#and liam just sitting there smiling like the most amused happy kid that did something his peers told he won't he able to

[meadowsofmay]

gods won't let me lie how much i love travis' reactions to liam rolling incredibly, stupidly high on stealth checks for vax. every time. he is so Done with him, it's the best

[she-karev]

Maya Gives Birth (Maya x Carina Sweet Imagine)

Carina Gives Birth Here

Age Rating: 12+

Chapters: Two of Two

Fandom: Station 19

Ship: Maya Bishop x Carina DeLuca

Canon Episode: After Series Finale

AN: Happy Pride guys! For the last day of this pride month I wanted to do something special and what’s more special than the miracle of life? Here’s the final chapter that has Maya giving birth to her and Carina’s third child. Enjoy you guys and let me know what you think down below!

Summary: Maya gives birth to her and Carina’s third baby with Carina by her side.

Words: 1633

September 13th, 2028

“Good, you’re doing so good Bella, breathe deep.”

Maya breathes in deep sitting up in her hospital bed as her enormous pregnant belly rumbles with contractions. Today is the day she gives birth to her, and Carina’s third baby and she is starting to see why her wife was so cranky when she had Andrea.

When Carina brought up the idea of them having another kid once Liam and Andrea were fully potty trained, Maya instantly said yes to the idea. She even offered to carry this time knowing full well how scary Carina was when she was pregnant. A part of her wonders how she looks to her wife now that she’s the one with the hormones and the growing belly and contractions that feel like a gorilla squeezing her body.

Maya groans in pain and exhales as the contraction finally ends and their OB, Linda Perez, comes up from behind the blue curtain covering Maya’s legs.

“Okay Maya we’re almost there, your almost fully dilated we just need you to ride out the next contraction and then your gonna push.”

Maya whimpers at that, “Oh god another one!? Why does it have to be so painful? Why can’t it just be like an egg? You pop one out and wait for it to hatch, it saves so much time and so much pain for me right now.”

Carina chuckles, “It’s exactly how I felt with Andrea except I am an OB, so I know it’s the natural order of things. I don’t know why women have more complicated organs and why we have to suffer but what can you do?”

“I should’ve just masturbated like you said.” Maya says with regret while Carina wipes the sweat off her head with a towel grinning, “God why did I talk myself out of an epidural? How did I make life and death decisions on the job with that kind of thinking? Why did I let you talk me into this?” Maya asks Carina exasperated, “How did you not strangle me when this was happening to you? Aah!”

Carina rubs Maya’s arm in comfort still grinning in amusement, “If I recall you volunteered up front because you said it was only fair for me not to do this twice.”

Maya groans, “That’s right, you are extremely lucky to have such an understanding wife who underestimates her own pain threshold.”

“I know.” Carina states with a smile, “But for what it’s worth you’re handling this a lot better than I did. I know I was not easy when I was pregnant.”

Maya nods, “Yeah you were an absolute and beautiful nightmare. But sitting here now while my insides are in a vice grip, I realize you were reacting normally to this terrifying experience. Oh god how did you do this? How were you so sure you wanted to do this after seeing this up close so many times? How did this not scare you as much as it’s scaring me?”

Carina grins at her wife and smooths her blonde hair back, “That’s easy. At every one of the births, I helped deliver I saw the pain and the bodily fluids and the screaming that can pinch your ears in different scenarios every time.”

“And once again I ask, how were you not scarred for life?!” Maya yells out feeling more scared from Carina’s recollection.

“Because all of those births were different but the one thing that was the same was the ending.” Carina smiles tenderly at those memories, “When you hear your baby crying and everything stops. Everything changes and everything feels complete in that moment. And when you hold your baby against your chest where they belong…the most painful part turns into the most beautiful experience you can ever have. And I know this from experience too because I had you there to share that joy just like I’m gonna share that joy with you again.”

Maya sniffles at Carina’s words knowing their true. When Carina gave birth four years ago Maya saw the pain she had when she was pushing instantly shift into that of wonder and love once they met their baby. It’s the same feeling Maya had only instead of pain it was fear over her very cranky and hormonal wife. And that terror was so worth it because it made her love for Andrea grow the second, she saw her.

Maya swallows, “…Okay but once we get this kid is out, we’re good with three kids because I don’t want to do all of this again for the sake of my uterus and yours.”

“I was thinking the same thing.”

Maya sighs in relief, “Thank god.”

“Good then were in agreement.” Carina kisses the top of Maya’s head and looks at the clock, “Okay your next contraction is in ten seconds.”

Maya whimpers and faces Carina, “Hold my hand.”

Carina holds Maya’s trembling hand and lets Maya grip it as the next contraction crashes over her causing her to groan out in pain. Carina says words of encouragement hoping it will mend the pain a bit, but Maya can barely hear her over her own yells. Normally Carina would be behind the blue curtain with her hands inside a pelvis so she can catch the baby, so it feels weird to be on the other side of this journey. But it’s a journey she’ll cherish forever.

Linda pops up from the curtain, “Okay Maya you are at ten centimeters, it’s time to push!”

“Oh god!” Maya yells out in fear but does as the OB says and pushes. The pain causes her to scream while Carina holds her hand telling her to push that causes Maya to snap, “Don’t tell me to push I know I need to push!”

Maya pushes until she can’t and slumps back on the bed exhausted from her 12-hour labor.

Linda speaks once again, “You did great we’re almost there.”

“You said that last time!” Maya snaps and groans as the baby kicks around her uterus.

“Linda how close are we?” Carina asks causing Linda to look at them from her spot between Maya’s legs.

“It was a great push the baby is crowning so just one more big push Maya, and your baby is gonna come. You can do this Maya okay? Just one more push and your home free.”

“You better be right because if you aren’t I’m gonna jump over that curtain and slap you to the next century.”

Carina grins at Maya’s ferociousness and steps in to humanize her, “She means yes, come on bambina one more push I’m right here I swear.”

Maya groans but sits up again with Carina’s help and grips the bed handle and Carina’s hand knowing this push will take all of her strength and Carina’s patience.

“Okay Maya it’s time to push.” Linda tells her from her side, “Push!”

Maya pushes with everything she has causing her to scream out loud in pain as she feels the baby exiting her body. Carina holds her hand astonished by her monster strength but doesn’t complain, instead she encourages Maya over her screams and the whole moment feels like it’s lasting forever for both of them. Maya feels relief hit her for the first time in twelve hours and slumps back in the bed finally able to relax.

A baby’s cries call her however and she smiles as she looks up to find Linda holding the baby in her arms like she did with Andrea. Gianna is already crying her lungs out and looks just like Andrea did when she first came out, bloody, pink and beautiful.

Carina laughs in joy along with Maya, “She’s here, look at her.”

Maya nods and let’s go of Carina’s hand observing the baby Linda is cleaning, “I know. We make such good-looking babies.”

Carina laughs seeing that Maya’s crankiness has passed causing her to kiss her, “Yes we do, what did I tell you? Did it not just become a beautiful experience?”

Linda hands the blanket wrapped baby to Maya directly on her chest while Carina cuts the cord. Their daughter quiets a bit still wiggling as her moms look at her in amazement like they did with Andrea. Maya smiles at the life she grew in her own womb knowing how resistant she was to carrying a baby when she and Carina first got married. Now she sees that those reasons back then don’t matter now because this moment right now more than makes up for it.

Carina looks at the baby with so much love and tenderness she’s worried she’ll cry. For so long she wanted a big family filled with love unlike the one she had growing up. She wanted to break her family pattern along with Maya and they did. Even with their other children at their Uncle Alex’s and Aunt Jo’s Carina feels their family complete at this very moment with Gianna Deanna DeLuca-Bishop being the final piece they needed to have their dreams come true.

Maya laughs with tears in her eyes as their daughter begins to sleep on her chest and answers Carina’s question, “It is, it’s the most beautiful thing I ever did and it’s all thanks to you.”

Carina smiles at that and clarifies, “It was all you bambina, and me. This was all you and me.” Maya reaches up and caresses Carina’s cheek causing her to lean down and kiss her.

Maya pulls back and grins at her wife, “I love you.”

“I love you.” Carina says back and holds their daughter’s tiny hand in Maya’s arms connecting all of them as one. They look down at their sleeping daughter and enjoy this moment with the newest member, Gianna Deanna DeLuca-Bishop, completing their family and making them whole.

[terrm9]

The Ray Women

Ethan and Chiara visit her family in San Francisco for the first time.

Set in the renovations period between Book 2 and Book 3.

This is the fourth part of the mini series The Couple & the Others. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 can be found here.

Words count: 4 200

Author’s note: The final part is here! I do not think I have much to say, other than THANK YOU to Ruby @starrystarrytrouble​ for this beautiful moodboard and for reading the last part back then!

Warnings: mention of death (it’s Chiara’s background, there is no way I could have avoided that), other than that fluff

Ethan let out a long exhale as soon as they stepped out of the airport hall and he felt the first rays of San Francisco sun on his skin.

There were several reasons why he never considered to leave Boston and its reasonable climate was most definitely big part of those reasons. Boston was... normal. Bearable. San Francisco was hot and the wind was barely there and the sun was too bright and-

He turned his head to look at Chiara and decided to snap his mouth shut before he could mutter something about the hell being colder.

Chiara, with the wide smile on her face and eyes closed, the whole face turned up to absorb as many of those annoying rays as possible, looked exactly as she should at the moment. Like she was finally home.

It was no secret that Chiara loved warm weather and complained about the one in Boston for the good part of the year („How does your ass not freeze in this damn city?“) and until this moment, Ethan didn’t really think about it. But now, the situation was reversed and only now he realized that he would most likely never agree to live in San Francisco, because he wouldn’t bear the heat.

And Chiara was undoubtedly dedicated to stay with him in Boston, even though she could hardly bear the cold.

„Why are you staring at me?“ she opened her eyes suddenly and tilted her head slightly to get a better look at Ethan.

Deciding not to get into discussion about weather and how it spoke volumes about the difference between them – especially not now, when Diana was about to come to pick them up any minute – Ethan answered with a statement that was not at all untrue.

„Because you are beautiful.“

Chiara let out an amused laugh at that and squeezed the hand she was holding, but it didn’t escape Ethan’s notice that her cheeks flushed and not from the shining sun.

The moment of silence and unspoken confessions between them was quickly interrupted by a delighted shriek coming from behind them and arms – bare arms that didn’t look bare because of the tattoo sleeves decorating them, Ethan noticed - wrapped around Chiara’s shoulders just a moment after.

„Alicia!“ Chiara screamed when she turned around and hugged her sister tightly, the moment lasting long enough for Ethan to absorb the only Ray he hasn’t yet had a chance to meet.

Chiara talked about her younger sister a lot ever since they agreed to visit San Francisco – or rather, she warned him about Alicia.

„She is wild.“

„Should that surprise me?“ Ethan didn’t even bother to look up from his medical journal. „She is your sister.“

„Oh no, you don’t get it. She is really wild. Alicia is the copy of my mother, the exact younger version of her. And she is... she is out of this world. The laws of nature do not apply to her. She is loud and gestures too much and speaks her mind too freely and she doesn’t walk, she bounces and she... she is wild, Ethan.“

And it went like this for weeks. Even the flight from Boston was filled with Chiara’s occasional „please do not be surprised“ and „it is who she is, it is nothing personal“.

Ethan met Diana once before, although the circumstances were so tense they both tried to forget it. Chiara was fighting for her life and the whole hospital was fighting to find a cure in time – and Diana flew to Boston, her voice shaking and eyes wide and she pleaded, begged Ethan to save her daughter because she wouldn’t survive losing another child.

Neither of them wanted the first meeting to be that way, but life had its own way in creating surprises and so Ethan knew that Chiara inherited her mother’s hair but not her eyes‘ color, he knew what her voice sounded like and that she loved her children more than life.

All that Diana remembered about Ethan from those three days she spent in Boston back in November was that his voice was soothing and calm while his eyes were terrified and just as pleading as her words and that he managed to save her little girl.

Chiara didn’t lie when she said that Alicia was a copy of Diana – her hair, just as Chiara’s – were the color of a summer sky seven minutes before the sun set completely, but unlike her mother’s or sister’s, hers were not falling on her shoulders in soft waves. Her hair were much longer, falling almost to her waist in dozens of dreadlocks. Several piercings on her face – her lower lip, her eyebrow and her nose – attracted attention and Ethan had to fight his sudden urge to ask her if the upper part of her body is hot and her feet are cold when he noticed her outfit, made of a tank top and high-waisted shorts combined with black leather boots.

She is barely 20, he kept telling himself, an obvious explanation of the difference in their points of view. And she is wild, as Chiara reminded him so many times.

„So you must be the famous Dr. Ramsey, huh?“ Alicia turned to Ethan so fast he almost didn’t manage to look away from her. „Nice to finally meet you... in person.“

She winked at Chiara at that, earning herself an annoyed glare from Chiara, something Ethan wasn’t used to seeing often.

„Ethan is just fine,“ Ethan nodded, shaking Alicia’s hand – as impossible as it felt, even smaller than Chiara’s. „It is very nice to meet you too, Alicia.“

Alicia didn’t even try to be subtle as she took Ethan in and he tried his best to hold her gaze, to not give her any reason to doubt him as the right person for Chiara.

Finally, Alicia sighed dramatically, the sound that startled Ethan visibly, as he had not a single clue of what that sigh was supposed to mean – did he disappoint her already?

„Mom was supposed to pick you up but she had some work to finish in the atelier, so she sent me.“

She turned on her heel at that and without sparing as much as another glance, led the couple to her car.

And saying that Ethan was nervous would be an enormous understatement.

*** *** ***

Whether Alicia set up some kind of test on Ethan and he passed or she was just trying to make him feel uncomfortable – knowing rather well that nobody else would – and it stopped being fun, Ethan didn’t know. He knew, however, that there was no trace of tension or hostility in Alicia’s behavior from the moment they stepped into the house.

By the time Diana came home and joined them, Ethan has seen the whole spectrum of Chiara’s annoyed glares, along with her embarassing teen-years photos and love letters she wrote to Milo Ventimiglia when she was eleven, believing that he would read them one day.

„She‘s always had a thing for older men,“ Alicia winked at Ethan at some point and part of him wanted to feel embarassed, but it took one look into Chiara’s diary filled with Keanu + Chiara or Chiara Reeves notes and yes, Alicia was right.

Chiara has always had a thing for older men. (And he should be glad.)

Sitting in a cosy living room, Ethan didn’t feel uncomfortable, not in the slightest. He felt welcomed and overly happy that he finally had something to tease Chiara with in return.

The room was bright and filled with so many photos, Ethan felt like in an art gallery for a moment. There were pictures on the ledge of a fireplace, on the walls and on every shelf. Pictures of babies and toddlers and kids, all with the same red hair and wide smiles; wedding pictures of Chiara’s parents; pictures of a man Ethan never got to know but recognized in an instant, the greenness in his eyes so well imprinted to Ethan’s mind, as Dorian’s oldest daughter was the only child to inherit the colour.

Pictures of a happy family, of a family Ethan so long wished to have and that was took away from him at the age of eleven. With an ache squeezing his heart, he realized that Alicia was barely thirteen when the happiness of their family was taken away from her. Just a child, just as he was all those years ago.

„Dorian would love to talk to you, if he was here,“ Diana smiled at Ethan, breaking his thoughts.

„He would?“

„I am sure,“ she nodded, the smile not – never – leaving her face. „He always missed a rational brain in this house – I am an artist with my body and my soul, my head always somewhere far away, ignoring the basic laws of this world. He would be so delighted to talk about science and medicine with you and I am sure by the end of your stay, he would just nod and nod and say „A good man, this one“, without even trying to give you the typical talk about his precious daughter deserving only the best,“ she laughed at that and Ethan tried to laugh too, but the lump in his throat made the task impossibly hard.

It has been seven years in which the Ray women had to learn to live their lives without Dorian and Liam, but the way they talked about them today, with so much love and gratitude, it made Ethan feel as if they never truly left the house.

„Yes, and I would just ask him something like Dad, aren’t you gonna fight for me?, and he would just laugh and tell me that he didn’t buy Dr. Ramsey’s book all those years ago just to scare him off now,“ Chiara chuckled.

After exchanging some more stories of Chiara’s childhood, Diana decided to start cooking a dinner and just as she was leaving the room, she said: „You kids stay here and catch up some more,“ which was an innocent statement, truly, but it left Ethan feeling rather awkward – was he supposed to leave with her or did she count him as a kid too? Considering the fact that his age was closer to Diana’s than Alicia’s, he could hardly be sure about anything.

In the end, he stayed with the sisters that seemed like they were not physically capable of not talking, the only moment of silence falling over the room when Alicia left to make them all a coffee.

But it didn’t last long and for a moment Ethan wondered if Chiara has talked that much naturally and only learned to control herself around him.

Was he changing her personality?

„I met Marc the other day,“ Alicia spoke again while handing Chiara her coffee, her tone light.

Ethan felt his jaw tense at the mention of Chiara’s ex boyfriend name and despite himself, he held his breath while waiting to see Chiara’s reaction.

„You did?“ Chiara asked with her eyebrow raised, sipping the hot beverage slowly. „How is he?“

„Handsome as always,“ Alicia smirked, sighing dramatically again. At this point, it didn’t even startle Ethan anymore. „He still looks like Harry Styles with those long hair.“

Ethan has never heard the name Harry Styles before but seeing Chiara’s amused grin and the way she just playfully bumped Alicia’s shoulder with hers – and that was the only reaction she gave away at Alicia’s description of her handsome ex – Ethan slowly, subtly took his phone out of his pocket and seeing that the Ray sisters paid him no attention, he decided to do his research on who the famous Marc resembled.

Harry Styles was... young. And rather good looking. With the dark hair and bright eyes, it would be easy to say that Chiara had a type (if Marc really look like that), but that was not enough to calm down that weirdly uncomfortable feeling that tried to raise up his throat.

Marc was as old as Chiara and it was no secret that even all those years after the break-up, the two were rather friendly. And he looked like this Harry Styles guy.

As much as Ethan hated to admit it, there was a name for that feeling, the name known to him but no, he was not-

He shouldn’t feel jealous of Chiara’s ex.

But Marc was young and handsome and did Chiara feel the need to talk less around him, less than she wanted? Did Chiara feel that need with Ethan?

This was stupid, Ethan knew. Chiara chose him and that should have been enough.

But Marc probably didn’t hate San Franciso’s weather as much as Ethan did.

Ethan became so lost in his own stupid, not at all rational thoughts, that he didn’t notice how Chiara left the room to help Diana in the kitchen. He only noticed Alicia’s intense gaze on him, amused smirk on her lips and maybe there was a trait that both Ray sisters carried proudly, maybe Alicia’s ability to observe was just as great as Chiara’s and maybe – probably – she knew exactly what was on Ethan’s mind at that moment.

*** *** ***

„So what do you say?“ Chiara couldn’t help but ask the moment she closed the door.

It was not that she wanted her mother to tease or test Ethan, but was her family really giving up on her so easily? Were they all just ready to give Ethan their blessings and wishes of luck with Chiara, without as much as making sure his intentions are pure?

It was not fair towards him, she knew. Alan has been nothing but kind and exceptionally nice to her, always. And Bryce did make Ethan sweat at the stupid brunch all those weeks ago.

Still, she just wanted to see him flush and stutter. Just once. Just for fun.

"He is as handsome as the pictures you have been sending," Diana grinned at her oldest child over her shoulder. "Maybe even more in person."

"You know that is not what I am asking," Chiara whispered, not wanting Ethan to hear the conversation. It was not that she didn't agree with her mother, but anyone could appraise Ethan's good looks. And Diana was not anyone - her opinion mattered to Chiara more than she'd like to admit.

"I know Ethan is a great man for you, darling. He makes you smile so much I can see these little wrinkles around your eyes," Diana gestured at the corner of Chiara's right eye, too close for Chiara's liking considering she was holding a knife in her hand. "For so long I have only seen dark circles around them. Anyone who can make you this happy is more than welcome in our family."

Chiara exhaled softly and watched her mom cut the vegetables, mulling over her next words in her head.

Before she could decide on what to say next, however, Diana smirked and spoke again.

"Not that I was worried. I spoke to Bryce few weeks ago. About you and Ethan. And he made it clear that your relationship is one he approves of."

„You did what?“

It shouldn’t surprise her, she knew. Bryce and Diana called each other so often at this point, Chiara was pretty sure Bryce asked Diana for an advice before his own date last time he went on one.

„Yes, he called me after that lunch you all have had back in December? Or was it January? I am not sure, but it was the first time Ethan joined you and your friends.“

That damn brunch.

„He called you to let you know that he roasted Ethan already and so that you do not need to do that?“ Chiara chuckled, putting her question as a joke.

„Exactly!“ Diana exclaimed happily and unlike her child, she was not joking.

„And you just... believe him?“

Diana shrugged, turning to Chiara wholly now, her smile only partly amused. Mostly soft and affectionate.

„You know I love Bryce as my own kid. I know you love him as your own brother. Has Bryce ever hurt you?“

Chiara shook her head without any hestitation because no, no matter how many people did hurt her – Ethan included – Bryce never did. Never.

„He wants you to be happy and he would never let you date anyone who wouldn’t make you so. And I wouldn’t either. Ethan makes you happier than I have ever seen you, Chiara, and that is all a mother needs. For her children to be happy.“

Not needing to hear more, Chiara wrapped Diana in a tight hug, tears threatening to fall from her eyes.

„And he looks damn good, too,“ Diana whispered into her hair before any of them could start to cry.

*** *** ***

Ethan was standing at the desk in Chiara’s old room, smiling softly at yet another photo of a wide-eyed, smiling redhead child with a hefty book in her hand. The plan for the second day of their visit was to see all of Chiara’s favorite spots in the city.

„Uhm, Ethan?“ Chiara’s voice resounded from behind his back and it was the unfamiliar hitch in it that made Ethan turn around rapidly to face her.

„Yes?“

„I... this is stupid probably and I will totally get it when you won’t want to go but, uh,“ she took a deep breath, her fists clenching and unclenching at her sides, tension around her almost visible.

„There is one place I want to go to before we start the day and it would mean so much to me if you wanted to go with me but it is probably very morbid from me to want you to go and-„ the words left her mouth at such crazy pace they almost sounded like one very long word instead.

And suddenly, it became very clear what she was trying to say, even though she didn’t know how to go on.

With two steps Ethan closed the gap between them and gently put her hair behind her ear.

„Let’s go,“ was all he whispered before taking her hand and letting Chiara lead their way.

 Chiara asked Ethan to give her a few minutes of solitude with her dad and brother and left him to stand under the huge oak tree while she sat down slowly, gently in front of the grave she used to visit every day.

For a long moment, she didn’t even know what to say, how to start. If at all.

She just kept staring at her crossed legs, letting the tears to fall freely.

How could it be that she had the privilege to have eyes to stare with and legs to stare at, while the mere privilege to be alive was taken away from them?, she wondered.

„Hi dad, Liam,“ she spoke at last, her voice just above a whisper.

Ethan didn't want to eavesdrop. It was not polite, not appropriate, it was invading Chiara's privacy.

It was also impossible not to do.

The place was small and quiet and the three he was standing under was too close to the place Chiara was sitting at and what was he supposed to do, sing? Whistle?

That would hardly be any more appropriate.

And so he heard everything Chiara said and he was sure he was not meant to hear any of that.

„Ethan is here with me,“ he heard her say. „I wanted you to finally meet him. I know the last time I was here, I was not overly happy about him, but he got back from the jungle and he is forgiven. So could you forget how I called him an utter asshole and just... be nice?“

Ethan’s whole body tensed and a regret washed over him like an icy shower. He couldn’t be anything but ashamed by the fact that Chiara already shared him at this place and that she probably hated him at the time.

„You would love him, dad. He is so smart, like, genius smart. As smart as you were. And he respects me more than anyone has ever respected me before. You always said that if the man does not respect my career, he does not deserve me, dad and if that is true, then nobody deserves me as much as Ethan.“

He heard her chuckle and there was a long moment of silence before she spoke again and with some kind of internal terror Ethan realized that he didn’t even try to stop hearing what she was saying anymore.

„And I am sure you would like him too, Liam. He is a great target of jokes and teasing.“

Another silence.

And then Chiara said something Ethan so desperately wished he hadn’t heard, something that made him hate himself for listening and even more for what he heard and he just wanted to run away, far away and hate himself in hiding.

„You know... I cannot say this to him, because he is not very keen on this kind of things and I don’t want to scare him but guys, I love him so much.“

*** *** ***

Chiara didn’t know how many times she thanked Ethan that he visited the cemetery with her, but she was sure it was not enough to express how grateful she was.

The least she could do was to make sure that their next stop would be her absolutely most favourite coffee shop in San Francisco and Ethan would get his morning coffee just the way he liked it.

Something was off, however. Ethan was extremely quiet the whole time and even though she was used to his moods at this point, it surprised her here, today. It was kind of their vacation, their free time, something they both so desperately craved.  

Chiara could see that he was lost in his thoughts, brows furrowed and his gaze pointed somewhere behind the window. And doubts started overtaking her, because of course it was too much to take him to meet her dead father and brother. It would be too much for everyone.

Before she could decide on how to apologize for dragging him there, Ethan beat her to it and spoke first, although his gaze was still pointed elsewhere.

“I must apologize.”

Only then he turned to her and her confused raised eyebrow was the push he needed to finish the thought.

“For-“ he stopped, biting his cheek, mulling over his next words and by the expression on his face, even those he speaks next are not the ones he wished to find. “For making you feel like you cannot express yourself when you are with me.”

“Oh?” Chiara shook her head slightly, her confusion growing even bigger at the odd statement.

Ethan exhaled, suddenly aware of the place being rather empty. There were no groups of teenagers, no kids, nobody that would muffle his words and his wild heartbeat.

“I overheard some of the things you said to your dad back then,” he admitted slowly, softly, quietly and he was not proud of himself for not even trying to not to overhear it.

The confusion in Chiara’s eyes was quickly replaced by comprehension and just after that, panic.

“Oh,” this time, the sigh that left her was full of understanding.

It all clicked now. It all made sense and Chiara so desperately wished it didn’t, because she loves him and he heard and now he is scared.

She tried to come up with a response that would make everything make sense, her head starting to hurt from the pressure she put on her brain to just come up with something, damnit.

Chiara opened her mouth several times without any sound leaving it and she was internally panicking and Ethan was not even looking at her.

 Until suddenly he was.

“I love you too,” he blurted out, the words a little bit slurred.

The third “oh” that left Chiara’s was so soft, had there been the teenagers or the kids, Ethan would have missed it. But he didn’t.. He heard it and it took all of the air of his lungs away, because it was almost nothing, mere two letters and yet they carried such meaning it made his throat tighten.

“You do?” she whispered at last.

“Yes, I do.”

“And it doesn’t scare you?”

“God,” Ethan laughed, pulling her closer to him and putting a long, lingering kiss on her forehead. “It scares me more than anything has ever scared me before.”

Chiara laughed softly, her warm breath tickling Ethan’s neck and she pulled away just enough to tilt her head and look at him and in her eyes, those emerald greens, so warm, so soft, so beautiful, Ethan saw more than Chiara could say at the moment, in those depths he saw that this woman, his Chiara, his light, loved him more than anyone has ever loved him before and it warmed his chest in a way he didn’t recognize and it was that moment when he knew.

There was one thing that scared him more than love. Than being loved and loving Chiara.

Losing Chiara.

And he knew it then, he knew he would fight his fears of that unknown warm feeling every day, every second of those days until it didn’t scare him anymore, because losing Chiara was not an option. Not anymore, not ever.

[writing-realityawayfromreality]

*I’m thinking about having this part in the story that I am currently working on but it is a bit different so PLEASE let me know what you think. I’ve had this idea in my head for awhile now and spending time with my niece has made me really think about kids of my own one day. Also please note that this story is supposed to take place when Harry is 30. I’m hoping the one direction reunion comes WAYYYYY before that but to just make the story flow a bit better I had to make him older.  Anyways, as always, all the love,

K*

“Where daddy?” your youngest daughter asked as you and your children take your seats in the front of the crowd. “He’s back stage.” your oldest daughter  said. “Why?” Your two year old daughter asked once again. “Because that man right there” she points to James  “is going to ask him some questions for tv.” your oldest daughter tried to explain as best as a five year old could. You just chuckled to yourself listening to your daughters talking when you felt your phone go off.

 Harry-

Did you guys get to your seats alright? 

You quickly answered knowing that he was about to come on stage at any moment. 

Just sat down, the girls are excited to see you preform.  

Harry-

See you soon my loves. 

You were going to respond when you heard James ask the crowd to put their hands together for Harry styles. Your two daughters jumped out of their seats and started cheering for their dad. Harry had walked out from the back stopping briefly to wave at his daughters before giving you a wink. You could feel yourself blushing, there wasn’t a day that went by that you didn’t love Harry as much as you loved him when you first started dating. Your two daughters called out to their dad as he sat down next to James which only caused him to laugh a bit before blowing them kisses. 

