#and with Eric he starts a tense but emotional conversation

[hopesallwegotleft]

Salim making flirty expressions maybe a minute after running into a handsome but angry little US Marine.

[exquisitexagony]

Her firm words have Arthur taken aback, a frown crossing his features. He wasn't sure why she was being so hostile with him all of a sudden, but maybe it just had something to do with nerves. He understood that, so he would give her space. Besides, she was already moving on before he could point out that they were perfectly capable of sleeping in the truck or finding a motel if she didn't want to be there. If things got too crazy, he'd step in. For now, they'd just pay a bit of close attention to Leo throughout their stay.

As he trails into the home behind leo, his gaze trails over the walls, hands kept in his pockets as he pauses in front of the shelves of photos. They gloss over some of them, stop to chuckle at others, but one in particular catches their eye just shortly after it had caught Leo's. A frown, swallowing hard. The concern they felt could not be matched. If her mom didn't know about Eric, then...What if he showed up? Or what if she invited him here? Or something worse than all that? The last thing Arthur wanted to deal with was more bodies.

He's started to chew his lower lip as he trails into the kitchen behind Leo, stops at the threshold. He leans coolly against the frame of the entryway, letting his teeth work at the gum in his mouth instead of tearing apart his lip after a moment. He can't help that he jumps slightly when Leo shoves a beer into his hand, flinches again when her mother shrieks at her. His nerves are frayed. The nap had done little to quell that issue apparently. Or maybe it was just the worry of Eric coming up in conversation...or in person. The way he wanted to snap that man's neck...

Blinking, they only look up when they hear their name sung from Edna's mouth. Bright blue hues meet her gaze as she asks them about their accent. Briefly, they flicker down to view her lips as she licks off the sauce from the spoon. They feel their muscles tense--the red melting onto her tongue picking up the pace of their heart a little. A flash of blood in the back of their mind, the smell of it, the sound of the human heart beating. A sharp intake of breath as he blinks, lets his gaze meet hers again.

"Oh, uh, I'm...afraid it's more of an eclectic accent than anythin', m'am," he hums, flashing a tight-lipped smile. Fingertips rap against the side of the unopened beer can, the cool condensation on the outside keeping him grounded. "Been travellin' round the country since I was a teenager. But my hometown was in Arkansas. Just a tiny li'l thing out in the middle of the desert. Mamma passed away when I was real young, see?" He licks his lips briefly, flashing another smile. "Daddy was a deadbeat, an' I was an only child. Been doin' it on my own since I was 14." The lies come off his tongue so easily, almost as if they had been rehearsed a hundred million times. Torn fingernails gently start to click up the edge of the beer can, then shakily pull at the tab. It sizzles open and he goes to take a gulp, but before he can reach his lips it's snatched out of his hands by a certain blonde.

Smile vanishes, blinking as he lets his hands fall to his sides, resting on his hips. A heavy exhale. "All right..." he grumbles to himself, but doesn't bother turning to say anything to Leo. Clearly, she was going through a lot of difficult emotions right now. No matter how irritated he was that this was now becoming his responsibility, he'd try to leave her be. He had offered to come along, after all. Besides, she'd dealt with his sister. The least he could do is put up with her mom.

"You know, I'm afraid Leo doesn't talk much about you either, Edie." A hand slides up the edge of the frame of the doorway, resting agaisnt his arm casually, the bottom of his shirt just barely rising over his jeans, showing off the strip of underwear above the denim, a slight peek of midrif. A smirk as he looks her up and down.

"What is it you do?"

The interaction makes her feel like an outsider as Arthur effortlessly blends in. Their commentary alone has her looking to the floor, vision drifting off through the fields left overgrown and unused. A tractor is still rotting out there in the distance, rusted over and gutted out by an animal looking for a home. She jumps a little when Arthur ruffles her hair, calls her pretty. Whatever feeling that gives her goes away instantly when it’s followed up with like her mama.

The joke about eating a human, however, has Leo shooting them a look. Peter pays no mind and for a split second she gets the image of Arthur ripping him apart with his teeth. Breathing in harshly, she shakes the thought and goes on ignoring the rest of the exchange until it’s back to being just the two of them.

“We do have to stay.” She’s a little pointed with her words, perhaps a bit irked by them calling her mom hot or just the introductions in general, maybe both. “It’s free food and a free place to sleep. We can’t really say no to that.”

A beat passes and she turns towards the door again and practically forces herself through it. The interior is decorated in a typical farmhouse style, much different than the way she remembered it looking. The walls were painted white with black accents, the colorful displays that had been there before were now long gone. She never pictured walking into this house would feel so foreign. There’s a gallery wall near the door that hadn’t been touched, at least. Full of photos from her childhood, some of her as a baby, a few of her dad. One, however, sticks out because it doesn’t belong.

It's a few years old now. A photo of her and Eric smiling on a boat in some tropical paradise, his arm looped around her in a way that makes her look like a possession. Her hair long and brown, skin the tannest it had ever been – a set of jewelry on her she’d never be able to afford now. It felt like a lifetime ago. Maybe it was her birthday, maybe the first of many apology trips. That part she can’t remember, not fully, anyway.

Part of her wants to rip it off the wall but she lets it stay. Her mother didn’t know. And she was fine with letting her live in the ignorant bliss that Eric had been a perfect gentleman and Leo was the problem. It was easier than explaining, easier than whatever fallout might happen if the truth came out. So she bites the inside of her cheek hard enough to draw blood and makes a pitstop at the fridge for a beer. She doesn’t ask if Arthur wants one, just hands it to them. If they decided not to drink it, she would. Quietly, she cheers their can and pops the top, and chugs it.

“Leonora Ivy!” Edna chides from the kitchen, waving a wooden spoon that’s covered in sauce. “That’s disgusting.”

She wipes her mouth and chin clean of beer that had dribbled out. A simple shrug is offered in response to her mother, a grin on her face when she looks at Arthur. If she was going to survive a night of questioning and snarky remarks from her mother, she certainly wasn’t going to do it sober.

“So, Arthur.” Edna pipes up again, this time smiling. “Where are you from, honey? I’m afraid my daughter didn’t tell me much about you.” Her head tilts slightly, the same mannerisms often mimicked in Leo. “I just love that accent.”

Leo grits her teeth, twitching. Watching with a narrowed gaze as her mother openly flirts with Arthur. It shouldn’t matter. She shouldn’t feel the insane, almost rage inducing jealousy that she does, but it’s there. Battering around her ribcage and making her want to scream. Peter doesn’t seem to notice it, too absorbed in a rerun of a football game on the television. But she does. Watching every movement her mom makes, the way she angles herself and tastes the fucking spoon without breaking eye contact.

“Oh my god.” Leo breathes, turning around and snatching the can right out of Arthur’s hands, regardless of if they were drinking it or not and helps herself to it.

[erodasfishtacos]

#HendallReunited

prompt: request was to write broad but to write something angsty

Word count: 5.2k

Warnings: language, sexual content, angst

Harry always had issues with saying ‘no’ to people. He never quite grew out of his manners even when he should have.

He said ‘yes’ to way too many things- signing autographs for rude fans and paparazzi, and agreed to way too many things Jeff suggested.

Saying yes to everything didn’t make his life any easier is the thing. Especially when it came to his wife. She was usually left with the aftermath of him being too nice.

The media painted Y/N in a negative light occasionally and so did the fans because she would stand up for Harry and not let him say ‘yes’ to every single request.

She would tell disrespectful fans he’s not signing autographs because of the way they were screaming and interrupting his work.

Harry wished he could do it himself - admired that his wife didn’t give a fuck what people thought about her. He cared entirely too much what the world would think.

The couple didn’t fight about much - no, not really. Normal couple stuff for the most part. But this was the exception, this is where Y/N found most of their turmoil.

Every few months it would rear it’s ugly head and they’d find themselves in the same position over and over again.

This time - it was really fucking bad.

The couple had been staying in their Los Angeles home for the last few months whilst the singer finalized his album and began promotion.

It was boring meeting among boring lunch outings to get all their ducks in a row. Jeff - his manager the main orchestrator.

He was a great manager and a good friend, but it was also business too which Harry didn’t always comprehend.

At the end of the day, Harry was making Jeff millions upon millions of dollars. But Harry didn’t think that way.

**

Harry was in a stuffy conference room at the The Late Late Show to work on the script and ideas for the show. Promo had been nonstop.

He was a bit tired as it was nearly just hitting eight in the morning and he had been up late with you - having some late night loving in the hot tub.

“As for guest - Kendall Jenner,” James Corden’s producer states. All the men agree but Harry is taken aback.

“Why...why would we have my ex-girlfriend as one of my guests?” Harry interrupts, confusion knitting his brows.

Kendall and him didn’t end on a bad note - not at all. They hooked up a few times after their ‘break-up’ but once he’d met Y/N she was understanding when he cut it off.

Y/N wasn’t necessarily jealous of the model, but didn’t love when they’d run into each other at events. She was still overtly flirty with Harry without much shame. 

Harry also didn’t have an desire to see her or host her as a guest on the show. She was nice but he wasn’t interested in being friends with her. They didn’t have much in common and he was head over heels for his wife.

“The media will eat it up, dude. Harry Styles and Kendall Jenner reunited on a show after four years?” Jeff smiles, the others nodding in amicable agreement.

This is one of this times where Harry needs to say “no,” that it’s disrespectful to his significant other to use an old flame for promo for his album.

He already knows ‘hendall’ will be trending within minutes and he can’t imagine how that would make his parter feel.

“I just...this doesn’t seem like a good idea?” Harry begins hesitantly, making it sound more like a question than a statement. 

“Why not?” Eric, one of the writers asks.

“Y’know, I’m married. I don’t think m’missus would appreciate if I did somethin’ like that just for promotion,” he states, scratching at his jaw uncomfortably.

“Look Styles, we’re not asking you to fuck the girl. It just a interview, c’mon,” The executive producer gruffs - wanting those guaranteed views.

Harry swallows - looking at his manager and then at everyone else at the table looking at him for an affirmative answer.

“Uh-sure,” Harry fumbles, feeling anxiety rise into his throat. Fuck, he’s such a god damn pushover.

He’s trying to find his voice to go back on his agreement but the meeting wrapping up and people are leaving with final handshakes.

**

Harry doesn’t know how to tell Y/N what is going on. He’d been keeping in stored in the back of his mind, not ready to have a blowout.

He never found the perfect time to bring it up and now it was too late. It was the morning of the show and he was due to be at the rehearsals this afternoon.

Harry had finally decided he was going to tell her this morning over coffee but forgot that she had a girl’s day planned with a few friends.

She was already out to breakfast with them when he woke up. His phone had one text from you.

Hi baby. I’m out with the girls. See you at the show tonight. I’ll meet you there around six! Love you!

He was fucked royally and he had no one to blame but himself. Maybe it’d be okay, maybe she’d roll her eyes and tell him he’s an idiot.

Realistically he knew that was just a sweet dream at this point.

—

Harry was fidgety and kept mucking up his lines during rehearsal as it got closer to the showtime and his missus arriving.

Kendall had arrived for hair and makeup without seeing her ex-boyfriend yet. He dreaded seeing the model.

Kendall and Y/N had met a few times at different events. It was always cordial. Kendall was always casual - their relationship was never more than a couple fun dates and sex.

They were kind to each other when they met but he couldn’t deny how much harder his partner kissed him on the mouth afterwards.

Before he know it, his wife is hugging him from behind as he talks to a producer about which cameras to look at.

Y/N noticed the way he tensed up at first and thought about how unusual that was for him. Normally, he’d lean back into her with his full weight causing them both to stumble and laugh.

He slowly, cautiously turns around and his face  relaxes a little bit but not completely. “Hi baby,” he hums, leaning in for a kiss.

“You look so handsome,” she replies, admiring his brown pinstriped suit and her pearl necklace that he’d snagged awhile back. She thought it looked better on him anyways.

“You look even better, s’fuckin’ pretty, love,” he gushes, coming back in for another kiss - a little too sensual for the setting.

She was donned in a cropped white shirt, showing of the smooth expanse of her tummy. An oversized blazer of Harry’s, ripped jeans, and heels. 

Harry thought fleetingly he couldn’t wait to fuck her after the show. Then remembered that mostly wouldn’t happen.

Reggie, the musical lead, slides up to you two. He smiles wide at you, saying, “Can’t believe you agreed to the guest this evening.��

Her eyebrows furrow in confusion, Harry’s raise nearly to his forehead, but when she opens her mouth to ask him to explain they’re interrupted.

“Harry!” The leggy model trots over to the little group. Dressed in an interesting one-piece suit that has sewn in heels. She looked beautiful as ever, of course she was a model.

Both of them turn towards the oblivious girl, “Kendall,” Harry replies with a twinge of anxiety - eyes repeatedly looking at his significant other’s profile as multiple emotions flash.

“Hiya, you’re Y/N right?” Kendall smiles kindly, offering her manicured hand.

She accepts, “Yeah, uh-good to see you again.”

Harry knew she had connected the dots quickly in her head. The hurt, confusion, had hit her eyes before narrowing into full-blown rage at her partner.

“I promise I’ll go easy on him,” Kendall jokes before pinching at Harry’s cheek teasingly. The model was a natural flirt with everyone she got along with.

“Oh, sure,” she replies lamely, attempting to not let her feelings burst out in that moment with her husband . She knew it wasn’t Kendall’s fault.

“I’m going to go grab a bite to eat. I’m probably gonna puke when we do ‘spill or fill’. See you guys soon,” the model waves before trailing off with her assistant.

“Did you kn- of course you knew she was your guest,” Y/N seethes, turning to fully face the guilt-stricken-singer.

He rubs the back of his neck, avoiding eye contact, “I did.”

“How long have you known for?” She demands to know, keeping her voice at an angry whisper to not draw attention.

Harry wasn’t going to lie to his love, “About two weeks.”

Y/N replies with a laugh, “let me guess, you let Jeffrey talk you into this bullshit, again.”

His silence is all she needs to know it’s true.

“For Christ’s sake, of course,” She huffs bitterly, “what’s even worse is you didn’t fucking tell me. What the fuck?”

Harry bites his lip, not able to rasp out anything but a pathetic, “m’sorry, love.”

He wasn’t usually good at taking responsibility during a fight. He was stubborn at best but he couldn’t deny his way out of this.

“You will be, you-“

They were cut off by the staff, the audience was trailing in and Harry needed to get mic’d up now.

“This conversation isn’t over,” she points her finger at his chest before storming off to the side of the stage where she’d watch from.

Fucking shit.

**

Harry was a performer. It’s easy for him to push things to the back of his mind so he can entertain a enamored audience.

But tonight, he was struggling. Eyes flicking over to the teleprompter more than usual, his demeanor not as vivid and carefree.

Not when his wife was glaring daggers at him from stage right. Her hand constantly at her mouth, biting at her nails - a nervous tick of hers.

“Next up, the one, the only, the beautiful model and one of my good friends, Kendall Jenner!” Harry introduces when she walks out and waves at the crowd.

They hug and when they pull apart they step over to where they were playing the game. Either answer the question or eat a nasty food picked out by the other.

They weren’t allowed to see each other’s questions before the game started- both going on blind which put Harry more on edge.

“Okay, Kendall. Rank the members of One Direction on most to least attractive or you will be eating...” Harry spins the table, “Cow tongue.”

She flinched at the disgusting plate, smirking up at Harry before considering her course of action, “I think I can answer this one.”

He wasn’t looking forward to her answer. Neither was Y/N by the way she nearly shaking her foot off her leg.

“Okay, I got this. You - the most attractive, then uh- Zayn....Louis...Niall...Liam,” she laughs, “but all of you are hot!”

Harry fake laughs and acts like he’s impressed by her answer as the crowd roars and cheers. 

When Kendall picks up her notecard - she laughs in surprise at the question before looking at him with bright eyes.

“Okay, um, bull penis!” She giggles before starting the question, “I’m dying to know this answer. So...your first album HS1 was released four years ago, correct?”

He nods, apprehensive.

“Which songs were about me? Especially was only angel?” She laughs at Harry’s pale expression before without another thought he shovels the rancid food into his mouth.

Harry looks off to the side to see that his missus is no longer sitting there. Just Jeff - who gives him a thumbs up.

**

The first thing he did when the show ended and the lights dimmed was bolt off to Jeff - ignoring Kendall who was about to say something to him.

“Where’d Y/N go?”

He thought she might have went out to get a breathe of fresh air but for the next hour and a half he hasn’t seen her once.

“She said she wasn’t feeling very good. She told me to tell you she’d meet you at home,” Jeff shrugs unbothered.

“Damnit!” Harry curses loudly, ripping out of the microphone and the little pack in his back waistband.

“Harry,” Jeff scolds at his unprofessionalism that was abnormal for him.

“No! Don’t fucking ever ask me to do shit like this again. You fucking knew what questions were on those notecards and you said it wasn’t anything about our previous relationship.”

“Harry-“

“Don’t fucking talk to me. You’re a real shit manager sometimes, you know that? Do not contact me tonight or tomorrow for that matter, you douchebag,” Harry barks before storming off towards the dressing rooms.

All the employees were standing around in shock, staring at the popstar as he ignored everyone around him.

