#and shes like hey youre okay stay awake stay with me something went wrong we have to keep trying

[inkskinned]

so one of the things that's so horrifying about birth control is that you have to, like, navigate this incredibly personal choice about your body and yet also face the epitome of misogyny. like, someone in the comments will say it wasn't that bad for me, and you'll be utterly silenced. like, everyone treats birth control like something that's super dirty. like, you have no fucking information or control over this thing because certain powerful people find it icky.

first it was the oral contraceptives. you went on those young, mostly for reasons unrelated to birth control - even your dermatologist suggested them to control your acne. the list of side effects was longer than your arm, and you just stared at it, horrified.

it made you so mentally ill, but you just heard that this was adulthood. that, yes, there are of course side effects, what did you expect. one day you looked up yasmin makes me depressed because surely this was far too intense, and you discovered that over 12,000 lawsuits had been successfully filed against the brand. it remains commonly prescribed on the open market. you switched brands a few times before oral contraceptives stopped being in any way effective. your doctor just, like, shrugged and said you could try a different brand again.

and the thing is that you're a feminist. you know from your own experience that birth control can be lifesaving, and that even when used for birth control - it is necessary healthcare. you have seen it save so many people from such bad situations, yourself included. it is critical that any person has access to birth control, and you would never suggest that we just get rid of all of it.

you were a little skeeved out by the implant (heard too many bad stories about it) and figured - okay, iud. it was some of the worst pain you've ever fucking experienced, and you did it with a small number of tylenol in your system (3), like you were getting your bikini line waxed instead of something practically sewn into your body.

and what's wild is that because sometimes it isn't a painful insertion process, it is vanishingly rare to find a doctor that will actually numb the area. while your doctor was talking to you about which brand to choose, you were thinking about the other ways you've been injured in your life. you thought about how you had a suspicious mole frozen off - something so small and easy - and how they'd numbed a huge area. you thought about when you broke your wrist and didn't actually notice, because you'd thought it was a sprain.

your understanding of pain is that how the human body responds to injury doesn't always relate to the actual pain tolerance of the person - it's more about how lucky that person is physically. maybe they broke it in a perfect way. maybe they happened to get hurt in a place without a lot of nerve endings. some people can handle a broken femur but crumble under a sore tooth. there's no true way to predict how "much" something actually hurts.

in no other situation would it be appropriate for doctors to ignore pain. just because someone can break their wrist and not feel it doesn't mean no one should receive pain meds for a broken wrist. it just means that particular person was lucky about it. it should not define treatment.

in the comments of videos about IUDs, literally thousands of people report agony. blinding, nauseating, soul-crushing agony. they say things like i had 2 kids and this was the worst thing i ever experienced or i literally have a tattoo on my ribs and it felt like a tickle. this thing almost killed me or would rather run into traffic than ever feel that again.

so it's either true that every single person who reports severe pain is exaggerating. or it's true that it's far more likely you will experience pain, rather than "just a pinch." and yet - there's nothing fucking been done about it. it kind of feels like a shrug is layered on top of everything - since technically it's elective, isn't it kind of your fault for agreeing to select it? stop being fearmongering. stop being defensive.

you fucking needed yours. you are almost weirdly protective of it. yours was so important for your physical and mental health. it helped you off hormonal birth control and even started helping some of your symptoms. it still fucking hurt for no fucking reason.

once while recovering from surgery, they offered you like 15 days of vicodin. you only took 2 of them. you've been offered oxy for tonsillitis. you turned down opioids while recovering from your wisdom tooth extraction. everything else has the option. you fucking drove yourself home after it, shocked and quietly weeping, feeling like something very bad had just happened. the nurse that held your hand during the experience looked down at you, tears in her eyes, and said - i know. this is cruelty in action.

and it's fucked up because the conversation is never just "hey, so the way we are doing this is fucking barbaric and doctors should be required to offer serious pain meds" - it's usually something around the lines of "well, it didn't kill you, did it?"

you just found out that removing that little bitch will hurt just as bad. a little pinch like how oral contraceptives have "some" serious symptoms. like your life and pain are expendable or not really important. like maybe we are all hysterical about it?

hysteria comes from the latin word for uterus, which is great!

you stand here at a crossroads. like - this thing is so important. did they really have to make it so fucking dangerous. and why is it that if you make a complaint, you're told - i didn't even want you to have this in the first place. we're told be careful what you wish for. we're told that it's our fault for wanting something so illict; we could simply choose not to need medication. that maybe if we don't like the scraps, we should get ready to starve.

we have been saying for so long - "i'm not asking you to remove the option, i'm asking you to reconsider the risk." this entire time we hear: well, this is what you wanted, isn't it?

[joelswritingmistress]

Neighbors With Benefits: Part 1 (Joel Miller x f!reader)

Part of the #hotdilfsummerchallenge (I will be adding more and tag the Masterlist) Thank you @hellishjoel for putting on this contest. It's a lot of fun!

Pairing: Joel Miller x f!reader

Word count: Roughly 5000

Warning: Dilfy smut, age gap (23 & 42)

Mid-June, 2024. The first summer back home upon college graduation. You knew there would be an adjustment period and while you didn't necessarily feel unhappy, there was a strangeness that left you with feelings you couldn't quite pinpoint. This was your childhood home, your hometown, your room - but still, somehow it felt foreign.

You hung up the maroon cap and gown that showed off the primary color of Texas A+M, the college where you had spent the last four years studying your ass off to get a degree in criminal justice. At twenty-three years old after spending the last few years in a little off-campus apartment with some friends, you were feeling both aggravated and nostalgic upon returning to your parents' house in the suburbs. They were great and you got along just fine; but the freedoms that had gone along with renting your own place were now reeled in a bit tighter. At the very least you knew your mother would likely stay awake on the nights you were out late. Still, you appreciated how much they cared about you.

You moved to your bedroom window and flung it open to let in some air to get rid of the stuffiness that lingered in the house. Immediately, your eyes landed on a man next door standing behind a grill as smoke filtered up above him in a faint, little cloud. He flipped a burger with a pair of metal tongs and took a sip from what looked like a bottle of beer.

"Hey, honey."

You jumped at your mother's voice as if you'd been caught doing something wrong. "Hey." You pressed your eyebrows together and motioned out the window as she entered the room. "Who's that?"

"Oh, I guess it never came up in conversation," your mother said with a shrug, "That's our new neighbor. He moved in back in January."

You glanced back out the window.

"He’s a bit too old for you,” she teased with a laugh.

You whipped around and made a face. "I'm not... I'm not checking him out. I'm just asking why there's a stranger in the Wilsons' backyard." You smirked and raised your eyebrows, "Maybe if my mother told me things I wouldn't have to play detective."

"Isn't that what you got your degree in criminal justice for?"

You chuckled, knowing she would most certainly outwit you in a verbal battle. "And I'm 23 years old. No one's too old for me anymore."

"Well, in that case I hear they just built a nice, new nursing home down the road with plenty of widowed men. I can drive you there if you'd like."

You let out a hearty laugh. “I’ll pass."

The two of you giggled and your mother continued, "Will you be joining your father and I for dinner tonight? We were thinking of just going to Chili's and then heading to a play at the little theater downtown. The kids are putting on Grease."

You smiled as your phone vibrated with a text from your best friend. "It's Holly."

"So, I guess the answer is going to be no," your mother suspected. She smirked and got the hint. “Keep in touch.”

"Okay," you agreed and then cleared your throat when she turned to go. "Mom, what's his name?"

"Huh?"

"The neighbor," you went on, "I should probably introduce myself since I'm going to be a resident of 45 Harding Drive again."

"Joel," her mother replied, "Joel Miller."

Your parents left soon after and so you wandered out to the back steps, waiting for them to take off first before popping open a beer. The ice cold beverage tasted better than normal because of the incoming summer heat that was supposed to really strike the following morning. With a content sigh, you leaned your elbows back on the top step of the set of four that led from the back door into the oversized backyard.

"Jennifer?" a deep, scratchy voice made you jump for the second time that night. You put a hand on your chest and glanced off to the side when you realized a man had called out your mother's name.

The neighbor, you thought, feeling your stomach knot up.

You cleared your throat and rose to your feet, leaving the beer on the top step. "No… I’m (Y/N)." You took a few steps in his direction though he made his way almost all the way to the steps.

"(Y/N)?" His features became clear when he stepped into a small, back light beside the door. The man flashed a friendly, boyish grin from beneath a trim beard. "Tim and Jen’s daughter?"

You looked down sheepishly and smiled before lifting your eyes to meet his stare. "Yeah."

He’s hot, your inner monologue informed you, as if your cheeks hadn't suddenly grown hot.

His eyes shifted to the beer and his grin widened even more before he extended a hand. "I'm Joel... your neighbor."

"Nice to meet you." You gave a closed-mouth smile and took in his appearance, consciously telling herself not to stare. His plain white t-shirt showed off his broad chest and shoulders

Joel cleared his throat. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"It's fine," you assured him and then cleared your throat, "Do you want a beer or something?"

A smirk twisted onto his face., "No thanks. I was actually just coming over to see if I could borrow some butter."

"Oh..." You glanced over your shoulder at the back door and then back to Joel.

"You don't have to," he said reassuringly, unable to keep the grin from his face. "You don't even know me yet so-"

"No.” You cut him off, "No, it's fine."

"Are you sure?" Joel's voice cut through you like a knife and he kept his eyes firmly locked on yours.

You nodded, unable to look away for a moment and then waved him inside.

"Don't forget your brew here, honey." He reached down and scooped up the beer as you flung the back door open.

You smiled again, "Thanks."

Joel nodded and followed you in, before glancing around at the modest but modern kitchen. "You, uh... you even old enough to drink this shit?" He motioned to the beer.

You rolled your eyes, "I can show you my ID if that makes you feel any better." You flung open the refrigerator, "I know my parents are going to treat me like I'm in high school again."

"Well... they're just trying to protect you," Joel said. "How old are you?"

"Twenty-three." You glanced over her shoulder at him, somewhat pleased to catch him staring - or so you thought. It prompted him to look elsewhere.

"Here." You removed a stick of butter and crossed the room to hand it to him. When the butter landed in his hand you decided to be bold and didn't immediately let it go, "How old are you?"

He chuckled before holding a wicked smirk and again held her captive with his playfully intense eyes. "How old do you think I am?"

You stared back, somewhat used to gaining control over the guys you had dated or been interested in in the past. Already, this time you felt a bit outmatched and part of it was your instant attraction to him. When Joel took one step in her direction, you swallowed hard and gave a random answer.

"Thirty-two?"

Joel laughed a little louder, putting a hand on his stomach. He ran the other hand through his messy brown hair and pointed. "You're so full of shit."

You smiled at him, "I was thinking more of thirty-eight, thirty-nine."

He sucked his teeth and gave you a look up-and-down before smiling wide again. When he didn't say anything in response you flat out asked, "Am I right?"

"Forty-two," Joel finally informed you after a long pause.

"Over the hill then?"

He snickered and then motioned to the fridge, "Ya know... I will have that beer if you don't mind."

You smiled before reopening the fridge to fetch one for him. When you placed a bottle of Bud Lite in his hand he used the counter to pop the top rather than twist it. When the dented bottle cap fell to the floor and danced in circles for a moment you glanced back up to find him continuing to stare as he took a long swig from the bottle.

Joel wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Your dad going to notice that a few of these are missing?"

"They're mine," you informed him, "And I'm not-"

"A kid, I know..." Joel rolled his eyes now and the two of you shared a laugh, "Believe me when you're my age you'll love that someone will accuse you of being younger."

"I'm sure I will."

He reached down and scooped up the cap from the ground and then held it out in his palm. When you went to reach for it he closed his hand and smiled playfully.

"I'll take it," Joel offered, "Don't want you to get caught drinking these things when your parents come home." He continued to tease you about your age.

"You know, I could've guessed you were fifty."

He laughed out loud. "Smart mouth on you," Joel flashed his index finger at her with the hand that held the bottle, "I like it."

You looked down and laughed again, feeling your cheeks grow hot again from his remark.

"Anyway, I should be getting back." Joel continued to smile, almost triumphantly and winked. "It was nice meeting you."

"It was nice meeting you too.”

He held your gaze for an extra second, forcing him to smirk a final time before heading out the back door.

"Thanks for the beer," he said casually, "I'll see ya around."

8:15 pm - the following evening

"Sorry I couldn't make it out last night," Holly said to you. The two of you sat side by side at barstools down at one of the local bars in town. "My boss can be a real pain in the ass sometimes."

"It's fine. I had the house to myself so I kind of just had some time to chill and binge watch some old shows."

"Sounds terrible."

You laughed and shrugged. "It was alright."

"Well, here's to... summer?" Holly raised her martini glass and you tapped her beer bottle gently against it.

"To potentially the weirdest summer of my life."

"Why's that?"

You shrugged, "I don't know. Being back home doesn't feel so 'at home' anymore."

"Give it time." Holly sipped her drink, "In a month it'll feel like you never left."

"That's what I'm afraid of."

"Hey, it's not so bad. I'm here." She smiled and raised her eyebrows, "Jill and Molly should be home within the week too. We can get the old crew back together before we all get real jobs and have to do shitty adult stuff."

"I'll drink to that," you agreed, taking a longer swig of the beer. You sighed and began to peel at the blue Bud Lite label, letting your mind drift to the night before with Joel. You envisioned him snapping the cap off the top of the beer bottle, using the counter. A smile crossed lingered on your face.

"Ooohh... someone's checking us out," Holly commented, "Or maybe they know you..." Her eyebrows pressed together and she motioned using her head toward a table in the corner of the bar.

"Oh shit." You couldn't contain your response but realized it must've sounded out of place.

"What?" Her friend asked, "Do you know him?"

"That's my neighbor," you informed her, "New neighbor."

Joel smirked and gave a wave but quickly entertained a conversation he was having with two other men at the small, corner table.

"He's kind of a Dilf."

You snickered and shrugged, unable to take your eyes off of him. When Joel glanced back in your direction you looked away and quickly took a sip of your.

"You think he's hot," Holly suspected with a laugh.

"What?" You shook your head, "No... I mean he may have some Dilf qualities or something like you just said but…” The sentence drifted off.

"Mm-hmm..." She continued to stare at her friend with playfully accusing eyes.

"Stop," you joked, "I just met him last night."

"Last night?" Holly perked up, "And..."

"And what?"

"You tell me."

You laughed again, "He came over to the house because he needed some butter."

"More like some sugar," she winked and glanced up toward a television that had a baseball game on in front of them.

You let out a hearty laugh and shook your head.

"He keeps looking over here." Holly’s voice perked out, "Oh! He's getting up," Holly whispered, stalking him for a moment with her eyes.

You glanced over and felt your stomach twist in knots when he headed in their direction.

"So you are over twenty-one," Joel cracked a wide smile and tapped the back of her chair as he continued to walk by.

"Twenty-three," you called after him, smiling wide.

He glanced over his shoulder, winking once before continuing on around a corner toward the bathrooms.

You let out a sigh and Holly turned back around.

"What the hell are you waiting for?" her friend asked. Before you could attempt to plead your case Holly went on, "He's hot... and he's totally flirting with you."

"He's not flirting with me."

"That was a Frank Sinatra-worthy wink."

You shook your head, laughing again. "Where do you come up with these things?"

"You're glowin. You're crushing on this guy. Who cares if he's your neighbor. Get on that."

"He's forty-two," you lowered your voice.

Holly raised her eyebrows and glanced toward the doorway where Joel had just walked through before returning her attention to her friend.

"Forget it." You sipped your drink and tried to pretend like you were nterested in the game on the television.

"At least admit you're crushing."

She turned to her and shook her head, "Fine... he's hot. Okay?" You focused on the screen for as long as she could and tried to pretend not to notice when Joel rounded back into the bar. You let out a deep breath as he crossed behind you and felt a rush when he came up beside you to flag down the bartender.

"Another round?" the middle-aged bartender asked, already reaching for a beer.

"Please,” Joel said with a nod, "You can put it on the tab." He turned to you, "Any interest in playing darts over here?" He nodded toward a dart board in the corner.

"Sure."

"Don't feel obligated." He forced your eyes back to his and continued to stare into them.

"I don't." You felt that intense paralysis again and couldn't turn away. When the bartender came back with the round of beers for Joel, you felt relieved and let out a breath.

"Get these two what they want," Joel added to the bartender, "Next round's on me when you finish those."

"Oh, you don't have to-"

"It's fine. I owe you one from last night." He headed back to the small table with his friends and Holly finally snapped you out of your daze.

"I thought you just gave him butter," she whispered with a giggle, "What was last night?"

You swallowed hard and rose to your feet, prompting Holly to do the same. "I offered him a beer and he took it," she said, "It was nothing... believe me. If I had anything interesting to share I would tell you."

Your legs felt heavy as you crossed the dark bar that was scattered with only a handful of other people. While the two other men began collecting darts and erasing the chalkboard to the side, Joel stood staring with his elbow on the table. For a moment everything else was in the background and you could only focus on him.

Shit... Any wit she had going for her had betrayed her. The instant, intense attraction you had to him was completely clouding your judgment. You felt like you were about to enter a wolf den, though you didn't at all mind playing the part of Little Red Riding Hood.

The anxiety-ridden feeling you had had leading up to the game of darts diminished as the night went on. You played a few games, swapping teammates several times, beginning with a 'boys versus girls' theme and then pairing off randomly when one game ended.

"He's going to fuck it up, you watch," Joel taunted as his friend lined up, closing one eye as he released the dart, only sending it clunking off the board and to the ground. "You didn't even hit the fuckin' board." His words drew laughter from everyone and the man that missed stumbled to retrieve it, chuckling as he went.

"I'm fucked up," Skip, the older robust man, remarked as he struggled to pick the dark up from the floor.

"Ya think?" Joel joked, continuing to sip on his beer.

"It's about time I get this man home to his wife and let her deal with him," the other man, Charlie, chuckled from behind a pair of alcohol-induced crimson cheeks. "Can't hold his liquor."

Skip huffed a breath and closed his eyes with a hand on his head. "The old lady's going to be mad at me. Especially when I tell her we've been hanging out with these lovely ladies." He motioned to you and Holly, laughing at himself and making the others do the same.

"I'd leave that part out if you knew what was good for ya," Charlie informed him with another laugh. "Come on Skippy. It's past your bed time."

"Game over?" Holly asked you.

"I guess so." You raised her eyebrows and smiled.

"Charlie, you guys to get home?" Joel asked.

"It's just a quarter mile down the road," Charlie waved a hand. He smiled, "Good night ladies."

"Goodnight," you both said at the same time before Holly turned to you.

"I'm heading to the bathroom. Be right back." She raised her eyebrows, noting it would give you and Joel a moment alone and you tried to play it off coolly.

"Okay." She watched a moment as Holly made her way down the bar and around the corner.

"Hope I didn't kill your girls night," Joel said.

"No." You turned back to him and leaned an elbow on the table, "We were just bored. Had to get out of the house."

"Mmm..." He slid back down into a seat and you took upon herself to join him as you waited for Holly.

Joel leaned both elbows on the table to straddle his beer, "You're probably used to night clubs filled with young guys just dying to buy you a drink. This has to be fuckin' lame."

"I was over that scene by my junior year," you told him with a laugh as you shook your head. "They were all the same with their cheesy cologne and gelled up hair."

Joel huffed a laugh and took a sip of his drink. "Sick of that shit huh?"

"Very." You mirrored his position and continued to sip on the beer you had been milking for the better part of an hour, "I'm kind of over the party scene... and the being at home scene."

"You've been home for one fuckin' day." He raised his eyebrows, "Get over it. You're saving money."

You nodded, "Yeah... yeah you're right."

"I know I am." He smiled, a charming arrogance radiating out of him.

When your phone buzzed in your pocket you jumped and quickly removed it, finding a text message from Holly.

I'm getting in my car. Snuck out the back. Have fun. You'll thank me later.

When you looked back up Joel was grilling you with his eyes. You wondered if he had managed to read the message or not. You cleared her throat. "Holly," you said simply.

"You guys need to go?"

You opened her mouth to speak, still unsure if he had seen what your friend wrote but decided to chance it and lie. "She... got sick. She's on her way home."

"She okay?"

You nodded. “Just a little embarrassed I think and decided to go." You took a sip to buy yourself some time in case he asked any more questions. When he didn't you tried to change the subject. "This place is dead."

"What's so bad about the college scene?" Joel asked.

"Huh?"

"The young guys, the night clubs..."

"Oh... nothing, I guess." You cleared her throat feeling like he was trying to read your mind. Again, your face felt flush with heat and you continued, "They're just... all the same. There's no appeal anymore. When I was eighteen I thought it was cool sneaking into bars and all that." You smiled and shook her head before looking him in the eye. "This is more my speed."

Joel stared back and didn't immediately say anything.

You almost couldn't take the quiet stalemate. The sexual attraction for Joel burned in your chest and in that moment, in the quiet corner of the bar, it was hard to fight it. All the same, you felt like you had to be reading his body language correctly in assuming he was feeling something too. Still, the fact that he was your older neighbor, who you didn't know very well, lingered in the back of your mind.

Getting involved with Joel would satisfy your instant craving for him but beyond that you knew it could only lead to making both of your lives more complicated.

