#and if I’m not I’ll rob a bank for you

[khazadspoon]

Just finished the end of season 4 and oh my lord that stings. It’s supposed to be amusing but……..wow it stings.

Gil didn’t get the ranch because of lost time, his plan to be with his kids again has been pushed back yet another year. That’s another off season to find work, another drive to struggle through, another year of pain and waiting and problems and drovers with chips on their shoulders. The dejection he shows when saying quietly that another drive will have him on it h u r t s. He just wants out.

And they close the episode with this image:

Gil walks through the little crowd (which poignantly includes Wishbone and Rowdy, really the two of the original outfit left he is closest to, and even then Rowdy is getting further away because of both their actions) with his hands in his pocket and his head down. There is no home away from home for him. There’s only his girls far away in Philadelphia and him stuck between them and Texas or Kansas. He knows he can’t keep doing it and it won’t be long before he’s just going through the motions and making mistakes he can’t recover from.

This was supposed to be a fun old-timey show about cowboys and their silly antics. There is a lot more here than the first couple of seasons let on and it’s starting to hurt more and more.

[hope-you-brought-kneepads-bitch]

Y/n holding money: Just turned 26 guess where I’m going??

Nat: The strip club?

Y/n: No! Jail i just robbed a bank, I’m a thief not a slut

Wanda: Babe please stop robbing banks

Y/n: But I bought you a necklace with my money

Wanda:…Aww babe thank you!

Nat sighing:….I’ll call a good lawyer

[kitkat13001]

⊹₊⟡⋆ 𝚑𝚊𝚕𝚏𝚠𝚊𝚢 𝚝𝚘 𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 | pro-hero shoto todoroki x reader

shoto has never been an explicitly complex person. he doesn’t care much for flashy looks or bright lights or glitter and bravado. his life is busy and he enjoys the simplicity of coming home in the evenings, especially the ones where it was raining and he would open the door and immediately be swallowed in the embrace of the precious being he called his fiancée. 

it always brings a smile to his face and he can’t help the almost giddy feeling inside him to see your beaming face. 

it makes it worth it when his aching muscles have to carry him up five flights of stairs. it makes it worth it when he has to jam his key into the lock and jiggle it until it finally opens. 

it smells like pine-scented detergent and coffee when shoto enters the apartment, and it smells like home. 

he sees the back of your head on the couch and you whip around to greet him with a grin.

you move to stand and immediately sink back down, your smile morphing into a wince. 

“ooh, shitshitshit. bad idea, bad idea.”

shoto frowns as he gets closer and notices the brace on your knee. 

“you got hurt during patrol?” he asks, taking a seat next to you. 

you shrug, setting your glass down and shifting to face shoto. 

“not a big deal. some idiot tried to get away with robbing a bank. hit me in the knee with a pipe. i’m fine, though. it just hurts a little.”

without you asking, shoto lays a gentle hand down on your knee. you sigh in relief as his hand drops in temperature, the icy touch relieving the ache in your knee. 

you drop your head on his shoulder, placing a kiss there as well. “you’re the best. i love you.”

shoto chuckles. “mm. i love you too.”

“i called shiozaki today. she’d love to help us out with the flowers. and yaomomo agreed on saturday to go looking for invitations.”

shoto hums, his nimble fingers gently massaging your knee. 

“sounds like a plan.”

a soft silence settles over you for a little while, both of you lost to thought.

“cold soba for dinner?” you ask, tracing patterns on shoto’s shoulder. 

he smiles to himself. you know him. the thought makes his heart warm and his cheeks pink. 

“i don’t deserve you,” he murmurs, pressing a kiss to your temple. 

you giggle, threading a hand in his hair. 

“you don’t deserve this hot mess? mm, too bad. maybe next time i’ll say yes to the sidekick who asked me out. think he’d deserve me?”

shoto leans back to give you a dry look. “you’re not funny.”

you snort with laughter, kicking your good leg. “i am too! but i was joking, ‘cause i am way out of that guy’s league.”

“ha ha,” shoto rolls his eyes. he gives you a devious smile. “maybe i should make an appearance at your agency, give ‘em all a reminder who you’re with.”

your face falls. “sho, you better not. we lost five sidekicks and two interns last time you made ‘an appearance’.”

now it’s shoto’s turn to laugh. you frown at his amused expression, pouting.

“it’s not funny, sho!” you whine, which only further spurs the widening grin on shoto’s face. 

“mhm. so how about that soba?”

“i changed my mind, i want teriyaki. ooh, no i want meat buns! oooh now i want udon. or ramen! shoto, i want sushiiii!”

“baby, you don’t even like fish,” he murmurs, smiling softly. you fix him with a pout and a cold stare. 

“how about this,” shoto muses, “we can get sushi and a combo noodle meal and pick up meat buns from the store on the corner. on the way back, we can pick up the teriyaki. you can pick a movie and we can sit on the floor and eat and take a nap on the couch when we’re full. how’s that?”

you beam, already standing and running down the hall for your shoes and undoubtedly one of shoto’s sweaters—sore knee long forgotten. 

“i can’t wait to marry you!” you shout from down the hall, the patter of your footsteps bringing a small smile to shoto’s face. 

he’s not keen on waiting either, but a few months doesn’t seem so bad when he gets to spend the rest of his life with you.  

[steveseddie]

ridin’ in a getaway car

written for the @steddiebingo 12 days of christmas mini event, prompt: hawkins high and @steddiemicrofic prompt: new, 517 words | rating: g | tags: different first meeting, post s3, pre relationship

read on ao3

The Hawkins High parking lot is mostly empty when Steve shows up to pick up Robin. Knowing it’ll be a while before band rehearsal ends, he sits back to wait.

It’s not a surprise when he starts dozing off right away, not after he barely got any sleep last night thanks to nightmares about Russians and giant monsters.

He startles awake when the backseat door swings open. Is band rehearsal over? Did he sleep through it? And why is Robin in the backseat?

Steve glances back and frowns. That’s not Robin in his backseat. “Munson?”

“Drive!” Eddie Munson says.

Is Steve dreaming? Did he wake up in another dimension? Considering the last couple of years, he wouldn’t be surprised.

“Drive, Harrington!” Eddie repeats and the urgency in his voice makes Steve’s instincts kick in. As he drives away, Eddie ducks, but other than the basketball team leaving the gym, Steve doesn’t see anyone he could be hiding from.

His eyes narrow. “What did you do?”

“Why must you assume I did anything?”

“You like to start shit,” Steve shrugs, thinking about Eddie often taunting the jocks at lunch. “And you ran out like you robbed a bank!”

“If you must know,” Eddie says, poking his head between the seats. “I overheard Carver saying things about Chrissy that Hawkins’ good Christian folk wouldn’t approve of, soooo I spray painted a few unchristian words all over his shiny, new car.”

“Dude.”

“Nothing a quick trip to the car wash won’t fix!” Eddie shrugs. “Besides, he deserved it.”

“I’m sure,” Steve snorts. “But why would you want a target on your back? Do you like Chrissy or something?”

“Harrington, Harrington.” Eddie shakes his head like Steve said something dumb. “I’m a nerd, the target was already on my back. And I don’t like Chrissy, man. She’s nice but she’s– not my type.”

Steve can’t help but wonder what Eddie’s type is.

“So why were you at school?” Eddie asks, changing the subject. “Reliving your glory days?”

Steve shakes his head. “Picking up Robin from band rehearsal.”

In the rearview mirror, Eddie’s eyebrows shoot up. “Didn’t know you and Buckley were friends.”

“We worked together this summer, scooping ice cream.”

Something flickers across Eddie’s face. “Right, I remember the shorts,” he says with a faraway look. When he meets Steve’s eyes again there’s an adorable flush on his cheeks. “Well, Stevie, don’t let me keep you from your date.”

“It’s not like that–”

“No? She’s not your type?” Eddie tilts his head. “Thought you like nerds.”

“I do.” Steve distantly thinks about Eddie calling himself a nerd before. “Just– I’m not hers.”

“Not possible,” Eddie blurts out, immediately blushing again. “Uh, anyway. You can just– leave me here.”

“Are you sure you don’t want a ride?”

“Nope,” Eddie says, scrambling out of the car. “Thanks. I’ll, uh, see you around, man.”

“Try to stay out of trouble, okay?”

Eddie chuckles. “I’ll do my best, big boy.”

It’s Steve’s turn to blush.

By the time he recovers from that one and drives back to the school, he’s late to pick up Robin.

[stevieschrodinger]

Part One ThirtyThree

Prompt from @bookworm0690 and @after-the-end-times

“Stevie love!”

“Yeah?”

“It’s snowing!”

The phone starts to ring as Steve heads to the window, so Steve diverts to answer it. “Steve! It’s snowing!”

“Hey Robs, and yeah, Eddie just told me.”

“Do you think it’ll be bad? The forecast says it’ll come down heavy. Do you think we will get a snow day tomorrow?”

“I think Keith would expect us to open even if we had to find a sled and a team of dogs to get us there.”

“Poop.”

“Yeap. But I’ll see how the roads are in the morning, if it’s bad then fuck it, I’m not risking the beemer. Who’s going to want to rent a movie anyway?”

“Okay, call me in the morning? Chrissy already said she’s not bothering to open the shop if it’s bad, who goes out in the snow to buy flowers?”

“I don’t know, the same people who go out in the snow to rent movies, probably. But, yeah, she’s probably right.”

“Okay, bye dingus, love you.”

“Love you too Robs.”

Eddie practically has his face smushed against the window, “cold water,” he informs Steve.

“Yeah, yeah that’s right,” Steve watches the snow start to gather in patches on the lawn with dawning apprehension that he can’t place. There’s no reason for it, really. They’re safe and warm inside, and Steve knows without looking that they have a good weeks worth of groceries in the house. The main roads will probably be plowed before lunch time tomorrow at the latest, so none of that is what's worrying him.

It really starts coming down, thick heavy flakes that start to blanket everything, and as the snow banks, Steve thinks more about last year. Was it around now that Eddie was getting sick? Steve can’t quite place the time line, but he remembers how cold he’d been, sitting outside next to the pool, his missing toes throb with phantom pain, and Steve shivers. Eddie was getting sicker as the snow fell, and Steve remembers holding him, bundled in a blanket at the back door, so he could see the snow, “I’m going to make us hot chocolate,” Steve says to distract himself.

“Whizzy cream?” Eddie asks absently.

“Sure baby.”

The next day, the world is clean and white and quiet. The gray sky is bright where the sun shines through the clouds, reflecting off the snow; it makes the whole world hard to look at.

“Stevie can we go out?”

“Out in the snow?”

“I want to walk on it.”

“Leave footprints everywhere?” Eddie nods enthusiastically. “We could make snow angels. And snow men.”

Eddie turns to look at Steve, “snow men? Snow angels?”

“Oh man, you’re gonna’ love this.”

Eddie’s frizzy curls are sticking out from under his woolen hat, and his jeans are tucked into a pair of Steve’s boots. He had managed all of thirty seconds outside before he wanted his sunglasses, so he’s wearing those too. Steve gets it, it is bright out here, what with all the white, and Eddie’s eyes are, even now, very sensitive to the light.

Eddie’s licking a snowball. Under normal circumstances, Steve might stop him, but the snow out here in the yard is fresh and clean, so Steve lets it go.

Steve flops onto his back, Eddie letting out a surprised laugh at the sight, and then he comes closer, watching as Steve moves his arms and legs, getting up again to reveal the shape he’s left behind, “see, snow angels.”

“Huh,” Eddie says, not seeming that impressed by it.

“We could build a snow man?”

“Which man is it?”

Steve snorts a laugh, “uhm...no. It can be anyone I guess, but usually it’s like a generic snow...person. We can give him a carrot for a nose and, like, maybe a scarf?”

Eddie frowns, “what, in case he gets cold?” he looks bemused by the idea.

“Come on, I’ll show you...and I really think we need to get around to watching some Christmas movies.”

The moment Eddie grasps the idea of what Steve’s showing him, he’s away. He digs up twigs and rocks and things from under the lighter snow banked between the trees, happily giving his creations arms and eyes and mouths and...eyebrows.

“No no,” he directs Steve, “that one is Lucas, so the Max one should be smaller.” Eddie rams in twigs for their arms, angling them so that ‘Lucas’ and ‘Max’ are holding hands.

Steve stands back, frowning, “so who is that one again?”

“Argyle, and that’s Hopper," Eddie replies, like it's obvious.

“Right, right. So we just have...Joyce left?”

“Yeah, we have to make Joyce the best one.”

Steve smiles to himself; he’s not entirely sure how good Eddie’s memory is when it comes to those first few days after he came out of the pool, freshly bald and newly legged, but Eddie definitely remembers the Christmas food. He also seems to remember how, in those first few months, Joyce was Steve’s go to for advice on Eddie care.

Not to mention how kind Joyce has always been; how she’s always gone out of her way to treat Eddie with the same kindness and inclusion as everyone else.

“You know what, you’re right, you build Joyce, I’ll be right back.”

Steve knocks the snow off his shoes at the back door, before heading upstairs to raid his parents wardrobes. He comes back with a small armful of stuff, and Eddie gleefully distributes clothing amongst his family of creations. Joyce ends up stylishly dressed in a cashmere shawl that Steve has no doubt is probably worth at least a months wages. He doesn’t give a shit though, and clearly neither do his parents; they haven’t been back at all this year.

Eddie stands back after, surveying his creations, “a little family,” he grins at Steve.

“Yeah,” Steve can’t help but agree, “now lets go in and warm up.”

“Yup,” Eddie grabs Steve’s face, smushing a chilly wet kiss to Steve’s nose on the way past.

[seeingivy]

picnic

sukuna x f!reader

**part of my best friend's older brother fic

previous part linked here

(^^make sure you check since this was a double upload and I posted the last one very recently :D)

--

dear head of the cullen clan,  keep evening plans open – im getting off work early and we’re going on a picnic.  coldest regards,  the head of the volturi  (ps. am expecting a very wholehearted appreciation for the fact that it’s coldest regards and not warmest regards, because they are, in fact, vampires and therefore cold. because they don’t have a heart and such.)  (extra ps. this is a link to a shared spotify playlist. i’ll add a song and then you add one. we’ll keep it going.) 

you snort. 

dear aro of the volturi (does he have a last name???),  so much to unpack in one email, yet again. you really know how to keep a girl on her toes.  first and foremost, you are SOOOO ran through. so offended that i wasn’t the person who got to put you on to twilight and whoever it was, I HOEP SHE DIES! if you’re team jacob, you’re a freak.  second, SO VERY FLATTERED that you think i would be carlisle. a little haunting that you think YOU would be aro…but it’s ok cuz former companions to enemies back to lovers in our case would be kind of crazy???  third. done and done. i just added a song so hurry up bc i have like ten other songs i want to add and i am #impatient  see u after work pookie :D,  carlisle cullen  (very appreciative of the cold regards. you are a king among men.) 

his response back is very prompt. 

Never call me pookie again.  (very offended that you think i’d be stupid enough to be team jacob. and direct your murderous rage towards yuuji and my mom, who forced me to watch it in theaters with them.) 

--

you wait for sukuna at the park two blocks down the apartment complex. the sun is hours away from dipping into the horizon, the chilly wind rustling through the trees. you realize now that the red skirt and white sweater might betray you in a few hours but decide that you’ll simply have to steal his jacket when he gets here. 

and you would have already but he’s twenty minutes late.

and while this part of the city is extremely safe, sukuna’s ever constant fear of people attacking you on subway trains and stabbing you in alleyways has instilled an acute fear of strangers in you, which is why you’re gripping the sparkly pink pepper spray he bought you very harshly in your palm right now. 

you think it’s sweet that he bought you a pink one. 

but of course it’s severely ironic that you almost used it on him. 

because he scares the living daylights out of you, by placing his hand around your shoulder from behind. 

“hey. i’m sorry i-” 

“jesus fuck-” 

you instinctively hold the pepper spray up to his face, your hands shaking in front of you. 

“i’ll use it, you pervert!” 

sukuna leans his head to the side, which is when you’re finally able to log that it’s actually him standing in front of you and not a stranger, and you drop your hands in embarrassment. 

“i mean, i’d really appreciate it if you wouldn’t doll face but–” 

“oh my god, sukuna. i thought you were trying to rob me!” 

“i’m smarter than that. the only thing inside your purse is lip gloss, which has very little value to me.” sukuna responds, dropping the little basket at his feet and taking the little stalk of flowers out of the top handle. 

“i’ll have you know that it’s actually sold out in every store right now. so you could make bank if you sold it.” 

“don’t tempt me. and for your sake, i’ll accept the apology you didn’t give me for just trying to rob me of my eyesight and for calling me a pervert? i’m getting really tired of the age gap jokes, y/n.” sukuna responds, as he lifts your hands at your sides and places the stalk of flowers in your hand. 

you give him a big smile as you press your nose to the flowers, the scent fresh in your nose. and sukuna props down, setting a billowing white blanket on the ground before he taps the spot next to him and signals for you to sit next to him. 

“who needs eyes?” you joke, as you squeeze his hands and set the flowers down next to the little basket. 

“me, dipshit. how else am i supposed to look at you?” 

you cover your hands with your cheeks as you watch him place all of the little things inside the basket next to you, laying them out perfectly. it’s albeit a weird assortment – two wine glasses, perfectly wrapped sandwiches, a mini-cake, and strawberry lemonade. 

“well, stop perceiving me. this is so weird!” you murmur. 

it’s enough to catch his attention and stop him in his tracks. 

“what?” 

the question makes you pause. and a little embarrassed. it was a little harsh to say while you were joking.

“oh, i mean…i didn’t mean it like that! i was making a joke about perceiving because eyes…vision…and i almost took your vision away! and you perceive with your eyes, because how else would you see…” 

sukuna smiles, before shaking his head, and continuing spilling out the last of the contents – a set of gouache paints and two little small canvases. and he drops to his feet, yanking his shoes off, before sitting flat on the blanket and gesturing for you to join him. 

“there’s no way in hell that was what you meant. but we’ll ignore that for the time being.” sukuna responds, hiking his legs to his chest and gesturing towards the spread he just put out. 

you tilt your head to the side in confusion. 

“you look very pretty today.” sukuna responds. 

“thanks! you too!” 

he narrows his eyes. 

“uh huh. well, pick what we do first. the paint, the sandwiches, or the weird wine glass cake.” 

