#and then i explained why and she took the side of joanne

[poindorkster]

I've always tried to push back against my family's small minded bigoted bullshit, and it used to suck so much more cause I would get so emotional and I would just get dismissed as crazy cause I would be so upset by the fact that they were so casually hateful and ignorant, but I've been doing it for years and I can keep my cool now and I see it as a challenge, like I'm a spy trying to manipulate them into being better, empathetic people.

But secretly falling head over heels for a transgirl will really turn that "keep your cool" mentality on its head and have you wanting to rip your sister's throat out with your own teeth in front of her children on a Thursday afternoon.

[bteezxyewriter12]

I Don't Share

Pairing- Hongjoong x Named Reader

Word count- 4k

Includes- Dom Hongjoong, oral, pussy eating, blow job, deep throating, cum eating, desk sex, missionary (sort of), cock riding, audio recording, dirty talk, multiple orgasms, fluff

Tag List- @mingtina @jaxminnie @yeosayang @delightfulmoonbanana @tannie13 @y00nzin0 @marsstarxhwa

@yeosxxx @seokwoosmole @jjongsbebe @wisejudgedragonhairdo @meowmeowminnie @woo-stars @borntowalkaway @usagionthered @san-realblkwife @seonghwasstar @jejeyeppeo @soulseobi05 @kpop-bambi @prayerofthehaim @realisticnotes @pinkies-things @insomniacatiny @stephy-nicole13 @mknae-jongho @bykeynote

Masterlists- check out for more fics

📝Masterlists 📝ATEEZ Masterlist 📝Hongjoong Masterlist

Hongjoong POV

"You know I'm not only here for your entertainment", my best friend says, rolling her eyes

"Yeah I know Jo", I say, rolling my eyes back, "I'm just stressed right now and I need your help"

"Sure you do", she snorts

I scoff, "Stop acting like you're not getting anything by helping me when you are"

She scowls knowing I'm right

"Fine"

"Good, get on the desk"

She walks over to my desk in my studio and sits on it

I wave my hand, motioning for her to move back more

She does, putting her legs on the desk

Rolling my chair forward, I push her skirt up and open her legs

"You're wet already", I snort, "Why are you fucking arguing with me?"

"Because I'm not at your beck and call Hongjoong"

I just roll my eyes, grabbing her panties and pulling them to the side

Lowering my face, I bury my tongue in her sweet cunt

"Fuck", she murmurs, her pussy already pouring delicious juice in my mouth

"Mmm baby", I groan, licking up and down, my tongue spreading her pussy lips open, making her wetter

"Feel better?", she asks, her breathing labored as flick her clit with my tongue

"Mmm a little", I answer, holding her panties so tightly in my hand, sucking her clit into my mouth and biting softly, her loud moans so pretty

I like to eat cunt when I'm stressed

Figured that out when I had a girlfriend and ate her out for hours during an album drop

The guys, I love them but they're fucking chaotic and drive me insane

It's hard being a leader to basically seven children

Any girlfriend I had knew I liked to go down on them and knew I needed it when things were stressful

Unfortunately I haven't had a girlfriend in over two years and I was desperate a few months ago

Joanne was here in the studio with me, hanging out while I worked and I snapped, asking her if I could eat her out

After her initial shock, I explained everything and told her she'd really be helping me out

It took some convincing but she agreed and now she lets me do it all the time

"Joongie", she whispers, squirming, her thighs shaking around my head as I slurp on her clit

Her clit is the best, always swollen, pulsing and so good to suck on

Anytime I can have her clit in my mouth I'll jump at the chance

Letting go of her throbbing clit, I lick up her cunt a few times, tasting her then reattaching my lips to her clit, tugging hard and fast

"Oh god, yes Joongie"

"Mmm gonna cum for me?", I ask, excited, "Gonna give me that pussy cream I love?"

"Yes! Yes!", she cries, leaning back on her hands, "Hongjoong, oh Hongjoong!"

She cums hard but I don't let go of her pretty clit, sucking her through it

Only when she finishes do I let go and drag my tongue down to her hole

"Fuck, so good", I groan, greedily licking up her cream

I was so surprised at how good her pussy tastes the first time I ate her out

From her juice to her sweet cum, she's the best cunt I've ever tasted

I'm kinda addicted to her pussy but I'll never tell her that

Circling her hole with the tip of my tongue, I lick her cream up then slowly push my tongue inside her

Her pussy clenches my tongue sending shivers of pleasure down to my hard cock

Of course I get hard while eating her out but I can ignore it until I get home and jerk off

It's a working system that I don't want to mess up

Pulling my tongue out, she whines as I lick up her cunt again

"What do you want jagi?", I tease

"Joongie", she protests

"Uh uh baby. Use your words", I laugh, "Tell me what you want"

She hurrumphs but says, "Want you to tongue fuck my hole"

"See, that wasn't so hard", I murmur, shoving my tongue up her cunt again

"Oh god", she pants

I start driving my tongue in and out of her hole, her hand sliding in my hair and holding on tightly

"Mmm, such a good little hole", I praise her, "Squeezing my tongue so hard"

"Mmm hmmm", she moans, her hips moving

"Yeah baby. You know I like when you fuck my face"

God, I live for that

Live for feeling her legs around my head, for her pussy getting pushed more in my mouth, for her pulling my hair

It's the best

Moving my hand not holding her panties, I start playing with her clit, rubbing it in circles as I fucked her cunt

"Hongjoong, oh fuck"

I chuckle into her pussy, "Look at you. Arguing with me before but all it takes is a little clit sucking and tongue fucking and you're ready to cream all over my face again"

Shoving my tongue in, I flick her clit at the same time and she screams, her pussy throbbing around my tongue as she cums in my mouth

I eagerly swallow all of her cream, reveling in her taste as I listen to her scream my name over and over

When she finishes, I run my tongue over her pussy, not intending on stopping yet

"Want another?", I ask

"Yes Joongie!", she shouts, her fingers twisting in my hair hard, sending tingles down my spine

"And here you were complaining before when you know I'm the best at eating your cunt", I tell her between licks

"Mmm hmmm... One of the best"

I pause at that

One of the best?

There's someone else who eats her cunt better than me?

Not possible

"Who else's is on par with me?", I growl

"Seonghwa", she whines

It takes a second before what she said sinks in

Seonghwa?

Did she really say fucking Seonghwa?

How?

When?

I pull out from under her skirt, staring at her in disbelief

"You let Seonghwa eat you out?", I exclaim incredulously, white hot jealousy firing in my veins

"Uh yeah. Once"

Once?

When?

Where the fuck was I?

"And he was better than me?"

"I...I didn't say that", she says

Well she didn't deny it either

"Is he better than me?", I ask, so fucking jealous

"No Joong. He's not", she answers, quietly, "He's good but not as good as you"

"What else did you do with him?", I growl

"We uh....we fucked"

I look at her in shock, trying not to blow up

I haven't even fucked her and Seonghwa did?

Where the hell does he get off touching my best friend?

Eating out my best friend, fucking my best friend?

Why can't he get his own girl, why is he trying to take mine?

"You fucked Seonghwa?", I exclaim

"Uh....yes", she says meekly

"Why?"

She blinks, "I...I don't know, it just happened"

"It just happened?", I screech, "How did it just happen? You fell on his dick?"

Her eyes widen, looking at me in pure confusion, "I...no. It happened the normal way. He kissed me and it went from there"

It went from there

He kissed her and they decided to take clothes off

I haven't even kissed her

"Did you blow him?"

Her cheeks turn red, "Yes"

"Fuck", I shout, closing my eyes and pinching the bridge of my nose

She hasn't blown me

Hasn't asked to and I never asked either

But she did all those things with my group member

Fuck

"Joong...I don't...I don't get what the big deal is"

I open my eyes, glaring, "The big deal is I haven't fucked you. You haven't blown me. But you did those things with Seonghwa. Who is not me!"

She's looking at me like I'm crazy and I can kinda get it

I know I'm blowing up at something I probably shouldn't be

But I can't help how angry and utterly jealous I am that Seonghwa was with her

It's unexplainable but right now I don't care

"You never asked to do those things", she points out

Yeah well I didn't know I wanted to do those things with her until right now

And I'm going to fix that

Grabbing her skirt, I start pulling it down

"Joong-"

"Wanna fuck you", I tell her, just wanting her out of her clothes, "Unless you don't want to and want Seonghwa instead?"

She shakes her head, "I want to Joongie, I just....I don't want you to do it because you want to compete with Seonghwa. I want you to want to"

"Oh I want to, don't worry about that", I growl, "Now let me get you out of your clothes"

She just nods and I pull her skirt off

Next off is her shirt and her bra, her big tits on display for me

Jesus, I had no idea these things were that big or they'd turn me on so much

Squeezing them once, I drag my hands down her body, tearing at her panties, ripping them off her and throwing the pieces behind me

Standing back, I gaze at my best friend, naked on my desk and I just realized how utterly gorgeous she is

And how hard I am

She reaches out for me and I move closer, letting her slide my T-shirt up and off my body

She bites her lip as her eyes move down my body, her hands following her gaze's wake

Her hands are so small and feel so good, sending zaps of fire through every cell she touches and I'm shocked I'm feeling this

Getting to my sweatpants, she pushes them and my boxers down as much as she can then I take over and get out of them

"Fuck Joongie", she says, her eyes widening at my dick, "So big"

I smirk as her hand wraps around my cock, giving me soft strokes

"So fat", she murmurs

"Want it inside you?"

Her eyes meet mine as she nods

Good

Pushing her hand off me, I move closer to her, wrapping my arms around her thighs and pulling her closer to me, to the edge of the desk

Guiding my cock to her hole, I shove in, bottoming out in one stroke

"Oh fuck! Joongie", she cries as I moan at how fucking tight she is, how hard her cunt is clenching around my cock already

"God, fuck", I groan, reveling in how warm, tight and wet she is, "You feel fucking good"

"Yyy...you too", she whimpers, "So big"

"Yeah?", I smirk, "Fills you up good?"

She nods, "So good"

Good

Holding her legs wide open, I pull my cock back, feeling how desperately her cunt clenches around me to keep me inside

Smirking, I shove my cock back in and start moving fast, fucking her tiny pussy open

"Hongjoong, oh my god", she cries, her hands gripping the edge of my desk so hard, her knuckles are white

"How's my cock doing baby? Fucking you good?", I ask, making sure my head hits her spot each time, her squeezing sending pleasure all over my body, "Splitting you open just how you like it?"

"Yes!", she cries, one of her hands gripping my wrist, her fingers digging into my skin, "Yes Joongie. More. Harder"

My god, I had no idea I would love her begging for me this much

Crave it this much

Plunging in deeply, my skin hits her hard as I fuck her, the sound so fucking erotic to listen to

And all she's doing is taking my cock and crying for more

"Gonna break this cunt", I growl, tossing my head back to fling the sweaty hair out of my face, then I look right in her eyes, "Break it and mold it so it fits perfectly around my cock and my cock only"

She whimpers, her eyes huge and wet, pleasure all over her face

I break eye contact, looking down at her pretty hole taking my cock, at her pretty swollen pussy lips petaling open for me like a flower

Watching her cream cover my cock

"Fuck, did you know your pussy creams cock like this?"

She nods, whimpering

"You knew?", I ask, the sight making me more horny

"Mmm hmmm"

"Who told you?"

"Seonghwa", she murmurs

Jealousy strikes me right in the chest and I get so fucking angry

Moving her legs around my waist, I pull her hips closer, her back laying more against the desk

I fuck her harder, wrecking her and destroying her spot on my head, her moans and cries of my name so loud

So beautiful

I need to record this

Grabbing my phone from the desk next to her, I quickly turn on the recording app and press record, leaving the phone right next to us

"I'm recording this and sending it to you", I growl, pounding into her little cunt mercilessly, sweaty pouring down my body, "You're going to keep it on your phone and anytime you think you want to fuck someone else, you're going to listen to it and hear how you moan for me. Hear how you want me"

"Yes Joongie", she moans, her hands gripping my arms hard, her legs tightening around my waist

"You'll fucking remember that if you want to be fucked, you get on my cock, understand?"

"Yes Hongjoong", she cries, pleasure all over her face, her body so pretty in the sheen of sweat

"You remember how you're creaming my cock like a waterfall, how your pussy is gorging itself on my cock, how you cum on my cock"

She nods, her eyes so fucked out and teary as she pants hard, looking at me through her sweaty hair

And it hits me right now, how utterly beautiful my best friend is

"The only cock you let inside you is mine", I demand, "If you want to cum on a cock, you use mine. If you want your pussy eaten, you use my tongue. If you want cum up your cunt like the slut I know you are, I'll give you mine and fill you up. Understand?"

She moans softly, nodding

"Look at me", I demand, grabbing her chin and holding her in place

Her wet eyes lock on mine and I lean down, "This is my pussy"

She nods, whispering, "Yours"

"You are mine"

"Yeah Joongie"

"I don't share what's mine. Ever"

"Ok Joongie"

"Good"

With that, I lean down more crashing my lips into hers in a searing, mind altering kiss that I was so not expecting

Her arms immediately move around my neck, her body pressing against mine as her tongue plays with mine

And I know, she's mine

She was always mine, I just didn't see it until now

Until I got jealous

I'm so fucking angry it took jealousy to get me to open my eyes but I'll make it up to her

Gripping her hips, I increase my speed, fucking her tight little cunt wide open, the squelching sounds of her pussy mixing with the sound of our skin slapping

I'm so fucking glad I got this on tape

I know I'm gonna be a perv and listen to it while I jerk off later

I don't care

Tangling my hand in her hair, I pull her head back, breaking the kiss, the sound of her whine such a turn on

"Uh uh jagi", I murmur, pressing a kiss to her neck, "I want you to hear how loud your pussy is for me. How utterly wet you are for my cock. Do you hear it?"

She nods, whimpering as the sound of her cunt taking my cock gets louder

"I'm recording this so you never forget how much your cunt loves my cock"

"Yes Joongie"

"Good girl. Now, you have to cum for me", I demand, thrusting in and out, slamming into her spot with my head, "Cum for me"

"Hongjoong", she screams, the next stroke sending her right into an orgasm

"Oh my fucking god", I choke out as her cunt completely crushes around my cock, cream pouring from her pussy as I fuck her through it, the pleasure so fucking intense

Her body shakes under me, her moans and screams of my name so fucking beautiful

I watch the utterly ethereal sight of her coming and I swear, I've never seen something so fucking gorgeous before

"Hongjoong, Hongjoong, Hongjoong", she repeats over and over, as she completely creams my cock

My name has never sounded so fucking good

Her body twitches as she finishes and I'm amazed that I got so much bliss from her orgasm

It just makes me want to feel that over and over

Her eyes open, looking at me with a look I can't place, her fingers running softly on my cheek

Her lips move against mine, kissing me as her arms tighten around my neck

She kisses me deeply for a minute, then slowly pulling away and I just follow her lips not wanting the kiss to end

"Joongie", she murmurs, now pressing a kiss to my neck

"Yeah jagi?"

"Wanna suck your dick"

Oh god, yes please

Definitely

"Yeah baby?", I ask teasingly

"Mmm hmm", she murmurs against my skin, "Wanna show you how good I can suck that big cock"

I smirk widely, "Ok baby. Show me"

She gently pushes me back and I pull out of her, immediately missing the warmth and tightness of her pussy

She moves off the desk, dropping to her knees and my head spins at the sight

I never thought I'd ever have my best friend in this position

But I can't deny I like it

Her hands slide up my thighs as she moves forward, her tongue licking along my cock

My mind explodes seeing that, pleasure shooting up my spine as she licks me over and over

Her tongue presses against my slit, licking up the leaking cum, a strangled moan escaping my throat

"So good Joongie", she murmurs, "Tastes yummy"

Oh my fucking god

I watch her mouth wrap around my head, soft sucks causing the pleasure to increase

"Oh jagi", I groan, sliding my hand in her hair, holding tightly on the soft strands

He hand wraps around my base, stroking me as she takes my cock deeper in her mouth

She moans on my dick, the vibrations running up and down my spine, making my brain malfunction

With each suck she takes me in, inch by inch, my cock sliding slowly in her throat

She chokes and gags for a second, her throat spasming around my dick so blissfully

Breathing in through her nose, she continues her descent down my cock, sucking like her life depends on it, her eyes watering and spit all over the place

"Mmm baby, you look so good slurping on my cock like that", I praise her through the fucking amazing pleasure, "So messy, just how I like it"

She nods, bottoming my cock out and I'm amazed that she's actually deep throating me

Not many girls could do that

She starts bobbing up and down my dick, her throat so tight around my length, the bliss intense

I can't stop the moans coming from me, my eyes on her, on my cock disappearing and reappearing in her mouth over and over

I could watch this all fucking day

Listen to the sounds her throat is making

I swear I have never been turned on like this before

I have never wanted someone as much as I want her

And as good as she is at blowing me, I need her to stop

I don't want to cum in her mouth

I want to cum in her pussy

Make her really mine

"Jagi", I murmur, running my fingers in her hair, those gorgeous brown eyes looking up at me, "Come ride me"

She nods, pulling off my cock

I help her stand, then take her hand and bring her to the couch in the corner of the studio

I lay down, my head against the armrest

She climbs in my lap, looking down at me, smiling softly

She leans down, her lips against mine, kissing me deeply, passionately

I kiss her back the same way, never feeling this way from a kiss before

And strangely, never wanting to feel this way with anyone else

When the kiss ends, she sits back up, her hand holding my dick to her entrance

She sinks down on my dick and instead of watching her hole open for me like I feel her doing, I watch her

Watch the pleasure on her face, watch her brow furrow in it, watch her bite her bottom lip, hear her soft moans as she gets me inside her

"Mmm", she whimpers, as she bottoms me out, sounding as if she's happy I'm inside her

Her hips move in a circle, grinding on me as she opens her throbbing cunt up more

"Joongie", she murmurs, starting to bounce softly on my cock

Pleasure crashes into me as I revel in the way her cunt pulses around me, the way her pussy fits perfectly around me

She leans her hands on my stomach, her palms igniting a fire against my sink where she's touching me

She rocks and grinds against my cock every time she slips back down, crying out in pleasure when my head rubs her spot

Her eyes are so wet, sobbing as she rides me harder and harder with every bounce

And I can't tear my eyes off of her, now wanting this all the time

"God, I love seeing you cry on my cock", I murmur, watching her tears fall down her face from the sheer pleasure, "Think I'm gonna need you to sob for my cock all the time now"

"Yes Joongie", she shouts, her pussy leaving a beautiful mess all over my cock

"You're so fucking beautiful jagi", I tell her, running my hands on her thighs, feeling her skin tremble against my touch

She cries my name louder and louder with each bounce, her pussy strangling my cock in a vice grip and I find myself excited for her orgasm

"Please baby", my turn to beg her now, "Please cum for me. Please, fall apart on my cock"

Her body shudders as she screams my name, dropping on my cock to the hilt, coming all over me

Ecstasy slams in my body and I can't hold it back

Holding her on my cock, I yell her name, coming deep in her orgasming pussy, feeling the utter pleasure of her milking my length

"Yes Joanne, fuck, fuck. So good baby", I whimper

"Joongie", she sobs, "Fuck, fill my pussy so good"

"Mmm hmmm", I groan, emptying everything I have, "Like it jagi?"

"Love it", she whines, "Love feeling full of you"

When we finish, I gently pull her down to me, kissing her softly, shivers running up and down my back

Keeping my arms around her, she lays down on me, her head on my chest right where my heart is, eyes closed

I run my fingers in her hair as I hold her and listen to her breathing going back to normal

She moves her hand to my chest too, and I take it in mine, bringing it to my lips, kissing her palm

"You were always mine", I say softly

Her eyes open and look up at me, emotions I haven't seen from her before in them

"I just didn't see it", I say

Now I do

Now I see that I had everything I ever needed in a girl right in front of me, in her

Now I see that she always wanted me

I saw it in her eyes, in her expressions

And I'm kicking myself for being so blind, so stupid

"Yeah", she answers quietly

"I see now jagi", I tell her, "And I want you to know, I'm yours. Just yours. If that's what you want"

She looks surprised but nods, "It is what I want Joongie"

I can't hold back a smile, "So it's settled. You're my girl"

"And you're my guy?", she asks

"Definitely"

"Ok", she smiles, it taking my breath away

"Ok baby", I smile back

She lifts her head and I tuck her hair behind her ear, then kiss her

I don't think I'm going to ever stop kissing her

It just feels so good having her lips, her tongue against mine

I fall into her kiss, my arms around her, holding her against me, knowing I'm right where I'm supposed to be

[garbinge]

Never Okay

Opie Winston x OC Joanne Teller

From these August Prompts: Blinding & For @the-slumberparty's Bingo Challenge! Bingo square: Biker A/N: This is... dark and very sad and emotional. Totally get if no one wants to read this cause it's heavy (warnings below) but the story has been in my head and I just... let words hit paper. Again, I love writing for my Teller sister OC outside of her little multi chap I have.. this is an AU to my own fic, yet again. And an AU to canon in a way.

Words: 2.6k

Warnings: Spoilers for series finale of SOA. Canon level mentions of suicide. Mentions of suicide, losing a sibling, murder, grief, angst, nightmares, tense, car/bike accidents, torment, trauma, self blame, not a happy or content ending.

SOA Taglist: @drabbles-mc @justreblogginfics

The breeze was cold and felt eerie along her skin. It was late into the night and Joanne was standing in the middle of the highway. Her head turned to get a look at what was around her, where she was. 508. She knew the road well, too well honestly. Her head looked up ahead and saw the rocks that framed the edge of the road where her father’s initials were permanently marked as well as his soul. But what was she doing here? Why was she standing in the middle of the empty highway in the middle of the night? There was no sign of how she got there, no cars, no people, just her. Her head looked down and she noticed she was in one of Opie’s t-shirts, it was practically swimming on her, her feet were bare, no socks, no shoes. Before she could question any of that, she heard the rumbling of a motorcycle. Her eyes looked up, at first, expecting Opie to be coming to pick her up, explain what the fuck was happening, but it wasn’t him. She saw the bike that was now passing those tall mountained rocks, it was teal, a Tiffany blue to be more exact, the color she had told her father to paint the bike when she was younger. She felt the joy hitch in her throat as she recognized the person on the bike, even from far away. Her father. The smile on her face grew and she took a few steps forward as if that was going to bring her closer to him. Her voice called out while her hands waved. It felt so strange calling out to her father, it was something she hadn’t done in years because, well, JT was dead. Once her mind wrapped itself around that fact, that joyous feeling sunk back into her gut and the bike suddenly turned electric blue and the figure on the bike changed too. Joanne saw her brother, no helmet, smile on his face, and hands beginning to release the handlebars of the bike. Her heart dropped and she began running towards Jax, screaming, telling him to stop, begging, crying, she was so wrapped up in getting her brother’s attention that she didn’t notice the tractor trailer behind her. Her body turned and her hands moved up to shield herself from the blinding headlights, out of instinct she turned the opposite direction but was met with the same blinding light from Jax’s bike. Impulsively she crouched down and shielded herself as both vehicles drove directly at her. She felt two hands on either one of her shoulders and a whisper in her ear that sounded just like the two deceased men in her life. “It’s okay, Jo.” They both said at the same time and the chills that moved down her arms mixed with the noise of beeping and crashing sent her straight awake.

As she sat up in bed her hand moved to her chest in an attempt to slow its rapid beating and catch her breath. It was a dream. Well, more like a nightmare. But nonetheless, it wasn’t real even though it all felt extremely real. Her eyes moved over to the other side of the bed where Opie laid sound asleep, his long hair sprawled around the pillow and his black tank top sat snug across his chest with the comforter half on and half off. His snores were light but they were enough to let Jo know her sudden jolt didn’t stir him awake. After a deep breath she moved her eyes to the nightstand, 3:30AM. She wasn’t sure the last time she could sleep through the night, it’d been months but when everynight posed its own issue preventing sleep, things began to feel like years. 

Jo stood up, one thing remained true from her dream, she was still swimming in Opie’s shirt, but she quickly threw on a pair of socks to protect her feet from the cold hardwood floors. Managing to tip toe out of their shared bedroom, she moved down the hallway and began checking in on the three bedrooms past hers. The first one which belonged to Dylan and Ellie, her daughter with an ex and Opie’s daughter, both girls were sound asleep on the bunk beds that they begged to have. Jo silently closed the door and moved onto the next room which was Kenny’s. Their only son. He was asleep as well, but not in bed. He was passed out in the bean bag that sat in the corner of the kid’s room, a video game controller in one hand and the other across his chest. He slept similarly to Opie, sprawled out with a blanket half on and half off, it made her smile before she lightly closed the door and made her way to the last bedroom. Nicolette’s. Their child together who was aging out of her crib as the days passed. The door was already open in the baby’s room, they left it that way so they could hear her cries better in case the monitor didn’t pick it up entirely. 

The baby was sound asleep as well. There was a part of Joanne that wished she was awake, needed to eat, needed to be burped or just simply wanted to be up. It’d give her something to do since she was up and had no intention of going back to sleep, it’d also give her something to push every aspect she had been going over and over in her head about the nightmare. But, she opted to let the baby sleep and make her way to the garage. 