"I'm going to go to the bathroom," you told him, when you couldn't contain your feelings any longer. It was the only thing you could say without leaping across the table and initiating a make-out session that played out animalistically in your mind.

"You gunna disappear on me too?" he joked, though you could see there was a hint of seriousness in his piercing eyes behind the wicked smile that hadn't left his face all evening.

"Not a chance." You felt embarrassed by the bold nature of your words, but took a deep breath and made the long walk across the bar into the restroom area. When you pushed open the door you felt relieved that no one else was in there and quickly made your way to the sink to pat some water on her face. You let out a breath, leaning both of her hands on the counter and then took in your appearance to make sure you was satisfied with the way you looked.

I'm being ridiculous, you thought. I'm too old to feel this out of control over a guy... or a man.

Joel was a man. He wasn't at all like the college boys you had been surrounded by who loved to crush beer cans on their heads, brag about how many consecutive beer pong games they'd won and worst of all when they threw the cheesiest lines at you and your friends to try to get laid. Joel didn't have to say or do anything in particular. He could simply look at you the right way and you found yourself ready to obey any request or demand he threw your way.

I’m in over my head, you thought, but I don't care.

You took in another deep breath and felt like you had the quick break that you needed to hold a sensible conversation with him without the constant interference of your out-of-whack hormones.

"Okay," you whispered to yourself and fiddled with your hair before pulling the door open to head back into the short, dark hallway. When Joel rounded the corner at the same time from the bar both of you stopped abruptly.

His eyes stalked the length of your body before finally re-settling on your gaze.

"Checking to make sure I didn't bail?" you joked, nervously laughing just after. Your tongue danced along your bottom lip, and you couldn't help but look him up and down the way he had just done to you.

Joel swallowed hard, tipping his mouth up into a half-smirk before walking past the men's room door in your direction.

You didn't have time to process all of the questions in your mind because he marched up and planted his lips against yours, immediately penetrating them with his tongue as his hands successfully shoved you up against the door to the women's room. It opened a few inches beneath the force.

You felt an explosion of adrenaline filter through your body as you kissed him back even more savagely than in your daydreams.

Joel pushed the door all the way open with one hand, not separating himself from you as he gripped your ass with his free hand and pushed his hips firmly against yours.

You tangled a hand in his hair, kissing him back with a heated passion that you didn't bother to try masking now that he had initiated the fantasy that had been playing out in your mind since you had him.

He moaned into your mouth before taking a breath and crushing his lips back against yours. Your back collided with the tile wall at the back of the bathroom, and you arched your neck as he began to ravage you, sliding a hand down the front of your pants while gripping your face with the other to kiss you hard again.

It all was happening so fast. You struggled to keep up but couldn't process a conscious thought when his first two fingers slid inside of you.

You bit down on your lip in a break in the kiss and spread your legs wider to give him more access.

Joel left a single kiss on her lips and spoke against them in a husky whisper, "Let it out honey," he kissed you again, "Let it out."

You knew the bar was nearly empty and there wasn't another woman that had been there. Even if there had been you didn't know that you would have cared. When his fingers twitched, arcing perfectly in his technique to make your entire lower body shiver with pleasure, you groaned.

"Fuck Joel," your whined his name, desperate for his tongue to dominate your again as he continued to finger you relentlessly until you felt like you were going to explode.

Joel's arousal heightened when he traced your lips with his thumb of his free hand, prompting you to take the tip of it into your mouth.

"God," he closed his eyes relished in the feeling, pushing his fingers deeper into you.

You whimpered again, writhing beneath his touch and attempted to reach for the belt buckle on his pants. "I want you."

He removed his hand from beneath your slick panties and placed his hands against the wall on either side of you as you managed to undo his buckle and shove his pants down off his hips.

Instinctively, you dropped to your knees, taking in as much of him as you could. Joel moaned and bucked his hips once as he grasped the back of your head with one hand. You looked up, watching his head fall back as his closed eyes pressed shut tighter. Joel allowed you to have your way with him as you continued to go down on him like you might never get another opportunity to do so. "Fuuucckk." He drew the word out, encouraging you to continue as he grabbed a fist full of your hair. "Ohh shit..."

Had anybody walked by the door there would have been no way to mask what was going on. Joel didn't hold back and felt an additional jolt of pleasure when you stroked him with your hand before quietly demanding him to come.

He opened his eyes, letting his mouth hang open as he glanced down, making eye contact with you as you engulfed him again.

"Jesus..." Joel's eyes closed and he felt an unmistakable buildup brewing below his waist. He couldn't ask you to stop, not when he was on the verge of exploding. "I'm gunna come." He shouted the words so loud that you thought for sure that someone had to have heard your encounter from somewhere in the bar. Still, you didn't let up and allowed him to push deep into you, gripping the back of your head with such force that you couldn't have separated your mouth from him if you tried.

He groaned, not attempting to hold back what he was feeling, alternating different curse words in between uneven breaths that ultimately left him panting as you finished him off. With a final breath he released your hair, letting his hand drop toward your face as you wiped a hand across your mouth and slowly rose to your feet.

Joel stood there for several seconds, breathing heavy with his pants at his ankles and a hand still on your face. When he finally came down off the high enough to speak, a chuckle left his mouth and ran a hand through your now-messy hair. "Shit honey... you didn't get yours." He let out another breath and then retrieved his pants from the floor and straightened out his appearance.

"It's alright," you told him with a sly smile, noting the heat that was still brewing between your legs.

He huffed another breath and adjusted himself over his pants before regaining your gaze. Joel smiled and drew his thumb gently under your eye, "Mascara's running. Sorry honey."

You closed her eyes as he continued to wipe the stray makeup away from your face. When you reopened them, Joel sported a half grin and he raised his eyebrows.

"Guess I fuckin' owe ya one."

You snickered, pleased to know that he wasn't at all expecting this to be your only encounter. "Yeah... you do."

Joel took a final, deep breath. "Well... you know where to find me."

"Next door."

"If you see me outside come on over to... borrow some butter or something.”

"Butter..." You snickered and then swallowed hard when he took a step toward her and slid a hand back down the front of your pants.

Joel touched his lips to yours as he spoke and this time gently began to massage up and down your wet center. When your mouth twisted up in a smile and you closed your eyes again he grinned and removed his glistening fingers. "It's a shame this is going to go to waste. Too bad you're so damn good at giving a blowjob. I had all the intentions of fucking you but I could just not ask you to stop.”

"Damn," she said quietly, but smiled, praying he might have it in him to continue.

Joel smiled, reading the disappointment on her face. "I'll be in and out tomorrow," he claimed, "You see me and you feel like bringing me over some butter…”

"I think you’ll definitely need some."

He looked down and made his way to the sink to wash his hands before turning to her with a smile. He ended the night the same way he had the night before, "I'll see ya around."

CLICK HERE FOR PART 2

[lyrenminth]

have a request for a joe burrow fic can u do one where the reader has surgery and joe takes care of her in the hospital

Partnership

The pain started during the night. At the beginning you thought they were cramps, no big deal until the pain got worse and worse. You tried not to wake up Joe, who was peacefully sleeping next to you. You went to the bathroom and sat on the toilet and you saw blood like you were in your period. You changed your underwear for a pad, but you were bleeding a lot, and you couldn't stand up from the pain. You started gasping for air, and cried silently.

Something was wrong.

Joe knocked the door and open it. "Babe, what's wrong?" He asked, when he saw you crying, sitting on the toilet his face changed from sleepy to alarmed in matter of seconds. "What's happen? Are you having cramps?" he got closer.

"I'm bleeding a lot, and I'm having a-a lot of pain" you cried "I can't stand up and I'm feeling dizzy"

"I'm calling an ambulance" he went back to the room, looking for his phone. When you started feeling wet your legs you realized it was blood. "Joe!" You called him, weakly.

After a couple of minutes, you were on his arms, he was carrying you outside the bedroom and laid you on the floor. You closed your eyes, sleepy. "Baby, hey, it's not time to sleep, baby" you felt a hand touch your face. His voice sounded distant but you could hear the worry and anxiety. "Hey, honey please, wake up, the ambulance it's closer but I need you to stay up, okay?"

You nodded, opening your eyes only to look at his blue eyes. Joe seemed like an angel coming for you. But he was frowning and talking to the phone.

You wanted to stay awake but he was getting blurred, and the world was so slow. "Baby, don't sleep, don't do this to me" fear, Joe was scared.

***

You woke up with the beeping sound of some device. You looked around, confused. Your eyes stopped on Joe, sleeping on the couch. He looked so peaceful and handsome as always. When you tried to incorporate, a pain in your lower abdomen made you flinch. You hissed and laid back again.

Joe woke up, and stood up, rubbing his eyes. "Are you up" he stated. "What happened?" you asked. "You were losing a lot of blood" he took your hand and squeeze slightly "Damn, I thought...I thought you wouldn't-" he shook his head, keeping the thought away "You scared me,bad" he kissed your forehead and looked for any sign of discomfort.

"Sorry, I don't know what happened" you apologize. "The doc said something about your left ovary" he explained a little embarrassed he couldn't provide more info. "Let me call a nurse"

Minutes later a doctor and a nurse entered the room.

"Oh, Mrs Burrow. How are you feeling now?" The doctor said, she was friendly.

"Better" you replied.

"Yes, we have to do a emergency surgery for your left ovary. You had an enormous cyst that exploded" she explained "you lost blood but we could bring you back"

Your breathe shakily. The nurse checked your pressure, while the doctor explained the process and your recovery.

"No lifting heavy things, and you need to rest. We're going to have you here for the day but tomorrow you can go to your house" she looked at Joe "I'm sure you are in good hands, he was so worried about you"

You looked at Joe but he was serious. Did you really scared him? There was a turmoil of emotions inside you.

Once you were alone, he was still holding your hand. You touch his hand, playing with his fingers. "Are you ok?" he had bags under his eyes, and looked a little bit messy.

"Yes, I'm tired. I was calling your parents and everyone to let them know the situation" he replied. "So don't worry about that, you need to rest"

Joe was with you until the last minute you left to the hospital. He helped you to get into the car, bought the medicine the doctor gave you and healthy food your dinner. "I need to take a bath, I feel sticky" you confessed, he snorted but help you to undress. He was so gently with you, you almost cry. When he tried to get into the shower, you stopped him. "Baby, I think I'm alright" you said, giving him a kiss.

"Are you sure?" he asked, but he was holding your elbows like you were leaving forever.

"Yes, I-I can do this"

"Just yell my name if you need something"

Once the shower was over, he looked for your clothes and help you to dress again. "Do you want me to braid your hair?" It was one of his hidden talents. When you taught him, he learned fast and actually like to braid your hair. "I find it relaxing" he explained.

You nodded and sat on a chair, and his hands caressing your hair relaxed you so much you were falling asleep.

"Joe" you mumbled, "Mmm?"

"Did I scared you?" silence, he never stopped moving his hand though "Yes"

"I'm sorry"

"Don't apologize. You didn't know"

"Joe, the doctor told me she had to removed my left ovary" you starting saying, finding the courage to continue "it's going to be difficult for me to get pregnant"

"That's ok, you are here right now. That's what matters"

" I know you wanted a family"

"Yes, but I want my wife to be healthy too"

"Thank you" you cried. His reassurance was relieving. When he finished braiding your hair, he brought you a soft dinner, and while you ate he took a shower.

Joe always took care of you when he could. As you did with him. You were a couple.

A team.

Thank you for this request. I have a similar fanfiction written about Joe too, but it's shorter. You can check it on the masterlist!

[communicationthroughlyrics]

There's No Hope In Endless Winter

Natasha has been gone on a long mission, so when she comes home, she just wants to spend time with you. But, you have news for her.

A/N: Yeahhhh, sorry bout this one- I also couldn't seem to come up with a decent summary sooooo...yeah. It's angsty and not really happy at all. Just kinda sad, all the way around.

TW: Panic/Anxiety, Depression, Reader has a medical emergency

Word Count: 4.5k

With a ghost-like silence, Natasha Romanoff floated into the bedroom of her shared New York apartment. It had been three long months since she had been on her no-contact S.H.I.E.L.D. mission, jetting her across the world to track and assassinate a major drug kingpin after infiltrating his cartel for vital information. She could hardly contain her excitement to see your face again, to feel the warmth of your body in her arms. The room was pitch-black, but even in the darkness, she could make out the familiar outline of their bed. You must have fallen asleep hours ago, presumably exhausted from your work as a personal trainer.

Natasha's muscles ached from the long flight and the countless hours of physical exertion during her mission. She stripped off her clothes, revealing her toned, scarred body, and crawled under the sheets. The bed's softness and the sheets' coolness felt like heaven after so many nights spent on hard mattresses, back seats, and cold floors. She snuggled in close to you, breathing in your familiar scent, and let out a contented sigh. Nat buried her face into the crook of your neck, causing you to sigh. Even though she knew that you were fast asleep, she couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth and belonging in your shared space. 

Natasha being gone always sent your emotions in a spiral. The anxiety and panic that she felt on any given day only worsened as time went on. Your constant worry for your wife would typically result in you holed up in Natasha's room at the compound, drowning yourself in Natasha's clothes, burrowed into her bed until she returned. It was actions like this that had Wanda and Clint checking in with you regularly when they weren't on their missions.

It was one of these check-ins that finally forced a hand for you. Wanda had stopped by, worried because you, her best friend hadn't been responding to her messages or calls. When Wanda went to your gym, the manager said you had been canceling all your appointments. This was highly unlike you, as you had been known as a reliable, punctual trainer. Wanda's attention was piqued. 

"What do you mean, she's been canceling?" an incredulous tone came from the brunette.

"She hasn't shown up for any of her clients for the last week and a half," the manager said, shrugging helplessly. "I've tried calling her, but she never picks up. She left a note on her desk, and has called all her clients herself, telling them they can schedule with someone else."

"When was her last session?" Wanda probed further. 

"Monday," he stated flatly, as he was walking around wiping down some of the equipment. "She was training with one of her regulars and passed out. We sent her home after she refused to take an ambulance. We asked her to stay home for a couple of days, rest, and relax. Apparently, she needed more than that."

This concerned Wanda, so she decided to check on you. She thought you had been doing better in Natasha's absences. As she approached your room, she could hear the soft snores coming from within. Taking a deep breath, she carefully opened the door, revealing you curled up in a ball on the bed. Your usually neat hair was a messy tangle around your head, and you were wearing one of Natasha's oversized shirts. Seeing her friend like this tugged at Wanda's heartstrings.

"Hey Y/N," she whispered, stepping into the room. "You okay?"

You let out a soft groan but didn't stir. Wanda walked over to the bed and gently nudged you awake. "Hey, wakey, wakey. It's me, Wanda. Honey, what's wrong?"

You mumbled something incoherent before burying your face into the pillow, trying to block out the world. "I can't do this anymore," you finally manage to get out. "I miss her so much." 

Wanda sighed, rubbing your back in a comforting manner.

"I know you miss her, Y/N. We all do. But you can't let it consume you like this. You're not being fair to yourself. Natasha would want you to take care of yourself and be strong." Her voice was soft and gentle. "Look at you. You're not eating right, you're not sleeping, and you're not working out. You're not the Y/N I know."

You sighed, looking out the window to avoid the green orbs that were looking straight back at you. "I know," you curl into yourself further. "But, I need her here Wands. I'm scared and alone."

Wanda frowns, sitting down on the bed next to you. "You're not alone, Y/N. You've got all of us. We're your family. We're here for you." She reaches over and takes your hand, squeezing it. "You know that, right?"

You look over at her, your expression softening slightly. "Yeah, I know." You take a deep breath and wipe your eyes. 

"Now, Y/N. When was the last time you ate more than a protein bar or a banana?" Wanda asked, looking at the fruit peels in the trash and the wrappers on your nightstand. "Your boss told me you fainted at work."

You shrugged, "I'm not sure. A few days ago?"

Wanda rolled her eyes. "Okay, that's it. You're coming with me. We're going out to eat. You can't keep living off of protein bars and bananas. You need real food." She helped you up off the bed and led you to the bathroom to wash your face. 

"Wanda?"

"Yes?"

"I don't feel right."

"You're not feeling right because you're not eating right," Wanda replied, giving you a reassuring pat on the back. "Come on, let's get some food and then we can talk about how you're going to get back on track with your training. You're better than this, Y/N." She stops when she realizes that you're standing firm in the middle of your room. You look pale, eyes sunken in, and like you haven't been sleeping. 

"That's not what I mean, Wanda."

You took a deep breath, trying to gather your thoughts. "I feel...off. Not just because I'm not eating right. Something...else. It's like..." You trailed off, struggling to find the words.

Wanda placed a hand on your shoulder, her expression concerned. "Y/N, do you think you might be coming down with something? You seem to be feeling under the weather lately."

"Maybe," you mumble, rubbing your arm. "I don't know. It's just...weird."

"Tell me what your symptoms are, Y/N."

You sigh, trying to wrap your head around how you've been feeling of late. "It started when I was in the middle of a training session..." you started.

Wanda's eyes widened, "What? You kept going even when you didn't feel right?" You nodded, and her frown deepened. She led you back to the bed, so you could sit down.

"Do you have a fever?" she asked, feeling your forehead. You shook your head. "What about chills?" She glanced at the air conditioner, which was blowing cool air. "No, I guess not."

"Not a fever, but I've been getting terrible night sweats."

Wanda raised an eyebrow, "Night sweats? That's not good."

You shrugged, feeling uncomfortable under her gaze. "I'm just not myself, Wanda. I don't know what's wrong with me."

"What else have you been feeling?" she asked further, rubbing your knee comfortingly.

"My muscles ache all the time. And I'm just...tired." You yawned, rubbing your eyes. "Even when I sleep, I don't feel rested."

Wanda frowned. "This doesn't sound good. You should probably go see a doctor." She paused, looking at you with concern. 

"I'm scared, Wanda."

Wanda took your hand and squeezed it. "Hun, it's just a doctor's visit. It'll be ok." You shook your head, just wanting this conversation to be over. "You probably just caught a bug or something."

The next day, the two of you made your way to the doctor's office, where Wanda sat with you through the entire vitals process. The nurse turned to you after gathering some information and asked you if you wanted Wanda there during the following line of questioning.

"No, that's fine," you mumbled, feeling a little embarrassed. 

"So, what brings you in today? Your notes on the check-in sheet are pretty vague."

You took a deep breath, not sure where to begin. "Well, I've been feeling really tired lately. Like I can't sleep, even when I want to. And my muscles ache all the time. It's been going on for a few weeks now, and it's starting to get to me." the nurse jotted some things down, before allowing you to continue. 

"I have been feeling sluggish and sore for 2-3 weeks, I just thought it was me pushing my workouts too far at first."

The nurse nodded sympathetically and continued her questions. "Have you noticed any changes in your appetite or weight?" You hesitated for a moment, not wanting to admit to Wanda that you hadn't been eating right. "Well, I haven't been eating as much as I should have, but I don't think I've lost or gained any weight." The nurse made some more notes. "Well, Y/N, it does look like you have lost some weight since your last visit 4 months ago. Have you been experiencing any night sweats or fevers?"

You shook your head. "Just the sweats, but not as bad as they used to be." You glanced over at Wanda, who was looking at you with concern. "I've been feeling...off, you know? Just not myself."

"Is there anything else?"

"Yes," you stutter. Wanda's eyes shot up at this admission. "I was helping one of my clients use the pulldown machine, demonstrating what I wanted them to do." the nurse continued to take notes, indicating for you to go on. Wanda shifted in her seat as you continued. "I felt a grab in my underarm like I was using the machine wrong," you sighed. "The pain continued throughout the day, and wouldn't go away. I didn't think anything of it till I got home."

"And when you got home, what happened?" the nurse prompted.

"Well, I felt sore all over, but especially my chest, for some reason," you started, Wanda covering her mouth as you recounted what happened. "So, while I took a bath to try and loosen up, I checked both armpits to see if there was something I was missing. I kinda probed and kneaded at my underarms, and felt a large bump, here." you lifted your arm, indicating where you felt the lump.

"And what did the lump feel like?" the nurse asked, scribbling more notes.

"It wasn't hard or anything, but it was...different," you said, struggling to find the words. "It just didn't feel like the rest of my skin." You glanced at Wanda, who was looking at you with a mixture of shock and concern. "At first, I thought it was just a knot or something, but it's been there for days now, and it's not going away."

The nurse nodded, making some more notes. "I see. Well, I'm going to have the doctor look at this when we're done with your vitals. Just give me a call if there's anything else you think might be important."

As the nurse left the room, Wanda grabbed your hand and squeezed it tightly. "Oh, hun, I'm so sorry. I had no idea this was going on. Why didn't you call me?"

"I didn't want to worry you," you replied, trying to keep your voice steady. "I thought it was just a knot or something. I didn't realize..." Your voice trailed off as you fought back tears.

The examination room door opened, and the doctor came in. "Y/N, hello," he said, offering his hand. "I understand you've been experiencing some discomfort. Why don't you tell me about it, and we'll see what we can do."

You related the story again, feeling embarrassed but relieved to have someone who seemed to take you seriously. The doctor listened carefully, nodding along, and then asked to feel the lump in your armpit. "Hmm...I'm going to need to get some tests done to determine what's going on here. In the meantime, I want you to rest as much as possible, and avoid any strenuous activity until we know more. Okay?"