“the wine glass cake? like from tiktok?” you ask. 

“correct. i’m really bad at…cute dates. so…i did some research.” 

sukuna refuses to look at you. because after admitting it, he’s suddenly busied himself with reading the back of the box of paints, like it’s the most riveting, intriguing thing he’s ever read in his life. 

but the pink flush that’s creeping down his neck betrays him entirely, as you reach forward and push the little box down. and sukuna’s already glaring at you. 

you place your chin on the top of his knees, reaching for one of his hands and smiling. 

“you did research for a date?” 

“you can choke on your spit.” 

you grin. 

“you really know how to turn a girl on.” 

“you’re filthy.” 

you grin. 

“and you’re actually so precious, i–” 

“don’t call me precious, y/n.” he whines, as he reaches forward to flick on your forehead. 

you smile as you sit by his side, tucking the folds of your skirt under your leg as you reach for both of the wine glasses and hand him one. 

“so how humbling was it to have satoru explain all this to you?” you ask. 

he sneers. 

“don’t even ask. he’s like the biggest nuisance i’ve ever met in my life. top ten worst moments of my life.” sukuna responds. 

“i’m flattered you humbled yourself to him for me.” 

“i actually asked suguru. they’re like…two peas in a pod, they can’t do shit without each other. the paints and stuff they gave me and the nice basket too.” 

“that’s sweet of them. remind me to send them something later to thank them.” 

sukuna scoffs. 

“no need. they were more than happy to give it up for you.” 

“ah yes. i hear they’re big fans of this camping bag story. the scouts honor and the fake story we had to tell them makes a lot more sense now.” you respond. 

sukuna rolls his eyes. 

“okay, you know what? sue me. i was like sixteen sleeping next to a girl for the first time. god forbid i enjoyed myself. and i don’t know why they’re all so hyperfixated on that story because it was a very normal thing to assume when you’re asked that question.”  

you snort. 

“and you say you’re not a pervert…” 

sukuna leans forward, his eyes flitting down to his lips before he looks back up at you. and he can tell that you’re in a mood, that you’re trying to push his buttons by annoying him. 

“you know i despise you right?” he whispers. 

you grin, leaning in. 

“is that right?” you whisper back. 

“oh yeah. you irritate me.” 

there isn’t even a shred of earnestness in the words he’s uttering. you know he doesn’t mean them. 

“keep going.” you respond, as he presses a warm kiss to the side of your cheek. 

“you’re a nuisance.” – a kiss to your forehead. 

“an irritation.” – a kiss to the tip of your nose. 

“like a fucking thorn in my side.” – and a kiss to the sweet spot right in your neck and his hand snaking up your thigh, which makes you nearly keel your head back from the sensation. 

you place your hands on his cheek and pull him back, face flushed and his eyes nearly glazed over. 

“are you crazy?” you whisper. 

“what?” he asks. 

“we’re in public, dumbass. you can’t just start trying to rile me up.” 

sukuna leans back, obliging. 

“so you admit it? i was riling you up?” 

“oh, shut up.” 

you reach for the sandwiches and unpeel one for sukuna. before he takes it, he places a tiny white box in your lap. 

you frown. first the fancy date but the jewelry too? 

“sukuna. you didn’t–” 

“just open it. i’m impatient and i’ve been waiting all day. and i actually think you’ll like it. otherwise, you’re ungrateful and rude and you hate me.” sukuna responds. 

you give him a tight lipped smile before you open the little box and actually smile. 

it’s a dainty silver chain – the exact same as sukuna’s from the chain-links, but the build is a little thinner. and right at the center, a little charm of a star. 

you reach forward for his chain, dangling around his collarbone. and surely enough, in addition to the original charm he had of an interlocked circle, there’s a star charm added right next to it. 

“you always reach for it. when you’re talking or when we’re kissing. figured i’d get you your own since you’re such a big fan.” 

“you are so…” 

“perfect? sexy? the father of your children?” 

“i was thinking adorable. can i answer d for all of the above?” you respond. 

sukuna grins. 

“survey says yes, princess.” he responds. 

you yank the chain from the little box and hand it to him, before turning around for him to secure it on you. his fingers tickle against the nape of your neck, accompanied by a warm kiss, before he taps your shoulders to signify that he’s done. 

“you know. you really are perceiving me right now.” you respond. 

“and how’s that?” 

“i know you’re obsessed with me and pay attention to every word i say.” 

sukuna smiles. 

“obviously.” 

you jab at his side. 

“i mean, i know you’re doing this because i mentioned picnics yesterday and always feeling left out. sure you could put two and two together that he never really bought me any nice gifts or anything when i said he ruined my birthday.” 

“okay, captain obvious. and?” 

you shove him once more, before leaning your head against his shoulder. 

“well, i appreciate it. i know the whole…cutesy painting date isn’t your thing. we won’t have to do it again. and that you…you’re trying to make this whole thing special for me.” 

sukuna scoffs. 

“i’m offended. first and foremost, i always like to eat with you. every time i think that there’s no way you can amaze me more, you find another way to spill food on your clothes.” 

“hey! that’s not true.” 

“you already spilled on the blanket. second, this is a very violent way to eat cake. you literally mess up all the layers by doing that and destroy the piping on the cake which i can admit, i am a fan of. and third, i’m going to paint us as worms, which seems enjoyable to me.” 

you curl your nose. 

“worms?” 

“yeah. what were you going to paint?” 

“i don’t know. but it certainly wasn’t going to be worms. like the park or flowers or something.” 

“boring. i’m going to paint us as slimy worms. and because we made it on this date, you’ll have to agree to put it up in the apartment, even if it’s ugly.” 

“sukuna.” you whine. 

“especially if it’s ugly. it’s a testament to our love.” he responds, dramatically placing his hands on  his chest. 

“you know, you’re so right. worms have been a really defining feature of your relationship.” 

sukuna leans forward and presses a quick kiss to your lips and an additional one on your cheek. 

“you just get me, princess!” 

and he breaks the little joke by lifting one of your hands to his lips, and pressing a kiss on all four of your knuckles before pressing your hand to his cheek. 

“and i have to do special things for a special person.” 

you return the gesture, lifting his tattooed fingers to your lips and doing the same. 

“you know…you’re really good at this type of thing.” you murmur. 

“what do you mean?” 

“i mean, being a boyfriend. and…and being supportive about everything. sometimes i feel like i’m trying really hard to be the best but…just comes naturally to you.” you respond. 

sukuna shrugs. 

“don’t know if i’m perfect but…loving you has always come really easy to me. i don’t really have to think twice about it because these are actually just things i want to do for you.” 

you groan. 

“see! that’s what i’m saying! you always just…say sweet things, do sweet things. sometimes i’m convinced i’m not even half deserving of it, just because sometimes i don’t reciprocate that back.” you respond. 

sukuna leans forward. 

“you know, you actually do though.” 

“as if.” you groan. 

sukuna pauses, before leaning his cheek against the tops of his knees and looking out at the expanse of grass in front of you. you follow his line of vision – to the dog running in the distance, the wide, billowing trees, and the little flower truck on the side – which you now realize is where sukuna copped the flowers from earlier. 

“i mean, this type of thing. that we have, or…or the way i act around you. it means a lot to you because, you…you’ve never had this before. right?” 

“yeah.” 

“well, i haven’t had you before. i know you see me as perfect, but…but when you say that i can tell that you don’t mean it the way my mom or…or yuuji think that i’m perfect. in the untouchable way.” 

you lean forward, cupping the side of his face. 

“sukuna. you’re so touchable.” you joke. 

“you’re disgusting.” 

“you love it.” 

sukuna smiles. 

“yeah, i really do. it does actually mean the world to me that you think i’m perfect how i am and don’t think i’m larger than life.” 

“if anything, your ego could be smaller.” 

sukuna leans forward and presses a kiss to your cheek. 

“and…and even the other day. i know you were acting squirrely and weird when yuuji was near us and heard us bickering, but i was half convinced that you were going to take his side at the end, when he started saying that stuff about me. because it is true and i have acted a certain way in the past…and, you would have every right to agree with him if you wanted to.” 

you frown. 

“no, i wouldn’t. you’ve never treated me like that and i know you’re being earnest when you say these things to me. this would be a very elaborate way to get into my pants if that was what you were trying to do. and i know it’s not.” 

sukuna smiles. 

“that’s what i’m saying. every other person for me has never given me that benefit of the doubt, but you always do. you were the person who thought to tell me that my grandpa died when you all came to get me and you were the one who wasn’t mad at me. the things you do for me are the same, in equal magnitude, as what i do for you. if this makes you feel good, or…or on top of the world, you have to know that’s how you make me feel too. i’m half convinced that you’re basically made for me at this point the way you get everything right on point.” 

you lean forward and press a lingering kiss to his lips. 

“i really think you’re made for me too, ryomen.” 

sukuna groans, dramatically leaning his head back, before nearly pushing you over and peppering kisses to almost every surface on your face. 

“quit fucking saying my name. you have no idea what that does to me.” 

“i mean, i think i have an idea.” 

sukuna clamps his fingers over your mouth, before pressing a few more lingering kisses to your face and pushing off. and subsequently, picks all of the grass out of your hair as you roll your eyes. 

and after that sukuna, admittedly, very aggressively uses the wine glasses to portion off little slices of the cake and makes it a point to finish off yours when you can’t stomach the sweetness. and true to his promise – sukuna paints the two of you as worms, but at the park, stargazing. 

it’s a little silly, the way he paints it. you were expecting it to be more gory or gross, but it’s so corny that it makes you smile. because he draws the two little worms, but distinguishes between the two of you, by swiping some of your pink paint and adding a little ribbon to the one that’s supposed to be you. 

sukuna explains the stars. because before sukuna had dragged you out of that shitty bathroom bar, it’s what megumi and yuuji said in his drunken mess – he had pointed at two little stars and likened them to him and megumi.

and you’re almost positive that at the time, sukuna found it utterly ridiculous. but now, he understood it – the sentiment. that you and sukuna were two little worms, and two stars, and two little flowers too. 

and to his promise, the two of you decide to place the little canvases you drew at the end of the kitchen counter. 

it’s only then that you realize that you have to go the whole ten miles for sukuna the way he had done for you – countless times again. and that if you were going in blind in trying to make something special, you’d have to take a page out of his book and do some research. 

and there was only one person who could really help you, who you’d rather die than humble yourself to than ask for help. 

regardless of that, you still call sammy the next morning.

--

next part linked here

an: they're about to do it. anyways....there is a very real playlist to match the one that they talk about in the fic -- and it matches the way it described in the fic! so it's interleaved, the first song is a song that sukuna would have added, the second one that y/n added, the third sukuna, so on and so forth. it's linked here! happy listening babies

second an: thank you for the love on the last chapter. it makes my heart really warm bc all of that was actually based on a REAL MAN and real things that I have felt/have said to me and just having people comment that they felt seen by it or it made them feel a certain type of way actually made me really happy and so warm. this blog was one of the first things I did after I stopped being really, really sad and i'm glad that i'm able to share a little joy here and there, if that's what this fic is for you. anyways this is long and sappy and gross and actually I just love you all for enduring the ouchies and the sillies with me a little bit 💌

third an: double upload bc yall were so patient with me :D

taglist: @porridgesblog @k0z3me @kayleegomez @yihona-san06 @sweetenertea @skzismyhome @mykyoon @violetmatcha @rebeccawinters @shotenvinsoot @itzmeme @gojoswifeyyys-world @cutiejg @chilichopsticks @ghostreadersthings @charlie-xo @whoami-72 @heijihattorisgf @megu-meow @complexivelovely @multiplefandomthings @hoebuns @lzaj19 @glossygreene @ramluvr @sureconfused @najaemism @manduse @imhorn1help @gamergirl5125 @r0ckst4rjk @invisible-mori @isaacdaknight @wishmemel @gyros-cum-sock @suftsunshine @i0099 @cowgirlikets @haitanibros0007 @stuffeddeer @yoontaedotin @ec3lipsy @armani79 @awkwardaardvarkforever @kereseth @leave-rae-alone @ruruvia @princess-ackerman @jjkwritingss @lilkiwikiara @opchara @telepathicheartss @starriesworlds @raechu11 @exprimidordefresas @nxxrxm @aalloochaat @strangehuman101 @tzutology

[rylem33]

A Good Person

Hey everyone. This is something new for me as I'm looking for your help with the ending. I'm really curious how this works, but that all depends on you. Enjoy! ------------------------------------------------------------ Maggie shifted through the stack of bills on the kitchen table, her fingers trembling slightly as she set each one aside. The FINAL NOTICE stamps glared up at her like scarlet letters, each one louder than the last.

Behind her, the soft hum of the oxygen concentrator in the living room was a constant reminder of Scott’s condition. She glanced toward the worn couch where he was stretched out, one arm draped across his eyes. His chest rose and fell in slow, labored breaths, his other hand resting on his inhaler.

“You’re staring at me again,” Scott said, his voice muffled but amused.

Maggie smiled faintly, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “How do you always know?”

“Married six years, Maggie. I can feel it.” He sat up slowly, wincing as he moved, and offered her a small smile. “What’s the damage this time?”

“Nothing we can’t handle,” she lied, sliding the bills into a neat pile and slipping them into a drawer.

“Right,” he said, his tone flat. “Because handling things has been going so great lately.”

“Scott—”

“No, I’m serious,” he interrupted gently, leaning back against the couch. “Let’s hear your plan. Are we robbing a bank this week, or have you started looking up lottery hacks?”

Maggie chuckled despite herself, shaking her head as she moved to sit beside him. She rested her hand on his knee, squeezing it lightly.

“We’ll figure it out,” she said softly. “We always do.”

Scott placed his hand over hers, his thumb brushing her knuckles. “I’m sorry,” he murmured.

“Don’t,” she said, her voice sharper than intended. She caught herself and softened. “Don’t apologize for being sick, Scott. It’s not your fault.”

“I just…” He exhaled heavily, the weight of his guilt evident. “I hate that you’re carrying this alone. That you’re working so hard while I sit here, being a burden.”

“You’re not a burden,” Maggie said firmly, her gaze locking with his. “You’re my husband. We’re in this together. Always.”

His lips twitched into a faint smile. “You’re too good to me.”

“And don’t you forget it,” she teased, leaning forward to kiss his forehead. “Now, go rest. Doctor’s orders.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he replied, mock saluting as he settled back into the couch.

Maggie lingered for a moment, watching him. His color was better today, but the strain of his illness was always present, always hanging over their lives.

When the doorbell rang, she frowned. It was late, and they weren’t expecting anyone.

“I’ll get it,” she said, rising quickly. Scott didn’t stir, already drifting toward sleep.

Maggie opened the door to find a man standing there, his tailored gray coat pristine despite the damp evening air. His expression was pleasant and his dark eyes seemed to take in everything about her in an instant.

“Good evening, Maggie,” he said, his voice smooth and oddly soothing.

Her brow furrowed. “Do I know you?”

“Not yet,” he replied, his smile widening just slightly. “But I believe we can help each other.”

The man smiled warmly as if her confusion was exactly what he’d expected. His dark eyes gleamed, and he stepped closer, but not enough to be intrusive.

“Forgive me for dropping in unannounced,” he said, his tone calm and reassuring. “But I have a knack for knowing when people need… assistance.”

Maggie crossed her arms, leaning on the doorframe. “Assistance?” she repeated skeptically. “I’m sorry, but we’re not interested in whatever you’re selling.”

“I’m not selling anything,” he replied smoothly. “Consider me more of a problem-solver. And, Maggie, you have a problem, don’t you?”

Her chest tightened at the sound of her name, but she forced herself to keep her voice steady. “I don’t know who you are, but I think you’ve got the wrong house.”

“I don’t think so,” he said, a faint trace of amusement flickering across his face. “Scott, your husband—he’s been struggling. Can’t work. His medical bills are crushing you both, and let’s not even get started on the overdue rent.”

Maggie stiffened, her hand tightening on the edge of the door. “How do you know about my husband?”

“I know a lot of things,” the man said lightly. “Enough to know you’ve been praying for a miracle. I’m here to answer those prayers.”

Her instincts screamed at her to slam the door, but her hand wouldn’t move. It wasn’t fear, exactly—it was more like a strange, magnetic pull. She frowned, her jaw tightening.

“Listen,” she said, lowering her voice. “I don’t know what kind of scam you’re running, but you need to leave. Now.”

The man held up his hands in a placating gesture. “No scam, Maggie. Just an offer. I can take away all your financial troubles. I can even fix Scott’s health. No hospitals. No prescriptions. Just… gone.”

She stared at him, torn between laughter and alarm. “You’re insane,” she muttered, shaking her head.

“I get that a lot,” he said, unbothered. “But I never force anyone to believe me. I just give them a choice.”

“I’m not interested,” she said firmly, gripping the door as if preparing to close it. But her hand still wouldn’t move.

The man tilted his head, his gaze steady but kind. “I’ll make it easy for you, then. I’ll come back tomorrow. You can think about my offer. And to prove I’m serious…”

He gestured subtly toward the living room. “Scott will feel better tomorrow. Stronger. Healthier. You’ll see for yourself.”

Maggie froze, her heart pounding. “What are you talking about?”

“You’ll see,” he said simply. “Until then, take care, Maggie.”

Before she could respond, he tipped his hat, turned on his heel, and walked off into the evening.

Maggie stood in the doorway for a long moment, staring after him as the chill of the night seeped into her skin. Finally, she managed to close the door, her thoughts racing.

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

Maggie stood at the sink, rinsing out the coffee pot for the second time in five minutes. Her mind was too preoccupied to focus on anything. She kept glancing at the kitchen clock and then toward the front door, her stomach twisting with every passing minute.

Scott sat at the small kitchen table behind her, sorting through a stack of bills. He tapped his pen against the table.

“You’re awfully quiet tonight,” he said, not looking up.

“I’m just tired,” Maggie replied quickly, setting the pot down. “Long day.”

He nodded, still scribbling notes in the margins of a bill. “You’re always tired. I don’t blame you.”

“Scott…” She turned, leaning back against the sink.

“I know, I know,” he said, holding up a hand before she could finish. “You don’t want me to feel bad about this, but how can I not?” He gestured at the bills. “You’re working yourself to death, and it’s still not enough. I should be out there too, doing my part.”

“You’re doing everything you can,” she said firmly.