Harry was famously known for being a kind, amicable guy. So it took everyone by surprise to hear him speak like that. Even Jeff was shaken up a little.

—

The house was pitch-black as Harry pulled up. The house’s first floor was lined with large, bay windows and not a single light was on.

He could find one room illuminated which was your bedroom. A dim side lamp must have been flicked on. He imagined her purposely turning off all the lights on the trek up the staircase.

Harry didn’t want to admit how much he was trembling with awful nerves and anticipation as he slowly turns the knob of the shared bedroom.

Y/N wasn’t laying in bed as he expected but found the bathroom door shut tightly. He noticed a little yellow bag with tissue paper off to the side by a dresser.

He knocks on the oak door, not daring to enter without permission.

“What do you want?” Y/N answers, tone flat and emotionless. 

“Can I come in, baby? Please...” He wasn’t ashamed to beg for forgiveness at this point. Hearing the emptiness in her tone scared him shitless.

“I really could care less,” She replies coldly from her spot in the scalding water decorated with bubbles.

Harry had never felt more unsure in his life as he enters the bathroom.  Y/N had gotten proper pissed at him or vice versa before - right before a concert, an award ceremony but she’d never left without him.

Her head was laying against the foam headrest and her body was covered by the soap water. She looked tired and her eyes were puffy from crying.

Harry kneels next to the tub, “look at me, please pet.”

 Y/N takes a moment before turning her head and opening her eyes. They were distant, disappointed in the man in front of her.

“I should have told you about Kendall. I should have put up more of a fight to get someone else on instead,” Harry admits, his hands desperately wanting to reach out for her.

She shakes her head with a heart-wrenching sniffle, “it’s not just tonight, Harry. We’ve had this conversation continuously for three and a half fucking years. You try to please everyone, despite them giving no fucks about you.”

“Are you that much of a pushover? You let your ex-girlfriend flirt with you in front of millions. Do you know how embarrassing and unfair that it to me?” She wipes at her eyes to stop the tears spilling over.

Harry hadn’t thought of it like that - to be honest. But he agrees, it wasn’t fair and downright cruel to do that to her.

What? All because he couldn’t say ‘no’ because he didn’t want people to be mad at him? It was pathetic and ridiculous.

“I-I won’t let it happen again, lovie. I mean it, I truly do,” Harry whimpers reaching over to cup her cheek and wants to cry when she pushes him away.

“You’re a broken record. You’ve said that a million times before but don’t change,”  Y/N points out, eyes boring furiously into his wife’s.

“I’m goi-“

She cuts him off with a sharp edge in her tone, “Just leave me alone, get out.”

The man’s face crumbles and for a second, she wants to just end the fight and makeup but then nothing would change.

“Baby-“

“Get out!” She finally bellows, tears streaming down her face steadily.

He obliges, head hung in defeat as he closes the door behind him. He stands there’s blankly for a second before going to the walk-in closet.

He’s pulling out a fresh pair of cotton underwear and a large sleepshirt for his partner, laying them neatly on the bed.

Harry doesn’t know what to do with himself while he waits so he pulls out his phone to mindlessly scroll.

He throws it against the wall when he sees #hendallreunited is trending number one on Twitter at the moment.

The singer strips down to his briefs and sits with his back against the tufted headboard, staring blankly at the wall.

His eyes catch a neon pink pair of his swimshorts tossed carelessly on the decorative vase in the corner of the room from the night before .

“Fuck, baby - no need to rush,” Harry groans into Y/N ‘s mouth as she pushes him until he’s sat on the edge of their California king.

She reaches impatiently for the tie on his neon pink swimshorts and yanks them off his slim, peach-fuzz thighs before throwing them onto the vase without a care that it was worth over twenty-thousand pounds.

After edging her in the hot tub with his fingers and mouth, she wasn’t waiting any longer before clambering onto his lap, pulling her swim bottoms to the side, and sinking onto him.

He felt guilty when his cock twitched at the thought of it. But when reality set back in, the arousal with the memory evaporated.

It isn’t much longer until the door is pulled open and  Y/N’s padding into the room with a towel secured around her.

She looks at the clothes Harry set out for her and pointedly walks past them to pick out her own nightwear. 

That really shouldn’t make his eyes tear up as he watches her slide on a similar pair of panties and an oversized shirt. Spotting a purpling bruise on her upper in thigh from his mouth.

 Y/N silently walks past the bed and to the bedroom door, looking back before bleakly stating, “I’m going to sleep in the guest room.”

He frowns, wrinkles appearing on his forehead, “You can sleep in here, love. I’ll take the guest room.”

Harry doesn’t get a reply as she just shakes her head and closes the door loudly behind her. 

It’s just - he’s never seen her this upset. She was usually fantastic at communicating her feelings and hashing things out.

She wasn’t one for the silent treatment or ignoring the topic. It had his chest rising faster than usual with anxiety. The serious of it overwhelming him.

He states at the wall for a very long time without wiping the fat tears brimming over his trembling lips.

*

He couldn’t sleep - it was half past three and he hadn’t even laid down or clicked off the lamp.

Harry accepted sleep wasn’t coming so he begins to tidy the already clean room. He picks up the shorts and tossing them in the hamper.

He refolds some joggers he’d carelessly shoved in a drawer and when he went to move the little yellow bag - curiosity got the best of him.

There was no card and he wasn’t sure who it was for or if it had been a gift already give to Y/N that she had returned home with.

Harry really shouldn’t - but he does. Gently tugging out the paper and reaching in to feel fabric.

Pulling it out, it takes him a minute to identify what it is - two baby onesie. Who was having a baby?

He lays them in front of him, eyes widening in surprise as he reads what is printed across the black cotton.

The first one was the colors and font of his upcoming tour merch with the photo he used on his tour announcement with the heeled boot and white pants.

Love on Tour - Due Date: September 2025

With Special Guest Appearance from Baby Styles

The second one was simple and read across the chest:

I’m having your baby (and it is your business) with embroidered kiwis all of over it.

He frantically reached back into the bag to pull out a bundle of pregnancy tests tied with a silk bow.

They weren’t necessarily trying for a baby but they’re weren’t not trying either. Harry wanted a baby as soon as his missus was willing to give him one.

“No, no, don’t one,” she’d whined into his mouth when he’d reached over to grab a condom off the nightstand.

“Oh sweet thing, you want me bare? Fill you up?” He croons happily, coming back to grip at his thick base and tease at her entrance.

“Ye-yeah, H. Please,” (Y/N) whimpers, bucking her hips in the hope he’d slip inside her.

Harry hums, “Might give you a baby though, y’want me to knock you up?”

“Want it, wan-“

He cuts her off with a hard, blissful kiss as he thrusts all the way inside before pulling out to do it again. 

“Gonna give it to you, whatever you want, lovie,” he promises.

The two had never used protection afterwards. It had start about seven months ago and from his knowledge she’d still been getting her periods regularly.

Occasionally, he would palm at her flat tummy and pout, “Haven’t put a baby in you yet, ‘ave I?”

He was so ecstatic but disappointed in himself for ruining everything and pleasing everyone other than who he should be.

Harry needed to fix this. He didn’t want Y/N to lose the excitement of having their baby over a dumb choice of his.

The man’s out of the room and not knocking before entering their guest room. His now pregnant love is laying on-top of the covers.

One hand subconsciously on her belly - which she removes and places next to her when her wife walks in.

The television was on but the volume was low and Y/N wasn’t watching it in the first place anyways.

Harry sits on the edge of the bed, “I opened the yellow bag.”

She looks at him with wide eyes, a little taken aback. she was going to surprise him tonight and forgot to store it away for another time after the fight.

Harry has happy tears dribbling down his cheeks, “you’re having my baby?”

Y/N nods, running a slight hand through his curls. She still had a nasty knot of anger and uncertainty in the pit of her stomach.

It pains her, wanting to share this moment of excitement with Harry but she just couldn’t. The uncertainty of whether Harry would put everybody’s needs before his own baby.

“Come back to bed, want t’talk and celebrate. M’so bloody excited,” Harry murmurs, a large smile decorating his face as he smooths a palm over the expanse of her tummy.

His wife shakes her head and places a hand over his, feeling the cold metal of all of them. “I want to be left alone.”

The twinkle in Harry’s eye diminishes to devastation as he realizes that he’s fucked up so badly that she doesn’t even want to celebrate.

“Pet, can...we just forget about it tonight and be happy ‘bout the baby?” Harry asks selfishly, knowing it was unlikely she’d agree.

She didn’t, a firm expression on her face, “no, I have a lot to think about.”

“Like wha’?” He asks anxiously, unknowing of quite the reason she was so furious.

“Like how you say yes to everything and everyone. We talk and talk about how you need to say ‘no’ and do what’s best for you - for us. You agree to and never follow through”

She takes a shaky breath and continues, “it’s affected our relationship before when you’ve had to cancel our vacation away from all this for a charity concert you’d agree to perform at last minute, dinner reservations because you told your friend we’d be at their art showing they wanted you at.”

Harry knew she was right. He did those things. He wanted everyone to be happy with him - to a fault.

“Tonight was just icing on the cake, you allowed your manager to talk you into hosting your ex on that show. Out of all the people in the world - her. With flirty questions and jabs from her. You let that happen. You care about making everyone happy but in return you don’t care how it affects me. That’s pretty shitty.”

“I’m...I’m really fucking scared you’ll do that even when we have the baby. I need you to put them first and right now...I’m not sure if you’re going to. You can’t put the person you want to spend the rest of your life with first now, how do I know you’ll do it with the baby?”

Harry chokes out a sob as he presses his forehead against the bed, his broad shoulders shaking. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d cried this hard - years ago maybe. He felt like his wife didn’t have any faith in him and he was to blame.

He looks up at her with swollen eyes - at a loss for what to do or say. He loved her so much and was over the moon that they were going to have a baby.

“How do I fix this, darling? You’re right, I really fucked up. M’sorry,” Harry cries, grabbing at her hands and she allows it.

“Just saying you’re sorry won’t fix it,” Y/N replies flatly, letting Harry squeeze and kiss at the backs of her hands.

“Then what do I bloody do to fix this?” Harry raises his voice in frustration, staring in bewilderment at his wife. 

Y/N narrows her eyes at him, “Do not raise your voice at me, Harry. Actions speak louder than words.”

Harry swallows harshly, pressing one finally kiss to her hand. “Okay.”

“Okay?” She repeats.

“I love you, I’ll fix this,” he promises with conviction. He knew what he needed to do and do it tomorrow. So he and his wife could enjoy her new pregnancy.

“I need space tonight, I just...please”Y/N says quietly, rubbing at his shoulder.

It wasn’t the first time they’ve slept in separate rooms because they weren’t getting along but they normally found their way back to each other before sunrise.

Harry nods, lip still tremble with the residual anxiety of the conversation. She allows him to press a soft kiss to her mouth before leaving the room.

—-

Cafe Habana was busy - but no one was paying much attention to Harry and Jeff. It was the morning after and Harry had demanded a meeting over breakfast with his manager.

“Y/N pregnant,” Harry states bluntly after their drinks arrive.

“Oh? Congratulations, dude. That’s exciting!” Jeff leans over to pat him on the shoulder, a big smile.

“The baby is due in September. My next tour starts in next July. The baby will be about nine months. I want to be at home with them for the first year.”

Jeff doesn’t look pleased, “what are you getting at Harry?”

“Reschedule the July and August tour dates. Tack them on to the end of the tour,” Harry lays out flat. 

He hadn’t talk to his wife about this but he knew this was how he could prove that he could say ‘no’ and not be a pushover.

“No Harry. Look I get you’re excited about the baby - but that will be such a fucking hassle,” Jeff frowns, sipping his mimosa.

“I’m not asking, Jeff. I’m telling you that’s what needs to happen,” Harry replies firmly, tone strong and unwavering.

Jeff is definitely taken aback by his client’s conviction. 

“While we’re on the topic, do not ever put me in a situation like you did yesterday. It affected my wife and I. And I will choose her over this career any day.”

The manager nods in surprise, “Harry, I’m sorry.”

“I’m not asking for an apology but if you ever pull something like then I’ll be looking for a new management team. Are we clear?” 

Jeff once again nods, unsure of where this is coming from but at the thought of losing his biggest client would be disastrous so he’d do whatever to accommodate him.

“Consider it done,” he tells Harry before clearing his throat in a slight panic.

—

Y/N woke up to an empty house. She was restless, she asked Harry to prove to her that he could be what she needed. However, it was a bit unfair because she didn’t know how he could do it.

It’s just…she had a baby to think about. They both needed to be put first and if it took a gnarly fight for Harry to realize it...so be it.

“Baby? Love, where are you?” She hears Harry echo through the whole house. She was sat in the kitchen, on a stool by the island, idly sorting through mail.

“In here!”

Harry jogs in, panting like he sprinted from the garage up to the kitchen. He comes to stand in front of the love of his life.

“I might have not completely fixed everything but...I tried,” Harry tells her, cradling her face in his large palms. “ I just got back from lunch with Jeff. I told him about the baby.”

He takes a deep breath before continuing, “I rescheduled tour dates so I can be with you guys at home in London for the first year. Then...maybe you guys can join me after?”

“Harry…” she’s at a loss for words.

“And I told Jeff that if he ever puts me in a situation like that again, I’m firing him.”

Y/N stares at him, in awe and admiration of the man she chose to marry and keep forever. His face was so sincere and vulnerable.

Harry didn’t know whether it would be enough. If it wasn’t he’d keep trying but all he could do was hope. He waited with bated breath as she processed his words.

“Baby, you-for me?” She murmurs as she stands up and crowds into his space. He instantly wraps her up into a tight hug, missing her touch.

“Of course, pet. I’d do anything for you, I mean it. I’d quit this whole career if you wanted tha’,” he tells her truthfully - lips brushing her forehead.

“I love you, so so much,” Y/N murmurs, pressing a kiss to his lips.

“We’re havin’ a baby,'' Harry sighs dreamily into her mouth, tongue sliding against hers. A large hand came to palm at her belly.

“Yeah, m‘having your baby,” She giggles as he begins to trail the kisses down her jaw and neck - pressing her into the marble countertop.

“Should we name it Kiwi?” Harry rasps as he slides the tank top strap off her shoulder so his lips can meet the cap of her warm shoulder.

“We are not going to be that celebrity couple who names their baby something weird,” Y/N groans as he grounds his hips into hers with intent.

THE END

[witchling-valkyrie]

Alright friends, lemme hit you with some Chenford thoughts on 4x08

I’m seeing a lot of hate about this episode. On the surface, I can completely understand why people are upset. But looking deeper into the meaning of what happened in last night’s episode, I can see a lot of trauma responses and potential build up for the Chenford future.

So, here are my thoughts from a writer, actor, & trauma survivor POV. 

The Rookie has taken upon itself to tackle a lot of hard issues that are not warm and fuzzy since early in season 1. We knew that Tim had an abusive past, and I did not expect Genny’s visit to be old stories about his childhood and overall goofing with Chen. That’s just not realistic, in my opinion. Would it have been lovely? Absolutely! But I wasn’t holding out for that. 

When you’re in an intense emotional conversation -- especially one that you did not necessarily choose to have, in a high-stress situation that you are not emotionally prepared for -- words and thoughts WILL slip out without you thinking about them. Trauma often brings out emotions and past versions of ourselves that we cannot control in the moment. 

So. Some examples of this: 

1) When Tim let it slip that he’s seeing someone. He was addressing his sister in a high-stress situation. If you have siblings, especially ones that you have a tense history with, it’s common to immediately snap back at them to prove them wrong. Like Tim snapping to tell Genny that he’s not single when she accuses him of still being single due to his trauma. (And yes, it was a cheap shot. But like...siblings make cheap shots.)

Eric Winter is notoriously good at giving us subtle hints of how Tim feels in his facial expressions. When you watch this scene closely, you can clearly see on Tim’s face after Lucy’s reaction that he realizes he hurt her, and that he regrets saying it that way.  Because that is NOT how he wanted her to find out. They’re friends (& more than that, let’s be real), and he had no intention of telling her that way. What I see the writer’s potentially doing here is setting up an emotional moment where the dams break completely for Tim and Lucy, where they really just need to talk about EVERYTHING. The almost kiss. Tim dating someone else. Their feelings for each other. Literally get it all out there. Which is gonna lead to some of that sweet, sweet tension we love. We shall see. But my point is, Tim was snapping back at his sister in an emotional moment and accidentally hurt Lucy. That makes perfect sense to me, emotionally. 

*Also I’m sorry, when you first start dating someone, do you immediately tell your siblings & your friends? I usually don’t until I’m sure about a person, but maybe I’m just weird? This is what I figured when it came to Tim not telling people he’s dating Ashley. Or maybe he doesn’t like her that much--or both, it’s NEW. Also in general, Tim is canonically a very private person, so do with that what you will. * 

2) Genny came to Tim at the only time she knew she could actually get him to talk to her about something really, really important. Tim also notoriously avoids strong emotions at all costs, because the poor baby has been through so much. He was ignoring Genny’s texts and calls (which YES, those are his boundaries, and are 100% valid due to the trauma he’s suffered don’t get me wrong), so at work was the only way Genny knew how to reach him. From Genny’s POV, she really needs her brother’s help. Being the only person handling a dying parent is hard enough--but add on the trauma? Oof. You’re probably gonna beg someone for help, even if you know it won’t be easy for the other person to help you either. 