"Okay," you replied, feeling a mix of relief and fear. 

The doctor gave you a reassuring smile. "We'll get to the bottom of this, don't worry. We're running your blood and plasma panels, and took a sample from the lump in your underarm." He stood, reaching out his cold hand for you to shake. "We'll run these preliminary tests, and call you with the results."

You nodded, still feeling a little uneasy. As you stood, the weight of the situation began to settle heavily in your chest. You glanced over at Wanda, who was rubbing her eyes with the heels of her palms, clearly upset. "Are you okay?" you asked her.

"Honey, I should be asking you that," she offered you a weak smile, helping you out of the doctor's chair.

As you made your way out of the clinic, Wanda wrapped an arm around your shoulders and pulled you close. "I'm going to be right here with you, okay? No matter what it is." You nodded, grateful for her support. 

"Wanda?"

"Yeah, sweetie?"

"Is there really no way we can get a hold of Natasha?"

Wanda sighed, resting her head against yours. "I've been calling her all morning, but she hasn't answered. I even sent her a few texts, but when she goes no contact, that means no contact."

You nodded, understanding the unspoken rule. Even though you knew it was for her safety, it still hurt that you couldn't talk to her. You felt so alone like you were the only one going through this.

"I'm terrified, Wanda. I've never felt like this before."

Wanda hugged you tighter, her warmth offering some comfort. "I know, hon. I'm scared too. But we're going to get you through this. We'll find out what's wrong, and we'll fix it. You hear me?"

You nodded, forcing a small smile. "Yeah, I hear you. Thanks, Wanda."

**

The sun was starting to peek through the blinds when Natasha finally stirred. She pulled you in tighter, realizing you felt considerably thinner than she remembered. You were seemingly dead to the world, breathy snores coming from you as you tossed and turned. Natasha decided she would surprise you, so she quickly rose, kissing your forehead before running to the shower to clean up.

She knew she'd have to tread carefully when she emerged, but the anticipation of seeing your face light up was too much. As she dried her hair, she slipped on her tank top and shorts before padding over to the bed. You were still fast asleep, so she decided to head down to the kitchen, starting breakfast so you both could enjoy each other's company over a warm meal.

Coffee brewed, she laid out a spread of fruit, toast, and eggs. The scent of food wafting up the stairs drew you out of your slumber, unfortunately making your stomach churn. You wondered why Wanda was making you some food so early in the morning.

You padded into the kitchen, still half-asleep, and were greeted by the sight of Natasha, your Natasha, wearing nothing but a tank top and shorts, her hair still slightly damp from her shower. She smiled at you, a warmth spreading through your chest. "Good morning," she purred, leaning over to kiss your cheek. "I missed you, babe."

You returned her smile, albeit with an empty one. "Missed you too," you mumbled, reaching for the coffee pot. "Smells great." Natasha frowned at the lack of emotion from you, immediately becoming concerned.

She poured you a cup of coffee and set it in front of you, then sat down at the breakfast bar, watching you carefully. "Are you feeling okay, sweetheart? You don't look so well." You shrugged, not wanting to talk about it. "I'm just a little tired, that's all."

Natasha frowned, not quite convinced. "You're sure you don't want to tell me what's wrong? Maybe I can help." You looked up at her, feeling instantly guilty once you saw her expression.

"I'm sure it's nothing, really," You started. "I just...I had some tests done while you were gone."Her face softened as she reached across the counter to take your hand.

"What kind of tests, sweetheart?"

"I don't want to spring this on you right now, Nat. You just got home."

Natasha squeezed your hand gently. "You know you can tell me anything, babe. I'm here for you, through thick and thin." Her eyes pleaded with you to confide in her, and despite your best efforts to keep her out of the loop, you found yourself wanting to tell her everything.

"Okay," you finally said, taking a deep breath. "It's not something I want to talk about right now, but I will. Just...not today, okay?"

Natasha nodded, understanding that you needed time. "Okay, hun. Take your time. We can talk about it whenever you're ready. In the meantime, why don't we enjoy breakfast together? It's the least I can do while you're going through this."

"That's okay, Nat. I'm not very hungry. But you can have whatever."

She smiled, giving your hand a squeeze. "Are you sure? I made plenty."

You nodded, forcing a smile. "It looks great, though. Thanks, Nat." You worked your way slowly to the confines of your bedroom, stopping to look at your washed-out appearance. You were pale, your cheeks somewhat hallowed. The dark rings and bags under your eyes made you look like a member of the Addams family.

Natasha followed behind you, still in her tank top and shorts, concern etched into her features. "Do you want me to help you get ready for bed? Maybe take a nap with you?" she offered, her voice soft and gentle. You shook your head. "No, I just want to be alone for a bit. I'll be okay." She frowned, but nodded, knowing that these long missions were always rough for the both of you, and you often needed your own space. As you lay in bed, awaiting the call from your doctor, Natasha called Wanda.

"Hey Wands, it's me."

“Nat! Oh, my goodness it’s good to hear your voice, darling!” she started. “I bet Y/N is so glad to have you home.”

“Actually, Wanda, that’s why I’m calling.”

There was a slight pause on the other end of the line before Wanda replied, "Oh? Is everything alright?"

"Well, I wanted to check with you," Natasha began, taking a deep breath. "Y/N and I have been together for a long time, you know that. And we've been through our share of ups and downs. But something is going on right now that I feel she's not telling me, and I'm really worried about her."

There was a moment of silence on the line before Wanda spoke. "What makes you think that?" she asked, her voice gentle.

"I just know her," Natasha replied, her voice tight with worry. "She's not herself. She's distant, and I can tell she's not eating. It's like she's carrying a weight on her shoulders that I can't even begin to understand. I just want to help her, you know?"

Wanda was quiet for a moment, considering her words. "I understand where you're coming from, Natasha."

"I feel like there's a 'but' coming, Max."

"Because there is, Romanoff."

Natasha winced at the use of her last name. She knew Wanda could be annoying that way, but it still hurt sometimes. "I know Y/N doesn't want me to know or worry right now, but I need to help her. I'm her partner, her support. I can't just stand by and watch her suffer in silence."

There was a long pause on the line before Wanda finally spoke. "I understand that, Natasha. You're a good friend and a good wife. And I know you'll do whatever you can to help her through this." Her voice softened. "But I also want you to understand that this might not be the best time to push her. She's been through a lot, and she needs some time to process everything on her terms."

Natasha sighed, a deep pit forming in her stomach at the thought of what could be going on. "Wanda?" A silence followed before a hum indicated Natasha to continue. "What happened while I was gone?"

"Oh, you know," Wanda replied lightly, her tone belied by the worry in her voice. "The usual. Just the constant threat of nuclear war, a power-hungry megalomaniac with delusions of grandeur, and a team of highly skilled operatives trying to keep the world safe while balancing their personal lives."

"Wanda, that's not what I meant."

"I know, Nat. I'm just trying to make light of a very serious situation. Y/N's been keeping a lot of things bottled up. She needs time to process everything, and I think she's afraid that talking to you will make it all real. She needs you to be supportive, but she also needs her space."

There was another silence on the line before Natasha spoke. "I understand. I'll give her time, but I'm here for her whenever she's ready."

"That's all you can do, Natasha. That means a lot to her, I know it. And if there's anything I can do to help, please don't hesitate to ask."

"Thanks, Max."

Wanda's voice was soft, bidding Nher a good day. Natasha could hear the genuine concern behind it. She knew that Wanda would be there for her and Y/N, even if she wasn't always the most subtle about it. They were both so different, but they had been through so much together. They had become a family of sorts, even though they were all from different worlds.

Natasha took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. She couldn't help but feel a sense of helplessness, like she was floating in the dark, searching for a lifeline. But she knew that she had to be strong for Y/N, even when she felt like she was about to crumble herself. Setting her phone on the counter, she put away all the food before heading towards the living room, sitting on the sofa with a cup of coffee, contemplating what you could possibly need to tell her. After what felt like hours, she went to the bedroom, gently knocking on the door.

"Hun, do you mind if I come in?" Her voice was soft, almost a whisper. There was a pause, and then she heard the click of the door opening. Natasha stood in the doorway, taking in your eyes red and puffy from crying.

"I, uh... I was just about to take a nap. Do you want to join me?" You asked, your voice barely above a whisper. She walked over to the bed and sat down gently beside you.

"I would love to, sweetheart," she breathed deeply, reaching her arm around your shoulders. "But first, I need to know that you're okay." The statement makes your heart clench, knowing that you are worrying Natasha after such a long and strenuous mission when she should be relaxing and enjoying her time with you.

"I'm... I'm as okay as I can be, I guess," you mumble, your voice still hoarse from earlier sobs. "It's just... a lot, you know? A lot to process." Natasha nods, pulling you closer as she wraps both arms around you.

"Darling, what is a lot to process?" Natasha's voice was soft, almost tentative, and you could feel her heart beating against your back as she held you close. You took a deep breath, trying to steady your nerves before speaking. You were spinning your cell phone in your hands, nervous to tell your wife what happened while she was gone. 

"Let me start at the beginning, Nat." you lay your head on Natasha's shoulder, ready to detail all that led up to your phone call this morning.

As you speak, Natasha holds you close, occasionally kissing the top of your head or running her fingers through your hair to offer comfort. She listens intently, her expression shifting between surprise, confusion, concern, and anger as you recount the events that unfolded while she was gone.

When you finish, there's a long silence as Natasha processes the information. You can feel her heart racing in her chest, and she seems to be struggling to find the right words. Finally, she takes a deep breath and says, "Oh, sweetheart." Her voice is full of empathy and understanding, but there's also a note of worry. "What did the doctors say was the result of your tests?"

Your eyes tear up, as your lip quivers. You get up and go to stand across the room from your wife, afraid to let her see you so vulnerable, so weak. "I have breast cancer, Nat."

Natasha's face falls, her eyes widening in disbelief. "Oh, Y/N," she whispers, taking a step toward you. "My baby, I'm so sorry I wasn't here for you." Tears begin to stream down her face, and she reaches out to hold you, but you flinch, taking another step back. "I'm here for you. No matter what. I love you, and I'm here to help you through this. In sickness and in health, remember?"

You shake your head, feeling overwhelmed. "I just... I don't know how to do this. How am I supposed to fight this? And what about us? What about our future?" Your voice breaks on the last word, and you sink down to the floor, buried in a ball, unable to hold back the sobs that have been building inside you since you first heard the news.

Natasha rushed to your side, quickly scooping up your body and holding you impossibly close. "Honey, our future isn't in question. I'm not going to let anything happen to you," she whispered into your hairline, kissing it.

"But, what happens if you get sent out on a mission again? What happens if you don't come back to me, Natasha? I can't do this without you."

Natasha's arms tightened around you, holding you as close as she possibly could. "Y/N, you are my whole world. I would never abandon you. You are my priority, now more than ever. We will get through this together. No matter what. I promise." She paused, taking a deep breath, trying to steady her voice. "I know it's scary right now, but we'll find the best doctors, we'll get the best treatment. And we'll fight this together. You're stronger than you know, and I'm right here by your side, supporting you every step of the way."

You sniffled, wiping your nose on your sleeve, and leaned into her embrace. "I'm scared, Natasha. I don't want to leave you. I don't want to leave us."

Natasha pressed her lips to your forehead, her breath warm against your skin. "I know it's hard, baby. But you're not going to leave me. You're going to fight this, and we're going to fight it together. We're going to beat it, okay? She held you there for what felt like an eternity, rocking you gently back and forth. "We're going to fight this together, you and me. We're going to be strong, and we're going to get through this. I promise you, Y/N.“

READ PT. 2 HERE

[calumfmu]

steve finding out reader is expecting twins and being utterly panicked, like he needs to go see robin and eddie to talk him down because he is freaking out

Ahhhhhh I love this!!! (you know the TikTok sound 'oh my goodness I love this questiionnnnn, I think-' yeah thats me right now). 857 words cw: swearing, loser!Steve trying to get his groove back,

An ice pack was pressed to his head, Robin's chipped nail polish covered fingers holding it in place. She was mumbling something, freaking out as she stumbled over her panic, 'maybe we should call 911'.

Eddie was laughing, cold beer in one hand as he took in the sight before him. Robin taking deep breaths to calm herself down, interchangeably pressing the ice to herself and Steve, while he groaned every time it was taken away from him. A dark bruise was forming on his forehead from where he passed out in your living room.

"Isn't this the shit you've always been talking about?" Eddie asked, taking a swig of his drink.

Steve closed his eyes, a deep breath leaving him. Robin yelped, shaking his shoulder.

"Stay awake, Steve!" She hurried, squatting in front of him. Steve peeked open an eye, rolling it at her.

"I'm fine, Robin," he said, wincing at the pressure he was feeling. "Yes and no, yes because I love her and I want a soccer team-"

"Damn army at that."

"Eddie. Please," He continued, taking the pack from Robin's fingers. "I'm just going to be fucking terrible at it."

"Steve, those damn kids love you," she supplied, taking his wrist in her hand, presumably to check his vitals. "You run your own babysitting service practically, and you're amazing at it, hey, you might get your ass kicked every now and then, but they're all alive."

"Not helping," he winced, snatching his wrist from her. Eddie leaned forward in his chair, handing a lit cigarette towards the younger man. Steve would normally complain about him smoking indoors, but for right now, it was everything he needed.

"She's right, Steve," he said, watching as Steve took a long drag, shoulders relaxing at the hit. "Those kids will swear up and down that you're the best god damn thing to happen to them, whether you like it or not. You're made for this."

Steve shook his head, coughing as the hit went down the wrong pipe. "No, no, no. Man, I couldn't even get into college, and here I am, working at a movie store, with twins! Twins! Two babies! On their way!"

Eddie laughed at his urgency, reclining as he looked up at the ceiling of the Harrington home. He took a look around, humming as he found it spacious.

"I think a crib will fit perfectly right there," he pointed towards a corner, closing one eye as he envisioned it. Steve whined, sinking into the couch even further.

"My dad's going to kill me," he muttered, putting the palms of his hands over his eyes. He was never a religious man, but in this moment, he felt God in his presence. "Fuck, what if I'm like my dad? I'm going to be so shit at this, she's gonna leave me. Oh my God, I'm going to be a single dad."

"Steve!" Robin grabbed his shoulders, shaking them as he lolled his head to look at her. "Snap out of it, okay?"

Steve nodded, his bottom lip jutting out as he moped. His eyes were wide, watering slightly as he envisioned the next few months, no years, decades of his life changing.

"You're going to be the best god damn dad out there, alright? You may be a Harrington, but you're not gonna be like him," Robin held eye contact, sincere as she pressed a hand to his chest. "She loves you. You love her. The two of you are like a match made in heaven."

Eddie hummed in agreement, turning so his feet hung off the side of the lounge chair. "Or hell, if you want to look at it like that."

Robin cut him a look, gaze firm.

"Okay fine, you're made for each other, alright? There couldn't be a better duo than the two of you, and you'd need to be completely senseless to not see that," he reached out, fingers spread as he expected the cigarette back. "Trust me when I say, I think you're going to be perfect at this. You may think it's the wrong timing, but I mean, it happened for a reason."

Steve nodded, looking in between the two of them. He began to feel hopeful, figuring his two friends wouldn't lead him astray when it came to this.

"What if I am bad at it though? Even if I try?" His voice was small, fear etched into it. Robin placed a hand on his knee, squeezing lightly.

"No one's good at it, especially for the first time. What matters is trying and just being there," she said, patting at him. "Now get the hell up. Give her a call, apologize for being terrible and leaving her at her house, and make it work, Harrington."

Steve looked towards Eddie, who smiled and nodded as he agreed. Slowly standing up, he felt less shaky in his movements, redeveloping the muscle he felt he had lost earlier.

Eddie gave a toothy grin as Steve crossed the room, giddy in his steps as he made his way towards the house phone. "Just wrap it up next time, Harrington."

"Eddie!"

Masterlist! Inbox and requests are open! <3

[patdkoala]

The Odds in Our Favor

Pairing: Finnick Odair x female reader

Warnings: smut no plot, dom!Finnick, pet names (Honey), overstimulation, Gale older brother

I was sharpening my knives like always when my brother walked into my room.

"Gale, I thought I told you to knock before you enter a room. What if I had a guy in here?"

"Then I would have to kill him," He said as he picked up one of the knives I finished earlier.

"I'm not a child anymore. You don't have to protect me," I said as he frowned.

"No, but you'll always be my little sister," He said as I smiled and then set down my knives. I slipped them back into their leather case as Gale sat down next to me.

"You don't have to fight, you know," He said as I rolled my eyes.

Gale has been trying to get me to forfeit the games for days now leading up to them.

I won the games three years ago. Two years before Katniss.

I then got told I have to fight in the games again. I thought the whole point of being a victor is that I don't have to fight again but I guess I was wrong. I am fighting tomorrow morning. I might die tomorrow morning.

"I should get some sleep. I've got a big day tomorrow. Good night, big brother," I said as we stood and hugged. He held the back of my head close like how one might hold a baby.

Gale left my room and I cleaned up. I want my room to look nice for when I'm gone so Gale doesn't have any trouble going through my things.

When I was finished, I just stood there and stared at my room and all it had to offer. Someone else is going to move in soon and they are going to take down my pictures and put their own up.

"Hey, are you still awake?" Finnick asked outside my door. I opened it and there he was standing there in nothing but some sweatpants and the necklace that he's always wearing.

"Yeah, I was just about to lie and tell everyone that I'm going to bed but I was just going to stare off in the distance," I said as he smiled his cheeky grin at me.

"Wanna be together tonight? I don't really feel like being alone," He said as I nodded and then walked over towards him at the door.

"Where are we going?" He asked as I looked up at him. He is much taller than I am.

"Uhm, your room? Why?"

"Oh, well. I walked all the way over here so I just assumed that we would hang out here." He then looked around the room. "But now that I see it, it looks like a dead person lives here. Which is ironic since you are very much alive," He said as he looked at the framed picture of me with my older brother.

"I mean, I'm practically dead," I said under my breath.

"No, you're not!" Finnick yelled as he grabbed me by the arm to get my attention. "I will protect you in there, I promise you," He then realized that he was holding onto my arm for too long and a bit too tight.

"Okay, I believe you."

"We can stay here," I said but instead he loosened his grip on my arm but didn't let go.

"No, we can go to my room. I don't think I can stand being in such a sad room any longer," He said as I nodded and followed him out in the hall and past the main room of the bunker we were staying in.

"Where are you taking my little sister?" Gale asked as Finnick and I walked past Gale and Katniss.

"Don't worry about it, Gale," I said as Finnick held my hand and pulled me towards his room.

I closed the door behind us.

Finnick went and sat down on his bed. I looked around the room.

A little messy, but somehow still tidy, Dirty clothes are scattered on the floor, and pictures of who I assume are family.

"Want to watch something? I wonder what is going on at the capitol not that they have decided to kill a bunch of us off again for sport," He said as he turned it on.

"Finnick Odair and that (Y/N) Hawthorne have got something magical going on don't they?" Ceasar asked his guest as she smiled. "Oh, certainly. They are just the cutest. I hope they make it far in the games tomorrow so we can see that relationship develop," She said as I just stood there watching them talk about us.

"Let's just hope he taps that soon-"

Finnick turned off the tv.

"Maybe we can just talk," He said as I smiled at him and then sat down next to him. "About what?"

"I don't know. We can talk about anything. We are all about to die right?" He said as I smiled.

"Okay. What are you going to do if you win?" I asked as I got on my tummy and rested my head on my hands.

"I don't know. Maybe get a nice home and settle down. I kind of missed out on that when my girlfriend dumped me after the first Hunger Games that I won," He said as I laughed.

"So, your plans are lame."

"What are your plans?" He asked as I crossed my arms.

"Well, not if but when I win I'm hoping to get laid," I laughed out as his tight crossed arms became loose.

"You're a virgin?" He asked as I rolled my eyes.

"Dude, I won the Hunger Games at 17 years old and then went into hiding from the Capitol with my brother, Gale. He had Katniss and Katniss had Peeta. I didn't want anyone to know I exist because I thought that would keep me safe. Turns out, they found me anyway, and now here I am about to die."

"So, yes. You are a virgin."

"What are you asking me, Finnick?"

"Have you ever even kissed anyone?"

"I kissed Katniss on a dare and then Peeta shortly after."

"But have you-"

"Fucked anyone? No," I said as I rolled over and lay on my back staring at the ceiling.

"Would you like to? Before we die?"

"What makes you think we are both going to die?" I asked as I now crossed my arms to match him except his arms weren't crossed any longer. They were draped across his chest and he was staring at me so intensely.

"We are fighting alongside Katniss Everdeen. We are absolutely dying," He laughed uncomfortably.

"Well then I might as well live a little before the end of the world," I said as I looked at Finnick and he was crawling on the bed closer to me. Soon enough he was on top of me.

"Kiss me Finny," I moaned as he smirked and removed my shirt over my head.

"Anything for you, Honey."

He kissed me all over my face, neck, chest, and tummy.

He held me by my back as I moaned out from his touch.

He then made his way to my pants and took them off of me. He kissed my inner thigh and I tugged on his hair pulling his face closer to where I needed him most.