Scott dropped the pen and rubbed his temples. “I feel useless, Maggie. All I do is sit around while you shoulder everything.”

“Stop,” she said, moving closer. “You’re not useless. You’re sick. You’re recovering.” She rested a hand on his shoulder, her touch gentle but firm. “I’m handling it. We’ll get through this.”

Scott sighed, his eyes meeting hers. “I don’t want you handling it alone anymore. It’s not fair.”

“I’m fine,” she said, forcing a smile. “You let me worry about the bills, okay?”

He hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. “Okay. But if there’s anything—anything—I can do…”

Maggie squeezed his shoulder. “I know. But right now, you need to rest.”

“Rest,” he muttered, his voice tinged with bitterness. “That’s all I ever do.”

The knock at the front door startled them both. Maggie flinched, her pulse quickening as she straightened.

“Who’s that?” Scott asked, glancing toward the hallway.

“I’ll check,” she said quickly, already moving toward the door. “It’s probably nothing. Just sit tight.”

“Maggie…”

She turned back, forcing a lightness into her tone. “I’ve got it, Scott. Relax.”

Scott watched her for a moment, then nodded, leaning back in his chair.

Maggie walked down the hallway, her heart pounding harder with every step. When she reached the door, she paused, her hand hovering over the doorknob. She took a deep breath, steeling herself, then pulled it open.

There he was, the man from the night before. 

“Good evening, Maggie,” he said warmly.

Maggie’s grip tightened on the door. “What do you want?” she asked, her voice sharp but quiet. She glanced down the hallway, listening for any signs that Scott might come looking for her.

“I just came to check in,” the man said smoothly. “How’s Scott feeling today?”

Her chest tightened. “He’s… better,” she admitted reluctantly. “How do you know about him?”

The man’s smile widened slightly. “He’s your husband. I know you love him. And I know he’s been struggling for a long time now.” He tilted his head. “Breathing easier, isn’t he? Moving around more? Even joking with you a little?”

Maggie stared at him, her heart pounding. “What are you saying? That you did something?”

“Of course,” he replied simply, his hands folding in front of him. “I told you last night I’d prove I was serious. Consider this a… demonstration.”

Her stomach churned as her mind replayed the events of the day. Scott had woken up without a cough for the first time in months. He’d been more alert, even energized. The improvement was undeniable.

“I don’t understand,” she said, shaking her head. “How could you—why would you—”

He raised a hand to stop her, his voice calm. “Let me make it simple. I can make this permanent. Scott won’t just feel better—he’ll be better. Completely. No more sickness. No more doctors. And your financial troubles?” He gave her a knowing look. “Gone.”

Maggie’s breath hitched. The weight she’d been carrying for so long—the endless strain of juggling bills, late-night worries, and helplessness—pressed even harder against her chest. She wanted to laugh, to call him insane, but Scott’s voice echoed in her mind: I hate that you’re carrying this alone.

“How?” she managed, her voice barely above a whisper.

The man smiled warmly, like a teacher with a promising student. “It doesn’t matter how. What matters is that I can.”

“Why us?” she asked, her throat dry. “Why me? Why Scott?”

“Because you’re good people, Maggie,” he said simply. “You care about others. You try to do the right thing, even when it’s hard. That’s exactly the kind of person I like to help.”

Maggie narrowed her eyes, the unease creeping deeper into her chest. “What do you want?”

“It’s simple. For seven days, you have to be good. Truly good. No lying, no snapping, no selfishness. Any time you slip up, you’ll see it reflected… here.” He gestured toward her body.

Maggie frowned. “What do you mean, reflected?”

“A physical sign,” he said cryptically. “One you can’t ignore. But here’s the good news: I’m feeling generous. Out of the seven days, you can fail four times and still win.”

Her stomach twisted. “And if I fail more than that?”

“Then you lose,” he said evenly. 

What happens if I lose?” Maggie asked, her voice unsteady.

The man’s smile didn’t falter. “That’s not important right now,” he said gently. “You’re a good person, Maggie. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe you’d succeed.”

Her stomach twisted. “You’re avoiding the question,” she said, but the heat had left her voice.

“Perhaps,” he replied, his tone calm and confident. “But this is just a test, one you’re more than capable of passing.”

Maggie hesitated, her mind racing through the possibilities. The idea of losing terrified her, but the alternative was too tempting to ignore.

“But I need your answer now,” the man continued, his voice soothing but firm. “I’m offering you a chance to make things right. To give Scott the life he deserves. To give yourself some peace.”

Her hands trembled as she gripped the edge of the door. She glanced down the hallway toward the kitchen, hearing the faint clatter of dishes as Scott tidied up.

“You’ll come back in a week?” she asked.

The man nodded. “One week. Seven days. That’s all.”

Maggie drew in a shaky breath, her chest tight with equal parts fear and determination. She thought of Scott’s laugh that morning, the light in his eyes she hadn’t seen in so long.

“Okay,” she said finally, her voice soft but resolute. “I’ll do it.”

The man’s smile widened, warm and encouraging. “Excellent.” He reached into his coat pocket and withdrew a small, silver watch, glancing at it briefly before tucking it away again. 

“One final condition. You can’t tell anyone about this arrangement. I wish you the best of luck, Maggie,” he said, tipping his hat. “I’ll see you in a week.”

Without another word, he turned and walked off.

Maggie closed the door slowly, leaning against it. From the kitchen, Scott’s voice broke through her thoughts. “Who was it?”

She pushed herself off the door and walked back toward the kitchen, forcing a neutral expression onto her face. “Nobody important,” she said, her voice steadier than she felt.

But as she sat down across from Scott, watching him smile faintly as he sorted the last of the mail, her gaze drifted to her hands. Seven days. That was all.

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

The first day dawned bright and clear. Maggie woke with a nervous knot in her stomach but forced herself to move through the motions of the morning as though nothing had changed.

“Coffee’s ready,” she called from the kitchen, glancing toward the living room where Scott was stretched out on the couch.

“Smells great,” he said, sitting up with a smile. He still looked a little tired, but there was a spark in his eyes that hadn’t been there in months.

Maggie brought him a steaming mug and sat down beside him, cradling her own cup. “How are you feeling today?” she asked, keeping her tone light.

“Better,” he said, taking a sip. “Actually, a lot better. I’m not sure why, but I’m not going to question it.”

Maggie nodded, forcing herself to smile. “That’s great.”

They spent the morning together, Maggie tidying up around the house while Scott sorted through more of the bills. She felt a growing sense of calm as the hours passed without incident. Every time she caught herself feeling frustrated or annoyed, she took a deep breath and reminded herself of the stakes.

Just be good, she thought. I can do this.

By mid-afternoon, Scott was sitting at the kitchen table, a stack of papers spread out before him. Maggie had been folding laundry in the next room when he called her in.

“You’re not going to believe this,” he said, his voice tinged with disbelief.

“What is it?” she asked, feigning casual interest as she approached.

He held up a letter, the kind she dreaded seeing. But instead of the usual red PAST DUE notice, this one bore the words BALANCE FORGIVEN.

“They’re waiving the bill,” Scott said, shaking his head. “Just like that. I don’t know why, but… Maggie, this is huge.”

Her breath caught, a flicker of relief mingling with a creeping sense of unease. She glanced at the other letters on the table, her eyes widening as she saw more notices marked with similar phrases.

“It must be some kind of… program,” she said, forcing her voice to stay steady. “Maybe they’re helping out people in need.”

Scott laughed, the sound light and genuine. “Well, whatever it is, it’s a miracle.”

Maggie’s stomach twisted at the word, but she nodded, managing a smile. “Yeah. A miracle.”

The rest of the day passed in a similar vein. Maggie and Scott worked together to reorganize their finances, the newfound breathing room lifting some of the tension that had weighed on them both. That evening, they shared a simple dinner at the table and even spent time watching a movie before bed.

As Scott laughed at a joke on the screen, Maggie glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. He looked… happy. Really happy. And for the first time in a long time, so did she.

But as she lay in bed that night, staring up at the ceiling, her mind raced. The day had gone perfectly, but the man’s words echoed in her ears.

“It’s just a test.”

She looked at  herself in the mirror, everything looked fine.  She smiled and drifted off to sleep.

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

The scent of roasted chicken filled the kitchen as Maggie set the table. Scott carried over a bowl of mashed potatoes, moving more easily than he had in a long time.

“This looks great,” he said, sitting down across from her.

“Not bad for a Tuesday, huh?” Maggie replied with a smile.

They ate quietly at first, the sounds of clinking silverware filling the room. Scott eventually broke the silence. “Work go okay today?”

“Surprisingly smooth,” Maggie said, taking a sip of water. “Nothing out of the ordinary. No fires to put out.”

Scott chuckled. “That’s a win. Must be the universe throwing us a bone.”

Maggie’s fork paused mid-air, but she quickly recovered. “Must be,” she echoed, keeping her tone light. “What about you? How’d you feel today?”

“Better,” he said, nodding. “Actually, I haven’t felt this good in years. It’s weird, but I’ll take it.”

She smiled, but her mind wandered. What if this is real?

After dinner, Scott kissed her cheek as she loaded the dishwasher. “Thanks for everything, Maggie. I mean it.”

She waved him off with a smile, though his words warmed her.

In bed that night, Maggie stared at the ceiling, her mind buzzing. Two days down, and everything was going perfectly. Scott was improving. The bills were lightening.

Again, she examined herself in the mirror and nothing had changed.

“Maybe it’s not real,” she whispered to herself, letting the thought comfort her as she drifted to sleep.

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

The sun was setting as Maggie drove home from work. She’d had an easy day at work and she was feeling good.

The radio blared one of her favorite songs, and Maggie sang along, tapping her fingers on the steering wheel. For the first time in years, she felt light, almost carefree.

Then, it happened.

A car veered into her lane without signaling, forcing her to slam on the brakes.

“Seriously?!” she shouted, her frustration boiling over. Without thinking, she raised her hand and flipped the driver off, holding the gesture until the car sped ahead.

It wasn’t until she heard the faint gasp of a child in the backseat of the minivan beside her that the weight of what she’d done hit her. Her heart sank, her stomach knotting with guilt as she glanced at the kid’s wide eyes, his tiny face frozen in surprise.

Before she could process it, a sharp, sudden pain shot through her hand. Maggie gasped, her gaze snapping down to her raised middle finger.

Her nail was no longer short and polished. It had grown into a long, razor-sharp talon, gleaming an unnaturally deep red.  Shortly after, all of her fingernails exploded into matching talons.

Her breath quickened, and she yanked her hand back to the steering wheel, gripping it tightly to stop the trembling. Her heart pounded as the truth slammed into her.

It’s real. It’s all real.

Her mind raced as she navigated the familiar streets toward home. It was so small, she thought. Just a stupid gesture. But it counted.

She pulled into the driveway, cutting the engine as she sat in stunned silence. Maybe it was all in her head, but the talon on her hand felt heavy..

“Okay,” she whispered to herself, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. “You can still do this. Four days left. You just need to succeed one more time.”

Maggie rushed inside, keeping her hands stuffed deep into her coat pockets.

“Hey! Dinner’s almost ready,” Scott called from the kitchen.

“Great! I’ll just… wash up first,” she said, her voice strained. She didn’t wait for a response, hurrying down the hallway to the bathroom.

She locked the door behind her and turned to the mirror, pulling out her hands. The talons glinted menacingly under the fluorescent light. Maggie grabbed a pair of nail clippers from the cabinet, setting them against her thumb.

Snap!

The clippers shattered in her hand.

Her heart sank. She tried again with another pair, pressing harder this time. They broke just as easily.

She grabbed a nail file, furiously rubbing it against one of the talons, but it was like trying to file down steel. The surface didn’t even scratch.

“Damn it!” she hissed, tossing the broken tools into the sink. She stared at her hands, panic rising.

How was she supposed to explain this to Scott?

At dinner, Maggie tried to keep her hands hidden under the table, but it was impossible to cut her food or drink her water without exposing them. Scott was bound to notice.

“Everything okay?” he asked, glancing at her untouched plate.

“Yeah,” she said quickly. “I’m just… not that hungry.”

Scott frowned. “You’ve been off lately. Are you sure you’re okay?”

She hesitated, then forced a laugh, holding up her hands. “Okay, fine. You got me. I was going to try and keep this a surprise, but… look!”

Scott’s eyes widened as she splayed her hands on the table.

“I, uh, decided to try those press-on nails everyone’s been raving about,” she lied, forcing a nervous grin. “You know, just for fun.”

Scott blinked, his confusion melting into a small smile. “Wow. That’s… dramatic. They look sharp.”

“Yeah, a little sharper than I expected,” Maggie said, laughing nervously. “I thought they’d be fun, but they’re kind of a hassle.”

“Well, they’re… different. But if you like them, that’s what matters,” Scott said, giving her an encouraging smile.

Maggie exhaled softly, relief washing over her. He bought it.

That night, as Scott slept soundly beside her, Maggie lay wide awake, staring at her hands..

“Four more days,” she whispered to herself. “Just four more.”

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

Maggie walked into work feeling cautiously optimistic. She told herself she could do this. Three days down, four to go. She’d already proven she could make it through a day without slipping up… twice.

At her desk, she focused on her tasks, keeping her head down and avoiding unnecessary conversations. By lunchtime, she even allowed herself a small smile as she refilled her coffee in the break room.

I’ve got this, she thought.

The trouble began mid-afternoon.

“Maggie!” her boss, Bill, barked from across the office.

Her stomach clenched as she stood and walked to his desk. He was holding a printed report, his expression tight with irritation.

“This is incomplete,” he said, shaking the paper slightly. “Where’s the data for the Madison account?”

Maggie froze. The Madison account. She’d completely forgotten about it, buried under the mountain of tasks she’d been juggling.

“I—” she began, scrambling for an explanation.

“You were supposed to include this for today’s presentation,” Bill interrupted. “It’s not in the shared drive, either. What happened?”

Her mind raced. I can’t lose this job, she thought desperately. Not now. Not when Scott’s finally doing better. I need this.

Without thinking, she blurted, “Diane said she’d handle that part.”

The lie burned in her throat, but it was out, and there was no taking it back.

Bill frowned. “I’ll talk to Diane, then. This kind of thing is unacceptable.” He tossed the paper onto his desk.

Maggie hesitated, then added with a nervous laugh, “You know Diane. Classic blonde move, right?”

Bill didn’t respond, his irritation clear, and she quickly retreated to her desk.

Maggie barely had time to feel the sting of guilt before it happened.

A sharp, tingling sensation erupted across her scalp, like a thousand needles pricking her skin. Her head burned, her hair feeling impossibly heavy.

Her hands flew to her head. She gasped as her fingers tangled in thick, silken strands of hair far longer than they had been that morning. Her heart pounded as she grabbed a compact mirror from her bag and opened it.

Her hair, once a modest brunette, was now a striking platinum blonde, cascading past her shoulders. It gleamed unnaturally, catching even the faintest light and shimmering like spun gold.

“No,” she whispered, her pulse racing. “This can’t be happening.”

She tried tying it back into a bun, but the volume made it impossible to hide. Panicked, she grabbed her scarf from her bag and wrapped it tightly around her head, tucking every strand of hair out of sight.

The rest of the day passed in a haze. Maggie avoided everyone, keeping her head down and her hands busy. She didn’t dare look at Diane, guilt twisting in her stomach every time she thought about her offhanded comment.

When the workday ended, she practically ran to her car, her scarf still firmly in place.

At dinner, Maggie avoided Scott’s gaze, her nerves fraying with every passing minute.

“What’s with the scarf?,” Scott said, raising an eyebrow. “It’s not cold in here.”

“Oh, this?” Maggie laughed nervously, adjusting the knot at the back of her head. “I just… thought I’d try something new. You know, accessorize a little.”

Scott studied her for a moment before shrugging. “Okay. Looks nice.”

She forced a smile and continued with dinner.

Later that night, Maggie sat on the edge of the bed, waiting for Scott to fall asleep. She could hear his breathing slow, his body relaxing beside her.

Carefully, she untied the scarf, letting the blonde waves spill over her shoulders. They felt impossibly soft and heavy, cascading over her back.

“Unbelievable,” she whispered to herself, staring at her reflection in the darkened window.

A soft rustle behind her made her freeze.

“Maggie?” Scott’s voice was quiet, barely above a whisper.

Her heart dropped. She turned slowly, clutching the scarf in her hands.

Scott was propped up on one elbow, his eyes adjusting to the dim light. He said nothing for a moment, just looking at her hair.

Finally, he spoke. “When were you going to tell me you dyed your hair?”

Maggie exhaled sharply, relief and panic mixing in her chest. “I wasn’t sure how you’d react,” she lied.

Scott smiled faintly, his voice soft. “It’s… different. But it’s beautiful.”

She managed a weak smile, nodding as she tied the scarf back around her head. “Thanks.”

Scott lay back down, his breathing evening out again as he drifted off.

Maggie sat in the dark, staring at her reflection.

“I just have to be good for one more day,” she whispered to herself. 

But deep down, she knew this wasn’t going to get any easier.

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

The morning of the next day passed uneventfully. Maggie kept her head down, her scarf tied firmly around her head to hide her golden hair. She moved through her tasks quietly, avoiding interactions with coworkers.

By lunchtime, she was feeling cautiously optimistic again.

Maggie sat alone in the corner of the restaurant, picking at her sandwich.  She leaned back, letting her mind wander.

That’s when she saw them.

Two women sat at a nearby table, leaning close to each other. They whispered, laughed, and then kissed. At first it was a quick peck that turned into something more passionate. One of them giggled, brushing the other’s cheek.

Maggie stiffened, her gaze locking on them. Her thoughts turned sharp and unkind. Seriously? In public? Can’t they keep that to themselves?

The judgment felt immediate and visceral, and she had to stop herself from scowling outright.

As soon as the thought crossed her mind, the now-familiar tingling sensation returned. But this time, it wasn’t her hands or her scalp.

It was her lips.

The tingling intensified, spreading through her mouth as a strange warmth bloomed in her cheeks. She reached up, her fingers brushing against her lips…and froze.

They were swelling.

Her heart raced as the sensation grew. Her lips puffed up, becoming full and plush, the skin soft and hypersensitive. Every movement of her mouth sent faint, pleasurable shocks rippling through her.

Maggie bolted to the bathroom, avoiding eye contact with anyone. She slammed the stall door shut and stared at her reflection in the mirror.

