#because they'll get dragged down with their cause if the cause has anything to say about it.

[oathbips]

I'm Sleeping On The Couch Pt. 2 - Gun, DG

summary: how they'll react to you saying you'll sleep on the couch after an argument

part 1, part 2

content: angst to fluff, reader x gun/dg

author's note: this took longer than i expected so there's only 2 instead of 3. it was a lot harder writing these two especially james so i apologize if he feels too ooc

You can feel your nerve rising the more this argument was dragging out but you were trying your best to not let it show. The last thing you wanted was for him to see how much he was getting to you because in contrast to you, Gun was more nonchalant than ever right now. He’s sitting there, taking hits of his cigarette while wearing this unbothered expression as he stares at you with a look that’s silently asking if you were done with whatever this was that you wanted to make a big deal out of. Which just ends up angering you even more. 

“Gun. This is ridiculous.” 

“It sure is.” 

“No, I mean how you’re not listening to me.” 

“I heard you.” 

“You’re hearing me but you’re not listening!” You finally had enough. All the effort of not trying to let him get to you failed, and he actually got to you. It has always been like this. Every argument you both had always ended up with only you being riled up while Gun on the other hand stays unfazed. It makes you feel like you’re the crazy one, always yelling and screaming at him. He never yells back or even gets angry at you for snapping at him but you honestly wished sometimes he did because that way, it’ll show that he at least cares just a little bit. The constant nonchalance and monotone replies he returns hurts you. It feels like he never takes you seriously, that he never cares. 

In response to your outburst, Gun took the last remaining hit of his cigarette before huffing out the smoke — putting it out once he was done. He then discarded it in the ashtray before finally standing up, making his way towards you but you swiftly turned away. You wanted to quickly make an escape to the bathroom as you felt tears threatening to spill out of frustration. A sigh leaving your lips as you try to collect yourself and hold back the tears.

“Whatever. Let’s just go to sleep.” You stated before shutting the bathroom door behind you. 

It was now Gun who was in the bathroom doing his night routine while you’re in the shared bedroom, finishing the last remaining steps of yours. The fight flashed through your mind as you got on your side of the bed. You sneakily avoided him when you got out of the bathroom earlier, so he couldn’t see your red puffy eyes and stained tears from crying but no doubt he will notice them once he joins you in bed. You didn’t want him to see you like this but more than anything, you didn’t feel like sleeping next to him after everything that just happened. It seems so childish and you know it is but you simply can’t help getting up from where you laid, collecting your pillow, grabbing a small blanket from the closet, and making your way down to the couch in the living room. 

You laid there, twisting and turning trying to get comfortable while the distant sound of the sink running could be heard in the background. It took a good minute or two before you finally settled, getting comfortable. All the stress and tension earlier soon follows, crashing down on you and your body gives in to exhaustion. Half lidded eyes finally close as you drift into a slumber sleep. 

A sudden jolt shook you awake from your slumber. You tried stirring around, heavy eyelids fighting to open and see what’s going on. To your surprise, you soon realize your attempted stirrings are futile once it finally kicks in that your body is currently being lifted up in the air right now, held tightly by a pair of strong arms. All drowsiness finally subsides as your widened eyes finally lay on the person causing all of this. 

“G-Gun?!” You yelped, surprised.

“You’re awake? Go back to sleep.”

“What are you doing?” 

“What are you doing sleeping on the couch?” His question made you remember the fight you guys just had earlier, why you were sleeping on the couch in the first place. 

“Oh…”

“The bed is this way.” He said before you could even find an appropriate reply to his question.

“I know that.”

“Didn’t look like you did.” A pout formed on your face from that and you decided to just stay quiet the whole way to the bedroom. When you both finally arrived at the bed, he gently placed you down on your side before going back out to fetch your pillow. Coming back, he walked towards you and placed it under your head while you stared at him longingly. You really wanted to try once more to talk it out for once instead of getting brushed off like always. 

“…Can we please talk about it tomorrow? Seriously this time.” 

He paused at the question and the room fell silent for half a minute before he finally let out a sigh. “Fine. But go to sleep first.” He stated, then plants a kiss on your forehead. 

“Okay. Goodnight, Gun.” 

“Goodnight.” He said when he finally made it to his side, laying down and pulling you towards him as he placed another kiss on your lips this time.

“I thought you said you wanted to start anew and leave your past behind you?” 

“I do.” 

“It doesn’t seem that way to me, James.” 

It’s been 30 minutes since you and your boyfriend have been going on about this. You were one of the few that knew the truth behind his identity and his life in the past. You knew that he has abandoned that old life and has been starting anew or so he said he was. Because looking at him right now, it looks like he is still very much involved in indulging his past life, and you hated it. It was dangerous and you’re not particularly proud of the choices he was making back then. When he told you before you both started dating that he wanted to forget his past, you were in full support of it. You would not have agreed to even be by his side like you are right now if that wasn’t the case. So, you’re having a hard time trying to understand why these days, you’ve been catching him in the act of meeting up with Eugune and even involving Daniel in whatever it is he’s trying to do involving his old past. You tried confronting him about this before but your attempted confrontation always ended in vain with him dodging and changing the subject. 

“It doesn’t involve you, so don’t worry about it. Just trying to clean up some mistakes in the past.”

“What mistakes are you talking about? You said you were done.”

“If I was actually done, I wouldn’t have to be doing all this would I, Y/n?” 

“Then what are the mistakes that you’re not done with, James? Why won’t you tell me?”

“I told you it doesn’t involve you so don’t worry about it.” 

You really didn’t have the energy anymore to keep continuing this argument after that statement. That’s what he always says and if you have to hear that sentence one more time, you really feel like you’ll lose it. Truth be told, it hurts you every time he would say that. You’re more than aware of how shady his past was, but if it was all behind him now, why can’t he trust you enough to tell you? 

“Okay, whatever. That’s fine. I’m going to bed now.” You stated, ending the argument there. It was no use trying to push an answer out of him when he has been avoiding it for months now. Today wasn’t going to be any different. 

From where James stood, he could see your defeated expression as you started to walk away from him. He felt a pang of guilt rising in him. Of course, he trusted you, more than anything if he were to be completely honest. It’s just he doesn’t want to involve you in his reckless past, especially this one. James told you he was a changed man and he meant it so he didn’t see the need to bring his old sins into your life. He’s about to follow you to apologize until he sees you walking out of the bedroom with your pillow and a blanket around your arms. He couldn’t help but widened his eyes in shock and confusion as to what you were planning to do. 

“What are you doing?”

“I think I’ll sleep out on the couch tonight.” You replied, deadpan. New waves of shock overtake James’ expression as he stares at you in disbelief. “...Seriously?” Was all he could ask in return. This issue was bothering you that much for you to do something so petty as sleeping on the couch instead of with him? He thought it was childish, he really did, but he felt more sad than anything that he had upset you this much. For the first time in his life, he finds himself scattering his brain to find anything he could say to reverse this. 

“Wait.” He managed. You looked at him in expectedly, waiting for him to continue on with what he has to say. You’ll be lying if you said you weren’t hoping for him to finally tell you what you’ve been wanting to hear, for him to finally open up to you. But a part of you knew better than to get your hopes up. Still, you patiently wait for him to elaborate himself as the silence continues to drag out. 

“... I’m sorry.” You stayed silent to that, expecting more than just a “I’m sorry”, but before you could speak up, he beat you to it, cutting you off.

“Just trust me. Please. Once this is all over, I’ll tell you everything you want to know but for now, just trust me. That’s all I’m asking.” 

You stood in silence, taking in what he just said. His statement held such a desperate plea and he looked more vulnerable than you’ve ever seen him right now. You’re sad he’s not telling you more, but you can tell that this meant greatly to him and whatever he’s doing must have a bigger purpose than you can understand. You finally exhaled a sigh, accepting the situation you’re in.

“Okay. I trust you but please, be careful.”

“I will, you don’t have to worry.” 

A smile finally appears on his face before he pulls you close to him, placing a chaste kiss on your forehead. “Still going to sleep on the couch now?” He said teasingly, resulting in you rolling your eyes. “And if I said I am?” 

“I can’t let that happen.” He countered and reached out to place his hands on your soft cheeks. He gently strokes them and then leans in to finally plant a deep kiss on your lips, leaving you breathless.

[bandtrees]

the thing about curly is that it feels like a copout to describe him as "too nice" but i think that really is the situation with him. i feel when talking about him as a leader there's a lot of talk about the anya and jimmy stuff but i feel not a lot about the parts that show his passiveness causing problems before then.

most notably, that he let daisuke aboard a ship not made for five people, and that he told the others about the layoffs before he was meant to. both very well-intentioned, interpersonally Nice things to do, that were welcome as a friend who cares about the crew, but less so as an authority figure who's supposed to have a spine about those sorts of things.

he's not really thinking about the repercussions for revealing this information, or the impact it'll have on his crew's mental states in the months they have left for their last haul, because in his eyes - and this is something he tells both anya and jimmy - they'll Get Through It Together. curly is someone who reassures the people around him a lot in his dialogue. he cares a lot about people but does, in fact, care too much, and when it comes down to it, he can't do much except care.

an important thing to note with the anya situation (specifically in contrast to the "curly only cared about jimmy" take i see around) is that curly does reassure her, and i think did genuinely believe what he was saying when he told her everything was going to be okay and that they'd figure it out together. it's just that he also told those things to jimmy, and when you're a person as passive as curly, if you don't put your foot down people are going to weasel in and use that as an opening.

curly was a good friend, but not a good leader. there's only so much that reassurances without tangible action can do for someone in the state anya was in. he likely let daisuke board because he felt for and liked him, disregarding the fact it was literally unsafe for him to do so because of the pod situation. he told the crew they were getting laid off because it felt right for him to do so, he acted as a "friend" and not as a "leader".

and this is really cool contrast to jimmy, imo, who has no sense of compassion and is quick to take impulsive, ruthless decisions he expects praise for by sole virtue of being hard. jimmy would rather mouthwash someone's open wounds and force another to commit cannibalism than mercy-kill them - because someone dying under his care means he failed, and he can't have that, and so he will drag out their suffering for as long as humanly possible. he can't actually face the consequences of his actions.

both of them have this mantra of "i can fix it" without actually fixing much of anything - however i think curly differs in that he's a compassionate person who doesn't mind being on the same level as his crew (for better or worse), meanwhile jimmy can never shake the title of "captain" and the inflated sense of importance it gives him and that he projects onto curly. curly cares but doesn't act, jimmy acts but doesn't care.