“Harry...” James said making Harry chuckle “James.” Harry said getting serious and looking him in the eyes.  “It’s been awhile since we had you on the show.” James started out. “How’ve you been?” “I’ve been amazing. I just put out another album, spending a lot of time at home with my beautiful family, just kind of basking in this time together before going on the road again.” He said looking at you. “Well I think you just answered all the questions that i had prepared for the show tonight so... ladies and gentlemen, Harry styles.” James said laughing as everyone started clapping.  Harry gave a joking shrug and stood up pretending to head backstage. “No no no I’m just kidding. Sit down.” James continued laughing. “You took some time off from touring and in that time you made this album, you want to talk about the new album a bit? I mean during your one direction time if felt as though you guys were always on the road and then the hiatus happened and you all had your solo careers and you put out your self titled album, toured. Took some time to put out fine line, toured then the pandemic happened so it pushed tour off a bit and then you finished tour, took a year to  write your third album, toured that one and now you’re putting out your fourth album? James asked looking at Harry. 

“Yeah...” *coughs* “So, the first five years of one direction we put out an album each year and we toured almost all of them besides the last album which we still yet have to do... ” Harry smirks as the crowd cheers. “I love touring and whether you were here from the one direction days or just discovered my music yesterday I really appreciate all your support and I know all the rest of the boys appreciate it as well. I had just met my then girlfriend before hiatus happened. On tour actual, it’s a funny story. But anyways I took some time off after the hiatus hit and really I tried to find who I was. I was in two movie “Dunkirk” and also “Don’t worry darling”.  As far as music I had then put out my self titled album and toured that. Took some time off to write Fine Line, started touring that a bit but like you said the pandemic shut everything down so i had to wait a year to tour that album. And then I took about a year to write the third album, wrote most of that while touring Fine line.  I toured that one of course , and then I took year and a half... not really off, but instead trying to write a album that meant a lot to not only me but my family as well. Can any of you guess what I am going to do next?” Harry asked gesturing towards the crowd. “Tour!” they all yelled back as harry smiled. “So tell us about your album that is coming out.” James said.

“Well, so like I had said, i took sometime to figure out who i was as a solo artist and you know when you’re performing a certain type of music for so long you yourself kinda get lost. But I had my now wife y/n by my side and she kinda helped me to reconnect with myself and be comfortable with making the music on my first album, she has supported me day in a day out and I can’t thank her enough. I then went onto write Fine Line and that album was written while y/n and I had broken up and we were seeing other people and there was just something about y/n that I couldn’t let go...” Harry stopped when he heard people the crowd awe. “Don’t worry, we ended up back together... clearly.” harry laughed. “But by the time the third album came out I was already married and now i took some time off to spend with my wife and daughters and that’s how the fourth album was born, it was based on all the emotions that I was feeling. I was surrounded by friends and family, so this album is upbeat and happy, it’s about love, loving yourself, being in love, loving life, and loving one another. 

“Not to switch topics but you mentioned your wife...” James said. “I did... can we get a round of applause for my beautiful wife.” Harry asked as both him and Jame as well as the crowd started to cheer and clap. “You both are hardly ever on social media...” James started as Harry just nodded in agreement. “But when you guys are the fans get the best content, whether that be either you doing something or her doing something, sometimes it’s something your kids have done or something about your pets, and the fans just love it. A lot of the comments that i see is them asking for you two to be their parents. How does that make you two feel?” James chuckled. “Uh, well, my wife and I both agreed that we wanted to raise our kids out of the spot light so we try not to post too much but we would welcome whoever into our family with open arms... we just want everyone to feel loved and treated with kindness.” Harry said looking to the crowd as they clapped. “Speaking of welcoming people into your family, your latest post that the both of you posted was that you two are expecting your third child together!” James announced. “Wait a minute, three children?” Harry asked as though he was in shock by the news. Harry started to count on his fingers “Darcy... Angelique... and um... baby styles...” He held up three fingers “One, two, three, yep three... ” Harry pursed his lips and blew out air while still looking like he  was in shock causing everyone to laugh  “ladies and gentlemen give a round of applause for the expecting couple” James exclaimed. “I remember when you were on here when you two were first engaged and the next thing I knew you two were having your first child together and then your second, and now third!” Jame stated. “Well, that’s how it works James, you can’t have your second child first...” Harry Joked.

“Your wife is here today, is she not?” James asked. “She is, and my two beautiful daughters are here today as well.” Harry stated. “Almost three children now, what is that like?.” James said looking to Harry. “Honestly I don’t think I could had picked a better partner to raise children with. I don’t know how y/n does it all. Together y/n and I have two beautiful daughters with another child on the way. Darcy, our oldest had just turned five last month and Angelique our newly middle child will turn three in two months. They are both keep us on our toes, and are both super sassy, we think they get that from their uncle Louis...” Harry laughs. “But they are truly a blessing to the both of us. They love traveling with us, and are generally well behaved, um they do fight like normal siblings but at the end of the day you can find them cuddled up together on the sofa watching a disney movie, that comes from their uncle Liam” Harry stated looking at you and your children. 

“You really give a lot of credit to your wife, you guys have been married for four   years now? Where did you find the time to make music and get married and have children?” James questioned. “You’re really going to have me gushing over my family on live tv?” Harry asked smiling at James. “The fans want to know, you guys are pretty private.” James said laughing. “ We did get married in 2020, before covid hit, we found time in between touring, so we’ve been married for 4 years now. “How long had you guys been dating prior to getting married.” James asked.  “ 5 years actually believe it or not. I met her back in the start of 2015, I was 21 and she was 18 and the moment I saw her I was head over heels for her. She wasn’t too keen on me however and really made me work to even take her out on our first date.” Harry said looking over as you recalled your first date. “Why didn’t you just walk over to her and say “hello love,  I’m Harry Styles, member of one direction one of the worlds biggest boyband...” I mean come on you are super famous. I’m sure that would had won her over.” James laughed. “It might have but I don’t really like to bring fame into my relationships.” Harry said. “So, how did you win over such a gorgeous lady?”  James questioned. “I just happened to go on a trolley ride that she was working on that day, it was an amusement park trolley. It was a private ride for the guys and I. Her and her coworker put on this little show, taught us about the history of the park we were at, they got dressed up as different people and sang songs. It was just amazing. Later that day I had asked if she could give me a tour of the park itself and we went on rides, I asked her to come to the concert that night but she declined. I think it was close to 2 months after meeting I asked her on a date to which she turned me down. It was maybe six months into knowing each other that she finally agreed to go on a date with me,” Harry laughed. “SIX MONTHS? Y/N! WHAT WERE YOU DOING TO THIS POOR BOY?” James questioned you. “She was in college and working full time and helping out her family and playing sports... but yes ladies and gentlemen it took me, Harry styles six months to get a first date with y/n. Which was a beautiful picnic and then I...” Harry stopped laughing a bit. “I set up this homemade movie theater type thing  later on that night” Harry stated which made the crowd awe once again.  

“Did she know who you were?” James asked. “She knew of us because of her sisters being fans but it wasn’t something that made her think “Oh man I need to date this man because he’s in a boyband.” Harry laughed. “Did she meet the other lads speaking of boyband?” James questioned. “She did, she had met them here and there a few times before dating but once we were dating she invited all of them over for a dinner... “ Harry laughed  “I remember she made this HUGE dinner because she wanted to make sure everyone had something that they liked to eat and she made a bunch of desserts. She was so nervous that it actually made me nervous just watching her it was like a chicken running around with their head cut off.  By the time the boys got there she was covered head to toe in all different types of spices and flour.” Harry finished laughing. You could feel yourself chuckle recalling the event. “The boys went home with a lot of leftovers that night.” Harry said while James and the crowd laughed.  

“Anyways...So we were officially dating in June of 2015 and a year passed.  We had you know, moved in together basically spent every day together, so November of  2016 that I had asked her to marry me. You know I was feeling really good, I was casted in a movie and my album was nearly finished. I knew that I was going to be going on tour and I wanted her to come with me.” Harry said “I take it that she said yes?” James joked. “No, she waited another six months to give me an answer...” Harry joked back. “No, no she said yes right away. *coughs* so then 2017 my self titled album came out and dunkirk and that was going great y/n had come with me on tour for a bit, but y/n and I had decided to break up only a year after being engaged and it was pretty rough. We thought we were moving too fast, she was still trying to get a degree, I wasn’t really home and our schedules weren’t lining up. So I finished up the tour in 2018 for my self titled album, um  y/n and I had reconnected in september of that year after both of us had dated other people.  I spent that year writing Fine Line, so that’s what that album is about. But we both agreed that we still had feeling for one another and we wanted to pick up where we left things so we were re-engaged in 2018. Beginning of 2019 Fine line was released and we had also found out that we were expecting our first daughter. We both talked about getting married as soon  as we found out about our baby but after a many many long conversations we agreed that we didn’t need to be married before having Darcy but in 2020 we finally tied the knot, we actually waited until Darcy was able to walk so she could be our flower girl. Freddie and Bear both carried the rings down the aisle for us, it was great to have the guys at the wedding. Not long after we were married we found out that we were expecting Angelique.” Harry finished looking at you and smiled. “Wow, so you guys have been together for roughly 9 years, married, 4 albums out and now expecting your third child together. Would you had ever thought that you would be a father?” James asked. 

“Oh for sure, I’ve always loved children. While in One direction we had Lux around. All the boys and us are now fathers and it really is something, i wouldn’t change it for the world.” Harry answered. “Any more children after this one?” James asked as Harry looked to you and smirked. “ I think that is up to the misses. I mean, I’m 30 now, she’s 27 with a five and almost three year old and a new baby soon. we still have time if we would want any more children.” Harry finished off the statement. 

[cordonian-literature]

The Aftermath - Ch. 31

The Talk

Summary: Riley and Liam talk about what’s next for them, and Drake finally confronts Jessica

Word Count: ~2.7k

Warnings: mention of character death, slight language, implied smut

*All characters belong to Pixelberry, except those that are unique to my story (I’ve also used some characters and fictional instances from Donna Tartt’s book, “The Goldfinch”)*

Catch up here!

Tags:  @captain-kingliamsqueen @gkittylove99 @lovablegranny @iam-the-kind-and-thoughtful​ @mom2000aggie @kingliam2019 @queenrileyrose @shanzay44 @cordonianroyalty @hopefulmoonobject @hopelessromanticmonie @twinkle-320 @charlotteg234 @amandablink @texaskitten30 @queencatherynerhys @pens-girl-87 @ladyangel70 @sanchita012 @cordonianprincess @liamandneca @cordonia-gothqueen @pink-diamond13 @queenwalton @yourmajesty09 @alj4890​

I don’t know if the tags are working or not, but I hope I got everyone down. If you would like to be added/removed, let me know :)

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- Riley - 

I wake by the morning light that blares through the window. After blinking for a few moments, I slowly take in the room around me. I see my luggage near the far corner, and there are clothes littered on the floor. The covers of the bed are dangling off the edge. Liam is on the bed with me. His head rests on my stomach and his arms are loosely around me. His face is an image of pure peace. 

I wonder what time it is. Turning my head, I can see that my phone isn’t near me. I look again at Liam, sleeping soundly, and I don’t want to wake him. 

I shift my upper body, trying to lean down to see if my phone was on the floor. But I move a bit too much, and Liam wakes. He rubs his eyes, then turns his head slowly, kissing my stomach and all the way up to my lips. 

“Good morning,” I say to him when we part. His blond hair is a whorl on his head and there’s a content smile on his face.

I get out of bed and find my phone under my discarded dress. Checking the time, I see that it’s almost noon. I put it on the bedside table and begin picking up the clothes scattered on the floor. 

“What are you doing, love?” Liam asks, reaching for me. He lightly takes hold of my elbow and draws me back towards the bed. I let myself fall into his warm embrace. “I’d like to stay here with you forever,” he whispers in my ear. 

“I would, too, but we already missed breakfast. Plus the kids might be worried.”

Liam kisses my temple. Neither of us move to get out of bed. A part of me doesn’t want to move. Liam’s embrace felt peaceful and safe. It was refreshing in a way. It was like I had found my way home.

We stare at the ceiling, disregarding the time pass by.

“The Anointing Ceremony is tomorrow,” Liam speaks. 

“I know,” I respond. “My mother said she’s going to fly over for it. And Gabe said he was having a bit of anxiety.” 

“I’ll be sure to make accommodations for your mother. As for Gabriel, I’ll speak to him. I know he’ll be perfect.” He pauses for a second. “There is also something that I wish to ask your mother.”

“What do you want to ask her?” 

He gives a low chuckle. Liam meets my eyes, but says nothing. His silence gives me his answer. 

“You said you wanted me to give you until the end of the Social Season,” I state. “Well, there’s barely two days left.” He laughs again. “Is there something you want to ask me?” I manage to say through a smile.

He looks away for a moment. I’m still tucked under his arm and glued to his side. “Perhaps there is something I wish to ask you, but this was not the position I had planned.”

“Really? Then what did you have planned?”

“I thought I’d bring you to the hedge maze.”

“The same one that Ella got lost in?” 

“Well, I would make sure the children were safe before we’d go. There’s a well I wish to show you.” 

“And what would we do at the well?”

His gaze is intense. His eyes aren’t as tired as usual, compared to these past few weeks. I lean forward and press my lips against his. 

“Riley,” he says, making my body shiver. I push myself closer to him. “You torture me.”

I rest my head on his shoulder. His arms wrap tightly around me. “I’ve been torturing myself, too. Ten whole years.” I trail off, feeling uneasy.

“It took us ten years to make our way back to each other,” Liam says gently. “And now that I have you, I don’t want to lose you. Or Gabriel, or Eleanor.”

“I don’t want you to lose us, either.” 

He kisses me again, then moves away suddenly. “Would your mother be okay with that?” 

I give out a laugh. “What does she have to do with it?” 

“She was quite hostile when we were in New York. Whenever I’d mention anything about our relationship she wouldn’t hesitate to remind me how I failed you.” 

“But you didn’t fail me. Both of us made mistakes. I just want to leave it in the past.”

We snuggle closer to each other. Liam smothers my face in soft kisses. “Riley Brooks,” he whispers. “My queen.”

My heart flutters a little. We stay like that for a little while longer before deciding it would be better to get out of bed and check on the kids. We dress quickly, stealing kisses every other moment, and walk out of the room hand in hand. 

The estate is quiet and practically empty. Most of the court had already left or were still asleep. At the bottom of the stairs, servants are cleaning up the mess from last night. Bertrand supervises them, watching their every move. When Liam and I pass by, Bertrand glances at our hands, then at Liam, and finally gives us a wide smile. 

In the dining room, Gabe and Bartie play a game on one of Gabe’s devices, leaning close to the small screen with small controllers in their hands. Eleanor and Hana are going through a simple ballet routine, laughing and clapping for each other. When Ella sees us she rushes over to give Liam a hug, who lifts her into his arms. Gabe is still focused on his game but gives us a quick “hi”. 

I ask Hana were Maxwell and Rowan are, but she says she hasn’t seen them since last night. 

“What about Drake? Or Olivia? Or Boris?” 

“I saw Drake leave the estate a few hours ago,” Hana tells me. “Olivia and Boris I saw during the party, but not this morning.”

With Ella still in his arms, Liam makes his way over to Gabe and Bartie, asking about the game they’re playing. Hana pulls me to the side. 

“I have news,” she states, a wide smile across her face. It’s one that I recognize. I haven’t seen it in a while, but I knew there was only one thing that would make her this happy. “Neville signed the papers last night.”

“What!” I cry. Hana nods and laughs. I give her a tight hug. “Took you long enough to get rid of him!” 

“I know!” Her smile falters a little. “I haven’t told my parents yet.” 

“I’m sure they’ll understand. And don’t worry, I’ll be here for backup.” 

She gives a smile, then asks, “Now what about you and Liam?” 

A wide grin spreads across my face. “We talked.”

“And...?” Hana urges me to continue. 

“And... I decided that I want to stay in Cordonia. With him, Gabe, Ella, and all our friends.”

Hana gives me an amused look. “So you’re saying...”

“It’s technically unofficial... but yes.”

Hana squeals and we share a hug. Servants walk into the room, putting plates on the tables. Savannah and Bertrand enter, and we all sit down for lunch. 

Bertrand asks me the same question Hana did, and he and Savannah give me quiet congratulations. Gabe and Ella talk excitedly about some other topic, and Liam matches their enthusiasm. 

Before, looking at them interacting like this had made me upset. It reminded me of everything that I had kept from them. But now I feel the opposite; even though they had spent more time away from each other than together, there was the undeniable care and affection that the children had for Liam, and that he had for them. It was the way it should have been from the start, and knowing that there was no longer anything that could change it, I feel at peace.

- Drake - 

Jessica had left Ramsford in the early morning. She left Drake a note, claiming she had plans to meet up with friends. Drake suspected that he knew what that meant. Two hours after he woke up, he received a text from her: 

plans canceled :( come meet me, let’s have lunch xx

Once he read the message, Drake was sure that her “plans” had probably been with Boris, who was still locked in a bedroom somewhere in the estate.

Drake hadn’t told anyone what he had discovered about Jessica, not even Savannah. He wondered if Olivia had gotten more information out of Boris. Drake didn’t want to go see Jessica. He knew there was nothing she could do to make him angrier, but he needed answers. 

Even with the doubts, he drives over to her apartment in the capital. His mind is numb while he drives. Drake can’t bring himself to focus on the present moment, and almost swerved into ongoing traffic more than once. But he finally made it to her apartment and got out of his car. 

As he walked through the lobby and down the hall towards her room, he kept reminding himself that she couldn’t make him feel sorry for her. She had no power over him. 

When she opened the door, she wasn’t as composed as she usually was. She was rushing around the clean, white kitchen and starts talking about multiple things at once: a new dress she wanted to buy, tried it on, couldn’t decide, put it on hold, got shoes instead, a call from her uncle who lives in Italy, her boss wants her to fly to London for the weekend, her friend Emma wanted to go on a trip to the Caribbean but Jessica wanted to go France.

“Listen,” she finally stops babbling on. “I had such a good idea. Let’s go get a curry. I’m craving one and don’t feel like cooking. What’s that place you took me to that one time? The Maha something?”

“You mean that fleabag?” he says. 

“Excuse me?” She quickly turns to regard him. 

Drake didn’t remember the name of the restaurant she was talking about — the name changed every few years as it came under different owners, but the menu always stayed the same. His mother had brought him and his sister there when they were younger. A while ago he had dinner there with Jessica, who commented that the venue and waiters depressed her.

“The saddest restaurant in the capital,” Drake repeats her comment. “Great idea.” 

She frowns. “Whatever. I think there’s another place that’s closer. Emma knows where it is, I can ask her for the name. Or we can do what you want.”

“What I want?” Drake leans against the door frame of the kitchen, his hands in his pockets. “That’s rich.” 

“Sorry.” She turns away. “I thought a curry might be nice. Forget I said anything.” 

“It’s fine. You can stop now.” 

She turns to him again, a vacant smile on her face. “Excuse me?” 

“You know what I’m talking about.” 

Jessica blinks at him, but says nothing. 

“I think you should keep your phone on when you’re with him. I tried to call you on the street. Maybe if you had answered, we wouldn’t be here.” 

“Sorry, I don’t know...?” She trails off. Drake doesn’t know if the confusion on her face is genuine or fake. 

“Jess, I saw you.” 

Again she blinks rapidly. After a slight pause she continues. “Oh, please, you can’t be serious. You don’t mean Boris, do you?” A moment of deadly silence passes. Neither of them says anything, but she speaks up again. “He’s an old friend, from way back, we’re really close—”

“Yeah, I reckon you are.” 

“—from when his mother died. He moved to Cordonia for like a year when he was eight. We went to school together. Papa knew him, they did business together for some time. Emma knows him, too, and, and,” she stutters for a moment. “I know how it may have seemed, and I know you have a good reason not to like him, because, because I know about him knowing Riley for all those years and helping Theodore, and, sure they probably shouldn’t have done that, it... it was none of their business but listen, he feels awful about how it turned out—”

“Feels awful?”

“—and he’s been feeling terrible lately,” she continues rapidly, “ever since Theodore died and what happened to Riley and the kids—”

“You two sit around and talk about that shit? You talk about my friends and pity us?” 

“—and Boris, he came over to see Emma and I right before we got into the movies. We dropped her off at her apartment after. He... he had a bad upset and just wanted someone to talk to—”

“You don’t expect me to believe all that do you?”

“Listen. I don’t know what... what you know or how you know but—”

“How long have you been seeing him?” He was tired of the nonsense.

“Drake, let’s not do this.” 

“No, tell me, I want to know how long.”

“I won’t see him anymore,” she states quickly. 

“So you admit it?” 

“I didn’t think it mattered until we were married.” 

“Didn’t think it mattered?” He’s shocked at her words. Drake doesn’t know what to say to her, but anger still boiled inside him. “You didn’t think I would find out?” 

“I said I won’t see him anymore. I told him I wouldn’t a while back.”

“But he keeps coming back,” Drake speculates. “He won’t take no for an answer. He loves you too much.”

“That’s right.” 

Drake takes a reflexive step back.

A flash of guilt crosses her face, but it disappears in a second. “Listen. I don’t expect you to understand but it’s rough being in love with the wrong person.”

Silence spreads between them again. They don’t look at each other and instead glance around the room. 

Drake had walked into her apartment telling himself that she had no power over him, there was no way for her to make him feel sorry... but who knew the truth of what he was talking about better than Drake? Maybe he was wrong to connect Jessica’s relationship with him and Boris to Drake’s feelings for Riley, but his mind couldn’t help but wander.

“Drake, let’s not let this spoil things. We’re better people when we’re with each other, aren’t we? And... we’re a good couple. We like each other, we get along.” Drake’s anger rises, but he can’t bring himself to speak. Jessica continues, “Now, let’s both be truthful and kind and happy together and—”

“Stop it,” Drake interrupts her again. He had barely heard what she said over his heart hammering in his chest, but he knew that he was tired. He had used most of his energy last night during his fight with Boris, and he wasn’t going to let Jessica take advantage of his exhaustion. 

Drake remembers the ring that she wore the night before. He glances down at her hand to see that it’s still there. He makes eye contact with her again. Her eyes are slightly pink with tears. 

His voice is rough when he speaks. He’s angry at her, and he wants her to know it. “You can keep the ring if you want. Or sell it, give it away. I could give less of a shit for what you’ll do to it.”

She looks down at her shaking hand. “I won’t sell it, I know it was your grandmother’s.”

He watches her, wondering if she was going to give it back. 

“Drake, please, we’re right for each other. This marriage is the right thing for both of us and we both know it—”

“Jess, you know where I live. You can mail it, drop it off. Whatever you want. Just...” Drake trails off. Jessica moves towards him, but he doesn’t want to deal with her anymore. He turns his back to her and walks out the door. 

[amberskywrites]

Chance of a Glorious Day

Kiane Week Day 4 - Reign/Daily life

AO3 Link || Masterpost 

Fandom / Genre: Nanatsu no Taizai (The Seven Deadly Sins) / Fluff

Pairing: King/Diane

Warnings: None!

Summary: King and Diane's kid wakes them up to ask them something!

“Mom! Dad!”

The words echo throughout the forest, and King groans softly, curling closer to Diane. The voice is very, very familiar to the pair, and if King could judge the rustling of the trees, whoever was calling out wasn’t too far away and was getting closer. They didn’t sound panicked, so King wasn’t too worried.

Moments later, the rustling stopped, someone was panting and then flopping onto him and Diane, giggling at King’s quiet grunt from the impact.

King sighed, turning over and staring down at the child - Liam - in amusement. They stared back, grinning at their father. Liam’s eyes were a dark brown, and their tangled hair was only a few shades lighter. King was a little surprised to see Liam’s hair not nearly as messy as it usually was, their hair pulled into a loose braid.

“I thought I told you to be more quiet this early?” King said, carefully maneuvering the child away from Diane, who was seemingly still fast asleep (King suspected she was pretending). Liam laughed sheepishly, glancing at their sleeping mother.

“Sorry,” they mumbled, before brightening. “But Lancelot and I want to go on an adventure today but I don’t wanna get in trouble and leave without asking.” Liam rubbed the back of their neck, their small wings fluttering lightly. “So… can we go?”

Diane opened one of her eyes, peering up at their kid curiously before sitting up herself. “Where are you two going?” she asked.

“Just a little ways out the forest!”

King and Diane shared a look. “Did you two get permission from Ban and Elaine?”

Liam frowned a little, fiddling with their hands. “Uncle Ban said to ask you, and Aunt Elaine said as long as Dad was okay with it then she would be.” They looked between their parents hopefully. “I promise we won’t get lost! And we won’t separate like last time!”

King hummed, not exactly believing Liam. But Diane sent him a look. “It has been awhile since the incident…” Liam perked up at Diane’s words. “And, they haven’t gotten a chance to go and play outside the forest in awhile.”

Liam looked to their father, who sighed softly before nodding. “Fine, just don’t go too far, please? And be back before sundown?”

Liam grinned, launching themself at King and laughing. “Thanks Dad!” Liam kissed King’s cheek before repeating the embrace with Diane and flying off soon after. King and Diane could hear Liam calling out to Lancelot that they could go.

“They’re a handful,” King mumbled as he settled back into bed, Diane following suit while giggling.

“Well what did you expect?”

King smiled as Diane curled into his side, burying her face in his chest. “Not sure, honestly.” He brought a hand up to brush through Diane’s hair. She hummed in content at the feeling, leaning into his touch. “But I’m glad they’re happy, at least.”

Diane nodded slightly. “Liam’s been dying to get out for weeks, this must be a glorious day for them.”

“It’d be a more glorious day for us all if we can go back to sleep.”

She huffed softly, chuckling, but she silently agreed with him. It was a nice day, and unless an emergency came up, King and Diane were going to spend most of the day relaxing. Mostly sleeping though, because heavens know they needed the extra sleep.

King pressed a gentle kiss to Diane’s head as he felt her breathing even out, and soon he had returned to sleep as well, only making a mental note to let Gearheade and Matrona know later on that Liam and Lancelot were out of the forest for the day.

[buckyreaderrecs]

Wax and Wane

Summary: Bucky was sure he'd felt all the different types of bad a person could feel. He was wrong. You were pretty sure it was illegal to drive away with an Avenger in the back of your van, but what else could you do? A story about grief that is basically the 'flowers grow in the sidewalk cracks' metaphor fanfictionalised.

Words: 5,614 Pairing: Bucky Barnes/Reader Characters: Bucky Barnes, Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson, Thor Additional tags: mostly canon compliant (Infinity War and Endgame never happened), Stark Tower still exists, other Marvel characters are mentioned but aren’t central to plot, recovering Bucky, not angsty but a sad story, she/her pronouns Warnings: illness/death, sick children, grief

Note: This was written for Nik's 1k Writing Challenge - @serpienten  My dialogue prompt was, "I'll keep you warm. Hold me closer." I hope you love it, Nik! 

EDIT: Accidentally had all the Y/N replaced with my name because of the Chrome extension. Hopefully fixed, but if you see Rhiannon pop up, please let me know so I can edit. Embarrassing lol.

Wax and Wane

As the paint was brushed gently across their skin in broad strokes, you could read the joy and pleasure in their sweet little faces. It was a very minor and short term relief from their day-to-day pain, but it was the very least you could do. Face painting wasn't going to cure cancer or mend broken bones, but it made the residents of the hospital's children's ward happy.

Most of the long-term patients knew you. You were the girl in the tutu and butterfly wings that would come and blow bubbles and make them smile. But on that day, you weren't the one they were excited for.

The children were in a frenzy as The Avengers entered the room, dressed in their best outfits (minus any dangerous weaponry, you assumed). You stood to the side of the room with the doctors, nurses, and parents, and listened along with an enraptured audience as Captain America and Iron Man introduced the team. The kids couldn't sit for long, so very quickly the nibbles and treats were brought out and the room calmed into a soft party atmosphere.

As soon as you'd set up your station, there was a line of children wanting to have webs and stars painted. You worked quickly, getting through the line fast. Staying put, you only had a chance to briefly survey the room before Liam, one of your most special friends, trotted up to you, pulling along someone new.

"Hey, Liam," you greeted. He let go of his new friend's hand to hug you.

"Look, Y/N!" he said, pointing up. "It's Bucky!"

You looked up at Bucky Barnes, who would have towered over you even if you had been standing. The child's size plastic chair you were on really added a comical size difference though.

"Hi, Bucky," you said, coy smile. Bucky softly smiled back. "You're Liam's favourite,"

"Yeah, I told'ed him that!" Liam said, not a shred of self-consciousness in the child. "And now we can be matching,"

"Matching?" you asked.

