#asshole mac i’ve missed him

[morganbritton132]

I love the newer teachers not knowing who Eddie is and visiting Steve at his house and wondering how they can afford such a nice house. I can imagine that they live in a house way above a teachers salary, much less a teacher with presumably, a lot of medical bills. They see gold records hanging on the walls and all of Eddie’s awards on a bookshelf and they are trying to connect the dots to who Eddie is.

David’s first impression of Steve is, admittedly, not great.

He was hired as a long-term substitute halfway through the school year and technically, Mr. Harrington was the only teacher on their floor not to introduce himself to him. They’re supposed to cover the eighth grade lunch period together, but Steve hasn’t shown up once since David was started three days ago.

Instead, the principal covered for him.

Cindy McCullen, the gossipy history teacher across the hall from him, says that it’s because of favoritism. She says that Principal Moreno always lets her favorites run rampant around the school and lets them do whatever they want, especially if they’re tenured. Steve Harrington is the most egregious example of blatant favoritism.

David starts to form an opinion about Mr. Harrington in his mind that only gets worse with every story he hears from Cindy. So, it’s a bit of a shock when Steve shows up for lunch duty the next day with a whole ass service dog.

He feels like an asshole.

Especially because Steve is so apologetic about missing the last three days and leaving David to ‘the wolves’ during his first week, “Is this your first teaching job? I’ve heard from the kids that you’re doing great!”  

He makes a conscious effort after that to get to know Steve and to stop letting other people form his opinions for him. Though, admittedly. He kinda fucks that up too.

The first time David meets Eddie, he thinks that he’s Steve’s brother.

It’s not that Steve doesn’t talk about his life outside of work. It’s just that he doesn’t go into a lot a detail. David knows that he’s married to a man, that he’s from Indiana originally, and he might have a kid. Maybe? A girl name Erica that tells him what a brony is and how they ruin everything.

Hell, David’s not even entirely sure he knows what Ozzy is in service of. Steve just said that he bumped his head one too many times and now he has a dog so his husband stops worrying so much.

The only surefire thing that David knows is that Steve has a brother that’s a bit of a dork. He has great hair and is really smart, but lacks tact. Steve loves him. You can tell by the way that he talks about the guy.

So one day, David is in the teacher’s lounge heating up a cup of Easy Mac while Steve is sitting with his head down at one of the tables. He’s about to suggest that Steve go home and sleep off whatever cold he has when a guy with long hair and a leather jacket sticks his head in the room and declares, “You look like shit.”

Steve doesn’t even lift his head when he flips him off which is – whoa, not something that David would expect from Mr. Harrington. He makes himself busy with stirring his mac and cheese while the two bicker with each other which is, admittedly, childish.

Leather Jacket’s main argument for why Steve has to listen to him and go home is because he’s older. Steve croaks out that that is bullshit and Leather Jacket threatens to call their Uncle Wayne if Steve doesn’t listen. He eventually agrees.

Before they leave, Leather Jacket sticks his hand out to David and introduces himself as the cooler Mr. Harrington (that gets a laugh out of Steve).

So, color him shocked when Steve invites their event committee over to his house.

David hasn’t even fully gotten over how nice of a neighborhood Steve lives in on a teacher and retiree’s salary when Leather Jacket gets introduced as Eddie, the husband Steve has mentioned. Then he just casually mentions a red carpet like, what?

And the craziest part is that he’s asked about his husband before!

Steve mentioned once that his husband was out of town and when David asked what he did for work, Steve said that he was retired. He said that his husband can play guitar and that one of their friends (James Hetfield) needed a last minute guitarist for some kind of fair (Coachella) so Eddie went to help out.

He definitely worded it like playing guitar was just a hobby that his husband has, not like. Not like platinum records lining the hallway to their bathroom or the picture of Steve and Eddie in Vegas with KISS stuck to the fridge. He swears the note on the dry erase board by the garage entrance signed ‘Dave’ is in Dave Grohl’s handwriting.

There’s an Grammy on the bookshelf by the fireplace.

Who the hell is Steve Harrington?

Better question: Who the hell is Eddie Munson?

Kathy laughs the entire drive to her house and she is still laughing when he drops her off. The only thing she says that could even be considered an answer is, “I think he’s on Tiktok. Start there.” 

[yelena-bellova]

Twenty Years Later: Joel Miller x F!Reader - One Shot #1

The Little Things

Plot: Joel and Y/n reminisce on life before Cordyceps

Word Count: 913

Warnings: language, loss of a child (16+)

A/N: Welcome back, folks! I feel like I’m stretching my Rosebud/Joel muscles after a long break, but hopefully this is a good way to dive back in 🏊🏻‍♀️ I’ve always thought that in an apocalyptic setting, eventually your mind would have to drift to wondering what things in the world you’d missed out on!

These one shots/chapter will vary in length, but the majority of them will be set in Jackson. I’m planning a few flashbacks (where to, I’m keeping a secret 🤫) but it will mostly be Rose, Joel and Ellie adjusting to life together. I’m excited to keep this lil’ world going 💜 Enjoy, my loves!

——————

“Big Macs.”

“Ugh.”

“Why ‘ugh?’”

“Because Big Macs were disgusting.”

“Says you.”

Joel and Y/n were laid in their bed, one elbow bent towards the ceiling, their hands intertwined. It was late, they both knew they should have been asleep an hour ago.

“Whoppers were better,” Y/n mused, sticking to her fast food opinions long after the chains were gone.

Joel scoffed, “Okay…”

“What was the name of that place by the fire station?” Y/n asked, lightly slapping her flattened palm against Joel’s.

“Mmm,” he thought for a second, “Mimi’s?”

“Yeah,” Y/n nodded, “That place was good too.”

“It was,” Joel smoothed his hand against Y/n’s before threading his fingers through the gaps between hers.

In the two weeks since they’d been married, both officially and unofficially, Joel and Y/n’s excitement to share a bed hadn’t wavered. Neither one of them could get home fast enough to one another after their mutual shifts in various parts of Jackson. Retiring to each other’s arms at the end of a long day of work was the sweetest reward to be earned.

“I’ve got a stupid one,” Y/n spoke up.

“There’s no stupid ones,” Joel offered back, his eyes were closed in relaxation.

“No, you’ll definitely think this one’s stupid.”

Joel smiled, “Hit me.”

Y/n inhaled deeply, sighing as she released the breath, “We never found out how Star Wars ended.”

To his credit, Joel tried to contain the laughter bubbling in his throat. But the pressure became too great to suppress and he snorted, rolling on his side and pressing his face to Y/n’s shoulder.

“You asshole,” Y/n joined in on her husband’s laughter.

“It’s not stupid,” Joel said with a contradicting smile, “It’s just that we already knew how it ended.”

“But we didn’t know how we got there,” Y/n gestured with her free hand to the ceiling, “We’ll also never know how Friends ended or if there would have been another Pirates of the Caribbean movie…”

Joel snickered into Y/n’s shoulder once more. Where Y/n would have once jokingly pushed him away, she let him stay. After two decades apart, no intimacy between them was ever rejected.

“I miss music shops,” Joel added once his laughter had ceased, “Can still remember the smell of all the guitars and the polishes.”

Y/n hummed, nudging her head closer to Joel’s till the tips of his curls were tickling her face.

“Maybe it’s just the playin’ I miss,” Joel continued, getting settled in Jackson was their top priority, but he was itching to find a guitar.

“I miss that perfume I used to wear,” Y/n added another entry to their game.

Joel’s head tilted in attention, “The lilac one?”

“How do you even remember that?” Y/n chuckled, their hands had separated and she was absentmindedly combing her fingers through Joel’s hair.

“I bought it for you for Christmas,” Joel replied, the heat of his breath fanning Y/n’s shoulder, “‘Member?”

The memories came flooding back from the dusty attic she’d hidden them in. “Right,” Y/n recalled.

“You said it was too expensive,” Joel added to the memory.

“Because it was.”

“You said you only bought yourself a bottle every few years,” Joel continued.

“I did.”

Just like every other time they talked about the little parts of life they missed, the conversation would inevitably hit a stopping point. A space where the memories of what once was began to press down on their chests, sometimes out of sadness, sometimes out of anger.

Joel could distinctly remember the scent of the perfume Y/n wore, how it would linger on his sheets long after she rose in the morning. All of Y/n’s memories of getting ready for date night involved spritzing the floral spray on her neck and wrists. It was the trivial things like it that represented a chapter of their lives they could never go back to.

The silence took over and Y/n’s fingers stopped their soothing motions. Joel craned his neck to look up at her, his emotions mirroring hers perfectly. Melancholia mixed with nostalgia and resignation.

This was the part of the night where they settled into each other’s arms and drew comfort from their mutual presence. It was all still so new, despite their history, and the simple act of holding one another was something for muscle memory to recall. But it was better to have the sting of what was lost soothed than to yearn in solitude.

Y/n dug her nose into Joel’s chest. Reminiscing on the past had once been a choking stab, now it was more like an ache. Ever present and ever painful, but bearable. Joel was making everything feel decent again.

Joel settled his chin on top of Y/n’s head, inhaling the scent of the simple soap they both used. Only upon Y/n and Ellie’s entrance into his life had Joel began to truly remember his past, both consciously and unconsciously. It was a whole new world to navigate, balancing his memories and building the future he thought he’d lost. But, much like Sarah’s memory, they were beginning to morph into something he could handle. He could even smile at most of them. And the ones that left him feeling hollow were filled by the embrace of his wife.

They were learning, Joel and Y/n, learning how to function as one again. If one stumbled, the other was there to pick them up. If one broke, the other was there to put them back together. It was beautiful and battle-scarred and above all else…it was safe.

————

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[refinedbuffoonery]

Looking Through A Window (22)

macriley married undercover au

masterlist.

*****

Mac can’t wait to go home.

He falters a step when he realizes in this instance home means the safe-house apartment, not his house back in L.A. After more than a month of living there, it has begun to feel sort of home-y, in a way, although he chalks it up to Riley’s presence more than anything else. She feels like home. And after the day he’s had, he wants nothing more than to see just how close to home he can get. Preferably naked and in their bed.

Although he did promise her a date first.

But before that happens, he needs to rescue Riley from the Patriots’ warehouse. In what might be the dumbest idea she’s ever had, Riley suggested they divide and conquer—Mac buddy up with Conrad in an attempt to get closer to Cody, Riley with Ethan to plan the current governor’s (fake) assassination. So today while Riley was stuck with a man who loathes her very existence, Mac played golf with one of the biggest pieces of shit he’s ever met. And also Conrad.

(If Conrad hated her less, they would’ve switched roles. She’s actually decent at golf. Mac is terrible.)

Lengthening his stride as he navigates the nondescript hallways toward Ethan’s office, Mac finds himself driven less by the need to rescue Riley and more by genuine excitement to see her after a day apart. Call him co-dependent, but he missed her.

The route to Ethan’s office is one of the cleanest parts of the warehouse. The concrete floors have been swept, and there aren’t crates of ammo blocking the way like there are by the closet Conrad calls his office. But “out of sight, out of mind” doesn’t apply here, and the sheer number of guns in the building makes Mac’s skin crawl with desperation to get out of there as soon as possible. At least he himself isn’t armed today. Small mercies do exist.

Hopefully the universe will have mercy on him, and Riley will be ready to leave in the next thirty seconds. Mac slides his hands into his pockets to hide his crossed fingers—a gesture he learned from Jack but only became habit after the man was gone.

Voices echo down the hall; Mac can’t yet make out what they’re saying, but an insistent tone that makes him pause just out of sight.

“You’re an exciting woman, Genevieve. I’ve never been with a woman like you,” Ethan croons. “Your husband seems like a nice guy, but I see you. I see your ambition, your drive. I’m sure you wear the pants in your relationship.”

Riley says nothing.

“I thought so.” There’s another pause, and then— “Let me show you the big leagues.”

Mac grits his teeth, hands curling into fists at his sides. He’s ready to barge in there, show Ethan just what league he belongs in, but Riley says, “I like the league I’m in, and I love my husband. And if you want my help, you’ll respect that. Goodnight, Ethan.”

She walks out of his office, eyes widening when she sees Mac, but she signals for him to follow her down the hallway without so much as a hitch in her step.

When they’re clear, Mac mutters, “Unbelievable.”

“So you heard that.”

“I heard that you love me.”

Riley slips her hand into his, interlacing their fingers. Kisses him entirely too deeply considering where they are. “That I do.” She tugs him after her.

“I can’t believe he hit on you.” Mac would love to turn around and punch that asshole, but he has no business stepping in when Riley already handled it herself.

Riley scoffs, “That’s not even the worst thing he said today.”

Mac raises his brow. “Tell me.”

“Some racist shit I’m not going to repeat.”

There’s a weight on her shoulders, in her eyes, that Mac hasn’t seen since they confessed their feelings to one another. He’ll be the first to admit he’s been hiding behind those feelings and their shiny new relationship in order to avoid the reality of the Patriots. What they’re doing. What they believe in. Because the reality is that this is a group of white men who have turned their racism into a political agenda, backed by the kind of artillery no civilian has any business having. Artillery they have no issue using in order to get their way.

It’s not lost on Mac that this assignment is far worse for Riley than for him.

“I know we talked about going out tonight,” Riley says, “but can we just go home?”

Mac is learning the best thing he can do for her is create and maintain spaces she feels safe. So that’s what he’s going to do.

Outside, he opens the car door for her. “I’ll drive,” he offers, not because it’s the man’s job to drive but because she’s been on high alert all day and deserves a chance to zone out. The least he can do is get them home safe.

Let me carry this weight with you.

She lets him.

*****

When Desi arrives on their doorstep, Mac is struck with such a wave of homesickness that he pays little mind to the smug expression on her face. Or her goading, “I see once again nothing gets done around here without my help.”

And then their overwatch waltzes in like she owns the place.

Harley comes barrelling out of the bedroom, barking at the intruder in her space. Unfazed, Desi crosses her arms and tilts her head and says to the dog, “Honestly I’m offended you forgot me.” Harley quiets almost instantly and mirrors Desi’s head tilt as she decides whether Desi should be allowed to stay. Only after giving Desi’s shoes and pants a thorough sniff does Harley return to her usual observation spot on the end of the couch. She’s allowed, then.

Riley yanks her in for a tight hug, which Desi happily returns, leaving Mac to awkwardly watch. He and Desi don’t really do hugs anymore due to the whole ex thing. Even if he missed her.

“So,” Desi says, eyes sweeping the whole apartment before fixating on Mac and Riley. How close they’re standing. The wedding rings they’ve gotten in the habit of wearing even when alone. She definitely smelled that they used the same soap when showering (unfortunately separately) this morning; Riley isn’t wearing any perfume to cover it up. He sees the gears in Desi’s mind turning and wishes he couldn’t. The grin dawning on her face is downright diabolical. “Are you two fucking yet?”

Nevermind. She is a terror, and he didn’t miss her at all.

Riley chokes. “Excuse me, I have to go change my tampon.” After she all but runs from the room, Desi turns that smug expression on Mac. “Last I checked, a little blood doesn’t faze you.”

“Last I checked, you were all about keeping things professional.”

She shrugs and proceeds to give herself a tour of the apartment. Desi eyes the plants Mac keeps forgetting to water and lets loose a surprised huh at the lack of clothes (specifically Mac’s) on the floor before turning her focus on the bed. Pillows for two, sheets pulled back on both sides. In hindsight, they probably should have made it less obvious. “You’re not fucking,” she says slowly, “but you are sleeping together.” Not a question.

“We’ve been here for over a month. No one’s back can handle that long on a couch. Besides, it’s not like Riley and I haven’t slept together a hundred times before.”

Desi smirks.

He walked right into that one.

“That’s not what I meant and you know it.”

Desi doesn’t need to know about the condoms in the nightstand drawer. Although there’s a definite possibility she’ll go through all their stuff the moment he and Riley leave her alone in the apartment.

Or maybe not, considering Desi’s reaction after Harley sniffs through her bag and pulls out the small bottle of pain meds she has stashed. Harley brings Mac the bottle, and Desi frowns and says, “Your dog’s a narc.”

Out of habit, Mac quickly glances at the label, noticing that she’s taking the strong stuff again. He needs to keep an eye on that. When Desi isn’t looking, he gives Harley a treat.

They get straight to work planning the governor’s fake assassination once Desi settles in, mostly to prevent her from asking any more nosy questions.

Desi is much better at this than they are. In fact, one of the first things she does is tell them their plan leaves way too much room for error. That they need to account for every route the governor might take so that the sniper (her) won’t end up out of position. Sharing a look behind her back, Mac and Riley sigh as Desi proceeds to redo most of their work.

As the day passes, Harley becomes instant BFFs with Desi and, that night, even sleeps on the couch with her. Mac thinks their dog is a traitor. Especially when he catches her as the little spoon tucked snugly into Desi’s chest. He supposes they get along so well because they’re both so stubborn and bossy.

On the bright side, with Harley sleeping on the couch instead of her usual spot—in the middle of the bed, head on Riley’s stomach, ass in Mac’s face—he and Riley can actually have some alone time for the first time in, well, ever.

Of course, Riley wants to waste it by talking.

Talking.

“Do you think she knows?” Riley asks quietly, not wanting Desi to overhear. They’re both lying on their backs, not touching, which Mac thinks is ridiculous despite not being brave enough to grab her and pull her close.

“I don’t think we were that obvious, no.”

“She’s not stupid.”

“No she is not.” Believe me, Mac wants to say. I know.

“I know we agreed not to tell anyone until after this is all over, but now that Desi is here. . .” Riley trails off. “Should we tell her? It feels wrong to lie to her, of all people.”

It does feel wrong. They should be upfront about it. But no matter that the three of them are in a great place now, telling Desi will still be awkward. Mac isn’t wild about having to tell his ex that the thing she once confronted him about, years ago, did come to fruition after all. After Mac swore on his life that it wouldn’t.

Not to mention. . .

“Bozer’s feelings will be hurt if he’s not the first to know.”

Riley swears. “I don’t want to tell him over the phone. This is—” she reaches across the bed, grabs his chest— “too big for that.” Mac’s pulse skyrockets under her touch, even with his shirt between them.

“I agree.”

He needs more; her hand on his chest isn’t enough. He wants her under his skin. But since that isn’t physically possible, he settles for the next best thing: nestling her against his chest.

Her breath warm against his neck, Riley says, “If we don’t tell her, then we can’t do any PDA or anything else couple-y in front of her. Even if she figures it out, we still shouldn’t do it. It’s not fair to make her watch all that. Not when she’s stuck with us, not when she can’t leave.”

Mac recalls the time when their roles were reversed and Riley was the third-wheel roommate watching him and Desi be a gross couple. A time during which he now knows Riley harbored feelings for him. He kisses her forehead. “Are you thinking about when you were in her shoes?”

He almost misses her quiet, “Yeah.”

He holds her tighter. “I’m sorry I put you through that. If I had known. . . I wouldn’t’ve.”

“I didn’t want you to know.”

“And now?”

“Now,” Riley interrupts herself by kissing him. “I’m going to tell you I love you every day for the rest of our lives.” She checks to make sure the bedroom door is shut before straddling him, and he grips the backs of her thighs.

Good thing Desi sleeps like the dead.

*****

Electric heat runs through his veins. Her back is to his chest like it so often is, but they aren’t sleeping.

Far from it.

It’s the best dream he’s had in a long time.

His hand slips under her shirt, teasingly brushing his thumb across the underside of her breast. Only when she whimpers does he touch her with more purpose. Intent. The heady scent of her fills his nose. He can’t usually smell things in a dream, but Mac certainly isn’t complaining about it. Wanting her for so long has made him desperate to have her in any way he can. He nips at the sensitive skin below her ear, and her hips rock back into his.

He feels every inch of her against him, that tantalizing mix of soft curves and hard muscle. God, what a dream.

Fingers circle his wrist, and then she’s moving his hand down, down the smooth plane of her stomach, down to the elastic waistband of her shorts. She’s not wearing any underwear. Only the shorts.

He hears her breathless cry, then feels the very real pain of her nails digging into his forearm.

Mac’s not dreaming anymore.

He’s wide awake now, and when he opens his eyes Mac realizes his dream was not, in fact, a dream. Riley has a hand clamped over her mouth to muffle her cries as she guides his fingers over her body. Her hips grind into his, harder now. Encouraging him.

He has never in his entire life wanted something more than he wants her right now.

In the back of his consciousness, he registers nails clicking on the floor, followed by the soft sound of the front door shutting. Desi is awake and letting out the dog. They have just minutes before she'll barge in to use the apartment’s sole bathroom. Shit.

“Riles,” he murmurs, lips brushing her ear. He kisses her neck. “We can’t.”

“Just get a towel and it’ll be fine. There won’t be that much blood.”

“No, not because of that.” He removes his hands from beneath her clothes, resigning himself to finish this in the shower, alone. “I’m not fucking you when we have an audience.”

The front door again. Harley barks, demanding to be fed. Faintly, he hears Desi telling the dog to have some damn patience.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Riley groans into her pillow, and Mac strokes his fingers down her back in apology.

He scrambles to find something to say to make this better, ultimately landing on, “I could wake up every day like this.” She shivers, and he continues, “Do you know how badly I want you? Want this?”

Riley’s fist clenches around the sheets.

There’s a swift knock at the bedroom door, but before either of them have a chance to respond, it opens and Desi pokes her head in. Mac rolls away from Riley too late; there’s no way Desi didn’t see how close they were. And Riley—damn her—pretends to be asleep, leaving Mac to deal with their nosy overwatch on his own.

Desi walks in dressed for a run. She doesn’t say a word, although the look on her face says plenty, as she quickly uses the bathroom. When she emerges, she announces, “I’m going on a run and will be gone for exactly one hour. While I am cool with this—” she gestures between them, and her approval is odd to come to terms with— “I do not want to see either of your naked asses when I return. Got it?”

In translation: Do not waste this opportunity because if I catch you I swear to god I will kill you myself.

Mac bites his tongue to hold in an irreverent Yes, ma’am, fearing he’d get punched if it slips.

Something softens in Desi’s eyes as she observes the way the pillows are only squished in the middle of the bed, proof that Mac and Riley slept mere inches apart. She asks, “Do you love her?”

She asked him that question once before, but where that time was spiteful, this time is in earnest.

“I do,” he replies. “Please don’t. . . We haven’t told anyone yet.”

Desi smiles sadly. “Your secret is safe with me. That’s never changed.”

.

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[boodlesofdoodles]

Part 1 // Part 2 // Part 3 // Part 4 // Part 5

It had been a about a week since the pair had their fight. Neither had really talked to each other since then, Charlie giving short one word answers every time Mac tried talking to him. There was a palpable tension between the two.

The rest of The Gang didn’t take notice of it, or they just didn’t care.

Either way it was unusually and uncomfortably quiet in the bar as Charlie was cleaning and closing up shop. Mac hid away in the office waiting for everyone else to go home, he knew if he stayed in the middle of the bar Charlie would’ve just kept avoiding him like he had been for the whole week. He desperately missed the shade of green he so often found himself lost in, so decided it was finally time to do something.

It was about 11:43 when Mac finally emerged from the office, slowly and cautiously looking around for Charlie; who was standing at the bar taking a big swig of something. Mac couldn’t tell what it was, but at the unusual sight of something other than beer in Char’s hand he actually felt kind of relieved. Charlie’s as bothered by them not talking as he was.

Mac clasps his hands closed and steps forward, opening his mouth to speak when he’s interrupted, “What do you want, Mac?” Charlie’s voice was so cold Mac felt goosebumps forming on his arms, “Cant you just leave me alone? I don’t want to do this right now.”

“Charlie-“ the yearning in his voice wasn’t even attempted to be masked, “we have to talk about this.” Mac looked down and fiddled with his thumbs, stepping closer to the bar. He couldn’t bring himself to look up at Charlie as his face heated up, red overwhelming his features. “I miss you..” He spoke in almost a whisper.

The gulping of whatever hard alcohol Charlie had gotten his paws on became quicker, louder. Mac’s heartbeat feels like it’s matching the pace banging against his chest.

Please let Charlie finally talk to him.

There’s a dull thud on the counter, bottle hitting it hard when Charlie decided he’s had enough. A shaky hand reaches up and slowly wipes at his mouth, a sigh quickly following. Charlie takes a second to hastily lick his lips, not noticing Mac’s eyes intently watching him do so. “I just don’t understand you, man.” Charlie manages to chortle out, “We were doing so well, Mac. We were hanging out again. Just like old times.” His voice is heavy with an emotion Mac can’t quite decipher, “I don’t get why the fuck you were such an asshole to me, dude.”