"Is this where you need me, honey?" He asked as all I could do was nod. I was so infatuated with him that my body lost control.

He ate me out as I groaned, moaned more, and tugged at his hair. He smiled at me because he knew what he was doing and loved its effect on me.

We moved slightly so that he had a better grip on my ass and I was more comfortable with laying on my back.

He stopped once he felt me close to my release. I whined as he got on top of me.

"Hush," He demanded as I smirked at his dominance.

He took off his last remaining bits of clothing before pushing himself inside of me. We both moaned at the sudden feeling.

He moved with such force at first but then slowed down when he felt that it was too much for me.

"Please, I need to cum," I said as he held my legs around him and then he moved even harder and quicker than before.

We were both so close to coming that he flipped us so that when we came, I was on top.

I lay next to him and he held me.

I felt so safe in that moment that I wasn't worried about dying anymore. Whatever the games have for me, I know the odds will be in my favor. ;)

[massivedrickhead]

Bechloe Week Day 3: Lost/Stranded

Words: 1771

Notes: Again, I probably went a little heavier than I initially intended because apparently that's all I can do, but I hope you enjoy anyway!

Read on AO3

“Hey, it’s Chloe, I’m sorry to call so late,” Chloe said, as soon as she heard Beca’s mumbled greeting upon answering the phone. 

“S’okay,” Beca said, stifling a yawn as she rubbed a hand over her face. “What’s up? Are you okay?”

“I, um, I’m kinda stuck,” Chloe said, and Beca could hear the cringe of embarrassment in her voice. “I’m, like, stranded.”

“What do you mean?” Beca asked, briefly holding the phone away from her ear so she could check the time. It was a little after 1 am. “Where are you?” 

“That gas station on 35 I think.”

“Is that the one with the all-night diner that does those hash browns we like?”

“Yeah,” Chloe said. “Chicago was driving me home from our date and we had a fight and I made him pull over.”

“Are you okay?” Beca asked, suddenly feeling much more awake. “Is he still there?”

“No, he left,” Chloe said. “My phone is dead, the waitress in the diner let me use their phone, and yours is the only number I know by heart. Could you call me a cab or an Uber or something? I’ll pay you back.”

“Are you kidding? Look, just stay in the diner, I’m coming to get you,” Beca said. She pulled a coat over her pyjamas and shoved on her shoes, the phone held in the crook of her neck. She hesitated for a second and grabbed a second coat from the hooks hanging by her apartment door. 

“Bec, you don’t need to do that,” Chloe said. “It’s late.”

“It is late. And you’re a woman alone at a gas station in the middle of the night. I’m coming to get you.”

“Thank you,” Chloe said, the relief in her voice palpable. “You’re a lifesaver.” 

Beca thought murderer might have been a more apt title for when she was done with Chicago, but she didn’t think saying that would help the situation.

“I won’t be long, okay?”

“Okay,” Chloe said. She hung up the phone and gave a grateful smile to the waitress. “Thank you,” she said. “I promise, next time I’m passing this way I’ll stop in and give you guys the biggest tip I can afford.”

The waitress waved her off with a smile. “Don’t mention it,” she said, before moving down to the other end of the counter to pour coffee for some truckers.

Chloe spun in a slow circle in her chair until she was facing the entrance of the diner. She wished her phone was charged so she could at least distract herself. She was cold and tired, and she felt the beginnings of a headache forming behind her eyes. She already regretted the third glass of wine with dinner.

She rubbed her fingers into her tired eyes - no longer caring about smudging her mascara - and prepared herself to defend Chicago to Beca.

She knew he didn’t actually deserve defending - not this time - but she prepared the arguments in her head anyway.

He had a long day. Work has been really stressful for him. Money is tight. I insisted we go to this particular restaurant. I was too friendly to our server and it gave him the wrong idea.

Her shoulders sagged as she thought about all the excuses she was going to offer for him and, not for the first time since she’d put it on, her eyes fell to the engagement ring on her finger and she felt a ripple of doubt.

Was this really the way she wanted the rest of her life to be? 

Chloe was broken out of her thoughts by the squeak of the diner door being pushed open. 

She saw Beca scan the diner until her eyes fell on Chloe, and she seemed to deflate with relief.

Chloe climbed down from the chair and walked quickly towards her best friend.

“Thank you so much for this Bec,” she said. She saw Beca had shoved her coat and shoes on over her pyjamas, and in her hand she held a second coat.

“Here,” Beca said. “You never bring a jacket with you.”

“You’re the best,” Chloe said, gratefully pulling the coat on over her dress. She turned to the waitress who had looked up from her conversation. ��Thank you again for letting me use the phone.”

“No problem, get home safe,” she said.

“Thank you for keeping an eye on her,” Beca said, and the pair left the diner and were soon climbing into Beca’s car. “Are you okay?” She asked, turning on the engine and cranking the heat.

“Yeah,” Chloe said. I am now you’re here, she thought. “Thank you for coming to get me.”

“You don’t need to keep thanking me,” Beca said. “I couldn’t have just left you there. I’m glad you called.”

“Yeah, me too,” she said. She absentmindedly twisted the engagement ring around her finger as she let her head come to rest on the window. 

“Do you want me to take you home, or do you want to crash at mine?” Beca asked. 

Chloe swallowed. She didn’t want to go home. Not tonight. She was too tired for another fight. “I… I don’t really want to see him right now.”

“Okay,” Beca said. “I have a charger in my glovebox if you want to plug your phone in. You can text him to let him know, in case he’s worried about you.”

“Thanks,” Chloe said, taking the wire and plugging it in. It took a few minutes before her phone came back to life. She wasn’t surprised when she saw there was nothing new from Chicago. She knew she should expect radio silence from now until she apologised.

She fired off a quick text to him saying she was staying at Beca’s, and then she put her phone away. She knew if anything this would make him more pissed, but she also knew if she stayed silent she’d be blamed for making him worry. 

“So,” Beca said, trying not to sound angry when she spoke, “he left you alone at the gas station? With no money, and no phone?”

“He, um, he didn’t know my phone was dead,” Chloe said, realising it was a pathetic defence as she said it.

“Oh, I guess he’s off the hook then,” Beca said. “Fiance of the year.” 

“Please don’t make me have to defend him,” Chloe said. “I don’t have the energy for it.”

“Why on Earth would you defend him right now? Anything could have happened to you,” Beca said. 

Chloe had expected Beca to sound angry, but when she spoke Chloe realised that she was scared. Beca was right, anything could have happened to her. 

Why wasn’t Chicago scared about that? 

Why hadn’t he tried to call or text? Why didn’t he care if she was okay?

“I’m not going to go on about it,” Beca said. “I just… Whatever you might have done, whatever argument you guys were having, it doesn’t justify this. He put your safety at risk and… I dunno. I dunno how you come back from that.”

They were silent for a little while longer until Chloe spoke again.

“I laughed at our server’s joke,” Chloe said. “That’s what I did.”

Beca pulled into her parking spot at her apartment building, but neither made a move to get out of the car. It had started raining, and the only sounds were the low white noise of the car heater, and the wipers moving against the windshield.

Beca didn’t speak, but when she looked across at Chloe she saw tears in her eyes.

“I had all these excuses ready for him, but all I did was laugh at this stranger’s joke. That was enough to make him feel threatened enough to start screaming at me on the highway. I made him pull into the gas station because I was scared. He wasn’t paying attention to the road and I was scared he was going to crash,” Chloe said, wiping her eyes with her hand. “I got out of the car as soon as he stopped and he just drove off. He hasn’t called or anything. This isn’t… He was so… He was the perfect gentleman when we got together. So sweet and attentive and kind and now… It’s like I don’t even recognise him anymore. This wasn’t what our life together was meant to look like, and I feel so… Lost. I feel like I made a mistake”

Beca reached across the car and took Chloe’s hand. “Whatever you decide to do, I’m here for you, okay? No matter what. If you need a place to stay, you can stay with me for as long as you want.”

Leave him, Beca wanted to scream. Leave him before he really hurts you.

But she knew she couldn’t push Chloe into this.

“Thank you,” Chloe said. “Can we go inside? I’m really tired.”

“Of course,” Beca said. 

They rode the elevator up to Beca’s apartment in silence, and when they got inside Beca got her some water, makeup wipes, and a pair of pyjamas. She even insisted that Chloe take her bed.

Chloe couldn’t remember the last time someone had taken care of her like this.

“For what it’s worth,” Beca said, hovering in the doorway before she went to go lie down on the sofa, “you deserve to be treated better than this. You deserve something infinitely better than this. Get some sleep, okay?”

Chloe sniffed again and wiped her eyes. “Bec? Can you please stay?”

“Yeah,” Beca said, smiling as she climbed into the other side of the bed. “I can stay.”

Chloe was still sitting on the edge of the bed, looking down at the ring on her finger. With a shuddering breath, she pulled it off and set it on Beca’s nightstand. She settled back down onto the bed, feeling like a weight was being lifted off her shoulders.

“Can you drive me home tomorrow?” She asked, her back to Beca as she stared at the ring.

“Of course,” Beca said, her heart sinking. It’s her choice, if she wants to go back to him, she told herself. All you can do is be there for her.

“I need to give Chicago his ring back,” Chloe said. “Could I… Do you think I could stay with you for a little while?”

Beca swallowed and tried not to cry through sheer relief. “Of course,” she said.

Chloe turned away from the ring and pulled Beca into a hug.

“You might have saved my life tonight, Beca,” she said. 

“You saved it,” Beca said. “I just provided the getaway car.”

[coleskingdom]

Mine Pt 4

This will be a six part story. This chapter has no smut.

The Forbidden Door meeting

I wake up before Jay, my mind refusing to shut off. I lay there in the early morning light watching him sleep. I’m overwhelmed by how much I’m falling in love with him my chest gets tight at the thought that he might get hurt because of me. A tear falls down my face. Jays eyes open “ Hey, what’s wrong?” Still half asleep, “Nothing”I say and try to smile. Now fully awake “We don’t do that remember” He’s rolls on his side facing me. “So I’m going to ask you again, what’s wrong?” I can tell he’s bracing himself. “ I’m worried you’re going to get hurt because of me.” His hand strokes my face moving a strand of hair, “It won’t be because of you, it’s real but we will all be professionals. Besides I’d bet you’d be cute in a nurses outfit.” I laugh and the tension is broken.

Jays phone rings, “Hey Will, she’s fine why? I don’t think she’s looked at her phone in the past two days. No that’s exactly what happened, yeah I haven’t talked to anyone over there yet. I appreciate it man, I’ll repay you the favor. You’re right an excuse to get Finlay out is a good enough reason. I’ll let her know.” he hangs up. “ Apparently you need to look at your phone, you’ve got a good portion of people worried about you.”

I sigh heavily and pick up my phone, and hand it to Jay. “Please, I can’t right now.” He scrolls through my messages and I can tell he’s deleting the ones that he knew I wouldn’t want to read. “Your dad texts like a psycho.” Handing me back the phone.

I start to read the text out loud

The Bang Bang Brats

“Are you our new mom?”

ELP <3

Tell Jay GOD is ready to join Gold.

Ospreay

Whatever you need it’s yours? I had no clue about your dad and Finlay, next time you decide to get married let a guy know okay. I’m sorry love I wasn’t there for you.

ZSJ

You’ve got to be fucking kidding me Finlay really? Why didn’t you say something, I could’ve done something. You really got a thing for those Bullet Club boys, I warned you about them years ago. I have to say of the lot Jay is the best of them. Be happy love, it’ll all be fine, if you need anything let me know.

“I’m glad I read them”I sighed and smiled. I leaned my head over on Jays shoulder, he put his hand in mine brushing my knuckles. “ I’m glad you did to, it seems you have quite the fan club. Love” in the absolute worst British accent I’ve ever heard, his eyes showing his amusement when I turned to look at him. He kissed me softly, resting his forehead on mine. “We better get ready before, I cancel the meetings and we just stay here. “

We got ready and were downstairs when the first knock came. Matt,Nick, Page, Cole, Kenny Tony and Rocky were all there. Followed by a catering team , who asked where to set up . “ Just put it on the island “ Jay said casually winking at me, as he predicted my face turned pink.

I sat beside him at the table. Everyone else gathered with Tony at the head of one end with Kenny at the other. Jays body tensed as he stares down the table at Kenny. I put my hand on his thigh trying to give him support, he could never let being Kenny’s young boy go, mainly because Kenny insisted on reminding him of it at any chance he had.

Tony started “ Good Morning, I trust everyone had a good evening last night. Thank you all for being here. I was told the result of the private vote was to move forward with a forbidden door program. I’ve spoken with President Tannashi and he agrees that it’s time for the Bullet Club Civil War. The only stipulation is that it can be any member of the club that was current or retired prior to Saturdays incident. We will need rosters from each group and we will be preparing the matches out of interest and fairness. However the main event will be David vs Jay. Loser loses his club, the winner has the right to include or exclude the others current members, but only one club will be recognized after the match. “

A low rumbling went around the table as the words sank in.

Tony slides a contract towards me, “ I’m presenting you both with a talent and employment contract. You will see that the terms of talent are through forbidden door but that the employment offer for you to be in talent relations is a five year deal.You’ve worked hard and you deserve this. However, you will need to be on screen with Jay, I will leave that to the two of you to discuss how and what the presentation is going to be. “ My eyes were as big as saucers, I never wanted to be on screen talent. Jay took my hand under the table and gave it a squeeze.

“Thank you, I don’t know what to say other than thank you.” I said.

Kenny spoke next “ Jay, you really couldn’t let Japan go could you. I left the keys in your hands you had it all but you had to come here you had to bring Bullet Club with you. You’ve had to make your mess my mess. Now you’re trying to be the savior of bullet club because it’s all you have. I don’t even understand why I’m here or what I have to do with any of this. I’m part of the Elite and was part of the version of Bullet Club that brought this whole thing to prominence. The fact that this all over some girl who was making shitty choices because she has Daddy issues. “

With that Jay slid back from the table and yanked Kenny up by his collar. “Say what you want about me, but you keep her out of your mouth. You don’t even realize that your best days are behind you, Ospreay and I both made sure of that, and if I need to I’ll finish it myself. If you want to align with Finlay go ahead, I’ll take on the both of ya. As for now though get the fuck out of my house.”

Matt and Nick got in between both of them. Jay let Kenny go, but dared him to say anything further. “Matt Nick let’s go” Kenny said. “Not this time Kenny. You’ve gone too far.”Matt said regretfully . Kenny looked around the table for support , none of the other men will meet his eyes. I however refused to look away from him my jaw set firm, and hard. Kenny stormed out the front door slamming it behind him.

“He’ll calm down, he’s out injured anyway. He insisted on being here because he’s an EVP. I’m sorry I didn’t expect him to disrespect your home. The fact that you’re prioritizing someone you care about, is a regret he still has and has never gotten over“ Matt said .

“Who have you heard from?” Tony asked changing the subject .

“As for Japan, you really don’t have much support Jay. The War Dogs, Kenta, Owens , House of Torture are all together. GOD said they texted you to let you know that they will be aligning with Gold. You have a lot of support from United Empire and TMDK that have offered to do matches on the road to forbidden door in hopes that they can keep them fatigued. That’s about all you’ve got. “ Rocky said

“ So I need what 10 -12 guys? “ Jay said “Closer to 15 guys I’m afraid.” Rocky said.

“Matt, Have you heard from AJ , Deviit or Cody?”

“ they’re all sitting this out, which numbers wise works better for us. “ Matt confirmed.

“ What about Austin and Bey?” I asked trying to do the math in my head.

Jay picked up his phone “ Hey Chris, I need to know where you are on this whole thing. We’d love to have y’all. Thanks man talk soon.” They’re in . I think we have our numbers..”

“I want Gabe “ Page said abruptly, “he’s been running his mouth too fucking long about me. It needs to be a death match.”

“We want Connor’s and Maloney they keep shitting on our legacy. I’m sick of it. “ Nick added

“ I think Japan would be agreeable to this.” Tony said and Rocky nodding his head.

“ Cole do you have anyone you’d like to take out personally? “ Jay asked

“Coughlin, and if I’ve got to team with page to get to him then that’s what we need to do death match and all. “ Cole not loving the idea of a death match but wanting Coughlin more.

“What about you sweetheart, what do you want out of this?” Jay asked

“ I just want to y’all to come out safe.” I said.

“That’s no fun sweetheart, I mean who do you want to slap, or kick in the balls, something that you get to do on the talent side. “

“My father, and Finlay.” Laughing at the idea.

“Tony you’ve created a monster, I’m afraid . She’s been thinking about this a while. Britt can help her get ring ready..” Cole offered

“I think that’s it for a while guys I’ll get the paperwork to you for signature and review.” Which was the dismissal from Tony.

Everyone stayed a little longer. They wanted to talk about my on screen presentation. “ I never thought I’d be on screen, I was content in the background.” I said. “ Well you’ve been given two contracts from Tony so you’re in. Now it’s about your presentation, you’ll need one move that you can execute well. .” Matt said. “ What’s your favorite move of all time. “ Jay asked“ The Superkick” the other four men answered in unison. Jay looked at me “Seriously?” I shrugged my shoulders "I was an hbk fan what can I say. “

“She actually has a fairly decent one, we’ve worked with her on it before. She wanted Shawn’s so I worked on it with her it’s been a while though.” Cole shrugged “ What style is she going for asked Page, the bullet club bunnies aren’t going to work….” I’m not doing that hell no.” I cut him off abruptly. “ I think I just want a slightly sexy black and gold look. Jeans, heels a tank or bustier. “ I was actually feeling pretty pleased with the idea.

“ You’ll wear my jacket though, we can modify one, you can have either the switchblade or bullet club logo. If you go with the logo I’d like you to wear a golden switch blade necklace. Just on camera.” Jay said. "Now wait a minute, you don’t need for it to look like you own her.” Page said “ I’m okay with it, it’s pretty rock n roll actually. I’d rather look rock n roll than a ring rat, besides bullet club has always been cool. And it’s something we are all doing together. I’m going to go with the gold logo and the necklace. When I’m with everyone and if it’s just Jay and I I’ll have the switchblade logo. I need not to be damsel in distress.” The guys seem to be in agreement and they started working on story lines. I needed a break, so I excused myself.

I found myself a little place on the back porch in a rocking chair that overlooked the property. “ How are you doing Darlin?” Page asked handing me a glass of whiskey

“It’s been a lot, but I’m happy.” I smiled

“So you and Jay huh? “ he questioned

“He and I spent a lot of time together when y’all left for AEW. It was he and I and the new bullet club for a while. we hung out a ton he and I shared an apartment as room mates. It feels right, and honestly I was a little surprised how comfortable this all is. He gets me Adam, when I ran out of the wedding and I was in the car and started having a panic attack, he got me through it like it was the most normal thing in the world. He didn’t bring it up or make me feel shitty about it. I think I’m in love with him.”

Jay was stepping out on the porch, with a blanket.

“I’m gonna head back in, I just wanted to check on you.” as page started to excuse himself. “ Hey Adam, don’t feel like you’ve got to go on my account. I need everyone to understand nothings changed she still needs you guys. Honestly I was bringing her a blanket the wind from the north kicks up and it can get cool quick. “ Jay handed me a blanket and a kiss on the top of the head and disappeared back inside.

“Who the fuck was that guy and what did you do with Jay ?” I just laughed , page took a seat on the wooden steps and looked out. The easy quiet. It’s always been easy to be quiet with him. He broke the silence as the sun started going down, “I’m happy for you. Kenny was out of line and you deserve what all the rest of us have a safe place that feels like home. Matt said he took care of you on the contracts, none of us want you to be obligated to be in a position that you need anyone but yourself.”“Thanks Adam”, he bent down as hugged me.

I followed him back inside realizing he was the last one leaving. As I walked him out Jay came out of the kitchen. “Everything okay? “ he said . “ Yeah, it’s what we do, we sit in silence, sometimes it’s a big conversation, sometimes it’s nothing.Its nice knowing someone is there.” I walked towards him his arms opened and pulled me in.

“So you’re in love me” he said softly, “ I am” I answered back.

I pull back and I’m trying to read his face, “”Are you okay ? I didn’t mean for you to hear that, I’m not trying to…”

“ Sweetheart , that was the best part of my day, I need you to know that. In answer to your question no I’m not okay, Kenny got under my skin again. He’s just a smug son of a bitch. “

I took his hand and led him to the couch I sat down, “ Sit down in front of me. I’m going to take care of you but go ahead and keep talking.” He sat down between my legs and faced the fire in the hearth. I began running my fingers through his hair massaging his scalp. “ He’s always been a dick, he was so mad when I wouldn’t join his club , he couldn’t stand that I wouldn’t bow to the great Kenny Omega. That I could do more outside of his shadow that I didn’t need his approval, I had Okadas. That’s when my game began to take what was his. Today when he started in on you that was it. “ I pull his hair a little bit just enough to break his tension, “That feels good. it’s been along time since someone took care of me. Sure there were women but they all wanted the character, not me. I got to the point I looked forward to the dinners you’d make in that tiny apartment, the way you’d stream terrible television, the way you’d watch AEW studying it, but also buying completely in. “ I move my hand to the back of his neck rubbing the knots out of his neck, he groaned, then continued “ I’ve been in love with you for years. Your selfless nature, your kind heart, the way you’d support and comfort all of us. I loved the way you put the jacket on me before I went out to the ring, the way you’d take care of me when I was injured . You’d listen to me rant, scream and breakdown.” He reached back and took my hands off his neck and turned around kneeling in front of me. “Marry Me, I mean will you marry me?”

