren’t going to get. You sipped on your drink and watched him. “Ramsay Bolton”, he finally answered after a lifetime of silence, giving you a small smile back and before you knew it, the time had flown by.

//// Flash forward a few months \\\\\\

You were just walking out of the supermarket, your hands full with two heavy bags, when someone shouted loudly in your ear, “BOO!”.

A loud screech erupted out of your mouth and you turned to shout at the culprit, the bags of grocery shopping lay scattered on the floor, “What is-- Ramsay? Why’d you do that for?”, you frowned as he laughed. His eyes crinkled in amusement, you bent down and Ramsay followed suit to help, “Because it was funny, did you see your reaction? Priceless”, he snickered as he helped you to repack the bags.

You glared at him, “It wasn’t, you could’ve given me a heart attack”, snatching the bags from him, you stormed onwards.

To say that Ramsay had been following you would be an understatement; it seemed that these days he was everywhere. You thought that today you’d escaped him but the display of his latest shenanigan proved otherwise. As you walked, you could feel the burning stares of the village inhabitants, each giving you their own disapproving stare as Ramsay followed behind you like a wounded puppy.

“But I didn’t though!”, he toothily grinned at you, his expression just forced you to smile softly back at him. “That’s not the point Ramsay”, you argued back as you passed an elderly couple who practically crossed the road to avoid you.

Ramsay plucked a bag from your left hand despite your protests, “Let me, I insist”. You walked with him back to your house in silence, you kept your eyes to the floor. 

Ever since that one evening you’d spent with Ramsay Bolton as a dare, he’d become stuck to you like glue. It started off slowly, minor coincidences at the pub every weekend, then it escalated to him shopping in the same supermarket, to being in the library at the same time and eventually he was walking you home every night. Your phone would constantly blow up each hour with a text from him and even though you’d suggested that you needed to spend some time by yourself, Ramsay had ignored your request.

“Did you know him?”, Ramsay’s voice cut through the air bitterly, pulling you out of your daze, “Did I know who?”. Ramsay looked back over his shoulder, his joyful smile was now replaced by a dark scowl, “That guy, right there”. You looked back at the guy whom Ramsay was referring to and looked back at him and in confusion, “Him? I don’t know him”.

Ramsay towered over you, you didn’t find him intimidating anymore, only at the times when he acted in this way.

Ramsay narrowed his eyes at you, “Are you sure?”. You nodded your head, “100%, now come on this stuff is going to melt if we don’t get it home soon”. The rest of the walk was silent, but you could tell that Ramsay was brooding and when Ramsay started brooding, nothing good could come of it.

[justcantexplain]

If You Had A Doubt (SL with @FlameInsideEyes @IsntThatMuchFun @RoadWalkingHome)

Sin: *I still wasn’t sure about this. When I had told Ray that I’d be willing to have dinner with her, Shaun, and Butt Buddy, I didn’t think it would be this.

I had instructions to dress nicely. Which only meant one thing with Rayelle Lynch. This was a set up. Since the night she had told me she was pregnant, I had told her a bit more about Kadin. But I was still hesitant about saying his name. That was still something I wanted to keep for me. That little bit of a secret that I could keep for myself.

I had texted him earlier and asked what his plans were for tonight. I wanted to see him again. And I was free for the next few days. I wanted to spend time with him. But when he said he was hanging out with friends, I let the idea go. I wasn’t going to be that girl. I wasn’t going to pull him away from the people he kept close.

I wasn’t stupid. Not by any means. I knew he was in the states alone. And he had a few friends that watched out for him. They were his family. There was no way I was going to come between them. That was an absolute deal breaker for me. I couldn’t come between them. I wouldn’t let him do that, either. There was no way.

But as I stood outside of the restaurant, I couldn’t help but pull out my phone and send him a text. I just wanted him to know that I was thinking about him. I knew the truth. I was falling hard and fast for a guy I had only seen in person one time. But I had a million and one ideas to get him to see me. If it meant hiring him to do a shoot, I was absolutely prepared to do it.

I was startled by a throat being cleared behind me. Stashing my phone in my bag, I turned with narrowed eyes to my best friend and her husband. Ray looked good for being pregnant. But the truth was that I didn’t like Shaun reading over my shoulder.* Mind your business, Asshole.

Shaun:  -I could only broaden the shit eating grin that had already spread across my face. I loved giving Sin a hard time. It was half of what I lived for. I had no clue what she'd been doing on her phone, but I could fucking guess by the way she reacted to me surprising her. Babe had told me she'd met someone at ComicCon, but I hadn't heard a lot about him. Babe didn't even know his name. And I knew she had half a hope of setting Kadin up with Sin tonight, but I had no idea how that was going to work. Kadin was a marshmallow and Sin was Satan’s mistress. - So we're here. Get off your phone with your new fuck buddy and let's go get a table.

-I threw my arm around my wife and pulled her into my side with a laugh as I led them both into the booth that the hostess had ready for the four of us.

Kadin wasn't here yet, but he'd texted me he was on the way a bit ago. I expected him any minute but I was having too much fun teasing Sin to really worry about it or even bring him up to her- So? How's things, you demented Barbie doll?

Ray: ^I knew where this was going to go. I was already fed up with it. It was a problem when I get Shaun and Sin together. To him, she was the Devil’s Mistress. She always had been. And whenever I asked why, I never got a straight answer from him. It was a game he liked playing. He loved pushing her buttons. He wanted a reaction from her. And she always gave it to him. One way or another.

I was irritated with Kadin, though. If he had been here, none of this would have happened. But I couldn’t be too terribly mad, though. His passion was something I was never going to take away from him. And even watching him talk about it was endearing. It was part of the reason I had wanted Kadin and Sin to get together. They both had that spark of passion. They would fascinate each other. There was no doubt in my mind.

As we were seated, I turned to my husband and flicked his ear. This was not the place for him to start in on what he was doing. This was not the time for him to pick a fight. I needed Sin to be in a good mood. I wanted to pull her attention away from the guy that she met at the Con. I wanted her to be happy, and I knew Kadin could do it. She just needed to get to know him. And if Shaun started in on her, I was going to hurt him. He was going to make this worse, and I couldn’t handle worse.^ I swear to God, Man Husband. Do not act like a child. I will take the power strips from the entertainment center. And you won’t get them back until I can start drinking again.

Kadin: -I was running late, but I’d been working today and things had run over. I texted Shaun and Ray to let them know I was on the way, and then I’d gotten a message from Sin. We’d been texting back and forth. She’d wanted to get together today, but of course something was up where I couldn’t go. I couldn’t back out on this dinner with these two. This was important. I needed to meet the baby’s godmother before it was actually born.

I was planning on taking this seriously, even if I knew that Ray was treating this like a double date. She and I were going to be a big part of this kid’s life, even if we weren’t in the relationship that Rayelle somehow seemed to want us in. I was pretty lost on Sin, even if I hadn’t admitted it to anyone, and I wasn’t going to entertain the notion of dating someone else as long as she was around.

Apparently, they’d already gotten a table without me, and I was the last person in our group walking into the restaurant. That was going to be awkward at best. The hostess pointed me at the table in the far corner where I could see Ray and Shaun facing me, and the back of the head of the person I was supposed to be meeting. I recognized her from this far off and behind. I think I’d have recognized her anywhere. Of course, the girl I was supposed to be meeting tonight was Sin.

I paused a few moments to pull my phone out of my pocket and drop her a text- So, Why in the hell are you sitting at a table with those two? You can do way better. -grinning as I popped my phone back into my pocket and waited for her to turn around and notice me standing just behind the table.-

Sin: *The chime of my phone went off just as I heard Shaun start calling for his boy. But I could only stare at the text for a second before whipping my head around to see the man I had been talking to for months standing just behind me. I wasn’t entirely sure what I was expecting, but this hadn’t exactly been it.

I wasn’t sure why I hadn’t ever put the pieces together about Shaun and Kadin. I should have expected Ray to practically adopt Kadin, especially since he didn’t have anyone here with him. She was going to take care of him. To his face, she may have only shown a side of tolerance, but I knew the truth. She loved him. And I could understand her reasoning in wanting to set us up. Especially now that I knew who she was looking to set me up with.

I couldn’t stop myself as I stood from the table and threw myself into Kadin’s arms. I wasn’t sure what we were going to tell the other two, but I needed to be there. I needed to know that he was actually standing in front of me. I needed to feel that this wasn’t a joke. My lips were against his almost instantly as I whispered softly against the scruff.* Please tell me you’re Shaun’s Best Butt Buddy. Please tell me you’re the baby’s godfather.

Kadin: -I could only laugh softly against her lips as she begged me to tell her I was who she was waiting here for. My arms slipping around her waist, not caring what the other two at the table were thinking while she greeted me. I could imagine Shaun being mortified since I was right here basically making out with the girl who terrified him more than anyone else.

It made sense that Ray would love her. She lived her life out loud, and so did Ray. Maybe the two of them did it differently, but the same intensity was there. It was the thing I liked about Ray and Shaun and one of the many things I found endearing about Sin- Butt Buddy, eh? I see Elle’s been talking about me. I’m going to call that a term of endearment.

-Moving to rest my forehead on hers as I grinned down at her- So? What if I’m not the baby’s godfather? I’d hate to interrupt your date. -stealing another kiss as I whispered into her lips- Yes, I’m the baby’s godfather.

Shaun: -I was just kind of sitting there slack jawed as the grin that had been painted on my face when I saw Kadin walking across the room melted into a shocked expression when Sin launched herself into his arms and planted a kiss on his stupid lips. I knew he’d been seeing someone for awhile, but I had no god damned clue it was her.  Apparently Babe hadn’t either, but judging from the shit eating grin on her face she was loving every damned second of this.

I could only sit there and open and close my mouth like a god damned fish out of water as I watched them chat until I got my brain back to functioning and I shot up from my seat.- You have got to be fucking kidding me.

-I looked from them to my wife and back again- You mean to tell me that you’re just going to stand there kissing all over my wife’s best friend like surprise… we knew each other all along? Color me fucking confused here.