"Yeah, 'cause you do the painting and you can paint my arm like Bucky's," Liam explained, holding his prosthetic arm out in demonstration.

Glancing up at Bucky to make sure he was privy to the plan, he simply gave a little shrug.

"Sounds good to me. How about you sit in this chair here, Liam, and we get Bucky to sit right next to us on the floor. Is that okay?" you asked both of them.

Liam jumped into the seat, sticking his arm out ready.

Bucky had a bit of a harder time folding himself down, but he eventually managed to sit in front of you comfortably.

"Okay if I borrow your arm for a bit?" you asked Bucky.

He nodded and held it out to you. When you took it, laying it across one of your legs so you could copy the seams and markings, Bucky held his breath. Most people hesitated. He figured some of them were afraid, and some didn't want to appear rude. Not you though. To you, his arm was just that - an arm. You'd kinda grown used to celebrities (is that what superheroes are classified as? you wondered to yourself) by then. Make a Wish and fundraising events and all that jazz… Turns out most famous people are pretty normal, boring even.

Bucky watched you pull a bunch of markers out of your kit and begin replicating the aesthetic of his vibranium arm onto Liam's plastic prosthetic. He let you gently move him as needed, and found himself in awe of how good your Sharpie skills were.

"You're really good," he said, speaking up for the first time.

Liam held most of the space in the conversation, which was fine by both of you. He told Bucky about his illness, and how even though he'd lost his arm, he was the "luckiest kid in New York" because he was alive and because he got to meet The Avengers. There were shades of adult in his words, like he'd been told of his own luck before.

While Liam spoke, you stole glances at Bucky. Mostly, his gaze was on Liam, sometimes darting over to you and away just as fast; he was avoiding eye contact. However, he quickly would turn to focus on particularly loud sounds or doors opening. If you'd had a chance to watch any of the other heroes in the room, you'd note they all did the same.

"Doin' okay, Liam?" you checked in when the boy had gone quiet.

Liam nodded frantically, not wanting to disappoint. "Yeah!" he affirmed.

"Maybe just need a little nap after this, huh buddy?" you asked.

"Maybe," he replied, relieved that there was a nap in his future.

"Think I might need one too," Bucky chimed in. Liam giggled like it was a joke.

"All done!" you announced.

When the very elated Liam was done tippy tapping and hugging, he ran off to show his parents how absolutely cool he was.

You and Bucky stood, both stretching out your limbs.

"Think you've made a friend for life there," you told him; he softly smiled in reply. "Can I just say something that might be way out of place? I just… I don't know… I feel like you need to hear it."

Bucky frowned, studied your face for a second. "Sure,"

"Okay… So… You do know that you deserve to be here, right?"

Mostly his expression was blank, then his head tilted to the side just a little. You'd been reading him the whole time, he realised. He felt exposed. But there was nowhere to run to.

"Maybe…" he finally settled on saying.

"Maybe?" you scoffed. "I mean, kids are lining up to meet you… And you're not questioning if, like, Wanda Maximoff or Natasha Romanoff should be here, you know what I mean?"

Bucky looked over to where Scarlet Witch and Black Widow were forming a girl gang. "They're different. It's different," he argued, but his words were laced with too much sadness for you to give in.

"Yeah… If you wanna get technical, weren't you the only one under mind control or whatever?" you posed.

Bucky looked at you, tried to figure out why you were being so… persistently kind. Your logic made sense, and something in him considered believing it.

"I'm just saying," you continued, "You deserve to be here. And if you don't wanna accept that, then it can be like… Liam deserves for you to be here."

That, Bucky could get behind. He nodded. "Thank you," he said, awkward but earnest.

You shrugged it off, then took a slow step towards him. "Hug?"

He blinked stupidly, then nodded, opening his arms and letting you step into them. While you wrapped your arms loosely around his neck, Bucky hesitated for a moment, then slid his arms around you. People around the room, even the ones that didn't know Bucky, watched how his hands lingered in the air before settling on your back. They saw how he melted into the hug, let his head rest on your shoulder and closed his eyes.

When you stepped away from each other, he'd inherited some of your fairy glitter.

"I'll see you next time, I guess," you offered, letting your sentence trail off enough that Bucky could catch it if he wanted. There was room for him to say anything. But, he just nodded.

Bucky watched you walk away.

Sam appeared at his side. "So, are you gonna-" Sam said, the amusement clear in his tone.

"Don't," Bucky interrupted.

"She's clearly-"

"I said don't," Bucky snapped, walking out of the room.

Sam went to follow, worried he'd genuinely upset his friend, but he caught Steve's eye. A subtle shake of the head told him to stand down.

…

Although you buried it deep inside, there was some small part of you that thought maybe you'd hear from Bucky. You weren't exactly sure why you thought that was going to happen. It was easy to let that idea fall in the face of logic though; he was an Avenger… very busy… very private… etc. etc. Nonetheless, that small part stayed alight, and it fed your dreams all the way through to the next time you would cross paths with Bucky again.

It was a different hospital, but the same type of event. Sparkle and shine and cheer the kids up. Although there were less Avengers than the first, the children were entirely chuffed with meeting their heroes. And, this event had something the previous did not. Thor. His laugh bellowed all through the ward's corridors, providing a sharp contrast to the otherwise sterile mundane life of the hospital.

Thor promised the children that it wasn't that they weren't worthy of wielding Mjolner, it was that they just weren't ready yet. "You're far too little! When you're big and strong, like me!" He filled the children with more hope than they'd had in a long time.

Your attention constantly being drawn to the larger-than-life Asgardian was a welcomed distraction… You were trying to give Bucky space, deciding that if he wanted to talk to you, he could. You wouldn't push it. Two superheroes that apparently did want to talk to you, though, were Falcon and Captain America.

Like you were their mission, there was hardly a second where one of them wasn't by your side. Sam was entirely unhelpful, giving creative input to all the face painting. He made the kids laugh though, often at jokes that went over their innocent heads. It was his sassy tone they really liked. Steve was a little calmer, answering weird and wonderful questions only children could think up.

They were both charming, personable, and genuinely fun to be around, but what were they doing? Were they trying to coax Bucky in? Provide a buffer? Or, no… Maybe they were keeping you from him? Shaking the thought from your head, you simply blew bubbles and painted faces and covered the room in confetti.

You would have liked to say you didn't notice when Bucky slipped from the room, not returning, but that small part of you most definitely did. It most definitely noticed and you most definitely felt the effect of him not speaking to you, not even offering a smile across the room.

"Did I do something?" you finally asked Steve, not needing to explain the context.

"No… It's not you…" he answered, looking over at the door Bucky had left through. "He's just… He's trying…"

…

The children's ward was quiet. It was like that on Tuesday mornings. No events. Rounds over. Just the everyday life of sick children and distraught parents. As you walked down the corridor, you glanced through open doorways on your way to the nurses' station.

It was a hard place to be.

Something caught your eye and you stopped yourself a second too late, passing the room before you could see what it was. A flash of something. Stepping back, you snuck a look around the corner.

A sunbeam off vibranium. Bucky Barnes was folded next to a bed, his arms crossed on the edge of the mattress, his head resting on them. He was asleep. You took a step into the room, then looked to the occupant of the bed. Your heart dropped. Liam.

Liam was asleep in bed, sweating and small.

Cautiously, you crept further into the room. Neither of them stirred, so you took a chair on the opposite side of the bed to Bucky and reached over to pick up Liam's chart from the end of his bed. It didn't say a lot, just the need-to-know for nurse rotation. But you knew those medications enough to know it was bad. Really bad. The emotions caught were too big. You put the chart back; the plastic-hitting-plastic sound it made woke Bucky up. He shot up, chair almost knocked to the ground if it weren't for his reflexes. He looked across the bed at you then, recognition instant. A worried expression took over his face.

"Y/N?"

"He's sick again," you said, your voice sounding far away.

Bucky tracked your gaze to Liam. He nodded. "Yeah… They, ah… It came back… His parents went home to get some sleep. I said I'd stay." When you didn't move, didn't say anything, Bucky grew nervous. He could hardly handle his own reaction, let alone yours too. "They, the hospital, got in touch when he came back in. Said that… I could help. Make him feel… brave, or… I don't know.. It's been a couple weeks, but…"

He couldn't bring himself to say it and you didn't need to hear it.

"I've… I've got to… go…" you said.

When you stood up, you wobbled on the spot and tried to take a step to the door. Bucky was next to you before you even clocked him moving.

"Come on. Don't wanna wake him," Bucky whispered, helping you out of the room gently.

In the corridor, away from the door, you felt the wet hot tears roll down your face. Stupid, you thought to yourself, you should be used to this. It's happened before. The obvious and cruel downside to volunteering in the pediatric ward of a hospital.

Bucky stood in front of you, watching for only a couple seconds before pulling you into a hug. He squeezed you into his chest, your arms curled comfortably between him and you.

"He's talked about you. He'd wanna see you... Come back this afternoon and see him."

You nodded, keeping your eyes shut tightly.

"Okay," you tried, your voice squeaky and small.

"Okay," Bucky repeated, trying to channel the humanity pre-Hydra Bucky showed when Steve's mother passed away. He knew what to say and do then. "You're okay… Go… Go do what ya need to. We'll be here. I've got him," he said.

When he let you go, you felt cold. You wiped your tears, nodded once and looked up at him.

"Go," he prompted, and you nodded again, turning and walking away.

…

"Yeah, I don't know what that is,"

"Finding Nemo?!" Liam repeated, like if he said it louder Bucky was more likely to recognise the title.

You chuckled from the seat next to Bucky's.

"You knew?" he asked.

"Everyone knows just keep swimming, Buck," you told him with a shrug.

"Guess that's another one for the list then," he said, pulling his phone out and adding the film to his ever-growing list of 'to watch'.

Hours could go by like that. You, Liam, and Bucky sitting around, reciting movie quotes to each other. Guessing titles. Laughing at all the gaps in Bucky's pop culture knowledge. Liam loved feeling smarter than an adult, and he completely lost himself in hysterical laughter when Bucky burst out his chair in joy when he finally recognised a film.

"Star Wars!" Bucky had screamed so loud the nurse came in to shush him. "Luke, I am your father!" Bucky whispered at her, grinning ear to ear. Then there was the Harry Potter time. "I got tricked into watching them," Bucky had said, shaking his head. Apparently, during his stay in Wakanda, Shuri had convinced him that Scarlet Witch and those who attended Hogwarts were from the same breed. He should, she said, watch it so he understands Wanda Maximoff better. Shuri would remember Bucky's face forever when he came back from visiting Team Cap.

"My turn," Liam said. He thought for a second. "I'm gonna make you an offer you can't refuse," he said, his voice forced as deep as his tiny child body would allow.

"Woah! Who let you watch that?!" you said, completely horrified.

"My cousin David," Liam snitched immediately. "The horse head didn't even look real,"

"It didn't," Bucky confirmed, again, happy to identify The Godfather. "Alright, my turn… Ah… Okay. Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine."

You were as lost as Liam.

"We give up," Liam reported after maybe five seconds of thinking.

"Casablanca?! Come on, guys. It's a classic!" Bucky argued.

"God, you're showing your age," you teased.

"Alright, you do better,"

"Easy," you cleared your throat for dramatic effect, "To infinity and beyond!"

"TOY STORY!" both Liam and Bucky yelled in unison.

Liam then taught Bucky how to act out the "Buzz, will you get up here and give me a hand?" scene, complete with thrown prosthetic.

…

"Theeeeeee… beeeeestest… leaf!"

You and Bucky ran off in opposite directions. The hospital courtyard wasn't exactly bursting at the seams with nature, but it was enough to complete a little scavenger hunt.

On Liam's orders, you returned with the most impressive leaf you could find. Bucky was right behind you. Handing them over, Liam carefully considered them from his bunded up seat in his wheelchair.

"The winner is…" he said, pausing to cough. "Y/N!"

"What?!" Bucky screeched.

"Calm down. It's one-all," you reminded him. His feather was iridescent therefore better than your grey pigeon one.

Bucky grinned at you, ever competitive and ever aiming to make Liam happy. "Alright," he said. "What's next, little man?"

…

"Not today, guys," the nurse replied when you ask if Liam could go for a walk.

"Maybe we'll just read a couple chapters of The Lord of the Rings then, yeah?" you said, turning your suggestion to Bucky.

Bucky nodded solemnly, suddenly and deeply affected by the reminder of Liam's weakening state, of mortality.

Before entering Liam's room, you reached out and touched Bucky's arm. He stopped, looked at you with glossy eyes. You don't wanna see it, think it, but sadness didn't take away from Bucky's beauty.

"You okay?" you asked.

It was a loaded question and almost a rhetorical one. Bucky knew that. He didn't answer, just gave you a weak, lopsided smile.

"You Sam or Frodo today?" he asked, shaking it off and moving again.

…

For the whole time you'd known Bucky, his size had always been so obvious. Sitting beside children, beside Liam, he looked like a giant. Even next to the nurses that came and went he towered. Small hospital chairs. Small plastic cups. Small, sanitised rooms.

So, when you turned the corner and saw Bucky sitting on the floor of the pediatric ward's hallway, looking so fucking small, it stopped you in your tracks. His head was in his hands, and you knew what it meant.

Slowly, step by heavy step, you walked the hallway and came to stand in the doorway of what was once Liam's room. The bed had been stripped of linen, but wasn't yet made ready for the next patient. The charts were gone, and the many tubes and plastic bags of chemicals too. A crushed, empty juice box was on the ground.

Behind you, a nurse cleared her throat.

"Y/N… I'm so sorry… We tried to call ya this morning but-"

"I left my phone at home… I was running late. Locked myself out my apartment. Left half my kit there too. Was late to this fairy party gig I had downtown… Bad day… and-" you were rambling, tears slowly running down your face. The nurse's hand gently cupping your shoulder stopped you.

"S'alright, love… Nothing you could've done. But it's good you're here now. Reckon the Sergeant here might need a little TLC, yeah?"

Nodding, you wiped your tears away on the sleeve of your hoodie. Suddenly, it felt ridiculous to be wearing a pink tutu.

The nurse left you alone with Bucky.

Bucky, who had not moved a single inch since you arrived. Bucky, who looked small. Bucky.

"Let's go," you said, kneeling on the lino floor in front of him. "Think maybe a crying fairy and ah, statue Winter Soldier might confuse the kids… So… let's go."

You thought maybe he wasn't going to reply, but he lifted his head, faced up. Bucky's eyes were rimmed red, but they were dry. He looked haunted. Shaking his head the smallest amount, he told you, "I… I can't… can't leave him…"

"Okay… Okay, yeah. Um…" You looked up and down the hallway, trying to think while your head was drowning in grief. "Alright, um… My van is downstairs, in the lot. Let's just… I don't know, get that far."

Bucky just starred at you. For one… two… three… "Yeah, okay," he agreed, standing.

He didn't say a word as he followed you into the elevator and down to the carpark. People tried to not stare as you walked by.

Arriving at your van, you opened the back and shoved some things out of the way, pulling the small mattress and pillows down from where they were propped up against the side. Turning to face Bucky, you read the confusion in his face.

"Oh, ah… I don't live in it… I just…" There was no point in sugar-coating at that point. "I spend half my time around sick kids, you know? I need somewhere to be when it gets too much. Somewhere to… cry or sleep for an hour or whatever."

Bucky looked from the van to you, gave you a small nod of acknowledgement.

"We can just stay here… for as long as you need…" you offered, feeling embarrassment swell in you, but it quickly gave way to the apathy summoned by abject grief.

If Bucky thought it was weird, he didn't say and you wouldn't have cared. He didn't though. He moved to sit where he could politely unlace his boots and nudge them under the van, then he scooted back onto the mattress, laid down. You crawled in after him, closing the doors behind you.

He'd returned to his state of seeming too big for his surroundings, curled up in the back of your van. When you laid down next to him, he looked over at you. "Thank you," he said, voice croaky.

As tears began to form in his eyes, you had the grace to pretend not to notice. "I think there's a blanket somewhere…" You sat up, looking over a box of costume fairy wings. Before you could locate the blanket, Bucky's arms wrapped gently around your waist, pulling you into him.

Your back was to his chest, his face buried somewhere between your neck and the pillow.

"I'll keep you warm," Bucky said, "Hold me closer." So, you did, putting your arms over his and threading your fingers between his. You didn't need to be kept warm, but he needed to hold onto something solid, someone living, breathing, real, and there. He needed you.

…

Usually, sleeping in the back of the van was fine. When a super soldier was taking up 80% of the space, however… different story. You lasted forty minutes before snaking your way out, jumping over the front bench seat to sit behind the wheel.

Bucky was definitely dead to the world. You could hear his heavy sleep-induced breathing. But, you couldn't just drive off with him in the back. That would pretty much be kidnapping an Avenger, right? You looked over the seat at Bucky. Waking him up seemed like an equally bad idea, both practically and morally speaking. He was so peaceful.

So, against your better judgement, you got out, grabbed his boots, and jumped back in, putting the key in the ignition and turning.

At every car horn, New York pedestrian, and sharp turn, you glanced over to see if he'd been startled awake. Alas, sleeping beauty. After about fifteen minutes of sitting on your phone when you'd arrived home, parked in the back lot of your apartment complex, you ran out of feeds to refresh. Leaving the car key close to Bucky, where he'd see it, you left him there, figuring he'd probably be able to defend himself if anyone tried to steal the van.

Hours later, close to midnight, you found yourself walking around your place, lost and teary. Pulling your nightgown on, you left your apartment and ventured outside. It was cold. That type of night time chill that only exists when you're at your most sad. Bone freezing. Visible breathing.

There was no reply when you knocked on the back door of the van. Opening it, you were startled by Bucky's upright frame. He was sitting awake, back to the interior wall.

"Buck?"

No reply.

You were a little scared. Unsure of what to do next.

"I… I thought you could use the sleep. We're at my place now…"

Still, nothing.

"Do you want to come inside?"

You chewed your lip for a second, waited, but he remained still. His super soldier body would be fine without food or water for a little while longer, you reasoned. And, he constantly radiated heat.

"I'm apartment 5C. Come up when you're ready."

He didn't look over as you closed the door and retreated back into the safety of your home. There, you cried. Grieved. Tried to sleep. You told yourself you would make him come inside in the morning.

…

The sun rose red over New York City. You'd left your blinds open all night; waking up to natural like was meant to be good for you. Sitting up, you stretched the last remnants of a restless sleep off your heavy body and stepped out of bed.

Maybe Bucky got himself in overnight. Crept in through an unlocked window. Used some sort of superhero technology to unlock the front door. He wasn't on the couch, though, or anywhere in the apartment.

Teeth brushed and coffee brewing, you once again donned the nightgown and headed outside.

At least he's lying down, you thought, opening the van door.

Bucky was back under the blanket. He was awake, the lines under his eyes deep set and sharing space with purple shadows.

"Come on," you said. "You can't stay here. People are gonna come looking for you."

Slowly, Bucky rolled his head to the side to look at you. Previously, he was staring at the van ceiling. "Steve knows," he told you, throwing his phone over. It landed on the blanket with a gentle thud.

You didn't pick it up.

Bucky continued, "Messaged him last night. Phone's dead now,"

"Um… okay… Well, you should still come inside. There's more room,"

"I'm fine."

It wasn't defiance as much as it was apathy. You wanted to say something. Anything. Be reassuring. But to be honest, you were surprised by his grief.

Surely, the Winter Solider knew loss. Surely, he'd mourned and learnt to cope.

No… No, this was different, you told yourself. The first child who passed away when you started working with the hospitals destroyed you. It took a month to even go back to the pediatric ward. Since then, you'd put things into perspective and learnt to process everything a bit better. Not as equipped as the doctors and nurses to do so, but able enough to survive the pain.

The pain. Entirely unique. Something Bucky hadn't felt before.

He really thought he'd felt all the types of bad there was to feel. He really thought he was no longer able to love. Besides Steve. And Sam. Wanda. Nat. Shuri… Okay, so he was kidding himself. Still. It fucking hurt.

…

Around lunch, you took Bucky some food. Around dinner, you found it untouched but replaced it anyway.

It was a Sunday night. In the morning you were expected over at the palliative care centre. Reading aloud to the patients helps.

At 5:30 am, you woke from a fever dream. After shoving the sheets in the apartment building's basement washer, you called the centre.

"Oh, no worries, Y/N," they told you. "Sally's bringin' her new puppy in today. That ought to bring some cheer to the place anyway."

Guilt alleviated only slightly, you trekked to the van.

At least he'd nibbled on dinner at some point.

"Bucky?"

It was dark still, the sun only just waking up. You could make out Bucky's form in amongst your stuff.

"You have to come inside today. I…" Guilt. Maybe a guilt trip would work. "I need my van for work…" It almost sounded like a question. "And, I'm sure you've got things you need to do…" No response. "Superhero stuff?"

A muffled snort, but nothing else.

…

"Any chance you can just leave him there?"

For a second, you thought Steve was joking. The silence at the end of the line said otherwise.

"Ah, I mean, it's been almost two days,"

"I can get a car sent over to you if-"

"No," you interrupted. "That's not it. I'm just… Is this normal?"

Steve sighed. "There's not a normal for us, Y/N. There's just… coping… day by day."

Holding in tears, you nodded to yourself. "Yeah, okay. I, ah, just wanted to check in. See if there's anything I should be doing,"

"I'd wager that you're already doing it… It means something that he's chosen to be near you. He could have run. He does sometimes. So, really, for him, this is… progress. He trusts you."

You're weren't sure what you'd done to deserve that.

"Thanks, Steve,"

"Anytime. Call anytime, Y/N."

When you'd phone Stark Tower looking for help, you didn't really expect to be taken seriously. As it turned out, they were waiting for your call.

…

To your relief, Bucky was sitting up when you opened the van doors around 5 pm. He watched in interest as you awkwardly climbed in, handing him the tray you were carrying so you could settle in next to him.

"Choc chip cookies and tea," you announced, not letting him give the tray back. "And I'm not leaving until you drink your cup and have at least two cookies."

Bucky looked down at the presentation in his lap. "Guess I can't argue with that."

You chewed your cookie slowly, making sure you'd not finish before him.

"Did you make these?"

"Yeah… I bake when I'm… Whatever," you replied.

He nodded, then took another bite.

"You called Steve?"

"How'd-"

Bucky shrugged. "Just figured you would. What'd he say?"

"Um… That you're okay here," you told him.

Bucky didn't reply, instead picked up his mug of tea and held it between his palms. The china softly chinked against his left hand.

You wanted to ask if he was indeed okay, but you weren't sure of what you'd be able to say if he lied. Or told the truth. Or anything in between.

When the tray was empty of food, you climbed out of the van, and half-heartedly asked if he was coming inside.

"I'm fine here," was his equally half-hearted reply.

Together, maybe, you could make a whole person, something functioning and able to cope better than either of you were doing alone.

Back inside your apartment, you ran out of plain flour and dishes to clean. All that was left to do was mourn.

…

It had been three nights and days since you'd arrived home from the hospital. Almost eighty hours of saying goodbye to Liam and telling yourself to be grateful that you knew him, and that you were able to help him laugh and find joy in his final few weeks. Hours of phone calls to friends, family, and your favourite nurses. Hours of standing at your apartment door, ready to march down to the van and pull Bucky out by his boots. Hours of it all.

Like all things though, good or bad, it was waning and you were beginning to see how you could survive.

You were sitting at the kitchen bench, practising your pipe cleaner and pom pom crown-making skills when there was a knock on the door. Glancing at your phone as you stood, you thought it was around dinner time. Probably next door, asking to borrow an egg. Or the old lady from down the hall that always made too much lasagne.

Without checking the peephole, you opened the door with your best polite smile ready.

Bucky.

The sight of him hit you, not like a tidal wave, but a waist-deep wave that knocks you back unexpectedly. You stumbled, had to refocus. Felt a little out of control.

Out of the mess of the back of the van, it was easier to see how utterly fucked he looked. His long hair was ratty, visibly knotted in parts. Expression strung out, he looked like he was in amphetamine withdrawal. His skin was too shiny, and his clothes were crumpled and damp in places.

Bucky went to speak, but the words got caught in his throat. He looked pained, then sniffled and wiped his nose on the back of his hoodie's arm.

Without any warning, you burst into tears.

Your hands went up to cup your mouth but it was too late. The sobs were heaving up from deep inside you, and Bucky was born with too much empathy to not be affected. Tears began to roll down his face.

And that was it. Any pretence or attempt to be stoic was entirely dissolved. You crumbled into each other.

Bucky wrapped his arms around you and you pressed your head hard into his chest, almost pushing against him like you were trying to push the feelings out of yourself.

"I know," he whispered, kissing the top of your head.

As his arms tightened around your body, you could feel how it was calming you. It was only a short term relief from the grief, but it was the very least Bucky could think to do. Holding you wasn't going to make anything better, but it made you both feel less alone.

Showers and fuzzy bed socks. Hot cocoa and trashy television. Sleeping close. Waking up together.

From the deep unwanted darkness of grief, something was determined to find a way to grow.

Tag list (open): @browngirlmagic @lookalivefrosty @aynaraxas @vibraniumwitch @the--sad--hatter @bubbabarnes

(not sure if you want to be tagged in new fics @animegirlgeeky?) 

[punkscowardschampions]

Liam & Edie

Liam: [alright so she’s gonna get there super early so the first question is do we want any kind of interaction with his poor mother first or do we save that for later]

Edie: [In my head it’s literally early enough that she could still be asleep but also if it’s the week ‘cos summer, she COULD be going to work, unless she does a moomin and takes it off, so I’m easy with either]

Liam: [yeah I was thinking like it’s technically day 5 but it’s early enough of an arrival you could call it day 4 because we’re extra, so she probably would be asleep but equally, she could’ve woken up early to say happy bday and all that before she has to go to work because I feel like she’d wanna take the day off but he’d be essentially like nah don’t I’ll see you later 1. Because Edie is coming and 2. Because fuck birthdays anyway even before we knew that was a thing that’d be happening]

Liam: [maybe it’s like she was gonna go in and wake him up but surprise we’re already up and chilling in our dead sister’s room and surprise x2 Edie is already here hello]

Edie: [your poor mother, so shooketh, so not prepared for this, at least Edie will be being polite to you because we wanna make a good first impression and we’re not a dick but we are still weird and here at like the arse crack of dawn so hi]

Liam: [at least for our plot purposes she’ll be too caught unawares to spoil the bday secret because up til now his phone wouldn’t be popping off too hard as it’s early and normal people are asleep]

Edie: [can we just take a moment to think about the fact this is the first time actually meeting each other]

Liam: [it blows my mind when I do think about it, honestly, I need to know all about her lewk please because we know how excited you’d be about this gal]

Edie: [I will have to find one because yes, you’ve gotta do your most to be cute]

Liam: [I care very much what colour your hair is and how hard you’re serving even though I know damn well all you’ve done so far is sit on his sister’s floor and talk and talk and TALK because not an exaggeration at all to say he wants to know everything about her, that’s his intense brand]

Liam: [but also what time does the sun come up in late August? Would that be too early to say she arrived before then so they can watch it together like they did the comet]

Edie: [we know we’d show up whenever, try and stop us famalam, so yes that’s definitely a thing we can say happens, I hope you live near-ish though or what time are you setting off from yours hen]

Liam: [ngl if she showed up at 3 or 4am I wouldn’t be surprised and he wouldn’t mind so fill your boots kids, we can totally say he lives close because that isn’t something we’ve given an Ali kid before and like I can see his parents being like the country air and peace and quiet etc will totally help our dying child, as if this is victorian times or whatever]

Edie: [tbf cities are grubby i’m sorrrrrrrrryyy anyway, love that for you, you can live on a busy bit of the countryside, a nice cul-de-sac mayhaps, at least you won’t get murdered lurking in the dark]

Liam: [get on zoopla and find us a cute gaff boo]

Edie: [heheheheh, okay so we know how we’re starting our day, what’s next]

Liam: [I think we’ve just gotta run this and see what pops up as we’re pondering cos y’all are wild could be anything going on, bye to his mum go get ready for work and then go gal you can do some bday cliches when you get back at like 4, Edie’ll know by then, so once his mum has swiftly excited just 👀 because even if you’ve got no feelings it’s super cute that she wants to make a good impression]

Edie: [just smiley blush like what, not commenting on his ma yet ‘cos she didn’t have time to really make an impression so we don’t need to do that ‘can’t have her changing her mind about loving the idea already’]

Liam: [get a bit closer to her so you can look at her even more intensely because she’s being even cuter with her lil blush and smile moment and this was such a good idea thank god ‘don’t change yours either’]

Edie: [just shaking our head hardcore ‘cos can’t speak suddenly]

Liam: [‘she’s not Lexie levels but still off putting, I know’ soz to his poor mum for vaguely giving a shit haha]

Edie: [‘you’ve not met mine’ like probably has on the low but shh the point is we know what all mums are like, in one way or another, ‘yet’ very much implying we cannot be put off tah]

Liam: [‘can I?’ has only just met you and wants to meet your mum, what boy in what universe would ever want that 🚩]

Edie: [my boo says run she says no, nod as enthusiastically purely ‘cos he wants to and we will not be saying no to anything]

Liam: [get even closer to her obvs because she just keeps being adorable with her enthusiasm and he’s obvs about it, just gonna be 👀 a mm away from her face in a sec]

Edie: [at least you can gently pull on the necklace he should be wearing ‘cos sent in the post]

Liam: [and you can kiss better wherever she got hers from even though it’s gonna be healed by now like she made you do at the time]

Edie: [genuinely wasn’t trying to be that bitch but I just googled where heals fastest when cut ‘cos that bitch and he didn’t want pain and bloody drama so and it literally said the mouth LMAO soz Liam I don’t make the rules-]

Liam: [soz not soz that you’re having your first kiss then lads]

Edie: [it’s kinda sweet that you aren’t like, actually kissing, if you know what I mean, like it’s about something else]

Liam: [it’s very pure and very your energy as a couple]

Edie: [you’ll be dying girl but that’s a moment]

Liam: [he genuinely would ask her if she/that was okay because we know she’s not had a boyfriend before because Rio would not stop hammering that point home]

Edie: [we’re so obviously more than okay but likewise not trying to be like OTT and put pressure on him because we’ve been told what Lexie was like, just smile and nod]

Liam: [pull her to her feet and to your room because we’ve not been in there yet but y’all are gonna find this robot dog]

Edie: [get to go through all his childhood things lowkey love that for yous just asking all the questions]

Liam: [and we’re definitely giving it to you which is another moment because he loved it]

Edie: [we’ve gotta pimp that pup up somehow, which is within your wheelhouse deffo ‘what’s he called?’]

