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spnexploration · 2 years ago

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Pack chapter 14

Pairing: Alpha!Dean Winchester x Omega!Reader, Alpha!Sam Winchester x Omega!Madison

Series summary: Omega!Reader is thrown into a world she's not expecting when her mate turns out to be a hunter, and she's not used to Alpha & Omega Pack dynamics.

Chapter summary: Dean and you head to the doctor

Chapter warnings: none

Word count: 2.5k

A/N: Get ready for my take on A/B/O medical mambo jambo! 😆

Series Masterlist | Supernatural writing masterlist

Part 13 <- -> Part 15

Dean bundled me into the car, keeping himself between me and Sam at all times. Sam had bared his throat at Dean again when we’d entered the garage, although he hadn’t gone on his knees. I wondered if he was just trying to placate Dean, or if he really was worried and needed to show his submission.

I hadn’t seen Madison anywhere. I wondered if she was hiding.

We pulled up at the doctor’s clinic. “Are you going to be ok to go into the waiting room?” Sam asked quietly.

Dean growled. I couldn’t tell if it was a yes, no, or just frustration.

“I could go in and tell them you’re here, and you could wait in the car.”

Dean sighed before finally agreeing. Sam jumped out and headed inside.

“I’m sorry, Alpha,” I whispered once I was alone. I looked at my hands, not brave enough to make eye contact.

“Please don’t think I’m angry at you, sweetheart. It’s just very hard to control my Alpha in full rut, especially so strong a rut as when I’ve first found my mate. It takes a lot of effort, and it makes me feel extremely protective of you. Sam gets that.”

I nodded, not really feeling like there was anything else to do. I waited for Sam, dreading the doctor telling us that I was broken.

---

Dean led me into the doctor’s room, after Sam had come to fetch us from the car. My nose instantly told me that the doctor was an Alpha, and I worried how this would go with Dean.

“Mr Winchester, Ms Y/L/N, please take a seat,” she said mildly.

“Mine,” Dean growled, holding me behind him.

“Yes, Mr Winchester,” she placated him. “Believe me, I have my own Omega at home.”

He seemed satisfied, although it was interesting to me that unlike Sam, she hadn’t submitted to him, she just hadn’t risen to the challenge. I supposed she wasn’t in his Pack, and he did know that she was a professional. His Alpha probably just wanted to make his claim clear.

We took our seats.

“So, what brings you into my office?”

I let Dean do the talking. I brought my knees to my chest as he described that we were mates but he had gone into rut and I hadn’t gone into heat.

“How long ago did you meet? Have you been together or separated during that time?”

“Few weeks,” Dean responded, “but I was unfortunately shot in the shoulder in a mugging and so was in hospital a few times. The first time they let my Omega stay with me but when we came back to Lebanon, I developed an infection and was in hospital for two nights without her.”

“Was your scent affected?”

“I believe so, yes. Multiple members of my Pack remarked upon it.”

She looked over at me, looking me up and down. I withdrew further into myself.

“I’m going to need to speak to Ms Y/L/N alone.”

Dean gritted his teeth, but didn’t argue. He nodded his head once and walked out, hands in fists.

Once the door was closed behind him, the doctor turned to me and smiled. “You know, anything you tell me in here is just between us, ok? I’m not going to tell your Alpha anything you say.” I nodded, unsure why she was telling me this. Perhaps it was just protocol when talking to Omegas. “I need to ask you some questions and I need you to be as honest as you can, ok? I can’t help you if I don’t know all of the facts.” I nodded again, wondering where this was going. Dean had just told her all of the details.

“Has your Alpha ever hurt you?” she asked.

Oh. She thought I was being abused. I must look like a beaten Omega, sitting here hiding behind my legs. I cringed internally, berating myself for making Dean look bad.

“No, no, of course not. He’s very kind.”

“How about other members of his Pack?”

“There’s just his brother and his mate, and they’re both lovely.”

“Is his brother the Alpha who was in the waiting room earlier?”

“Yes, Sam.”

“So neither Dean nor Sam has ever hurt you? Has ever threatened you? Remember, I won’t tell them anything you say.”

“No, I’m not being abused. I’m just upset about not going into heat,” my voice started to break as tears fell down my face, “that my body is broken, and we can’t mate properly.”

She offered me a box of tissues and I took one. “It’s going to be ok, we can fix this,” she said reassuringly. “Ok, tell me about when Dean was in hospital and since then. Tell me about how you experienced it.”

“Umm, well, he was with Sam when he was shot, and Sam took him to hospital. And then he picked up me and Madison, his Omega. And then Sam and Madison had to go and I stayed in the hospital, and then the next day Sam came back and I hadn’t slept or anything so I had a nap, and then Dean finally woke up. And then that night I stayed in the hospital in Dean’s bed, and then he got to go home. But then he had an infection and I woke up to him really sick and we took him to the clinic but they wouldn’t let me stay, but we saw him during the daytime. Um, and then he came home and he was on antibiotics which made him smell really bad, but then he finished them. That’s it, really.” I wondered if she'd been able to follow my ramblings.

“And how did you feel during all of this?”

“You know, worried! And I didn’t like it when he smelt wrong. But umm, he still felt like my mate and everything.”

She was silent, as if wanting me to go on, but I didn’t have anything else to say. I stayed silent too, until eventually she said, “Ok, that’s fine. Thank you for telling me. I’m going to talk to Dean now and I’d like to speak to Sam too. Can you go to the door and get Dean?”

I got up and opened the door, finding Dean pacing the corridor outside. “The doctor wants to talk to you,” I said quietly, heading out into the corridor.

Dean gritted his teeth and the red of his eyes flashed brighter. “You are not standing out here, alone.” I looked at him helplessly, what did he want me to do? He seemed to decide something, pulling out his phone. “I’ll be right with you,” he said to the doctor.

“It’s ok, I understand,” she replied. A few moments later, Sam appeared, jogging towards us with his phone in his hand.

“Stay here with Sam,” Dean said to me, then closed the door behind him as he walked into the doctor’s office.

“How did it go?” Sam asked me gently. “Are you ok?”

“Yeah, she asked some questions about what happened with Dean’s shoulder, how he smelt and stuff. I don’t know why.” He nodded. “Are you and Dean ok?” I asked tentatively.

He chuckled, “We’re fine. I just know how hard it is for him to control his Alpha in an unfulfilled rut, especially around his unmarked mate, so anything I can do to make that easier I’m trying to do. It’s very hard for him to tolerate another Alpha near you right now, so I’m showing him that he’s my Alpha too, that I’m not challenging him for you. He knows that, of course, but it helps if he doesn’t have to reassure his Alpha about it. If he can just see me submitting.”

Dean came out shortly after and Sam went in to talk to the doctor. Dean and I stood awkwardly in the corridor. I wished we could go back to yesterday, when I didn’t feel so paranoid and guilty around him. When I knew how to act around him, how to expect him to act in return.

Finally, the doctor called us all in.

“Ok, I think I know what’s going on here,” she said. “And it’s no one’s fault, no one’s body is broken, and this is recoverable.”

“Y/N,” she said, turning her body to me, “Sam told me about you going into shock after Dean got his infection. He said that you were in a lot of pain that night when you were separated from Dean, is that right?” I nodded. “He also said he thinks you might still be in some pain and you haven’t told anyone, is that also right?”

I bit my lip. “Umm, it’s just a little bit,” I mumbled. I saw Dean’s hands clench around the arms of the chair.

“Is it ok if I ask you some questions about that? Or would you prefer I send the Alphas out of the room first?”

“It’s ok,” I mumbled.

“Where does it hurt?” I pointed to my chest, and indicated the area it would spread around into. Dean’s nostrils flared and I wondered if he might break a tooth soon, he was clenching his jaw so hard. “Does it always hurt the same amount?” she continued.

“Umm, no. It’s better when I’m when with Dean and when I’m with Sam.”

“Is it the same between those two?”

“No, it’s better with Dean.” Dean seemed to relax the tiniest fraction.

“Ok, thank you for telling me.” I watched as Dean slowly unwound, now that we weren’t talking about me being in pain anymore.

She paused and then looked at the three of us, “Our bodies are pretty remarkable things, but sometimes they can also gets things not quite right. Y/N, I think that night your body probably produced too much of a hormone called Omeganine. This is the hormone that, in low doses, is needed for bonding to occur, and that gets released whenever you cuddle, scent, kiss etc your mate. However, it can also be produced in extremely high doses when there is a traumatic event that affects the bond. This kicks your body over into a different way of operating.”

I pulled my knees to my chest again. It was my fault, my body was broken.

“From an evolutionary standpoint,” the doctor continued, “this ability to kick into a different gear is actually pretty useful, because it normally only happens to Omegas whose Alphas have died. In your case, of course, Dean was still living and breathing, but your body wasn’t able to get the feedback about that, such as by scenting him, during the window when it was looking for him. You were separated from him, and he didn’t smell right when you did see him.”

I nodded, blinking back tears. My body thought Dean was dead?!

“Now, what happens when your body goes into this other gear is that it starts looking for what you’re going to do next, without a mate. If it can, it tries to find an Alpha who you find comforting and see if you can bond with them. Often, particularly in the past, this might have been another Alpha in the Pack.”

I was starting to dread where this was going, “Did- did- did I bond with Sam?!”

“No, no, it’s ok, just relax,” she said reassuringly. “What I think happened is that your cycle has gotten confused about which Alpha to align with, Sam or Dean. Under normal circumstances, your cycle would never consider any Alpha other than your mate, so it wouldn’t matter how much time you spent with another Alpha. But after the flood of Omeganine, well, it got a bit confused. And then Dean came back before it had settled on Sam, so I think you probably had different hormonal feedback loops operating about both of them, hence the pain reducing around them both. But I want to assure you that you are still mated to Dean, you are still bonded with Dean.”

I sent a panicked look at Dean, who was again gritting his teeth. Sam seemed to have shrunk in on himself.

“It’s ok, everyone, we can recover from this. What I am proposing to do is to give Dean a shot of rut suppressants, which will work for about two weeks. Now that Dean's off the medications, he's available to be with his Omega, and his scent will have returned to normal, we just have to give Y/N’s body the chance to realign with his cycle. In those two weeks you guys just need to act like yourselves, be a bit cuddly, scent each other, be together when sleeping etc. The normal processes have just been a little bit derailed, but we can get them back onboard. Then, when Dean goes back into his rut, Y/N’s body should align and go into heat at the same time. Does that sound ok?”

“Yes,” Dean barked. I don’t think he meant to be forceful, he was just having difficulty controlling his reactions.

I stared at my hands, wrapped around my knees. We just had to be ‘normal’ Alphas and Omegas, but I’m not normal. I’ve never been the right amount of cuddly, the right type of Omega. Probably if I’d been the right type of Omega in the beginning, the bond would have been strong enough to withstand a couple of nights away from Dean. That was nothing, plenty of Omegas and Alphas had to separate for days during their bonding time. Trust me and my body to fuck it up.

“Uh, not to make this about me,” Sam said tentatively, “but do I need to stay away from Y/N? I can move out for a couple of weeks if needed.”

“No, no, I think it will actually be good for Dean and Y/N to still be surrounded by Pack, like they would be normally. Part of Y/N building her bond to Dean is building it to his Pack. But we just want to make sure that Dean has opportunities where Y/N is scenting him over you. You know, when you’re watching TV, it’d be good for Y/N and Dean to sit together. But we don’t have to read too much into this. The fact she has been feeling better with Dean shows me that his is still the stronger bond.”

“I would also like to take a blood test from Y/N, just to be certain that there’s nothing else happening. I think the pain you’re feeling is still the fallout from the Omeganine flood, and that time with your mate will help that system to stabilise, so I wouldn’t worry about it.” I nodded. More things I had to fix by being the right kind of Omega.

“Any questions from anyone?”

We all shook our heads. She went and got the shot for Dean and gave it to him, while I stared into a balding patch of carpet near the wheel of the doctor’s chair.

This was all my fault. I was broken.

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chericherixo · 1 year ago

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She's Yours, You're Mine part three [fluff]

Draco x Fem!Reader

Draco is arranged to marry Astoria, but all he's ever wanted is you.

Words: 1074 Contains: confessions, cheating (?)

Notes: all characters are 18+, reader's house is not specified yet.

A week later

You sat in potions, actively tapping your foot as others walked in. Draco was in this class with you, and you hadn't seen him since the almost-kiss in the greenhouses. Although, you weren't sure that he was actually leaning in to kiss you or if you were just imagining it, but you freaked out and ran out, not wanting to think about him cheating on Astoria. Arranged or not, they were in a relationship.

Everyone took their places at their cauldrons while the professor went over a few things and set the class loose to practice Veritaserum.

It was only a few moments into work time before Draco walked in nervously. We locked eyes then quickly looked away from each other.

"Ah! Mr. Malfoy. Nice of you to join us. If you'd take your place by ms. y/l/n, you can get started on the Veritaserum potion. Let me know when you are finished." The Professor spoke and Draco nodded. He set his bag down and turned the fire on his cauldron.

You two worked without looking at each other once, two embarrassed. Though, it didn't mean Draco wanted to look at you any less. He ached to look at you, to touch you again, even in just a hug. He felt horrible after you had left him, and all the warmth he felt ran off with you. He was worried he had messed things up, moving too fast or assuming you felt the same.

You turned to grab ingredients from the pantry and he took this as he opportunity to talk to you alone. He followed you in, "Y/n?"

You turned to look at him, remorse filling your eyes, "Draco, I'm sorry-"

"No, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to put you in that position and I really don't want you to hate me. I just wanted to talk to you and I guess I wasn't feeling the best and-"

"Draco. It's ok." You nodded, "It's not your fault. I would've kissed you but.. Astoria. You two are together, and I don't want to get involved in that.."

"Believe me, if I could get her away from me I would but- she's always around me, and yet she still treats me like shit-" He cut himself off, "I wish I could love her, I really do, but I'll never look at her like I look at you." He admitted and looked down at the floor.

You were stunned, not expecting him to have such an infatuation with you after all these years.

"I- I can't do this right now.. um- can we talk after class? Somewhere alone? Before someone else comes in here." Your mouth stays open and he walks out, leaving you to finish gathering the ingredients you came for, though you could barely remember what they were.

--------

After class

Draco waited outside the classroom while you gathered your things. When you were ready, you both walked silently by each other, down onto the open Hogwarts grounds, just outside the quidditch pitch.

When he was sure there was nobody else around, he spoke up. "Y/n, I know I'm being stupid right now, but I need you to know that I wasn't intending to run into you that night, I was just trying to clear my head and- I usually go to the greenhouses to do that."

"I really wanted to kiss you." You said softly, "But I don't know you anymore.. what's your favorite hobby?"

He was surprised at the turn of topics, but didn't mind it. That's what he loved about you. You had an ability to make anyone feel comfortable. "Um- I don't really know. I haven't had much free time lately."

"Well there has to be something."

He tried to think. Any moment he had was spent on school work, and if not that, then pleasing his fiancee with shopping sprees or staring out windows. Rather sad the more he thought about it.

"I really can't think of anything." A saddened look spread across your face as he admitted this, and you tried to think of something for him.

"Do you remember when we used to explore around those old catacombs in Feldcroft? And how excited we got when we'd find old bones." He smiled at the memory,

"Yea, I do."

"Or when you tried to teach me to skip stones across the black lake. I finally learned you know." You exclaimed and smiled proudly, "I learned the summer before 5th year, I was determined to beat your record."

You both walked in silence for a little longer before he stopped and turned to you. "I desperately want to be around you. All the time. And I don't know why, but I haven't been able to stop thinking about you since we stopped talking. I wanted to find a way to make it up to you, but you were always with some other guy or buried in a book studying or with your friends- I didn't know how to get into your life again without Astoria or even my parents finding out because merlin knows they find out about everything happening in this school."

"Shit-" You kissed him. So suddenly, so unprovoked, his eyes were wide before he sunk into the kiss and brought his hands to your waist. You felt the emotion in the way he kissed back and the longing finally being released. He pulled you closer as the kiss became more passionate. You pulled away for a moment to get some air.

"We shouldn't do this but-" Another kiss, "nobody has to know.." You continued to make out before realizing just how out in the open the two of you were. "We should get back."

"Yea- yea, we should."

"Meet here tomorrow though?" you questioned quietly and Draco smiled widely,

"Of course." He nodded.

---------

This would become a daily thing between you two, and as cheesy as it was, you'd meet up behind the pitch and make out after class. Nobody would have to know, and you were able to rekindle the relationship you two had, but romantically.

He hadn't felt this much contentment or freedom in years, and he had you to thank for that. Everything seemed just a little warmer, and suddenly the days didn't seem so slow. He stopped crying and made an effort in his classes again.

Everything was okay again, just as long as Astoria didn't find out.

#slytherin #slytherin boys #harry potter #draco malfoy

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wqintraining · 2 years ago

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NEW X-MEN: THE ANIMATED SERIES - SEASON 2, EPISODE 1

Season 2 opens in media res as the Blackbird flies toward Genosha. The only ones still on the plane are Storm, Kitty, and Sunspot. While Kitty panics and screams, and Roberto tries in vein to assure her it’s going to be okay, barely maintaining his own plastered smile, Storm is communicating with Captain Britain, who thinks she shouldn’t have left, but Storm insists her priority needs to be getting all the kids home so they can be tended to properly, and securing Nova.

All three of them uncontrollably go silent as they arrive at their destination and look out the window, Genosha has been completely annhlated, reduced to ash and rubble, with smoke filling the sky. 16 million people, almost all Mutants, potentially including Scott, Jean, Emma, Magneto, and Kitty’s dad, are all dead.

With Storm blowing away and working to clear the smoke, the three heroes, wearing respirators, rush onto what’s left of the once great Mutant nation. All around them, they seed wrecked buildings and corpses, and Sunspot accidentally steps on and breaks a bone.

Kitty and Sunspot are barely holding it together as they stand on the site of a holocaust, unable to believe so much death could have taken place so quickly, and struggling to not cry or puke, but Storm, somber and sullen, but keeping her emotions in check for the moment, tells them they can’t break down yet. They have a job to do. There’s a chance some people may have survived, and are just trapped under rubble. They have to do everything they can to find them.

Before they start searching the whole island, however, Kitty “needs to know”.

Back at the school, Tag, Wind Dancer, Wolverine, and Bling! stand outside the medical bay. Laura’s face is practically right up against the glass, while Brian has a comforting arm around the nearly-sobbing Roxy’s shoulders.

Inside, Beast, as well as Dr. Cecilia Reyes, who was called in to help treat everyone else who was wounded in the global battles with the sentinels, are tending to the kids. Cessily and Sooraya are still unconscious, but are stable, Noriko is awake in bed, but can’t stop shaking and looking at her gauntlets, even though all the blood has been cleaned off of them, and Julian is being prepped for surgery. Betsy is also having her wounds treated, with Rachel hugging her, relieved she survived the battle, but disturbed by what Betsy told her happened.