Her lips were enormous, gleaming as though coated in gloss. She touched them hesitantly, and a wave of unexpected pleasure shivered down her spine. She gasped, pulling her hand away.

“No,” she whispered. “Not again.”

Her mind raced, trying to come up with a way to hide the change. She grabbed a tissue from the counter and dabbed at her lips, but nothing helped.

Back at her desk, Maggie sat stiffly, keeping her face turned toward her computer screen. It wasn’t long before someone noticed.

“Whoa,” Diane said, stopping by Maggie’s desk. “When did you get those done?”

Maggie blinked at her, confused. “What?”

“The lip fillers,” Diane said, gesturing toward her mouth. “They’re so… dramatic.”

Maggie forced a laugh. “Oh, yeah. Just… wanted to try something new,” she lied, the words awkward as they left her swollen lips.

Diane smiled. “They look amazing. Totally worth it.”

“Thanks,” Maggie mumbled, turning back to her screen.

The rest of the day was a blur of awkward conversations and attempts to avoid being noticed. Every smile, every word she spoke, sent faint shocks of pleasure coursing through her, making it impossible to focus.

When she finally got home, Maggie barely managed to fake her way through small talk with Scott. Her lips tingled incessantly, and her scarf felt suffocating.

“You okay?” Scott asked, giving her a curious look.

“Yeah,” she said quickly. “Just tired. I’m going to shower.”

She fled to the bathroom, locking the door behind her. Pulling off her scarf, she stared at her reflection. Sharp, red nails with long bright-blonde hair and puffy lips.

“This has to stop,” she whispered, gripping the edge of the sink.

But when she stepped out of the bathroom, Scott was waiting for her in the hallway.

“You’re acting weird again,” he said softly. “What’s going on, Maggie?”

She opened her mouth to brush him off, but the sight of him standing there made her chest ache. Before she could stop herself, she stepped forward and kissed him.

The sensation was electric. Her swollen lips tingled with pleasure, sending a rush of heat through her body. She pulled away quickly, her cheeks burning.

Scott blinked, clearly surprised, but he smiled. “Not that I’m complaining, but what was that for?”

“Just… because,” Maggie said, her voice shaky.

She smiled faintly, though her heart was racing. As Scott walked back to the living room, she ran into the bathroom.  The lingering sensation of the kiss still made her shiver and she needed release.  She started the shower and stripped herself naked.

Her fingers found their way to her needy clit.  She started frantically rubbing, trying to satisfy the hunger she felt growing all day.  She nicked herself a couple of times with her sharp nails but quickly brought herself to climax.

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

Maggie stood in front of the mirror the next morning, staring at her reflection. She sighed, tugging at a strand of hair. Why bother hiding it anymore? She hadn’t managed to keep her lips unnoticed, and sooner or later, people would notice the rest.

At work, Maggie’s confidence crumbled quickly.

Her nails clicked against the keyboard as she tried to type, the long, sharp talons making it nearly impossible to press the right keys. Each mistake grated on her nerves.

Her lips were no better, tingling with sensitivity that made speaking uncomfortable. Every word sent faint, pleasurable ripples through her, leaving her flustered and distracted.

She shifted in her chair, tapping her nails absently against the desk as she stared at the screen. The rhythmic click, click, click gave her a brief sense of calm. until she noticed the faint scratches left behind.

Her eyes widened as she ran her nails over the surface again. Tiny flakes of wood chipped away under the pressure.

“Unbelievable,” she muttered, pulling her hands back.

By mid-morning, Maggie knew she wasn’t getting anything done. The frustration of trying to work with her transformed body was too much.

She approached her boss’s office, her heart pounding. Bill was in the middle of a phone call when she knocked on the doorframe.

He waved her in, covering the receiver. “What is it, Maggie?”

She hesitated, clutching the edge of the door she faked a cough. “I… I’m not feeling well,” she said finally. “I think I need to go home.”

Bill frowned, glancing at her hair and lips, but didn’t comment. “Fine. Just make sure you log your hours.”

“Thank you,” she said quickly, turning to leave.

Maggie had barely made it halfway down the hall when it hit her.

A sharp, intense pressure swelled in her chest, forcing her to clutch at the wall for support. The fabric of her blouse pulled tight across her chest, and her bra straps bit into her shoulders as her breasts grew larger, rounder, and impossibly heavy.

Her breathing quickened as the transformation completed. She glanced down, her cheeks burning as she saw the buttons of her blouse straining to hold together. The outline of her swollen chest was impossible to ignore.

“No,” she whispered, tears welling in her eyes. “No, no, no…”

Realization struck like a blow: she had lied. She wasn’t sick. She just wanted to escape.

Her heels clicked against the tile as she rushed toward the exit, her arms crossed tightly over her chest to shield herself from curious eyes.

Once she reached her car, Maggie slammed the door shut and broke down, tears streaming down her face.

She looked ridiculous. Between her golden hair, swollen lips, and now her overly large chest, she felt like a caricature of herself.

“I can’t do this,” she sobbed, leaning her forehead against the steering wheel. “I can’t.”

But deep down, she knew she didn’t have a choice. The deal was binding, and she had one more day to get it right or to fail completely.

She wiped at her eyes. What am I going to tell Scott?

She decided to text Scott that she’d be home very late, swamped at work and for him not to wait up for her.  She killed time driving around aimlessly until she knew Scott would be asleep.

She snuck into the bedroom and fell into a worried rest.

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

Maggie woke early the next day. Beside her, Scott was still fast asleep, his face peaceful. She smiled faintly at the sight of him but quickly turned away, her resolve hardening. I just need to get through today, she thought.

On the kitchen counter, she left a handwritten note:

Gone for a hike. Needed some air. Be back later. Love you.

Grabbing a bottle of water and her hiking boots, she slipped out the door before Scott woke up.

The trail was secluded, winding through a forest thick with pine trees. Maggie hadn’t seen another soul since parking her car, and she was relieved by the solitude. The cool morning air smelled of earth and dew, and the crunch of gravel under her boots was the only sound she heard.

She walked for hours, letting her mind wander. For the first time in days, she felt like herself again. No one was watching her. No one was judging her. She didn’t have to lie, hide, or explain anything to anyone.

She stopped at a clearing, sitting on a large rock overlooking a small stream. The sunlight danced on the water’s surface, and Maggie found herself smiling.

This is what I’ve been missing, she thought. Peace.

As the sun began to set, Maggie made her way back down the trail. She’d spent the entire day without seeing a single person, without saying a single word. She’d been careful, thoughtful, and good.

When she pulled into the driveway, relief flooded her. She’d done it. I made it through the day.

Stepping inside, Maggie called out, “Scott? I’m home!”

“In the living room,” he answered.

Her heart lifted slightly at the sound of his voice, calm and familiar. But when she stepped into the room, she was met with a surprise.

Scott was sitting on the couch, looking at her curiously. Next to him, perched casually with his hands folded, was the mysterious man. His dark eyes gleamed as they roved over her, lingering on her blonde hair, swollen lips, and curvier figure.

“You’ve been busy, Maggie,” the man said warmly, his smile almost kind.

Maggie froze in place, her pulse hammering. Her hiking outfit did nothing to hide her new breasts. Her golden hair spilled over her shoulders, and her full lips glistened in the light. But it was the tightness of the tank top across her now-large chest that drew Scott’s attention first.

Scott’s expression shifted from confusion to shock. His eyes darted to her chest, widening as he registered the dramatic change.

“What the hell?” he said, standing abruptly. “Maggie… what is this?” His gaze swept over her, taking in her impossibly blonde hair, her plumped lips, and now her noticeably larger breasts.

Maggie winced, crossing her arms over her chest, but it did little to disguise the size. “Scott, I…”

“You haven’t been very good,” the man continued, his tone light, as though discussing the weather.

Scott’s head whipped toward him. “Who are you?” he demanded, his voice sharp. He turned back to Maggie, his confusion mingling with anger. “Maggie, what is going on? What happened to you?”

Her lips parted, a rush of heat flooding her cheeks. “I—”

“I mean,” he said, tilting his head as though considering, “you’ve certainly had your moments. But goodness? True goodness? That’s been in short supply, hasn’t it?”

Maggie swallowed hard, her shoulders slumping. “I know,” she admitted softly, her voice trembling. “I wasn’t as good as I wanted to be. But today…today I was good. All day.”

She straightened, forcing herself to meet his gaze. “That makes three days out of seven. I passed.”

The man’s smile widened slightly, a glint of amusement in his dark eyes. He inclined his head politely, as if acknowledging a fair point.

“Well,” he said, his tone almost playful, “she has done the math.”

“What the hell is going on?” Scott interjected, his voice sharp with confusion. He looked between them, his brow furrowed. “Who is this? And what is he talking about?”

Maggie opened her mouth, her mind racing for an explanation.

“He’s…” she began, her voice faltering. She glanced at the man, who raised a curious eyebrow, waiting patiently as though this were all part of a game.

Scott leaned forward, his expression tense and demanding. “Maggie, who is he?”

She hesitated, forcing a nervous laugh. “He’s… someone who’s been helping us. Helping me.”

Scott frowned deeply. “Helping? What does that mean? Helping with what?”

The man’s smile returned, slow and sharp. “Yes, Maggie,” he said softly, his voice laced with amusement. “Why don’t you tell him exactly how I’ve been helping?”

Her breath caught. She stared at Scott, then at the man, and back again. The truth hovered on the edge of her tongue, impossible to say without breaking the deal.

She glanced at the man again, her lips trembling. His expression was calm, expectant, like a predator watching prey corner itself.

“I…I can’t,” she whispered, her voice breaking.

The man’s eyes glinted with triumph. “Can’t you?”

Maggie’s heart raced, her pulse loud in her ears. The rules of the deal echoed in her mind: You can’t tell anyone about this arrangement.

Scott’s voice broke through her spiraling thoughts. “Maggie. Tell me the truth. What is this? What’s going on?”

Her hands shook as she looked between them, her husband and the man who held her fate. She could feel the trap closing around her.

Her lips parted, and she spoke the only words that mattered. “Scott… I made a deal.”

Scott stared at Maggie, his healthy face pale as confusion twisted his features. “What do you mean, a deal?” he asked, his voice trembling.

Maggie swallowed hard, her entire body trembling under the weight of her confession. “I… I made a deal with him,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I wanted to help you, Scott. To make you better, to fix everything. He promised he could cure you and take away all of our financial problems.”

Scott’s eyes darted to the man, sitting serenely on the couch with an air of polite detachment. “And you believed him?”

“I didn’t at first,” Maggie said, her voice cracking. “But then you started getting better. And the bills—they started disappearing. I thought… I thought I could handle it. Seven days. I just had to be good for seven days.”

“Good?” Scott echoed, his confusion giving way to horror. “What does that even mean?”

Maggie turned away, tears streaming down her face. “No lying. No snapping. No selfishness. Every time I messed up, he said it would show. And it did.”

Scott sat back, his hand running through his hair. “So all of this—your hair, your lips… everything—you didn’t tell me because you couldn’t.”

“I wasn’t allowed to tell anyone,” Maggie said, her voice breaking. “It was part of the deal. If I broke the rules…”

The man smiled faintly. “The consequences were clear, weren’t they, Maggie?”

Scott’s expression darkened, his fists clenching. “And now what? You’ve done all this to help me, and what, you’re here to rub it in?” He glared at the man. “What do you want? What’s your ‘due?’”

The man chuckled softly, leaning forward as his sharp gaze locked on Scott. “Ah, Scott. You misunderstand. I’ve already kept my end of the bargain. You’re healthy. The bills are gone. Everything is as Maggie wished it to be.”

Scott’s jaw tightened. “So you’re saying you’ve won.”

The man tilted his head slightly, his smile turning sharp. “Precisely. And now I collect.” ------------------------------------------------------------ I have an ending that I'll post, but I really want you all to help me out. What do you think happens to Maggie? I'll write multiple endings based on your input. Just reply to this story with your ideas.

[wheredidhiseyebrowsgo]

Can I get some steter with morally dubious Stiles?

You sure can! @kevaaronday made this list.

A Darkness Follows by havok2cat (9/9 | 41,994 | Explicit | Steter) Stiles serves his community service at Beacon Hills Memorial Hospital. He's assigned to a mysterious patient and finds himself quickly becoming obsessed.

As most wrong theories are by PotatoYoghurt

(46/46 | 35,150 | Explicit | Stetopher) The world takes everything from Stiles.

Stiles decides to take it back.

Null & Void by skargasm (18/18 | 28,762 | Explicit | Steter) In a world full of the supernatural and superpowers, everyone eagerly awaits their 18th birthday to ‘receive’ their gift. On his 18th birthday, Stiles Stilinski comes into his powers and finds out in the most horrific way possible that his gift is more of a curse – one unguarded touch, and he absorbs both a person’s gift andtheir life-force. 

Determined to keep his friends and family safe, he moves away from his home and takes a job with the government, taking away the gifts of those who would abuse them. As one of the most powerful – and potentially dangerous – people in the world, Void feels completely alone. 

Peter Hale’s gift is incredibly prized – mainly because no one is allowed to openly discuss what their gift is. Working within the P.A.C.K. bureau, he keeps his family safe and does the world a service. No-one’s gift can touch him, and he is one of the very few who can tell what someone’s gift is from one simple touch. 

So what does he do with this ruthless but attractive new partner who refuses to let Peter touch him?

To Court a (Oblivious) Werewolf by StilesIsMySpiritAnimal (5/5 | 25,437 | Explicit | Steter) There was no mistaking that this was the Spark.

He walked with a lethal grace, hands in his pockets and head tilted down slightly. His entire body had a soft glow to it.

Three bodies moved in unison to flank him, and they walked the remaining distance to the pack.

As if sensing his perusal, the boy looked up, right at Peter, his whiskey-colored eyes flashing in the sun.

Oh. Peter briefly wondered if the young man hid his face for safety, or because every ‘wolf within ten miles would be looking to court him.

Perhaps by Triskuit (1/1 | 7,168 | Explicit | Steter) Stiles and Peter run into each other when attempting to kill the same people. They get together and go a-murderin'.

-----

“Should we be comparing lists or something?”

There was an amused snort. “Perhaps.”

They stood around awkwardly for a few moments and then Stiles went to get a closer look at the thoroughly shredded Body Formerly Known As Todd.

“You’re not going to ask?” the werewolf blurted.

There was surprise and incredulity in his voice. And was that a hint of disappointment? Stiles bet he had a whole spiel prepared. He smirked.

“About what? You’re a guy who turns into a wolf-bear creature. And? Do you have another trick up your sleeve? Some fascinating hobby?”

The werewolf erupted into a full-body laugh, mouth open and eyes sparkling — Stiles was close enough now to see that they were blue — and he was pleased to elicit such a response. He wanted to hear that sound again. 

Aconite is Forever by threedices (1/1 | 5,636 | Teen | Steter) Magic helps Stiles find his soulmate. Knowing Peter exists is a comfort after his mother's death.

While magic doesn't stop the Hale fire it allows Stiles to bring Peter back when he thinks sacrificing himself for Stiles is a good idea (the fool).

Too Good to be True by stellewrites (1/1 | 5,256 | Teen | Steter) “This is a big fucking job, Ali,” Stiles said tiredly as he looked over the blueprints for the banks. “I’ll be doing you more than a favour if I do this. It’s peak time for tourists, so that means that cops are going to be more alert than usual. We won’t have much time.” 

“So, you’re in?” She confirmed. 

“Yeah, I’m in,” he said

“Who the fuck actually robs a bank in Las Vegas?” Peter murmured, feeling hysterical when he saw the masked group spread around the bank. 

--- 

Peter's on holiday with his friends in Las Vegas when he gets caught up in a bank robbery. One of the robbers has really pretty eyes - not that Peter noticed…

To Captivate a Killer by Noxnthea (1/1 | 2,000 | Teen | Steter) “The problem is that I’m not sure whether I want to kill him or kiss him.”

There’s silence from the Sheriff’s end of the spell before his father says, “Really, Stiles?” 

Stiles has accepted a contract to assassinate the Hale prince. It’s not panning out quite like he expected.

Just Calm Down by SnakePit1995 (1/1 | 1,085 | Gen | Steter) Stiles putting wards on Peter's apartment was easily the best decision he ever made. They worked perfectly and saved them time and time again. The intent wards were an everlasting argument but Stiles was never going to take them down. 

OR

The intent wards don't let Peter into the apartment when he's angry and Stiles finds it endlessly entertaining.

[morganbritton132]

Post- Robin face reveal but pre-Robin identity reveal, Kon sees Tim among the hostages of an armed bank robbery he just thwarted in Metropolis. He flies over to him fully intending on making fun of him for getting caught up in it.

“Hey, Rob…” realizes a second too late that Robin isn’t alone and he’s about to blow his secret identity in front of… Bruce freaking Wayne?? “…ing. Robbing. You. Yeah, um. Im robbing you.”

Tim blinks incredulous, “What?”

“Yeah, I’m robbing you right now,” Kon says, committing to this decision. “Gimme your wallet or I’ll… I’ll beat you up with my tactile-telekinesis. You too, Mr Wayne.”

[glass-apothecary]

Abby Baby

Chapter 1 - The Proposal

AO3 | Masterlist

Note: Abby is a is a veteran of the coast guard and has a little PTSD. Can be read as Abby/Reader either being married or not married.

You and Abby have a baby <3

Abby was acting weird.

The whole week she was avoiding you. Getting up early and coming to bed late. In the evenings, when you would usually cuddle on the couch and watch Round Planet, Abby was excusing herself to her office to type away on her laptop. A dark part of you wondered if she was cheating. But Abby wouldn’t, right? And besides, it felt like she was getting calls from Nora and Manny almost every day and neither of them would abide by infidelity. 

As you plated dinner – a side of brown rice for her and white for you – you resolved to ask her about it.

Abby didn’t lie to you. When she was hiding something, she kept quiet. Lying by omission, maybe.

As you approached the table you saw that Abby was on her phone again, swiftly tucking in away as you set down the plates. 

“Food looks beautiful, darling.” She smiled sweetly at you.

God the things that smile did to you… but no, focus .

“Abby, I’ve been wanting to talk to you.” You said, fidgeting with your silverware.

“Oh?” She looked at you suspiciously. 

“I feel like you've been acting different lately. You’re spending less lime with me, you’re on the phone all the time, I… I’m just worried.”