The lump in Mac’s throat feels way too big to swallow.

I can’t just tell Charlie what got me so riled up. What am I supposed to say? It’s because I don’t want you to tell Dennis about something secret we share? It’s because I don’t want you hand making something for someone else? It’s because I’ve secretly been in love with you since we were kids..

“I just don’t want you to get hurt, Charlie..” He finally settled on a more tame way to try to convey it. It’s not necessarily a lie, so it should be good enough, right? “I’m worried he’d say something really like.. fucked up about you baking or something, I don’t know.”

A loud, over exaggerated scoff escapes Charlie’s lips, Mac can’t tell if it were genuine. “God damn it, Mac,” he’s shaking his head staring down at the bar counter, one hand lazily wrapped around the bottle, “I don’t need you to protect me. Fuck, dude. I’m not a kid. I can handle shit on my own.” The frustration is thick in his voice, “I just wanted to make Dennis something cool as Hell. He never got homemade shit from his mom or frank or whatever. Never like,” his hands are lifted from the counter and gesturing wildly now, “tasted anything made with like. Love.. or. Whatever.” He spat out the word love like it tasted too bitter on his tongue to keep it in any longer. He was still looking everywhere else but at Mac.

Love? Made with love?

Mac’s fists clenched and his jaw tensed up almost immediately at the statement. There’s no way he can respond without his voice cracking. He needs to take a second to relax. He’s gotta come up with something to diffuse the situation. He still needs to convince Charlie not to bake for anyone but him. He has to-

“I just thought it’d be nice.” Charlie adds on with a loud sniffle, “Maybe make him smile. I feel like he doesn’t smile anymore. I wanted to see him smile again.” The awkward clearing of his throat fills the room, fills up Mac’s entire being. He doesn’t have a chance to process it before Charlie’s face twists into one of anger again. Mac didn’t even notice how much it had softened until just now, “but you made me so fucking mad the other day I just had to walk away! Do you know how much shit I wasted that day?!”

Mac grimaced at Charlie’s rising voice. He was still reeling over the making something with love comment, but he had to respond, right? “Well you decided to throw it away…” he mumbled out. He realizes he definitely made the wrong choice when Charlie laughs in his face, moving to screw the lid onto the bottle he was already almost finished with. Mac can see a replay of the fight that originally started this whole stupid thing starting to happen.

“You’re missing the fucking point! You’re probably doing it on purpose, too! What is your problem lately, man!?” Charlie’s shrill voice cuts through the silence of the bar, “Fuck this, Mac, I cannot be around you right now.” He’s moving towards the door quickly but is abruptly stopped by a hand wrapping around one of his wrists.

“I’m sorry, Charlie..” Mac’s voice is wavering and he loudly clears his throat, hand still around the other’s wrist. It’s surprising how long Charlie’s let him get away with it. “I’m sorry I’ve been such a dick, dude.” Still wavering, his voice was at least louder this time, “I just.. wanted this to be something we had. Together. Just us.” There’s a heavy sense of relief when Charlie’s features soften for him this time, “We don’t need Dennis or anyone else to say some shit about it. Just let us enjoy something without hi- their negativity.”

Charlie slowly takes his hand back, bringing it to the bottle he was still holding. He’s quiet for what feels like forever to Mac, with a slight smile on his face, “Mac, I appreciate the thought, but I want to share it with Dennis.” Mac’s chest feels heavy- no, scratch that- his whole body feels like it weighs tons. “You made me feel better about it all, and I wanted to show off.”

For the first time in a week, Charlie’s eyes meet Mac’s, and he can’t help but feel like the God he’s prayed to his whole life is playing some sick joke on him. It’s so cruel that Mac can finally look into the eyes he’s missed this whole time, but all he can see is an excitement and a joy that isn’t meant for him.

“Im gonna impress the shit out of him.”

That’s it that’s where I’m ending this at lol. I’ve had this in the drafts for a few days im tired of looking at it so I just finished it up rq so I can finally get rid of it

[rieroleplays]

Maclaren Frost - 16 - 27th Fall Games Showcase

(AKA How Many Ways Can Maclaren Frost Pretend to Kill the Gamemakers)

“My life was going good until you fuckers decided to interrupt.” Mac wasted no time walking towards the plant station and picking off berries as he spoke. “I don’t really think I have to introduce myself. By now, you all know my family very well. Unless I’ve gone crazy, you only just killed off my cousin, Noah, last spring!” With a variety of blue, and black berries in hand, the boy walked towards the gamemakers. “But, my father always taught me to have good manners. So, let me introduce myself. Maclaren Frost. Yep, that kind of Frost. Hate to break to ya, but there’s not many of us left for you assholes to kill off.”

The berries rolled smoothly in his palm. “I’ve probably not given you all a good idea of who I really am. I can be a pretty charming, friendly guy. My father always told me to be a rainbow in someone’s storm, and, damn it, I am a fucking rainbow. Back home I would spare some change to friends for them to buy food or offer them some of my own if I could.” His finger rose towards a blonde gamemaker. The smirk he was known for back home crossed his cheeks. His voice was much softer, kinder, almost as if he really was concerned. “Have you eaten recently? I mean, after all those tributes before, you must be hungry?! Have some berries! They’re delicious.” He walked to a dummy and crushed the fruits against its imaginary lips. “Oh wait! Did I mention that I mixed some Nightshade in with those blackberries? Oops! Pretty soon your heart’ll start racing and you’ll begin to see hallucinations before you just…” He snapped his fingers and gave the woman a faux apologetic look before moving on.

At the fire making station, he gets prepared. It took a bit of time and he found himself rushing to keep from wasting minutes. About to give up, a spark catches and a small flame appears. “Ah, fire! Where would we be without its warmth? Knowing how to start one can be the difference between life and death.” With a small torch in his hand carrying the flame, he pointed out a woman with much shorter hair. “What about you, miss? Aren’t you grateful for fire in a hearth during those winter months?” He took slow steps back towards the dummy he’d been at earlier. “Doesn’t it just make you wanna get closer to it so you can feel the heat?” He angled the torch until the flame caught onto the dummy and the figure lit up. Air was sucked between his teeth as he looked to the woman apologetically. “Sorry! Must have forgotten how flammable things can be.”

Chocolate eyes look at the weapons and he picked up a spear, admiring the point. “I’m shit at ranged weapons. All week I’ve been trying to get a better grip on them, but I just can’t seem to get my aim down properly. Still, this little weapon here can be pretty useful in certain environments -- good fishing tool, helpful when building shelter if you use it right. But nah. Its primary job is a weapon.” He walked towards a new dummy. His finger stretched out to an older man with slicked back, dark hair. He looked to the dummy and feigned throwing the spear. Instead of letting it leave his fingers, he lodged it into the chest of the lifeless being. He looked over his shoulder at the man he just figuratively impaled and shrugged his shoulders. “I’d help you out, but I think slowly bleeding is the better option here.”

He walked towards the swords, picking up a short one and a long one. His arm lagged and he dragged the larger of the two behind him as he went to the dummy and stuck the short sword in its hand. “I’m not the strongest tribute here. I’m not like the guy from District one, muscled up and ready for a fight. I’m actually pretty weak compared to him, but I’ve got something else on my side: anger.” He pointed his finger at the last victim, the head gamemaker. “Have you ever been so angry, that you manage to find this strength you never knew you had?” He hesitated, looking at the man seriously. “Do you have a kid? Are you a father? You probably don’t know this, but I’m an only child. Mom’s dead. Dad’s been left at home alone now. His only son, sent off to fight and die. Wouldn’t it be a shame if it was your kid in my position?” His free arm snaked around the dummy’s shoulders. “Is it a brown haired boy? Maybe it’s a blue eyed girl. I’m sure whatever it might be, he or she is lovely. We could be friends. Maybe be in an alliance together.” His arm pulled away and he took a couple of steps forward.

“That’s not how this works though. There are no friends.” He turned and for the first time raised the sword. He swung it at the arm holding the weapon and watched it bounce to the ground. “Mutts, they rip someone limb by limb until they’re devouring a piece of fresh meat,” he grunted as he hacked away at the dummy’s limbs. “Pretty soon, there’s nothing left of them, but bones littered on the ground.” He thought of Noah as the sword swung again and the head of the dummy rolled off the body. With sweat dripping down his face, he turned to face the man in the middle. “Nothing left of your poor baby to return to you.” He wiped his brow with his sleeve, staring at them still. “It’s been my pleasure figuratively killing you today. Gonna kill me for it? Go ahead. We all know that I was dead the moment I was reaped. We all know that a Frost doesn’t have the luxury of returning home.”

Vigor: 8 Dexterity: 6 Intelligence: 8 Overall: ??? Believe it was somewhere around 7-8

[salembasil]

Jewel eyed Judy

Stevie Ray Vaughan x femreader, fluff a little angst :)

enjoy girlies

Jewel eyed Judy 

“T-bone, c'mere boy, we’re gonna pick daddy up today” 

That dog had become the only thing holding you together. Your husband of four years, Stevie, had just gone to rehab for abusing drugs and alcohol. All the touring and traveling got to him and he started taking drugs and drinking to get through it. 

During that time your relationship with Stevie plummeted. You couldn’t stand looking at him when he was drunk or high, no matter how many times you begged and pleaded him to stop, for the sake of “us” in your own words, it would only end in a fight, with things around the room broken and the whole house turned upside down. He drank to take the edge off the drugs, and took the drugs to pick him back up from being too drunk. It was an endless cycle 

So you’re glad that your boy is okay now. You finally have your Stevie back. 

You put out your cigarette and grabbed the keys to your 1973 dusty blue mustang convertible and opened the door wide for t-bone. 

He ran through and waited at the car for you, you opened the door and you both got in. The radio was playing “eyes without a face”. 

You harshly pulled out of the driveway, excited to see your man. T-bone with his tongue out, and head stuck out the window, one hand resting on your thigh, and one hand on the wheel. You were ready 

You waited anxiously in the car park for him to come out. You were biting at your nails and suddenly you hear abrupt knocks on your window. You jump, not expecting it. You look up and see your Stevie. He opens the door for you and you jump into his arms.

“Hey doll face, did you miss me” you pull away to look at his face. “Of course I missed you honey. Everyday, every single day, I was thinking about you”  

You felt a tear roll down your  cheek before Stevie swiped it away with his thumb. He held your face, and pressed a loving, and passionate, long awaited kiss on your blush tinted lips. 

“And t-bone is here to see me too” he walked up to the pup and gave him a big kiss on the top of his head. “I missed you boy” 

“Alright come on sugar, let’s head home” 

You threw him the keys and he drove you guys back home. His hand on your thigh, your hand playing with his hair at the nape is his neck, and t-bone smiling in the wind. 

The drive home was silent, but a comfortable silence. 

You let the dog in and he went to go sit on his bed. 

As soon as you two crossed the threshold between your house and the outside, you were immediately wrapped in his warm, protective embrace. 

You kissed his shoulder, while he rested his chin on the top of your head. You swayed to nothing but silence and stayed wrapped in his arms for a bit. 

“Baby you don’t know how much I’ve missed you. I know it was only a month, but I can’t live without you, you’re my everything. I’m sorry for being such an asshole to you. I love you, you’re my wife, you’re my other half. No you’re my whole. You are the reason I wake up every morning. I’m so sorry sugar. I hope you can forgive me” 

“Of course I can forgive you Stevie. Just dance with me. Let’s forget about it, forget about everything for two minutes baby” 

You walk over to your record player and put on Fleetwood mac's kiln album, jewel eyed Judy started playing. 

You joined Stevie once more and swayed to the soft sounds of Fleetwood Mac. His hands on your waist, and your arms swung around his neck, “I love you y/n with all my heart and soul you’re my moonlight and sunlight don’t ever leave me please” 

“I would never even think about Stevie, I love you more then life itself” 

He pulls you in closer by your waist and brushed his nose against yours softly, before placing his lips onto yours. Giving you a chaste kiss.

[drivergemini]

california sun :: b.h.

summary: max always told stories about a brother she left in california. who knew that leaving hawkins after high school would bring y/n straight to the legend himself.

warnings: story is not canon compliant, non supernatural au, few swears, max loves billy and billy isn’t an arrogant asshole, y/n is just a little airheaded but only if you read into it 

word count: 1694

she remembered the sad look in the redhead’s eyes when she first met her. maxine mayfield was her name. she remembers opening the door and seeing the two gingers standing in front of her. maxine was the first and only girl y/n ever baby sat. she was only 13 at the time, but the older redheaded woman seemed desperate to be alone without her 7 year old daughter. 

she remembered sitting across the dining room table from maxine. she made her a plate of chicken nuggets and mac & cheese. she watched as she pushed around the food on her plate, scraping the metal fork against the ceramic.

“so maxine...” y/n broke the silence.

“max. my name is max.” the girl’s piercing blue eyes looked right as y/n. she stopped moving her forced.

“where are you from i’ve never seen you before.”

max sets down the fork. “california, southern california.”

y/n perked up. even at a young age she knew that no one in their right mind would move to hawkins, especially not from a place like that. “it’s always been, my dream to live in california!”

“mine too...” may looked back down at the plate of food. “i wish we never moved here.”

she heard a small sniffle come from max. “hey hawkins isn’t too bad. there’s so many great stuff here.”

“but there’s no billy.” max whispered to herself.

“there’s no who?”

“billy. i miss him so so much.” she started to grip the table. “he was the coolest and he listened to the coolest music and had the coolest hair. he let me shave it off for him. and he knew how to surf and he told me that his mom taught him to surf and he taught me how to surf. and he was my favorite person in the whole world.” max’s words faltered near the end.

“so billy is your..?” 

“he’s my brother. well not really said my mom but i think he’s still my brother.” max went on about how her mom and billy’s dad were married and then they weren’t married.

soon enough they found themselves sitting in the living room, max still going on and on about her cool older brother.

- 

“you know i would do anything to take you with me max.” y/n pinched her cheek.

“ew you’re like a grandma.” max laughed and opened her arms up for a hug. “i wish i could come to college with you.” 

“in a few years you could try and come to cali for college too and maybe we could even live together.” y/n sang the last part. never in her life did she expect her best friend to be 4 years younger than her but here they were. 

“hey y/n... if you see happen to see billy can you tell him i miss him?” 

she squeezed her friend tighter “of course max.” 

- 

whatever she expected from college, she did not get. y/n found herself in a small dorm with a roomate who wasn’t too fond of small town girls. she spent so much time at the library or working at the campus smoothie bar just to get away from her. 

y/n scanned the shelves of the non fiction section to find a book on da vinci’s ideas on anatomy. she didn’t realize studying art history would require a lot of, well studying. 

she stood on her tip toes when she found it. before she could reach it, she saw a toned arm out of the corner of her eye. the arm grabbed the exact book she was looking for. 

she turned her head to see a tall, muscular man handing her the book. she looked at his blond tied back mullet and opened her mouth to speak.

“is this the book you were trying to get?” he voice was husky, but it wasn’t low. 

she continued to just stare at the man before her. wow y/n creepy move on your behalf.

“um- uh- yeah. i um- thanks.” she took the book out of his hand. 

“you’re welcome i always try and help when pretty girls are in need.” he smirked. jesus were people in this state so bold to just share their feelings.

y/n’s face turned red. “i- thank you. you are also very pretty.” shit. really y/n? pretty? that’s the best you can come up with?

the blond chuckled slightly. “i do consider myself a pretty fella.” he held out his hand for her to shake. “i’m william.”

“y/n.” she shook his hand feeling the hard callouses against his palms. 

“so this might be a long shot, but do you want to go down to the beach with me?” y/n thought to herself that going to the beach with a man she just met was dangerous. but then again, this stranger was beautiful. 

“yeah sure.” this was a weird scenario that she would never be in. but something in her mind was telling her that she should go with william.

they ended up on the sands of the santa monica pier. she watched as the blond stripped off his shirt and placed his butt on the sand right next to her. the sun glared against his tanned and toned body. y/n wanted to run her fingers over his shoulders. 

william took the sunglasses that sat on his face and placed them on his head. “so did you grow up in california?”

“no absolutely not. indiana. a small town called hawkins.” she made a hand gesture at the name of her town, like she was presenting something magnificant. “did you grow up here?”

“yup. true california boy. surfing and smoking is basically my only personality.” 

y/n nudged into his body and laughed. “i wish i knew how to surf. my best friend back in hawkins always talked about how she loved to surf when she was younger. do you think you’d be able to teach me?”

“woahhhh, first date is going so well that you already are asking for a second?” he let out a fake shocked look. 

“well that depends, are you gonna teach me for free or are you going to make me pay you?” y/n raised her eyebrows.

“i know one way you could pay me right now.” william placed his hand on her cheek and leaned towards her face. they met in the middle and he placed a soft kiss on her lips.

y/n felt her face get slightly hot. “jesus i have never even seen you surf how do i know your a good teacher?”

“i have been surfing since i could remember. and i have taught surfing before if you’d like to know. and she was the one of the most bad ass bitch i have ever met to this day.”

“oooooo she?” y/n teased poking his arm. 

“uh uh calm down. she is my little sister, or at least was my sister. she was a classic california boy, surfing and skating. except you know, in like a tiny little human.” he looked towards the ocean. “she was the best. but she moved to god knows where.”

“i’m sorry that sounds like it sucks. when’s the last time you talked to her?” she leaned her head on his shoulder.

“i’m honestly not even sure. maybe when i was in high school?” he let out a heavy sigh. “her name was maxine.” he let out the last sentence like she was dead.

y/n shot up. “billy?! billy hargrove?!” she looked at the blond before her with a face of confusion.

“excuse me? do you know who i am?” the blond’s face was slightly painted with fear.

“know you? know you?! how am i so dumb! how didn’t i connect it?” she stood up and pointed at him. “you’re max’s brother! the one she told me about?”

at the sound of his sisters name he also stood up. “you know max?” he felt like he was going to throw up, but in a good exciting way. “i swear you better not be fucking with me.”

“max is my best friend! i basically raised max mayfield. she moved to hawkins with her mom after california” 

william’s face sported a more excited look. “oh my god i can’t believe you know max!” he got so excited that he hugged y/n, lifting her into the air and spinning her around. “can you tell me about her? and what she’s been up to?” 

“of course i can.” y/n smiled at the boy and leaned in for another kiss. ‘

-

billy and y/n giggled as the phone rang, shushing each other when the the other end answered. they both wore thick sweaters to deal with the cold indiana air.

“mayfield residence. max speaking.” she could hear a bored max on the other end.

“max it’s y/n!” 

“y/n?! jesus i was wondering when you were gonna call again. i was beginning to think you forgot about me.” 

“forget about you? i’m back in hawkins for winter break! can i come see you?”

“you’re back? and you didn’t tell me? get over hear right now before i kick your ass.” y/n could hear max laugh and then the receiver click.

both adults ran outside to the blue camaro they drove from california and headed over to the mayfield house. 

billy was playing rock loudly through the speakers, looking over at y/n ever so often. he would smile at her in between the lyrics. 

when he pulled into the driveway of the house, he felt his palms get slightly sweaty. 

“you’ll be okay.” y/n squeezed his hand which was instantly relieving. 

y/n entered the house first, billy could hear the squeals and jumping of the two girls. he couldn’t help but chuckle to himself.

“a boyfriend? and he’s here?” billy heard faintly. he felt this was his cue to walk through the door. 

max’s mouth hung open, eyes wide as saucers.

“max this is my boyfriend...”

“billy?????” max blurted out. billy smiled wide and opened his arms for a hug. max ran into his arms and squeezed him so hard billy didn’t know if she’d let go.

it wasn’t sunny california, but maybe hawkins wasn’t so bad. 

[moonlit-imagines]

Headcanons for being Adrian Chase’s partner in crime

Adrian Chase x reader

warnings: death, blood, injury, murder, mention of sex offenders, more murder and death, i think that’s it. oh and guns and knives

a/n: ILY ROWAN U REQUEST JUST FINE I PROMISE!!!!

prompt: @amirahiddleston: “okokokok i would like to request that you write an adrian chase/vigilante (peacemaker tv) headcanon about being his sort of partner in crime? like y/n and him are both vigilante types! thank you & i hope i did this right 😭”

absolute shitshow

obviously the only way you two are willingly working together is if you’re both a little crazy and a little insufferable (but never to each other)

“turn that shit up RIGHT now” -adrian while driving

“SO I’VE GOT MY HANDS UP THEYRE PLAYING MY SONG THE BUTTERFLIES FLY AWAY. NODDING MY HEAD LIKE YEAH. MOVING MY HIPS LIKE YEAH—” -both of you with the windows down

jealous of each other’s weapons

“you didn’t get me one?” -adrian, with a pouty face you could sense through his mask

“dont even think about it, vig. i will shoot you” -you

“not if i shoot you first!” -adrian

drive-thru shenanigans

mcdonalds workers hate you

“just pick something y/v/n! you get the same thing every time, why are you acting like you’re gonna get something different?” -adrian

“shut up, i’m thinking. what are you gonna get?” -you

“the same thing i always get. big mac, no toppings, ketchup and pickles on the side” -adrian

“no fries?” -you

“of course i’m getting fries! and a sprite! like i always do!” -adrian

“hmmm, okay. i think i’ll just get my usual” -you

*20 honking cars behind you*

“fucking finally…can i take your order?” -drive thru employee

only ever seeing his below-the-nose area of his face

“hah! you have a zit on your chin” -you

“you should see my back” -adrian with a mouthful of food

stakeouts

STAKEOUTS

*humming harmonies together*

“that was beautiful, thank you” -adrian

“look at that asshole jaywalking, should we beat him—” *gunshot* “vigilante!” -you

“well he shouldn’t have been breaking the law!” -adrian

he always asks to borrow your weapons

like way too much

like he wants to steal them

“vig, have you seen my rifle?” -you

“what rifle?” -adrian

“the R8” -you

“i have not” -adrian

“right…so if i checked the secret compartment of your trunk i wouldn’t find it?” -you

“you would not” -adrian

“i’ll be right back” -you

“wait no—” -adrian

constantly saving each other’s asses

which ended in stitches or gauze most if the time

“hold the fuck still, dude” -you, trying to cover a wound on his side

“i’m trying! remember that you still need stitches” -adrian

him gossiping about peacemaker

like, a LOT

“dude, i wish peacemaker were here. i bet you’d love him, he’s great” “i miss peacemaker” “peacemaker has the BEST aim” “i bet if peacemaker were here—” -adrian

“do you have a crush on peacemaker?” -you

“psh! what? no!” -adrian

him getting you leftovers from the restaurant he works at

“you gotta carb up, y/v/n. that’s very important in this line of work” -adrian

high fives, fist bumps, hip bumps, chest bumps

“oh, ow, fuck” -adrian

“i bumped your stab wound?” -you

“you bumped my stab wound” -adrian

sometimes getting curious and wanting to see his face

“pleeeease? why cant you show me who you are?” -you

sword fighting

“please don’t cut off my arm” -you

“why would i cut off your arm?” -adrian

“well, maybe not on purpose” -you

“i pinky promise i won’t cut your arm off. now that we’re on the subject, will you please not cut my arms off?” -adrian

“no promises” -you

“no, y/v/n, you have to promise. just say it” -adrian

him occasionally letting you drive his car

“if you speed i will shoot you” -adrian

“then we’ll crash” -you

“i have a good chance of survival” -adrian

keeping tabs on “bad guys”

looking up sex offenders in the area and just straight up murdering them

like you make a game of it

“three points to gryffindor!” -you

“gryffindor? let’s be realistic here” -adrian

“harry potter isn’t realistic” -you

“peacemaker knows all sorts of superheroes and you’re telling me you don’t think harry potter is realistic?” -adrian

“what is your obsession with peacemaker, man?” -you

“he’s a good role model!” -adrian

“isn’t he like, racist or something?” -you

“peacemaker is not racist! how dare you?” -adrian

peacemaker is a sensitive subject

you guys are definitely a pretty efficient team

even if you are just two dumbasses in masks

taglist: @locke-writes // @captainshazamerica // @ravenmoore14 // @randomfandomimagine // @summersimmerus // @bad4amficideas // @xoxobabydolls // @evilcr0ne // @amirahiddleston // @sydknee624 // @thedarkqueenofavalon //

[lila-unfortunately]

Nasty Little Habits

Supernatural (brotherhood au)

Whumptober 2022 | no. 2 | “cornered”

@whumptober-archive :)

tw: disordered eating & child abuse/neglect

“Alright, Deuce,” Caleb hummed, all sorts of amped up, “You ready to head out?”