Liam: [‘Chip’ and a face like yeah I know I was a kid byeee]

Edie: [just loving on it like a real dog, ‘I fucked with the beast’ ‘cos of course you did lmao]

Liam: [he’s as amused as I was when I read that because of course she did is right, clearly gonna put that film on for her]

Edie: [love that childlike energy for you too, definitely raiding for the good snacks even though it’s so early because why not sugar rush]

Liam: [same because we all know he didn’t get a chill childhood, at least there would be great snacks in because it being his bday and his mum hoping she can rock a birthday tea vibe on the low]

Edie: [sneaky bday energy, god bless, just find out what each others faves are]

Liam: [taking so many cute pics and vids during all this, be jealous everyone]

Edie: [I do have cute bed ones so have a duvet day until the notifs come in]

Liam: [gives him a reason for his phone to be blowing up but that’s not why we’re doing it, he’s just obsessed with the bae’s happiness]

Edie: [I can send them to you if you like]

Liam: [please do]

Edie: [at least you can take his phone under the assumption of taking a picture of him because he’s taken loads of you]

Liam: [and he’s not gonna stop you because he’s not stupid enough to have anything incriminating about stalking your sister on there and obvs isn’t thinking about it being his bday]

Edie: [awkward when you don’t wanna be like oh it’s your birthday but you can’t not be like that because then you’d be acting weird, just pull up whoever’s said happy bday latest like hey but soft]

Liam: [such a genuine shrug like oh yeah that idc]

Edie: [‘why didn’t you tell me?’ but without the 🥺 tone, genuine asking]

Liam: [‘I didn’t want you to know’ true but then you realise how it sounds so ‘it’s pressure on you and it don’t matter to me’]

Edie: [when there is nothing you can say to that but ‘fair enough’ because it is and we’re not gonna force it into a Big Thing ™ ‘we’re still having fun though’ because y’all are that’s facts]

Liam: [‘I can’t remember a birthday this about me’ because we can’t say he’s never had a fun bday ever but he’s never been the centre of attention ‘it is enough, and fun, having you here’]

Edie: [‘that is pressure… without anyone else taking any of the focus at all’ ‘cos we have plenty of siblings so we know what he’s saying, nothing is entirely about you when there’s other kids to still care about, make the robo dog kiss his cheek ‘it can be as fun as you like, and we can stay in all day, or go out too, it’s all up to you’]

Liam: [kiss her on the cheek thank you boy because she’s being a babe]

Edie: [🥰 look as we get up ‘what’s your favourite breakfast?’ like let’s go make that happen]

Liam: [I’m gonna say his fave is a full english/irish because when does anyone ever have the time or energy for all that faff so we can make you feel special here boy]

Edie: [giving you 2 options like we can make it here for you and that could include a shop dash to get all the bits which would be cute OR we can go to a cafe and get it and dine and dash which would also be cute]

Liam: [under duress I am voting for dine and dash because it feels very them and we’ll have loads of time to be domestic when they’re squatting in the holiday cottage etc]

Edie: [then let’s ride lads, the greasiest spoon we can find please]

Liam: [forever a mood]

Edie: [have a cute handhold as you walk, also enjoy the height difference imagine]

Liam: [don’t even I can’t fathom how tall he is, it’s crazy]

Edie: [love that you’re taller than our dad, taller than Buster, flex on ‘em babe you got that reach, it’s very much that picture of ariana and pete ‘cos that’s about y’alls heights lol]

Liam: [not to be that bitch but you would feel so safe and protected like I do get it]

Edie: [and I’m sorry but if you’re even a slightly curvier gal you can’t be with a small lad you feel like you’ll break them lmao]

Liam: [so many gals salty as hell at you rn Edie so soz]

Edie: [you love to see it, don’t get too close or we will fuck you up hens]

Liam: [I’m trying to think if there’s anything else cool they could do while they’re out cos I wanna keep the vibe chill but]

Edie: [we could go to the beach today, or we could find another thing for the ‘main event’ without being like this is what you’re doing for your bday highkey, perhaps something typical childhood birthday like bowling or laser tag that kind of energy]

Liam: [sadly you’re too much a giant to sneak into soft play]

Edie: [yes they usually have an age limit of 10-12 if memory serves and there’s no believing that lmao, although we could force the twins to go at a later date and go in with them]

Liam: [we’ll definitely give you another chance to go]

Edie: [okay so getting a bouncy castle to just put up and then we’re also having jelly and ice cream]

Liam: [green jelly is the best so you can pop off with 👽]

Edie: [i’m gonna try to find vibes deffo]

Liam: [actually love that you’ve gone from hanging out in his house to hanging out in a field and it’s the best birthday he’s had probably ever]

Liam: [kinda wanna let y’all have your first kiss on the bouncy castle but kinda have had that ruined for us by skins]

Edie: [#reclaimit and like, as much as y’all just having a good ass time getting to know each other, the casual tension still]

Liam: [it’s very much NOT a platonic good time and we all know it]

Edie: [we are not here to deny what’s here tah]

Liam: [only question is how far we’re taking it because y’all could hook up on it but you could also not]

Edie: [hmm, on the one hand, we absolutely would ‘cos wanna but on the other, I can see y’all making a slightly bigger thing out of it without you know, lighting candles lol, but you get me]

Liam: [same actually because you’re very romantic]

Edie: [right? Like it’ll deffo be in your way still but it’s your first time both of yas so you can make a thing of it if you bloody well like]

Liam: [and no shade to anyone because I’m not saying they should but not enough of our ships do make it a thing™️ because they just carried away by their feels and hormones lol, he has that degree of restraint, albeit for a sad reason so you might as well use it]

Edie: [no wonder you get so caught up in this babe, casual fairytale]

Liam: [me too gurl, me too, casually too invested in this doomed couple nbd]

Edie: [so sad, soz guys we’re rude]

Liam: [anything else cute we wanna do before your mum gets back and makes you do the cliche bday cake moment and you can get the bae to blow out your candles with you because have all the wishes my love]

Edie: [I think this gives us a good framework for how it’s gonna go, lots of cuteness, doing the least but making it the most]

Liam: [thank god it’s still summer so nobody can force you back home because you’ll both be gutted]

Edie: [fight us fam we clearly aren’t going anywhere, I like to think you got something for his mum whilst out even though it’s probably a bottle of wine neither of you can buy so bit cheeky but still cute]

Liam: [that’s adorable af, his mum can’t be mad we know she knows him and his sister did a lot worse, even if she doesn’t know it all but what does make me laugh is that she’d blatantly not let Edie stay the night because of how obvs underage she is and it’s like oh hun we’ve had many many opportunities to hook up all day but sure]

Edie: [love when parents draw that line, like this is why teens hook up in cars and anywhere else they can, also tis possible in daylight but god bless you for trying hun]

Liam: [so many parents do and there’s literally so many worse things he could be doing and in Liam’s case has done but pop off]

Edie: [oh when this baby is announced lmao sozzzzzzz]

Liam: [she’s gonna be UPSET, but in the now you can walk her home and that’s always cute af]

Edie: [so gentlemanly, also gonna bring you in impromptu to meet Ali like hello mother]

Liam: [the levels he’d just wanna stay because technically not breaking the rules to be over at the cali gaff but contrary to what I just said about baby Libi he doesn’t actually wanna upset his mum so he wouldn’t]

Edie: [we’ll let you be good today, of all days, let me post my ting and know the last pic is like now in a miss you already way]

Liam: [I’m cackling imagining Grace appearing like the extra child she is]

Edie: [curtain-twitching like a baby nosy hoe, I lol]

Liam: [thank god Lexie isn’t really crazy or you’d have to look out for her being at the window too]

Edie: [we ain’t afraid of you it’s definitely the other way round rn]

Liam: [hilarious considering how pure you’ve been all day]

Edie: tell me when you get home

Liam: I don’t want to get home

Edie: If you go somewhere I have to come

Liam: I know 😇 I promise

Liam: I’ll come back for you when it’s a new day

Edie: I’m not wishing this one away, I didn’t

Edie: I don’t want it to end

Liam: me either, but no spoilers or the wish will glitch and we won’t get what we did ask for

Edie: 😶

Edie: and we’ve got to follow the rules or you’ll turn into a 🎃 tonight

Liam: a massive me sized 🎃 do you think or one you could carry round

Edie: I could live in a you sized 🎃 but I’m not sure how comfortable that would be for you

Edie: but what if I dropped you if you were normal sized 😭

Liam: I’ve seen you on a bouncy castle, you’re not clumsy

Edie: despite your best attempts to floor me

Liam: you gave as good

Edie: yeah

Edie: I hope so

Liam: there was no cracking under the pressure

Edie: then you’ll have me back

Edie: and kiss me again

Liam: we can go back for as long as it stays up, then I’ll kiss you somewhere else

Edie: please

Edie: and you felt it

Edie: the kiss, it was more than nothing

Liam: I wouldn't have done it if it was nothing, how I know you feel is important and I'm not gonna hurt you

Edie: I know

Edie: I trust you

Edie: I’m just being annoying trying to make you say it

Liam: you couldn’t annoy me if you was trying, I’m on too big of a high from meeting you

Edie: I had the best day

Liam: I’ve gotta say thanks for today, meaning tomorrow’ll have an edge on it for being all about what you wanna do instead of me getting older

Edie: you don’t

Edie: it was mutual

Edie: you even let me help you blow out your candles

Liam: if I didn’t it’s 🎂 wasted you gave me the best 🎁 by being there, right before you were I still thought you might not show

Edie: a tiny part of me wasn’t sure

Edie: what if it messed everything we’d built up

Edie: but it didn’t

Liam: yeah, that was on my mind too, I’m either too much or not enough when I can’t moderate it how I do online, faker than my 🦎🧠 has got me used to acting, and found out for it sooner

Liam: but it wasn’t like that today

Edie: it’s easier when you can code the best response

Edie: put whatever skin on it works best in that moment

Edie: but this was better than anything I’ve made or seen in cyberspace so far

Liam: your fave 🤖 is a compliment I'll take any time, like

Edie: don’t tell Chip

Liam: he’s got more to rub in my face, he got to stay, I wouldn’t start it

Edie: [pic of him tucked up casually]

Edie: bit smug, tbh

Liam: in the world we just woke him up from I could be 💔😭 he’ll have to try harder now

Edie: [a pic of him up on her titties like mr steal yo gurl]

Edie: 😱😱

Edie: I’m gonna need to train him

Liam: I remember him as naughtier than me

Edie: checks out

Edie: you’re very 😇

Liam: if it was up to him you’d be sleeping on the bouncy castle together, however many rules it breaks

Edie: I think it’d be cosy

Edie: tomorrow though, we can have a nap

Liam: waiting until my ma falls asleep and I can sneak out, it’d be tomorrow

Edie: it’s not breaking the rules, if you’re sure

Edie: you can leave a note for when she wakes up

Liam: if you are, we’re doing what you want

Edie: obviously I want to

Liam: have to keep you up half the night first

Edie: you’d already done that without trying

Edie: but I’m not turning down more

Liam: me or the beast 😏

Edie: I’m not saying you’re covered in brown fur

Edie: but you are that big so

Edie: little column A little column B 😏

Liam: I’ll check the coat cupboard, might get me closer to ticking both boxes for you

Edie: 😂

Edie: you tick every box, you don’t need to kidnap my dad to make that happen

Liam: don’t be so quick to say no to something I know you’d like

Edie: 😍 okay, only if we see him on the way

Edie: tomorrow ain’t about him

Liam: 🎼

Liam: I should’ve got you to sing something other than happy birthday, lock my ma in as part of your fan club

Edie: karaoke night 👩‍🎤👨‍🎤

Liam: she’d have your arm off, to take you up on the idea and to take the 🎤 off you for her turn

Edie: I’ll bring the machine and plenty of 90s bops

Liam: what would your first pick be

Edie: 🤔

Edie: I’d have to pick My Heart Will Go On to win your ma over, obviously

Edie: assuming she’s not fuming I’ve stolen it

Liam: too 😤 at the ending as if everyone don’t know the boat sinks and loads of people die

Liam: go for the Whitney song, the film’s got a lower body count

Edie: just poor Whit IRL

Edie: 😎 he’s no beast but

Liam: you don’t want no posh 🤴 sort over a handworking lad who keeps coming through for you, I keep saying you’re smart

Edie: makes my motives sound a bit evil

Edie: nothing but true ❤️ works remember

Liam: but you wouldn’t fall in love with someone you’ve got nothing in common with, there’d be no connection

Edie: true

Liam: I’d never call out your motives as evil, even a bit

Edie: you can if I am ever 👻👺🧙‍♀️🧟‍♀️🧛‍♀️👹💀 to you

Liam: that’s more far fetched than you and 🤴

Edie: who did you have a crush on as a kid

Liam: 🧚

Edie: Good choice

Liam: - as many points off as deserved for Lexie and I’ve still got proven good taste

Edie: I get it

Edie: I can see the appeal

Liam: being able to fly is enough of one

Edie: She looks like she might 🎯 a bitch for you but she’s the Wendy really

Liam: there's no appeal to Lex and no need to try and find it

Edie: 🏹🏹🏹💘

Edie: She’s 💀 to us

Liam: and soon to the rest of her mates including your sister

Edie: I hadn’t thought about her all day

Edie: Or anyone else

Edie: just you

Liam: you don't have to think about her ever again

Edie: I won’t show up and 😭 at her ⚰️🪦 when we bury her

Edie: We’ve got plans

Liam: I only mentioned her at all as a - bc you're such a massive + but I probably should've said that without her name being dropped in

Edie: nah, not even mentioning her is gonna affect how +++ this all is

Liam: it makes me seem like I've got her on my mind though and I don't want you to think I do

Edie: you can tell me what really is then

Edie: even if that’s tinkerbell

Edie: or that fry-up still

Liam: you are, and when my ma is gonna go the fuck to bed so I can kiss you again

Edie: I can feel the 👻 of you, your lips touching mine and where your hands were and where I wanted them to be next

Edie: it’s making me wish I were 🧚 so I could find a drowsiness potion to give her or just sprinkle some pixie dust on you so you could fly in my window right now

Edie: weren’t my 🎂 wish though, no spoilers ever 🤐

Edie: I could kiss you all night

Edie: And all day

Edie: But I have got other things we can do, even though it’s my day tomorrow, can’t be that selfish

Liam: not kissing all day or all night if that’s what you’ve decided but long enough for my hands to go where you wanted them next, yeah? i’d say it’d more be selfish if you didn’t share the complete thought with me

Edie: You don’t know exactly what I want?

Edie: It felt like you knew to me

Liam: it sounds better if I say I don’t and get it right instead of saying I do and getting it wrong

Edie: You haven’t got any of this wrong, trust me

Liam: honestly didn’t feel like I had but my instincts ain’t as easy to trust as you are

Edie: I promise I’ll tell you if you ever do

Edie: but you aren’t going to

Liam: that’s the connection I was going on about before, useful for the beginning, middle and the happy ending

Edie: You’re better than any lad in any film

Liam: you’re all I wanna see on film

Edie: bring a 📹

Liam: look for the ⏺️ light flashing in your window

Edie: like a 🌠

Liam: and ⏰ which won’t trigger 🚨 before we can get you out

Edie: I have had previous experience sneaking out, even if not to meet boys

Edie: that bit, I can do

Liam: there’s shit you can’t do, don’t believe that bit for a sec

Edie: 😏 you know

Edie: as my sister tried to make me sound like a total child

Liam: she knows you different to me, you’re a separate person to her than how you exist when we’re together

Edie: yeah

Edie: that’s how she likes to keep us, still about 7 in her head

Liam: my sister went the other way, she wasn’t waiting round for me to grow up when she could tell me to hurry up and do x z or z thing with her

Edie: it’s cool, that she didn’t treat you like an incapable kid

Edie: better, anyway, right?

Liam: but sometimes I wish she’d let me be one, it don’t matter, you can’t turn round like not today I wanna go to the park with my mates, not with lads I already knew were gonna be gone long before her, not to do fuck all instead of a crazy scheme

Edie: being ‘grown’ is only fun if it’s how you wanna do it, that’s definitely the main draw of not being a kid, doing exactly what you want and when

Edie: less shine if it isn’t your scheme

Liam: I think it’d be 🌟✨ to be looked after, but I get it’d fade for me if I had a sister like yours

Edie: you already charmed her, she’ll extend the courtesy to you now too I bet

Liam: it’s too late for me to start living like that

Edie: not if you want it

Edie: we can do it

Liam: I ain’t had a family in so long, I dunno if I could do it

Edie: we don’t need mine

Edie: we can have our own

Liam: can we

Edie: yes

Edie: and we can do anything and everything you missed out on

Liam: what happens if nothing changes and I’m stuck as a 🤖

Edie: if that happens then a baby won’t

Liam: and you’ll have to leave

Edie: no

Liam: I’m not taking no for an answer or asking anyone to love me if I can’t love them back

Edie: I can do it

Liam: your ++++ can’t make up for such a massive - in me

Edie: don’t give in yet

Edie: we have nothing but time

Liam: I’m saying it before I give in to you and believe we can do this

Edie: okay

Edie: I am listening

Liam: I’m not dying, I don’t get to be as selfish as my sister and I wanna care more than my parents

Edie: I love that about you

Edie: not enough people give a shit about anyone who isn’t themselves

Edie: or act like they’re a saint if the list includes the person they’re fucking too

Liam: we can’t do things just to try and force me to feel, even though I want to

Edie: it’s up to you

Edie: all of it

Edie: I don’t want to force you to do anything

Liam: it’s not, it’s equally up to you

Edie: Kinda

Edie: but I already feel things for you

Liam: I’m not gonna let your feelings force you to do anything same as you’re not gonna let what I don’t do it for me

Edie: I won’t let this fail

Liam: me either

Edie: does 16 feel any different

Liam: only bc of how I celebrated it

Edie: well I like that 🥰

Edie: I’m getting you a gift, just give me time

Liam: you’ve given me loads of 🎁🎁

Edie: nothing I could tie up with a bow

Liam: you could do a 🎀 in your hair before you come out, but it probably won’t help with your sister thinking you’re a kid still

Edie: 🤞 she shouldn’t be seeing me

Liam: or the 📹 footage of you 👧🏼

Edie: not for her 👀

Edie: or anyone else’s if we decide

Liam: if they’ve not had their fix of you today that’s their 💔

Edie: I’m for you

Liam: I’m buzzing not to be afraid of that, maybe normal is overrated this time

Edie: maybe it’s just scary

Liam: you’re not

Edie: 👺

Liam: you’re 🔥 people are scared of it but it’s not about you, it’s a them thing

Edie: I could cry

Edie: again

Edie: I’ll burn it all down

Liam: you’ve been crying

Edie: only happy crying

Liam: you nearly did force a fear response there for a sec

Edie: I didn’t mean to baby

Liam: I know, it was a me thing too

Edie: how’d it feel though, as it nearly happened

Liam: I was about to leave and make sure you were alright, I forgot about happy crying

Edie: 🚨🚨🚨

Edie: I can’t remember the last time I felt that, actually

Liam: it’s the kind of day for it, I can’t remember spending this much time with someone and thinking it wasn’t enough

Edie: Me either

Edie: I usually zone out after a sentence or two

Edie: it’s enough to know we have nothing worth discussing

Edie: sounds fake, how hard I’ve gone here, but I never care enough

Liam: it’d sound fake how hard I relate to not giving a fuck about anyone or anything in years before this

Edie: people reckon it’d be freeing, not relating, not being connected to anyone else

Edie: and I guess it is

Edie: but it’s boring before it’s anything else

Liam: and I’d come across as certifiably crazy if I tried to explain what walking round as me with everyone else seeming so unreal was like

Edie: people are idiots

Edie: they wouldn’t take the time to get it

Edie: just take it as a 🔫 admission or some shit

Liam: they’d only take the time to feel bad for me, I’m down for no more of that as long as I live

Edie: fuck that shit

Liam: yeah

Edie: when school starts, we’re gonna fuck shit up

Edie: without a 🔫

Liam: we should go in the night before

Edie: dedicated 😍

Liam: not saying I’ve got my ear to my ma’s door at the minute bc that’d be weird but I am, yeah

Edie: if you want something to listen to

Edie: [a song that’s clearly about today]

Liam: if you wanna hear a review I’m gonna need longer than it clearly took you to write that

Liam: I seriously don’t know what to say

Edie: it’d sound pretentious to say I think in lyrics but there’s always a tune in my head so

Edie: when you’re as inspiring as you are

Liam: when I can finally get out of here I know exactly what to do, putting words to my reaction to you being everything you are can wait

Edie: I’ll do my best to wait

Edie: but that sounds 🥴

Liam: I’m not waiting, I’ll make sure she don’t hear me go

Edie: I believe in you 😶

Liam: [obvs do that and show up to her window because we all know you can and it wouldn’t take you very long]

Edie: [question is are you ground floor music room or your room and Billie better be asleep lmao]

Liam: [how do you want it boo cos both are moods]

Edie: [I say go for your room so you have to climb and you have to control your excitement ‘til you too are out of the window]

Liam: [soz that he is gonna kiss you literally immediately though like as he’s coming through the window so you really are gonna have to control your excitement gal and also your volume]

Edie: [good luck with that sweetie, love this for you two]

Liam: [just fully making out rn nbd]

Edie: [sorry we must literally]

Liam: [do leave before you wake Billie up though lads]

Edie: [you gotta because we do not have that much chill to get any further than this]

Liam: [it’s been an overwhelming af day we’ll allow the lack of chill and get you away from the fam]

Edie: [run babies run, we’re so 😍]

Liam: [get back to the bouncy castle because y’all are 10000% those bitches who would legit kiss for hours just for the joy of it]

Edie: [you’ll be dying but in the best way]

Liam: [like who else is gonna be fully savouring this bit for what it is and how it feels in its own right, we know it’s you]

Edie: [you’ve been feeling fuck all, you deserve it, we will be putting across as much]

Liam: [and she’s never felt like this before either so we don’t need to be rushing anything rn or ever]

Edie: [exactly, ugh, so cute, you definitely brought a blanket before you ran]

Liam: [the adorable snuggles you can have bye]

Edie: [‘this was the best day ever’ so sincerely]

Liam: [just nod because we very much agree to a speechless level]

Edie: [sing to him IRL but not in a cringe way lol, a chill one]

Liam: [that is everything though]

Edie: [just that happy soz]

Liam: [not at all soz]

Edie: [what a time, deffo think one of you should get in a bit of trouble for being out right now, even if they can’t find you ‘til they do, like either his mum or someone in cali gaff wakes up like hello?]

Liam: [maybe his mum because it do be her rule and she do be extra rn in terms of her emotions and realistically even if Billie did wake up she’s not gonna dob you in]

Edie: [seems legit, how would he wanna deal, ‘cos his phone can be blowing up as soon as she realises]

Liam: [sadly he’s probably gonna have to go back because he’s not ever a fuck you mum kinda bitch, unlike 99% of the other characters lol, but he’d be leaving it as long as he could]

Edie: [we understand even if this back and forth is a trip, the bouncy castle was nearby so you’re fine]

Liam: [it would be very obvious at least that he does NOT want to go, so he’s not just messing you about intentionally gal]

Edie: [whatever we might be thinking, we know it’s not that energy like you’re not a fuckboy tah everyone]

Liam: [when your mum is overprotective as hell but you’re still gonna die soz hun]

Edie: [it’s very rude to everyone you included hun]

Liam: [and you can’t even talk to the bae cos she’s gonna be popping off at you for ages]

Edie: [we can skip but I’ll just do some immediate afters from her first]

Edie: sorry sorry sorry

Edie: hope you don’t get in so much shit we can’t meet up later

Edie: just tell me when you can

Liam: I won’t, I’ll talk her round, don’t worry

Liam: when she lets me talk

Edie: does she hate me

Liam: I didn’t tell her I was with you, she’s only 😡 at me

Edie: what did you say that she believed

Liam: my mates were 🥺 bc I’d been with you all day

Edie: fair play, boys are clingy like that

Liam: she’s have an unhappy cry and we’ll move past it

Edie: should I have told you no?

Liam: you didn’t know she was gonna find out, I should’ve

Edie: I didn’t want to, I didn’t want you to want to either

Edie: but I feel bad if I make her cry

Liam: it isn’t really about me not being here, it’s about my sister not, this is what she gets like every year

Edie: yeah, of course

Edie: it’s not about us

Edie: be nice if there was something we could do now but I know that’s probably not the case either

Liam: she’ll feel better after she’s shouted at me

Edie: 🔇

Liam: [a gap while that’s going on, such fun I’m sure]

Liam: it’s sorted

Edie: you okay?

Liam: if you can’t hurt me, she ain’t gonna

Edie: are you tired though

Edie: as it’s my day, I can make you have a nap, if you need it

Liam: you’re gonna make me 😴 when there’s 0 limits on what we could do

Liam: serious

Edie: if that’s a challenge to make you 😴 with everything we’re GONNA do

Edie: then challenge accepted

Liam: how much of a challenge are you gonna make it for me to find out what that everything is

Edie: as much of a challenge to be fun

Edie: can’t have you getting bored as well as 😴

Liam: it’ll be a fun challenge too proving I’m not tired or bored

Edie: well, when we can go out again at more sociable hours

Edie: you can start with this [clue] to come find me and prove it

Liam: ok but until then [so many pictures of people with their eyes crossed out from whatever his mum has to read and deface or like their entire photo album tbh because MISS YOU SO SO MUCH] you can have this

Edie: we need a 🏠 of our own

Edie: missing you is so

Edie: intense

Liam: I'll start hunting for a not too trashed empty round and about we can stay in until the holiday cottages clear out

Edie: how’d you guess

Edie: I told you I’d stay busy

Edie: you still have to find me so not a total fail on my behalf

Liam: I didn't, I promise, we must just think really alike and want the same things

Liam: when did you even do this

Edie: sitting still is not a speciality

Edie: and i’ve got a lapel mic so I could record and 🚴‍♀️

Edie: clearly need a go-pro for streaming purposes but you would’ve been 😱 to see that sudden POV change

Liam: I ain't scratched the surface of what you're capable of, have I

Edie: 🤔

Edie: keep going and find out, I reckon

Liam: 😏

Edie: [selfie like 😁]

Liam: I dunno how I'm gonna get used to looking at your 😁 face all the time when we live together, something else to find out

Edie: I could get a 🤡 mask

Liam: we both know the smile underneath is more deadly to me

Edie: you’re deadly and you could kill me

Edie: but I promised

Liam: and you’d never break a promise to me

Edie: never ever

Edie: you’ve got the blood to prove it

Liam: when can I solve the first clue

Edie: is your mum going to work today?