You looked up to see Abby had paused with the fork halfway to her mouth. She set it down and cleared her throat. There was something, you thought.

She took a moment before replying. You forced your hummingbird heart to settle. You trusted Abby for a reason, it would all be okay.

“You’re right.” She said simply, taking your hands in hers across the table. “I’ve been working on something. Something good! I promise. I was going to tell you tomorrow. Is there any chance you can just trust me until then?” She rubbed her thumbs soothingly across your knuckles, gazing at you with those god damned puppy eyes.

You folded, because of course you did. She could convince you to rob a bank if she wanted.

“Fine, but this better be good.” You raised an eyebrow at her.

“Oh, it is.”

~♡~

The next day, you woke to Abby gently brushing her thumb against your cheek. When she saw your eyes start to open, she smiled. 

“Hey there, sleepyhead.” She kissed your forehead and laughed when you wrinkled your nose. 

Once you were fully awake and sitting up, you noticed a tray on your table. 

“Abigail Anderson, did you bring me breakfast in bed?” 

“Why yes I did.” Abby replied in an overly formal manner, to poke fun at you for using her full name.

“Is this what you’ve been ‘working on?’” You asked skeptically.

“No,” she replied. Moving the tray over your lap. “This is just a thank you for putting up with me.”

You chuckled. Putting up with Abby was your favorite pastime.

“Always.”

~♡~

Once you were dressed, Abby let you know she would be heading out. Much to your dismay.

“Darling, I have some errands to run, and then I’ll be having lunch with Manny. I’ll be back around four for your surprise” She wiggled her eyebrows like an adorable idiot. 

You resisted the urge to frown, holding Abby’s face in your hands while she wrapped hers around your waist. The last thing you wanted from Abby right now was more space.

“You and Manny going to Group today?” You asked.

Abby had completed her Coast Guard service seven years ago. She hadn’t told you everything, but she didn’t need to, all you knew was that she came home with a fucked up shoulder and a medal hidden in the back of her closet. 

Once she was home, her government issue therapist recommended she go to veterans anonymous meetings at the community center. She met Manny there, and they bonded over their complicated feelings about their service. The meetings really seemed to help her, she always seemed more at ease afterwards.

She turned her head and kissed your palm. “Yeah, is that okay?” She asked sincerely.

You playfully glared at her. “Abbs, you never need my permission to go to Group, or anywhere for that matter.”

“I know… it’s just, I feel bad for being distant recently. I think I was under the impression that I was being more stealthy than I actually was.”

You chuckled. “Abby. I love you and I trust you.” You dramatically pushed her to the door. “And stealth has never been one of your talents.” You playfully patted her on the ass to send her on her way. She had a dramatically over-the-top look of betrayal painted across her gorgeous face as you chuckled at her. 

You were standing over the threshold of your front door, with Abby standing on your welcome mat.

But oh, god! When she stuck out her bottom lip in a melodramatic pout, it took every fibre of your being not to pull her back in the house and ride her face until the only expression she could make was exhaustion.

You settled for a lingering kiss.

~♡~

By the time Abby’s car pulled into the driveway, you were beyond bored. You had deep cleaned the oven, finished painting the attic that also served as your office/studio, taken a nap, and watered the garden. You were laying on the couch reading when she opened the front door. She set her bags down by the door and laid on the couch with you, wiggling her head between your book and your face. 

“You smell like outside.” You complained. A small price to pay to cuddle with your lover.

She buried her face in your chest. “This is the part where I was supposed to convince you to go on a spontaneous date or something so I could bring you to the thing.”

“You want me to go get dressed?“ You asked as you scratched softly at Abby’s scalp.

She looked up at you with eyes half-closed in pleasure. “Mmm...” After another moment of head scritches, she continued. “Yes. Cocktail attire please.” 

You rolled your eyes, Abby and her dress codes. As you disentangled yourself from Abby and set off toward the bedroom, you said “Fine but only if you wear that gay ass suit I like.” You half-shouted back at Abby.

She saluted you and said, “yes, ma’am!”

~♡~

Abby took you to Montressor, a beautiful – if grimly named – winery. The building was beautiful. With natural wood floors, solid oak tables and chairs, and a beautiful exposed beam ceiling, The place smelled like the inside of a damn barrel. Giant floor to ceiling windows let in the warm light of a setting sun and the candles and chandeliers gave the place a welcoming charm. One side of the building had a more casual wine bar, and the other side functioned as a restaurant. It was small, no more than six tables on each side. And it was the perfect place for a date.

And yes, she was in that suit you liked – perfectly fitted trousers and a loose button shirt that was unbuttoned just enough to see a hint of breasts.

You whispered to Abby as the host led you to the wine bar, “I was gonna say you need to buy me a drink to get in my pants, but it seems like you have that covered.” 

She chuckled softly at your joke as you were seated. Instead of menus, they brought out a very fancy bottle the two of you had been meaning to try. When you looked at Abby with raised eyebrows, she replied sheepishly.

“I picked it out ahead of time” 

The impatient part of you wanted her to spill her whole plan immediately. But if there was anything you learned from Abby, it was that patience was rewarded. So with great difficulty, you settled into an easy conversation with the woman you loved. 

About a half hour later, as you poured your second glass, Abby’s energy changed. Anticipation, maybe? Something softer?

“So I, uh.” She cleared her throat and reached into her coat pocket. She held something small in her lap as she continued. 

“I know we’ve talked about this before. And I know that there might never be a perfect time, but I’ve been doing well recently, we’ve been doing well, and I… I love you, and–” She squeezed her eyes shut. “Fuck, I’m doing this out of order.”

She was flustered. Sometimes Abby wound herself up so much that all you could do was anchor her while she untangled her thoughts. You reached across the table and took her hand. 

She took a deep breath. Resetting. “There is a reason I brought you here. ” She looked at you. Her eyes sparkled in the candlelight. 

“I brought you here because if this goes well, It’ll be a while before I can drink again.” She said. You cocked your head.

She produced a small velvet box. Bigger than a ring box, but too small to be anything but jewelry. 

Abby looked at you with nothing but love and admiration in her eyes and said the most romantic thing she could think of at that moment.

“Put a baby in me.”

Both you, and the waiter passing your table sputtered at the unexpected turn of phrase. Abby winced in embarrassment and rushed to correct herself. 

“ With me! Fuck. Have a baby… with me.” Her face flushed scarlet, no doubt helped by the wine.  

You laughed good naturedly and stood from the table as Abby held her face in her hands. You rounded to her side and took her chin gently in your hand, turning her to face you. Her eyes searched yours, but she wasn’t left waiting for a response for long. “Oh, my love. I would be honored to have a baby with you.” You pulled her up to standing and you kissed her. 

You and Abby must have kissed a thousand times before. Some short and fleeting, some with passion so intense you thought it might end you, some awkward and giggly. But this one, this one was one for the books. You kissed away her embarrassment, her fear and anxiety. With each press of your lips you told her that you would always be hers and yet, you couldn’t wait to share her with someone. 

The kiss went on for far longer than was decent in a public space.

When you finally separated yourselves, Abby had the most endearing smile on her face, one you knew nothing could erase. As you seated yourselves back down, you shot apologetic glances at the waitstaff. Abby had her fingers pressed to her lips as if she was still reeling from the kiss and you were just watching her. 

“Um, in the box. It’s a gift.” She gestured for you to open it.

Inside was a breathtakingly delicate gold pendant. The centerpiece was an ornate, yet simple, setting for a single gem. A gem which was not currently present. 

“It’s beautiful, Abby–” You said, an unspoken question in your words.

“It’s incomplete, I know. It’s for the baby’s birthstone, whatever it ends up being.” She pulled another, smaller box out of her pocket. “I have a matching ring.” She pulled out a white gold ring with a similarly missing stone. 

Your Abby. Your beautiful, creative, thoughtful Abby. The mother of your theoretical child.

~♡~

One text and a few minutes later, the whole gang arrived. Manny and one of his partners, Leah and Jordan, Nora, and Mel and Owen. The latter couple seemed like an invite of necessity. They were your friends but it was the tiniest bit awkward. Mel and Nora owned a medical practice together and Owen was Abby’s high school boyfriend. At the end of the day it was just easier to invite them. 

They all showed up dressed impeccably, and at your questioning look, Abby explained they had been waiting for the signal. It had all been planned out. The host moved your group to the restaurant side of Montressor. It was somewhere between an engagement party and a baby shower, as a few friends brought you small baby gifts. 

It was perfect, celebrating with your friends. Watching Abby receive congratulations and getting a few yourself. You had to pinch yourself a few times just to be sure you weren’t dreaming. As the night went on, the table opened another couple bottles. You cut yourself off at the third glass when you heard Manny suggest he and Abby do shots. Abby didn’t drink often, except for an occasional glass of wine, for one very good reason. She was a lightweight. Despite her heavy frame, she could not hold her liquor. It was usually with Manny that she ended up less-than-sober. Now it couldn’t be said that Abby wasn’t a fun drunk, between her third and fourth drinks she got giggly and sweet, an interesting contrast to her usual shy and reserved exterior. Between four and five, she got bold. Singing karaoke and proposing outlandish schemes. Anything past that, Abby got hungry and/or sleepy. You had a very fond memory of her curling up in the corner of a house party at Nora’s with half a loaf of bread.

By the end of the night, Abby was saying something about a ‘scape room,’ which Nora helpfully translated into ‘escape room.’ She was disappointed that you wouldn’t let her until you helpfully reminded her that you had girl scout cookies at home.

In the back of the cab, with Abby curled up at your side, you wondered if it was even possible to be happier. If it was, you knew it’d only happen with her. 

You weren’t going to sleep with her when you were at different levels of intoxication but there was no harm in a little teasing. God knows Abby sure teased you as often as she could. When Abby laid a crooked kiss on your cheek, you turned and whispered suggestively in her ear.

“Abbs, I can’t wait to put a baby in you.”

She did that thing drunk people sometimes do, where she widened her eyes in surprise but at the speed of a turtle on Xanax. It was the funniest thing you’d seen in a while.

You were still laughing when the driver pulled onto your block.

[daryl-dixon-daydreams]

"You came here just to give me this?" you asked, smiling as Daryl set down the little bouquet of purple asters on the table beside your bed. They were tied in a small bit of twine and you felt yourself flushing. You already saved my life and brought me into this—" you glanced around the clinic and then out the window at the neat row of houses across the street. "—rather miraculous place. Plus, I'm sort of gathering that you're a big deal around here, though you won't admit it. But I'm sure you have better things to be doing than bringing me flowers."

Daryl shifted nervously, wringing his hands a little, and ducked his head. "Nah. We're all equal 'round here. Ain't no such thing as bein' a big deal, specially not me. S'part of what makes this place work. And—" he shrugged, "—I just wanted to check on ya, see how you're feelin'."

You smiled at him, even though it tugged on the stitches in your face. "Better. Thanks. Denise gave me some of the good painkillers for my head so... don't believe anything I say right now," you joked.

Daryl let out a small amused exhale and the corners of his mouth tugged upwards.

"Wow. Hey. That was almost a laugh," you said, grinning at him.

Daryl shook his head and scratched nervously at a non-existent itch. "Well, I—better go."

"See. I knew you were a big deal around here. More important things to do," you said, settling back against your pillow and glancing again at the flowers he'd brought. The sudden image of this big, strong, rather stoic man searching out and picking those tiny flowers for you suddenly rushed forward and you bit your bottom lip.

"No—ya just—ya should rest, ya know? Yer—ya need rest. Gotta heal up."

"Daryl, I'm not gonna drop dead if you stay for more than 5 minutes."

He waved you off, rolling his eyes and then paused, chewing on his bottom lip for a moment. "Uhh—I could—come by again later?" he hesitated. "Could I?"

Your eyebrows lifted. "Are you asking?"

He shrugged. "I dunno... kinda... I just—if ya'd rather I didn't—"

You were beaming at him. "Shut up. Come by later. Please. Whenever you have time."

Daryl nodded, suddenly losing all his nerve, and he avoided your gaze and turned to leave before glancing back. "Oh—uhh, I'll bring by somethin' for ya to eat later, too. Just—so dun have dinner, alright? Denise, she's—she's a great doctor but she can't cook for shit... nothin' anybody but Dog can stomach anyway."

"Alright," you laughed. "Then—it's a dinner date."

Daryl nearly tripped over his own feet getting to the door. He felt like a man who'd just successfully robbed a bank...

[10l302]

၊၊||၊|။||||။‌‌‌‌‌၊| APOCALYPSE; AHN YUJIN [안유진]

ׂ╰┈➤ rebel!yujin x loser!reader

[cw: smoking (again lol)]

a/n: internally hated the other one so here's another one with a totally different title but basically the same plot lmao but I'm almost done with a smut for this one. Just you wait 🤞🏼and I'm almost done with a christmas special but haven't decided which idol to use yet... Share your thoughts lol

“This is insane,” Y/N whispered, glancing over her shoulder at the school building they’d just snuck out of. “We’re going to get caught, and I’m going to get expelled, and then my parents will kill me—”

“Relax, princess,” Yujin interrupted, flashing her trademark smirk. She leaned casually against the fence near the bleachers, pulling a cigarette from her pocket. “You worry too much.”

Y/N folded her arms, her brow furrowed. “And you don’t worry enough! We’re supposed to be in class, Yujin! Biology class. This isn’t exactly—”

Yujin struck a match, lighting her cigarette with practiced ease. She exhaled slowly, the smoke curling in the chilly air. “Let me guess. This isn’t ‘responsible,’ right?” She took a step closer, her dark eyes gleaming with mischief. “You’re way too uptight, babe. Live a little.”

“I—” Y/N stammered, stepping back until her shoulder bumped against one of the bleacher supports. “I don’t want to ‘live a little.’ I want to pass my classes and graduate without ending up in detention—or jail!”

Yujin laughed, a low, throaty sound that sent a shiver down Y/N’s spine. “Jail? Really? You’re skipping one class, not robbing a bank.” She took another drag from her cigarette, then tilted her head. “But I’ll admit, you’re pretty cute when you’re freaking out.”

Y/N’s cheeks burned. “I’m not freaking out—”

Yujin cut her off by leaning in, one hand braced against the bleacher pole beside Y/N’s head. The other hand, cigarette still between her fingers, hung lazily at her side.

“Take a deep breath,” Yujin said softly, her voice a teasing whisper.

Y/N froze. “Yujin—”

And then Yujin kissed her.

It was sudden and soft, yet electric. Yujin’s lips were warm, contrasting with the cool metal of the bleacher against Y/N’s back. The faint taste of smoke lingered in the kiss, but Yujin’s confidence—her ease—was what consumed Y/N entirely.

Y/N gasped, her hands instinctively gripping the front of Yujin’s jacket. She hadn’t expected this—not here, not now, not while her heart was racing for an entirely different reason.

Yujin pulled back slightly, her lips barely brushing against Y/N’s. “Feel better?” she asked, her smirk returning.

Y/N blinked, her mind a chaotic swirl of panic and longing. “That’s—You can’t just do that to shut me up!”

“Worked, didn’t it?” Yujin teased, taking one last drag of her cigarette before flicking it onto the ground. She crushed it under her boot, her eyes never leaving Y/N’s.

“That’s not the point!” Y/N protested, though her voice wavered.

Yujin leaned in again, her hands sliding to rest on Y/N’s waist. “What’s the point, then?”

Y/N’s resolve crumbled as Yujin kissed her again, this time deeper, more deliberate. Y/N’s hands hesitantly slid up Yujin’s arms, clutching her shoulders for support. She felt Yujin smile against her lips, a silent acknowledgment of her surrender.

By the time they broke apart, Y/N was breathless, her cheeks flushed. “This is… so wrong,” she murmured, though she made no move to push Yujin away.

Yujin chuckled, brushing a strand of Y/N’s hair behind her ear. “Wrong feels pretty good, doesn’t it?”

Y/N glared at her half-heartedly. “You’re impossible.”

“And you’re adorable,” Yujin shot back, her tone softer now. She stepped back, her hands lingering on Y/N’s waist for a moment longer. “Come on, let’s skip one more class. I promise not to get you into too much trouble.”

Y/N hesitated, glancing at the school building in the distance. Her logical side screamed at her to go back. But as Yujin grabbed her hand, lacing their fingers together with a mischievous grin, Y/N couldn’t find it in herself to resist.

“Just this once,” Y/N muttered, earning an amused chuckle from Yujin as she pulled her to the back gate.

[miryum]

"Halloween"

Summary: Detective!Jason Todd x detective!Reader based on Jake and Amy's relationship

Series Warnings: Swearing, descriptions of violence (but nothing descriptive), guns and other police stuff

Series Masterlist

“I- I don’t like Halloween.” Tim manoeuvred around a packed, crazed precinct. “Especially in Gotham. So many people in weird costumes doing weird shit that we have to fix.”

“The holding cell’s completely full,” Jason called from where he was pushing a Raggedy Ann into the folds of costume. Raggedy Ann blew him a kiss and Jason stalked over to his desk opposite Y/n’s. “So many people have slipped me their phone numbers or thought I was a stripper.”

“Seems like you should follow your true calling then, Jaybird,” Y/n said. “You’d make an excellent stripper.” She winked dramatically at him and said, “I’d be first in line to see you.” 

Before Jason could cuss Y/n out, Steph said, “Seriously, we need to do something about the prisoners. We’ve already had to separate Kim Jong-Un and Hillary Clinton.”

Y/n was walking past the holding cell when she noticed a Hillary Cilton practically in the lap of a Kim Jong-Un, sucking his face off. “Hey! Hey!” She barged through the door and attempted to pull Hillary off. “Come on, now! What would Bill think? I mean,” she paused and muttered, “he kind of deserves it, but you could do so much better than Kim Jong-Un.”

“And… who are you supposed to be?” Jason squinted at Cass. 

“Dude, it’s kinda obvious.” Y/n said, “The entire precinct’s got a theme going on. It was decided in the group chat.”

Cass was dressed in an orange jumpsuit, a pillow shoved in for her stomach. She wore large, comical glasses that looked like she’d bought them for three dollars at a convenience store. Y/n, on the other hand, was in a yellow shirt with thick denim overalls, as were Tim, Steph, and Damian. Tim seemed disgruntled about it, while Damian sat reclined in his chair, taking it with pride. 