“I was ready to head out awhile ago. Not my fault you had to do your whole,” Dean waved his hand, gesturing at Caleb, “pretty princess routine.”

Caleb snorted, “You’re an asshole.”

Dean smirked.

Caleb had wanted to take Dean out for awhile. After Flagstaff, all of the stress from hunting, and, of course, the responsibility for a brooding teenager and a father intent on living off the reservation, Dean needed a night out.

Mac was pissed, John probably was too. It didn’t matter, though, Caleb decided. He wasn’t exactly a fan of the two right now. In fact, the entire Triad could go ahead and suck it. They all knew John was unreasonable, unstable, and, yet, somehow, Dean was alone with his hormonal little brother and psycho soldier father without Triad contact. That was asking for trouble.

Jim and Mac had tried (and failed) to reason with him. “John will contact us if they are in trouble” they said. Yeah, fucking, right. Johnny was his mentor, he’s known the Winchester’s ‘didn’t accept charity’ from his first time meeting the three. And looking at Dean now, shit had definitely gone down.

Caleb could tell Dean wasn’t exactly the Dean he had to walk away from three months ago. He looked different, in a way Caleb couldn’t quite place but also acted different. The kid was on edge, big time. Caleb watched him case the joint three times before joining him in their room. Dean carried more weapons now, too.

Dean usually carried, that wasn’t abnormal, after all, he was a hunter. His colt, a couple of knives, maybe a flask of holy water, that was usually enough unless they were on a hunt. Apparently, Dean had become Johnny 2.0 in Caleb’s time away.

Trained as he was, he couldn’t see all of which his friend was hiding, but the kid was armed to the teeth. Paranoid bastard Johnny was and, undoubtedly, the sentiment trickled down.

“What’s with the armory?” Caleb asked, not missing a beat.

Dean frowned, pointedly avoiding Caleb’s trademark what-are-you-hiding gaze. Which meant, of course, the kid was hiding something. He didn’t mean to corner him, or maybe he did, but secrets for the Winchesters? Always a bad idea.

“I have no idea what you are talking about.” Dean declared.

What a weak defense, Caleb thought, he’s definitely been hanging around Sam too much.

“Y’know,” Caleb replied, examining the kid again, counting, “the seven different weapons that are visible to my hunter eyes.”

Dean scowled, “Well, I guess Dad was right, you are off your game. Seven?”

Caleb frowned and spoke cooly, “Listening to your father while he is angry is never wise, Deuce. Would you like to see just how “off my game” I really am?”

Yeah, Caleb was livid. The heartless bastard angrily talking shit when he wasn’t there to defend himself? Low. Dean parroting the said heartless bastard? Caleb was gonna kill him.

“What?” Dean asked, frown reforming, “no. It was a joke, Damien. Remember how three months ago you could take a joke?”

Caleb blinked. He was pissed at John and taking it out on Dean… he needed to calm down. Now. Dean wasn’t in the right headspace to fight with him too.

“I…I don’t know what that was,” Caleb murmured quietly, “didn’t, uh, mean to start something.”

Dean bit his lip, still scowling, but relenting slowly with a deep exhale, “It’s good, man. You’ve been asking about me, but, really, how have you been?”

Caleb shook his head, “Just worried about you. I’m fine.”

Dean quirked half a smile, “I know you worry but you can’t worry yourself sick. I really can take care of myself, Damien.”

He sighed, soon realized what the younger man was up to, “Seriously, man, what is with the armory?”

Dean fidgeted, still trying to wriggle out of answering, but Caleb wasn’t relenting until he got an answer.

“It just helps. I- I’ve just gotten used to it.”

Caleb frowned, “Deuce, what the hell has been going on?”

He could sense his friend’s discomfort, but that discomfort was a neon sign in Caleb’s book. If he was that intent on keeping it a secret, it probably meant he needed to know. Dean was his best friend, but also his family. He couldn’t protect him from his three month long punishment, but he was sure as hell going to pick up the pieces.

Dean sighed, relenting, “Look, man, don’t go and blab to Mac, okay? But we’ve been in some seedy places recently.”

“Johnny always leaves you in seedy places?” Caleb replied, voice lifted in a question, urging Dean to keep speaking.

“It’s, ah,” Dean paused to look at Caleb’s feet instead of his face that was probably radiating anger and worry, “well, it’s been worse, than usual. Like, bad enough I almost called Jim myself.”

Caleb’s eyes widened. He loved Deuce, but he was the type of guy to always follow his old man’s orders. Didn’t want to cause a confrontation, would never risk John’s ring because of an inconvenience. It had to of been bad.

“Are you okay? Is Sam-“

Dean cut him off with a wave of his hand, “It’s old news now, we got through it. I’m standing here, Sammy is probably following Mac around like a lost puppy. Right as rain, dude, don’t worry.”

Something about the way Dean said ‘don’t worry’ made Caleb worry even more, but he knew that Dean would eventually reveal the finer details eventually, the kid couldn’t hide shit forever, especially not with half the bar inside of him and Caleb’s strategic line of questioning.

“Okay,” Caleb said, feigning deference, “enough of the chick-flick. Let’s get out of here, already.”

Dean exhaled, in obvious relief, “I’ve been saying that for about an hour, dude.”

Caleb smirked, hiding his concern, but grabbed his cell and followed Dean out the door, in pursuit of a bar.

*~*

Caleb regretted not taking his car. He had assumed that the pair of them would be too shitfaced for either of them to drive, but Caleb had held back. He had his eyes on Dean, who, as predicted, drank about half the bar that night. While his friend was fantastic at taking his liquor like a champ, tonight, Dean was drunk as a skunk and it showed. He never lost his contents but the kid was unsteady on his feet. Caleb practically scraped him off the pavement when it was time to go.

He had decided to carry Dean back to their place, because the kid was probably going to get hit by a passing car if he didn’t.

It took Caleb about ten minutes to actually reach the place and he was thoroughly exhausted. The kid was mumbling half to himself, half to Caleb.

“Mmm ‘atch the goods,” Dean babbled.

Caleb grunted, readjusting Dean’s body on top of his shoulders, rolling his eyes.

Finally, after some mock horror from the front desk workers and a slow trudgen journey, the pair were back inside their room, of course, no thanks to Dean.

“Alright,” Caleb started, propping Dean up against some pillows in his bed and fixing him up with a glass of water, “Let’s talk.”

Dean groaned, cradling athe glass of water, “About whattt?”

“What’s been up the past few months?”

Dean took a sip of his water, pointing at Caleb in mock anger, “Tryin’ to set me up, huh, Damien?”

Caleb smirked, “Nah, you promised earlier we could talk after we hit the town, not my fault you hit the town a little too hard.”

Dean nodded, almost enthusiastically, “You’re right. Should’ve ate something before we started drinking. I thought about it and then I was like no because I already went this long and-“

Caleb went pale.

“Deuce,” He interrupted gingerly, yet borderline frantic, “what are you talking about?”

Dean waved his hand passively, “No biggie, man. One of the nasty little habits I picked up over time. Nothing to worry your little tits over.”

Caleb closed his eyes for a moment, trying to figure out what to say next. Truthfully, he thought the kid was hiding some hunting details or maybe under exaggerated how badly shit had happened. What he didn’t expect was him fully admitting to having problems with eating.

“When did this start, buddy? And when’s the last time you ate?”

Deuce’s eyebrows were furrowed in thought and Caleb couldn’t help but feel some sort of panic in the pause.

“I guess it started awhile ago. I was already kinda used to not eating when me and Sammy were getting low on food. And then, well, recently Dad’s been leaving not enough money. Well, he never really has, but he used to leave a lot more but he’s all mad ‘nd shit so he’s been leaving less and then I really can’t get a job or even really leave ‘cause Sammy will dip out so fast, I just kinda stopped eating. It’s been good, though, like nothing crazy or anything. I guess the last time I ate was, erm, Sunday? Yeah. Sunday. ‘Cause Jim made pancakes for us and he was watching me kinda hard so I had to eat one and then I got out of eating the rest ‘cause Dad needed Jim and then Sammy said he was still hungry so it worked out sort of perfectly-

“Caleb sort of froze, letting Dean babble away because what the hell happened? Why did Johnny allow this to happen? Hell, Sam’s a genius, why couldn’t the kid step in? Dean’s sitting over here talking about not eating in about five days, like it ain’t a big fucking deal and Caleb is just sitting next to him wondering how his friend got so screwed up, so quickly.

“Why do you do this? To help your brother?”

Dean smiled a little bit, “I mean, yeah, Sammy is a growing boy. He’s gotta eat. That’s how it started ya know? I mean it’s not like I deserve it anyways. And actually, man, I’ve gotta be honest, I’m starting to get this gnawing sensation. Starting to feel like maybe we weren’t supposed to be talking about this?”

Caleb could feel himself getting worked up, his jaw was clenched, knuckles white from how tightly he had them clasped together, he could almost swear his eye twitched. He wasn’t mad at Dean. Of course not. He was pissed at the son of a bitch who put the kid in situations where Dean felt like it was him or Sammy and convinced him to have such low self worth that he never even considered putting himself into the equation.

“Yeah, it’s alright, man. I’ve heard enough. You just get you some sleep. Sorry for cornering you. Just wanted to get a feel for how badly Johnny screwed up this time,” Caleb replied with a laugh that was far from humorous, “Turns out, it was worse than I thought. But, it’ll be handled. Don’t you worry.”

Dean nodded, not comprehending much, but fell asleep with ease.

Dean was gonna kill him in the morning and he was gonna kill Johnny, but even though tomorrow was gonna suck, Caleb couldn’t find himself regretting the conversation he had with his drunken friend, especially looking over his sleeping body.

Without his usual layers, Caleb could see just how skinny he had gotten. He was paler than ever, ribs protruding, jawbone sharper, and cheeks slightly sunken. He looked like shit and Caleb supposed it was all kinda hard to miss once the boy’s guard was down. But that was the problem. Save Caleb’s alcohol tactic, there was no way to reach Dean’s melon at all. Scary, now that Caleb knew all about his self loathing.

God, there was so much work to do.

[scabopolis]

Ummm because my brain could never come up with something as genius as yours, I will ask—nay, BEG—for more LoVe Vampire AU from Day 1 AU week.

Title: do not engage (part two of this little ficlet) Rating: PG-13 (some swears…because girl is still stressed) Pairing: Logan Echolls/Veronica Mars, Additional Tags: Secret identity, vaguely vampire hunter related things, filed under: relationship obstacles, sharing of bagels, vampire Logan is probably far too schmoopy, tried to write angst but whooops I think it's fluff? Word Count: 1,800

For you, dear, @ayy-ohh? Anything. This one really got me stuck because...like...world building? What is that? And would vampires eat bagels? And why DOES Logan have a cell in his basement? So many questions. Anyway! Here it is! *** That she can’t remember ever seeing Logan Echolls in the daylight should have been Veronica’s first clue.

It’s just, given the nocturnal demands of her profession and thus her morning grumpiness, it was easy to miss. Easy to be grateful for. Easy to be relieved that Logan wasn’t like her college boyfriend—the kind of guy who insisted they wake up at 6:00 AM to go running and felt a day spent inside with the shades drawn was a day wasted.

There were, of course, other clues she missed.

Weirdly cryptic statements and obfuscations. (Given she was also prone to said crypticism, she didn’t press for fear he’d do the same.) His reticence towards beach days. (It seemed logical! Who doesn’t hate dodging tourists?) The weird way he’d linger at doorways of unfamiliar houses. (Again, given her own antipathy to socializing, his hesitation was something she understood.)

In retrospect, given that not pressing Logan on his vague answers landed her here—in a weird cell gnawing at the ropes her ex-boyfriend tied tightly around her wrists—she supposes she should have tried harder. She hears Logan’s footsteps on the stairs into the basement but doesn’t stop her attempt to undo the knots.

“I hope you have a good dental plan,” Logan says. She rolls her eyes and continues to work at the strands with her teeth. “Is there even a vampire hunter’s union? Might be something worth looking into. Though, given the general mistrust the position requires, electing a president might prove tricky.”

“God, staking you would have at least gotten you to shut up.”

“But then there’s the crushing guilt.”

“I would have managed.”

Do not engage. In the 36-ish hours she’s been in this cell, that’s been her motto. The secret to coping with the fact that your boyfriend is a vampire and that you and your dad are vampire hunters is to remain detached and cold.

Except it hasn’t been easy. Because her wrists hurt, she smells bad, and oh yeah, apparently she’s not as out of love with the bloodthirsty monster wearing the hell out of a henley and holding a bag of takeout as she thought.

“I got bagels,” he says.

As soon as he says it, the scent of cinnamon raisin wafts from the bag. He doesn’t wait for her to stand; simply slips the paper bag containing her bagel through the bars and slides it to her. Much like he’s done for their previous shared meals, he sits on the ground a safe distance from her and settles into eating his own.

She tears the paper bag and sees that not only has Logan brought her a bagel, he’s also brought her some sort of sandwich and a chocolate chip cookie. God. What an asshole.

What is his endgame here? If he wanted to kill her, he would have done it by now. It’s only a matter of time until her dad begins to question whatever story Logan texted him from her phone. Her dad will show up and he will have questions. What will Logan say then?

“What will I say to who?” Logan asks.

Shit. Detachment is also easier when inside thoughts remain inside thoughts. “No one.”

“If you’re talking about your dad, he’s out of town for the rest of the week.”

She concentrates on the pattern of the cinnamon swirl laced throughout her breakfast. “What do you mean?”

“According to the text he sent you last night, he had to go to Vegas. Vampire gambling ring of some sort?”

“You’re lying.”

“Takes a liar to know a liar.”

Veronica rolls her eyes and takes a large bite of her bagel, surveying the interior of her holding cell. And yes, fine, she technically has a policy of not engaging with the pointy fanged one, but she has questions.

“What is the point of having a cell in your basement? Is it for weird sex stuff? Or weird vampire stuff?”

“Who says those two things are mutually exclusive?”

She rolls her eyes. “Spare me, please. I’m eating.”

“I’ll tell you but you won’t believe me.”

“Try me.”

“My friend, Mac?” He extends his legs out in front of him. “Once a month, this is her guest suite.”

Veronica frowns. “For weird sex stuff?”

He raises an eyebrow in amusement which, fair, she should probably stop using the phrase weird sex stuff.

Wait. Is he saying—?

“Logan,” she says carefully, “is Mac a werewolf?” He nods, and Veronica’s bagel drops to the floor. “Could you be more of a vampiric cliche? Honestly! Does a zombie do your taxes? Does a ghoul trim your hedges?”

“I trim my own hedges, thank you very much.”

Maybe it’s the lack of sleep, or it might be the remaining vestiges of adrenaline leaving her body, but Veronica laughs. Just a little bit. At best it’s a chuckle. Still, it’s enough to make Logan smile in that way he sometimes does—like he can’t believe his luck that he even gets to be in the same room as Veronica. It makes something feel heavy and uncomfortable in the pit of her stomach. Do not engage.

“You really didn’t know?” she asks.

Logan’s answer with a slow nod. “I didn’t know.”

“Then how—?”

“It wasn’t an ambush, Veronica.” He pinches off a small piece of his bagel. (Sourdough, she guesses. Probably with jalapeno cream cheese because the man added jalapenos to everything.) She watches as Logan rolls the bread between his fingers. “The date was real but one of Dick’s friends recognized you somehow.”

“You were the one who threw me into a tree.”

“Yeah, and as far as they know, you’re dead. As far as they know, I was so enraged a vampire hunter tricked me that I took you home to finish you off.”

“Which means if you let me go—”

“They’ll know I lied.” He shrugs. “Either they kill me or your dad does. This way you’re safe.”

“Logan—”

“Sorry,” he says. “You called dibs on the killing?”

“Poor little vamp with a death wish.” She doesn’t mean for it to sound so fond. What is wrong with her?

The corner of his mouth twitches with a fleeting smile. There’s a ticking clock on their time together and now they both know it.

“I’ve never seen a vampire eat as much food as you,” she says.

He sets his bagel aside. “Dine with a lot of vampires?”

“Enough to know you eating that bagel is like me eating a bag of sour gummies.”

“Meaning?”

“You might like the taste of a lightly toasted sesame bagel, but an hour later you need to puncture the carotid artery of a single mother to really satisfy yourself.”

“You know sesame seeds get caught in my teeth. And single mothers come with too much guilt.”

“Hedge fund managers?”

“Now you’re talking.”

Veronica has questions, of course she does. More questions than she can properly express—wonders how old he is, who turned him, who gets him blood and how, why he’s friends with Dick Casablancas, if Logan is safe with Dick as a friend—but she doesn’t ask any of those. Because he asks the most important question first.

“What are we going to do, Veronica?”

She stands up, brushes cinnamon raisin crumbs off of her pants. (She catches a whiff of her unshowered self and cringes. So much for their farewell existing as a perfectly preserved memory in the mind of her undead ex-boyfriend.) “There’s no we, Logan. There can’t be.”

He can’t let her go, he can’t keep her locked up, and she can’t stay.

Logan pushes himself up off the ground and comes to meet her at the bars to the cell. “Yeah.”

“First, you’re going to let me out of here.” She wraps her hands around the bars. Logan does just like she’d hoped and does the same, his pinkies barely grazing her knuckles. “And then I never want to see you ever again.”

“That’s what you want?”

God. What a fucking idiot. Of course that isn’t what she wants. What she wants is to go back two days. To return to that night when Logan made pancakes for dinner, and they got drunk on rum and cokes, and then he kissed down her spine as they lay in bed.

She nods anyway. Presses her head against the bars.

“Fine.” Veronica squeezes her eyes shut. “If you ever need anything?” She nods again and she feels the gentle touch of Logan’s lips to her forehead. How is he always so warm? It never made sense.

“I won’t.”

And then, much to her surprise, he walks away. Without letting her out.

She opens her eyes. “What are you doing?”

“Oh,” he says, a portrait of portrait insouciance once more. “You didn’t expect me to let you go now did you? What if this show of emotion is a long con? I could wake up to find you standing over my body poised to pull back my black out shades.”

“You son of a bitch.”

“Nighty night, Veronica.”

Logan doesn’t return to the basement and eventually she falls into a fitful sleep, waking up sometime before the sun rises. She definitely needs to pee and she’s so sick of the ‘toilet’ in her cell. Logan should still be awake. Maybe if she yells really—

Finishing that thought proves to be unnecessary because as soon as Veronica’s eyes adjust to the dim light, she notices the door to her cell is ajar. She’s barely thinking as she jumps from the bed and races up the stairs.

“Logan!” she calls out.

Her first stop is the kitchen, where she maneuvers a knife in between the strands of the ropes around her wrists and works to free herself. Her cell phone is waiting for her on the wireless charger Logan keeps in the kitchen. No messages from her dad, but she sends one to check in. She rubs at the tender skin on her wrists as she searches each room of Logan’s house.

As far as she can tell, there isn’t much missing. Some of his toiletries are gone (her toothbrush is still beside the sink) and she thinks maybe some of his clothes too. His motorcycle is still in the garage but the BMW is gone.

So. That’s it? He’s just gone? What about his house? There’s a housing crisis in southern California and this asshole thinks it’s acceptable to simply abandon a perfectly good home? He didn’t even leave a note.

It’s really the irresponsibility that—

Her call rings through to his voicemail. Rolls her eyes at the Dylan Thomas quote that greets her. That’s new.

“If you think I’m watering your plants for you while you’re gone, you are completely delusional.”

He responds while she’s in the shower. (What? She’s really supposed to put up with shitty water pressure at her place when he has a rain shower and heated bathroom tiles?)

Miss me already?

She responds with a garlic emoji.

[what-is-your-plan-today]

Stark Spangled Forever

A Very Rogers Christmas.

Part 1- The Best Things In Life Are Tree.

Summary: It’s that time of year again and the Rogers family prepare to go and pick their Christmas tree. But when Emmy calls with a bit of bad news, it puts a little downer on the whole thing for Katie and Steve decides to call in reinforcements to pull off the best Christmas Heist he can…

Pairing: Steve Rogers x OFC Katie Stark

A/N: So here we go, Part 1 of my Stark Spangled 2020 Christmas special- A Very Rogers Christmas.  This one was written for for @sweater-daddiesdumbdork​ and @sagechanoafterdark​ ‘s Winter/Holiday Challenge. My prompt- Finding the PERFECT Tree.

It feels like AGES since I wrote for my babies so I hope you enjoy this little three parter. Part 2 posting next Friday, and part 3 on Christmas Eve.

SSF Masterlist //  WIYPT Masterlist 

"Daddy, I found something else I want to ask Santa for, for Christmas." Rori bounced into the study and Steve closed his eyes on the papers he was trying to grade and sighed.

"I bet you have." He mumbled before he glanced up at his daughter and couldn't help but smile at her as she skipped over to him, her long pony tail swinging behind her "What is it, Princess?" "A capybara." she said, scrambling up onto his lap. "A what?" Steve frowned. "A capybara. Look!" she turned the tablet she was holding towards him to show him a picture of the brown animal "They're like huge guinea pigs. I saw one at the zoo with Uncle Buck yesterday and when I said I wanted one he told me to tell you that I was gonna ask Santa." "Course he did." Steve sighed, mentally cursing his asshole best friend. "You know, Rori, don't think Santa can get you one of those." "Why not?" "It’s too big." He attempted “There’s nowhere for us to keep it.” "Our garden is huge!" Rori blinked at him. "And when Emmy and Petey move into the Tower he can live in the cabin." Trust her to be as damned smart as her mother. "They're wild animals honey." Steve shook his head as he tried attempt number two. "But they live in a zoo." Rori looked up at him, her face full of eager excitement “That’s not the wild.” "Yeah but that’s different." Steve reasoned patiently. "They're not like dogs or cats or regular guinea pigs. They need very special care.” "Oh." Rori looked down a little, her shoulders slumping and Steve sighed.

Fuck you, Bucky.

"Okay. Never mind." She clicked off the screen of her tablet and turned towards Steve, looking up at him with those damned green eyes. "Do you think he could get me a kitty instead?"

No, just say no… "Maybe."

Way to go, Rogers. Rori's eyes lit up and Steve inwardly groaned. It was a well-known fact in their house that whenever Dad said maybe, it meant yes. Fuck.

“I love you Daddy!” she beamed, reaching up to press a kiss to his bearded cheek before she hopped off his lap and skipped towards the door “Oh, me and momma are going to make gingerbread men for tomorrow so we can have them when we decorate the tree.”

“Can’t wait baby.” He smiled

“Are you gonna be working tomorrow afternoon?” she asked a little shyly and he shook his head.

“No, I promise.”  He assured her. “All day tomorrow is family day.”

She gave him another huge smile, one that truly warmed his entire being as it made her look even more like his wife, and then headed out of the room, her feet pattering on the tiles of the hallway as she skipped back into the other part of the house. Steve exhaled and looked back down at the paper, groaning as he realised he’d lost his place. He’d been home early that afternoon hoping for more peace and quiet than he got in his office at the University to concentrate on getting through all these and for the most it had worked, until Jamie and Rori had arrived home from school full of it as usual. Katie had kept them out of his way for the most but the realisation that Christmas was well on the way had hit the eldest two and whipped them up into a fever.

Not that Steve particularly cared. He adored this time of year. It was Katie’s holiday and from the day after Thanksgiving the Christmas period started in full throttle in the Rogers household, and they’d picked tomorrow, 2 weeks before the schools broke up, to go and pick the trees for their lounge and hallway. He was a little disappointed that it hadn’t snowed yet, there had been a good covering the previous year but, still it was set to be a cold and dry day so they could still get bundled up and have their hot chocolate and snacks as usual.

He rubbed at his eyes and focussed, reading through the paper in front of him on the ‘Strategy, Diplomacy and politics of Axis and Allied forces in WW2’, wishing to God he was marking something on the course he was actually employed to teach now- Fine Arts- but all those had been done and graded last week. This was the module of History that he taught, because as the Uni said- he was a living, breathing expert.

Aparently.