BRIAN, to Roxy: “Hey, Cess is gonna be okay. You heard what Dr. Reyes said, right?”

Roxy just hangs her head.

BRIAN, to Sofia: “You don’t need to worry either, Sofia. It’ll take more than some sentinel to keep Julian down.”

Sofia maintains her blank expressions, staying silent, and tiny whirlwinds surround her fists.

Brian sighs and walks over to Laura.

BRIAN, to Laura: “You know, a sentinel did come by here. Ms. Grey was all ready to take it out, but I tagged myself so she could get rid of it away from the school. It wasn’t much, but it made me feel pretty good. And I was just thinking about how good all of you must have been feeling taking out a ton of these tincans.” Brian punches the glass. “I’m such an idiot.”

It’s unclear if Laura heard a word Brian said as her wide eyes continue to stay focused on her injured friends.

On Genosha, Kitty drops to her knees. The site of her father’s old home has been completely annhilated, along with the rest of its surroundings. It doesn’t even look like there’s a skeleton.

KITTY: “Daddy…Daddy, I’m sorry. Daddy, please crawl out of there. Please!”

Storm and Beto try to comfort her, but they phase right through her.

KITTY: “Did you know in Judaism, it’s believed that cremation results in pain after death? Even if someone makes it to Heaven, the pain doesn’t stop. How could I do this to him? He was my Daddy.”

SUNSPOT: “Kitty, you didn’t–”

Kitty breaks down in tears, hysterical. Storm sheds her own tear, wishing there was something, anything she could do for her daughter. But there’s nothing she can do but push forward. Ororo instructs Beto to stay with Kitty, and get her on the Blackbird once she’s calmed down. She’ll handle the search by herself.

We get a brief montage as Storm scours the island for any signs of life, but is met with death at every turn. She’s almost ready to break down in tears herself when she hears something rumbling.

Flying up, she clears away the rubble around where the sound heard like it was coming from. Underneath, she finds Emma Frost, with Cyclops unconscious in her arms, a blank expression on her face, and sporting a new look - diamond skin.

Storm swoops down and swiftly takes Scott from her, checking his pulse and breathing a sigh of relief that he’s alive. Ororo demands to know what happened here, and what happened to her.

Emma…isn’t doing okay.

EMMA, in a monotone: “The path to Hell is paved with good intentions, but over brimstone we must walk to reach paradise. Do you hear them, Ororo? Do you hear the children’s screams?” Emma forms a tiny smile. “I do. And I feel all their pain. How many children are there? As many as the grains of sand on a beach?” Emma’s face falls as she hangs her head. “Yes, Daddy, I am a bad, worthless girl.”

Storm has no idea what to feel here, or what to stay, so she simply instructs Emma to follow her.

In the medical bay, Sooraya’s eyes flicker as she wakes up. She struggles to sit up, seeing that Cessily is still unconscious, before she’s told to lay back down.

SURGE: “The others are waiting outside, but aren’t being allowed in yet. You should rest.”

Sooraya lays back down, grunting in pain as she expresses how much everything hurts. She then notes that Noriko doesn’t look like she was hurt at all.

Noriko bites her lip as she looks down at her hands and generates a small amount of electricity between her fingertips. The Sentinels weren’t fast enough to hit her. Physically, she got out of the fight completely unscatched. But seeing her and Mercury nearly get killed? Watching Julian get his hands blown off, and having to grab his bloody nubs to cauterize his wounds so he didn’t die too? It was too much. She’s not okay.

Dust doesn’t respond for a moment, just staring at Nori.

NORIKO: “What?”

SOORAYA: “Julian…lost his hands?”

Noriko swears under her breath, having forgotten she was down by the time that happened, and confirms to her what went down.

SOORAYA: “I see.”

Noriko narrows her eyes at Sooraya.

NORIKO: “Okay, what’s your deal? I know being all calm and zen and peaceful and quiet is your shit and all, but you should not be that way right now. You almost died! Where’s the panic?!”

Sooraya sighs. She really wishes she hadn’t woken up next to Nori.

SOORAYA: “I was hurt physically, yes. And I lack experience in all this directly. But nearly dying? No, that’s not enough to get me. Not with what I’ve seen before. Not with what I’ve done before.”

Noriko falls back, slamming her head on her pillow.

NORIKO: “Shit, Soo. I forgot. I’m sorry.”

Sooraya smirks.

SOORAYA: “The fact that you’re apologizing for your foolishness at all is a clear sign of progress.”

NORIKO: “Aww, thanks.”

PAUSE

NORIKO: “Oh, screw you.”

On the Blackbird, which hasn’t taken off yet, Cyclops is still unconscious, Emma has passed out, and Kitty is curled up into a ball. Storm and Sunspot are awake and sitting up right, but they need this brief moment of silence.

The silence is broken as the ship shakes. Storm and Sunspot leap to their feat, unsure of what’s going on as, from an exterior shot, we see the ship being raised into the sky on its own. Storm tells the others to stay put for a minute while she goes to investigate.

Ororo flies out of the ship and quickly finds the one responsible for its movement: Polaris.

ORORO: “Lorna…”

Before Storm can say anything else, Lorna throws the Blackbird, wrapped in green magnetic energy, right at her. Ororo just barely dodges the attack, shouting at Lorna that they aren’t here to fight, and, over the coms, shouting at Kitty to get everyone off the plane.

As Lorna takes another shot at Storm with the Blackbird, Kitty phases herself, Beto, and the unconscious headmasters out of the plane and onto the former shore of Genosha, while Storm summons a fierce lightning blast to annhilate the Blackbird in one shot, denying Polaris her weapon.

Storm tells Polaris that she can’t imagine what she’s feeling right now, but she assures her slivers of that pain are shared by them all. Polaris just continues to shout in rage as she drags up rubble from Genosha to throw at Storm.

POLARIS: “You X-Men killed our nation! It’s only fitting the nation kills you!”

On the shore, Kitty and Beto are panting. Beto tries to tell Kitty he knows Lorna from his time here and he’ll talk to her, only to be decked across the face by an equally pissed, super fast Quicksilver.

Knocked to the ground, Roberto is covered in ash. He freaks out as Pietro gets on top of him and begins punching him over and over again. Kitty doesn’t move, only crying out for him to stop.

In the sky, Storm is exhausted both physically and mentally from the day’s events. She fights against Lorna to the best of her ability, but she quickly runs out of steam and is overwhelmed.

As Roberto is beaten to a bloody pulp and Lorna traps Storm in a metal cocoon, ready to crush her, Kitty continues to shout, begging for everyone to stop fighting.

The fighting is brough to a halt, but not by Kitty, as a single blast of red energy flies into the sky.

Cyclops, having woken up, rises to his feet.

All eyes turn to him. There’s a silent moment of tension before Polaris and Quicksilver release Storm and Sunspot from their respective grips, flying and running over to Cyclops.

QUICKSILVER: “You have five seconds to tell us what happened here in a way that makes us want to spare your lives.”

Scott, standing tall and proud, looks around at his surroundings instead of answering.

QUICKSILVER: “SPEAK!”

Pietro slugs Scott across the face, knocking out a tooth, and sending him to the ground.

QUICKSILVER: “SPEAK NOW!”

Tears stream down Scott’s face.

Quicksilver is about to give him the same treatment as he did Roberto, but Lorna puts a hand on his shoulder to stop him.

POLARIS: “One chance, Cyclops.”

Scott swallows.

CYCLOPS: “Magneto is alive.”

Pietro and Lorna are baffled by how that could possibly be true. Everyone here died! Scott tells them that he and Emma were here when the attack happened. They only survived because Emma developed a secondary Mutation, enabling her to transform her skin into diamond. He only lived because she shielded him from the blast. And before the attack happened, Magneto had disappeared from where he’d been fighting sentinels.

Pietro calls him a liar. He’s just trying to protect himself this way because he knows this is all his fault!

Cyclops agrees that he shares blame with Cassandra Nova. Cassandra Nova, who, from the fact they’re here right now, he knows his team defeated. He knows his team defeated her, while he and Emma were saving the world, even if they couldn’t save Genosha.

CYCLOPS: “Nova wasn’t the first mad woman to try and kill us all, and she won’t be the last. Whatever I’ve done, the mutants of the world still need the X-Men. And you both need us and our resources if you’re ever going to find out what happened to your father.”

Pietro, breathing heavily, thinks about his offer, before still electing to go in for the kill. However, Polaris holds him back by his metal belt buckle. Lorna agrees that he and his team are still needed, but they will never be forgiven for this.

CYCLOPS: “I wouldn’t expect to be.”

With the situation calming down, Storm approaches, offering to do whatever they can to help pay tribute to their fallen.

LORNA: “If you wish to respect our dead brothers and sisters, you’ll leave this place now, and never return.”

With no more words, Storm summons a calm wind to lift herself and the rest of the team away, and begin the long flight home. Beneath them, Lorna breaks into tears and cries on Pietro’s shoulder as he holds her.

CYCLOPS: “Ororo…”

STORM: “Not now, Scott. Not now.”

In a private room inside the Institute’s medical bay, Hellion has gotten out of surgery and is awake. All the usual life and energy from his face are missing, replaced by a dower scowl. That’s not the only part of him that’s missing, as his nubs have been wrapped in bandages; they couldn’t re-attach his hands.

There’s a knock on the door, with Julian growling not to come in if this isn’t a doctor. Beast enters, happy to see him stable, and asks if that attitude applies to ALL non-medical personnel.

BEAST, with a sly smirk: “Your girlfriend wants to speak to you. She’s been positively worried sick.”

Julian’s eyes widen, but only for a moment, before he shuts them, clenches his teeth, and shakes his head.

In the hallway, Sofia and Laura sit outside the private room, both in complete silence. Beast comes out of the room and informs Sofia that, unfortunately, Mr. Keller doesn’t wish to speak to anyone right now.

BEAST: “I’m sorry. But I’m sure you can imagine what he must be going through.”

Sofia glares at Beast, small whirlwinds once again surrounding her fists and expanding rapidly as a breeze fills the hallway. Beast is concerned, but before things can do any further, Sofia breathes and halts the use of her powers.

SOFIA: “I understand, Dr. McCoy. Thank you.”

Beast, still not entirely at ease, acknowledges her and walks away. Sofia tries to hold Laura’s hand, but, without looking at her, Laura bats it away.

With the sun rising as a new day dawns, Emma’s woken up and is completely composed, but Storm is still flying her, herself, Cyclops, Kitty, and Sunspot home. Everyone is silent, until…

STORM: “What happened to Jean?”

Scott takes a moment to answer. He informs her that she’s gone. She wanted Genosha dead, and she wanted them dead with it. Then, she flew off into space. Even if she does come back to Earth, the Jean they knew doesn’t exist anymore. Now and forever, she is Phoenix.

Storm finally allows herself to breakdown and cry over the loss of her sister on top of everything else. Scott wipes his own tears from his eyes with his arm.

EMMA, telepathically to Scott: “It isn’t the type of advice I usually give, but if there were ever a time to let your emotions out freely, it’s now.”

SCOTT, telepathically: “You’re not my therapist, and I don’t want your advice on anything. Especially when you’re not even following it.”

EMMA, telepathically and mockingly: “Oh no, you caught me, I’m as devastated on the inside as the rest of you. I have a heart. Sew me. But I do what’s best for me, and you should do what’s best for you.”

SCOTT, telepathically: “You don’t know the first thing about what’s best for me.”

Emma scoffs.

EMMA, telepathically: “A “thank you” for saving your life would have been nice.”

As Storm continues to sob, Kitty hugs her. She was comforting her all night, and she wants to return the favor. But she also needs help. Her father’s body may be good, but he still deserves a funeral as soon as possible, as per Jewish tradition.

KITTY: “Maybe working on that would help keep our minds off everything else?”

Storm sniffles as she smiles and nods.

STORM: “Yes, Kitty. I’d be happy to help.”

In the back of the pack, Roberto is literally steaming, hate in his eyes.

Storm, completely exhausted, lands the team in Central Park. They can walk from here. However, as the other four members of the team start heading toward the school, Beto walks in the opposite direction.

CYCLOPS: “Where do you think you’re going, Sunspot?”

SUNSPOT: “Relax. I’m not quitting or anything. But you’ll excuse me if I need a couple weeks to myself. I’ll be back soon. Try not to miss me too much.”

Scott calls after him as he departs, but he doesn’t have the energy for that right now, and let’s him go.

In the medical bay, Roxy excitedly hugs Cessily, thrilled her new girlfriend is okay. She does accidentally hug a little too tight and hurt her though. Brian is also inside the medical bay, helping the still injured Sooraya in getting into position for her morning prayers. Noriko is noticeably no longer here.

Sofia floats above the school. The bodies outfront have all been cleaned up, but the foul stench remains, causing her nose to wrinkle.

LAURA, over the winds: “Hey.”

Sofia turns her head and sees Laura, out of costume, standing on the roof.

SOFIA, over the winds: “Hello, Laura. I’m glad you’re speaking again.”

Laura takes a deep breath.

LAURA, over the winds: “I…I’m so sorry.”

SOFIA: “Sorry? For brushing me off before? Do not worry about it.”

LAURA: “No. No, not for that. I’m sorry I took you all out to fight. None of you were ready. And most of you were hurt. Especially Julian. Because of me.”

Sofia tells her that’s not true, and no one’s thinking that, but Laura snaps back that she’s not a telepath, and none of them are stupid enough to not know she’s the one to blame.

Sofia, keeping her cool, flies down to the rooftop to look the brooding Wolverine in the eyes. Wind Dancer insists if what happened was anyone’s fault, it’s her own. Laura wasn’t entirely wrong. Herself, Surge, and Dust? They WERE ready. Hellion and Mercury weren’t though. If she just followed Kitty’s orders and got them out of there instead of encouraging them to fight, they wouldn’t have been harmed.

Laura counters that Sofia can’t blame herself. She’s just a student. She was the X-Man there, and she should have been more responsible.

LAURA: “I wanted to keep you all safe. But I didn’t want you all thinking I didn’t trust you. You’re some of the only people I do.”

Sofia appreciates that, but reminds Laura that SHE’S a student too. She may be the best there is as what she does, but there’s still a lot she doesn’t do. But she will. And they’ll learn. Together.

Laura continues to hang her head in shame in spite of Sofia’s kind word, only to start giggling uncontrollably as Sofia uses the wind to tickle her nose.

LAURA, giggling: “Stop that.”

SOFIA: “I would, but I like it more when you smile. I’d rather not have to force it.”

Laura laughs for real as Sofia takes her hand and flies them off the room.

SOFIA: “Come. Brian texted me Cessily woke up. We should go say hello.”

As Sofia flies them to their destination, Laura makes puppy eyes at her. She clearly still isn’t over her.

In his office, Scott is being swarmed with phone calls. As much as he’d love to be resting, he can’t sleep yet, even as he’s barely keeping his eyes open. Xavier’s old friends and allies demand to know what’s going on, parents are hearing about what happened on the news and are worried about their kids’ safety, old X-Men are freaking out just as much (Cannonball is the one we hear calling, with him worried about his sister Melody), and mixed into all of this are the usual prank calls Scott receives from anti-Mutant bigots, with them today calling just to shout that the rest of the Muties are next.

Scott is working with multiple phones and computer monitors and trying to keep track of everything, but it’s all too much. Sweat drips down his face, his heart pounds against his chest, and it seems like the worst may be about to happen.

Before that can happen, however, his seat is rolled away from his desk, forcing him away from all his screens. Emma, as she’s one to do, leans against the doorway with a flask in hand.

EMMA: “You’re not going to do us much good if you kill yourself, darling.”

Scott knows he says this a lot, but right now, he really does NOT have time for her. Emma laughs, coming further into the office. He can’t seriously want for things to go back to how they were between them, can he?

SCOTT: “What we did caused all of this happen. All of those Mutants are only dead because of us.”

EMMA: “No, they’re dead because your mentor loves his secrets, his bitch of a sister is a monster, humans hate us as much as they ever have and were happy to do all her dirty work, and your wife is a vengeful god whose been ready to snap at the slightest provocation.”

SCOTT: “Do NOT talk about Jean.”

EMMA: “I’m not insulting her. I’m calling it like it is. We played a role in Genosha’s destruction, yes. But it was a tiny one. We did not destroy Genosha. Like you told Magneto, WE saved the world.”

Scott stands up and walks over to Emma.

SCOTT: “You don’t believe a word you just said.”

EMMA: “Excuse me?”

SCOTT: “Exactly what I said. You’re blaming yourself as much as I am. You’ve never forgiven yourself for the Hellions or Synch and Skin, and I’m supposed to believe you don’t wish you’d died with the rest of them like I do? Please.”

Emma tries to maintain her front, but her wall is broken down as she hangs her head in shame.

EMMA: “If we’re stuck going on, we owe it to the four million of us still alive to do everything in our power to protect them.”

SCOTT: “I couldn’t agree more.”

EMMA: “Good.” Emma picks up her head, and, with it, puts back on her usual game face. “Then scootch over and let me handle half those screens so we may share the weight of the burden.”

Scott hesitates before agreeing and making room for her behind his desk.

SCOTT: “Thank you, Emma.”

EMMA: “You’re welcome, Scott.”

PAUSE

SCOTT: “Scott?”

EMMA: “We’re a little past, “Mr. Summers”, don’t you think?”

The two share a smile for just a moment before they get back to work.

Surge walks through the school’s hallways. Word of what’s happened has spread, but with the details only known by a select few, rumors are mixed in.

“Is Genosha really gone?”

“They can’t all be dead, right? No one can kill Magneto.”

“I heard it was aliens.” “You mean like the Shi’ar?” “No, stupid, Mutants are friends with the Shi’ar!”

“How long before we’re next?”

Noriko arrives at her destination and knocks on a door. Kitty tells her to come in.

Surge enters Kitty’s bedroom, which Noriko mutters under her breath could be confused for any teen girl’s here if not for her wall of degrees. She and Storm are seated on her bed, binder on their laps, deciding what to do for Carmen’s service.

Noriko tries to say hi and ask how they’re doing, but it all ends up coming out super fast and incomprehensible.

Kitty gets up and hugs her, Noriko’s uncontrolled electricity phasing right through her.

KITTY: “I’m living. More importantly, how are you?”

NORIKO: “I…really don’t need a therapist right now.” Nori pulls away. “Shit sucks. We all know it. We’re all scared. We’re fucked and probably going to die. I was kinda hoping I could just hang out with you and take my mind off things. Not like any of my squad are up for that.”

Kitty, first off, promises her that they aren’t going to die. The X-Men aren’t going to let that happen. But right now, if she needs a distraction, this isn’t the place to be.

KITTY: “My daddy lived on Genosha. He’s gone now, just like all those Mutants. Storm and I are just trying to figure out what to do for him.”

To Kitty’s surprise, Surge jumps at the chance to help. As Nori explains, Kitty’s always been better to her than any other teacher here besides Dani. Even when she was a bitch to her. And she wants to support her in turn. Plus, a task to focus on is a task.