BUT - i think a really interesting thing here too is how they act in the immediate danger of the crash. jimmy hides with his hands on his head, catatonic, while curly rushes in to try and salvage the ship even when it'll endanger him. jimmy is unable to face the gravity of what he did, while curly - even if he's not a good captain socially - is willing to put himself in danger to fix it. it gives the impression that while curly can't raise a hand against other people, he's willing to go down with his ship and put others before himself.

and putting others before himself is his entire relationship with jimmy, no? curly's dialogue with his crewmates is very reassuring, with a generous "we'll fix it together" attitude (see his patience with daisuke in the foam scene, and how he offers to do jimmy's psych eval when anya doesn't want to (compared to how jimmy would likely handle those situations, as we see when he yells at anya when asked to do tasks for her)) - BUT i would argue it's even moreso apparent with jimmy.

curly's povs, in my mind, offer the views on characters we don't see from jimmy's perspective, as jimmy cherrypicks scenes to paint anya as incompetent, daisuke as stupid and spoiled, swansea as mean and unstable - with curly, we see anya is gossipy and likes to joke around, daisuke is willing to fix problems by himself even if he struggles, et cetera. and with curly, we see, in how he talks to and about jimmy, he's very... concerned for him? and walks on eggshells around him.

^^^ after jimmy has pivoted a conversation curly was having about his life to be about his insecurities, and curly takes the bait and reassures him.

in general, he seems wary of jimmy as someone who will blow up if not reassured.

and he talks to, and about him, like he's taken on this quasi-therapist "responsible" role for him. he has this very... mental health-centered way of talking to jimmy - we'll fix it together, one day at a time, hey i believe in you, etc. which gives me the impression of, and this happens very often, a very trusting and overly-empathetic guy who's been roped into a relationship with someone whose safety and actions have been made his responsibility.

(i obviously don't mean this to woobify curly, or to diminish the game's commentary on rape culture, but rather to express that there's more to curly's behavior around jimmy than "shitty men cover for eachother".)

and i think one of the ultimate tragedies of curly's character is that, in the end, what jimmy projects on him -

-was true. this is how curly thought, before he was forced to come to terms, via experiencing jimmy's abuse of him, witnessing anya's suicide and the others' bodies, that jimmy was a monster who was never going to care about curly the way curly cared about him.

but, because jimmy views curly, now disabled, as a complete blank slate because he physically cannot speak for himself, jimmy continues to project upon him the dynamic that did exist between them - no matter the horrors he puts curly through, because if curly let him get away with it then, he'd let him get away with it now, right?

and when curly didn't put his foot down when it mattered, he now no longer can - and so jimmy's words, as long as he's as unable to speak for himself as he was back then, will be in his mouth forever.

:(

[seventhcallisto]

Chapter 1 — "why didn't you answer my call?"

—Deep Down.

Toc/cw; read prologue or you'll be v confused!! Touching. Nothing much except world building. Language. Heats are the omega equivalent for periods(without the bl00d). I said what I said. Heat suppressants work, they just sedate the need for a knot(#worldbuilding). Angst at the end, lots of it throughout(it gets better I swear.)

It's not a surprise when the majority of unanswered texts come from mingi. You left without warning, and to think; he thinks he was the one who sent you to the hospital. All because he simply bumped into you. You feel bad. You feel terrible. Yet you're so scared you're gonna say something and reveal what really is going on.

Your hip, ankle, shoulder, and elbow ache. Your hips for two reasons. You scratch at the bandage on your elbow.

"You want me to lie?" You mumbled into the speaker. On the other side is your manager, no, not jongsik, but the overly obsessive and pushy manager that takes care of most of the groups publicity and what can and will be said. "I don't want to lie to them, they'll figure it out" you continue, growing more upset.

"Just until your next uhm. Cycle. Then the company can break the news publicly and personally to them." Song Pilyoung. Mr. Pil. Answers, as if expecting you to say that.

It hasn't even been a day since your last heat. You're supposed to keep up with your lies and completely change demeanor and body back to your old self for a month? When you know your obvious behavior will be to coddle and preen at any affections from the alphas you so desperately missed during your heat.

Seonghwa, who knows when the slightest thing is off with you. Who can tell when you're sick based on how you act and watches you so intensely under his pretty keen eyes, even when he bites you, ever so gently, you think, compared to the aggressive chomps he does to the rest of the guys.

Yeosang, who genuinely likes to be near anything that smells like you or makes him think of you, which he shyly admitted, who ever so gently leans his head on your shoulder when he has a stressful day. Yeosang who you constantly are seen next to, brushing arms gently with.

Mingi who continously hugs and drags his long limbs across you, because you're the only member who won't complain and will put up with him, who shares his food with you, but only you because he likes the way you follow him without questioning what it is you're being fed. but it's indulgent. You like how he casts himself on you and the way he grabs your chin when he wants you to try a piece of food.

Yunho who can't help but hold your hand whenever he's next to you, because an alpha and beta can have that public privacy without being seen as dating, yet you hope he doesn't feel the quickening pulse vibrating your fingers, yunho who defends your name and includes you in any type of conversation if you're nearby.

San who, for some reason, always flirts with you the hardest, only for you to plainly respond or brush him off because you're a beta, and you tell him so - not because you know he doesn't mean what he says, right?. San who sits side by side with you and makes sure the blanket covers you when you sit at award shows, even going as far as to take his own suit jacket off and maybe cover you from prying eyes.

Wooyoung, who gatekeeps you too much when he gets the chance, who stands behind you to make sure you get up the stairs safely, and so no one peeks up at you. Who always tells you about the drama with other alphas cause he knows you don't gossip, wooyoung whos smile makes you smile, whos lips make yours want to gravitate towards them.

Jongho, who you baby yourself - but always steps up to take anything on your shoulders that seems too heavy. Even during any type of game, he'll give you the answer and never regret it. He who will share his jacket and shuffle closer when he sees you shivering. When his eyes meet yours across the room just because you assumed he was searching for something, he holds the contact until you pull away. he warms you more than the jacket he lends you whenever it seems the slightest bit cold.

Hongjoong, who lets you sleep in his bed when you have a nightmare, who people say favorites you the most. how his calming scent always drags you under and sparks fireworks within you, how you never indulged yourself to scoot closer and be wrapped up in his arms anywhere at any time whenever he looks at you. He who leaves his clothing in your room, who silents everyone immediately when he knows you have something to say.

When did you realize you felt like this? For a while, actually, you would never say that, though. Feelings are feelings, yet you'll be with these guys the rest of your life, and you don't want to ruin anything. Plus, you're just another pack member. You're genuinely sure all of those moments can be because they're protective. You highly doubt they feel the same.

"I can't promise anything" you sigh as you tell Mr. Pil. "Great, I've got a driver on his way to you already, he's picked up everything you'll need for the month."

Perfect.

You see yourself out of the idle apartment. "Bye, gorgeous!" Yuqi and shuhua wave down the hallway. Miyeon is the one to walk you down, making sure you make it out safely.

You've washed yourself of their scent as much as you can. A bag of fresh, unworn and recently bought clothes are given to you provided by miyeon after your shower. You've got to undo ever being there, so you scrub yourself free of every scent of them. A new bottle of shampoo, conditioner, body soap, and perfume is given to you. Each of the members have an assortment of things they don't use or didn't want anymore. Which is very convenient for you.

From the pile, they each pick out things beta-you would have liked. Current omega-you doesn't have the same nose beta-you had. So you have to rely on your best friends' scents and recollection to give you things you would have liked. Which is how you smell as close to as you did before. You just tweaked a bit because you gotta like at least some of your smell. The girls give in. Your new permanent scent. A smell; omega-you indulges in which you didn't before. A lingering scent of sweets and tropicals you try not to get used to under the chaotic neutral tone your old scent gave off, a love-hate feeling.

You pull the hoodie snug. Miyeons pants are a bit tight, considering she doesn't work out as much as you do. A plain black and white track suit. "This is me," you sigh as the sleek black car pulls up. Miyeon is silent, yet you wait for her to speak anyway. "You're always welcomed here, you know that, right?" She nudges your shoulder with her hand.

"I know."

"And if you need anything. Anything. you call or text." She adds. "I know." "You know we love you, new sex and all" she smiles, you laugh. "That's very reassuring, thanks, love you too." You want to hug her, but you'll know it'll undo the scent process you just spent all morning working on.

"If anyone gives you problems, tell em idles' got your back." she grins, pressing a single digit finger to your forehead. "Bye cutie pie," she ushers you off the sidewalk and towards the car.

The ride back is full of anxiety. How are you supposed to explain the reason you haven't responded to the number of messages they left? Maybe cause you were actually too busy going through a terrible, disgusting, uncomfortable heat by yourself with no relief for days on end.

You can't say that though.

"Mr. Chen, are the guys at the apartment?" You speak to the driver. He's an older omega man, one you've come to know personally. The man in the passenger seat, an alpha, doesn't seem to care when you talk to him. "No miss, they're at the stadium filming." Chen glances at you through the rear-view mirror. "Filming?" You repeat. "Yes ma'am, filming for the music video starts today.."

Right. Of course. How could you forget? You've memorized everything down to the tiniest detail in the span of two weeks before your sudden omega sex came and distracted you. But you doubt you'll be picture perfect. At least in your own eyes.

The car passes the turn to your apartment. You can see the building in the distance. "Mr Chen, are we not going to the apartment?" The man in the passenger seat sits up and turns around to look at you. His eyes hold irritation. "Listen, beta, we're going to the filming site. Yeah? Got it? Be patient. Sit back."

If you were childish enough, you would have kicked his seat. You scoff. Falling back, letting the disrespect go. You gotta let it go. Don't fist fight a random alpha with a superiority complex.

Don't do it.

As soon as chen comes to a stop at the designated location, the alpha pops open his car door. You wait for him to get between your door and his. Boom. You slam your door open on his tush.

He pulls back, glancing between you and the door. There's a flare to his nostrils. One, you know only a pissed person would showcase. And god, is it satisfying to slam the door behind you and smile like the petty person you are.

"Woops," you simply say. His pissed face urks you to stand your ground. He doesn't hesitate to walk up to you, a crazed look in his eyes. "You-"

Your name is called in the distance, and you know exactly who's calling it. Your head whips, and your heart skips a beat. Running straight towards you are the guys, emerging straight from the field to your right. They look unreal, like they popped out of a commercial.

Mingi is the first to slam into you.

"Hey, ow!" You laugh, pulling him in tighter. The alpha, whose energy dissipates, turns away as if he wasn't about to go off on you.