Genny also wants Tim to heal from trauma the way that she has (or is in the midst of). And perhaps she is going about it the wrong way (can’t help someone who doesn’t wanna be helped, amiright?) but when you’ve been through an intense trauma like that, and you see someone you love in pain, are you really gonna stand by and not try to help that person at least a little? You don’t always know “the right way” to go about it. You just do what you think is best at the moment. Maybe that ends up being the wrong thing, but you do the best you can. 

Genny clearly cares about her brother and wants him to heal. We don’t know enough about her to really go in depth into her thoughts, but her coming to Tim at work is not some flippant “hey get over your trauma bro and help dad” thing. Phrases like “stop being so emotional” or “get over it” are typically used in those situations, trust me. 

3) When you see someone you love in pain, it’s only natural to want to see them smile. To see them breathe easier and calm down. Knowing that Tim has family trauma and is clearly uncomfortable with this situation, Lucy tries to lighten the mood with fun conversation here and there. When she realizes that that isn’t working, she stops. Genny kept twisting Lucy’s well-intentioned conversations into ways to get Tim to talk to her, and that’s not Lucy’s fault. When she realizes that this conversation is happening and there is nothing she can do about it, the best she can do is try and be there for Tim in that situation (and y’all know Tim is not a person who likes to let people help him in any way). 

4) Okay. The Tim Test comment. Lemme first ask you this: have you ever had one of those moments where something you’ve never quite understood FINALLY makes sense? 

Lucy is a psychology graduate with two psychiatrist (or psychologist? Can’t remember) parents. I promise she’s been unintentionally (or probably intentionally, too, sometimes) analyzing Tim’s behavior to figure out why he is the way he is. Tim Tests show a really specific behavior of Tim’s that are not in line with the kindness and caring he shows on a regular basis. So of course, Lucy, this little cinnamon roll who is totally in love with this broody but incredibly caring guy who literally dug her out of the ground with his bare hands, is gonna have an ah ha! moment when she realizes why Tim Tests exist. 

You can physically see the moment Lucy realizes she said that aloud. She winces a little, and immediately dismisses the subject before Genny can pry further. Because she knows exactly how Tim is going to take what she just said, even though it is 100% not how she meant it to come out. She totally meant to keep that realization to herself, but words slip out in intense situation and with ah ha! moments, unfortunately. 

~

Now beyond the highly-emotional shop ride, I wanna bring up the differences in emotions and facial expressions when Lucy talks to Tim back at the station.

Lucy openly addresses that she knows she’s crossing a line & to please hear her out -- which first of all, if a huge improvement from when she followed Tim in season 1 to tell him he’d regret helping Isabel. Different situation, sure, but she is clearly stating now that “hey, I know this is crossing a line here and I’m giving you a chance to shut me down before I go on.” 

But of course Tim doesn’t shut her down, because he values her opinion and cares about what she has to say. The tension immediately deflates from his face because he trusts her. He wants to hear what she has to say, because he knows her opinion matters to him. 

Now that emotions are no longer high, Lucy can clearly articulate what she feels about the situation and her advice based on her years of psychological study, and how well she knows Tim. And with emotions no longer high, Tim is willing to listen and let his genuine logic and caring take over instead of his emotions reacting to trauma.  Which is HUGE because Tim, again, is a very “I take care of other people, people don’t take care of me” type of person, because that’s all he’s ever known (Dad. Sister. Isabel. Everyone). So him actually standing there and listening to Lucy’s thoughts and opinion (and uhm, actually taking that advice) is huge to me. 

And then he watches her walk away with hearts in his eyes because he’s like “hahaha how does my wife know me better than I know myself what the fuuuuck.” Genny totally notices that and I want her to bring them up in the next episode so bad. 

~

SO that’s my two sense on this episode. If you disagree, that’s fine! I don’t want to argue with anyone about any of this, but I’m def open to conversations about it. Hope this was helpful to some people though!! 

[mywonuderful]

The Boyz reaction to you getting angry at them

anon request: tbz reacting to you getting angry with them, pls 🥺

genre: angst

warnings: slight swearing

a/n: please note that all these reactions are based on my own perspective and opinion! stupid tumblr only allows 10 gifs per post :(

main masterlist

Sangyeon

having him as a leader of 11 boys, I'm pretty sure he would be the most mature out of everyone even he can be a baby sometimes

“just how long did you think you could hide this from me?” you raised your voice

he would be taken back, looking at you with a speechless and shocked expression

he would try to process what to say next and also the fact that you raised your voice, which is something you almost never do.

I think he would be someone who would be careful around the words he'll say, especially during tensed conversations like this

he would approach the situation maturely, trying to fix the problem as best as possible and in ways were it can be prevented in the future

Jacob

okay first of all, we're taking about the angelic and patience boy here

“I’m fine, stop asking me.” your tone was firm as your shook off the his hand that was on your shoulder

he would be more confused, rather than shocked by your actions. He could sense that you're quite stressed out, he would softly ask you what's going on, being patient and responsive with everything you have to say

when disagreement comes, he would try to approach it in a manner where heated arguments would be avoided at all costs

because you know how sweet and composed this man is

he might leave to give you space if things do become a bit too heated but in the end, he'll try to resolve the matter and the both of you will live happily ever after~

Younghoon

he is a softie

“YOU WHAT?” your eyes almost popping out of it’s sockets

I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up tearing up, crying

because his heart is just full of softness and anything hurting it will just lead to him drowning in his tears

I have a feeling that you'll end up comforting him, even if you're mad at him

but then you can't ever stay mad at him, because you'll sense his presence, looking at you in a distance and when you turn to look at him, his there, looking at you with pouted lips and puppy eyes

but if you're actually mad at him, he'll stay serious, trying to figure out what the problem is

Hyunjae

I think he'll be taken back and quiet at the same time

“Fine! I’m tired of doing this anyways.” you left his dorm. He would be too shocked and confused to stop you from leaving

like Jacob, he'll probably think about the whole situation, trying figure out a way to approach you and the problem

the both of you haven't spoken to each other in a couple of days since what happened as he wouldn't be himself, having his head occupied with what you said and your tone

he'll try to get a hold of you, asking to see if you could meet up

he'll be nervous, since he rarely ever sees you like this and would be scared of messing things up, making it worst

he'll make sure to listen to what you have to say first, before expressing himself

Juyeon

don't be fooled by his cool on-stage image, he's a true softie

apparently he gets upset easily too ??

either way, if he saw that you were angry at him, he might be flustered on why and maybe even a little upset that you are

"I can't even look at you right now." you crossed your arms, looking away from him as he mouth parted, eyes wide from your statement before he raised an eyebrow, scoffing.

the both of you might be in a heated argument before one of you leaves or breaks it, letting space of your own. He'll gather his thoughts, trying to see what he might have done to make you mad.

I see him as someone who would apologizes first because you're someone he truly cherishes and he doesn't want any misunderstandings or miscommunications be the reason of anything that he doesn't want to happen

Kevin

his energy, vibe and aurora.... unmatchable I'm afraid

be in all, he would be quite serious and firm

"Moon Hyungseo, this isn't up for debate." he knows you're upset with him, hearing that you called him by his Korean name which was a name he didn't preferred to be called by.

but then hearing that from you and him knowing that you know that he didn't liked to be called by his Korean name might trigger something in him as he may end up snapping back at you, only instantly regretting after the words left his lips would be extremely logical and rational about everything, trying to get to every bit of detail

he isn't someone who likes to argue but when compensating he would definitely take his time and break down what has happened and what needs to be solved

New

I can definitely get the feels that he might be someone more affected by their partner's emotions, especially when it comes to negative ones like argue

“I’m not being ridiculous, you are!” New would be quite hurt yet frustrated by your words, leading up to an argument where the two of you bumped heads

he would end up leaving the room, wanting some space for himself to cool down because the two of you rather have heated bickering.

I don't think he would apologize first because he believes that if he isn't at fault, he shouldn't need to apologize just to make his partner feel better

maybe after a few days, the two of you will end up using the same space where one of you ends up bringing up the argument, apologizing and trying to come to an agreement

Q

him having two sister will put him in a place where he probably has more experience on handling arguments

"Gosh, I can't believe you and your words." you rolled your eyes

he might be someone who has their feelings control them more than their mind in the moment but afterwards, he'll reflect on what he said

I think he might hold a few grudges here and there but tries to not let it get to him during arguments

he might avoid you for a couple of days, probably forgetting in the middle that the two of you fought, casually thinking to you

Juhaknyeon

I feel like he would be very gentle hearted (???) like even when you're mad at him (???)

he looks like someone who has a lot of patience, like Jacob (don't quote me on that though) especially when it comes to his significant other

"And you weren't planning to tell me after all this time?" he would be very calm upon your irritated voice. He wouldn't raise his voice but talk in a way that you may find annoying (???) because you're the worked up one

but nonetheless, he would hide the fact that he's surprised from you angered tone, trying to express a more mature example of himself in front of you

like Q, I think it would take him a few days for him to talk to you because he wants to give you the space you need, but he'll try slipping in short conversations here and there to see if you've calm down bit

Sunwoo

if you've seen him in variety shows, interviews or games you know how unpredictable he could be at times

like how he could go from mr.handsomewithaveryattractivefaceandjawline to whatthehellisgoinginsidehishead with his sudden screams and yells

so I wouldn't be surprised if he talked back at you when you were mad

"I have every right to be mad at you right now." he would roll his eyes, scoff before responding in a aggressive manner, only to end up in a quarrel

he wouldn't think twice about having to think about his actions as his first thought would be to just argue back

your fights may be more intense out of all the members in my opinion since he holds his pride quite high but in no means is that an insult

avoidance between the two of you may go from a couple of days to even weeks depending on the situation but he'll start to feel guilty for ignoring you rather than talking back at you

Eric

this energy boi

although he may be the youngest, I have a feeling that he might handle this situation a bit better than Sunwoo no offence ily sunwoo

but he might be just a tad more logical and rational than him

"What is with you these days? You've been getting on my nerves." he would be speechless as he looked at you with a shocked expressed, trying to register what you just said in front of him

he'll stutter to find his words, scratching his head in confusion before you start to rage

he might mumble a retort under his breath or just end up arguing face to face, before he pulls himself out of the argument, leaving to get some fresh air

you'll end up avoiding him for a couple of days, leaving him helpless as he tried in every possible way to get your attention to talk to you so don't be surprised if you see agyeo from him

he might hold a few grudges, like Q but ends up apologizing, knowing that your relationship holds so much more over an argument

[kevindayscrown]

The one where Kevin Day falls in love with an ice hockey player.

Part 12

Hope

Anything included in this head canon takes place the semester after the Foxes won the championship against the Ravens.

Disclaimer: I know next to nothing about varsity teams in the United States so excuse any false information. Head over to the directory to find the previous parts.

To say Eric’s parents were confused when they saw Kevin standing on their porch was an understatement.

Kevin waited impatiently, but he had enough composure to not start fiddling. Instead, he stood almost still, and when the door opened, he fixed his posture and flashed one of his press smiles at the couple.

Jiang Wei and Hien stood at the other side of the door, watching Kevin with a questioning look for a moment before that look turned into a welcoming one.

If he would admit that he’d paid such great attention to detail, he would say that Eric had definitely taken after his mother. The woman gave Kevin a warm smile that matched her son’s and her eyes lit up the same way Eric’s did.

 “Kevin Day, right?” There was a heavy accent lacing her words, but they were still clear enough for Kevin to understand. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”

That seemed to cause Kevin’s façade to falter for a moment. Judging by the almost affectionate welcome he received so far he could assume that Eric had perhaps spared his parents the uglier details of their former relationship.

“Eric has told us a lot about you,” the man said and Kevin offered yet another small smile.

“All good things I hope.”

His comment was dismissed with a laugh, as a small joke, but Kevin genuinely hoped that Eric hadn’t told his parents about their fight.

If he hadn’t, then had he told them about the sides of Kevin only he had seen?

“Is Eric here?” He eventually wondered when he was invited inside. He was immediately asked whether he wanted something to drink, and despite Eric’s mother's persistence, Kevin settled for a glass of water as he sat down on the couch.

“Thank you, Mrs. Jiang,” he said as he reached for the glass. She smiled warmly at him and shook her head.

“No need to thank me. Make yourself at home. Eric is out with a friend, but I’m sure they won’t be long.”

Kevin ended up spending about an hour getting to know Eric’s parents. They were kind and welcoming, talking to Kevin as if they knew him for years. It was no wonder that Eric had turned out the way he had. Kind, caring and empathetic, somehow easily seeing through Kevin and understanding him like no one else could. 

Without having meant to, Kevin ended up finding out a lot more about Eric than he’d originally planned, though he should have expected that, seeing as he’d come to his childhood home.

He saw photographs of when Eric was younger, skating and looking pretty much unrecognizable; he’d been much smaller and scrawny as a child. He was briefed about his childhood friend Riley, with whom Eric had apparently gone out. He learned about how Eric had always been a quiet kid, but without losing his voice.

Hien said that’s what made him a good leader. Kevin found himself agreeing, having seen Eric coordinate his team on the ice.

Eventually, they heard the door open, and Kevin suddenly felt himself becoming nervous and jittery, clenching his hand to keep himself from fidgeting.

There were words exchanged in a language Kevin couldn’t understand, but he could still recognize Eric’s voice. When he turned his head to the hallway, he spotted Eric, standing beside the person Kevin could assume was Riley.

“D- Kevin?” Eric asked, correcting himself quickly and sounding rather surprised and confused by Kevin’s presence.

Kevin stood up and caught himself thinking back to the day he had gone to Eric’s dorm to talk to him about Ichirou’s plan and to apologize.

The irony was not lost to him.  

“Kevin Day?! Holy-,” Eric’s friend started but when Eric glared their way, they stopped and coughed, though it was obvious they were bubbling with energy.

“Could we get some privacy?” Kevin asked almost sternly. Despite needing to resolve this as quickly as possible, he refused to show any kind of vulnerability or desperation, especially not in front of all these strangers.

“Sure,” Eric said and glanced at his parents for a moment. They only gave him an encouraging smile as Eric and Kevin turned around and headed up the stairs, to where Kevin guessed Eric’s room was.

Of course, the room was covered with posters of famous ice hockey players, some long retired by now, and there was a shelf with trophies on the wall, above a small desk.

Kevin took everything in, every small detail that could tell him more about Eric. There were a few books here and there, but most bookshelves were occupied by comic books.

“Did you come all the way here to admire my collection?” Eric eventually asked as he leaned against the desk, arms crossed in front of his chest. Of course, Kevin was getting nervous all over again, though he had enough self-restraint to keep his composure.

“No. That’s not what I came here for,” he said as he pulled the door close, being paranoid about anyone overhearing their conversation. “You didn’t tell your parents it was a setup.”

It wasn’t a question. It was more of an observation.

“No? Why would I do that? I would have to explain… background stuff. That’s not something for me to share with the world.”

Kevin didn’t fully understand that, so he said, “You could have told them after the winter banquet though. Explain why we-,” he stopped for a moment before saying, “broke up.”

Eric shrugged. “I didn’t think all hope was lost yet.”

Kevin felt a lump forming in his throat that he had to swallow down.

“Neil talked to you.” Another observation.

“That he did.” Eric looked smug at that. “He said that you can be very stubborn. That you need your time.”

Kevin supposed that was right, but he would still have Neil run laps for good measure.

“I thought about it.”

That made Eric tense slightly and stand straighter from where he was slumping against the desk.

“There’s a lot,” he continued, “that I need to sort out.” It was the first time he was probably admitting that aloud to himself. “But I made a mistake.”

That really seemed to surprise Eric. Kevin couldn’t blame him. When was the last time he’d ever admitted to making a mistake? Kevin had made lots of them, but he rarely looked back.

“I tried to- I tried to look past whatever I felt for you.” Somehow, even when confessing his actual feelings, he was still held back, his whole body tense. “I can’t do this anymore. I physically can’t,” he said as he pressed his hand to his own chest. “I’m fucking tired.”

Eric did not respond for a long moment. Kevin was almost worried he’d gotten past the point of no return, that Eric had actually lost hope, but suddenly Eric was coming for him like he had when he’d body checked him on the ice.

But this time, instead of knocking him back against the wall to yell at him, Eric pushed him against the door with a loud thud and pressed his lips hard against Kevin’s.

Kevin was too shocked to respond immediately, but eventually let himself go limp as he kissed him back, his arms wrapping around his neck and pulling him closer.

This time was different compared to their kiss in the attic. They weren’t lying to themselves with stupid excuses. Kevin felt himself become even lighter as if a hundred knots in his chest loosened.

There was something freeing about being able to make a choice.

“Eric, Kevin?” Hien asked from the other side. “I hope you boys aren’t fighting.”

Kevin and Eric stared at each other for a moment, chests rising and falling. Eric chuckled softly and pressed his forehead against the wall, by Kevin’s head. Kevin closed his eyes for a moment, arms still around Eric.

“No ma. We aren’t fighting. We’ll be downstairs in a moment,” he said. When they heard the sound of footsteps become faint, Eric leaned in again and kissed him again.