Liam: unless she pulls a sickie

Edie: whenever she’s up for the day, you can go

Edie: even if she’s not mad at me, I don’t want her to be mad at you

Liam: if I leave then, you’ve gotta go sleep for a while now

Edie: I don’t know if I can

Edie: my 🧠 & 💗 are vibrating, that’s what it feels like

Liam: yeah, meaning the comedown is gonna hurt when it does catch up to you and I don’t want you to

Edie: I’ll sleep with you

Liam: my nightmares’ll wake you up

Edie: then I can protect you

Liam: not from what’s already happened

Edie: but from getting stuck there

Liam: seeing me like that is gonna be

Liam: you won’t like it

Edie: I know but I can’t help if I don’t see it

Edie: all of it

Liam: alright, I did say it was a good thing you don’t close your eyes to what everyone else does

Edie: [👀 pic always]

Edie: If you go to sleep, I’ll feel it and I will too

Edie: then I can come find you

Liam: I’ll do it if you sing to me again

Edie: [call so you can do that and both have some sleep]

Liam: [love that for you, keep being adorable forever please lads]

Edie: [so that was my main vibe for today ‘cos she did say she’d look, it should be crappy though and not the one that you find that you actually love straight away so you don’t need to stay here, but you can spend the day there]

Liam: [and you can have fun fucking it up at the end cos you’re not gonna stay]

Edie: [exactly, a more genuine squat vibe this time, so you can get all the creepy shots and footage, as well as just causing some genuine carnage]

Liam: [I’ll see if one of the million pics I have of him holding a camera has the right energy and send it to you]

Edie: [woopwoop, likewise, a more 😈 day but definitely still cute]

Liam: [can’t not be cute ever]

Edie: [tried to fight it but we can’t]

[blackcatkita]

The Consequence of Secrets- Chapter 25

The Return

It’s back, my friends, and so is Drake! If you’ve stuck with me this long, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I decided to split this chapter to get it out sooner- there is more coming soon. No warnings aside from Drake loving the F bomb, word count is 2288 and credit for this awesome moodboard goes to my bestie, the beautiful, the talented, darley1101. Tag list will be in a reblog because Tumblr, if you’d like to get in on it you need only ask! I hope you like Drake’s (and the series) return and if you do, please like, comment or reblog. I appreciate every single note!

Drake’s idly drumming fingers curl around the steering wheel of his truck, squeezing as he lets out a jaw-popping yawn. It feels like he’s been here for months. Stuck between the hospital and the palace at the longest red light known to man. Noticing the sky to the east barely beginning to grey, he glances at the clock display on the center counsel. 5:23am. He’d been up over twenty-four hours, and that was with what? Three hours of sleep total the night before? No wonder his eyes burn like hell and feel like they’re filled with sand.

He presses the heels of his palms against his eyelids, then blinks away the stars he caused as he rolls down the window to let in the cool morning air. It had been a hell of a day. Between the argument with Olivia and her storming off to learning Jennifer was sick, hearing from Liam and spending the night waiting with him at the hospital; it had been a hell of a few days. He still doesn’t know what Olivia wanted to tell him when Liam called. Could be another of her “get your head out of your ass” lectures about making up with Liam but it didn’t seem like it; not the way she was acting. It was like she was afraid to tell him and from a woman like Olivia Nevrakis, it was… disconcerting to say the least. 

Whatever it was he would find out soon enough. If this goddamn light ever changes. Why it’s even working this early in the morning is beyond him. There isn’t any traffic to regulate yet and it’s not even a major street… which means there’s no one around to see if he should just happen to… go through it. Would be his luck that a cop rounds the corner right as he does it though. Doubtful they would ticket a ‘Guardian of the Realm’ on the Royal Council, assuming he hadn’t been stripped of his title and still had a seat, but it would still be a pain in the ass and would further delay the blissful moment when his head hits the pillow.

“Fuck it. I’ll pay the damn ticket.” He sits up straighter to look to his left, then his right to check for oncoming traffic and that’s when he sees it. The opposite lights- blinking red. “Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me…” Screwing his eyes shut he thumps his forehead against the steering wheel. He’d been fucking sitting at a fucking blinking red light, waiting for the fucking thing to turn green for God fucking knows how long. Yep, that’s a thing he did. He really, really needs to get some fucking sleep. “Fuck!” he roars, hitting the gas to go through the dumbass light his dumbass sat at for no damn reason. At least the palace is only fifteen minutes away. Fifteen minutes he should use to calm the fuck down before he has to deal with the assholes inside.

The quiet drive calms him and pulling up to the gates, he’s struck with a feeling he can’t quite place. It’s… strange. The Royal Palace had been his home for most of his life, but after what happened, and the way he left, he wondered if it would ever be “home” again. He thought he’d be apprehensive returning but, he isn’t. Not at all. He feels… happy, content, comfortable, like putting on his old denim shirt Jennifer teased him for wearing too often. Maybe Liam was right: it would always be his home.

From the guard shack on his left a man approaches the open window while two others move in front of, and on the other side of the truck. Unlike the dark grey suits or plainclothes of Liam and Jennifer’s personal guards, per tradition they wear the ceremonial dress uniform of the Royal Guard; jackets of Cordonian blue with the same color in a stripe down each side of their black pants. Drake had never had to wear the getup thank God, but he knows under those jackets adorned with buttons and rope and other kinds of nonsense they had on bullet proof vests. They could thank Anton’s attack at the Homecoming Ball for that little addition to their wardrobe.

“Stephens,” Drake greets his former colleague with a nod. “Been a minute. How the hell are ya? How are the wife and kids?”

The guard stands rigid with an expression devoid of emotion and speaks in a clipped tone. “Good evening, Sir. Identification and royal decree you have permission to enter the palace gates.”

“Royal decree, right. Ha-ha, very funny. Now open the gate, it’s been a long ass day.”

“Sir, I cannot allow you to enter our illustrious halls without the express permission of His Majesty King Liam or our beloved Queen Jennifer. If you are unable to provide the proper documents I am afraid I must deem your intentions as malicious and you will be detained for further questioning.”

“What in the hell are you talking about?” Drake asks. “I was at your wedding for Christ’s sake and there’s no such thing as a ‘royal decree to enter’ pass.”

Stephens’ nostrils flare and he takes a step back, nodding at the guard on the other side of the truck as he lifts his hand to his earpiece. “We have a possible bogey at the front gate, dispatch Tiny and Cheech.”

“The bomb sniffing dogs? Are you serious?”

“I assure you, we take the lives of our King and Queen very seriously.” His suspicious gaze never leaves Drake as he reaches for the extendable mirror clipped to his belt. “Step out of the vehicle please, Sir.”

With an aggravated groan Drake runs his hands through his hair as the guard begins checking the undercarriage for explosives. He should have anticipated this after being gone so long. Practical jokes were commonplace among the guard’s members but he is far from in the mood. Pulling the door handle, he pushes it open little more than an inch before Stephens slams it shut.

“Stay in your vehicle! Stay. In. Your. Vehicle!” he shouts, one hand on his hip holster.

A snort of laughter sounds from the front of the truck and Drake glances up to see Fitzgerald, turned away with his shoulders shaking as he tries to contain his amusement. He turns back to Stephens, standing there with his lips twitching like he’s trying to fight a smile of his own. “Alright, asshole, you’ve had your fun but like I said, it’s been a long fucking day. I’m running on three hours of sleep, drove from Lythikos and spent the night at the hospital with the King and Queen so if you don’t open that goddamn gate right now, I’m gonna shove that mirror so far up your ass you’ll be…”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, no need for such gratuitous violence.” Stephens holds up his hands, laughing as he collapses the mirror. “Cap already told us you were on your way.” He clicks his heels together, standing at attention. “You may proceed, Sir Drake, sir!” Turning toward the gate he draws a circle above his head, signaling to the guard on the other side to open it while Drake puts the truck in gear. As the heavy metal starts to move he turns back around, tapping the handle of the compacted mirror on the open window frame. “Oh and Walker, welcome home.”

Drake huffs out a laugh, shaking his head. “Yeah, yeah. Watch the paintjob, ya dick.”

He drives through the gate and around to the residential side of the palace, wondering where to park. Should he park in his old spot in the garage that housed the Royal Family’s vehicles? Did he even still have a spot? Staff parking was out unless he wanted to go back through the gates, or there was the garage all the security vehicles were parked. Leave it to nobles to make something as simple as parking so complicated. He didn’t have this issue in Lythikos. No, he parked wherever he damn well pleased; usually in a garage full of cars Olivia doesn’t even drive. A bitter chuckle escapes his lips at the thought. He could park anywhere he wanted but what did that have to do with anything? Is he just the Duchess’ consort or does he hold significance? Ever since he left the Capitol all those months ago it seems no matter where he goes, he doesn’t know his place.

The convenience of a direct entrance from the family garage to the private quarters makes the decision for him and he stops at the bay door, reaching into the center console to press the button on the remote. He drives in, past expensive means of transport he would never buy but loved to drive and pulls into his empty spot. The slamming of the truck door echoes through the open space as he walks across the concrete floor, swinging his key ring around his finger. He unlocks the deadbolt and steps into the hallway, taking a moment to breathe in the familiar scent. Hearing approaching footsteps on marble, he scans the area quickly, gauging whether he has time to escape as Regina appears from around the corner.

She approaches with a modest smile, hair only slightly disheveled and wearing a long sleeved set of lavender pajamas. “Drake, it’s wonderful to see you back at the palace.”

As she gets closer he sees her eyes are red rimmed with bags beneath and the deep furrow of a worry line between her brows. In all the years he’d known her he’d never seen her look so tired. “Your Majesty, what are you doing up at this hour?”

“I’m afraid I didn’t get much sleep. I was going to take a walk to clear my head… perhaps in the gardens,” she trails off, turning her head slowly to stare blankly down the hall for a few beats before turning back to him. “Were you there? At the hospital?”

“I was,” Drake nods.

“Thank you for that. For being there for them.” Her lips tremble as she attempts to smile, faltering quickly as she clasps her hands too tightly for it to be a casual gesture. “The last I heard from Liam they still didn’t know what was happening. They had taken Jennifer into surgery and I haven’t been able to get ahold of him since.”

“I think he turned his phone off. It was… hard on him seeing her like that and then worrying about the baby… he probably didn’t want to disturb you, being so late and all.”

“Were they able to make a diagnosis?”

Resisting the urge to look away from her scrutinizing gaze, he takes a deep breath, chewing on his lower lip as he lets it out slowly. “I’m sorry, Regina, but I can’t…”

She holds up a hand to stop him, shaking her head. “I don’t need details and I would never ask you to betray their confidence. I just… I need to know if they’re alright.” She steps forward, placing her hand on his shoulder. She looks up at him, eyes pleading and wet with unshed tears. “Please, Drake.”

Taking in her concerned expression, he argues with himself. This isn’t Queen Mother Regina standing in front of him looking for an edge. This is just a woman, worried sick about her family. She loved Liam like he was her own son, had come to love Jennifer too and was vocal about how excited she was to become a grandmother. No matter what he will always be loyal to Liam and Jennifer and it’s not his place to say anything; but denying a worried grandmother news that will help ease her mind doesn’t sit well with him either. “She was out of surgery and sleeping when I left. From the looks of it Liam wouldn’t be far behind.” There’s no harm in telling her that much. They could all use a bit of good news.

“And the baby?”

“The baby made it through surgery fine. That’s all I know.”

“It is enough.” The breath she releases wavers as she smiles, reaching up to brush a single tear from beneath her eye before it has the chance to fall. “Thank you, you’ve eased my mind considerably. So much so that I believe I may be able to get some sleep after all. Good-night, Drake.”

“Night, Regina.” He watches as she turns back the way she came, thinking it could have been much worse. He could have run into Madeleine. The she-devil always got up at the ass crack of dawn to make sure she was prepared for whatever the hell she thought she needed to be prepared for. An involuntary shudder moves up his spine and he shakes it off, heading in the opposite direction of Regina to his own quarters.

Letting himself in, he flips on the living room light and tosses his keys and wallet on the table by the door. He takes a second, letting it soak in. Like Liam said, it’s exactly how he left it; from the tools he used to hang his new tv scattered on the hearth to the socks slung over the back of the armchair.

The room feels stuffy, the air stagnant from being shut up so long and he opens the window on his way to the bedroom with his hastily packed duffle bag in hand. Dropping it to the floor with a thud, he barely manages to set the alarm on his phone before flopping onto the comforter fully clothed; his last thought whether Olivia will be there when he wakes up as he drifts off to sleep.

[bbrandy2002]

Birth of an Heir... Part Two

Book: The Royal Heir

Liam x Riley

Part one

A/N: Turned into another total fluff piece, I'm becoming a softy 😕. I had one of my kids choose the baby's name of the ones given in the comments and @kingliam2019 was the winner.

Warning: Drake Walker has a potty mouth and will use profanity in the chapter, but, he's still lovable marshmallow all the same.

These characters belong to Pixelberry.

Birth of an Heir Part 2

Riley stands at the window of her third floor hospital room, observant of the overflowing press crowded below. It had been several hours since the birth of her son and well past midnight. Exhaustion had reached it's peak, yet, adrenaline and a newborn would keep her awake. Another news crew ascends into the mass influx of cameras, sateliites and curious, Cordonian bystanders. "Do they ever sleep?", she asks with astonishment, however, her question is met with silence. She turns, and instantly her heart melts from a simple, yet, poignant sight.

"You are hopeless, you know that right?", she says with a gentle smile.

Liam is sitting in a rocking chair,  holding his first born child, whom seems to fit perfectly, like a small package in his arms. His thumb grazing the soft cheeks and his eyes focused,  contently, on what he considers the second best thing to enter his life. With heavy eyes, he searches and memorizes every single line and detail, and takes to heart, every sound and breath this tiny creature makes. He is afraid to fall asleep, he cannot fathom for one moment the seperation that comes with it. This baby already has his father under a spell that is similar to the way his mother does.

Riley walks closer to him, still slowed by soreness and tenderness with each step. She shakes her head and playfully rolls her eyes, "Liam, did you hear what I said?"

He looks up to her, "I'm sorry dear, did you need something?".

She bites her bottom lip before lightly rubbing her hand up and down his arm, "I said you're hopeless....you know I have to hold him more than just when feeding him, right?".

Liam nods his head and speaks with a teasing whisper, "We'll see about that", as he gives her a quick wink.

Riley sighs, "yep.....hopeless", then leans in to a soft kiss.

She removes her robe, kicks off her slippers, then lowers herself steadily onto her hospital bed. After pulling the sheet over her tired and worn body, out of habit, she rolls to her left side. Riley wants to drift off, but, the events of the day are flourishing in her thoughts. Suddenly, like a vision of sorts, one that is always present in her mind, a familiar story begins to play......

A flash of bright blue that meets her soft brown. An instant spark, a physical attraction, a moment when two lost souls find one another. A beginning.

"Sorry I'm late. Thank you for your patience, Miss...?"

The first time the heat of his lips devoured hers after an impromtu private tour of the Statue of Liberty.

"You're full of surprises aren't you?"

"I try"

"I'm glad to have met you Riley, I'll never forget this night".

A chance of a lifetime, when fate opened a door and offered her an opportunity.

"You want to sponsor me? Why?".

"I'm not doing it just for you, I saw how Liam looked at you last night. I've never seen him so happy...".

The first time he swept her off her feet, literally....the moment her heart felt more than just an attraction, but, the start of a love affair. A waltz to remember.

"I dont....I'm not sure I know the steps."

"Just follow my lead".

Like something out of a fairy tale, darkness surrounded by small, white lights and the shimmer of the moon. Closed off from the rest of the world, it would become a place where memories are made.

"We made it....the center of the maze..and I do believe I won".

"How do you figure that?".

"Easy, I'm on top".

"Hard to argue with that".

"Then don't"

"Something about you...it just feels...right to be around you".

"Liam, I feel the same way".

An exhilerating jump, involving total trust in one another.

"It's said that if two lovers climb to the top of the waterfall and jump in together, they'll get the blessings of the water".

A warm, spring day, filled with pink blossoms and the aroma of freshly baked pies. When she became a queen for the first time and the apple of his eye.

"Meeting you in New York was one of the best things that ever happened to me. You changed my life".

A country soiree, a swing decorated with flowers. He was giddy, playful and childlike.

"...I want you to know, I can't wait for the coronation".

"I can't wait either".

The simple, yet, perfect candlelit dinner, when he opened up to her and shared his biggest dream.

"Maybe this is sentimental, but, its been on my mind lately.....What I really want is to have a family...and not the type most kings have, but, one where we're close and listen to each other....".

The night the stars glistened in the sky above her, three words that rained down and changed everything. A merging of pleasure and senses like never before. The most beautiful , endearing intertwining of bodies and demonstration of devotion ever.

"I've never said this before, but, its more true than my own name. Which is all to say...Riley...I love you".

"Liam, I've been madly in love with you since the day we met...".

"I love you and I want you".

"Then take me, Liam".

And after a period of turmoil, secrecy , and undeserved scrutiny, when she realized air doesn't exist without Liam....she doesn't exist without Liam....they came full circle.

"Riley...all that I want in this life is to dedicate my life to being the best man and king that I can be...for you...Lady Riley Brooks, queen of my heart, I have yearned to say these four words for a very, very long time...Will you marry me?".

"Yes...a thousand times...yes".

When happily ever after truly began....

"I promise to love you, honor you and cherish you. To support you, fight for you and inspire you....as you have always done for me....No matter what the future holds for us, I know that together is where we're meant to be".

A warmth overcomes her body and the corner of her lips curl. She opens her eyes again and peaks once more at the two most sacred things in her life. One is her soulmate, her king, her love; the other is their finest masterpiece.

A faint cry echo's through the calmness of the darkened room. Liam gently lifts the baby to his chest, its head nuzzled securely into his neck. He places one hand on its bottom and the other lightly presses soft chubby cheeks closer to him. He leans forward, planting a lingering kiss through a blue cap, covering fine, peach fuzz hairs. Liam senses her stare and glances up. A faint smile emerges, that not a human in Cordonia could wipe away. With a low, raspy voice, he utters, "I love you".

Those words always send a chill down her spine, however, the emotion and pride in his voice this time, causes her to shed a tear, "I love you, too".

Her body gives way to sleep, assured that her two boys will keep one another company until she wakes.

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

Eyes slowly flutter open and Riley recognizes the presence of early dawn's light. She lifts her stiffened neck to see Liam laying in a small bed near the window; when you're the King, the hospital ensures you continue to sleep like royalty. Next to his bed, he had slid the baby's cot next to him.

She rubbed her eyes, trying to fully awaken. After getting out of her bed, she slips her shoes back on and treks to her infants side. Liam actually fell asleep with his hand in the cot, so Riley picks it up and moves it, placing it on his chest, -Hopeless.

She then lifts her wiggling bundle up and carries him back to her bed.

Lowering her gown down, the baby latches on after a few tries, suckling with tiny fingers gripped to her breast.

Riley watches in awe and amazement, as the most precious bond in the world takes shape. His little eyes twinkle and he is full of energy. She chuckles at his arm movements and how he seems to be devouring his breakfast.

She smiles at him, then tilts her head; she couldn't tell last night, but, relishes in the fact that he definately looks every bit like her husband.

There is a tap at the door and Riley gives permission for them to enter. The first thing she sees is a cascade of balloons and a large stuffed teddy bear, followed by the always gleeful, Maxwell. Trailing behind him, a seemingly recovered Hana, and weary eyed, Drake.

Once Hana slaps a few balloons from her face, she makes her way over to Riley's bedside. "Oh my goodness...Riles, he's so small and handsome".

After Drake gets caught up in the balloons as well and Maxwell runs into him a few times with the stuffed bear, he gets another glance at his namesake. Realizing she is breastfeeding, his face begins to blush, he stammers and fidgets. "Um...um...yeah...I'm just going to...um...look at this wall...that's some fine craftsmanship...this wall". He starts knocking on the wall as if he is checking the quality of its structure.

Maxwell laughs, "Augh, come on Drake, its just boobies....besides, the kids head is blocking the good stuff."

Hana and Riley look at each other, both chuckling at the two men.

Riley notices that Bertrand was not with them and asks Maxwell if he plans to visit.

Maxwell and Hana look at each other and snorted out in laughter.

Confused, "What's so funny guys...what am I missing?", she asks.

Drake still facing the wall, himself amused by the answer to her question, can't help but chime in, "Let just say, ol' Bertrand....", he starts laughing again, "Bertrand....". Drake can"t get the words out before he starts snickering even harder.

Annoyed by all the laughing, Riley threatens to kick all of them out unless they tell her what is so funny.

All three make attempts, however, are still struggling; they have tears running down their cheeks and faces that are bright red.

"That's it...out", Riley finally tells them.

Drake is able to compose himself, taking in deep breaths, "Okay, so...last night at the shower...everyone got...well..got sick from Maxwell's fucking punch as you know", he continues with some difficulty in spitting the words out.

Maxwell wipes a tear from his eye, "Let's just say, Bertrand had to call someone about the mess Madeleine made off the balcony last night".

Riley's grimaces, "Okay. I don't even want to know".

Hana asks if the baby has a name yet.

She looks down at her son, who has finished his feeding and covers herself back up. Riley adjusts the baby into a more comfortable position and looks up with a smile. "I would like to introduce you to the new Crown Prince of Cordonia...Nikolas Drake Beaumont Lee".

All three are touched as she explains how important each one of them are to her and Liam, and hopes the baby carries a little pieces of his namessake. After a short visit, her friends leave, Maxwell promising to return later with junk food and booze.

Shortly after, Liam stirs, surprised she didn't wake him up.

He shuffles to her bedside, kissing her tenderly. Liam searches her eyes, cupping her cheek, "I just want you to know, you are the most incredible woman I have ever met. You have always amazed me, but, I will never be able to thank you enough for making all of my dreams come true".

He has a way with words, always has, she thinks to herself. She gets a mischievous smile, "I know a way that you can start thanking me".

He raises an eyebrow, intriqued, "Anything for my queen".

She lifts the baby up and gently places him in Liam's loving arms, "He needs a diaper change".

@ao719 @carabeth @emceesynonymroll @romanticatheart-posts @kimmiedoo5 @ladyangel70 @polishchoicesfan @zorjasblog @burnsoslow

[onebadwinter]

Name: Unknown (For my personal portrayal his real name will be: Nicholai Albin Etzel)

Meaning of Name:  Nicholai:  Victorious; conqueror of the people. Albin:  White, bright. Etzel:  Noble One.  Nickname(s):  Jack Napier, The Joker, The Clown Prince of Crime, The Harlequin of Hate, The Red Hood,  Domino Killer, Ace of Knaves, Gravedigger, Oberon Sexton, Jerome and Jeremiah Valeska, The Fool, Public Enemy #1, Mr. Rekoj, Nemesis of The Knight, The Bandit, Mr. Face Paint, Patient 0, Patient 223, Joe White, Jocund Jack of Jocund Jack of All Crimes, Eric Border, One The Clown at Midnight, Joseph Kerr, The Pale Man, Ivar Loxias, Liam Distal, John Doe And whatever else he feels like, bitch.  

Age: Unknown, between 20-40 years old. Depends.

Birthday: Unknown, Theorized to be on April 25th(1940*Winkwonk*), April 1st, July 11th, August 1st ( My Portrayal will be on: May 25)

Species/Nationality:  Human/Altered, Slavic, French, German, American

Accent: Posh English, with hints of a mixture of others as undertones. Or you know, whatever fucking accent he wants to have that day. You know?

Language spoken: English, Old Prussian, Romanian, Italian, American Sign Language, German, French, Spanish, 

Powers/Abilities:  Resistance to Pain, Mister Mxyzptlk's Powers, Black-Ops Training, Fearlessness, Genre Awareness(Fourth Wall), Immune to Poison, Poisonous Blood, Escapology, Super Sanity(Fourth Wall), Trained Tactician,  Shape Shifting, Good Timing, Genius Level Intelligence, Enhance Mutation, Disguise Mastery, Adaptive, Marksmanship,  Agility, Stealth Mastery, Immortality, Unarmed Combat, Science Manipulation(Mastery), Regeneration, Mechanical (Mastery), Fourth Wall Breaking, Animal Handling,  Weapon Master, Narrator, 

Pet: Technically, none. One could say. But Three Hyena’s through Harley Quinn named Bud and Lou.

Illness/Allergies: Super Sanity, Severe Chemical Imbalances, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Facial Nerves are Paralyzed, 

Occupation:  Chemical and Mechanical Engineer/Comedian, 

Faceclaim: Jared Leto/Cameron Monaghan, 

Description: Unaltered by being kicked into a vat of chemicals, Nicholai looks just like any normal person. Black or Dark Brown hair, a normal skin color and complexion. Blue eyes some piercing scars on his ears, no tattoos. His looks after being chemically altered are roughly the same, his eyes change to green, his hair as well. His skin becomes a sleek ivory/grayish color. He starts wearing make up to exacerbate the darkness around his eyes and the color of his lips.  His nose is normal length and size in both his normal and altered phase. Facial scars and red lips. He has EYEBROWS lol.

Outfit/Accessories/Jewelry: TBD

Height: 5′10″-6′5″

Weight: 140

Body Build: Slender/Athletic

Backstory/Background:

Nicholai is born to a father who had moved from Russia to France two years prior to Nicholai's birth. Nine or so months before he had met Nicholai's mother.  The pair had conceived Nicholai during a one night stand together. After which, Nicholai moved to America, not knowing she had been pregnant then. Nine months later Nicholai had been born on May twenty-fifth, this incident lead to his mother and father ultimately hooking up for good thinking that it would be best for their son, rather getting together our of something as silly as 'love'. Throughout the following years however, it became a point of contention for the family of three. By the time Nicholai had been old enough to begin remember things, his father had taken to drinking excessively as well as flying into fits of rage upon the stresses of life trying to provide for his family. His then wife taking the brunt of many of these rage induced attacks. But often enough the trickle down had landed Nicholai in his fathers sights. Who would hit, yell at, or lock him in a small container for hours at a time.

By the time Nicholai had started school his father had lessened on the hitting part of the abuse toward his son but where that aspect had been lessened, the less obvious ones had heightened. However, Nicholai had still proven himself a very intelligent young boy. Getting praise from his teachers usually and suggestions to his parents to put him in gifted programs, noting that even for a boy so young he had seemed to be very intelligent. His father had refused to place him in such programs however, claiming that it would only get his boy bullied in school and make him into a freak. This, Nicholai had thought, was one thing he had liked that his father had done for him. As he also did not want to go to any of the gifted classes at that time either. As well, Nicholai's mother was very doting, often times it seemed she had taken on the burden to love Nicholai enough for both her and his father's concerning lack of love toward his son. It had often felt smothering to the young boy, now worried she would be and how nervous she had often made him feel growing up. It instilled in him a sense that he was in constant danger.

Nicholai had found it hard to make and keep friends while going to school. He often talked in a strange way that none of the other kids quite caught on to. He was also clearly smarter than all the other kids too, vastly smarter and so the conversations and play time had seemed challenging to Nicholai as he often felt he had needed to dumb himself down in order to enjoy these moments with the other children. Something he didn't really want to do. But, giving in a little, he started to clown around during classes, playing little tricks on others or showing off little tricks from childish inventions he would make on show and tell days. It was during one of these days where his parents had requested his parents switch him over to a private school that would be more suitable for him. Caving in, his father agreed, once he was told that he would not have to pay for this scholarship. So, Nicholai had to restart again, trying to make friends. Only this time, the children were not so easily amused by his tricks and toys.

The children at his new school were the children of very important, powerful or rich families in all of Gotham and some of the surrounding areas. Nicholai was new, and vastly different from all of the other children around him now, and like blood in the water of a bunch of hungry Sharks, a lot of the children could tell he was not one of them. So they ignored him most of the time. One day, another day of show and tell Nicholai had brought a frog to class, showing it off and letting it hop around the floor in front of him. He had been absolutely proud of the little toy he had made. Though none of the other children had seemed impressed. One raised their hand, and Nicholai had them ask their question. It was a rather innocent one, he thought, could the frog do anything else but hop. Nicholai had smiled at the other child before moving to pick the frog up and bring it toward the girls desk and telling her to stick her hand into the frogs mouth. Which she did, and the frog spit up some slime onto her hand. She was thoroughly disgusted but it did get a lough out of one other boy, a tame one, but a laugh.

Nicholai had looked over toward the dark haired boy sitting several desks away and watching as they tried to hid their giggling and go back to a more serious state. Looking away he brought his frog back and took most of the goop back as he moved back to his seat at the teachers behest. Later that day Nicholai had learned that the boy who laughed was Bruce Wayne, of all people. A Wayne. He could not believe he had made a Wayne laugh at something so simple! However, he could not get this boy to give him all that much attention. No matter what he had tried the other seemed distant from him, and everyone else. Away in his own world, it had seemed. Nicholai had eventually given up and looked elsewhere for friendship. As he was doing so, his father had again picked up beating him physically. This time making sure he kept quiet and to not hit the boy anywhere anyone might see. That was until one night he had managed to hit Nicholai so hard that Nicholai had need to go to the clinic to get healed. He was to stay their several nights.