Mingis arms are a welcoming feeling. He twirls you around, taking on your weight like it's his own. There's a certain desperation in his tight hold. You feed into it, pulling him just as tightly by the shoulders.

"Are you okay? Why didn't you answer my calls?" He pulls away only enough to scan your face. Maybe you really shouldn't, but mingis face is picture perfect. Whatever the makeup artists have done to make him look this good, it surely is based on hard work and years of perfection. Or maybe it's just mingi.

You stutter to answer, "I'm sorry, I wasn't.. really allowed to" it's half the truth. His hands fall to your hips, silent as he takes you in. "I'm sorry," he says, pulling his lip under his teeth. He genuinely looks sorry. Your eyebrows shoot up in surprise. "Mingi! No, I'm fine, completely." You pull his hands off you, missing the smell of sea salt and jasmine. You spin around. "Fine! See? Mingi.. i-"

Another pair of arms scoop you up. Silencing whatever you were saying, it's yunho this time, smiling ear to ear. And immediately after, waiting patiently next to mingi is San, his eyes flicker behind you, but as soon as you look his way, he catches your face. "Hey," he says so simply, with that sneaky grin he always has, yet you can tell he wants to say more.

"Hi," you say simply back, pulling both Yunho and San into a tighter hug. "How was it?" San asks, his voice is so sultry, something you missed, your mind goes haywire. "What?" Your face falls. "How was being away for so long? You missed us, right?" San laughs.

"Missed you? Never," you joke, pushing them both away when you catch Jongho and Yeosang jogging over. Jongho scoops you up next. His arms are tough, obviously, from working out so much lately. You take a well needed whiff of him. Fresh florals, mahogany, charred sandalwood, and laundry invade your nostrils. His head falls over yours, pulling back to let yeosang get a hug. Yeosangs arms are lean, but his hug is soft when he pulls you close, breathing you in.

Wooyoung and Seonghwa are last. Which you find surprising. Seonghwa, who usually pulls you into a half hug- full-on, brings you in. He smells like leather, dark coffee, and vanilla cream. There's so much more, but you're pulling away before you can smell him some more. Wooyoung locks you in, tilting you on your heels back and forth. He's the smiliest of the bunch. He sets his face on your shoulder, and his hands squeeze your sides comfortably. San scoots past the two of you, popping open the trunk.

The trunk, where your bag is. Full of assortments of scent blockers, heat suppressants, and the many smells the girls gave you so you can get by for the month smelling like your old self. Panic sets in, yet you try to seem as casual as you can when you twist in wooyoungs hands. "San, I got it!" You somewhat shout. San looks up, confused, pulling the shoulder strap over his shoulder. Wooyoung still has you in the tightest embrace around your waist.

"You really want to carry your own bags?" Yunho scoffs at the idea, mingi takes the other bag next to san. One you don't even remember throwing in. "I'm a big girl. I can take my own bags," you mumble. Wooyoung laughs from just over your shoulder. His lean body presses directly into your back. He's so very warm. You try not to think about it, opting to continue struggling.

"Woo, c'mon," you slump, you're not getting to that bag. It's no use, you're too exhausted to fight against him. He laughs. "It's just one bag beta, I'm sure your big girl attitude can be put aside for now," Woo loosens his hold around your waist, patting your hip with his large palm.

Seonghwa continues for him, a certain upset tone in his voice. "You just got out of the hospital. I don't know why you're here instead of resting at home."

You gulp when San slings the backpack around. "What did the hospital give you anyways?" He chuckles. You count heads, realizing hongjoong isn't here. "Where's -" the door behind you slams.

The alpha from before storms around the driver side. Everyone stops to stare. San shares a look with seonghwa. "What's his problem?" Wooyoung whispers to you, his breath fanning your ear. You scoff silently. "Egocentric alpha." You grumble.

"Got it," he laughs, he's missed you. Pulling you away. The guys all fall behind you two.

The cold of spring is fading away. It no longer nips at your nose. Soon, summer will roll around, and filming will get exhausting more than it already is. Your clothes whip around at the slight gusts of wind. Your makeup isn't caked on for once. Thankfully, you have a new makeup artist this time. Your scent still lingers. You'd have to reapply scent blockers soon. The bottle shifts between your fingertips, twisting and pulling at the lid. You subtly rub it around your scent glands. The chatter of the guys behind you cast in the background of your attention. Hongjoong is just a little bit away. You haven't seen him since you got there. Makeup and clothing took at least an hour or two.

Even though he's right there, you miss him. Hongjoong stands by the filming aquitment, speaking with the crew. You take your time walking up, having just now realized hongjoongs hair is back to the pretty brown you know suits him.

"Joong," you call, a blanket shrugged over your exposed shoulders. His shoulder straightened at your voice; his head whipped around. "Hey!" He calls, a genuine smile lighting up his features.

Hongjoongs figure is still so welcoming. The pack leader has always had that effect on you. It takes everything in you to pull away from the hug. "We missed you," he says earnestly, his hand resting on your neck where your scent gland is. "How are you feeling?"

You sigh, "I'm feeling good," it's somewhat true, although genuinely exhausted from the entire week of being poked and provoked by doctors and annoying alphas. what really got you was your first heat.

"You should be at home, not working." He huffs, reaching up to pull the blanket over you further. "I want to work," you nod, confirming it to yourself. He chuckles. "Yeah, right"

"Take it easy, kay?" You smile. "No promises"

It's the next day when the sun begins to set. You realize you're your biggest enemy. You will never be satisfied with how you contort your body to follow steps. 4,5,6. You repeat. 4,5,6. You stare as you watch yourself perform on the monitor.

There's a tension in the air, the staff can feel it, and the guys can feel it. Everyone moves around freely around you, the guys getting ready to perform the next sequence of steps. Yet you don't care if you're the one giving that tense energy off, your feet stand firm. "One more time, please," you ask the tech crew to repeat the video. A hand falls on your shoulder. Yunho calls your name softly. "Yeah?" You respond, not paying attention to what he says.

4. 5. 6. 4.5.6.

You watch as your lines loosen. This solo shot of you is cursed. Why can't you keep your movements sharp? "Beta," yunho calls firmly. You lift your head, catching his brown eyes with your own. "You're perfect." he guides your chin when you want to turn your attention back to the monitor. "No- look, my arms -" you go to point.

Yunho roughly turns you fully towards the monitor, and his hands fall by your waist. His chest presses against your back as he bends over you, and his head leans over your shoulder. "Look," he takes the word from your mouth. Pointing at your arms as you dance around on screen. "Your arms are fine." His silver hair brushes against your cheek. "There's nothing wrong with your shot. It's perfect."

And it's not because the alpha uses his firm voice to make you listen. It's the way yunho so passionately stares at you, like he believes what he says wholeheartedly. His eyes never slip from over your shoulder, even when yours keep falling back to the monitor.

"Okay," you listen. Yunhos hands fall off you, stepping away. You miss his warmth.

You're a week into the month when suspicion arises. Seonghwa is the one that finds your unopened bottle of scent blockers. "Hey," he says, twiddling the bottle in his nimble fingers. Your eyes shoot up from your phone, watching him stand in your doorway. "Are these yours? None of us had to get a refill." it's such a normal question because seonghwa doesn't think about it. All of the guys use scent blockers to perform for concerts or events.

But you're honestly choking. "I uh- I got a new bottle last week," you gulp. Quick, excuse. Excuse!. "Oh" His eyebrows furrowed. You haven't performed in about a month since the comeback is soon. "Yeah, i - that smell thing I had going on? That's what those are for." You loosely point.

"They're supposed to help," you gulp. Please take the hook. Seonghwas eyes scan you over once again, then back at the bottle. "Are they working?" He finally says. You blank.

"I don't know, can't really tell," you mumble. "Can you?" You sit up, scooting further down your bed. Seonghwa walks into your room. His scent mixes in with the smell you've had to endure all week. "Yeah, I suppose." You can see the gears behind his eyes moving.

"You suppose?" Your eyebrows furrowed. He bites on his lip, pulling at his earring. "Mm, you smell like you usually do.. but.." he thinks about it, scanning your room. His eyes finally fall on your face, urging him to continue. "Never mind."

Seonghwa exits your room without another word. You're in silence by yourself. The suspicion makes your anxiety skyrocket. He left his shirt behind on your bed.

You take it. Why not?

Hongjoong is late coming back again from the studio. He smells stressed beyond belief, even from where you sit across the apartment. He hangs his jacket up in the hallway. And you hear the slow pattern of his feet when he walks down the hallway. Your head falls on the arm of the couch, eyes focused on the TV. Hongjoong calls your name in a whisper. You look up at his tired eyes.

"Why aren't you sleeping?" He questions you. You have half the energy to laugh quietly. "Says the one in the studio at.." You check your phone. A picture of you and the girls on the lock screen. "4 am.. why aren't you?" You set your phone back down, pulling your feet up so he can take a seat on the couch without you hogging the whole thing.

He gladly takes it with a heavy sigh. His hand falls to your ankle poking out of the blanket, and you shiver slightly at the chill of his rings. "How are you feeling?" You scoot to sit up, leaning on your hand. "It always gets hectic before a comeback," he huffs a smile, turning towards you. "How are you?" His finger brushes up your calf. "I asked first," you glance back.

He smiles, a tired one, one he always has for you. "Why were you still up?" He changes the question. You take the hint. Laying back down on your pillow that's propped up against the couch. "I wanted to wait for you," you whisper.

The silence is comfortable. Hongjoongs fingers rubbing circles on your ankle. You reach down to grasp his hand, his tired eyes blink back at you. "Lay with me?" You ask, perhaps you shouldn't. But in your sleepy state, you're bold enough to ask, scooting over to make room for him. He doesn't answer but scoots up enough to take the spot next to you. Face to face. "Nightmare?" He asks, as if giving you an excuse, his eyes bore down on yours.

He's so pretty, you think. His eyes are so soft under the darkness. You question if he's one of the prettiest guys you've ever seen, an uncommon trait for alphas. You hum, taking the lie. "Yea"

Your eyelids slink as does his, the rhythmic breathing between you two casts over like a lullaby. Eventually, his arm falls over your hip. Alice In Wonderland playing in the distance, a sound you've gotten used to as you fall into the solitude of sleep.

The next morning, the comfort of the couch is something that you want to fall back into. You want your beauty rest, but the sun keeps beating on your eyelids. You turn in the grasp of the blanket, it has a tight hold, you wiggle to get comfortable.

The fan of someone's breath hits the shell of your ear. Your eye pops up, blinking at the sun coming down on you from the window. You turn to feel the body pressed against your back. Slowly turning so you don't wake them up.