Kitty smiles, and Ororo offers Noriko to come take a seat with them. Kitty and Nori sit down, and the three get back to work.

Still alone in his private medical room, Julian seethes with his eyes clenched shut. Opening them, he attempts to telekinetically bring a cup of water left for him up to his lips, instead of bending over to sip, but he ends up dropping it and spilling the water all over himself.

JULIAN: “DAMMIT!”

Julian re-shuts his eyes and is about to start crying when the door creaks open. He tells McCoy to go away, but Beast isn’t here.

“I do hope that isn’t a desire to give up I’m sensing, Mr. Keller.”

Julian opens his eyes and sees Emma.

EMMA: “After all, you still have so much potential. It would be a pity to waste it.”

Julian rolls over on his side and asks how she could possibly still think that looking at him now. He’s a damn cripple! Emma is quick to remind him that the founder of this school, and one of the most powerful and accomplished Mutants alive is wheelchair bound. Especially with the gifts he possesses, there’s nothing he can’t do now that he couldn’t do before.

Julian brushes that comment off and asks if they’ve told his parents what happened. Emma tells him she just got off the phone with them. The hung up as soon as she confirmed he was still alive.

JULIAN: “Yeah. Sounds right. Bastards.”

Emma tells him that, while this specifically isn’t something she’s experienced, she can imagine how he’s feeling. To go through such horrible trauma and pain, with your parents not giving a damn. To feel like all is lost and it’s not worth it to keep going. She knows these feelings well.

EMMA: “But you have something important that I did not. You have friends who care about you. Who’d do anything for you. You have Sofia. When I was at my lowest, I hardened my heart so that I could never be hurt again. Doing so only served to make me even more miserable. Don’t repeat my mistakes.”

She believes in him. And from Kitty’s report of what she witnessed in his battle with the sentinels, she knows she can still make a hero out of him a yet. A great one.

Julian seems like he’s gotten the message, but remains despondent. He thanks her, but he’d really like some privacy. As she leaves however…

JULIAN: “Wait…what ended up happening with Nova? And Ms. Grey?”

EMMA: “...get some sleep.”

We cut directly to Cassandra Nova. She’s in a secured jail cell, fully restrained, with a device on her head to block her telepathy. In spite of this, she has the widest grin on her face.

Scott and Emma enter this underground level of the Insitute, where they find Betsy and Rachel, who’ve been guarding Nova. Rachel in enraged upon seeing her dad and flies over to him, encased in her fiery aura.

RACHEL: “You have a lot of nerve coming down here with her.”

SCOTT: “There’s work to do, Rachel. Right now, we need to speak with Cassandra. But…please stay. I was actually hoping you might–”

RACHEL: “Dad, if you’re about to ask us to stay here and join your team, I’ll burn you where you stand.”

Scott hangs his head once again, while Rachel’s angered is somewhat quelled as a purple aura surrounds her, her wife mentally comforting her from a distance. Betsy then walks up to her and hooks her arm around hers. If they have this covered, they’ll be taking their leave now.

BETSY: “Well done proving you’ll never be anything but a bitch, Emma.”

EMMA: “Thank you, Captain. It’s what I strive to do everyday.”

As the two telepaths depart, Betsy telepathically tells Scott that she and Rachel will be returning to protecting the rest of the multiverse.

BETSY: “Do try to not let this one universe burn on your watch.”

With that, Captain Britain and Prestige leave.

Scott sighs. Emma tells him Rachel will forgive him one day. Ideally by then, she’ll actually understand what her deal is.

Scott and Emma enter Nova’s cell and confront her. She opens the conversation with mockery, asking how the ashes of Genosha smelled. Oh, how she wishes she could have smelled them herself. Losing to Storm and the others was very much not part of her plan, she wasn’t going to stop until all Mutants were dead, but she’ll just have to settle for slightly over 75% of them.

NOVA: “What ARE you planning on doing with me now? Hmm? Are you just going to keep me locked up here forever? Surely you could never trust SHEILD to keep me secure. Or maybe you’re going to kill me. Just like you did Stryker, Cyclops. Just like you have COUNTLESS people, Emma.”

Scott asks if he she truly feels no remorse, with Nova answering that she isn’t capable of feeling such a thing. Say, has he TOLD anyone what he did to Stryker yet? She imagines that will be a fun conversation.

She cackles.

NOVA: “Hmm. No. No, you haven’t. And that’s not all I’m sensing.” She looks right into Emma’s eyes, with hers bulging out. “You have no intention of leaving this room with me alive. Are you going to let this happen, Scott?”

Rather than answer, Scott has one more question for her. Her plan HINGED on Dark Phoenix. If she’d just unleashed those sentinels without her present, they would have been able to stop them, AND take her down much more easily.

Nova cackles. Oh, she’s so glad he asked.

NOVA: “Did you think the Purifiers popped into thin air? No, no, no. My plan began over one year ago. Just after the old X-Men broke up. Not only did I make contact with Styker and begin building my army of gullibe expendables, but I made contact with someone else - the Phoenix. While you and Jean were enjoying your vacation from do-gooding, I was speaking with the primal force inside her. It respected my power, and way I’d fought to cling to the life I was owed. And in turn, I respected it. The most powerful force in the universe. The most perfect. And I was sure to remind it of this. How it was beyond all other beings. And how if it was going to choose to continue living among humans, it deserved the best from them. Slowly but surely, it began to influence Jean more and more. And you didn’t even notice. Because while she may have been acting too good to be true, that was how every single one of you saw her already. All it would take now would be one good push to send her flying over the edge. One betrayal.”

Nova cackles again as a horrified look of realization materializes on Scott’s face.

NOVA: “I had no way of knowing you and Emma would sleep together though! That was Christmas morning for me! My plan was just to have William break you and force you to kill him, and let that one act slowly break apart your relationship, but then you went and betrayed her in such a more personal way that very same night! All of this was inevitable, but thank you so much, Cyclops, for speeding up my timeline!”

Nova continues to cackle. And cackle. And cackle. And cackle and cackle and cackle and cackle.

Until she can’t cackle anymore.

With a single blast, Cyclops blows her head off.

Scott is frozen. He shows no signs of regret over what he just did, but he needs a moment to process it. Emma holds his hand.

EMMA: “There was no other way.”

CYCLOPS: “Nothing she said changes anything. We’ll never know if her original plan would have worked, or if she only succeeded because of us.” Scott pauses. “You don’t need to take the fall for Stryker’s death. Or for this. I’ll tell them everything.” He pauses once more. “Thank you for saving my life.”

Emma weakly smiles and rests her head on Scott’s shoulder. Scott rests his head on hers.

With sunset having arrived, Storm, Kitty, and Surge are gathered in the school’s cemetery. There was no body to bury. They couldn’t even tell which ashes were his. But they could at least give him a tombstone.

Wrapped in a tallit, Kitty reads from a Hebrew prayer book, while Storm and Surge struggle not to cry. The prayer ends with them all saying “Amen”, and Kitty’s mother and student holding her.

In his room, Julian is eating dinner, struggling but managing to use his form with his telekinesis. Once more, there’s a knock on his door. He sighs and tells whoever it is to come in. He knows they will anyway.

His eyes widen as Sofia enters.

Julian starts asking her not to look at him like this, but she cuts him off, exclaiming how fully of joy she is that he’s okay.

JULIAN: “Okay? Do I look okay?”

Sofia flies over so that she’s next to him.

SOFIA: “You are alive. That is all that’s important to me.”

She slowly places a hand on his face and tells him she’s going to help him get through this. His whole crew will. Things will be better soon. And then they can resume training to assure their bright future. She’s so sorry she pushed him to keep fighting when he wasn’t prepared to, but she saw how excellent he was when he did join the battle. She never wants to go into battle without him at her side.

Julian nods. He hears her.

And then he telekinetically removes her hand from his face.

JULIAN: “I appreciate the apology. Now fuck off.”

SOFIA: “Wh…what?”

JULIAN: “Leave! You hear me?! We’re through!”

Sofia instantly begins crying.

SOFIA: “You…what are you saying?”

JULIAN: “Suddenly so dumb you forgot how to speak English? I’m over you! So get out of my life.”

Sofia is fully sobbing.

SOFIA: “You do not mean this. You would never be so cruel to me.”

JULIAN: “Surprise! Ashida was right! I’m a jackass, and you never should have gotten involved with me!”

With her face red and puffy, covered in tears and mucus, and her makeup ruined, Sofia flies out of the room, blowing a powerful wind behind her that knocks over some equipment, and knocks Julian’s dinner onto him.

JULIAN: “Fuck. Fuck!”

We cut back and forth between an X-Men team meeting, and a school assembly. In the assembly, Scott makes clear the tragedies of all that’s transpired clear to the students. The world will always hate them. No one is coming to save them, even after this. But that’s why the most important thing they can do is protect each other.

While he’s speaking, we see Julian still in bed, not present at all, Cessily and Roxy in attendance, holding hands in fear, Sooraya seated next to them with more firm confidence, Noriko and Brian ditching to go work out, and Sofia, alone in the dark her room, crying into her pillow.

In his office, Cyclops has Emma, Storm, Kitty, and Wolverine gathered. He’s just finished telling them about Stryker and Nova’s deaths.

While Laura is surprised by Scott going against everything he’s been teaching her, “X-Men don’t kill” and all that, she has no issue seeing why these two would be exceptions. Storm to Scott’s relief agrees with Laura, while Kitty continues to be disappointed in him.

That all said, there’s the issue of the future of the X-Men. They must continue. They must protect the 4 million of them left, and see to it that they can restore their numbers, no matter what it takes. However, he completely understands if the team doesn’t want him and/or Emma to continue being a part of this. Or, even if they do, if they’re prefer Storm be put in charge of both the team and the school. Beto gave his right to vote by not being here, so it’s solely up to Storm, Kitty, and Laura.

CYCLOPS: “Emma, first. What do you all want?”

The three take a moment to think. Laura is the first to answer. Yes, the two did a bad thing. But it was a bad thing largely unconnected to the mission. They had no idea what would happen. And from the sound of things. Nova’s plan would have gone off either way. Tactically, Scott is their best tactician, and Emma their most powerful fighter left, alongside Storm. She gets all three of her votes out of the way, wanting both Scott and Emma to stay, and for Scott to remain in charge.

Storm is quick to follow Laura’s vote. She wants Emma gone. Regardless of everything else, it’s undeniable that this wouldn’t have happened if she’d never come here. Scott never would have done something like this if she’d never come here. It’s time for her to leave.

Emma’s fate is left in Kitty’s hands.

KITTY: “You’re a bitch, Emma. You’re a monster. For most of my life, you were what I pictured when I thought about the concept of evil.” She sighs. “But Laura’s right. You’re one of our strongest. And with Betsy and Rachel not staying, you’re the only one left who can operate Cerebro. Finding new Mutants and keeping them safe is more important than ever. To say nothing about the kids. They just lost one headmistress. It would just scare them even more if another one disappeared. And with Hellion in the condition he is right now, he needs you most. I hate having to say this, but we need you.”

Emma grins, delighted that her staying here is settled.

As for Scott, Storm and Kitty make it unanimous that he should stay, but only Storm votes for him to stay in charge.

KITTY: “I’m sorry, but I don’t trust you as much as I need to right now.”

Scott understands. Still, that’s 2-1. He thanks Ororo for HER trust.

Storm knows he’s made mistakes before, but the Scott Summers she knows, the Cyclops she knows, learns from them. And she trusts him to not be duped or manipulated by witches again. She also clarifies that her vote comes with a condition. If Emma MUST stay, she may continue to help run the school, but she wants it very clear that SHE is second in command of the X-Men. Scott easily agrees to this.

SCOTT: “Thank you, my sister.”

ORORO: “Do not let me down, my brother.”

Scott takes a breath. This isn’t going to be easy, but he knows they’ll make it through this. It’s time to get to work.

SCOTT: “To me, my X-Men!”

#New X-Men: The Animated Series #New X-Men #Academy X #Scott Summers #Emma Frost #Ororo Munroe #Kitty Pryde #Roberto Da Costa #Laura Kinney #Bobby Drake #Sofia Mantega #Julian Keller #Noriko Ashida #Sooraya Qadir #Cessily Kincaid #Brian Cruz #Roxanne Washington #The Stepford Cuckoos

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khanrelli · 7 months ago

Text

a cross-country winter | kamala x bruno

a fanfic with Kamala Khan and Bruno Carrelli from Ms. Marvel

Bruno is practically drunk on anesthesia after having his wisdom teeth removed and has some things to say to Kamala. word count: 479 warnings: none read it on archive of our own! dedicated to icee

Caltech has been a rough adjustment. Everybody is so different, it's wildly expensive, he barely knows where anything is and most importantly? The weather is horrid. By Jersey standards that is. At least the school aspect has been easy.

He's finished all his work for the week and now he just needs to finish his Humanities paper. Ready to do some hardcore Googling, he sees news on his sidebar: " Heavy Snow Blankets New Jersey, More May Be On The Way" .

That can't be good.

BRUNO: Hey

BRUNO: I heard there was a snowstorm in Jersey??

BRUNO: You guys ok?

KAMALA: Hii

KAMALA: Yep

KAMALA: Have to stay inside all day 😕

BRUNO: Not a problem though for you

KAMALA: Can you shut up 🙄

KAMALA: How's the weather California boy

BRUNO: I'm here for 3 months and I'm already "California boy"?

BRUNO: Anyway

BRUNO: Not used to it, it's 67 over here??*

*19 degrees Celsius.

BRUNO: I miss my 40s

BRUNO: You think Thor can make it rain over here for me?

KAMALA: Probably too busy playing Fortnite

BRUNO: You still stand by that theory?

KAMALA: THERE'S SO MUCH EVIDENCE POINTING TOWARDS IT??

BRUNO: Sure thing conspiracy theorist

KAMALA: Grr

KAMALA: I'm very much freezing

KAMALA: Ammi refuses to turn on the heating all the way because we can just "wear more layers"

BRUNO: Classic Mrs. Khan!

BRUNO: If I was there, I'd warm you up

….

What?

"What's that supposed to mean?" Kamala mutters to herself.

Ironically, a similar thing is said 2,886 miles away.

"What did I mean by that?" Bruno mutters to himself. He quickly tries to remedy the situation.

BRUNO: Ik how to make an effective heater with an electric fan and lots of copper wire

"OH! Oh, okay.." Kamala murmurs, slightly disappointed although she can't pinpoint why she is.

KAMALA: Dang where's our token white boy when we need him

BRUNO: 😐

Suddenly, Bruno hears his name get called by his roommate, Kwezi. "Yankee Doodle, we're going to go put 'snow' all over the Blacker house, wanna come?" The roommate says, accompanied by their other friend Michelle.

"We borrowed the huge snow machine." She says excitedly.

The paper can probably wait. But he would never leave Kamala hanging.

BRUNO: Ok apparently we're going to go put fake snow over one of the dorms

BRUNO: Payback for replacing our vending machine food with carrots

BRUNO: I'll ttyl?

KAMALA: You are really living the life over there B

KAMALA: Ttyl!

KAMALA: Don't have too much fun over there we miss you

She wants to say "I miss you" but that's too bold for the girl.

BRUNO: Sure thing :)

BRUNO: Byee

KAMALA: Bye :D

Hopefully, going out for a prank can help him get over how much he misses home. And by home, he's not talking about his chilly hometown but rather a certain Captain Marvel fangirl who loves gyros.

#kamala khan #bruno carrelli #the marvels #ms marvel #marvel #mcu #marvel cinematic universe #brumala #bruno carrelli x kamala khan #kamala khan x bruno carrelli #khanrelli #djinn and tonic

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starrystevie · 1 year ago

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tagged by @yournowheregirl and @judasofsuburbia to show 6 characters I relate to!

here i give you the "if they can relate to mirrorball, the archer, and you're on your own kid by ms. taylor swift then they are a reflection of me" list

steve harrington (stranger things): listen if there was one character that i think truly is a perfect reflection of me, it would be steve. i don't want to bore you all with the thesis i could write about him so here are the cliffs notes: protective, people pleaser, romantic at heart, sarcastic, gifted child burnout, specifically this line from mirrorball "shimmering beautiful, and when i break it's in a million pieces"

steve rogers (marvel): ahh yes, and then the other steve that is the other side of the mirror. loyal to a fault where i would start a civil war for those i love, a leader, compassionate, stubborn, wants to dance the night away in a jazz club with my baby on my arm as we sway to the crooners, living in an idealized version of the past, not very good at taking compliments, specifically this line from the archer "i wake in the night, i pace like a ghost, the room is on fire, invisible smoke, and all of my heroes die all alone, help me hold on to you"

lorelai gilmore (gilmore girls): i knew that watching gilmore girls from such a young age would have a lasting effect on me. we both hold grudges from things in the past. both like to go back to those things thinking things will be different only to realize we still want to run away. witty, uses too many media quotes for our own good, lives off junk food and spite, crave the small town life and the smell of snow, specifically this line from you're on your own kid "from sprinkler splashes to fireplace ashes, i gave my blood, sweat, and tears for this. i hosted parties and starved my body like i'd be saved by a perfect kiss" (this whole song is lorelai coded btw choosing just one line was hard)

jo march (little women): oh man, where to start. writing as an escape from a world that feels to small, wanting to explore and see the world and the beauty that hides in it, craving love but not knowing how to give it away freely, on the other hand craving attention and soaking it in, fierce, loyal, would do anything for those she cares about no matter the consequences, specifically this line from you're on your own kid "i didn't choose this town, i dream of getting out, there's just one who could make me stay"

dean winchester (supernatural): hi hello daddy issues! but also never being able to live up to you father's expectations and dealing with the fact that your sibling is the favorite no matter how hard you try, covers everything up with a smile and joke or anger and a clenched fist, hopelessly obsessed with women but confused over sexuality because of a pretty men, loves road trips with the windows down playing classic rock, would fight god bare handed if it meant that the people i love got to live (i'll refrain from going into religious trauma but if y'all want the full essay on how much i love dean winchester, please let me know), specifically this line from the archer "combat, i'm ready for combat, i say i don't want that, but what if i do? cause cruelty wins in the movies, i've got a hundred thrown out speeches i almost said to you" (this song is so dean coded i didn't know how to just choose one line)

oikawa tooru (haikyuu): tries so hard to be perfect only to have someone more naturally gifted best you, serving cunt with a smirk, whiny baby who wants their way, kind of weird but hides it as best as they can, showing their full deck of cards to people who deserve it, specifically this line from mirrorball "i'm still on that trapeze, i'm still trying everything to keep you looking at me"

i'm not sure who all has done this so feel free to use this as me tagging you if you'd like to along with these no pressure tags!: @scoops-stevie @thefreakandthehair @buckleydiaz @vecnuthy @stevethehairington @riality-check

#bee coded #tag meme #i could literally go into all of these in way more depth but i figured i should stop it there #shoutout to all my mirrorball/the archer/yoyok trifecta girlies!!