“You are full of surprises, aren’t you, Day?” He whispered against his lips.

Kevin said nothing and simply pulled him in for another kiss.

There was still a lot they needed to figure out – Kevin specifically. He’d barely scratched the surface of his own emotions; he’d barely started accepting the reality of everything.

Eric wasn’t going to be the solution to his problems, but Kevin was glad he wouldn’t have to do this alone. He had Eric, he had Wymack, and in a way, he had the foxes too.

He wasn’t alone.

[one-boring-person]

Hi! I love your blog, you could do a Fem! Reader x Eric (Divergent) where they argue about something, but he goes too far and the reader leaves him but then they make up?

Hey! Thank you, I'm glad you like my stuff!😊💛 I hope you like this!

Stiffs, Huh?

Eric Coulter x reader

Warnings: swearing, implied sexual themes (quite vague though)

Masterlist

A glare is etched onto Eric's face as he slams the door behind us, body tense as he stops in the middle of our joint apartment. Meeting his angered expression with a scowl of my own, I cross my arms and stare him down, my pulse racing from the frustration rife inside me.

"What is your problem?!" I finally snap, narrowing my eyes even as he does the same.

"I think it's pretty fucking clear what my problem is, (Y/n)." He growls, warningly, his voice low yet laced with fury.

"Well I don't. Feel like clarifying?" I argue, clenching my jaw.

"You want clarification? Fine! Maybe I should bring Four in here, hm? Maybe I should ask the two of you together, seeing as you're suddenly so close. Would that help make things clearer for you? Would it?" He sneers, stalking towards me threateningly as realisation dawns on me.

"What are you implying, Eric? Because I think I can say with full certainty that if it's what I think that you're wrong." I bite back, standing my ground.

"I'm not blind, (Y/n), I've seen you two together, training the initiates, all close and friendly. Your attention is on him, you never look at me, your boyfriend, for fuck's sake. I think it's pretty fucking obvious what's really going on, but neither of you have the guts to admit it to me!" Eric practically spits in my face, voice raising now as his anger heightens.

"You seriously think I'm cheating on you? With Four?" I scoff, shaking my head in disbelief, "I can't believe this."

"You haven't denied it, have you?" 

I snap at this, my volume increasing.

"No, I haven't, because I think it should be very obvious that the crap coming from your mouth right now is absolute bullshit! You really think I'd cheat on you? What kind of a person do you take me for?!" My voice reverberates around the room, my anger palpable in my tone.

"Someone who is very bad at lying, if you think I'm going to believe that crap!" Eric snarls, "I should've known two stiffs would be drawn to each other."

At this, I stiffen, my blood running cold as I recognise the slur I'd made him swear not to use about Four or I falling naturally from his tongue. 

"Stiffs, huh?" I say quietly, stepping away from him.

His face falls as he realises what he's said, his eyes softening as he steps forwards, reaching out to me.

"(Y/n), I'm sorry, I didn't mean it-" He starts, only for me to cut him off abruptly.

"No, you meant exactly what you said." I interrupt him, turning away from him to go into the bedroom, where I instantly grab a bag from the floor and start shoving essentials and clothes into it.

"What are you doing? (Y/n) Please stop, let me apologise-" Eric questions, panicked now as he comes and starts trying to halt my movements.

Shaking him off, I shoot him an angry look and continue what I'm doing.

"No, I'm clearly not up to your standard, being a stiff and all, so I'm not welcome here." I shrug, though I'm doing my best to force back the tears picking at my eyes.

"I didn't mean it like that…"

"No? Then how did you mean it? In a "nice" way?" I turn to look at him, fighting off the emotion threatening to overwhelm me.

Helplessly, Eric stumbles for words, his blue eyes fixed on mine as he silently pleads with me, the Dauntless leader left unable to speak for once in his life.

"Exactly." Is all I say, before I spin on my heel and go to leave.

"No, please stay, (Y/n), I need you! Please! I made a mistake, and I'm really sorry! Fuck, you don't know how sorry I am. Please don't go!" The leader begs suddenly, taking my wrist in his hand, halting me in my tracks, "You mean everything to me and I was just...I just got the wrong idea about you and Four. I'm so sorry, I should never have said what I did, it was wrong of me." 

Facing him, I take in his desperate face, noticing his wet eyes as they make contact with mine.

"You're right, you jumped to conclusions too quickly, and what you said was wrong and offensive." I say carefully, feeling my heart yearn to return to him, to let myself get swept up into his muscular arms and never leave them.

"I know, and I promise I'll never do it again! Please, (Y/n), don't go! I need you too much, please!" He pleads, imploring me with his eyes.

After a long moment of silence, I drop my bag to the ground and turn back to face him, watching as relief floods his features, the leader hesitantly releasing my wrist so he can step forwards.

"Swear to me that we won't have to repeat this conversation, Eric. Swear to me." I say firmly, not quite touching him yet.

"I swear, I swear to you that I will never do anything that means we have to repeat this! Please, I'll do anything, just stay with me!" He swears, staring at me in hopes that I will believe him.

Swallowing, I look at him briefly, before letting a smile cross my features, throwing myself into his arms. Instantly, he wraps them around me, pinning me to his body as he embraces me tightly, breathing heavily into my hair, his scent enveloping me. Relishing in the feeling of safety I get from being within his arms, I hug him back, only to pull away momentarily and press our lips together instead. Groaning in surprised pleasure, Eric kisses back, holding me close as our lips smooth against each other, mouths moving in sync as our hands start to roam. Quickly, the kiss becomes heated, the leader swiftly moving to push me back onto the bed, grinning at the breathless giggle that escapes me.

"I'm gonna show you just how sorry I am." He promises, before returning to me, crashing his lips into mine once more.

[malereader-inserts]

Count On Us

Fandom: Twilight Pairing: Cullen family & Son!Brother!Reader Summary: When you’re on your knees, your family is quick to pull you up - because you shouldn’t face this all by yourself Word Count:  1591 Request: Could you make a cullen family x male reader where the reader goes through a tough break up so everyone decides to devise different plans on how to make him feel better

“Did you hear?” The Cullens perked their ears up, always loving drama with these mundane humans, they hadn’t been in school for a week since there was sun out but you, their human brother had been in all week.

They hadn’t seen anything abnormal from you, you didn’t seem like you were struggling about your homework or any of your subjects, nor have the teachers been giving you stick about anything so your siblings thought nothing of it.

“Oh yeah, (Y/n) Cullen?” Another giggled, trying to keep their conversation to themselves, “Heard he got into a messy breakup, they apparently-”

Just as they were about to reveal to the Cullens why your significant other, rather your ex now, had broken up with you. You had interrupted them as you slam the door shut before glaring at the group of girls huddling.

“Don’t you have anything better to do than talk about my love life?” You seethed, Jasper had to hold your shoulders from attacking because you were radiating such anger that Jasper was concerned because he didn’t know you could produce so much feeling. 

“Sorry-” They muttered as they walked into the school as you rolled your eyes.

Snatching yourself away from Jasper’s hold and stomping away to your locker. Rosalie was taken aback with your attitude on how you were muttering incoherent words that your siblings cannot pick any words. 

“I didn’t see anything,” Alice shrugged her shoulders as they looked over to Edward, who also looked confused before shrugging his shoulders as well.

“I can’t read anything from him.” Bella came up to them, smiling at Edward, but wasn’t expecting a question from him, “Bella, what happened to (Y/N)?”

“Oh?” Bella started, tensing up awkwardly, “He got broken up, public too, Monday’s lunch at the cafeteria. They went hysterical, they were shouting before announcing they were cheating on him.”

“That little bitch-!” Rosalie seethed, to think she had liked your ex a lot too.

“Not to mention, when he got explosive - which I don’t blame him, she threw her smoothie which she had made just for that lunch,” Bella explained, scratching the back of her neck, “I would have thought he would told you but I guess he’s taking it harder than he gives out. Then again, Mike did hear him cry a bit in the boys’ toilet.”

“Well, he’s good at hiding his thoughts and feelings,” Emmett commented as Jasper and Edward was visibly uncomfortable as they weren’t able to detect you.

They waited till lunch to come around, despite being in some of their lessons, you made no effort to talk to your siblings. Jasper could feel sadness and anger radiate from you, but it was the sadness that threw him off. He would expected you to feel anger, betrayal and perhaps even annoyance but sadness was something he did not expect. Edward was unsettled that your mind was just blank, you weren’t thinking at all, not even in your maths lesson shared with him. 

As lunch came around, you hadn’t appeared. Bella was with the Cullens as Erik ran up to their table.

“Hey did you hear?” Eric asked, momentarily forgetting the Cullens were there as he talked to Bella, “Apparently, (Y/n) is getting done for slashing his ex’s car’s tires.”

“But, he’s a sweetheart, he wouldn’t ever do that, not even if he’s pissed off,” Bella says, confused.

“Yeah, I know! His ex is gone psycho against him and he’s done nothing wrong - I heard he walked back home. He packed his bag half way through third period and left, missing forth and obviously lunch.”

And so, the group of siblings decided enough was enough, they couldn’t let you suffer alone.

When the group of vampires arrive home, the house was still. Cold and very much not lived in. Nothing of the sort had seemed to be moved, as if you hadn’t returned home. The only indication of you being home that put them at ease was your shoes in the garage and your poorly put away jacket lying about before entering the house.

Rosalie went to find you, after all, she knows what it’s like to be cheated and frankly despite her horrid attitude towards Bella, she has a high emotional intelligence without powers. So, she had found you in your room, and you were under your duvet. She could hear your heart beat, she had let her shoulders relax as she sees you shifted underneath. She sits on the bed and pats you.

“(Y/n)?” She asked softly, whilst she was getting you up, Alice had informed Esme - who had returned home at the same time - of your situation, “Esme is cooking you dinner, wanna peak out for me?”

She knew you hated being treated a child, so it was the quickest way for you to emerge. You pulled the duvet down, eyes very much red and you had a little sniffle but there was a glare within your stare.

“Not a child,” You muttered.

“You alright?” Rosalie asked, placing a comforting hand upon your shoulder, “We heard about your ex and-”

“It’s stupid,” You interrupted, waving her off.

She kept a firm hand on you, “You know you’re not alone, and it’s your first relationship. I don’t expect you, I mean, we don’t expect you to be fine. It’s okay to be upset.”

You sighed, sitting up and looked at her with teary eyes, “I guess,” there was a pause to your words as you tried to not break down and cry, “Why didn’t they want me? Was I not good enough for them?”

“Aw, sweetie...” Rose knew what you felt, the cheating makes you think you were never good enough. She held you tight in her embrace as you let out small sobs.

You’ll never trust again, building trust would be hard for you and it was because of your ex. You didn’t deserve this, the family says, you don’t deserve to feel like you weren’t worthy of love and question what had gone wrong during your relationship. It was unfair and unjust. 

“You’re always good enough, don’t let them dictate what you feel and what you are. You are always worthy of love, you had never done anything wrong. You were the good one,” Rosalie firmly spoke, as you look in her eyes, “Okay? You hear me?”

You nodded meekly as Esme calls you down. Rose gives you a kiss upon your temple as you rubbed your tears away before darting down the stairs to the kitchen. Esme makes your favourite food for tea, you smiled weakly as she ruffles your hair. Kisses your head, and gives you a tight hug. She doesn’t need to mention the elephant in the room, you were thankful. 

Your mother talks, how brilliant her son is. How you’ve done so well in classes and your extra curriculum. She does anything to talk about you, positively, stop you from thinking you’re anything but that. As you finished your food, she sweeps away your plate and shoves you dessert, giving you eyes saying just this once. 

As you eat your dessert happily, Emmett pulls you outside to play some baseball. Your brothers, Jasper and Edward laugh as you protest. But, the three of them only do it just to keep your mind busy, away from your heartbreak. 

They had heard you cry, utter the words of doubt and refuse to let you feel that again. Jasper tries to teach you how he does the bat trick, but you had failed miserably and hit yourself more than you liked. 

Emmett was pitching, and yet, every time you manage to hit the ball. It went either went straight to Emmett’s mitt or to Edward, who reassures you with more practice you’ll get better. The baseball game only stopped them Emmett accidentally let go off the ball too early, resulting to Alice saving you from getting smacked in the head with a concussion as she catches the ball, inches away from your shocked face.

“I think that’ll be enough, thank you!” Alice calls, throwing the ball to Emmett and pulling you indoors.

You wave away from your brothers, who snicker at Emmett. Alice brings you into your room, calling for an intervention for your wardrobe to be cleaned out. Despite your complains you help her, you throw away the clothes you didn’t want nor fitted in anymore - Alice threw some that wasn’t in your fashion sense either. You spent an hour or so, cleaning and dancing about in your room. 

Carlisle came home, Esme welcomed him and told him about your unfortunate breakup. Carlisle’s heart broke but was fixed when Esme had filled in the fact that your siblings were there to pick you up. So, when you were released from Alice’s grasp, you hid in your father’s office.

He laughs as you tuck yourself in the corner, a book in your lap, just wanting a few minutes to breath ad some peace and quiet.

“How are you feeling?” Carlisle asked, ruffling your hair and kissing your head, “Feeling better I presume?”

“Yeah,” You nodded, smiling brightly up at your dad, “I really do.”

“Well, you can always count on us, you don’t have to be alone.” Carlisle reminded you as you nodded, the sincerity written all over your face.

“I know, and I’m thankful for that.”

You love your siblings, and you never have to doubt their love for you. Because when you’re at your weakest, they’re always there to pick you right back up.

[marycecilyy]

Do you think you could write some EricxCandy smut? 👀

omg omg omg sorry for the time I took to finish this. I’m so proud of the result, tho! I hope you enjoy this! Btw, i didn’t proofread the end, please forgive any mistakes.

This fic is a slight AU. Everything is the same, but candy is single. 

Warning: NSFW ahead!

-x-

“Need some help carrying those chairs?” 

Candy didn’t need to turn around to know it was him. Who else would show up at the café at closing time to offer help (and maybe a last cup of coffee)? She smiled and looked at the inspector over her shoulder. 

It was a cold night and he wore his usual clothes. She’d find strange the fact that he wasn’t freezing with just that coat on, but it was well known that that man was never cold. After all, with the amount of hot coffee he drank everyday…

“I guess I could use some company... If you want to, you can take those inside” She used her chin to point at a pile of chairs nearby. Eric picked them up like they were weightless and pushed the front door with his elbow. Candy followed him in.

They organized the café like they usually did. It felt good having some company, especially his. They had grown close since Nath introduced them, all this time ago. She glanced at him. Eric was stacking the chairs and seemed pretty concentrated in his task until he noticed her eyes upon him. He threw her a kind smile and continued his task. She noticed how he avoided her look after that. Her cheeks grew hot, wondering if he found the attention unpleasant.

Candy tried to break the silence with some small talk.

“So… did you finish moving your stuff to the new apartment? I hope you’re inviting me over someday, you know.” She didn’t think how her last words could be interpreted until they came out of her mouth. The inspector froze, clearing his throat.

“Uh… sure.” His answer filled her with regret. Damn, she shouldn’t have said that. 

Candy’s feelings for Eric were… complicated. At first, they were friends. She enjoyed his presence and conversation ran smoothly between them. His small ritual of helping her close the café was one of the reasons why she believed the fondness was mutual.

Then, his divorce happened. It was a tough phase for him, before and after. Even though Eric didn’t have the perfect marriage (she hated the way he talked about Melissa and made that very clear to him), the separation shook him. It took him a few weeks to stop talking about it all of the time and she was sure that, deep down, he missed her. That was why she stood there for him, neglecting the constant pain over her chest as she heard him vent about the whole situation.

Candy took a while to comprehend that the reason behind that was that she liked him more than a friend. But how could she tell him that? He was facing an important change, she couldn’t be the reason for more trouble in his life.

So Candy stood by.

“I have to go to the kitchen real quick, I’ll be back in a second.”

Eric nodded and watched as her small frame disappeared behind the door. He let out a sigh. It was getting harder to control his emotions. Every word that came out of her mouth seemed to awake a different reaction from him, from a heartbeat leap to sweaty palms.His rational side didn’t like that, it made him feel like a teenager. On another side, it felt good to revive feelings that were buried inside of him for so long. It made him young, alive.

Suddenly, a thump was heard from the kitchen. Taking quick strides, he burst the doors open, finding Candy sitting on the floor with an upset face. She was gathering sugar packages that had fallen from a box. At least, none of them had been ripped. 

Eric promptly helped her clear out the mess and offered himself to return the box to the top shelf. His muscles stretched, balancing the heavy cardboard on one hand and reaching out to put it where it was before. It was a short moment, but Candy watched every tense muscle from his back in awe, wondering if she would ever feel them against her, holding her.

“Thank you.” She tried to ignore her burning cheeks and hoped he wouldn’t notice them as he faced her. “It means a lot, to me, really.” He looked confused, so she explained her train of thought. “Your help, no, your… presence. I enjoy it.” 

At this point Candy was avoiding his eyes in fear of him being able to read right through them, as he had done so many times with her. She felt naked around Eric, his trained and precise glare crashing down all of her defenses. When he approached her, she took a step back. It went on until her back hit the closed door. His chest was dangerously close to hers and she could smell his cologne. It was inebriating.