“Minions!” Dick called out loudly, silencing the precinct. He was in black jeans and a sweater. Around his neck, he wore an iconic scarf and a bald cap was thrown haphazardly over his hair. “Tonight, we steal… ze moon!” He threw his arms up and Y/n jumped up, cheering. 

“Ze moon! Ze moon!” Steph clapped along and Damian pumped his fist lazily. Tim just sighed and covered his face with his hands. “I was blackmailed into this,” he whispered.

“Oh my gosh, I work with idiots.” Jason sat back in his chair. 

“Attention,” Wayne strode into the bullpen. “I need two detectives to go undercover at a Halloween party where we suspect there will be a transition of drugs and illegal behaviour.”

“It’s like he was born on a thesaurus,” Y/n whispered. 

“Brown and Drake, you’re already in costume. I’m assigning you two to the case.” Tim groaned at his Captain's words, but nodded anyway. He couldn’t disobey his superior. 

“Drake,” Steph looped her arm through his, dragging him to the elevator. “I know you hate Halloween, even though it’s one of the greatest holidays, but I’ll make it the best.” 

“Can you make everyone kind, sober, and fully clothed? Tim asked desperately. 

“Kind, sober, and fully clothed!” Y/n shouted out. “Title of Jason’s sex tape!” 

Jason gawaffed. “I wasn’t even in this conversation!” 

Y/n exhaled and said, “Yeah, but I already tease Timmy-boy enough. He needs a break. However, I haven’t filled my quota for bugging you today.”

“I feel like your quota for teasing me is much higher than anyone else’s.” 

“Yes,” Y/n nodded. “Yes, it is.” 

“Listen up, dorks!” Y/n paraded into the bullpen, wearing a GCPD jacket over her costume. “I just arrested my first Halloween idiot! He was trying to rob a bank but had a… heh. Little bit of trouble getting away.” 

A man dressed in a large banana suit was stuck in the doorframe of the bank. Y/n couldn’t hold back her laughter as she tried to arrest him. “Trying to ‘split,’ huh? But I’m sure you’ll get out on ‘a peel.’ You have the ‘ripe’ to remain silent.” She snickered before saying, “I’m so glad you’re stuck! I’ve got a million of these! Wait, no, no! Don’t touch the money!”

“I swear, some of these perps are so stupid. I’d make a better criminal than any of them. And the best part is, none of you would be able to catch me!” 

Jason scoffed as Captain Wayne said, “That’s unrealistic. I’m one hundred percent sure you’d get caught.”

“Oh, ho, ho! Chall-enge accep-ted.” She sounded the words out slowly, placing her hands on her hips accusingly.

“I didn’t issue a challenge. There was no challenge. Where did you hear a challenge?” Wayne shrugged, his arms crossed.

Y/n hummed, thinking. “What’s the most valuable thing in your office?”

“My medal of valour,” Wayne replied instantly.

“Oh my god, you’re such a nerd. Fine. Okay. I bet that by midnight tonight, I can steal it from your office.”

“And why would I possibly agree to that?”

Y/n sang out, “because if I lose, I'll work the next five weekends, no overtime. And I won't tell anyone about the time I saw you wearing shorts outside of work. But if I win…” She rocked back on her heels, tapping her chin thoughtfully.

“You won't,” Wayne cut her off.

“You have to do all my paperwork tonight, the busiest and spoooookiest night of the year. Oh! And you must publicly state that I am an amazing detective-slash-genius.”

Wayne raised a brow, intrigued. ”And this won't interfere with you doing your job?”

“You mean my job as an amazing detective-slash-genius? No, it will not.”

Wayne hummed and his eyebrows lifted by half a centimetre. “I'm considering it... I'm interested. I agree to participate.” He held out a hand and Y/n giddily shook it.

“Hey, Damian? Dami? We don’t talk much anymore. How are you? Did you get a haircut? How’s Titus? What’s the Captain's schedule? I love you, bestie!”

Damian glanced up at her, unaffected. “I’m not going to assist you with your scheme. I am Captain Wayne’s assistant; a job I take incredibly seriously.”

“You’re literally making paper knives out of police reports.”

“How else am I to stab someone?”

“More like give them a harsh paper cut.” Y/n whined, “come on, Dami! Please, help me out here!”

His gaze was piercing. Quietly, he finally muttered, “he has a meeting downstairs in ten minutes.”

“I love you! I love you! Thank you so much!”

A while later, Captain Wayne was in his office and suddenly spoke to the air, “Are you in my ceiling, L/n?

There was a pregnant pause before a voice filtered through the vents. “No?”

Wayne seemed unimpressed. “So what's the plan? You wait for me to leave my office, lower yourself down, take my medal, and win the bet?”

“Die Hard meets Mission Impossible,” Y/n snickered before remembering her place and tutting, “who are you talking to? There's no one up here!”

“L/n, just so you know, right now, I am taking my medal off the wall and placing it in a locked safe whose combination is known only to me. The safe, in turn, is locked in the cabinet. The only key to that cabinet is on my person.” True to his words, Wayne did as he was saying. ”I'm off to my meeting. Good luck with your plan.”

Y/n cried out, “you think that scares me, fool? I laugh in the face of adversity!” She waited a moment before asking timidly, ”Are you still there? Captain, are you still there? I can't hear... Ack!” Suddenly, the ceiling fell from beneath her and in a crumble of dust and plaster, she collapsed on the floor. “Ow.”

“Oh, geez, what happened to you guys?” Jason asked Steph and Tim, the latter who was covered in runny eggs. Steph seemed to be unharmed. Dick stood up in surprise.

“We got egged,” Tim said flatly. “Some pieces of shell got in my contacts and my underwear.”

“Ooh, very hot,” Y/n snickered, swaying where she stood. Jason held a hand out to steady her. 

“I wish I was dead,” Tim grumbled.

“I’m doing great!” Steph squealed. “I’ve made four new friends. How’s the unwinnable bet going?”

“So little faith, Stephanie,” Y/n sighed. “On one hand, I fell through a ceiling. On the other hand, I think I bruised my brain.” She cupped her face in her hands, muttering nonsense about how brains look like loofahs.

“Look, Y/n,” Dick said carefully. “I love you like one of my daughters.”

“Aww, you do?” Y/n cooed.

“Yes, and I need to look out for you like them. You’re all irresponsible and need constant supervision. But this bet isn’t about you. It’s about Captain Wayne. That man is a genius. He’s had your number at every turn.”

“Well, not this day... Turn... time,” she stuttered. ”Sorry, I'm pretty sure I had a concussion back there! Jason, please catch me.” Jason leapt forward and cradled Y/n to his chest when she started falling backward. “Ooh, strong one,” she mumbled incoherently as he gently set her down in her chair.

“Damian.” Wayne walked up to his assistant and asked, “could you please decipher L/n’s handwriting? I believe the concussion is affecting her. She and Cain arrested a group of Royal Babies, but I’m unsure of what for.”

Damian took the paper and inspected it. “The Royal Babies were attempting to rob a small bakery. Being able to read Y/n’s handwriting is a gift. A useless gift, but still one nonetheless.”

“Pardon me, Damian.” Captain Wayne turned to a nearby janitor who was emptying Jason’s trash. “Nice costume, L/n.” 

The janitor cleared their throat and said in a deep, faux voice, “no L/n here. Just a random janitor pushing trash around.”

“L/n.”

Y/n spun around, a sheepish smile on her face. Jason hid a snicker as Y/n awkwardly said, “hey, Captain! What’s up?”

“You thought this was going to work?” Bruce hummed. 

“It did work!” Y/n scoffed. “This… was supposed to fail. It’s like chess. Sometimes, in order to win, you have to sacrifice your king.”

Jason’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “That’s how you lose chess. Have you ever played?”

“Uh, yeah!” she put a hand on her hip. “My Uncle Dave taught me!”

“Come on, lass! Even girls need to know how to shoot!”

“You’re slightly misogynistic, Uncle Davey, but I love you anyway!” A much younger Y/n propped up a handgun and carefully shot a number of chess pieces lined up on a faraway bench.

“Atta girl!”

“I expected better of you, L/n.” Captain Wayne shook his head. “You could’ve created a diversion to distract me from your terrible costume.”

“I had a diversion!” Y/n stomped her foot. “There was just a slight timing issue…” Just then, a nearby trash can lit up in a brilliant fire. “Whoops?” Y/n shrugged.

“Come on, Tim!” Steph threw her hands up in the midst of a party. “You look like such a cop! Have some fun, you know? It'll help you blend in!”

Tim stood stoically on the dance floor, not moving a muscle. “Stop trying to get me to love Halloween. It'll never work. Hey, heads up!” He noticed a man swap drugs for money with someone else. “I'll cut 'em off at the exit!”

Steph whirled around, instantly forgetting about the party. “Move! Move, move!”

The pair raced after the culprits and Tim cursed when he found the pack of drugs abandoned on the floor. “He ditched the drugs. I'm on it.” Tim shifted through partygoers and spilled drinks. “Ew… it’s sticking to me. Ugh! What is that? How is it hot and cold? Stephanie, help!”

“Hey, Cap-i-tan?” Y/n called from the bullpen. “Can you come out here for just one teeny weeny second?”

Bruce sighed and rubbed his temples, but did as his detective requested. “Do you need something, L/n?”

“Why yes, yes I do. Hit it, Royal Babies!” Y/n shouted out and at her command, all the Royal Babies marched into the bullpen. They began walking around randomly, swarming Captain Wayne, and throwing key chains around. Wayne just rolled his eyes and returned to his office. He found Y/n hunched over the cabinet drawer, attempting to copy Wayne’s keys. “Wha…. no!” Y/n groaned in frustration, slamming her fist down on the desk. “Ow…” She shook her hand out.

“Give me my keys, please.”

“Can you just stop catching me?” Y/n whined, “do you know how much I spent on key chains?”

“Probably around twenty-three dollars,” Captain Wayne said instantly. 

“That is unbelievably close and scary,” Y/n admitted. “Twenty-two dollars and seventy six cents.”

“Keys,” Wayne demanded.

“Okay, okay, look.” Y/n stood up, an embarrassed smile plastered on her face. “Tonight has been a tiny bit humiliating. Things aren’t going well, so what do you say we call off this silly little bet and pretend this whole thing never happened?”

“Oh, no no no,” Wayne let out an unusual chuckle. “I’m not letting you off the hook.” 

“What? Pffft. No… I’m giving you an out so you can save face.”

Wayne shook his head. “This is getting sad.” 

Y/n scoffed and tossed him his keys, sauntering out the door. “Uh, yeah. For you.”

“Captain,” Tim knocked on Wayne’s opened door. “Sorry to interrupt, but, uh, some officers just arrested L/n.

Bruce blinked. “What?”

“They caught her scaling the side of the building with a blowtorch.” Tim shook his head, still not understanding how Y/n managed to find a blowtorch and climb the building in the first place. Wayne just sighed in response. 

In the interrogation room, Wayne found Y/n handcuffed to the table. Knowing her, she had probably asked for the handcuffs.

“Welcome to the endgame.” Y/n tried to spread her hands ominously, but the handcuffs harshly pulled her back. “Ohh, that hurt. Forgot I was wearing those.”

“What the hell were you thinking, L/n?” Wayne shook his head, sitting down opposite Y/n.

Y/n inhaled through her teeth, trying to look ashamed. “I was thinking I had better core strength. I got winded, like, ten feet up.”

“I have to admit,” Wayne said. “I expected better of you. You have five minutes until your deadline, and yet, here you are, handcuffed to a table, in a locked room.”

“Which is precisely where I planned on being.” Y/n smiled sinisterly. “You remember when I pretended to be Herman, the janitor?”

“Yes, it was mere hours ago. And I caught you as Herman.”

Y/n wagged her finger. “But you didn't catch Cass! As it turns out, she’s great at picking locks!”

Cass crouched by Captain Wayne’s desk, carefully and quickly picking the lock as Y/n distracted him.

“Of course, I needed a way to get her out of your office without you noticing. Y/n explained, “so I created a diversion. Not a mistimed one… a perfectly timed one so Cass could escape.”

A fire burned in the trash can that caught Captain Wayne’s attention. Cass somersaulted out of his office.

“But you needed a way into the safe,” Wayne reminded her.

“And I got it. You were so concerned with getting your keys back, you didn't even notice the sergeant stealing your phone. That's right, even Dick is on my side! Then, Jason dusted your screen cover for prints. The greasiest smudges revealed the four numbers you use the most…” Y/n leaned back in her chair. “Based on your advanced age, I assumed that you use the same passcode for everything.”

Wayne conceded, “that would be a fair assumption.”

“It was at that point that I made fun of Jason for reading some sappy romance book.”

Wayne raised a brow. “And how is that a part of your masterplan?”

Y/n shrugged. “It wasn't. It just ruled. And that brings us to five minutes ago, when Tim barged into your office and told you I’d been arrested. I knew he’s the only one you’d believe because, frankly, he’s too lame to partake in these things.” Y/n grinned sharply and continued, “And as you walked over here, Stephanie crawled into the ceiling, using the hole I so cleverly left behind to enter your office. We had the four numbers for your code, which meant there were twenty-four possible combinations for Steph to try. That would take up to four minutes, which is why I really dragged out this explanation.” Wayne shook his head in disbelief and sat back in his chair. Y/n chuckled and kept rambling, “I mean, really stretched it. I don't know if you noticed, but there were times where I was like, what am I even talking about? I could make a career out of this! Professional monologuer.” The beeping of a timer interrupted her. “Oh! But now, four minutes is up. Which means Stephanie is either on the other side of that door holding your medal, or I've lost.” She pointed towards the interrogation door and simply smiled.

Captain Wayne stared at her a moment longer with a look somewhere in between wonder and frustration. Slowly, he stood up and opened the door. Stephanie proudly grinned from the opposite side, holding up his medal of valour. “Just one question,” Wayne started, not bothering to sit back down. “How’d you convince them to help you?”

Y/n chortled. “You think so little of me. Of course, I appealed to their sense of teamwork and camaraderie with a rousing speech that would have Shakespeare begging for my talent.”

Y/n stood atop a chair in the middle of the bullpen and announced in a terrible Scottish accent, “For too long, we thee have been ridiculed, pushed around, and put down. But I say no more! For today, thee shall defeat the mad king and win our thine country back!”

“How did you actually do it?” Bruce gave Y/n a knowing glare.

“Unfortunately, my speech did not work.” Y/n sighed and continued speaking as if she hadn’t heard the Captain. “The sixty-sixth precinct has no sense of honour and solidarity. Maybe we should start doing team-building activities… Anyway, I bribed them. Told them I would do their paperwork.” She gave her superior a shit-eating grin. “And cause you’re doing my paperwork,” she sang, letting him come to the same conclusion.

Wayne huffed a laugh. “Well played L/n. Well played.” 

He slowly exited the room, leaving Y/n to cry out, “Captain? Hey, Captain? Are you gonna unlock me?” She rattled the handcuffs. “Captain?!” Eventually, Jason came in to help her (not before taking many pictures).

Later that night, Wayne gathered everyone in the briefing room and swallowed his pride. “Y/n L/n is an amazing detective-slash-genius.” Y/n mouthed along to the words. “And if you’ll excuse me, I have some paperwork to do.”

Captain Wayne sat in his office, surrounded by paperwork. However, instead of beginning, he opened a pad of paper and wrote: Halloween 2

[the-writerwoman]

@bewarethecourt Here we are! Your Western AU! I won’t lie, it’s had me in its grips as I love the fact that Logan is the outlaw here. I’ve been OBSESSED.

So I hope you like it 😊 and I hope everyone else does too!

@its-in-the-woods here’s your tag as I forgot to do it for the Shrek AU 😂

—————————

The desert sun beat down on the small, dusty town outside as Wade Wilson, better known to the world as Deadpool, the insane bounty hunter, lounged in his office with the epitome of lazy confidence. His boots rested on the edge of his desk, his chair tilted back precariously, and his wide-brimmed hat pulled low over his face. To the casual observer, he looked like he didn’t have a care in the world. But anyone who knew him understood that Wade’s relaxed demeanor was as dangerous as a rattlesnake coiled and ready to strike.

The creak of the door broke the stillness. Wade didn’t bother to move as Nathan Summers, Sheriff Summers to most, stomped in like he owned the place.

“Wilson,” Nathan growled, his gravelly voice cutting through the quiet.

“Ah, my favorite lawman,” Wade drawled, pushing his hat up just enough to flash Nathan a wide, toothy grin. “What brings you to my humble abode? Need me to scare off some rowdy cattle rustlers? Or are you just here to bask in my radiant charm?”

Nathan didn’t bother with pleasantries. He slapped a wanted poster down onto Wade’s desk. The face of Logan, the infamous outlaw known as the Wolverine, stared back at him.

“I need your help,” Nathan said, crossing his arms. “Leader of the most notorious gang this side of the Rio Grande. Robbed five banks in the last two months. Pulled a train heist just last week. Killed two deputies. Wanted dead or alive. He’s managed to evade capture so far, so we’re having to resort to,” he grimaced, his gaze dripping with disdain as he looked Wade up and down, “other means.”

Wade’s grin widened as he picked up the poster, studying Logan’s ruggedly handsome face. “Dead or alive, huh? My specialty. I’ll have him in a week. Two tops.”

Nathan scowled. “Just don’t go causing more trouble. Or wrecking shit like last time. The church still ain’t fully fixed.”

“You wound me, Summers.” Wade clutched his chest in mock offense. “I’m a professional. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got an outlaw to catch.”

~~

Tracking Logan down wasn’t easy, but Wade wasn’t just any bounty hunter. He was thee bounty hunter. Deadpool always got his man. By the time he caught up to Logan, the moon was high in the sky, casting a silver glow over the riverbank where the outlaw sat, sharpening his knife.

Wade stepped out of the shadows, his hands resting casually on his gun belt. “Well, well, well. If it isn’t the Wolverine himself. Gotta say, I expected someone taller.”

Logan froze for a moment, then slowly stood, his piercing eyes narrowing as he took in Wade’s figure and signature red mask. “You must be Deadpool,” he remarked, his voice calm but edged with menace. “Heard about you. Reckon this is the part where you try to take me in.”

Wade smirked. “You reckon right. Though I gotta admit, you’re even prettier in person. Didn’t think outlaws were allowed to look this good. Seems unfair.”

Logan’s lip curled in a snarl, and in an instant, he lunged. The bounty hunter laughed, sidestepping the attack with ease.