Hongjoongs face is mere centimeters away. His hair falls over his face in waves. You want to reach out and push it away, kiss his eyelids, and touch his face ever so delicately. Your head lays on his arm. Hoongjoongs hoodie rid up his forearm, the scent gland on the bend of his elbow directly in front of you. Hongjoong smells.. like a ripe pear, tahitian vanilla, the heat from the sun, and sweet spices. You nuzzle deeper into his warmth, sighing gently into his chest.

Still foggy from sleep, every second that passes, you fall further into a dream state. Hongjoongs soft and quiet breathing echos in your mind.

Pictures pass in your vision, memories you haven't yet explore dance beyond the border of your sight. You dance silently, following where you lead yourself. Through doors that open without a sound and a floor that is void, your feet patter and swirl like raindrops on water. A distant noise echos. Hands reach out for yours, an assortment of them sticking out from the void and invisible walls that surround you. But you don't reach back. Your movements flow in a rhythm. When you stop to breathe, you sink into the floor. And fall continously. Echos of your struggles and inner thoughts consume you.

You wake up with a shudder, sitting up abruptly. You pat around you, you're in your bed. Hongjoong isn't here. You hope it's not because of what you said. You hope it's not because you made things awkward. You fall back into your comforters, sighing heavily. You stare at the crack in your bedroom door, watching figures pass and go. They block out the sun. The first to stop in the twenty minutes of you staring is Jongho. He pushes your door open softly. Two solid knocks hit your door.

"Want to get some breakfast?" He leans in, jongho is already dressed and ready. You hope he was waiting for you to wake up and ask you to tag along. You smile. "Yes"

The walk is brisk, just down the street to the coffee shop you visit most often in the morning. Jongho holds the door open for you, and you thank him. The smell of coffee hits you straight on. A pleasant surprise that makes your stomach grumble. Your mask stays put on your face, as does jonghos. Your arm wraps around his, a subconscious thing on your part. He doesn't pull away.

The line isn't long. A few stand around, picking and choosing their order. Many of the seats are taken. Chatter echoes in the large shop. "The usual?" Jongho nudges you, pulling your attention from the crowded strangers. He takes the lead compared to when you always do, you don't fight him about ordering like you usually would. "You know it," you smile, although you know the mask will block it. His eyes pull up, and you can tell he's smiling back.

You're compliant to the way he orders everyone's breakfast and drinks, something jongho finds strange for your behavior but boosts his ego a bit. You tell him the rest of the orders he forgets, leaning up to whisper it in his ear. He leans down and meets you halfway, so you aren't straining your still healing ankle. His hand falls to your mid back, steadying you.

"That's it, Thank you."

You lean up against the free space in the waiting area. Propping yourself up against the cold stone wall. This area is just as busy. You know the order will be a while. Jongho takes the spot next to you. Bumping shoulders. "How's your elbow?" He touches your arm gently.

You look down at it, a distant memory compared to the week you've had. "It's fine, it wasn't that bad." You shrug it off.

"If it wasn't, why were you in the hospital for a week?"

A lump forms in your throat. You advert your eyes to anything else. "I.. they wanted to run tests." That catches him off guard. "Tests? What for?" He leans on his shoulder to face you.

"Because i.." swallow the lump, don't word vomit. Please don't word vomit.

"Because I'm a -" ding! "order for Mr. Choi Jong!" Saved by the bell. God, it's so perfectly timed. Jongho stares at you for a second longer, his eyes scan you for answers. Like he's hoping you'll continue. Your mouth is glued. When he adverts his eyes, the emotion that crosses his features is like you did something terrible. He leaves to get the order when you don't look back up at him.

What are you doing? Are you crazy? Your hand falls to your forehead, rubbing the tension away. Jongho is silent the entire walk back. He takes the load of drinks and bags by himself, a few strides ahead. When you offer to help, he pulls away. "It's fine." he simply says. You flinch at his tone.

Just two more weeks.

The second week starts rocky. You haven't talked to yunho since the monitor incident. As well as jongho still being upset at you, hongjoong, avoiding you like the plague, and seonghwa not even giving you the time of day. You don't know what you did.

Your bed feels empty, as does your heart. You toss and turn all night long. Barely able to get any sleep for hours. A knock breaks you out of your tossing and turning habit. "Come in" you turn towards the door.

Mingi stands with his pillow tightly wrapped in his arms. Although childish, you find him cute. "Hey," you push yourself to sit up. He looks shy when he shifts on his feet, rolling his palm over your doorknob. "Can I sleep in here tonight?" He asks, it's mumbled, but you make out what he's asking.

Your lips poke up into a smile. You don't answer, just scooting over to the empty spot you were just upset about. You give him your warm spot instead. He giddily falls atop your spot, snuggly placing his pillow under his head.

"I sleep better in your room," he laughs, his eyes turn into cresents, and you stare at the way his face squishes into the pillow. You gently wiggle off the glasses from his nose, setting them aside on your side table. "It's because my room isn't messy," you snicker lightly.

Mingis whispering voice is just his normal voice, just less loud. You don't mind, though. You give him space. He hardly fits in your bed, yet he says he's the most comfortable in it. You can't tell if he's saying it to make you happy.

Mingi calls your name softly in the dark. "Yeah, mingi?" You whisper back, tucking your arm under your pillow. There's a few seconds of silence. It's uncommon when mingi is around. "I'm sorry again," he says so softly. You sigh. "it wasn't you mingi, you didn't do anything to hurt me that bad.." You close your eyes, excuse.

Excuse.

"...I had to get checked out because of my weird scent change thing going on." It's not true. You're feeling sick from lying so much. He hums. "So I didn't hurt you?" You laugh lightly. "No, min, you didn't hurt me." Your eyelids close. "I would never hurt you on purpose," he slurs in tired words. Your eyebrows furrow.

"I know.." You hear him shuffle closer. He reaches to grab your hand from under the pillow. His grip is soft. Your eyes stay closed.

Is this real?

"I'm here if you ever need anything." his thumb catches yours, intertwining your fingers. You sigh softly.

The amount of lying all week weighs heavy on your shoulders, mingi, who genuinely says what he means, twists your heart between his words. You try to breathe through the sudden sting of tears welling up in your eyes.

"I know." You answer with a shaky breath. You slip your hand out of his, and your world feels as if it's crumbling. Turning on your side away from him.

Just half a week. Half.

It's getting repetitive. Filming for another episode of a variety show you don't care for currently. You just miss your bed. You miss your boys. You miss being normal. You miss not having to hide. You miss being a beta.

"Your turn!" A finger points in your direction. You blink for a few seconds, gathering your wit. "i.. what am I supposed to do?" You laugh to cover the fact you weren't paying attention. The camera shines just out of view.

To keep up with performances, the majority of the boys all yell out the instructions. You get it, just a bit. San and Yeosang are at the top of the tower, having climbed all the way up with their gear.

You have to climb the tower. "Do I have to?" You bounce on your feet anxiously, looking towards the camera. Staff buckle you into your gear, the chatter getting lost whilst you get stuck in your head. You're not a big fan of heights.

You're really not a big fan of heights. You start noticing that when you shuffle across the platform to collect a red scarf. The premise of the game is to collect your color accessories, whilst also not allowed to go back if you miss any. Whatever team gets the most accessories wins. You're on Yeosang and Sans team. Paired in three.

Your rope is tied to san, whose rope is tied to yeosang. You don't think you got the strength in your arms to keep going. You power on anyway. Slipping your hand between spray painted fake rocks and clawing your way up.

Your helmet keeps slipping down your face. Surely, it's unfair that you got a helmet that doesn't even fit you. And dangerous. But mostly unfair.

"You got this!" Sans yell encourages you. You're in a particularly tough spot. You have to reach sideways to grab a pair of red sunglasses. It's the last thing you have to grab to win.

To your left, the blue team, which consists of wooyoung, yunho, and hongjoong, yells to each other. You try to drown it out and focus on your own team.

You just gotta reach over. You wedge yourself as close as you can.

Just reach. You can hear the game hosts encouraging you on, shouts of surprise.

Your fingertips just barely scrape it, almost knocking it off the ledge it's on. You shuffle, your single hand holding onto a rock is getting sweaty. You breath cautiously, reaching out again.

It's so close.

And then you grab it.

Shouts from San and yeosang make you smile. You're proud of yourself. You go to turn back, slipping from your left foot. Oh no. You're slipping, trying to get a solid hold on the rock. You slip the sunglasses on your head, hoping to be able to get your right hand free to grab the ledge.

San and yeosang are only a few feet up, not close enough for you to reach for. You've got to maneuver yourself out of the spot you're in. You don't know if you can. You wiggle and twist your waist, stretching your right arm above you.

Your fingers wiggle to get a good grip on the jagged red rock you grabbed. You're not as muscular as you thought as you try to use your right arm to pull your full body weight further up.

You strain it so, to the point where when you finally get yourself up. You have to shake off the hurt. Just two more rocks. Two more big reaches.

Two seems to appear a lot lately.

Distant shouting of all the teams catch your attention. Wooyoung is gaining speed. He's on his last accessory, a few feet behind you. When he sees you staring, he smirks like a predator, gaining speed.

Your movements are calculated but rushed. You keep pushing the helmet back on your head. The sunglasses slip down over your eyes, somewhat blocking your view. You're sweating bullets at this point.

Yeosangs hand is a saving grace. He pulls you up by your right wrist whilst san pulls your left arm. As soon as you get up, you book it to the table you have to put the accessories on.

Your team wins. Confetti cascades around you. You cheer happily, jumping around and laughing out of breath.

How it feels to be victorious.

You look to yeosang and San. They stare, shocked.

You wipe the sweat off your brow. The sweet scent hitting your nostrils.

Oh no.

You swipe the sweat away as quickly as you can, pulling the roll on bottle out of your pocket. Hurry. You try to twist the top off. Rolling the scent onto your scent glands and over your forehead as much as you can.

It's no doubt in your mind. They smelt your real scent. They know. You don't turn to look. You don't even want to know what they're thinking. Your breathing turns shallow.

Fuck.

Your world is crashing.

This time for real.

You take the emergency stairs. Ignoring the calls of yeosang and san. Stripping the gear off of you as you go. You don't care if you're ruining the victory shot. You just gotta get out of here.

You're wondering the hallways when wooyoung finds you. Hot tears stream down your face. Why are you even crying? You don't know. Maybe you're scared this will change everything. Maybe you're scared you messed up again and ruined it.

Wooyoungs hand is a soft pull to your wrist. You yank yourself out of his grip. Pain flashes his features. He says your name gently. You continue to sob. "What? What now" you huff. Wiping your tears harshly.