Her hand rested on the door handle for a minute. Thinking if this was something she wanted to do or if it was just going to put her deeper in grief, deeper in depression. Ultimately, she decided to open the door and she saw the skeleton of the Teller bike and then the parts scattered on the work table against the garage wall. The Teller bike took the place of the panhead Opie had bought back when they decided to leave Charming and the club behind. She thought she had escaped the violence, escaped the torment and path of a bloody Teller life but no matter where she went, it’d follow her. 

“Can’t sleep?” Opie’s voice was soft and didn’t startle Jo one bit. That was one perk of feeling dead inside, nothing frightened her anymore. Sure, she feared for her kids but not for herself. 

“Never can.” Jo stood in the doorway, arms crossed leaned up against the frame staring at the bike that her brother crashed and died on. 

“I told you if you had an issue with me rebuilding it, I’d take it somewhere else.” Opie was now towering behind Jo, his body slightly touching her back as his arm moved up and down her arm. 

“No, I like knowing you’re close when you’re working on it.” Jo protested and melted into Opie’s grip. 

That was one thing she’d never intentionally do, take out her grief on Opie. He had his own share, between Donna and Piney and now their shared grief over Jax. She knew his shoulders were heavy with burden as well.

“You dream about him again?” Opie’s voice was soft now. 

Joanne hummed. “Both of ‘em. I feel like they’re fuckin’ talking to me.” 

“You’ve always felt that way when it came to JT.” Opie rested his head next to Jo’s as they talked. 

“It’s different now, I feel so fucking connected to Jax, JT never haunted me the way Jax’s death is.” Jo shook her head. 

“It’s still fresh. You gotta cut yourself a break.” Opie was now removing himself from Jo and stood directly next to her in the doorway, but he was facing her while she was still staring at the bike. 

“How come you’re so put together.” Jo looked over at her husband, the statement was a little aggressive, again, it was something she’d never intentionally do, didn’t mean that anger didn’t come pushing through sometimes. 

“It’s the life, babe.” Opie shook his head. It’s when Jo realized he tied his hair back into a bun compared to the sprawled out mess it was in bed when she left. 

“It’s not our life anymore.” Jo was back to staring at the bike. 

“But Jax didn’t give it up like we did. You tried, you tried to get him to come with us, but he chose the life.” 

“So that’s what allows you to accept it? Because it's the life?” Jo was trying to wrap her brain around that. 

“I was in the life, Jo. I get it. It’ll always be a part of guys like me and Jax, it makes it easier to understand.”

Was it? Was that what made it easier to understand? Those were the thoughts pinballing in Jo’s head. She was a part of the life, too. Whether she liked it or not. Maybe that was the difference, Jo didn’t exactly choose this life, it was forced on her, she was born into it. But it was the same for Jax and Opie. They all came from the parental lineage of the club. At one point though, it did become a choice. Jax and Opie became grown men and were fully accountable for their actions, their choices, their decisions. So did Jo. In different ways, that was likely where their paths forked. But somewhere along the way, Jo and Ope made the decision to get out. After all that loss the inevitability of the loss to come, it was the only thing that made sense. Jo had begged Jax to leave, begged him to take the kids and come with them but the ghost of JT haunted him in a way that it didn’t haunt her. JT might have loved the club but Jo didn’t think he loved it enough to sacrifice his kids, their well being. Jo’s argument was that was why the club was created, a way to live out a certain way of life, and time and time again, the club proved that wasn’t possible. It’s why JT wrote the manuscript, he was holding on to hope, the same hope that kept the reaper’s grip tight on Jax. Jax also had Gemma in his ear in a way that Jo didn’t. When Jo told Gemma she was packing up her and Opie’s kids and getting the hell out of Charming, Gemma gave some mumbled half assed comment before leaving and really taking it out on Opie. Everything that should have been said to Jo, was said to Opie. Gemma practically begged him to stay, for the club, for Jax. That Jo was just an old lady that needed to be put in her place, and listen to her husband. That was the breaking point of a long line of tension building between the two women. But ultimately, Gemma pulled one Teller back in. The Teller that was going to kill her. The Teller that would ultimately be the demise of Gemma Teller-Morrow. The weight of Gemma’s death didn’t weight on Jo the way everyone thought it would. She was content with it, similar in a way that Opie was with Jax. It was part of the life. Gemma knew what the life was. Through and through and chose it every time. Gemma was the reason JT was dead, whether Jo knew the gory and full truth, she had enough to place blame, Gemma was the reason Jo’s nephews were orphans, she was the reason why there was a strew of death all falling at her feet.

That’s what made Jo think more about Gemma. How she practically groomed her to become an old lady, a club girl.  How she wasn’t a good mother and maybe she could let that go for herself but she couldn’t for Jax. Maybe that’s what it all came down to. The fact that Jo tried so hard as the eldest sibling to be the parent that Jax needed while also being his older sister, while watching out for him, while seeing the good in the man and not pushing him to become something he’d never be able to come back from. But none of it worked. No matter how hard Jo tried, Gemma always won. And Jo always lost. 

So, that was why Jo had an issue blaming the life for the literal wreck in front of her. Because it wasn’t so much the life to blame but the web that Gemma spun for her own personal gain. 

“I would blame the life if he was gunned down by an enemy MC, shivved in prison, hell, even taken down on his bike. But this, Ope? This wasn’t the life. This was our life. The Teller life did this. Gemma did this–” Joanne was getting angrier as she spoke but the last sentence got stuck in her throat as she stopped short of saying what was seconds away from spilling out from her brain through her mouth. 

“You know you did everything you could, this doesn’t land on you.” Opie’s voice got serious now. He knew what she was going to say, that she was going to put the blame on herself. It was an odd position for Opie to be in, being the one trying to ground Joanne, be her support when all these years that was what she did for him. 

Joanne let out a laugh at the statement. This doesn’t land on you. Everything landed on someone in this life. 

“This all lands on me, Ope.” Jo shook her head, pushing off the door frame. “I was the only one there for him. I could’ve pulled him out. I could have prevented this. All of this.” Jo was beginning to spiral. 

“Jax was a grown man, Joanne.” Opie’s voice was soft even though the statement was firm. “Every decision he made falls on him, not me, not Gemma, not you.”

Joanne looked over at him and gave him a look. “Alright, yea, we can blame Gemma a little.” His stance softened and Jo managed to let out a laugh for the first time in a long time. 

She moved over to him and he wrapped his arms around her shoulders as she melted into his embrace. Opie’s head rested on Joanne’s as their embrace tightened. “Wendy and Nero are taking the boys horseback riding tomorrow.” Opie mumbled on Jo’s head. “Figured we could take the kids.” 

Jo let out a sigh of relief. If there was one thing that came from all of this, it was that Opie and them moved onto Nero’s farm with Wendy and the boys. It allowed Jo to be close to them, help raise them, be some type of fucked up family. 

“That sounds like a good idea.” Jo nodded her head against Opie. 

“You wanna talk about the dream?” Opie asked, bringing up their original conversation. 

“I was on 508, blinding lights from both directions. JT and Jax coming straight at me while the truck was coming from the other side. Then they whispered to me that it’s okay.” 

“Maybe it is okay.” Opie said, still hugging the girl. 

Jo wanted to respond but instead, she just kept her thought to herself.

Or maybe it never will be.

[amarantine-amirite]

Hang In There

The contest to hang onto the side of the monkey bars as long as possible lasted for 45 minutes. Each contestant had to face forward. Each contestant had to hold onto the sides of the monkey bars, not the bars themselves. their feet couldn't touch the ground. The last person hanging would be declared the winner.

Christina Montfort seriously believed she had what it took to win. After all, she loved bracing herself on the sides of the monkey bars by her arms. Kids would give her a bad time for this, and here she was, in this contest, where you had to hold onto the edges of the monkey bars.

However; when she usually hung onto the sides of the monkey bars, she wrapped her arms over the top and supported herself with her forearms because she had next to no strength in her hands. Today, she couldn't do that. Unlike the playground behind her house, the bars in front of her were much wider, and she struggled to wrap her arms around them. She barely managed to last half a minute before falling.

"This is stupid," Christina's frustration grumbled as she hit the ground.

Stephanie shook her head gently. "No, it's not," she replied, trying to encourage her friend.

"Why can't I do this?" Christina exclaimed, her arms slipping off the bars. She braced herself, trying to understand why her usual technique wasn't working here.

Stephanie placed a reassuring hand on Christina's shoulder. "This is different," she explained, her voice calm and patient. "These monkey bars are wider, and you can't wrap your arms over the top like the other ones."

Frustration still etched on her face, Christina countered, "No, it's not. It's no different from---"

"I don't know what to tell you, Chris," Stephanie interrupted. She didn't understand why Christina would keep trying a strategy that clearly didn't work.

Stephanie Moffitt had her own problems. Determined to stay upright, she struggled against the temptation to hang upside down. She lasted for about four and a half minutes before she finally gave in. Her grip slipped, and she fell clumsily on her back.

Carol Binner fared somewhat better, but not much. "Help me understand this, Jo," Carol said, furrowing her brow. "Is Christina mad at Stephanie because she can't hold onto the monkey bars from her hands?"

"I think so," Joanne responded, "It seems like Christina is angry at Stephanie because she can't grip the monkey bars like the others."

Carol's confusion deepened. "How is it Stephanie's fault that Chris has bad grip strength?" she asked, genuinely puzzled.

Joanne sighed, trying to make sense of the situation herself. "I'm not entirely sure," she admitted. A person's grip strength is their problem, and theirs alone.

Carol scoffed, "Whatever it is, I don't feel any sympathy for her." All of a sudden, she felt her left arm cease to respond to what her brain told it to do. Her left leg hung there like a big salami. "In fact, I don't feel anything on the left side of my body."

Carol dropped off the monkey bars soon after that. She hit the ground with a thud, then got up and limped off the gravel.

Stephanie looked at her as she approached the sidelines. "I'm guessing you're all right now, Carol?" she laughed. Yes, that was a terrible joke, but not totally inaccurate.

At the very back of the monkey bars, Elizabeth Justice and Joanne Wright had a conversation. "Hey, Joanne, do you see this?"

Joanne asked, "What?"

"Christina's still mad about being the first one to go."

Christina argued with the coach loud enough for everyone else to hear. "I hang off the side of the monkey bars all the time, how is it that I'm bad at this contest?"

Coach Thompson shook his head, "I saw you drop because you don't have upper body strength. You just answered your own question"

"I do have good upper body strength," Christina protested. She knew the difference between grip strength and upper body strength in general. She had upper body strength in spades, but barely any grip strength. "I just -"

"no, you don't, and if you did, you would be the first one to drop." Coach Thompson didn't seem to care.

It wasn't the only thing happening around them. Susie Waterman, another strong contender, found herself in an awkward situation. A pressing need to pee led to her dropping from the monkey bars to use the bathroom. Her feet touched the ground upon landing, disqualifying her from the contest.

Seeing Susie need the bathroom made Anna Frasier also feel the need to pee. Unlike Susie, Anna dropped from the monkey bars onto all fours and crawled towards the bathroom with her feet raised in the air to avoid breaking the "feet on the ground" rule. Unfortunately, someone walking his dog accidentally tripped over her. That ended her bid to be the last one hanging.

Elizabeth laughed. "What did Chris say this time?" Joanne asked.

"Nothing, that guy just tripped"

"Is he OK?" Joanne asked as a look of worry etched over her face.

She turned around to see what the commotion was about. From the sound of it, the guy who tripped on Anna knocked out two front teeth and busted his collarbone. Unfortunately, she no longer faced forward, leading to her disqualification.

It didn't take long for everyone to regard Elizabeth as the favorite to win, given her remarkable strength and determination. But mere minutes from the end of the contest, Elizabeth shifted her hand from the side of the monkey bars to the monkey bar itself, instantly disqualifying herself from the competition.

Beverly Lewis surprised everyone. She hung on for an impressive 42.4 minutes, securing her position as the undisputed winner of the contest.

Overjoyed, Beverly reveled in her triumph. Then she actually looked at the check. She discovered the cash prize was only $100, not the $10,000 she had anticipated.

"There's something wrong with this check," Beverly exclaimed, furrowing her brows. She had to wave her hand in front of Coach Thompson to get his attention.

Coach Thompson couldn't have cared less. "Yeah, what's the matter?" he inquired, a hint of concern in his voice.

"It's for 100 dollars," Beverly said incredulously. "You told us the cash prize was $10,000!"

The promise of a ten-thousand-dollar cash prize had been the driving force behind the girls' unwavering determination throughout the contest. The supposed reward felt like a cruel joke.

Coach Thompson's realizing the gravity of the situation and proceeded to ignore it. "That was a typo, that's why," he admitted as he stared at his phone.

"A typo?!" Beverly couldn't believe what she heard. "Then why didn't you say anything?"

Coach Thompson's demeanor hardened, his resolve strengthening in the face of Beverly's protest. "Hey, be lucky you got anything!" he snapped. He hoped Beverly would leave.

She didn't. A loud and ugly argument ensued.

Christina watched Beverly and the coach get into a shouting match about the prize money. Knowing that the prize for the contest wasn't worth the effort took the sting out of being the first one out.

@alookseeblog

[littlweirdostuffwritesworld]

Soft boy pt. 3

Summary: Where Matt is dating a girl who overwhelms him with love and care and he's not usued to it. And he's also embaressed about what he wants her to do to him

In short, he wants to be pampered

Warnings: Fluffiness, smuttiness, nipple play, fingering, oral sex (m receiving)

Flashback

He was in his dorm completely naked on the bed and feeling Elektra's eyes on him, he knew she was disgusted she felt the need to cover up and so she did with the sheets.

"You are really disgusting, do you know?" spat acid

" Why?"

"Which man moans like you do ?" laughs

"Already I try to avoid looking at your eyes and now you do that voice while I touch you?" the young man's heart broke, she thought that Elektra maybe different was not the worst.

"I just wanted to be loved" he whispered him with almost tears in his

Matt Murdock never slept with anyone from that point on. He didn't want anyone to show that weak side he had on anyone.

End flashback

Meeting Elektra again had not done him any good, after all the progress he had made in forgetting her especially his words, she came out of nowhere to hurt him especially humiliate him in front of Joanne. He was happy that the woman didn't ask any questions, but he knew it wouldn't last long.

After a night of drinking at Josie's with the rest of the group, Matt had to be accompanied by Joanne because he was so drunk, he was so drunk that he decided not to go out and watch.

"Do you know that you are very beautiful?" he sobbed as he stumbled across the streets of Hell's Kitchen, Joanne grabbed him by the hips and the man reacted.

" I want to go home"

"We are going home" she replied amused by the reaction she was also a little drunk, Matt Murdock was charismatic and attractive, she had never seen him drunk, he was almost adorable.

They finally arrived after spending about 10 minutes putting the key in the lock and entered the apartment.

"Ok now I'm going home n ..." before answering, Matt started kissing her on the back.

"Don't go go away" he whimpered him.

" Are you sure?" she realized he was avoiding her, she didn't know much about Elektra but when she asked Foggy, he said that this woman hurt her best friend a lot.

"Yes" they put on more comfortable clothes and went to bed, they were face to face, she stroked her face.

"Come on, sleep, tomorrow is Saturday we have nothing to do" she whispered, but suddenly the man jumped up.

"I don't want to sleep, I want to kiss you" he yelled, she tried to get him to lie down, after a while listened to her.

" Can I kiss you?"

"Yes" the man took her by the face, it was slow they were both tipsy and tired, all of a sudden the kiss became deeper, they broke away to catch their breath.

They did not wait a minute longer and start kissing again, their hands sought each other's body, little moans came out of their lips. Without detaching they took off their shirts, their hands did not stop their skin felt good.

"I want ..." he tried to whisper, but she touched her nipples and a strangled scream escaped his mouth. She continued to tease his nipples with her fingers as she felt under her, his member swelling under her. The air was getting hot, and the apartment was full of their voices.

"Do you like that I touch your nipples?" she asked him, but the man was writhing and whimpering, she held them tighter.

"Yes I like it a lot, but I know you find me disgusting" he cried with immense pleasure that he didn't notice that. She stopped, the man noticed what he had said.

"Why should I find you disgusting?" she asked.

"Don't you find it disgusting?" he said ashamed

"No I find it pretty sexy and it turns me on a lot", after minutes of silence Matt took courage and explained what had happened with Elektra in college.

"No I'm not her, some people maybe don't like them but she had no right to hurt you, I love you so much that I would do whatever you like" she confessed

"We can continue tomorrow"

"No let's finish it now" he said touching his nipple, rubbing the member on her leg.

"Okay" she licked his nipples and as she did so she lowered his boxers which were wet with pre cum, it was pretty big the veins were throbbing. Shee wrapped her hand around him and without touching him he was almost about to cum it had been a long time since no one had given him a blowjob.

"Don't be impatient" she said, before starting to lick the cap, her tongue was swirling all over his cock, it was a little salty but finally she took it all down her throat continuing even if she continued to take it all.

"Joanne ... mmh"

She noticed that her panties were soaking wet and began to touch her clit, while she went back and forth with her head on the cock she put two fingers and started fingering her pussy.

"Jo ..... I'm about to ...." Matt announced they were both at their limits, and finally he came directly into her throat and took it all, after a while she came too, threw herself on top of him and gave him little kisses on the face.

"You were wonderful, I love you," he said, catching his breath.

"I love you too, please talk to me about everything" she said clinging to him

" I promise" he panted with a stupid smile on his face.

Okay guys this is my first smut, as I said before have patience if you don't understand or there are grammatical errors

[missinglittlebritishfriend]

UPDATE 1: Episodes 1-4

Honestly I never expected to actually check any of these bingo squares but here we are. Thanks @aleksandrachaev and @justanalto for helping and screaming with me! :)

I'll explain why I checked those squares and give some predictions, let's gooo

They get a fucking break

There is a time jump between seasons 3 and 4. Saru mentions spending 5 months on Kaminar. I don’t remember exactly what the discovery was doing, but the crew looked so happy??? They were delivering dilithium, having fun in missions and flirting on the bridge (pls give me more jola I’m begging you writers). They must've had enough time to process the events of last season. Also no one was going to therapy yet, so all that counts as a break, right? right?!?!!

Grudge is Actually A Queen

We all knew this but, even if she doesn't rule anything (other than our hearts), the cool butterfly people also said she's a monarch. That's enough for me :))

Emily played us all (about jola subtext)

Omfg where do I even start, I've been screaming about this for weeks-

In DST London, Emily said they were playing jola like a romance. Emily and Oyin have been doing lots of character work since season 1 with those side looks, basically deciding that they are dating or have a very strong friendship. She also said that, even if they are just friends, “there's definitely sex involved” or something like that. [incoherent gay screaming]

BUT THEN, in an interview for Trek Central, she said that they are each other’s rocks and each other’s families, and that she looks to her as a best friend and as a sister. She could be talking about Joann or about Oyin, idk it’s confusing. I just want them to kiss 😭

Michael has another mom

Okay okay let me expLAIN

In episode 3, Choose to Live, Michael asks her mother who J’Vini is to her to know who she’s dealing with. Gabrielle says J’Vini found her when she arrived to the future and took care of her. The line “I was once her lost cause” makes it sound like a romance, so… Michael might have another mom? 👀 idk it's kinda gay

They save another endangered alien species

Also in episode 3, J’Vini is trying to save the aliens in cocoons from grave robbers because their biomatter has high concentrations of latinum. She explains that they are called Abronians and that they are the last of their kind. So yeah, they saved another endangered alien species!

Saru/President of Ni'var (T'Rina, I finally learned her name lmao)

I’ll admit this is the only bingo square I thought could happen in season 4, but I didn’t expect it to be sO FAST. Also Michael SHIPS IT kjdshfkjds. That tension and those looks??? “Will you join me for tea?” Yeah, tea, of course. It’s like what I want from jola lmao (I still have hope). What do y’all think about it? Is there a ship name?

Looking forward, which other squares could be checked in future episodes? I have some theories:

Reno is in one (1) episode: Jett Reno will be back for episode 5 and I really hope it’s not the only one, but it’s a possibility.

Someone gets high again: At least one person has gotten high every season: Tilly in season 1, Stamets and Reno in season 2, and Michael in season 3. This season could be no exception. Michael’s log mentions that the Qwowat Milat has days-long sessions drinking hallucinogenic tea (??) and that she wants to share it with her mom (???). Normal mother-daughter bonging activities, amirite?

I cri: Tilly leaving did make me cry because I can relate a lot to her situation, but it didn’t make me cry while I was watching the episode. I have no doubts the show will find other ways to destroy me though.

Unsanctioned missions, mutiny and getting demoted are also possible, but I lack evidence and reasons for them to happen rn, so let’s wait and see.

Do you have any ideas, theories or other bingo cards? What would your free space be? Let me know what you think! :D

[shinygemstone]

Was browsing TikTok and I found this

(repost of a repost, enter tiktok shit)

So now I'm writing a drabble. Enjoy Raine being a boss ass bitch.

Raine did not know where the portal came from, just that Emperor Belos wanted them to check it out. They poked their head through, and paused.

The other side was some kind of shop, filled wall to wall with bottles of various fluids. Raine examined them. It appeared they were in some kind of shop.

"It doesn't look dangerous." They muttered, glancing back at Darius and Terra.

"Then go through and investigate!!" Terra told them.

They took a deep breath and approached the shopkeep.

"Hello, my name is Raine. I've, uh, been sent to investigate that portal over there." They explained, signaling to the portal. The shopkeep- who appeared to be a woman in her fifties or so- squinted.

"Right, Raine, I'm Joanne. The portal is one of my experiments gone wrong. But more importantly, are you a boy or a girl?" She asked. Raine chuckled nervously.

"I'm... I'm nonbinary? My pronouns are they/them." They explained. Joanne began to laugh. Raine narrowed their eyes. "What's so funny?"

"They/them? Nonbinary? A woman your age should know better than to delude herself with such misogynistic ideals-"

"Excuse me, but I am not a woman. I am not a man. I am nonbinary, and you will respect me as such." Raine insisted. Joanne shook her head.

"So you're a man trying to enter women's spaces? Disgusting. The town of Hogsmeade will know what to do with you." She stated, drawing some kind of training wand from her skirt.

In an instant, Raine summoned their instrument and sent a pulse of magic at Joanne.

"I'm not putting up with this. In the name of Emperor Belos and on pain of death by myself and all the other transgender people on the boiling isles, you have a day to close the portal. Then, you'll have to put up with all of us." They warned. Joanne scoffed.

"And how will you accomplish that?" She questioned. Raine played another note, making every bit of glass in the room shatter.

"I am Raine Whispers, head of the bard coven. I have my ways. Do you really want to find out what I'm capable of, Joanne?" They sneered. Joanne flinched back.

"Fine." She muttered. Raine stalked back to the portal.

"Why, sprout, I dare say you handled yourself quite well over there. That show was rather fitting for a coven head." Terra noted. Darius scoffed.

"We could barely restrain ourselves from strangling that disgusting woman. Hopefully she'll fix the problem and we'll never have to see her again." He added.

"Agreed." Raine laughed.

[wiypt-writes]

Riding High

Ch14: True Perfection Has To Be Imperfect

Chapter Summary: Frank gets the keys to the new apartment and the renovations start. Everything seems to be going so well for them all, until Fliss gets some news that rocks the very foundations they’ve been building.

Chapter Warnings: Bad Language words.

Chapter Pairings:  Frank Adler x OFC Fliss Gallagher

 A/N: As always, if you like and enjoy please comment and Re-Blog. I’d love to hear your thoughts and questions!

Disclaimer: This is a pure work of fiction and classified as 18+. Please respect this and do not read if you are underage. I do not own any characters in this series bar Fliss Gallagher and the other OCs. By reading beyond this point you understand and accept the terms of this disclaimer.

Riding High Masterlist // Main Masterlist

Chapter 13

 It’s your time, it’s your day, it’s never too late, to change lanes.

Frank could tell something was off the minute he pulled onto the yard. The usual chatter that rang out was absent and there just seemed a general air about the place that he couldn't identify. But it wasn't long before he found out why.

"Fliss is on the floor!" Mary’s voice loud with worry as she pointed into the paddock. Frank glanced over as he shut the door to his truck and felt himself grow cold. He broke into a jog, heading towards the fence and let out a sigh of relief when he saw she was moving.

“Wait here…” he instructed Mary before, with a flourish, he vaulted over the side of the paddock and jogged across the riding paddock.

 “What happened?” he asked.

 “Oh, hey Sailor!” Fliss grinned up at him, where she lay flat on her back, Thor led by her side, head on her thigh. “Just had a fall but everything’s working, just giving myself a minute to get my breath and what not.” “Nothing broken.” Joanne looked at Frank from where she knelt by Fliss, the reins to the big, black horse in her hands

Frank knelt down next to Fliss and looked at her as she reached out and gently ran her hand down his forearm. “How d’ya fall off?” “Oh Bronson got confused at the jump, was trying to dodge out to the right. I corrected him and he kind of took off, twisted mid-air and I got unseated.” she explained.

 “It was a pretty good show of acrobatics.” Joanne nodded in agreement.

 Thor gave a little whine and his head moved, his eyes looking up at Fliss who scratched his ear.

 “I’m ok, mate.” she said softly. “I’m good.”

 "This wouldn't happen on a boat ya know" Frank teased gently and she looked up at him, quirking an eyebrow as she propped herself up on her elbows.