Ray: ^I could only smile. This was going much better than I had intended. I never hid my intentions from Sin. I wouldn’t have been able to, anyway. It was a problem that came with being friends for so long. We knew each other too well. But I was surprised that Kadin had been the photographer that had shot Sin. It wasn’t his typical style, but he was good at showing all aspects of things.

As the two of them sat next to each other, I couldn’t help but pinch Shaun again. Any other day, I’d be cool with his mouth. Out in public was a different story.^ Do not get us kicked out before we’ve had food.

^Turning my attention back to the couple in front of me, I narrowed my eyes playfully. The grin she gave me was the same one I had when Kadin had walked up.^ Butt Buddy is the gentleman that didn’t treat you like meat? I’m impressed, Kade. I’d have hunted you down if you tried to get up her skirt in the Leia getup. And there aren’t many people I’d go hunting for.

Kadin: -I could only laugh as the two of them. Shaun had the reaction I’d have predicted in this situation, and of course half the restaurant was looking at him in that moment. He wouldn’t have cared if his wife hadn’t said anything. It was something he was used to by now considering how he usually behaved.

And the grin on Elle’s face was nice to see. My feelings about tonight had been trepidatious at best before I walked into the room, and now they were melting quickly into something far more pleasant. Shaun was quickly sitting down, mumbling something under his breath about Satan and going back to studying the menu while I moved around to let Sin get back into her place inside the booth before joining her on the same side.-

I’d like to think I had some sort of schooling before I got to America, Elle. They did at least teach me not to go after a girl’s knickers on the first date. -laughing and sliding an arm around the girl next to me as I tugged her closer and shot out a foot to gently kick Shaun under the table.-

Sin: *The only thing I could do was curl deeper into Kadin. I was thrilled that he was the guy I was meeting. And I knew Ray was happy. The wild card was Shaun. And I wasn’t sure what his reaction was. He had this scowl on his face, and I wasn’t sure if it was because I was dating Kadin or if there was something deeper going on. But I was already tired of the attitude he was throwing off.

I felt Kadin kick Shaun before I could open my mouth. But the words still tumbled from my lips as I threw my menu on the table.* You know, Shaun. I’d be glad if I were you. At least the godparents of your child get along. I mean, it could be worse. We could be at each other’s throat. I mean, unless that scowl is because you’re pissed you lost Boy to The Demented Barbie Doll. Or The Devil’s Mistress. Whichever you plan on calling me today.

*I didn’t wait for a response before I picked my menu back up and focused on the words written on the paper. Shaun and I had this kind of relationship. I should have been expecting the snark to come from him. But at the same time, this was Kadin we were talking about. I figured he’d have been happy that his Boy had someone that made him happy. Part of me was hoping he’d overlook the idea that it was me Kadin was with. But I should have known better.

Shielding myself from the group around me, I felt a single tear slide down my cheeks as I thought about the aura Shaun was putting off, and it finally clicked into place. No one was ever going to be good enough for Kadin. Not in Shaun’s eyes. And even if I was Ray’s best friend, I still wasn’t good enough. And that was going to be a hard pill to swallow.*

Shaun: -I could tell everyone around the table was pissed off at me. It was something I was used to, but not from exactly all of these people. Ray was eternally pissed at me for not being a fan of her best friend. But Kadin’s kick under the table told me I needed to get my shit together. Sin was probably the most terrifying thing on the face of the earth, but Kadin could have done a lot worse.

And Sin was sitting across the table from me already tearing up. Ray was going to fucking murder me for this, and Kade wasn’t going to let me forget it. I knew I was the asshole at the table, and being an asshole was something I was good at.

I grumbled under my breath and bit my lip. Ray and Sin were best friends. She always had been, and always was going to. It wasn’t just that this was something I was going to accept. It was going to have to learn to love it. Because this was for the long haul. They were going to be my fucking kid’s godparents for fuck sake. -

Listen, I know I’m gonna be an asshole. I’m genetically programmed for it. And if you’re the Devil’s Mistress, I guess that just makes Kadin the Devil. -I braced myself for the coming arm punch I knew Ray was going to sling my way, and wasn’t disatisfied when it actually hit.-

Ouch, Babe. God… -I whined a little as I rubbed my arm- I mean. It could be worse. I know I can actually tolerate Sin. -I tried to smile over at her. I did feel like a jerk for making her cry. It hadn’t been my intention at all, but it was my fault.- I mean… What I’m saying is… Fuck it. If you two are happy then I’m fucking happy.

Ray: ^The punch was necessary. And there was going to be more than just a talk when we got home. I was not thrilled with the fact that Shaun had made Sin tear up. I knew it was a tough spot for her. I hated putting her in the position of dealing with Shaun. But there was only so much I could. Especially now that both her and Kadin had agreed to being the godparents.

I just wanted to ignore what Shaun had done. I didn’t want to focus on that. I wanted everything to be okay. I wanted Sin and Kadin to just enjoy the dinner. I also knew that this was the first time they had seen each other since ComicCon. So I wanted it to be better than it was starting out.^ Look, Shaun’s an asshole. Let’s just have a good dinner. And then the two of you can go spend some time together while I deal with the asshole that is my husband. Does that work for you two?

Kadin: -I could only shoot Shaun a glare across the table as he tried unsuccessfully to make up for being a complete jerk. It wasn’t enough, but I wasn’t going to let the focus of the dinner shift to him. He and I could have a talk about that later.

I tightened my arm around Sin and tugged her into my side firmly, leaning in to press a kiss to her temple. I hadn’t been able to see her in far longer than I liked to admit, and I didn’t intend to sit over there and let Shaun ruin it for either of us- So, now that we’ve agreed that Shaun is an asshole, and this is probably the most serendipitous thing that’s happened to any of us… Where’s the menu?

Sin: *I was thankful that everyone was diverting the conversation from what had happened. I knew Shaun felt bad. But at this point, I didn’t care. I didn’t care that he hated me. I didn’t care that he wasn’t completely on board with this. I was just happy Kadin was here.

I could only cuddle deeper into his side as he pulled me against him. This was exactly what I wanted. And really, it was what I needed. I needed to be around him again. Pushing my menu towards the man next to me, I arched a brow at my best friend.* Your idea was to set the two of us up. How do you feel knowing that this is the guy that took my pictures at ComicCon?

*I felt the smile creep across my face as I thought about that time. The moment I got a feel for the man sitting next to me. He was adorable in his own way, but there was still so much going on. We had been stupidly busy, and the time had just gotten away from us. It wasn’t something that I liked.* I didn’t want any pressure from you, Ray. I hope you know that. That was the only reason I kept who he was to myself. I wasn’t sure I was ready for you to turn into a bulldog about it.

Ray: ^I could only nod my head at Sin’s words. I knew why she had done it. All of this was new, and I knew Kadin’s schedule was more than daunting if you weren’t used to it. And then Sin’s schedule wasn’t great. Not when it was con season. She was gone every weekend for some reason or another. I wanted to make things easier for her.

There was a way that I could do it, too. And it was going to happen sooner or later. Because once the baby came, there was no way Kadin was going to want to be at our place on Friday nights. My words were soft as I gave Kadin a small smile.^ Friday nights, when the both of you are in town, are just for the two of you. Shaun will survive one night without you. The two of you need to spend some time together. No one else around. I want this relationship to work. I want the two of you to be happy. Even if it’s something my husband is dead set against.

Shaun: -I knew I was being a jerk, solely based on the tone of my wife’s voice when she talked about me. And I knew I was going to hear about this for the rest of the night when we got home. I probably deserved it, but I couldn’t help it. I was going to be a grump until I got my mind wrapped around the fact that my best friend was obviously in love with the person I found most intimidating on the face of the Earth.

But that was something I was going to have to deal with. It was pretty clear the two of them were in each other’s lives for better or worse here. Ray was going to be slapping the hell out of me for the rest of our lives at this rate.

I could only grumble under my breath a little before I sat up. She was giving my Friday’s away, even though I knew once the baby came, my night’s weren’t going to be my own anyway. I would willingly give up any of that for Ray and the baby. They were my world. I just had to wrap my head around the fact that maybe that was the case for Kadin and Sin too. It was going to be an adjustment. But everything about growing up was an adjustment, and as much of a manchild as I could be, I knew how to adjust.-

So… -drumming my fingers on the table as I glanced across at the pair across the table from my wife and I- I guess I’m gonna get to be flower girl at you two’s wedding in a year or two. That should be fun. -reaching out to take a swig of the beer in front of me as I leaned back in the booth with a long sigh before I broke out into a soft laugh-

Sin: *I still didn’t know what the hell was going on with Shaun. It could have been that he was terrified of what was going on. He was becoming a father and losing his Boy in the blink of an eye, and I guess part of that was on me. With a sigh, I set my hands on the table and cleared my throat. I didn’t know how much needed to be said, but I didn’t want Shaun to feel left out anymore. I couldn’t have him feeling left out.*

I’m not here to take your Boy away from you completely. Just as I would never take you and Ray away from Kadin, I will not take Kadin away from the two of you. And I know everything is changing for you, and it’s not something you’re used to. But the truth is that convention season is picking up. I’m going to be gone more often than not for a while. You’ll still have Kadin. I’m not going to demand he come with me. I’m not going to hire him for photoshoots on Friday nights just so you can’t have him. He’s your Boy, Asshole. I’m not going to take him away from you. Not when you’re still adjusting to Ray being pregnant.

*Turning my head to Kadin, I gave him a small smile as well. He had to know that that speech was just as much for him as it was for Shaun. I knew the truth. The two of them were brothers. There was no other way to describe it. They were both nervous of the changes that were coming. But I wasn’t going to just rip their worlds apart. I was going to do everything I could think to do to make that adjustment just a little bit easier.*

I care enough about the two of you that I won’t just come in like a wrecking ball. I know that the two of you are family to each other. Especially since Kadin has no one in the states. I’m not going to destroy what the two of you have. But I’m not going to risk what I could have with Kadin to just step back, either.

Kadin: -I wasn’t certain how any of this was going to work out with Shaun being in the mood this development seemed to put him in.  But it was something of a relief to see at least a tenuous peace between the two of them. I’d heard more complaints about Sin from his mouth than I could keep track of, but in all that time he’d never mentioned her name. This was something the four of us were going to have to work on, mostly the three of us working on Shaun until he came around to everything. But I didn’t intend to let any of it get in the way of Sin and I and whatever this was going to turn out to be.