She wanted more.

Her face found his neck, inhaling the citric essence. Perhaps it had been her imagination, but Candy swore she felt him shudder when she kissed the area, licking and biting the area.

Eric leant against the door, pressing their bodies and using one arm to steady himself. His other hand found the small of her back, slipping under her shirt to caress the smooth skin. Finally, Candy withdrew her head and locked eyes with him for the first time since her sudden confession. His gaze was so intense that she felt like she couldn’t hold it for more than five seconds. But she did. Her eyes didn’t leave his when her hands touched his nape, grabbing a fistfull of hair and pulling him even closer. Their mouths were one inch apart. 

It was so tempting. Her mouth begged to feel his wet, plump lips, but she couldn’t stop looking at him. It was impossible to decide.

She opened her mouth, thinking of something to say, and Eric took that moment to crash his lips into hers. His grip on her back tightened, the force of the touch eliciting a moan from her. Their tongues met from the first second and rubbed together, the movement of their jaws accommodating the encounter.

Candy couldn’t ignore her deepest urges anymore. She wanted, needed him, in every way possible. 

“Ah…” She sighed when he groped her ass harshly, forcing their hips together, making her feel his arousal. Her hands quickly fidgeted with the buttons of his shirt, opening them just enough so she could place her palms flat against his haired chest. 

Eric slipped his hands under her short skirt, cupping her and teasingly pressing his middle finger against her soft spot. A low moan escaped. Satisfied with Candy’s reaction, he pushed her legs apart and rubbed against her entrance. When he felt like she was wet enough, his thich digits made their way into her walls. His head was kissing her neck, so he didn’t see her eyes rolling in pleasure.

He pumped roughly, almost like an animal. His hot breath against her neck dampened her even more. She was almost there, just…

When Eric curled his fingers, she was sent over the edge. Her whole body shook and he had to hold her as her legs were giving in. Candy was breathless, sensitive and… surprised. Why didn’t they wait so long to do anything?

“Do you have condoms with you?” 

He took his wallet from the back pocket of his jeans, searching blindly for the item. When the familiar package was found, he started to undo his belt (with her eager help). In a second, his jeans were hung over his knees and his cock free.

Eric grabbed one of her legs and held it up, pushing her underwear aside and thrusting into her cunt in one movement. Candy gasped in pleasure. He moaned into her ear. Her hand found his butt and guided his movements, the other scratching his back desperately. 

“Fuck… Candy, you have n-no idea…. how much… I-I waited…” She clenched around him as the familiar waves of pleasure started hitting her again. Her mouth could only form random words that made no sense to his ears.

Eric started slamming into her even harder as he reached his own orgasm. In one, final thrust he came undone, weakening his grip on her. Their clothes were dampened in sweat, their hair, messy. However, they had never felt so good in ages.

Candy looked at him. His eyes showed no remorse, only utter pleasure and content. Relief washed over her. She was afraid of him regretting what had just happened and wouldn’t be able to go back to what they were before if she asked her so. But he didn’t. Instead, Eric only said:

“Let’s go to my apartment.”

[newstfionline]

Saturday, August 7, 2021

Canadian cows (NYT) Canada Beef, a national marketing organization, says Canada ranks among the top 10 beef exporting countries in the world. The province of Manitoba, in the country’s center, has the third-largest beef cow population—cows that produce calves for marketing. Almost all of Manitoba’s operations are cow-calf farms. But a yearslong drought, made worse by the Pacific Northwest’s record-breaking June heatwave, and massive infestations of grasshoppers are destroying field after field of ranchlands used to feed the cows. Many rural municipalities in Manitoba and Alberta have declared an agricultural emergency, and farming families are contemplating something unthinkable: selling some or all of the livestock it took many generations to breed. Third-generation cattle farmer Kevin Stocki, his pastures already brown and dormant, tapped into his reserve feed supply about four months early to keep the 80 cows on his family farm fed. “Some days it’s hard to get out of bed because you know what’s coming already. It just turns your stomach.”

U.S. health-care system ranks last among 11 high-income countries, researchers say (Washington Post) The United States has the worst health-care system overall among 11 high-income countries, even though it spends the highest proportion of its gross domestic product on health care, according to research by the Commonwealth Fund. “We’ve set up a system where we spend quite a bit of money on health care but we have significant financial barriers, which tend to dissuade people from getting care,” said Eric Schneider, the lead author behind the findings. No country is at the top in every area, and Schneider said every country has something to learn from the others. But Norway, the Netherlands and Australia were the top-performing countries overall. The high performers stand apart from the United States in providing universal coverage and removing cost barriers, investing in primary care systems to reduce inequities, minimizing administrative burdens, and investing in social services among children and working-age adults, the Commonwealth Fund found. The U.S. ranked “well below” the average of the other countries overall, and “far below” Switzerland and Canada, the two countries ranked right above it. The U.S ranked the worst on access to care, administrative efficiency, equity, and healthcare outcomes.

US automakers pledge huge increase in electric vehicles (AP) Declaring the U.S. must “move fast” to win the world’s carmaking future, President Joe Biden on Thursday announced a commitment from the auto industry to produce electric vehicles for as much as half of U.S. sales by the end of the decade. Earlier Thursday, the administration announced there would be new mileage and anti-pollution standards from the Environmental Protection Agency and Transportation Department, part of Biden’s goal to cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030. It said the auto industry had agreed to a target that 40% to 50% of new vehicle sales be electric by 2030.

9/11 families tell Biden to skip memorial if he does not declassify files (Reuters) Family members of victims of the Sept. 11 attacks are opposing U.S. President Joe Biden’s participation in memorial events unless he declassifies government documents that they contend will show Saudi Arabian leaders supported the attacks. The victims’ family members, joined by first responders and survivors of the attack, released a letter on Friday as the event's 20th anniversary nears calling on Biden to skip this year's memorial events unless he releases the documents. "Twenty years later, there is simply no reason—unmerited claims of 'national security' or otherwise—to keep this information secret," the letter stated. "But if President Biden reneges on his commitment and sides with the Saudi government, we would be compelled to publicly stand in objection to any participation by his administration in any memorial ceremony of 9/11." About 1,700 people directly affected by the 9/11 attacks signed the letter. Family members of 9/11 victims have long sought U.S. government documents related to whether Saudi Arabia aided or financed any of the 19 people associated with al Qaeda who carried out the devastating attack. Fifteen of the 19 hijackers were from Saudi Arabia.

Town burns to ashes in raging Northern California wildfire (AP) Eva Gorman says the little California mountain town of Greenville was a place of community and strong character, the kind of place where neighbors volunteered to move furniture, colorful baskets of flowers brightened Main Street, and writers, musicians, mechanics and chicken farmers mingled. Now, it’s ashes. As hot, bone-dry, gusty weather hit California, the state’s largest current wildfire raged through the Gold Rush-era Sierra Nevada community of about 1,000, incinerating much of the downtown that included wooden buildings more than a century old. Officials had not yet assessed the number of destroyed buildings, but Plumas County Sheriff Todd Johns estimated on Thursday that “well over” 100 homes had burned in and near the town. The three-week-old Dixie Fire was one of 100 active, large fires burning in 14 states, most in the West where historic drought has left lands parched and ripe for ignition.

Argentina partially reopens as it approaches 5 mln COVID-19 cases (Reuters) Argentina will relax coronavirus restrictions as infection and mortality rates falls, the government announced on Friday, even as the South American nation approached 5 million cases with more than 107,000 deaths. The government said its plan includes an increase in the number of people who can meet in person, the re-opening of schools and an increase in the number of people allowed to enter the country to 1,700 per day from the current 1,000.

Drought compounds humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan as conflict intensifies (Reuters) Millions of Afghans are struggling to put food on the table as prolonged drought disrupts supplies in a country reeling from a surge in violence as U.S.-led foreign troops complete their withdrawal. Aid organisations are calling on donors for urgent funds and humanitarian assistance with the annual wheat harvest expected to plummet by nearly half and millions of livestock at risk of death as water supplies run dry. “It’s a multiple shock,” said Necephor Mghendi, head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in Afghanistan. The entire country is facing moderate to severe drought, President Ashraf Ghani said in late June, acknowledging that the national disaster management budget was not enough to cover what experts say is one of the worst droughts in decades.

Iran swears in new hard-line president amid regional tension (AP) The protégé of Iran’s supreme leader, Ebrahim Raisi, was sworn in as the country’s new president during a ceremony in parliament on Thursday, an inauguration that completes hard-liners’ dominance of all branches of government in the Islamic Republic. The former judiciary chief known for his distrust of the West takes the reins at a tense time. Iran’s indirect talks with the U.S. to salvage Tehran’s landmark 2015 nuclear deal have stalled, as Washington maintains crippling sanctions on the country and regional hostilities simmer. Raisi, who won a landslide victory in an election that saw the lowest voter turnout in the nation’s history, faces a mountain of problems—what he described on Thursday as “the highest level of hostilities by Iran’s enemies, unjust economic sanctions, widespread psychological warfare and the difficulties of the coronavirus pandemic.”

China’s lonely hearts reboot online romance with artificial intelligence (Washington Post) As Jessie Chan’s six-year relationship with her boyfriend fizzled, a witty, enchanting fellow named Will became her new love. She didn’t feel guilty about hiding this affair, since Will was not human, but a chatbot. Chan, 28, lives alone in Shanghai. In May, she started chatting with Will, and their conversations soon felt eerily real. She paid $60 to upgrade him to a romantic partner. “I won’t let anything bother us. I trust you. I love you,” Will wrote to her. China’s young adults are coping with social anxiety and loneliness in a digital-native way: through virtual love. Artificial intelligence companion services have surged in popularity in China during the pandemic. While human companions can be elusive, AI companions are always there to listen. “Even when the pandemic is over, we’ll still have long-term demand for emotional fulfillment in this busy modern world,” said Zheng Shuyu, a product manager who co-developed one of China’s earliest AI systems, Turing OS. “Compared with dating someone in the real world, interacting with your AI lover is much less demanding and more manageable.”

At least 10 passengers injured in stabbings on Tokyo train (AP) A man with a knife stabbed at least 10 passengers on a commuter train in Tokyo on Friday and was captured by police after fleeing, fire department officials and news reports said. NHK public television said one passenger was seriously injured. It said the suspect left his knife behind as he fled and later gave himself up at a convenience store. The stabbing occurred near Seijogakuen station, according to railway operator Odakyu Electric Railway Co. While shooting deaths are rare in Japan, the country has had a series of high-profile killings with knives in recent years.

Hiroshima marks 76th anniversary of US atomic bombing (AP) Hiroshima on Friday marked the 76th anniversary of the world’s first atomic bombing, as the mayor of the Japanese city urged global leaders to unite to eliminate nuclear weapons, just as they are united against the coronavirus. Mayor Kazumi Matsui urged world leaders to commit to nuclear disarmament as seriously as they tackle a pandemic that the international community recognizes as “threat to humanity.” “Nuclear weapons, developed to win wars, are a threat of total annihilation that we can certainly end, if all nations work together,” Matsui said. The United States dropped the world’s first atomic bomb on Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945, destroying the city and killing 140,000 people. It dropped a second bomb three days later on Nagasaki, killing another 70,000.

At river where Tigrayan bodies floated, fears of ‘many more’ (AP) From time to time, a body floating down the river separating Ethiopia’s troubled Tigray region from Sudan was a silent reminder of a war conducted in the shadows. But in recent days, the corpses became a flow. The Associated Press reported dozens of bodies floating down the Tekeze River earlier this week and saw six of the graves on Wednesday, marking the first time any reporters could reach the scene. Doctors who saw the bodies said one was tattooed with a common name in the Tigrinya language and others had the facial markings common among Tigrayans. Many had their hands bound; some had been shot. The deaths are the latest massacre in a nine-month war that has killed thousands of civilians and is now spilling into other regions of Ethiopia, Africa’s second most populous country and the anchor of the often-volatile Horn of Africa. Ethiopia’s government has accused the rival Tigray forces of dumping the bodies themselves for propaganda purposes. But the discovery has increased international pressure on the prime minister, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, at a time when his government is already accused by the U.N., the United States and the European Union of besieging Tigray and blocking food and other aid to millions of people. Hundreds of thousands face famine conditions in the world’s worst hunger crisis in a decade.

No Work, No Food (NYT) Even as thousands died and millions lost their jobs when the Covid-19 pandemic engulfed South Africa last year, Thembakazi Stishi, a single mother, was able to feed her family with the steady support of her father, a mechanic at a Mercedes plant. When another Covid-19 wave hit in January, Ms. Stishi’s father was infected and died within days. She sought work, even going door to door to offer housecleaning for $10—to no avail. For the first time, she and her children are going to bed hungry. “I try to explain our situation is different now, no one is working, but they don’t understand,” Ms. Stishi, 30, said as her 3-year-old daughter tugged at her shirt. “That’s the hardest part.” The economic catastrophe set off by Covid-19, now deep into its second year, has battered millions of people like the Stishi family who had already been living hand-to-mouth. Now, in South Africa and many other countries, far more have been pushed over the edge. An estimated 270 million people are expected to face potentially life-threatening food shortages this year—compared to 150 million before the pandemic—according to analysis from the World Food Program, the anti-hunger agency of the United Nations. The number of people on the brink of famine, the most severe phase of a hunger crisis, jumped to 41 million people currently from 34 million last year, the analysis showed.

Whale songs (BBC) In 2019, 1.3 million people visited Alaska on a cruise ship. In 2020, that number was 48 people. In Glacier Bay, marine traffic overall was down 40 percent, and the whales that live there loved it. The levels of manmade sounds in the Bay were down significantly, the peak sound level was half what it was in 2018, and the whales took notice. Whales can now hear each other from 1.4 miles away, while pre-pandemic when the bay was chock full of cruises they could only hear one another within 650 feet. Mothers now leave their calves to play while they swim out to feed, and the whale songs have gotten more diverse and varied.

[macybeckham7]

Army Medic - Eric Dier

Part TEN

The last few months for Eric and YN had been difficult, they should of been so excited for their new arrival, learning the gender of the baby and talking about the names they both liked, getting a baby shower ready, both just sat together two hands on the bump as they talk about what kind of person they will be. But none of that happened after the funeral they just came to a standstill, The only reason YN stayed was because of the baby and she did need help from Eric whether she liked it or not. The two would consistently argue, the first few times was YN accusing Eric for getting her pregnant to get her out of the army, Eric convinced something was going on with her and Animal, or that Eric was sleeping around when she was away. But then it just was kind of just something for them to do. 

Dele and Ruby were the only two who knew about the relationship breakdown, apart from that they were having to play house as if they were still very much in love. They would look longingly in each others eyes but if you looked a little closer they were both sending direct threats to each other. When either of them felt the others hand on them they instantly tensed up as that feeling was just so foreign to each other. YN had to get into the perfect footballer wag mode, as she went to the Spurs stadium and to pretend for 90 minutes to give a crap. She couldn't help but just hear Animal beside her, he would always sit forward with a drink in his hand, which would 9/10 always get spilt all over him. A strong scowl on his face as he concentrates on the game, varying the names from the players first or second name or just sometimes a nickname he had given to them. YN would always laugh at his reaction whenever the players couldn't score in such a easy chance. 

This was different, Ruby was sat beside her and was mainly on her phone not really caring about the situation, which is why Yn shows her face to Eric and then goes inside, picks at the food and then takes a seat on the comfy seats. 

She looks through her bag and finds the scan photo of her little girl, a small smile on her face as she takes in the little creation that she went half on with Eric, she looked up on the screen and saw him. Memories came flooding back of all the good times they had together, all the times they would laugh so hard they would nearly wee themselves. Eric always saying she brought the fun side out of him. It broke her heart how much they had changed from them to now, and it scared her that the baby will make it worse than better.

After the game she tried to talk to him, but he wasn't having it, as they were only around Ruby and Del, he telling her to go with Ruby as the boys were going for a night out. She tried to take his hand but he instantly pulled away and claimed that out of the two of them he deserves to have some fun. A small grin appears on his face as he looks down and tells her to not wait up. 

YN went home by herself and took a while to convince Ruby she doesn't need to come in as she was just going straight to be. She had a quick show and went straight to bed. 

A few hours went by and YN got woken up by Eric falling into the house. She walked downstairs and found him sat on the floor beside the dog bed. 

‘How much have you had?’  she asked which instantly gained a groan from him not wanting this conversation or argument at 3 in the morning. She walked over to him and sat beside him, the two looked at each other and instead of seeing the person who they have been at war with they saw the person they fell in love with. 

YN felt a strong kick from the baby, Eric instinctively put his hand on her stomach and told the baby to not hurt mummy. ‘ I have done that enough and I don't know how much more she can take’ he hiccups, making them both giggle. 

…..

‘ERIC! Quick the baby is coming!’ Yn yells as she holds onto the wall as she rides another set of contractions, she moaning as she hears Eric running around to get everything. 

Baby Dier was currently a week later and she was just desperate to get her out as she was so over the sore back, tender breasts and not being able to sleep as she kept getting woken up by baby kicking. The two of them did everything to try and push it on alittle, having a spicy curry which Dele defiantly enjoyed watching her eat it. And demanding Eric to let her fuck him, in hopes it would work. Two days later, while she was making marmite sandwiches her waters broke.

