#answered letters📜

[malakai-azer]

When are you coming back home from your honeymoon?

In two days. Why?

[vaaaaaiolet]

thought of u immediately when I saw this

adoringly ruffling your hair and wishing u the best for school!!

ME RN.

AWWW MY GOSH 😭😭😭 THIS IS SO SWEET!! i used to have a disney fairies tea set like this when i was little and i miss it so very much :,,,))

i needed this BADLY today. miss ink i love you to SATURN!!! thank you so much for sending this in, you put a huge smile on my face ❤️

[lcftyambiticons-archive]

（ ℒ𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬. 📜 ） ⸻  @relentlessgrief asked : »

How does Lorroakan feel about some casters and how they get their power? Sorcerers are like the nepo babies of the dnd world who are just born with it, warlocks get theirs by probably selling their soul, and clerics get theirs from their god. Meanwhile you have wizards who have to put in the hard work and study. Is that a point of contention for Lorri at all, you think?

HE RESENTS THEM. XD

Wizards like him work for their power, burning through sleepless nights and clawing every bit of knowledge from ancient texts and years of arcane practice. Growing up poor and in ATHKATLA, just getting his hands on a spellbook was a challenge.

For Lorroakan, magic is a reward, not something you should just have. It's as if Sorcerers have been handed a lifetime's work for free??? It's insulting (and he believes the gods have erred in not granting HIM — someone of his great intellect and ambition — both inherited powers and immortality!!! A true injustice!!!11!!)

Warlocks... ew. To him, they're nothing more than leeches, whoring themselves out to a fickle entity for a few quick powers and shortcutting their way around the years of effort HE had to put in. Pathetic and foolish. Smh.

Clerics are just as bad. Begging a god and serving blindly in exchange for magic is equally pitiful in his book.

Power should be an achievement, not a loan or a birthright (unless it comes to him, because OBVIOUSLY, he would have been worthy, and the GODS HAVE CLEARLY ERRED WHEN DENYING HIM ANY INHERITED POWERS !!!!!)

Yeah.... he doesn't think they're worthy of his respect. 😬

[lcftyambiticns]

✍ @dvilsdesire

Send ✍ for my muse to write a letter to your muse!

There is a matter I wish to discuss with you, one that requires discretion and a measure of independence on your part. I do hope Raphael hasn’t drawn your leash so tight as to prevent such a conversation.

I believe you will find this matter quite intriguing.

— 𝕷.

@dvilsdesire

[justpeachyparker]

HAPPY BIRTHDAYAYYAAY

thank youuuu!!!!!!!

[fanficsat12am]

Echoes of Unwritten Words

pairing: Lucifer x reader

wc: 1.3k

prompt: "You sent letters?"

📜 𝙼𝙰𝚂𝚃𝙴𝚁𝙻𝙸𝚂𝚃!! 📜

“No matter how far we are apart, my heart will continue to yearn for you until the world brings you back into my arms again. Only then shall I be at peace”. These were the last words you heard from Lucifer before you had left for the human world. You kept those words close to your heart for what felt like a millennium, counting each minute that passed until you would reunite again with your love. 

As you stand in front of his office, you feel your heart beating like a drum, the excitement inside you having bubbled for weeks on end. It had been months since you had seen him last, with the new school year finally letting you return to the Devildom once again. Like a moth looking for its flame, you yearned to bask in his warmth once again. Turning the knob, the door opens to reveal Lucifer slumped on his desk. Despite hearing the door creak open, he doesn’t bother to tear his focus away from his work. 

“Luci!” you call out, sending a bright smile his way as you step inside the office.

He hums, gaze never leaving the piece of parchment in front of him.

“My Love?” The sound of his pet name rolling off your tongue used to have him melting where he stood. But now, a sharp glare is sent your way instead, his crimson eyes absent of the loving glint it once held. 

Even as the days pass, your mind continued to search for answers as to what could have caused such a flip in your relationship. It feels like you were once again in square one, back to when you had first come to Devildom. You've tried to talk to him about it time and time again, but he always brushes you off. He either feigns being busy or flat out refuses to talk to you. Letting out a huff, you walk to his office with determination in your stride. You are getting to the bottom of this if it is the last thing you're going to do. You knock on the door to his bedroom, hearing his call to enter. 

“Don’t refer to me with such familiarity. Now please, see yourself out.” He says before continuing to scribble away with his pen in hand. The excitement you once held is now crushed to smithereens and ground into powdered dust. Despite the stinging pain in your chest, you take a deep breath and nod, taking your leave. As you close the door, your thoughts race with questions.

‘What happened?’ ‘Did I do something?’ ‘That’s impossible, I haven’t talked to him in months… Is that why he’s mad?’ 

As he sees you step into the room, he can’t help but roll his eyes. “MC, I’ve already told you. I’m not able to join you. Must you be so insistent…”

You ignore his comment, taking a seat on the couch just across his bed. As you stare into his eyes, you want to grovel from the sheer fear welling inside of you, but at the same time awe at its crimson beauty. You take a deep breath, preparing yourself for whatever may come next.

“Lucifer, talk to me. I mean, did I do something wrong? Why are you being so…distant.”

He scoffs at your words. “I have not the slightest clue as to the nonsense you’re talking about, MC,” he glares before continuing, “Now if you’d please leave me be. I don’t have the time to entertain your mindless ramblings.”

You cross your arms, “No.”

The room suddenly feels colder than before as he furrows his brows, a questioning glare setting in. “Excuse me?” his voice deep, almost threatening.

“No. There’s obviously something wrong, so please, talk to me.” 

Lucifer lets out a huff as he crosses his arms. “That’s rich coming from you,” he sneers.

Your eyebrows furrow, “What do you mean?”

Lucifer is silent for a moment, pursing his lips as his gaze drops. You take a step towards him, lifting your hand out to reach him. But just as it's inches away, he finally speaks.

“345 letters…” He grits his teeth, taking a shaky breath, “I sent 345 letters…and not once did you ever care to send one back.”

The look of pain in his eyes feels like a knife straight to the heart, but the puzzled expression on your face doesn't disappear.

The demon turns to focus his gaze onto the window of his room. “For nights, I poured my heart…my soul…my entire being into the parchment. And despite how many I had sent, I still knew that they could never convey even a fraction of my love.” Despite only being a few feet away, it feels like you were still in two different realms. Only now do you see the tall walls he had once again rebuilt in your absence.