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kindheart525 · 1 year ago

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Warning: Extremely Fatphobic Language

~~~~~~~~~~Several interviewers huddled around the table where the young actress sat, waiting in anticipation for what she would have to say. Their pens and notepads were poised and ready to collect answers, but the varying degrees of concern on their faces made clear that this was not going to be happy publicity.

“I can’t believe it.”

Triple Threat uttered, gripping her coffee tensely between her hooves.

“I got kicked off the show.”

A heavy, tense silence followed as she sat in deep contemplation. “I can’t believe it” was only the tip of the iceberg, she was shocked to her core but somehow at the same time not surprised at all.

“It really was a surprise to many.”

The interviewers seemed less jaded by experience.

“It must have been for you too. Why do you think it happened?”

These ponies were friends, connections she had made through Bridleway Gossip and other interviews she had done. It was more than a purely professional relationship, hence the casual diner setting, but even they maintained some journalistic formalities for this.

“I know why it happened.”

TT gritted her teeth in barely-concealed rage.

“I knew it when I got the call and then when they announced my replacement the very next day. Like they had her loaded up all along. A thin actress.“

“A thin actress? Can you say more about that, this body issue?”

“No matter how talented she may be, even if she does deserve the role, I guarantee there’s nothing she has that I don’t.”

She wasn’t going to drag others down in her frustration, but she wasn’t going to sugarcoat herself anymore either.

“The only difference is size! And the fact that I actually pointed out that shit.”

For Triple Threat, this was hardly a formal interview at all, and not just because she knew these ponies. Unlike before, she didn’t feel like she had to express gratitude or keep a job. That hardly crossed her mind at all, she was pissed and needed to tell somepony, anypony who would listen to her. Anyone who would take her seriously.

“Here’s the post where they announced the new actress. Didn’t even mention me, okay? But listen to this!”

She showed them the new phone she bought for publicity, which now felt like a block of poison in her magical grasp from the vitriol that greeted her inside.

“‘Maybe this was for the best,’”

She started to read in a mockingly posh tone.

“‘Foals look up to Bridleway stars. They might think being unhealthy is okay.’”

“Unhealthy!?”

These comments were no less shocking to Triple Threat than when she first read them, freshly hurting from the loss of her job. But now what was once tears was turned into rage.

She pressed her lips together and made herself read on.

“‘I feel sorry for her, but I go to the show to see beautiful ponies.’”

The ponies around her cringed at this insult, but she just laughed bitterly.

“You think that’s bad?”

“‘Seeing Triple Threat in a dress that tight made me throw up in my MOUTH!’”

“And all these comments are real, Ms. Threat? Things that audience members have actually said?”

“YES!”

She yelled out indignantly.

“‘It’s good she was kicked out, maybe when she’s on vocal rest her mouth'll be closed long enough to lose some weight!”

The unicorn’s coffee spewed all over the place in the grip, hot like the burning rage she felt inside.

“They want us to FUCKING ROT!”

Ears pinned back and nostrils flaring in rage, she stomped on the table so hard that everypony in the room jumped in their seat.

“They’d rather we DIE of starvation! They don’t care about my talent, or my feelings, or anything! Me or anyone else who DARES to live life while fat! If you get lucky enough to ‘make it’ you’re glue to them as soon as you even THINK of acknowledging there’s a problem! Like they did me!”

The interviewers were writing down everything Triple Threat said, everypony else was staring at her. She was making a scene.

Good.

“This shit isn’t okay! This shit KILLS ponies like it almost killed me!”

It hurt her to think of all the ponies before her, all the ponies coming up after her, experiencing the same hatred for their fat bodies. This stuff destroyed dreams, lives even. And it hadn’t gotten any better as far as she could see.

“We don’t deserve this shit! We’re not fucking disposable!”

How much would it take for Equestria to wake up and do something? How much would it take to be accepted?

~~~~~~~~~~

Previous: Op-Ed Next: Old School Marm

Background from Reddit

The fatphobic comments are heavily based on actual social media comments that @glitterfleshgum and I have observed

#KindsArt #auraverse #bridleway #triple threat #story piece #next generation #my little pony #mlp fim #mlp g4 #fatphobia #tw fatphobia

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slifarianhawk · 2 years ago

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Chapter 11: Truth

A week had passed with ease and thanks to the Angelis virus any sign of harm to my body had vanished. The day came when I was supposed to complete my first set of missions for Wesker. The escort detail would be a walk in the park and the b.o.w. hunt even more so. The thing I was worried about was gathering Intel on the B.S.A.A., that alone I was worried about. Chris knows what I look like as do the B.S.A.A. higher ups.

I had just finished assembling my med kit with my viral stablizer securely stored away when a forceful knock rang from the door.

''Come in." I said pulling my hair in to a low pony tail.

"Alistar are you ready to go?" Steve asked with a black backpack on. He looked like a college student about to visit his parents.

"Almost, I have to prepare a few rounds of viral stablizer. I have a horrible feeling that something bad will happen." I stated.

"You seem a tad paranoid, I thought you were a cool collected killer like Wesker." Steve joked.

"Haha yea no, I can't ignore my instincts in situations like this." I sighed, "I'm having the same feeling from when the Russia base was shut down and we all know what happened that night.".

"That bad huh?" Steve said shifting his weight from one leg to the other.

"Yea, but oh well we are already running behind because of me ." I stocked my herbs, viral stablizer cache and lifted my brief case, "let's go.".

Steve started out the door and I followed in suit. The halls seemed lighter than normal as if the thought of the outside world brightened my view of the rotting hellhole I'm in. The halls were filled with soldiers and researchers rushing to their proper stations. This was almost like my time in Russia.

I let out a small chuckle when we went to the air strip. That was a big fucking mistake.

"And why are you laughing?!" A shrill female voice broke the peaceful silence, just my damn luck.

"Ah Ms. Gionne, how are you this morning?" Steve asked politely.

"Terrible, Albert's pda alarm went of too early and he overdosed on his serum. He can barely move at the moment due to the migraine!" She screeched.

"That's why she's here instead of him." A weaselly voice piped up, it was Irving.

"You must be Mr. Irving, We have never been formally introduced. " I extended my hand, "My name is Alistar Lancaster, I'll be the head of your security detail during the duration of your transaction."

"Tis' a pleasure, you seem very familiar. Did we pass in the hallway at some point?" He asked shaking my hand.

"No sir, I'm afraid that I'm normally in the training rooms or in the research labs. I don't have the authorization to roam around the base." I now ever so slightly to sell the loyal lackey act.

At this point Excella is turning a deep shade of red, "Irving quit making friends with the "help" and load up the plane. Also Irving be sure to study your notes on the buyer, we don't want a repeat of last time."

"Of course Excella and I do expect compensation for my services if things go according to plan." He stated, turning around grabbing a crate.

"Mr. Burnside Wesker requests you keep an eye on your charge the full time. He doesn't want anything to happen to "it". He has spent a lot of assets keeping it in working condition. I have special orders for "Ms. Lancaster" from Albert so the "special operative" will need to stay behind for a bit."

Yet again this woman was making me lose my temper. Not even speaking of me as if I was a living being but a piece of property. I was pissed. I motioned Steve to go on as I knew I'd be fine.

Steve nodded, "if you say so boss, I'll get that Mr. Irving.".

"Right." He squeaked out feeling the tension in the air.

Once they hurried off I turned towards Excella, "What are my orders?"

As soon as I asked I felt a sharp sting across my face, "I don't know who you think you are barging into my world and tearing it down but be sure of this you bitch. If you even step out of line once I'll make sure you never see the light of day again."

"So that is what this is about....heh what a fool." I chuckled again.

"Again with the laugh! What is so damn funny?" She glared daggers into me and slapped me across the face again.

I place my thumb and index fingers over my open eyes and removed my contacts and let my eyes flare the ice cold blue, "What's so funny you ask, is the fact that you think you can actually do something to me. I am here of my own volition to serve as my teachers pawn in her stead. Unlike you, who is just trying to get in to the pants of power hungry sadist. So from now on stay out of my way."

I cracked my neck and smirked staring straight in to her eyes "One last thing lay your disgusting hands on me again I'll send you to your grave, stupid girl."

She scuttled back shaking ever so slightly, "Oh look I need to get back to tending to Albert."

She ran off. I placed my contacts back in and headed towards the plane. I have some calls I need to make.

[Weskers P.O.V]

I was sitting at my desk clutching my head, the pain was very disorienting. Exella left to see Ms. Lancaster and Mr. Irving. Damnable technology, I knew I should of programmed it myself. I looked up to look at the cc TV footage to see Excella giving my orders to Mr. Burnside and Mr. Irving.

Shortly after Excella arrived Irving and Steven started to head towards the plane. Steven stopped for a short moment only for Ms. Lancaster motioning for him to continue. I found this action peculiar as I had no special order for her. That was when Ms. Gionne slapped Alistar.

I watched the screen with intrigue as she was struck again. Much to my interest Ms. Lancaster didn't flinch instead her stance became firm and her posture became intimidating. She appeared to touch her face and said something to Excella.

She backed up terrified of Ms. Lancaster, almost falling back. Ms. Lancaster simply turned around and marched to the plane pulling out her PDA and mine started to ring. Growling at the sound I answered quickly.

"I take it you just saw what your assistant tried to pull correct." Ms Lancaster's voice spoke with authority.

"Yes I did, tell me did she give my orders to your group?" I asked rubbing my temple.

"She gave orders to Steve and Mr. Irving. Did you have a message for me or did she lie to me as well?" Ms. Lancaster asked with a serious tone of voice.

"Yes I did I wanted to warn you the area of the exchange has been infested with B.S.A.A. agents. I'm sure you understand what that means." I stated even more infuriated.

"Becareful on over dosing on that damn medicine, I don't want to see you becoming a destabilized mess." She chided, "Keep it up and you turn in to a beast like Colonel Surgei.".

Click

She released the call and I sat the pda on my desk. Why the hell would she care about my health. It's not like I give a rat's ass about her.

Knock knock

"Albert it's Excella, may I enter?" She asked.

"Enter." I groaned internally, nothing but annoyances today.

[Main pov]

It was about mid flight when I stood from my seat. I had to see what arrangements the Mr. Irving had made for our lodgings. I walked back to where Steve and Irving were sitting.

"Mr. Irving." I stated.

"Please let's dispense with the formalities please call me Ricardo." He said smiling.

"Alright Ricardo, I was wondering what lodgings were set up for us." I asked.

"Normally Excella sets that up but she didn't this time. She said that "that filthy mutt" doesn't deserve to use my connections. I hate to be blunt, but I believe she means you." He sighed pointing at me.

"I don't know why that woman has always had it out for me." I shrugged "But no matter, I can make arrangements for lodgings with a call. I have a place in my mind I'll inform the pilot."

I pulled out my phone and stepped into the restroom. I pulled up the contact and dialed the number.

Ring ring.

"Pheonix Core lodge, Archer speaking." Came through the phone.

"Juna, I need a favor." I spoke gently not to be heard by others.

"TABITHA WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN I'VE BEEN TRYING TO CONTACT." The receiver rang out.

"Archer the plan is in motion and we can discuss details after I arrive. Right now I need my room set up, well as two suites. The Pheonix core lodge will be hosting a future ally tonight." That cut him off and there was silence, "Juna are you still?"

He let out a heavy sigh,"Yes I am, I was just worried about you. I'll have the rooms set with in the next few hours. A bit of warning there is a massive hunting group who have been causing an issue about the off limits grounds and I'm not done lecturing you."

"Thanks June. I'll see you later and tell those idiot's the owner will be there shortly to discuss the matter." I said hanging up.

I pulled of my over shirt revealing the extensive scarring. With a sigh and a roll of the neck I redid my hair. I washed my hands and exited the bathroom. Steve greeted me outside the restroom.

"You ok I thought I heard screaming in there." Steve asked.

"Yea it was one of my contacts, I kind of fell out of contact do to starting to work for Wesker." I rubbed the back of my head.

"Oh that's understandable, did you make sleeping and housing arrangements?"

"Yes I did, the Pheonix Core Lodge. It was a passion project of Tabitha. She said if she ever got out of the umbrella scene, she'd run a hunting lodge. I'll have the drivers take us once we land."

"That sounds good to me, Hey question." He said.

"Yea what's wrong?" I asked.

Steve smiled and pulled out a deck of cards, "Do you know how to play speed?".

"Your on." I chuckled and we started playing.

[Weskers P.O.V.]

I was listening to Tabithas recordings. It detailed the year before I joined the management training facility. She was quite solemn and rarely did much. The few times she spoke with Markus it was quite interesting what he was interested in. From cell decay to certain chemical compounds that causes a boost in neuro activity.

"At the start of the next year, everything started to rapidly change for me." Her recorded voice sighed, "I was sitting in class when Dr. Markus walked in and introduced two people, one was with him and the other showed up just after Markus had started. Their names were Albert Wesker and William birkin. William seemed layed back more go with the flow type and Albert was very stiff with an almost by the book personality, polar opposites. Dr. Markus had me be a mentor to William. He was a kind man and very smart. Dr. Markus decided to mentor Wesker. Did I know then I would marry Albert about seven years later? No, if I were to be honest I thought that he would be a major hard ass and a stick in the mud. I was definitely right on one of those. " She spoke sounding nostalgic.

I heard a metal door slam, "Agent 748, come its time for your injections." A familiar heavily Russian Male voice said.

"GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE BEFORE I RIP OUT YOUR THOAT YOU DEPLORABLE SHIT STAIN MAN." Tabitha shrieked so loud it distorted the audio and made my head throb.

"Its been two months, if you don't start following my orders I'll have Ivan throw you in to the testing room." Surgei said

"GO AHEAD AND TRY I'LL KILL THE DAMN THING IF IT LAYS A FINGER ON ME." She shouted again, I heard a grunt on the recording and the metal door slam again.

"God I despise that man. Once I figure a way out of this mess I'm going to try and find way to fix my family. My son, my daughter, I regret not raising them every day and yes I had kids Wesk. In '82 and in '92n and yes they were yours. I couldn't abort them and what's more I wanted a family. However the would of never been the case, Spencer he found out and tried to have me transfer the custody to him both times. I'm sorry to drop the bomb on that but seeing as how I'm more than likely bound for a shallow unmarked grave here I'd rather be honest with who was listening." She started crying and I was at loss for words.

"I couldn't have umbrella have a hold of my kids. Look what happened with Sherry! Her own father tried to kill her when he mutated! I'm sorry Albert but you were always so wrapped around Spencer's finger and I was terrified. I was a damn fool. I found her, our daughter and I can't bringing myself to face it. I know I won't be forgiven but at least I've finally been honest even if these are just recordings on a private drive." There was banging on the metal door and a sigh, "I need to end this here for now. Time to be cut open .......again." .

"Recording ended." The robotic voice said.

I was silent, the weight of what was said was extremely heavy. I quickly accessed the files Tabitha had Alistar present me with. I couldn't find any files with her name on it. Then the Colonels voice rang in my head. In the recording he called her agent 748.

I typed it in and it pulled up the Angelis main test subject file. The title was Arch-Angel. It detailed an experiment involving U.B.C.S. agent 748. The virus was a different strand of the progenitor virus that had extreme mutation risk. It was noted on the file that those who had children had a higher compatibility do to an increased amount of CPH4 able to increase cell energy. The subject had two kids known to the umbrella corporation. One was found and measures have been taken to obtain, target is a 16 year old female with a small family in Russia.

Notes added by Colonel Surgei, looking under the section I saw something that made my blood boil. It stated.

"If only comrade Wesker could see his blushing bride now. I complied with Lord Spencer's request and he was correct. Her having his kids showed she had just as much promise as him. She bonded with the new progenitor strain even better than I did with the T- Virus. The daughter is a more than like candidate as well. Lord Spencer's said to call the new virus Angelis, as even gods need servants. I have to be sure to clip this Angel's wings. Can't have this one fly away again my bed will be so cold. " I heard his voice in my head as I read. The tone mocking me and filled me with rage.

I stood up and in a blind rage punched a hole in the desk. This was what Spencer had planned for her. A death with out peace, with out resolution.

One that I brought her too. I tried but for the first time is a very very long time I, a man ment to be a god cried.

This is what umbrella made us. It just proves to me more what I have to do. I will cleanse this filthy planet of all the undesirable garbage.

Maybe then and only then can I make this guilt go away.

#wesker x reader #re wesker #resident evil #albert wesker #wesker #wesker x oc #albert wesker x reader #albert wesker x oc

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nella09archive · 1 year ago

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Marriage. 103

Chapter 103: Anniversary Dinner

“Bulma! Was your goal to get people killed today?”

“What are you talking about, Gohan? Your mother looks great.”

“My mother looks like she’s ready to see a blood bath, and give dad a heart attack!”

“What you mean, big brother? No way mom could even kick in that dress.”

“No, but dad sure isn’t going to be happy about this!”

“I don’t get why? Your mom looks absolutely incredible. Why won’t your dad like it?”

“Because, Videl, she’s going to be in public! Dad is already overprotective, and extremely possessive, when it comes to mom. He’s going to flip!”

“Gohan!” *Slap* “Calm down. I’m sure Ms. Bulma knows what’s she’s doing.”

“Yeah, big brother. Calm down.”

“Kid, you’re just over reacting. Your mom looks fucking sexy as hell. Your dad would just be too focus on her, to worry about anything else.”

“Bulma. You better have a plan ‘B’ for when we see on the news, that a bunch of guys were killed.”

“Kid, you have jokes. But that one sucks.”

…

That conversation still played in my head. And that was just an hour ago. I’m surprise I have yet felt at least an earthquake. Where did Bulma set my parents up for their anniversary? Seeing mom in that dress even gave me a panic attack. I even was trying to convince mom to change, before it was too late, but the limo was already waiting. If I knew Bulma was going to make mom wear that I could have done something. To top it off, I’m on babysitting duty. And we had to start heading out, before mom and dad anniversary dinner was over. I was between taking Goten to the lookout, or taking Videl offer, and we go to her place. Right now, I was just pacing outside, and they were trying to stop me. I just can’t help it.

Don’t get me wrong. Mom has plenty of clothes that show off, but not everything at once. That’s what’s scaring me. That thing shouldn’t even be considered a dress. It’s too high up her thigh, and it barely covers my mom’s chest area. She looked like something out of Master Roshi magazines. Which is a huge red flag! That’s when I felt a slap. I looked to who slap me, and it was Videl. I finally decided that we would go to her place. At least, I would be close enough, in case something happens.

…

Where is she? Did I get here too early? I hope she likes everything. Bulma said this restaurant was the best in the world. I really hope Chichi likes it. My Chichi deserves the best. Just then, I felt her energy coming my way. So, I stopped leaning against the doorframe, and prepared myself to see my beautiful… WHAT IS SHE WEARING? I don’t know if my body is trying to faint, or go super sayian. All I know is that, my Chichi is wearing something that I approve and disapprove.