 "Boats are boring...nothing like having a half tonne animal between your legs" she replied, causing him and Joanne to smirk.

“You’re terrible.” Joanne shook her head as Fliss simply grinned.

 “Okay, I’m good to go." Fliss sat up fully. Frank got up off his knees and held out his hand, gently pulling her to her feet. She dusted herself off and then turned to take Bronson's reins off Joanne.

 "Can you give me a leg up?" She asked and Frank felt his heart stop

 "You cannot be serious!" He spluttered back.

 "What?"

 “You’re getting back on?”

 “Yeah.” Fliss looked at Frank as if he was stupid “I’m not hurt, not really, just gonna ache like hell for a few days. It’s the same as riding a bike, you don’t stop if you fall off!” “It’s a little different to riding-“

“Besides,” she spoke over him, “he’ll be unsettled and if I don’t get on and end the session well it’s gonna be in his mind, and mine for that matter, for next time and it’ll just be a nightmare so…”

Frank knew there was no point in arguing with her. Instead he held his hands up and backed away as Joanne boosted her up.

“What happened?” Mary asked as he reached the paddock fence she was now perched sideways on, her legs hanging either side.

 “She fell off.” Frank answered simply. “She’s okay though. She’s back on.” They watched as Fliss gently walked the horse round before picking up trot, then canter and then turned him straight for the jump. Frank grimaced slightly but he needn’t have bothered, the horse cleared the fence and Fliss gently slowed him down, patting him.

 “Fucking crazy.” Frank mumbled to himself, shaking his head.

Whilst Fliss wasn’t seriously injured, she was certainly feeling the effects later on that night. Frank had called Verity, despite Fliss’ protests that she was fine, who had dropped round to Frank’s with some painkillers that were slightly stronger than your average ones. Fliss had taken two before dinner and as a result had started feeling a little bit woozy and light headed, commenting to Frank that it felt like she’d been smoking something funny. After diverting Mary’s questions on what that meant, they’d watched a bit of TV until Fliss announced she was thirsty.

 “I’ll get it.” Frank made to move but she stopped him.

 “I’m fine.” she sat up with a grimace, grabbing at her notoriously bad shoulder.

 “Baby, just-“ “Frank, stop it!” she said a little sternly. “I’ve fallen off more horses than you’ve had women.” “Wow.” he looked at her, and she snorted.

“I just mean it ain’t the first time and it sure as hell won’t be the last, kinda comes with the territory. I’m just gonna a bit bruised.”

 “Fine” he relented, and she pushed herself up off the sofa and walked slowly into the kitchen.

 A moment later he heard her groan “Fraaaaaaank.” “What?”

 “The soda’s on the top shelf. I can’t stretch my arm.” “What’s that? You do need my help?” “Stop being a dick.” she shot back, and with a wink at Mary who was laughing, he stood up and headed into the kitchen.

Not long after that they all ended up heading to bed. Frank knew that tomorrow was going to be a long day as he was getting the keys to the new apartment in the morning and they were starting the work straight away, Bill already scheduled to come and help. He’d booked as much time as he dared off work over the next week, given that he hadn’t been working there all that long but thankfully his Team Leader had been very understanding and Bill had said he’d take over on the days Frank had to be in.

Fliss stretched out, hissing at the bite of pain that coursed through her side and shoulder, the noise she made caused Thor to immediately spring up on the bed, nuzzling his face into Fliss' causing her to wince a little as he basically led over her like a huge teddy bear.

"Careful, buddy." Frank gently chastised the dog, reaching over to scratch his ears. He knew the animal was incredibly tuned into Fliss’ feelings, as were Cap and Heidi, the two horses she owned. It was something that genuinely amazed him and, if he was honest, made him smile a lot.

"Stupid soft git." Fliss muttered fondly, as Thor lay his head on her chest, teetering on the edge of the mattress, precariously, until a few seconds later he rolled and toppled off causing them both to giggle. The German shepherd shook himself off, shot them a scathing look, before he headed to his bed and flopped down with a loud huff.

"He didn't like it when you were on the floor before." Frank said softly, as she moved tenderly to lay her head on his chest. His hand reached round to card through her hair and down the side of her neck.

"No he never has." Fliss said gently "Ever since I got him he's been like that. He would always be the one that would lay by me, lick my face after...." she trailed off, the sentence didn’t need completing.  "He would growl something rotten at John when he started, but it was Loki that went for him in the end. That's why John killed him"

Frank stiffened, his hand stilling on the crown of her head, not quite sure he had heard right. "He killed your dog?" he repeated, questioningly.

"Yeah." Fliss swallowed. “He said he had bought him as a guard dog for the property not for me." She sniffed a little. "He poisoned him"

 "Oh, Lissy, I..." Frank sighed and she gently tangled her hand in the hair on his chest.

"I know."

 They lay still for a moment, her hand tracing shapes on his skin before she suddenly blurted out.

 "How do you do it? How do you make being with you so fucking easy?"

 "What?" Frank frowned.

 "This...I mean...you're kind, gentle, smart, funny, considerate. You know I’d half convinced myself you were gonna be crap in the sack to compensate it all but..." she shook her head. "I don’t get it."

"You don't get it because you spent almost four years living with a cunt who treat you like shit"  Frank said simply, anger flooding his system. “Lissy, I’m not perfect, far from it. I’m stubborn, opinionated, shit with words, I’m really untidy as you’ve noticed and, well, up until meeting you my longest relationship in the last ten years lasted for six months.” He shook his head. “All I do is treat you how you should be treated, with love and respect. Don’t put me on a fucking pedestal for being normal.”

She tilted her head and looked at him for a second, as Frank took a breath. That outburst had been a little uncalled for and harsher in tone than he’d meant, but he wanted her to understand that their relationship was normal. The way he treat her was normal. He was uncomfortable with this idea that she thought he was something special because he didn’t abuse her or hit her.

“I’m sorry I just…” he felt her stiffen besides him and he let out a soft sigh.

“No, I’m sorry I didn’t mean to sound so abrupt.” He gently pulled her closer and nuzzled his face into her hair, kissing her head “You’re worthy of everything I said as a bare minimum. It’s not me being some kind of saint.”

“Can I put you on a pedestal for being gorgeous?” she asked after a moment’s pause and Frank snorted, shaking his head. “Well you are.” She protested at his response. There was another pause, until she broke the silence once more. “I do get it you know. Maybe I do appreciate you more because you’re not like him but, is that so wrong?”

“I’m not saying that, we’re together, we should appreciate each other.” he pressed. “I’m just telling you I’m not flawless.” “I know that.” she shrugged “Neither of us are. But isn’t that what makes this so perfect? It is because it isn’t. Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without”

“Confucius.” Frank raised an eyebrow at her, a small smile on his face as she looked up at him once more. Her eyes flashed and she grinned at him “How very philosophical.”

 She laughed “We’ll you’d know all about that, Professor.”

“Okay, here’s another one of his.” Frank grinned back. “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall…”

“See, I told you I was right to get back on Bronson.” she quipped and at that Frank laughed.

******

Fliss woke the next morning to Frank gently kissing her cheek, softly running his hand over her hair.

“Morning Sweetheart.” he placed a mug of coffee on the side as she blinked and looked at him “How you feeling?” “Fucking sore.” she groaned. “What time is it?” “Half eight. I just packed Mary off on the bus.” “Half eight?” she sat up suddenly, immediately regretting it and winced once more. “Fuck, my alarm”

“Yeah I turned it off. Think the last batch of painkillers you took at three am wiped you out.” he sat on the edge of the bed as she shuffled up. She made to reach for her drink and let out a little huff of pain so Frank stopped her and handed it to her.

“Thanks.” She smiled. “I’ll ease off when I start to move about.”

“Well, don’t rush about.” He instructed as she took a drink of her coffee, before he saw her face fall.

“Oh, shit. I have a lesson to give at ten in St Pete’s…” she frowned, and Frank could she she was starting to worry so he gently reached out, tucking her wild auburn locks behind her ear.

“Just chill.” He shushed her. “Joanne called before.” He nodded to her phone “I answered and told her I didn’t know if you were gonna be in but she said she’d open up and reschedule your morning appointments. Then you can see how you feel this afternoon.”

For a moment he thought she was going to flip out at him effectively making a decision like that for her but after a second or two pause she gave a grateful smile and sat back against the pillows.

“Thank you.”

“Take your time, your mom and dad will be here in a bit. Then we’re gonna get the keys and start on the apartment.” Fliss grinned as she took another drink of coffee.“You excited?” “Yeah, yeah I am.” He said, honestly. “Just wanna get it all started and then we can move in.” She smiled and he stood up. “Your mom’s bringing breakfast, said something about her boys not being able to work on an empty stomach.” He arched a brow. “Her boys?” Fliss smirked over her mug. “You really have got her wrapped around your finger.” He chuckled “Well what can I say, I’m a likeable guy…” “Hmmm you’re something I’ll give you that.” she quipped, and he laughed, placing a kiss on her cheek before heading back out of the room.

It wasn’t long before Fliss’ parents arrived and they ate breakfast, Verity fussing over Fliss who kept assuring her and her dad that they were fine. Once they’d eaten, Bill and Frank headed over to meet his new landlord and after he handed over the keys, they got to work. For their first task they shut the utilities off and ripped out the bathroom, which wasn’t too big a job seeing as half of the damned suite was smashed up anyway. Once that was done they moved into the living room and tossed out the tatty old furniture that had been left before doing their first run to the local dump. Then they moved onto ripping up the carpet in the living room.

“Shit!” Bill spluttered as a cloud of dust rose up from where they had wrenched the offending item free from the tacks. Frank blinked, backing up slightly, before he stood up, arm across his mouth. “Didn’t think it would be that bad.”

Bill rose to his feet and they both moved away, Frank picking up a bottle of water that was on the side and rinsing his face with it. He tossed it to Bill who did the same, the pair of them looking at one another before snorting a laugh each, and shaking their heads.

“And I thought this would be the easy bit.” Bill wiped his face. “Was less hassle ripping out the bathroom.”

 It took them an hour or so to cut the carpet into easily manageable pieces, rip it up, and toss it into the back of their trucks. By now it was scorching outside, and also inside as the air con wasn’t on seeing as they had no power. This meant both men were dripping with sweat and Frank couldn’t remember ever feeling so damned warm or grubby in his entire life.

 By lunch time they’d pretty much cleared the lot. Carpets, broken light fittings, broken kitchen doors and also the old washing machine. Grabbing another bottle of water, Frank stood outside the apartment, hand on his hips and smiled at Bill who gave him a pat on the shoulder.

“Good job, son.” he nodded. “It’s a blank canvas now. Dave will be here soon with the new bathroom, shouldn’t take us too long to plumb it all in, connections are already there. We can start the tiling tomorrow.”

Frank smiled and grabbed his T-shirt at the bottom, lifting it up to wipe at his face and as he did so he heard a sharp wolf whistle. When he emerged from his shirt he grinned and looked at Fliss who was slowly walking towards them with Verity, Thor following behind, both women carried familiar paper bags.

Frank made his way over and she stopped, where as Verity carried on, quite tactfully towards Bill and Fliss grinned.

“Hey.” she greeted him as he leaned down to give her a kiss and she wrinkled her face. “Gross, you’re all filthy and sweaty and…” She trailed off, her eyes glinting as her voice dropped slightly and she ran a hand up his arm to his shoulder “Actually…” “Behave.” he raised his eyebrow at her.

“Don’t wanna.” she pouted.

 He shook his head and nodded to the bag. “You bring me lunch, Honey?”

 “You need to keep your strength up.” She winked. “Mom drove us to Subway.” “I love you Verity!” Frank called as he fished out his Turkey sub and she grinned at him.

The four of them settled down where they could, Fliss sitting on the steps, Frank by her feet on the lawn and Bill and Verity perched on the tail of Bill’s truck. They ate together, Fliss telling Frank she’d postponed her teaching now until Monday to allow herself time to heal a little, which he was secretly pleased about. It wasn’t long after they had finished lunch that the new bathroom turned up the women left them to it.

Frank and Bill worked well together and between the two of them they had it fit in little under two hours and Bill connected the water back up to test it. When it worked properly Frank gave a nod of satisfaction and smiled. The suite was an off white colour, nice and with a modern large bath. It might have been second hand but you couldn’t tell, and Frank liked it.

“Not bad for a day’s work.” Bill smiled. “The tiling shouldn’t take too long tomorrow and then, well, it’s just a case of decorating and a new carpet.” At that point the two men heard footsteps and looked up to see Mary bounding in, followed by Fliss and Verity.

“Hey Stack.” Frank greeted her as she looked around. “Whaddya think so far?” Mary nodded appreciatively. “Least it has a toilet.” The adults laughed and Frank nodded “Yeah, I mean we can move in now.” “What?” she frowned “There’s no carpet in the living room!”

 “I was being sarcastic.” Frank replied and she narrowed her eyes at him.

 “Roberta says sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.”

“Well, she’d know.” he shrugged.

 “Am I staying there tonight?” She questioned Frank.

“It’s up to you.” he replied “We’re not going out are we, Honey?”

Fliss shook her head “No way, I ache too much, but I was thinking we could BBQ maybe? All of us?” “Ooooh, yeah!” Mary nodded, agreeably “Then Roberta can come too.” Frank shrugged “Yeah, I’m ok with that.” “Mum, Dad?” Fliss asked.

 Verity and Bill exchanged looks and Bill nodded. “I need to nip home and shower first but…” “No need.” Fliss shook her head. “We swung by and picked you a spare change up. You can shower at Frank’s.” “Oh can I?” Bill looked at her. She grinned back in response as Bill turned to Frank “That okay? You know, seeing as it’s your place, not hers.” Fliss stuck her tongue out at her father whilst Frank simply shrugged.

“She acts like she owns the damned place when she’s there anyway so it might as well be.” he teased and she glared at him, digging him in the ribs.

 “Shut up”

*****

The next ten days consisted much in the same vein. Frank had to work on the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday but Bill took over the painting for him, and then on the Friday, a week after they had started, they fit the new carpets. The Saturday they spent fixing on the new kitchen doors and plumbing in the washing machine and on Sunday morning Frank fit the final touches, screwing in the new light fittings and then it was done.

That afternoon, Frank and Fliss stood in the middle of the living room admiring the finished article. It smelt of new carpet and wet paint, a smell Frank had grown immune to having been breathing it in for god knows how long.

 “It looks great.” Fliss smiled, taking the fresh, light grey walls, darker grey carpet which was complemented by the brushed steel modern light fittings.

 “Yeah, not a bad job.” Frank grinned. “We can start moving the stuff over tomorrow.” At that point Mary barrelled in from the hallway and beamed “My room looks awesome, Fliss, come see!” She gushed. Fliss allowed Mary to pull her out of the living room and followed her down the hall to the room on the right. It was a good sized bedroom, and it was freshly painted in light blue, a colour Mary had chosen herself.

 “Frank says I’m getting a new cabin bed soon with a desk underneath and I’m gonna put it against that wall.” She rambled on. “And on that wall I’m gonna stick my shells and there I’m gonna have my shelves for my books and a TV…” Frank leaned in the doorway watching as Mary pointed everything out to Fliss, his face curling into a smile. He’d never thought something so simple as having her own room would make the girl so damned happy.

 “…and Fred can have his own basket, although he never sleeps in them anyway…” Mary was continuing and Fliss looked up and caught Frank’s eye. He smiled at her gently and she beamed back.  “…and I can put my photos here…”  Mary finished “What do you think?” “I think it sounds amazing, Stack.” Fliss said, smiling at her “I can’t wait to see it all finished.” “Okay.” Frank pushed himself up straight from the door frame “Let’s go grab your stuff Stack and head over to find out what V’s made for dinner.” “I hope it’s beef.” Mary said, skipping out “Her Sunday beef is the best.” “It’s chicken.” Fliss whispered as Frank laughed, dropping an arm round her shoulders as they made their way outside. He locked the door and they headed back to the apartment, Mary collecting her stuff. Once Frank had checked she had everything she needed he tossed it into the truck and turned to Fliss.

“I’ve been thinking.” he said, as Mary climbed into the seat.

“Sounds dangerous.” Frank rolled his eyes “I know we said we weren’t gonna move in together yet, but, well, how about you bring some stuff over once I’ve got all the bedroom furniture and then that way you don’t need to pack a bag when you come stay.” Fliss smiled at him. “A sensible suggestion.” she agreed, her arms sliding around his neck.

“It has been known.” He grinned, his hands dropping to her hips as he leaned down to kiss her. They both jumped as the horn on the truck sounded and Mary leaned across the seats.

“Come on, stop kissing, I’m hungry.” “How about we ditch her on the side of the road?” Frank spoke loudly to Fliss and Mary scoffed.

“Stop making empty threats, Frank.” she sing songed.

Frank looked at Fliss who burst out laughing “You have no idea how damned similar the pair of you are.” She smiled with a shake of her head. *******

 It was almost a fortnight later when Mary casually told Frank she had reached her decision about Evelyn. It was a Friday and she had been at University for two classes that morning, and was heading to normal school for the rest of the afternoon. Part of the reason that Frank worked late on a Tuesday was so that he could be flexible when it came to things like this and could pop out for an hour or so to go and pick her up when he needed to.

He greeted her in the hallway as always and she slipped her little hand into his as they walked back outside and over to his truck. She glanced in the paper bag which contained her lunch he had bought her from the deli near the boat store, a treat he liked to get her every Friday now he could happily afford it without worrying and she grinned.

 “Save it for when you get to School. Otherwise everyone else will be eating and you won’t.” She folded the top of the paper bag over and grinned at him as he eased his way up the freeway.

“You drive like an old lady.” she grinned and Frank took a deep breath, a smirk on his face. That was a comment Fliss had made to him on numerous occasions, one which he normally retorted back with some reference to her driving like a maniac.

“It's Florida. I'm blending in.” He said simply to Mary, smile still playing on his lips. She side-eyed him for a moment, in a way that made her look ridiculously like Diane, even though he knew, again, that was a habit she’d picked up from Fliss. Or Roberta for that matter. Frank had a feeling that as Mary grew up she was going to be a perfect candidate for the whole nature v nurture debate…

“I talked to Fliss last night.” Mary said.

“I know, you stole the phone off me when she called and ran off to your room.”

“Yeah, why didn’t she stay with us last night?” “It’s Thursday, she never stays on a Thursday. You know this. She had paper work to do.” Mary fell silent.

“What were you going to say?” Frank gently pressed her.

“Huh?” “You said you talked to Fliss. Was that all you wanted to tell me or…” “Oh, no.” Mary replied “I asked her about whether I should see Evelyn.”

Frank took a deep breath, his face remaining passive “Right, so what did she say?” “The same as you. That it was my decision and whatever I wanted everyone would understand and be okay with it and that no one would be mad…”

“Of course no one will be mad.” Frank looked at her. “Evelyn is your grandmother, and it’s your decision if you wanna see her. Not mine, not the courts, not anybody’s but yours. And no one, not even me, is gonna be upset about what you decide, you got that?” “I know. And I’ve made up my mind.” “Yeah?” She nodded “I want to see her.” “Okay.” Frank licked his lips. Truth be told he wasn’t sure how he felt about this but he meant what he said. It was up to Mary and at least now he would have some control over the access. “If you’re sure then I’ll call her on Monday and we’ll make some arrangements.” “Maybe she can come here, see our new place.” “Maybe.” Frank nodded, although he had a feeling that hell freezing over would be more likely.

There was a moment’s silence as both of them were lost in their own thoughts. Frank stole a glance at his niece as she sat looking out of the window, chewing her lip and he decided to move her away from the subject as he turned off the main road.

“How was school?”

“Fun.” Mary nodded. “Not like regular school fun. But interesting.”

Fun. Regular. Two words Frank had craved for Mary all her damned life, and it made him smile to hear her so full of life, so happy, so settled.

Mary’s attention flickered from him to the seat next to her and she moved her lunch bag to look at it.

“What is this book?” she asked, picking it up and flicking it open.

“Discourse on Method.” Frank said, giving her the title of his latest read “Rene Descartes.”

“What's it about?” she pressed.

“Existence.”

“Existence?”

“Yup. I think, therefore I am” he said, a small smile on his face.

“Well, of course you are. That's obvious.” Marry rolled her eyes and Frank supressed a snort. Everything was so logical in her little brain, there was an innocence to it all that he loved.

“I think about Fred, therefore, I am Fred.” she continued.

“Cogito ergo Fred?” Frank teased looking at her.

“He's a dude and he's a guy,” Mary grinned, “and he only has one eye.”

Frank let out a chuckle as Mary tipped her head back and continued in a loud, ridiculous voice.

“Fred! Fred! Fred! Freeeeddddyyyy, Fred, Fred!”

Frank laughed began to slow down, pulling up by the school.

“All right, here we are.” He glanced over and saw Mary was fiddling with her belt and opening the door. “Hey, wait till I come to a stop…” he started to protest.

“Then come to a stop already!” Without so much as a glance back she grabbed her lunch and shot over to the playground which was brimming with other kids. He watched, a small smile playing on his face as she made her way over, dropping her lunch to the floor and throwing herself into a game. Something that he would never have believed possible back in September when she’d first started. But here she was, almost seven months later, like she’d been there all her life. His attention flicked to Bonnie as the woman shot him a friendly wave and a nod, which he returned before he set off back to work before someone called the cops on him for sitting outside a school staring at a yard full of kids.

****

As he was winding up at work for the day, Jake called him, an impromptu guys night out was being organised for that night as Jake had a ‘pass out’, his words not Frank’s. Frank hesitated for a moment, he hadn’t planned anything with Fliss as such, but it was Friday, their night…

“Oh come on!” Jake snorted as Frank rolled his eyes. “Don’t tell me Frank Adler is hesitating over a night out!”

“No, it’s not that…” Frank protested “We’ve just had a really busy fortnight and…” “Man you’re whipped. Already. What is this? Like month five and you’re already in the-”

“I’m not whipped, I just like spending time with my girl, what’s wrong with that?”

“Dude come on!”

“Okay, okay.” Frank sighed. “What time?” “Eight at Fergs, and if you don’t show I’m gonna come round your gaff and drag you out myself.”

Frank shook his head and cut the call before he dialled Fliss.

“Hey, Sailor.” She greeted. “I was just thinking about you.”

“About me or that thing I did to you on Wednesday night?” he grinned and she snorted.

“No, about you. Although now I’m thinking about that thing.”

Frank chuckled. “So what were you thinking about?”

“Oh, erm, tonight. Thought we could grab a pizza and head up to the marina for a walk, maybe grab a beer.”

“Erm, yeah.” He sighed. Shit.

“We don’t have to.” She responded, clearly reading his voice tone. “It was just an idea.”

“No, I do, I just….” He took a deep breath. “Well, Jake called, said the guys are going for beers and it’s been a while since we all got together so I was…” “Frank…” Fliss laughed softly “You don’t need to justify yourself. If you wanna go out, go out.” “You don’t mind?”

“Why would I mind?”

“Well, Fridays are kinda our night.”

“I know but, well it’s not as much of a big thing now Mary has her own room, we kinda get our own nights a bit more often.” “Ok, fair point.” he smiled and she laughed.

“Maybe I can wait for you at yours? I can go to Roberta’s for a little while with Mary.” “You don’t have to ask.” Frank smiled softly “You can stay whenever you want, you know that.”

“Well, that’s settled then.” she replied, before someone shouted to her and she retorted before coming back to Frank “Sorry baby, I gotta go but I’ll see you later.” “Ok, love you.” “You too…”

***** After Frank headed out, Fliss wandered down to Roberta’s with a bottle of wine and after more loud hairbrush-karaoke, Roberta had cracked open the Bourbon and the two women had sat on the stoop until just gone eleven when Fliss had headed back. Throwing on one of Frank’s T-shirts she crawled into the king sized bed (an excellent purchase decision that she had talked him into) and snuggled down into the new blankets (another excellent purchase decision), Thor jumping up and taking his position by her feet.

She can’t have been asleep long when she woke as Thor gave a low whine and jumped off the bed, nudging the door open and heading out into the hallway.

Then she heard a thud, followed by cursing.

“Shit. Who put that there?” She heard Frank groan, then he started laughing “Thor! Get down!”

There was more laughing, and protests which Fliss listened to for a moment, before she swung her legs out of bed and headed down the short hallway. She quickly checked the front door as she walked past to make sure he’d locked it behind him, and then headed into the living room to find Frank led on the floor as Thor basically jumped all over him, licking his face and wagging his tail.

“Some guard dog you are.” Frank laughed again as he attempted to push the dog off him.

“Good job you’re not a burglar then.” Fliss spoke, causing Frank to look up, grinning stupidly at her “Mind you, the amount of noise you’re making you’d be a pretty shit one…”

“Heeey…” he grinned, as Thor finally moved off him and he pushed himself to his feet. “There you are!”

“Here I am.” Fliss nodded, and she couldn’t help but smile at the look on his face. He was beaming at her, a stark contrast to how John was when he used to come home drunk, but then that was Frank all over, a completely different person, and she knew that.

“There you are, my girl.” He stopped in front of her, his hands falling to her hips. “C’mere…”

“Ok, someone had a good night.” She grinned as he placed a sloppy kiss on her lips.