“You’re feisty,” Wade said, dodging another swing. “I like that in a man.”

The fight that followed was a whirlwind of skill and fury. Logan’s strikes were calculated and brutal, while Wade’s movements were almost playful, a maddening dance of evasion and counterattacks. Finally, Wade managed to pin Logan to the ground, his knife pressed to the outlaw’s throat.

“Alright, peanut,” Wade said, looking down at him. His mask obscured his expression, but his voice dripped with amusement. “I can take you in warm, or I can take you in cold. And don’t tell anyone I said that, it’s from a completely different Disney franchise, and I don’t need the mouse on my tail.”

To his surprise, Logan grinned, teeth flashing in the moonlight. “You’re good,” he admitted, his voice rough but tinged with something like admiration. “Haven’t had this much fun in a fight in years.”

Before Wade could quip back, he was suddenly yanked off Logan and slammed into the dirt. When he looked up, he found himself surrounded by Logan’s gang. Scott, Jean, Ororo, and Hank.

Scott, ever the serious one, glared down at him. “We should kill him. He’s a bounty hunter. You know he’ll come after us again.”

“Yeah, I know,” Logan said, brushing dirt off his shirt as he rose to his feet. He glanced at Wade with a dark smirk. “But killing him now would be too easy. Tie him to the tree.”

Scott frowned, clearly unhappy with the decision. “That’s reckless, Logan. You know what he’s capable of.”

Logan’s expression hardened. “I said tie him up. You got a problem with that, Scott?” The others looked between them, uncertainty filling the air as Scott argued with their leader.

Scott hesitated for a long moment before reluctantly obeying. Muttering curses under his breath, he bound Wade’s hands and hauled him over to a nearby tree, securing him tightly.

As Logan and his gang mounted their horses, preparing to ride off, Wade called after him, amusement in his voice. “See you soon, peanut!”

Logan paused, glancing back at him. For a moment, something unspoken passed between them, a challenge of sorts. Then Logan tipped his hat, smirked, and rode off into the night.

Wade leaned back against the tree, chuckling to himself. “Oh yeah,” he giggled. “This is gonna be fun.”

[bloatedandalone04]

He’s Got My Name

➪the one where everything a.j. does, he does for you.

Warnings: spoilers for takers 2010, once again - no one will read this, swearing, heists, robbing of a bank, mentions of guns, kissing, brief angst if you squint, mentions of cancer, reader is very ill, alcohol consumption, smoking, mentions of blood, pda, indication of smut

Word Count: 3.8k

Do not repost this anywhere, reblogs are fine♡

“Alright, sweetheart, it’s your turn,” John’s voice sounded throughout your ear piece. You quickly pulled open the door to the stairwell and made your way up to the floor that held a plethora of offices. “You remember what to say?”

“Of course,” you state quietly as you confidently walk down the rows of desks. The employees even didn’t give you a second glance as you passed by them and towards one of the empty cubicles. Your skirt and suit jacket made you look like you actually worked here, as did your heels and high bun. After glancing around at the few employees that were near, you pick up the phone from the desk and bring it to your ear that didn’t have the earpiece. 

You dial the number and wait a few seconds before you hear a voice answer, “News 14 hotline,”

“Hi, yes, I’m from the FedCal bank, downtown LA,” you say quickly in a panicked voice, making the pitch sound a bit higher for good measure. “There’s a robbery in progress.”

“Are they still in the bank?”

“Yes,” you answer sharply and make eye contact with a man across the room who was also on the phone. He gives you a concerned look, and you knew you had to wrap this up. “They’re a few floors above mine.”

The person was in the middle of asking another question when you hung up, dropped the phone back down onto the desk and stood up straight. Smoothing out your jacket, you stride back over to the door, smiling brightly at the few employees who looked up at you. 

You could hear the faint sounds of the guys upstairs as they robbed the place, and you all but slammed the door behind you once you were back in the stairwell. As you hopped down the stairs, you reached into your pocket when you felt your phone begin to vibrate. “Yes, my love?” You answer as you reach down to rid your feet of the heels, holding both of them in one hand as you continue to descend. 

“Angel,” A.J.’s voice rang through the phone and had you grinning to yourself. “Did you call the hotline?”

“I did,” you confirm as you neared the bottom floor, holding the phone away from you as a cough raked through your body. After swallowing the small amount of blood that pooled in your mouth, you bring it back to you. “They should be here any minute now.”

“Perfect,” he said. “You’re perfect.”

“So I’ve heard,” you tease as you enter the lobby of the bank, swinging your heels in your hand. You got a few odd looks as you walked along the marbled floor in your bare feet, but your lack of shoes would be the last thing on their mind once they found out what was happening just a few floors above them.

“Alright, get out of there, pretty girl,” A.J. said and you could just picture him blowing out the smoke from his cigarette. “Don’t get caught up when the cops arrive.”

“I won’t,” you promise and stick to it as you push open the front entrance of the bank and step out onto the sidewalk. “Be careful.”

“I will,” came his reply and you grinned when you noticed someone on the phone across the street, panic evident on their face as they were undoubtedly talking to the police and reporting the robbery. When you hear the unmistakable sound of a helicopter approaching, you knew he had to go. “I’ll see you later, baby.”

“See you soon,” you say and end the call, reaching up to let your hair down.  Turning the corner just in time to see the news chopper fly over the roof of the bank, you knew it was only a matter of seconds before A.J. began to play his role of an injured security guard in order to secure their ride out of there.

-

 Hours go by since the robbery, and after blowing up the news helicopter and parting ways, the group reunited a few hours later at the club they frequented. A.J. fell back against the leather armchair as John announced that Ghost was back and out of jail. “So I walk into my house and he’s standing there, drinking my whiskey. I was going to shoot him in the back of his head,”

“You should’ve,” Jake says as he hands A.J. a tall glass of bourbon. “The guy’s been out twenty four hours and already wants to do a job. He’s crazy.”

“Or he’s got huge balls,” Jesse offers from his spot on the stool. 

“Yeah, Ghost doesn’t play when it comes to money,” John adds, glancing over at Gordon. “He’s too smart for that.”

“The bastard’s not that smart,” A.J. rasps as he drinks the bourbon. “He’s clever, not smart.”

As the five of them conversed about the return of their former member, Rachel entered the room in a small black dress, looking nothing short of beautiful, but she wasn’t who A.J. was waiting for. 

Rachel smiled at the guys before sitting on Jake’s lap, and he grinned at the way his best friend got all flustered around his new fiancée. It was the same way A.J. acted around you when you first got engaged a few months back, and it was still how he acted now. 

He just couldn’t get enough of you. And that was obvious as his face lit up under the blue lights when he saw you enter the room a few seconds later. You were wearing a silver dress that sparkled under the LED lights and the slit in the fabric had him biting down hard on his lip as he caught sight of the exposed skin of your leg and a bit of your thigh. 

“Hi, boys,” you greet, purposely looking at everyone else other than A.J. 

Tease.

“Hey, sweetheart,” John said back as you smiled at him.

“Another successful heist?” You ask, already knowing the answer as you step further into the room. 

“You know it,” A.J. answers and you finally meet his eye. He looked so unbelievably fine in this lighting, and you held back a moan when beckoned you over to him with a curl of his finger. “C’mere, baby.”

You didn’t need to be told twice. 

You were crossing the room within seconds and sitting down on his lap, your legs draped over his thighs as he placed his free hand on your lower back. His lips attach to your neck as your arm wraps around his shoulder, your left hand coming to rest on his chest. Your big engagement ring was on full display and it sparkled under the blue lights of the VIP room. “I missed you today,” you said, already breathless at the feeling of his lips on your neck. 

“Mmm,” he hummed and brushed his nose against yours, turning your head so you were facing him. He kissed you softly, a groan leaving the back of his throat as he pulled you tighter against him. While you were a bit shy at first about kissing him like this in public, A.J. couldn’t care less, and he proved that by guiding you into countless makeout sessions that took place in front of the guys or just in the general public. After two and a half years, you grew to love engaging in PDA with him. “I missed you.”

You adjusted his bowtie as the other four guys fell into a conversation you couldn’t be bothered to listen in on, and neither could A.J. You were on his lap and wearing the most sinful dress he had ever seen on you, and he’s seen you in a lot of sinful dresses, how could he focus on anything else? 

“I hear you blew up the chopper after hijacking it,” you trail off, your mouth directly next to his ear as you two fell into your own little world. 

A.J. ran his hand up and down your hip, running his nose along your jaw as he nodded. “I did,”

You hummed and leaned closer to him. “I wish I could’ve been there to see that,” you whisper and make your voice as seductive as possible. You trace the skin below his ear with your tongue and feel the grunt that vibrated against his chest. “You know how sexy I find it when you do stuff like that.”

“I do,” he said and allowed your hand to grip the side of his face and turn his head so you could press your lips to his in a searing kiss. You run your tongue along his lower lip before his mouth opens and it brushes against his. He noisily breaks the kiss and you reach up to fix his hat that had become crooked during the whole event. “I wish you were there, too, baby, but this one was a bit too risky for you to have been able to stay. I would’ve loved to have had you on my lap while we were in the air, just like this, but I didn’t even like having you in the building with everything that’s going on right now.”

You shake your head and trace your index finger over the maze of freckles on his face. “You don’t need to worry about me,”

He gives you a pointed look and you sigh, eyeing the half empty glass in his hand.

You reached for it, but he was quicker and held it far away from you, his hand moving to tightly grip your waist in a warning. “C’mon,” you whine, giving him your best puppy dog eyes. “Just a sip.”

While they usually worked on him, nothing you could ever do would get him to allow you to drink even a drop of alcohol. “Not a chance, pretty girl,” 

You huffed and slumped against him, watching him down the rest of the bourbon before he set the glass on the table next to the chair. 

“Don’t get all upset with me,” he says once he sat back against the chair, his hand resuming its movement on your hip. His lips were glistening with remnants of the booze and you eyed them with a sense of want. 

And he knew that.

With a sigh, he uses his now free hand to brush away the fallen strands of hair from your face. “Alright,” he murmured, watching the way your eyes lit up. He was never good at denying you completely of the things you desired. “Have your taste.”

Once again, you didn’t need to be told twice. 

You lean in and eagerly press your lips to his, your tongue shooting out to run along his bourbon coated mouth. This way you weren’t actually consuming the drink, but you were getting the faintest taste of it. 

The kiss quickly heats up, and you were mainly licking his lips at this point. Once you are satisfied you pull away and press your forehead against his, knocking his hat out of place again. “Mm,” you hummed as you ran your tongue over your own lips, and A.J. held back a moan at the sight. “Thank you.”

He just grabbed his hat and tossed it next to the glass on the table. A.J. took your hand in his, his thumb turning the ring on your finger a few times as you snuggled up against him. “How are you feeling today?” He asked quietly so the others wouldn’t hear.

You lace your fingers with his and bring your joined hands up to your mouth to be able to press a kiss to the back of his. “I’m fine, Jay, really,” you tell him, glancing into his worry filled eyes. “It’s a better day today. It’s good.”

He wasn’t sure if he should believe your words, but you never gave him a reason to worry about you ever being untruthful to him, so he accepted your answer and pulled you even closer to him, suddenly wanting to take you back home and end the night early. 

And he would’ve done that, except when you excused yourself a few minutes later and he was met with the sight of Ghost, he knew his night had just begun. 

-

A.J.’s body was covered in a thin layer of sweat, as was yours, and he was struggling to hold himself above you while he got you to yet another release. 

It was nearing four in the morning, and a few minutes after he brought you to your peak, he was there as well and was finally able to collapse on the bed next to you. He falls onto his back and glances at out the window, the still open blinds doing nothing to keep out the four am moon. If your shared apartment was on one of the lower floors of the building, A.J. would’ve put the time aside to close the blinds and shield your body from any prying eyes, but seeing as it was on the thirteenth floor out of twenty, he didn’t feel the need. 

He huffs out uneven breaths, his arm blindly wrapping around your waist when he feels you move to lay your head on his bare chest. 

He had a long day, and it was nearing the end, with a new day just a few hours from now. After another successful heist, counting just how much money they received from said heist, finding out about a former ally being released from prison, and being roped into another job from said ally, he was finally able to end his day in the way he had grown so accustomed to. 

A.J. loved spending hours on end with you wrapped up in the sheets, and that was before he allowed body to fully relax and welcome sleep to take over. As cliché as it sounded, your bodies really did fit so well together. He couldn’t remember the last time he had let himself fall this deeply for someone, in fact, he was sure he had never felt the things he did with you before.

Long story short; you had become his entire world just five months into the relationship. You were everything to him.

Once his breathing went back to normal, A.J. turned his head and ran his fingers through your hair, which was a bit damp from sweat. Your eyes were already on him, and he couldn’t help himself as he leaned down to press what felt like the millionth kiss of the night to your lips.

He sighed when he pulled away. “I should tell you before you find out from someone else,” he began.

You lifted your head so it was resting higher on his shoulder now. “Tell me what?”

A.J. ran his free hand through his messy, post-sex hair. “Ghost is out now,” he says and you furrow your brows. “Let him out this morning.”

You bit down on your kiss swollen lip. “Why didn’t you tell me this before?”

“Because he was released during the heist. I didn’t find out about it until a few hours ago,” he explained, running his fingers up and down your bare back. “He showed up at the club tonight.”

You prop yourself up on your elbow. “He did?” You ask and he nods. “Where was I?”

“Bathroom,” he hummed, his eyes flickering all over your face. He wanted to tell you how beautiful you looked, but held off as it wasn’t really the time to get into that right now. Damn Ghost. Still, he asked, “You took your meds, right? After you had that bourbon?”

You scoffed. “I didn’t even get a fair taste of it,”

“But you still thanked me for it,” he grinned and you rolled your eyes. “You took them, yeah?”

“Yeah,” you confirmed and tangled your legs with his. “What did Ghost want? When he came to the club?” 

A.J. sighed again. “He wants us to help him do a job,”

“A job? He hasn’t even been out for a day yet,”

“Yeah, well, no one ever accused him of being smart,”

You laughed quietly, your hand tracing over the ink on his left arm. Underneath the faded Yak, in much more vibrant and fresher ink, was your first and middle name. It was in a cursive font, and the two names were spaced out enough that it wrapped around half of his bicep, and could be easily read to anyone who looked at him head on. “Can I ask you to promise me something?”

“You know you can, pretty girl,” he answered quietly. 

“Don’t do anything too reckless, please,” you mumbled against the side of his neck. “You never do more than one job a year, let alone one right after the other. Just, please, be careful. Nothing too crazy, please.”

A.J. laughed, but not in a mocking way. He couldn’t deny the warm feeling that took over his body at your undying concern for him, despite him doing this kind of work for many years now. He was a rookie at it during the early years, but now he was more experienced, and he had you to come home to. “You worried about me, pretty girl?” 

“I always am,” you reply and watch his mouth open, but you cut him off before he could even say anything, “And, yeah, I know you’ll always come back to me and I know about the risks and blah blah blah. Still doesn’t change anything.”

A.J. laughed again, rolling you onto your back and hovering over you once more. “I appreciate your concern, baby. And I love you for it,” he leaned down to press a lingering kiss to your lips, and you held back the tiny moan that threatened to escape. “And I promise I won’t do anything too reckless or crazy this time around. I’ve got you to come back to, remember?”

-

Once A.J. finished explaining Ghost’s plan to you, you shake your head and look up from your place on the ottoman. “I don’t like it,” you say and lift your head to meet his eyes. “I don’t like it at all. It seems like he’s making you guys do all the work while he gets the easy job.”

A.J. nods, lifting his hand in a form of gesture to his words, “Well, he was in jail, baby,” he points out. “It makes sense that he’d want to be more careful this time around.” 

“Still,” you mumble. “I don’t like him getting you to do his dirty work. This was his idea, right? He came up with it? So why isn’t he more involved in it? Wouldn’t it make more sense for him to be more active in this? He knows you guys have already done your job for the year. I mean, he came up with the rule to never do more than one heist a year.”

“Yeah, well, if Ghost needs money, then he’s getting money,” he muttered. “And with the amount he says are in these trucks, I’m not opposed to going all in on this one.”

You raise a brow and fold your arms across your chest. “How much did he say is in them?”

He met your eye as he said, “Twenty million,”

Your eyes widen and you blow out a breath you didn’t know you were holding. “Jesus,”

“Yeah, that’s why I’m not jumping at the idea of turning this one down,”

Nodding, you play with your ring. “I get it, really, I do,” you start, trying to figure out how to voice your concerns about the whole thing. “But why do you need that much money? You got a lot from the bank yesterday, isn’t that more than enough to get you through the year?”

“It is,” he agreed and brought the whiskey glass up to his lips. “Well over being more than enough to get us through the year.”

Your heart swelled when he corrected your mistake of not including yourself in your prior question. “Then why are you so adamant on doing this job? You know you don’t owe him anything, right? Ghost got himself into prison, not you or the other guys.”

“I know, pretty girl, and that’s not why I’m doing this,” he finished the drink and set the glass down on the mini bar you and he had in the living room of your apartment. “Think about it. Twenty million? Think about how much that will help with your medication and treatment and bills. I’ve saved up most of the cost, but with this, you could be cancer free by the end of the year.” 

You winced at that, hating the fact that he was doing this for you, to make sure you get the treatment you were required to have to save your life. You were already two surgeries in, and well over a hundred thousand dollars in medical bills, but this was too much. 

It was a risky job, and you had an awful feeling about all of it. “You can’t do this for me, A.J.,” you begged, staring up at him. 

He just gave you a look that left no room for arguments. “I can,” he said and you felt so small under his gaze. “And I am. If it means getting you back into that hospital for what could be your final few months of treatment, then I’m doing it. No questions.”

“A.J., think about this,” you pleaded. “You don’t need to do this for me. You can’t.”

“I need you,” he grunted, running his hand through his hair. His hat had been discarded a little while ago, but his hair was still a bit messy from it. “I’m not doing this without you.”

“Doing what?” You asked desperately. 

“Living,” he answered like it was the easiest question he had ever been asked during the twenty nine years of his life. “You’re sick, and the meds aren’t working. Not as much as the surgery will. This will save you, don’t you get that?”

You shook your head and looked down at the floor, unsure of what to say. 

A.J. stepped towards you and crouched down, taking your hands in his. “You won’t have to be in pain anymore, and we can finally continue our lives together, debt and cancer free. Don’t you want that?”