I gasped at his words, my brain processing everything he said tears came down my face, “ Yes Jay I will.”

[envyangelic]

꩜˚₊‧⁺⋆♱⋆☠︎︎ CHANGES ☠︎︎⋆♱⋆⁺‧₊ ˚ ꩜

♱ JEFF THE KILLER X READER ♱

WARNING 18+ - THIS CONTENT CONTAINS DESCRIPTIVE GORE, MURDER, MENTIONS OF CANNIBALISM, MENTIONS OF SA, ATTEMPTED SA, USE/MENTIONS OF DRUGS/ALCOHOL, STALKING, SMUT, AND VULGARITIES. YOU’VE BEEN WARNED

PART ii of the CHANGES series

YOU HAD TO GET AWAY, it was run away or succumb to the consequences. You felt helpless as you hurriedly packed a bag of clothes, whatever money you had left from waitressing, and whatever else had any sentinel value.

You stuffed it in and zipped it tight. You let out an aching cry gripping the fabric of your clothes. A few knocks pound on your wooden door. You let out a panicked huff and wipe your tears.

“Y/N?” The familiar sound of your fathers slurred drunken words seep into your ears and your body freezes in place. The clicking of the handle tries to twist and open but you’ve locked it so it’s no use. His slurred speech varieties he’s concerned, he’s angry, he’s upset, and then he stops. His words drain out as your headache becomes worse. It aches as the world drowns out around you. God, why did you do it? What are you doing..

<——————————————————>

The mindless driving and empty feeling of your heart. The stomach was eating at you you hadn’t eaten anything ‘good’ for a few days. You tried to reserve water the best you could but all your cash went towards gas money. You looked in the mirror above you, a new you, a new hair cut, a new color, an innocent you.

You sigh as you turn your radio up. It was fine for a while, you’d just entered Oregon a few hours ago and had been traveling on the backroads trying to stay away from the main ones. The ride is smooth for the next half hour until your car rattles with a unfamiliar sound. That and the combation of your headache makes you bang your hand with your head.

“God damnit!” And that makes angry tears slip from your eyes and down your cheeks. Everything is going wrong, all in a span of days your world has corrupted and fallen apart. You have fallen apart. Tears turn into sobs and the world becomes practically non existent as you try to rest your head on the steering wheel for just a minute.. just a minute..

“Hello? Hey” You were being shaken awake by a mysterious hand. A sound of a loud non stopping horn irritates your head as you pick your head up from the steering wheel squinting your eyes trying to make out the people infront of you. Your heart quickens.. please don’t know my face.

A boy with dark curly hair and a cigarette hanging out of his mouth and another boy with white blonde hair stares at you concerned. “Are you okay?” The blonde one asks. You wipe your eyes, “I’m fine.” They look at you with curiosity “Do you need anything? You don’t look like you’re in good shape miss.” The blonde recalls and put your hand on the steering wheel and bow your head avoiding the skeptical gaze of their eyes.

“I’m FINE.” You exclaim trying to start the engine. It only revs up not turning on. No.. no! . The blonde one turns around whispering something. “We can’t just leave her here. She looks like your age. The black curly haired one side glances you. “You can and you will.” You give the key one more turn and the engine completely shuts off.

The curly haired boy grumbles “Listen lady, your engine isn’t working and you look fucking awful so we can’t leave you here.” The blonde one winces at the choice of words but the curly haired one continues “Do you want us to call somebody? A ambulance? Cops?” The word cops make you jump up. You’ve gotten this far, you can’t just go back and falter.

“NO! I just.. need help with my car!” You sigh panicky and the curly haired boy shrugs his shoulders flicking the cigarette on the ground. His posture becomes sluggish and his shoulders lay back, “Alright. Well the only option you have left is letting me check the car out.” You nod your head.

“That would be.. helpful.” You mutter and the boy comes closer to the window. You turn your head looking at yourself in the rear view mirror. Your hair is chopped and shittly dyed a different color. Purple crescent moons accompany under your eyes. You do look awful.. “What’s your name?” He asks and your hands clamp the steering wheel in anxiety. You bow your head down not telling him, it’s too risky for now.

His eyes travel around the car to the front seat next to you. A bunch of opened candy wrappers litter the seat. The only thing you’ve been trying to survive on since your money started running low and you started dedicating it to gas money. All candy was from Halloween that you stuffed in your bag and didn’t remember it was there. “Fine. I’ll just call you ‘Pez’ since you have such a sweet tooth.” You let out a groan “Okay, fine.” Silence fills the stuffy air around you. Fuck this car..

“Will you help now?” They both nod “I’m Mason.” The blondie says and then points to the curly haired boy. “I’m Elijah.”

<—————————————————————>

 

Cold ice was pressed against your head. Mason tries to stop the bleeding from the back of your head with a cold ice rag. He doesn’t think your nose is broken and checked it a thousand times.but thinks you have a concussion.

Elijah sits across from you with his hands fidgeting. You can tell he’s stressed, you speak up “Elijah, it’s not your fault.” Elijah shifts uncomfortably. “I shouldn’t have taken us there. I’m sorry.” He apologizes trying not to make eye contact. He never really apologizes like this so you know he’s feeling guilty. He doesn’t apologize directly at least. He usually just subtly helps you a lot more, that was his way of sorry.

“You didn’t expect that would happen it’s not your fault.” You try to lift mood feeling bad for your friend who’s taking most of the guilt. His eyes just shift downwards at those words. You try something else “I’ll forgive you if you take my shift tonight?”

Elijah’s guilty face lights up a bit by the joke and a smile curled the side of his lips. “I always uphold my end of the deal.”

<————————————————->

You stay at their house not daring to go to yours. Also because Elijah insisted on it. He doesn’t want you getting hurt again. It’s not like you live too far anyway just a few houses down. Their house is way nicer than yours and they actually own it thanks to Mason’s rich mom and dad.

Your house is just a shitty rental house. It has one floor, one bedroom, one kitchen, one bathroom, one living room. One everything thats shitty has flaws to it. Elijah was the one who set you up with that house. He said it was cheapest you could get it and it’s better than nothing. He’s right.

Mason goes to sleep early probably because he was so stressed. Stressed about Elijah and what happened. Masons anxious about everything. Especially about Elijah and you. He’s constantly asking if you two need help with anything. You on one hand overworks all the time and Elijah on the other hand has his own set of problems. Elijah tried to give him blank details, he only said that we walked in the wrong house where we didn’t belong and got chased out. You wouldn’t want someone in your house either would you?

But his face, his unforgettable horrifying smile. You wrap your arms around yourself in a self inducing hug, you couldn’t think about this any longer or you’d go crazy. You turned the tv on for a while it just played stupid cartoons nothing worth watching l. Then you changed it to the news, that’s when the anxiety started. The news went from ‘recent weather’ to ‘recent killings. The killings got closer and closer to your small like stop town. Your mind stirs with fear.

The door lock clicking scares the shit out of you and pulls you out of your fearful thoughts. The door opens to reveal Elijah in his uniform. His eyes are tired but he notices you still up. “Hey Y/N.” He groggily mutters and motions you to come outside with him.

You watch his back turn and open the front door. You grab your coat hanging off the couch and tug it around your body.

You step outside onto the small wooden deck of their house. Elijah lights up a cigarette taking a drag. “I didn’t tell Mason everything. He’d be even more stressed than he already is.”

You understand what means by that. Mason stresses over stuff really easily. His college work already has him drowned in anxiety and if he knew every detail about today he’d be drowning in paranoia as well.

“He also didn’t you see that you got pinned down by that… freaky fuck. He was too busy starting the car and tonight when he asked about your injuries I lied and said you fell from the stairs..” Elijah confesses. “It’s been a fucked up day. I just hope that… thing didn’t follow us.”

Elijah’s eye brows furrow when you say the last part. “Thing?” He asks and you nod slowly “Elijah, he had this smile carved into his face. Didn’t you see it? When you he attacked you?” His eyes jitter and he crosses his arms in a concerned manner.

“No, he had a surgical mask on. All I saw was his eyes.” He presses his cigarette into the ash tray on the banner of the porch. You scrunch your eyes up trying to rid the picture of the man with the scarred face. “His… his face it was like carved into a smile.” Elijah’s eyes widen when you say that.

“I wish this was all a fucked up nightmare.” You mumble turning to the other side of the road where the forest’s tree stand tall and eerie. You feel Elijah’s eyes shift of yours and towards the trees. The coldness turns your warm face into a flushed pink. The silence is filled with the crumbly leaves from the trees crinkling together. You hear Elijah sigh. He lifts his arm and places a reassuringly hand on your shoulder. “It’ll be okay.”

<————————————————————>

It was okay. A few weeks flew by without seeing the man again. Thankfully, you’ve healed from your wounds and life has been back to normal. As normal as it could get.

The same old same old, rationing the little money you had for food and gas money. Picking up any shift you could and dealing with the rowdy regulars that drank til midnight. You would force a smile and drunken them up even more in hopes of petty tips.

Mason had gone from stressing about Elijah’s safety back to stressing about school. And Elijah… he stopped giving a fuck after two days. You were still paranoid but after a week of nothing happening you decided to retire from stressing. Every now and then the man’s face plagued your dreams.

Worrying was a normal thing. There was lots of thing to worry about money, your job, your friends, and everything catching up to you.

But stressing, stressing was worse. Stressing about someone who really isn’t there. But you got over it, you had to. You have a shift tonight four - eleven.

You quickly shower and blow dry your hair. Then you put on some light makeup and your signature hairstyle. You’re content with the somewhat efforts for work. Picking up your car keys you lock the door and make your way to your car.

You had to make one stop to pick up Elijah. The car pulls out of the driveway and skids down the road towards Elijah’s house. You pull into the driveway and Elijah is already ready sitting on the porch’s step.

He’s occupied with his phone, you smirk to yourself. You push your fist into the car’s horn causing a loud noise to erupt and Elijah to jump up. When he notices it’s your car his lips tug into a smile and his posture returns to its sluggish form.

“Har. Har. You’re just so fucking funny.” He sarcastically remarks. “Hello to you too sunshine.” He turns clicking the seatbelt in.

“Where’s Mason?” You ask and Elijah twists the radio on. “Studying all day. Some important tests coming up. You pull out of the driveway. “He always has imporant tests, does that boy ever get a break?” “Nope.” The rest of the car ride is filled with small talk.

The beginning of the shift is normal like usual . It’s steady only a few people coming in every hour. A few hours through around nine Elijah walks outside for a break. You can already tell what he’s doing. He comes back in fucking stoned.

You side eye him. He shakes it off. He doesn’t seem too bad though. He still gets the orders right and even becomes a bit more useful. (Now that his mind is stimulated)The night becomes less steady even dead and only a few people are left in the bar around 1030.

An older gray woman who sits on a stool down the bar island. Fidgeting with the chunky rings on her wrinkly fingers. And A guy with a navy blue hoodie on and black jeans whom was waited on by Elijah and ordered a few beers. You didn’t pay attention to him, he wasn’t your responsibility.

Elijah’s phone starts to ring and he pulls it out of his pocket answering it. You can make out a few words like “What’s wrong? Too much school work? I’ll be home in a bit don’t worry.” You can already tell where this is going .

“Pez, would you do me a huge favor.” Elijah begs “What is it?” You groan out “Mason is really stressed with work, do you mind if I leave you to closing?” You think for a few and reluctantly agree to it. You were a bit still paranoid about the incident a few weeks back. But you shrug it off and the possibilities of anything happening like that again.

It didn’t nerve you too much as you wave him a goodbye. “Cya, Pez.” Elijah clocks out and leaves through the bar exit. Leaving you with the older woman and the man with the hood above his head. You can handle the rest of the night, right?

[mlovesstories]

Coughing and Spilling the Tea

Summary: Jensen’s daughter knows something he doesn’t.  And she can’t wait to tell him.  

Words: None

Warnings: none

“Dad!” YN yelled for Jensen.  “I have something to tell you!” She grinned as he walked into the living room.  

“Can’t talk! Emergency at the brewery!” He called behind him as he stepped through the garage door.  “Talk later!” 

“Ungh.” YN sighed in disappointment.  “Whatever.” 

“So, what’s the big news? I’m here, you can tell me!” Jared walked in and sat down next to her on the couch.  

“Hi!” YN gasped.  “Were you charmed into hanging out with me tonight?” YN laughed.  

“I wanted to.  Haven’t seen my little punk in a while.”

“I saw you yesterday.” YN tilted her head in curiosity.  

“You know what I mean.  Just me and you.”

“Oh! In that case, can we pig out on pizza and ice cream and watch terrible movies please?  Is he going to be gone for a while?” Her face went from excitement to sadness quickly.  

“It may be a while.  You tell me your good news and then I will answer your question,” he winked.  “I won’t tell your dad, promise.” 

“I heard that Danneel Harris was working on a project in Austin, and she wants to “cross paths” with my dad!  OOOOOOoooo!” YN giggled.  

Jared rolled his eyes.  

“And where did you hear that?” 

“So you have heard it too!” YN gasped.  

“For the record, no, I had not heard that.”

“You know how it is here.  Plus- the kids I go to school with are all famous people and who are in town since their parents seem to have connections and know everyone.”

“You want them to date,” Jared sighed.  “Look-”

“Yes, I want them to date.  I’ve met her, and she is nice! They would get along great! Gen knows her, right? I’m going to go ask her what she thinks.” 

“Nope, you’re staying right here.” Jared put his foot between her and the pathway to the door.  “We have pizza to order and a movie to watch.” 

YN’s face fell. 

“Gen is having a self-care night anyway.  She’s had a long week.  You can ask her later.” 

His niece grumbled and sat back down.  

“Fine,” she huffed.  

After an evening of fun activities, Jensen was still not home.  Jared spent the night at the Ackles’ home because of it.  

“I’m fourteen!  I’ll be fine!  Plus, you guys live next door, and I have my radio you gave me.” 

She dangled the two-way radio in front of him.

“I told your dad I would.  It’s fine.” 

During the night, he heard her coughing from her room.  

“Hey, you okay?” He knocked lightly and slowly opened the door. 

“Yeah,” YN rasped.  

He walked closer to her as she coughed again.  

Jared felt her forehead.  

“Yikes,” he hummed to himself.  “Where is the humidifier? Take off all those blankets, it will help with your fever.” 

“I don’t have a fever.” YN turned away from him.  “I’m fine.” 

“Wrong answer.  Let’s go, chop, chop.” 

“The humidifier is in the hall closet.” YN coughed again. 

“I’ll be right back.” Jared walked out of her room.  

He heard her groan and cough all night long.  The next morning, her dad was asleep in his room, but Jared was still on high alert for what she needed.  

“Your dad got home super late last night.  He’s resting.  Would you like met to get you some tea?” 

YN sat up in her bed.  

“That would be great,” she whispered.  

YN heard the sound of voices chatting from the kitchen.  

Dad’s awake.  And home.  

YN smiled to herself. 

“Here,” Jared slowly handed her a coffee mug with Sam Winchester on it.  

“Of course you would choose that one,” YN grinned before turning away and coughing.  

“I’m going to go home and have breakfast with Gen.  Feel better,” he kissed the top of her head and exited the room.  

A few minutes later, her dad rushed in with a wrinkled forehead and jaw clenched. 

“Jared said you wanted to spill the tea! Why would you do that? It would make a mess and leave a stain!” Jensen crossed his arms and stood tall.  

YN’s eyebrows scrunched as she tried to figure out what he was saying.  

“I’m drinking the tea because my throat hurts.  I have no reason to spill the-” YN giggled.  “OH! It’s a saying, you weirdo!  It means gossip!” 

A look of relief washed over him.  He pulled a chair close to her bed.  

“And what’s that?” 

“Your new girlfriend is shooting a movie here! I heard she wants to hang out with you while she is here.” 

“Who?” Jensen sat up, confused.  

“Danneel!” 

@metalfangirl​ @squirrelnotsam

Forevers: 

@katymacsupernatural  @unicornblood4ever  

@fangirl-moment-x  @empirialwolf @winchesters-favorite-girl

@super100012  @percywinchester27  @waywardsuns  @supernatural-jackles  

@mcallmestiles @sdavid09  @kingandrear  @bellero @skylarraker

@seality​​​​​ @jaycc7983​​​ @luci-in-trenchcoats​​​

@cherryblossomflowers​​ @because-you-never-know-when​

@sleepylunarwolf​ @choosemyname​

@internationalmusicteacher​ @mersuperwholocked-lowlife​

@encounterthepast​  @torn-and-frayed​

@giggles1026​ @xiumin-girl99​

@mangueweaschester​

@idksupernatural​  @silverstripe101a​

@thevelvetseries​ @samsgirl93​   @supernatural3002​ *

* @breereadsthings​ *

@vicmc624​ @hookedinto-fictionalworlds​   @beatifuldisaster018​

@miraclesoflove​ @myopiamystical​ 

@waywardnewcomer​  

@akshi8278​  

[panthera-tigris-venenata]

Late night talks. Some Emotions, too, butthat depends on whom are you asking.

Written together with @hannahhook7744

Previous parts

Later that night, Chad turned his phone back on and was surprised to see that he had a call from his little sister, Chloe.

He made a face, wondering why the 10 year old had been calling him from her cell phone instead of the landline like she usually did.

So, he called her back after Audrey left the room to change into her pajamas. 

"Hello—"

"Chad, Chad, Chad—" Chloe rambled quietly,  excitedly and he could practically see her bouncing on the balls of her feet.

Chad couldn’t help but smile at that.

"What’s up, you little monster?" he asked her.

"Hey! I’m not little! I’m ten!" she protested and he could very clearly picture her pouting.

"Very little. Small as a pebble," he teased her some more.

"Am not. " She pouted. "Anyways…. Why were you at the port earlier?"

"I was visiting some friends," he answered, before catching his thoughts: "How do you know I was at the port? Were you there?! You know it could be dangerous!"

He couldn’t help but spiral into overthinking.

Thinking about everything that could have gone wrong.

About everything that could have hurt his sickly little sister who'd been born with a heart defect. 

"I wasn't. Glauco and Red saw you there with Hadie's cousin." Chloe replied, trying to make him feel better. 

It didn't work.

"Anyway. Did you not tell us you were going there cause it's a secret and you might get in trouble? Cause we won't tell if it's a secret or if it will get you in trouble—" 

"It’s not a secret," said Chad, swallowing the question of what was Glauco doing at the port. As he knows Auntie Snow, she will not be pleased with that.

"You can tell whoever you like."

And the trouble part, well.

Audrey seems to be actively going for that, and who is he to argue?

"Okay! When are you coming home? I miss you!" The younger asked, stifling a yawn. 

"I’ll visit soon, yeah?" Chad promised, and immediately dropped into a worried rant, because how come she’s awake so late in the night? She should just go to sleep if she’s tired, and no, she can’t stay up as late as him –

"Okay. I love you."

She was quiet for a few minutes, causing him to think briefly that she had fallen asleep.

" Hey Chad?"

"Hmm?"

He really hoped she was okay.

"What’s up?"

"Do you think Grandpa was scared when he died?" She asked hesitantly, sounding uncharacteristically small. Making Chad wondering if she had overheard something recently that she wasn't supposed to.

"Why would you ever ask that, Chloe?"

She knew how much their grandfather meant to him. 

"I heard mama crying about my heart. She and daddy are scared I won't get to be as big as you." Chloe said, sounding the smallest bit defeated. "I don't know why. The doctor said I was fine the last time we went."

"Then you’re gonna be fine," answered Chad as firmly as he could,"Your doctor is very good and knows what he’s doing. Mom and dad you worry because they love you, yeah? They’re your parents, it’s their job to worry, even if there is nothing wrong going on."

Chad could relate to that deep worry and constant overthinking, the never-ending what-ifs.

"You’re going to be fine, sweetheart," he repeated, "Do you want to talk about something else before you fall asleep?"

She yawned again "no. I think I should go to bed before mama comes to check on me. I don't want you to get in trouble. "

"Okay, then. Goodnight, and don’t let the bed bugs bite you. Love you."

"Goodnight, Chad! I’m definitely not thinking about death anymore, thanks, and I love you too, bubba."

Chad sighed as Chloe hung up. Wondering what the hell his parents were thinking of having that conversation when Chloe was still awake as he put his phone on charge and got comfortable on the couch. 

Audrey knocked at the doorframe and when she didn’t hear any protests from Chad, she let herself in: She heard him talking on the phone and didn’t want to intrude.

She was carrying two glasses with sparkly soft pink liquid inside.

"Chad? You okay?" she asked when she saw his dejected expression.

"Fine. A bit miffed at my parents and pissed at God but that's nothing new." 

He sat up, accepting a glass from her. 

"What about you? Are you alright?"

"I’m doing fine, thank you for asking!" Audrey replied a bit too cheerfully and sipped her drink, "Wait, I think I switched our glasses."

She took the other glass and dared Chad to comment. "I can’t wait for the show to start—just imagine how my grandma will look when she finds out!"