“Lucifer-”

“It’s an embarrassment how much you had me wrapped around your fingers. I should have stopped after receiving nothing a few days into it. But no, I was a fool blinded by love and still clung onto that stupid idea that perhaps I’d receive even the smallest of signs that you’d missed me too. That I had crossed your mind even once…” His hand wraps into a fist, tightening to form crescent shaped marks onto his delicate skin. Through gritted teeth, he says, “I see it was never the case.” 

No. That’s not true at all. You would have gone through hell and back to be with him again. You have to fight the want to just spew out to him that what he’d said couldn’t have been farther from the truth. First, you have to get one thing straight. What letters was he talking about? Even as you try to rack your brain for anything about letters, you turn up with nothing. 

“Luci I…” You try to piece your words together as you reluctantly place a hand on top of his broad shoulder in comfort. Lucifer’s body tenses under your touch, a touch that once made his once cold heart melt and now seemingly makes his blood freeze. 

“Spare me your excuses, MC.” he hisses. 

“Look. I– I know it looks bad, but I– I just– I don’t know what you’re talking about.” 

“Do not stoop so low as to lie to me.”

“But I’m not! Please just listen to me!”

“I’ve had enough of this. Get out.”

“No.”

“I said get o-”

Using both hands, you guide his face into your gentle hold. You stare at his widened eyes, the windows that showed the hurt, heartache, and turmoil brewing within him—all because of you. 

“Lucifer Morningstar. I have counted every second of every minute until I can see you again. It broke me that I could only hear your voice in the comfort of my dreams. I waited for something, a text or perhaps a note, but nothing came. I swear to all that is good that not once have I received a letter…” 

Lucifer fights a waging war inside of him, one that has lasted for months, with neither side yielding. A part of him screams ludicrous. It was impossible that you hadn’t seen any of his letters, letters that he had poured his heart and secrets onto, ones that he had written in the dead of night to alleviate the pain of longing you had left. 

“Even if what you say is true, why hadn’t you at the very least tried to reach out to me? To any of us?”

“I did, but my magic isn’t strong enough to use in this realm, let alone send a message to you from another”

Your thumb runs along his cheek, eyes set on his.

His gaze falls as he takes a deep breath “I don’t…”, he pauses, pursing his lips.

“I don’t know how you can fix this one, MC”

A/N: I'M NOT DEAD. Hope you enjoy my first fully angst fic <33. I'll be posting Demon Slayer, Obey Me (and l&d maybe) alternately too keep it all balanced. Would love to know your thoughts on this fic and if I should make a part 2. Thank you and see you in the next one :)

[anaalnathrakhs]

Handwriting ask game

Describe your handwriting

Fanciest you can whip up

Chicken scratches

Uppercase VS lowercase comparison

Numbers

Your favorite letter (graphically)

Your favorite letter (phonetically)

Your favorite sound (as spelled, phonetic alphabet, description, whatever)

A letter you mangle all the time

A letter you used to write differently (before and after)

Another script

Your favorite word(s)

A quote you like

A good title

A name you like

Your favorite idiom

A tongue-twister

Your favorite kind of pen/apparatus to write with (use to answer if possible, describe if not)

Do you write by hand often?

Make a pretty signature out of your url/nickname

The first rule of the handwriting ask game is to have fun and be yourself.

📍You can default to english/latin script or to your native language as you wish 📚You can interpret the prompts however you want 📜You can write as you'd usually do even if it's difficult to read 📝You can misspell things

I have dysgraphia and this is a no-judgement zone, 'kay?

[child-of-hurin]

Queen's Thief New Year Oracle📜🪶🕯️🌿

In a lost volume of his Memories, Pheris Erondites related a dream he had in which the goddess Moira taught him how to predict one's fortune in the coming year. Now I will relate to you this most excellent, totally serious & trustworthy method of divination*:

First of all, you should take the number of letters that form your preferred name, and add to that number the age you will be at the 00:00 hour of the next year according to your time zone. For example:

P H E R I S = 6 letters And he was 45 years old when he wrote this method down, so 6 + 45 = 51

Then, ask yourself how many beautiful earrings you would offer on Moira's altar in exchange to have your fortune told, and add this number to the one you already have.

Pheris's own answer was 1, which was the number of earrings he had in his possession at the time. Using it as an example, we have:

51 + 1 = 52

Then keep adding the numbers among themselves until you get a single number from 1 to 9! For example:

5 + 2 = 7

Now that you have a single digit, click on the page corresponding to it on the list below, and have your new year's fortune revealed to you:

if your number was 1

if your number was 2

if your number was 3

if your number was 4

if your number was 5

if your number was 6

if your number was 7

if your number was 8

if your number was 9

Have a good new year, and be blessed in your endeavors!

________________________________________________________

*This oracle is just a joke; please don't take the result seriously!

[horseshoegirl]

Damn Those Dog Tags: Part 8 - Drift Away

📜... Okay, I get it. Almost kisses suck 😂 Hopefully, some Sadie / Jake time might make up for it in the meantime?

I promise you don't have to wait for it that much longer.

❗️18+, strong language, angst, godmother reader/original female character, original child character.

#6.4K words

Part 7 | Masterlist | Part 9

“I wish you would have told us, Liz,” Nat said, staring down at Tyler's letter in her hands.

The Daggers showing up at your house unannounced was a common thing before Sadie. Your place only being 5 minutes down the road from the Hard Deck made it the perfect crash pad when they would go a little harder than they should sometimes or if they just wanted a place to escape.

However, they rarely got a day off during the week. Even if they weren’t flying, they were usually doing something on base. So when Bradley, Nat and Jake showed up at your door while Sadie was at school, it was obvious it wasn't for a social visit.

Due to a faulty coms tower and gas leak in the hangers, they had a week off. And the first thing they wanted to do was corner you on your couch and talk about Tyler. Jake had told Rooster, so naturally, Rooster would have told Nat.

You rarely saw Jake in the weeks that had passed since New Year’s Eve. With the weather being what it was and their training schedules being a mess from the last mission, Saturday nights hadn’t resumed back to their normal status.

You didn't know where you stood with Jake after that Night. The line between friendship and something more was being distorted. The better part of you, the one who constantly had Ridley's voice in your ear, was telling you to buck up and ask him about it. The other part of you, the more reserved, saying not to because you were probably making a bigger deal about it than you should.