You furrowed your brows. “Of course I want that,” 

He nodded and laced your fingers together. “Then that’s it,” he stated. “I’m doing this job, and I’m getting you the money that is needed to keep you in my life.”

You wanted to fight him on this some more, but you knew his mind was made up. And it had been since the minute Ghost told him about the plan. 

So, instead of fighting him, you wrap your arms around his neck and press your lips to his. He stands up with you in his arms, his lips meshing against yours in a needy kiss. “I love you,” you murmur against his mouth. “I love you so much.”

“I love you,” he said back and gently guided you towards the couch, letting his body hover over yours once you landed on the cushion with a soft thud.

-

Part 2

[winchesterwild78]

The Ranch

Master List

Characters: Jensen-cowboy, single dad, x Reader-city girl moved to country to get away from it all

Warnings: language, angst, mention of death.

A/N: A short little story featuring our favorite green eyed cowboy, not an actor in this, lives on a ranch in Texas, is a widower with 3 kids. Reader is a city girl who moves to the country to get away from her ex and start a new life. She takes a job on the ranch and things develop between her and the cowboy. Internal dialogue in italics.

So much love and thanks to @cheynovak for the idea. ♥️ All work is my own. No disrespect to anyone, this is a work of fiction. Real names are used, but again this is a work of fiction. Sorry the 1st part is so long, just setting up the story.  Do not take my work

Minors DNI 18+

“I already told you, we are through. I can’t keep doing this with you. I feel like I’m banging my head against the ceiling and anytime I talk to you about it, you tell me I’m overreacting or you ask me some bullshit like is it that time of the month. Who the fuck does that? I’m done, Alex.” 

“Please, Y/N, don’t throw away 4 years over a little disagreement.” You scoffed, “A little disagreement?! Is that what you call it? No, fuck that. All I did was bring up marriage and you acted like I asked you to rob a bank or something. We’ve been together 4 years, we live together, was it really too much to ask when we might get married? I want to get married, have children. All the things you said you wanted too. I guess you lied just to get me to move in with you.” 

You stormed into your bedroom, grabbed a suitcase and started packing. Grabbing clothes, toiletries and other important things and throwing them in the suitcase. You were beyond pissed. Alex walked in the bedroom, “Come on, you’re not really leaving. You’re just pissed and throwing a tantrum.” “Fuck you, Alex!”

Pushing past him you went into the living room and grabbed family pictures and stuffed them into your bag. You took the apartment key off your key ring and placed it on the counter. “I told you, I’m done.” You grabbed your stuff and walked out, closing the door behind you. 

Loading up your car you just drove. You had no idea where you were going, but you needed to get away. After hours on the road, you pulled into a little diner that had a hotel near it. It wasn’t the biggest, fanciest hotel, but you were exhausted. 

Climbing out of the car you went to the office of the hotel. Ringing the bell a sweet older lady came out and greeted you with a smile. “Howdy, young lady. Do you need a room?” “Yes, ma’am. If you have any available.” “Yes, darlin’ I have a few left. Is it just you?” “Yes, ma’am, it’s just me.” She had you fill out the guestbook and handed you the key. “Why don’t you head next door and grab a bite to eat. You looked starved.” She smiled sweetly at you. You nodded, thanked her and left.

You grabbed your bag and headed to your room. Unlocking the door you noticed it was a typical hotel room, but it was clean and looked well taken care of. You put your bag down and laid on the bed. It was so comfortable, you could just fall asleep right then. 

Your stomach grumbled, so you decided to check out the diner. Grabbing your purse and jacket, you stepped outside and walked towards the diner. When you entered, a bell above the door rang and you were greeted by the waitress, “Howdy, just sit anywhere you’d like.” You nodded and took a seat in the booth near the back. 

The waitress who greeted you walked over and smiled, “Hey hon, what can I get you to drink?” She asked as she handed you the menu. “I’ll have water with lemon, please.” “Sure thing, hon. Take your time and I’ll be back.” You looked over the menu and because you were so hungry everything looked so good. You decided on a burger and fries, just keeping it simple. 

The waitress, Cindy, came back with your water, “Do you know what you want?” “Yes, ma’am, I’ll have a cheeseburger with fries please.” “Anything else?” “No, that’s it, thank you.” “Okay, coming right up.” She walked away and put in your order. 

Everyone here seems so nice. It’s a nice place too. Out in the country, far away from the city, and away from Alex. I wonder if anyone here is hiring. 

“Excuse me, Cindy?” Cindy walked over to you, “Yes, honey, do you need anything?” “Yeah, I’m new to the area, kinda relocating here. Do you know anyone that’s hiring or anyone that has a room to rent?” “Well, the only person I know of off the top of my head that’s hiring is Ackles’ Ranch. They have a live in ranch hand position they are trying to fill. Have you ever worked on a Ranch, honey?” “No, I haven’t, but I’m a fast learner.” 

“I tell you what, I’ll give Jensen a call and tell him to be expecting you tomorrow morning. Maybe he would be willing to give you a trial basis.” “Oh my goodness, thank you so much.” “You’re welcome sweetie, now eat up.” She set your food down in front of you. 

You ate your food, paid your bill and thanked her again. Cindy gave you the address and phone number for the Ranch and told you Jensen, Mr. Ackles was expecting you tomorrow morning. You took the information and thanked her again. Leaving the diner you went back to your room to shower and get ready for bed. 

Excitement coarse through your body. Surely you could handle working on a Ranch, right? After your shower, you climbed into bed and fell asleep quickly. Before too long your alarm was waking you up. Turning it off you got out of bed and started to get dressed. You pulled on jeans, a t-shirt, and your boots. Grabbing the Ranch information, your purse and your keys, you headed to your car. 

Your body tingled with anticipation as you drove towards the address. After about 30 minutes, your car pulled up to two large, wrought iron gates, one with a large “A” and the other with a large “R” on it. A small sign to the side said “Ackles Ranch”. You buzzed the call box and waited.

“Hello, can I help you?”, a voice came over the speaker. “Yes, hello, my name is Y/N, Cindy called Mr. Ackles and he’s expecting me.” “Okay, come on in.” The gates opened, and you drove up the long driveway. 

Finally arriving at the main house, you were taken back by how beautiful it was. You parked your car and stepped out. As you turned to look around the beautiful land, you saw a man riding up to you on a horse. The horse was breathtaking, chestnut colored coat, well taken care of, and the rider was just as breathtaking. He hopped off and the first thing you noticed was his piercing green eyes. 

The man walked over to you, his legs slightly bowed, but he was tall and broad shoulders. You bit your lip. His jeans hugged him in all the right places, and his shirt stretched across his chest like it was clinging on him for dear life. His biceps, large, peaked out the bottom of the sleeves. He had sandy brown hair, and a beard that was perfectly shaped. He was absolutely breathtaking. 

The man extended his hand, “Good mornin’, my name is Jensen, you must be Y/N. Miss Cindy told me you’d be coming.” You shook his hand, “Yes, hi, I’m Y/N. It’s nice to meet you, Jensen.” 

As soon as you shook his hand, 3 adorable children came bounding out of the house, “Daddy! You’re back!” He dropped to his knees and hugged the children. It melted your heart and made you smile. His son looked at you, “Daddy, who’s she?” Jensen looked up at you and introduced you to his children. “It’s so nice to meet you guys.” You smiled at them.

The kids went to play, as Jensen led you in the house to talk. During the conversation you learned he was a widower and he and his late wife had started the ranch when they got married. He has all sorts of animals, but the ones you would be in charge of the most were his children. You laughed when he said that. He smirked at you, thankful you had a sense of humor. “Now I’m gonna be honest with you, I need help around the ranch, but I also need help with the kids. Do you have any experience with either?” “Well, I grew up in the city, so I’m not too familiar with duties on a Ranch, but I did a lot of babysitting. When my mom would go away on business I would be responsible for my younger siblings. They are 8 and 9 years younger than me. I would feed them, get them to school, wash clothes and clean the house, while mom was gone. I might not know much about animal care, but I’m a fast learner.” 

“Well, what about family, or a husband? Will they be okay with you living here with me and the kids? The position comes with a room too.” I haven’t lived at home for a few years, and I’m not married, no boyfriend either.” Jensen nodded, “well, Y/N, I’m willing to give you a shot, what do you think?” “I’d love to. I can’t promise I’ll be perfect, but I’m always willing to learn.” “That’s all I ask. Now, let me show you the Ranch and your room.” 

The two of you stood up and you followed him outside. He jumped in a truck and told you to hop in. He drove to the biggest barn first and showed you the horses, then he drove to the smaller barns and you saw the other animals. The land was huge. 

Jensen drove further back on the property to a huge lake. “This is our favorite spot. The kids love to swim here, but they know not to come near this without an adult.” “It’s beautiful, Jensen.” You smiled softly. 

A little while later, you and Jensen arrived back at the house. He introduced you to the small staff in the house, and formally introduced you to his kids. They were excited you were staying. He took you on a tour of the house and showed you the kitchen, dining room, the kids’ rooms, his room, and the last room he stopped at was your new room. 

He pushed the door open and stepped to the side, letting you walk in. You gasped softly. This room was practically bigger than your last apartment. “So you have your own private bathroom too. I hope this room is to your liking. If you find you need anything, let me know.” “Jensen, the room is perfect, you have an amazing home, thank you.” Jensen smiled softly and nodded, “I’ll let you get settled. Clif already brought your stuff up. Lunch will be ready in about half an hour. I hope you will join us.” You nodded, and he left. 

You explored the room. There was a large walk-in closet, a king sized bed in the center of the room, with tables on either side, a matching dresser and chest. On the opposite wall you noticed two large glass doors. You walked over, unlocked them and stepped out on the balcony. You noticed two chairs. The view was breathtaking. It overlooked the backyard, and you noticed the kids outside playing. Jensen’s son looked up seeing you, smiled and waved. You smiled and waved back. 

Stepping back into the room, you decided to unpack. Walking into the bathroom you looked around, not believing this was really your bathroom. It was just as beautiful as the bedroom. It featured a double vanity, a stand up shower with glass doors and a separate soaker tub. The floor was a beautiful tile that could be heated. You were in complete awe of this room. 

You had finished unpacking and as you sat down on the bed your phone rang. Looking at the screen you saw it was Alex. You sighed and answered. “Hello, Alex.” “Y/N, baby, I’m sorry. Please come home. We can get married, have babies. Whatever you want.” You let out a long sigh, “Alex, it doesn’t work that way. You don’t want to get married and have children. You made that clear. I’ve waited and never pushed. You knew when we got together that’s what I wanted. We talked about it, and you said that’s what you wanted too.” 

The line was silent, “Baby, I do want to get married and have kids. I just wanted to be selfish and keep you to myself for a while longer. I love you, Y/N. I don’t want to live without you.” Silent tears started falling from your eyes. You still loved Alex, he was the man you’d wanted to have children with, but he broke your heart. You took a breath, “I know you do Alex, but that’s still not enough. I need to go, I’m expected back at work. Good bye, Alex.” 

You hung up and sat on the bed and cried. A soft knock on the door pulled you back to reality. You wiped your face and stood up, walking over you opened the door, and Jensen was standing there. His face instantly fell when he noticed you’d been crying. “Y/N, are you okay?” “Yeah, sorry. I'm just dealing with some personal stuff. I promise it won’t affect my job.” He placed his hand on your upper arm, “Hey, it’s okay. We all have things we have to deal with. I’m here if you need to talk.” His hand on your arm sent goosebumps all over your body. You took a deep breath, “Thank you, Jensen. I appreciate it.” You offered him a soft smile. “Okay, I came up here to let you know lunch was ready if you were hungry.” “Yeah, that sounds perfect.”

You followed Jensen to the dining room and found his children already eating. He motioned for you to sit down, he pulled your chair out and you sat down. Jensen took the seat at the head of the table, opposite of you. Lunch was filled with excited chatter, the kids asking you questions, trying to get to know you, and you answered them as quickly as they were asked. 

Jensen spoke up, “Guys, let Y/N eat. You have plenty of time to get to know her. You three need to finish eating too. You have chores to finish.” Jensen’s son looked over at you, “Miss Y/N, do you have any kids?” Before you could answer Jensen spoke up, “Zep, what did I just say?” He looked at his father and hung his head. You softly touched Zep’s arm, “No, I don’t, but I’d like to have some one day.” You smiled at him and looked up at Jensen, who offered you a soft smile. 

After lunch was done, the kids cleared their plates and you walked into the kitchen. You weren’t sure if your duties included washing the dishes, but it was something you were used to, so you filled the sink with water. 

Jensen walked in the kitchen and saw you at the sink. He smiled to himself, and he felt his heart warm a little. “Hey, Y/N, you don’t have to wash those. I was about to do it.” You looked over at him, his piercing green eyes looking into your y/e/c eyes. Your breath hitched. “Well, how about I wash and you rinse.” You smiled at him, and he nodded. 

There was a slightly uncomfortable silence that filled the room. Jensen cleared his throat, “I appreciate you answering the kids’ questions. They can be relentless. If you ever get uncomfortable with their questions, just tell them to chill.” “They are fine Jensen, kids are naturally curious, and I’m fine with sharing my life with them.” He nodded and smiled. 

The two of you finished washing the dishes and he showed you where everything went. Once the kitchen was done, Jensen told you to feel free to explore and relax. 

Deciding to just explore the house you walked into the family room and noticed all the pictures on the walls. You saw pictures of Jensen and the kids, pictures of other people, whom you assumed to be the rest of the family, and then you saw pictures of a young, beautiful woman. Her smile was bright and her eyes sparkled. 

You realized this was Jensen’s wife. There were pictures of their wedding day, pictures of her holding the kids and family pictures of the 5 of them. You never asked Jensen what happened to his wife, you just knew she had died. 

You were too busy looking at the pictures to notice Jensen standing in the doorway watching you. “Her name was Danneel, we called her Dee.” Jensen said as you picked up a picture of his wife. You jumped a little, “She’s beautiful.” You smiled at him.

“Yeah, she was beautiful, inside and out. We miss her so much, especially Zep. He was a mama’s boy.” “I’m so sorry, Jensen. If you don’t mind me asking, what happened?” Jensen sighed and you could hear the shake in his breath. “It was just a terrible accident. She was climbing a ladder, trying to put something up in the horse barn, she slipped, fell and hit her head. I was gone into town to get supplies and by the time I got home and found her, she was gone. The twins were 4 and JJ was 7.” You touched Jensen’s arm, “I am so sorry, Jensen. That sounds awful.” A tear slipped out of his eye, and he quickly wiped it away. “Thank you, Y/N. It’s been a rough few years, but every day it gets a little easier. I know the pain will never go away, and some days it’s harder than others, but she gave me 3 amazing children and for that I’m grateful.” 

“They are great kids, and have an amazing father too.” You smiled at Jensen and sat on the couch. He took a seat beside you. The two of you sat and talked the rest of the afternoon, getting to know each other and you learned how he ended up on such a gorgeous ranch. “So, Y/N, what brings a city girl to the country, and if you don’t mind me asking, what made you so upset earlier?” 

You bit your lip and took a deep breath. Figuring you needed to be honest with him. “Well, my ex Alex and I had been together for 4 years. When we first started dating we both wanted the same thing in the future, marriage and children. The past year I’d brought up marriage and kids a few times and it would always end in a huge fight. I just got tired of waiting and being strung along. So I left. I was upset earlier because he called me, begging me to come back. He said we could get married and have kids. I told him no. It broke my heart. I love him, and saw myself married to him and having his children. Now, it’s over, but I promise it won’t affect my job or ability to take care of your children.” 

Jensen grabbed your hand, “I know it won’t. I’m sorry you went through that. For what it’s worth, he’s a fool.” Your eyes shot up to him and he smiled. A blush creeped across your face. No! Don’t you dare. He’s your boss, a widower, and has responsibilities. He’s just being polite and you just went through a breakup. “Thank you, Jensen.” 

The rest of the day was uneventful. You played with the kids, and noticed Zep was glued to your side. He was such a sweet boy, and he looked just like Jensen. His sisters were just as sweet, JJ was excited to show you their favorite things to do outside, and Arrow was very reserved when it came to you. She definitely had some walls up. Not that you could blame her. 

Later that night after the kids were tucked into bed, Jensen invited you out to the back deck to sit around the fire pit. Before you went outside, you grabbed a throw blanket and your water. As you opened the sliding glass door you noticed Jensen sitting with a glass of whiskey in his hand. The fire burning brightly and the flames casting dancing shadows on his face. 

You stepped out and he stood. “Glad you decided to join me.” He smiled as he sat down. “Thanks for inviting me.” You sat down in the chair beside him. You watched as he took a sip of the amber liquid. As he took the small glass up to his mouth, you saw his lips part slightly, and the amber liquid ran into his mouth. You saw him swallow, and his Adam's apple bobbed as the liquid ran down his throat. As he pulled the glass away, you saw his tongue lick his lips slightly. He looked over at you and you quickly looked away. 

He smirked as a blush creeped across your face. Jensen grabbed another glass and poured you some, “here, to help take the edge off.” You nodded and took the glass. Jensen lifted his glass to you, “To new beginnings.” He clinked your glass. “To new beginnings.”, you said back to him. You took a sip of the amber liquid and felt the burn down your throat. 

*Jensen’s POV*

I can’t believe she accepted the invitation to join me out here tonight. She’s been so great with the kids today, and with me. I really think this is going to work out. She’s definitely guarded, but who can blame her. When she blushes it’s so adorable, especially when I catch her watching me. She’s a very beautiful woman too, and she is so sweet and kind. Damn, her lips on that glass, her tongue licking her lips. Wow! Oh, shit, Jensen, get it together. You’re her boss.

A few hours later, the fire was dying, and you were tired. “Well, Jensen, thank you for a wonderful evening, but I think I’m going to head to bed.” Jensen stood up, “Yeah, thank you for the company. It was nice to have an adult to talk to. Sleep well, Y/N, and if you need anything I’m right down the hall.” You thanked him again and walked in the house. As you entered the kitchen, you turned and looked at him again. He was still standing and ran his fingers through his hair. You sighed and climbed the stairs. 

You went to your room, got ready for bed and crawled in the huge bed. Before too long you were drifting off to sleep. For the first time in a long time, you felt like you were exactly where you were supposed to be. 

Part 2

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