"You'll be happy to know that I put the dominoes in place then." Chad said, sipping on his own drink. Not even bothering to hide his mischievous smile. 

Audrey matched his smile as she leaned forward and asked him to tell her more.

………Line Break…….

The crew was all waiting in the dining area on their ship, all with some form of alcohol in hand as Gonzo passed out the food that their chef mate had made. All of them more than a little curious to know if their Captain had actually agreed to the two royals' deal. 

All of their eyes kept darting to where She, Gil, and Harry were sitting and the three leaders were more aware of that fact than they let on.

But eventually, it got annoying.

Uma stabbed her knife to the table, thus effectively gaining the attention of her crew.

"I can see you chewing at your tongues, you knaves," she said, and then she smiled: "We said yes to her deal."

Silence still hung over the room, as barely anyone knew what to make of her statement.

"And if you disastrous lot can behave yourself, well, we’ve got quite a lot of people to get off their seats. And we’re taking suggestions."

The cheers broke out then.

They were almost deafening and still, Uma and her boys smiled.

This was gonna be fun. 

[saratinz]

Maneater (Chapter 8)

pairing ➩ Ex!Bucky Barnes x Promiscuous!Reader (College AU)

series warnings ➩ drinking, asshole!Bucky, enemies to lovers, exes to lovers, love triangle, smut, slut shaming, cursing

chapter warnings ➩ cursing, slut shaming, mentions sex, reader is roofied (nothing bad happens)

synopsis ➩ Y/n goes to the hospital.

word count ➩ 1k

Peter stays silent for a while, digesting everything you just told him. “Hey, you wanna go to a party.”

“You really want to go after what happened last night.”

“I mean, yeah. We spent all this time talking about me, it’s time to do something for you.”

“Well, sure.” The two of you hung out for hours, becoming the most unlikely of friends. You went more in depth about what has unfolded in the last week, and he told you about his crush on a girl named MJ.

“Hey, we should call ourselves ‘the freshie and the whore’. And there should be a book written about us.”

“I don’t love that name, Y/n.”

“It’s okay, we can workshop it.” The two of you have now gotten to the party. 

“Hey Y/n.” It’s the third to last person you want to see, besides Bucky and Steve.

“Hi, Jane.” You say, trying to dial back the awkwardness.

“I just wanted to say that, I forgive you. We all make mistakes, and even though you made a really big one, I can’t hold that against you forever. So here’s a peace offering.” She hands you a drink. You look for Peter, but when you don’t see him, you figure he ran off to avoid this strange interaction. You take a sip.

“Okay, thank you for understanding, I know what I did was super shitty. And I know it was really hard for you, so I really appreciate this.” You take another sip. Not wanting to ruin this, you walk away, quickly downing the whole drink to deal with whatever the fuck just happened. 

You start to feel super dizzy, but there’s no way you could be drunk. Your brain feels like it’s on fire, despite the fact that you are getting really cold. Your thoughts moving so fast that you are never able to retain a single thought for more than a couple of seconds. Oh shit. You were drugged. Jane roofied you.

You are desperately trying to find someone, anyone, who you knew would never take advantage of you. That’s when you spot him. Bucky is standing alone in a corner, with a drink in hand. You stumble over to him, hoping to get there before you inevitably pass out. “Bucky!” You flash a dopey smile.

“Hey sweetheart, you alright?” You wrap your arms around his neck

“Nope.” He looks concerned.

“What’s wrong?”

“I was drugged.” You slur your words.

“Wait, what?”

You giggle. “Yeah I need to go hospital.”

“Shit!” He groans as you faint in his arms. He hurriedly picks you up bridal style, and walks with you all the way to his car. He doesn’t care that he’s speeding because you are the most important thing right now. When you get to the hospital, he stays by your side every step of the way. He doesn’t know who you want to wake up to, he just knows it’s not him. He calls Steve, figuring he’s one step above the guy who broke you, twice.

“Steve, hey, Y/n’s in the hospital.”

“What’s wrong?”

“She was roofied, but I don’t want her to wake up to find the guy she hates is the only one with her. Please come.”

“Are you dumb? She hates me too.”

“No Steve, she thinks you’re an asshole, but she has real feelings for you. And it would be really nice if you were here for her. Don’t you want a chance to be with her again?”

“Fine, I’m coming.”

“Alright I’ll text you the room number. Bye.”

“See you soon.” He hangs up

“Mmmmm.” You groan. 

“Hey, doll, you awake?” 

“Can you hold me?” 

“Sure.” He stands up from his chair to take his shoes off. Scooting you a little bit to the left, he gets in bed with you. You hum as his arms envelope you in their warmth.

“Mmmm, Bucky.” He melts at the use of his nickname. When you fall asleep again, he carefully removes himself from the cramped twin bed. It takes 30 minutes for Steve to get to the hospital, and that makes Bucky furious. 

“What the fuck took you so long?”

“I had to do some shit, okay?” That is not the answer Bucky was going for, and he smells alcohol on the blonde’s breath, but he drops it. “Why do you care so much about her anyway? She’s never gonna do anything else for you.”

“Shut the fuck up, you asshole. She’s a good girl.”

“Yeah, in bed.”

“You came to have a chance with her, right?”

“Maybe to sleep with her again.” He shrugs.

“You remember I dated her, right? She cares. You’d be lucky to be with her.”

“What? Are you in love with her or something?”

“No!” He startles you awake

“Bucky?” You ask, still out of it. He gestures at Steve to take over.

“It’s Steve, actually.”

“Oh, hi Steve.” You give him a slight smile, your eyes still closed.

“Hey, are you feeling okay?”

“Yeah, y’know what sucks though?”

“What’s that?”

“When the person you love hates you.”

“I don’t hate you, Y/n.”

“I wasn’t talking about you.” The room falls silent. “Can you get Bucky?”

“You love Bucky?”

“Shhh, don’t tell him.”

“She’s all yours, Buck. I’m done with her bullshit. Waste of my fucking time.” He storms out.

“It’s okay honey, I’m right here. He’s just tired.”

“Okay. Wait did you hear all that?”

“Umm, yeah.”

“Whoops.”

“Do you need anything?”

“Just, I have one question.”

“What is it, doll?”

“That night we had sex, you convinced me Steve was this great thing I was just throwing away for nothing, but you knew he was using me. I guess I've just been wonder why you said those things.”

“I didn’t know how to tell you, I just knew I needed to stop you from seeing him. So I tried to scare you away, and I know how bad that sounds. I just, I couldn’t break your heart again.” His eyes well up, and he grabs your hand. “But I will never lie to you again, I promise.”

“Pinky swear?” He lets out an adorable laugh.

“Yes, hun, I pinky swear.”

Previous chapter / Masterlist / Next chapter

taglist:

@cjand10, @afraidofshrimp

[selfless1978]

Well, looky there......

<previous

next>

"Don't go, Mommy." little Amy pouted. "Stay and color with me. Please?"

Her mother smiled. The only time her hard features softened, her iron core melted, was with her children. They alone were allowed to see the soft side, the side that had once dominated her personality.

Vicky sat in a garden chair next to Amy and scooted a bit closer to see what her daughter was coloring. Dennis was not far away flying a drone, his tongue stuck out in concentration as he flew it. It was a new toy for him, something the six year old was determined to learn how to fly.

"That's very pretty." Vicky complimented the piece of art on the table. Of course it was of her toy, Greenie. Was probably about her fiftieth one. "You going to hang it with the rest?"

"Uh huh!" the child beamed, and her mother laughed.

"We're running out of room on the wall."

Amy's face scrunched up as she thought about the dilemma. "Can we hang it in your room then?"

"Sure." Vicky affectionately ruffled the curly mop, and got the predictable grumble and glare. "But I really have to go for a bit."

Amy's face suddenly got gloomy. "But I don't like it when you go."

"I know, pumpkin. But I need to work if we are going to have what we need."

"Can't you just make your own money?"

"I wish." Vicky laughed again. "It doesn't quite work that way, sweetie."

"Will you be gone long?"

"Not this time, Amy. I'll be back late tonight."

"Okaay." Amy pouted.

"You be good for Greg and the others, okay? I love you." Vicky kissed her daughter's cheek. Then she went to say goodbye to Dennis.

Soon after, the children were left alone in the huge house and gardens with the huge amounts of security Vicky's employer provided.

Amy and Dennis loved the house and all, but they didn't really like the men. They were no fun, and a bit mean. Both really wished their mom didn't have to work so much.

None of them noticed the set of blue eyes watching them.

The sun finally began to set and the two bored kiddos enjoyed a simple meal of mac and cheese and hot dogs the cook made for them. A long day was finally winding down.

Amy was tired, and she really didn't want to linger with Greg. So it was soon after dark when she climbed into her bed. Dennis managed to stay up until bedtime.

The balcony door to Amy's room opened silently and a huge figure moved soundlessly into the room. He paused to look around to get familiar with the room. Quickly he moved to the door and locked it, then easily picked up the heavy dresser and set it against the door, then grinned a grin full of mischief.

He busied himself with something before carefully approaching the bed.

The stranger paused as he thought about his next move. He had to be very careful now. One wrong move would bring the entire house down around his ears. His eyes set on her mountain of stuffed animals and an idea struck him. He quickly picked out two that caught his attention and hid behind the footboard of the bed.

Amy was quietly woken up by a soft, high pitched noise. It sounded like something from a cartoon. She sat up, rubbing her eyes. then they widened. At the foot of her bed, her stuffed turtle was moving on its own! It was moving! And the strange noise was coming from it! It took the child a moment to notice that it was talking to her stuffed frog.

"No, no, no!" the turtle was saying as it bobbed around. "I told you! If we go there, it'd be way more cooler than this stuffy place!"

"But, what if it isn't?" Frog asked.

"Why don't we ask her if we can go? turtle suggested. "I bet she'd love that! We would have so much fun! And make new friends! These guys here are boring."

The conversation continued with Amy watching in open mouthed astonishment. Then she giggled aloud when turtle finally got fed up and started beating up frog.

The noise made both stop and turn to face her. "Hey! She's awake!" turtle bobbed around happily. "Now we can ask her!"

"Ask me what?" Amy was getting curious now.

"If you wanted to go somewhere awesome!"

"I don't know if my Mommy would let me."

"Awww" Turtle sounded sad now. Amy hadn't meant to make it sad. "What if we left her a note saying where we were? That wouldn't make her wonder where you were."

Amy was wavering. She probably shouldn't go. But she was desperately bored here.

"What if I showed you something awesome right now?"

"Okay!" That, Amy could accept.

"Gotta promise not to scream."

"I promise!'

The toys disappeared and something else came up. A domed head. It had an orange band wrapped over it's eyes.

Amy's eyes grew wide and she inhaled.

"You promised!"

Amy held her scream.

"I'm not going to hurt you. I promise. I just wanted to be friends with you." A bit more of the head came up. And the smile was friendly on the wide mouth. "My name's Mikey, what's yours?"

"Amy." The young girl tilted her head at the strange thing. She still wasn't sure what to do.

Mikey waved at the window, and then Dennis came in from the balcony. He was grinning too. "It's a huge turtle, Sissy!"

"Really?" Her curiosity began to rise. "Show me!"

Mikey stood up fully, that friendly grin still on his face. Then he bowed formally. "Michelangelo the awesome turtle, at your service madam."

"This is so cool!" Amy squealed and clapped her hands in glee.

"Cool, is my specialty." He winked at her after he straightened. "You should come and hang out at my place so I can show you the full extent of my coolness. Both of you."

"I don't know....." Dennis hesitated.

"My brother has a drone that is waaaay bigger than yours you can fly.

The boy's eyes grew wide with excitement.

"But what about Mommy?" Amy brought up again.

"I tell you what, little lady. You come hang out with us, and when she gets back we'll bring her too. How does that sound?"

The children exchanged a unsure look between them.

"Unless you'd rather stay here in boredom town with these clowns. They don't seem like any fun at all. Compared to this place, my place is like chucky cheese on steroids." The turtle assured them.

Twenty minutes later, Leo watched with an amused smile and shake of his head as Mikey returned. The boy walking by his side talking excitedly about drones and race cars and all kinds of fancy toys. The little girl was in his arm, her head on his shoulder and already dozing off. In Mikey's other hand he carried a few bags of clothes and toys.

He winked at Leo as the older brother opened the door to the borrowed van for him to set Amy inside.

Something in Leo began to wake as he watched Mikey get the kids settled in. He couldn't quite describe it. They were happy children, easily talking to the youngest turtle. Their smiling faces causing a warm smile of his own to form.

Amy turned then to him, her little face having to look high to meet his gaze. "What's your name?"

"Leonardo, and yours?"

"I'm Amy! That's my brother, Dennis! We're going to your house!"

Leo chuckled a bit. "Well, it's not exactly a house......"

"It's not?" she looked a bit confused.

"You'll see!" Mikey grinned. "It's even better than a house."

Amy hopped a few times in her seat. Excitement clear to see on her face.

Leo walked around and slid into the driver's seat, his blue eyes watching in the rearview mirror as Mikey finished up getting them ready to go.

His gaze wandered frequently to that mirror as he drove. It was a bit of a drive, so he had time to think about what he now had in the vehicle. These two children, failed by the systems supposedly there to protect them. Their mother finally pushed past her own limits because of that system. He thought about the life they would have if their mother was imprisoned, or worse, killed.

Any doubts he may have had about this quickly vanished as his eyes watched the now sleeping children in the back seat. They were so young, so innocent, and still had been through so much.

No more. Leo would make damn sure of that. That strange feeling became stronger. He still couldn't put a word on it yet, but he knew these children needed something sturdy, dependable and safe.

The entire family needed a guardian.

@raphsweapondealer @raisin-shell @turtle-babe83 @avery73

[yourimagines]

Darkness p.4

* English is not my first language I apologise

* Triggers: Swearing, Angst, fluff

Y/N POV

Nina changed my way of thinking about her brother Nate completely. Yes he’s good looking but I never had a crush like this. ‘Ugh it’s all her fault.’ I lay on my bed, looking at the ceiling. ‘Three days and they are back, she’s never going to accept it if he even likes me back.’ I was fiddling with my fingers as I heard something hit my window. I looked up and slowly walked over my window. Nate was standing there in dark clothes. I opened my window and popped my head out. “Hey, this is the wrong house.” I joked, he laughs. “I know, can I come in?” ‘Weird but okay.’ “Yeah sure, I open the back door for you.” “Thanks.” I closed the door and quickly puts some joggers on. I run downstairs and opened the back door for him.

“Thanks.” He walked in and I closed the door again. “I’m sorry I hope I didn’t wake you up.” I shook my head. “No I was awake, it’s fine tho.” He nods. He was still wearing his hood up, covering the most of his face. “Are you okay?” “Yeah I’m fine.” His whole body language told me different. “You sure you look hurt.” He slightly shrugged his shoulders. “Nate is there a reason you’re here and not at your own place.” He looks down. I slowly pulled his hood down. His face was beaten up, covered in bruises, his eye swollen and his lip was busted open. “Nate.” I gasped. “What happened, who did this.” “Nothing I’m okay, I got jumped nothing serious.” I carefully went over his swollen eye. “Nate..” he smiled at me. “I’m okay.. I promise.” His beaten up hand cupped my face, his thumb caressing my cheek. “I can’t go home now, Nick will explode if he sees me now.” I nodded. “You can stay if you want.” “You sure?” He looked around the kitchen. “Yes it’s fine, they are not here.” He nods. “Do you have some ice for my face?” “Yes of course.” I walked immediately over to the freezer. I pulled out an ice pack and wrapped an towel around it. “Here, let me help you.” I slightly placed it against his face. His hands wraps around mine. “Thank you.” His fingers entwined mine. We both were looking at each other. I started to get shy and looked away. “Let’s go to my room, its a more comfortable than the kitchen.” He nods as I lead us the way to my room.

We both were laying in my bed, he was wearing his joggers as I was wearing my pyjamas. “You sure, I can sleep on the sofa.” “It’s fine your injured.” He chuckles and moves to get comfortable. “Is it okay I put my arm like this.” He wrapped his arm around me. “Sure.” I felt butterflies in my stomach. He was laying close to me, the smell of his parfum was surrounding me. ‘He smells so nice.’ “Does it hurt?” I carefully turned around to face him. “What?” “Your face?” My hand went up to his bruised face. “No.. I’m used to it.” My fingers softly traced his face. “Why..?” I whispered. His arm was now tracing softly my back, along my spine. “It’s what I’m good at..” he whispered softly back. My heart was racing as we were so close with our faces. I looked into his eyes and shyly smiled. “Why are you shy? It’s it because of me?” Nate’s other hand went to my face, cupping one side. I felt the heat in my cheeks and looked away. “Maybe..” he carefully lifted my chin up, looking back at him again. “Don’t be shy, I’m not going to hurt you.” His thumb slowly went over my lips. My hands were resting on his bare, bruised chest. ‘He’s nervous too.’ I felt his fastened heartbeat under my sweaty palms. “Can I kiss you?” He whispered out. “Yes..” I whispered back at him. He slowly pulls me in and kissed me tenderly. Our lips moved in a synchronous way. His hand on my waist squeezed me a bit, as I moved on top of him. We slowly break apart. He was smiling at me, his hand brushed away my hair out of my face. “You’re beautiful.” I blushed as he went with his hand through my hair. “You’re quite handsome as well.” I said a bit shyer. He chuckles and looks into my eyes. “Can I ask you out to go on a date with me?” “Yes you can.” I said with a smile on my face. “Good, I’ll do my best for you then.” “Don’t do anything crazy Diaz, a simple lunch date is fine too.” He smiles and pulls me closer. “Don’t worry about it, I won’t do anything crazy.” I nodded and lay back down, only now my head was resting on his chest. “Can’t wait for it then.” My eyes were falling close as tiredness came. “You’re tired?” I nodded. “It’s okay, you can sleep..” “you sure?” His hand traced my arm. “Yes I’m sure..” “okay..” I whispered as I fell asleep against him.

I woke up from the sun shining into my room. I rubbed my eyes and looked next to me…empty he’s gone. I felt a bit disappointed. ‘Maybe he’s not being honest with you, maybe he doesn’t like you at all.’ I climbed out of my bed grabbed some new clothes and went to the bathroom, brushing my teeth and jumped in the shower. Washing myself with my favourite shampoo.

I walked out of the bathroom, fully clothed and grabbed my phone. ‘No messages, good.’ I walked downstairs and heard a noise from out of the kitchen. ‘What the hell is that.’ I carefully walked up and saw Nate making breakfast. ‘Oh boy, I think I’m falling.’ “Hey good morning.” He smiled at me. “Good morning.” I took place at the table and looked at him. He was only wearing his joggers and he looked good, not to muscular just perfect. “I know you staring at me.” I quickly looked away. He turns around and gives me a plate and a glass. “Thank you.” “No problem.” He grabs his plate and glass and sits down as well. “I hope you like it, I’m not a good cook.” I giggled and took a bite. “It’s alright.” “Thank god.” We both ate in silence. I didn’t know what to say as he probably had the same issue. “The date, Uhh is tomorrow okay for you?” He said as I cleaned up. “Yeah that’s fine.” “Okay cool, around six then?” “Around six is good.” I heard him getting up from his chair. “Okay, I’ll pick you up then.” I turned around to look at him. “Okay.” He smiles and nervously rubs the back of his neck. “I think I’m heading back home, they probably are worried about me.” “Yeah you should..” he nods. “Don’t forget your shirt.” “Yeah your right, I’ll get it.” I nod as he disappeared to my room. He was right back and said goodbye as he left by the back door. When he left I did a small happy dance in the kitchen. ‘Oh my god I have a date!’

[tenebraevesper]

Five Nights at Freddy's: Salvaged, Night 16: My Curse

''So here we are, my body inside this nightmare. Don't you stare for too long at my curse. It happened too fast, what happened in the past is something I would constantly rehearse. I'M AGGRESSIVE! NIGHTMARE UNLEASHED! FEAST YOUR EYES ON MY MAGNETIC, DEMISE BENEATH, ALL THE TATTERED WIRES, YOUR FUTILE DEMISE WILL BECOME YOUR CURSE!''

– I'm The Purple Guy by DAGames (Five Nights at Freddy's 3)

xXxXxXx

''Honestly, I don't get it,'' Sam said as she and Springtrap walked into her yard. ''Why would anyone believe that this is possible?''

''Even if what happened was considered to be some kind of scary story, that doesn't mean that everyone will consider it to be just a bunch of rumors,'' Springtrap replied.

''I understand that, but still…'' Sam said as she opened the door.

''Hey, Sam!''

Springtrap froze when he heard Emma's voice coming from the living room. He completely forgot that she would be at home, probably still awake and waiting for them to return. Sam, on the other hand, didn't look at all disturbed by that fact.

''Hi, Mum!'' she said cheerfully, then glanced back at Springtrap, who sighed and walked inside. He saw that Emma was sitting on the couch, watching some TV show. She got up, giving them a curious look.

''So, have you found what you searched for?'' she asked as she approached them, carefully observing Sam. Springtrap had the feeling that she wanted to make sure that Sam didn't suffer from any other injuries.

''In a way,'' Sam replied, glancing at Springtrap. ''We'll be upstairs if you need us.''