“Yeah, it was.” He nodded and then he suddenly looked around “So the bedroom moved.” he turned back to her and whispered conspiratorially. “It’s not where it usually is...”

“No, you moved.” She laughed. “You moved apartments, remember?”

“Oh yeah.” He nodded, before he looked down at her, taking in her bare legs “Is that my T-shirt?”

“Yes.” “Take it off, thief.” “Okay, let’s get you to bed.” Fliss patted his chest.

“Yeah?” He arched his eyebrow grinning.

“To sleep.”

“No sleep.” He pouted, dropping his head to gently nuzzle at her neck. “Wanna give you some lovin’...”

“Yeah and how are you gonna do that when you’re too drunk to take your pants off?” Fliss laughed as she led him down the hallway.

“You can take em off…” He said as he stopped in the bedroom, looking round.

“Oh I can, can I?” She asked as he kicked off his sneakers.

“Yes…” he nodded as he sat on the bed. “I’ll allow it.”

“You'll allow it?” Fliss deadpanned as he started to undo the buttons on his shirt. Eventually he gave up and reached back, grabbing it behind his neck and with a tug pulled it over his head, tossing it to the side. He reached out to Fliss, pulling her close to him, his arms wrapping around her back as he looked up at her.

“I will allow it, but only because I love you.”

“Ok so let me get this straight.” Fliss chuckled as she ran her hand through his hair. “You're gonna let me take your pants off because you love me?”

 “Yeah.” He nodded.

 “I'm so lucky…” She snorted

 “Hey, I’m a catch…” Frank let go of her and flopped back on the bed.

 “I never said otherwise.” she grinned, moving to take his belt off.

“Ah ha ha see, you do wanna get in my pants.” “I want to get you in bed, so help me out here hot-shot.” With a grin Frank raised his hips and she tugged down his jeans, dropping them by the side of the bed.

“Come on…” she patted the pillows and Frank shifted, moving the right way onto the bed and after a bit of a battle with the covers he’d settled himself down, one arm thrown over his head as he watched Fliss who gently turned off the lamp and settled down next to him. Shifting onto his side, his hand gently ran up her thigh, resting on her hip underneath his T-shirt.

 “I love you.” He said softly, and she smiled and kissed the tip of his nose.

“I love you too.” she smiled “Even when you’re being a drunken idiot.” “I’m not drunk.” “Course not.” “Okay, maybe just a little bit.” he conceded after a moment. “But I do love you.” “I believe you.”

“So much, you know what? One day, I’m gonna marry you.”

 “Oh, are you?” Fliss asked, running her hand through his hair.

 “Yup, and then we’re gonna make little Franks and Flisses and…” he stopped as Fliss’ laughter filled the room. “Why are you laughing?” he asked her, his tone indignant “You don’t wanna marry me and make babies?”

 “Not after us being together for like less than 6 months.” she laughed.

 “Well that’s just rude…” he mumbled, dropping his head forward so it fell to her chest.

He stayed still for a moment, mumbling something else as Fliss continued to run her hands through her hair, and it wasn’t long before his soft snores told her he was asleep. With a fond smile she dropped a kiss to his head and closed her eyes.

*****

Fliss took great delight the next morning in telling Frank exactly how much shit he’d been talking when he came home, including telling her that he wanted to marry her and make babies. He’d groaned and banged his head on the table as he sat nursing a coffee, instantly regretting that as his head was pounding as it was. Thankfully, Mary had gone with Fliss to the yard and spent most of the day there leaving him to suffer in peace, firing abuse to the Circle Of Trust What’s-app group, his only slight consolation being they all seemed to be suffering just as much as he was.

He collapsed into bed on the Saturday at just gone ten pm and slept straight through to eight the next morning when he was woken by Fliss softly kissing him awake. He knew what she wanted, and happily obliged and once they were both spent and slightly sweaty from a particularly energetic sex session, they both showered and after a breakfast of Waffles and fruit, spent the rest of the morning browsing the IKEA website for a bed for Mary. They then headed over to Bill and Verity’s for the usual dinner before they’d all collapsed in bed at Fliss’ after watching a film together.

 Monday morning brought the usual routine, shower, breakfast, kiss Fliss goodbye, drop Mary at school, head to work, check the list of active jobs for the week, start one of said active jobs, pause for a mid-morning snack from the coffee shop, resume work. All standard stuff, so it was a little surprising when the routine of the day was broken.

“Frank?”

Frank popped his head up from the deck of the boat where he’d been working on the steering column and looked at Fliss who was stood in the open entrance to the workshop.

“Hey…” he smiled, “What are you doing here? Not that I’m not happy to see you but…”

Because he was, he was always happy to see her, he was simply surprised as they hadn’t arranged to meet for lunch like they sometimes did if she was teaching over this way. He stood up and reached for a cloth to wipe his hands on before he climbed down from the boat and as he noticed the look on her face he frowned.

“Baby, what’s the matter?”

 “I err…I got a call and I’m sorry, I didn’t know what to do and I just needed to see you and…”

 “Hey, hey.” he soothed, his hands on her arms “Calm down.”

She took a deep breath as Frank glanced over to Paul, his co-worker and nodded his head to signal he was heading outside. Paul waved him away and Frank dropped an arm round Fliss’ shoulder and steered her outside into the sun and out of the view of everyone.

 “What’s wrong?” he asked her and she nodded, taking a deep breath. He could see she’d been crying and he searched her eyes with his own as she looked at him.

 “I got a phone call…from the Victim Assistance Services.” Her eyes were wide “John’s been granted the right to a Parole hearing. They’ve set the date for 23rd May, six weeks.” Frank took a deep breath, concentrating on keeping calm despite the fact he could quite happily have kicked something there and then.

 “I don’t know why I’m so shocked.” Fliss continued “I mean I always knew this would happen, but hearing that he’s finally got a date...” she looked at Frank “If he’s successful, then he could be out by the end of June and…”

“Honey, just because he’s been given the right to a hearing, doesn’t necessarily mean he’s going to get out.” “The woman on the phone said that there’s a better chance that it will be refused if I appeal. But if I want to do that then I’ll have to either go in person or do a written or recorded statement and I don’t know if I can…” A tear fell from her eye and Frank gently wrapped her arms around her, pulling her to him. “I stood in a courtroom last time, telling them exactly what he did to me, about how he beat me and degraded me, only to be told I that I was a liar, and that I liked it rough, that I egged him on and… I can’t….I can’t do that again Frank…”

 She was rambling into his chest and he could do nothing but pull her close and drop a kiss to her head.

“No one’s gonna make you do anything you don’t wanna.” he pulled away slightly, cupping her face in her hands.

“They’re sending me a letter.” she said “Explaining my rights and stuff in more detail.” “Want me to call Greg?” He asked, a sudden inspiration coming to him. “I know he’s a Family lawyer now but he did do some time with this type of thing a while back, if you’re happy to speak to him I’m sure he’ll be more than willing to help…”

 “I don’t know if I can.” she sniffed. “I don’t know if want him knowing every detail, I mean even you don’t know it all…” “I know.” he agreed. “And you don’t have to tell him anything to start off with, just ask his advice.” 

She sniffed gently, and looked at him. “I have to tell you don’t I?” She said softly, “All of it?”

Frank hesitated. He wasn’t sure he wanted to know, but if this was going the way it looked like it was going to go, he would find out sooner or later, and, as he looked at Fliss, he knew that no matter how hard it was, how shitty it was going to be to open up fully, she would need to do that herself to keep some control over the situation.

“You don’t have to do anything. But if you decide you want to, then I’ll listen.” 

He dropped a kiss to her head and pulled her back to him, gently rocking her to-and-fro as he squinted out over the harbour. 

**** Chapter 15

[beyscape]

The Intern - 4

Andy Barber x Reader

Summary: Being Andy’s intern meant you got to spend more time by his side more than anyone. This was fine, however, until feelings got in the way and made things complicated

Warnings: swearing, age gap relationship, implied sex, technically cheating

Word Count: 3754

A/N Contains spoilers from episodes 1-6! 9 Crimes by Damien Rice kept coming up in my shuffled playlist when I was writing this, thought that was interesting,,

Ch.1   Ch.2   Ch.3   Ch.4   Ch.5

  The room was quiet. The only sounds were coming from the man laying beside you, and even those were rare. You watched the dark blue shade of the sky grow lighter as the sun rose slowly, not daring to move out of the fear of disturbing your lover beside you. You knew how hard it was for him to get a good night’s sleep. You felt his fingers twitch slightly from where they lay on your waist.

  The sneaking around was proving to be harder than you both had thought. Well, you hadn’t really thought about the technicalities of this whole thing, but still. Ever since that night you had first shared such an intimate moment in the hotel, both you and Andy had decided it was too hard of a task to keep away. That meant, almost every night since then, Andy found a way to sneak out of his bed and into yours. He came when everyone was fast asleep, when there was nothing but the moon and the stars to hold witness, and left with the first rays of sun. You knew it was all borrowed time, only a couple of hours bliss, and it was coming to an end already as the sun blinked lazily. Andy’s slow and steady breathing was warm on your shoulder, you felt a small kiss placed right under your shoulder blade.

  You shifted from where you lay, now facing him. His hand remained on your waist, holding you close. His blue eyes were still halfway closed, eyelids heavy with sleep. The tips of your fingers traced his cheek gently, Andy smiled at the touch. He was slowly getting used to the affection he once forgot the feeling of, it kept him grounded. Sane. In a time when everything felt so out of control and so wrong, he was glad to have found his anchor. His safe haven. He pulled you closer.

“Andy,” you whispered, your eyes searching his face, savoring every last detail like you did every morning.

“I know.” He sighed, well knowing he had little time before having to leave the warm bed and go back to his equally cold house.

In the next twenty minutes he was up and dressed, and disappeared into the beginning day after kissing you one last time. It was never easy; your heart would ache and protest every time you had to go back to merely being ex-colleagues. Your only consultation was knowing you would be able to throw yourself into his arms when the night fell.

You slept for what felt like only five minutes after Andy left, and would have slept more had it not been for the shrill ringing of your handphone form the night stand. You blindly reached an arm out, refusing to open your eyes, and brought the phone to your ear.

“Neal? Yeah I was sleeping,” you shot up, fully awake as Neal gave you the news, “Alright I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

You pulled on your clothes and grabbed your stuff with a practiced speed, well aware that you had no moment to waste if you were to make it to work with minimal scolding. You also had a pit stop to make before that. Soon enough you were in front of the bright red door of the Barber house, trying to gather up the courage to knock. You had been in the house before, when you helped Andy with carrying some files, but that was before getting romantically involved.

“Y/N?” someone called, sounding out of breath, you looked up and met the person you were trying to avoid. Well, not really trying as you stood right in front of her house, but you were hoping she would be on her jog. Laurie, much to your dismay, returned from her jog in that same moment.

“Laurie, hi!” you stammered, somehow managing to smile. You tried not to look at the wedding ring on her hand, or think about how her husband was in your bed just a couple of hours ago.

“It’s been a while,” she weakly smiled at you and you didn’t blame the woman, “is Andy not home?”

“Oh, I haven’t knocked yet. I was afraid I’d wake you guys up.” It wasn’t entirely a lie. “I have something I need to talk to him about.”

“Is it about Jacob’s case?” Laurie’s eyes widened.

You bit your lip. “I don’t know yet, that’s why I need to talk to Andy first.” Laurie nodded, and ushered you in.

“Andy,” she called, “we have a guest.” Laurie turned to you; expression grim as she tried to give you another smile. “I’ll be upstairs, I need a shower.”

“Who came at this hour—” Andy appeared on the stairs, and stopped. “Y/N.” His gaze flickered between you and Laurie. You swallowed.

“Well, I’ll leave you guys to it.” Laurie left, barely even looking at Andy. A breath you didn’t know you were holding escaped your lips. Andy lead you to the kitchen wordlessly.

“What are you doing here?” He finally asked, satisfied with the distance. Relief washed over you as you noted the tone of his question, he wasn’t angry. Instead, he seemed almost concerned.

“I’m sorry for coming like this, I wasn’t sure what you’d say.” Your words were barely above a whisper. He immediately shook his head.

“I know you wouldn’t without a good reason.” His gaze looked over you.

“We have Ben’s phone. Neal just called me, and I have to go to the courthouse as soon as I can. He’s probably gonna try and keep it hushed, so I figured you should know.” You breathed out; chest heavy. Andy’s eyebrows raised, thinking.

“Thank you so much for telling me,” he muttered, looking over his shoulder before his fingers grazed yours slightly, not daring to do more.

“Just, wait for like a day, alright? It’ll look suspicious if you go and request to see the evidence so soon. He can’t know it was me.”

“I know, baby girl,” he said quietly, “I’ll give the tall bastard a day to gloat before coming in with Joanne.” Jacob barreled in just then, coming to a halt upon seeing you. He didn’t say anything if he noticed the way you and Andy jumped back when he came in.

“Y/N, hi.” He greeted you with a small smile, “are you staying for breakfast?”

“Hi Jacob. I was just actually leaving. Had something to discuss with your dad.” You gave him an apologetic smile before turning to Andy. You nodded, not really meeting his eyes. he did the same. You dashed out of the house with a quick goodbye to Jacob, it was too hard to stand there and look at Andy while his son was right next to him and his wife upstairs. You rested your head on the steering wheel for a moment, before driving off to work; you were already late.

 ------------

Andy kept his word and gave you and Neal one day with the phone before telling Joanne what he knew. You were at the courthouse with Neal the next day, looking into some other evidence for another case when you finally left Duffy’s office and saw Andy at the end of the hall. You froze as your eyes met. Yu couldn’t read anything form his expression, he looked like he was marching into war as Joanne said something to him. His gaze flickered to yours just for a split second and you almost saw his determination falter. Almost.

“Mr. Barber has every right to be here, Neal.” Joanne spoke before turning to you, “Y/N.” she gave you a smile.

“Hi Joanne.” You smiled at the older woman.

“Well technically I could argue that he doesn’t since he’s a possible witness in the case but I’m letting it slide.” Neal retorted, a smirk appearing on his face as he took Andy in.

“What a mensch.”

“You’re not going in there with us if that’s what you think was gonna happen.” Andy finally addressed Neal; his voice was hard. You just prayed Neal wouldn’t provoke Andy too much.

“Of course not, I already examined the cellphone. I was up here for something else. We do have other cases, right Y/N?”

“Goodbye Neal. And next time you want to conceal evidence from us, don’t.” Joanne nodded before her and Andy moved on. You were just about to breathe in relief when Neal spoke again.

“Oh, I have been meaning to ask,” his voice called, “how’s your father, Andy?” You didn’t need to see Neal’s face to know he was smirking; you suck in a sharp breath.

Andy turned. “What did you say?” If only looks could kill, Neal would drop dead; your gaze darted between Andy and Neal.

“I asked about your father. How’s he doing? You know, I knew criminal law was a passion of yours but I had no idea it was the family business.” Andy, who was slowly walking back to where you and Neal stood, slammed him to the wall by the collar of his suit. Duffy was already making her way towards you, but you were closer.

“You think this is a joke? Do you?” Andy’s voice trembled with anger as you put a hand on his arm, pulling.

“Andy! Stop.” You managed to push the two men apart with the help of Duffy, your hand lingering on his arm as you stared at Andy’s face, twisted with fury.

“Shit.” He stormed off, you followed without knowing what you were doing. All you knew was, Andy was upset and you wanted to be by him.

“Don’t lecture me about concealing things,” Neal shot from the hall, not done with the baiting, “I will say this, it explains a lot, Andy, about you, about your son.” You cursed as his words were successful in getting a raise out of Andy, he made a move towards him.

“Andy,” you stopped him, your hand on his chest, as everyone moved closer. Ready to break apart a fight.

Andy’s burning eyes calmed as he looked at you. You dropped your hand when you felt the stare of everyone else.

“Fuck,” Andy moved out of your reach, frustrated as he breathed hard.

Neal cleared his throat. “Y/N.” He ordered, snapping your attention back to him. You ran out, dizzy, adrenaline still pumping wildly in your veins. You spared one last worried look at Andy’s figure, noting his balled fists with a troubled heart. However, in the moment you were lost in your feelings for Andy, you missed the strange look Neal gave you.

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

 You immediately knew something was wrong when Andy came over that night, his regular gentle kisses leaving their place for rougher ones. His roaming hands gripped tightly, desperately as the layers between you were thrown away. A part of you wanted to ask, to comfort him, but desire was stronger and was quick to shut your mind to all but Andy’s burning touches.

“I’m just trying to look out for him,” he murmured into your hair later, telling you of the night’s events. Your head lay on his chest, one leg thrown over his, a light blue sheet was draped over the two of you.

Your fingers idly drew shapes on his chest. “He knows, deep down. I’m sure.”

“I hate yelling at him.”

You raised your head, holding yourself up with the support of your elbow. His blue eyes were weary under the pale light of the moon, they fluttered shut as your hand laid on his cheek. He leaned into the touch. You placed a kiss on his temple, right between his brows where the  worry lines seemed to make a home for themselves.

“Andy,” his eyes opened slowly, “I wish I could find a way to end this all. I hate seeing you like this.”

He sighed, but a small smile formed on his lips nonetheless. “You have no idea how much you help me, do you? You are the one thing that keeps me sane these days, baby girl.” You kissed his cheek at that, his beard slightly tickling. His cellphone rang then, earning a groan from Andy.

“Who the fuck calls this late?” he hissed, his expression souring as he saw the word ‘unknown’ flash on the screen. He sat up in the bed, listening intently; you ran a hand over his strong back, trying to surpass a smile. Andy Barber was one handsome man, sometimes you found it hard to believe he really was here, in your bed. He ended the call.

“I’m so sorry sweetheart, but I gotta go.” He stumbled out of bed, his moves fast, almost panicky.

“Is everything alright?” You sat up as well, not wanting him to leave when you already had so little time together.

He pulled on his pants. “Yeah, I think,” his eyes searched for his shirt, “this might be good news, I gotta go talk to this kid.” You threw him the shirt he was looking for.

“Call me later, then.” You sigh, nothing you could do or say would change his mind once it was set.

“I will.” He kissed you once, twice, “go back to sleep.” You nodded. Just like that, he was gone. It took some time for sleep to coax you back into its arms, but when it did, you were still thinking of the warmth of his hands as they explored every inch of your body.

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

Your morning of dealing with Neal and working on the mountain of paperwork was interrupted when Lynn, your boss, called you and Neal to her office. Possible important development, she said, in the case of Ben Rifkin. You shot a confused glance at Neal, who shrugged before following Lynn.

A moment after you were seated detective Duffy strode in, with two people you didn’t recognize in tow. Then came Joanne and Andy, who shot you a quick, apologetic look. He hadn’t called, but you didn’t blame him with everything going on. Your attention turned to the fidgety boy. He started speaking once everyone was seated.

As Matt told his encounter with Patz, Neal grew more annoyed by the word, on the other hand you could see Andy’s hidden hope. This could potentially lead to linking Patz to the crime, getting Jacob off the hook. You tried to not show your own relief. Maybe things would look up for the first time in a while.

Neal tried to dismiss the boy’s story once they left with Duffy, but Lynn wouldn’t let it go so easily. After a moment of consideration, she finally agreed for a search warrant,  much to Neal’s dismay. He scoffed before leaving, your eyes found Andy’s before following Neal out of the room. Your phone buzzed in your pocket.

It was from Andy. “Meet me in the file room 2” the text read. You sat at your desk, eyeing Lynn walk out Joanne and Andy. Joanne smiled at you as she passed, Andy barely looking, he leaned and whispered something to the older woman. She nodded and patted his arm.

You waited for another moment, making sure everyone else was busy with their own works, before grabbing some files from your desk. If anyone tried to ask any questions, this way you hoped to avoid them. With the rhythmical click of your heels, you made your way down the hall, took the stairs, and found the file room 2. You quickly slipped through the door, shutting it behind you.

The room was small, walls lined with shelf after shelf, all of them had boxes filled with old case files. In the middle of the room, Andy stood with his hands on his hips, his back turned to the door. His head snapped to your direction with the sound of the door. He exhaled, seeing that it was you. A soft smile broke on his handsome face, illuminated by the dim yellow light of the room. You tossed the files in your hands on top of a box, running into his open arms. A quite laughter of disbelief escaped him, shaking his chest as your head rested on the crook of his neck.

“Finally,” he spoke after a moment, “there has to be something, right?”

You nodded, “The guy’s shady for sure, there has to be something in the apartment.” You pulled back a little, just enough to see. There was hope twinkling in his eyes, such a beautiful sight, you let out a happy sigh. He leaned in slightly, his gaze fallen on your lips. The door flew open, revealing a tall figure on the doorway.

Neal.

You and Andy flew apart instinctively, your heart pounding in your chest. You looked at Neal in horror, as his eyes drifted between you and Andy. He smirked.

“Well, what do we have here? Mr.-I’m-morally-superior Andy Barber, fucking the intern.” He sneered.

“Neal—”

“Be careful, Neal.” Andy took a step forward, fists clenched, “It’s none of your business.”

“Oh, I think it’s my business alright. Murder suspect, coming from a broken home, you know how it’s gonna look in front of the jury.” He raised an eyebrow, his eyes roaming over you. “I can’t fire you, but you’re off the case of Ben Rifkin. Conflict of interest, when you’re screwing the dad of our prime suspect.” He shrugged, turning to Andy. A cold smirk still playing on his lips. “And here people were feeling bad for your family. Does your wife know you’re running behind her back with a pretty young thing between your arms?”

Andy moved towards the tall man with fire in his eyes, fists drawn back and ready to punch, you stepped in front of him. Beating Neal would only make things worse for everyone. Neal scoffed.

“Listen to your little mistress.” He looked around the room. “Honestly, with the way you two are so carless, I’m surprised this isn’t the talk of the town. I don’t even have to say a word, you’ll probably handle getting caught yourselves.” Neal laughed, a bitter sound to your ears.

“Keep your fucking mouth shut, Neal, or I’ll shut it for you.” Andy spit, his eyes focused on the guy behind you. You kept your hands on his arm, firm. Neal looked at both of you for a second.

“I won’t say anything, for now.” You turned to him then, surprised. Neal continued. “But you both know that I know. And personally, I’m sick of your attitude, Andy. I’d like to see you squirm a little.” He laughed again, placing his hands in his pockets before turning around and leaving.

“Fuck,” Andy breathed, “God dammit.” He kicked one of the shelves, shaking the boxes of files. The shaking of your hands and the swaying of your head kept you in place. You looked at each other with matching expressions.

“We’ll figure it out,” he said after his breathing calmed down a little, “I’ll go there now and talk to him—”

“Andy.” You closed your eyes, steadying yourself before your next words. “It won’t change anything. You know Neal as well as I do. Better, even.” Your mind running a thousand miles per second, you tried. Tried to figure out a way out of this hole you had dug yourselves into, tried to find the right words, tried to breathe… All three proved to be more difficult than you wished for.

“Shit, Andy, what if he’s right?” You opened your eyes to look at him, his frozen face not helping the tears stinging in your eyes. “You’re married for fuck’s sake, and everything with Jake… You’re upset and I, I should have known better.” You choked on your words, barely managing to get them out. It was one thing to be with a married man, that was always looming over you, but if your little affair ended up hurting Jacob’s case… that was a fact you hadn’t considered.

“Baby girl,” And shook his head, not wanting to hear it. He stepped towards you, grabbing your arms. “No. If you’re blaming yourself,” he gulped, his gaze burning into yours, “you can’t. Okay? I wanted this, if anyone’s responsible, it’s me. And, fuck…” he muttered under his breath, “We can’t change anything now.”

“What are we gonna do, Andy?” you whispered, warm tears dripping down your cheeks. He wiped them away with his thumb, pulling you in an embrace.

“I don’t know.” He needed to think, with Neal knowing it was a matter of time. At the best-case scenario, Neal would wait until the trial and use it there. But that meant, you had maybe six weeks before coming clean at least to Laurie and Joanne. Andy cursed. It was way too soon than he hoped for. “We will figure it out.”

His hand rubbed your back mindlessly, soothing your silent crying. Just when he thought things were starting to get somewhat better, it all came crashing down. He didn’t regret what he had with you, no matter how much he tried, he couldn’t feel guilty about it. But, it meant, another mess to try and figure out, it weighed on his shoulders. It was his fault, Andy knew it, his fault for being careless. Maybe he had grown too comfortable in the weeks he had spent with you. He pressed his lips together. It was better to talk to Laurie before the trial. Better she learns from him. You shook between his arms, drifting his attention from his thoughts.

Yes, he had to talk to Laurie soon. It could wait though, for another moment, as he held you in his arms, savoring the feeling. He wished he had more time, to no avail. Andy sighed. “We’ll figure it out, Y/N.” He murmured, placing a kiss on top of your hair. He closed his eyes, praying to whatever was out there to give him enough strength; to figure out a way out of this mess, to protect his son, and to protect this woman who occupied the most hidden, special place in his heart.

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

A/N: oooooh shit’s hitting the fan. My askbox is open for requests, feedback and just to talk about chris evans!

CHRIS EVANS TAGLIST @marvelouspottering​ @kelbabyblue​ @hidden-behind-the-fourth-wall​ @may-machin @little-dark-empress​ @retro-babez​

THE INTERN TAGLIST: @patzammit​

[objection-argumentative]

Soulmates Part 8

This part is NFSW

Any feedback will be greatly appreciated

Enjoy 

Masterlist!