The guy that help her out the limo, is looking at her behind. But he quickly stops, and is staring at me with fear. He now has his hands in front of him, begging that I don’t kill him. All I feel is small hands trying to pull my attention. I look to the source, and it’s her. It takes me a minute, but I finally follow inside. Thankfully, Bulma set us up in a private room. But still doesn’t make me calm me down. I’m still on edge. I can’t believe what my wife is wearing. I wouldn’t mind seeing that when we’re alone, but we currently not, and that’s what upsets me.

“Honey.” For a split second, my rage calms down, as I look into those beautiful brown eyes. “Can you please stop being a super sayian. I know you’re upset, but please.” I try to bring my rage down, but I still feel uneasy about this. “Thank you. Let’s just enjoy dinner, ok?” She has the most beautiful smile, and I couldn’t help smile back. All words are lost to me at that moment, and all I could do is nod.

I’m grateful that the servers are bots, because I don’t think I would have last seeing another man looking at my wife. As we ate, I couldn’t help admire her. Even though, I would have liked it if she was more covered up. But I can’t lie that my perfect Chichi doesn’t look incredible. I’m actually very pleased that dress fits her body perfectly. It even makes me want to have her right now. But I have to control myself. Chichi would hate if I ruin dinner. But later, she’s going to be my dessert. And seeing how much my Chichi is blushing, is making this all the better. “Goku, shut up.”

“Can’t help it. You’re just incredible.” She now folds her arms under her breast, which made them raise a bit more, and making them look even bigger. I think my wife is trying to kill me. I’m supposed to be on my best behavior, and she’s not only being cute, she’s being down right irresistible. And I could smell her, and that’s making it even harder. Not to mention, we currently have our legs crossed, under the table.

��By the way.” I look at her, and I feel slightly puzzled by her tone of voice. “I’m surprised you’re not only wearing a suit and tie, but it didn’t break when you went super sayian.” She’s now giggling behind her hand. And she looks so dreamy right now.

“Well, Bulma said something about making the suit expandable. I didn’t really get what she meant by that, but I guess we just found out.” I couldn’t help chuckle at that thought. Guess Bulma did plan out everything. “I am curious.” She looks at me, and is still blushing. “How in the world did Bulma get you to wear that?” I pointed her dress.

Her whole upper body turned red, and she tried to hide behind her hands. Awe, she’s being so adorable. “Bulma bought it without me knowing. I was still looking for a dress, when she pulled me. She said she already found the perfect one, and that we had to leave. It wasn’t till we got home that I saw the dress. I wanted to not wear it, but you know how Bulma is.” We both started laughing at that. “Funny enough. Gohan went into a panic when he saw it.”

“You can’t really blame him. He does know how I am around you.” She nods. That’s when the food finally arrives. As we eat, I couldn’t stop staring at the beautiful creature in front of me. After the meal, I at least leave a tip, and we start to head out. Thankfully, Bulma had pay the limo driver to also take us home. On the way home, I was trying to stay in absolute control. Even though Chichi was being extremely tempting. Even rubbing my leg, and snuggling into me. I tried my very best to not move my hand from her side. If I did, I wasn’t going to stop. When we reached home, I had to take deep breaths to keep me calm, as we walked inside. The moment the door close, I was about to attack my wife. But she held her hand up, confusing me, just enough to escape up the stairs.

…

I still can’t believe Bulma actually did this. The dress is way to short, and too tight. Is this even consider a dress? The hearted bust did support my breast, and even made it look bigger. The middle section was tight to where it was a bit hard to move, or breathe. Then the skirt part just barely went past my hips. It at least covered my panties. Well, if I was wearing panties. What I wore shouldn’t be considered panties. It was just string. I try to take a look how my butt was in this. I felt my face go on fire. It barely even cover that. If anyone bent down, just a little, they would be able to see under. Goku is going to flip!

When I showed the boys, and Videl, Gohan went into a panic. I just knew this dress was a bad idea. But it was too late. The limo was here. My nerves was on fire. When I finally got to the restaurant. The moment I stepped out I was just stunned. Then it hit that my husband was about to kill a man. I tried to pull him away. Thankfully he followed. When we got to the private room, it looked so romantic. But my Goku still hasn’t calm down. It took me a while to get him calm enough to sit down. When we sat down, the way he was looking at me had me feel frozen in place. He was looking at me all over, and I couldn’t help smile. Even though he’s upset, he was still blushing and taking deep breaths.

Then bots came to give us menu’s, and take our drink orders. He, like always, had water, while I chose an ice tea. Maybe when he calms down, he’ll pick a different drink. So, I ordered two ice tea, for when he snaps out it. I try to reach out to his hand, and for him to actually hold my hand tells me he wasn’t as upset, like a moment ago. “Honey.” His eyes stared into mine, and my breath caught in my throat. “Can you please stop being a super sayian. I know you’re upset, but please.” I could tell he was struggling, but was grateful he power down. “Thank you. Let’s just enjoy dinner, ok?” He gave me the most incredible smile, and nodded. He was just being so dreamy.

As he calm down, he was looking me all over again. But this time, he had a grin on his face, and my face was burning up. I even heard him think about having me for dessert. “Goku, shut up.” He just smiles at me, and he gave me a complement. My body was on fire, and I couldn’t help fold my arms. I wasn’t staring at him, but I was able to see that his grin grew. That made my body burn even more. And is even getting me, all worked up. We made small talk as we waited for our food. We complement each other outfits, and joked how Gohan reacted to my outfit.

When the food finally arrived, I could tell his attention wasn’t fully on the food. Then afterwards, while waiting for the limo driver. He stood behind me, and had given me his jacket. Once inside the limo, it was a quiet ride. Even though it was quiet, didn’t mean nothing happened. I snuggled into him, and rubbed his leg. His hand on my side, did squeeze me a bit, and he seem to be having trouble breathing. I smiled up at him, and he was staring down at me. His eyes kept flickering, and was biting his lip. He’s really trying. It makes me so happy. I tried to go for a kiss, but that’s when we made it home. Well, that was fast, or I wasn’t paying attention.

When we got out the limo, I wrapped his jacket back around him. I even pulled him down for a kiss. It threw him off guard. But when he came to, he was rubbing my sides. But when his hand reached my behind, and he was touching skin, he went into shock. I took that chance to run into the house. When he came to, he rushed into the house, and had closed the front door. The moment he saw me, he looked like a wild animal. I shook my hands, singling to wait. Thankfully he didn’t move, and a ran to our room. I just made a foot into the room, when I felt him behind me. I then felt his finger flick my skirt up, revealing the string of a supposedly panties. Without warning, it snapped, and left me bare.

I could practically hear him growl. “You should have let me beat him. That hide nothing. It was see through.” I felt him firmly slap my left cheek. “Another man saw what’s mine. No man is supposed to see what’s mine.” Then a firm slap to the right cheek. I then felt him unzip the dress. He then pulled it off me. Then his growl became more of a snare, as he held my hips. I felt his forehead lean on my shoulder. I could tell he was breathing heavily. “Mine.” He then flip me around, and he looked so angry. I tried to bring arms to his neck, but he stopped me. He guided my hands to his tie, and I felt my face burn.

As I undid his tie, his hands were on my hips. As I undid his shirt, but the moment I reached the belt, I felt one of his hands groping my butt. That made me smile, and I tried to rush to get the rest of his clothes off. The moment his pants fell, he placed my hands on his hips, and finished taking off his shirts. I couldn’t help lick my lips. I couldn’t help myself, and started pulling at his boxer waistband. I even started to pull them down, and watched how he practically sprang free. I continued staring at him, while I finished taking off his boxers. He help, as he stepped out to fully get rid of the pants and boxers.

On my way up, I kissed along the inside of his thigh. I was then licking and nibbling his balls, before trailing my tongue along his staff. When reached the tip, he patted my head. I lovingly pulled him into my mouth, and went at a slow pace. While I sucked him, one hand toyed with his balls. “Ah.” After a moment I released him, and kissed my way up his torso. After I kissed his neck, he kissed me. It was gentle and sweet. When we parted, is when he picked me up, and closed our door. He then walked us to our bed, and gently placed me on the bed. We just smiled at each other. Well, until I made a break for it.

I could hear him laugh, before I felt him on top of me. He was kissing his mark. “We can’t play that game. You’re already naked.” I giggled at that, and felt him lick me. “Unless this is how you want to start it.” I then felt his fingers rubbing me. And my arms started feeling weak. But I got to hold back. I shook my head, and felt his fingers leave me. I bit my lip; I can’t whine. He then flipped me around, and now I was facing him. He licked his lips, before I saw him go in between my legs. There was no other build up; he just attacked me. That alone made me scream. It just felt so good to have my husband eat me, like I was his last meal of his life.

Before I knew it, and to my disappointment, he pulled away when I was so close. I was about to whine, till I saw his face. He look downright evil, before he went super. My breath caught in my throat, when I felt him thrust into me. He was smirking at me, as he thrust harder. “I have a little surprise for you.” At that I felt my whole body go into shock. What did he mean by that? But nothing happened, as he continued thrusting. When we came, we kissed, as he pulled out of me. He then whispered in my ear. “I really hope you like it.” I was still confused on what’s going on, but I was getting excited as well.

I then watched him reach over to his night stand, and saw him pull something out. In his hand was a senzu bean. I felt somewhat confused. He then placed it on my lip, and said how I’m going to need it for what he plans to do. I almost bit his finger, as I tried to hurry and eat the damn bean. We only use those on special occasions, and especially when we plan to go all night. He started chuckling, before he went from super 1 straight into 3. The whole room felt on fire, and I loved it. But he has yet touched me. Instead he told me to close my eyes. I wanted to whine, but he insisted. What made me open my eyes, was that I felt BOTH my cheeks being kissed. HOW IS THAT POSS… OH MY GOODNESS! WHEN DID THERE BECOME 4 GOKUS!

At first, I panicked, till I remember that one technique I saw at the 23rd world tournament. Did he really just? “Yes. Just for you.” I couldn’t help smile at that, and feeling very giddy. “Just this once. So, don’t get use to it.” I couldn’t help nod. It was definitely an anniversary to remember.

…

I was absolutely drained the next morning, but was happy. Not only did Chichi enjoy her surprise, she’s currently wearing a very content smile. Somewhere along last night I just lost it, can’t even remember most of what I did. But that doesn’t matter. As long as my Chichi is happy, then I did a good job. As I held her closer, I couldn’t help myself, and just took a deep whiff of her neck. Her whole inter being is covered by me, and that makes me happy. Every last inch of her was left untouched by me. Smelling that makes me feel I did a good thing. My wife is all mine, and so she is going to mine cover all over her. That thought alone is getting me worked up, and wondering if I should wake her for a good morning round.

Luckily, she woke on her own, and had me under her, as she rode me this morning. We barely left the bed, for I couldn’t get enough of her. This was the best anniversary ever. When we did finally get out of bed, we just ended up going a round in the shower. After breakfast, we just enjoy quiet time on the couch. I rested my head on her lap, while she read one of her poetry books. “When should we let the boys know they could come home?”

“Not yet. I want to enjoy a little more quiet time with you.” She smiled at me, and agreed. It was during lunch, that the boys were told they could come home. The funny thing was that Gohan asked if anyone died? “No. Well, almost.” He gave me a disbelief face, and then asked Chichi if that was true. She said the same thing. Goten then came out of nowhere saying how Gohan now has to do his homework for a week. “Boys, what this about.”

“Gohan went on and on about how there’s going to be a mass murder, because you was gonna kill anyone that looked at mom.” Me and Chichi couldn’t help laugh at that. “So, me, and Videl, said if he was right, we have to do all his homework for a week. But if he was wrong, he had to do ours.” Goten then jumped up and down, and pointed at Gohan. “You better call Videl and tell her that you lost.” Gohan just ended up holding Goten and rubbing his head roughly with his fist. “Ow! I’m telling Videl on you!” Gohan just did it even more, and kept telling Goten to give in or he won’t stop. “Never!”

Goten went super sayian and bit Gohan’s arm, but Gohan wasn’t letting up. “If you don’t give up, you’ll regret it.” This doesn’t look good. I tried to break the boys apart, only to end up getting flipped by Gohan. To top it off, Chichi was laughing.

“Need help, dear.” Nope, I’m good. “If you say so.” I tried again, and I finally got them apart. Goten was now in my arms, and I was sitting on top of Gohan.

“Boys.” They both shouted how it was the other’s fault. “Boys!” They got quiet. “Apologize.” They both said sorry, and then I got off of Gohan. We then made our way to the table. Goten didn’t want to leave my arms, even when I tried to put him in his seat. “Goten.” He just gave me the saddest puppy eyes, and I couldn’t say no. That’s when I heard Chichi giggling behind her hand. “Is there something you want to say?”

“Nothing.” You big softy. I couldn’t help my face heat up at that. She was teasing me. Mean. I ended up having Goten on my lap, as we ate lunch. And whenever Gohan moved, Goten hugged me. Oh, you got to be kidding me. After lunch, Goten still wouldn’t let me go. I didn’t mind as much, but it’s the reason that bugged me. I tried to get Goten to see everything will be fine, but he still wouldn’t leave my side. I remembered when Gohan was like this. When something really upset him, which happened a lot, he would hold onto me. He wouldn’t leave my side till he felt all better, or it was bedtime. That’s if, he didn’t ask to sleep with me and Chichi. Gohan always said how he felt safest when he was in my arms. Of course, I always wanted him to feel safe. Daddy will always keep him safe. And now look at me. Having another son feeling safe in my arms. I couldn’t help smile at that. Daddy will always keep my boys safe.

We ended up taking a nap on the couch, well, kind off. I kept walking up to Gohan trying to get close. “Gohan. What’s wrong?” He just shook his head, and went back to doing all 3 homework’s. That boy needs a break. It was during dinner that Goten finally felt safe enough to sit on his own chair. Afterwards, Gohan went to his room to finish, and Goten wanted to play. “Just give me one moment, ok?” He said ok, and sat on the couch. I went upstairs, and knocked on Gohan’s door. He answered it, and I just walked in.

“Is something the matter dad?” I just shook my head. He went back to sit at his desk, but I stopped him. “Dad?”

“Take a break. You got time.” I ruffled his hair. He tried to tell me he doesn’t. “Says the one, that Chichi claims, did a year worth of assignments in one month.” He was blushing at that. “You’re smart. You work hard. But you also need to take breaks. So, come on. Do something that isn’t homework.” He just hugged me, before he nodded and said thanks. “Want to play with me and Goten? Or you going to do something else?”

“Something else.” He then looked at me. “Is it ok that I go out?” It was dark, even though I know he’ll be fine. “Please dad.” Oh great. “Come on. Please. Only for a little while. Please.”

“Don’t stay out too late.” He got excited at that. “But use the front door. Don’t want your mom going into a panic when she sees your room empty.” He laughed at that, and agreed. Once that was done, we headed downstairs. He told Chichi that’ll he’ll be back later, and was out the door before she could ask questions. Me on the other hand, got an earful from Chichi. Not about the whole letting him go out, but why I didn’t ask her first. Then me and Goten played. It turned to a fun night, and Gohan came in time for bed time. So, Chichi was happy. Goten even asked if he could sleep in our bed tonight.

“Please.” Chichi looked ready to say no. And Goten started to look ready to cry. Goku don’t you dare! Goten looked at me, giving me those puppy eyes, and even balling his fist. “Please.” GOKU! Now I looked at Chichi and said please. She started to look angry, and Goten finally started crying. Look at what you did. Goku. He’ll be fine. I just tried to calm him down. “Please daddy, please. I don’t wanna sleep all by myself. It’s scary.” GOKU! I told Goten alright.

Even though she was mad, for like a few minutes, she did end up snuggling with us. But the next day, I was kicked out the house, and told not to come back till dinner. Well, in that case, I’ll go work. After all, I only missed two days, and that’s all she would allow me to take off. Better than nothing. But I did have to ask the boys to get me my clothes. Once that was that, I was out on the fields the rest of the day. Goten did show up, in the afternoon, giving me lunch, that Chichi made. So, today wasn’t so bad. It actually felt good.

…

I can’t believe him. He really can’t say no. Goten would have been fine. Heck. He even Gohan do what he wants. But funny enough, I can’t stay mad. Our boys are good boys. Not like we spoil them that they aren’t grateful, and aren’t discipline. I just wish Goku just didn’t give in that easily. Wait. No. Can’t say that either. Oh well, Goku is doing just fine with the boys. Oh, his lunch is ready.

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

Ch102

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antielevator · 7 months ago

Text

Sebastian bares his teeth, ready to snarl that he had asked, and Lily had been terrified, but a little hand reaching for his forearm has him stilling. Looking down, he sees Lily shake her head at him, and his anger withers almost all the way through.

It takes everything in him to keep his mouth shut. He'll do it for her, though.

Seeing the way she hesitantly approaches Obscura, though, he understands now why it is Stefano was convinced his daughter wasn't scared out of her mind. Lily's trembling when she reaches her hand out to touch Obscura's camera head, and he can see the way her lip wibbles and her eyes start to fill with tears, but he's sure that all Stefano sees is a little girl making friends with his precious creations. The fear doesn't compute to him nearly as much as Lily's soft admission of "I'm glad you liked my drawing".

Jesus. Sebastian swallows. He has no fucking idea.

Everything makes so much sense suddenly that he can't help but feel anything except pissed off about it.

"You played with them, huh?" he asks, acknowledging Lily. She looks over her shoulder, nods once, and sniffles before saying, "Just Ms. Obscura... M-Ms. Guardian was out fighting with you."

I remember. "I see." Sebastian's arms cross over his chest. "I'm glad Ms. Obscura was so nice to you, then."

"Y-Yeah--" Lily flinches at a chirp that comes from Obscura, wrenches her hand back as if she were burned, and then steps back towards Sebastian's ready hands. He takes both her shoulders in them, squeezing in comfort.

"You okay?" he asks.

"She just--" Lily's only barely keeping herself from whimpering. "I got surprised..."

The ground beneath them trembles. Sebastian's thumb strokes the side of Lily's neck, feeling her pulse jackrabbiting in fear, and then dips his head to kiss the top of her head.

"It's okay, sweetheart. She's just excited." A beat. "Why don't we, uh... play a game or something? Maybe that'll help Ms. Obscura calm down, huh?

"What do you think, Stefano?"

With an absolute lack of social awareness, Stefano smirks proudly as Lily greets his creations so kindly. The Guardian's heads laugh in their joyously haunting chime and Obscura squeaks with excitement, turning about and dancing upon her pointed toes as she attempts to contain her elation.

Truthfully, it'd been quite some time since someone's been so appreciative of himself and his work, so much so that his own work even acknowledges it.

It's nice being appreciated, even by a child.

Though, as Sebastian all but warns him, a wave of irate exhaustion overcomes him, rolling his eye before meeting his gaze once more.