A kiss on New Year's Eve, even an almost kiss such as that one, could be shared between friends, right?

It was a miracle if you got to see any one of them for longer than five minutes unless Bradley was picking Sadie up from School. Such as life in the Navy, you thought. That part of their life came first.

Jake had kept the letter from you, which you were semi-grateful for. Your nerves had severely calmed down since not being able to pull that stupid thing out to look at it every time Tyler entered your mind. 

“Is it bad I don’t want Sadie to know?” you couldn't help but feel a little shameful for not telling her. But you knew your niece, she would be constantly worried about looking over her shoulder if she did know.

Jake was quick to answer you. “No. She doesn’t need any more on her plate.” 

Rooster stood off to the side, leaning against the wall while twirling his thumbs. “How much does she know about Tyler?” 

You bit your lip, looking up at Jake. He gave you a soft smile and an encouraging nod. Maybe it was time you told them the full story. 

“Enough to know he’s not a good person,” you offered. “When she was born, Ridley and I swore we wouldn’t sugarcoat things with her. And that she wouldn’t go through what we went through.” 

Nat placed a hand on your shoulder. “You’ve never really told us about it.” 

You shook your head. “It’s not something I like to talk about. It has nothing to do with you guys.” 

Bradley shook his head fondly. “That explains why she’s so well-rounded.” 

You chuckled softly at his words before starting to cite the story to Nat and Rooster, much like you did with Jake that day on the hike, telling them about you and Ridley's escape from your childhood home and the worst of Tyler.

You couldn't take your eyes off Jake as the details of your past spilled out of you. He offered you a comforting smile or encouraging words when you struggled, reminding you to breathe. And when you finally reached the part about Tyler, Rooster and Nat saw red.

Rooster pushed himself off the wall, ranking his fingers through his hair. “I swear to god, he’s dead if he shows his face around here.” 

“Get in line, Bradshaw." Jake's voice was firm. "I called first dibs.” 

“Nope, ladies first," Nat pipped up. “Nobody is going after my niece. I get the first punch.” 

You didn't know whether they were being serious or not, but their banter was doing wonders to lighten the mood. But then the shrill ringtone of your phone put a stop to their discussion of who would get to beat the shit out of Tyler first almost instantly.

There were times you never really answered the phone when the caller ID came up as unknown. But Sadie was at school, and you knew you couldn't let it go to voicemail for whatever reason. Even if seeing that 'Unknown' across the top of your phone triggered instant panic throughout your body - nothing good ever came from a phone call like this.

Bradley, Nat and Jake all remained silent as they watched you answer the phone.

“Hello?” you asked hesitantly. 

“Hello, is this Elizabeth Beck?” 

“Speaking?” 

“It’s Mrs. Kirkland from Child Protective Services. Are you able to come in on Wednesday at 3:30 for a quick chat?” 

You shouldn't have answered the phone. You were nervous as fuck.

“Um.. yes, I can.” 

“Great, it shouldn’t take any longer than 15 minutes of your time.” 

Your mind was on autopilot, your brain subconsciously offering the words before you could really formulate them. “Sure.” 

“Great, we will see you then! Have a good day!” 

“You too,” your voice quiet, though the click on the other end of the line told you the reply wasn’t needed. Dropping your phone into your lap, you hugged your chest.

“Liz?” Jake asked, sitting up in his chair and leaning forward. Nat turned to face you on the couch. “Is everything alright?” 

“Um... that was CPS. I need to go in again,” you sniffed, pushing a piece of hair behind your ear. “On Wednesday at 3:30.” 

“It’s probably the review,” Bradley pipped up. Jake glared at him, hoping he would take the hint and shut up. 

“Shit, I have work. I have to close that night,” you realized. "I need someone to pick up Sadie from school and drive her to Penny's. Amelia has her car that day."

You immediately faced Rooster, a hopeful look on your face. Bradley grimaced, shaking his head.  “I’m sorry, Liz. I’m going up with Mav to the research camp the day before to help with a test flight.” 

Your mind instantly went to Lyssa next, but she couldn't do it either. Will had a hockey game. And you knew Penny would instantly try to find a way to take your shift off your hands if she knew, but you didn't want to take advantage of her kindness. She already did enough for you.

Natasha was about to open her mouth when suddenly Jake pipped up next to you. “I can do it.”

You stared at him, shocked. "You wanna pick Sadie up from school? Are you sure?"

He nodded. "I don't mind. I'm not doing anything else, and I wouldn't mind spending some time with her."

Your face softened, but you cautiously eyed Rooster, preparing for a snide remark or another red-faced tomato moment in protest. Instead, you were surprised Bradley was looking at Jake almost appreciatively? Nat, however, was looking at Jake suspiciously.

"I'll call the school Wednesday then to let them know. And if you find Lyssa, Sadie will know where to go to find you," you told him.

Rooster walked over to Jake to stand in front of him, a funny look on his face. "And the one rule..."

“Don’t flirt with Courtney Slack," he was quick to reply. "I know."

It surprised you, Jake remembering such a small detail, even if you almost killed Rooster over it. However, you wouldn't blame Jake if he did. Jake was flirty by nature, and you were nothing like her.

“Besides, how hard could it be?” 

Rooster chuckled, dropping his head before slapping Jake on the back with a shit-eating grin. 

“Dude, you have no idea what you just agreed to.”

___

The morning of your visit with CPS, you made sure to call the school to let them know Jake would be picking Sadie up. Thankfully, when you explained the Tyler issue, they hadn’t swept up your concerns under the rug. Sadie’s file had the names of everyone who could call or pick her up, the list probably longer than most kids at that school, now even longer with the addition of Jake.

On the nights you would close the Hard Deck, Penny would have Sadie sleep over at hers. As much as you appreciated the support, you had a feeling it was more for Penny's benefit than yours. She adored Sadie, and you often wondered if she was missing when Amelia was her age.

So here you were, dropping off Sadie's bag before starting the painstaking journey to the CPS building.

“You know, I could have covered your shift,” Penny said as she took Sadie's overnight bag from you. You shook your head, crossing your arms as you leaned up against the side of her house. 

“You already take enough of my shifts. Besides, it wouldn’t have made a difference anyway. Somebody would still need to pick up Sadie.” 

Penny raised her eyebrow.

“So Hangman volunteered to pick her up?” she asked, copying you by resting up against her door frame. She was examining you, seeing if, at any point, you’d fess up to something shouldn’t have done. You very much felt like a child being called out by their mother, but you weren’t sure why. 