''Okay,'' Emma said, crossing her arms and smirking. Sam went upstairs, while Springtrap lingered a little, noticing Emma's questioning look.

''Honestly, I don't know whether I could get used to this,'' he said.

''Neither do I,'' Emma replied in an icy tone.

Springtrap shuddered, knowing well that, in order to keep Sam happy, they'd have to tolerate each other's presence. Whether they wanted it or not, both had come to the terms that they would have to let it work out somehow. Ironically, both of them wanted to keep Sam safe and happy, but they felt that they could do that without the presence of the other.

''In any case, she's a lot more joyful than she used to be,'' Emma said, her stern gaze softening as she glanced upstairs and then back at Springtrap. ''Whenever I told her to liven up a little, she would always give me that dead-eyed look. I mean, you could find more cheer on a graveyard.''

''I can imagine that,'' Springtrap muttered.

''Now, it feels as if someone flipped a switch,'' Emma added, snapping her fingers. ''I understand that this is because of you, but I still have no clue why she likes you so much.''

''To be honest, I don't know either,'' Springtrap told her, with Emma rising an eyebrow. ''I understand that you don't want me here, and I probably would've been long gone if it weren't for Sam insisting on me staying here…''

''You don't have to explain anything, I get it,'' Emma said, noticing Springtrap's confused expression. ''If there was something wrong, she would've already asked for my help. As much as I'd gladly incinerate you, I won't do that for her sake.''

''You have a lot more patience than anyone else in your situation would have,'' Springtrap said. Emma smiled.

''I'll take that as a compliment,'' she said, with Springtrap giving her a curious look. He had expected her to threaten him again, but it seemed that she had accepted the situation the way it was. However, he shuddered when he saw her gaze suddenly changing to a more serious one. ''Listen, Afton, I told you that I have decided to give you a chance, regardless of your past actions. If you screw up, what happens afterwards is going to be your own damn fault and you're certainly not getting another chance.''

''I know,'' Springtrap said in a quiet tone, feeling like a child who got scolded by their parent for trying to touch a hot stove. ''You wouldn't be telling me this if you didn't perceive me as a danger to Sam. Not only because I hurt her, but also because of what I had done in my past.''

''Exactly,'' Emma said. ''Unless you want to show that you're not the same man you used to be.''

Springtrap gave her a look that was a mix of surprise and curiosity. He wanted to question her further, but was stopped when he heard Sam calling for him.

''Spring, are you coming?''

''I'll be there soon,'' he replied, then looked back at Emma, who looked quite calm, if not even content. He gave her a determined look. ''Rest assured, I am not going to hurt Sam. I'd rather go back to Hell than do that.''

''Then, I hope you won't have to go back to Hell,'' Emma said, with Springtrap looking stunned. She then walked away to lock the door and continue watching whatever TV show was on it. Springtrap just stood there, trying to process what Emma told him. He smiled, a confident look on his expression, and went upstairs.

Sam had already changed in her PJs, sitting on her bed and looking at her smartphone. She looked up once Springtrap entered the room, looking eager.

''Are you okay?'' she asked him as he sat down on the other end of her bed.

''I think so,'' he said, then glanced at her. ''I just feel a little lost.''

''Did Mum threaten you again?'' Sam asked.

''Not really,'' he said. ''She actually made me appreciate your support even more.''

''What did she say?'' Sam asked curiously, albeit she did sound a little suspicious.

''I just told her that I'd rather go to Hell than hurt you, and she told me that she hopes that I won't go to Hell then,'' Springtrap said, then fell silent. ''I understand that she said that because she's worried about you getting hurt, but…''

''I think she also understands that you wouldn't be able to live with yourself if that ever happened,'' Sam said in a sympathetic tone.

''Yeah…'' Springtrap muttered, with his green and silver eyes then lighting up. ''In any case, we have another issue to deal with, like the Raven.''

''True,'' Sam said. ''You said that there was something different about the Raven.''

''I am convinced that he is indeed haunted, as the evidence points towards that conclusion, but something just doesn't feel right,'' Springtrap said, frowning as he thought about it. He simply couldn't explain why he had this odd feeling. ''Speaking of which, my guess is that maybe someone died in a work-related accident.''

''You mean, being killed by the animatronic?'' Sam said. ''It wouldn't be the first time it happened.''

''Or maybe not,'' Springtrap muttered. The animatronic was haunted, he was certain about that. However, his feeling told him that this wasn't quite the case. Still, the scream he heard and the strange, distorted face he saw told him otherwise. ''Honestly, I'm not sure whether that animatronic is really haunted or not.''

''Even if it isn't, it is clear that something went wrong and people wanted to forget about that animatronic,'' Sam said. ''Still, if they wanted to forget Raven, why keeping him at Ricky's? Why not leave him at the Machinations Factory? Although, it is possible that Ricky's actor brought him there.''

''Not to mention, he returned to probably check on him. Still, you said that it wouldn't be necessary anymore to go there after hours,'' Springtrap said, giving Sam a questioning look.

''We have the photos of the documents, we know that there had been some incident and we know that Ricky's actor killed a guy. For now, that should be enough information,'' Sam said. ''Now, we need to focus on what exactly happened at the Machinations Factory.''

''Do you already have something in mind?'' Springtrap asked her.

''Not really, but I'll figure something out,'' Sam replied, albeit sounding quite excited.

Springtrap was really glad to see her like this. Surprisingly, he felt quite relaxed, despite what had happened the previous night and this morning. He guessed that this was because of Sam's encouragement and the fact that he didn't feel so stressed out over the possibility of having to leave her. I feel like it has been ages since I didn't have to worry so much about everything.

xXx

Later that night, Springtrap was pacing in the guest room, or rather, his room. He wasn't sure whether to call it that, but considering that he wouldn't be leaving so soon, he figured he could get used to that idea. He was quite sure that Sam probably wouldn't have anything against it, but Emma was a different case, which is why he decided to keep that idea to himself.

The reason why he felt so restless was because the image of Raven kept popping up in his mind. He just couldn't shake off the feeling that there was something familiar about Raven's situation, but he couldn't remember where he had seen it before, that is, if he had seen it before.

I'm certain that I have experienced this before, but I just can't figure out when that happened.

He suddenly stopped and looked up when the door opened. To his surprise, it was Emma who apparently decided to check on him before she went to sleep.

''Hey, Afton, you're still awake?'' she asked. Springtrap shrugged.

''Even if I could fall asleep, I have an issue I need to deal with first,'' he told her. Emma's eyes narrowed.

''What kind of issue?''

''I have this weird feeling that there is something I should know or remember, which is connected with this issue. However, I simply cannot figure out what exactly it is,'' Springtrap replied.

''I see,'' Emma muttered, thinking for a bit. ''Have you tried to associate other things you do remember with this feeling? Maybe you can narrow down what exactly you were meant to know or remember this way. It always works with me.''

''Maybe I could,'' Springtrap said as he thought about her suggestion. ''Thanks, Emma.''

''You can thank me by not getting yourself into trouble,'' Emma replied, with Springtrap giving her an anxious look. She smiled. ''Good night!''

Springtrap sighed once she closed the door.

''Why me?''

He shook his head, figuring he should concentrate on what Emma told him.

So, Sam and I have assumed that Raven is probably haunted. However, I feel that this might not be completely true, but I don't know why. Therefore, I need to figure out why I have this feeling.

He looked down at his hands and at the animatronic suit that was now his body.

When it comes to haunted animatronics, the soul needs to be connected to the particular animatronic in some way.

He closed his eyes, trying visualize the animatronics he knew that they had at some point a soul attached to them. He could picture the stage with Freddy, Bonnie, Chica and Foxy on it. He could see the Puppet slowly emerging out from its box. There was also a vivid vision of Circus Baby shaking, the pieces inside her being all bloody as he attempted to take out her only victim…

No, that's not it…

He focused on his own demise, remembering the agony he felt as the metallic pieces and parts were rammed into his body, piercing through his skin, muscle and organs, slowly killing him. He shuddered, but concentrated on what happened afterwards.

I was trapped inside the animatronic and my soul was tied to it.

He opened his eyes, which flared purple. He frowned.

All the deaths were incredibly violent, but does the soul really follow the pain? It seems so. The main point is that your soul is tied to the animatronic in some way.

He could see the man sitting across him in that small room, which was only illuminated by a dim light.

It doesn't have to be an animatronic. It can be your own body.

His mind went back to his workshop, to him looking over his blueprints as he realized that there was a possibility to keep a soul trapped even if the actual body died. Still, there had been some issues with that.

Not every death results in a possession.

He tilted his head, feeling that he was going in the right direction. He remembered Circus Baby and the change from her blue eyes to green as she got possessed by Elizabeth's soul.

Then, there's the AI…

It had been quite difficult, but he had managed to overcome the Spring Bonnie AI and take over the animatronic, something he felt Elizabeth never achieved. Instead, the soul and the AI merged together, creating a new consciousness that took full control over Scrap Baby.

All those little pieces… All those souls…

He suddenly realized what was wrong. He felt that it was a slight oversight on his part, but finally finding out what exactly was bothering him made him feel relief. He also felt a little excited, eager to share that information with Sam. He went towards the door, only to stop as he realized that Sam was already asleep and that he probably shouldn't wake her up.

He then frowned, figuring that he could risk it. He was sure that Sam probably wouldn't be angry at him if he told her what he found out, as he felt that it was really important for her to know. However, as he reached for the door knob, he suddenly had a vision of an angry Emma. He still remembered her warning from the previous night, feeling that she would kick him out if she found him roaming through the house again.

He fumed, annoyed about it, but he really didn't want to deal with Emma in case she found him in Sam's room again. She probably wouldn't force him to leave permanently, but he was quite sure that he would spend the rest of the night locked out of the house until Emma decided to let him in.

He sat back on the couch, knowing there were still several hours to spare until Sam and Emma would wake up. It was a little frustrating, but he felt that he could work with it. After all, it was just a few hours, right? He could wait that long.

Springtrap's ears lowered as he sighed.

Only that every minute feels like a year.

xXx

Springtrap was reading one of the novels Sam borrowed him, but he couldn't concentrate on it. He was waiting for at least one person to wake up so he knew that he could leave the room. The moment he heard someone going downstairs, Springtrap dashed towards the door.

He assumed that it was Emma, as he knew that Sam would check on him. He peeked into the hallway, hearing clattering from downstairs, before sneaking into Sam's room and opening the door as quietly possible. As he expected, Sam was still asleep. He closed the door and walked over to her, crouching down as he observed her.

Please, wake up soon.

He wanted to wait for her to wake up on her own, but the more minutes passed, the more impatient he started to grow.

Calm down, let her sleep.

His eyes started to glow purple as he clutched the edge of Sam's bed, keeping himself in balance as he stared at her. To be honest, patience wasn't his strong suit.

You have to wait… You know what, forget it!

He reached over and poked her nose. When she didn't react, he gently scratched her cheek, hoping that it would wake her up. She just waved her hand and turned her back to him, continuing to sleep. He leaned over and scratched her cheek again. This time, it seemed to work, as Sam opened her eyes. He titled his head, a wide grin on his expression. However, Sam looked annoyed.

''What is it?'' she asked, still half-asleep.

''I figured out what might be wrong with Raven,'' Springtrap said excitedly. ''I think this might be a case of incomplete possession.''

''Great,'' Sam said, smiling and then lied back down to continue sleeping. Springtrap's ears lowered and he felt a little disappointed by her reaction. However, he decided to wait a little. A few seconds later, Sam suddenly turned back to him, giving him a confused look. ''What do you mean, 'incomplete possession'?''

''Don't worry, I'll explain you everything in detail once you're wide awake,'' Springtrap replied, grinning. ''I've been waiting the whole night to tell you that.''

''I assume you didn't want to risk Mum's wrath by sneaking into my room,'' Sam said as she got up, with Springtrap nodding. ''Okay, I'm up, but you'll need to leave the room.''

Springtrap's ears rose up as she pointed at the door, only for him to give her a nervous smile and exiting the room, waiting in the hallway. He was still excited to talk to Sam, and hear her opinion on what he found out. A few minutes later, Sam exited the room, with the two going downstairs and joining Emma in the kitchen. She looked surprised to see Sam, giving Springtrap a suspicious look.

''Someone's up early,'' she said, with Sam yawning.

''Yeah…'' Sam muttered. ''Say, Mum, could I borrow the car today?''

''Why?''

Sam and Springtrap exchanged glances and Sam sighed.

''We want to explore an abandoned factory and we need the car to get there,'' Sam explained. Emma crossed her arms, giving both a questioning look, as if contemplating whether to let them go. Sam and Springtrap felt a little anxious.

''Okay, fine,'' she said, much to their surprise. ''But only under the condition that you drive me to work and back. Also, I have read the weather report and they say that it might start raining today or tomorrow, so you better bring an umbrella with you.'' She rolled her eyes when she saw that Sam and Springtrap didn't really believe her. ''I told you two my conditions and I'm keeping my promise as long as you keep yours. Besides, when was the last time I didn't let you go anywhere?''

''You're the best!'' Sam grinned.

''I hope I'll remain the best,'' Emma replied. She then glanced at Springtrap. ''So, did you manage to recall whatever you needed to remember?''

''Yes, I did,'' Springtrap replied, noticing the smile of satisfaction Emma had. He felt that it was a little strange that Emma didn't fight back a little more, or at least held any grudge against him aside from being distrustful. He knew that her decisions were also based on Sam's decisions, but still, he felt weird about it. He kept quiet during the rest of breakfast, patiently waiting for Sam to finish eating.

''So, do you think you can pick me up after work?'' Emma asked Sam.

''I guess,'' she said, with Springtrap glancing at her. ''I don't plan on staying out too late.'' ''Why not?'' Emma asked curiously.

''Because the current circumstances don't allow that,'' Sam replied, then stood up and placed her bowl in the dishwasher. Emma gave Springtrap a questioning look, with him shrugging, looking just as confused as she was.

''She's the boss,'' he replied. ''I just go along with whatever she has on mind.'' ''I see,'' Emma said as he stood up, following Sam upstairs.

He still felt a little weirded out by how calm the morning was. He had expected that his anxiety would once again skyrocket in Emma's presence, or that he would have to deal with her threats, but other than her questioning them about their plans, it was relatively normal. He wasn't sure how to feel about that, but he had other things on mind.

''Okay, I'm wide awake now,'' Sam said as he closed the door to her room. ''What was that about an 'incomplete possession'?''

''To be honest, I am not completely sure that my theory is correct, but it does explain the weird feeling I had,'' Springtrap said, with Sam sitting down on the chair. ''You know that, when an animatronic becomes haunted, that the soul stays attached to it, unable to move on unless the animatronic gets damaged.''

''Yeah, and the best way to do that is using heat,'' Sam said.

''Right. Now, there are a few things I noticed with the Raven that were completely different than my actual experience with haunted animatronics,'' Springtrap said. ''You see, after becoming a hybrid myself, I became capable of sensing the presence of other trapped souls. So, when I met Elizabeth and Charlie again, I instantly knew that they were still trapped inside the Scrap Baby and Puppet animatronics.''

''But you didn't have the same feeling when you were next to Raven,'' Sam said, with Springtrap nodding.

''I am certain that the animatronic was possessed in a way, but it wasn't the same thing as what happened to me or the others,'' Springtrap added. ''Therefore, it might be some kind of incomplete possession, with the soul being only partially tied to the animatronic.''

''How would that occur?'' Sam asked.

''I am not completely sure about it, but I do have a few ideas,'' Springtrap said. ''You remember the Toy Animatronics, right?''

''Yeah, the ones who replaced the Withereds at the '87 location,'' Sam said. ''Were they haunted?''

''No, at least not in the same sense as the Withereds,'' Springtrap replied. ''Technically, they were just following their programming, but our little encounter with Raven reminded me of something else. I assume that you are aware that the company used some old parts from the Withereds and put them in the Toys and vice versa.''

''Now that you're mentioning it, Phone Guy did mention that in his calls,'' Sam said, curious about where Springtrap was going with this. A second later, it dawned her. ''Wait, do you want to say that those parts had something to do with the Toys' behavior?''

''They did. While the Toys weren't haunted, they had been influenced by those additional parts, which already had a soul attached to them,'' Springtrap explained, his eyes glowing purple. ''Those parts were coated in remnant.''

''Remnant keeps a soul attached to whatever it was supposed to be attached to,'' Sam said, then rose an eyebrow as she thought about it. ''But, what about Raven's situation…''

''I'll come to that in a moment, but first, there's another thing I need to cover. Something I personally experienced,'' Springtrap said. ''When it comes to letting the soul becoming attached to an animatronic, you also need to take the animatronic's AI into consideration.''

''You told me that you had to fight against the Spring Bonnie AI in order to finally take control over the animatronic,'' Sam said.

''Exactly,'' Springtrap said, crossing his arms on his back. ''However, this isn't the only outcome. In Elizabeth's case, her soul and Circus Baby's AI merged together. Also, when you look at the other animatronics, the souls inside them never really had full control over them, which means that the AI overpowered their mind, while leaving only the most important memories.''

''Like being murdered by an adult,'' Sam said in an icy tone, with Springtrap lowering his head. He sighed.

''You should also know that possession doesn't always occur,'' he added. ''Also, you don't have to be necessarily stuffed inside the suit to possess it, but you need to be in close proximity to it.''

''I understand,'' Sam replied. ''So, what's Raven's deal?''

''I do believe that someone was indeed killed and that their soul attempted to possess Raven, but they weren't exactly successful,'' Springtrap explained, his eyes flaring purple. ''What we saw were probably the remains of that event, and I assume that the consciousness merged partially with the AI, meaning the AI is following the soul's pain, even if the soul isn't there. I might be wrong, but this is the conclusion I came to.''

''Well, you have more experience with that than I do,'' Sam said. Springtrap frowned.

''I wish I had more time to examine Raven, but it is obvious that I won't be able to do that since it is getting too risky to go back to Ricky's after hours,'' he said.

''Still, we can visit the factory,'' Sam replied. ''I doubt that Ricky's actor can just leave in the middle of his performance to go there and check on everything.''

''So, that's why you plan to go there earlier,'' Springtrap said. ''Smart move.''

''We need to be out sometime before Ricky's Wonder Shack closes for the day,'' Sam added. ''Hopefully we will find something.''

xXx

''I assume everything went well last night,'' Emma said as Sam drove her to the store.

''More than well, but we won't be returning there so soon,'' Sam replied. Emma gave her a surprised look.

''Really? Why not?'' Emma asked. ''I told you you're free to go as long as you stay safe.''

''That's not the issue,'' Sam replied. ''I'm afraid that Ricky's will hire a new night guard soon and I don't want to deal with that.''

''What about this factory you were talking about earlier?'' Emma asked.

''It's abandoned,'' Sam replied, frowning. ''Although, someone else is using whatever was left behind.'' She glanced at her mother. ''The factory used to make animatronics and they apparently closed a while after making the animatronics that are now mascots at Ricky's.''

''I see,'' Emma said, with Sam parking in front of the store. ''I wish you good luck with it. Also, I was serious about you picking me up.''

''I know, I know,'' Sam replied, smiling. As she drove away, she knew well that her mother was more concerned with Sam returning home safely rather than picking her up.

After she went to the locksmith to get a copy of the keys for Freddy's, she sneaked inside the restaurant to leave the original keys on the table in the manager's office for someone to find them and finally lock the place to keep intruders away. Then, she went to Ricky's, deciding to check whether the mascot's actor was indeed there. After buying herself a milkshake, she nonchalantly walked up to the stage, observing the animatronics. Ricky was missing, which meant that the costume version of him was roaming around the place. She knew that, in that case, once he noticed her, he would approach her as usual.

Still, she did feel chills flowing down her spine when she heard his voice coming from behind her. She turned around, only to be greeted by Ricky smiling at her.

''Ah, hello there! It is great to see you again!'' he said in a chipper tone. Sam forced a smile.

''Um, sure,'' she said, lifting her drink. ''I can't get enough of those.''

''I see,'' Ricky said in a curious tone. ''But I thought you were returning because of me and my friends.''

''Well, I've been more interested in Freddy's recently,'' Sam said nervously. She knew that the guy beneath the mask was glaring at her, considering how silent he was. Still, she decided to continue to play dumb. ''In any case…''

''Connor-ah, I meant Ricky!'' A female employee approached them, quickly correcting herself in order to keep the masquerade. ''The family there in the corner wanted to take some photos with you.''

''No problem! Thank you for informing me, Bella.'' The guy in the costume said, glancing back at Sam, who seemed to be focused more on her drink rather than on their conversation. ''I hope you'll enjoy your stay here!''

''Me too,'' Sam muttered, watching him leave. His co-worker, Bella, gave her a nervous glance.

''Is there anything I can do for you?'' she asked in a polite tone.

''No, thanks,'' Sam replied. ''I'm just enjoying myself.''

''That's good to hear,'' Bella replied, leaving her. The moment both she and Ricky were out of her sight, Sam quickly left the place.

xXx

Back at home, the moment Sam opened the door, she heard a strange noise, with Springtrap suddenly standing in the hallway holding her bag and an umbrella. She gave him a curious look, with him shrugging.

''Didn't Emma say that it would be raining?'' he asked. ''So, when are we going?''