"The three of us were already friends with your daughter. Did you think to ask her at any point what she did while in my care? She had ample crayons and paper to color. While it may not be my preferred medium, I respect her choice."

He lackadaisically crosses his arms over his chest before he turns his attention to the young girl once more, a fond smile over his lips as he watches her, somehow unable to comprehend her fear.

"Obscura loved your drawing of the puppy so much she took many pictures of it." He turns his head to his more graceful creation. "Isn't that right, my beautiful?"

Obscura mimics what would be an eager nod had there been a head where it belongs on the body, and she begins to move towards Lily, as if to ask a question that no one has any means to translate.

#obscurart #thread.

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quellmythirst · 2 years ago

Text

The Week-long Seminar - Day 7 - Staying

Summary: You tell Billy your staying, he takes it very well.

Pairing: Fem!Reader x Billy Russo

Words: 2.4k

Warnings: SMUT, piv, fingering, chocking, over stim, teasing, fluff.

Part 6

“Shit. Why did I bring so much stuff with me?” You think, loading your suitcase full of the clothes strewn around the hotel room. You’re nearly halfway through packing all the tech into a bag when there is a knock at your door. Glancing down at your phone, the light searing into your eyes. Shit it's 1am. You still haven't heard from Billy, maybe he's still asleep and you'll be able to get back before he even notices you're gone? You can only hope.

“Ms Van Dyne,” opening the door to greet her, “are you free now?”

“Ye- what is that?” She exclaims, taking your chin in her hand and tilting your face up. Her eyes growing wide as she stares at the marks on your neck.

“Oh, I ah-” raising your hand to your neck trying to cover the bruising. “It's nothing.”

“Doesn't look like nothing, “she squints, releasing your face and holding out her hand, “come with me.” Hope gestures for you to sit on the couch before moving to the bathroom, “I figured this trick out after Scott got out of house arrest. Dad did not need to see that,” she laughs, bringing out a cool cloth and something crushed in a bowl.

“You?”

“Oh, no honey. Scott. He was- I got a bit carried away,” Hope winks at you.

“What is that?” you ask, nodding at the bowl in her hand.

“It'll stop the swelling,” she rubs the damp cloth into the powder, “did he do this to you?”

“Who? I don't know what you mean?” You try to lie but she's spent the last few years with you at her side, there was no way she was buying it.

“Ah huh. So you haven't been seeing that warmonger asshole behind my back for months?” She smirks at you when you make a face, “that's what I thought. He do this to you?”

“Yeah, but-”

“But you liked it,”

“Yeh I did.”

“And is he the reason you're staying?”

“Part of it.”

“Well, I guess I can't hate him for that. Still though, if he ever hurts you in a way you don't like, you call me. I know people in this city and I'm just a flight away.”

“I think I'll be good, but I'll keep that in mind. Thank you, Hope.”

“Right, that should do it,” she says, leaning back and staring at the orange line along your neck. “Let's get to it then,” she smiles, sitting on the couch next to you. Hope flick’s the folder open, pointing out the details of your move and what your new position is going to entail. Apparently she had booked the hotel room until your apartment was ready, but you had a better idea on where you want to stay for a week or two. Your hand starts to cramp up and your eyes ache after hours and hours of signing and initially all the paperwork. Hope checks and rechecks that she has everything in order, a wave of panic on her face when she notices the time on her watch.

“I need to get going, but just call if you need anything,” Hope says, shrikning her own bags down and tucking them into her pocket. Then helping you carry your bags to the lobby, “anything. I mean it,”

“Yes Ma'am, I'll call if I need you.”

“Good, and-”

“Yes I'll tell Billy that you threatened his life.”

“Perfect,” she pulls you into a tight hug before hopping into the taxi and leaving you alone on the sidewalk.

This is it. You think, setting your bags down outside Billy's door. Hopefully he's up, though it's doubtful, the sun was barely over the horizon.

You take a deep breath before you knock on the door. You press an ear up to the door, hearing a lot of shuffling and clanking behind the door. You knock again, still no answer. You're just about to give up and head back to the hotel when the door opens.

His triumphant grin shines down at you, some- what even is that? You reach to brush whatever it is from his shoulders but his arms wrap around your middle and lift's you into the air. “You’re back!” his hands hold you tight as he kisses you softly.

“Yeah, I said in my note I was coming back,” you shake your head, wondering why he would've thought otherwise.

“I saw the note, but-” he puts you down, finally noticing the bags behind you, “people leave notes and never come back sometimes.” His voice is soft and almost vulnerable when he admits it, staring at your bags.

“Well-” you widen your arms- “I came back! Here I am and I have a favor to ask,”

“Anything,” he takes your hand kissing you again, “whatever you want.”

“You don't even know what it is yet?” you shake your head at him, “What if I want you to kill a guy?”

“Wouldn’t be the first,” he shrugs.

“Billy,” you hit him playfully, rolling your eyes.

“Don't care, if it means you're not leaving, I'll do whatever I can.”

“So I can stay?” You peer up at him with hope in your eyes. He did just agree to perform a hit for you, so you suppose asking to stay at his apartment really wasn’t a lot.

“Seriously? You want to stay here,” he brushes past you, picking up your bags, “that's the stupidest thing you've ever said,” he starts walking, heading to what you know to be his bedroom, “'sif I'd ever let a woman move in with me,” he opens the door to the closet, “she’d get her girly shit all over my nice neat bachelor pad,” he unzips your bag dumping the contents into his closet, “you'd have to be mad to think I wanted that,” he finally turns scooping you up into his arms and pressing you into the wall

“You’re right, that would be crazy of me,” you laugh as he presses kisses into your neck before pulling back.

“What is that?” He asks, staring at the home remedy Hope had used on you, “it tastes like oranges,”

“Hope said it would bring the bruising down,”

“Oh, so you want to live in my house and not wear my marks, that it?” He cocks an eyebrow at you.

“No, she just-”

“I know exactly what to do with you, naughty girl,” he boops the end of your nose as he begins walking. His fingers hooking under your sweater and pulling it over your head. Setting you on the kitchen counter he steps between your legs. Your fingers slip up to his buttoned top and you find more of that strange dust stuff on the collar.

“What is this?”

“Don’t worry about it,” he says, ripping your pants from your legs, your ass hitting the cold marble of the counter, flinching trying to get off it. “Now, about this shit on your neck,” he runs a cloth under some warm water, gently wiping away the remnants with a tenderness that surprises you. “What's the look for?” he asks, stopping to rinse the cloth so he can continue.

“What look? I’m not doing a look,”

“Hmm..” his eyes glance up at you, letting you get away with it for now.

“What was that?” you ask, when you hear something hit the wooden floor.

“Told you not to worry about it,” he drops the cloth in the sink, his hand warm from the water skimming up your legs and spreading them further apart. “Why don’t I give you something else to focus on, huh?” he swipes his fingers through your pussy, “Fuck, Baby. You’ve only been here 15 minutes and your dripping,”

“Love feeling your hands on me,” you pant, arching up towards his hands. Wrapping your own behind him and squeezing his tight ass.

“That all you want to feel?” his thumb starts flicking over your clit as those long fingers fill you and you let out a loud moan. He pumps his fingers in and out, his free hand ripping your bra from you and pressing his hardness into your leg. You lean back on your elbows, watching as he fucks you on his hand. Not noticing him scanning your features, searching for the spot that will make your eyes roll back into your skull.

His other hand works fast to shove his pants down, while you're chasing your high. “Fuck, baby. You’re stunning,” he growls, smirking when he sees your eyes roll. He presses in hard on that spot, while his thumb continues it's work on your clit, “Soak me, Come on Baby. Cum for me,” You were almost there, when your eyes meet you see your hunger reflecting in his, “Cum, Cum Baby,” your pleasure washes over you. Billy’s fingers not stopping until your body begins to shake.

You let out a sigh, relaxing your body against the cool marble when you feel him nudge at your pussy. His thick cock grazing your entrance, your shiver. Your sensitive pussy sending jolt of pleasure all over you, “Going to fuck you now Baby. You ready?” you give him a small nod, unsure if you even had a voice left. “Good girl,” in a flash his hands move from your thighs to your hips, flipping you over so your spread over the counter, your ass sticking out at him. “Much better,” he slaps your ass, “That’s for leaving,” he growls leaning his body over yours, “And this,” he slams his cock into your drenched pussy, “Is for coming back,” a low moan escaping his lips as your pussy begins to convulse around him.

“So fuckin full,” your voice breathless as he begins to rut into you. Your hands grip the other side of the counter, holding on for dear life.

“Full of me. How you should always be,” he starts sucking into your neck, his lips covering the marks that had faded and remaking them. Fuck, he's hitting you in all the right places, knows exactly how to break you and how to play. Your heads spinning, but you keep moaning and screaming his name. The soft scratch of his beard sends shivers down your spine when he bites back into you. The veins on his hand hard when he shoves 2 fingers in your mouth. You suck down, welcoming the distraction from all the fog in your head. "Bite down on them, Baby," moaning when your teeth stab into him, pounding into you even harder, the sound excites something deep in your tummy, “Fuck, are you going to cum again?” you start to flutter around him and your legs start to shake.

“Yes!”

“Then do it,” his balls hit your clit, sending you over the edge, your brain starts to fry and you shake, splutter, losing your vision for a second, Billy's pace not slowing. He's to busy savoring every drop of your pleasure.

“Such a good little whore,” he flips you again, your back hitting the counter and your eyes loll shut. Your mouth agape as you try to peer up at him.

His fingers grasp your neck, holding your head up, “Oh, Baby. You look so tired, but we’re not finished until I’m done with you,” he picks up your legs, wrapping them around his middle. Capturing your hands in his one as he holds them above your head, “You’re going to cum again for me,”

“Too much,” you plead, your brain going foggy and your eyes glazing over with exhaustion.

“I know you can take it. You got at least one more for me? Or do you want me to stop?”

“Don't stop,” you pant, not really sure if you can without passing out, but you’re willing to try.

“That’s my girl,” he eases into you slowly, his eyes rolling back at your pussy already clinging to him, “You ok there?” he asks, holding your head up so he can make sure he doesn't push you to far. His cock slowly fucks in and out of you. His other hand toys with your nipple, his tongue darting down to flick over it.

“FuCk yes,”

“Baby,”

“Billy,”

“I don’t think I can hold back much longer with you looking up at me like that,”

“L-ke Wh-t?” your words are disjointed and breathy.

“Like the cock drunk little mess you are,”

“I’m n-t” you pout at him, tightening your legs around him and pulling him closer.

“Fuck, I need you to cum with me,” he leans down, capturing your lips softly in his. His pelvis grinds into you, his tongue circling in your mouth, “Please cum with me,” he moans into your mouth. Releasing your hands he clasps your hips holding you still, his pace spluttering, “Fuck!” He growls, your pussy sucking him in hard, clasping around him tighter than he has ever felt and you feel your brain go white and stars start to fill your vision. His cum empties inside you, painting your insides, fucking it deep into you.

“Fuck me,” he breaths an exhausted sigh, leaning on the counter beside you. He brushes some hair from your face, looking down at you with affection. “Can you move?”

You shake your head, fluttering your eyes shut when your cheek hits the cold marble. “Live here now,”

“That’s right, Sweetheart,” he scoops you up in his arms, planting a soft kiss on your forehead and laying you down on top of him on the couch. “You’re all mine now,”

“Billy,” you relax back into his arms, letting out a soft yawn, “I think I might like you more than a friend,”

“Oh really?” he asks, tilting your head up so he can see your face, “Just a bit more?”

“Yeah, I-” something shiny falls from somewhere, and you see Billy's hand reach out and snatch it from the air, “What the fuck?”

“I ah- didn’t cope well with you leaving,” he admits, showing you the knife in his hand and pointing it up. It's then you notice the blade shaped holes in the ceiling.

“Did you throw knives into the roof because you missed me?” you turn over so you can see him better.

“Only a few,”

“Billy Russo, were you upset that I might leave?”

“No. I was furious.``He takes your face in his hand, his thumb that still smells of your cum caresses your cheek, you lean into his touch, “I want, wanted you to stay.”

“Why’s that?” you take a strand of his hair in your fingers twirling around and behind his ear.

“Sweetheart, I lov-”

“Don’t say it,” you put your fingers to his lips, “like you said, I’m to cockdrunk to be coherent right now,”

“Get some rest.” he smooths your hair out, patting you down while his fingers graze your back “We can talk about it later,”

“I forgot to tell you,” you mumble, half asleep and snuggling into Billy’s chest, “Hope said if you hurt me, she’ll come here herself to kill you,”

“She’s certainly welcome to try,”

AN: Is this the end for our happy pair of dorks? Yes? Maybe. I'm low key kinda wrung out at the moment, so i may take a little break.

Taglist:

@imagine-a-fictional-boyfriend @fictional-hooman @geeyooo

@sweetheart-im-the-boss @sad-hoshi037 @ladyofsoa

@queenmalhinewahine @noortsshift @all-art-is-quite-useless

@restingbitchsblog @nyctophiliiiaa @misstimeless @wheresthesunshinesblog

#billy my beloved #billy russo fanfic #female!reader x billy russo #reader x billy russo #billy russo x you #the punisher fanfic #billy russo x female reader #billy russo x reader #billy russo #billy russo imagine

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messedupfan · 3 years ago

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Should've Told You (Leigh Shaw x Reader) Chapter 9

Summary: Reader plans a special evening for them and Leigh in Palm Springs.

A/N: Hate it or love it, this is chapter 9. This one I wanted to have done on October 2nd because that's Leigh's birthday but the 11'th will have to do. Thank you for all of the nice comments on my stories. I might not respond to all but I read and love every single one of them. I love you all, please enjoy and let me know what you think!

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After you have disappeared, Leigh looks around the room for something to do and decides to take a shower. When she exits she is confused to find a dress on the bed with a note that said “Wear me.” Opting not to question it Leigh puts on the dress and looks around for any clues as to where you might be since her phone is shut off and in the car. She only has herself to blame for that one. When she doesn't find anything else she finishes getting ready. Adding the little bit of makeup she has on hand and fixing her hair with the hotel blow dryer. Once she is satisfied with her look she finds herself sitting bored on the edge of the bed staring at everything in the room, waiting for you. This allows her mind to drift to the one place she didn’t want it to:

What would this be like if she was here with Matt?

Though she made the joke, they definitely wouldn’t be screwing like bunnies. She’s pretty sure that they barely touched each other near the end. The fact that she couldn't always take her husband to the finish line after she had enjoyed herself would hurt and make her feel less sexy. She understood that it was something that his medication caused but she often blamed herself for it. Sex isn't everything in a relationship, she remembers repeating to herself often. But it was something she enjoyed and wanted to share that kind of natural elation and expression of love with her husband, was that so wrong of her? That was an argument she made with him one night when he hadn't touched her in over a month and she was trying to set the mood. That was the first time he ever left her in the middle of a fight. She remembers wanting to call you that night, but because you hadn't been in contact with her for weeks she figured you needed your space. That feeling of being alone began to creep in on her and she had a new understanding of what Matt had been going through. At least that's what she thought she could compare that feeling too. What she hadn't known is she had been dealing with a dull version of that loneliness for months, especially at night when her husband was right next to her but felt miles away. It had only affected her when she was actually alone. So that begs the question, what would they be doing on their romantic getaway?

Her mind began to wander further with more positive images of cuddles in robes, laughing over a meal, reading separate books by the pool in bathing suits, and soft sweet kisses that were getting harder to remember, flashing behind her eyes. And maybe she wouldn't have that lonely feeling when going to bed. Maybe they would've been happy. Maybe this one weekend could have fixed their marriage. Maybe, maybe, maybe… That's when there is a knock on the door. Leigh hurries to answer, hoping that it's you so that she can go back to pretending that it has always been you. "Y/n," she grins.

"Will you go on a date with me, Ms. Leigh Shaw?" You say in a formal manner doing your best to contain your own grin to remain in character. You present her with a bouquet of flowers you grabbed at a nearby supermarket. She loved all kinds of flowers so you didn’t worry about trying to find specific favorites, just whatever looked best.

“I would be happy to,” Leigh takes the flowers and sets them on the table.

"I hope you like the complimentary dress that has been provided for you by the hotel."

"Complimentary, huh?"

"I do believe that is what I said, yes," you smirk at her.

"It's a lovely dress, I'm very happy with it. I am curious to know how the hotel knew that I would be."

"Nevermind the details. Shall we?" You offer your elbow to escort her out of the room.

“We shall,” Leigh grabs her keycard just in case and loops her arm around yours. “So, was this suit also in the hotel gift shop also or…?” She tugs on the fabric of your jacket.

“I always keep a spare one in the car whenever I go to an event. This was left sitting in the trunk from the wedding yesterday. Don’t worry, I didn’t break our no cell phone’s rule. I just didn’t like what they had.”

“Oh I’m sure anything they had would’ve looked nice. You’ve just become a snob about your suits ever since you could afford to get them made specifically for you.”

“Hey, I am not a snob. I pay good money for these things, I’m going to wear them every chance I get. Besides, I figured you would say that so I made sure to try some on and take pictures with that polaroid camera that I never use. Here you go,” you reach into your pocket to hand her the photos of every outfit you tried on that the hotel had. There actually were some decent outfits in the gift shop, but like you said, you paid a lot for those suits and it was just sitting in the car. So, you made their outfits look ridiculous for the purpose of the photo proof.

Leigh caught on and laughed at your attempt. "You know you'd be able to pull off a burlap sack. You just like to be snobby."

You grimace, "There's that word again. Damn, can't I look good for our first date?"

"Mmm… not technically our first, but fine. I guess I would've been a little offended if you hadn't shown up in one of your precious suits."

"Mock all you want… Wait. What do you mean it's not our first date? I think I would have remembered if we dated before." You stop walking to place the back of your hand on Leigh's face, checking her temperature. "Are you feeling okay? Should we go back to the room and have you lie down?"

Leigh scoffs, "You're annoying, you know that?" You wink in response. "I meant that you've taken me on plenty of dates."

"Friend dates don’t count. That was just us spending time together in a public setting but without inviting the rest of our friends." You carry on walking so you’re not late to your reservations.

“I guess you’re right, if I counted those as dates then we would have already been in a relationship because we hung out just the two of us a lot.”

"Exactly, and if that were the case we would have been cheating on each other a lot. No, no, this is our very special first date. Got it?”

“Fine, I will let go of all of the other special hangouts I previously considered as dates. But this one better be worth it."

"Just dump a pile of pressure on me, why don't you?"

Leigh laughs and kisses your cheek, causing you to blush. She said it was adorable and the two of you continued on. The owner of the hotel was leaving the area you talked to him about reserving for privacy as you arrive at your destination. "Everything is all set up. Have fun," he gave you an awkward thumbs up and you thanked him once again as he walked away.