“Yeah, Sadie named him as an uncle, so he wanted to spend some time with her.” 

“Oh,” she said, shoving her hands into her pockets. “So his has nothing to do with what happened on New Year’s Eve?” 

You stiffened. Shit. 

You should have known Penny would have seen you, seen what had happened. Nothing happened in the Hard Deck that she didn’t know about. You had hardly accepted it had happened, and you certainly didn't want to be having this conversation with her.

“Penny..” you said meekly, staring at her wide-eyed.

“Do I need to throw him out of the bar?” 

“What?" you admonished. "No, absolutely not.” 

“And here I thought you wouldn't give into him!"

“Penny, stop. Jake’s not that bad.” 

"And now you're going to leave me!" she cried out. "You were my best, and he got to you!"

"Penny," you started to laugh. "I'm not leaving you. Nothing happened."

"Really?" she threw her hands up. "What do you call what happened that night then?!"

You crossed your arms, head turning to frown at her flower garden.

"I don't know," It came out sadder than you intended, your voice wavering as you tried to make sense of it all. "I told myself when I met him for the first time that I wouldn't get involved. Then Sadie.." you sniffed, wiping at your face.

"I think I like him," you admitted. "But I'm so fucking confused. And I don't want to disappoint you."

Penny suddenly looked sullen, realizing as you spoke to her that maybe she took this a little too far. She reached up and placed a hand on your shoulder before moving to your face.

"I'm sorry, Liz," she pressed the palm of her hand to your cheek. "I don't want you to feel as if you cannot come to me with these things."

You shuttered a breath, and Penny stroked a piece of your hair back behind your ear, reminding you of how you would do that with Sadie.

"It's just... you've never had a boyfriend," she chuckled softly. "I don't want you to get your heart broken."

Your laugh came out of nowhere. "I'm too much of a worry-wart to have a romantic relationship."

Penny smiled softly. "No, I think you care too much."

She pulled you into a hug, her head resting on your shoulder. "If Jake is serious about you, I won't stand in your way."

You shook your head, pulling back to smile at her. "Thanks, Penny, but I think he just wants to be my friend, which is totally fine. I just need to get over whatever this is."

Penny frowned at you but didn't press you further. She walked you to your car, hugging you goodbye and wishing you luck with the meeting. After you climbed into your car, she placed her elbows down on the open window of your car.

“Can I at least drag him for it?”

You thought about it for a second. You knew what she was doing. Starting your car, you put on your sunglasses and turned to face Penny, calling out your window, “Don’t leave him squirming for too long.”

___

Jake knew he was attractive. He often used it to his advantage to get what he wanted, enjoying the looks he'd get walking into a random place or when he was out on the street.

But the predatory glances he was receiving on a black top full of married middle-aged women?

It just freaked him out.

Maybe he would have thought differently once upon a time. But he also knew how catty women could be - if the way they were covering their mouths and leaving over to gossip to one another as he walked by meant anything. The minute Sadie found him, he knew your name would be whispered around like it was a dirty secret in some sorority magazine.

He found Lyssa where you said she'd be, leaning up against the wall near the basketball hoops. She waved him over, a smile on her face.

"Enjoying all the attention?" she said, greeting him.

"Have these women never seen a man before, or am I going to cause a riot?

"You're fine," she shrugged. "Just watch out for Ursula."

"Ursula?" Jake asked. Lyssa grinned, realizing he didn't know. "Will and Sadie call Courtney Slack Ursula ever since what happened with Rooster."

"Why do they call her Ursula?"

Lyssa only laughed, offering a vague, "You'll see."

Jake suddenly found himself not wanting to find out. Hoping Sadie would hurry up, he kept his eyes glued to the door, waiting for her to emerge. Sure enough, a bright green backpack caught his eye a few minutes later as one of Sadie’s teachers walked beside her. 

He spied her, turning around and searching the crowd until her eyes finally landed on him. 

“Uncle Jake!” It was a loud scream, Sadie’s joy infectious as she started to sprint from the front door and away from her teacher. Jake shot the person a wave, the teacher returning it before heading back inside. 

If Jake wasn’t as fit as he was, he was pretty sure Sadie would have knocked him over with how heavily she flung herself into him, arms and legs completely wrapping themselves around his body. It took him a second to recover, but he returned her hug, laughter shaking his body as he asked, “How was school, Bug?”

“Boring,” she called out dramatically, sliding down to the ground before glancing up at him hopefully. “Can we go for a drive?” 

“I have to get you to Penny’s.” 

“Text Aunt Liz. She won’t mind.”

Jake was about to open his mouth to reply before a shrill feminine voice caused him to stop.

“Well, Hello there. I thought I would come over and introduce myself.”

Oh no, Sadie thought upon hearing that voice— the Wicked Sea Witch. 

She turned on her heel, staring up at Rebecca’s mom. And she had her sights set on her Uncle Jake.

Nope, this would not happen. She had already ensnared one Uncle, and Uncle Jake wouldn’t fall under her spell if she had anything to do with it.

"I'm Courtney Slack. Which one of Sadie's uncles are you?" she attempted to flirt, sending Jake a doe-eyed look.

Eyeing Mrs. Slack carefully, Sadie went to stand in front of Jake, subconsciously puffing out her chest.

She felt her uncle Jake place a hand on her shoulder. Sadie tilted her head back to look up at him from upside down. He gave her a knowing look, raising his eyebrows at her.

Sadie prided herself on being able to read people's faces. And if she was reading this right, and she was always right, her Uncle Jake was telling her to play along. She was going to but couldn’t keep the chant from her head.

Please don’t be like Uncle Roo. Please don’t be like Uncle Roo.

She watched as her uncle Jake squared up the witch, a fake smile on his face as he said, "Oh, I'm Elizabeth's boyfriend."

Sadie tried as hard as she could not laugh, biting her lip hard to keep herself quiet.

Definitely not like Uncle Roo.

The flirty grin on Courtney's face dropped. "Oh, she never mentioned she was seeing anybody."

Reaching up to squeeze her uncle's hand on her shoulder, Sadie felt him squeeze it back.

“Didn’t know she had to,” he replied shortly, sending Courtney nothing but a scathing glare. “But now I can see why she didn’t.”