These two were my family in America, for all intents and purposes. There was nothing that was going to change that, but I wanted to bring someone else into the mix. I just got lucky that someone else was already halfway part of my life without me even realizing it.  The fact that we were both going to be godparents to the baby of the two people I spent the most time with was sheer luck.

I leaned in to press a kiss to Sin’s cheek again, adjusting quite happily to the feeling of her curled into my side. We had to find a way to make this happen more often, or at least as often as possible. I knew our lives were busy, both of us really. Between photoshoots and conventions there was very little free time, but I was willing give as much of it as I could manage. Leaning in to whisper against the shell of her ear- You know we’re going to have to spend a lot more time together now right? Since you know my friends and all.

-straightening up as I shoot a grin across the table at Elle- We’re going to all get on famously as long as no one kills anyone else.

Ray:: ^I could only give Kade a knowing look as he said no one got killed. He knew this wasn’t going to be the end of it. There was going to be a whole discussion when I got home with Shaun. Normally, I was level headed with him. I knew how to handle him. But things were different this time around. This wasn’t about his paranoia with Sin. This was about his best friend being happy. And he wasn’t accepting it.

But for the rest of dinner, Shaun did keep his mouth closed. He played the good little husband. He tried to accept the idea of Sin in his life as a bigger influence. But the truth was that he couldn’t figure out how to accept it. There were comments that were made every so often that would make the light in Sin’s eyes dim a little. She was trying to make things better for him. He wasn’t entirely letting her do it.

As soon as we were done, I told the waiter to put everything on one bill. My husband was going to be paying in more ways than one tonight. I even knew how to make him more afraid. Was I pissed at him? Extremely. There was nothing that I wanted to do more than yell at him. I wanted him to feel everything that was going through my body. But that wouldn’t get the right reaction from him. The only thing I could give him was complete calm.^

#IfYouHadADoubt

[flameinsideeyes-blog]

If You Had A Doubt (SL with @RoadWalkingHome, @IsntThatMuchFun, and @JustCantExplain)