''You're quite eager to leave,'' Sam remarked, with Springtrap looking flustered. ''It's okay, I know how you feel, as I also want to leave as soon as possible.'' She smiled. ''Let's go.''

Springtrap, still feeling a little flustered, followed her outside, with Sam locking the door and entering the car. She then pulled out of the driveway and drove towards where the factory was.

''Have you managed to leave the keys?'' Springtrap asked her.

''Yeah,'' Sam replied, narrowing her eyes. ''We're doing them a favor at this point. Speaking of which, Ricky's actor has a name, Connor.''

''How did you find that out?'' Springtrap asked her.

''When I went to Ricky's to check on him, to make sure that he was indeed there, one of his co-workers accidentally called him by his actual name,'' Sam replied.

''I wonder if he had figured out that we know more than we should,'' Springtrap said.

''I'm not sure,'' Sam replied. ''He didn't seem to be suspicious of me. However, he did seem to be irritated when I told him that I was still more interested in the animatronics at Freddy's.''

''Honestly, I am worried that he might lash out at you, as he obviously dislikes your opinion,'' Springtrap said in a worried tone. ''Speaking of which, I do approve of your mindset,'' he added, with a smug grin on his expression. Sam chuckled. ''Although, I don't like the fact that he's so interested in you…''

He trailed off once he realized what he was about to say. As much as he wanted to cast himself in a better light, he knew that he wasn't better than Connor.

''Will, it's okay.'' Springtrap rose his head, noticing Sam's sympathetic look. ''You're still less of a creep than Ricky's actor in my opinion.''

''Sam, I don't think…'' Springtrap winced when he got cut off by Sam.

''William, I know what you want to tell me, but think about it,'' she said. ''Do I look like I'm uncomfortable while I'm here right next to you?''

''No, but I do remember that there were a few times you looked like you were scared of me,'' Springtrap replied.

''That was because I knew that there were some serious issues we needed to deal with,'' Sam replied.

''Then, I'm not sure...'' Springtrap glanced at her, looking content. ''Although, I do remember all the times you smiled because of me.''

''Exactly,'' Sam replied, grinning.

xXx

The flashlights illuminated the empty hallway. While it still was day, it was dark inside the factory. Sam and Springtrap decided against turning the power on, as they feared that someone would notice it.

''At least we have enough time to explore this place,'' Sam said, looking at her smartphone. ''Unless Connor leaves earlier for some reason.''

''Considering what you told me about it, I sincerely doubt that he would want to leave his precious 'friends' until the location is closed,'' Springtrap said dryly. ''Rest assured, we are not alone here.''

Sam nodded, with the two managing to find the hallway where they found the room with the strange endoskeleton. As they entered and illuminated the room, they saw the endoskeleton, but this time, with its head off. Sam felt bad for it, with Springtrap approaching the endoskeleton, examining it, and then turning his attention to the head, picking it up and pointing the flashlight at it.

''Someone tore its head off,'' he said, looking at the dent on the side of the head. ''That someone certainly wasn't happy.''

''At least we are certain that this endoskeleton is not suffering anymore,'' Sam said in a deadpan tone. ''Still, you're right. Something went wrong or he wasn't satisfied with whatever results he had gotten from this endoskeleton.''

Springtrap placed the head back where he found it, still pointing his flashlight at the endoskeleton.

''We should move on,'' he said. ''There might be more of those endoskeletons.''

They exited the room, continuing to the next one, further down the hallway. As Sam opened it, she saw a strange object in the corner of the room, as well as a crescent-shaped object on the nearby table.

''What is that?'' Springtrap asked as the two entered the room. Sam approached the object in the corner, noticing that it were two tanks connected to several tubes. There was also a strange smell in the air, but when she tried to lift one of the tanks, it was surprisingly light.

''It smells like… gasoline?'' Sam narrowed her eyes, placing the empty tanks back. ''Is this supposed to be some kind of makeshift flamethrower?''

''Why do you think that this is a flamethrower?'' Springtrap asked her. Sam glanced at him.

''I tend to look up weird stuff on YouTube when there's nothing interesting to do. One guy eliminated an entire hornet nest with a homemade flamethrower, although that one was made from hairspray and a lighter. It was awesome,'' she said, grinning.

''Sounds brutal,'' Springtrap said in an amused tone, then walked over to the object on the table. ''A sickle?''

He placed the flashlight on the table, lifting the heavy metallic object, with Sam illuminating it with her own flashlight.

''I don't think that that can be used,'' Sam said, looking at the crescent-like object. ''Why would it even be here?''

''Search me,'' Springtrap said as he placed it back, then tilted his head. ''Maybe, it isn't a sickle… If you attach this part to an arm, it would look like a huge hook.''

''You're right, but why would he need that?'' Sam asked.

''Honestly, I don't think that we want to know,'' Springtrap told her, taking the flashlight and exited the room. Sam lingered a little, but soon joined him, continuing their search. They found themselves back at where the area with the conveyor belt, noticing that the parts and pieces were moved since the last time they were here. That didn't strike the two as strange, as they assumed that Connor would've used the parts for whatever animatronics he was working on. Instead of going towards the hallway they went last time, they went to the door behind the conveyor belt. It led to another hallway, with them checking the first room they came across.

''What the hell is this?'' Sam asked, with her and Springtrap staring at it in surprise. The room was filled with animatronic parts. Arms, legs, torsos, heads… Some parts were rather bulky and generic, made to fit any kind of animatronic, but there were some parts that certainly weren't made to fit a child-friendly robot.

Sam spotted what looked like a long, yellow arm with three fingers, or rather, claws. There were also spiky protrusions on the back of the arm. Springtrap meanwhile examined what looked like a slender lavender leg with clawed toes.

''What is he doing?'' he muttered, stunned by their discovery.

''There don't seem to be any blueprints or indications of what those things are,'' Sam said as she examined a long, clawed arm covered in strings and thin wires. It looked like it was broken. Springtrap moved the flashlight slowly across the room, observing every part of it.

''It feels as if he's trying to create something, but doesn't know it either,'' Springtrap said. ''There are too many parts and none of them make much sense. Even if he tries to create multiple animatronics, it's just too chaotic.''

''Perhaps he's experimenting with the parts, using some of them and throwing away other parts,'' Sam suggested. ''It's pretty wasteful if you ask me.''

''I agree,'' Springtrap said. ''We should check the other rooms.''

''Wait a sec,'' Sam said, taking out her smartphone and snapping a few photos of the room. Then, they went to the next room, a little further down the corridor.

Once they entered it, they saw a table with some tools on it and an endoskeleton sitting in the corner. It looked similar to the one they had seen, but it was filthy, being covered in brown and red smears, and didn't move at all. Another, cleaner endoskeleton was also inside the room, but it was just as inactive as the other one. Springtrap examined them, noticing that, while the first endoskeleton's limbs could move, the second one's couldn't.

''Those smears, that's blood,'' he said.

''There's blood here as well,'' Sam said, pointing at the table. ''If there's one thing I'm sure about, it is that this guy has a few screws loose.''

''We should go check the last room and then see if there's anything else here,'' Springtrap told her. Sam nodded and, after taking another photo, followed him to the last room in the corridor. Once they entered it, it appeared that they were in some kind of boiler room, with a furnace inside it. To their surprise, they found Raven there.

''Okay, this was unexpected,'' Sam said, looking at the animatronic. ''It looks like Connor came back last night to move him here.''

Springtrap crouched next to the animatronic, observing him. This time, he didn't hear any buzzing or saw any static.

''Spring?'' He turned to Sam, who looked worried.

''I'm fine,'' he said. ''But, there's no buzzing or static. There isn't anything there, as if it's not the same animatronic we saw the previous night.''

Curious, he took the mask off and examined the wires on the head. Just as he had hoped, the Raven also had the same black device connected to his system as Ricky had.

''Sam, could you go back to that room with the tools and get me the screwdriver?'' he asked.

''Sure!'' Sam nodded and ran out of the room. Springtrap continued to examine Raven. The wire was still attached to the battery, so he wasn't deactivated. However, he didn't react at all when Springtrap attempted lifted his arm or tried leaned him over to take a closer look at him. He then glanced at the furnace, frowning.

Is it possible that…

''Here!'' He looked at Sam, who gave him the screwdriver. He nodded, turning back to the animatronic and disconnected the wire from the battery, then moved the wires that were covering the black device.

''Sam, could you please hold these wires?'' he said, with Sam crouching next to the animatronic and lifting the wires while also pointing her flashlight at it, watching as Springtrap attempted to get the black device out. After a few minutes, he managed to take it out, examining it under the light of Sam's flashlight. It was scratched and there seemed to be a switch on the other side. Springtrap then looked at Sam. ''We should go check on the other endoskeletons and see whether they have the same device.''

Sam nodded, with Springtrap then returning Raven back to his previous state. The two then left, checking the room with the two endoskeletons. However, none of them had the same black device. They then exited the corridor, returning back to the area with the conveyor belt.

''Sam, remember when I told you about what I think what happened to Raven?'' Springtrap asked her, with Sam nodding. ''I believe that he had been left before at the boiler room, next to the furnace, and that the heat from it probably caused him to enter this state, where the AI merged with what remained of the soul. The AI had probably been echoing the pain and agony the soul went through.''

''Sounds kinda like Ennard, that is, Molten Freddy,'' Sam said.

''Yes, but Ennard is a different story,'' Springtrap replied. ''We still haven't figured out what happened here, though.''

''Honestly, I think we should go back home and return here another day,'' Sam said, glancing at her smartphone. ''We've been here for hours. Besides, we did find out a few things about this place.''

''True,'' Springtrap muttered, looking at the black device in his hand. ''Although, I would really like to know why this is happening. After all, being trapped inside an animatronic is like a curse. The soul will try to find a way to free itself.''

''Still, you're an exception,'' Sam said, with a sly smile on her expression.

''Sam, I am also cursed, being trapped like this,'' Springtrap replied. ''The only reason why I'm an exception is because I have accepted my curse. It drove me insane, but the soul still lived. The Springtrap has risen.''

''Apparently, he's not alone,'' Sam said, with Springtrap giving her a curious look. ''I'm still here and I know the story. Still, it is interesting to hear it over and over again.''

Springtrap grinned, then looked at the black device in his hand, clenching his fist.

This is my curse, but my demise didn't mean the end of my life or my plans. In fact, the show has just begun.

xXx

Heavy black clouds were forming on the horizon, with Sam biting her lip, hoping that they would get back home before the rain started. Springtrap was meanwhile still looking at the black device he got from Raven. He seemed to be tired.

''Will?''

''What is it?'' Springtrap looked at her, with Sam briefly glancing at him.

''Do you believe that Connor has figured out how to create haunted animatronics the way you did?'' she asked.

''No, I don't think so,'' Springtrap replied. ''It feels more like he just heard the rumors and attempted to create haunted animatronics based on that. To be honest, now even I know what exactly occurs with the soul when it gets into the state between life and death, despite the fact that I had experienced it.''

''I guess that we can agree that this whole story is still a complete mess and that it will take a while before it finally starts to make sense,'' Sam said. Springtrap simply nodded, then looked through the window at the landscape. It was getting darker and darker as the black clouds got closer.

For all I know, I could be wrong about everything I had assumed. I did base those assumptions on what I had experienced, but that doesn't mean I was right. Rather than being trapped inside this suit, my curse is the fact that I would have to live a life aware of the mistakes I made, some of which I regret, and some which I'm proud of.

He closed his eyes, listening to the thundering in the distance.

Mistake or not, this is what I've chosen to be.

Links:

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#Five Nights at Freddy's: The Untold Story (Masterlist)

[jojo0039]

*Pogue for Life* Tapping the Rudder Part 1

Kooks and Pogues.

Two tribes.

One island.

Two very different boys.

One girl.

When I decided to kiss my best friend I thought that was it.

I thought I found the boy I wanted to be with and love no matter what.

When I kissed JJ, I felt so many sparks and butterflies.

I felt at home.

He was my best friend.

But then why did I choose to stay with Rafe on that ship?

When I kiss Rafe I don't get the butterflies and the sparks.

I just feel calm and peaceful.

I feel like I belong.

I made peace with being with Rafe.

I was happy.

But then choosing to save my friends and seeing JJ again brought back so many feelings that I had buried.

How is it possible to love two very different boys at the same time?

What tribe do I belong with?

The Pogues, with JJ?

Or the Kooks, with Rafe?

You would think that I had made my choice already.

But did I?

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

Jo wakes up in bed and turns over to see Rafe walking out of the bathroom shirtless.

She gives him a little pout.

"Why are you getting dressed? I thought we could stay in bed today." she reaches for him.

"I can't. I'm still thinking about what Barry said to me yesterday." Rafe tells her as he puts a shirt on.

She sits up wide awake to give him her full attention.

"What are you planning on doing? You can't just make him leave. Plus there isn't any more evidence that you killed Peterkin. Ward's credibility went out the window when he faked his own death to escape being arrested."

Jo can see how frustrated Rafe is and stands up.

She is only wearing one of his shirts.

She walks over and places her hand on his arm.

"Hey, talk to me."

She turns him so he's facing her.

"I don't want him to ruin what we have going here." he says.

She grabs his face.

"I know you don't. We actually have a real good thing going right now." she replies.

"I know we do. And if he stays here, he's gonna ruin everything."

Rafe grabs a gun and sticks it in the waist of his pants.

Jo gives him a wary look.

"I don't think taking that is a good idea." Jo says to him.

"I'll be fine."

Jo grabs his arm to turn him to face her again.

"I don't like this. I agree with you that your dad needs to leave. But you taking that gun will only lead you to do something you'll regret. He is still your father."

She grabs his face and makes him look at her.

She sees the emotion in his eyes that he tries to hide from her but can't because she knows him so well.

"I'll be okay. I'm not how I was before." he tells her.

He grabs her face and kisses her deeply.

"Thank you for taking care of me even when I don't deserve it. I love you for that."

He pulls away from her and heads to the door.

They both walk out onto the balcony.

There are plastic cups everywhere.

"This is gonna be a bitch to clean up." Jo says as she eyes the destruction from the party.

"Call Maria. Her number should be pinned up on the fridge somewhere. That'll be one of your duties as Mrs. Rafe Cameron." Rafe smirks at her.

She rolls her eyes playfully.

"You're funny." she states.

"I'll keep you updated on how things go. I'll let you know if I need you." he tells her.

"Please do. I like being there for you." she confesses to him with a blush.

He smirks down at her.

"I really like you being there for me too."

He pulls her closer to him.

"What are you gonna be doing while I'm gone?" he asks her.

"I need to check on Topper. He got pretty beat up last night. I need to do damage control." she informs him.

He sighs in irritation.

"I don't want you to take this the wrong way, but you don't always have to fix your friends' messes. John B knew what he was doing. It's not your responsibility to save everyone else." he tells her firmly.

She nods her head.

"I know. And you're absolutely right. But I still need to see Topper and make sure he's okay." she tells him.

"As you should. He's your family. I'll text you if I need you."

He kisses her one more time and then leaves the balcony to leave.

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

Jo walks in the front door of her dad's house.

She doesn't spot him, but she finds Cynthia standing outside on the deck.

She takes a deep breath and walks outside to talk to her.

Cynthia spots her and scoffs at her.

"Your father isn't here. He's on call right now." Cynthia snips.

"I'm not here to see my dad. I come to see Topper." she tells her stepmom.

"You have some nerve showing up here after what your low-life friend has done." she retorts.

"You know what, I know you don't like me. You never have. But I'm not here to cause any problems. I come to check up on Topper because I care about him, whether you care or not. I know what John B did was wrong. It shouldn't have happened." Jo tells her.

"Then you'll have no problems testifying on Topper's behalf then since you were there." Cynthia cuts in.

"What are you talking about?" Jo asks her.

"Topper is pressing charges against John B. Since you clearly said that John B was in the wrong, you should have no problems saying that under oath."

Jo scoffs and walks back into the house.

She runs up the stairs and barges into Topper's room.

"Why the hell are you pressing charges against John B?" Jo asks.

Topper turns to face her and her eyes widen at all the bruises and how swollen his face is.

"Oh shit." she mumbles.

"Yea oh shit is right. Look at me, this is why." Topper glares at her.

Jo steps forward and looks closer at him.

"I am so sorry that he did that. You didn't deserve all of that." she says.

"I didn't deserve any of it, Joanna! He sucker-punched me repeatedly in front of the whole party! He's lucky I didn't decide to kick his ass." Topper rants.

"You know Sarah had him backed off. He was calming down. You didn't have to make that comment." she accuses.

"Are you saying this is all my fault?" Topper questions.

"I'm saying that you shouldn't have made that damn comment and maybe all of this could have been avoided." Topper glares at her.

"I knew you would side with him. You always side with those damn Pogues!" Topper yells at her.

"Can you just shut up for once in your life?! You provoked him! You didn't fight back because you wanted all of this to happen! I came here to check up on you because I knew he hurt you badly."

She sighs in defeat and sits down on the edge of his bed.

"I hate this shit Top. Why does it have to be Kooks versus Pogues? Why can't we all just get along?" She sniffles as she tries to stop the tears.

Topper's face softens as he sits down beside her on the bed.

"It's been that way for as long as I can remember. I've never thought about the why before." Topper says.

"It's so exhausting. I just want it all to end. I want to be able to hang out on one end of the island and not catch shit from the other end. I wanna be able to hang out with you guys and the Pogues altogether. I wanna be able to spend time with my boyfriend and not hide him from my friends. I'm just so exhausted Top."

She feels the tears freely flow from her eyes down her face.

"That night was fun though right?"

She nudges his arm with hers trying to change the subject.

"You mean stealing off a train and running from the cops? Oh yea, I had a blast of a time." Topper sarcastically states.

Jo rolls her eyes.

"You don't always have to do what's expected of you. You have your whole life to figure it out. Why not live in the moment while you can? Embrace the excitement and the rush." she smiles at him.

"Is that why you do it? For the rush and excitement?" Topper asks her.

"I do it for the once-in-a-lifetime experience. With great friends who would do just about anything for you. That is what makes life great." Jo leans her head on Topper's shoulder.

"I wish that you could experience that with me, bro. I think you would really enjoy it." she tells him.

Her phone vibrates in her pocket.

She pulls it out and sees its a text from Rafe.

I need you. Meet me at Barry's.

She quickly responds that she is on her way.

"I have to go. Rafe needs me."

Jo stands up from the bed.

"There is just one thing I don't understand. You seemed to be so into JJ. Then all of a sudden you're back together with Rafe. What happened?" Topper asks.

Jo gives him a sad smile.

"I fill you in on another day."

She kisses his cheek and leaves the room.

She passes Cynthia on the way down the steps.

She glances and sees her dad sitting in his office at his desk.

He is talking on the phone and typing on his computer.

She clears her throat and leaves before he can see her.

She runs out of the house and gets in the range rover.

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

She parks the car and gets out.

She walks through the yard and sees Rafe pacing back and forth and Barry sitting in the chair.

"What is going on?" Jo questions.

Rafe glances up at her.

"He's not leaving. He actually threatened me and is gonna cut me off. He wants up out of Tannyhill by the end of the week." Rafe informs her.

"If you're worried about a place to stay, I have my mom's trailer. It's nothing fancy, but we would have someplace to go." she tells him.

"That's not the point. He's not gonna stop until he takes everything from me. I've been going through it over and over again. Okay? You said it yourself, right? The only way this thing goes south is my dad. We gotta nip that shit in the bud. We gotta take him out." Rafe rants.

Jo's eyes widen.

"Rafe-"

He continues his rant.

"Besides who would know anyway? He's already dead. You can't kill someone who is already dead."

Jo grabs Rafe's face so he's looking at her.

"Look at me, this is the old Rafe talking. We can get out from under his thumb and go anywhere. Don't ruin the progress you have made because of Ward." Jo pleads with him.

"I'm trying to provide a life for you. So you don't have to worry about a thing in your life. Okay, the deal that we have going on between the three of us, using the company to launder the money, that's gonna be all gone. Okay? We're gonna have nothing." he rants to her.

"What you're asking me to do right now Country Club, is something that once it's done cannot be undone." Barry tells him catching their attention.

"Just take a deep breath, okay and just clear your head. You're so worked up right now." Jo soothingly rubs his chest.

"We're talking about your family, talking about your pops, about your blood. Blood complicates things. Hypothetically speaking, let's say I do it. And then for whatever reason you decide to change your mind. Sell me out." Barry says to him.

Rafe clears his face of any emotion.

"No. This has been a long time coming."

Jo takes a step back from him.

"He has always had his boot on my neck. Holding me down." He glances at Jo.

"He's the one who shipped me off to Chapel Hill after I told him I didn't wanna be away from you. He called me a pussy for that. Said I needed to man up and not chase after a girl like you. We could have worked our shit out sooner instead of all that mess!"

Jo gasps a sharp intake of breath.

"I'm not gonna change my mind on this. In order for me to be the man I wanna be, he needs to be out of the picture."

Rafe walks away from them and gets in the car.

Jo and Barry lock eyes.

"Let me talk to him alright? I'll handle this." She tells Barry.

She runs over to the car and gets in the passenger seat.

"Where are we going?" Jo asks.

"I wanna treat my girl to drinks and dinner."

Rafe tells her as he grabs her hand.