“I can’t imagine where she found you,” she tried again, another attempt at a seductive tone. “Elizabeth never seems to want to join our little meetings.”

"Not wherever you got your hair done, that's for sure."

Sadie caught herself in a sort, watching Courtney's face turn red. Sensing sea water was about to blow out of her nose, she wanted to get as far away from Rebecca's mom as she could.

“Come on, Uncle Jake,” she said, grabbing his hand and tugging it as she leaned back. The sooner they both got out of there, the sooner her uncle would be safe from the crazy sea witch. Whatever spell she had cast on her Uncle Roo hadn’t worked with Uncle Jake, and she didn’t want to see what else she had up her sleeve. 

“Duty calls!” he shrugged at her. “It was nice meeting you, Mrs. Flack… I mean Slack!”

Lyssa snickered as Jake and Sadie left, watching Jake peel Sadie’s backpack from her shoulders to sling around his. Looking at Courtney, she could see the gears turning in her head.

“Sorry, Slack. Looks like that one’s taken.” 

Courtney turned to face Lyssa, her face red. “Your seriously telling me Elizabeth Beck bagged him?”

"Bagged him, captivated him, charmed him, take your pick."

"But she's so.."

"What? Not like you?" Lyssa snarked. "Thank god for that."

Courtney spluttered, her words coming out in a jumbled mess of how dare Lyssa say such a thing about her and that anyone, let alone a naval officer, would be grateful to be with her.

Lyssa just shrugged, reaching out to take Will's hand before walking off. If anyone saw her throw her middle finger over her head, she'd never admit to it.

The second Jake and Sadie had made it to his truck, the both of them stared at each other. Sadie squinted her eyebrows, and Jake held his breath. It only took three seconds before the pair of them started to lose it, laughing over what had happened. Sadie’s high-pitched giggles mixed in with the occasional snort from Jake.

“Is she always that bad?” 

“Worse,” Sadie replied. “She usually seeks out Uncle Roo. He forgets I’m there for a second.”

That sobered Jake's laughter, a frown now etched across his face. “You don’t have to worry about that with me.” 

“No?” she asked him, her eyes wide and innocent. 

Jake shook his head. “We can look out for each other when I do. I need a wingman to deal with Ursula."

Sadie’s eyes lit up. She knew she wasn’t the only one who noticed it. “She’s totally a sea witch, right?!” 

"I think it's the hair. Maybe that's where she hides her tentacles."

Sadie squealed out in another fit of laughter. She knew her Uncle Jake wouldn't treat her like that. As her laughter died down, Sadie marched to the back passenger seat of Jake's truck, all the while saying, "Come on! We need to go for that drive."

Jake shook his head and came around to help her get up into the seat, carefully shutting the door behind her. But coming around to the back of his truck, he stopped realizing he needed to message you, knowing with everything going on, how important it was for you to know Sadie was with somebody safe as soon as possible.

Pulling out his phone, he sent you a text. 

I have her. She wants to go for a drive. 

You texted back within a few seconds. 

Good luck.

And then...

She wants to talk to you. 

Seeing your message, Jake suddenly understood what Bradley was talking about. It wasn’t Slack he should have worried about. 

“You coming?” Sadie called out impatiently through the open window at the back of the truck. She had stuff she needed to talk to her Uncle Jake about and couldn't do it here.

“Just sending a text to your aunt,” he called back before glancing at Sadie through the window, realizing Rooster was right. 

He really didn’t know what he was getting himself into. 

___

When Sadie asked to go on a drive, Jake didn’t really know where else to take her other than the lookout. It was a spot he found a few weeks after the uranium mission when he learned the team would be staying together. It was off on some random stretch of road that overlooked the ocean, the small parking lot randomly appearing after some twist in the road.

He'd come here when he needed an escape or to be alone. And if you were right, it would be the perfect place for Sadie to talk with him.

Jake backed his truck into a parking spot that overlooked the ocean. Helping Sadie out of the truck with a hand, he proceeded to flip the door on the back of his truck bed down. 

Sadie instantly caught on, trying to climb up but failing miserably to bring her body onto the door. She shamefully turned to Jake, a quiet peal for help on her face. Jake said nothing, pulling her up before sitting beside her, legs dangling over the side.

The two sat silently for a while, Jake listening to the waves crash up against the shore, waiting for Sadie to feel comfortable enough to say what she wanted to tell him.

It was a few minutes before he heard her ask, "Do you like my aunt?"

Jake watched Sadie play with the end of a piece of thread hanging off her jeans before answering, "Yes, what isn't there to like about your aunt?"

“No, but do you like, like her?”

Give it to Sadie, to be blunt. Jake carefully thought about what he could say back to her.

"You mean as in.." he trailed off, hoping it would prompt Sadie to speak further. But she didn't. Instead, she turned her head away so Jake couldn't see her face.

And then he knew.

"Is that why you sent me that photo of her?"

Sadie blushed, dropping her chin to her chest. "Please don't tell her I did that."

Jake tried to keep his voice level as he answered, "If you don't want me to."

“It's just..." she exclaimed, throwing her hands up in the air. "She needs somebody in her life to remind her she’s worth it.” 

Jake nudged her. “Aren’t you that person?” 

Sadie pondered Jake's question, squinting her eyebrows together as if she had to really think about her answer.

"It's different with me," She shrugged. "She's my aunt. I can only do so much."

"So you think I'm that person?" he asked her.

Sadie raked her eyes up and down Jake's body. “You wouldn’t be the worst choice.”

"Thanks, Bug," he said sarcastically. But Sadie's next words were like a cold rush of water over his body when she finally spoke up after a few seconds.

"But you make her happy. And she hasn't really been happy since Mom passed away. She's never even had a boyfriend."

Despite Sadie's admission, he gave her a soft smile. "You know that's not true. She's happy when she's around you."

"Yeah," she looked down at her hands. "But she's scared she's going to do the wrong thing. I just wish she'd know it's okay for her to ... not be so strong around me. Maybe she would stop worrying about everything if she had someone who cares about her like that."

Jake wrapped an arm around Sadie's shoulders, bringing her tight to his side. "You know that's because she loves you. As well all do."

Sadie sagged most of her weight into Jake at his words. "Thank you, Uncle Jake."

"So," she said after a while, picking at the frayed fabric of her jeans. "If you did want to be that person, I'm okay with it."

Jake couldn't help but laugh. "Okay, Bug."

"Besides," She smiled to herself. " If you mess up, I'm coming for you."