Sin: *I still wasn’t sure about this. When I had told Ray that I’d be willing to have dinner with her, Shaun, and Butt Buddy, I didn’t think it would be this. I had instructions to dress nicely. Which only meant one thing with Rayelle Lynch. This was a set up. Since the night she had told me she was pregnant, I had told her a bit more about Kadin. But I was still hesitant about saying his name. That was still something I wanted to keep for me. That little bit of a secret that I could keep for myself. I had texted him earlier and asked what his plans were for tonight. I wanted to see him again. And I was free for the next few days. I wanted to spend time with him. But when he said he was hanging out with friends, I let the idea go. I wasn’t going to be that girl. I wasn’t going to pull him away from the people he kept close. I wasn’t stupid. Not by any means. I knew he was in the states alone. And he had a few friends that watched out for him. They were his family. There was no way I was going to come between them. That was an absolute deal breaker for me. I couldn’t come between them. I wouldn’t let him do that, either. There was no way. But as I stood outside of the restaurant, I couldn’t help but pull out my phone and send him a text. I just wanted him to know that I was thinking about him. I knew the truth. I was falling hard and fast for a guy I had only seen in person one time. But I had a million and one ideas to get him to see me. If it meant hiring him to do a shoot, I was absolutely prepared to do it. I was startled by a throat being cleared behind me. Stashing my phone in my bag, I turned with narrowed eyes to my best friend and her husband. Ray looked good for being pregnant. But the truth was that I didn’t like Shaun reading over my shoulder.* Mind your business, Asshole. Shaun: -I could only broaden the shit eating grin that had already spread across my face. I loved giving Sin a hard time. It was half of what I lived for. I had no clue what she'd been doing on her phone, but I could fucking guess by the way she reacted to me surprising her. Babe had told me she'd met someone at ComicCon, but I hadn't heard a lot about him. Babe didn't even know his name. And I knew she had half a hope of setting Kadin up with Sin tonight, but I had no idea how that was going to work. Kadin was a marshmallow and Sin was Satan’s mistress. - So we're here. Get off your phone with your new fuck buddy and let's go get a table. -I threw my arm around my wife and pulled her into my side with a laugh as I led them both into the booth that the hostess had ready for the four of us. Kadin wasn't here yet, but he'd texted me he was on the way a bit ago. I expected him any minute but I was having too much fun teasing Sin to really worry about it or even bring him up to her- So? How's things, you demented Barbie doll? Ray: ^I knew where this was going to go. I was already fed up with it. It was a problem when I get Shaun and Sin together. To him, she was the Devil’s Mistress. She always had been. And whenever I asked why, I never got a straight answer from him. It was a game he liked playing. He loved pushing her buttons. He wanted a reaction from her. And she always gave it to him. One way or another. I was irritated with Kadin, though. If he had been here, none of this would have happened. But I couldn’t be too terribly mad, though. His passion was something I was never going to take away from him. And even watching him talk about it was endearing. It was part of the reason I had wanted Kadin and Sin to get together. They both had that spark of passion. They would fascinate each other. There was no doubt in my mind. As we were seated, I turned to my husband and flicked his ear. This was not the place for him to start in on what he was doing. This was not the time for him to pick a fight. I needed Sin to be in a good mood. I wanted to pull her attention away from the guy that she met at the Con. I wanted her to be happy, and I knew Kadin could do it. She just needed to get to know him. And if Shaun started in on her, I was going to hurt him. He was going to make this worse, and I couldn’t handle worse.^ I swear to God, Man Husband. Do not act like a child. I will take the power strips from the entertainment center. And you won’t get them back until I can start drinking again. Kadin: -I was running late, but I’d been working today and things had run over. I texted Shaun and Ray to let them know I was on the way, and then I’d gotten a message from Sin. We’d been texting back and forth. She’d wanted to get together today, but of course something was up where I couldn’t go. I couldn’t back out on this dinner with these two. This was important. I needed to meet the baby’s godmother before it was actually born. I was planning on taking this seriously, even if I knew that Ray was treating this like a double date. She and I were going to be a big part of this kid’s life, even if we weren’t in the relationship that Rayelle somehow seemed to want us in. I was pretty lost on Sin, even if I hadn’t admitted it to anyone, and I wasn’t going to entertain the notion of dating someone else as long as she was around. Apparently, they’d already gotten a table without me, and I was the last person in our group walking into the restaurant. That was going to be awkward at best. The hostess pointed me at the table in the far corner where I could see Ray and Shaun facing me, and the back of the head of the person I was supposed to be meeting. I recognized her from this far off and behind. I think I’d have recognized her anywhere. Of course, the girl I was supposed to be meeting tonight was Sin. I paused a few moments to pull my phone out of my pocket and drop her a text- So, Why in the hell are you sitting at a table with those two? You can do way better. -grinning as I popped my phone back into my pocket and waited for her to turn around and notice me standing just behind the table.- Sin: *The chime of my phone went off just as I heard Shaun start calling for his boy. But I could only stare at the text for a second before whipping my head around to see the man I had been talking to for months standing just behind me. I wasn’t entirely sure what I was expecting, but this hadn’t exactly been it. I wasn’t sure why I hadn’t ever put the pieces together about Shaun and Kadin. I should have expected Ray to practically adopt Kadin, especially since he didn’t have anyone here with him. She was going to take care of him. To his face, she may have only shown a side of tolerance, but I knew the truth. She loved him. And I could understand her reasoning in wanting to set us up. Especially now that I knew who she was looking to set me up with. I couldn’t stop myself as I stood from the table and threw myself into Kadin’s arms. I wasn’t sure what we were going to tell the other two, but I needed to be there. I needed to know that he was actually standing in front of me. I needed to feel that this wasn’t a joke. My lips were against his almost instantly as I whispered softly against the scruff.* Please tell me you’re Shaun’s Best Butt Buddy. Please tell me you’re the baby’s godfather. Kadin: -I could only laugh softly against her lips as she begged me to tell her I was who she was waiting here for. My arms slipping around her waist, not caring what the other two at the table were thinking while she greeted me. I could imagine Shaun being mortified since I was right here basically making out with the girl who terrified him more than anyone else. It made sense that Ray would love her. She lived her life out loud, and so did Ray. Maybe the two of them did it differently, but the same intensity was there. It was the thing I liked about Ray and Shaun and one of the many things I found endearing about Sin- Butt Buddy, eh? I see Elle’s been talking about me. I’m going to call that a term of endearment. -Moving to rest my forehead on hers as I grinned down at her- So? What if I’m not the baby’s godfather? I’d hate to interrupt your date. -stealing another kiss as I whispered into her lips- Yes, I’m the baby’s godfather. Shaun: -I was just kind of sitting there slack jawed as the grin that had been painted on my face when I saw Kadin walking across the room melted into a shocked expression when Sin launched herself into his arms and planted a kiss on his stupid lips. I knew he’d been seeing someone for awhile, but I had no god damned clue it was her. Apparently Babe hadn’t either, but judging from the shit eating grin on her face she was loving every damned second of this. I could only sit there and open and close my mouth like a god damned fish out of water as I watched them chat until I got my brain back to functioning and I shot up from my seat.- You have got to be fucking kidding me. -I looked from them to my wife and back again- You mean to tell me that you’re just going to stand there kissing all over my wife’s best friend like surprise… we knew each other all along? Color me fucking confused here. Ray: ^I could only smile. This was going much better than I had intended. I never hid my intentions from Sin. I wouldn’t have been able to, anyway. It was a problem that came with being friends for so long. We knew each other too well. But I was surprised that Kadin had been the photographer that had shot Sin. It wasn’t his typical style, but he was good at showing all aspects of things. As the two of them sat next to each other, I couldn’t help but pinch Shaun again. Any other day, I’d be cool with his mouth. Out in public was a different story.^ Do not get us kicked out before we’ve had food. ^Turning my attention back to the couple in front of me, I narrowed my eyes playfully. The grin she gave me was the same one I had when Kadin had walked up.^ Butt Buddy is the gentleman that didn’t treat you like meat? I’m impressed, Kade. I’d have hunted you down if you tried to get up her skirt in the Leia getup. And there aren’t many people I’d go hunting for. Kadin: -I could only laugh as the two of them. Shaun had the reaction I’d have predicted in this situation, and of course half the restaurant was looking at him in that moment. He wouldn’t have cared if his wife hadn’t said anything. It was something he was used to by now considering how he usually behaved. And the grin on Elle’s face was nice to see. My feelings about tonight had been trepidatious at best before I walked into the room, and now they were melting quickly into something far more pleasant. Shaun was quickly sitting down, mumbling something under his breath about Satan and going back to studying the menu while I moved around to let Sin get back into her place inside the booth before joining her on the same side.- I’d like to think I had some sort of schooling before I got to America, Elle. They did at least teach me not to go after a girl’s knickers on the first date. -laughing and sliding an arm around the girl next to me as I tugged her closer and shot out a foot to gently kick Shaun under the table.- Sin: *The only thing I could do was curl deeper into Kadin. I was thrilled that he was the guy I was meeting. And I knew Ray was happy. The wild card was Shaun. And I wasn’t sure what his reaction was. He had this scowl on his face, and I wasn’t sure if it was because I was dating Kadin or if there was something deeper going on. But I was already tired of the attitude he was throwing off. I felt Kadin kick Shaun before I could open my mouth. But the words still tumbled from my lips as I threw my menu on the table.* You know, Shaun. I’d be glad if I were you. At least the godparents of your child get along. I mean, it could be worse. We could be at each other’s throat. I mean, unless that scowl is because you’re pissed you lost Boy to The Demented Barbie Doll. Or The Devil’s Mistress. Whichever you plan on calling me today. *I didn’t wait for a response before I picked my menu back up and focused on the words written on the paper. Shaun and I had this kind of relationship. I should have been expecting the snark to come from him. But at the same time, this was Kadin we were talking about. I figured he’d have been happy that his Boy had someone that made him happy. Part of me was hoping he’d overlook the idea that it was me Kadin was with. But I should have known better. Shielding myself from the group around me, I felt a single tear slide down my cheeks as I thought about the aura Shaun was putting off, and it finally clicked into place. No one was ever going to be good enough for Kadin. Not in Shaun’s eyes. And even if I was Ray’s best friend, I still wasn’t good enough. And that was going to be a hard pill to swallow.* Shaun: -I could tell everyone around the table was pissed off at me. It was something I was used to, but not from exactly all of these people. Ray was eternally pissed at me for not being a fan of her best friend. But Kadin’s kick under the table told me I needed to get my shit together. Sin was probably the most terrifying thing on the face of the earth, but Kadin could have done a lot worse. And Sin was sitting across the table from me already tearing up. Ray was going to fucking murder me for this, and Kade wasn’t going to let me forget it. I knew I was the asshole at the table, and being an asshole was something I was good at. I grumbled under my breath and bit my lip. Ray and Sin were best friends. She always had been, and always was going to. It wasn’t just that this was something I was going to accept. It was going to have to learn to love it. Because this was for the long haul. They were going to be my fucking kid’s godparents for fuck sake. - Listen, I know I’m gonna be an asshole. I’m genetically programmed for it. And if you’re the Devil’s Mistress, I guess that just makes Kadin the Devil. -I braced myself for the coming arm punch I knew Ray was going to sling my way, and wasn’t disatisfied when it actually hit.- Ouch, Babe. God… -I whined a little as I rubbed my arm- I mean. It could be worse. I know I can actually tolerate Sin. -I tried to smile over at her. I did feel like a jerk for making her cry. It hadn’t been my intention at all, but it was my fault.- I mean… What I’m saying is… Fuck it. If you two are happy then I’m fucking happy. Ray: ^The punch was necessary. And there was going to be more than just a talk when we got home. I was not thrilled with the fact that Shaun had made Sin tear up. I knew it was a tough spot for her. I hated putting her in the position of dealing with Shaun. But there was only so much I could. Especially now that both her and Kadin had agreed to being the godparents. I just wanted to ignore what Shaun had done. I didn’t want to focus on that. I wanted everything to be okay. I wanted Sin and Kadin to just enjoy the dinner. I also knew that this was the first time they had seen each other since ComicCon. So I wanted it to be better than it was starting out.^ Look, Shaun’s an asshole. Let’s just have a good dinner. And then the two of you can go spend some time together while I deal with the asshole that is my husband. Does that work for you two? Kadin: -I could only shoot Shaun a glare across the table as he tried unsuccessfully to make up for being a complete jerk. It wasn’t enough, but I wasn’t going to let the focus of the dinner shift to him. He and I could have a talk about that later. I tightened my arm around Sin and tugged her into my side firmly, leaning in to press a kiss to her temple. I hadn’t been able to see her in far longer than I liked to admit, and I didn’t intend to sit over there and let Shaun ruin it for either of us- So, now that we’ve agreed that Shaun is an asshole, and this is probably the most serendipitous thing that’s happened to any of us… Where’s the menu? Sin: *I was thankful that everyone was diverting the conversation from what had happened. I knew Shaun felt bad. But at this point, I didn’t care. I didn’t care that he hated me. I didn’t care that he wasn’t completely on board with this. I was just happy Kadin was here. I could only cuddle deeper into his side as he pulled me against him. This was exactly what I wanted. And really, it was what I needed. I needed to be around him again. Pushing my menu towards the man next to me, I arched a brow at my best friend.* Your idea was to set the two of us up. How do you feel knowing that this is the guy that took my pictures at ComicCon? *I felt the smile creep across my face as I thought about that time. The moment I got a feel for the man sitting next to me. He was adorable in his own way, but there was still so much going on. We had been stupidly busy, and the time had just gotten away from us. It wasn’t something that I liked.* I didn’t want any pressure from you, Ray. I hope you know that. That was the only reason I kept who he was to myself. I wasn’t sure I was ready for you to turn into a bulldog about it. Ray: ^I could only nod my head at Sin’s words. I knew why she had done it. All of this was new, and I knew Kadin’s schedule was more than daunting if you weren’t used to it. And then Sin’s schedule wasn’t great. Not when it was con season. She was gone every weekend for some reason or another. I wanted to make things easier for her. There was a way that I could do it, too. And it was going to happen sooner or later. Because once the baby came, there was no way Kadin was going to want to be at our place on Friday nights. My words were soft as I gave Kadin a small smile.^ Friday nights, when the both of you are in town, are just for the two of you. Shaun will survive one night without you. The two of you need to spend some time together. No one else around. I want this relationship to work. I want the two of you to be happy. Even if it’s something my husband is dead set against. Shaun: -I knew I was being a jerk, solely based on the tone of my wife’s voice when she talked about me. And I knew I was going to hear about this for the rest of the night when we got home. I probably deserved it, but I couldn’t help it. I was going to be a grump until I got my mind wrapped around the fact that my best friend was obviously in love with the person I found most intimidating on the face of the Earth. But that was something I was going to have to deal with. It was pretty clear the two of them were in each other’s lives for better or worse here. Ray was going to be slapping the hell out of me for the rest of our lives at this rate. I could only grumble under my breath a little before I sat up. She was giving my Friday’s away, even though I knew once the baby came, my night’s weren’t going to be my own anyway. I would willingly give up any of that for Ray and the baby. They were my world. I just had to wrap my head around the fact that maybe that was the case for Kadin and Sin too. It was going to be an adjustment. But everything about growing up was an adjustment, and as much of a manchild as I could be, I knew how to adjust.- So… -drumming my fingers on the table as I glanced across at the pair across the table from my wife and I- I guess I’m gonna get to be flower girl at you two’s wedding in a year or two. That should be fun. -reaching out to take a swig of the beer in front of me as I leaned back in the booth with a long sigh before I broke out into a soft laugh- Sin: *I still didn’t know what the hell was going on with Shaun. It could have been that he was terrified of what was going on. He was becoming a father and losing his Boy in the blink of an eye, and I guess part of that was on me. With a sigh, I set my hands on the table and cleared my throat. I didn’t know how much needed to be said, but I didn’t want Shaun to feel left out anymore. I couldn’t have him feeling left out.* I’m not here to take your Boy away from you completely. Just as I would never take you and Ray away from Kadin, I will not take Kadin away from the two of you. And I know everything is changing for you, and it’s not something you’re used to. But the truth is that convention season is picking up. I’m going to be gone more often than not for a while. You’ll still have Kadin. I’m not going to demand he come with me. I’m not going to hire him for photoshoots on Friday nights just so you can’t have him. He’s your Boy, Asshole. I’m not going to take him away from you. Not when you’re still adjusting to Ray being pregnant. *Turning my head to Kadin, I gave him a small smile as well. He had to know that that speech was just as much for him as it was for Shaun. I knew the truth. The two of them were brothers. There was no other way to describe it. They were both nervous of the changes that were coming. But I wasn’t going to just rip their worlds apart. I was going to do everything I could think to do to make that adjustment just a little bit easier.* I care enough about the two of you that I won’t just come in like a wrecking ball. I know that the two of you are family to each other. Especially since Kadin has no one in the states. I’m not going to destroy what the two of you have. But I’m not going to risk what I could have with Kadin to just step back, either. Kadin: -I wasn’t certain how any of this was going to work out with Shaun being in the mood this development seemed to put him in. But it was something of a relief to see at least a tenuous peace between the two of them. I’d heard more complaints about Sin from his mouth than I could keep track of, but in all that time he’d never mentioned her name. This was something the four of us were going to have to work on, mostly the three of us working on Shaun until he came around to everything. But I didn’t intend to let any of it get in the way of Sin and I and whatever this was going to turn out to be. These two were my family in America, for all intents and purposes. There was nothing that was going to change that, but I wanted to bring someone else into the mix. I just got lucky that someone else was already halfway part of my life without me even realizing it. The fact that we were both going to be godparents to the baby of the two people I spent the most time with was sheer luck. I leaned in to press a kiss to Sin’s cheek again, adjusting quite happily to the feeling of her curled into my side. We had to find a way to make this happen more often, or at least as often as possible. I knew our lives were busy, both of us really. Between photoshoots and conventions there was very little free time, but I was willing give as much of it as I could manage. Leaning in to whisper against the shell of her ear- You know we’re going to have to spend a lot more time together now right? Since you know my friends and all. -straightening up as I shoot a grin across the table at Elle- We’re going to all get on famously as long as no one kills anyone else. Ray:: ^I could only give Kade a knowing look as he said no one got killed. He knew this wasn’t going to be the end of it. There was going to be a whole discussion when I got home with Shaun. Normally, I was level headed with him. I knew how to handle him. But things were different this time around. This wasn’t about his paranoia with Sin. This was about his best friend being happy. And he wasn’t accepting it. But for the rest of dinner, Shaun did keep his mouth closed. He played the good little husband. He tried to accept the idea of Sin in his life as a bigger influence. But the truth was that he couldn’t figure out how to accept it. There were comments that were made every so often that would make the light in Sin’s eyes dim a little. She was trying to make things better for him. He wasn’t entirely letting her do it. As soon as we were done, I told the waiter to put everything on one bill. My husband was going to be paying in more ways than one tonight. I even knew how to make him more afraid. Was I pissed at him? Extremely. There was nothing that I wanted to do more than yell at him. I wanted him to feel everything that was going through my body. But that wouldn’t get the right reaction from him. The only thing I could give him was complete calm.^ #IfYouHadADoubt