"Tell me what's wrong -" "Nothing!" You painfully shout, stepping away from his distressed smell. "Nothing is wrong. Nothing is ever wrong." You laugh at your situation. Wooyoungs hand clenches in the air. His hair falls over his eyes messily. He's still in the outfit he was wearing for the game, minus the gear. It's as if he came looking straight for you.

Just for you.

Wooyoungs mouth falls open and close. You dont think about whether or not he has something to say. You don't want to even look. "Just go away, please"

Wooyoung face is painted in pain. You know he doesn't know what to do. Doesn't know how to react. "Omega, please." he whispers.

Your sobs stop. Your tear stained face whips around, and your shocked face is evidence you weren't expecting that.

His tongue pokes the inside of his cheek. "We need to talk," he sighs, allowing him to walk up. He takes your wrists in his hands gently. His thumb rubs soothing circles on your wrists.

Silently, tears stream. You don't have the energy to pull away.

You ruined everything. They know.

A/n; cliff hanger bc my phone is glitching out BAD. IM SORRY! hopefully, the two chapts will make up for it. Thanks for all the support ♡.

Taglist: @lelaleleb @bratty-tingz @0325tiny @smilefordongil @atinytinaa @unripeapple7 @ja3hwa @stopeatread (thanks for your support ♡)

[killianhemlock]

cc's be normal challenge difficulty: easy actually, they just have to put in the work which they never want to do

goddamn i miss link dude

the fact that he's played by a shitty person now is fucked up

even if he does come back it wont be the same, mf changed too much.

man :(

nopixel mutuals hold me

he started to lose interest anyways. didnt think he was gonna yknow..... abandon it all and replace it with a shit attitude towards content/content creators in general. like dude what happened to you. genuinely

the fact that he's just going to make the same mistakes over and over again makes it even worse. he hasnt learned his lesson and he's not even willing to learn his lesson.

i miss his old content dude. what happened.

[sabi0229]

BENRIUS HEAD CANNONS

HEAD CANNON TIIIMMMMEEEEEEE

CHAOS THEORY VERSION

Ngl i think put some CC stuff in here when this is only supposed to be CT.

Ben is really curious about darius's hair and always him different questions about how he takes care of it ,styles and washes it because he wants to do one date where he surprises him by doing his hair for him instead of Darius going to someone or doing his own hair

Ben can cook better than Darius

Darius bakes lots of stuff in his free time. Ben absolutely loves his baking

Darius wakes up in the middle of night because of nightmares and Ben will just be there for him hugging him the whole time. They'll go down stairs and watch movies till Darius sleepy. Once he is Ben carries him princesses style back to bed.

Ben would probably be the one to put Darius to sleep. Because of how stubborn Darius is and if he say he's not tired he will not go to bed but Ben will physically drag him into bed hug him and just hum songs until he falls asleep

They do arts and crafts as quality time

Ben's love language is physical touch

Darius is love language is giving gifts and talking also physical touch

Ben actually likes mint chocolate chip ice cream and Darius tried it once and he decided that he will never go near that flavor ever again

Darius's contact name in Ben's phone is not Dino nerd or Dino lover but angel from the baby dinosaurs in camp Cretaceous season 5 because Darius is personality reminded him a bit of angel so that's why his contact name is Angel

And Ben's contact number and darius's phone is rebel as an angel's brother because their personalities are so much because rebel was just very chaotic and energetic and so was Ben on the island and Darius is a sort of wanted to match too

When Ben got a new van he styled it the same way he did his old van but not as the exact same but there were similar qualities and there was stuff again in there like food in a boot and his pee bowl of licorice so Darius decided to put on gloves, a mask and get so much cleaning supplies that he cleaned out Ben's van throwed out anything disgusting and decided to give him silverware and dishes and tupperware for his van.( The van is dark blue btw)

Ben had a shark phase and would Yap about sharks like how Darius did dinosaurs and it made Darius fall in love with him even more.

Darius steals Ben shoes,clothes, and beanies

Ben has a ton of pictures of Darius in his phone / and the secret photo album

They would make out for hours ( their love for each other is like a flame that can't be put out.)

Darius visits his college and stays in his dorm for at least a week so Ben doesn't have to keep going to California

The longest they video called was for 5 days

Ben sometimes snores so Darius kicks him causing him to fall out of bed

Darius has a dog Ben has bumpy and a cat

They decided to move to a different house or apartment. Because even though the cabin is nice it was driving Ben insane being isolated for so long (and Darius even though he won't admit it) but they made the cabin their vacation home. To get away from people and a place for bumpy and her baby to live

Their home state/ city both starts with C ( California, Chicago)

Skin care routine

They decide to make out whenever their in danger for some reason

Bens van was their Hangout spot

Ben forgot what Darius was allergic to once and almost killed him.

Got engaged a few years after they saved Brooklyn

Fall wedding

Rock music x Pop music duo

One of them wears cherry flavored chapstick ( can you guess who)

After they got married Darius changed Ben's contract to 💗my idiot husband 💗

Ben changed Darius contract to Hot stuff😍 ( guys we all know he would do this he's silly)

Darius only wears his boxers and Ben's oversized T-shirts to bed ( why because Ben's a natural furnace/ heater)

Bens the opposite he doesn't wear a shirt to sleep because he knows he's an natural furnace/ heater.

When bumpy moved into Darius's backyard Darius and her got a closer bond and it made Ben jealous.

Darius - little spoon sometimes, big spoon always

Ben- always little spoon sometimes big spoon

Part 2?

[marksbear]

So I don’t know if you still take commissions (even though it literally says it’s open by the time I’m typing this lmao) but I was thinking of Ghost from COD modern warfare 2 with male reader who is mute? Also male reader is like a total sweetheart, pretty shy.

Maybe it’s winter and Ghost invites his friends to his house for dinner for some reason (maybe male reader wanted to meet them but ghost said no cause he wanted privacy) , and on the car ride there Ghost accidentally mentions his househusband which suprised the team since he never talked about him. (Let alone he was into guys)

Ghost says that he wanted their marriage to be private and makes a quick recap of what male reader is like, who is a photographer and has 3 Barbie dolls (I like Barbie dolls don’t judge me 😂) and gave them their own personalities and stuff on social media to look like they’re traveling the world.

They reached home, male reader welcomes them and quickly heads to the kitchen cause he’s making the food. The crew all sit at the table eating (the food is delicious) and Soap asks how they met and Ghost just says that it’s pretty boring.

Idk what happens next, (maybe they play a board game? Or they continue chatting with Ghost and male reader, ur pick) but after that the crew stays for the night and Ghost and male reader sleep together.

(Also, small detail, male reader is wearing a sweater and sweatpants)

thank u for your time

This has to be one of the cutest requests I've had in a while! Ngl. The barbie doll part honestly took me out.

SIMON "GHOST" RILEY X MUTE photographer MALE READER

Finally winter break in task force 141 arrived. It's one of the few times they get off for holidays and to be with family.

So the team made a tradition. The first day of the break everyone takes turns to take the team to their home for dinner, since it maybe the last time they'll see each other in a while.

This time around it's Simon's turn.

At first Ghost didn't want to be the host. He didn't want the team all up in his personal business. Simon already had an excuse in mind as to why he couldn't host, but sadly his husband found out about the tradition and begged Ghost to meet them.

But the cold hearted man said no at first, but his husband had convinced him to host.

So this leads into now.

Ghost was driving to his house with Price in the passenger seat while the others were in the backseats. The car was blasted with loud music because of Gaz. and conversation.

"Hey Simon!--" Soap shouts trying to catch the male attention. But sadly the music went over his words. "Ghooost!~" Gaz drags out as well. The pair try over and over again trying to catch Ghost.

Soap taps Price on his shoulder. Price turns his head to the side looking at Soap. Soap signals with his hands to turn down the radio even using his hand as an example. The captain immediately understands and turns his head back around facing the radio and turning it down.

"Fuckin hell finally. Ghost!" Soap says finally being able to hear himself. Simon hums in response.

"You got anything or anyone at home? Like dogs, cats..." Soap trails off with Gaz finishing the question. "Secret girlfriends?" Ghost lets out a groan and an eye roll.

"No Johnny. I have no one there." Ghost says clearing lying shooting down the question.

The car grows silent with only soft music playing in the background.

"Any kids? Since theres a little barbie back here with brand new packaging." Gaz points out picking up the box. "Don't tell me you play with dolls L.t?" Soap teases with a smirk.

"No. I don't have any kids. And the box is a gift for my husband..." Simon trails off as realization slowly sets in.

Price eyebrow raises looking away from the window and to the soldier next to him. "You liar!" Soap shouts point his finger at Simon. "Husband?" Price repeats looking at Simon. "You like guys!?!" Gaz says looking around wide eyed.

"Fucks sake." Simon says slapping himself mentally.

"Well who is he!?!"

"What is he like??

"What's his job?"

"Does he treat you right?"

"Why didn't you tell us about him!!"

Question after question comes from the group.

"I wanted our marriage to be private. It's none of y'all's business about me and my husband's love life. But i'll only give you a small recap about him, but that's it..." Simon breathes out with his tone full with annoyance.

"His name is Y/n L/n. He's a mute photographer with three barbie dolls he gave their own personalities and background stories with verified social media accountants about what's going on with their lives. Like them traveling the world, their boyfriends, mental health updates and so on. The girls names are (___) (____) and my favorite (___)"

Simon says getting his phone and goes to one of the dolls social media accounts clicking on the newest photo of the girl and shows his team.

The picture is (____) looking outside the window looking for someone while the other girls are trying to confused in the background.

The caption read:

"(____) waiting for her husband to come home from the military."

After everyone sees it Simon takes his phone back and likes the post.

After a few more miles Simon sees his house in a couple more feet away. "Were here." Simon says waking up Gaz. Simon parks the car in the driveway and turns the car off.

Ghost looks in the backseat snatching the brand new toy from Gaz's hands before leaving the car with the team following close behind him.

"Don't make me regret taking y'all here." Ghost breathes out mostly talking about Soap and Gaz.

Before Ghost could unlock the door, the door swings open.

A pair of arms wrap around Ghost's body hugging him tight. Almost causing Simon to fall.

Insistingly Simon wraps his arms around his husband back hugging him tight bringing him closer. "I miss you too..." Simon says into the crook of Y/n's neck.

Y/n is first to pull away before giving Simon a quick kiss on Simon's covered lips. Y/n's head looks over Simon's shoulder looking at the men behind him.

Y/n gives them a bright wave before walking back inside the house.