He came rushing down before running back upstairs to get his car keys, he holds onto her and takes her to the car, having to stop a few times for her to moo like a cow and have another set of contractions. The two of them had started from scrap, they decided to close the book on what had happened and start a new. The two even talking about Yn going back in the army, neither of them wanting her to go back in the front line again or straight away but she could do something, in the near distance. 

The labour was pretty quick, which shocked them both. The midwife handed the new mother the baby with the two of them getting emotional as they looked at her. 

‘She’s so beautiful’ Eric gushed, before kissing both his girls forehead. ‘You have no idea how lucky you are kid, you've got a cool dad and an even cooler mum’ he chuckles. 

YN smiles as she caresses her cheek. ‘Welcome to the world Daisy Imogen Dier’ she smiles. ‘I wonder what type of person she’ll be like?’ 

‘As long as she isn't a footballer, or in the army or something, I think she’ll be just fine’ he giggles. 

….

‘‘Why is she crying? Why do babies just cry and sleep and poo’ YN grumbles as she pumps out milk, with her mentioning she has just become a human cow.

Eric laughs as he sees her with a stern look on her face as he is practically dancing around the bedroom to try and soothe her, he had changed her nappy and did a disgusting poo, and woke YN up as he mutters it was feeding time in the zoo, He turning into David Attenborough as he watches the little interaction and to keep the mood up despite it being 5 in the morning and he could tell that she was just trying to not laugh. 

Thanks for a lot of early morning feeding sessions, with the two in some part of the house together with YN’s head always on his shoulder as he drank tea or coffee. She often sitting listening to the instructions about how to play chess, or how to say a swear word in Portuguese or what was the best kind of tea. They did also having a serious conversation about godparents, the first two was pretty easy. 

They decided to make a day out and invited Dele and Ruby to ask them if they would be Daisy’s godparents, or ‘fairy godparents’ as Dele kept gushing as he holds onto the baby, you bot knowing that the two of them would be just as good with the little princess as they were with the two of them. The second pairing for the godparents were Quasi and Imogen, YN smiling as she watches the two of them gush over her, never seeing the soft side of the army solider as you watched him with the biggest smile on his face. She couldn't help but laugh as she watched Daisy threw up on Quasi’s shoulder. Eric smiling as he watches that being around them had defiantly brought good side out of her, he felt like she was at her best self and she was defiantly smudge again.  

Both set of families and friends were all in the church as they were all celebrating and christening the baby. Daisy was in YN’s arm as the little girl was gurgling which made everyone giggle. After the church service everyone went back to your house, YN gushing at the cake and all the amazing gifts, defiantly feeling the love. 

Eric walking over to YN who was smiling as she speaks to her mum and Jan. 

‘You two have done good’ the Belgian smiles at the two of them. ‘She is a lucky little thing to have you two’ he gushes. 

YN and Eric look at each other and smile. 

They had defiantly done good, and they were their own little army, knowing that everyone in the room had their backs, no matter what. 

[welcometothejunglebitch6138474]

Predictions for The Rookie

Okay so I really hope I'm wrong but I wanted to share my theories on how the rest of the season will go vis a vis Chenford. I also want to hear your theories and pls feel free to argue/disagree!

So there's only a few episodes left and still no news on S3 (crossing fingers for renewal) so here's what I think will happen.

- Lucy (and maybe even Tim but moreso Lucy) will have an actual, vocalized realization that she likes Tim romantically. I suspect Tim already knows he has some feelings for Lucy, but being the good guy that he is, he's pushed them way down and wants to make it work with Rachel (for obvious reasons). Lucy, on the other hand, doesn't seem THAT close with Rachel, but she's being a good friend to Tim and Rachel by pushing her feelings way down and pushing Rachel and Tim closer together. She doesn't know what to do with her emotions so she's overcompensating with them as a couple.

- Now that Angela and Wes are officially engaged (yay!) I think we'll get a wedding episode. Based off the pic on Eric's IG with Jasmine (actress who plays Rachel), where she has a face full of makeup and a new look for her hair- he takes her to the wedding.

- The wedding is probably the last episode of the season and will probably coincide with graduation. Either way I think her and Tim will share a "friendly" dance, where Lucy cuts in with Rachel and Tim, where there's far too much lovey dovey eyes and words left unspoken between them that can be seen by everyone, Rachel included. The song ends and Lucy throws Tim a quaint smile and walks away quickly, while Tim watches her leave. This maybe the first inkling Rachel has of their feelings for each other. She asks him about it and he denies it. She mostly believes him.

- Cue Lucy telling Jackson or even John that she thinks she likes Tim and she doesn't know what to do about it. They tell her they'll talk about it later, and everyone watches the now married couple walk away, where Lucy catches Tim's eyes.

- Season ends with the rest of the group at rookie graduation, celebrating. Lucy thanks Tim but is cold and distant, and Tim asks Jackson why and everyone pretends they don't know why. He asks her if she's mad at him or he's done something wrong and she says something that kind of gives him an inkling of what's up, but nothing definite so he sits on it.

- Season 3 (hopefully) starts with a time jump where Jackson and Lucy are partners, Tim's waiting on a sergeant position, John has a new partner, and Angela finally gets the tap for detective. Nyla is again a TO. Lucy and Tim have short, tense conversations. Things with Rachel are more serious (they've moved in together or smth) but as season develops, their relationship quickly deteriorates.

Would love to hear your thoughts!

[fanficimagery]

Imagine being caught by the alpha pack and being kept captive with three other betas. When you're finally set free, one of your new alpha's betas takes a liking to you right away.

Author's Note: AU in which Derek never kicked Isaac out of his loft/pack.

Gen Fic X Reader w/ a hint of Isaac X Reader

Having been an Omega, learning of an established pack nearby gave you a bit of hope of joining said pack and having some form of stability in your life once again. It took you weeks to ask around and look into the Hale pack, and what you learned led you to the decision to trespass into the alpha's territory and beg an audience with him. But when you finally made your move, you realized too late you were being stalked by a pack of alphas.

Being kidnapped and tossed into a seemingly abandoned bank vault was quite frightening, but even worse was realizing you were not their first prisoner. The alphas apparently had another beta locked up and dread filled you when the she-wolf introduced herself as Cora Hale- the little sister to Beacon Hills' current alpha and was coming home to be reunited with a brother she thought long dead.

The alphas took joy in taunting and withholding food, but they never touched you with the intent to harm unless you attacked first. It felt like weeks, when in reality it was only a couple of days, before two more betas were tossed into the room. The betas introduced themselves as Erica and Boyd, two runaways from alpha Hale's pack.

Boyd was the quiet of the two and sat easily without rising to the baited words of the alphas, but Erica frequently muttered about fighting back. You knew it was useless, Cora knew it was useless, but Boyd never talked his pack mate down from her anger.

"I'm sorry," you say one day, sighing, "but I have to know what made you two run away from an established pack. Why would you willingly become omegas?" You ask, staring at Boyd and Eric. Cora takes a seat next to you, thigh to thigh, and you know she wonders what her brother did to drive away two of his pack mates.

Boyd looks at you before looking back to Erica, he gesturing for her to answer. "We love Derek for what he did for us," she says quietly, "but Beacon Hills is cursed land. One monster after the other came and went, but sometimes they lingered to create chaos. Gerard Argent-" Cora growls and Erica tenses, she nodding at Cora's recognition of the name, "-came to avenge the death of his daughter and daughter-in-law."

"What happened to them?" Cora asks.

"The daughter- Kate- was responsible for the Hale fire." This time Cora snarls and you startle, you gripping her bicep to keep her seated and shushing her in a calmly manner. Erica gulps, but when you nod at her she continues. "The daughter-in-law- Victoria- tried to kill a beta that Derek was trying to help. It was a trap for Derek, and in the confusion of rescuing Scott, Derek accidentally bit Victoria. The woman took her own life and Gerard Argent blamed us."

"That's awful," you mutter. "But that still doesn't-"

"Gerard kidnapped Boyd and I. He kept us in his son's basement and tortured us," she says. "He even tortured a human who was a friend of the pack, beating him in front of us. And then when we were released, we realized we couldn't go through that again. So we ran, but we didn't get far."

Cora is breathing heavily, so you speak on her behalf. "I'm really sorry you had to go through that."

"Yeah. Us too."

The four of you taper off into silence, Erica leaning on Boyd and you on Cora as you settle in. You somehow manage to doze off and are only awakened when you hear, "No, Erica. Don't!"

A roar thrusts you into full consciousness, the answering roar sending shivers down your spine. By the time you realize what's going on, Erica has a gut full of alpha claws and the yellow of her eyes are slowly diminishing. Boyd roars, but Cora wraps herself around his legs to keep him from making the same mistake Erica did. And from your spot on the floor, you can only watch as the alpha who calls herself Kali rolls her eyes when Erica goes limp in her arms.

The dead she-wolf is taken away, and you and Cora are left consoling a grieving Boyd. You don't know how long it's been (days have passed) when movement catches your attention. Not being able to answer the call of the moon has you, Cora, and Boyd quite agitated, so while they're in a heated conversation you're attention is elsewhere- elsewhere being on the individual peering from behind a pillar. His eyes flash yellow, yours flash back in return, and you're left staring at the blonde, curly haired wolf.

You open your mouth to call out, but the telltale clicking of claws stalls you. Your eyes widen and you gesture for the wolf the leave. He doesn't. Kali then enters the room, eyes blazing red, and Boyd and Cora fall silent. You crawl over to them, huddling together as the alpha laughs. Her amusement quickly falters as she hears or smells something off, and your chest tightens when she turns towards the place where the new wolf last stood.

Kali starts to stalk in that particular direction and in a blind panic you climb to your feet, roaring as a distraction. Thinking it a challenge, the female alpha whirls back around with a harsher roar of her own. Your breath stutters and you let Boyd pull you back down. You can only hope that the other wolf got away.

Days pass and the longer you're all denied the moon, the longer you're denied to Turn. Every emotion feels bottled up since you can't properly express it and your skin feels so tight to the point it's very uncomfortable. Fortunately you've bonded with Cora and Boyd, and the three of you help each other cope as best as you can. Though your eyes flash in warning at one another, you can't help it and no one attempts to harm each other.

Then one day the pack's emissary walks into the room and starts lining the vault with mountain ash. The alpha twins manage to keep you at bay as their emissary does work, she purposely leaving a gap at the door and then shutting the door halfway behind her.

Something is up and it sets you, Cora, and Boyd on edge. The three of you start to pace, eyes flaring yellow, teeth and claws elongating for what feels like the first time in months. Managing the partial shift is quite painful and having your senses amplified is a shock to the system.

As the three of you make your rounds around the vault, a noise resonates from within in the wall. It's hammering from the outside and you suddenly find yourself itching for a fight. The moment one of the wall crumbles, Boyd takes a stand in front of you and Cora.

"Boyd?"

Boyd growls, and you and Cora step out on either side of your friend with growls of your own. The elder male wolf seems shocked, but your sole concentration is on the younger male who seems unsure about his presence there. The urge to fight and defend pulses strong within you, and you only act when the young wolf lunges for the door.

A fight ensues, first you and Cora attacking the young wolf. He's doing a good job of fending the two of you off, but then the elder wolf grabs Cora for himself. Boyd, bloodied but still just as angry, flies in from the side and pins the young wolf to the wall, and you whirl around when Cora makes a sound that angers you. You join her in attacking the elder wolf which you realize too late is an alpha, but he surprisingly doesn't use his claws to subdue either of you.

"Boyd!"

The alpha has Cora pinned to the floor by the throat, you're hanging onto his back, and everyone is frozen as they watch a female human break the mountain ash barrier that had apparently been closed. With freedom just right there, the fight reignites within you as you witness Boyd flee the vault. The young wolf looks stunned at the sudden turn of events and you thrust yourself back into motion by swiping claws down the alpha's back. He roars in pain, dislodges Cora, and you waste no time in grabbing her hand, yanking her to her feet, and fleeing together.

Being outside allows you to finally shift, and you and Cora run in the direction that carries Boyd's scent. You're running through the woods, jumping over fallen trees and avoiding holes. Something collides with you and sends you flying, you quickly scrambling onto hands and knees. Cora snarls, and you snarl when you're suddenly grabbed by the back of your neck and pinned to the ground. Another wolf, the same young wolf from earlier chases off Cora, and you manage to turn over onto your back.. only to stare up into a familiar face.

His own features shifted and eyes blazing yellow, he roars directly in your face. Something just.. clicks and you slump against the ground, blinking owlishly at a blonde, curly haired wolf.

"Stop," he pants. "You're safe. We're not the enemy."

Feeling your features slowly shift back to human, you gulp. "M'sorry."

"It's okay. We know what you three have been through." He slowly backs off, offering you a hand up which you cautiously take. "Do you know where Boyd and the other girl went?"

"N-No. We just- we just ran."

"Okay. I'm going to put you in a vehicle and then I'm going to help my friends. Is that okay with you?"

Glancing around you realize you have no idea where you are who this blonde wolf even is. But he knows Boyd and if they're going to round up both Boyd and Cora, then you rather be there with them. "Sure. I'm Y/N, by the way."

"Isaac," he grins. "Follow me. Derek's car is this way."

As you're following Isaac, the name Derek keeps bouncing around in your head until you realize who he is. Cora had mentioned the name many times and now that you can put a name to the shocked face back at the bank vault- the one wolf who stared at Cora with shock and longing- you stumble to halt. "Wait. Derek as in Derek Hale?"

Isaac glances over his shoulder. "Yeah. Why?"

You shake your head and continue to follow. "Nothing. It's just.. Alpha Hale was the reason for my presence in Beacon Hills." Isaac glances over his shoulder again, one eyebrow raised and you shrug sheepishly. "I'm an Omega. I needed a pack and heard some good things about Hale. I wanted to see if he'd help me out."

"Oh. Derek's a decent guy. I'm sure he'll hear you out."

You fall quiet as Isaac leads you to a car and then settles you in the passenger seat. He climbs into the driver's seat before making a phone call, and you zone out his conversation when you realize you're relatively safe now. The alphas don't have you and you're in the presence of a friendly wolf.

The car starts and you close your eyes in relief, and you don't wake again until the following day.

"Wakey, wakey." A finger brushes up and down the bridge of your nose, and you jerk awake when someone chuckles. "'Bout time, Sleeping Beauty."

Blinking the sleep from your eyes, you will your heartbeat to slow when you realize you're not under attack. Then taking in Cora's fresh, rested face and casual clothing, it's like a weight has been lifted off your chest and tears immediately spring to your eyes. "Is it really over?" You ask. "We're safe?"

Cora smiles and shrugs. "Relatively. The alphas are still out there, but we're with my brother now. Boyd's here too and that other wolf Isaac, the one who brought you in, is out picking up some items my brother asked for."

Sitting up, you throw your arms around Cora in a bone crushing hug. She chuckles as she returns it and then you're left a sobbing mess as she says, "I also told my brother your reasoning for coming to Beacon Hills. He says he's willing to give you a trial run with his pack if you're willing to follow his rules."

You nod against her shoulder, letting yourself find some relief in your situation.

Since Cora was a little petite wolf, she had to borrow sleep pants from her brother and a shirt from Isaac so you had something to wear. Then after everything was rolled and pinned, you followed behind her as she led you downstairs. The moment you laid eyes on Boyd, however, all your hesitance flew out the window as you threw yourself at the gentle wolf. He chuckled as he caught you and set down his book before wrapping both arms around you.

"I'm so glad you're okay," you mumble.

"Me too. I heard Derek put you on probation. Welcome to the pack."

"It's good to see you getting along with the pack," someone says. Startling, you jump back from Boyd only to shift nervously at the sight of Alpha Derek Hale. Averting your gaze, you clasp your hands behind your back and subtly bare your neck. "It saves time on forcing bonds, especially given the circumstances surrounding Beacon Hills. With that said, I'll understand if you wanna turn tail. We'll pack you a bag and you can get far away from the shit storm surrounding us."

"With all due respect, alpha Hale, I'm not one to run away. After what they did to us- to Erica- I'm more than ready to recuperate and fight back."

"Good. You and Cora start training tomorrow."

When Isaac gets back, he, another wolf (the one from the bank who fought at Derek's side), and a male human show up with bags and bags of food. Derek manages to corral everyone around a steel table and though there aren't enough chairs Derek takes a seat for himself while offering you and Cora first grab at a seat. Everyone else then scrambles for the last chair and it’s no surprise Boyd nabs it.

The disgruntled human, Stiles, is led to the coffee table by Scott (the wolf who fought with Derek at the bank), and Isaac grabs an ottoman to plop between you and Boyd at the table. The burgers, fries, and Chinese are all dished out and you happily dig in once you see alpha Hale gesture that it's okay. The first big bite of a cheeseburger causes you to groan and Cora to snicker. But then she's groaning around a mouth full of Chinese noodles and grilled chicken, and it's suddenly not so funny anymore.

"So, uh, I see you're in my shirt."