"Andrew, why are you here?" Kelsey was stunned at the older man. "I have come to bring you home in time for our wedding. I know you haven't been home since you were sixteen, but I planned a big white wedding for you. I thought it would be romantic as you like shit like that." The whole room was stunned in silence. You could hear a pin drop; it was that quiet. Andrew took an opportunity to grab Kelsey by the arm and try and pull her out of the building.

Rafael mind caught up with the scene in front of him. He pulled Kelsey to him, making Andrew lose grip of his soulmate's arm. "young man, I know you think you love this girl, but if you know what's best for her, you will let her go. I paid for this little number when she was eight years old. After years of waiting, it's time to cash in my investment."

Rafael snarled at the man." Suppose you think that my soulmate is returning to England to marry someone old enough to be her grandad, your more senile than you think. Now leave her alone, or I will have you arrested for assault and attempted kidnap of an NYPD detective." The older man looked between the couple, watching Kelsey cling to Rafael, causing his suit to crumple in her fists. "Fine, I will leave" Andrew grabbed Kelsey's chin and forced her to look into his eyes, "but this isn't over by a long shot, princess." Before Rafael could say anything to Andrew, he was already in the lift leaving. Kelsey ran towards the cribs and slammed the metal door.

"what the fuck was that Barba" nick was grinning like it was Christmas. Rafael glared at the packed room. Span on his heels and hurried towards the cribs and opened the door. The sight in front of him broke his heart. Kelsey was sitting in the corner hunched over herself, crying into her lap. Rafael bolted straight to the weeping girl "hush baby; it's ok, he has gone." The man scooped Kelsey up, sat down on one of the bunks and held her close. "I'm not going to let anyone or anything hurt you, baby, I promise. The vulnerable woman melted into her soulmate. "Wanna talk about it, baby?" Kelsey shook her head. Rafael kissed the crown of her head, letting her know that she was safe with him.

After what felt like hours, Kelsey stopped crying into the chest of her soulmate. Her body fell into complete exhaustion; her eyes were stinging; her head was pounding, and she didn't have any energy. Kelsey buried her face into the lawyer's neck. "I'm sorry for all the fuss. I know you didn't sign up for any of this." Rafael started rubbing soothing circles into the detectives back. "Dulce, dulce chica, you have done nothing to apologize for. We will get through this together." Kelsey nodded against the older man's neck. They sat for a good while longer, Rafael comforting kelsey, making sure she was ready to go back to the squad.

Kelsey detached herself from the man and stood between his legs and rested her hands on his shoulders. "Thank you, darling, for making me feel better" kelsey placed a kiss on his lips, stroked his cheek and smiled. "I'm going to have a shower ill see you in the bullpen for the update." Kelsey kissed the man again, moaning when his tongue slipt into her mouth. Rafael pulled away and smirked when he heard the girl whine at the loss of contact. "Go get ready baby, I will see you soon," Rafael walked out of the room to give the girl her space to get ready.

Twenty minutes later, Kelsey was sat at the desk in the bullpen. She was freshly showered, hair tied back into a "mum" bun, fresh her face was free of makeup, and she wore the new suit Rafael brought her. The whole squad was there, excluding their ADA. Cragen was explaining that there will be a partner move around. Kelsey is partnered up with Carisi. Sonny smiled at Kelsey and placed a hand on her shoulder "don't worry, doll. I have your back." Amanda glared at the pair.

Rafael walked into the bullpen. Watching Carisi touch Kelsey's shoulder sparked jealousy in his body. It was scaring him the bond was getting more robust; he didn't know much about what happens within the bond. He decided that his aubella was right; the couple did need to speak to a specialist of bonds, the couple needed to know what would happen in the bond and with themselves. He stopped watching the blonde detective from her desk, picked up the two coffee cups and made his way over to the squads brief.

He placed the large paper cup in front of her as he sat in the seat next to her. Unconsciously kelsey threaded her hand into Rafael's as the captain briefed the squad on the suicide of Katie Junave. "let me get this straight, Katie is rushed to hospital over a failed suicide attempt. She hears her mother talking with an NYPD detective about her ordeal. She then sneaks into the dispensary and overdoes on powerful pain killers and is found by nurses as the NYPD detective sits with an over-emotional mother." Finn quizzed, making sure he heard correctly. The whole squad faced Kelsey. "I know I should have paid more attention to the room, but Emily Junave was a wreck. But I made a Judgement call. I thought the doctors were taking care of Katie, and I put her mother first." Kelsey lowered her head and eyes, not wanting to see the judgement looks of her new team and bosses.

"Where was your partner Hardy?" Elliot quizzed, looking between the two blondes "Jessie needed me. I asked Hardy to fly solo; I needed to be with my little girl." The whole squad and the ADA were staring at Rollins, and it made her feel nervous. Rollins knew she had done wrong; she knew that kelsey shouldn't have gone to the call independently, but she didn't care. She and Jessie made cupcakes and watched frozen together-mother daughter time was well needed last night. "Rollins a word, now!" Rafael seethed as he walked over to one of the side rooms.

*That evening*

Kelsey sat with her legs stretched on her couch watching trashy tv. She wore leggings and a crop top with no bra. She reached over to grab her cup off the coffee table when Joanne came out of her room." Where is mister perfect tonight? Got a hot date with someone else" Joanne raised an eyebrow as Kelsey giggled. "No, he has a hot date with his work. Special victims Unit have four open cases, Meaning he is slammed with work." Kelsey sighed as she got up off the couch and flipped through the takeaway menu. "Fancy anything in particular tonight?" Joanne shook her head but pointed to the pizza menu. She nodded and placed the usual order of a large cheese pizza with Ginos.

Kelsey looked at her phone screen to make sure that she hadn't missed any communication from Rafael. She sighed when she realized she hadn't. Kelsey suddenly was not hungry anymore. The girl told her friend to put her pizza on top of the oven when it came, and she would get it later. Kelsey made her way to her bedroom. She turned on the lamp and plugged her phone into charge as she got into bed. Kelsey scrolled through social media for a little while. When she stumbled upon Lucia's Facebook page, she could not help her self but look. On his mother's Facebook page was holiday photos of her and her family, including Rafael. They were all enjoying a tropical climate sunbathing in the images.

There was one image of Rafael that kelsey couldn't stop looking at; he looked perfect. He was sat on a white plastic chair with the biggest smile on his face with a drink in hand.  He had very short but tight swimming trunks on; Rafael's body was heavily tanned from sitting in the sun. Kelsey could feel herself getting turned on by the image; she groaned in frustration and tossed the phone to her side.

She felt her hand slide down her leggings. She felt how wet she was for her soulmate; Kelsey whimpered at the contact on her sensitive clit as she slowly worked figures of eight with the nub. She started to work her clit a little faster, arching her back in the process. she began to build her orgasm up, moving more quickly on her clit as her left hand tweaked her left nipple under her crop top. Kelsey was about to cum from the most intense orgasm when Kelsey heard her door open. She was like a deer caught in headlights; her eyes flew open.

Kelsey's body froze as the door opened and revealed Rafael. "Jesus baby, I'm sorry I should have called" before he could finish his sentence, Kelsey jumped up off the bed. "Rafi, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you, I'm sorry, so so sorry, darling. It won't happen again" Rafael shook his head and pulled the girl into his chest. "Don't you dare apologize, baby. You never apologize to anyone for your pleasure. You looked like a heavenly sin baby. I wish I didn't interrupt you." he kissed her forehead and rubbed her back "what were you thinking about, baby?" kelsey sighed and closed her eyes, feeling embarrassment creeping up on her. she grabbed her phone and showed her soulmate the image of himself.

Rafael's eyes went dark and primal "you didn't cum, did you?" Kelsey looked at the floor and shook her head. Rafael lifted her face kelsey looked at the man in front of her "you are perfect, dulce chica, never shy away. You have no reason to. Please let me help you feel good. Let me make you cum, baby?" Kelsey was awestruck. Here was a man that was so perfect he made an angel look average. "Yes darling, I want you," kelsey whispered. Rafael growled, "If you want to stop at any point, say the word, and it stops immediately." kelsey nodded her head.

Rafael hungrily kissed the blonde woman. He moved from her lips to her neck down to her collar bone. The small whimpering noises coming from Kelsey's mouth is like music to his ears. He made his way back to her mouth and tugged off her top, revealing her breasts." Fuck baby. I didn't expect you to be braless dulce chica." His thumbs skim over her light pink nipples. "Rafi, please, I need you", she whispers in a breathy moan. The older man chuckles with the glint, "Anything for you, baby." The older man stripped the leggings off Kelsey and laid her down on the bed.

"You still ok with this, dulce chica?" Rafael rubbed his index finger in Kelsey's folds, feeling how wet she was for him. Kelsey nodded her head vigorously. "Please, darling, I need you." Rafael used his mouth and tongue to draw circles over Kelsey's sensitive nub. Rafael added a finger and started stroking the detective's G-spot with a "come here" motion. Kelsey's moans grew louder and longer. Drawn-out cries of desperation filled the room as Kelsey became close to release. Rafael's lips were sucking, wrapping themselves around her clit. His lips were soft and wet, and Rafael did not shy away from using them to his advantage. His greedy lips tried to suck on Kelsey as much and lovingly as possible. His tongue was a whole other story; his tongue was warm and thick. It teased her entrance with quick flicks that turned into extended explorations of everything he could reach.

As Kelsey felt herself coming closer, His movements became more frantic; he knew what he was doing. He needed to make her cum. Kelsey's entire body shuddered and convulsed as she came against Rafael's face, his mouth and hands not daring to stop until it was all out of her. Every extra touch and kiss sent tremors throughout her body until he finally pulled away. Rafael laid soft kisses over her body as he made his way back up to her lips. When his lips met Kelsey's, she wrapped her arms around his neck "that was terrific darling, thank you."

Rafael pulled off the girl and removed his clothing, and pulled on lounge pants from his overnight bag that was by the door. The man turned the lamp off and climbed into bed with the blondie. "You're so fucking beautiful when you cum, baby, and the way you moan and whimper. fuck baby. It's soo good. The older man started kissing Kelsey again. Kelsey was feeling bold, and she let her hand wander into his lounge pants, feeling the big thick erection against the palm of her hand. "you don't have to, baby. I will sleep it off." Kelsey shook her head " I want to, Darling, let me return the favour."

Kelsey started lazily pumping Rafeal's erection. the throaty moan that escaped the man's lips was pure ecstasy to the woman. "Please, baby, don't tease me," Kelsey knelt between the man legs. She leaned forward and took the head of his dick into her mouth, and started to suck him. "FUCK BABY" the man was a panting mess kelsey started to bob up and down on his dick she flicked her tongue over the head. Rafael threaded his hands through her hair and began to fuck her mouth. Her salvia all over his dick and balls while she took the throat fuck so well." Your so perfect angel, tan Buena puta polla." she reached down and started massaging his balls, "I going to cum", he stilled, giving her a choice between either wanking him off or letting him cum down her throat. To his surprise, Kelsey chose the latter, swallowing every drop of cum he produced.

Kelsey cuddled into the man's side as he came down from his high." you.are.so.perfect.baby.all.fucking.mine" Rafael kissed the girl between each word ", all yours, Rafi, I promise." the man pulled her so close to him she was practically on top of him. The room fell into a comfortable silence as kelsey was dozing in and out of sleep. At this moment, she knew that she could trust this man entirely with her life. She never felt as happy or safe as when she did with Rafael. This was her final thought as sleep took over her body.

[what-is-your-plan-today]

Riding On Ch 14: Compromise

Summary: Frank is besides himself due to their argument, and Fliss isn’t faring much better…

Warnings: Bad Language words. SMUT (NSFW, no under 18s…)

Pairing: Frank Adler x Fliss Gallagher

A/N:  Yeah, yeah, ok some of you were pretty mad at me at the end of the last chapter so I hope this makes up for it…

Chapter Song: Don’t Go Away by Oasis 

Series Masterlist //  WIYPT Masterlist

Me and you, what's going on? All we seem to know is how to show the feelings that are wrong.

So don't go away, say what you say, but say that you'll stay, forever and a day in the time of my life 'Cause I need more time, yes, I need more time, just to make things right

As soon as he had left the room, Frank was overcome with guilt at what he had said. He had never spoken to her like that before but his temper had just snapped. He hesitated at the first step of the staircase, debating going back to apologise but as he did so he heard Alex's cries die down to a sniffle so he left well alone. She'd calmed him and the last thing he wanted to do was go back in there and upset everyone again.

Instead he decided to head upstairs and wait for her to come back up, only she never did. He lay awake for another hour or so before his eyes could no longer stay open. But a mere 2 hours after finally succumbing to sleep he was woken by his alarm to find Fliss' side of the bed still empty.

He found her stretched out on the sofa, the throw blanket pulled over her body. Another pang of guilt washed over him as he walked over, brushing the hair off her face to see her eyes rimmed with red. Shaking his head at himself he swallowed and dropped a kiss to her forehead before he checked on Alex who was fast asleep. Then, as quietly as he could be put on a pot of coffee and went to wake Mary for school, that horrible sick, anxious feeling gnawing at his insides.

By the time they both made their way back down, dressed and ready for the day, Fliss had woken and was feeding Alex. She looked up and her eyes locked onto Frank's before she turned them to Mary and gave a tired smile, wishing her good morning.

"Liss, do you want any breakfast?" Frank knew his first words to her since the argument should have been an applogy but with Mary in the room he was trying to keep everything calm

“No thanks." She replied, perfectly politely "I'll get something later. Once he's fed I'm going to go upstairs and try and get some sleep."

"Ok." He nodded, turning to Mary "what about you short stack? Cereal, toast..."

"Do we have any waffles?"

"Errrr..." Frank turned to the cupboard, not sure whether they did or not but then Fliss spoke.

"Yeah they're in the bread tin." She informed "I got you some more the other day."

"You're the best Lissy." Mary grinned, settling on the chair round the breakfast bar.

Fliss gave a soft chuckle and looked down at Alex who seemed to have stopped feeding. Frank watched as she rearranged to wind him her eyes still not meeting his.

"Can Rosie come stay this Saturday?" Mary asked and Frank's eyes turned to her.

"As in sleep over?"

Mary nodded. Frank turned to Fliss who looked at him and shrugged. "It's fine by me." She said.

Mary grinned and then she paused "Oh, we said we would check Monty this morning to make sure he wasn't stiff after yesterday."

"Already done." Fliss appeased "Jo fed this morning and sent me a message. She turned him out to pasture for the day and his legs are fine. I suggest you let him have today and tomorrow off so he can rest then maybe me and you can take him and Heidi down to the trail ride on Wednesday after school."

Mary beamed "that sounds great."

They finished breakfast. If was quiet between Frank and Fliss but civil. However, when he left for work be bent down as normal to peck her goodbye and she turned her head so he caught her cheek. All things considered he couldn't blame her so he didn't make a fuss about it. Instead he picked up his keys, walked Mary down to the bus for school and then headed to work.

**** Fliss didn't go back to bed. She couldn't. Instead she dressed casually in jeans and a t-shirt, and went over to the yard for an hour or so to chat to Joanne and look at the lessons scheduled for that week.

"Has the Friday afternoon class been cancelled?" Fliss frowned.

"Just for this week." Jo, who was enjoying cuddles with Alex, looked at her nodding. "I’m off this weekend for my sister's wedding and Olivia can't cover the teaching. The Yard is covered though, we got the yard hands and..."

"Hey, Jo...it’s OK I trust you." Fliss smiled. "And I'd completely forgotten about the wedding. Are you excited?"

Joanne smiled "Yeah. It’s going to be awesome. She has a fantastic live band playing and it’s been months since I went back to Atlanta."

Fliss smiled "look, why don't you take a few more days. You deserve it. You've worked so hard the last 6 months or so and you should take the time to spend with your family."

"Oh no, I can't..."

"Yes you can." Fliss cut off her protests and looked at her "Between me, Olivia and the stable hands we can cope. You're already off until Wednesday. Just take a week."

"That...that would be amazing." Jo smiled "thank you so much."

Fliss shrugged, "its fine..."

At that Alex gave a little murmur which Fliss knew all too well was a threat he was going to cry so she gestured for Joanne to hand him back. He pressed his face into her neck, his tiny nose brushing against her skin and she gave a soft smile, kissing his head.

"He's adorable." Joanne smiled and Fliss beamed at her.

"Yeah..." she tipped her head to look at him."Yeah he is." She studied her baby’s profile for a moment, noticing just how alike his nose and eye shape was to Frank’s, before she shook herself back to the here and now. "I'll take Friday's afternoon lessons. Call everyone who was booked on and offer them back a place."

"Are you sure?' Joanne frowned "I mean..."

"It’s an hour." Fliss said, shrugging "my mom will watch him or he can nap in the office. It’s cool enough and the baby monitor is wired to my phone..."

"Ok, you're the boss" Joanne nodded.

"At least you recognise that." Fliss mumbled.

"Huh?" Joanne frowned and Fliss shook her head

"Nothing, ignore me." She sighed "ok, I'm gonna take Thor for a quick walk down the pasture path and head home. I'll be over later to ride Cap. I'll feed so you can take an early finish"

Jo smiled "That would be great, I'll make sure it’s all ready."

Fliss smiled before she placed Alex in the stroller and she pushed him over the yard towards the path that led down to the various fields the horses were in. She walked, Thor running ahead slightly, sniffing at any interesting smells he found, and Fliss smiled as her old faithful mare gave a loud whinny and came trotting to her field gate. "Hey Hides." She reached out to stroke her nose "how you doing?"

She watched as Heidi bent her neck to take a look at the curious little item in the stroller before Alex gave a wiggle and the horse jumped back slightly, giving a snort. Fliss chuckled "you daft sod." She reached out and gave her neck a scratch before the sound of her phone ringing made her reach for it.

"Hi Bonnie."

"Oh my God Fliss, I nearly called you last night but it was late when we got back and..." her best friend instantly rambled on and Fliss grinned as she had a feeling she knew what she was going to say "...but Simon asked me to marry him this weekend and I said yes!"

"Bonnie that’s amazing!" Fliss beamed as she held the phone to her ear "I’m so happy for you and I need all the details!"

"It’s such a long story but we went for a meal in this gorgeous restaurant on Times Square and afterwards as we were walking back through central park he got down on one knee and…” Bonnie gave a sigh “He made me cry.”

Fliss gave a little chuckle “Oh babes, that’s fantastic!”

“We’ve not told the rest of the gang yet, Simon thought we could all go out on Friday and do it properly if you’re up for it?”

Fliss hesitated. She had been about to accept, but with the way things were between her and Frank, she wasn’t sure what was going to be happening that evening, let along the weekend.

"Fliss?" Bonnie's voice hit her ear "you still there?" "Yeah sorry...was just...it doesn't matter. Friday sounds great."

"Are you OK?" Bonnie asked.

"Nothing to worry about. Just had an argument with Frank but we'll sort it out, we always do."

"What about?"

"Me going back to work" Fliss shook her head "but honestly, don't worry. I certainly don't wanna drag your good mood down or eat up your break."

“You're not." Bonnie assured her "I got 10 minutes. Lord knows you put up with my complaints often enough."

Fliss took a deep breath and explained to Bonnie inlarge handfuls so as not to swamp her with details and when she reached the bit about Frank calling her a bitch Bonnie took a sharp inhale of breath.

"Oh Fliss..." she sighed "Sounds like you both said a few things you didn't mean."

"I know." Fliss said quietly, feeling the tears sting her eyes "I just don't see why he can't see it from my point of view."

"Can you see it from his?" Bonnie challenged.

"What him wanting me to be a stay at home mom?"

"That's not what I got from that." Bonnie placated her softly "Not at all. He just wants you to take some time. Having a baby is a huge thing, Liss. It takes time to adjust. I think Frank is worried if you rush you'll burn out."

Fliss stayed silent, Bonnie's words slowly sinking in.

"I get your point of view, you want to get back to normal but...well, I kinda see his too." Bonnie said gently, and then a bell sounded on the other end of the phone. "I gotta go Fliss but...just talk to him, and listen. I mean really listen. If you need me later give me a call."

“Thanks Bon...oh and congratulations again. I'm so happy for you." Fliss changed to subject, focusing on the reason her best friend had called in the first place. “Oh, and send me a photo if your diamond! I wanna see it!" ***** Frank tapped at the keyboard, scanning the list of jobs, his mind whirring. He needed something physical to do today, to keep him focussed and his mind off thinking about what an asshole he’d been last night and early this morning. As he realised all the repair jobs had been allocated, he gave a low growl of frustration.

“You alright Frank?”

His head jerked up from the screen and he looked at Alan who was leaning on the door frame.

“Yeah, I just fancied doing a repair or something today but they’re all booked out.” He sighed, running a hand through his hair.

“You bored of management already?” Alan teased and Frank gave a shake of his head.

“No, just…well to be honest I could do with the distraction.” He said, dragging his hand over his face.

“From the look of you, you could do with a good sleep too.” Alan mused, stepping into the office.

“You’re not wrong.” Frank mumbled. “That little pup of yours keeping you awake?”

“Something like that.” Frank looked at the screen before he looked up at Alan “What are you doing here anyway? Thought you and the Mrs were off to Toronto?”

“We fly tomorrow.” Alan looked at Frank, cocking his head to one side. “Frank, are you sure you’re ok buddy?”

Frank leaned back in his chair letting out a heavy breath “Had an argument with Fliss last night, I didn’t sleep well. Breakfast this morning wasn’t particularly friendly.”

“Ah.” Alan said, closing the door behind him as he sat down in the chair on the opposite side of Frank’s desk. “A bad argument or…”

“Bad enough for me to end up calling her a bitch.” Frank shook his head, looking down at the desk. “Which I’m not proud of, believe me.”

“We all say shit we don’t mean in the heat of the moment.” Alan said wisely “Christ, if I had a dollar for every time me and Annette had hurled abuse at one another, well I’d have 6 of these damned shops instead of just 1.”

Frank gave a small smile, before his face slipped again and he glanced at his boss. “Her ex used to call her names like that, and…”

“Hey, woah.” Alan looked at him, cutting him off “I’ve heard all about that shit bag from Bill and I can tell you right now Frank, you are not that guy.”

Frank took a deep breath, licking his lips.

“It’s really bothering you isn’t it?” Alan said gently and Frank raised his eyebrows.

“We’ve argued before…” he said, “This just…I dunno. It’s the first time she ever frustrated me enough to make me say such a shitty thing.”

“Well…” Alan leaned back. “That’s what being in love does to you pal. We lash out at the people we care about most, because they frustrate the fuck out of us and we don’t know how else to deal with it.”

Frank pondered his words for a moment. He loved Fliss beyond what he felt anyone could comprehend and sometimes, like yesterday, when they argued it became a frustration because he didn’t want to argue with her. He wasn’t naïve enough to thing that everything would always be hearts and roses, but at the same time he was sappy enough to want it to be. And when it wasn’t, it bugged the fuck out of him because he was so consumed by this utter love for the woman he wanted to share the rest of his life with, he sometimes didn’t know how to react when they fought. He appeased her most of the time, because it was easier, but damned it last night she spiked something inside him with her inability to listen to the point he was trying to make.

Fuck, he had to make this right. He couldn’t spend the rest of the day in some kind of stupid, angry limbo. He looked at Alan and took a deep breath.

“Any chance I can have the afternoon off?” he hopefully asked “See if I can go and sort this mess out.”

Alan smiled “Hey, you’re the boss now. Do what you want. Book it as leave or make the hours up, whatever.”

“Thanks.” Frank smiled at him. “I appreciate it.”

Alan nodded and stood up. “Oh, before I go, the reason I actually came to see you was that we had an enquiry the other day about a sale. From someone you might know.”

“Oh?” Frank asked, looking at Alan. “Who was it?”

“Jon Gruden.” Alan smiled and Frank felt his mouth drop open.

“No shit!” he grinned before he paused “What the fuck does he want with a boat? I thought he lived in Nevada.”

“Well, apparently when he isn’t coaching the Raiders he’s residing in his second home in Tampa.” Alan shrugged “And he wants a boat. I figured given your love for football you might fancy handling that one yourself.”

“Absolutely.” Frank grinned “Thanks Alan.”

“No problems, he’s gonna call to arrange an appointment. Now get yourself off and sort things with your Mrs.”

Frank nodded “I’ll do my best.”

Alan gave him another smile and left the office, leaving the door open. Frank leaned back once more, before he reached for his phone which was laying on the desk, smiling at the photo he had taken just yesterday afternoon at Mary’s show. Mary was grinning ear to ear as she sat atop of Monty, Fliss stood by her side, Alex in her arms arranged so he too was facing the camera. He’d changed the screensaver over immediately after taking it, he’d loved the damned shot that much.

He scrolled through to his key contacts and flicked the green call button by the side of Fliss’ name. The phone rang out a few times, and for a horrible moment he thought she was going to ignore him, but then the dial tone stopped.

"Hi." Her tone was flat.

"Hey... erm, are you home?" He paused and grimaced. Fuck, it sounded like he was checking up on her and he hastily started to try to explain. "Not that it matters, I just..."

"No, I mean yeah...sorta...was just out walking with Thor and Alex down the fields." She cut him off, her tone maintaining neutral. He supposed he should be thankful she wasn’t ranting at him. 