An hour or so later he finished red-penning the final six paged essay, with a proud smile as that one had been particularly good and he quickly checked it over once more, making sure he’d captured all the notes on the electronic copy and queued it up to send on Monday, just like Katie had shown him how to, so that each student had the hard copy and soft copy back. He stood up, stretched, turned off his laptop and headed through to the main area of the house, the smell of baking and cooking hitting his nostrils as he went.

He walked into the kitchen to find Rori kneeling on one of the tall stools over the island-slash-breakfast bar, her hands and face smeared in pink icing as she decorated a gingerbread man, her little tongue poking out of the side of her mouth in concentration. Katie was stood supervising Harry who was also covered in frosting, this one bright green. Flossie sat in the highchair opposite, banging a spoon on the tray occasionally letting out a yell or babble of something incoherent. As soon as she saw Steve she gave a huge grin and her shouts became louder and he smiled.

“Hi Floss-Floss!” he beamed, crossing to drop a kiss to her head before he looked across at Katie “Where’s Jamie?”

“Upstairs in his room.” Katie gave a little sigh “He said, and I quote, ‘I’m ten now, far too old to decorate gingerbread, mom.’ I could have cried there and then Steve.” She finished with a pout.

Steve gave her a sympathetic smile, the fact her eldest baby boy was growing up was something he knew she hated “Yeah, I bet he won’t be too old to eat them, though.” He appeased and she smiled.

“That’s what I said.” Rori gave a dramatic roll of her eyes and Steve chuckled.

“You finished Grading?” Katie asked as she gently guided Harry’s hand over the cookie shaped like a Christmas tree.

“Yeah, all done. Sorry it took so long.”

“It’s okay.” She looked up at him, smiling “Your dinner is in the oven. I already ate with the kids. Sorry, I was starving.”

“I didn’t expect you to wait.”  Steve walked over the room and dropped a kiss to her cheek. “Thanks, Sweetheart.”

He made his way over to the Aga stove and opened the door, giving a little groan when he saw she’d done his favourite, a Mac and Cheese bake laced with chicken, chorizo and broccoli. He turned to look at her and didn’t miss the flicker of a smile on her face as she knew what he was thinking, before he pulled out the plate giving a yell as it burnt his fingers, dropping it onto the side with a clatter.

“Careful daddy, hot!” Harry turned to face him, and Katie burst out laughing.

“Yeah, thanks Son.” Steve tried not to roll his eyes as he sucked his thumb. Grabbing a tea-towel he gripped the plate, found some cutlery and sat down at the table to the side of the kitchen, tucking in.

“I finished all mine, Momma.” Rori grinned, placing the tube of squeezy frosting down on the side. Steve watched as Katie moved to look over Rori’s shoulder.

“Good job sweetie.” She smiled, “Creative, I’ve never seen a pink cat before.”

Steve paused and looked at Rori as she grinned “I know they’re not really pink, and my kitty won’t be, but it can have a pink collar.”

At that he winced and hastily shoved another forkful of food into his mouth, praying that the conversation stopped there.

Katie sighed “Rori we’ve been over this, you can’t have a cat.”

“Daddy said I could.”

Shit.

Katie’s eyes shot to Steve and he gave her his best innocent look, but from the way her features grew stern he knew he was utterly busted and he swallowed the food in his mouth which turned to cement in his throat.

“No, that’s not what I said.” Steve shook his head.

“You said maybe.” Rori shrugged “Same thing.”

“We getting a kitty?” Harry asked, looking at Katie.

“No.” she shook her head.

“But I asked Daddy if Santa would bring me one and he said maybe.” Rori looked at Katie.

“Well Daddy is wrong.” She glared at Steve and he visibly shrank in his seat. Katie’s green eyes narrowed before they turned back to Rori. “Santa can’t bring live animals. It’s in the rules.”

“What rules?”

“The Christmas Rules” Katie said quickly “No live animals. It’s not fair on them. They don’t like the sleigh.”

“But…”

“No buts Rori.” Katie sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose “I’m sorry honey, but it’s not gonna happen.”

Rori pouted a little but she knew when she was beat and glanced down at the cookies on the tray before she looked up, grinning smugly. “I’ll just ask Uncle Bucky to get me one. He got me Dory.”

“Oh for the love of…” Katie spluttered “Uncle Bucky won’t get you one either.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’ll tell him not to.” Katie looked at her “We have Stark. No more animals.”

Rori folded her arms and at that point Steve stepped in, sensing an impending tantrum.

“Aurora.” He said sternly and she turned her head to face him as he pointed his fork at her. “Enough.”

She glared at him before she sighed and looked at Katie “Can I get down now please?”

Katie obliged and pulled her stool out a little allowing Rori to hop down. “Stay right there little miss.”

“Why?” Rori frowned as Katie headed to the sink, coming back with a cloth. With a groan, Rori held out her hands so Katie could wipe them clean, along with the little smear of icing on her face “20 minutes and then its bath time. We’re up early in the morning.”

“Ooh, yeah!” Rori bounced excitedly “To pick our trees. Hey, can I get one for my room?”

Katie hesitated before she shrugged “You know, I saw some in the shop that already have the lights on and they change colour. We’ll get a big one for the lounge and hallway like normal and I’ll get you a special one. And you get to keep it for next year and the year after.”

Rori pondered this for a moment before she shook her head “I want a real one from the farm.”

Katie groaned, and threw her hands out to the side “Fine, just, go and watch TV or something in the Play Room.”

“I watch TV too please, Momma?” Harry asked and Katie nodded, cleaning him up too before she lifted him down off the stool. He toddled after Rori, yelling for her to wait and as soon as they were gone Katie rounded on Steve.

“Honey, I…” he began and winced as she exploded on him.

“Seriously? A damned cat?”

“She caught me unawares.”

“She always catches you unawares!” Katie scoffed “After six, almost seven years I’d have thought you’d be used it by now.”

“I only said-“

“And as usual I’m left to be the bad guy.” Katie ranted, shaking her head as she moved to turn Flossie’s chair so she was facing the table. “You’re an asshole.”

“This is technically Bucky’s fault.”

“Oh, no, Steven Grant Rogers! Don’t you are try and blame this one on Buck.” She hissed.

“But he took her to the zoo and told her to ask for a capybara!” Steve practically whined “When I said no she asked for a cat, the maybe just slipped out.” Katie paused, her arms folded, face furious and Steve peered up at her giving her a little smile “Don’t be mad, come on baby. I didn’t mean it.”

“You’re still an asshole.” She grumbled, before she crossed to the fridge and pulled out the wine. “And for that you can deal with bedtime. I’m going for a bath.”

“Sure, not a problem.” Steve nodded, swallowing more of his food. Katie poured herself a large glass before she moved to put the bottle back and then changed her mind. With the bottle in one hand, full glass in the other she made for the door. “I love you.” Steve shot as she passed him, and despite her annoyed demeanour, the slight smile that played on her face told him he wasn’t in too much trouble.  

****

All kids were bathed and in bed little over an hour later. The youngest three settled down to sleep, Jamie instructed he had an hour of TV or reading time before lights off.

“Ok Dad.” He nodded, running his hand through his hair as he tidied up his games console a little, Stark curled up on the bed.

“I’ll be in to check.” Steve looked at him, and Jamie rolled his eyes.

“Yeah, I got it. You can trust me.”

“I know.” Steve gave a chuckle “Night son.” He crossed the room to drop a kiss to his head and Jamie pushed him away.

“Gerroff, I’m ten.”

“Yeah, well, you’re still my kid so…” Steve grumbled, and Jamie burst into laughter as the pair of them began to play fight, Jamie digging Steve in the ribs with a well-aimed jab. “Ouch! “ Steve stood up, rubbing at his side, that had hurt a little too much for his liking. “Nice shot.”

“Bucky said I had a good right hook.”

Steve rolled his eyes “I don’t wanna know how he even found that out.”

“He has a punch bag in the garage.” Jamie shrugged as he flopped down onto his bed. “Like yours. He was teaching me to swing.”

“I could teach you that.” Steve replied, a little petulantly.

“Will you?”

“No. You’re ten.” He shot back and Jamie let out a groan of frustration, before Steve chuckled “Ok, I’ll teach you a little IF you promise not to use it anywhere but on the punch bag.”

“But what if I need to use it?”

“Well, that’s different.” Steve pondered, before he shook his head. “But you’re far too young to be getting into situations like that.”

“Uncle Buck said you were fighting people form the age of six. And getting your ass kicked.”

“Well, you do as I say…”

“Not as I do, yeah I got it.” Jamie grinned and Steve arched an eyebrow before he made his way to the door. He paused and turned back to look at his son, not for the first time taking in how damned tall and broad he was for his age. He pointed to Stark “Don’t let your mother catch him on the bed.”

“You know she says the same thing about you.” Jamie looked at him and Steve chuckled.

“I do, but let’s just pretend I don’t okay?”

“Okay, night dad. Love you.”

“Love you too.” Steve smiled, closing the door behind him.

He made his way back downstairs and into the lounge, and paused as he saw Katie talking into the laptop, her eyes brimming with tears.

“Don’t worry about it.” She said softly, and he could tell she was fighting to keep her face straight as Emmy’s voice came from the other side.

“I’m just gutted we can’t get home to come with you guys for the tree.”

“What’s going on?” Steve frowned as he sat next to Katie on the sofa, looking at Emmy and Peter as they both waved to him on the screen “Hey Kids.”

“The UK has been caught up in a huge snow storm.” Katie turned to him. “Their flight has been cancelled.”

“Bummer.” Steve’s frown deepened “Is there nothing from another airport?”

“Not in London.” Emmy shook her head “And the roads are that bad, even if we managed somewhere else…”

“Don’t wanna risk driving Mr R.” Pete shrugged and Steve had to give it to him, that was a sensible move.

“Wise decision.” Steve bit his lip, before he turned to Katie “Can we not get The Stark jet over? You guys should have used that anyway, not gone commercial.”

The irony of his statement didn’t pass him by, as there’d been a time when he had hated using a private jet as he felt it was ostentatious, but he’d fast learned to live with it as it was less hassle and a damned sight comfier and quicker too.

“I told you we didn’t want to.” Emmy shot back and Peter hastily cut in to prevent an argument.

“Already tried Happy before we called. He can’t get in any airfield be it private or other. I’m really sorry.”

“It’s not your fault.” Katie shook her head “If you need anything just call. Have you got a place to stay?”

“Yeah, The Savoy found us another room.” Emmy shrugged before she grimaced “I’m gonna have to put it on my credit card though.”

“Don’t worry about that.” Katie shook her head “Just do what you gotta do, we’ll sort the bill out. Do you need us to wire you some cash or-“

“No, we’ve got enough between us for that.” Pete smiled “Just the hotel. We could get somewhere cheaper if that’s-“

“If it’s that bad out there you can stay where you are.” Steve shook his head. “Don’t worry about the money kids, it’s not important.”

“Just call us if you need anything.” Katie added.

“Thanks Mom. Look, we’re gonna go try and get something to eat and then sleep” Emmy sighed “It’s past 1 am now.”

“Sure, call us tomorrow okay, keep us updated.” Steve instructed and Emmy nodded.

“Will do. Love you both.”

“And you.” Katie smiled “Stay safe, and look after each other.”

“Got it.” Emmy grinned and with that she blew them both a kiss as Peter waved and the screen went blank.

Katie bit her lip before she tapped at the keyboard of her laptop “I’m going to send her some money, just in case. I know she has plenty in her savings, but…”

Steve nodded “Good idea. Those are for a rainy day, not a snowy one.”

Katie gave a small smile as she logged into the banking, and hesitated before she transferred a few thousand over to Emmy and closed the laptop, running her hands over her face. Steve saw her shouldes shake and he gave a sigh, pulling her to him.

“Hey, come on. They’re safe. In the poshest hotel known to man.” He pressed a kiss to her head “No doubt thinking this is some kind of huge romantic adventure. Snowed in, in London, with a mini-bar, room service.”

At that thought he grimaced, as his mind took him to a very dark place about just exactly what the spider kid would be doing to his daughter in said hotel room but he shook himself out of it as Katie spoke, sniffling a little.

“I know it’s just, well we started this tradition with Emmy that first Christmas she lived with us.” Her voice cracked “We went with Tony, Pep and Nat remember?”

“I could I forget.” Steve chuckled, his hands rubbing Katie’s back “You were almost five months pregnant and had that jumper on with a huge Christmas pudding on the front.”

“I’ve still got that.” Her voice was muffled as her face pressed into his Henley.

“And Pepper was going mad when Tony bought that nine foot tree for their lounge.”

“Ours wasn’t much smaller.” Katie laughed, leaning back to wipe her eyes. “You had to trim the top off.”

Steve chuckled, his hands cupping her face “A few days after that we found out bump was blue. Hello Jamie.”

“God it seems so long ago.”

“It was.” Steve smiled pressing a kiss to her lips. “11 years.”

“Yeah.” Katie looked at him “We’ve been through a lot since then.”

Steve nodded, as he wiped her face with his thumbs “And a lot worse than this. I know it’s disappointing, kitten, and I’m gutted as well, but it can’t be helped. We’ll still have a good time and we can go out with Emmy and Peter when they get back, nice meal and a few drinks somewhere instead, just the four of us. Start a new tradition now she’s all grown up.”

“Yeah suppose.” Katie sighed “I mean when they moved out in the New Year, they might not wanna come with us to get a tree anymore.”

“Like that’s gonna happen.” Steve snorted “She’ll simply be getting one for her own place. You know she loves Christmas as much as you. All the kids do. Because you make it so special.”

“It isn’t all down to me.” She smiled “You help.”

“It’s definitely your speciality.” Steve shook his head “You do the baking, the carols, the cooking…suss the decorations out.”

“Yeah, but you hang them. And you’re the one that started leaving Santa footprints by the hearth.”

“Okay so it’s a team effort.” Steve shrugged, dropping another kiss to her lips. “It always is when the kids are concerned.” He pulled back a little and nodded to her glass “You want another?”

“I wasn’t going to but yeah, now I do.”

Steve chuckled “I’ll go get us a drink, you find us something suitably Christmassy to watch.”

He stood, pressing his lips to the crown of Katie’s head before he wandered into the kitchen. As he closed the door behind him he pulled out his phone. He’d had an idea, but hadn’t wanted to mention it to Katie just in case it didn’t work…but if it did, well, he was going to reunite his family for their tradition and earn himself major husband points.

Win win situation.

“Hey punk.” Bucky drawled as he picked up.“What’s crackalackin?”

“God you talk some shit.” Steve rolled his eyes and Bucky laughed

“Sorry, we were watching Madagascar.”

“Yeah, I know where it’s from. I got five kids, remember. Six if I count you.”

“Well you could argue Diva Doll counts for two so you really have seven.”

“Yeah, speaking of which, I got a bone to pick with you about her and a damned capybara.” Steve narrowed his eyes as he spoke and there was a pause before Bucky burst out laughing. “Yeah, laugh it up, jerk. That got me in some major shit before.”

“You didn’t say yes?”

“No of course I didn’t.” Steve sighed “But she sideswiped me asking for a damned cat and I said maybe, so…”

“You fucking moron.”

“Whatever, listen, that’s not why I’m calling anyway.” Steve sighed, his voice growing serious. “I need a favour, Buck.”

“I’m listening.” Bucky replied, before Steve explained the predicament and possible solution. When he finished there was a pause and Bucky let out a long whistle. “Man, that’s…”

“I know, I know.” Steve sighed “But I wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t desperate. Katie’s heartbroken Emmy can’t get home.”

“Well, we can’t have the second most important woman in my life upset now can we?” Bucky replied “Leave it with me.”

“Cheers buddy.”

“You’ll owe me a life time of favours if I can pull this off.”

“We’ll call it quits for you almost getting me couched.”

“Not my fault you can’t say no to your likkle Princessa.” Bucky responded and Steve snorted.

“You’ve met her, right?”

There as another pause and Bucky laughed “Point taken.”

“Not a word to Katie.” Steve instructed “Just in case you can’t do it.”

“You seriously doubt me after all this time?” Bucky sighed “That hurts Stevie.”

“You know what else will hurt?” Steve shot back “My foot up your ass.”

“You want me to do this or not?” Bucky scoffed “Because threatening me aint gonna make me wanna do you any favours.”

“No but not wanting to see my wife upset is.”

“You fight dirty, Steven.” Bucky’s voice was low and Steve could imagine the narrowed eyes he was pulling as he spoke. “Okay, I’ll call Sam now. Leave it with me.”

“Thanks Buck.”

Steve cut the call and stuffed his phone back in his pocket, running a hand over his beard. Buck was right, it was a big ask and ridiculously over the top but, well, nothing was too much for him where his family was concerned. And after everything they’d been through this year what with Flossie’s horrific birth and Katie’s post-partum depression, his amazingly brave and gorgeous wife deserved the damned world. With a sigh he yanked open the fridge as he pulled out Katie’s wine and a beer for him, simply hoping that it worked.

**** “You good?” Steve asked as Jamie hopped into the back of the Q7, taking his place on the rear row of seats.

“Yup.” Jamie grinned “I prefer it back here, Rori can’t bug me.”

“Wanna bet?” Rori turned her head and peered at him from her place in the middle of the second row and Steve shot her a look.

“Enough. I hear one sound outta you that’s annoying him, we’re coming straight home.” He said sternly. Rori eyed him shrewdly, as if weighing up whether he was serious or not and he raised his eyebrows, challenging her.

“Ok Daddy.” She shrugged, turning back round. Steve shot Jamie a wink as turned and collapsed Flossie’s little stroller. He slotted it down the side of Jamie’s seat before he shut the trunk and then quickly inspected the roof rack. Satisfied he looked up just as Katie came out of the house, Flossie on her hip, Harry jumping down the steps in front of her. He headed over to his dad and peeked up, Steve giving a laugh as his little woollen hat slipped down over his eyes.

“Come here, buddy.” He said, swinging him into his arms. The little boy gave a giggle as Steve pulled his hat straight so he could see.

“Thanks Daddy!” he smiled and Steve pressed a kiss to his rosy cheek.

“No problem. You ready to get a tree?”

He nodded “Big one!” he threw his arms out wide and Steve nodded seriously.

“The biggest.”

Ten minutes or so later they were sailing out of Brooklyn in the winter morning sun, heading for the tree farm some forty or so minutes away. True to her word, Rori was behaving and chatting to Harry, Jamie was quiet in the back doing something on his tablet and Katie was gently humming to something on the radio. Steve’s hand reached over for hers and he entwined their fingers, gently bringing her arm across his body, pressing a kiss to her wrist.

The journey pass uneventfully and as Steve announced they had arrived the kids all gave a cheer. He parked the car up and then the disembarking began along with issued orders for Jamie and Rori to stay where they were as they sorted the youngest two.

“I think I’ll just carry Floss.” Katie glanced around. “Pushing her stroller is gonna be a pain. I’ll put her in the carrier.”

“You sure?” Steve asked “I would say I’d do it but…”

“You’re gonna be carrying trees, yeah I know.” Katie waved him away. “Its fine, she’s not heavy. Besides, she’ll be too big to do this with next year.”

Steve smiled at her wistful tone, and between them they had Flossie strapped to Katie’s back in no time, having become experts at it over the years. Katie glanced over her shoulder as Flossie gave her a hug grin, before she peeked around and started to gabble animatedly.

“Ready?” Steve looked around and held the hand that wasn’t containing the saw out, Rori taking it as Katie took Harry’s, Jamie falling into step at her other side next to Steve who strategically placed himself between his eldest son and Rori to avoid any potential arguments between the two siblings.

“Want me to take that Dad?” Jamie asked, nodding to the saw. Steve hesitated then shrugged, it had the safety cover on so he handed it over, Jamie slinging it over his shoulder proudly, stepping in front of them a little and Harry wriggled his hand free of Katie’s and ran forward to take Jamie’s. Jamie smiled down at him and Steve shared a glance with Katie as she smiled at him, slipping her hand into his. The family made their way to the entrance and as they approached the various little trade stands, one of which was selling various hot drinks and baked snacks. Katie took a deep breath and smiled, the warming scents of spices, cinnamon and pine hitting her nostrils.

“Smells exactly the same.” She beamed and then frowned as Steve was looking around, blatantly not listening to her as he was busy studying something to their right.

“Hey!” she tugged on his hand and he glanced down at her.

“Sorry, honey.” He diverted his attention “Just saw someone I know.”

“Oh, from work?” she asked.

“Not exactly.” He nodded in the direction he had been looking and Katie spun at the same time Rori let out a shriek.

“Emmy!” she yelled, wrenching her hand free of Steve’s and bolting towards her sister as she strode towards them alongside Peter, Bucky and Sam.

“I don’t-how?” Katie was struggling for words at the sheer emotion of seeing her eldest daughter, who should still be stranded in England, sweeping Rori into hug. “Steve? What?”

“You got Bucky and Sam to thank.” He said gently, as she spun between them all, before she strode forward meeting Emmy halfway and throwing her arms around her.

“Hey mom!” Emmy smiled, before she pulled back and gently waggled Flossie’s hand. “Hi Floss!”

“How did you get here?” Katie sniffed, wiping her eyes, chuckling before she gave Pete a hug.

“Quinjet.” Emmy grinned “It was awesome. Hey Dad!”

“Hey, sweetheart.” Steve swept her up into a huge hug, picking her up slightly off the ground kissing her head. “Nice to have you home.”

“Hold up, a Quinjet?” Katie looked at Emmy, then to Bucky who shrugged.

“Yeah well Steve rang me last night begging for my help…” he began, putting on a whiney voice “Please Buck, I can’t do this without you Buck, you know the usual.” Steve rolled his eyes as Bucky sniggered. “So, me and Birdbrain set off on a daring rescue mission.”

“Yeah, we totally used and abused Fury’s equipment.” Sam chuckled, as he pressed a kiss to Katie’s cheek as he gave her a hug. “He’s gonna be pissed when he finds out.”

“Oh, screw him!” Katie gave a laugh as she turned to Bucky, wrapping her arms round him. “Thank you so much!”

“Anything for you darlin’” he beamed before she stepped back and spun to face Steve, reaching up and grabbing his face. With a smile she pulled him down to meet her in a long, deep kiss.

“Thank you.” She whispered against his lips, and he beamed at her, his nose brushing hers. “I love you, so much.”

“Love you too.” He smiled, before he drew himself up, a little embarrassed at their PDA in front of his two friends and the kids. “Right, who’s ready to go tree picking?”

“We’ll leave you to it.” Bucky smirked as various excited shouts rang out around them. “I’ve got stuff to do with Jen and Sam’s…ahhhh, crap.” The smile on his face turned into a grimace and Steve spun round to see a familiar figure in a trench coat and eyepatch stood by a black SUV watching from a distance.

“Son of a-” Steve snorted, shaking his head as Fury started walking towards of them. “He still knows everything.”

“You have no idea. “Sam muttered.

“Oh, trust me, we do.” Katie grinned as Fury stopped in front of them.

“Someone wanna tell me why one of my jets was in London this morning?” Fury looked at Bucky, then to Sam, then to Peter, all three of them giving him an innocent look.

“Well, there was a thing.” Bucky shrugged “Emergency.”

“Emergency.” Fury dead panned “So nothing to do with a certain Miss Rogers and Mr Parker being stuck in London in snow storm?”

“How do you know this stuff?” Bucky looked at him.

“I told you Barnes, you wanna get one up on me you gotta keep both eyes open.” He levelled him with a look. “Happy called me in a flap to see if I could action a pick up and I told him I wasn’t running a damned Uber service. And then one of them went missing so I put two and two together and looks like I came up with four” He paused and shrugged, smirking a little “Plus, you forgot to wipe the mission log.”

“Damned it Tin Man!” Sam shoved Bucky “You dick, I told you!”

As the two men began to squabble Fury raised his eyebrows and turned to Steve and then Katie, a small smile flickered across his face “Nova, Cap. Long-time no see.”

“Hi Nick.” Steve smiled, reaching out and shaking his hand.

Fury jerked his head as Katie shook his hand, his eyes roving over each of their kids in turn. “I’ll say. You’ve been busy I see.”

Katie gave a huff “One way of putting it.”

Nick arched an eyebrow before he sighed and turned to Bucky and Sam who were still bickering. “Imma let this one slide.” He spoke loudly, the two men instantly turning to face him. “But only because it’s the holidays and I’m in a good mood.”

“You know technically Stark Industries owns half those jets. Tony paid for and designed a lot of the tech on them after all.” Katie quipped and Nick looked at her, before he let out a laugh.