This had not made his father happy, but Nicholai knew he would at least have a few days of sanity before going back home. There he had met Martha Wayne, Bruce Wayne's mother. Who, for some reason was there. She had come up to him and asked if he had gone to school with her son, then asked if he had been the boy with the toy frog. The reason for her asking this was because just a moment before Nicholai had been working on the toy frog in question while sitting in his bed resting. Then Martha had asked if he knew her son Bruce Wayne, Nicholai had confessed to the older woman that him and Bruce had not met yet. Martha seemed to look a bit desperate then, and asked if he would like to come over for a play date sometime that week, as she would love for her Bruce to make a friend, and Bruce had talked a lot about a boy who built a toy frog, with her. Martha had even tried to sugar coat her offer by bringing up that it would 'get him out of his house' for a couple of hours, daily, if the boys play date went well enough.

With that offer she told him she was going to go and that she would come talk to him later on and let him rest as he thought about the proposal to be her sons friend. Nicholai wasn't going to say no. Because he had also been wanting a friend for a long time too, and something about Bruce had told him that they could be very great friends. Over the next couple of days Nicholai had healed up and enjoyed the peace of the clinic, still not having seen Martha since her request to him.  His mother had left fifteen minutes earlier to go grab him something to eat at a local store, for lunch. However, an alarm going off had set the entire peaceful setting of the hospital into almost complete chaos. The lights had gone off, and Nicholai had to cover his ears upon hearing popping noises very close by. What he could only assume were the sounds of some sort of gun or something similar. Being just a young boy he couldn't tell, of course. Moving quickly he tried to get to his door before a man stepped in front of it. Then asked 'what he had here'.

The look in the mans eyes had told Nicholai to run, to get away from the man turning he tried darting for the other side of the room, but the much larger, stronger, and faster older man was too quick. Grabbing Nicholai by his left wrist and jerking the child closer, their arms had wrapped around Nicholai before he was being forcibly carried out of the room and down the hallway. Screaming for the man to let him go and all other sorts of things as he squirmed to try and break free, seeing several people working at the clinic being shouted at by either the man carrying him, or any of the men that were with him, before getting shot when they didn't tell the man what he had wanted to know. Nicholai had witnessed the majority of the incident take place, right toward it's conclusion where he had ultimately been kidnapped by the gang as they rushed to leave the hospital with whatever they had been there to do, being done. For several months or so afterword Nicholai was subjected to many forms of abuse from the gang, of even the most sadistic of natures.

Then, just like that, they had let him go, as if nothing had even happened. Even dropping him off back home. His mother was in tears about his return, happy he wasn't dead in a ditch somewhere like most other children. Nicholai's father however, greeted him with a smack to the back of the head and a comment on how stupid could he be to get himself kidnapped. Along with many other cruel things. Nicholai had gone to therapy after this for several weeks. When it was concluded that he had more or less blacked out MOST if not all of what had happened to his time in captivity. His mother was told to give him some pills that would help keep the memories locked away and eventually he would totally forget about them. After a month Nicholai had returned back to school as if nothing had happened, a few kids asked where he had been all this time, but for the life of him he couldn't really remember.  In time life did move on as usual, Nicholai returned back to his school work, focusing a lot more on that than in making friends, even though he would have stilled liked to have had them.

A couple of years passed without incident, Bruce and Nicholai never got the chance to have their play date. Martha had asked more often when seeing Nicholai, how he had been feeling, rather than bringing up play dates. However, a incident happened one day after a night out at the movie. Nicholai was across the street from the movie theater as he waited for his father to finish up some business he had to do. Looking out toward the lights of the theater, Nicholai sighed. He wished his father wouldn't bring him along for these sort of things, but his father had said one day he might have to learn the 'trade' in order to support himself and his family. Nicholai didn't think being a criminal was worth it. Though as he sat in the car he mused about his future, imagining himself most often telling jokes to a large crowd of people. The thought of people laughing at his jokes was much more alluring to him. Smiling he continued to look toward the lights, then toward the many people leaving the theater, their he had spotted a couple of familiar faces exiting later in the evening followed by those all too familiar popping noises. Ducking down, Nicholai had covered his ears, the sounds stirring in him a uncharacteristic response for him, absolute uncaring numbness.

With his body trembling he moved his hands from his ears and wrapped them around himself as he listened to the shouting, both Bruce's, he could tell and the people gathering around. His father had come to the car and climbed in looking toward the back where he had left Nicholai, seeing his son was there the man had started the car quickly before speeding off. Nicholai sat up, looking back toward the scene as police were arriving. He then looked toward his father as the other tossed a few items into the passenger seat. Nicholai had crossed his arms over his stomach, before commenting that Gotham's criminal side was growing out of control. Nicholai had noticed that Gotham had a very high crime rate some time ago, and with each year it got worse. The next day at school, Bruce was of course not there. It seemed that the Wayne's were gunned down, the news had been nonstop talking about it since the incident happened. Bruce was now an orphan, left to be raised by his butler all alone in the mansion on a creepy side of the city.

Years had passed after that, Nicholai continued to work on his studies, eventually growing an interest in chemicals. By this time he was in middle school and starting into a phase some might have called his punk phase. In this phase he got really into piercings and wearing fake tattoos for a while, before eventually switching to other phases. You know, as a person finding themselves is one to do. Nicholai eventually settled on all of them, because he became a big fan of having multiple choices. Also during this time he met a young blond girl who was a bit of a spoiled brat, but he never quite got her name, something to do with a motorcycle or something of the sort, was all he could remember. The reason for this is because at some point in middle school he had moved up a few grades, having taken on the programs that would allow him to skip grades and graduate from school earlier than others. From time to time for a while he would even see Bruce Wayne here and there, but the two had, by that point in time moved on with their own separate lives. He had heard some rumors that Bruce had gotten very aggressive since his parents deaths.

Nicholai continued with his school work, excelling and eventually he had met the young girl who would in some years time become his wife. By this time in his life he had been sixteen years old and helping his father with some odd petty theft jobs here and their to help support his family. His plate was full, but he hadn't minded it all too much. Still he found himself wishing to become a comedian, that way he didn't need to work so hard anymore. He and Jeannie had become quite close and were absolutely enamored with themselves. He had truly fallen in love with her, and he couldn't imagine any good future without her in it. In time he had graduated early from high school and moved on to college, Jeannie and Nicholai had remained close even as he had to go away for college. Four years later he had graduated and taken a job offer to work as a chemical engineer in a plant in Gotham, by this time in his life he had long stopped helping his father do petty thieving jobs and decided to move on from that life and move Jeannie to a decent part of the city.

About a year after moving out of his parents his father had been murdered by someone in the crime world. Nicholai had ignored the majority of it, not wanting to know what had happened and quietly laid his father to rest without looking into the death any further. About two years after his mother had also gotten in a horrific car accident that had left her in a coma where eventually Nicholai had to give the order to take her off life support. Jeannie had supported and taken care of him through all of it, showing him that she had loved him just as much as he loved her. Eventually they talked about having a child together, starting their own family. In this time Nicholai continued to work as a chemist and work with the plant, however, his dreams of being a comedian had not waned. So one night, he went to Jeannie and asked her opinion. She had encouraged him to do what made him happy. Sure that he could always go back to the plant if things didn't go well. After hearing her opinion he decided to take the chance, he could live with a chance to do something he had always wanted to do.

Though about a year or so into his attempt the pair had fallen onto hard times, Jeannie was nearly nine months or so pregnant at the time and had decided to raise some concerns about money. Eventually she told Nicholai that he should think about returning to his job at the plant. Nicholai sighed, agreeing at first but remembered his connections with the criminal world. One night after his acts he went around asking about little bits of information for some hits on a few houses, petty thievery was something the Gotham police barely even bat an eye at half the time, he knew he could make some quick cash this way to both support his dream career and wife and child with a few marks here and there. Nicholai had failed to find anything however and retreated back home. It wasn't until a few weeks later when two familiar goons he had known came around his house, and mentioned in front of Jeannie that they had some jobs for him. She of course was not happy about it, Nicholai could tell. But he knew from his time in childhood that it wasn't something to be so worried about.

Trying to assure Jeannie that everything would be okay, he would do some odd jobs for the men and their gang here and there in order to support them until he made some headway, he was sure he was close to breaking into the business of comedy in no time. As people who were fame hungry usually thought before ending up homeless on the streets of California shooting up through their toes and shitting on sidewalks. Nicholai agreed to take on the odd job the two men were offering. Looking toward the red hood they had brought along with them. He wasn't so sure what the point of it was to continue the sideshow, but he knew the routine. Eventually donning the hood and costume while committing the petty thefts. However this had only served to bring him more attention than he would have liked. Again and again the news would report on the 'Red Hood' and it was just growing more and more popular. Eventually Nicholai had decided to tell his new bosses that he wanted out, that the risk was too high now and he decided he would go back to work in chemical engineering.

Jeannie had been more than thrilled to hear about this, however, the gang he was working for had not been, at all. Nicholai told Jeannie he would not do any more jobs, and he would work a legitimate job to support her and their child. It had seemed to take a lot of stress off Jeannie's shoulders that he only then had just realized was effecting his wife, the woman he would claim was his soul mate if he had even believed in such a thing. It made him feel ashamed for having been so selfish and put her through something like that. A few nights later, however, the two men had come back to their home one night. Again, the suggested a job to Nicholai, which Nicholai had turned down. But this time, they weren't asking him to do it, they were telling him to do it. Or they would expose him as the red hood to the entire city and he would be locked up and never even see his child or wife again. Jeannie had told him it was alright, to take the final job and then they could move on with their lives. Nicholai wanted to protest, knowing how this worked for criminals, having grown up around it.

But seeing his wife's worry had returned and being concerned for his unborn child he agreed, not wanting his wife to become stressed this close to having their child he told the men he would take on this last final job for them and then asked where it would be. They had said it would be at the plan, where he had worked. They had known, and knew he would be perfect for this particular job. Oh, they had assured him that it would be the last job. They prooomised she would be save and they could move on with their lives. Then they told him where to meet them the next day. After they left Nicholai had hugged his wife, apologizing to her for being so stupid and allowing this entire thing to happen and get this far. Before then kneeling and holding her stomach, cooing at it a bit and telling his child that he was going to fix it, he promised.  Then he stood and helped his wife to bed. The next day he had met the men at the spot they had instructed, just before sun down they had arrived and handed him the suit. Nicholai put it on, reluctantly.

Some time later they were breaking into the plant and making their way to the destination point where they would be retrieving their package. However as they were leaving a pair of glowing eyes from the darkness had them stopping in their tracts. It was The Batman, as the other two men had probably said. Nicholai thought he was hearing them right anyway. Batman, what a silly name for a superhero, he thought. Of course he had heard of the thing before, everyone knew about Batman by now. The guy was running around like a chicken with his head cut off bringing justice all over the city. Batman was a big reason for Nicholai to want to stop before it got this far. However, it was too late for that now. Taking off he managed to dodge Batman’s attempts to stop him and leave the other guys behind. Which had at least given him some time to come to terms with his life as he knew it changing forever. He was going to prison, no doubt about that. How was he going to explain to the police that he had willingly chosen to commit all those crimes, except for this one time. This one time he didn't want to do it that meddling Batman had caught him.

It was a poor excuse and now the false floor was breaking underneath him. Bolting toward the chemicals he runs onto one of the bridges only for Batman to drop right in front of him. As the man yelled at him to stop Nicholai turned and darted the other way, still carrying the package. Taking another bridge he runs across only to get his arm sliced by something the other male threw at him. He was definitely not going to beat this guy, and he knew that. But he was also not going to give up, he was going to get out of there and get back to his wife. At least he would have liked to think that's how it all worked out. However Batman eventually catches up to him and kicks him over the side of the bridge and down toward the vats of chemicals. Landing on the concrete floor, hard, he was sure he broke something then. Pushing himself up he continued to try and flee. Batman dropping behind him and holding up something. Nicholai turned down toward one row of chemical filled vats, surely thinking that Batman wasn't stupid enough to throw anything that might break any of the vats-

And oh would you look at that. Batman decided to blow it all up.  This caused the vats to break apart and spill their contents out all over the place, sending the chemical waste splashing all over Nicholai. Batman was fine though, he just zipped on out of their, as you do when your a millionaire dressed up like a bat and it's not Halloween. Anyway, back to the backstory. So Nicholai was washed away with some chemicals and somehow went down the drain and out into the sewers where he continued to be contaminated and horrifically mutated into what everyone would later come to know as The Joker. Eventually getting spit out of the sewers and into some nice fresh air and your normal every day dirty muddy water Nicholai lay on that cool mud as his body continued to change, smoke rising from his now overheating form. Then, eventually, it all stopped. The world had stopped spinning, the heat no longer bothered him, everything just stopped and then went black. At some point he woke up to the moon overhead, lighting up the entire area around him.

Nicholai eventually got up not noticing at first what had happened to him. Moving toward the water he tore the hood off his head and tossed to the side angrily, ripping away at the rest of the suit he was wearing, wanting nothing more to do with it or the gang. He hoped that them along with Batman had thought of him to be dead. Hearing a noise when he did this he could only think of it as clicking, constant clicking noises. Nicholai eventually noticed that he had changed and this had caused him to go into a fit of giggles. Eventually he had made his way back to the city and to his home only to find it had burned to the ground. Dropping onto the ground, Nicholai laughed even louder then he had back at the drainage pool he woke up by. Eventually he would come to learn that his wife and unborn child had died from a short circuit.  From that point on the man known as Nicholai had stopped existing.

Some years later the man known as The Joker and a million other alias' by this point in his life had been sitting in a chair waiting to meet his newest psychiatrist and begin the game again. He had taken to scaring most if not all of his previous psychiatrists away. One day a young girl with long blonde hair and big bright blue eyes, wearing glasses had come into the room. From what he could tell, she was just out of college. Not like the old coots he had put up with before her. Or the staff he had to deal with any other time while at Arkham Asylum. So the Joker did what he did best, when he began the game. When he wasn't running his criminal empire directly. When he was 'calm'. He talked to her. Teased her and befriended her. It was easy. It was easy because he could see in her what someone he once knew had been like. Without a friend in the world, that yearning. Then there was the look of an animal who had been locked in a cage. He could see it all in this girl. Each day he would win her over, more and more.

Many would say that he had manipulated her. That he used her and turned her from good to bad. But He had only freed her. She just needed that extra...push. Everything else about her was there all along, scratching at the floorboards, waiting, wanting to be freed. Joker had the key, only him. Because it was only her that needed the freedom he could provide. Then one day, with the cage door open she had come to him, it had been the first of April, if he would later remember right. She was excited, because she knew what crimes she was committing as she walked those halls, key in hand, stabbing guards and other staff in the throats with needles filled with...who knew what. With a smirk on his face he had taken the young woman's hand and let her drag him through the facility to their get away car. The woman had taken her new freedom to such an extreme level, another fit of giggles had rocked Joker as he watched her chaotic bursts of energy and her decisions based on a whim. She was hair brained. Then she turned to him, she said, she would be called Harley Quinn from that day forward.

So she was, Harley Quinn, from that day forward, and he was hers. Joker smirked however, not showing the same kind of attachment to her. The days went on like that, till it came time. She wanted to commit to him entirely, all of her. During a drive she stopped at the chemical plant, reminding him of the time he had told her in a session they had, when it came to questions about his odd inhuman features. He told her he took a swim in one of the chemical vats at the plant. It wasn't exactly the truth. But it was clearly something she had fixated on and she herself had decided that she would also, take a chemical bath. Joker didn't stop her, of course. Why would he. He was curious about what would happen to her. So into the plant they went and he watched her amp herself up to jump. With a little prodding he asked her if she would die for him. Harley exclaimed a yes, still working up her nerve. Then he asked her if she would live for him. This had seemed to stump her for a moment. Then a serious look came over her face, she said yes and ran toward the vat, leaping from the ledge and dropping down into the pool of chemicals.

Joker thought that she might have been dead, then. He was just about to leave but, suddenly, he had stopped himself and turned back before jumping back in after her. Plunging into the chemicals and grabbing onto her. Rising out of the waste he lift her unconscious body up from the liquids. Then opened her airways, chemicals had dripped off his dark green hair that half clung to his face. Staring at her that day, something old and familiar to him stirred, if only for a moment. He thought for a moment he might have cared about this woman. As impossible as it would seem to him, something had told him he could let her die, that he wanted to keep her. Dragging her out of the liquids he gets himself and her out of the plant and back toward their car where he sped off into the night.

Some nights later Joker took her too get some pets. She had wanted them after waking up, and though he really didn't want any on his own. Again the feeling, small yet familiar had hit him. He caved, taking her to get three baby Hyena's in the black market. Joker didn't pay them much mind, but they had made Harley very happy, and sometimes he found himself amused by this before going back to ignoring them again as he worked on his plans to deal with Batman. Sometimes Harley would be more than annoying with her need for attention, however. Which had grated on his patience as time had gone. His prior attempts to get her to leave him alone was often ignored. But he did cave and eventually find that hitting her or threatening her silenced her up real good. So he went with that option instead of being rational. Because why not, he's not a saint, and the man he used to be was no longer their. That man was dead, he was The Joker now, and who was she, getting on his nerves half the time. Almost, he had noticed, intentionally.

That is how life had gone on for many years, him and Batman playing their game back and forth. Harley being a third wheel, but every so often he would show her how he felt, even if she had annoyed him a lot. He had secretly loved her, too. But after about forty minutes he would abandoned her to get back to his game with Batman, starting the cycle again. At some point he had those Hyena’s of  His and Harley’s eat Salvatore Guzzo alive.

(Work In Progress)

Personality: Daring, Unpredictable, Changeable, Lack of empathy, Unconcerned, Lacks a conscience, Apparent insanity, Leader, Joker, Humorous, Adaptable, Sensor,  Self Evaluation, Meditative, Mischievous, Murderous, Unreliable,  Sadist, Believes he cannot be saved,  Aware of himself and others and how he effects them, Seemingly Illogical Nature, Asexual/Sexual, Manipulative, Private, Uninterested in Sexual Relationships, Hyper Fixating, Capable of romantic relationships, Nonreciprocating, Uncaring, Abusive, Lover, Physical, Melancholic, Obnoxious, Fighter, Abused, Chiding, Hardworking, Egomaniac, Grandiose, Nontraditional Romantic (With Batman), Urbane, Wishes to make Batman the best he can be, Chaotic, Defines his existence through conflicts with Batman, Does not care about Batman’s real identity, Disturbing, Complex, Doesn’t want to kill Batman, Repressed, He only wishes to continue playing his game with Batman, Steely, Glamorous, Determined, doesn’t want money or power, Can express remorse when in a certain state of mind, Faithful

Quirks/Savvies/Other: Tech, Science, Combat,

Likes:

Dislikes:

Fears:  None

Personality Tests:  The Challenger, The Enthusiast, The Peacemaker, ENTP, 8w7, The Nonconformist, Hufflepuff, Slytherpuff, Thunderbird, Thunder Serpent,

Other: Gemini, Tropes (Part 2),

Spouses: Jeannie (Dead),

Children:  Unborn Child (Son/Dead), Second child

Significant Other: Harley Quinn,

Parent(s):

-> Father: Unknown (Dead)

-> Mother: Unknown (Dead)

Sibling(s): Unknown

Starters

Chat’s

Para’s

Face

Stuff

Information

Asks

All

                                                                             Alternate Universes

Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy AU

There are TWO Harley’s AU

There are FOUR Joker’s AU

The Joker’s are TWINS AU

The one where The Joker does NOT become The Joker AU

The Joker is one of the Good Guys AU

The Joker is related to Batman AU

Star Wars Joker AU

Beelzebub AU

[atruththatyoudeny]

Monthly Reads | May 2019

Happy 28th! If you want to promote your fic or your artwork head on over to @kingsofeverything and send Lauren a message! She’s doing self recs - fics and art - today. Thank you to all of you amazing authors who brighten my world with your words ♥ Here are all the fics I read and loved this month:

Let Our Hearts Collide || crinkle-eyed-boo (KimmieRocks) || While You Were Sleeping AU - 90s - mistaken identity - fake/pretend relationship - coma - amnesia - pining - grief - 76k When Harry, a lonely transit worker, saves the life of the handsome commuter he's been secretly pining for, an innocent mistake results in Liam Payne's family believing that Harry is engaged to their son. In the Paynes, Harry finds the big family he's always longed for...and a love he never saw coming.

Can't Help Falling || Anonymous || open ending - 15k The one where Harry's a workaholic, until best mates Liam and Niall drag him away for a holiday to Ibiza.

24K Magic || Justalittlelouislove || famous/not famous - drug use - 32k A fic based on 24k Magic by Bruno Mars, in which Harry's a mess and famous, Louis is a mess and not, Liam and Zayn are probably hiding something, and Niall is a horrible flatmate.

For You I'd Bleed Myself Dry || amomentoflove || vampires - past abuse - slow burn - angst - depression - anxiety - 50k Harry is cold. His bones ache. Every movement draws a whimper from his cracked lips. The stone underneath him is practically like ice. He’s numb, but can clearly feel the sharp pains on his neck every timeHe visits him. Below the icy cold, the achy bones, and the pain on his neck, Harry Styles is pissed. There’s a fire burning in his mind and the anger for the man who keeps him imprisoned is the fuel. He despises him, the man who feeds from him and is a daily reminder that Harry’s suffering won’t end. The man who keeps Harry so weak that he can barely move most days. Harry’s waiting for the day when his owner will go too far and finally kill him. Death must be better than this cold hell he is in. It won’t happen, though. He has a way of keeping Harry’s heart beating. So for now, all Harry can do is wait for death to come. He’s been waiting for years.

Consequences || allwaswell16 || amnesia - exes to lovers - getting back together - injury recovery - angst - 74k Two years ago Harry let his powerful family come between him and the love of his life, something he deeply regrets. Louis has tried to move on from their devastating break up. Sometimes, he even thinks he has. It only takes one moment to freeze them back in time.

The Fire and the Fate || dimpled_halo || A Star Is Born AU - depression - alcohol abuse/alcoholism - addiction - drug abuse - famous/not famous - angst - hurt/comfort - break up - post-break up - getting back together - 56k An A Star is born au with a happy ending. Harry is a troubled musician about to reach the end of his rope when he finds Louis singing in a club one night. He’s instantly mesmerised by the man with blue eyes and breathtaking voice.

And That's The Tea || 2tiedships2 || a/b/o - soulmates - strangers to lovers - friends to lovers - 27k The one where Louis loses his soulmate before even getting the chance to meet them, and he is in no way prepared for the kind of distraction his new friend Harry proves to be.

I Must Confess (I Still Believe) || objectlesson || High School - Catholic School - Girl Direction - coming of age - self-discovery - self-doubt - self-acceptance - angst - pining - slow burn - internalized homophobia - 44k Harry is the new girl at an all girl Catholic Girl's School, and Louis is the unattainable, dashing senior who changes her forever.

Like A Siren In The Night || whoknows || a/b/o - light dom/sub - 24k “There is an infestation in my home,” Louis hisses, righting himself quickly and pushing his way past Harry, heading directly for the kitchen. He’s rather haphazardly dressed himself, a coat thrown on over a loose flannel shirt and black pants, slippers on his feet. Harry resists the urge to sigh, closing the door and trailing behind him slowly. “What kind of infestation?” For all he knows, Louis is going to claim that there’s a ghost infestation. Harry has no idea what the end game is here – all he knows is that Louis has found at least three complaints a week to bring up since he’s been living on Harry’s property, and he’s been living here for six months. It’s way too many fucking complaints, is what Harry is saying. Especially when most of them are ridiculous to start with.

Let Me (Be Your Girl) || dimpled_halo || Girl Direction - cheating - pwp - 6k Louis hires Harry to help her find out things about her husband. What she doesn't expect is to discover some things about herself in the process.

Come together || bottomlinsons || college/university - One Night Stands - miscommunication - angst - pining - 11k Harry and Louis slept together three weeks ago, and haven't talked. Their coming group project is gonna change that.

Tonight's not over (come over and stay) || louistomlinsons || famous/not famous - fluff - 17k Harry is a famous singer and louis is a student who just wants to write his novel

Born Ready For You || taggiecb || Sequel to That's What I'm Here For - children - adoption - family drama - 2k Harry and Louis' life gets turned upside down once again with an unexpected visitor.

Getting high in mine || bottomlinsons || meet-cute - drug use - 4k Getting home from a festival is miserable by any method, but a three-hour train ride is truly the bottom of the barrel. This time, though, with the help of the cute guy sitting on the floor, it might not be so bad.

The Daddiest Place on Earth || lovelarry10 || Social Media - Disney World & Disneyland - strangers to lovers - 23k Louis. Harry. Instagram. A whole lot of confusion and a whole lot of laughs...

I Won't Give Up So Come And Get Me || runaway_train || strangers to lovers - Blind Date - 15k The one where Louis meets Harry and it all just seems too good to be true...

Picking Up The Pieces || Halos_Boat || strangers to friends to lovers - angst - slow burn - emotional hurt/comfort - 72k Harry just signed his second set of divorce papers. He felt like his life was over, like he had nothing left. Then he meets Louis.

Ready, baby? || jaerie || pain kink - rope bondage - earrings - 1k Harry gets an earring. Louis is the one to do it. Or a pain kink drabble.

Impress Me || lightswoodmagic (sarah_writes) || Chefs - homelessness - fluff - 5k Harry's a new chef who can't cook to save himself, but when he meets Louis, he learns more than he thought possible

Drunk in Love (last thing I remember) || MrsStylinson || fluff - pining - banter - 22k The one where Louis wakes up, naked, in a stranger's bed and has no idea how he got there. Maybe it's foul play. Maybe it's just the kindness of a handsome stranger amused by his drunken antics.

Take The Bitter With The Sweet || rainbowslovehl (Larrymateforlife) || Coffe Shops - fluff - pining - 7k Liam recruits Louis to spy on the 'rival cafe', which Louis is less than enthusiastic about but it does lead him Harry, the pretty barista who works there.

Harry Poppins || jacaranda_bloom || strangers to lovers - kid fic - hurt/comfort - past character death - fluff - 32k When Louis’ best friends pass away he finds himself with an instant family. Maddie and Thomas are wonderful children but take an immediate dislike to every nanny that sets foot inside their house. After nanny number six is summarily dismissed Louis is at his wit’s end, that is until an unusual man arrives on their doorstep. Harry Styles is like nothing any of them have ever encountered before, and perhaps, exactly what they’ve been looking for all along.

You Bring Me Home || reminiscingintherain || Saving Mr Banks AU - fluff - 22k The one where Louis wants to turn Harry's book into a film, and Harry's very picky about what happens.

Big, Bright World || || pining - jealousy - slow burn - cheating - miscommunication - 35k It really was just a little crush in the beginning, nothing to be worried about. Louis had never really liked anyone he'd worked with in the past, but he was sure he could control himself. Little did he know that over time his 'little crush' would develop into a blazing inferno of Hell-fire proportions. Every day, Louis' feelings became more intense, more immediate, each little smile and gesture and silly flirtation mounting up into something palpable, with a life of its own. Louis felt it every moment they were together. The only problem? Harry was engaged to someone else and had been from the moment Louis started working at Visionary.

Barren Souls || Snowy38 || Dystopian - mpreg - angst - emotional hurt/comfort - 37k It's 2907 and things are different. Organic men and women are no longer fertile and only genetically modified humans are permitted to procreate. The sexes have equalled, men are able to give birth in these dire times and roles have been created to both sire children ('Stud') and carry them ('Provider'). Public displays of affection are a criminal offence and the procreators cannot get emotionally attached without severe consequences. Harry has hit 19, the legal age to bear children. He's looking forward to producing babies for his host family and he's just had his placement confirmed. All that's left now is to meet the Stud who'll impregnate him. It might tug at his heartstrings thinking about the beautiful babies he'll be carrying who he'll have to let go but he's trained for this. He's spent his whole life preparing. Being a Provider is a special job and Harry's one of the chosen.

In a sky full of stars, be my Northern lights || Anonymous || strangers to lovers - fluff - travel - 13k It's one of those nights there's nothing on the telly that Louis absently scrolls through Tinder. After swiping left on a bunch of profiles he comes face to face with a picture that stops him in his tracks. The picture is..almost sweet. It’s a boy with brown curly hair, wearing a very low cut yellow blouse, paired with a black jacket. He’s got a smile on his face and his tongue sticking out, but it’s not in any way lewd or suggestive. He just looks like he’s having a good time, and something about the innocence of it has him swiping right rather than left. He’s barely checked the other pictures on the boy's profile before Tinder confirms that he’s got a match. The shots are so different from the pictures Louis is used to on Tinder - half naked boys who are smoldering at the camera - that he can’t help but smile. It quickly turns into a frown when he opens up the message he’s just received. Harry: Hello! Harry: Thank you for swiping right Harry: I have a proposition for you

[plus-size-reader]

My Babies pt 2

Derek Hale x Plus size!reader and Isaac Lahey x Mom!Plus size!reader

Word Count: 1,532 words

Warnings: none

Summary: Isaac moves into the Hale house and he and the reader have a very sweet moment that sends her to Derek’s side

———————————————————————————————————

Adopting Isaac had been a dream of yours for a very long time and the second Derek gave any mention that it may actually happen, you were hooked.