"Ok. Well I'm coming home." he informed her

"Why?" her voice was puzzled. 

"Because I can't concentrate Lissy" He sighed. "I hate being at odds with you. I just... " he swallowed thickly and rubbed his eye, tiredly "I wanna make it right so, I'm taking the afternoon off and I'm hoping we can talk?"

There was silence on the other end, other than a bark from Thor and then he heard her sniffle a little, her reply quiet. "Yeah. OK"

"Baby don't cry." He said softly, the lump in his throat growing bigger. “Please…”

"Sorry I just..." she took a deep breath "I'll see you in half an hour or so"

And with that she hung up.

Frank tossed the phone back onto his desk, tapping his fingers against the arm of his chair before he stood up, turned off his laptop and retrieved the keys to his truck from the drawer of his desk. He strode out into the shop floor, instructed his Team Leader to call him if there was an emergency, otherwise he was unavailable for the rest of the afternoon. **** Fliss stood looking at the screen on her phone, the photo of Frank, Mary and Alex looking back up at her. She swallowed a little, but before she could think about what Frank had said any more a WhatsApp message came through from Bonnie. It was a picture of her ring. It was a fairly large, brilliant cut diamond solitaire, set into an elaborately twisted white gold band. It was stunning, and exactly Bonnie’s style.

She tapped a message out telling Bonnie it was gorgeous before she shoved the phone in the back pocket of her cut- off jeans and then glanced at her own engagement ring on her left hand, watching as it caught the sunlight, looking even more shiny and sparkly than usual. She adored the design of it. It was delicate, nothing like the hideously large one John had given her. Frank had put a lot of thought into the type of thing she would like, as opposed to simply picking something to show off how much he could afford. It was all about her. As Alex made a small noise from the pram she instinctively reached down with her right hand to softly rub at his chest, an action the baby found soothing. As she did, her new ring, her 'Push Present' as Bonnie and Roberta called it caught her eye. It was an emerald cut sapphire, very similar in size and shape to the stone in her engagement ring, and it was set into a simple plain white gold band. Frank had given it to her at the hospital just before they brought Alex home. "Blue for a boy" he'd smiled as she'd beamed up at him before kissing him softly and thanking him for being such a thoughtful, soft sap.

And that was her sailor all over. A thoughtful, soft sap that was so distraught at having called her a bitch he was taking the afternoon off work because he couldn't concentrate until he'd made things right.

Fuck, Bonnie was right. She'd gotten Frank's intentions here all wrong. So very wrong.

Yes, he had shocked her. Fliss has never thought Frank had it in him to be so downright vile enough to call her a name like he did, but now she realised that she hadn't made things easy for him. She'd never, ever dared answer John back the way she did Frank as it would result in her getting a beating, and as such, if she was perfectly honest with herself, she struggled with the whole debating side of things. When challenged and unable to articulate her answer in the way she wanted she reverted to silence, in a lot of ways it felt easier. And when pushed she lashed out simply for the reason that sometimes she didn't know what else to do. But the stupid thing was, the fact she felt able to go on the defensive showed just how safe she was with Frank.

Because the worst thing he had ever done, and would ever do was call her a name out of pure frustration.

He shouldn't have done it. That was a given but in the grand scheme of things, as she knew only too well, there were far worse things he could do. But he never would. Because he loved her and he wasn't that type of man. He'd die before he hurt a single hair on her head, on any of their heads for that matter. She glanced at Alex, where he lay, his bright blue eyes looking up at her and she wiped her eyes, taking a deep breath.

"Shall we head back and make your daddy some lunch baby boy?"

She gave a sharp whistle and Thor bounded back to her and the three of them made their way home. Alex was fast asleep when they got home, so Fliss kicked off her sneakers at the door and parked the stroller in the cool of the family room, heading towards the kitchen area. She set about making a quick penne arabiata and a salad. She’d just finished setting two places at the breakfast bar when Frank walked in the door. Immediately his eyes flicked her hers and she gave him a small smile.

“Hi.” He said softly, before his attention turned to his sleeping son. He gently brushed a finger down his cheek before he looked back at Fliss. There was a moment where the two of them simply stared at each other, before Fliss was the first one to move, walking out of the kitchen area. He met her half way, wrapping his arms around her as she pressed her face into his black polo-collared T-shirt.

“I’m sorry.” Frank stuttered, screwing his face up as he lay his cheek on her hair, breathing in her shampoo “Baby, I’m so fuckin’ sorry…”

“Me too.” She sniffed “I hate it when we fight Frankie.”

“I know, I do too.” He said, pulling back a little to cup her face. He wiped her tears with his thumbs, blinking back his own. “I was out of order calling you what I did. I’m so disgusted in myself honey, I can’t…”

“Hey…” She reached up to touch his face, her fingers brushing his stubble “It doesn’t matter.”

“It does to me.” He said, swallowing thickly “I just…” he trailed off as he shook his head and she smiled up at him.

“Frank, we both said shit we didn’t mean.” She sighed “I called you an asshole, you know, it’s not ok for me to say those things either.”

“I know, but…”

“No buts, ok?” she said, standing on her toes to lightly brush her lips against his. “Come on, I made lunch.”

“You didn’t have to do that.” He said softly as she laced her fingers with his and led him to the place at the bar.

“I wanted to.” She shrugged “Call it a peace offering…that and I was fucking starving so.”

Frank snorted “Should have known there was an ulterior motive.”

“You wanna eat your food or wear it?” Fliss asked, shooting him a look as he settled down on the stool. Frank chuckled and watched her as she placed the salad dish down on the side before resting the pasta dish on the heat mat that was on the counter. She turned back to the fridge, Frank simply drinking her in as she bent over slightly, the pure domesticity of the scene washing over him as she padded bare foot back towards him, two beers in her hands.

She placed one down and sat next to him, Frank dishing out their food and they silently tucked in, but the silence was a comfortable one in contrast to the dinner they’d shared the night before, and the tense breakfast that morning. Franks left hand gently gave her right knee a soft squeeze and she smiled at him, before she reached for her drink and took a large pull.

“So, we gonna talk about stuff?” she asked, taking the final bite of her lunch before she placed her cutlery down on her empty plate. “I promise I won’t fly off the handle this time.”

Frank took a deep breath and swallowed his last mouthful of food before he licked his lips “OK.” He nodded. “Baby, I never said I didn’t want you to work. Yeah, maybe there was a small part of me that loves this.” He said, waving his hand between them “The idea of just coming home and you being here but I know that’s not what you want, and I’d never, ever dream of making you give up everything you’ve worked for just because of some…weird domestic fantasy I have, which for the record, really freaks me the fuck out.” “What do you mean?” Fliss asked.

“I never in a million years ever dreamed I’d have something like this, someone like you.” He looked at her. “You saw past that utter fuck up I was back then and took me for who I was, Mary too…we made a life together, you gave me the most beautiful gift anyone ever could that’s currently snoring over there in his stroller.”

Fliss looked at him, the tears filling her eyes as he continued.

“I never thought I’d ever get here. A family, a home, and a job that means I can provide for you all.” he swallowed a little, as he shook his head “…I’m not explaining this very well.”

“I get it.”  Fliss looked at him, “I do Frank, because I never thought I’d ever have this either.” She reached out and took his hand which was resting on the counter top, squeezing his fingers in hers “It’s so mundane, its normal and it’s such a stupid thing to be grateful for, but every time that door goes and you come home, I feel happiness instead of fear about what mood you’re going to be in and whether or not it means I’m gonna get a kicking.”

Frank bowed his head, shaking it softly as his hand tightened around hers. “Lissy, don’t…”

“It’s true.” She said gently “And last night, earlier this morning when you accused me of likening you to John…there’s not a single time, ever, that I’ve done that. Because you’re nothing like him. And me accusing you of trying to control me was a low blow. I know that’s not what you were doing.”

“I just want you to take time, not to rush things.” He said gently. “But if going back to work and expanding is what you really wanna do then…”

“No, it’s not.” She shook her head “Well, it is but you’re right. I was over there before with Joanne looking at the diary and it would be too much. I don’t want to miss out on him growing up. I mean, God, I go to sleep at night and wake up in the morning and I swear he’s changed in the hours we’ve been asleep.”

Frank chuckled “I know. Before we know it he’ll be walking, talking and answering me back…”

“Don’t.” Fliss groaned as she shook her head smiling “But you were right, so many women would kill to be in my position. So, I thought maybe I could go back first of all, just do maybe one day a week teaching and a couple of evenings where I finish off for Joanne. I can do the rest of the stuff like the publicity and organising, emails that type of stuff from home. And, when he’s a little older then I can work my way back up to more.”

“A compromise.” Frank smiled and Fliss shrugged.

“Yeah, I can be reasonable at times.”

“Sounds good to me.” Frank nodded

“Good, because I’m covering a lesson on Friday.” She smirked and Frank gave a snort, shaking his head. “Just one, for an hour or so. Joanne’s away this week and I don’t want to let the clients down.”

“You don’t need to explain…”

“And I want to buy the land.” She said, looking at him. “Just so it belongs to Sandybrook. We can use it for grazing, maybe even a grass jumping paddock, just until we’re ready to start thinking about expanding.”

“Ok.” Frank nodded “Make the call, put an offer in.”

She leaned over and gave him a quick peck. “Thank you.” she whispered against his mouth before she stood up to clear the breakfast bar down.

“I’ll do that.” He stood up, “You cooked so…”

“It won’t take me long” she shrugged “Honestly I don’t mind.”

“Are we gonna have an argument now about who does the dishes?” he teased and she let out a soft laugh.

“No, because they’re going in Dusty.” “You know, I never met anyone who named a dishwasher before.” Frank teased as he moved to grab a tupperware container to place the left over pasta in.

“Well he’s an important part of our life.” Fliss said seriously “I couldn’t cope without him.” 

Frank chuckled as he ladled the pasta into the container, snapping the lid shut before he haphazardly slung it in the fridge. He moved behind Fliss, his arms circling her waist as he pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Why don’t we go out Friday night? Mary’s going to Roberta’s, I’m sure your mom and dad would watch Alex for us.”

“We can’t…” Fliss said suddenly and Frank gave a groan.

“Why not? Come one we haven’t been out together since before he was born. We can grab dinner, a few drinks…”

“No, I mean….there might be something planned.” Fliss said, tossing the cloth she’d been wiping the place they’d just eaten down with into the sink.

“Oh?” he asked, and she turned in his arms, looking up at him.

“I got a call from Bonnie before, Simon finally got down on one knee.” “Huh, no kidding!” Frank grinned, before he pouted slightly “The little shit never told me.”

“Yeah well, she said that they were thinking of going out on Friday, all of us and telling everyone then so…”

“OK, well, we can grab an earlier dinner and meet them after.” He reasoned “Hey, there’s another compromise.”

Fliss chuckled, her hands sliding up his chest, fingers lacing together behind his neck “Yeah, we’re getting kinda good at this.”

“I know something else we’re kinda good at too…” he grinned and she scoffed, arching an eyebrow.

“You’re a dirt bag.” She mumbled as his head dropped towards hers.

“You love it.” He muttered, his lips pressing to hers. As the kiss deepened, Frank’s hands moved gently round to her back, one splaying at the base of her spine, the other sliding in her hair as their tongues tangled in the familiar yet oh so damned good dance. With a grin he reached down, hooked his hands under her thighs and lifted her easily, setting her on the counter in front of him. She smirked a little against his lips and he gave a chuckle, the kiss resuming, her legs hooking round his waist and she pulled him closer, causing him to grunt a little.

“You want something pretty girl?” he teased, pulling back a little.

Fliss bit her lip, her hands sliding up his arms. “Yeah, can you go to the garage and maybe smear a bit of oil or motor grease onto your arms…maybe a bit on your cheek?”

“You have an unhealthy obsession with dirt, you know that?” he looked at her and she shook her head.

“No, I have an unhealthy obsession with dirt on you…” she corrected, her arms once more round his neck. “I totally loathe Alex’s nappy changes, for the record.”

Frank snorted “Yeah, they’re not great. Just wait till he starts solids.”

“Yeah, ok, stop talking shit Frank and fuck me.”

“Talking shit…” he said, completely ignoring her request despite the fucking hotwire it had sent to his already half erect cock “I see what you did there.”

“Whatever, get on with the other part.”

“Which was?” he teased.

She looked at him, realising instantly he was playing around so she smirked a little and leaned forward, her lips brushing his ear. “Fuck me, Adler.”

“But I’m not covered in dirt…” he said, turning his head to look at her, his lips ghosting hers.

Fliss paused, her eyes flicking around before she grinned a she spotted the dirty pasta dish to the side of her. In flash she wiped her finger round the edge of the dish and smeared the tomato sauce straight across his cheek and down his beard.

“Now you are.” She looked at him, as he stared at her in shock, open mouthed before he gave a scoff.

“You want me to fuck you Cowgirl, you’re gonna have to lick that off my face.”

Her eyes locked onto his, she stuck her finger in her mouth sucking it clean and his eyes darkened a little as she released it with a loud pop and gave a shrug.

“Ok.” She smirked, her hand tangling in his hair as she pulled his head towards her. She gently placed her mouth against his face, sucking and licking at the offending food, making her way down his cheek to his jaw line, where she continued her affections. Frank gave a sigh, tipping his head slightly to give her more access as she skated across his short whiskers to the other side, her kisses trailing back upwards before her mouth caught his again.

“God I fucking love you…” he mumbled, his arms pulling her closer.

“Yeah?” she asked as his hands gripped at her hips.

“Yeah…” he said, standing in between her legs, his mouth dropping to her neck. She rolled her head back, as he nipped at her pulse-point, before his lips moved to that hollow at the bottom of her throat, his beard scratching her skin as his lips slid back up to hers and he kissed her hard. His hands moved to pop the button on her jeans before he gently grasped at the waistband and she shifted to allow him to pull them down over her legs, tossing them to one side. His hands slipped up underneath the blue top she was wearing, pulling down the cups of her bra. His hands gently teased at her nipples, all the time listening to the soft noises and groans she was making as he continued, his nose brushing against hers, smiling softly.

“You like that?” he whispered, knowing full well that she did, but he knew she liked his soft dirty talk and she gave a sigh and a nod, followed by a little squeak as he shifted her underwear to one side and pushed two fingers insider her.

Her head fell forward onto his shoulder as her hands grasped at his back through his T-shirt, and as he continued to stroke and coax her she bit down on his neck causing him to hiss slightly at the bite of pain.

“Need you…” she purred into his ear “Please.”

And when she asked like that, he was always powerless to refuse. This woman was his absolute weakness.

He moved his head to kiss her again, and removing his hand from her panties he reached up and pulled them down before he stood up, and she reached for the button and zip on his jeans. Once she’d gotten them open, she pushed them down, over his slim hips as Frank’s hands moved to her back and he gently pulled her forwards, sliding her towards him, letting her feel how ready he was. She reached down and gently gave his hard cock a pump up and down and he let out a groan as he pulled her off the counter slightly, her legs wrapping around his waist, arms round his neck, her lower back resting against the side of the worktop both of them letting out a load moan of satisfaction as he pushed forward, all the way home.

Frank’s head dropped to Fliss’ shoulder, his mouth once more on the pulse point in her neck as he thrust again, his hands on her back, keeping her supported slightly

“God you feel so good…” he said, his lips moving back to hers as he set a pace that was torturously slow, and deep, and loving. Thrust after thrust he kept his lips either on hers or centimetres away, watching her intently as her pupils blew as he worked her up, driving into her, as deep as he could go, one hand resting at the back of her spine to keep her back from slamming into the harsh marble edge of the counter, the other guiding her head so he could kiss her, hard.

Her hands moved, the nails scraping lightly at the nape of his neck, and Frank felt himself falter for a split second at her touch.  

“Fuck baby…” he groaned into her mouth as she grinned cheekily, her hands sliding down to his bare ass.

“Harder, please Frankie…” she urged him on, her voice sultry, desperate for him to pick up the pace. So be obliged, giving her what she wanted.

Because he always did.

She held on to his ass for dear life, moaning with her body arching in his hands, the fabric of his jeans chafed delectably against her thighs, his hips hitting hers hard with every thrust and before long she let out a loud groan, her hands tightening on his skin as she cried out as he quickened his pace even more, causing her to gasp his name, a broken mumble of the word “Frankie…” before she let out a breathless gasp, her voice catching in her throat as the world began to tip on its axis.

“Come on, come for me Lissy…” he whispered, his breath hot on her ear. And that was it, she dropped over the edge, her head falling back as her hands slid up and grasped tightly on the hem of his shirt as she clenched around him, again and again, groaning and trembling, powerless to stop her body’s reactions. It took him another couple of thrusts before he gave a soft “oh” of pleasure, her name tumbled from his mouth before he bit down on her shoulder softly, reacting his own end. He gave a few erratic thrusts, pumping with short, deep strokes which sent her over another peak, but this was feeble as she collapsed forward, her head laying on his shoulder, utterly spent. They stayed still for a moment, the only sound in the room was their deep breathing, Frank holding her close to him, as they both evened out from their high.

“Love you…” she said softly, kissing the tip of his nose causing him to smile, that cheeky smile he saved just for her before his lips met hers again

“Good, because I love you too sweetheart, more than you could ever know.”

*****

Once they had tidied themselves up and  finished sorting the kitchen out, Alex decided it was time for a feed. They settled on the couch, Fliss nursing their son, Frank's arm round her shoulder, fingers tracing shapes on the top of her arm. When Alex was done, Frank took him, having missed his morning cuddles with his boy and the three of them sat on the couch, Frank resting his feet on the coffee table, knees pointing to the ceiling so Alex could lay flat against his thighs looking up at his parents. His tiny hands fisted around Frank’s index fingers and he flashed his momma and daddy several huge baby smiles as they talked to him, Fliss capturing the moments on her phone. It wasn't long before his eyes grew heavy and Fliss felt hers doing the same so they set their son down to nap before settling down for the afternoon. Fliss shifted so her head was lay in Frank's lap, his hand gently carding through her hair s they both succumbed to the fact neither had slept much the night before.

The two of them woke with a jolt an hour and a half later when Mary walked in the door. In the afternoons she was allowed to walk from the school bus stop on the main road because 3 other kids came the same way and she could peel off from them up the long drive. She looked at the pair of them as they blinked themselves out of sleep and shook her head, telling them both that only old people and babies napped during the day.

Once she had fully come round, Fliss changed into her riding gear ready to head back to the yard and gave a small yell of victory when she managed to fasten the button on her breeches. She walked into the family room and grinned at Frank, pointing out the fact she was back into her pants, even if they were elasticated slightly, and he smirked, giving her ass a stinging slap.

"I prefer you out of them." He quipped, his hands locking at the base of her spine

Fliss chuckled, her hands curling round his biceps. "And I prefer you dirty but we can’t always have what we want, Sailor."

Frank wrinkled his nose "I already have what I want Cowgirl"

Fliss let out a groan and shook her head as Frank laughed. "I was being serious."

"Course you were, smooth bastard." Fliss rolled her eyes as he shrugged, leaning down to give her a soft kiss.

"You two are gross..." Mary mumbled as she walked past to the fridge to grab a juice box.

“Feel free to leave.” Frank shot at her, “I have the number of a good Children’s Home…”

“Whatever…” she said, her voice airy as she skipped over to the large window seat, hopping up and opening her laptop. 

By the end of the evening Fliss, however, had to concede Mary had a point. Frank had been particularly handsy all night, kissing her or touching her wherever he could.

"What's gotten into you?" She asked him gently when they were getting ready for bed. Frank had just gotten out of the shower and the first thing he'd done upon walking back into their bedroom was pull her in for a searing kiss.

"I just..." he let out a soft sigh, and looked at her a little sheepishly "I’m a little concerned you let me off far too easily before so I'm, I dunno, a little thankful I guess.”

Fliss cocked her head to one side, her hands sliding up his arms and coming to rest on his shoulders which were speckled with drops of water. "Sailor, it wasn't a case of letting you off easily.

I just get that I was wrong too. If I'm honest I was more hurt with what you called me because I know you and I know you meant well so for you to snap like that, I must have pushed you…”

Frank dropped his head giving a heavy sigh. "Sweetheart, that’s not an excuse…” "Shh." She abruptly cut him off with a finger over his lips. "Stop apologising. It’s done, you called me a bitch, I called you an asshole. No one died, no one got struck down by lightning...we move on. Ok?"

Frank looked at her, a soft smile on his face. "I love you so faking much"

"Well now I know that's true since you gone all Boston on me..." she grinned as his arms circled round her back, pulling her close. His nose gently brushed hers before their lips locked together and with a smirk, Fliss reached down between them and untucked the edge of the towel which was wrapped around his hips, causing it to fall to the floor.

"Whoops." She grinned into the kiss as she gently pivoted shoving Frank gently on the chest. The movement was enough that, coupled with the backs of his knees hitting the bed he fell backwards and sat down as Fliss scrambled over to straddle him.

"Yeah, see, there's only one problem with this scenario..." Frank said, his hands grasping at the hem of her top as his mouth nipped at her jaw. "You're wearing too many clothes."

"Why don’t you do something about it?" She said, her voice a breathy whisper. So he did.

[my-fanfic-library]

Something Different {BBC Dracula x Reader} [5]

Masterlist

~^*^~

For the umpeenth time, you blew out your teeth. You were beyond frustrated. The vampire still sat comfortably in your armchair sent you a quizzical look but went back to the book in hand. You couldn’t help but roll your eyes, cursing Joanne K Rowling for publishing such captivating books.

Losing patience with the way you were lying, you rolled over to lie on your stomach, stretching your body out like some sort of feline. You groaned in annoyance. Your clock signalled that it was 2am. Your body was exhausted but your mind was racing. There was no way that you could sleep with Dracula present and now that you had invited him, you suspected he would come and go as he pleased. You twisted your head to look backwards and eyed him. His eyes scanned every page, his fingers flicking over to continue to journey of the boy who lived. He seemed engrossed in the words and you knew he had hours to kill.

Once more, you made a noise of discomfort and rolled back on to your back.

“Stop that.” His smooth voice suddenly broke the silence.

“Stop what?” You challenged, your main goal being to drive him away so you could rest.

“Stop making noises. It’s awfully distracting and as you can see, I’m trying to read.”

“Calm down, Hermione.”

“Only if you shut up, Ronald.”

That landed the vampire a pillow straight in the face which made the book topple out of his hands and clatter to the ground. As the pillow fell into his lap, Dracula was glaring at you. If looks could kill...

“What on earth is wrong with you?” He inquired softly. He was angry, yet he remained calm.

“I want to sleep.”

“I told you - I’m not stopping you.” He arched over to retrieve the book.

“I’m not sleeping with you over there.” You narrowed your eyes at him and he sighed gently.

“Alright, alright,” he cooed, “I understand.”

For a moment, your heart leapt with naive joy. He was finally going to leave! You watched, heart thumping with happiness as he rose from the chair. His arm extended out a little, placing the book down on the top of the chest of draws beside him before he stretched. His wingspan was huge and further emphasised his size. You felt so greedy for sleep and with Dracula appearing to finally leave, you would be able to indulge in a few hours of rest. He relaxed his body before pacing over to your window, which was on the opposite side of the room to the door. Did he plan on jumping out? Was he going to make a grand exit?

As luck would have it, he did not make it to the window, instead, he arched around the room to come to the other side of your double bed and you held your breath in both anxiety and anger as the bed shifted and he was lying beside you. When you eyed him, he was on his side, looking down at you. He had a smile on his face, the same smile you had gotten used to where it tugged at the corners of his lips. It gave him a boyish charm and you couldn’t help but feel frustrated with him.

The bastard.

“Better?” He inquired, clearly trying to hold back a bigger smile.

“I think I may have to kill you, Drac.” You grumbled, “I definitely can’t sleep now.”

“[First], what do I need to do to gain your trust?” He asked lowly.

His hand came out and his cold fingers brushed against the plump flesh of your cheek. A strand of hair that had caught on your lips. He tugged it away, secretly revelling in the warmth of your skin. You exhaled slowly once his fingers left your cheek. He looked at the way the low light in the room cast a hue over your face. You glowed with life and succulence. How he managed to control himself when it came to you was a mystery. He had somehow done the same with Sister Agatha, but with you, there was something different.

He was curious at how you chose to be around him despite how scared you were of him. He was curious as to how you held your composure so well. His mind slipped back to the night on the pier. Seconds after he had clutched onto you and sent you both hurtling down towards the sea. You had locked your arms around him in sheer terror and you had forced your head up into his chest. He didn’t know if you remembered your panic-induced reaction, but the way your warmth surrounded him in that moment had not quite left him yet.

The sound of your voice drew him out of his thoughts and when he focused on you, you had turned to lie in the same position as him, facing him.

“Did you hear me?” You inquired softly.

“I must confess that I did not. My mind wandered there for a second. Would you mind repeating what you said?” A sheepish grin took place on his lips.

“I said that you needed to stop bruising me, for starters.” You grinned.

“Now why would I do that?” He playfully asked, “you look absolutely ravishing with my mark on you.” You couldn’t tell if it was a compliment or a threat for more, but either way, it sent a small spark through you.

“Perhaps to you, to everyone else...”

“Pay no mind to their stares, darling.”