“You’re more like your brother than you’ll ever care to admit” he shook his head as she snorted, pointing at her.

“Worse people to be like.” She smiled fondly, and Fury gave one last scoff before he turned to Sam and Bucky.

“I’ll see you two later. Now, imma go get me some churros then split.” He looked back at them all “Merry Christmas.”

As they all waved him off, watching the curious glances he attracted as he strode towards the hot food stand and then Harry tugged on Steve’s sleeve, causing him to turn his attention from Fury to the little boy.

“Daddy, who’s the pirate?” Harry asked.

There was a pause before Katie burst out laughing, Steve following suite as they both shared a knowing glance, remembering Tony’s fond little nickname for their one time director.

The Goth Pirate.

“He’s an old friend of mine and your momma’s “Steve explained before he glanced up, not surprised to find that once more Fury had disappeared from sight. “We haven’t seen him in a while. And I doubt we will again for a long time.”

There were more hugs shared and after another final thank you to Sam and Bucky, Katie demanding they come over later for drinks, the four remaining adults and four kids all headed into the farm and the chaos began as they began to scout for their perfect trees.

“So we need two large ones.” Katie spoke, “And one for Emmy and Pete in the Cabin and a smaller one for Rori’s room.” she paused “Jamie, did you want one for your room too?”

“Nah, it’s okay.” He shook his head “Thanks though.”

“So four over all.” Steve nodded. “Okay gang, let’s find us some trees.”

They decided to get Rori’s first as it would be smaller and easier to carry once they’d picked it. They set about walking down the various aisles, and before long the jokes started flowing and they were getting worse and worse with time.

“What would you get if you ate the Christmas decorations?” Pete asked and Jamie looked at him, arching a brow. “Tinselitis.”

“Oh God.” Emmy snorted “That’s as bad as one of dad’s”

“Which reminds me.” Steve said, a smirk on his face, “Did you guys hear the forecast for Christmas eve? They’re predicting rain, deer…”

Katie and Emmy both let out a groan as Jamie and Peter howled with laughter.

“What do you call an elf that runs away from Santa’s workshop?” Jamie asked and Steve paused before he shrugged.

“No idea.”

“A rebel without a Clause…”

Katie, Steve, Emmy and Pete burst out laughing as Pete held out his hand to hi-five him. Jamie grinned.

“That’s a good one buddy.” Steve chuckled. “Where did you hear that?”

“Moo text me before.” He smiled “She said her and Auntie Pep had been googling them to put in their cards this year.”

“Like Father like daughter.” Katie smiled to herself, a little nostalgically as a memory of her brother crashed over her and Steve pulled her a little closer, his hand tightening on hers as he dropped a kiss to her head.

After half an hour or so of scouting and plenty of excited shouts and laughter, Rori paused in front of a tree that was the same height as her and she gave a gasp.

“Daddy, that one.” She pointed.

“You sure?” he cocked his head to one side. The tree was leaning to one side, the branches completely uneven, sticking out at all angles and the top was bent. “It’s a bit-”

“It’s perfect.” Rori insisted.

“Okay Princess, whatever you say.”  He looked at Katie as she smiled, her hand dropping to the back of Rori’s head. “Jamie, you got the saw?”

“Yup.” Jamie nodded, passing it over and they all watched as Steve gripped the trunk of the small tree with one hand a little higher up and began to cut it towards the bottom. He could have easily snapped the trunk with his bare hands but he played the part and in four strong swipes it pulled free with a little crack and Rori gave a shriek and clapped her hands.

“I love it!”

Once the safety cover was back on the saw they continued their search, walking towards the slightly bigger trees they spotted and Katie paused in front of a large, Norwegian spruce and reached out, gently crushing one of the needles between her fingers. She took a sniff and stepped back, nodding.

“That one.”

“I still can’t believe you pick them with the smell.” Steve shook his head.

“It’s not all the smell.” She protested “There’s a lot to consider. The height, width and spacing of the branches…this one’s just right for the corner in the lounge. And that one two down will do for the hallway.”

Steve chuckled, knowing better than to argue. “Positive?”

Katie nodded and once more Jamie passed him the saw. This time they all stepped back as Steve crouched down on the ground, expertly cutting the trunk and just the right place. As he took the final swipe, the tree pitched over to a loud shout of “Timberrrrr” from Jamie and Peter and it landed with a thud.

Harry gave a loud cackle and clapped, Flossie shrieking too as Steve then moved two down and repeated the action with a slightly smaller one that would sit in the entrance lounge directly in front of the photo of the pair of them at their wedding, so it would be the first thing anyone saw as they walked into the house.

Emmy strode past the tree to one that was behind it and then nodded to Pete “I think this one will do. I kinda like the way it fans out at the bottom.”

“Sure, Em.” He smiled “Mr R?”

“Oh, here.” Steve handed him the saw and watched as Pete cut his and Emmy’s first Christmas tree down, his arm round Katie’s waist, lips softly kissing Flossie’s cheek as the baby grinned. He arched an eyebrow as Emmy pressed a kiss to Pete’s lips, giving a soft huff as Katie dug him in the ribs, shooting him a warning glance which he returned with an innocent one of his own.

“Well, that was easy.” Emmy commented “It took us 2 hours last year.”

“They need to be right.” Katie shrugged simply, Steve and Emmy exchanging a look before Steve watched as Pete hoisted his tree easily onto his shoulder. It still surprised Steve how strong Peter was, even though it shouldn’t, he knew he was enhanced after all.

“I’ll take Rori’s, Dad.” Jamie stepped forwards, puffing his chest out a little, picking the smaller tree up easily and placing it on his shoulder, in an identical manner to Pete. Steve actively fought the urge to laugh as Jamie began to walk besides Peter and Emmy, clearly proud as punch at being able to help before he turned to Katie.

“Don’t say it.”

Katie laughed “Oh I’m gonna.” she smirked “If he was any more like you I’d be convinced he was a clone.”

Steve snorted as he bent down and easily lifted their two trees onto his shoulders, before they followed a little slower due to Harry being with them. Steve maneuvered around the other tree pickers as they went, his boot clad feet traipsing on the damp of the ground as they made their way back towards the main entrance and joined Pete, Emmy and Jamie at the place ready to pay. As the various helpers, all dressed in little Elf outfits bustled around to wrap their trees and strap them to the roof of the Audi, Katie was suddenly struck with a little problem.

“Hang on.” she turned to Emmy as she thanked the man who’d been dealing with and handed over the cash. “How are you two gonna get home if Bucky and Sam left?”

At that Pete gave a little grin and pulled a set of keys out of his pocket, “Mr Wilson let me borrow his Chevvy.”

“Yeah they went home on Buck’s bike.” Emmy shrugged and at that Steve let out a huge laugh.

“What?” Katie asked.

“Sorry, I’m just picturing those two riding pillion.” He snorted “I give it five minutes before Sam ended up tells Buck to let him off on account of him driving his Ducatti like a maniac.”

“You’ve no room to talk.” Katie scoffed and Steve looked at her with mock outrage.

“Mom?” Jamie asked and Katie turned to him “Can we get a drink now please?”

“Sure, come on.” She smiled and they headed over to the stall. She purchased a hot cider each for her, Steve, Emmy and Pete before hot chocolate for each of the kids along with a selection of donuts, churros and Stollen as Steve took Flossie back to the car so they could pop her in the stroller. They made their way over to one of the benches by the side and sat down and Steve returned, parking Flossie besides them before he handed her a piece of a donut and slipped his arm round Katie, pressing a kiss to her cheek.

“You have a good time?” he asked.

“Yeah.” She beamed, before she glanced over at the other side of the bench. Jamie was settled to Emmy’s left, talking to her about school, as she nodded along whilst Rori was perched on Peter’s knee as she animatedly told him about how she was going to decorate her tree in unicorn colours. Harry meanwhile sat in between both Pete and Emmy, his little frame chewing on a donut as he grinned at his parents who smiled back. Katie turned to look a Steve again, leaning up to kiss him softly “It’s been perfect, thank you for making sure we were all together.”

“Well it wouldn’t be a Rogers Christmas otherwise would it?” he smiled, kissing her again.

“Get a room.” Emmy grumbled and Steve turned to her as she smirked, shoving a piece of donut in her mouth.

“Watch it young lady.” Steve pointed at her.                      

“Daddy.” Rori asked “Can I go with Pete in their car to Target? I need decorations for my Princess Tree.”

Steve hesitated for a while and Pete hastily cut in “It’s no bother Mr Rogers.”

“Yeah we need some for ours.” Emmy nodded.”So we’re going anyway.”

“I come too?” Harry asked hopefully and Emmy shrugged

“If Momma and Daddy say it’s ok, course you can, squirt.”

Steve looked at Katie who shrugged “Fine by me. Sure you can manage them?”

Emmy rolled her eyes “They’re no bother.” She then turned to Jamie “You wanna come too?”

“Hell no.” he said hastily, peering round at Rori before he shook his head “I’m going home for some peace and quiet.”

Both Steve and Katie let out a loud laugh, as Katie shook her head “Oh Jamie.”

“What?” he frowned.

“Nothing pal.” Steve smiled, reaching for his cider. “Nothing at all.”

#ssholidaychallenge #sageandsweater

[cocovikings23]

New Start - Chapter 1 (Modern Ivar x Reader)

I start writing a little fiction with a Modern Ivar. Thanks to @youbloodymadgenius for supporting me. Sorry for my bad English, it is not my mother tongue.

Chapter one : Engaged

Summary: The reader goes for a job interview at the Ragnar & Sons Corporation and finds herself face to face with Ivar during the interview. He is a very strict sector manager but facing his potential new recruit, he will behave differently than normal.

As usual, you arrived early for this umpteenth job interview. So there you were, in front of this big building, perhaps the biggest you've ever seen, remembering your previous failures of the last few weeks. It's true that you had had a series of interviews, none of which had resulted in a contract. Since you had left your home country and set off for a completely unknown city, you had a difficult start, you worked in a café as a waitress for the first few months and after you had had enough, you decided to go back to your original line of work: negotiation. There are a lot of companies recruiting at the moment, you thought it was now or never to try your luck. After a dozen or so interviews, some of which you'd like to erase from your memory, like the last one, where the guy openly made you understand that in order to get a job here you have to go through the "I'm lying down to succeed" box; of course you took your legs and left.

You enter this gigantic building through large transparent sliding doors, to reach the main lobby of the Ragnar & Sons Corporation, THE biggest trading company in the area and the name Lothbrok is on everyone's lips in the small town where you landed a few months ago. You easily reach the reception counter where you see the four switchboard operators dressed the same way: a black skirt suit with a white shirt ultra well ironed underneath it. Their hands are manicured, their contouring was so perfect that Kim Kardashian can go get dressed, their eyeliner line in the corner of the eye is also measured to the millimeter. You look at yourself in the long mirror behind the manicured quadruplets, as you so aptly called them, you look dull compared to them : Your hands are far from perfect since you cut your nails that very morning so that you wouldn't have a single inch that could get caught in your stockings, your make-up is very light and your hair, oh gods, you struggled for thirty minutes in the bathroom with your mane and finally opted for a professional style bun despite the fact that some of your hair is receding.

You get out of your mind when the Barbie asks, "Welcome to the Ragnar & Sons Corporation, can I help you? »

"Uh ... yes ... hello, I'm Miss Y/LN Y/N, I have a professional interview ... ",

She types on her computer for a few seconds, takes her phone, dials a number and says " She has arrived ", then hangs up to finally announce " Mr Lothbrok, is waiting for you, he is on the 15th floor, office number 01 ". You thank her with a touch of apprehension, the knot in your belly intensifies when the elevator doors open, you go inside, press the number 15 and you let yourself be carried further up in this big tower. You barely have time to do a mini self-meditation to calm yourself down that you have already arrived at your destination. You get out of the elevator, walk straight ahead, along a large silent corridor and finally arrive in front of a double door on which is written in the top right corner "01". There you are, you know nothing about your recruiter except that it is either Ragnar himself, but this is unlikely because he is very often travelling abroad, or one of his sons.

Like any good candidate you took a keen interest in the company in order to avoid trick questions during the interview, so you know that the boss is Ragnar Lothbrok and that he runs the company with his five sons: Björn, Ubbe, Hvitserk, Sigurd and Ivar. You were even more stressed for this interview when you put a face to these names, there are some pictures of the sons on the site: all of them were very attractive. But your attention was caught by Ivar, the youngest of the family, in one photo you noticed that he wears a brace on his right leg and that he holds himself up with a crutch, but what intimidated you the most was the look in his eyes: his eyes are the bluest in the family, an intense, authoritative look... You begged the gods that it be one of his brothers who welcomes you the next day.

You come back to you when you hear the voice of a man behind you asking if everything is all right. You turn back to him, your eyes immediately widen because you know him or at least you know who he is: a tall man, hair in a man's bun, green eyes, he was one of the Lothbrok sons, he is Hvitserk. Having no answer from you, he repeats his question: "Is everything all right, Miss? Has my brother made you miserable or not yet? "he says with an amused look.

You sputter : " yes... well no... well I mean, yes I'm fine and no I haven't seen anyone yet " you come to your senses " I'm Y/N, I'm here for the new job, I have to meet Mr Lothbrok ". Hvitserk continues with the same amused look, "So you have to talk to my little brother Ivar, he's the one who manages recruitment.   After his words, it's as if the ground is crumbling under your feet, your greatest fear, since the call to confirm your appointment, will materialize. You haven't had time to understand what's going on, because Hvitserk has already gone into his brother's office to announce your arrival: "I found your new victim at your door little brother, try to be nice this time, don't let her go away crying" he says, laughing. Hvitserk leaves the office and winked at you, he closes the doors, you wonder why the gods punished you in this way, you want to have this interview with Hvitserk after all.

You turn to Ivar, who is sitting behind a large wenge-colored desk, which is arranged in a very orderly, even structured way, each pen is the same size, all stored in a brown leather jar. Ivar, who taps on her Mac, frowns before giving up "You're early, we had an appointment at 9:30, it's 9:15". You swallow and he goes on " But since you're here we'll get rid of that now ". You bend your head and tell yourself that it was a waste of time, another failure, you even think of resuming your job as a waitress to provide for your needs while you find a job worthy of your skills when Ivar resumed the speech "You can settle down" by pointing to the chair in front of you. He didn't even bother to look at you, he's too busy with his screen. You settle down on the chair, which itself is made of brown leather and is quite comfortable, put your little purse on the floor next to you, put your sweaty hands on your knees and clear your throat. You have time to watch the executioner who would torture you for twenty minutes, asking you questions, each one more twisted than the other, for a job that you wouldn't get. He is dressed in a dark blue suit, very well adjusted to his size, gods that he is muscular, you can see his biceps through the jacket that fits perfectly. Under this suit, he wears a bright white shirt, slightly open with three buttons, you do not see his legs, they are hidden by the desk but you notice his crutch on the armrest of his beautiful luxury armchair. Faced with so much charm and charisma, you feel a knot in your chest.

Ivar is typing on his keyboard one last time before closing his computer, he looks up to start the interview when he stops in his tracks as he looks at you. "Then Miss," his eyes become even bluer, he freezes like a statue for a few moments before resuming, "Miss Y/L/N, we are going to start the interview," he has become different than when you entered his office, a kind of vulnerability has taken hold of him. Which doesn't help you any more because you are at the height of your stress. "Tell me a little bit about yourself, why do you want to work here?"

" I've only been in Kattegat for a few months, I worked as a waitress in a café in the center to acclimatize myself and I wanted to go back to my original skills in negotiation, business, " you answered.

"Hmm I see.." Ivar runs her fingers over her lower lip while continuing to stare at you like a hunter watching his prey, you feel your cheeks warm, the atmosphere in the room gets heavier and heavier... A long silence lingers when Ivar's cell phone begins to ring. He takes his eyes off you to look at the caller, makes a gesture with his finger to cut the call. He looks up at you again, to finally resume the conversation. "Well, Y/N, you know that we are the largest trading company in Kattegat and I, unlike my brothers, hate failure. I want to be certain of your skills and now you're not proving anything to me," you swallowed loudly, not knowing what to say.

Ivar continues, "For a person who wants to demonstrate her qualities as a trader you are very quiet..." he says with a sly smile. But what an asshole !, you think.

In order to put an end to this humiliation as soon as possible you start to take your bag on the ground to leave, you dare to speak up. "No disrespect Mr. Lothbrok, I think your behavior is totally inappropriate, I think it is more reasonable to end this interview now, thank you...".

"Please sit down Miss Y/L/N", Ivar cuts you off, you are surprised that your only decision is to obey this tyrant. He remains silent, spinning slightly from left to right in his authoritarian boss chair, smiles "Finally, the little waitress has character...". Ivar gets up, uses his crutch to walk up to you, sits on the edge of his desk right in front of you, his crotch in front of your eyes. Despite the fact that he's a complete asshole, he's still a very handsome and attractive man, the fact that he's getting closer to you doesn't leave you indifferent. He stooped down to your level to look you straight in the eyes, your faces are only a few centimeters away from each other. You can feel his warm breath caressing your cheeks, your mouth opens slightly by itself. You rub your legs together to try to hide the fact that some kind of excitement is building up in your lower abdomen. He bends his eyes to finally break this moment that has become erotically embarrassing. "As I was saying, failure is not a possibility, I may regret it but I will give you your chance, don't disappoint me otherwise... " he leans towards your ear to continue with a broad smile " I should punish you ". He gets up, taking up a neutral expression to get back behind his desk taking up his Mac to finish the emails that were in progress before your arrival.

"You're hired Y/N", he drops this information by waving you off his desk "You'll see Clara at the reception desk for your contract".

You get up, gently says to him " Thank you Iv... Mr Lothbrok, goodbye ". You don't see him because you already have your back to him but at the announcement of his first name, he has sparks in his eyes. You close the door behind you, you think that you had spent an eternity in this office when you were there for only 15 minutes.

Hvitserk walks past his brother's office and asks you about your interview: "I see you are still alive, my brother spared you! "he says jokingly, "and then what was the sentence he gave you?" he asks,  taking it a little more seriously,

"Ivar hired me" you say shyly, Hvitserk equal to himself took you in his arms "Congratulations, you are officially our colleague now, so no formalities between us, OK? "He puts an arm around your shoulder to guide you through the corridor. "Come with me, I'll give you a guided tour of the premises and introduce you to my other brothers". As you both walk away from Ivar's office, you look behind you, your body wants to come back to him while your mind is slowly getting used to the idea of this new life that is being offered to you.

@youbloodymadgenius @therealcalicali

[refinedbuffoonery]

Looking Through A Window (12)

macriley married undercover au

masterlist.

For pacing reasons, I decided to break what I had originally planned for Ch 12 into three(!) chapters. Also for pacing reasons, this one is shorter than usual. Oh well. Just know that the “good chapter” I’ve been teasing for a while is now Ch 13. 

As always, thank you for being patient with me and my slow updates! I am currently knee deep in original fiction for my capstone project, so my fic writing time is very limited these days. (I don’t remember the last time a story other than LTAW or Flawless occupied so much space in my head! At least this one pays rent since it’s my capstone lol.) 

*****

The day before the fundraiser, Riley calls him into the bedroom, asking for a favor. “I need your help,” she says, sitting on the unmade bed wearing shorts and an oversized t-shirt. She’s holding something behind her back. “How thoroughly did you read the binder on my cover’s backstory?” 

Unsure of where this is going, Mac replies, “I read most of it. Why?” 

“Genevieve Turner has a tattoo.” 

“Okay?” he says slowly, still not following. He vaguely remembers reading something about it. But only vaguely. 

“A large one. On her back.” Riley reveals the massive and intricate stick-on tattoo on the sheet in her hands, and Mac suddenly understands why she called him in here. The tattoo is stunning, all graceful lines and lifelike details. But Mac doesn’t miss the way Riley ever so slightly recoils from it. 

“It’s a—”

“Snake,” she finishes, looking anywhere but at it. “Bozer and Desi thought it was funny. Assholes.” 

“They made this?” Mac gently traces the design with his index finger. The snake—a rattler, based on the shape of its head—is wrapped around an ornate dagger, its head hanging below the point and its tail wrapped tight around the grip. A beautiful piece of artwork, if just a tad too lifelike. “This is really impressive.” 

Riley nods in agreement, explaining, “They designed it together, and they printed it with the new formula of that long-lasting fake tattoo ink they’ve been working on. It’s supposed to last for a couple weeks before fading.” 

The project is news to Mac’s ears. “How did I not know about this? And since when does Desi hang out in the lab?” The safe house apartment is supposed to be a bubble, keeping the outside world out, but right now it feels like it’s doing more to keep Mac in. He needs to call Bozer. Catch up. 

“Perks of submitting your reports on time. Extra lab time to work on side projects. You’d know that if you weren’t a chronic procrastinator who needs to be chained to his desk in order to do any paperwork.” 

That’s… That’s fair. Uncalled for, but fair. 

“Should I be worried about whatever else they’ve got in the works?” 

She makes an exaggerated thinking face, then asks, “How do you feel about face tattoos?” Mac chokes, and before he can muster a response, Riley says, “Kidding.” He really hopes she’s kidding. 

Still, a pit forms in his stomach. He and Bozer don’t keep secrets from each other. Not anymore, at least. It feels wrong to be the last to learn something about his own best friend. 

“Anyway,” she says, now pointedly not looking at the tattoo in her hands or at him, “Can you help me put this on?” 

Mac casts all thoughts of Bozer aside. He has a much bigger problem on his hands. 

His past self—a version not yet in love with her—wouldn’t have hesitated to offer his assistance. But the more Mac thinks about it, the more he realizes applying the tattoo is going to be torture. The intimacy in touching her like that. Waiting for her breath to catch the way it sometimes does when he touches her back and she’s not expecting it. Having to ignore the fact that her shirt will be off. 

“Of course,” he says, hoping Riley can’t hear the panic in his voice. “How does it work?” 

She hands him the tattoo and another small plastic package. “Use the primer wipe first. Once you take the backing off the tattoo will stick on it’s own.” 

“Sounds simple enough.” Mac rips open the package with the wipe, and Riley turns around, lifting the back of her t-shirt. Is it just him, or is the room really warm? Unable to stop himself, Mac’s eyes roam as her bare skin is exposed, inch by inch, and he imagines tracing the length of her spine, placing kisses across her shoulders. She is… luscious. He hilariously, horribly, hears the word in Bozer’s voice. 

Stop it, he chastises himself. Mac closes his eyes, and when he reopens them, he studies Riley with professional precision. 

Mostly professional, anyway. 

Arms raised to hold up her shirt, her shoulder blades sit at a weird angle. “It’ll be easier if you lie down,” he says, hoping she can’t hear the desperate edge to his tone. 

She complies. 

Riley’s breath hitches when the cool wipe touches her warm skin, and the brief semblance of professionalism Mac had grasped is blown to pieces. Every nerve in his body is alight just being near her. 

Placing the still-wrapped tattoo on her back, Mac measures and adjusts until it’s in just the right spot—the blade aligned with the groove of her spine, the guard at the base of her shoulder blades. Thankfully, Bozer thought to make the plastic backing clear. 

“I need you to pull up your shirt more,” he says. Or just take it off, the reckless part of him wants to add. 

She does, again without question, and when Riley folds her arms beneath her head, he can just see the curve of her breasts pressed into the mattress. Hoping she can’t see him in her peripheral, Mac lets himself pause and appreciate the view for a few stolen seconds. His cheeks heat. 

He peels off the backing. 

“Don’t screw up,” Riley warns. 

“Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

Mac presses the tattoo on her skin, molding the plastic to the shape of her muscles and smoothing the wrinkles. He isn’t quite sure how the ink transfer works, but he has a few theories. He’ll have to call Bozer to be sure. 

Perhaps. . . 

Wait. Hang on. 

He’s alone with a beautiful woman who isn’t wearing a shirt, and he’s thinking about skin chemistry? What the hell is he doing? Talk about needing to get his priorities straight. 

His head’s all over the place today. Maybe it’s time for a break. 

There’s nothing left to do at this stage of tattoo application; it has to develop for an hour before the plastic can be ripped off. “Timer’s set for an hour,” Mac says, standing up. He wants to keep trailing his fingers down her back, stroking her sides, seeing what sweet sounds might escape her lips. 

He settles for only doing it in his imagination. He can’t stop that train of thought anymore, not once it’s left the station. 

All the more reason to put a little distance between them. Before he hurts himself more than he already has. 