"After you," you say as you guide Leigh into the lounge ahead of you. She is amazed by the added fairy lights hanging from the ceiling and the single table set up in front of the stage. The table was covered in a thick white cloth with two plates, utensils wrapped in red cloth napkins, three roses in a thin glass vase in the center, a wine glass in front of each plate and a glass for water beside them. Two servers stand off to the side and wait for you to settle in. Once you've helped seat Leigh and have sat down yourself, they approach with menus and fill the water glasses, going over the specials and suggestions.

Leigh surprises you by ordering for you which is exactly what you would have ordered. You grin at her for knowing you so well. "How did you pull all of this off in an hour?"

"It actually took me two and a half hours. I think you were in that shower longer than you realized."

"So you did deliver the dress yourself?"

"What? No… Okay, yes. It was me," you confess after failing to play it off.

"Why even try to hide it?"

"Because I'm not used to being completely open with you. I mean it has to feel weird for you too right? Now we officially have no secrets between us. Honestly, I don't think it's healthy."

Leigh laughs, "Oh and torturing ourselves for years hiding this from each other was?"

"Okay, you've got me there."

"Seriously though, how did you manage all of this?"

You shrug, "I've known Tripp for years, he owed me a favor and I finally decided to collect."

"Oh? And what did you do that was equivalent to all of this?"

"It was nothing special. The guy wiped out when surfing and I made sure he didn't die. I told him he didn't owe me but he wouldn't shut up about it. Now we're even," you take a sip from your water.

"And how does this even out saving his life?" She gestures to the surroundings.

"Because this could be the start of a new, very long and happy chapter in mine." Leigh fights her smile and shyly glances down at her plate.

"You're cheesy, you know that?"

"I'm aware."

"Good, acceptance is the first step." You playfully roll your eyes as the conversation shifts around until the meals are being brought out. The food was amazing as always and Leigh was pleasantly surprised. This of course being her first time here. You even take a moment to use the polaroid camera to capture the moment. Then you take a few of Leigh and she gets shy about it but you’re able to get a few nice ones. She steals the camera from you declaring that it's your turn but gets annoyed when you start posing. Eventually she was satisfied the camera went away and you stored the pictures in your jacket pocket.

"So you think it's that easy, huh?" The two of you had finished your meals and Leigh made a joke at your expense. She nodded and laughed as her eyes lit up and danced joyously. You admired how bright they were tonight. It has been a rare sighting this year. "Alright, show me what you've got then since you're so sure of yourself."

"Okay, give me a second to get into character." She wiggles in her seat and relaxes her face to wipe away the grin that hasn't left all night and she lifts the dessert menu up. When she's ready she drops the menu back onto the table and sighs. "Nothing looks good on the menu." She looks up at you and you take that as your cue to humor her and ask why not? "Because you're not on it," she winks and you can't help but burst out laughing.

"And I'm the cheesy one!" You exclaim.

"You can't tell me that didn’t make you want to sleep with me right now?"

"I don't," you lean back in your seat with crossed arms. "Come on, Lollipop. There were times where you could, I don't know, blink and I would've jumped into bed with you. But a pickup line like that?" You shake your head. "Not going to do it."

"Damn. There's no convincing you tonight is there?"

You shrug, "No shame to those that do, but I'm not the type to give it all up on the first date."

"Bullshit! You totally have before!"

"I –– Okay, okay, but to be fair I saw no future with any of those people."

"People? So not just girls?"

A blush creeps up on your cheeks as you realize that there are some details of your life that you haven't shared with Leigh. "I am an equal opportunist, you know that."

"Do I? You've only ever introduced me to your girlfriends. I never knew you had boyfriends."

"That's because I didn't. They were just kisses, flings or one nights. Nothing serious enough to bring around the important people in my life."

"Oh and that one airhead made the cut. What was her name again?"

"Alright, we don't have to get into that. No past, remember?"

Leigh sets down her wine glass, "Right. No past."

You stare at your glass as you nervously run your fingers against the glass. "I planned something really cheesy now I'm second guessing on whether or not I should do it."

"Does it have to do with that acoustic guitar and stool sitting on the stage?"

"You noticed?"

"I'm observant," she responds nonchalantly. "You should do it. You haven't played me a song in a really long time." Leigh reaches across the table and plays with the hand you had been caressing your glass with. "I would really appreciate it."

"Let's order dessert first and then I'll play while we wait," you bargain.

"I already told you they don't have what I want," she challenged.

"And I told you that I'm not serving it tonight. Settle for something else." You point at the menu. "Their creme brulee isn't the most amazing but it's decent enough. Oh how about one of their chocolate lava cakes." You state as the two of you continue to play with each other's hands.

"Order whatever you think I'll like. I don't think I can decide," she finished her glass of wine just as one of the servers had returned to check in on you guys. He had a fresh bottle of wine but the both of you stopped him before he could open it. You order a dessert and down the rest of the alcohol in your glass as you get ready to perform for Leigh. The only person you have ever played music in front of.

You taught yourself to play guitar from high school through college but you weren't confident in your self learning abilities, and when you were younger you couldn't afford guitar or singing lessons. Now that you can afford it, you don't really have the time for it. But YouTube was a very beneficial source of learning and whenever you had downtime and wanted to play around with the instrument you did. Singing lessons were something you had to get but one of the studios paid for it. You weren't going to be recording an album anytime soon but you definitely sounded much better than you had when you started out.

It's just Leigh, you repeat in your head to calm yourself down from the nerves that suddenly had your stomach twisting and turning. "This is a song that I know you are familiar with because when I got my first ipod I kept playing this particular song around you often thinking I was clever. But hey, you never caught on so maybe I was." Leigh laughs but quiets down as soon as you start strumming.

"I was sleeping

And right in the middle of a good dream

And all at once I wake up

From something that keeps knocking at my brain

Before I go insane, I hold my pillow to my head

And spring up in my bed

Screaming out the words I dread

I think I love you"

Leigh shakes her head throughout the song and covers her face, probably thinking about all of the times you sang this to her without her realizing your intention was directed towards her. You wink at her as you carry on.

"This morning

I woke up with this feeling

I didn't know how to deal with

And so I just decided to myself

I'd hide it to myself and never talk about it

And did not go and shout it

When you walked into the room

I think I love you "

You continued to play the song through to the end and when you finished Leigh gave you a standing ovation and requested an encore. You gave her a funny face and shook your head. "I only planned to do the one song missy."

"Boo!" She playfully stuck her tongue out at you and you returned the action. "Fine, come down here. Let's enjoy this dessert together. It looks delicious."

"I hadn't even noticed that they brought it out."

"Neither did I, until I smelled it."

You set the borrowed guitar gently down on its stand and hurry back to your table. Leigh convinces you to feed each other and she makes certain satisfied noises to tease you. You catch on very quickly with what she is doing. "You're evil you know that?"

"Nope, just used to getting what I want," she has an determined yet alluring look in her eyes that makes it difficult for you to resist her. After the last bite Leigh pulls you in for a lingering kiss that of course leaves you wanting more. You struggle to not give in but that logical part of your brain is still pulling you through. It wouldn't be smart to get physical tonight. "I want to go swimming," she says softly once she detaches herself from you.

You swallow thickly, "I'm pretty sure the pool is closed and we d-don't have anything to swim in." Leigh gives you a mischievous smirk and you know that once you jump in that pool, you're not going to be able to say no anymore. Which if you're being honest with yourself, you never really were to begin with.

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You drag yourself up the driveway from a long day of school, auditions, and work when you notice Leigh on the porch swing. "Hey Lollipop, did we have plans?" You ask a little confused. She shakes her head, you find it odd. "Are you okay?" She shakes her head again. "Do you want to go inside and talk about it?" She nods and follows you into the house. Luckily, no one is downstairs when you walk in so you can usher Leigh into your room without being disrupted with an awkward encounter with one of your family members. “So do you want to tell me what’s going on?”

“Not really,” she sighs as she plops herself onto your bed. Your dog jumps right next to her and curls into Leigh’s side. Your dog gives you a look and Leigh can’t help but laugh when she notices. “Are you only cuddling with me to make your owner jealous?” She speaks in a ridiculous voice that she reserves for your dog.

“Why else would she snuggle up to you?” You set your bag down and join them on the bed. You pet the small dog mindlessly to help you relax from your stressful day as you wait for Leigh to talk.

“I don’t know, maybe she sensed that I needed it. Dogs are sensitive to that kind of thing, you know?” You nod and prop your head up with your hand to watch Leigh as you continue to patiently wait for her to reveal why she’s here. “I’m surprised that we didn’t have to kick your brother out when we walked in.” She says instead to stall for time.

“I gave him permission to move the consoles into his room because he made a very valid point.”

“Which was…?”

“I’m almost never home because I’m super busy. When I am home, I’m not using them because surprise, surprise, I’m still busy. Honestly, I’ve only played them a handful of times. Once I realized that, I let him have them.”

“You’re a good sibling,” the words make her choke up and that is your cue to push for information.

“Did something happen between you and Jules?” You ask and continue to watch Leigh carefully. You can tell that she is biting the inside of her cheek to hold back the tears and you figure that was why she was here. “Is the drinking getting out of hand again?” She shuts her eyes and takes a slow breath, you might’ve pushed too far.

“You know what, I’m being ridiculous. I don’t even know why I came here.” Leigh moves to get off of the bed but you stop her by placing your hand on her wrist.

“Stay, you don’t have to tell me anything. We can put on a movie or go to sleep. You can even cry and I won’t ask why. Just, please, you don’t look like you should be alone tonight.” Leigh turns back to you and nods silently. You offer her a reassuring smile, “So a movie or straight to bed?”

“A movie sounds nice,” she wipes at the tears that fall as she speaks and then puts her attention to your dog, who is more than happy to receive it. You move off of the bed and go to your dvd player and movie collection to find something suitable for Leigh’s current mood. Either something to lift her mood or something to comfort and distract her for the moment. You sigh and pick the latter. You put the movie in and grab your pajamas to leave the room to change into. "Annie Hall?" Leigh says surprised just as you're about to leave.

You turn and offer a small smile, "I was feeling generous."

"You hate this movie."

You squint your eyes, "I don’t recall ever telling you that. You know hate is a strong word. But I can't completely disagree with that assumption."

Leigh tilts her head to the side. "You roll your eyes when you don’t think I’m looking every time I put it on. I don't understand what you don't like about it. It's my favorite movie!"

"And that is exactly why I won't tell you why I hate it. I don’t want to ruin it for you."

"Whatever, hurry up and change so we can enjoy the movie together." She says in a much better mood than she was in not a minute ago. That was why you owned the damn movie. It has that effect on her. "Oh! Before you go, can I borrow something?"

"Do you even have to ask at this point? I'll knock before I come back in." You finally leave the room and close the door behind you. Once you've changed you do your nightly routine of washing your face and brushing your teeth before knocking on your bedroom door. She opens it when she's ready and the two of you return to the bed, getting settled under the covers this time. Your dog assures that there is distance between the both of you by laying right in the middle of the bed.

Twenty minutes into the movie while the main character is revisiting how he met Annie Hall, Leigh can't help herself but ask you why you don't like the movie. "Like look at Diane Keaton! She is a total icon. You have to admit, her outfit is pretty cool."

"Is that all you're paying attention to?" You look up from the script in your hands and raise an eyebrow at Leigh which elicits an eye roll from her. "I don't want to break the spell for you, just watch your movie. I have lines to go over."

"Tell me," she whines as she grabs your arm and shakes you around a bit. "Please, please, please."

You sigh, "Fine. I don't like it because it's just Woody Allen showing the world exactly who he is and the world either ignoring or encouraging it. The character he plays, not to mention wrote and directed, is obsessed with sex. It's literally all that he thinks about. He dumps girls because they either can't keep up with him or he's bored with them. Personally, I think it's disgusting. Oh and he complains the whole movie about never being able to have a real connection with a woman. Yet the only connection he actually cares about is the one he gets to make with his dick. Let's not forget that he treats Annie like shit the whole time. Sure there's a glimpse here and there as to why they were together. But she was depressed and he brushed it off like it was nothing."

"He paid for her therapy," Leigh points out.

"Yeah and when the therapy was helping her, like it was supposed to, he was upset about it. What about the scene where Annie's brother confided in him about his suicidal fantasy and the guy made a joke and left him there? The brother needed help and didn’t know how else to reach out for it. I’m not saying it was Alvy’s sole responsibility but he could have at least tried to find someone that could help. The guy is simply shitty and unlikable. If I'm going to watch a movie where the main character is shitty, they at least have to be likeable so I can hate myself a little for liking them." You return your attention to the script.

"Are you finished?" Leigh asks. You mutter your response and flip to the next page. "Wow, this whole time I thought you were never paying attention and didn't like the movie because you hadn't given it a chance. But wow, you are opinionated."

"Yeah, well, it's a shitty story. I will say that it is a well produced shitty story, but a shitty story nonetheless. And Diane Keaton's wardrobe isn't enough to sell me on liking the movie. But you're right, she has a few iconic looks." You don't look up from the pages as you talk and search for your next line to highlight.

"Thank you! I told you she looks good."

You cap the marker and make noise in disbelief. "After everything you're still fixated on that?"

Leigh shrugs, "Not exactly. I like her character, sure she shouldn't have put up with Alvy for as long as she did but you can't deny the onscreen chemistry between Diane Keaton and Woody Allen. Besides, it's a pretty funny movie when you're not hung up on all of that negative stuff." You bite your tongue deciding tonight is not the night for this kind of conversation. Surprised by her defense of Woody Allen. "Oh my goodness, wouldn't it be so cool if you got to work with one of them? I mean it's possible, you are pretty talented, Y/n."

"Diane I could see working with one day. As for Woody…"

"Come on, Y/n, he's a brilliant storyteller! You're telling me that given the opportunity you wouldn't sign onto one of his projects?"

"I wouldn't even audition."

"Not even for me," Leigh bats her eyes which you pay no attention to.

"Nope, not even for you, Lollipop." You flip the page. "You're just going to have to settle for Diane Keaton."

She purses her lips in a frown but accepts it anyway. "I'm going downstairs to grab something to drink. Want anything?"

"I'm good, thank you."

"Not even a snack?" You shake your head and claim that you're not hungry. She narrows her eyes at you. "Did you drink water today?" You give no indication that you have or haven't. "I'm bringing you water and you're drinking the whole thing. And a snack, I have a feeling the only thing you had was a pastry from work this morning." You sigh, having been caught and look up to Leigh's disapproving glare.

"I had an audition during my lunch and the rest of the day got hectic. I lost track of time. Before I knew it I was coming home and finding you on my front porch looking like a lost puppy," you explain yourself.

"If your family wasn't asleep right now I would cook you dinner and make you eat it." Leigh says in a threatening tone.

"Oh-kay," you say slowly. Thrown off by such an absurd threat.

"But for now we'll both have to settle on snacks and water. I will be right back." She pauses the movie and you set attention back to the script. Except your concentration is harder to grasp now that your brain was made aware of the aches of your empty stomach. It was worth it to skip that lunch though, because you wouldn't be highlighting lines for a feature film right now if you hadn't. "Seriously, Y/n. You need to take better care of yourself. Aren't you the one always going on and on about how your body is an instrument and it has to be properly taken care of." She drops the pile of snacks on the bed before leaving again.

"Why do I have to take care of myself when I have you to do it for me?" You joked when she returned with the waters, she responded with another glare. You snapped the cap back onto the highlighter and used it to hold your place in the script before placing it on the cluttered desk next to your bed. "Thank you for making sure I ate today. Even if it is just apples, cereal bars, chips, and popcorn?" You give her a look.

"The popcorn is for me, chips are to share and the rest is for you. It’s the only healthy food I could find! I’m surprised you guys don’t have many healthy options."

“My mom likes to have comfort food around,” you shrug. “And since I don’t have time to go shopping with her, I have to live with whatever she and my little brother grab.”

“How is she doing with everything?”

“She’s as well as any mother with a sick child can be. Constantly worrying and whatever, but my brother seems to be doing better every day. There haven’t been any major setbacks in a while and the doctors are confident that he could be strong enough to start working and get back to having a life soon."

"That's good." The conversation dies there as the pair of you eat the snacks and watch the movie. You try to watch the film through her eyes and laugh when the guy sneezes away the box of expensive cocaine. But ultimately fail and become annoyed with it again. When the movie is over neither of you are tired enough to go to bed, this time Leigh picks a movie.

"Why would you put on Scream 2?" You look up from the script that has returned to your hands at the sound of the familiar menu sequence. "You know I can't stay up with you all night if you can't sleep." She didn’t like the thought of not knowing if a person in her life wanted to kill her the way people in Sidney’s life tried to kill her. It gave her trust issues for weeks after every view of the movie.

"I can handle myself just fine, this movie isn't even that scary to me anymore. Besides this is the one where the guy makes a fool of himself and sings that one song you like right?" You nod and will yourself not to blush. That song often made you think about her. "You gave some, now I'm returning some. That's how you keep a strong friendship," Leigh says, climbing back into bed.

"I'm pretty sure that only applies to marriage."

"Oh, Gumdrop. How naive you can be sometimes,” she feigns disappointment. “Every good relationship is about a healthy balance of give and take. For example, you sat through my favorite movie without complaining the entire time, not counting when I made you explain why you hate it, and now I put on one of your favorites and I promise not to keep you up too late. Besides, it's not even scary."

You smile knowingly, "As kind of a gesture this is, you should really put something else on. I need to focus on this, it's my first role in a studio film."

"You're shitting me, Y/n! You actually got casted in something that's going to pay you and you didn't say anything?"

“Technically, it’s not an official thing. They said that the role is mine if some big name they're holding out for turns it down. Which I'm hoping that they do but I'll be fine if they don't. There'll be other roles. What is meant for me cannot pass me by," you finish with the mantra that one of your acting teachers drilled into your head.

"That's so not fair. They can't do that, can they?"

You shrug, "It's actually more common than you might think."

"Well, I'll have my mom use her manifesting powers to make sure whoever they're waiting on decides not to take the job." She wiggles her fingers around, mocking her mother's beliefs.

"You joke, but could you? If you don't do it I will."

Leigh scoffs, "You don't actually believe in that stuff do you?"

You shrug, "I'm not against calling in higher energies I don't understand in order to get a part that I really, really want."

"Oh please, if your dad was praying you would have a fit about it." You make a suspicious face, looking away, which causes Leigh's jaw to drop in shock. "No way."

"I might have called him after the audition… Does that make me a terrible person?"

"I don't know the rules but I don't think that will put you on the short list for hell."

You snap your fingers in disappointment, "Damn. I knew I should have had babies' hearts for breakfast." You smile at Leigh when she laughs at your joke. As thoughts of how you wish the two of you could be more enter your mind you pull your focus away from her and bring it back to the script. When the scene she put the movie on for comes on you mumble the lyrics softly to yourself because Leigh had fallen peacefully asleep but you still had a lot of work to do.