You'd always wanted kids but it killed you that there were so many children out there already that needed so much. It didn't hurt that you and Derek weren't exactly in the market to have an infant right now.

Could you imagine raising a baby with Derek? Yes but not while you're in the process of deal with Stiles studying for his midterms on your couch, Liam's crazy lacrosse practice schedule, and Scott's ever changing lunar calendar.

There was just way too much going on in your lives right now to create and form a whole new human right now, besides, Isaac needed a new home.

It killed you that Isaac had never had the love and support of a caring mother, or the strong, comfortable love of a father. Those were the sorts of things that not very many kids got, but you wanted to give him now.

Derek had already begun renovating the house to accommodate for the child you were taking in, and it was going well. He'd turned the far guest bedroom into a really cool space for Isaac to call his own and even started working on a balcony.

That was his own special design.

Isaac had never been keen on tight spaces and had a tendency to get claustrophobic so Derek wanted to open up the room as much as possible.

By the time he was done, it was impossible to imagine that this building had once been the sight of the Hale House fire.

Everything about it was changed and for once, since you'd moved in, it felt like a complete home. The only thing you were missing was that full nest sort of feeling you'd always craved.

You thought one teenager would be enough but you weren't completely happy until the entire pack was swarming around the kitchen. Stiles had his arm elbow deep in a bag of tortilla chips, Mason was asking around about chocolate chip cookies, and you could have sworn that Malia was chasing Scott around with the Wii remote.

It was absolute chaos and you'd never been happier.

Derek however, could have used the peace and quiet. It wasn't his fault, Derek's idea of a nice evening was the two of you just sitting and talking over dinner. That was nice enough but it wasn't what you needed.

You were in prime nesting mode and there was nothing that could be done to stop that. Whatever it was that had caused this shift in you, having Isaac in the house wasn't exactly helping.

It was like you were in full mama mode.

And in all honesty, Derek was enjoying it. This was a side of you that Derek Hale had never had the privilege of enjoying.

~

"Isaac Lahey-Hale, get down here my love" You call, only half kidding as you walked through the door.

By the time the door closed, Isaac was already standing beside you, eager to take the grocery bags from your arms. You wouldn't believe how much food it takes to run a household of werewolves.

"How was your day?" You asked, for a brief moment being somehow managing to be the most domestic mother in the world. It was moments like these that made you forget that you were living a supernatural life.

Isaac shrugged at first, heading toward the kitchen with the groceries, looking behind him to make sure you were following first...you were.

It was so comforting to him that he could have his back turned to you without having to worry about something dangerous flying at his head.

It made such a big difference to be in a functional household, with loving parents over his childhood.

Isaac owed all of his comfort and security to you and Derek, not only in your pack, but in your house. He loved how his life had changed, it was so significant for him.

"It was alright, I have a biology paper due in three days and I haven't started it yet" he allowed, starting to unpack the bags by the time you entered the kitchen.

The bags crinkled beneath your fingers as you pulled the bag of apples from the plastic, those were for Lydia. Isaac had the packages of raw chicken, which you suspected he'd subconsciously picked out.

The sound of your new son in need, even so slightly, lit a fire under your ass. You wanted so badly to help him in every way, shape and form on the planet earth.

"Do you need help? I did pretty well in biology when I was in school" You asked, trying so hard to do the best job you could at this whole mom thing.

You knew that it was going to be difficult to be a mom in general, but raising a teenage werewolf as your first child was a little bit of a different commitment.

The boy smiled, he didn't know if you could actually help him study or not but he was guaranteed to agree.

Isaac wanted this to work out just as much as you did, and was willing to do whatever it would take to bond with you. The whole situation was weird for both of you, but luckily, you had the pack bond on your side to help you relax about it.

It didn't matter how much time you two spent together, everything was so new in a family dynamic. "That sounds great Y/N-um, mom?" he tried, stopping himself mid-way through your name. It was abundantly clear at this moment just how NEW everything really was.

No matter how strange it may have been for you to hear someone call you mom, there was something about it that you enjoyed. There was just something about it that was music to your ears.

And it was so endearing to hear it from Isaac for the first time. It was so much more meaningful for the two of you to be together in this way. It had been so long since he'd been able to call someone mom, and he wanted nothing more.

It was almost as if he didn't realize how much he'd missed it until just now, and he was embarrassed. "I'm sorry Y/N, I didn't mean to" he apologized, his cheeks burning with his nerves.

You had to admit that you were shocked at his words, but it wasn't a bad thing. The idea that Isaac felt the need to apologize for that was nearly enough to break your heart.

Nearly.

"No sweetie, you don't have to say sorry...you can call me whatever you're comfortable with" You assured, wrapping your arms around the boy's shoulders. You felt him tense lightly but you knew it was just a reflex, hopefully one that you could correct over time.

That was what really shattered your heart. The idea that someone could ever hurt such a sweet, incredibly talented boy was inhuman. Of all the kids, you were glad Isaac was the one you'd chosen to bring into your home, mostly because he was the most in need of the love.

"Thank you, that means a lot to me. I really do owe you and Derek for everything" he whispered, his voice just close enough to your ear so you could hear him without too much struggle.

You knew that this whole thing was going to be a work in progress but as far as you were concerned, it was more than worth it. "You're welcome Isaac, you're our family now" you assured, letting him go to do his own thing for a while.

~

As soon as Isaac was out of the kitchen, you hurried to the bedroom you shared with Derek, tears welling up in your eyes.

The man nearly jumped out of his skin the moment you showed up, the bedroom door closing behind you. That would have amused you if you hadn't been so preoccupied because Derek could be so hard to spook.

"What happened? Are you alright?" He checked, tossing his book to the side in favor of inspecting ever inch of you as if you were bleeding from a terminal wound...he was such a drama queen.

But so were you.

"You will never guess what happened downstairs" you gasped, flopping down on your bed with such force that the mattress shifted. Derek, though, didn't seem to mind.

He was so used to how you excitable you could be, and he found it adorable. It had been a while since he'd seen it so now he was having an amazing time, just waiting for you to tell him what had you that way.

"What happened hon?" he asked, sitting up straight against the headboard to get a better look at you. You were practically vibrating with excitement to tell him your news.

You could hardly breathe.

"Isaac called me mom" you cooed, about to explode from all the feelings you were dealing with. Derek wasn't shocked...

You were more family wrapped up in one person than he's ever had.

[fluffy-marshmallow-heart]

Drake's Diary ch.19 - Finger Licking Good

Royal Romance canon from Drake's POV

Drake x MC (Emma)

Words: 2603

So believe it or not...this chapter is one diamond scene only. I know, I couldn't believe it myself when I wrote it, but it's true! It's the night of Madeleine's bachelorette party. Will Drake be able to spend any time with Emma?

It’s the night of Madeleine’s bachelorette party, and Drake is just sitting in his train car while Maxwell blabbers on and on about a dog Emma just adopted. Apparently, she named it Chance.

Of course, that’s something she would name a dog…and of course she would adopt a dog in the first place. I love dogs, though, and I’m definitely excited to meet it. She’s the best. I mean, dogs are the best.

 He was jarred from his thoughts by his phone ringing. Picking it up his heart skipped a beat seeing Emma’s name flash on the screen. He grinned “Hey, Rose. How’s the night?”

“Ugh, Drake, apparently Madeleine is allergic to chocolate, and Hana set up a chocolate fondue party for her. It’s so amazing and Madeleine threw a big fit and now Hana’s in tears. Are you and Maxwell up to anything? It would mean to much if we could still enjoy it, she worked so hard, and that stupid bitch…”

“Woah, woah, calm down. Of course, we’ll come!” Drake interrupted. She is absolutely adorable when she’s fired up…as long as it’s with someone else. When it’s with me it’s terrifying.

“You are the absolute best, Drake, I don’t know what I’d do without you!” Her voice now sounded flooded with relief, and Drake smiled knowing he caused it.

Not to mention she called me first and not Maxwell.

After she gave him the address, Drake tried his best to quell the excitement that brewing below his surface. He hadn’t expected to see Emma at all today, and now he was going to go eat delicious chocolate with her. He turned to Maxwell

“How do you feel about fondue?”

“As if that’s even a question! Where’s the party?” Maxwell jumped to his feet and Drake shook his head in amusement.

This kid is always ready to party.

The two men arrive at the chocolate shop. “Chocolate PAAAARTYYYYY!!! This might be my favorite kind of party.” Maxwell announced, throwing open the doors.

Drake rolled his eyes. “Every party is your favorite kind of party, Maxwell.”

Maxwell shrugged. “You’re not wrong.”

Hana gave them a small smile. “Thank you for coming, guys. I hope you weren’t already busy…”

“Nothing is more important to me than chocolate entering my bloodstream. Except maybe helping my friends.” Maxwell cut in.

“And you know Drake didn’t have anything better to do. What do you do all day when you’re not complaining about the nobility while benefitting from Liam’s hospitality?”

Drake frowned as he turned towards the redhead speaking. He definitely had not been expecting to see Olivia.  “Hey! I do…stuff. Why are you here anyway? Shouldn’t you be off licking Madeleine’s boot?”

“Hey…Can we try to keep it civil? For Hana’s sake.” Emma scolded them.

Drake glanced over at her and grimaced. “Fine.” Only because it’s you asking.

Olivia glared at Drake. “Whatever.”

“I think I’ll take you up on those corgi cuddles now, Emma.” Hana spoke in a small voice.

The dog is here?? While we’re eating…chocolate…?”

Emma smiled warmly. “I think Chance would be happy to oblige.” Chance wiggles his way into Hana’s arms and gives her face a few licks. She giggles.

“I think he likes you!” Emma laughed.

He is pretty damn cute. I can see why she got him. Just look at that adorable face. I want corgi cuddles.

Hana sighed. “I can’t believe I messed up so badly. I’m such a failure…”

“Hana, don’t beat yourself up.” Emma placed a hand on her arm.

“Yeah, everyone makes mistakes sometimes.” Maxwell added

“Have I ever told you about the time I dumped a plate of ribs on a customer’s lap?” Emma asked

“You did?” Hana gasped.

“Yep! A man at the next table had ordered our biggest, sauciest plate of ribs…the triple-baked honey BBQ Dino bone special.”

Drake was practically drooling over that. “Sounds like my kind of restaurant.”

Emma continued. “The plate was so massive that we usually had two people carry it out, but everyone else was busy. So, I hefted it onto my shoulder and started walking to the table…Which is about when I realized that my shoe had come untied. It was too late to fix it, so I kept walking and prayed that I would make it. I was almost there…five feet away…When I tripped. Face-planted into the carpet and sent the platter lying…right into another customer’s lap, ruining his suit.”

Maxwell burst out laughing. “No way!”

“True story! Suffice to say, I did not get tips from either table that night.”

Drake watched the way her eyes lit up while telling the story. I wonder if she misses New York. It’s hard to believe she was waiting tables when we met. And now she’s here among Cordonian royalty, but still with the same no-bullshit attitude.

“Hey, wasn’t I promised fondue? Where’s the fondue?” Maxwell started looking around the store.

A sly smirk crossed Emma’s face. “Maxwell, don’t you know impatience is a major fon-don’t?”

Drake groaned at the ridiculous pun. This Justin guy was wearing off on her. Her new press secretary’s most famous line is “I’m Just-in-time!” Drake wanted to punch him the first time he heard it. Actually, I still wouldn’t mind punching him in the face.

“It’s over here.” Hana leads everyone to a table with a tower of melted chocolate in the center of the shop. “I’ll go get the dipping options. Just a second...” She disappears behind the counter for a moment, then pops up with a plate of decadent desserts, which she offers the group. Grapes, strawberries, pineapple, pretzels, and pound cake were arranged on the platter.

Emma gasped. “Hana, this looks amazing!”

“Take one!” She said excitedly.

Emma plucks a strawberry off the tray and plunges it into the chocolate, covering it with an even layer before taking a bite.

“Mmmmmm”

Oh dear god…those sweet, plump lips, wrapped around a juicy red strawberry, dripping with chocolate… Drake was scraping his teeth against his bottom lip, full of desire for her. I could streak some chocolate over me and she could lick that and….

“My turn!” Maxwell leapt up.

Snapped out of his fantasy, Drake was painfully aware that he was becoming hard. He cleared his throat. Gotta talk about something else, now.  “Well, if you think Emma’s story is bad, wait until you hear my greatest mistake.”

Maxwell rubbed his hands together. “This is gonna be good!”

It sure is.  “When were kids, Liam and I would play hide-and-seek in the palace. One time, I was hiding and Liam was seeking, and I had the best hiding spot ever. It was the bottom of an old laundry chute that must have been forgotten about for decades. So, I waited…and I waited…and I kept waiting. For hours.”

Emma chuckled. “You would be competitive at hide-and-seek.”

Drake winked. “I ended up falling asleep in the laundry chute, and I only woke up when the Palace Guard found me the next day.”

“No!” Hana cried

“Yep. Turns out, when Liam couldn’t find me, he thought something terrible might have happened. The Guard turned the palace upside-down trying to find me and kept anyone from coming or going.”

Maxwell’s jaw was practically on the floor. “You caused the Great Lockdown? Legendary!”

Drake laughed at the memory. “We got in so much trouble, they made hide and seek forbidden anywhere on palace grounds.”

“All those poor children who will never get to play because of you…” Hana said, smiling

Oh my god, she does have a sense of humor.

“What about you, Maxwell? What’s your big mistake story?” Emma asked.

Maxwell shrugged. “You know me. My life is a series of mistakes, really.”

“What about all those dance-offs you’ve won?” Hana asked curiously.

“Ask Bertrand whether those were successes or mistakes!”

Emma rolled her eyes. “Come on, Maxwell. I bet you have a particularly embarrassing moment you could share.”

“Alright, alright. Let me think. Ooh! I’ve got one! I used to have a crush on a noble girl, who shall remain nameless for her own good. I didn’t know how to tell her, but I just had to express all the emotions bubbling up inside me. So, I wrote the most heartfelt and romantic note my 12 year old self could muster…”

“Oh, no…”

“You know, about her songbird voice and effulgent smile.”

“Effulgent?” Hana rose an eyebrow

Maxwell narrowed his eyes. “No one understand my poetic heart…Anyway, I gave her the note on Valentine’s Day, and she read it to everyone. I was mortified.”

Olivia was looking around the group in amusement. “Is this what you do? Just sit around telling each other how pathetic you are?”

“We’re cheering each other up. It’s called having friends…You should try it.” Emma snapped.

“You don’t have friends at court, you have allies.” Olivia retorted.

“You don’t seem to have too many of those, either.”  Drake countered.

“Hey, maybe let’s all have some more fondue and not fight?” Maxwell was watching them, and seeing Hana frowning again.

“Yes, let’s.” Emma said sharply, shooting Olivia a Look.

“Thanks, you guys. I do feel a bit better now.” Hana told them.

“See? There’s nothing some sweet treats with your friends can’t fix.” Emma grinned.

“Are you sure about that?” Maxwell asked.

Drake looked at him suspiciously. “What?”

“What about a FOOOONDUE FIIIIGHT!!” Maxwell grabs a handful of chocolate-covered pound cake and lobs it right at Drake!

“Hey!!” Drake yelled, attempting to get out of the way. He wasn’t fast enough though, and he was hit square in the chest.

“Maxwell…I’m going to get you next!” Emma exclaimed.  She reaches for the plate of treats, grasping for a sugary weapon to wield against Maxwell. Her fingers wrap around a plump strawberry, which she launches through the air at Maxwell. It hits his shoulder with a splat.

Oh no. Not the strawberry. And I am actually covered in chocolate now…

“Ow! Like a tasty little choco-grenade…”

Hana grimaced. “Maybe not the strawberries.”

“Yes, definitely not.” Drake agreed, not liking…except really liking…the direction his thoughts were  turning again

“Take that!” Emma threw some pound cake at Maxwell.

“So, you’re on his side? I see how it is.”

Emma scoffed. “I’m on my own side!” She lobs the next fondue at Drake, who dodges her attack only to be hit by Olivia.

“Really?” He glared

Olivia smirked. “What? I’ve studied the Art of War. I never turn down an opportunity to practice my craft.”

Maxwell slowly turned to Drake. “Drake, does that mean…?”

“Team-up!” Drake called

“Battle of the sexes?” Hana asked excitedly

“Let’s do it!” Emma returned

“If you insist.” Olivia agreed, with a glint in her eye.

Just then Maxwell volleys a ball of gooey cake at Emma. She successfully leaps out of the way of the incoming projectile and lobs a rebuttal back at Maxwell.

Maxwell slaps a hand over his heart. “Direct hit! I’m not sure I’m gonna make it.”

God he is so dramatic.

Hana grins, “I think we’re winning! This is our chance! Hit them with everything we’ve got!” Hana, Olivia, and Emma grab at what remains of the platter as Drake and Maxwell dive behind a counter for cover.

“They’ve got us on the defensive!” Maxwell whispered loudly

Drake nodded. “We have to strike now!” Drake and Maxwell emerge, fists full of fondue-flavored fury. The girls pelt them, forcing them back into cover.

Maxwell moaned. “Alas, we failed…”

“Wooo! We did it!” Hana yelled

“Go team!” Emma shouted.

“Yes. Beating Drake and Maxwell was just such a challenge.” Olivia quipped.

Hana looked at each of them gratefully. “Hey, thank you all for coming tonight. I…really appreciate it.”

Maxwell laughed. “It was a really hard sell. Free chocolate with your friends? Sounds awful.”

“Still. It means a lot to me to know that I can count on you.”

Emma slung her arm around her friend.  “Of course, you can count on us.”

“Anytime.” Drake said softly, looking at a chocolate covered Emma, and catching her eye.

“It is getting late, though. We should probably head back to the train.” Hana told them.

Emma nodded, still looking at Drake. “Yeah, I’m getting tired.”

Maybe…maybe she’s thinking the same thing I am. Her, me, alone, covered in sugary sweetness…

“Everyone on the trainy train…next stop? The train!” Maxwell exclaimed.

Drake shook his head and broke eye contact to face Maxwell. “Please never be a conductor.”

After a long walk back, they’re a few blocks away from the train when a taxi stops just ahead. A familiar voice rings out, and Olivia squints to get a better look.

“Is that…”

“Choo chooooooo! Party train!” Madeleine is hanging out of a car, waving at them excitedly

“Madeleine, be quiet! Do you want someone to see you like this?” Kiara scolded. Pulling to a stop, Madeleine, Kiara, and Penelope tumble out of the taxi. Madeleines shoes are missing.

“Too late!” Olivia grinned and snapped a picture with her phone.

“Oh, no…” Penelope said sadly as the camera flashed.

“I’d…better go. Before Madeleine sees me.” Hana cast her eyes downward and started walking away.

Drake took one last look at Emma and said farewell to his fantasy of licking chocolate off each other. He sighed, then started after Hana. “I’ll walk you back.” They continued toward the train, while Emma and Olivia approach the drunken remains of the bachelorette party.

Hana barely spoke two words to him the entire way back, and before they parted ways, Drake just had to say something

“Hana, the fondue party truly was brilliant. Madeleine just…hates everything, and she only hates you because you’re nice. Don’t let it get to you.”

“That’s sweet, Drake, and I know you’re right. I just wish this whole thing were easier. I only came back for Emma. If she wasn’t here I never would have returned after the Coronation.”

Drake nodded in understanding. “Yeah, I get that.”

Hana started to leave but paused and turned back to him. “If Emma wasn’t here…would you be on this engagement tour?”

Drake stared at her in surprise. “Wh-what?”

“I’m only asking because it seems like you spend more time with us than you do Liam. Everyone thinks you’re here to support him, but that’s not the real reason, is it? You’re only here to support her. Just like I am.”

“I uh…erm…well…” But as Drake looked at the expression on Hana’s face, he realized that he didn’t need to pretend with her. She already knew how he felt, and he could tell just by the way she was looking at him now.

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “If Rose weren’t here…no, there would be no need for me to be on this train. I love Liam like a brother, but I hate all these events. These big displays of nobility, the sucking up to rich assholes who don’t give a damn about anyone or anything other than their bank account. And that’s basically what this entire tour is. Hell, it’s what the entire social season is for.”

“You’d be good for her Drake.” Hana said softly. “She does well no matter what situation she’s thrown in, but…I’ve noticed she’s only completely herself when she’s with you.” She gave him a small smile and continued on to her car, leaving Drake speechless behind her.

I guess this is getting difficult to hide. I wish I could say I’d be more careful. But that would be a lie even to myself. I hadn’t thought twice about joining this tour. But damn it, she’s right. I wouldn’t be here if Rose wasn’t.

    @blackwidow2721 @sleepwalkingelite @flowerpowell @annekebbphotography @carabeth @gardeningourmet @eileendannie @dancetothestoriesinyoursoul @alesana45 @thequeenofcronuts @agent-bossypants @zigortega4life

 @hrhdes @drakewalkerisreal @akrenich @feartheendlesssummer @moonlightgem7 @i-only-signed-up-for-fanfiction​

@notoriouscs

[iartlife]

Chapter Nine

Pt. I

THE QUEEN

They acquired more hands to help at the shop since Elli had volunteered. Mason was a bit older and wasn't very good at the register, but he was on top of any displays that looked even a little empty whether it was facing them out, filling them with the backstock or returning misplaced items to their homes.

The other two came in together when it was really busy so Elli never actually found out their names. They were great, though. One was excellent on the register and knew a trick about something Kay had never heard of. The other was quite knowledgeable about the resort and answered any immediate questions customers had upon entering the store. It saved the rest of them from most of the inquiries and questions where other establishments were.

Kay and Elli had barely left from behind the counter. It was never long before a transaction or obscure questions about products or the resort. The most common one was 'are you a werewolf?' which was getting on her nerves. 'Do you know when Hans will be back?' and 'Where's the bathroom?' were also very popular, and just about everyone had a comment about the weather.

Luckily, the rush of the day was dying off and they could all breathe.

"You guys are lifesavers." Kay said gratefully while everyone was within earshot. Elli smiled at Kay. Honestly, it was hard not to in general. She chuckled, not even sure if she was officially employed.

Liam entered the shop.

He walked over to Kay, a kid in tow. One of the customers eyed him the entire way but lost interest when he stopped. The kid wandered around the store as they chatted. Kay eventually walked him over to her.

"You must be Elli." Liam said with a friendly grin.

"And you must be Liam." She returned.

"Would you come with us for a minute?" Kay asked.

Elli's stomach sank. "Am I in some kind of trouble?"

"No no! Nothing like that." Kay laughed. 

It made her feel better but she couldn't help but worry. They lead her back into the storage room, closing the door behind them.

Liam cleared his throat. "Kay tells me you've been very good to her and helpful since you arrived. She also mentioned you don't belong to a pack. I truly appreciate all you've done and wanted to invite you to join us. The Ulrich clan always has room to grow."

Elli blinked. "Join your pack?"

"Yes. We'd love for you to have a place among us. If you would like that anyway." Kay added.

Elli looked at her and then back to Liam. They both felt genuine. She just wasn't sure she wanted to join their pack just yet, or any pack for that matter since she didn't know if there were any rules or weird traditions she should know about first. "Can I think about it?"

Liam looked surprised. "Of course."

A memory hit her. He said that the same way Addie did, same expression and everything...it was almost creepy.

"Anyway, that's all. I just didn't want to discuss it among eavesdroppers. Would you let me know when you make a decision either way?"

"Yeah, sure." Elli managed.

Kay took one of Elli's hands in both of hers. "Go ahead and get some fresh air and even something to eat if your hungry. Maybe think a little about being my wolf-sister? Besides, I've had you cooped up in here nearly all day. You can take it easy for the rest of the evening." She said.

"I can come back after a while, I don't mind."

"Only if you get really bored." She gave her that big grin then turned to Liam. "Now I feel the need to go squish my new tiny cousin's face."

The three of them filed out of the storage room. Kay spotted the boy Liam came in with and made a bee line for him, Liam followed. Elli took the chance to leave for that promised fresh air.

Once outside she felt herself relax. The chaos of just being around so many people really wore down her nerves. She started to walk down the middle of the road. The crowds from earlier had diminished though there were still plenty of people at the resort.

She wondered if Addie was still around somewhere. He was earlier.  The thought of him still made her a bit uncomfortable, but she definitely wanted to talk to him. It seemed like he purposefully avoided her all day which she was grateful for right now. After seeing him walk by with Liam she worried he'd come in and confront her in some way, though he never did.

Elli stopped in front of a restaraunt that had a calming atmosphere around it. Just what she needed. She went inside and the sound of soft piano filled the air. As she waited to be seated she knew something was different about this place, or maybe it was just the music.

Wait.

Addie was in there. She sensed him, but it was different than before. He *felt* different. She scanned what she could see of the restaraunt.

"Just you this evening, ma'am?" A waitress asked. She had no nametag.

The attention pulled her out of her search. "Y-yeah."

"Follow me, please."

She followed the woman deeper into the restaurant while continuing to casually search for him among the faces. He had to be close. The piano was far over near the wall to her right next to the bar. Playing the soothing melody was the man she was looking for. 

"Can I sit over there?" Elli asked pointing at a booth near the piano that had not been cleaned off yet.

"Sure." The waitress wiped down the the table with a rag she retrieved from the bar then asked what she'd like for a beverage.

"Just water, please."

"Okay, I'll be right back." She said in her departure.

Elli grabbed a menu but ended up staring at Addie over the top of it instead of reading, hoping he'd look over to her. Unfortunately, she was at a bit of an awkward angle for him to notice easily. Couldn't he sense her, though?

She realized she could sense how he felt, despite her doubts. He felt content, at peace, but it was still different than usual. His 'presence' was there also, same as it was before. How could she feel him so much easier than anyone else? That made it all the more frustrating that he usually didn't have anything for her to pick up on besides just existing. His contentment made her feel more relaxed.

She gave up trying to stare Addie down and walked over to him. Stopping right beside him, she leaned down so their heads were level. He stopped playing, the calming atmosphere faded with the last note. The place maintained the same type of feel without the music, just not as strong. There was some quiet applause from a few nearby tables.

"That was beautiful. You didn't have to stop."

The feeling in him wavered after she spoke. It turned into something else then disappeared just as quickly to his usual nothingness.

Addie avoided eye contact with her, facing the piano still. "Thank you...I will leave if you wish. I have overstayed my visit as it is."

She was a bit surprised by his words. "Oh uh...actually, I was wondering if you'd join me?"

Addie looked at her in surprise. "Y- It's-" He trailed off then suddenly stood and bowed to her. "I would be delighted."

He followed her back to the table. They sat and the waitress returned with her water. After giving Addie a strange look, she asked if he would like anything. He asked for hot tea.

"All right and might you folks be ready to order?"

Elli gave her a blank look. She never actually read the menu. "...I think I need a minute."

"Okay." She left again, in a bit of a hurry this time.

Elli picked up the tri-fold with the intention of reading it this time. "That conversation didn't go as you expected."

"I thought you wouldn't want to see me again."

She skimmed over the appetizers. "You were wrong."

"I see that." Addie agreed. "I am sorry, Miss Hughes. It was not my intention to frighten you this morning."

"How is their brisket?"

"...I hear good things."

She looked up at him. "I should be the one to apologize." Setting the menu down, she continued. "You mostly caught me off guard, though what you told me was...disturbing. On top of that I was convinced my magic sense, or whatever, didn't work on you the same way as everyone else. I needed space to process it all."

Addie tilted his head slightly, though he didn't respond.

"After what you said, I kinda freaked out and thought you might have meant to hurt me but I just couldn't tell. After thinking about it all day I wanted to talk to you again at the very least. When I found you here though, I realized I overreacted. You definitely felt something while playing the piano, it just doesn't happen very often apparently."

He raised an eyebrow. "What is it I 'felt?’"

"Happiness...I think."

A new waitress came over with his drink. Apparently the other one had not wanted to serve them. Addie thanked her but didn't look to see her beaming smile. He was too busy studying Elli.

"Are you two ready to order or do you still need a few more minutes?"

"...I would like to try your brisket with-" Elli flipped over the menu to see the side options. "Uh, wedges sound good."

"Alright." She turned to Addie. "How about you?"

"Nothing else for me. Thank you, Felicia."

He looked at Felicia this time and her cheeks flushed. "O-okay. I'll have that out when it's ready, Miss." She went to tend to her next table.

Elli frowned at him. "Not hungry?"

"I don't like to eat in public."

"Oh, what a relief. Here I was worried you were normal after all." She teased. She was interested in what he was capable of feeling now more than ever.  

No reaction.

She decided to try something else. Elli checked if the waitress was far enough away. Leaning towards Addie she spoke softly. "I think Felicia likes you." He was assembling his tea. "What makes you say that?"

"I don't know. She got all flustered when you called her by name."

"Hm. Funny."