Riley asks, “Can you hand me my book?” Mac does, then heads for the door. He needs to get out of this room for a few minutes, needs to clear his head and raging hormones. “Wait,” she whines. “Where are you going?” 

Somewhere where it’s easier to be just your friend. 

Later, after the fundraiser—where they have to put on a show of casual touches and unspoken intimacy—he’s going to have to talk to her about some new boundaries. To have half a chance of getting over her with his heart intact, he has no choice. 

Before this op, Mac was content to quietly love her forever. He could’ve done it, too. But over the last few days, the realization has started to sink in that if he’s to get through this op in one piece, physically and emotionally, he needs to finally let go of the dream of something more. 

Where is he going? To prepare himself for one last night of being this close to her. To prepare to mourn the hope that she feels the same about him, hope he’s been harboring for longer than he’s willing to admit. 

In the middle of all that, he somehow manages to say, “To figure out where the hell I put mine.” And when she asks him to come back once he finds it and read with her, he somehow manages to breathe through the ache in his chest and say, “Of course.” 

*****

At precisely 5:59 a.m., Harley announces it’s time for breakfast. 

“No,” Mac and Riley both groan, turning their backs to the dog barking between them. There is no reason for her to be demanding food this early. Mac’s internal clock doesn’t wake him up until a little after seven, and Riley’s alarm won’t go off until eight. In the three weeks they’ve had her, Harley has never been fed before seven. Ever. 

Harley paws the back of Mac’s head, and he pushes her away in a halfhearted attempt to defend himself, but she isn't so easily dissuaded. He swears. “Ask your mom.” The bed dips as Harley jumps on Riley, followed by a pained grunt. 

“Get off.” 

The bed jostles again, but then Mac hears the telltale thump from Harley jumping onto the floor. She leaves the room, and the blissful quiet returns. Exhaling slowly, Mac feels his body sink into the mattress, limb by limb. 

Sleep beckons. One more hour, then he’ll feed Harley.  

A loud crash comes from the kitchen, and Mac doesn’t need to get up to know that damn dog is trying to feed herself. 

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” he mutters, rolling over. 

“Harley, no!” Riley yells, but her reprimand is conveniently ignored. She tries a different approach. “Harley, come.” Response comes in the form of another loud noise—the dog food bin getting knocked over. Riley growls her name a tad more harshly than Mac expects, but Harley slinks back into the bedroom with her tail between her legs. 

Voice softening, Riley pats the bed and says, “Come on. Let’s sleep a little longer, and then we can have breakfast. Okay?” 

To Mac’s surprise, Harley gives in, settling into her usual spot at the foot of the bed. Harley lets out a dramatic sigh, and then all is quiet in their apartment again. 

It’s the morning of the fundraiser gala, and once that little fact takes root in Mac’s brain, there’s no chance of him falling back asleep. They’ve got to learn more about what the Patriots are planning, and they can’t leave the party tonight until they do. It’s unsettling that three weeks have passed since the start of the op yet he and Riley still know so little about the organization, much less how to take them down. The thought has him clenching his teeth. 

The mattress shifts as Riley rolls over, her hand coming to rest on his forearm. His pulse jumps. “It’s too early for overthinking,” she says sleepily. 

“Then make me stop,” he snaps, regretting the harsh words the second they’re out of his mouth. Riley retracts her hand. “Sorry. I didn’t mean that,” Mac apologizes. 

Riley doesn’t say anything. Nor does she put her hand back on his arm. 

“I hate that we’re still in the dark.” He’s barely admitted that to himself, but voicing it aloud helps alleviate the weight on his chest. “We should know more by now.” 

“Not every op is an emergency, Mac,” she says softly. “We knew this would take a while.” 

She’s right. After years of urgent distress calls and impossible timelines, Mac’s forgotten what real undercover work feels like. It’s all the waiting around that he hates the most. “You’re better at this than I am. I’m glad Matty assigned you,” he says. Riley shakes her head.

“I’m only here because you and Desi would’ve killed each other by the end of the first week.” 

Mac laughs. “No. Well, yes. That’s true. But you’re here because we need you. I’m only here because these cranky old white dudes wouldn’t know what to do with an incredibly intimidating lesbian couple.” The comment earns him a pillow to the face, but Riley’s bright laughter makes it totally worth it. 

“I can’t imagine going on an op without you.” 

“I can’t either.” 

“Sure you can. I run point from the war room all the time.” 

“Not anymore. You haven’t stayed back in a long time, Riles. Not since…” 

Since. 

There are a bunch of ways he could end that sentence, but picking one doesn’t feel right. Leaving him with just since. It fits. 

“I guess you’re right,” she says quietly. Their knees brush, and despite yesterday’s promises to himself, Mac takes a gamble by crossing an ankle over hers, his heart squeezing when Riley doesn’t move away. 

Neither of them go back to sleep, but they make a good show of pretending until Riley’s alarm goes off, and Harley demands breakfast. 

They’ll get answers tonight. They have to. 

.

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[ayellowcurtain]

I read the original idea, but hopefully Robbe is not the one who keeps looking for him, I think Sander should take that step. It would be great if you added Robbe realizing that distance is necessary, and begins to enjoy this little separation and realizes that he loves Sander but also respects his decision and will wait for him to return to speak.

Please tell me there's a 3rd part coming soon Please post the next part sooon. Sander needs to stop ignoring robbe like this, my heart cant take this much angst :((

Sander please talk to Robbe and don't ignore him like this :(

Part 2 

Robbe stops his cart in the middle of the empty aisle, getting his phone from his pocket, unlocking to change to the next Bowie song. He checks the list he made earlier to see what he needs to get after his favorite cookies. 

His mom is gone for the weekend, she even asked him to go with her to visit his grandparents and the city she grew up in, her friends but Robbe was enjoying being alone for the past four days and so he wanted to enjoy the weekend by himself.

He had completely forgotten about his phone when she handed it back to him before leaving.

“I’m horrible with numbers, but I think it’s been more than a day,” she said softly and Robbe smiled at her, holding ir carefully, adjusting to the size and weight of his phone, scared to turn it on.

He left it charging while we went to eat something with Jens around the corner from his house and while he was taking a shower and making the list of the things he would need for the weekend. Knowing his phone existed and was being charged gave him anxiety, worried of what he would find, so he had to look before leaving the house.

No new messages from Sander, but he posted another photo. Robbe clicked on the notification and he recognized it right away. The night before he met Sander, Moyo had spilled beer on Robbe’s jacket and they had no way of washing and drying his jacket quick enough, so Robbe left his jacket outside that night, using the old fridge as a hanger.

Sander took a picture apparently, and never showed it to Robbe. He liked the photo and moved on to watching Sander’s stories as he ran downstairs. He saw the big city running past Sander while he was sitting on the train, listening to Fleetwood Mac, one of Robbe’s favorite bands, just a few hours earlier. 

He saw his boyfriend’s eye and the train seat behind him, his hair pecking out of his hoodie on the selfie he posted two hours ago. And the last one was Adi filming Sander sitting right next to him, not as excited or easy to make smile like the other day.

“Someone’s grumpy today. Missing home, the big baby. Acting like he didn’t have the time of his life with us-” Robbe closed instagram and got on his bike to go buy what he needed.

After checking the list one more time, Robbe checks the time and day.

It felt such a long time until this day, until Sander’s arrival and now it feels like he’s not ready to see him again, nervous if Sander will contact him or not, if they’ll keep their distance for longer while living just a few minutes away from each other.

As the screen is slowly fading back to black, Robbe gets a notification, and another one and another one. He sees Sander’s name for half a second and it’s more than enough for his heart to start beating fast while he presses the button on the side, unlocking his phone and opening their conversation.

to Robbe: I’m home

I miss you

Can we meet?

Robbe puts the ketchup inside his cart and stops again, finally texting Sander back, not starting a conversation for once.

to Sander: Yeah

I’ll be home in twenty minutes or something.

He doesn’t check for what he needs anymore, going straight to the cashier to pay for everything he managed to buy in the time he had before the messages.

Robbe cannot believe the two weeks long separation is finally over. The cold, minimal answers he got from Sander made him feel unwanted, like he was bothering his boyfriend, asking for attention when he shouldn’t, and Robbe took care of himself in the past few days. Hearing from Sander that he wants to meet is always the best feeling.

From the time he got the message to him unlocking his house it takes exactly twenty minutes, he checks on his phone to see if he has any spare minutes to take a shower and clean up. 

As soon as he unlocks the door, the intercom rings in the kitchen. Robbe rushes to let Sander in, putting his bag on the counter as he goes back to the door empty handed, holding the door to give himself something to hold on to.

The elevator is completely quiet, but then Robbe hears quick steps behind the emergency door. They stop for a long moment and Robbe frowns, wondering if he just opened the door to someone else, but then Sander pushes the heavy door open and there he’s, standing across the narrow hallway, surprised to see Robbe there, with the door open.

“Hey…” Robbe tries, hoping his smile seems more genuine than what it feels. He’s just worried about how things are between them after two weeks apart, the longer they’ve chosen to stay away from each other, ever.

“Hi…” Sander pushes his bag up on his shoulder. He’s still wearing the clothes from early on the train ride, with his big backpack over his shoulder and a messy hair that Robbe is sure was caused by a little nap against the train window.

“Did you come straight here?”

Sander nods his head, finally coming closer, still careful with every tiny step he takes, but Robbe watches him, letting Sander stand right in front of him, so close Robbe has to hold himself not to kiss or hug Sander without his permission.

But then Sander leans closer, almost brushing their lips against each other and Robbe opens his mouth and closes his eyes instantly, waiting in anticipation for a kiss that never happens, so he sighs, desperate now, one hand cradling Sander’s face and the other arm around his neck, standing on his tiptoes so he can put his hand at the top of Sander’s head, gently holding his hair, feeling how he shakes when he opens his mouth, licking inside his boyfriend’s mouth to see his reaction.

Sander finally kisses him desperately, one arm around his waist, his fingertips pressing hard against the small of Robbe’s back and the other hand holding the back of Robbe’s shirt tightly, keeping them pressed against each other while Sander walks them inside, closing the door behind him.

Robbe has to stop the kiss way too early, out of breath, still so relieved they’re good he can’t really focus on anything else.

“I’m sorry for being an asshole.” Sander says first, pressing his forehead against Robbe’s, kissing his whole face. They’re holding each other so tightly Robbe can feel how fast Sander’s heart is beating, almost as fast as his own. He nods his head, hiding his face against Sander’s neck, smiling from ear to ear.

“I’m sorry for what I said and for not giving you the space you asked me to.”

Sander sighs, dropping his bag on the floor to give them some more room to hold on to each other.

“Please, never give me space. I don’t need it. This was the stupidest idea ever.” Robbe can’t help the relief it is to hear those words coming out of Sander’s mouth, but he looks up anyway to make sure Sander isn’t just saying that to please him, “We have more than enough time away from each other with our different schedules. Being apart for days is a bad idea. I thought I was actually going insane.”

Robbe smiles, really looking at his boyfriend now, like anything really changed in him in two weeks.

“I love you, Robbe.”

He whines quietly, kissing the corner of Sander’s lips, “I love you so much,” Robbe bites the inside of his mouth, trying to find the right words to say, “But whenever you need space, please tell me, okay? And I’ll step back.”

Sander sighs loudly, rolling his eyes, looking at Robbe with that look that makes all his insides warm and soft like butter.

“You’re my best friend, you’re the best person I’ve ever met. I like being around you. I liked you since the first second I saw you, even before we were together. I wouldn’t trade my time with you with anything else. Even if we spend the rest of our lives together, it won’t be enough time with you.”

Robbe closes his eyes, putting his forehead against Sander’s to stop himself from crying. He hugs him tightly again and Sander holds him by his thighs, carrying him inside, kissing his face, whispering sweet nothings to his ear.

Sander puts him down when they get to his bedroom and Sander starts taking his clothes off to go take a shower. Robbe keeps thinking about Sander and Adi, two weeks together without Robbe in between them, how much he must have annoyed Sander, making him hear all of Adi’s opinions about Robbe.

“And Adi?” He has to ask and Sander doesn’t flinch, continuing to take his pants off.

“What about him?”

“He’s your best friend. And he hates me.”

[itsmyblogandillreblogifiwantto]

Doctor’s Orders.

A/N: Hi everyone, this fic is a crossover between Criminal Minds and CSI New York, so I hope you enjoy. Just before you do, I’d just like to do a little shout-out to @g0ldengubler​ who proof read some of this fic for me. I won’t be publishing a lot now, as I have a lot of University work and exam to prepare for, but I’ll still be online! My requests for Matthew Gray Gubler and Spencer Reid are still open, as is my taglist! 

Triggers:  Shootings at Churches/religious places, swearing, sex/smut (implied)

“Right my darlings, today I am taking you to New York.” Garcia said “Ooh, all expenses paid?” Emily asked all excited. “Case.” Hotch said as everyone groaned, in desperate need for a holiday. “There has been a series of shootings at Churches, and every time a family sadly dies.” J.J says, “They get shot and well, you get the idea. Detective Mac Taylor called us for help.” “I thought the NYPD would be able to solve this, they’re all really smart.” Spencer said “They are, but they need our help in bringing the unsub, or unsubs down. They don’t know who they are looking for.” Penelope said, “Now go crime fighters, the plane leaves in an hour.” “Bye baby girl.” Morgan said kissing Penelope’s cheek. “Come back safe my darlings.” Penelope said waving goodbye to them as they got in the lift “God I love that woman.” Morgan smiled “Speaking of women, Reid, you single?” Rossi asked Spencer looked up from his book and his cheeks flushed. “Yes. I don’t see how that is relevant.” “Maybe we can get you a pretty lady on the next team night out, or maybe even whilst we are in New York. I mean, we need to get you a girl.” J.J smiled “Yeah, we need another girl we can take on girls night.” Emily said “Maybe we can see if we can get the vacancy filled for a new agent on the team whilst in New York.” Hotch said, agreeing with J.J and Emily, but tried to think of a professional response. “I didn’t realise we had the budget for a new agent, I would have got a new type of coffee if I knew.” Rossi said “Not everything is about coffee Rossi.” Morgan said “It is when you are Italian.” Rossi said and got out of the lift. Spencer rolled his eyes at his co-workers and picked up another book. He did agree he needed to get out there but wanted to when he was ready. On the plane “My darlings, there’s been another church shooting. Mac Taylor will meet you with Detective and all-round forensics & Detective and Doctor Y/N Y/S/N will be there too, oh, and her PhDs are in Mathematics and Chemistry, same as genius baby.” Penelope said on the phone providing more details. “Thank you Garcia.” Hotch said and hung up. “Did someone enjoy researching the detective?” Morgan texts Garcia “That’s classified chocolate thunder and you know it. ;)” Penelope replied “Reid, Rossi go with Agent/Doctor Y/N Y/S/N and see what they have so far. J.J, Emily and Morgan with me and Mac Taylor when we get off the plane.” Hotch said. “Aaron Hotchner, Dr Y/N Y/S/N, we spoke on the phone. This is Detective Mac Taylor.” You say and do handshakes with everyone except the cute curly haired one. “It’s actually safer to kiss or hug.” Spencer said to you after introducing himself to you. “Nice to meet another Doctor.” He smiled You smile back, “You too Dr Reid.” “You can call me Spence if you like.” Spencer smiled as J.J and Emily give each-other ‘the look’ and text Penelope. “And you can call me Y/N or Y/N/N. I only let special people call me my nickname though.” You wink and Spencer’s cheeks flush. “Special people kid. She likes you.” Rossi winked Spencer rolled his eyes and went with you, Hotch and Mac to the office to discuss the case so far. “Would you like some coffee? The flight must’ve been a long one.” You say putting the machine on. “Only 1 hour, 12 minutes.” Spencer smiled “He means yes, we’d love some coffee.” Rossi said as Spencer gave him a ‘What?’ facial expression “Here you go.” You smile. “Sugar and milk are on the table behind you. I got some donuts earlier, there were more but I had a sugar craving.” “Thank you Y/N, this is perfect. We don’t normally get food.” Spencer said picking up a donut “Rossi, could you join Hotch and I to go through some forensics?” Mac asked “Sure.” Rossi said and left the two Doctors to it. “They seem to be getting on. Y/N/N is my best detective.” Mac smiled at Rossi, “But she doesn’t have much of a life outside of the job. She’s only 28 and started here at 16 as an intern.” “I could say the same about Spencer, and he’s 30 but he started at the FBI when he was 22.” Rossi said as he looked at some evidence under the microscope. “So, what are your PhDs in Y/N/N?” Spencer smiled at you even though he knew the answer. “Maths and Chemistry, but I want to go for one in History next. What about you Spence?” You ask as the team walk back in. “Oh me too! Well, not the History bit.” Spencer said and sipped his coffee. “Look guys, Dr Y/S/N brought us donuts.” He said “Ooh good, I’m starving.” J.J smiled grabbing one. You, Mac and the FBI went through the case, and the team went through their profile. “You keep staring at him.” Mac whispered to you “Who?” You whisper back “Dr Reid.” Mac whispered as your cheeks flush, maybe you have got a crush on him. “Is it that obvious?” You whisper Mac nods and you go back to listening. “So, you think it’s a foster kid then?” You chat to Emily and J.J who have taken a shine to you. “Yeah, we have seen it before.” Emily said “I’m sorry.” You say “Don’t be Y/N. We’ve all seen terrible things.” J.J said “I’ll drink to that.” You say “Once the case is over, we should all go for a drink.” Rossi said “That’d be good.” Hotch said You and Spencer nod and continue reading some old case files that Penelope sent. “This is interesting. Drew Smith was in and out of care all his life, and all of his foster families said he was sweet at first but then turned into the devil. Could he fit the profile Spence?” You ask, handing him the file. Spencer reads it in all of 30 seconds. “Yeah. Definitely. Hotch?” He asks. “Y/N has a theory.” “Put me on the spot why don’t you?” You giggle at Spencer, “Mac?” You ask and the two teams listen to you. “Look at Spencer giving Y/N the googly eyes.” Morgan smirked to Rossi. “She’s smart and beautiful, he had better ask her out. Or Hotch better ask her to join us.” J.J said looking at Hotch in the eye “Plus she has a gun and a badge already. She wouldn’t need training.” Emily said agreeing with her co-workers. “She’s Mac’s best detective, he won’t give her up easy.” Rossi said You finish delivering your theory. “I’ll have a word with Mac once the case is over.” Hotch says after hearing the teams discussion. “Y/N, could you go with Spencer and Flack to see if you can bring in Smith? Make sure to take your gun though.” Mac asked, “If that’s okay with you Hotch.” “Yes, that is fine.” Hotch said as the girls and Morgan smirked at each-other. You nod biting your lip and go to your desk to get your weapon Spencer follows you, noticing a photo of you and the NYPD team at Halloween dressed up, but you look very young. “When was this?” Spencer asked you. “Oh, the year the NYPD offered me a paid job. I started here as an intern at 16 and worked my way up. I got a paid detective internship at 18 that means I’ve been here 12 years this year. That’s a fucking long time.” You chuckle putting your hoodie on. Spencer nods. “Definitely. I’ve been at the FBI for 8.” “You ready Y/N? Dr Reid, right? I’m Flack.” Flack asks putting his hand out to Spencer. “He doesn’t do handshakes.” You smile, remembering his germaphobia. “It’s safer to kiss or hug.” Spencer said “But we’ve kissed before Y/N.” Flack smiled at you Spencer immediately feels jealous, and he doesn’t understand why… Maybe he does fancy you. “Yes, on the cheek as my best friend.” You smile as Flack wiggles his eyebrows at you. “Let’s roll.” “Is it me or did Spencer look jealous then?” Morgan smirked “Yes. Definitely.” Hotch said Mac laughed. “Flack has a girlfriend. I can tell Y/N likes Spencer. She’s like a daughter to me, but I am terrified of her sometimes.” Rossi laughed, “We are terrified of Spencer sometimes.” In the car “Turn left you fucker.” Flack laughed as you took the wrong turn. “I turned left.” You smirk “You turned right.” Spencer said laughing at your banter with Flack. “You may be a Doctor Y/N, but you are shit at listening for directions.” Flack said “You may need my Maths skills one day you bell-end and if you hadn’t noticed, the sign said no left turn.” You smirk and arrive at Smith’s apartment. “Maybe listen to your doctor.” Spencer smirked “Ah she knows I’m messing with her.” Flack smiled as he got out of the car. “She’s like my little sister.” “And you’re my dickhead of a big brother.” You say and park up. “I miss when you were 16 and didn’t answer back.” Flack laughed as some shots were fired, you all quickly put vests on as Flack kicks down the door. “I see you have your own Derek Morgan.” Spencer thought to himself “Freeze! NYPD and FBI! Lower your weapons.” You announce, as Smith tries to run but you trip him up. “Got you, you son of a bitch. Oh, and you have a little weed farm here too, we better add that to the murder charge.” “Murder?” Smith says as Flack puts him in cuffs. “We got Smith and we need a crime scene team here ASAP.” You say calling it in. “Don’t play dumb with us asshole.” Flack said putting him in the car. Back at the office, Mac and Hotch are talking to Drew, whilst the rest of your team and the FBI compare notes before they interview him.