As if he didn't already know that.

---

Penny was waiting for the pair of them on her front step when Jake pulled into her driveway. He called after her to be careful when she jumped out of the truck before he had even stopped, Sadie sprinting to jump into her Aunt's arms. Jake shook his head, reaching over the seat to grab her backpack before getting out and walking up to her front step.

“What do we say to Uncle Jake, Bug?” 

Sadie peeled herself out of Penny's arms, stepping down the few steps to give him a hug. She dramatically said in a sing-song voice, “Thank you, Uncle Jake.” 

Leaning over, Jake returned her hug. But Sadie went up on her tiptoes, pulling Jake down and whispering, “Think about what I said.”

She happily hopped back to Penny, wrapping an arm around her waist. She ruffled Sadie’s head before asking, “Why don’t you head on inside? Fresh cookies are on the table, and your aunt dropped off your bag earlier.” 

Sadie frowned. Adults had funny ways of getting rid of her. And her Aunt Penny knew chocolate was one of her weaknesses. Still, she needed to know why she needed to shove out.

"I need to have a talk with your Uncle," Penny offered when she didn't move.

“Talk or have a discussion?” she pressed. 

Penny shook her head, placing a hand on her back and lightly pushed her towards the door, where she stumbled into the hallway. “Get in there, you insect.” 

“It’s Bug!” she shouted, already dead set on finding those cookies. Whatever her Aunt Penny had to say to Uncle Jake, she made her point earlier. There was chocolate up for grabs.

Jake faced Penny with a smirk on his face, thinking she wanted to ask about Sadie.

“So, New Year's Eve,” she started, a healthy pause before she spoke again. “Do I need to ban you permanently from the Bar?”

The smirk dropped.

"Penny..."

“I told you!” She shoved her finger into his chest angrily. “She was off limits! Not her, Hangman!”

Jake held his hands up. "Nothing happened!"

"Really? So what was that kiss? Cause I see everything in my bar."

"It wasn't really a kiss?" he recalled, shrugging his shoulders. Penny reached up and smacked him on the back of his head. Jake winced, a hand coming to rub at the spot.

"What are you doing with her, Jake?" Penny sighed. "She's not some girl you can mess around with for a night and go on as if nothing happened."

"You don't think I know that?" he snapped. Penny was slightly taken aback by his words.

"Liz is..." he started, pausing to understand exactly what he was feeling. He raked his fingers through his hair, turning in a circle before facing Penny once more. "She's never once treated me as if I was undeserving of something. That I didn't have to earn a place in her life. Or Sadie's."

He was breathing hard. Harsh pants that racked his chest as if he had pulled harsh G's in an F-18.

"And she's not afraid to put me in my place if I'm out of line. She doesn't expect anything from me either. She simply just wants time."

Feeling overwhelmed, Jake took a moment to take a deep breath. He knew he was rambling to Penny, but he was past the point of stopping. "And I don't know if I can give it to her."

There were a few moments on that last deployment where he thought he wasn't going to make it back. And the time away changed his priorities. Somehow, you and Sadie became the reason he stopped thinking about the inevitable moment he would burn in and, instead, the reason why he needed to stay alive.

Jake flew like he had nothing to lose. But now? He had everything to lose.

"She's... she's a possibility of someday," he breathed out. "And if I cannot be in her life, in Sadie's life, I don't know what I'll do."

Penny took a moment to take in Jake's words before replying, "You care about her, don't you? The both of them."

Jake gawked up at Penny as if she had just dealt him a fatal blow, as if he didn't just spit his heart out to her. He knew she wasn't really asking. Rather, she was confirming what he could never voice out loud.

So he found himself absentmindedly nodding along to Penny's statement. "The both of them."

"Are you serious about this, Jake?" It was rare for Penny to call him by anything other than his call sign. “Cause I’ll tell you, Liz has never had a boyfriend in the time that I've known her. And I've known her while.”

"I know. I think I just got some ten-year-old version of a shovel talk from Sadie."

She cocked an eyebrow at him. "Sadie gave you a shovel talk?"

"Of a sort."

Penny glanced back at the house with a smile before taking a look at Jake one last time before making her way up to her front door. Taking it as a sign that Penny wouldn't ban or rat him out any longer, he returned to his truck.

Though he wouldn't be surprised if she did ban him, or worse, set Mav on him for good measure during a dog fight.

Jake gripped the handle of his truck, about to step up onto the ledge after opening the door, when he heard Penny’s voice call after him. He turned around to see her grinning at him from her doorway. 

“She’s closing by herself tonight," a knowing smile across her face.  "Could you make sure she get’s home alright?”

___

Closing the Hard Deck late at night used to freak you out.

The hours after midnight, when it was just the wind, the waves, and the night sky, only added to your fear something was lurking outside or in the water. It was much like a kid's reaction when waking up in the middle of the night, the dark shapes of objects in the room making it feel like somebody, or something, was with them in their room watching. 

That was until you realized you could play the Jukebox as loud as you wanted.

You had locked the front door to the Hard Deck a little over a half hour ago. It had been such a quiet night you found yourself doing the random odd tasks that never seemed to get done. Deep cleaning the sinks, cleaning out the fridges, and making new labels for the working stations around the bar. 

That also included the now regretful decision of mopping the floors, considering you would now get out of here much later than you intended. But you weren't as upset with yourself as you should have been.

Music always had a way of calming you down. It was a habit you always seemed to have growing up. If you hurt yourself or you were upset, you'd retreat to a world full of beats and lyrics. Though, looking back on photos of yourself as a child, chunky earphones almost always on your head, you started to get it. It was evident Ridley was, in a way, protecting you from the worst of your father.

Which was how you found yourself swaying back and forth, eyes closed as you brought the mop across the floor, moving along and getting lost in the music. The Hard Deck was your safe haven, and moments like this allowed you to forget everything else going on in your life.

Anticipating a swell in the music, you smiled to yourself, your eyes still closed as you spun on your heel. But something pulled the mop from your hand, and a shrill gasp escaped your lips when your back hit a firm chest, a hand now gripping your wrist softly.

“You really need to lock that back door.” 

Jake spun you out under his arm, pulling you back to him so he could see your face. You shuttered out a laugh. 

“Jesus, Jake. Don’t do that!”

He chuckled under his breath. "Hi, darlin'."