You don't call it a night until the movie is over. When you shut everything off and return to the bed Leigh unconsciously scoots closer to you, causing your dog to move lower on the bed. The movement makes you smile at Leigh once again before the heaviness of your eyes get the best of you and you drift off to sleep. Having a night of nonsense dreams of your mother buying you an expensive vile of cocaine and despite the fact that in reality you would never touch that stuff you snorted the whole thing and was left to an awkward dinner with your father, desperately trying to hide the fact that you were high and for some reason hallucinating. The images were fascinating to say the least. You woke up laughing but also very confused by the ride your mind decided to take you on.

"Wow you're already laughing and you don't even know why I came here last night." Leigh says in a raspy morning voice. You sit up and rub your eyes to wake up as you ask her what she is talking about. "I don’t know, I’m trying to figure out a way to tell you what happened yesterday.” You nod with a wide yawn that makes her yawn which makes you laugh. “Okay so, I know that I didn't tell you this but I was seeing someone." Before you can ask if she was in therapy she adds, "And yesterday I found out he was cheating on me." You fail to hide your shock but it's not like she wasn't expecting it.

"What?" You nearly shout and repeat the question in a softer tone after she shushes you.

"This guy I was seeing was cheating on me," she states again. You sit there for a moment not knowing what to do with a million questions running around in your mind. It was a lot of information to wake up to.

"Was it with Jules?" You ask, a little afraid of the answer.

"What? No, of course not! She would never do something like that to me."

"Then what was that whole thing about being a good sibling? You had me worried that Jules was out of hand again and did or said something that hurt you!"

"Well, she knew about Richard cheating on me and she didn't tell me! That's pretty shitty sibling behavior. I bet if you found out one of your brothers was being cheated on you would tell them."

"Wait, you dated a guy whose most common nickname is Dick?"

"That is not the problem right now, Y/n!"

"I'm just saying, the warning is right there."

"Oh my goodness!" Leigh exclaimed.

"You're right, I'm sorry. So, hold on, why did she not tell you? Did she give you a reason? Or… what did she say when you told her that Di-Richard was cheating on you?"

"She said, 'Oh great you know. Now I don't have to keep hiding it from you!' and then she told me the reason she kept it a secret was because he was supplying her with some sort of prescription drug."

"Great, so on top of her terrible drinking habits Jules is developing a drug problem." You shake your head. "So Dick really lives up to his name."

"She’s not developing a drug problem. She promised it was just a little experimenting to get rid of the curiosity. Anyway, this is why I never brought him up before. I knew you wouldn't have approved of him."

You decide to focus on one thing at a time because it is way too early to tell her what was wrong with what she said about Jules. "Yeah, well, it looks like I would've been right not to." You stand up from the bed and grab clothes to change into and set them on top of the dresser. "Is it a crime to care about my friends safety and well being?"

"No, but the last time I introduced you to a guy I was interested in, you took one look at him and said 'No way in hell' to his face."

"And what happened to him not a week later?"

She mumbles her response in a low volume, you couldn't hear her so you asked her to repeat what she said. "He got arrested!"

"Exactly! Where are you even meeting these guys?"

"Oh, Jules introduced them to me." Your eyes widen at Leigh in surprise and then it hits her. "Oh my… Do you think…? No. She…? Oh my god!" Leigh covers her face with her hands. "My sister did not just pimp me out for drugs!"

"Well hold on. Let's not jump to conclusions. Have you ever slept with these guys?"

"No!"

"There you go! She didn't pimp you out. I’m sure she just thought you would actually get along with them. If they gave her free samples, that's on them.” You offer with a shrug.

“I guess you’re right,” Leigh agrees, she turns to look out the window between the gap in the curtains and runs her fingers through her hair. The action causes you to stare at her in a longing way and you snap yourself out of your reverie before you can analyze the way the morning light is hitting her perfectly and the way it frames her features and how attractive she looks wearing your clothes. “Maybe I should just give up on dating and start buying cats.” At this you rejoin her on the bed and mention that she hates cats to lighten the mood. She glares at you in response.

“Look, the right person is out there for you. Maybe you need to take a few wrong turns before you finally take a correct one––”

“‘Right turn’ was literally right there,” she air quotes.

“Yeah but that can be confusing, because you can always turn right that doesn’t make it correct.”

“I can accept that, carry on.”

You can’t help but let out a small laugh, “Look at Annie Hall, if she hadn’t dated Alvy then she wouldn’t be the person that she was meant to grow into and she knows what to look for in future relationships. Now you know that you don’t want to date drug dealing cheaters. Which by the way, the next time Jules introduces you to someone turn, run, and never look back. It will save you a whole lot of trouble.” Leigh laughs and thanks you for making her feel better about the whole thing. “Any time, Lollipop. Hey, today is my day off. Want to do something?”

“I would but I’m scheduled to teach a class today,” she apologizes. “We could do something after though!”

“Okay, should I pick you up around noon?”

“Yes, but I’m also going to need some time to shower after. And can you give me a ride home. I walked here and don’t feel like walking back.”

“Of course, not a problem.”

She thanks you and you stand up again to grab your clothes to get ready for the day before you have to take her home. She usually taught around nine and it was seven. After you were done you handed her a fresh toothbrush that was still in the packaging, and went downstairs to make breakfast for everyone while you waited for her. Your mom came down to help as soon as she smelled the food cooking and your little brother raced Leigh on the stairs to the kitchen after you had shouted that the food was ready. She was in a playful mood and your brother was easy to mess with so you heard a few loud thuds before they appeared. “Mom Leigh kept pushing me into the wall!” He complained after he lost the race.

“Oh hush, no one likes a sore loser,” your mom says as she hands Leigh a plate first. Leigh sticks her tongue out at your little brother and he shakes his head with narrow eyes and mouthing a threat. You chuckle at the whole scene.

Once the two of you clear your plates you drive her home and even offer her a ride to the dance studio. She accepts it and you wait inside while she gets her work stuff together. “Good morning, Y/n. I didn’t know you spent the night,” Amy says as she passes you in the living room.

“Oh, I didn’t. Leigh was at my house last night. She’s just grabbing her stuff for work and then I’m going to drop her off.” You stand and follow her to the kitchen.

“I could have taken her. It is my business after all,” her mom pours herself a cup of tea.

“Yeah, but I don’t mind. Besides, we have plans to hang out after,” you explain as you take a seat at the island.

“Of course you do, the two of you can't stay away from each other for too long. It’s been a few weeks since I’ve seen you around here. Are things getting busy for you again?” You nod and bring up that you might’ve gotten a role but that they were still waiting for someone else to respond to the offer and you ask her about manifesting and how all of that stuff works. She happily goes into detail about how if people focus their energies they can shape their reality into whatever they desire it to be. You listen intently, really curious about what she has to say just as Leigh walks in.

“Huh, I didn’t think you were that serious. I guess you really want this role if you’re willing to buy into all of this b-s.”

“Hey, it doesn’t hurt to have an open mind about these things,” you defend.

“Let’s go, I don’t want to be late.” You stand up as she grabs a couple of water bottles from the refrigerator. “Stop corrupting my friend, mom. How am I supposed to complain about you if they start defending you?” You share a look with Amy and laugh at how ridiculous that sounded. “See? You’re already teaming up against me!”

Amy holds her hands up in surrender, “Okay! Y/n you’re a stranger to me from now on. Got it?”

“Yes, ma’am!”

Leigh shakes her head at the two of you only making you laugh more. “So I’m assuming I’ll see the two of you at the studio?” Amy asks as she follows you and Leigh to the front door.

“No, I’m not staying. I’m just dropping her off.”

“You know, you could always stay for a free class,” Leigh offers. “I wouldn’t mind.”

“I’m good,” you decline. “I’ll come in and say hi when I come pick her up though. Bye Mrs. Shaw.” You wave as you walk down the front steps. You say bye to Leigh after she fails to convince you to stay for the class for the millionth time and you return home to finish going over the script. With time to spare you stop by work to pick up your paycheck and order something to surprise the Shaw women with. You greet Amy and Jules, who was clearly still hung over, with hugs and the treats. She informs you that the class is running a little over schedule and then the two of you resume the earlier conversation.

Luckily this time you finish before Leigh can interrupt again. “Hey, do you think we should invite anyone else to hang out with us today?” You ask as you start the car.

“No, why would we do that?” Leigh asks as if the answer was obvious.

“Uh, because we have friends that aren’t just the two of us,” you explain slowly.

“Do you really want to sit around my house for hours trying to figure out something to do that will make everyone happy only to end up in my basement playing Monopoly?” You liked playing Monopoly but you saw her point so you dropped agreeing to having it just be the two of you instead. If only I could call this a date, you thought to yourself.

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

“When do you think you realized?” Leigh asked as she traced patterns on your skin with the tip of her finger.

“Realized what?” You play clueless.

She makes a noise, “Realized that you were in love with me.”

“Hmm… The romantic version is that it was love at first sight which is kind of true but also not. As I’m sure you already know that because you’re asking. Right?”

“Exactly.”

You sigh as you try to pinpoint the moment you fell in love with her and you almost smack yourself for taking so long to remember. You knew the moment. “Remember in freshman year of high school when we were barely getting to know each other and I got really sick that one time?”

“Mmm you got sick a lot of times,” she points out.

“Haha, true, but I’m talking about the very first time.”

“Oh right, you missed our group presentation, got me sick, and I brought you soup. That’s the time you’re talking about?” You nod, not correcting her. There was never any proof that you made her sick. “I vaguely remember it. What about it?”

“Well, that’s when I knew. No one had ever done that for me, hell I’m not sure anyone, but you, has since. You’ve always been there for me when I’m sick. That first time was special though. It was the nicest thing and it made me feel like someone cared about me. No one, not including my mother, had ever made me feel that way. But it also scared the shit out of me.”

“Why?”

“Well, I was what? Fifteen or sixteen at the time. I didn’t want to make the same mistakes my parents did. Think about it, you know how they are now and at that age they were young and reckless and had no regard for the future problems they would cause with their selfishness. I never understood them and at the time I thought love was what caused all of those problems. Until I met and fell in love with you. I was terrified of you because I could understand how they got wrapped up in their emotions. I felt so much for you so fast and I knew that I did not want to ever lose you. I couldn’t. I can’t. The thought of not having you in my life… Well, it’s not one I allow myself to have.” As you stare at her, you memorize every small detail of her features. The constantly evolving hazel of her eyes. The dark rings that border the current green of her iris. Right now the rings look blue but it changes often. As does the main color of her eyes. Then you focus on the light splash of freckles on her nose. You touch some of the more prominent dots on her cheeks and connect them with a light caress. “I had to learn that they made those mistakes because of lust and not love."

“So what you’re saying is it's your parents fault that we didn't get together?"

You nod, "I essentially blame my parents for everything so… yeah."

"What's stopping you now?"

"The timing… it's all wrong."

"Is there always going to be some excuse as to why you don't want to be with me?" She pouts and you play with her extended lip as you contemplate your response. You sigh deeply as you feel your resolve crumbling.

"No," you start and adjust your position on the bed so that you're staring up at the ceiling. "It's taking everything to not jump with you right now but one of us has to stay on the ground, Lollipop." Stay strong, you think to yourself. "When did you know?"

"When you did that cute Stitch impression," you snorted at her answer.

"Seriously?"

"No," she laughs. "Gosh, when was it?" Leigh goes quiet as she thinks back to when she might've known instead of when she accepted it because it wasn't that long ago. "I don't think there was a specific moment… for me it was just something I knew and felt but chose to ignore. I remember thinking I was so special because you called me Lollipop and I wanted to call you something with a similar theme. But I didn't want it to be random and not have a meaning or story behind it. Oh! I remember now," she sits up against the bed frame pulling the sheets up with her. "We were hanging out at my house and by then I was super frustrated that I couldn't think of a nickname. You were going on and on about whatever movie we were watching and I was completely distracted and of course you noticed. You smiled at me and called me Lollipop to grab my attention and that is when I knew what to call you. No one knew that I loved gumdrops because I liked keeping that one little detail to myself. But I still didn’t know about my feelings until I tested out the nickname. I remember wanting to kiss you the first time I called you Gumdrop because you had the most adorable blush on your cheeks and the brightest smile that just… made my heart melt."

You begin to blush at the glowing description and you bite your lips to contain your smile, "So it was after you called me Gumdrop that you knew?" You look up at her as she nods. “I like it. Thank you for giving me a special nickname.” Leigh begins to play with your hair and you close your eyes at the soothing touch. This felt like a dream and it sort of was because this was meant to end in the morning.

“What’s got your mind racing, Gumdrop?”

“How can you tell?”

“You’re clenching your jaw and breathing a little funny,” she answers softly.

You open your eyes and shake your head ever so slightly. “It can wait until tomorrow. For now I want to enjoy our bubble.” Leigh smiles and returns to her earlier position, wrapping her arms around you.

“Thank you,” she pecks you on the lips. “Looks like I got my secret menu item after all.”

“You had to bring that up?” You kiss her back.

“Mmm, yes. Yes I did.”

“Well do you want seconds before they close the kitchen?”

“Really?” Her eyes light up again and you can’t help but give into her.

“Yes, but remember. What happens in Palm Springs, stays in Palm Springs.”

“Yeah, yeah, I heard you the first time,” she agrees and the two of you break the rules you tried to set for yourself again.

“What are we supposed to do when we leave here?” You ask as the two of you wait for the car to be brought out. After a long night together the question still kept gnawing on your brain. It’s not like you can continue pretending that everything is fine, but you also can’t pretend that this weekend didn’t happen. As much as you would like to be able to do either one of those things.

“I don’t know, you keep telling me that I’m not ready for a real relationship.”

“Because you’re not,” you turn to her.

“And what makes you so adamant about that?” Leigh says, frustrated.

“Because I’m not ready,” you answer truthfully. “Believe me, I wish that I was. And as much as I want to trust that you know what you’re feeling. I can’t. You want to think that it wouldn’t be a rebound relationship but that is exactly what it would be and I don’t want that.”

“You would not be a rebound relationship!”

You make a motion for her to lower her voice as you scan the area for eavesdroppers. “Leigh, come on, be real. Everyone needs to have a rebound or two before they’re actually ready to move on. Maybe it’s different for widows. Or maybe our situation could be an exception to the rule, but do you really want to risk it?” She is quiet so you continue on. “I want to be clear that I don’t have any regrets about what we did this weekend but we were pretending––”

“And why can’t we keep pretending? Isn’t that how you make a living?”

“Leigh, we have to come back to reality at some point or else our problems will only get worse. They don’t just disappear.”

“You would,” she mumbles.

You sigh, it was always easy to forget how those times affected her until she reminded you. Hopefully one day you can make the promise to never disappear on her again and be able to keep it. “And nothing would get resolved until I came back. I had to learn that the hard way.”

“Then why can’t we hop on a plane together and find somewhere we can pretend for a little while longer?” She pleads with a beseeching gaze. You wanted to give in again but knew that if you did the consequences could be bad.

“Because we’re adults and we have responsibilities. We have jobs that we can’t just leave. Well, maybe you can but you don’t even like your job. I have work first thing tomorrow.” The car pulls up and you take the keys opening the door for Leigh before you get in on the drivers side.

“I have an idea,” Leigh starts and you’re not thrilled to hear it but you let her continue. “What if we date but don’t tell anyone?” You don’t see how that would help anything. You’re still not in the right headspace to be in a relationship but you decide to hear her out anyway and you ask why she thinks it's a good idea. “I didn’t say that it was a good idea. I just said that it was an idea.”

“Wow, you have done it. You convinced me. Let’s do it,” you reply sarcastically.

“Really?”

“No!”

“Damn, oh well, it was worth a shot. At least I’m fighting for us, you’re over here surrendering to time. As if that’s going to do us any good.”

“It’s not that I’m not fighting for us, I’m just looking at the bigger picture. We can either have a short lived and possibly toxic experience together. Or we can have a long, happy, and healthy life together. Which one sounds more appealing to you?” You glance at her and bite back a laugh because she is pouting with her arms crossed like a child that isn’t getting their way and you find it adorable.

“Whichever one gets you to drive me to Vegas and marry me as soon as possible.”

“Really? That’s the story you want to tell our grandchildren one day. ‘Oh well you see kids. Grandma was grieving the loss of her husband and I was also grieving him because he was my friend. But at the same time I was grieving the loss of my big brother because he died a month before the other guy did. And I thought I killed both of them. But grandma was in a hurry to get married again so the weekend I told her I wanted to take things slow, we drove to Vegas and got hitched!’”

“And we lived happily ever after, the end!” You give her an unamused look and she apologizes. “I know you’re right, that we should take things slow. You have things you want to work through and I respect that. But I also think you’re wrong to say we shouldn’t be together while you do that.”

“I guess in some way, I don’t want to be happy. Or I don’t want people to see me finding happiness so fast. Especially since I don’t feel like I deserve to be happy. I don’t know, things that should be simple just seem so complicated in my head right now.”

“Don’t you think that I deserve to be happy?”

“You know that I do.”

“Then why don’t we do the secret dating thing? We don’t tell anyone, that way you don’t feel like you’re flaunting your happiness and we don’t feel pressure to be or act a certain way. When you need time to yourself, you can have it and you won’t be punished for it or have to feel guilty about it. We won’t be casual but we won’t be too serious. We’ll just take it one day at a time to go at our own pace.” She suggests again and this time the idea doesn’t sound too terrible.

“I guess we can try it your way for a little bit. But we have to be extremely careful. The comments on the last rumor about us were awful.”

“Yeah, and I’m sure the ones that will come up about this trip won’t be so pleasant either.”

“You think that woman blabbed?”

“Part of why I haven’t turned my phone on yet is because I’m a little scared to find out that she did.”

“Honestly, so am I.” After a few more minutes of going back and forth on which phone Leigh should turn on first, her hand is on the power button of your phone. “Here goes nothing,” you say as the anticipation grows. Luckily, the post she tagged you in had a lengthy but glowing description about how you were generous enough to spare some time for her and her kids while you were on a vacation with your friend. It didn’t insinuate anything beyond that. There were a few paparazzi shots of you buying flowers and returning to the hotel with them but the fans that reposted them didn’t theorize that you were planning a romantic evening. They just thought you were being a really good friend and trying to cheer Leigh up. You smile feeling like you can finally breathe and suggest that Leigh posts a picture of the two of you on your Instagram story. “Caption it with Lollipop and Gumdrop on their way home from a much needed vacation.”

“Okay, that’s cute. Oh and I’ll add the emojis next to our nicknames,” she has fun dressing up the photo with gifs and emojis and she shows you the final product before she posts it. “Hate it or love it, I’m posting it either way.” You tell her it looks great and she hits send. Next she turns on her phone and the only notification she has is from Danny. It’s a message informing her that the grief group has donuts again with an image of proof. “Damn, I missed out on donuts.” You give her an unbelievable look and she gives you an unapologetic one. “As special as our trip was, nothing is better than free donuts.”

“I don’t know if I’m hurt or more in love with you.”

“Probably both.”

Chapter 10

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