“It’s hard when you know everyone is judging you and thinking that you’re into some awful BDSM or something.”

“Sorry?” He cocked his head, “whats that?”

You couldn’t help but scoff. It had slipped your mind that the man you were talking to was over five centuries old. He looked down at you, eyes filling with curiosity. You then couldn’t help the laugh that slipped past your lips.

“I’m being serious, [First].” He stated, “you must indulge me by explaining it to me.”

“I’ll tell you when you’re older.” You chuckled.

“I’m already over five hundred years old.” He smirked, “now, come, tell me.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

As your laughter wore off, the wave of exhaustion that overcame you rendered you paralysed for a moment. Your eyes grew heavy and burnt with the realisation that they were still open and still being used.

Dracula noticed the sudden shift in your aura and shuffled just a little closer. He watched as you slowly sank down until your head hit the pillow. You sighed. Your eyes were fighting hard to close but you couldn’t give in.

You could not allow yourself to fall asleep with a vampire beside you. Although he had spoken true words about had he wanted to devour you, he would have done it already, you couldn’t help but feel like he was playing a sick game with you.

“Please go to sleep, [First]. I swear I shall keep my promise.” His voice was no higher than a whisper and due to this, it deepened by an octave. It washed over you and lulled you ever closer to sleep. You yawned.

“I’ll do you a deal...” you slurred with the exhaustion that had seemingly hit you out of nowhere.

“Go on, I’m never one to shy away from a good bargain.” He encouraged.

“If you let me live,” a yawn, “I’ll send you to the most,” a second yawn, “promising meal...”

What kind of thought you were having when promising him this was both dangerous and stupid. In exchange for your own life, you were willing to send a vampire to end another’s? You truly were something else. Dracula’s brow arched and just as your eyes began to flutter, your phone began to vibrate violently.

You jolted up. Your fingers grasped at the bedside table for the device and when you did, you noticed a text message. Dracula tried to get a snoop at the screen but you twisted away from him so that he couldn’t look.

[Zoe: are you okay?]

[You: yes.]

[Zoe: he’s there isn’t he? why did you invite him in?]

[You: it’s my job.]

[Zoe: you are so reckless. I’ve doubled security. If anything happens, scream.]

[You: don’t worry. I will be ok.]

Your phone vibrated once more, however you ignored it and opted to throw it somewhere on the floor. You didn’t care for looking after it at the moment. You only wished to sleep.

Dracula neared you once more and used his hand to guide you back to a lying position. Your eyes began to water with the tension of being open whilst you were so exhausted. His fingers worked at the skin of your jawline, the coolness a nice contrast to the burning air. It lulled you enough to shut your eyes.

You prayed that your offer was enough to keep him from sinking his teeth into you whilst you were asleep.

And you slipped into slumber.

~^*^~

When you awoke the following day, your hands flew to your neck once you gained consciousness. Although you could feel nothing, it didn’t stop you from rushing to the bathroom and double checking that no mark except for the bruise was suddenly on your skin. You sighed in relief. How stupid had you been to fall asleep with Dracula lying right beside you?

As you thought of him, you wondered when he had left. Was it right after you fell asleep? Or did he wait a while? Did he finish the book? You continued the questions in your mind as you moved around your home, picking up stray items that needed replacing. Clearly he’d been snooping during your slumber.

When you arrived in your kitchen, your eyes locked with the hands of the clock. 12:43am. You panicked then, realising that you were meant to be seeing a client in just 17 minutes. You immediately rushed upstairs, finding your phone placed neatly on your bedside table. You couldn’t remember if you had placed it there. It didn’t matter. You quickly dialled Zoe’s number and explained to her that you had overslept and would be calling in sick. After assuring her no less than seven times that you hadn’t been bitten, she let you go. Just as you hung up, a text came through.

[unknown: I’ll be back tonight. Keep the door unlocked. I hope you slept well - D]

~^taglist^~

@vampiregirl1797 @avalanet @bunnyreese12 @nerdonpluto @teamceleries @grifffins @hitbythunder @winterseoul @mymagicsuitcase @angeli-fucking-cat @benedictethegoddess @bloodhon3yx @nifflersravenclaw @writteninthestars288

[glorifiedgpjfic]

Glorified G - Chapter 46

January 22nd 1992

Over the past few weeks Joanne had had her first few CPT sessions, they seemed to be going well and they helped her to keep the nightmares and flashbacks at bay, she did however still struggle to sleep and the people around her were often victims of her angry outbursts- which Dr Isles had assured her were a side effect of the PTSD. Joanne hadn’t rushed to ask the director to take her out of the field as she was apprehensive about it and she didn’t want to risk losing her job by asking to be moved out of the line of fire, and she certainly didn't want to be sent back to London to go back to Interpol. She hadn’t told Eddie this of course, as far as he knew the wheels were truly in motion for her to be taken out of the field, she felt awful about lying to him but she just couldn’t bring herself to do it, not yet.

Eddie and Jo had spent every free second they had together looking at houses, they’d managed to find three contenders- all were relatively central to both potatohead and the FBI building, meaning that their commute wouldn’t be any longer than it currently was. The house that Jo liked the most had a large gate on the driveway and high walls that she felt would be good considering Pearl Jam were gaining popularity, she’d done a project on celebrity stalkers when she was at university so she was armed with enough evidence to convince Eddie that although it is rare, celebrity stalkers can indeed be violent, for example Mark David Chapman who shot John Lennon in 1980. Having high walls and a gate offered her piece of mind, Eddie hadn’t seemed opposed to it, which was something Jo was grateful for, she didn’t want to have to argue with him on this.

The guilt of hiding the truth from Eddie was starting to get to Jo, so she had asked William to have a meeting with her so she could discuss the prospect of her getting out of the field, she was concerned that this would make her seem weak to her boss and that he might even suggest her transferring out of the office into a full time teaching role, which as much as she loved her teaching experience with John Douglas, she didn’t fancy it full time as she found it rather tedious. She hoped that she would be able to stay exactly where she was just without going out into the field, but she knew that being in the field was a big part of her job description and the only real exception to getting out of being in the field was if you were injured and generally even then that was only a temporary thing. As she took a seat in the director’s office the nerves began to pool in her stomach,

“Good afternoon Agent Taylor, how are you doing?” William asked while making the two of them a cup of coffee,

“I’m doing okay, I’ve been seeing Dr Isles, and I think that it's helping- I’m still struggling to sleep ya know?” William nodded at the young woman in front of him, the truth was he knew exactly how she felt he knew exactly what she’s going through,

“You know, everyone on this team has cases that have stuck with them, mine was one of the first cases I was on-” He paused, a brief look of sorrow graced his features, “There was a serial killer abducting young children, little girls- his type just so happened to look exactly like my daughter, each time we got a report of another girl being taken my mind always assumed it was my baby- it struggled so hard to stay focused on that case. And weeks after we found the guy a part of me still expected him to come back and get my girl, the images of the children he killed stuck with me for years, i used to see Louise’s face ion the faces of those we didn’t save- Dr Isles helped me through that so I know you’re in good hands.” Jo gave him a small smile as he sipped his coffee,

“I uh- I’ve been thinking, is there any chance I can have some time out of the field? I’m not sure how long I’ll need, I just- I’m not as focused as I should be in the field and I’m worried I’m putting everyone at risk.” Jo searched William’s face for a hint as to how he was going to respond, she took a sip of her coffee as he pondered what she was saying for a few moments,

“Do you want to be out permanently?” He asked, Jo shook her head violently,

“No! Just for a little while till I get back on top of things.” He nodded before speaking again,

“Do you mind if I make some calls and see what I can arrange for you?” Jo raised an eyebrow,

“Could I not just consult on cases and do paperwork? I’ve got a stack that will probably take me a while to finish,” The director shook his head,

“Jo, if you do that you’ll be bored out of your mind, I’ll see what I can find you- if there isn’t anything then you can do that.”

“Why are you going out of your way just to make sure I don’t get bored? If you don’t mind me asking, sir.” Jo knew that he didn’t have to find her an alternative to field work, yet for some reason he was making it his duty,

“If I’m honest it’s because you’re one of the best agents I’ve seen in a very long time, and I’d hate for you to leave us when you’re such an asset to this team.” He spoke slowly as though he was pondering the weight of his words, “and I can’t help but feel responsible for what you’re going through, you were right when you said it was me- if I could change it I would believe me-” Jo was quick to silence her boss,

“Sir, I was upset that day and it was all such a shock to me, I promise you I didn’t mean any of what I said- it was out of order for me to say that.” She offered him a small smile as a silent apology,

“I know, but you weren’t out of line I completely understand, and I would’ve been just as upset if I was in your position.”

Jo left William’s office feeling less guilty than when she entered, she was glad he valued her for what she did as much as she loved Eleanor and her colleagues she knew for a fact that her paperwork was always done to the highest standard while they generally rushed to get it done so they could go home, occasionally they asked Joanne to finish for them. She sat at her desk trying to tackle some of the paperwork, but at the same time she didn’t want to start it if she was going to be working on something else for the foreseeable so she decided to sit and stare off into space for a while.

William Webster racked his brain trying to think what he could get Joanne to do, there wasn’t anything in the office that would be a good use of her time, so he decided to give an old friend a call.

After an hour or so of Jo staring into space and trying to busy herself she was summoned into William’s office once again, she took a seat opposite him eagerly waiting for him to tell her what she was going to be doing for the next few weeks or months. He grinned at her as she sat down,

“So, I’ve made some calls, and how would you feel about doing some research for John Douglas? It’s local so you won’t have to move or travel any more than you already do,” Jo nodded before thinking about how she’d felt during the time she had spent teaching alongside Douglas,

“Is it a teaching role?” She questioned and William gave her a smile and shook his head,

“No, I know how dull teaching can be- John is doing some research that I think you might be interested in, I’ve told him you’ll give him a call,” William paused briefly, “He can explain it better than I can.” Joanne gave an awkward smile, she began to ponder what the research could possibly be, was he going to study her and her plethora of trauma?

“I’ll go give him a call now, thank you Sir.”

Eddie was on the phone to Mike discussing a potential song when he heard Jo’s car pull into the driveway, he watched with caution as she seemed to skip to the door - he quickly brought the call to an end, puzzled by his girlfriend’s sudden change in behaviour. He put a pot of coffee on to brew as Jo beamed stating that she had ‘so much’ to tell him, she quickly changed out of her work clothes into some joggers and an old Motley Crue band tee, Eddie handed her a mug of coffee before taking a seat opposite her,

“So? What’s got you in such a good mood?” He asked with a curious smile,

“Well, John Douglas wants me to help him with some of his research! He’s interviewing violent offenders to try and see if they have anything more in common that can be used to help law enforcement when searching for offenders. So, I get to go into prisons and conduct interviews on his behalf, so we can cover more ground between us if that makes sense- I’ll probably be only meeting with a handful of the prisoners, but he wants me to try and build up some sort of rapport with them, ya know? Try and gain their trust and not antagonise them, see if they open up to me. The best bit? I’ll get an acknowledgement when he publishes his findings!” Eddie smiled at Jo’s enthusiasm, it amazed him how she could be so passionate about something that would scare him half to death, he wouldn’t even dream of speaking to one of the monsters that Jo would be interviewing, but that was one big difference between the two of them; Jo tried to see them as more than their crimes, she wanted to understand them, help them. Whereas Eddie saw them as animals, monsters who should be locked up.

Joanne had been briefed by John about how to behave in the prison setting, she knew that they would most likely lie to her about their crimes, and that when they did, rather than calling them out on it in an accusatory manner she should simply state that she’d read the case file, she knew every detail about the case. She knew how vital it was that she’d learnt everything about the cases, so she wouldn’t be shocked or disgusted by anything they told her. He had also informed her that they were more likely to open up if she wasn’t making notes during the interview and that taping the interview could often distract them or prevent that from divulging certain details. She knew all of the theory that would help her for this research, however no amount of studying could prepare her for what she was going to face when she sat down across from serial rapist, Marc O’Leary.

[imbumkyung]

I Saw It In A Movie One Time- Ch. 8

————

Chapter 1 // Chapter 2 // Chapter 3 // Chapter 4 // Chapter 5 // Chapter 6 // Chapter 7

The lights in Bella’s house stood dim. Tiny specks of light shone through the window carried by the moon. Riley didn’t need any lights, however. His vampire abilities perfectly capable of providing him sight through the dark. He picked up a red blouse, inhaling the scent like he’d never taken a breath before. Maybe it was just that— he didn’t have to breathe anymore.

Charlie lay asleep on the couch downstairs, unsuspecting to the “killer animal” who also happened to be the missing boy he had been working so hard to find.

Upon hearing the door open, Charlie stood to greet Bella, unhappy that Edward brought her home way past dinner time

“You know,” Charlie rounded the corner, “Edward could at least respect meal times,” He gruffed, despondent that he spent dinner by himself.

“I was just with Jake,” Bella refuted lightly.

Charlies face lit up approvingly, until he heard Edwards knock on the door, leaving them to have privacy.

Edward was worried for Bella’s safety, ranting to her that he had almost broken the treaty to make sure she was okay. Mid-sentence, he caught a scent unfamiliar to him.

-

“I didnt recognize his scent,” Edward explained. The Cullens stood attentive– shocked that an intruder of their kind roamed the spaces of Bella’s room.

Esme’s eyes stuck to the floor in concentration, “A nomad passing through.”

“A passerby wouldn’t have left Bella’s father alive,” Rosalie refuted

Jasper and Emmett entered the living space of the Cullen’s home, unsurprisingly composed considering they had just travelled about fifteen miles just to track the intruders scent.

“His scent disappeared about 5 miles south of Bella’s house,” Jasper informed.

The Cullens agreed that it had been orchestrated. Rosalie was correct— any other vampire wouldn’t have left Charlie alive. But somehow, he was important enough to let live by the intruder. It was clear that the intruder did not want to leave any traces of his visit behind. They just could not pinpoint who was behind it. Alice didn’t see Victoria in her visions, nor did she see Aro make any decisions regarding this issue. Carlisle’s only solution was to keep guard around Bella’s house at all times.

“Another protection detail?” Rosalie asked.

“Rosalie,” Carlisle warned.

“No— she’s right,“ Bella agreed, “You can’t protect me, my dad, and search for the intruder.”

“And for Victoria,” Rosalie pressed.

“And keep yourselves fed.” Bella finished.

Alice sighed, “We’ve also gotta watch Kai... I invited her over for dinner tomorrow.”

Rosalie let out a scoff, “Perfect.” She whispered under her breath

“I’m not gonna let you be here unprotected—,” said Edward.

“—and I’m not gonna let you starve,” Bella responded strongly, “And besides, I wouldn’t be unprotected. I have...”

“Who?” Edward asked.

-

“That’ll be $4.25” Kai said to the little boy who was currently scrambling his pocket for an extra dollar, though huffed when he could only muster $3.00.

The boy placed his $3.00 sheepishly on the counter while searching for change with his other hand. Kai smiled softly to herself, shook her head and handed him his bagged items anyway, “don’t worry about it,” she whispered to him with a soft grin. He thanked her gratefully and skipped out of the store to his friends waiting outside. She watched as they celebrated the snacks and candies with a fist bump, riding away happily on their bikes and scooters.

“That was nice of you,” said a voice behind the counter. Kai jumped, almost forgetting there was another customer, thought relaxed as she looked into the eyes of Seth.

She shrugged, “He’s young.”

Seth agreed with a soft “yeah,” as he placed his items on the counter.

“So uh...” he started, scratching the back of his neck nervously, “when are you off?”

Kai chuckled to herself softly, “Umm.. about 10 minutes from now... why? What’s up?” She asked

“Oh! Nothing I just— I mean— I just wanted to know if you wanted to hang for a little bit... that’s all,” Seth asked, prepared for rejection as he recalled the conversation they had just days before.

“Yeah uh...” she agreed, tucking a strand of hair behind her hair, eyes focused on the screen that calculated the total, “I can meet you outside in a little bit— that’s $12.76 by the way.”

“Okay! Yeah I’ll just be out there,” he said while swiping his card, eyes also focused on the machine in front of him. Their efforts to avoid eye contact were evident.

Kai nodded, lips pressed into a tight line awkwardly, “Alright... I’ll see you in a bit,” she said while swiftly bagging the receipt and handing him the bag. Their fingers touched upon the small exchange, but they both decided not to react as Seth left the store.

She heard a scoff from her co-worker who was restocking Trolli snacks in the aisle in front of her, “C’mon dude,” she shook her head, laughing at the cute yet awkward encounter.

“What?” Kai questioned astoundingly.

Her co-worker, Joanne smiled at her, “that was cute.”

Kai only shook her head, “no” while smiling softly to herself.

-

“Have you tried these?” Seth asked, holding up a brightly colored bag of orange chips, the Chinese characters bolded with cartoon pictures of little kids.

Kai shook her head, “Nah, what are they?”

“They’re like... cheese chips. Here try one they’re amazing,” he offered, opening the bag to her. Kai took a single cheese ring between her fingertips.

Her eyes widened, “Dude, they’re really good— what the heck!”

Seth laughed, “I told you!”

“It’s cheesy but like...” Kai’s brows furrowed, trying to find the words.

“Sweet too, huh?” Seth finished. Kai agreed enthusiastically.

They sat for a few moments just enjoying each others company, finishing lots and lots of snacks, and playing paper football with what used to be the receipt.

“So if you don’t mind me asking,” Seth began, his eyes concentrating on the goal created by Kai’s fingers, “where are you from?” He flicked the paper and watched it fly right in the middle of the goal.

Kai huffed. He’d made about a hundred goals while she made maybe six.

“Hawaii,” she answered simply, eyes much more focused on the goal now made by Seths’ fingers. She squinted intensely, trying her best to finally made the goal. She flicked and—

“What the heck man?!” Kai exclaimed, arms flailing in frustration as she looked at him incredulously. Seth let out the loudest laugh, “I’m sorry! I just wanted to see how you’d react,” he cackled. Kai would have definitely made it perfectly in the center, but Seth moved the goal right at the last moment, making it another miss for her.

Kai stood up, “Alright. You know what?” She threatened jokingly. Seth watched as she walked around the table, a mischievous yet playful smile on her face, and wrapped her arms around his neck in a lock and swung him side to side.

“Ahh! Ahh! I surrender! I’m sorry!” Seth feigned defeat. Kai’s not-so-tight grip loosened, as they laughed together. Her arms still were around him, only they lowered to sit above his shoulders. Seth enjoyed the feeling for just a moment, holding onto her arms still— and it was gone the second he realized.

“Sorry,” Kai sheepishly went to sit back down.

Seth smiled brightly at her, kicking her feet daringly, “Don’t be.”

“Are you trying to play footsies?” Kai asked, an uncontrollable smile adorned her face.

“Am I?” Seth challenged.

Their toes making a ruckus as they tried to see who could scuff who’s shoes more, until the game eventually wore. Kai’s phone buzzed and she slipped it out of her pocket, her head cocked back confusedly.

“What is it?” Seth asked.

“It’s Bella,” she answered, “she wants to know if I wanted to hang out with her and her friend Angela... but I don’t know how she got my number.”

Seth shrugged, “maybe Alice gave it to her,”

Kai nodded, “maybe.”

-

AAAAAAAND We’re back!! Yes, I am back to writing this and although this chapter is short, I will have more up soon! I apologize to all the people who were reading this because its been literally a year since the last update! I know it’s not a lot, but I still hope you will enjoy!

@coffees-and-constellations @rosalies-hale @sunflowerspectre @snazzydobrik @hvitserk-ragnarssons-slave @buckysjuicyplums @britty443

[deludingbetweenities]

“Do I look like a subject to you?!” Michael screamed as he gripped Lily’s t-shirt when she was about to get out of the room. Lily immediately felt a cold wind touched her skin as she tried to brush off Michaels’ grip casually. “No, Michael. Come on, we just want to make the best film and I know you want, too.” Lily said as she tried to control Michaels's temper but Michael just stood there looking at her eye. Michael suddenly loosened his face with a smirk on his lips. “We could just shoot another scene here and show them my true side. That will make your hunger for spotlight quenched.” Michael threatened Lily as they stood there not moving an inch. With Michael’s eye filled with anger, Lily felt so sure she would die tonight.

________________________________________________________________

“The film is about crime and mystery?” Brandon asked in confusion. They all looked at Lily in confusion. “Lily, are you sure here? We don’t have the expertise in that genre. You are good with documentaries. I think staying in our niche will be the best plan to win.” Rhea insisted as she looked at the other members for their approval.

“Well, I think we should leave a lasting memory for our last film here.” Lily said and put a sweet smile on her lips. “Plus, I ask someone who I think is the best in the genre,” she added as she waved her hand to invite someone who she thought is a treasure for the film. Standing beside their table, wearing a black shirt and jeans, is someone they didn’t expect to be there. “Here is Michael, he will help us out to create the greatest film to be created in UP Diliman!” Lily excitedly explained to her team. Well, her team wasn’t excited for the record.

“The hell is he doing here? Isn’t he the one who set fire in the cafeteria last year?” Joanne whispered to Brandon and Rhea. The three of them are looking at each other, talking with their eyes. “Guys, welcome him. Come on!” Lily convinced them to greet him.” Hey, what’s up.” three of them replied coldly. Michael knew he wasn’t accepted but tried to wave just to be respectful.

“Guys, please don’t be judgmental. We need him more than he needs us anyways.” Lily whispered to the three trying to convince them about her plans. “I think he needs us more than we need him. A loner as he is.” Rhea bluntly replied as she rolled her eyes to Michael. Lily questioned her with a look. “I am sorry, Michael. She is just honest and sometimes too honest. But she is excited also to work with you.” Lily said to Michael but he didn’t really care anyways.

The first encounter wasn’t smooth but Lily still tried to make it work since they are so devoted to creating a film out of their comfort zone. Lily has always planned things carefully, so when they learned that she invited a possible psychopath to their team, the three wondered what is she planning now.

 “I really don’t know what Lily is up to but she gives me headaches now,” Rhea complained as she and Joanne entered the bathroom leaving the door open for Brandon to stand in the doorway to hear the conversation. “Rhea, I think she has gone mental. I’m just excited to get out of college.” Brandon said as he shrugged and leaned towards the door. Joanne nodded to them since she isn’t really a talker herself. But Rhea is the complete opposite and talks whenever she wants.

“You know how I have a love and hate relationship with Lily, right? I mean she is the very perfect person to stick with and get benefits out of her. But also, I hate how she is all perfect and wants us to follow her always. I’m like duh, I’m not a push around. I’m like an icon.” she continuously babbled as she put lipstick on her lips. Brandon smirked and Joanne innocently giggled as they all shared their feelings about what is happening right now.

“How many layers will put on that lips, Rhea?” Brandon asked. “We have been here for a while. I’m starving!” he added. “Ugh. Why are you pressuring me? I just want to look good you know. Do I look good, Joanne?” Rhea said looking at Joanne to ask for approval. “Oh, yes totally,” she said. “More than Lily?” Rhea asked to assure. “More than Lily. “she added.

The three of them are friends of Lily for a very long time. They started hanging out when they are fresh students in college. Although they have different traits, they click so much especially when they are creating their films for school. They were a perfect production team but not much when a film is not associated. But even though with this setup, Lily still treated them the best and adore them so much. She took care of the three and puts them in a situation where they will be in a much good place. It is not a perfect relationship but they still have cared for each other.

While the three hang out, Lily decided to be with Michael. They talked about the plan they have for the film and Michael is giving places to best shoot with. “Wow, Michael. You sure have the best taste in creating a perfect shooting place. How did you know all of this?” Lily was amazed. “Well, I spent many times alone. Plus, I have been in several films in the past that explore many of the places in our University.” Michael replied while as he looked at his notebook and jotted down useful notes for the story. Lily was very good to handle conversations like this but it seems that Michael isn’t really open to other topics but just the film itself.

“You know, I admire you. You’re very admirable especially when you create your films in the past. I am a fan of your psychological thrillers!” Lily exclaimed and she saw Michael smirk a little that made her giggle. They spent the afternoon together and many people were confused about how did the brightest student met the one, they are scared of.

After a week, they went to shoot their film. They went to the abandoned building in their university with the bathroom perfect for their scene. It wasn’t really a scary abandoned like other people think because many students still do go there and even staffs use it for recreational activities. Brandon set up the camera while Joanne fixed Rhea’s make up for the shoot. Lily was with Michael talking about the various shoots they would take.

“Joanne, I think that was the wrong shade of lipstick. I don’t like that color.” Rhea said as she was so irritated by her look. She rolled her eyes and pushed Joanne away to reach the make-up remover behind her. Joanne though was used to this attitude but Michael felt so awkward watching them. Lily seeing Michael’s discomfort offered her lipstick. She reached for her bag and gave Joanne the lipstick she has. “Joanne, you should use this for her. I bought this because I was so in love with her lipstick shade. I guess I’ll just be buying again.” Lily offered and smiled at Rhea. Rhea sarcastically smiled but whispered “what a show-off”.

The preparation is over and they started shooting. It was going so well but Rhea kept complaining about her lips asking if it looked okay. Everybody was so irritated but kept it together. But Michael snapped and they were all shocked to see him so angry in person.

“CAN YOU STOP COMPLAINING ABOUT HOW YOU LOOK? YOU'RE GONNA DIE ANYWAY HERE! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT TO LOOK LIKE!?” Michael screamed at Rhea as he looked at her breathing heavily and gripping too much to the tripod.