[isntthatmuchfun-blog]

If You Had A Doubt (SL with @JustCantExplain, @RoadWalkingHome, and @FlameInsideEyes)

Sin: *I still wasn’t sure about this. When I had told Ray that I’d be willing to have dinner with her, Shaun, and Butt Buddy, I didn’t think it would be this. I had instructions to dress nicely. Which only meant one thing with Rayelle Lynch. This was a set up. Since the night she had told me she was pregnant, I had told her a bit more about Kadin. But I was still hesitant about saying his name. That was still something I wanted to keep for me. That little bit of a secret that I could keep for myself. I had texted him earlier and asked what his plans were for tonight. I wanted to see him again. And I was free for the next few days. I wanted to spend time with him. But when he said he was hanging out with friends, I let the idea go. I wasn’t going to be that girl. I wasn’t going to pull him away from the people he kept close. I wasn’t stupid. Not by any means. I knew he was in the states alone. And he had a few friends that watched out for him. They were his family. There was no way I was going to come between them. That was an absolute deal breaker for me. I couldn’t come between them. I wouldn’t let him do that, either. There was no way. But as I stood outside of the restaurant, I couldn’t help but pull out my phone and send him a text. I just wanted him to know that I was thinking about him. I knew the truth. I was falling hard and fast for a guy I had only seen in person one time. But I had a million and one ideas to get him to see me. If it meant hiring him to do a shoot, I was absolutely prepared to do it. I was startled by a throat being cleared behind me. Stashing my phone in my bag, I turned with narrowed eyes to my best friend and her husband. Ray looked good for being pregnant. But the truth was that I didn’t like Shaun reading over my shoulder.* Mind your business, Asshole. Shaun: -I could only broaden the shit eating grin that had already spread across my face. I loved giving Sin a hard time. It was half of what I lived for. I had no clue what she'd been doing on her phone, but I could fucking guess by the way she reacted to me surprising her. Babe had told me she'd met someone at ComicCon, but I hadn't heard a lot about him. Babe didn't even know his name. And I knew she had half a hope of setting Kadin up with Sin tonight, but I had no idea how that was going to work. Kadin was a marshmallow and Sin was Satan’s mistress. - So we're here. Get off your phone with your new fuck buddy and let's go get a table. -I threw my arm around my wife and pulled her into my side with a laugh as I led them both into the booth that the hostess had ready for the four of us. Kadin wasn't here yet, but he'd texted me he was on the way a bit ago. I expected him any minute but I was having too much fun teasing Sin to really worry about it or even bring him up to her- So? How's things, you demented Barbie doll? Ray: ^I knew where this was going to go. I was already fed up with it. It was a problem when I get Shaun and Sin together. To him, she was the Devil’s Mistress. She always had been. And whenever I asked why, I never got a straight answer from him. It was a game he liked playing. He loved pushing her buttons. He wanted a reaction from her. And she always gave it to him. One way or another. I was irritated with Kadin, though. If he had been here, none of this would have happened. But I couldn’t be too terribly mad, though. His passion was something I was never going to take away from him. And even watching him talk about it was endearing. It was part of the reason I had wanted Kadin and Sin to get together. They both had that spark of passion. They would fascinate each other. There was no doubt in my mind. As we were seated, I turned to my husband and flicked his ear. This was not the place for him to start in on what he was doing. This was not the time for him to pick a fight. I needed Sin to be in a good mood. I wanted to pull her attention away from the guy that she met at the Con. I wanted her to be happy, and I knew Kadin could do it. She just needed to get to know him. And if Shaun started in on her, I was going to hurt him. He was going to make this worse, and I couldn’t handle worse.^ I swear to God, Man Husband. Do not act like a child. I will take the power strips from the entertainment center. And you won’t get them back until I can start drinking again. Kadin: -I was running late, but I’d been working today and things had run over. I texted Shaun and Ray to let them know I was on the way, and then I’d gotten a message from Sin. We’d been texting back and forth. She’d wanted to get together today, but of course something was up where I couldn’t go. I couldn’t back out on this dinner with these two. This was important. I needed to meet the baby’s godmother before it was actually born. I was planning on taking this seriously, even if I knew that Ray was treating this like a double date. She and I were going to be a big part of this kid’s life, even if we weren’t in the relationship that Rayelle somehow seemed to want us in. I was pretty lost on Sin, even if I hadn’t admitted it to anyone, and I wasn’t going to entertain the notion of dating someone else as long as she was around. Apparently, they’d already gotten a table without me, and I was the last person in our group walking into the restaurant. That was going to be awkward at best. The hostess pointed me at the table in the far corner where I could see Ray and Shaun facing me, and the back of the head of the person I was supposed to be meeting. I recognized her from this far off and behind. I think I’d have recognized her anywhere. Of course, the girl I was supposed to be meeting tonight was Sin. I paused a few moments to pull my phone out of my pocket and drop her a text- So, Why in the hell are you sitting at a table with those two? You can do way better. -grinning as I popped my phone back into my pocket and waited for her to turn around and notice me standing just behind the table.- Sin: *The chime of my phone went off just as I heard Shaun start calling for his boy. But I could only stare at the text for a second before whipping my head around to see the man I had been talking to for months standing just behind me. I wasn’t entirely sure what I was expecting, but this hadn’t exactly been it. I wasn’t sure why I hadn’t ever put the pieces together about Shaun and Kadin. I should have expected Ray to practically adopt Kadin, especially since he didn’t have anyone here with him. She was going to take care of him. To his face, she may have only shown a side of tolerance, but I knew the truth. She loved him. And I could understand her reasoning in wanting to set us up. Especially now that I knew who she was looking to set me up with. I couldn’t stop myself as I stood from the table and threw myself into Kadin’s arms. I wasn’t sure what we were going to tell the other two, but I needed to be there. I needed to know that he was actually standing in front of me. I needed to feel that this wasn’t a joke. My lips were against his almost instantly as I whispered softly against the scruff.* Please tell me you’re Shaun’s Best Butt Buddy. Please tell me you’re the baby’s godfather. Kadin: -I could only laugh softly against her lips as she begged me to tell her I was who she was waiting here for. My arms slipping around her waist, not caring what the other two at the table were thinking while she greeted me. I could imagine Shaun being mortified since I was right here basically making out with the girl who terrified him more than anyone else. It made sense that Ray would love her. She lived her life out loud, and so did Ray. Maybe the two of them did it differently, but the same intensity was there. It was the thing I liked about Ray and Shaun and one of the many things I found endearing about Sin- Butt Buddy, eh? I see Elle’s been talking about me. I’m going to call that a term of endearment. -Moving to rest my forehead on hers as I grinned down at her- So? What if I’m not the baby’s godfather? I’d hate to interrupt your date. -stealing another kiss as I whispered into her lips- Yes, I’m the baby’s godfather. Shaun: -I was just kind of sitting there slack jawed as the grin that had been painted on my face when I saw Kadin walking across the room melted into a shocked expression when Sin launched herself into his arms and planted a kiss on his stupid lips. I knew he’d been seeing someone for awhile, but I had no god damned clue it was her. Apparently Babe hadn’t either, but judging from the shit eating grin on her face she was loving every damned second of this. I could only sit there and open and close my mouth like a god damned fish out of water as I watched them chat until I got my brain back to functioning and I shot up from my seat.- You have got to be fucking kidding me. -I looked from them to my wife and back again- You mean to tell me that you’re just going to stand there kissing all over my wife’s best friend like surprise… we knew each other all along? Color me fucking confused here. Ray: ^I could only smile. This was going much better than I had intended. I never hid my intentions from Sin. I wouldn’t have been able to, anyway. It was a problem that came with being friends for so long. We knew each other too well. But I was surprised that Kadin had been the photographer that had shot Sin. It wasn’t his typical style, but he was good at showing all aspects of things. As the two of them sat next to each other, I couldn’t help but pinch Shaun again. Any other day, I’d be cool with his mouth. Out in public was a different story.^ Do not get us kicked out before we’ve had food. ^Turning my attention back to the couple in front of me, I narrowed my eyes playfully. The grin she gave me was the same one I had when Kadin had walked up.^ Butt Buddy is the gentleman that didn’t treat you like meat? I’m impressed, Kade. I’d have hunted you down if you tried to get up her skirt in the Leia getup. And there aren’t many people I’d go hunting for. Kadin: -I could only laugh as the two of them. Shaun had the reaction I’d have predicted in this situation, and of course half the restaurant was looking at him in that moment. He wouldn’t have cared if his wife hadn’t said anything. It was something he was used to by now considering how he usually behaved. And the grin on Elle’s face was nice to see. My feelings about tonight had been trepidatious at best before I walked into the room, and now they were melting quickly into something far more pleasant. Shaun was quickly sitting down, mumbling something under his breath about Satan and going back to studying the menu while I moved around to let Sin get back into her place inside the booth before joining her on the same side.- I’d like to think I had some sort of schooling before I got to America, Elle. They did at least teach me not to go after a girl’s knickers on the first date. -laughing and sliding an arm around the girl next to me as I tugged her closer and shot out a foot to gently kick Shaun under the table.- Sin: *The only thing I could do was curl deeper into Kadin. I was thrilled that he was the guy I was meeting. And I knew Ray was happy. The wild card was Shaun. And I wasn’t sure what his reaction was. He had this scowl on his face, and I wasn’t sure if it was because I was dating Kadin or if there was something deeper going on. But I was already tired of the attitude he was throwing off. I felt Kadin kick Shaun before I could open my mouth. But the words still tumbled from my lips as I threw my menu on the table.