"Sadie made it out okay?" you asked as he placed a hand on your waist. He pulled you to the side, his hand sliding up to thread his fingers through yours, as he replied, "Safe and sound at Penny's."

You follow your arm to observe Jake's hand in yours, then peering up at him curiously, "What are you doing?"

"Slow dancing."

"No, what are you doing here?" you tired again. "It's past midnight."

"Penny said you were going to be by yourself. I wanted to make sure you made it out okay."

"I've closed by myself before, Jake."

For a split second, you thought he was fixated on your lips. But you didn't have a chance to confirm it as Jake spun you once again.

"That was before I came along." He said, pulling you back to him. "My ma would kill me if she knew I left you alone."

"Jake, I'm perfectly capable of ..." you didn't get to finish your sentence. Jake spun you once again before dipping you backwards rather dramatically. Giggling as he brought you up, his arms wrapped themselves around your waist, pulling you into his chest.

Taking the moment to ground yourself, you slid your hands around his back, your hands resting between his shoulder blades. Feeling dizzy, you pressed the side of your cheek into Jake's chest, letting him gently sway you back and forth as the song played from the Jukebox.

You were sure minutes could have passed, but it was only mere seconds. You felt safe in Jake's arms, content to let him hold you, to press you into his body. He was fitting so perfectly into the moment you had created for yourself where the world outside didn't exist, and it was just the two of you here, listening to music.

But the lines for you were still blurred, and the urge to ask him about New Year's Eve was still there. You felt it on the tip of your tongue, ready to come forth and burst this little bubble of joy you were taking for yourself.

“The results of the review came in,” you said instead, chickening out at the last second. Jake stopped swaying the both of you, his hands on your hip tightening as he leaned back to focus on your face. 

“And?” 

You remain silent. 

“Liz?” he questioned you, eyes becoming slightly frantic. You dropped your chin to your chest, hands slightly gripping Jake’s bicep and shoulder tighter.

“Elizabeth, what happened?!”

You lifted your head, a wide grin spreading across your face. “There was nothing wrong. At least with the paperwork. It’s ironclad.” 

He blinked. “Sadie’s staying?” 

“Well, till she’s 18 or goes off to school or breaks my heart when she gets together with Will,” you shrugged. 

Jake surged forward, his arms wrapping around your waist, pulling you up. He buried his face in your stomach, muffled shouts of ‘yes!’ making you laugh harder. Your nose grazed his hair, smelling his Moroccan shampoo as you tried to avoid hitting the ceiling. 

"Jake! Put me down!" you laughed as he twirled you around in a circle.

"Hey," he said, setting you down. "Our girl deserves the best. Somebody needs to give him the shovel talk.”  

Our girl. 

You smiled softly at his protectiveness for Sadie. “He’s eleven, Jake.” 

“Then he’ll think twice before making a move on her.” 

"She's going to be dating eventually."

"Hey, I'm taking my newly appointed Uncle duties very seriously."

You pressed your forehead into his chest, soft chuckles shaking your body. Jake placed a hand on the back of your neck, the other resuming its place on your waist, as he resumed swaying you back and forth along the Hard Deck Floor.

Even with all the shit that happened - with everything you figured was still yet to happen - being here with Jake felt like nothing else mattered. The discussion about whatever happened on New Year’s Eve could wait. You didn’t want to risk ruining this bubble over both of you.

And even if you never brought it up, that would be okay too. What you had here with Jake, swaying in the middle of the night at the Hard Deck, was enough. 

Jake was your friend who helped you through a stressful time.

It had to be enough. 

He waited until you finished closing up to leave with you, watching you from a bar stool with a happy smile. After you shut off the lights, Jake followed you to the front door, stepping out first to look into the parking lot before holding it open. 

You spied his truck and another car you weren’t familiar with but weren’t surprised. Surfers often stayed on the beach, in all seasons or weather, to catch those first morning waves. Penny not having an overnight parking rule made the Hard Deck a prim parking spot.

Though it was a bit early for the surfers to start pulling their parking lot sleepovers. 

Locking the door, you felt Jake’s hand on your lower back. “Can I walk you to your car?” 

You met his eyes. “I walked here.” 

A pause.  “Can I drive you home?” 

“It’s five minutes, Jake.” 

“It’s on my way,” he replied, holding out his hand for you. 

You made a show about answering him. But honestly, you really didn’t need to think about it. 

“Alright,” you said, placing your hand into his. “I’ll let you drive me home.”

Any more time you could spend with him was just a bonus.

You guys might not have to wait long for the next part 👀 With the threat of pitchforks still looming, I might have written part nine before part eight.

Tags:

@blue-aconite @tinytotontheoversizedpony @djs8891 @caitsymichelle13 @startrekfangirl2233

@mayhemmanaged @ereardon @dempy @shanimallina87 @teacupsandtopgun @daggerspare-standingby

@phantomxoxo @formulapierre @eli2447 @fulla02 @blckgrl-sunflower @mizzzpink @ohgodnotagainn

@bubblegumbeautyqueen @sarahsmi13s @desert-fern @lynnestra44 @memoriesat30 @penwieldingdreamer @mxlanciia

@bradleybeachbabe @bobby-r2d2-floyd @lavenderbradshaw @roosters-girl @lovinglyeternal

Part 9: Hang On, Hang On is dropping soon.

(Maybe in a day or two, I still need to edit 😂)

Wickett ;)

[yoonia]

dia you are too kind! happy birthday month and let this be a request you can take all the time to answer hahaha. but!

📜 for the fic, minted would be a fun one to see from your perspective!

💌 for the letter to you, thank you for being here. just that. just your presence means a lot to many people, and your fics and other content are just a very happy bonus on top. thank you for being amazing, talented, and generous with us. you’ll always be on my list to thank for being one of the people that inspired me to write again❤️‍🩹

Gosh, you know how crazy I've been with Minted ever since you first announced it. I'm sorry this took some time, but I wanted to savour the experience by reading through it instead of relying just on the summary...and...boy, do I have a TON of things to say about this!!!! This Yoongi??? The entire setting plot character action scenes??

I have a full review coming so keep an eye on my long rant (filled with affection!) once it drops. for now though, here's your moodboard (and please excuse my hand kink). Thank you for sending this one in, Ryen! Please know that you are an inspiration for me too!