Soap and Gaz lets out a few giggles thats quickly shushed by Price glaring at them.

"Well don't just keep standin there cmon." Simon groans out walking inside the house leading them into the dinning room.

TIMESKIP

After Simon gets the team all settled down in the dinning room he walks to the kitchen holding his husband's gift behind his back. "Y/n love, come here." Simon says looking at him.

Y/n turns his head to his husband and stops from what he was doing and walks over to Simon looking at him confused.

"Here. For you and the girls." Simon says showing the brand new barbie to him. Simon watches his husband's eyes become filled with joy and ideas.

Y/n takes the box out of Simon's hands before using his free hand to pull down Simon's mask to kiss him deeply on the lips. Y/n kiss him over and over again as thank yous.

"Your welcome." Simon says against Y/n's lips.

"How about you go show the girls while I take over cooking." Simon suggests.

Y/n doesn't need to get told twice as he goes upstairs to the dolls "personal" room.

TIMESKIP

After the food was done cooking Y/n and Simon began to serve the team with food and drinks even Deseret. The whole team loved the food. (Even got Gaz asking for seconds)

As everyone is eating and talking about whatever Soap finds something to talk about.

"Where did you two meet." Soap asks looking at Ghost and his husband.

"It's pretty boring..." Simon answers trying to shoot down the question. "I bet it's not." Price voice rings out. "Trust me it is." "I don't believe you." Gaz says already planning to ask Y/n if Simon doesn't tell them.

"It's just pretty boring how we met. Nothing fancy or cute just boring." Simon says once again.

As the team begins to argue about wanting to know they don't notice Y/n with one of his dolls and his photography camera posing her at the dinner table taking pictures.

Y/n even got to sneak some pictures of her staring at Price with love in her eyes.

It isn't until a while Simon notices he wasn't paying his husband any attention. Simon looks to the left of him to only get met with a doll in his husband's seat looking at price.

"Y/n." Simon calls out looking at his husband taking her pictures. Y/n looks away from his camera looking at Simon with a smile.

Timeskip

Finally hours past everyone is ready for bed. Y/n takes each team member to a guest room signing them "goodnight" before finally going to his own room with his husband.

Y/n strips out of his clothes and into one of Simon's shirts and sweats before crawling into the bed.

After a while Simon comes inside the room after washing the dishes. Simon takes off his shirt pants putting on sweats as well before climbing into bed.

Simon wraps his arms around Y/n bringing him close.

"I love you." Simon whispers against Y/n. Y/n kiss Simon on the cheek responding with the same love.

THE END

[johnslittlespoon]

sorry i dont know how to be happy...and slight cw for implied sexual harassment feel free not to post this <3

but. bucky having a close call incident with one of the guards in the camp- the first person he runs into after *isn't* gale but the get the vibes of what happened and know they need to get *him* to gale asap. and gale is so angry and hurt but tries so hard to push it down to comfort him </3 his poor sweet boy has been strugglig enough and really didn't need one more thing. sobbing in gale's big arms telling him he's sorry, gale rocking him shushing him telling him he has not one thing to be sorry for he didn't do anything wrong.

giving me angst asks is so dangerous rn while i'm still in post–finale grief lmfaoooo count your days (buckle in, i think this is gonna get lengthy and i should probably just write a oneshot bc i have many thoughts but we'll see) (and yeah, cw for assault)

vv

i haven't seen anyone talk about this happening to john (might've just missed it tbf) and in a way i get it, because y'know gale is 'visually' more likely to be a target of things like that and we don't see what he goes through at the camp before john gets there, but i'm also surprised that i haven't seen more posts talking about it the other way around because i mean john literally comes into camp with a reputation, we see it right off the bat when the interrogator basically calls him on being a man whore lol.

i can see guards (hypocritically, bc they'll turn around and hurl slurs in the next breath) making offhand comments and passes at him, "nothing that i can't handle" when one of the others catches it happening one day, and the way john is so nonchalant about it makes them wonder how often it happens.

but one day a guard doesn't like the way he mouths off at them when they say something gross to john, and it results in john being shoved to the ground with the guard atop his back in a quiet corner of the camp, and he doesn't even hear half of what's being said because his ears start ringing and all he can remember is the feeling of the cold cobble street beneath his face and the shouts of the riot around him.

vaguely registers the guard moving to feel him up, his skin crawling, bile rising in his throat, but it only takes a few seconds before someone else is approaching and the guard jumps up so as to not cause suspicion. john drags himself back to his feet in a daze, stumbling away in the general direction of his block with his head buzzing, flinches hard when he feels a hand on his arm but realizes it's just brady looking at him with concern, brady who'd caught the guard on top of him.

gale looks up from his bunk when the door opens and he sees brady ushering john in, watches brady sag with relief when he sees gale's there, and gale only has to glance at john to know something's happened, rolls out of his bunk immediately and looks at brady in alarm. he sees red when brady tells him how he'd found john, but john is staring into a corner of the room and he knows anger isn't what he needs right now, so he swallows it down, moves to stand in front of john instead as brady leaves the room, reaching up to cup his face in his hands.

john's eyes move to look at him, but he's not really looking at him, until gale murmurs a "hey, you're okay", brushing his thumbs over john's cheekbones, and then he watches john crumble and his heart sinks. and maybe any other day, john wouldn't break like that, but gale knows he's already had a hell of a week and whatever went down must have been the final nail in the coffin because as soon as he's led john to the closest bunk, john's collapsing into his arms and he can feel hot tears against his neck and gale feels sick and has to keep swallowing to fight his own tears back.

he can feel how tense john is in his arms, like he's still trying to hold back from really showing his emotions even now, and gale pets his hair, assures him it's okay, "you don't have to hide from me, bucky." and his heart shatters when he starts getting whispered apologies through hiccuped sobs where john's face rests on his chest, gale shaking his head immediately, promising him that he has nothing to be sorry for, squeezing him tighter as he rocks him gently.

gale thinks about all the different ways he'd like to go out and murder that guard, almost scaring himself with the aggression he feels, but he shoves it down so john doesn't pick up on the red–hot anger, focussing that energy on holding john tight and whispering words of comfort until the sobs become quiet shudders, feeling him finally, slowly start to relax in his arms.

(gale probably hears john huff out a shaky little laugh when he tells him "that guard better sleep with one eye open until we get out of here" because the thought of gale actually being violent is laughable to him; he doesn't realize how much gale would really do for him, how much it hurt gale to see him stumble into the room like that.)

i definitely want to properly tackle this concept in a oneshot someday so forgive me for being vague in some areas, i don't wanna fully brainrot it out and then not feel the need to write something longer about it, you feel? <3 but hopefully this is sorta what you were envisioning. they both deserved better :(

[yukiokami]

my tears ricochet

treech x female 7th district reader

warnings: no use of y/n, third-person narrative, angst, headcanons (9th hunger games winner, treech's family), l-bombs, violence, deaths.

summary: she did everything to prevent him from losing her too, eventually losing him herself.

word count: 859

author's note: my first time writing on tumblr, i had a huge wave of inspiration after listening to sad songs and watching edits of treech. english is not my first language, so i apologize for any mistakes. this is a songfic to my tears ricochet by taylor swift. enjoy, loves.

her name was pulled. among hundreds of others. everything around her is in slow motion, she doesn't hear anything, doesn't see her mother's frightened eyes. she only notices treech's hand rising, he is now ready to volunteer, so she wouldn't be taken to the games. she manages to grab him with both hands and whispers, calming herself rather than him.

"it's going to be okay, i'll be fine, treech."

he shakes his head in disbelief. she can't leave him, leave her mom. die.

and she doesn't understand how she can cope. this is not a self-preservation instinct. it's an instinct to save those she cares about.

"listen, aspen is going to be with me. you can't come with me, please, i can't stand it if you die."

"i can't stand it if you die!" he repeats after her. "i can't lose you!" treech breaks down, despite the huge crowd.

burning tears flow down her cheeks, blurring the dirt on her face, and leaving long streaks.

"that's why i'm not going to die," she looks at him, reassuring. "i'm not going to die, treech. please take care of mom," she says when the peacekeepers grab her when they hold on to each other with the last of their strength.

cause I loved you, I swear I loved you

till my dying day

"i love you, okay? forever," their hands separate and soldiers drag the girl to the stage.

"let her go!" treech hisses, trying to fight the soldiers who are holding him tightly from running after her.

the doors close and she hears him scream.

we gather here, we line up,

weepin' in a sunlit room

when the counter counts down the seconds before the games begin, she can't think, there's a white noise in her head. there are no places to hide in the huge arena. here you can only fight and try to survive. she needs to survive because they are waiting for her at home. treech has no one but her. his parents died in a forest fire, as did her father.

and if I'm on fire,

you'll be made of ashes, too

she starts running towards the center with all her strength and grabs an axe, while two tributes attack two more. they die in seconds. she backs away and a guy from district 4 grazes her arm with a sword, trying to pierce it. she turns around and stabs him in the head with an axe.

the games lasted for several hours, the remaining three tributes, including her, are sitting on opposite sides of the arena, exhausted. aspen was killed by a girl from district 9.

and she's just waiting for the attack.

and so the battleships will sink beneath the waves

you had to kill me, but it killed you just the same

this is not a victory, but a simple accident. but it doesn't matter now, because she's going home.

we gather stones, never knowing what they'll mean

some to throw, some to make a diamond ring

they are sitting by a small lake, throwing stones into it, which leaves circles, a month after the hunger games. they devote all their time to each other, and treech is insanely happy that she is with him, that she is alive. she didn't leave him.

"soon I'll earn a lot of money and buy us a house, and we will live there. just the two of us. and then I'll buy you a diamond ring and we'll get married," treech often voiced his thoughts, to which she always laughed and said that they would have to work very hard.

and when you can't sleep at night

(you hear my stolen lullabies)

at night, she was tormented by terrible nightmares that she was back in the arena, she was shaking and nothing could help but funny songs sung to her by her beloved lumberjack in a hat, wrapping her in a warm blanket by his embrace and words about how brave she is.

when his name is pulled at the next reaping, she can't breathe. this just can't be happening. they've been through so much together that they've been torn apart again. she's broken up by games. killed by the reaping. at that carefree time, treech guessed that such an outcome could take place, so he was ready. as much as it was possible.

"you were able to come back to me, and i will do everything to come back to you," he strokes her cheek with one hand, and with the other he puts a ring in her deathly cold ones. "i love you."

the peacekeepers take him away.

she falls to her knees and a frantic scream pierces the entire square.

when the neighbors talk about tributes returning, she joyfully runs to meet treech, confident of his victory. there are two coffins at the square, in one of which lies lamina, and in the other her brave beautiful boy. he didn't come back to her.

you know I didn't want to have to haunt you

but what a ghostly scene

you wear the same jewels that I gave you

as you bury me

[my-pjo-stuff]

Hey so I just came up with this new au in my head.