* You know, Shaun. I’d be glad if I were you. At least the godparents of your child get along. I mean, it could be worse. We could be at each other’s throat. I mean, unless that scowl is because you’re pissed you lost Boy to The Demented Barbie Doll. Or The Devil’s Mistress. Whichever you plan on calling me today. *I didn’t wait for a response before I picked my menu back up and focused on the words written on the paper. Shaun and I had this kind of relationship. I should have been expecting the snark to come from him. But at the same time, this was Kadin we were talking about. I figured he’d have been happy that his Boy had someone that made him happy. Part of me was hoping he’d overlook the idea that it was me Kadin was with. But I should have known better. Shielding myself from the group around me, I felt a single tear slide down my cheeks as I thought about the aura Shaun was putting off, and it finally clicked into place. No one was ever going to be good enough for Kadin. Not in Shaun’s eyes. And even if I was Ray’s best friend, I still wasn’t good enough. And that was going to be a hard pill to swallow.* Shaun: -I could tell everyone around the table was pissed off at me. It was something I was used to, but not from exactly all of these people. Ray was eternally pissed at me for not being a fan of her best friend. But Kadin’s kick under the table told me I needed to get my shit together. Sin was probably the most terrifying thing on the face of the earth, but Kadin could have done a lot worse. And Sin was sitting across the table from me already tearing up. Ray was going to fucking murder me for this, and Kade wasn’t going to let me forget it. I knew I was the asshole at the table, and being an asshole was something I was good at. I grumbled under my breath and bit my lip. Ray and Sin were best friends. She always had been, and always was going to. It wasn’t just that this was something I was going to accept. It was going to have to learn to love it. Because this was for the long haul. They were going to be my fucking kid’s godparents for fuck sake. - Listen, I know I’m gonna be an asshole. I’m genetically programmed for it. And if you’re the Devil’s Mistress, I guess that just makes Kadin the Devil. -I braced myself for the coming arm punch I knew Ray was going to sling my way, and wasn’t disatisfied when it actually hit.- Ouch, Babe. God… -I whined a little as I rubbed my arm- I mean. It could be worse. I know I can actually tolerate Sin. -I tried to smile over at her. I did feel like a jerk for making her cry. It hadn’t been my intention at all, but it was my fault.- I mean… What I’m saying is… Fuck it. If you two are happy then I’m fucking happy. Ray: ^The punch was necessary. And there was going to be more than just a talk when we got home. I was not thrilled with the fact that Shaun had made Sin tear up. I knew it was a tough spot for her. I hated putting her in the position of dealing with Shaun. But there was only so much I could. Especially now that both her and Kadin had agreed to being the godparents. I just wanted to ignore what Shaun had done. I didn’t want to focus on that. I wanted everything to be okay. I wanted Sin and Kadin to just enjoy the dinner. I also knew that this was the first time they had seen each other since ComicCon. So I wanted it to be better than it was starting out.^ Look, Shaun’s an asshole. Let’s just have a good dinner. And then the two of you can go spend some time together while I deal with the asshole that is my husband. Does that work for you two? Kadin: -I could only shoot Shaun a glare across the table as he tried unsuccessfully to make up for being a complete jerk. It wasn’t enough, but I wasn’t going to let the focus of the dinner shift to him. He and I could have a talk about that later. I tightened my arm around Sin and tugged her into my side firmly, leaning in to press a kiss to her temple. I hadn’t been able to see her in far longer than I liked to admit, and I didn’t intend to sit over there and let Shaun ruin it for either of us- So, now that we’ve agreed that Shaun is an asshole, and this is probably the most serendipitous thing that’s happened to any of us… Where’s the menu? Sin: *I was thankful that everyone was diverting the conversation from what had happened. I knew Shaun felt bad. But at this point, I didn’t care. I didn’t care that he hated me. I didn’t care that he wasn’t completely on board with this. I was just happy Kadin was here. I could only cuddle deeper into his side as he pulled me against him. This was exactly what I wanted. And really, it was what I needed. I needed to be around him again. Pushing my menu towards the man next to me, I arched a brow at my best friend.* Your idea was to set the two of us up. How do you feel knowing that this is the guy that took my pictures at ComicCon? *I felt the smile creep across my face as I thought about that time. The moment I got a feel for the man sitting next to me. He was adorable in his own way, but there was still so much going on. We had been stupidly busy, and the time had just gotten away from us. It wasn’t something that I liked.* I didn’t want any pressure from you, Ray. I hope you know that. That was the only reason I kept who he was to myself. I wasn’t sure I was ready for you to turn into a bulldog about it. Ray: ^I could only nod my head at Sin’s words. I knew why she had done it. All of this was new, and I knew Kadin’s schedule was more than daunting if you weren’t used to it. And then Sin’s schedule wasn’t great. Not when it was con season. She was gone every weekend for some reason or another. I wanted to make things easier for her. There was a way that I could do it, too. And it was going to happen sooner or later. Because once the baby came, there was no way Kadin was going to want to be at our place on Friday nights. My words were soft as I gave Kadin a small smile.^ Friday nights, when the both of you are in town, are just for the two of you. Shaun will survive one night without you. The two of you need to spend some time together. No one else around. I want this relationship to work. I want the two of you to be happy. Even if it’s something my husband is dead set against. Shaun: -I knew I was being a jerk, solely based on the tone of my wife’s voice when she talked about me. And I knew I was going to hear about this for the rest of the night when we got home. I probably deserved it, but I couldn’t help it. I was going to be a grump until I got my mind wrapped around the fact that my best friend was obviously in love with the person I found most intimidating on the face of the Earth. But that was something I was going to have to deal with. It was pretty clear the two of them were in each other’s lives for better or worse here. Ray was going to be slapping the hell out of me for the rest of our lives at this rate. I could only grumble under my breath a little before I sat up. She was giving my Friday’s away, even though I knew once the baby came, my night’s weren’t going to be my own anyway. I would willingly give up any of that for Ray and the baby. They were my world. I just had to wrap my head around the fact that maybe that was the case for Kadin and Sin too. It was going to be an adjustment. But everything about growing up was an adjustment, and as much of a manchild as I could be, I knew how to adjust.- So… -drumming my fingers on the table as I glanced across at the pair across the table from my wife and I- I guess I’m gonna get to be flower girl at you two’s wedding in a year or two. That should be fun. -reaching out to take a swig of the beer in front of me as I leaned back in the booth with a long sigh before I broke out into a soft laugh- Sin: *I still didn’t know what the hell was going on with Shaun. It could have been that he was terrified of what was going on. He was becoming a father and losing his Boy in the blink of an eye, and I guess part of that was on me. With a sigh, I set my hands on the table and cleared my throat. I didn’t know how much needed to be said, but I didn’t want Shaun to feel left out anymore. I couldn’t have him feeling left out.* I’m not here to take your Boy away from you completely. Just as I would never take you and Ray away from Kadin, I will not take Kadin away from the two of you. And I know everything is changing for you, and it’s not something you’re used to. But the truth is that convention season is picking up. I’m going to be gone more often than not for a while. You’ll still have Kadin. I’m not going to demand he come with me. I’m not going to hire him for photoshoots on Friday nights just so you can’t have him. He’s your Boy, Asshole. I’m not going to take him away from you. Not when you’re still adjusting to Ray being pregnant. *Turning my head to Kadin, I gave him a small smile as well. He had to know that that speech was just as much for him as it was for Shaun. I knew the truth. The two of them were brothers. There was no other way to describe it. They were both nervous of the changes that were coming. But I wasn’t going to just rip their worlds apart. I was going to do everything I could think to do to make that adjustment just a little bit easier.* I care enough about the two of you that I won’t just come in like a wrecking ball. I know that the two of you are family to each other. Especially since Kadin has no one in the states. I’m not going to destroy what the two of you have. But I’m not going to risk what I could have with Kadin to just step back, either. Kadin: -I wasn’t certain how any of this was going to work out with Shaun being in the mood this development seemed to put him in. But it was something of a relief to see at least a tenuous peace between the two of them. I’d heard more complaints about Sin from his mouth than I could keep track of, but in all that time he’d never mentioned her name. This was something the four of us were going to have to work on, mostly the three of us working on Shaun until he came around to everything. But I didn’t intend to let any of it get in the way of Sin and I and whatever this was going to turn out to be. These two were my family in America, for all intents and purposes. There was nothing that was going to change that, but I wanted to bring someone else into the mix. I just got lucky that someone else was already halfway part of my life without me even realizing it. The fact that we were both going to be godparents to the baby of the two people I spent the most time with was sheer luck. I leaned in to press a kiss to Sin’s cheek again, adjusting quite happily to the feeling of her curled into my side. We had to find a way to make this happen more often, or at least as often as possible. I knew our lives were busy, both of us really. Between photoshoots and conventions there was very little free time, but I was willing give as much of it as I could manage. Leaning in to whisper against the shell of her ear- You know we’re going to have to spend a lot more time together now right? Since you know my friends and all. -straightening up as I shoot a grin across the table at Elle- We’re going to all get on famously as long as no one kills anyone else. Ray:: ^I could only give Kade a knowing look as he said no one got killed. He knew this wasn’t going to be the end of it. There was going to be a whole discussion when I got home with Shaun. Normally, I was level headed with him. I knew how to handle him. But things were different this time around. This wasn’t about his paranoia with Sin. This was about his best friend being happy. And he wasn’t accepting it. But for the rest of dinner, Shaun did keep his mouth closed. He played the good little husband. He tried to accept the idea of Sin in his life as a bigger influence. But the truth was that he couldn’t figure out how to accept it. There were comments that were made every so often that would make the light in Sin’s eyes dim a little. She was trying to make things better for him. He wasn’t entirely letting her do it. As soon as we were done, I told the waiter to put everything on one bill. My husband was going to be paying in more ways than one tonight. I even knew how to make him more afraid. Was I pissed at him? Extremely. There was nothing that I wanted to do more than yell at him. I wanted him to feel everything that was going through my body. But that wouldn’t get the right reaction from him. The only thing I could give him was complete calm.^ #IfYouHadADoubt

[roadwalkinghome]

If You Had A Doubt (SL with @FlameInsideEyes @IsntThatMuchFun @JustCantExplain)

Sin: *I still wasn’t sure about this. When I had told Ray that I’d be willing to have dinner with her, Shaun, and Butt Buddy, I didn’t think it would be this.