“Do they always say no comment?” Emily asked you. “Yeah, or a string of swear words.” You shrug Spencer came in holding two cups of coffee. “Thanks pretty boy.” Morgan smiled reaching for the cup “Oh it’s not for you it’s for Y/N/N.” Spencer smiled handing you a cup “Ooh thanks Spence.” You smile taking the cup. Morgan looked at Spencer, “You always buy me coffee.” He said pretending to be a little hurt. “Well, in the 8 years I’ve been at the FBI, you have only brought me coffee 8 times, and I have brought you coffee 16 times. Y/N/N however brought me coffee and donuts upon our first meeting therefore she has the advantage over you.” Spencer said and sipped his coffee. “Is that the way to your heart Spence? Buy you donuts?” You ask Spencer nodded smiling as the team give each-other ‘the look’. “Here’s that file you asked for.” You say to Hotch after it finally prints, it’s about 30 pages in total. “Reid... Can you?” Hotch asked Spencer sighed and took the file. “I’ll give you the DL.” He said “DL?” Hotch asked “Downlow, summary.” You say assuming that is what Spencer meant “I was trying to be cool.” Spencer mumbled “You are plenty cool kid.” Rossi laughed “If you want answers out of him, question his foster families and experiences there.” Spencer said, “It could trigger him, but it could also get a confession. Also, he was closest to his foster Mum 5. Debbie, who passed away recently.” He handed back the file. “Thanks Dr Reid.” Mac said as Hotch nods. “Dr Y/S/N, could I have a word with you later?” Hotch asks “Yeah, sure.” You smile, wondering what it is about. “Have I done something wrong?” You ask “No, far from it.” Hotch said returning the smile “Hotch just smiled, he must really like Dr Y/S/N.” Morgan said on the phone to Penelope “Chocolate thunder, I want all the details. Keep me posted. Ciao.” Penelope giggled having done her research on you. “Bye baby girl.” Morgan says and hangs up “Y/N could you maybe give Drew a shot? He doesn’t seem to pay attention to us.” Hotch asked as he came back with Mac. “Yeah sure.” You say getting up “Hotch, this guy is huge, he could crush her with one push.” Morgan said “She can handle it.” Mac said, “You ok Y/N?” You stretch your muscles. “Yeah I’m great, just doing some stretching because it helps keep my brain limber.” You say and stretch your legs. Everyone looks at you confused, except Spencer who looks at you in awe. “Nice socks.” Spencer smiled, noticing they are mismatched. “Thanks.” You smile at your polka dot one and stripes one. “What socks are you wearing?” You ask tying your shoelace of your trainers. “One of dinosaurs and one of pumpkins. The classics.” Spencer smiled as Mac handed you Drew’s file. “Do you want company in the room?” “Nah, I’m good but you can watch from behind the glass in case I need back up.” You wink as Spencer’s cheeks flush. “Are you coming?” You ask walking to the room. Spencer gets out of his chair and follows you, as you walk you share Maths theories with Spencer. “Did anyone get a word of that?” Emily asked “The last thing I understood was their socks discussion.” J.J said shrugging “I don’t even understand half of the words she uses, sometimes, between us I have to research what she means after hours.” Mac laughed as a forensics analyst handed him something. “Y/N/N!” He called just before you walked in the room “Yeah?” You smile “Fingerprints match his. We have him.” He says and you nod as Mac goes back and tells the rest of the teams. “We got the bastard.” Morgan said “Drew, I’m Doctor Y/S/N, I just have a few more questions.” You say sitting down as Spencer watches you from behind the glass, the guy is huge. “Shoot lady.” Drew smirked “Tell me about your childhood, and Debbie.” You say “There’s nothing to tell, I’m sure that file tells you everything you need to know.” Drew said, loosing the smirk instantly. “And what about Debbie?” You ask “She was my foster Mom, the only one who liked me. But she got sick.” Drew said “That must’ve been tough.” You say, “The doctor mis-diagnosed her, didn’t he? Made you feel rage.” “Yeah but I didn’t kill anyone over it.” Drew admitted “So, why are your fingerprints on the weapon found at the last scene?” You ask “Well, that escalated fast.” Spencer says as Morgan, Hotch and Mac come into the room. “They’re not mine.” Drew said to you “Oh, who do they belong to? The guy we have downstairs for drunk driving, or the guy in the room down the hall who shot an officer with an unlicensed weapon?” You ask innocently “Is she always like this? Sarcastic?” Hotch asked “She plays dumb, because she has a baby-face they assume she’s young and not really a detective, but she can usually get them talking once she’s snapped. Just wait.” Mac smirked “Yeah, it’s one of them lady. I’m clean.” Drew says “Clean as the blood on your right breast pocket?” You ask “It’s.. It’s not like that lady.” Drew stutters covering the blood. “I wonder if it matched the blood found out the crime scene… Could get a decent sample too.” You say putting your feet up on the desk, “But if you are so innocent, that could be wine.” “Shut up lady! Calm down!” Drew ends up shouting “This is calm, and it’s doctor. Sit down.” You say calmly, “Now let me test that wine for blood.” You say, “Take off the shirt.” You say giving him a bright pink one to wear. Everyone laughs from behind the glass, “Oh she’s good.” Hotch smirked You put gloves on and do a test on the shirt. “Didn’t realise you could get human blood wine, where did you buy it?” You ask once the test comes back positive for human blood. “Is there anything she doesn’t know?” Spencer asked Mac noticing you know your way around forensics “How to get a boyfriend.” Mac said “Okay okay, I did it! I did all of them. Lock me up.” Drew said “Aww, because you asked so nicely. Get up.” You say as Drew gets up but headbutts you and kicks your knees in the process as you crash to the floor. “You’ll regret that.” You say with a busted lip and put him in cuffs as everyone runs in. “You ok?” Spencer asked you “Oh yeah, that’s nothing.” You shrug, handing him over to Mac then go to the bathroom to clean up limping a little. “That’s nothing?” Spencer asked in a slightly high-pitched voice. “Once a suspect pushed her so hard, she broke her back, had therapy and she still showed up to work in a wheelchair.” Flack said “When was this?” Hotch asked “She was 21. She’s from a rough neighbourhood so she does herself proud every-day.” Mac said “Can we have a word in your office?” Hotch asked Mack who nodded, thinking he knows where this is going. “I’m going to check on Y/N/N.” Spencer said as he eventually found the bathroom. “Hey Y/N/N, you okay?” He asks softly as you come out “Yeah. Coming!” You say walking out all patched up. “You good?” You ask “I should be asking you; you had your head butted into. You should get it checked out.” Spencer said worried “First respondent said I’m good, and for someone I met today, you seem very worried about me, it’s almost adorable.” You admit biting your lip then wince forgetting you’d hurt yourself. “Fuck.” You grumble at your stupidity as Spencer laughs “Almost adorable?” Spencer asked with a raised eyebrow “What’s going on?” Morgan asked a little too loud as Rossi, J.J and Emily were watching “Ssssh.” Emily said putting a finger to Morgan’s lips “Okay, a lot adorable.” You say blushing In Mac’s office “No, absolutely not. She’s my best detective.” Mac shouted to Hotch as he kept shaking his head, “I’m not letting her go.” “You told Rossi she needed to get out there, I think this would be great for her.” Hotch shouted back “I meant settle down, get a boyfriend, have kids. Not leave New York.” Mac said “The change would suit her.” Hotch said, “And at the end of the day it’s her decision.” J.J knocks on the door, “Hotch, we’re all going to Shaw’s for a beer. You both coming?” She smiles “We’ll be there soon.” Mac said as J.J nods, closing the door on her way out. “Regardless of what you say, I’m making my offer.” Hotch said At the bar “Any idea what they were on about in there? Shouting match or what?” You say to Spencer. “No idea.” Spencer lied, “What do you want to drink?” “Just a pint of the house beer.” You say handing over the money. “What are you doing?” Spencer asked “Er, paying for my own drink because screw the gentlemen pays.” You say “Y/N/N, you got kicked and pushed to the floor today. I can buy you a beer for that.” Spencer said, “Two pints of the house beer please.” He told the barman who nods “I’ll buy some snacks then. Whatcha want Doctor?” You ask eyeing up the fries on the menu. “Whatever you’re having Doctor.” Spencer smiled as Hotch and Mac come in, Mac still looking cross and Hotch looking smug. “Mac, what’s up?” You ask him “Nothing.” Mack lied “Don’t bullshit me. We’re off the clock.” You say to him as Mac walks off and goes outside for some air, “Just some crisps and nuts please.” You tell the barman and pay then find a seat with Spencer “Dr Y/N, can we talk?” Hotch asked just as you sat down “Yeah sure.” You say and walk off with him, leaving your drink on the table “Oooh, it’s happening.” Emily said pouring herself a glass of wine from the bottle “What’s happening?” Spencer asked sipping his drink “We’re getting a new agent.” J.J smiled Spencer smiles to himself and sips his drink. “So, Y/N. I was talking to Mac, and as much as he really doesn’t want to let you go... I’d like to make you an offer anyway.” Hotch began “Offer?” You ask “We have a position for an agent at the FBI, with us. You are overqualified, but I think you’d like it. You understand the work, and even used our terminology on your case. We don’t see that every-day.” Hotch said, “Plus you wouldn’t be in New York every-day. We travel a lot, but we are a family.” You look at Mac, and your team there, then to the FBI. You have debated about leaving for a year, not because of the people but wanting a change, and this could be the one you need. You then look at Spencer, who looks a little sad. “What if she doesn’t take it?” Spencer asked “I think she will.” Morgan said sipping his drink Suddenly, you and Hotch walk back. “Well?” Emily asked “Looks like I need a new badge.” You say with a smile Everyone cheers. “I’m sorry to see you go Y/N/N but please visit.” Mac said “Course.” You smile. “Hey, can we have a word?” Spencer asked you You nod, confused. “Everyone wants words with me tonight.” You laugh as Spencer and you go outside “Do you think?” Rossi asked “Oh yeah. Pretty boy about to ask baby girl genius out.” Morgan said “Everything okay Spence?” You ask once you get outside. “Yeah, I mean… No… I mean, want to go out with me on a date?” Spencer blurted out then gasped. “Fuck. I didn’t mean to say that, but I did. But if you don’t want to that’s fine.” He says going through all the emotions of a menopausal woman at once. “Every time a pretty face comes pops up your brain turns into a god damn potato. Prentiss is right, my IQ lowers from 187 to 60.” You quickly grab his arm gently. “Hey... Let me answer before you get yourself in a tizz.” Spencer calms down at your touch, which he finds strange, not really liking being touched but when you do it, it makes him feel, safe almost. “Okay... okay...” Spencer says looking at you “Yes.” You smile and kiss his cheek. “Want to sneak off and grab some pizza? I have a lot of packing to do. Hotch wants me to start in two weeks.” Spencer nods smiling as you do just that. “Where are the pretty people at?” Morgan asked noticing you’ve been a while. “I don’t think they’re coming back.” Rossi winked. “Ooooh.” Emily and J.J smirked “So, what pizza can I get you Spence?” You smile. “I’m going for four cheese.” “That’s fine with me.” Spencer smiled at you, “Does this count as a date?” “If you want it to.” You say and place your order “I do.” Spencer smiled “Me too.” You say and pay for the pizza “I should pay half.” Spencer said feeling bad “You’re good, you can always buy ice cream if you want.” You assure him Spencer nods, as you walk around New York eating pizza. “It’s okay if you don’t want to, but would you like to come to my flat and have a nightcap?” You suggest as you finish your ice cream “I’d like that.” Spencer smiled, “But I’d like to do one thing first.” He said having a desire to kiss you there and then. “And that is?” You ask Spencer puts his hands on your cheeks and kisses you deeply. “Oh.” You giggle, pulling away after a few moments Spencer giggles too, “Told you it’s safer to kiss.” You walk to your flat, and let Spencer in. It’s fairly small with a double bed, en-suite, a kitchen and a small library. “I don’t normally have people back to my place on the first date. But I think there’s something special about you Dr Reid.” You say locking the door once Spencer walks in and takes his shoes off. “There’s something special about you too Dr Y/S/N.” Spencer says, “Can I take a seat?” He asks gesturing to your two-seater sofa “Of course. You okay with whiskey or scotch on the rocks?” You ask getting two glasses down “Scotch please.” Spencer said looking at your bum when your back was turned You bring the glasses over and sit next to him, “Can I tell and ask you something Spence?” “Of course Y/N/N.” Spencer says, “Thanks.” He says taking the glass “It’s more of an observation, but I’ve noticed you don’t like physical touch, but when I’ve done it, you go from tense, to relaxed in seconds. Why?” You ask sipping your scotch “I feel safe around you, and I don’t feel like that around many people.” Spencer admitted “Do you want to kiss again?” You blurt out and finish your drink quickly in-case Spencer says no “I do.” Spencer smiled and finished his drink and pulled you in for a kiss

After a few more drinks, you end up having sex with Spencer.

Spencer pulled out of you gently and wrapped the condom up and put it in the bin. “That was amazing.” He says as you cuddle into his arms glad Morgan slipped him that condom earlier. Even though you were on the pill, Spencer wanted to be extra safe. You nod agreeing, “Aren’t your team wondering where you are?” as you trace little patterns on his chest with your finger. Spencer checks his phone, as a text comes through from Hotch ‘Plane leaves at 2PM tomorrow, as Mac and I have some paperwork to sort out for Y/N’s transfer. Meet us at the Police Station at 12PM.’ He then shows the text to you. You nod, “Least we don’t have to be in early.” As Mac texts you that you need to be in at 12 to sign the papers and get a new badge. Spencer smirks, as Morgan texts him, ‘You got laid didn’t you pretty boy?’ and replies, ‘Yep.’ And turns his attention back to you. “You comfy?” He asks wrapping the duvet over your shoulder You nod, “Stay the night if you want.” “Doctor’s orders?” Spencer asked “Doctor’s orders.” You yawn and fall asleep as does Spencer. Taglist: @pumpkin-goob , @jpegjade , @andiebeaword , @hopebaker , @hotchsbabygirl , @hercleverboy , @cupcake525 , @gubetube , @aperrywilliams , @cosmic-psychickitty , @marleyhotchner​ , @gubler-me-up​ , @trina2323 , @goldentournesol​ , @jenna-jd​ , @reidgraygubler​ , @g0ldengubler​ , @gcblers​ , @peachpitfics​ 

[wiypt-writes]

Stark Spangled Forever

A Very Rogers Christmas Part 1- The Best Things In Life Are Tree

Summary: It’s that time of year again and the Rogers family prepare to go and pick their Christmas tree. But when Emmy calls with a bit of bad news, it puts a little downer on the whole thing for Katie and Steve decides to call in reinforcements to pull off the best Christmas Heist he can…

Pairing: Steve Rogers x OFC Katie Stark

A/N: So here we go, Part 1 of my Stark Spangled 2020 Christmas special- A Very Rogers Christmas.  This one was written for For @sweater-daddiesdumbdork​ and @sagechanoafterdark ‘s Winter/Holiday Challenge.

Prompt- Finding the PERFECT Tree.

"Daddy, I found something else I want to ask Santa for, for Christmas." Rori bounced into the study and Steve closed his eyes on the papers he was trying to grade and sighed. "I bet you have." He mumbled before he glanced up at his daughter and couldn't help but smile at her as she skipped over to him, her long pony tail swinging behind her "What is it, Princess?" "A capybara." she said, scrambling up onto his lap. "A what?" Steve frowned. "A capybara. Look!" she turned the tablet she was holding towards him to show him a picture of the brown animal "They're like huge guinea pigs. I saw one at the zoo with Uncle Buck yesterday and when I said I wanted one he told me to tell you that I was gonna ask Santa." "Course he did." Steve sighed, mentally cursing his asshole best friend. "You know, Rori, don't think Santa can get you one of those." "Why not?" "It’s too big." He attempted “There’s nowhere for us to keep it.” "Our garden is huge!" Rori blinked at him. "And when Emmy and Petey move into the Tower he can live in the cabin." Trust her to be as damned smart as her mother. "They're wild animals honey." Steve shook his head as he tried attempt number two. "But they live in a zoo." Rori looked up at him, her face full of eager excitement “That’s not the wild.” "Yeah but that’s different." Steve reasoned patiently. "They're not like dogs or cats or regular guinea pigs. They need very special care.” "Oh." Rori looked down a little, her shoulders slumping and Steve sighed.

Fuck you, Bucky.

"Okay. Never mind." She clicked off the screen of her tablet and turned towards Steve, looking up at him with those damned green eyes. "Do you think he could get me a kitty instead?"

No, just say no… "Maybe."

Way to go, Rogers. Rori's eyes lit up and Steve inwardly groaned. It was a well-known fact in their house that whenever Dad said maybe, it meant yes. Fuck.

“I love you Daddy!” she beamed, reaching up to press a kiss to his bearded cheek before she hopped off his lap and skipped towards the door “Oh, me and momma are going to make gingerbread men for tomorrow so we can have them when we decorate the tree.”

“Can’t wait baby.” He smiled

“Are you gonna be working tomorrow afternoon?” she asked a little shyly and he shook his head.

“No, I promise.”  He assured her. “All day tomorrow is family day.”

She gave him another huge smile, one that truly warmed his entire being as it made her look even more like his wife, and then headed out of the room, her feet pattering on the tiles of the hallway as she skipped back into the other part of the house. Steve exhaled and looked back down at the paper, groaning as he realised he’d lost his place. He’d been home early that afternoon hoping for more peace and quiet than he got in his office at the University to concentrate on getting through all these and for the most it had worked, until Jamie and Rori had arrived home from school full of it as usual. Katie had kept them out of his way for the most but the realisation that Christmas was well on the way had hit the eldest two and whipped them up into a fever.

Not that Steve particularly cared. He adored this time of year. It was Katie’s holiday and from the day after Thanksgiving the Christmas period started in full throttle in the Rogers household, and they’d picked tomorrow, 2 weeks before the schools broke up, to go and pick the trees for their lounge and hallway. He was a little disappointed that it hadn’t snowed yet, there had been a good covering the previous year but, still it was set to be a cold and dry day so they could still get bundled up and have their hot chocolate and snacks as usual.

He rubbed at his eyes and focussed, reading through the paper in front of him on the ‘Strategy, Diplomacy and politics of Axis and Allied forces in WW2’, wishing to God he was marking something on the course he was actually employed to teach now- Fine Arts- but all those had been done and graded last week. This was the module of History that he taught, because as the Uni said- he was a living, breathing expert.

Aparently.

An hour or so later he finished red-penning the final six paged essay, with a proud smile as that one had been particularly good and he quickly checked it over once more, making sure he’d captured all the notes on the electronic copy and queued it up to send on Monday, just like Katie had shown him how to, so that each student had the hard copy and soft copy back. He stood up, stretched, turned off his laptop and headed through to the main area of the house, the smell of baking and cooking hitting his nostrils as he went.

He walked into the kitchen to find Rori kneeling on one of the tall stools over the island-slash-breakfast bar, her hands and face smeared in pink icing as she decorated a gingerbread man, her little tongue poking out of the side of her mouth in concentration. Katie was stood supervising Harry who was also covered in frosting, this one bright green. Flossie sat in the highchair opposite, banging a spoon on the tray occasionally letting out a yell or babble of something incoherent. As soon as she saw Steve she gave a huge grin and her shouts became louder and he smiled.

“Hi Floss-Floss!” he beamed, crossing to drop a kiss to her head before he looked across at Katie “Where’s Jamie?”

“Upstairs in his room.” Katie gave a little sigh “He said, and I quote, ‘I’m ten now, far too old to decorate gingerbread, mom.’ I could have cried there and then Steve.” She finished with a pout.

Steve gave her a sympathetic smile, the fact her eldest baby boy was growing up was something he knew she hated “Yeah, I bet he won’t be too old to eat them, though.” He appeased and she smiled.

“That’s what I said.” Rori gave a dramatic roll of her eyes and Steve chuckled.

“You finished Grading?” Katie asked as she gently guided Harry’s hand over the cookie shaped like a Christmas tree.

“Yeah, all done. Sorry it took so long.”

“It’s okay.” She looked up at him, smiling “Your dinner is in the oven. I already ate with the kids. Sorry, I was starving.”

“I didn’t expect you to wait.”  Steve walked over the room and dropped a kiss to her cheek. “Thanks, Sweetheart.”

He made his way over to the Aga stove and opened the door, giving a little groan when he saw she’d done his favourite, a Mac and Cheese bake laced with chicken, chorizo and broccoli. He turned to look at her and didn’t miss the flicker of a smile on her face as she knew what he was thinking, before he pulled out the plate giving a yell as it burnt his fingers, dropping it onto the side with a clatter.

“Careful daddy, hot!” Harry turned to face him, and Katie burst out laughing.

“Yeah, thanks Son.” Steve tried not to roll his eyes as he sucked his thumb. Grabbing a tea-towel he gripped the plate, found some cutlery and sat down at the table to the side of the kitchen, tucking in.

“I finished all mine, Momma.” Rori grinned, placing the tube of squeezy frosting down on the side. Steve watched as Katie moved to look over Rori’s shoulder.

“Good job sweetie.” She smiled, “Creative, I’ve never seen a pink cat before.”

Steve paused and looked at Rori as she grinned “I know they’re not really pink, and my kitty won’t be, but it can have a pink collar.”

At that he winced and hastily shoved another forkful of food into his mouth, praying that the conversation stopped there.

Katie sighed “Rori we’ve been over this, you can’t have a cat.”

“Daddy said I could.”

Shit.

Katie’s eyes shot to Steve and he gave her his best innocent look, but from the way her features grew stern he knew he was utterly busted and he swallowed the food in his mouth which turned to cement in his throat.

“No, that’s not what I said.” Steve shook his head.

“You said maybe.” Rori shrugged “Same thing.”

“We getting a kitty?” Harry asked, looking at Katie.

“No.” she shook her head.

“But I asked Daddy if Santa would bring me one and he said maybe.” Rori looked at Katie.

“Well Daddy is wrong.” She glared at Steve and he visibly shrank in his seat. Katie’s green eyes narrowed before they turned back to Rori. “Santa can’t bring live animals. It’s in the rules.”

“What rules?”

“The Christmas Rules” Katie said quickly “No live animals. It’s not fair on them. They don’t like the sleigh.”

“But…”

“No buts Rori.” Katie sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose “I’m sorry honey, but it’s not gonna happen.”

Rori pouted a little but she knew when she was beat and glanced down at the cookies on the tray before she looked up, grinning smugly. “I’ll just ask Uncle Bucky to get me one. He got me Dory.”

“Oh for the love of…” Katie spluttered “Uncle Bucky won’t get you one either.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’ll tell him not to.” Katie looked at her “We have Stark. No more animals.”

Rori folded her arms and at that point Steve stepped in, sensing an impending tantrum.

“Aurora.” He said sternly and she turned her head to face him as he pointed his fork at her. “Enough.”

She glared at him before she sighed and looked at Katie “Can I get down now please?”

Katie obliged and pulled her stool out a little allowing Rori to hop down. “Stay right there little miss.”

“Why?” Rori frowned as Katie headed to the sink, coming back with a cloth. With a groan, Rori held out her hands so Katie could wipe them clean, along with the little smear of icing on her face “20 minutes and then its bath time. We’re up early in the morning.”

“Ooh, yeah!” Rori bounced excitedly “To pick our trees. Hey, can I get one for my room?”

Katie hesitated before she shrugged “You know, I saw some in the shop that already have the lights on and they change colour. We’ll get a big one for the lounge and hallway like normal and I’ll get you a special one. And you get to keep it for next year and the year after.”

Rori pondered this for a moment before she shook her head “I want a real one from the farm.”

Katie groaned, and threw her hands out to the side “Fine, just, go and watch TV or something in the Play Room.”

“I watch TV too please, Momma?” Harry asked and Katie nodded, cleaning him up too before she lifted him down off the stool. He toddled after Rori, yelling for her to wait and as soon as they were gone Katie rounded on Steve.

“Honey, I…” he began and winced as she exploded on him.

“Seriously? A damned cat?”

“She caught me unawares.”

“She always catches you unawares!” Katie scoffed “After six, almost seven years I’d have thought you’d be used it by now.”

“I only said-“

“And as usual I’m left to be the bad guy.” Katie ranted, shaking her head as she moved to turn Flossie’s chair so she was facing the table. “You’re an asshole.”

“This is technically Bucky’s fault.”

“Oh, no, Steven Grant Rogers! Don’t you are try and blame this one on Buck.” She hissed.

“But he took her to the zoo and told her to ask for a capybara!” Steve practically whined “When I said no she asked for a cat, the maybe just slipped out.” Katie paused, her arms folded, face furious and Steve peered up at her giving her a little smile “Don’t be mad, come on baby. I didn’t mean it.”

“You’re still an asshole.” She grumbled, before she crossed to the fridge and pulled out the wine. “And for that you can deal with bedtime. I’m going for a bath.”

“Sure, not a problem.” Steve nodded, swallowing more of his food. Katie poured herself a large glass before she moved to put the bottle back and then changed her mind. With the bottle in one hand, full glass in the other she made for the door. “I love you.” Steve shot as she passed him, and despite her annoyed demeanour, the slight smile that played on her face told him he wasn’t in too much trouble.  

****

All kids were bathed and in bed little over an hour later. The youngest three settled down to sleep, Jamie instructed he had an hour of TV or reading time before lights off.

“Ok Dad.” He nodded, running his hand through his hair as he tidied up his games console a little, Stark curled up on the bed.

“I’ll be in to check.” Steve looked at him, and Jamie rolled his eyes.

“Yeah, I got it. You can trust me.”

“I know.” Steve gave a chuckle “Night son.” He crossed the room to drop a kiss to his head and Jamie pushed him away.

“Gerroff, I’m ten.”

“Yeah, well, you’re still my kid so…” Steve grumbled, and Jamie burst into laughter as the pair of them began to play fight, Jamie digging Steve in the ribs with a well-aimed jab. “Ouch! “ Steve stood up, rubbing at his side, that had hurt a little too much for his liking. “Nice shot.”

“Bucky said I had a good right hook.”

Steve rolled his eyes “I don’t wanna know how he even found that out.”

“He has a punch bag in the garage.” Jamie shrugged as he flopped down onto his bed. “Like yours. He was teaching me to swing.”

“I could teach you that.” Steve replied, a little petulantly.

“Will you?”

“No. You’re ten.” He shot back and Jamie let out a groan of frustration, before Steve chuckled “Ok, I’ll teach you a little IF you promise not to use it anywhere but on the punch bag.”

“But what if I need to use it?”

“Well, that’s different.” Steve pondered, before he shook his head. “But you’re far too young to be getting into situations like that.”

“Uncle Buck said you were fighting people form the age of six. And getting your ass kicked.”

“Well, you do as I say…”

“Not as I do, yeah I got it.” Jamie grinned and Steve arched an eyebrow before he made his way to the door. He paused and turned back to look at his son, not for the first time taking in how damned tall and broad he was for his age. He pointed to Stark “Don’t let your mother catch him on the bed.”

“You know she says the same thing about you.” Jamie looked at him and Steve chuckled.

“I do, but let’s just pretend I don’t okay?”

“Okay, night dad. Love you.”

“Love you too.” Steve smiled, closing the door behind him.

He made his way back downstairs and into the lounge, and paused as he saw Katie talking into the laptop, her eyes brimming with tears.

“Don’t worry about it.” She said softly, and he could tell she was fighting to keep her face straight as Emmy’s voice came from the other side.

“I’m just gutted we can’t get home to come with you guys for the tree.”