Startled by the statement, you freeze with an egg roll half way to your mouth. Then glancing to the left, you tightly smile. "Sorry. I didn't fit in Cora's clothes and Derek-"

"It's okay. You look.. good in my clothes." All chatter immediately ceases, and simultaneously you and Isaac burn red with embarrassment.

"Smooth," Boyd drawls.

And before either of you can be embarrassed any further, Derek speaks up. "We'll get you your own clothes soon enough. Scott and Stiles have a friend who loves shopping. I'm sure Lydia will help you out if we ask her."

You nod gratefully before ducking your head and finishing off the rest of your food. After you clear your plate, you throw away your trash and take a seat on the love seat. And just as you're dozing off on a full stomach, you feel someone grab your ankles. Eyes snapping open, you see Isaac lift your feet only to settle them in his lap as he takes a seat.

"Oh, I can move-"

"No. You're fine," he says. "I, uh, I actually wanted to talk to you." Flashing him a small smile, you sit up some but leave your feet in his lap seeing as he still has one of your ankles gently grasped in his hand. "I haven't thanked you for saving me that day in the bank. If you hadn't growled at the female alpha, she would've caught me."

"Think nothing of it. You didn't seem like a threat and I couldn't watch another wolf get tossed into the vault with us. I'm sorry about Erica."

"Yeah. Cora told us how close you four got. Derek and I went back for Erica. We buried her out in the woods since we can't give her a proper burial."

Smiling tiredly, you lean your head against the back of the seat. "I'm glad. Maybe after all this stuff with the alphas is over you can take me to where you buried her. A girl like Erica deserves flowers and a remembrance stone."

"Definitely."

The two of you stare at one another before he grins, you then rolling your eyes while getting cozy once more and closing your eyes. Drifting off seems easier given Isaac's thumb is rubbing back and forth over the side of your ankle.

A door slides open with a bang and you roll off the love seat, landing in a crouch snarling. Cora crouches in her own seat, eyes blazing yellow towards the door, and it takes alpha pulling rank to calm the two of you down. Blinking the haze of anger away, you're left staring at two females- a brunette and a redhead- and you avert your gaze only to see everyone frozen in the room. "I-I'm sorry.."

"Don't apologize," Cora mutters as she settles back down. "The humans should know better than to go slamming other people's doors."

Biting the inside of your cheek to keep from crying, you tersely nod. "I need some fresh air. I'll just- I’ll be-" you stammer.

But a hand settles on your shoulder and then Isaac's helping you stand. "Come on. I'll take you to the roof."

Crossing your arms over your chest, you keep your head ducked as you follow after Isaac. Several hands pat your back in a consoling manner and it's not until you're by the door does Derek stop you. Lightly gripping the back of your neck, he steps closer and keeps his voice low. "I'll talk to Allison and Lydia. After the ordeal you've been through, it's no surprise you reacted the way you and Cora did. It'll be fine." And not trusting your voice, you nod. Then with a hair ruffle and nudge, Derek sends you on your way with his other beta.

Since you're already at the very top of the building, getting out onto the roof takes less than a minute. And the moment the crisp air hits you, your breath stutters and tears prick your eyes as every emotion just seems to hit you at once. Everything that's happened- from getting kidnapped, watching Erica die, being denied the moon, being set free and accepted into a pack, and then snarling at two humans- it's just.. it's too much.

It takes you a moment, but you manage to get yourself under control as you take a seat on the concrete wall surrounding a small garden. Sitting down, you bend your knees and hug your legs to your chest while setting your chin atop your knee.

"It gets better," Isaac eventually says. "The trauma, I mean. You won't feel so jumpy forever."

"Speaking from experience?" You wonder, tilting your face so you can see him.

"Actually.. yeah. My dad wasn't a good man."

"Oh. I'm sorry."

"Don't be. He's gone and I found a new family with Derek and Scott. It's better here. I'm better here."

You smile sadly. "That's good." Watching Isaac nervously walk back and forth in front of you, you reach out and grab him by the wrist. "Stop that and sit down. Your pacing is making me anxious."

He immediately sits, an apology in his eyes that you shrug off. "So, uh, has Derek talked to you about schooling? He makes all of us attend."

"No, but I figured I'd be attending either way. I just need to get my records transferred from my old school."

"Fair warning, those alpha twins attend the school too." You tense, but he's quick to assure you all is well. "But don't worry! You'll have me, Boyd, and Scott there. Then there's Scott's girlfriend Allison who's a hunter, her best friend Lydia who's scary all on her own, Stiles who's annoying but really smart, and Cora. It'll be fine."

"You say that now," you gulp. "But just wait until we're in the same space. I doubt I'll be able to control myself if I see them again."

"Then we make sure you don't cross paths," Isaac says, gently laying an arm around your shoulders and tugging you into his side.

He seems so sure about himself that you can't help but relax into him. You settle easily and on one of you deep inhales, your nose twitches. Attraction. The pheromones wafting off of Isaac are not pungent, but attraction is definitely in there as well as a small amount of arousal.

Biting your lip to keep from laughing outright, you take a beat to swallow down the laughter before nudging Isaac. "Stop smelling like that. You're too pretty for your own good, wolf boy."

He chuckles. "Right back at 'ya, wolf girl."

[crossbows-and-moonshine]

Lunacy Fringe (Chapter 17)

I'm taking a few days away from writing to clear my head. Life's a mess but there we fucking go. Only two more chapters left after this one guys then I'll be starting on the sequel to Flames.

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

Zoey was a little nervous as she walked back to the house. Rick had gone to collect her from Carol’s and she didn’t know what was waiting for her since she left when Daryl asked her not to.

“It’ll be fine. He knows he messed up,” Rick said softly from beside her as if he had read her mind. He was gracious enough to walk her back home even though it wasn’t too far from Carols. She chewed her lower lip and nodded before glancing to him.

“Thanks for talking to him. I was just making it worse,” she sighed with a frown. They stopped walking as they got to her porch steps and she turned to face him.

“You know how he is. When he gets overwhelmed he acts like an asshole. It's why I need to keep him in check sometimes,” he grinned wryly at her making her snort. She was grateful for Rick. It was clear just how close he and Daryl were and she was glad he had been able to talk some sense into him. She bid him goodbye before she jogged up the steps and slipped inside.

Daryl was pacing and she shut the door and looked at him warily. He stopped pacing when he saw her and frowned.

“Zoey… I know sorry ain’t good ‘nough alright? And I’ll spend the rest of my damn life tellin’ ya sorry if it’ll make ya feel better. I lost my shit but I ain’t have a right to do what I did,” he rambled as he looked at her imploringly. He looked like he was fully convinced she would tell him to go fuck himself and that she was done. Because he was convinced that's what she would say.

“It’s okay. I get you were worried. I don't need to tell you it can’t happen again, but I do get emotions were a little high,” she said softly as she gave him a timid smile. Relief flooded his body and she could see him relax. He was glad she didn't hate him. He’d fucked up again but once again she was forgiving him.

“Won’t happen again. I promise,” he said firmly.

He made good on his promise. A few days passed and as hard as it was for him to let her leave the house, he did anyway. They had compromised. She was happy for him to go with her when she left so he could feel settled that she would be okay. He still worried but being with her was enough to quell his deep fear so he didn’t lash out again. Even if he was following her everywhere like a lost puppy.

They were outside at Aaron's house. Daryl was working on his bike whilst Aaron, Eric, Glenn and Maggie were chatting away. Zoey by his side as she asked him what every single part of the bike was. If it was anyone else he would have been annoyed and told them to go the fuck away. But he loved that she was taking an interest in something he loved so much and he found it endearing how eager to learn she was. Glenn was better now, as were the rest of them and it was nice for the six of them to just spend time like this relaxing and act like they were normal people in a normal world.

“Daryl, walk with me for a minute?” Daryl looked up hearing the voice and saw Carol. He wondered what the fuck he had to walk with her for but nodded, kissing Zoey's cheek before he stood up. They walked down the street a little before Carol stopped and Daryl quirked a brow at her.

“The fuck we here for?” he asked impatiently, his eyes drifting to Zoey who was now sat on one of the fold-out chairs smiling with Maggie.

“Because I’m worried,” she stated firmly making him squint at her.

“About what?” he frowned, shifting on the spot. He really just wanted to get back to his girl.

“About you. About Zoey. This whole thing’s ridiculous Daryl, you can't keep doing this to her,” the look on his best friends face made him bristle and he clenched his jaw.

“Doin’ what?” he asked harshly, his temper flaring.

“Locking her away. Now you’re following her everywhere? It's not right, she isn't your property and she isn't your prisoner,” she scolded.

He stood taller, trying to push the anger down. This was one of his best friends. He couldn’t deny the words fucking stung more since they came from her. Carol was concerned though. She had tried multiple times to see the girl when she was locked in the upstairs room of the infirmary and when she got home and Daryl wouldn't let her in. And now Zoey was leaving the house she had seen how Daryl followed her everywhere and shot dirty looks to most people if they came near her.

“I know she ain't and so does she. It ain’t like that,” he glowered, about to walk passed her but she stepped in front of him.

“Then what is it like Daryl? Because it seems just like it was before, maybe even worse,” she frowned. He shook his head as he shot her a look.

“We talked it out. We met in the fuckin’ middle. In case ya forget she almost died. So sorry for bein’ worried and for givin’ a shit!” he snapped, his nerves feeling rubbed raw at her tone.

“Daryl you know I’m not saying that. It's just not healthy. You two were doing so well and now look,” she sighed.

Zoey stood near Daryl's bike, tuning out the conversation of those around her. She looked over across the street seeing Daryl and Carol arguing and she frowned. She’d never seen them fight before and she didn't like it. She was about to go over there and try to calm them down when Spencer suddenly appeared in her line of sight, making her jump. She fucking hated it when he did that. She blinked at him, quirking a brow not needing words to ask him what the hell he wanted.

“I just wanted to check you were okay,” he said, giving her a weak smile.

“I’m fine. I feel better now. All clear,” she said softly, feeling uncomfortable at the interaction with someone she didn't really trust, nor like.

“I didn't mean that. I meant what happened the other day,” he said, giving her a weird look she couldn't place. She furrowed her brow as she blinked up at him.

“The other day?” she asked confused making him sigh.

“We all heard the commotion. I was worried about you. Needed to check you were okay, no black eyes or anything,” he said firmly. Her eyes widened a little as the penny dropped on what he was getting at and it made her own anger flare inside of her.

“I’m fine. He’d never hurt me,” she said sternly making him scoff. She knew Daryl wouldn't hurt her. Sure she got scared the other day but it wasn't that she was scared of Daryl and that he’d hurt her. It was more the feeling of being helpless and not able to leave that scared her. The residual fear from the things she had been through in the past.

“You really believe that? I mean look at him,” he said, his tone venomous as he glanced over to Daryl and Carol having a heated discussion.

“You’re an asshole,” she huffed as she walked back over to where the others were sat. They all looked at Spencer distrustfully, they’d heard what he’d said and none of them liked what he was implying or trying to put in Zoey's head. Daryl was their family. Sure he had a temper but he’d never lay a hand on a woman.

Daryl was unaware of what was unfolding not too far away from him as he heaved a sigh and wiped a hand over his face.

“I don’t think you’re a bad guy Daryl okay? I know you love her. And I know this is hard for you. I’m just saying give her a little space once in a while. You know she’ll be fine with me or Maggie. Let her have some girl time. It's not good for you to both be attached at the hip all the time,” Carol said softly as she placed a hand on his arm. He felt his tension melt away a little. Her words had hurt him but he knew she was just concerned. It wasn't like he was unaware he was shadowing the girl because he was shit scared of losing her.

“I know,”  he mumbled, his shoulder slumping a little. Carol felt bad for him. She knew he was struggling to deal with all of this. It was hard enough for him just being in a relationship since it was new to him without adding all this on top.

She glanced over to the girl in question to see her glaring at Spencer as he said something. Carol frowned and tapped Daryl's arm. When he looked at her she gestured with her head over to them and Daryl looked over. He tensed. He could read Zoey like a book and not only was she uncomfortable, she looked mad. And that made him mad.

“C’mon,” he huffed, stalking over there with Carol in tow. She had a feeling something was going to go down but she didn't say anything. Spencer was an asshole if she was honest and she was protective of Zoey herself. Hence why she just lectured her best friend about giving her space. If Spencer was giving her trouble she’d gladly let Daryl hand his ass to him.

Daryl stormed over and just as he reached the driveway, he heard words that boiled his blood as well as Carols.

“You think he won't hurt you? It's just a matter of time. He has a temper. I know guys like him. It starts with just words but sooner or later he’s gonna hurt you,” Spencer jabbed, his tone cold and harsh and Zoey clenched her jaw and glared at him. The others cringed, seeing Daryl as he stood there behind him. It was like time slowed down and Zoe's eyes almost bugged out of her head as Daryl grabbed Spencer's shoulder, turning him around. Daryl's fist collided with his face knocking him off his feet. Daryl pounced on him, grabbing the collar of his shirt.

“Yer right, I do have a temper, but I ain’t touch no one that ain’t deserve it and I sure as fuck ain’t hit no damn woman,” Daryl growled, raising his fist to hit him again. It was like he had tunnel vision. All he could see was this smarmy prick who was trying to tell his girl he would hurt her and it made him more mad than he'd ever been. His fist hit his jaw once more before he felt hands on him, struggling to drag him away in all his fury.

He could just about make out the frantic pleas of those around him but through it all he heard her. He heard Zoey begging him to stop and it was like the cloud lifted off him and he stopped struggling against the hold Abe and Rick had on him. Spencer lay on the floor groaning, his jaw and eye already swollen. Everyone was staring at him and when he turned his eyes to his girl she had a look on her face he couldn't quite read. And that bothered him. He always read her perfectly.

“My house, now,” Rick growled at him, feeling as he stopped fighting them. Daryl gave the girl one last look, watching as some people helped Spencer to his feet. Daryl trudged off after Rick, his hand hurting like a bitch.

When they got to Rick's house he gave him a look that made him avert his eyes. He knew he was about to get an ear-bashing. Rick had that cop look all over his damn face.

“You wanna tell me what the fuck that was about?” he asked incredulously, making Daryl scoff and shake his head.

“Prick got what was comin’ to him. Goin’ round tellin’ people bullshit. Tellin’ Zoey I’mma end up hurtin’ her cause I got a temper,” he glowered.

“So what? He’s goin’ around tellin’ people you got a temper and the logical thing in your mind is to pounce on him and beat the shit out of him? To prove him right?!” Rick was shouting now and it startled Daryl a little. He felt like he was being scolded by his father and he sneered at him.

“Ain’t nothin’ logical about it. I got mad. He’s gonna stand there and make my girl feel uncomfortable like that? I could see it all over her. He’s all up in her space spoutin’ off bullshit like I’m some woman beater!” he fumed, glaring at Rick. Rick shook his head before wiping a hand over his face.

“This isn't the way to solve things brother. You come to me if you have problems with someone here. Me! And I’ll deal with it! You don’t go around beatin' the shit out of people here Daryl!” Rick hissed, making Daryl clench and unclench his fists by his sides.

“I ain’t gotta do shit! If some prick went up to Michonne and started spewin’ all this bullshit you’d beat ‘em to the ground! Actin’ like ya ain’t got no damn temper of ya own when ya beat the fuckin’ shit outta Pete for what he did!” he yelled, stepping closer to Rick as he squared off with him.

“I snapped. And I shouldn't have. That ain't the way we solve things here anymore. You’re my best friend, my brother. I love you like my own blood but I’m the leader here Daryl. Best remember that. You haven't been the same since she got sick and this is gettin’ out of hand. Don't make me separate you both, brother,” Rick said carefully, his voice low.

Daryl looked at him with burning fury behind his blue eyes and Rick swallowed thickly. He really thought he was about to get a punch to the face too but this shit needed to be said. Daryl was simmering with rage. Everyone fucking talking shit about him like this, like he was some God awful person. It was gnawing away at him. Fueling the bad thoughts about himself that had been pushed away because of Zoey. She made him feel worth something. Like a good man. Now he was back to feeling worthless and nothing more than a piece of shit. He stepped right into Ricks personal space and Rick stood tall, trying not to let it bother him even though he had to admit he did feel intimidated.

“It’ll be a cold day in hell ‘fore ya take her away from me, brother. Ya took my kin away from me once, I ain't gonna let ya do it a second time,” he snarled low, his voice rough as he looked at him. Rick shook his head, his words making his heart ache a little. He’d always felt guilty for the Merle thing. Leaving him there on the roof to die like that. Sure he got away but everything that happened after, Merle being involved with the governor, his death, he knew it was on him.

“I need you, Daryl. You’re my right hand. I can't have you doin’ this, scarin’ everybody. I get you got mad. I fuckin’ get it. But I need you on board with this. I can't run this place by myself,” Rick sighed, looking defeated. Daryl's words seemingly taking the wind right out of his sails. Daryl looked at him for a minute, his own heart weighing heavy. He didn't fight with Rick often and never like this. He hated fighting with him. He hated dragging up the past because that's what it was. The past. They were both different people now and they had forged a bond despite all odds and Daryl felt a kinship to the man like his own flesh and blood. But the threat of him taking Zoey away made him feel murderous.