"Not really..." She watched him fiddle with the string. "Is there a Mrs. Addie then?" She prodded, hoping for at least a slight reaction.

He raised an eyebrow at her then a mad smile grew on his face. He chuckled darkly. "You amuse me, Miss Hughes."

Not what she was expecting at all. "I don't understand what was funny." Elli glared at his, again expressionless, face and tired eyes. Still nothing. She wondered if he simply didn't care about most things anymore. She was talking to a man who was, or at least claimed to be, over two thousand years old, after all. Questions filled her head. They'd never get to them all in one evening. Elli rested her chin on her hand, elbow on the table. "Will you be honest with me?"

"Always."

"N- um. Do you think I should join the wolf pack here? I mean, are there any things I should know about before joining? Like any weird rituals?"

"It isn't really more than a community or a family. As far as rituals go, some of them like to gather before the full moon and sing. Not required but a good time if the right people are there."

"That's it?"

"Basically. If you're seriously considering it, talk to Liam or Hans...even Kay. They are capable of answering any questions you have better than myself."

"If I join the pack would you still hang out with me? You did say you'd at least check what magic type I have."

"Affinity, yes. And I don't see why not."

"How do you fit into all this anyway?"

"The Ulrich's are my family."

"You some long lost and found relative?"

"I'm not related by blood. They are descendants of a man who was a dear friend of mine. Hiram was his name. Before he died he asked if I would watch over his family. If I am anything, its a man of my word. I don't think he meant it for this many generations, but I've nothing better to do so..." He trailed off.

"High-rum?" Elli repeated slowly to try to pronounce this new name.

"Correct."

"But didn't Hans kick you out of the resort? That's what Kay said anyway...what happened? If you don't mind me asking."

"Hans has never cared much for my presence. Liam believes his father thinks I intend to corrupt them in some manner."

"If you've been around for so long I feel like you would have done so already. Besides, you don't seem the corrupting type."

"No?"

"Maybe a little intimidating, but that's just the scars. All I see is a good man beneath them."

"But I'm not a man. I'm a monster pretending to be one."

"You don't have to look human to be a good man."

"If you say so."

"...I feel like you don't go out of your way to talk to just anyone. Especially like this."

"That is how a friendship works, is it not? Sharing ourselves, building trust."

"You...want to be my friend?"

"Yes."

Elli thought about what he said for a moment. "You can ask me things too you know...I've basically interrogated you since we sat down."

"You're doing just fine. I'm learning from your questions anyway." He picked up the spoon next to him and stirred his drink.

"Alright...where are you from? You can't have spent over two thousand years in America, that just sounds boring."

"I think there would have been plenty to do. However, I am from Rome." Addie sighed. "That's gone now though, isn't it... How senile I've become, I'd have to look at a current map to show you where exactly."

"Wow..." She watched him set the spoon down." Is that where you met Hiram?"

"I met Hiram in Scotland, three hundred years ago, give or take. We moved to America together with his wife and children." Addie took a sip of tea, leaving the bag in the cup. "She hated me more than Hans does."

Wasn't ‘Ulrich’ a German name?

"Wait, back up. Were you a Roman soldier?"

"Well, yes. Every young and able man was a soldier."

Elli didn't see him as the soldier type. He looked small, and he wore dorky clothes. From what she remembered he was a bit bigger when she chased him in the trees. But he would have been wearing the necklace to appear human...right? Maybe it was just his baggy shirt making him look soft? Though she supposed armor could make anyone look like a warrior...

"What?"

She realized she had been staring at Addie. "I-I'm trying to picture you in Roman armor."

"I still have most of my uniforms somewhere. Weapons as well, though most need sharpened. Nick told me I should open a museum."

The waitress re-appeared by the table, plate in hand. "Here you go, Miss." She set it in front if Elli. "Is there anything else I can get you?"

"I'm good."

"Okay, let me know if you do."

"Thanks."

Felicia walked away briskly once more after throwing a glance at Addie.  

She turned to her companion. Looking at her meal then back to him, she suddenly felt awkward.

It must have shown on her face.  

"If I am a burden to you, Miss Hughes, I will go."

"N-no. I mean, if you want to..." She stabbed a wedge with her fork. "You're just going to take some getting used to."

"Then I shall stay, as long as I am not making you too uncomfortable."

"You're not- okay you are a little bit, but it's fine." She chewed a bite slowly as she watched him watch her. "Are there any more of your kind?"

"My kind?"

"Are you really the last wendigo?"

He thought for a moment. "I am, though that's not an actual race."

She finished chewing before replying. "Oh, everyone here thinks it was..."

"They simply lack knowledge of some details."

"Do you mind if I ask what you are...again?"

"You are free to ask me whatever you like. My answer will always depend on what I am willing to share."

Elli had begun digging into her meal, much hungrier than she had thought. "Fair enough."

"I am many different things. A mutt of sorts."

She gave him a confused look, her mouth too full to ask him more though he continued. The chatter around them began to pick up in volume. Dinner was on the approach. As business picked up, their voices were consumed by the flood of other customers to where only themselves were capable of hearing each other.

[axwalker]

Tears in Heaven 1: Beginnings

Synopsis: Alexis O’Brien is about to get married but memories of her old life are coming back to haunt her.

MASTERLIST

Pairings: Liam x MC Drake x MC (TRR)

Warnings: This story will deal with very dark subjects such as death, severe depression and suicide attempt (among others) if you’re triggered by any of those issues, please do not read this story.

A/N: The story will go back and forth between three different periods of time (2009 / 2015 / 2019) 

Word count: 4,800

Songs inspiration: Tears in heaven by Eric Clapton

THANKS TO: @mskaneko​ for the beautiful edits in the mood board. to my awesome beta reader @pedudley​ and to @fromthedeskofpaisleybleakmore​ for helping me figure some things out. Love you girls 💕💕

Tagging: @mskaneko​ @pedudley​ @burnsoslow​ @fromthedeskofpaisleybleakmore​ @lauzales​ @yukinagato2012​ @kingliam2019​ @texaskitten30​  @loveellamae​ @nomadics-stuff​ @drakeandcamilleofvaltoria​ @flutistbyday2020​ @mrsdrakewalkerblog​ @ladyangel70​ @kimmiedoo5​ @debramcg1106​ @ao719​ @msjr0119​  @ac27dj​   

If you want to be added or removed from the list, please don’t hesitate to ask ;-) 

March 2015

Maxwell and Liam arrived at Alexis’s apartment and ran through the stairs. Maxwell knocked on the door several times, but no one came. He threw a worried look at Liam; she hadn’t answered any calls or messages for two days.  

“Olivia gave me the spare key” he screamed through the door “We’re coming in Alexis, I’m sorry”

Liam opened the door and saw an impossible mess. Dozens of wine bottles, pizza boxes, and piles of clothes were scattered everywhere. She wasn’t in the living room, so they went to her room where they found her on the bed. She had her back turned to them.

They exchanged another concerned look.  Maxwell sat next to her and rubbed her back “Lexie, we were so worried”

She didn’t turn her head, but Max felt her crying silently.

“Go away. I want to be alone”

Liam’s chest tightened “Alexis we can’t leave you like this. Come with us, please”

Her sad, hollow voice was barely recognizable “Where?”

Liam gestured at Maxwell to stand up so he could sit next to her. “To Valtoria. You know how big the estate is, you won’t have to see me if you don’t want to, but I want to take care of you, Alexis, please”

Alexis shook her head, they didn’t understand. How could they get her pain, the emptiness in her chest, the despair that never left her? She needed to be left in peace with her memories, that was everything she had now.

She sat up on the bed, her face was pale, almost grey with deep purplish rings encircling her eyes. Liam noticed that she was gripping a photo album.

“I don’t need you or anyone else. I lost everything” She bawled at him “Everything!  Just leave me alone”

Maxwell’s eyes watered too “It’s been five months, Blossom, maybe we could get some help”

She scoffed bitterly “Is that so? Five fucking months? So, I’m supposed to forget everything? I’m supposed to just move the fucking on?” Tears ran through her cheeks “Just leave !”

“Darling, I-“

“Leave.Now”

Liam stood up “We’ll leave now, but we will come back later with Olivia and every single day after that, Alexis. You may want to die but I won’t allow it” He didn’t dare touch her, even if he wanted nothing more than taking her in his arms and comfort her, he knew he couldn’t help her right now.

After they left, Alexis gathered the little strength she had and stood up to pour herself another drink. More tears came to her eyes when she remembered how he used to tease her for her love of pictures and old photo albums.

She opened it and saw the first one.  It was a picture of a dark sky illuminated by hundredths of bright stars, with the legend “August 2009” scribbled underneath. Next to it, there was a picture of Drake smiling, and then another one of both of them smiling at each other. She was unable to look more photos knowing that dozens of other memories were waiting for her in that fucking album. Memories that were happy once, and that had become excruciating after that day. The day he had… died.

She couldn’t understand why everything was so incredibly unfair. They had so much love. He had so much life left to live. An uncontrollable rage overcame her, and she threw the album across the room.

Then she went to her drawer and took a bunch of sleeping pills. She needed some rest.

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

August 2009

Alexis shut the door behind her and hurried to the bar where she had been working since last summer. She lived with her family in a suburb outside of Cordonia city. It took her one hour and a half to go to work or college, but Cindy, her stepmother, insisted on moving there because it was a neighborhood “where rich people lived”. It didn’t matter that her father was an ordinary accountant or that she had to work to afford college. Appearances were everything for her and her father.

She arrived at the bar five minutes late and panting, but she didn’t have time to catch her breath. She changed into another t-shirt and put on her apron, as soon as she finished tying it, two men entered the bar. They seemed completely disparate, one was wearing a jean shirt and Timberlands while the other one had an expensive jacket and loafers.  

She went to their table noticing how handsome the man in the denim shirt was. He looked angry and brooding, not her usual type but he made it work.

“Hi, guys. What can I-?”

“Waitress, the menu!” The other man interrupted her.

Alexis cocked her brow, as used as she was to the rich kids on campus and their poor manners, some nights she just didn’t have the patience to deal with them.

She smiled widely before answering “My name is written on my tag, it’s Alexis. I also work faster when people add please or thank you to their sentences” Fuck! There goes my tip.

Drake was suddenly interested. He turned his face to look at her for the first time and his heart skipped a beat. Even wearing a horrible green apron, and with her hair in a messy ponytail, he could see how pretty she was. Shiny eyes and a flirty smile. Fuck, a beautiful smile.

He cleared his throat “We apologize, erm… Alexis. Can we start over?”

Alexis felt his dark eyes penetrate hers and she bit her lip feeling slightly nervous. “Of course, that’s fine” She smiled again “what can I get you?”

“We’ll get three burgers and three glasses of whiskey, please” He added smirking.

She looked puzzled “Three?”

Drake nodded behind her, so she turned around and saw a tall, blond man smiling at her.

“Hi, I’m Liam” He looked at her tag “Alexis?”

She smiled at the impossibly handsome man in front of her. “Hi, Liam, yes, that’s it”

“Nice to meet you, Alexis. That’s Tariq and Drake” He said pointing at the men on the table.

She grinned back at them “Nice to meet you too, I’ll bring your order in a few minutes”

Liam watched her leave for the kitchen “Damn she’s pretty”

“The waitress?” Tariq arched his eyebrows in surprise

Liam smiled “Yes, she’s very cute” he looked at the main counter where she was animatedly talking to the bartender. “I’ll go talk to her after diner, maybe she’ll accept to come out with us”

Drake didn’t bother to say anything, Liam wasn’t only kinder than him, he was also much richer and a noble. He didn’t stand a chance with her, not that it mattered anyway, he was only looking for another fun night.

After dinner, Liam went looking for her, when he came back to the table, he had a huge smile on his lips. “She agreed to come with us. Let’s wait for her outside”

Fifteen minutes later she came out with the same black jeans and sneakers than before but without the apron and the t-shirt she used for work.  Instead, she was now wearing a white tank top that highlighted her tanned skin and hugged her curves. Her hair was down, and she wasn’t wearing a lot of makeup, but it didn’t matter, she was completely natural, one of the most beautiful women Drake had ever seen.

His mouth went immediately dry and he couldn’t avoid blushing as a loud “Wow!” escaped from his lips.

She smiled flirty at him “Wow?”

He cleared his throat and said the first thing that popped into his head “I almost didn’t even recognize you”

She laughed “He! Thanks? I guess?”

He laughed too, a bit embarrassed but didn’t take his eyes off of her and something intangible seemed to pass between them for a second until Liam spoke.

“I booked a table at Kismet, is that alright with you, Alexis?”

“Isn’t that a super fancy club?” She looked at her simple clothes and sneakers.

Liam grinned at her “A woman as beautiful as you would go in spite of what she’s wearing” He winked at her “but I know the owner too”

She blushed “Thank you Liam and I supposed it’s okay then”

Liam offered her his arm and walked her to his Mercedes Benz, Drake was getting more and more annoyed at them, at least he had his jeep and wouldn’t have to ride with the new happy couple to the club.

Kismet was a trendy club at the heart of Cordonia city, when they arrived the manager himself took them to their table upstairs in the VIP section and asked for their order.

Liam talked with a kind but assertive voice “We will be drinking the same as usual, Terence. And you, Alexis?”

“I would love a glass of whiskey, thanks” She smiled at him.

Drake looked at her even more intrigued than before but didn’t say anything. Liam was captivated, so he was already talking to her and making her laugh.

After a while, Alexis turned to the other two friends. “Liam tells me he just finished his MBA. Were you in the same class together?”

Tariq answered fast “Yes, we were, but I still need some credits to graduate”

Drake snorted “The understatement of the year, you were drunk the whole semester”

Alexis chuckled as she turned to Drake “You did an MBA too?”

“No, I hate that kind of shit”

Liam shook his head amused “Drake is in Vet school”

“Wow, that’s interesting” She looked at him “Is this your last year?”

Drake shook his head no and took a sip of his whiskey without adding anything else. He hated her feigned interest; it was obvious that she was only trying to impress Liam by befriending him and Tariq. After years as Liam’s best friend, he knew all their tactics.

Liam sighed “No, he still needs two more years to graduate”

She cocked her brow “And does Drake speak, or does he need you to translate for him?” Liam chuckled. 

Drake shrugged “I just hate small talk”

“Suit yourself then” Alexis scowled; he was infuriating so she wasn’t to lose any more time with him, no matter how handsome he was.

Tariq let his eyes roam over her body as discreetly as he could, she was a simple waitress but certainly a very hot one, maybe he could have a chance with her when Liam got tired. “And you?” He asked, barely listening to her answer.

“I’m an English literature major, I start in the Fall”

He frowned “How old are you?”

“Nineteen. I took a year to save for college”

Before Tariq could reply anything, he saw Alexis jumping off the table to greet someone.

“Blossom!!” Maxwell’s shout could be heard despite the high volume of the music “What are you doing here? I called you like a thousand times. Olivia is here too, she’s downstairs.

Alexis hugged Maxwell. Maxwell, Oliva and her had met each other in High School. Maxwell and she were almost soulmates and had become instant best friends while Olivia and she were completely different so their friendship had taken longer to build but she couldn’t imagine her life without either of them.

“Come, I’ll introduce you, Max”

He giggled “I know the Rhys, Blossom. They’re my brother’s friends” He got closer to her and whispered in her ear “Remember the guy I wanted to set you up with?”

She nodded

“Well, It was Liam” She smiled but her eyes went to Drake, which didn’t go unnoticed by Maxwell.

“Forget it, Blossom. Bertrand says that he and Leo, Liam’s brother, are only interested in one-night stands. Liam is more like you, a romantic”

I gotta feeling (here) started playing on the speakers.

“Our song, Lexie!” Maxwell screamed “Come on guys! Let’s dance”

Liam grabbed Alexis’s hand and took her to the dancefloor, Tariq followed them to talk to a lonely blonde by the bar and Drake stayed alone at the table. Finally.

He poured himself another whiskey and changed seats to watch the people dancing. His eyes instantly drifted to Liam and Alexis.

Liam was a decent dancer, but she was mesmerizing. Her hips moved in sync with the music, and a playful smile never left her lips. He had never seen anyone enjoy music so much, or be that joyful, that full of life.

He must’ve been staring hard at her because she suddenly locked eyes with him and he felt the same intangible energy passing between them that he had felt earlier.

He held her gaze for a few seconds, feeling his heart beating much faster, and his mind running wild with thoughts of him with her on the dance floor ravaging those lips.

He shook his head, breaking the eye contact, she was there with Liam, his best friend.

He needed a distraction, so he went to the bar for another whiskey. While he was waiting, he felt a tap on his shoulder.

“Hi, there!” She was standing in front of her, grinning at him.

“What do you want, Alexis?”

“Aren’t you a real charmer?” she laughed “Come dance with us”

He shook his head. “I don’t dance”

“As a rule?” She gave him an adorable grin, that made him smile almost against his own will. 

 “Well, I’m a man of principles.” They both chuckled.

She Will Be Loved, started playing. 

“Oh god! I love this song. You’re not going to let me like this, are you?” She said as she offered him her hand.

Drake shook his head smiling but took her small hand, almost nervously. He had no trouble engaging with women almost anywhere except for a dancefloor.

Beauty queen of only eighteen she Had some trouble with herself He was always there to help her, she Always belonged to someone else

She grinned bashfully at him “This song is meant to be dance closer than this”

He smiled as he put his arms around her waist and she settled her left hand on his shoulder and her right hand on his waist. “Just feel the music”. She winked at him. He was instantly charmed. And damn, she felt good in his arms.

She was delicate and tantalizing and had a fruity scent, cherry maybe, that was driving him insane.

He felt her move against him, her hips swaying with the rhythm of the song, and her eyes fixated on his. She was the sexiest woman he had ever held before. She had her head turned to him, so he could finally watch her face freely. Her eyes were black and bright with long eyelashes and they were looking at him in a way he had never been looked at before. Her lips were pink and full, and she had the cute habit of biting her bottom lip when she was nervous.

He felt an irresistible need to feel her even closer, so he pulled her against him as they danced. He smiled when he saw the pretty blush coloring her cheeks. She looked away so he took her chin between his fingers and turned her head back to him without a word. He couldn’t get enough of those eyes.

Tap on my window, knock on my door, I Want to make you feel beautiful I know I tend to get so insecure It doesn't matter anymore

Alexis’s heart was beating so hard she couldn’t believe it, a few minutes ago he was driving her crazy, and now she felt like melting in his arms.  

His chocolate eyes were looking so intensely at her, that she was having trouble breathing normally. Suddenly, she felt his big hand on the small of her back pulling her impossibly close to him, getting her knees weaker too. She looked away but his calloused fingers raised her chin to him again, and she saw that he was smiling at her for the first time that night. He was incredibly handsome, with cute dimples and kind eyes that made her feel instantly safe.

Please don't try so hard to say good-bye I don't mind spendin' everyday, out on your corner in the pourin' rain Please don't try so hard to say good-bye

They didn’t notice when the song was over, completely lost in each other, Drake was about to tell her something when Max interrupted them to take Alexis to the bar for a shot drinking competition.

Drake let her go reluctantly, he could’ve stayed on the dancefloor for hours just holding her. He went to the bar as well and saw Liam talking and flirting with her. Maybe it was the whiskey, but just looking at them was making him feel nauseous. And even if he knew he didn’t stand a chance, not if Liam was really interested, he couldn’t help himself, he was drawn to her.

Liam arched his eyebrows seeing his usually brooding friend come to the noisiest corner of the club, where the bartenders were offering free Jello shots.

He hadn’t taken his eyes off of Drake and Alexis while they were dancing. Just a few minutes ago, they appeared to really dislike each other but while they danced, they both seemed…smitten. It was out of character for Drake to be so captivated by someone. He was used to seeing his best friend taking off with a different woman every night but never acting like that. It was a pity because he really liked Alexis too.

He turned his head to watch her and saw her eyes looking for Drake’s. He shook his head; it was clear that she was captivated by his best friend too and he had no interest in a twisted love triangle. He smiled to himself, the cute blonde in the bar had been flirting with him, maybe he should give her a chance. He checked his phone before talking to her and saw a message from his father, he was going to have to cut the night short.

“Drake! I need to go home earlier, Father wants to speak to me about something tomorrow morning, and I better be rested. Could you take Alexis home?”

“Of course, I mean if you don’t mind” He turned to Alexis.

She smiled at him and was about to answer when Maxwell spoke for her “Don’t worry about it, Lexie. I can take you”

Drake and Alexis’s locked eyes with each other, she bit her bottom lip trying to find an excuse.

Fuck, those lips are going to kill me. Drake cleared his throat. “It’s ok, Max. I don’t mind”

“Well, we’re neighbors so it’s really not a prob-. Auch!” Maxwell grabbed his right arm, where Alexis had discretely pinched him.

She gave him an innocent smile “Are you okay, Max?”

“Uhm, yes, but I remembered that I can’t take Lexie home because… because I have, uh, something to do”

“That’s settled then,” Liam said good-bye to everyone and left, after a moment Maxwell went back to the dancefloor, leaving Alexis and Drake alone.

Drake turned to her “Do you want to stay here?”

“What do you have in mind?”

He locked eyes with her as he tugged a strand of hair behind her ear “Do you trust me?”

Inexplicably, after only a few hours of meeting him, she did “Yes, I do”

He smiled. Normally, he would ask her if she wanted to go back to his place, but there was something special about her. For the first time in his life, he wanted to take his time first. And he knew exactly where he wanted to take her.

They got into his jeep, and debated about movies, music, and tv shows while he drove.

After an hour of driving and laughing they arrived at the beach. Drake’s favorite spot.

He took a blanket that he kept on the trunk of his car and extended it on the sand, remembering that he had bought a bottle of whiskey the day before, he put it on the blanket so they could share it.

“It’s a beautiful beach” She took a sip from the whiskey feeling the warm sensation burn her throat.

“It’s more beautiful if you lie down” He nodded at the sky. It was full of stars.

“Fuck! That’s gorgeous”

He grinned “I told you”

“I need to take a picture of this” She took an old camera from her purse and took a picture of the sky, then she turned the camera to them.

“Smile, Drake, I mean if you know how” She stuck her tongue out.

He chuckled shaking his head, he was loving the way she teased him. She took two or three pictures of them and put the camera away.

“Do you come here often?”.

“I do, whenever I can. It’s calm, quiet and far away from everything”

She smiled “I have a similar spot close to home. We live on the other side of the shore. And there’s this little cove, next to the house. I go there when I want to escape”

He frowned “Escape what?”

She shrugged “My father, my stepmom. My life”

He took her arm and rubbed it with the tip of his fingers “Why, Lexie?”

“My family is very strict, very religious. My father would kill me if he knew I’m here. He thinks I’m with a friend”

“I’m sorry”

She shook her head but didn’t answer anything else.

They stargazed for a few minutes, their silence only interrupted by Drake showing her a star or teaching her the name of a constellation. Alexis was fascinated.

“How do you know all this?”

“My father was a bodyguard, but he loved nature and was an amateur astronomer. He learned by himself and taught me everything he could”

“He was?”

There was a short silence.  “He died when I was twelve”

She took his hand and squeezed it. He smiled feeling strangely comforted.

Drake turned to look at her “You have a stepmom”

“My mom passed when I was ten. I had to go live with my father and his new wife in New Jersey, in America. We moved to Cordonia five years ago because he got job here in an American company” She paused “I miss her”

He cupped her face with his hand and gently turned her to him. “I’m sorry, Lexie”

She shrugged “It’s okay, I’m used to it” He looked at her mesmerized. Under the light of the stars, her skin was almost glowing, and her eyes seemed intensely bright.

He was still cupping her face so he left his thumb softly brush her lips, the air rapidly becoming heavy between them. She closed her eyes enjoying the touch of his fingers on her mouth. She had never felt such an intense desire to be kissed before, he made her excited and incredibly aflutter. Drake pulled himself up and leaned towards her, inhaling her delicious cherry scent.

He growled “Fuck, I’m dying to kiss you Lexie”

She managed to mutter “Me too, Drake”

As much as he was dying to ravage her lips, he sensed her nervousness, so he peppered her face with soft kisses first. He kissed her cheeks, her nose and the corners of her lips, as he stroked her neck with his thumbs, and she put her arms around his own neck.  It was soft and deeply tender, but also extremely charged and Alexis felt a warmth sensation pooling between her legs. Finally, he moved to her full lips, and kissed her pouring all the desire and the passion he was feeling. He crashed his mouth with hers again and again softly biting her lips, and letting his tongue explore hers. Alexis had never been kissed like that before. With such passion and tenderness mixed in the same kiss. She knew right there that she wanted to spend the rest of her life being kissed like that. Drake had never felt a kiss so intensely before either, he had never felt his heart beating hard as he kissed someone. He wanted to spend his life kissing her.

Finally, the need for air became urgent so they parted panting. Drake smiled seeing her pink lips swollen and the blush coloring her cheeks.

She looked at her phone “Shit! I have to go back to my house now or my dad is going to kill me”

“Don’t worry, Lexie, I’ll drive you fast enough” He stood up and help her to stand up too, pulling her against him. He kissed her forehead “When can I see you again?”

She bit her lip grinning “If you manage to take me to my house in less than twenty minutes, I’ll put my phone number in your phone”

He smirked “Deal”

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

2019  (NOW)

Alexis chose a red dress and nude heels for her engagement party. The last few weeks had been hectic at work and she hadn’t had time to shop for a new outfit, but it didn’t matter, Liam loved that dress. It was tight, mid-length and left her shoulders bare, perfect for the party.

She finished dressing and placed in her neck a few drops of the same perfume she had been wearing since high school, the same Drake loved. The cherry scented one. It didn’t matter how many times Liam teased her about it, or how many expensive bottles of French perfume he gave her, she couldn’t bear the thought of smelling like anything else.

“Hi, love” Liam’s voice startled her. She had given him her key three months ago and was still getting used to his presence in her apartment

“Hi, Li” She turned to him as she put a pair of golden hoops on her ears.

He smiled at her “You look gorgeous” He rubbed her cheek with the back of his hand before kissing her “Are you ready, darling?”

“Yes, let me just grab my purse”

They had chosen to host their engagement party in a cozy but exclusive Italian restaurant. Their wedding was going to be similar, elegant yet small with only their closest friends. It wasn’t the first wedding for either of them, so they preferred to keep it simple.

They arrived with a slight retard, Liam knew his fiancé had trouble being on time, he shook his head trying to forget about old times, about someone else teasing her incessantly about it.

Everyone was already there. Liam squeezed Alexis’s hand knowing that she would be feeling anxious, she gave him a grateful smile in return and gripped his hand.

“Alexis, darling, you look stunning” Olivia smiled “A glass of champagne?”

“You too, Liv, Red is definitely our color” They both laughed “And Yes some champagne would be nice”

Liam looked at her with a concerned expression on his face “Are you sure you want to drink today, love?”

Alexis glared at him “Yes, I’m sure. Please pour me a glass, Liv. If you’ll excuse me, I need some fresh air. I’ll be back in a minute”

“Why are you offering her a drink, Olivia?” Liam’s voice had the cold tone he used when he was angry.

“I don’t see the fucking problem, Liam. She’s doing so much better, and I’ve seen her drink wine with you plenty of times” She looked at him questioningly “Didn’t you went to visit the vineyards near Bordeaux together?”

“That’s not the point, Olivia. Her anxiety peaks in events like this. And you know that around this time of the year it always gets worse” He looked to one of the balconies of the restaurant where Alexis was standing. He smiled thinking how beautiful she was and how much he loved her and wanted to protect her.

“Li, if you’re going to marry her, you’ll have to learn how to trust her. If you continue to coddle her like this, you’ll both get tired very fast. She’s a strong woman, she has been through hell since he died, but she needs to find herself again”

“I just don’t want her to relapse” Liam sighed

“So, stop smothering her”

Liam gave her a surprised look “Well, Jin has really changed you, Olivia Nevrakis. Thank you” He smiled at her mockingly “Now, I know who to ask when I need some romantic advice”

“Don’t you dare, Rhys”

Alexis needed a moment alone. Everything was happening so fast that sometimes she had trouble dealing with it. She looked at her diamond ring. It was beautiful, elegant and expensive but non-ostentatious. Much like Liam himself.  However, no matter how perfect the ring was, she would always prefer the simple ring Drake had given her ten years ago. The one she had lost. She took a deep breath and tried to think of something else. She couldn’t go back to those memories.  

Liam walked to the balcony where his fiancé was standing.  “My love, it’s our engagement party. I want you to have anything you want” he encircled her waist and placed a kiss on her bare shoulder “you deserve the world and I want to give it to you”

She smiled “I know you get worried about me, and I understand, I do, but please don’t try to control me. You don���t need to. I’m doing better” She turned around to face him “I promise”

“I believe you, my darling” He caressed her face “I love you, Alexis. You mean the world to me”

She smiled at him, at the man she owed everything to “I love you too, Liam”