“What’s going on?” Steve frowned as he sat next to Katie on the sofa, looking at Emmy and Peter as they both waved to him on the screen “Hey Kids.”

“The UK has been caught up in a huge snow storm.” Katie turned to him. “Their flight has been cancelled.”

“Bummer.” Steve’s frown deepened “Is there nothing from another airport?”

“Not in London.” Emmy shook her head “And the roads are that bad, even if we managed somewhere else…”

“Don’t wanna risk driving Mr R.” Pete shrugged and Steve had to give it to him, that was a sensible move.

“Wise decision.” Steve bit his lip, before he turned to Katie “Can we not get The Stark jet over? You guys should have used that anyway, not gone commercial.”

The irony of his statement didn’t pass him by, as there’d been a time when he had hated using a private jet as he felt it was ostentatious, but he’d fast learned to live with it as it was less hassle and a damned sight comfier and quicker too.

“I told you we didn’t want to.” Emmy shot back and Peter hastily cut in to prevent an argument.

“Already tried Happy before we called. He can’t get in any airfield be it private or other. I’m really sorry.”

“It’s not your fault.” Katie shook her head “If you need anything just call. Have you got a place to stay?”

“Yeah, The Savoy found us another room.” Emmy shrugged before she grimaced “I’m gonna have to put it on my credit card though.”

“Don’t worry about that.” Katie shook her head “Just do what you gotta do, we’ll sort the bill out. Do you need us to wire you some cash or-“

“No, we’ve got enough between us for that.” Pete smiled “Just the hotel. We could get somewhere cheaper if that’s-“

“If it’s that bad out there you can stay where you are.” Steve shook his head. “Don’t worry about the money kids, it’s not important.”

“Just call us if you need anything.” Katie added.

“Thanks Mom. Look, we’re gonna go try and get something to eat and then sleep” Emmy sighed “It’s past 1 am now.”

“Sure, call us tomorrow okay, keep us updated.” Steve instructed and Emmy nodded.

“Will do. Love you both.”

“And you.” Katie smiled “Stay safe, and look after each other.”

“Got it.” Emmy grinned and with that she blew them both a kiss as Peter waved and the screen went blank.

Katie bit her lip before she tapped at the keyboard of her laptop “I’m going to send her some money, just in case. I know she has plenty in her savings, but…”

Steve nodded “Good idea. Those are for a rainy day, not a snowy one.”

Katie gave a small smile as she logged into the banking, and hesitated before she transferred a few thousand over to Emmy and closed the laptop, running her hands over her face. Steve saw her shouldes shake and he gave a sigh, pulling her to him.

“Hey, come on. They’re safe. In the poshest hotel known to man.” He pressed a kiss to her head “No doubt thinking this is some kind of huge romantic adventure. Snowed in, in London, with a mini-bar, room service.”

At that thought he grimaced, as his mind took him to a very dark place about just exactly what the spider kid would be doing to his daughter in said hotel room but he shook himself out of it as Katie spoke, sniffling a little.

“I know it’s just, well we started this tradition with Emmy that first Christmas she lived with us.” Her voice cracked “We went with Tony, Pep and Nat remember?”

“I could I forget.” Steve chuckled, his hands rubbing Katie’s back “You were almost five months pregnant and had that jumper on with a huge Christmas pudding on the front.”

“I’ve still got that.” Her voice was muffled as her face pressed into his Henley.

“And Pepper was going mad when Tony bought that nine foot tree for their lounge.”

“Ours wasn’t much smaller.” Katie laughed, leaning back to wipe her eyes. “You had to trim the top off.”

Steve chuckled, his hands cupping her face “A few days after that we found out bump was blue. Hello Jamie.”

“God it seems so long ago.”

“It was.” Steve smiled pressing a kiss to her lips. “11 years.”

“Yeah.” Katie looked at him “We’ve been through a lot since then.”

Steve nodded, as he wiped her face with his thumbs “And a lot worse than this. I know it’s disappointing, kitten, and I’m gutted as well, but it can’t be helped. We’ll still have a good time and we can go out with Emmy and Peter when they get back, nice meal and a few drinks somewhere instead, just the four of us. Start a new tradition now she’s all grown up.”

“Yeah suppose.” Katie sighed “I mean when they moved out in the New Year, they might not wanna come with us to get a tree anymore.”

“Like that’s gonna happen.” Steve snorted “She’ll simply be getting one for her own place. You know she loves Christmas as much as you. All the kids do. Because you make it so special.”

“It isn’t all down to me.” She smiled “You help.”

“It’s definitely your speciality.” Steve shook his head “You do the baking, the carols, the cooking…suss the decorations out.”

“Yeah, but you hang them. And you’re the one that started leaving Santa footprints by the hearth.”

“Okay so it’s a team effort.” Steve shrugged, dropping another kiss to her lips. “It always is when the kids are concerned.” He pulled back a little and nodded to her glass “You want another?”

“I wasn’t going to but yeah, now I do.”

Steve chuckled “I’ll go get us a drink, you find us something suitably Christmassy to watch.”

He stood, pressing his lips to the crown of Katie’s head before he wandered into the kitchen. As he closed the door behind him he pulled out his phone. He’d had an idea, but hadn’t wanted to mention it to Katie just in case it didn’t work…but if it did, well, he was going to reunite his family for their tradition and earn himself major husband points.

Win win situation.

“Hey punk.” Bucky drawled as he picked up.“What’s crackalackin?”

“God you talk some shit.” Steve rolled his eyes and Bucky laughed

“Sorry, we were watching Madagascar.”

“Yeah, I know where it’s from. I got five kids, remember. Six if I count you.”

“Well you could argue Diva Doll counts for two so you really have seven.”

“Yeah, speaking of which, I got a bone to pick with you about her and a damned capybara.” Steve narrowed his eyes as he spoke and there was a pause before Bucky burst out laughing. “Yeah, laugh it up, jerk. That got me in some major shit before.”

“You didn’t say yes?”

“No of course I didn’t.” Steve sighed “But she sideswiped me asking for a damned cat and I said maybe, so…”

“You fucking moron.”

“Whatever, listen, that’s not why I’m calling anyway.” Steve sighed, his voice growing serious. “I need a favour, Buck.”

“I’m listening.” Bucky replied, before Steve explained the predicament and possible solution. When he finished there was a pause and Bucky let out a long whistle. “Man, that’s…”

“I know, I know.” Steve sighed “But I wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t desperate. Katie’s heartbroken Emmy can’t get home.”

“Well, we can’t have the second most important woman in my life upset now can we?” Bucky replied “Leave it with me.”

“Cheers buddy.”

“You’ll owe me a life time of favours if I can pull this off.”

“We’ll call it quits for you almost getting me couched.”

“Not my fault you can’t say no to your likkle Princessa.” Bucky responded and Steve snorted.

“You’ve met her, right?”

There as another pause and Bucky laughed “Point taken.”

“Not a word to Katie.” Steve instructed “Just in case you can’t do it.”

“You seriously doubt me after all this time?” Bucky sighed “That hurts Stevie.”

“You know what else will hurt?” Steve shot back “My foot up your ass.”

“You want me to do this or not?” Bucky scoffed “Because threatening me aint gonna make me wanna do you any favours.”

“No but not wanting to see my wife upset is.”

“You fight dirty, Steven.” Bucky’s voice was low and Steve could imagine the narrowed eyes he was pulling as he spoke. “Okay, I’ll call Sam now. Leave it with me.”

“Thanks Buck.”

Steve cut the call and stuffed his phone back in his pocket, running a hand over his beard. Buck was right, it was a big ask and ridiculously over the top but, well, nothing was too much for him where his family was concerned. And after everything they’d been through this year what with Flossie’s horrific birth and Katie’s post-partum depression, his amazingly brave and gorgeous wife deserved the damned world. With a sigh he yanked open the fridge as he pulled out Katie’s wine and a beer for him, simply hoping that it worked.

**** “You good?” Steve asked as Jamie hopped into the back of the Q7, taking his place on the rear row of seats.

“Yup.” Jamie grinned “I prefer it back here, Rori can’t bug me.”

“Wanna bet?” Rori turned her head and peered at him from her place in the middle of the second row and Steve shot her a look.

“Enough. I hear one sound outta you that’s annoying him, we’re coming straight home.” He said sternly. Rori eyed him shrewdly, as if weighing up whether he was serious or not and he raised his eyebrows, challenging her.

“Ok Daddy.” She shrugged, turning back round. Steve shot Jamie a wink as turned and collapsed Flossie’s little stroller. He slotted it down the side of Jamie’s seat before he shut the trunk and then quickly inspected the roof rack. Satisfied he looked up just as Katie came out of the house, Flossie on her hip, Harry jumping down the steps in front of her. He headed over to his dad and peeked up, Steve giving a laugh as his little woollen hat slipped down over his eyes.

“Come here, buddy.” He said, swinging him into his arms. The little boy gave a giggle as Steve pulled his hat straight so he could see.

“Thanks Daddy!” he smiled and Steve pressed a kiss to his rosy cheek.

“No problem. You ready to get a tree?”

He nodded “Big one!” he threw his arms out wide and Steve nodded seriously.

“The biggest.”

Ten minutes or so later they were sailing out of Brooklyn in the winter morning sun, heading for the tree farm some forty or so minutes away. True to her word, Rori was behaving and chatting to Harry, Jamie was quiet in the back doing something on his tablet and Katie was gently humming to something on the radio. Steve’s hand reached over for hers and he entwined their fingers, gently bringing her arm across his body, pressing a kiss to her wrist.

The journey pass uneventfully and as Steve announced they had arrived the kids all gave a cheer. He parked the car up and then the disembarking began along with issued orders for Jamie and Rori to stay where they were as they sorted the youngest two.

“I think I’ll just carry Floss.” Katie glanced around. “Pushing her stroller is gonna be a pain. I’ll put her in the carrier.”

“You sure?” Steve asked “I would say I’d do it but…”

“You’re gonna be carrying trees, yeah I know.” Katie waved him away. “Its fine, she’s not heavy. Besides, she’ll be too big to do this with next year.”

Steve smiled at her wistful tone, and between them they had Flossie strapped to Katie’s back in no time, having become experts at it over the years. Katie glanced over her shoulder as Flossie gave her a hug grin, before she peeked around and started to gabble animatedly.

“Ready?” Steve looked around and held the hand that wasn’t containing the saw out, Rori taking it as Katie took Harry’s, Jamie falling into step at her other side next to Steve who strategically placed himself between his eldest son and Rori to avoid any potential arguments between the two siblings.

“Want me to take that Dad?” Jamie asked, nodding to the saw. Steve hesitated then shrugged, it had the safety cover on so he handed it over, Jamie slinging it over his shoulder proudly, stepping in front of them a little and Harry wriggled his hand free of Katie’s and ran forward to take Jamie’s. Jamie smiled down at him and Steve shared a glance with Katie as she smiled at him, slipping her hand into his. The family made their way to the entrance and as they approached the various little trade stands, one of which was selling various hot drinks and baked snacks. Katie took a deep breath and smiled, the warming scents of spices, cinnamon and pine hitting her nostrils.

“Smells exactly the same.” She beamed and then frowned as Steve was looking around, blatantly not listening to her as he was busy studying something to their right.

“Hey!” she tugged on his hand and he glanced down at her.

“Sorry, honey.” He diverted his attention “Just saw someone I know.”

“Oh, from work?” she asked.

“Not exactly.” He nodded in the direction he had been looking and Katie spun at the same time Rori let out a shriek.

“Emmy!” she yelled, wrenching her hand free of Steve’s and bolting towards her sister as she strode towards them alongside Peter, Bucky and Sam.

“I don’t-how?” Katie was struggling for words at the sheer emotion of seeing her eldest daughter, who should still be stranded in England, sweeping Rori into hug. “Steve? What?”

“You got Bucky and Sam to thank.” He said gently, as she spun between them all, before she strode forward meeting Emmy halfway and throwing her arms around her.

“Hey mom!” Emmy smiled, before she pulled back and gently waggled Flossie’s hand. “Hi Floss!”

“How did you get here?” Katie sniffed, wiping her eyes, chuckling before she gave Pete a hug.

“Quinjet.” Emmy grinned “It was awesome. Hey Dad!”

“Hey, sweetheart.” Steve swept her up into a huge hug, picking her up slightly off the ground kissing her head. “Nice to have you home.”

“Hold up, a Quinjet?” Katie looked at Emmy, then to Bucky who shrugged.

“Yeah well Steve rang me last night begging for my help…” he began, putting on a whiney voice “Please Buck, I can’t do this without you Buck, you know the usual.” Steve rolled his eyes as Bucky sniggered. “So, me and Birdbrain set off on a daring rescue mission.”

“Yeah, we totally used and abused Fury’s equipment.” Sam chuckled, as he pressed a kiss to Katie’s cheek as he gave her a hug. “He’s gonna be pissed when he finds out.”

“Oh, screw him!” Katie gave a laugh as she turned to Bucky, wrapping her arms round him. “Thank you so much!”

“Anything for you darlin’” he beamed before she stepped back and spun to face Steve, reaching up and grabbing his face. With a smile she pulled him down to meet her in a long, deep kiss.

“Thank you.” She whispered against his lips, and he beamed at her, his nose brushing hers. “I love you, so much.”

“Love you too.” He smiled, before he drew himself up, a little embarrassed at their PDA in front of his two friends and the kids. “Right, who’s ready to go tree picking?”

“We’ll leave you to it.” Bucky smirked as various excited shouts rang out around them. “I’ve got stuff to do with Jen and Sam’s…ahhhh, crap.” The smile on his face turned into a grimace and Steve spun round to see a familiar figure in a trench coat and eyepatch stood by a black SUV watching from a distance.

“Son of a-” Steve snorted, shaking his head as Fury started walking towards of them. “He still knows everything.”

“You have no idea. “Sam muttered.

“Oh, trust me, we do.” Katie grinned as Fury stopped in front of them.

“Someone wanna tell me why one of my jets was in London this morning?” Fury looked at Bucky, then to Sam, then to Peter, all three of them giving him an innocent look.

“Well, there was a thing.” Bucky shrugged “Emergency.”

“Emergency.” Fury dead panned “So nothing to do with a certain Miss Rogers and Mr Parker being stuck in London in snow storm?”

“How do you know this stuff?” Bucky looked at him.

“I told you Barnes, you wanna get one up on me you gotta keep both eyes open.” He levelled him with a look. “Happy called me in a flap to see if I could action a pick up and I told him I wasn’t running a damned Uber service. And then one of them went missing so I put two and two together and looks like I came up with four” He paused and shrugged, smirking a little “Plus, you forgot to wipe the mission log.”

“Damned it Tin Man!” Sam shoved Bucky “You dick, I told you!”

As the two men began to squabble Fury raised his eyebrows and turned to Steve and then Katie, a small smile flickered across his face “Nova, Cap. Long-time no see.”

“Hi Nick.” Steve smiled, reaching out and shaking his hand.

Fury jerked his head as Katie shook his hand, his eyes roving over each of their kids in turn. “I’ll say. You’ve been busy I see.”

Katie gave a huff “One way of putting it.”

Nick arched an eyebrow before he sighed and turned to Bucky and Sam who were still bickering. “Imma let this one slide.” He spoke loudly, the two men instantly turning to face him. “But only because it’s the holidays and I’m in a good mood.”

“You know technically Stark Industries owns half those jets. Tony paid for and designed a lot of the tech on them after all.” Katie quipped and Nick looked at her, before he let out a laugh.

“You’re more like your brother than you’ll ever care to admit” he shook his head as she snorted, pointing at her.

“Worse people to be like.” She smiled fondly, and Fury gave one last scoff before he turned to Sam and Bucky.

“I’ll see you two later. Now, imma go get me some churros then split.” He looked back at them all “Merry Christmas.”

As they all waved him off, watching the curious glances he attracted as he strode towards the hot food stand and then Harry tugged on Steve’s sleeve, causing him to turn his attention from Fury to the little boy.

“Daddy, who’s the pirate?” Harry asked.

There was a pause before Katie burst out laughing, Steve following suite as they both shared a knowing glance, remembering Tony’s fond little nickname for their one time director.

The Goth Pirate.

“He’s an old friend of mine and your momma’s “Steve explained before he glanced up, not surprised to find that once more Fury had disappeared from sight. “We haven’t seen him in a while. And I doubt we will again for a long time.”

There were more hugs shared and after another final thank you to Sam and Bucky, Katie demanding they come over later for drinks, the four remaining adults and four kids all headed into the farm and the chaos began as they began to scout for their perfect trees.

“So we need two large ones.” Katie spoke, “And one for Emmy and Pete in the Cabin and a smaller one for Rori’s room.” she paused “Jamie, did you want one for your room too?”

“Nah, it’s okay.” He shook his head “Thanks though.”

“So four over all.” Steve nodded. “Okay gang, let’s find us some trees.”

They decided to get Rori’s first as it would be smaller and easier to carry once they’d picked it. They set about walking down the various aisles, and before long the jokes started flowing and they were getting worse and worse with time.

“What would you get if you ate the Christmas decorations?” Pete asked and Jamie looked at him, arching a brow. “Tinselitis.”

“Oh God.” Emmy snorted “That’s as bad as one of dad’s”

“Which reminds me.” Steve said, a smirk on his face, “Did you guys hear the forecast for Christmas eve? They’re predicting rain, deer…”

Katie and Emmy both let out a groan as Jamie and Peter howled with laughter.

“What do you call an elf that runs away from Santa’s workshop?” Jamie asked and Steve paused before he shrugged.

“No idea.”

“A rebel without a Clause…”

Katie, Steve, Emmy and Pete burst out laughing as Pete held out his hand to hi-five him. Jamie grinned.

“That’s a good one buddy.” Steve chuckled. “Where did you hear that?”

“Moo text me before.” He smiled “She said her and Auntie Pep had been googling them to put in their cards this year.”

“Like Father like daughter.” Katie smiled to herself, a little nostalgically as a memory of her brother crashed over her and Steve pulled her a little closer, his hand tightening on hers as he dropped a kiss to her head.

After half an hour or so of scouting and plenty of excited shouts and laughter, Rori paused in front of a tree that was the same height as her and she gave a gasp.

“Daddy, that one.” She pointed.

“You sure?” he cocked his head to one side. The tree was leaning to one side, the branches completely uneven, sticking out at all angles and the top was bent. “It’s a bit-”

“It’s perfect.” Rori insisted.

“Okay Princess, whatever you say.”  He looked at Katie as she smiled, her hand dropping to the back of Rori’s head. “Jamie, you got the saw?”

“Yup.” Jamie nodded, passing it over and they all watched as Steve gripped the trunk of the small tree with one hand a little higher up and began to cut it towards the bottom. He could have easily snapped the trunk with his bare hands but he played the part and in four strong swipes it pulled free with a little crack and Rori gave a shriek and clapped her hands.

“I love it!”

Once the safety cover was back on the saw they continued their search, walking towards the slightly bigger trees they spotted and Katie paused in front of a large, Norwegian spruce and reached out, gently crushing one of the needles between her fingers. She took a sniff and stepped back, nodding.

“That one.”

“I still can’t believe you pick them with the smell.” Steve shook his head.

“It’s not all the smell.” She protested “There’s a lot to consider. The height, width and spacing of the branches…this one’s just right for the corner in the lounge. And that one two down will do for the hallway.”

Steve chuckled, knowing better than to argue. “Positive?”

Katie nodded and once more Jamie passed him the saw. This time they all stepped back as Steve crouched down on the ground, expertly cutting the trunk and just the right place. As he took the final swipe, the tree pitched over to a loud shout of “Timberrrrr” from Jamie and Peter and it landed with a thud.

Harry gave a loud cackle and clapped, Flossie shrieking too as Steve then moved two down and repeated the action with a slightly smaller one that would sit in the entrance lounge directly in front of the photo of the pair of them at their wedding, so it would be the first thing anyone saw as they walked into the house.

Emmy strode past the tree to one that was behind it and then nodded to Pete “I think this one will do. I kinda like the way it fans out at the bottom.”

“Sure, Em.” He smiled “Mr R?”

“Oh, here.” Steve handed him the saw and watched as Pete cut his and Emmy’s first Christmas tree down, his arm round Katie’s waist, lips softly kissing Flossie’s cheek as the baby grinned. He arched an eyebrow as Emmy pressed a kiss to Pete’s lips, giving a soft huff as Katie dug him in the ribs, shooting him a warning glance which he returned with an innocent one of his own.

“Well, that was easy.” Emmy commented “It took us 2 hours last year.”

“They need to be right.” Katie shrugged simply, Steve and Emmy exchanging a look before Steve watched as Pete hoisted his tree easily onto his shoulder. It still surprised Steve how strong Peter was, even though it shouldn’t, he knew he was enhanced after all.

“I’ll take Rori’s, Dad.” Jamie stepped forwards, puffing his chest out a little, picking the smaller tree up easily and placing it on his shoulder, in an identical manner to Pete. Steve actively fought the urge to laugh as Jamie began to walk besides Peter and Emmy, clearly proud as punch at being able to help before he turned to Katie.

“Don’t say it.”

Katie laughed “Oh I’m gonna.” she smirked “If he was any more like you I’d be convinced he was a clone.”

Steve snorted as he bent down and easily lifted their two trees onto his shoulders, before they followed a little slower due to Harry being with them. Steve maneuvered around the other tree pickers as they went, his boot clad feet traipsing on the damp of the ground as they made their way back towards the main entrance and joined Pete, Emmy and Jamie at the place ready to pay. As the various helpers, all dressed in little Elf outfits bustled around to wrap their trees and strap them to the roof of the Audi, Katie was suddenly struck with a little problem.

“Hang on.” she turned to Emmy as she thanked the man who’d been dealing with and handed over the cash. “How are you two gonna get home if Bucky and Sam left?”

At that Pete gave a little grin and pulled a set of keys out of his pocket, “Mr Wilson let me borrow his Chevvy.”

“Yeah they went home on Buck’s bike.” Emmy shrugged and at that Steve let out a huge laugh.

“What?” Katie asked.

“Sorry, I’m just picturing those two riding pillion.” He snorted “I give it five minutes before Sam ended up tells Buck to let him off on account of him driving his Ducatti like a maniac.”

“You’ve no room to talk.” Katie scoffed and Steve looked at her with mock outrage.

“Mom?” Jamie asked and Katie turned to him “Can we get a drink now please?”

“Sure, come on.” She smiled and they headed over to the stall. She purchased a hot cider each for her, Steve, Emmy and Pete before hot chocolate for each of the kids along with a selection of donuts, churros and Stollen as Steve took Flossie back to the car so they could pop her in the stroller. They made their way over to one of the benches by the side and sat down and Steve returned, parking Flossie besides them before he handed her a piece of a donut and slipped his arm round Katie, pressing a kiss to her cheek.

“You have a good time?” he asked.

“Yeah.” She beamed, before she glanced over at the other side of the bench. Jamie was settled to Emmy’s left, talking to her about school, as she nodded along whilst Rori was perched on Peter’s knee as she animatedly told him about how she was going to decorate her tree in unicorn colours. Harry meanwhile sat in between both Pete and Emmy, his little frame chewing on a donut as he grinned at his parents who smiled back. Katie turned to look a Steve again, leaning up to kiss him softly “It’s been perfect, thank you for making sure we were all together.”

“Well it wouldn’t be a Rogers Christmas otherwise would it?” he smiled, kissing her again.

“Get a room.” Emmy grumbled and Steve turned to her as she smirked, shoving a piece of donut in her mouth.

“Watch it young lady.” Steve pointed at her.                      

“Daddy.” Rori asked “Can I go with Pete in their car to Target? I need decorations for my Princess Tree.”

Steve hesitated for a while and Pete hastily cut in “It’s no bother Mr Rogers.”

“Yeah we need some for ours.” Emmy nodded.”So we’re going anyway.”

“I come too?” Harry asked hopefully and Emmy shrugged

“If Momma and Daddy say it’s ok, course you can, squirt.”

Steve looked at Katie who shrugged “Fine by me. Sure you can manage them?”

Emmy rolled her eyes “They’re no bother.” She then turned to Jamie “You wanna come too?”

“Hell no.” he said hastily, peering round at Rori before he shook his head “I’m going home for some peace and quiet.”

Both Steve and Katie let out a loud laugh, as Katie shook her head “Oh Jamie.”

“What?” he frowned.

“Nothing pal.” Steve smiled, reaching for his cider. “Nothing at all.”