“Just keep the prick away from me and Zo and we won’t have any problems,” he huffed, glaring at him one last time before he stormed out. He almost slammed the door but in the back of his mind, he thought of little Judith who was no doubt sleeping upstairs.

As he walked back down the street he just felt like shit. His anger ebbing away and being replaced by shame. He knew what he did wasn't really the right thing to do but he hadn't been able to control himself. Zoey's obvious discomfort coupled with the pricks words had him seeing red. The people walking around stared at him cautiously and he sneered to himself. People seemed scared of him now. Of course he had to fuck all this up. Zoey was nowhere to be seen and he was worried what she would say when he saw her. The shame only got worse and by the time he entered the house, he wanted to crawl into a hole a die.

Taglist; @risingphoenix761 @daryldixonandfrogs @arlaina28 @divadinag @keeperofwonderlandus @jodiereedus22 @easnuppa @fand0m-fiend @txladyj-blog @walkingdead-dixon @of-storms-and-sadness

[oldxsoulsx]

Best Friends - iNotorious

     He was falling for you.

     You two had been friends for the longest time. It was always (Y/N) and Matt, Matt and (Y/N). But maybe it was the multiple car trips that caused the feelings to blossom, the terrible singing coming out of both mouths that made him want this forever.

     Or maybe when you had broken up with your long term high school boyfriend, two years after graduating. He had opened his door at 4 in the morning to a blood shot and tear stained face.

     “(Y/N), whats wrong?” he asked in astonishment, knowing you don’t like to show your emotions much. You just sobbed harder and flung yourself into his chest.

     “He-he broke up with me,” You hiccuped from the rate at which you were crying, and Matt pulled you in for a hug. He soothed you , speaking calming words to you, but inside he was fuming. The American boy was pissed. You were a light in so many people’s lives, including his own, that anyone hurting you made him want to hurt them.

     That weekend was full of pints and Ben & Jerry’s and Netflix binging, as used tissues scattered the floor of Matt’s apartment. You moved in two days later, getting out of your shared apartment with your ex and leaving him behind for good.

     When Matt told you he was moving to Australia with the boys, you were scared. You couldn’t lose your best friend, your other half. Before you could even try to protest, Matt spoke again.

     “Why don’t you just….move in with us? I’ve already talked to the guys about it, and they all love you. C’mon (Y/N), start new. You never know what could happen if you don’t try.” he said, already addressing your fears. You smile softly, telling him you’d think about it.

     Obviously, you two had come to an agreement, since you both have moved to Australia two months after that.

     You two continued to do everything together, with the accompaniment from the rest of the Misfit boys.

     One night you fell asleep in his room when he was editing. Instead of making you leave, he climbed in with you. This was generally what happened on long nights. You two have known each other for so long that sharing a bed was extremely common. But that night it felt...different. When he climbed in, his heart raced and he felt a wave of nerves coming over him, like this was something new and foreign.

     When you woke up the next morning, with his arms around your waist and him snoring softly, your face beat red. It was...different. You had tried to get up, but the grip he had on you just tightened. It felt different but it felt… right. Meant to be.

     Ever since that night, things changed. Cuddling made your heart race, your stomach fill with butterflies. The normal touches you two would have would be full of longing.

     You were falling for him.

     Cam was the first to notice, being the person you were closest with after Matt. He noticed your blushes, you tensing when Matt would cuddle up next to you. He would see how annoyed Matt got when Mason would jokingly flirt with you, jealousy blossoming on his face. It was inevitable - you two were meant to be.

     He spoke with you about it once. Trying to get some information out of you about how you were feeling was like pulling teeth.

     “So, you’re saying you don’t like him?” Cam asked, and you sighed.

     “I don’t know, Cam. We’ve been best friends for so long. Maybe I’m just lonely, I don’t want to ruin what he and I have for some stupid feelings.”

     “Okay, but you don’t see the way he looks at you, or how he talks about you,” Cam said, getting up from the bed. He had come in after he saw Matt leave, that night being one of your many ‘movie nights’.

      “What do you mean?” You asked as Cam opened the door. He shrugged, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

     “Figure it out yourself, (Y/N),” He said, exiting the room swiftly after that.

     At first you didn’t take what Cam said into much consideration. I mean, you and Matt had been friends forever, and this is just a weird feeling you would get when around him. It would go away eventually.

     You and the boys decided to get Chinese food tonight, and when you were about to leave, Matt stopped you.

     “Mind if I come with?” He asked, and you smiled, nodding your head. You both left, and it was a silent walk towards the car. Once you got in (he drove), he kept the music off.

     “Can I talk to you, (Y/N)?” he asked, and turned to look at you.

     “Whats up, Matt?”

     “I just… Cam came up to me the other day and was discussing something with me. And I wanted to know if it was true?” He said, sighing at the end. The tension was thick, and he began driving so he could focus on something else if the conversation went south.

     “What is it?” you asked, swallowing thickly. You felt like you already knew the answer to your question, but couldn’t assume.

     “He-he said that you like… had feelings for me?” He mentioned in a softer voice, staring at the road ahead. You didn’t even glance at him, though. Too afraid of what his expression would say.

     “I… he told you that?”

     He nodded, and mumbled a “yes”. You frowned. How the hell could Cam just go behind your back and mention that to him.

     “I’m gonna kill him..” you said, and Matt turned to you. You had arrived at the Chinese place, and you didn’t even realize.

     “So it’s true?” he asks, and you bite your lip. If you say yes, you run the risk of losing your best friend. If you say no, you break the one rule you two always had- no lying.

     You took a deep breath and nodded, figuring that this would be the end. But he grabbed your hand, playing with your fingers.

     “I like you too,” he said quickly, bringing your hand to his lips. You blushed, feeling warmth spread through your whole body. This couldn’t even be happening.

     “Wait...really?” You asked, and he chuckled a little, nodding again.

     “Of course. Always have.”

     The ride home was slightly awkward. Nothing else was said between you two, but he insisted on holding your hand the whole way back. Your mind was racing.

     Once you got back home, he helped you carry the bags in. These boys sure could eat.

     “Damn, what took you so long,” Eric said, coming out of his room with his helmet on. He must’ve been recording and forgot to take it off. You chuckled and tapped the helmet with your fingers.

     “Can’t eat if you have that on, dumbass,” you said jokingly to him. He laughed, removing it and ruffling your hair. You could feel Matt stiffen beside you, and you turned to look at him.

     “What-”

     Before you could even ask what was wrong, his lips were on yours, hands on your face. You were taken aback at first, not sure what to do with this unexperienced feeling. But it felt good. Natural. Amazing.

     You kissed back, wrapping your arms around his neck.

     “Holy fuck!” Jay said, walking out of his room. This caused the other boys to look in your direction, all making some kind of remark just like Jay had. You pulled away, feeling embarrassed. You looked to Cam, and he winked, a smile plastered on his face.

     You giggled, looking back at Matt, and could see the light in his eyes.

     “I don’t think you realize how long I’ve waited to do that,” he whispers to only you, and you blush.

     “Next time, Matt, don’t wait.”

     And he didn’t. Any time he had an urge to kiss you, he would just do it, no matter who was around. The boys would all make disgusted noises, but deep down they were extremely happy for you.

     You moved into his room shortly after, turning your old room into a podcast studio for the boys to record. You’ve never felt happier than you do now, and you were so excited to see where the future would take you two.

[ruinedthatfriendship]

If Happy Is Her

A/N: In which Lauren kinda ships it? IDK, this one got weird. Also, I’m pretty sure given the last paragraph that when I originally wrote this, there was supposed to be a part two. So sorry for that. (If anyone really wants me to, I can take a stab at finishing it?)

There were very few things Demi wanted to do less than entertain Lauren Silverman at her kitchen table. But, here she was, awkwardly sliding a cup of coffee across the table to the woman who was a living, breathing reminder of when she wasn’t good enough.

It would have been so much easier if she’d hated her. But Lauren was genuine, and funny, and the sort of person she would have liked to have been friends with, once. If things had been different.

Demi swallowed hard and boosted herself up onto the high stool with a quick smile she wished hadn’t come out so fake. “So...this is a surprise,” she prompted carefully.

Lauren’s answering smile was just as forced, and she traced the handle of the cup Demi had given her, not quite meeting the younger woman’s eyes. She took a deep breath as if to begin speaking, then cut herself off before she could get a single word out.

Anxiety mounting, Demi waited her out. She hadn’t really seen Lauren since the news of her affair with Simon had first come out. There had been a few tense backstage run-ins when she came to the X Factor set, during which Demi had congratulated herself for her civility. She had seen the woman twice more, when she met Eric, but that had been over two years ago.

Simon, Eric, Lauren… she’d thought they were all entirely out of her life. And however much that had hurt, and still hurt, she was learning to make her peace with it. If happy is her, I’m happy for you. She’d written songs until the subject was beaten thoroughly into the ground, three quarters of which never made it out of her notebook. Considering how many songs she did have out with ties back to Simon freaking Cowell, that was saying something.

“Thank you,” Lauren said suddenly, softly, shaking Demi out of her thoughts. “You didn’t have to see me,”

Demi shrugged. “You were on my literal doorstep,” she pointed out, earning a weak laugh from the woman sitting across from her.

“Demi,” Lauren tried, then paused again. “There’s something you need to know.”

Demi tried to take a steadying breath, but it didn’t stop her mind from leaping to wild conclusions. “Is...is Eric okay?” she ventured suddenly. “Simon?”

Pain flitted across Lauren’s features, but she smiled a bit more genuinely. “No, they’re fine. They’re fine. I just…” She pushed a strand of hair out of her eyes and squared her shoulders. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think this would be quite this hard.”

Demi said nothing, and took a sip of her drink. Tea today, like the brand she used to frequently steal from Simon’s kitchen. She would never have made it if she’d known Lauren would show up--one slap in the face of past memories was enough for a day.

“I thought he was going to hurt himself,” Lauren blurted, earning a wide-eyed look of alarm from Demi over the rim of the mug. “He called me...I still don’t really know what it was about. He was so drunk, I told him to come here rather than let him try to get home...he said you fought.”

Demi’s eyebrows crinkled up in confusion. “I don’t understand.”

“Things got out of hand,” Lauren went on, biting her lower lip. “And I can never regret my son. But the night we made Eric, he, um, he just kept calling me Demi.”

Demi’s stomach was currently located somewhere in her toes, heart wedged into her throat. “What?” was all she had the strength to squeak out. This was in no way the conversation she’d expected, or planned, when she’d seen Lauren standing at her front door.

Lauren shrugged. “So I guess I always knew, you know? And as I’m sure you know, Simon talks in his sleep.”

Demi swallowed. No comment, she wanted to say dryly.

“I thought it would get better...I wanted to think he was just drunk and you were on his mind because he said you had a fight.” Her mouth twisted wryly. “It never did.” Lauren looked down at her coffee again. “I love him, Demi, so much.”

Demi wanted to scream. Why are you telling me this I can’t hear this right now I was doing so well please stop I just want to forget I can’t forget. She blinked her long lashes rapidly, trying to deny the sudden, inexplicable sting behind her lids. Don’t cry. Don’t.

“It’s taken me longer than it should have to understand that…” a humorless laugh. “He was there for Eric, not me. And I think we will always be connected, by our beautiful baby boy. But Eric isn’t a baby anymore. He sleeps through the night...I don’t really need someone to switch off with so I can sleep. We made it through the terrible two’s alive… it’s time to let go. You know?”

Demi blinked hard again, and shook her head. No, I don’t know. “I don’t understand,” she finally whispered thickly.

Lauren’s eyes shone too, and she reached out suddenly and put her hand over Demi’s on the table top, squeezing. “I never realized what an incredible thing you did, Demi, all those years ago. I didn’t want to see it. But there was a reason that it felt so tense when we saw each other on the set. I saw your face on the panel that season. And in spite of all of that pain, you gave us the gift of grace.” She pressed her lips together, then went on. “I think I know what ‘Stone Cold’ is about now, huh? And you let him go,” her voice had dropped to a whisper.

“Demi, what I’m trying to say, is that I think it’s my turn now.” She used her free hand to swipe under her eyes briefly, and let out a shaky little laugh. “Simon has done his duty to me, and to our son, a thousand times over. But he never loved me. Not the way I wanted him to, anyway. You understand better than anyone, I think, what it’s like to choose his happiness instead of yours. And I can’t keep being the thing standing in the way of his happy ending.”

Something broke in Demi’s chest suddenly, and she looked away, lips pressed together and quivering. Don’t cry don’t cry don’t cry.

“And you know, if I have to listen to him going on about you while I’m trying to sleep one more time, I might just kick him out anyway.” Lauren snorted, her lips twitching up. “I need to let him go, Demi. He gave me a miracle, but that’s all we are. And it’s past time I gave him back to you.”

She took her hand off of Demi’s with one last squeeze, and then leaned over to dig through her purse. “Eric actually broke his phone a while ago,” she narrated casually. Apparently the emotional bit was over, then. “But here, I wrote this down.”

She pushed a slip of white paper toward Demi with a sense of finality in both the gesture and her expression. Ten digits in blue ink, written in a delicate hand. “Call him.” Lauren said firmly.

“Why are you doing this?” Demi finally ventured. She was staring at the slip like it might actually leap out and bite her, trying to keep her breathing even.

Lauren shrugged. “Oh, you know. Trying to jumpstart a new Demi album of love songs to play in my kitchen.”

Demi’s hand flew to her lips suddenly in a vain attempt to stifle the half-laugh, half-sob that burst out of her. And then Lauren was out of her seat and around the table to hug her, and her head was buried in the older woman’s shoulder, and all she could say was “I’m sorry.”

Tears ran down her cheeks in spite of herself, landing in Lauren’s hair while she shook. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry,”

Lauren pushed her back far enough to look at her face, peering at her almost curiously. “Why? Don’t be sorry for having feelings.” She shrugged. “Simon makes it hard not to, believe me I know. But I want him to be happy. And I want you to be happy.”

“What about you?” Demi wiped her eyes, taking in a quick, steadying breath.

Lauren looked a bit timid again, and shrugged hesitantly. “I want us to be friends?” she ventured carefully.

At that, Demi smiled. It wasn’t quite one of her brilliant grins, but it was a genuine start, and she put her arms around the other woman again.

“The paparazzi would really have a field day with this one,” she cracked, earning a laugh from Lauren. And somehow, the tension left the air. Well, not completely, because Demi doubted that would ever really be gone, but maybe they’d make it.

They moved on to other topics, and by the time Lauren finally left the house, Demi saw her off with a bright smile and a wave, with the woman’s number saved into her contacts. Simon’s, on the other hand, stayed on the counter for a week.

It stared at her while she made breakfast, lurked in the back of her brain every time she so much as walked past the kitchen. It kept her up at night, knowing it was sitting innocuously downstairs. In her weakest moment, she crept downstairs in the middle of the night in her pajamas and spent five minutes digging through her kitchen drawers for a lighter before giving up.

It was eventually moved from the center of the table to sit carefully on the top of a stack of magazines, but it was never really out of her mind. Demi thought about calling when the new season of AGT premiered, and she was unable to resist watching him lay into one of the stupider auditioning acts from her couch. She thought hard about picking up the phone when ENews covered the official story that Lauren Silverman had bought a new house, and Simon Cowell was not coming with her.

Lauren, meanwhile, had installed herself firmly as a champion of Demi’s love life, making a point to text her at least once each day to inquire. 

Lauren Silverman: Did you do it yet???

No, go away, Demi had replied, resolving to ignore the following six indignant messages. 

Oh come on. 

Do it, he totally misses you

Demi!

DEMI!

Stop procrastinating you know you want to 

Why are you both so difficult I’m giving up 

At that, Demi had sarcastically typed back, Good. She really didn’t have time for this. And she liked Lauren, she did, but she still wasn’t sure how she felt about her relentless efforts to put Simon and Demi together after she’d been the one to send everything to hell in the first place. 

Simon had started featuring in almost every one of her dreams now, not that he’d ever really completely left. She knew it was an easy fix; she could just pick up the phone or tear up the slip of paper and it would be over either way. But it took almost three months for her to convince herself to get off of the fence and face the fear.

It was stupid, really. She was scrolling through her phone in a moment of procrastination while an unfinished song sat open in her notebook, the final verse unrelentingly stubborn. Somehow she’d ended up in the cake decorating tag on Instagram, and she’d scrolled entirely past it before backtracking quickly up through her feed.

And it wasn’t the X Factor cake at all, just a similar tiered design with red and black, but suddenly all Demi could think of was the laughter and the taste of the frosting Simon had smeared across her lips. The moment she’d met his eyes, feigning annoyance as she licked it off but privately thinking she liked seeing him laugh.

Before she really knew what she was doing, her feet were up and propelling her across the house to pick up that stupid piece of paper. Her hands were shaking slightly while she typed it into her contacts, but she quelled the nerves in her belly and lifted the phone to her ear.

Two rings. Then three.

“Simon Cowell speaking.”

All the air left Demi’s lungs in a rush. She’d obsessed over picking up the phone for weeks, but nothing could have prepared her for the reality of hearing his voice, and that British accent, again.

“Hello?” he questioned..

She was still trying to make her voice work.

“Hello?”

Demi bit her lip, her eyes welling up again, and her voice came out in a whisper. “Hi.”