So basically what happens is that for whatever reason the other Olympians who have demigod children, that being Ares, Demeter, Athena, Apollo, Hephaestus, Aphrodite, and Hermes all somehow managed to piss off Zeus so much that he decides to send them to live and camp with their children. Just like Dionysus.

(or he was already mad at them for something and Hera put the idea in his head. Since she likes none of them.)

So one early morning Chiron calls all the camp counselors into the big house to inform them of this. Needless to say none of them are happy.

Especially not Luke who is the de facto parent of these kids.

At first all the gods kindness stay in the big house complaining about their situation to Dionysus. But they soon tired of that, so they actually turned their attention to their children.... For entertainment.

Ares keeps starting fights between the campers. Apollo forces of them to listen to his poems & concerts, even though it's already midnight. Hephaestus criticizes and disproves of any of the metal work being done especially if it's done by his own children. Aphrodite keeps causing drama with crushes that the campers have, especially of her own children for her own entertainment. Athena criticizes every little thing that they do, ect, ect.

This makes Luke livid especially when he sees poor annabeth crying because of how many times Athena has criticized her or disproved her on the smallest things.

He also hates Hermes as he spends his time either ignoring his kids existence or telling them to steal something from one of the other gods in order to get his favor, which given the other gods tempers, it doesn't end well. Hermes also only talks to Luke occasionally trying to pretend like he isn't a horrible father. He even tries to bring up May but Luke shuts him down almost immediately.

The misery doesn't last long thankfully as for whatever reason Zeus decided his family hadn't been punished enough, and turns them into children. Children who are younger than their camp counselors of their cabin.... You can see where I'm going with this.

Some like Charlie or Katie simply ignore Hephaestus and Demeter's existence for the most part.

Clarisse is actually too scared to do anything to her father at first, for fear of the consequences later.

But Luke, Lee, Owen (the camp counselor before annabeth I made up in my head after reading some other fanfiction), & Seilena, immediately start bullying their parents as much as possible, in a passive aggressive way.

OK SO FIRST OF ALL, I LOVE THIS.

AND IT ALSO GAVE ME THOUGHTS OF A SEPARATE AU. But first off, holy heck so many more demigods would join Luke in this AU like???? Imagine all the kids meeting their parents and realizing what sort of assholes they are. Luke's "fall" to Kronos gets sped up SO MUCH????? At the end of TLT half the camp just dips all together at once, INCLUDING Annabeth who dragged Percy along. Ngl Hermes will have the worst time, especially with how crowded cabin eleven is. Luke needing to steal supplies for Percy in TLT means the campers don't get them as handouts. So Hermes better be good at locating them yourself! Aww did Aphrodite lose something? Sorry, no one saw it. Sorry you can't borrow it either- I just it too! Camp just slowly realizing how shitty their parents are- honestly wouldn't be surprised if, depending on how long they'll stay like that, end up tragically dead during Capture the Flag. Who needs dessert anyway, right Luke?

BUT ALSO IMAGINE THIS AU BUT THE GODS HAVING AMNESIA.

Like- Zeus decides leaving them with their memories would only cause issues since they'd obviously want to get back to godhood. And to him that would just be a lot of trouble, so instead he just erases their memories completely and throws them into camp. Let them rot there for a while, enjoy mortal life a bit.

Since they have no idea who they are, or what even their names are when they get to Camp they are obviously brought to the big house. Dionysus knows that those are the gods turned mortal, unfortunately though he's not allowed to reveal anything by order of Zeus. Not that he really would have, this is just too good.

With no knowledge of who these kids are, Chiron sees himself forced to improvise and calls up Luke and Owen to take them to cabin eleven until they are claimed. Luke is also the one who gives them names until they figure out their identities. Despite the arrival of 7 (apparent) demigods with 0 memory ofcourse caused a ruckus. But since no one knows that they are gods stuff settles down a bit after a while, they assume it was some freak accident or a monster attack. Meanwhile Luke and Owen are having their hands full taking care of these 7 kids. At this point Luke's already the unofficial official successor for counselor after Owen so he's reasonably involved.

Sleeping arrangements, getting them supplies, activities- it all needs to be organized for them and they need to be shown the robes. Since no one knows that they are actual gods they get treated like any other normal camper. And since there are no gods to claim them (SINCE THEY ARE THOSE GODS) they stay in eleven for practically their entire stay in CHB. Imagine them bonding with the other unclaimed kids over being "unimportant" to their parents. Imagine Luke comforting them about how shitty "the gods" are. Athena getting to bond with Annabeth over battle strategy. Ares getting to be beaten up by Clarisse during Capture the Flag. Demeter getting to plant with Katie. Apollo getting to go to archery classes with Chiron. And so on and so forth.

And they end up fully integrated into camp at some point! They live and think like any other demigod and everyone treats them like that. Luke looks after them, they have friends from other cabins and they sing along at the campfire.

They play games and train and angst over their "neglectful godly parent" and "amnesia". Everything seems to be going well, they are happy. The people around them are happy. The gods are happy. And then Zeus decides the punishment is enough, gives the gods their powers back and just fucks everything up. Because that does not go well. Zeus being Zeus didn't really check of course what they were doing before deciding to end the punishment or deigned to think about hos stressful it most be to not only suddenly become a got, but also get millennia of memories back in an instant. The gods were at the sing-along having a good time. Apollo was jamming out with the Apollo cabin leading the song. Hermes was reading to drop a water balloon as a prank on Aphrodite together with the Stolls. Heaphestus was happily basking in the warmth.

The fact that no true form of the gods was shown was dumb luck. One minute everything is fine, the next they are on the ground screaming as their divinity and memories are pressed into bodies too small to fit them- being stretched and forced to become what they once were. Everyone is scarred, kids are crying, and the Stolls ran to hide behind Luke when Hermes goes down alongside Annabeth clutching his leg. Zeus wanted them with him, so they were pretty much immediately ported to Olympus as soon as they were gods again. And FUCK is shit different now, 'cause now they are attached. Yes, they remember who they are now, but the memories of camp weren't erased! They spent years there. Years of living and laughing with their children. Years of being one of them.

And stuff is just so weird now like?????? All the anger with Zeus aside- they just, can't really view them as their "kids" now???? They feel more like- equals to them now. As weird as it is. Playmates, friends. Hell they just spent years with LUKE as their main caretaker! He was a better "Dad" than Zeus ever was! They still feel like they gotta listen to him 'cause he's counselor! Someone get Hermes some therapy for that mental dissonance of seeing his son as a parental figure.

Also, someone get them help for all the guilt. Because holy SHIT do they regret everything now. All the neglect, all the hurt, all the abuse. Because the gods get it now. They understand what it is like to be a child of them and live in the system they created. They understand what being a demigod means. They're sorry.

They want to be better.

And it isn't easy- god it couldn't be easy, but they somehow, someway get Zeus to allow them to visit camp freely. To support their kids.

And the gods swear to do better on the Styx, are excited to finally be real parents even.

Only to find camp terrified of them when they appear. The same kids treating them like friends and siblings cower, hide behind older kids and avoid their gaze when looking at them. Because they are gods. And they are cruel. Their children know that better than anyone.

[honey-minded-hivemind]

Haunted Mansion Au. With Yandere Wolverine and runaway teen reader

Oooooo... (May I call you Ghost Anon?) Yeah, none of the ghosts like when their favorite (and only) teen groundskeeper leaves. They didn't think them running away was a possibility, either. Ghost Dad-Verine is not gonna be happy. That being said, we're doing it anyway:

The ground was slick with wet leaves and thick mud as you ran, sliding in the muck underfoot as you fled from the mansion grounds.

You had been the groundskeeper the last few months (it had been about half a year), and you'd befriended (stayed polite to) a few odd people. They dressed like they were from a different time period, appeared in odd places without making a sound, and their names matched some of the names etched on the tombstones and gravemarkers in the mansion graveyard. You'd cleaned them up, placed fresh flowers, rinsed and scrubbed away mud and slimy rot. You'd even said a small prayer or blessing over them, even if you weren't religious or were from different faiths and religions.

You should have guessed (it was obvious, looking back at it) that the people you had met were ghosts. More specifically, the ghosts oof the people laid to rest in the graveyard. And there was one in particular who was after you, seeing as he was the one who caught you leaving your notice behind as you were leaving.

"Kid! Get back here! We can talk about this!" yells Logan, otherwise known as James "Jimmy" Logan-Howlett, a man who served in the military and was known to be an avid hunter and skilled fighter. His tombstone had been commissioned by his older brother, who'd fallen into grief and insanity after his younger brother had died. It had read something like:

Here lies Jimmy, short and stout

Brother and friend when you're without

Survived the worst yet all in vain

For he fell by venom, going in pain

Suffice to say, both of them had trauma, a hatred of snakes, and were insane over the fact you were trying to leave, never to return. You figured it was because he was scared you'd die, hoping if he saw you at all times that maybe you'd survive. Maybe he was scared you die somewhere and wouldn't end up a ghost at the mansion, where he resided. Or maybe he'd just always been crazy and beyond raving mad.

"Kid! Come out, NOW! You don't want to make me come in there after you... You don't want to do this. Do you? Don't leave me! Don't- There's snakes- vipers- rattlers- They'll kill you!" he screams, and you hear the rain come down harder, nearly blinding you as you duck down into the bushes between the graveyard and woods...

"Come on out. It's just me, kid. Woukd I steer you wrong?"

"Answer me! It's not safe to be out there!"

"... Kid..."

You almost breathe a sigh of relief when it's been quiet for over an hour, only the rain and wind howling and pounding being heard for miles...

Hissssss...

You go still, slowly turning your head to side.

And there, only a few feet away from you, is a snake. You look carefully at its face, then stop breathing.

It has pits on its face...

A loud cry tears from your throat as you bolt up, tripping backwards as you fumble out of the bushes-

Only for strong, cold arms to wrap under your pits, dragging you up and against Logan, who's face is unreadable.

"..."

Finally, he says something...

"You could've died..."

You shake, eyes darting over his form then down to the bushes and back to him. You aren't sure what to say. You aren't even sure you CAN say anything.

"Ypu could have DIED! WE are going back, and YOU are staying inside! Do NOT try to leave again, or I will tie you to the couch and force you to stay still," he growls, dragging you with him, through the graveyard and winding gravel paths, right back into the old decrepit halls of the manor, depositing you in front of a large fireplace and soon starting a fire inside. A cup of tea is shoved firmly into your wobbling hands, causing you to look up.