I had instructions to dress nicely. Which only meant one thing with Rayelle Lynch. This was a set up. Since the night she had told me she was pregnant, I had told her a bit more about Kadin. But I was still hesitant about saying his name. That was still something I wanted to keep for me. That little bit of a secret that I could keep for myself.

I had texted him earlier and asked what his plans were for tonight. I wanted to see him again. And I was free for the next few days. I wanted to spend time with him. But when he said he was hanging out with friends, I let the idea go. I wasn’t going to be that girl. I wasn’t going to pull him away from the people he kept close.

I wasn’t stupid. Not by any means. I knew he was in the states alone. And he had a few friends that watched out for him. They were his family. There was no way I was going to come between them. That was an absolute deal breaker for me. I couldn’t come between them. I wouldn’t let him do that, either. There was no way.

But as I stood outside of the restaurant, I couldn’t help but pull out my phone and send him a text. I just wanted him to know that I was thinking about him. I knew the truth. I was falling hard and fast for a guy I had only seen in person one time. But I had a million and one ideas to get him to see me. If it meant hiring him to do a shoot, I was absolutely prepared to do it.

I was startled by a throat being cleared behind me. Stashing my phone in my bag, I turned with narrowed eyes to my best friend and her husband. Ray looked good for being pregnant. But the truth was that I didn’t like Shaun reading over my shoulder.* Mind your business, Asshole.

Shaun:  -I could only broaden the shit eating grin that had already spread across my face. I loved giving Sin a hard time. It was half of what I lived for. I had no clue what she'd been doing on her phone, but I could fucking guess by the way she reacted to me surprising her. Babe had told me she'd met someone at ComicCon, but I hadn't heard a lot about him. Babe didn't even know his name. And I knew she had half a hope of setting Kadin up with Sin tonight, but I had no idea how that was going to work. Kadin was a marshmallow and Sin was Satan’s mistress. - So we're here. Get off your phone with your new fuck buddy and let's go get a table.

-I threw my arm around my wife and pulled her into my side with a laugh as I led them both into the booth that the hostess had ready for the four of us.

Kadin wasn't here yet, but he'd texted me he was on the way a bit ago. I expected him any minute but I was having too much fun teasing Sin to really worry about it or even bring him up to her- So? How's things, you demented Barbie doll?

Ray: ^I knew where this was going to go. I was already fed up with it. It was a problem when I get Shaun and Sin together. To him, she was the Devil’s Mistress. She always had been. And whenever I asked why, I never got a straight answer from him. It was a game he liked playing. He loved pushing her buttons. He wanted a reaction from her. And she always gave it to him. One way or another.

I was irritated with Kadin, though. If he had been here, none of this would have happened. But I couldn’t be too terribly mad, though. His passion was something I was never going to take away from him. And even watching him talk about it was endearing. It was part of the reason I had wanted Kadin and Sin to get together. They both had that spark of passion. They would fascinate each other. There was no doubt in my mind.

As we were seated, I turned to my husband and flicked his ear. This was not the place for him to start in on what he was doing. This was not the time for him to pick a fight. I needed Sin to be in a good mood. I wanted to pull her attention away from the guy that she met at the Con. I wanted her to be happy, and I knew Kadin could do it. She just needed to get to know him. And if Shaun started in on her, I was going to hurt him. He was going to make this worse, and I couldn’t handle worse.^ I swear to God, Man Husband. Do not act like a child. I will take the power strips from the entertainment center. And you won’t get them back until I can start drinking again.

Kadin: -I was running late, but I’d been working today and things had run over. I texted Shaun and Ray to let them know I was on the way, and then I’d gotten a message from Sin. We’d been texting back and forth. She’d wanted to get together today, but of course something was up where I couldn’t go. I couldn’t back out on this dinner with these two. This was important. I needed to meet the baby’s godmother before it was actually born.

I was planning on taking this seriously, even if I knew that Ray was treating this like a double date. She and I were going to be a big part of this kid’s life, even if we weren’t in the relationship that Rayelle somehow seemed to want us in. I was pretty lost on Sin, even if I hadn’t admitted it to anyone, and I wasn’t going to entertain the notion of dating someone else as long as she was around.

Apparently, they’d already gotten a table without me, and I was the last person in our group walking into the restaurant. That was going to be awkward at best. The hostess pointed me at the table in the far corner where I could see Ray and Shaun facing me, and the back of the head of the person I was supposed to be meeting. I recognized her from this far off and behind. I think I’d have recognized her anywhere. Of course, the girl I was supposed to be meeting tonight was Sin.

I paused a few moments to pull my phone out of my pocket and drop her a text- So, Why in the hell are you sitting at a table with those two? You can do way better. -grinning as I popped my phone back into my pocket and waited for her to turn around and notice me standing just behind the table.-

Sin: *The chime of my phone went off just as I heard Shaun start calling for his boy. But I could only stare at the text for a second before whipping my head around to see the man I had been talking to for months standing just behind me. I wasn’t entirely sure what I was expecting, but this hadn’t exactly been it.

I wasn’t sure why I hadn’t ever put the pieces together about Shaun and Kadin. I should have expected Ray to practically adopt Kadin, especially since he didn’t have anyone here with him. She was going to take care of him. To his face, she may have only shown a side of tolerance, but I knew the truth. She loved him. And I could understand her reasoning in wanting to set us up. Especially now that I knew who she was looking to set me up with.

I couldn’t stop myself as I stood from the table and threw myself into Kadin’s arms. I wasn’t sure what we were going to tell the other two, but I needed to be there. I needed to know that he was actually standing in front of me. I needed to feel that this wasn’t a joke. My lips were against his almost instantly as I whispered softly against the scruff.* Please tell me you’re Shaun’s Best Butt Buddy. Please tell me you’re the baby’s godfather.

Kadin: -I could only laugh softly against her lips as she begged me to tell her I was who she was waiting here for. My arms slipping around her waist, not caring what the other two at the table were thinking while she greeted me. I could imagine Shaun being mortified since I was right here basically making out with the girl who terrified him more than anyone else.

It made sense that Ray would love her. She lived her life out loud, and so did Ray. Maybe the two of them did it differently, but the same intensity was there. It was the thing I liked about Ray and Shaun and one of the many things I found endearing about Sin- Butt Buddy, eh? I see Elle’s been talking about me. I’m going to call that a term of endearment.

-Moving to rest my forehead on hers as I grinned down at her- So? What if I’m not the baby’s godfather? I’d hate to interrupt your date. -stealing another kiss as I whispered into her lips- Yes, I’m the baby’s godfather.

Shaun: -I was just kind of sitting there slack jawed as the grin that had been painted on my face when I saw Kadin walking across the room melted into a shocked expression when Sin launched herself into his arms and planted a kiss on his stupid lips. I knew he’d been seeing someone for awhile, but I had no god damned clue it was her.  Apparently Babe hadn’t either, but judging from the shit eating grin on her face she was loving every damned second of this.

I could only sit there and open and close my mouth like a god damned fish out of water as I watched them chat until I got my brain back to functioning and I shot up from my seat.- You have got to be fucking kidding me.

-I looked from them to my wife and back again- You mean to tell me that you’re just going to stand there kissing all over my wife’s best friend like surprise… we knew each other all along? Color me fucking confused here.

Ray: ^I could only smile. This was going much better than I had intended. I never hid my intentions from Sin. I wouldn’t have been able to, anyway. It was a problem that came with being friends for so long. We knew each other too well. But I was surprised that Kadin had been the photographer that had shot Sin. It wasn’t his typical style, but he was good at showing all aspects of things.

As the two of them sat next to each other, I couldn’t help but pinch Shaun again. Any other day, I’d be cool with his mouth. Out in public was a different story.^ Do not get us kicked out before we’ve had food.

^Turning my attention back to the couple in front of me, I narrowed my eyes playfully. The grin she gave me was the same one I had when Kadin had walked up.^ Butt Buddy is the gentleman that didn’t treat you like meat? I’m impressed, Kade. I’d have hunted you down if you tried to get up her skirt in the Leia getup. And there aren’t many people I’d go hunting for.

Kadin: -I could only laugh as the two of them. Shaun had the reaction I’d have predicted in this situation, and of course half the restaurant was looking at him in that moment. He wouldn’t have cared if his wife hadn’t said anything. It was something he was used to by now considering how he usually behaved.

And the grin on Elle’s face was nice to see. My feelings about tonight had been trepidatious at best before I walked into the room, and now they were melting quickly into something far more pleasant. Shaun was quickly sitting down, mumbling something under his breath about Satan and going back to studying the menu while I moved around to let Sin get back into her place inside the booth before joining her on the same side.-

I’d like to think I had some sort of schooling before I got to America, Elle. They did at least teach me not to go after a girl’s knickers on the first date. -laughing and sliding an arm around the girl next to me as I tugged her closer and shot out a foot to gently kick Shaun under the table.-

Sin: *The only thing I could do was curl deeper into Kadin. I was thrilled that he was the guy I was meeting. And I knew Ray was happy. The wild card was Shaun. And I wasn’t sure what his reaction was. He had this scowl on his face, and I wasn’t sure if it was because I was dating Kadin or if there was something deeper going on. But I was already tired of the attitude he was throwing off.