"Do you trust me?" "No." "Good girl." ✎ Minted by @kithtaehyung

And my final gift for your love letter:

𝖙𝖜𝖎𝖑𝖎𝖌𝖍𝖙 𝖋𝖆𝖑𝖑 𝖘𝖊𝖗𝖊𝖓𝖆𝖉𝖊: dia’s birthday bash 2024 ⇝ closed!

[malakai-azer]

What do I do if she says no?

I wouldn’t know. My wife said yes.

[thetorturedpoetsfest]

Welcome to Day 19 of The Tortured Poets Fest!

Click the links listed below to check out all of the content our lovely Tortured Poets have created for all of us today! (and go to our bio to access the rest of the AO3 Collection)

✍️ get the matches, toss the ashes by elidereads & @thefogofthefuture 

Ship(s): Theodore Nott/Astoria Greengrass

Rating: M

Summary:

Astoria considers the navy ink. Thinks about the postal owl and her familiar eyes. We would know if they put him back in Azkaban, Draco had always told her. He’s too clever to be found unless he wants to be.

Glancing at Daphne, she says, “It’s Theo.”

“How could you possibly know that?”

“Because I know him.”

(Or: Newly divorced, Astoria Greengrass receives a mysterious letter from someone she hasn’t heard from in five years.)

🕯 even if i die screaming by horansbaex

Ship(s): James Potter/Regulus Black

Rating: M

Summary:

an exploration of grief

The other thing about grief is that it’s a lonely road because Regulus wouldn’t talk about it. Not at school, not with his friends, definitely not with his brother. The days continue to pass and you don’t understand where everyone gets the energy to go out, to fall in love, to be with family, to hang out with friends, because something earthshattering has happened; but you go out, you hang out with family and friends even though something earthshattering has happened. Even so, a shattered earth continues to spin, and Regulus continues going to work, cleaning his apartment, going out with his friends on Tuesdays and Fridays, having breakfast with Sirius on Saturdays and dinner with Lucius and Draco on Sundays.

🗝 unforgivable sins by lucio

Ship(s): Lucius Malfoy/Narcissa Black Malfoy, Draco Malfoy & Narcissa Black Malfoy, Narcissa Black Malfoy & Andromeda Black Tonks

Rating: T

Summary:

“Sacrifices must sometimes be made.”

“And in the name of sacrifice,” you say, voice hard, “you would let him into your ancestral home?” You cannot imagine a bald man with a snake’s eyes ordering you to bring him tea, like a common housewife. Panic seizes you at the thought of what he might do to Draco, what cruel devilry might seep under your son’s door and into his vulnerable mind.

You were raised as a Black. You know, better than most, that whatever the Ministry may deem unforgivable magic, some horrors are unimaginable.

(Or, Lucius invites Voldemort to live in the Manor after disappointing him at the Ministry, and Narcissa decides that this is a step too far. Loosely inspired by The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived by Taylor Swift.)

📜 the price we paid (for peace) by alibraryofsoulsandstars

Ship(s): James Potter/Lily Evans

Rating: Gen

Summary:

“It…it involves us, doesn’t it––this prophecy?”

Lily already knows the answer.

“It does,” Dumbledore confirms gently––gravely.

“...and it isn’t good news, is it?”

Lily Evans Potter has always been made of fire, not ice––and when fate decides to come for her son––oh, does she let it burn and rage.

🖌 Underneath the same moon, in different galaxies by mercurialwitch @mercurial-witch

Ship(s): Remus Lupin/Sirius Black

Rating: M

Summary:

That night, Moony and Padfoot howled at the moon, their hearts beating in sorrowful unison aching for each other.

A glimpse into the lives of Remus Lupin and Sirius Black, two separate lives oceans apart.

𓇢𓆸 who's afraid of little old me? (you should be) by avian_TARDIS @avian-tardis

Ship(s): James Potter/Regulus Black

Summary:

Anyone who knows Regulus Black’s story knows that Taylor Swift’s Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me? fits him perfectly. Here’s how.

**************

Be sure to check our page for the last day of reveals tomorrow! Until then, Tortured Poets <3

🩶 Your mods,

@wolfpadx @multiimoments @heartsoncover @lemonlans @mercurial-witch @steveahoi damagecontrol & shewritesmaybe

[lcftyambiticons-archive]

HC questions: How does Lorroakan feel about other powerful wizards, like Elminster or Gale? Does he experience nightmares, and if so, what haunts him? Assuming he achieves his goal of immortality, whats next?

Hi :D

I wouldn't say Lorroakan looks up to Elminster, but he definitely respects him. I mean, come on, it's fucking Elminster, duh.

Lorroakan absolutely hates Gale. They're around the same age, and yet Gale somehow got to be Mystra's chosen?! The gods have truly erred in their judgment if they think he's the better pick!! Yeaaahh.... he might be a little jealous XD And he can't help but feel that Gale's success is a personal insult, like he's been passed over for a promotion he was clearly more qualified for.

He does have nightmares. They've gotten a lot better over time. But occasionally, those nightmares creep back in. They used to be about traumatizing stuff from his past, now the fear of losing everything he has achieved, of ending up poor, or in the slums, haunts him.

Lorroakan genuinely believes he's deserving of godhood. He might just start plotting his way to achieve it someday. Also, he will be even more arrogant and insufferable than he is now.

[lcftyambiticns]

Rumbles and hovers over.

He doesn’t lift his gaze from the tome, casually flipping to the next page with an exaggerated sigh.

“. . . What is it now, Connor?”

[justpeachyparker]

hey, I just have a quick question, do you have a part 2 on "you have his eyes?"

and umm tysm if u respond <33

I do not have a part two, I haven't actually been writing for a while but if i get back into it I will look into make a part two maybe!

[skeelly]

oh oh what's this??

a letter

💌

well open it!!

....

...

📜

dear kris,

hi yeah im wasting my time here writing you a letter (people should send each other letters more often honestly) anyway back on track. im here writing you this letter cause you're amazing. and wonderful. and like just slkdhsakdhksjdak (yes i did a keysmash in a letter deal with it - wait no thats mean - i meant... deal with it) anyhoosles you're a superly talented and cool person so i was just letting you know that ily <33

love from emma

dear emma,

OMG HELLO???? first of all, i thought i had answered this when you sent it to me, ig not lolll. thank you thank you! you are literally half human half angel wtf. (and i totally agree) anyhooles is the best thing you have ever said i love it. thank you emmm! you're so perfect wtf diajaiwjwiissj. i love you sm!