They were all shocked and scared. It brought them back then when the incident happened in the cafeteria. He roared like a lion that doesn’t have any control over his desire to devour you. The quietness was the most bothering sound they had after that. But Lily tried to control the situation and tried to loosen the grip of Michael and ask him to go buy water with her.

They still did finish shooting the scene but Rhea was so pissed at Michael for humiliating her like that. Joanne, however, is half-shocked but had a relief that finally someone spoke about Rhea’s bitchy attitude.

“You know, if I die, he killed me.” Rhea said to Brandon. Brandon giggled and whispered it to Lily and Joanne. But Lily stop them saying that is too rude, maybe he was just really having a bad day. “Lily stop defending him. Are you hooking up or what? You should be thankful we permitted this mess in the first place.” Rhea bravely said to her friends but intentionally made Michael hear it, too. Brandon was intrigued by them hooking up and end up leaving the group behind first.

Michael that night still had the same nightmares he had after the incident in the cafeteria. He woke up in the middle of the night sweating and can’t breathe properly. He decided to have a little jog outside their dorm. He was fixing his shoe tie in the entrance but was startled by Lily sitting in the lounge area. “What the F-! The hell you doing here you scared me to death.” He shrugged as he jolted backward. “Oh, I’m sorry. I just ordered snacks and waiting for the delivery.” she innocently said and showed her phone waiting for the delivery man to call her.

Michael sighed as a relief. He got back again to his plan and exited the doorway. Coincidently, the delivery man Lily was waiting for is coming and Lily went out also. She was wearing a loose t-shirt, a bunny slipper, and her shorts occasionally peeping to her shorts when she moved. Michael decided to wait for her to go back inside safe since it was pit black dark and the lights were barely giving a clear sight to the roadside. “You know, you can just join me to eat. It’s is really dark now to have a run” she said as she looked down to Michael’s running shoes. Michael then followed her as he also thought he might get lost in the middle of the night with his bad sight in the dark.

They sat in the lounge eating and Lily initiated to talk first. “You can just casually get some, I don’t mind.” She then pushed the food towards Michael but Michael isn’t really an eater also. “You know. I don’t think you did it. I know you’re not like that.” She added as she crammed down her food. He already knew what is she already talking about. He leaned towards his seat and looked up and said “I don’t need your pity.” Lily didn’t say anything which confused him so he looked at her and saw her eating continuously. He thought maybe she didn’t hear it. He didn’t add to it also since he doesn’t want to dig things up. He waited for her to finish her food and they both walked towards the elevator. Lily clicked the 4th-floor button while he pushed the 5th one. It was quiet but was comforting like the silence warmed the atmosphere between them.

Lily went out first but before the elevator’s door closed, she spoke once more. “I know. Besides the past isn’t who we are anymore now.” He couldn’t react as the door completely shut and he was left speechless. The feeling of the 100 pounds weighing his heart down was lifted. He felt a little better.

They went on their next shooting and they are all set up except Rhea. She wasn’t complaining or bitching out about the scene. She was still not there. Joanne kept ringing her phone to contact her. They all sat there as they waited. “Rhea is not like this. I even text her last night that she wants it to be over fast. It is very ironic for her to be late.” Brandon exclaimed as they all waited with boredom and confusion in their minds.

They waited and waited there until they heard stomping in the leaves. Like it was running from something. They all stood up as they thought it was Rhea but it was the head student in the dorm. “I thought it was Rhea for a second. What’s up, Jean?” Lily said while the others sat again because of disappointment. “What? You all don’t know?’ she replied. They were all confused as they can see now Jean shaking and catching her breath. “She is in the hospital. She was unconscious and not breathing. Her lips were swollen and we rushed her to the hospital. “they immediately packed up and rushed to the emergency. They were all shaking and concerned hoping for Rhea to be okay.

They arrived fast in the emergency room but was too late to see Rhea. They were about to ask but Brandon saw her body from afar being covered by the doctor. They all noticed him and saw what he looked for. Immediately, Joanne dropped from her knees shaking. Lily’s bright aura left the room as a tear fell down to her cheek. They all froze and can’t walk towards her.

“How did she die?” a voice of Michael was heard from afar. He was the one who approached the doctor to know what happened as they can’t move or decide for themselves. “Are you a guardian?” the doctor asked but Michael didn’t have the chance to reply since the doctor spoke again. “she was hardly breathing and lose her oxygen after a few minutes she was sent here. We suspect it as an allergic response as seen in her swollen lips. An autopsy will be done after the guardians confirm it.” the doctor added. Out of nowhere, she died. Ironically, she was supposed to also in the film they are working on.

It was a week after Rhea died and all of them were not the same, well except Michael. The devastation got into them so much especially to Joanne and Brandon. Lily decided to change the genre and make it a psychological thriller documentary since crime and mystery won’t help them without remembering what happened to Rhea. They were about to shoot a new scene but it was in the cafeteria. Michael was confused and having second thoughts about entering a place after 3 years. But Lily grabbed his hands and asked him to sit. All four of them are there, asking about what will they shoot here, but Lily insisted just to sit and eat. She arranged the food she bought and ask them to just eat. They grabbed some food to eat their confusion away but Michael was just sitting there looking around.

He was getting anxious but he didn’t want them to know. He felt like he was living his nightmare once again and he can’t wake up to escape it. He just sat there frozen and thinking about the things he feared the most. Suddenly, he heard barf from their table and saw Brandon vomiting so much unto it. But the smell lingered in the room that it was too strong to stay, then he looked around and saw a bunch of people puking their guts out. He just froze there and looked at Lily and Joanne panicking. All he heard was nothing and with his eyes blurry, he can’t process what happened. He jolted towards the exit to and grasped some air. He remembered certain things he should not.

Many students were sent to the hospital including Brandon. They were suspected to be food poison but Brandon was the one who starting vomiting in a short time after he ate the Mac and Cheese that was served in the cafeteria. The doctors said he might have a sensitive stomach so he might be staying a lot longer than others.

They all sat at the lounge of the hospital, tired and dried from these events. It is crazy how life could just change within a second. Joanne was so devastated and she felt like the world is against her. She looked at Michael out of frustration and said “It’s all your fault! One minute you’re with us the next minute one of us is in danger!”. The people passing by even heard the frustration in Joanne’s voice. Lily was trying to calm her. Joanne was not really vocal towards her feelings and barely speaking even the normal volume voice and for Lily to see her in this state, she even worried more. Michael looked at Joanne with his eyes dead as he spoke too short for Joanne’s frustration. “I don’t care what you think.” he shortly rebuttal.

“See, Lily. Did you know how much he causes us just to be with him? He is a freak! That explains the incident when he burned up the old cafeteria and killed Jess!” she replied as her emotion controlled her even more blurting out every tear and sweat in her body. Michael was not pleased to hear that name that he burst out to his place and rushed to the exit of the hospital. “What?! You coward! All you did is make people suffer!” Joanne exclaimed as Lily tried to stop her from going towards Michael.

Michael then turned around, slowly walked to them, and touched Joanne’s chin. The two of them froze but their body non-stop shakes from nervousness. “Lackey, butt-kisser, and barks so much when she misses her owner. You’re a pet dog right from the start,” he said then walked out of their sight.

Joanne was so furious with Michael that Lily decided to accompany her to her dorm. Lily has listened to Joanne’s tears as she comforted her to her sleep. Lily then looked around and saw a very disorganized room and started to fix it for Joanne.  She tried to keep things together even when they are falling apart. But she also needs to prioritize the film for it is a requirement. It is just all noisy inside their heads.

Michael was so over the people around him. He was so tired and sick of them bringing the past and making him remember things he shouldn’t. The chomp and cling of the elevator made it better since Michael can’t handle the silence within it. He was about to click the 5th floor as his room is in there but decided to drop by Lily’s room.

As he got off Lily’s floor, he looked around wondering where is her room. It was night and all the lights were off with only the moon giving him light in the window in a distance. He did not think it through since he didn’t know what room was, she in or is he allowed to be here. He was planning to go back to the elevator until he bumped someone out of nowhere. “I am sorry.” he shortly said while he tried to see who is that person beyond the darkness in the hallway. “Michael what are you doing here?” he realized it was Lily by her voice and he answered, “I was looking for you.” Lily then dragged Michael to her room. As she closed the door behind them, she immediately asked Michael what is he doing there. “I don’t really know why I am here. My feet just walk me here,” he said. Lily was anxious and kept walking around that gave confusion to Michael. “If you are not comfortable talking here, I can just go out. You don’t have to drag me here.” He added. Lily sighed and replied “It was just unexpected and you might get caught because it is forbidden to meet here especially at night. They might get the wrong impression.”

Michael looked around and started walking making himself feel comfortable. He stumbled a script and picked it up to Lily’s table. Lily, on the other hand, got some clothes and told Michael that she was crashing over to Joanne since she needed her especially now. Michael didn’t reply for he was busy checking the script he picked up. It didn’t look like the one he has a copy of, so he thought it was something Lily has worked on in the past or maybe future projects. But as he flipped the pages one by one, his stomach churned. It felt like he was reading everything that happened this week. Every chaos and all. Lily then saw him browsing the said script and immediately snatched it from Michael. It was too late though because Michael was filled with his anger and confusion.

“This is just a draft. Don’t mind it. Come on, let’s check Joanne if she is okay.” Lily tried to divert Michael’s attention and to convinced him in a way. But Michael didn’t fall for it.

“Do I look like a subject to you?!” Michael screamed as he gripped Lily’s t-shirt when she was about to get out of the room. Lily immediately felt a cold wind touched her skin as she tried to brush off Michaels’ grip casually. “No, Michael. Come on, we just want to make the best film and I know you want, too.” Lily said as she tried to control Michael's temper but Michael just stood there looking at her eye. Michael suddenly loosens his face with a smirk on his lips. “We could just shoot another scene here and show them my true side. That will make your hunger for spotlight quenched.” Michael threatened Lily as they stood there not moving an inch. With Michael’s eye filled with anger, Lily felt so sure she would die that night.

After that night, they never saw Michael again and they thought he bolted out of anger but Lily can’t forget that night. Now, she wanted to listen to her friends more than ever. They asked for an extension to their professor since the happenings tore their team apart and they were given a chance. Lily and Joanne is now on the way to visit Brandon to check if he is doing okay. As they arrived at his room, they didn’t expect that there was a visitor. It was Michael.

Joanne raised her brows and asked him what was he doing there. “I just paid a visit,” Michael said and he then exited the room immediately. They were both suspicious so they decided to have a talk. A click from the door and swoosh from the window woken Brandon up. “We just need to sure we are safe. Sorry for waking you up. “Lily said and pushed a chair for them to sit beside Brandon.

“How are you?” she asked.

“I’m doing well Lily.” He replied.

“Well, we three need to talk.” Lily explained.

“About what?” Brandon said out of his confusion.

“Everything.” she added.

Lily pointed out how Michael is suspicious than he is. Joanne also added what he did in the cafeteria on how he exited like he was so guilty of what was happening. They also added about the fight Joanne and Michael have.

“Guys, he threatened me last time.” Lily blurted out. She looked down out of fear and played her hand to ease the anxiousness. “He came to my room, got angry with me, and taunted to hurt me.”

The two were shocked. “What the hell Lily? Why didn’t you said it earlier and report it sooner?”

“Well, I just don’t want to point fingers. I know his temper and he might not mean it. But this morning, he was just starring at you when we came and said he just paid a visit. He didn’t even bother waking you up or maybe waiting for you to wake up.” They all look at each other, as they put the puzzle together. They realized what has been happening.

“I remember him not eating in the cafeteria. Like he knows there is poison in the food.” Joanne added. Brandon gulped and realized something. “He also said Rhea will die anyway so she should stop bothering about her vanity,” he said as they succumb to the conclusion that he is behind all this. Lily immediately called the police and Joanne rush to the nurse station to get Brandon to check if in case Michael put something to his medication. They felt a mix of relief and goosebumps as they found out what is happening.

“Lily, have you called the police yet?” Brandon asks. “Yeah, I’m sorry it took so long they weren’t picking it up,” she replied. 

Police arrived and interviewed the two, Joanne, on the other hand, didn’t come back. Brandon then asked the nurse where did the person call her went. “Someone called her and she started freaking out. She then went the way towards the exit.” the nurse replied. Brandon just nodded and thought it was their professor or something since she always forgot to pass things on time. Lily stayed with Brandon until he fell asleep. After that, she went out to find Michael.

She didn’t think it through but she needed to confront her. She went everywhere but she didn’t expect to see Michael in the cafeteria. The cafeteria was close since the incident last time but there she saw him sitting in the middle of it. She entered the cafeteria slowly as she wanted to know why Michael did it.

“Did you plan this all along?” she asked.

He smirked and stared at her. “Why wouldn’t I?” he replied.

“You tricked me into thinking you would help me. I thought you were not the person they thought you are.” Lily responded as she tried to keep herself together.

“Well, life is full of surprises.” he shortly replied.

“YOU MURDERED HER!” she said as she realized what happened.

“Well, she deserves it. She is as shallow as her name.” he proudly said.

“WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!” she shouted.

“Sometimes, people are rumored by a reason.” he explained as he slowly moved towards Lily.

“You killed her also. You killed Jess. You burned the cafeteria with her.” she added that made Michael even angry.

“YOU DON’T INVOLVE HER NAME HERE! DON’T YOU EVER SPEAK OF HER NAME!” he screamed and tauntingly walked toward Lily.

Lily shaking out of fear, she picked up the scrap metal laying around the corner and hit Michael hard. Michael got to his knees as Lily continued to bash her with the metal. She put all of her energy to hurt him as she says” YOU WON’T BE SUCCESSFUL! I HAVE SAVED MY OTHER FRIENDS! YOU WON’T GET AWAY WITH THIS! ARGHHH!!”. Michael bleeding out laugh as he heard Lily. “I think they died already now! Brandon dying from poison, I injected earlier and Joanne getting mutilated by a dog.” he murmured that made Lily stop. She drops the metal and quickly gets her phone. She was about to make the phone call but it was too late. She was flooded by messages stating her friends died. She felt sick and lost as she walked away from Michael. She ran for her life screaming and hoping it won’t be the end of her, too.

 “I didn’t know I would survive. I didn’t know how did I survive. All I know is I want the story of my friends to be heard. They deserve to be alive, at least to the memories you will have in my film. I hope that the person behind this will be accountable forever. Thank you for giving us another chance to live our dreams, at least for the last time for them.” applause filled the room as the screening ends. Lily barely walking but manage to stand up for her tribute to her friends. She cried with joy and sadness in her heart. She finally did it. She has won the prize she wanted.

Best film and cinematography.

Best director.

Best storyline.

And the best price. Was the best actress. Because behind her survival is an evil smile knowing she did it. All her plans succeeded and she did leave the masterpiece in her school. The greatest crime of the century that only two people knew. Herself and Michael.

Lily didn’t know Michael took pictures of the script Michael found out. He immediately got away from her as he unfolds every detail that had to happen. He was furious about how sick Lily would make her the subject of her film.

He visited Brandon in the hospital to ask whether they also knew this script ever since. But he arrived there while Brandon was taking a rest and he got second thoughts about waking him up since it might result in another issue again. But Joanne and Lily came out of nowhere and it freaked him out. There was something wrong with Lily, he was sure of that.

About hours after that he got a message from Joanne saying they need to meet at the cafeteria. He immediately went there thinking maybe Joanne also noticed Lily’s actions. He entered the cafeteria slowly as he wanted to know why instead of Joanne, he saw was Lily.

He saw her holding a phone that looked like it was Joanne’s phone. He remembers suddenly the script he had read, thinking it was all fiction, but he thought wrong. He then tried to call Joanne’s number and it rang so close to his ears. It is Joanne’s phone.

 “Did you plan this all along?” he asked.

She smirked and stared at him.

“Why wouldn’t I? “she replied.

“You tricked me into thinking you would help me. I thought you were not the person they thought you are.” he responded as he tried to keep himself together.

“Well, life is full of surprises.” she shortly replied.

“DID YOU MURDER RHEA?!” he said as he realized what happened.

 “Well, she deserves it. She is as shallow as her name.” she proudly said.

 “WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!” he shouted.

“I have been keeping with their shit until now. I only befriended them because they will be the perfect subjects for my film. “she explained as she slowly moved towards Michael.

“YOU ARE SICK! YOU ACT SO INNOCENT; YOU THINK YOU CAN FOOL EVERY ONE?! NOT ME!” he exclaimed as he lost his breath out of it.

“Sometimes, everybody being on your side will be beneficial. How could Lily hurt them, right? She is too precious. Compared to you, you killed Jess and everyone knew your history. Kind of shame police thought it was an accident. “she said as she tauntingly walked toward Michael

“YOU DON’T INVOLVE HER NAME HERE! DON’T YOU EVER SPEAK OF HER NAME! DON’T EVEN COMPARE YOURSELF TO ME! IT WAS AN ACCIDENT! YOU WON’T BE SUCCESSFUL! I WILL MAKE SURE I WILL SAVE JOANNE AND BRANDON! YOU WON’T GET AWAY WITH THIS! ARGHHH!!” Michael grabbed the nearest weapon he could find and is ready for Lily as she was walking towards him. He was about to hit her but Lily forcefully grab the metal scrap in his hands.

She started hitting herself. Continuously, he hit herself while she screamed in pain but also a pleasure.

“WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!” he shouted.

“I will show you how great I am. Argh! “she exclaimed as she talked with the pain she is inducing. “Poor Lily, bleeding to death. Can’t run properly because Michael has beaten her and tried to kill her. HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAH I love this scene so much!” she laughed as she hurt herself continuously.

“You are a lunatic! NO ONE WILL BELIEVE YOU!” he said as he tried to convinced himself.

“I think they will. You see you are the last one Joanne texted. You are the last one suspiciously visited Brandon. You are the one who screamed to Rhea that she will die soon. All are pointing to you. That is what we call the perfect masterpiece.” She explained as sirens from afar are filling the room together with Lily’s evil laughter. “So sick of you to let Joanne be mutilated by a dog, to poison half of the school and kill Brandon. To put nuts to the mixture of the lipstick of Rhea. To sleep over to Joanne just change my contact name to your name. To put another poison Brandon while he is in the hospital alone with you.” She added as she looked at Michael.

“No one will believe you. No one will.” he replied as he soon saw Lily that he knew left the Lily he is speaking now.

“Well, let say they won’t but I got all the footage of you screaming to Rhea, not eating your food at the cafeteria because you know it has poison. Plus, your background will not help you. You have been into this place before, right? Before you “accidentally” burned it down.” she said as she continued to laugh while her blood is leaking all over her body. She then stood up and ran away from Michael screaming and asking for help.

Blue and red light filled the building. Sirens taking over the university. Michael just stood there, no hope in his mind, closed his eyes to cry but even tears can’t explain how he would live after this. If he could. 

(Picture credits: Gone Girl (2014)  directed by David Fincher)

[quirkykayleetam]

Kind Restraints

Beth couldn’t sleep.  For once it wasn’t the constant beeping of the medical apparatuses in Jay’s room or the ice cold temperature of the hospital or the sterile smell she could never seem to get out of her nose.  It was that she’d just left her job at Landring Community College.

That morning, Beth said goodbye to co-workers that had become, if not friends, than at least solid parts of her life.  She knew their kids, their creatively named weiner dogs, their memorable love lives.  She swapped shopping tips with Joanne from marketing every Wednesday on their lunch break.

She couldn’t explain to them why she was leaving.  She just put in her two weeks notice and sat quiet as her origami paperweight as rumors swirled around her.  Maybe she’d inherited a grand fortune.  Maybe she was finally running off with long-term on-and-off-again boyfriend, Joey.

No one guessed she signed her life away to help a kid she barely knew.

God, Beth thought, what was she getting herself into?  Jay wasn’t one of her brothers that she could clean up for a weekend and then send back to rehab when he showed up high and broke her window.  Jay was fragile and brilliant, independent and stubborn as hell.  They needed someone more tranquil and soothing, someone who knew about trauma and medicine.  Someone better than her.

Beth raised a hand from her chest to rub her forehead.  Before she could, the alarm on Jay’s heart monitor went off.  She jumped to her feet.

Still swathed in blankets, gauze, and plaster casts, Jay writhed in their hospital bed.  Their arms moved jerkily, tearing at the splints on their broken fingers.

“‘Ma hands,” Jay slurred, their eyes closed.  “Can’t feel ‘ma hands!”

A nurse bustled into the room, going straight to the monitors.

“Jay, can you hear me?”

Jay didn’t respond.

“Jay, I need you to calm down.  You’re going to harm yourself.”

Jay kept thrashing.  Seemingly in desperation, they beat their hands against their chest.

“You’re already asleep, so I can’t do much to sedate you, but I will restrain you if I have to.”

Beth’s face blanched as she saw the wrist cuffs in the nurse’s hands.  They were padded and safe, Beth knew.  The nurse had obviously used them before.  

Still, Beth kept imagining the lines already marking Jay’s skin.  Jay hadn’t talked much about...about what happened, but some things were obvious.  The damage done by zip ties over months and months of bloody captivity left lined scars on Jay’s ankles, wrists, and neck.  They spoke of pain, helplessness, and captivity, of the times Jay thought they were dying in the dark somewhere all alone.

“Please,” she said stumbling forward, “let me hold him.  Don’t…  Unless we have to, don’t tie him down again.”

The nurse paused.  

Jay thrashed.  

Beth gulped.  

Then the orderly nodded.

“You hear that, Jay-bird?  I’m gonna be with you all the way through this.  I’m not gonna let anyone hurt you again.”

She reached for his arms, but found she could only keep a hold of one of them at a time from her position on the side of Jay’s hospital railing.

“Damn you for being so gangly!” she huffed.  “If you want to do it that way, then hold on.  I’m coming on up.”

The nurse helped Beth move wires and IV tubes out of her way as the heaved herself under Jay and onto the bed.  It took time to get her situated with her legs hanging off both sides of the mattress and Jay’s thrashing form in lap.  There she could wrap her arms around him in a tight hug, holding his arms to their bodies so Jay couldn’t lash out.

“Shhh, shhh,” Beth murmured, turning Jay’s shaking into rocking.  She couldn’t quiet them entirely, but she could rest their head against her neck.

If this was anyone else, I’d sing to them, Beth thought.  Jay wasn’t very fond of music, at least not the lyrical kind.  They tried to introduce her to something called “electronica..”  It didn’t go over well.

Normally, Jay kept their headphones on silent or listened to audiobooks.  Beth would kill for a book right now, but she couldn’t very well read one with her arms to entangled.  She knew a few Spanish poems and nursery rhymes, but she doubted Jay would care.

No, she thought, Jay likes information.  They’ll stay up all night listening to YouTube videos of quiet voices explaining medieval cooking styles and crocheting techniques.  She might not know much about computers or literature, but inconsequential knowledge?  She could give them that.

“There’s a painting called “Towing of a Boat at Honfleur,” she intoned, moving her mouth until it was parallel to Jay’s ear.  “It’s at the Memorial Gallery at Rochester, New York.  I saw it once when I was visiting with my mom.  Claude Monet, the famous impressionist, painted it in 1864, I think, when he was younger than you.  Only 24 and already a painter, can you imagine?

I remember it because there’s this sandy beach, right, with rocky cliffs in the background.  It’s getting dark; there are low clouds and you can see the sun disappearing from the sky.  Then, right in the middle behind the main figures, there’s a lighthouse shining out of this painting right into your eyes.  It’s almost blinding when you find it and I couldn’t look away.

“Anyway, the whole thing is done in just a few colors.  There’s the figures, the boat, the water, the sand, the cliffs, the sky, and the lighthouse sketched out in just a few brushstrokes.  The simplicity of it makes you feel like you’re there, just like Monet was.  Honfleur was just a few miles away from where the painter grew up in LeHavre.  The painting gives you a sense of place, a sense of solidarity.  No matter where you are, you can look at it and think, that is home.”

She hugged Jay a little tighter, all thoughts of leaving the life of her job forgotten in that moment.

“You’re home, Jay, even if you can’t realize it yet.  Right here, in my arms, you are home.”

Hello, friends!  This is a continuation of the Broken Pieces Universe.  The previous entry can be found under Broken Pieces Pt. 4: Beth’s Answer.

While I’m done with the “official” story, I’m still taking requests for these wonderful characters as we see them work together and recovery.  This was an ask from the wonderful @imagination1reality0​ to fulfill the Kind Restraints square on @badthingshappenbingo​!  I really hope you enjoyed it because we’ve got Trying to Wake Them Up and Self-Harm coming next.

Tagging the Broken Pieces Crew: (If you want to be added or taken off this list, just let me know!):  @stoic-whumpee​​​, @whatwasmyprevioususername​​​, @whumpty-dumpty-fell-off-the-wall​​​, @straight-to-the-pain​​​, @castielamigos-whump-side-blog​​​, @0idril0​​​, @fallingstormphoenix​​​, @whump-fantasies​​​, @imagination1reality0​​​, @whumpback-wail​​, @whump-tr0pes​​, @untilthepainstarts​​, @captivity-whump​, @burtlederp​, @redwingedwhump​, @whumpiary​, @captivity-whump​, @blue-flare10​