I felt Kadin kick Shaun before I could open my mouth. But the words still tumbled from my lips as I threw my menu on the table.* You know, Shaun. I’d be glad if I were you. At least the godparents of your child get along. I mean, it could be worse. We could be at each other’s throat. I mean, unless that scowl is because you’re pissed you lost Boy to The Demented Barbie Doll. Or The Devil’s Mistress. Whichever you plan on calling me today.

*I didn’t wait for a response before I picked my menu back up and focused on the words written on the paper. Shaun and I had this kind of relationship. I should have been expecting the snark to come from him. But at the same time, this was Kadin we were talking about. I figured he’d have been happy that his Boy had someone that made him happy. Part of me was hoping he’d overlook the idea that it was me Kadin was with. But I should have known better.

Shielding myself from the group around me, I felt a single tear slide down my cheeks as I thought about the aura Shaun was putting off, and it finally clicked into place. No one was ever going to be good enough for Kadin. Not in Shaun’s eyes. And even if I was Ray’s best friend, I still wasn’t good enough. And that was going to be a hard pill to swallow.*

Shaun: -I could tell everyone around the table was pissed off at me. It was something I was used to, but not from exactly all of these people. Ray was eternally pissed at me for not being a fan of her best friend. But Kadin’s kick under the table told me I needed to get my shit together. Sin was probably the most terrifying thing on the face of the earth, but Kadin could have done a lot worse.

And Sin was sitting across the table from me already tearing up. Ray was going to fucking murder me for this, and Kade wasn’t going to let me forget it. I knew I was the asshole at the table, and being an asshole was something I was good at.

I grumbled under my breath and bit my lip. Ray and Sin were best friends. She always had been, and always was going to. It wasn’t just that this was something I was going to accept. It was going to have to learn to love it. Because this was for the long haul. They were going to be my fucking kid’s godparents for fuck sake. -

Listen, I know I’m gonna be an asshole. I’m genetically programmed for it. And if you’re the Devil’s Mistress, I guess that just makes Kadin the Devil. -I braced myself for the coming arm punch I knew Ray was going to sling my way, and wasn’t disatisfied when it actually hit.-

Ouch, Babe. God… -I whined a little as I rubbed my arm- I mean. It could be worse. I know I can actually tolerate Sin. -I tried to smile over at her. I did feel like a jerk for making her cry. It hadn’t been my intention at all, but it was my fault.- I mean… What I’m saying is… Fuck it. If you two are happy then I’m fucking happy.

Ray: ^The punch was necessary. And there was going to be more than just a talk when we got home. I was not thrilled with the fact that Shaun had made Sin tear up. I knew it was a tough spot for her. I hated putting her in the position of dealing with Shaun. But there was only so much I could. Especially now that both her and Kadin had agreed to being the godparents.

I just wanted to ignore what Shaun had done. I didn’t want to focus on that. I wanted everything to be okay. I wanted Sin and Kadin to just enjoy the dinner. I also knew that this was the first time they had seen each other since ComicCon. So I wanted it to be better than it was starting out.^ Look, Shaun’s an asshole. Let’s just have a good dinner. And then the two of you can go spend some time together while I deal with the asshole that is my husband. Does that work for you two?

Kadin: -I could only shoot Shaun a glare across the table as he tried unsuccessfully to make up for being a complete jerk. It wasn’t enough, but I wasn’t going to let the focus of the dinner shift to him. He and I could have a talk about that later.

I tightened my arm around Sin and tugged her into my side firmly, leaning in to press a kiss to her temple. I hadn’t been able to see her in far longer than I liked to admit, and I didn’t intend to sit over there and let Shaun ruin it for either of us- So, now that we’ve agreed that Shaun is an asshole, and this is probably the most serendipitous thing that’s happened to any of us… Where’s the menu?

Sin: *I was thankful that everyone was diverting the conversation from what had happened. I knew Shaun felt bad. But at this point, I didn’t care. I didn’t care that he hated me. I didn’t care that he wasn’t completely on board with this. I was just happy Kadin was here.

I could only cuddle deeper into his side as he pulled me against him. This was exactly what I wanted. And really, it was what I needed. I needed to be around him again. Pushing my menu towards the man next to me, I arched a brow at my best friend.* Your idea was to set the two of us up. How do you feel knowing that this is the guy that took my pictures at ComicCon?

*I felt the smile creep across my face as I thought about that time. The moment I got a feel for the man sitting next to me. He was adorable in his own way, but there was still so much going on. We had been stupidly busy, and the time had just gotten away from us. It wasn’t something that I liked.* I didn’t want any pressure from you, Ray. I hope you know that. That was the only reason I kept who he was to myself. I wasn’t sure I was ready for you to turn into a bulldog about it.

Ray: ^I could only nod my head at Sin’s words. I knew why she had done it. All of this was new, and I knew Kadin’s schedule was more than daunting if you weren’t used to it. And then Sin’s schedule wasn’t great. Not when it was con season. She was gone every weekend for some reason or another. I wanted to make things easier for her.

There was a way that I could do it, too. And it was going to happen sooner or later. Because once the baby came, there was no way Kadin was going to want to be at our place on Friday nights. My words were soft as I gave Kadin a small smile.^ Friday nights, when the both of you are in town, are just for the two of you. Shaun will survive one night without you. The two of you need to spend some time together. No one else around. I want this relationship to work. I want the two of you to be happy. Even if it’s something my husband is dead set against.

Shaun: -I knew I was being a jerk, solely based on the tone of my wife’s voice when she talked about me. And I knew I was going to hear about this for the rest of the night when we got home. I probably deserved it, but I couldn’t help it. I was going to be a grump until I got my mind wrapped around the fact that my best friend was obviously in love with the person I found most intimidating on the face of the Earth.

But that was something I was going to have to deal with. It was pretty clear the two of them were in each other’s lives for better or worse here. Ray was going to be slapping the hell out of me for the rest of our lives at this rate.

I could only grumble under my breath a little before I sat up. She was giving my Friday’s away, even though I knew once the baby came, my night’s weren’t going to be my own anyway. I would willingly give up any of that for Ray and the baby. They were my world. I just had to wrap my head around the fact that maybe that was the case for Kadin and Sin too. It was going to be an adjustment. But everything about growing up was an adjustment, and as much of a manchild as I could be, I knew how to adjust.-

So… -drumming my fingers on the table as I glanced across at the pair across the table from my wife and I- I guess I’m gonna get to be flower girl at you two’s wedding in a year or two. That should be fun. -reaching out to take a swig of the beer in front of me as I leaned back in the booth with a long sigh before I broke out into a soft laugh-

Sin: *I still didn’t know what the hell was going on with Shaun. It could have been that he was terrified of what was going on. He was becoming a father and losing his Boy in the blink of an eye, and I guess part of that was on me. With a sigh, I set my hands on the table and cleared my throat. I didn’t know how much needed to be said, but I didn’t want Shaun to feel left out anymore. I couldn’t have him feeling left out.*

I’m not here to take your Boy away from you completely. Just as I would never take you and Ray away from Kadin, I will not take Kadin away from the two of you. And I know everything is changing for you, and it’s not something you’re used to. But the truth is that convention season is picking up. I’m going to be gone more often than not for a while. You’ll still have Kadin. I’m not going to demand he come with me. I’m not going to hire him for photoshoots on Friday nights just so you can’t have him. He’s your Boy, Asshole. I’m not going to take him away from you. Not when you’re still adjusting to Ray being pregnant.

*Turning my head to Kadin, I gave him a small smile as well. He had to know that that speech was just as much for him as it was for Shaun. I knew the truth. The two of them were brothers. There was no other way to describe it. They were both nervous of the changes that were coming. But I wasn’t going to just rip their worlds apart. I was going to do everything I could think to do to make that adjustment just a little bit easier.*

I care enough about the two of you that I won’t just come in like a wrecking ball. I know that the two of you are family to each other. Especially since Kadin has no one in the states. I’m not going to destroy what the two of you have. But I’m not going to risk what I could have with Kadin to just step back, either.

Kadin: -I wasn’t certain how any of this was going to work out with Shaun being in the mood this development seemed to put him in.  But it was something of a relief to see at least a tenuous peace between the two of them. I’d heard more complaints about Sin from his mouth than I could keep track of, but in all that time he’d never mentioned her name. This was something the four of us were going to have to work on, mostly the three of us working on Shaun until he came around to everything. But I didn’t intend to let any of it get in the way of Sin and I and whatever this was going to turn out to be.

These two were my family in America, for all intents and purposes. There was nothing that was going to change that, but I wanted to bring someone else into the mix. I just got lucky that someone else was already halfway part of my life without me even realizing it.  The fact that we were both going to be godparents to the baby of the two people I spent the most time with was sheer luck.

I leaned in to press a kiss to Sin’s cheek again, adjusting quite happily to the feeling of her curled into my side. We had to find a way to make this happen more often, or at least as often as possible. I knew our lives were busy, both of us really. Between photoshoots and conventions there was very little free time, but I was willing give as much of it as I could manage. Leaning in to whisper against the shell of her ear- You know we’re going to have to spend a lot more time together now right? Since you know my friends and all.

-straightening up as I shoot a grin across the table at Elle- We’re going to all get on famously as long as no one kills anyone else.

Ray:: ^I could only give Kade a knowing look as he said no one got killed. He knew this wasn’t going to be the end of it. There was going to be a whole discussion when I got home with Shaun. Normally, I was level headed with him. I knew how to handle him. But things were different this time around. This wasn’t about his paranoia with Sin. This was about his best friend being happy. And he wasn’t accepting it.

But for the rest of dinner, Shaun did keep his mouth closed. He played the good little husband. He tried to accept the idea of Sin in his life as a bigger influence. But the truth was that he couldn’t figure out how to accept it. There were comments that were made every so often that would make the light in Sin’s eyes dim a little. She was trying to make things better for him. He wasn’t entirely letting her do it.

As soon as we were done, I told the waiter to put everything on one bill. My husband was going to be paying in more ways than one tonight. I even knew how to make him more afraid. Was I pissed at him? Extremely. There was nothing that I wanted to do more than yell at him. I wanted him to feel everything that was going through my body. But that wouldn’t get the right reaction from him. The only thing I could give him was complete calm.^

#IfYouHadADoubt