"Drink it," Logan orders, using his own freezing hands to steady yours, forcing the cup up towards your lips. Your chattering lips open, taking a small, trembling sip. "ALL of it." You shakily down the cup, and once done, Logan take its, setting it down on a lounge table. Your vision starts to fuzz around the edges, causing you to speak up.

"Log'n... wha' di y' gi'v m..?"

Your voice starts slurring a little, soon turning into a mumble. The older man- ghost- shushes you, soon wandering off. A few moments pass, all you can focus on being your blurring vision and the roaring crackle of the fire... Something thick and wooly falls across you, making you force your eyes to stay open.

"It's a blanket, kid. You need to get warm, and I can't trust you to do that on your own, so your taking a nap while we set up a room for you," Logan explains. You try to say something, but your mouth can't form the words. Your eyes soon slip into slits, in turn closing against your will. A tired murmur hums from your mouth, but all that earns is a chilly hand on your head.

"Get some rest, kid... See ya in the morning," Logan quietly whispers, then you feel something cold pressed to your forehead... The darkness seeps in... And your conscious seeps out...

Leaving a tired teen sleeping in a manor, set in front of a burning fireplace, a tainted teacup sitting on the table nearby... And a ghost watching over them, humming soothingly as they read a book next to them, close by in case they need him...

[satureja13]

Ji Ho is happily producing soundtracks and music for their game. He hadn't had a music station since they left Belgraves Institute! But he always had his guitar with him so he was able to compose whenever he had time.

And Saiwa is also working on the game. Kiyoshi seems a bit tense. (And Count von Count seems a bit intimidated by him hahaha.)

Sai heard the music from Ji Ho's room and went over with Kiyoshi to take a break and chat a bit about the game. Kiyoshi sat on Ji Ho's rug.

And he looks a bit happier now. Maybe he was just fed up of Count von Count?

And then he mumbled something! It really sounded like 'I like Bird'! Just very unclear. No wonder, Kiyoshi hadn't spoken for decades! It sounded as if one spoke with a pencil between their teeth - like they do in acting classes.

They gathered the others. Kiyoshi is on his way back from being a tree! Finally! Jeb is more relieved about this than anyone else. When Kiyoshi is back they can finally set things right between him and Saiwa! Vlad: "What did he say?" Saiwa: "Uhm - it really sounded like 'I like Bird'..." Jeb: "Well that's good news, isn't it?" But his face said something else... And poor Jack is also shocked. What will happen when Kiyoshi is back? Will he and Saiwa be a couple then and he'd have to watch them being happy together? How is he supposed to forget about Kiyoshi? Argh - and he just started to feel better after their break up!

Kiyoshi didn't say anything else and just stood there, so they eventually went back to work. Jeb trailed after Jack. He can't be alone right now. And Jack was glad he did. Because -> same. They went to Jack's new nectar shop. It's right next to Jeb's potions shop.

They avoided to talk about Kiyoshi - and his Bird. Jeb: "The nectar is amazing and your shop is so cool!" Jack: "Thanks, Jeb."

Jeb: "Let's hope Saiwa finds a way to send our produce over to the Muggle World so we can sell them there to pay back Rubyn and the others." Jack: "Yes. And to send messages. I'd love to hear from Barfolomew and Noxee again!"

Kiyoshi is mumbling again. Sai: "Just come back Kiyoshi."

Ji Ho and Vlad cared for the animals.

They both felt the drag from the Bond. It's hungry again.

Luckily Ji Ho has no problems with touching Vlad. It just feels too good. So good, he even forgets how awkward it still is.

Adriano: 'I hope they'll get together soon. They are driving me crazy!' Little Goat: 'Tell me about it -.-'

Outtakes: Adriano: 'Just kiss him!' Kumo: 'He's waiting, but don't go breaking his heart!'

'Nobody told us - 'Cause nobody showed us Now it's up to us babe - Whoa I think we can make it

So don't misunderstand me - You put the light in my life Oh, you put the spark to the flame - I got your heart in my sight

Woo hoo - Nobody knows it But when I was down I was your clown - Woo hoo'

Don't Go Breaking My Heart - Elton John & Kiki Dee

From the Beginning  ~  Underwater Love ~  Latest 🛺 'Home happy Home' from the beginning ▶️ here 📚 Previous Chapters: 🛺 'Home crappy Home' from the beginning ▶️ here 🌴 'The Expedition' from the beginning ▶️ here 🎤 'Putting the Boys Back together' from the beginning ▶️ here 🥀 'Disbandment of the Group' from the beginning ▶️ here

[wazzappp]

Alright whose ready to see my lose my mind over continually more ridiculous au ideas? Trick question your gonna see it happen anyway (I have. so much bullshit. i have an entire other au that I havent posted about yet and i am thinking. about the re7 au again brother. I have fallen into the pits don't come save me or I'll drag you down too).

also jesus FUCK @moosemonstrous coming in clutch again with both star wars knowlege and the ability to actually remember things beyond a day and a half of talking about them THANK YOU.

STAR WARS AU

The Jedi originally came to Tatooine looking for Gabe. Sensing his strength with the light side of the force they thought he would be a prime candidate for training. Unfortunately for them, Robbie and Gabe are a package deal. They begrudgingly allowed him to come along as well because he is also force sensitive, but a little older than they would usually let in for training. Robbie agrees to because 1. if he just says no who KNOWS if they'll just take Gabe away forcefully and 2. STEADY FOOD SOURCE. ROOF OVER THEIR HEADS. ADAQUATE MEDICAL CARE. NO MORE FUCKING SAND. He doesen't trust these people as far as he can throw them but FUCK anything must be better than here.

During a sparring session another padawan purposefully infuriates Robbie, causing him to reach out to the dark side. He nearly kills the other padawan with the strength of his outburst. It then becomes EXTREMELY EVIDENT that Robbie is VERY strong with the dark side of the force. As a result of this outburst, one of his eyes gets the usual 'sith look', he gets special training to try and suppress those feelings, and he gets permanent pariah status in the Jedi Temple (I have. plans. i am being vague on purpose because FUCK I want to draw this scene in my head so bad but I also want to get this out to yall in the same month so it will be coming later. my dramatic bitch syndrome demands it).

After the clone wars get started (he's around 16 at this point) the Jedi realize that they need more people to fight. Robbie, though being previously disqualified for his history, is accepted for training and assigned Jedi Knight Johnny Blaze as a master.

Unfortunately, along the way Johnny starts picking up more solo missions and eventually disappears about 6 months in and everyone thinks he's defected (he's spying on the sepratist's for the republic). Which MEGA sucks for Robbie because 'holy shit the unstable padawans master defected' is getting thrown around and thats really not great. He wanders off deep into the temple where he can hopefully find a place to throw his feelings around in peace and stumbles into the artifact room, which opened in response to sensing the dark side. Bad news, you cant use the same method to get out.

Even MORE unfortunately one of these sith artifacts starts talking to him. After telling him how to get tf out of the vault and convincing Robbie that things are about to get bad ('I FELT what you could to out there kid do you REALLY think they're gonna let you stay? You gotta get out of here. And if you take me with you I can guide us to a ship they can't trace')

So Robbie sets out to run away, fully planning on taking Gabe with him and gets second thoughts while packing to which Gabe goes 'fuck that were GOING' (he's like. 11. But he'll be damned if Robbie goes somewhere and leaves him who knows how long). While escaping via unauthorized ship takeoff, Elis holocron makes it look like Robbie has fully gone to the dark side and there are clones sent to stop him.

Robbie responds by using the force to throw another ship at them and escapes with Gabe. Now they're both on the run. Robbie wanted by the jedi council for kidnapping, and Gabe wanted back to complete his training.

Eli died as a dark side user and a wannabe Sith. He never really graduated into full sithhood and spent most of his time working for Senator Ivanov and his dealings in Hutt space. He was OBSESSED with the prospect of immortality and sought ways to survive even after death.

When he was used as a scapegoat by Ivanov (he reported Eli to the Jedi council to make him look a little less suspicious), his back up plan of imbuing a holocron with his force presence was put into use. He's been sitting gathering dust in a vault of darksided relics for the past 10 years, just waiting for his chance to get out.

Gabe is an EXCEPTIONAL student in the Jedi temple. He enjoys learning about the force and how to use it, and for the most part gets along with his peers. His mobility aid has been improved since Robbie first built it for him out of scraps he was allowed to take from working on ships on Tatooine. Some days are still better than others, and there are times when a wheelchair is more appropriate, but generally the braces are good for daily use.

He is VERY defensive of his brother and absolutely will not hear a bad word said about him (many bad words are said about him. everyone things Gabe is incredibly sweet, but also to blinded by his love for his brother to see that he poses a threat). It very much so does frustrate him, he's just better at dealing with those feelings then Robbie is.

Anakin gets his fun force choking so I think that Robbie should get something fun and funky and special too so enter: JAW BREAK!! Yes it is very ring inspired but I wanted to make it MORE. So fuck it he rips the whole jaw off its hinges I think this would also probably kill you very dead.

Plus some doodles because brainrot brainrot brainrot brainrot

[countrymusiclover]

7 - We Can't Just Live by "Whatever the Hell we Want"

Part 8

Star Crossed Enemies

Bellamy dragged me inside the closet empty tent, harshly holding onto my wrist until we were both standing inside the tent where he felt comfortable bickering in my face.  “Why didn't you just tell me the truth from the beginning?” 

“Maybe because it's none of your freaking business.” I snapped back. 

He growled, tightening his grip on my forearm he was still holding onto.  “She’s your sister.  Your twin sister and she has no clue about it.” 

“Yes.  I thought I explained it pretty clearly unless you got dropped on your head a lot when you were a child.” 

Bellamy dug his fingers deeper into my forearm, where I wondered if his goal was to draw blood from my body or something.  “The whole point of me letting you mingle around my camp was to help us survive.  But now I - I don't know how to trust a word you say.” 

“I don’t see you spilling all your deepest darkest secrets to me which means I shouldn't have to do the same thing to you.” 

Bellamy raised a brow warning me.  “Remember who's in charge here, grounder.” 

“Do you want to fight, Blake cause I'll give you a fight.” I took a step closer until our noses were touching one another. 

I didn't care if he said he was the one in charge.  I could easily drop his ass right here and now.  Plus he needed to get some sense knocked into him to realize he didn't get to know everyone's business, especially if he wouldn't share his own past with someone like me.  “I want you to start trusting me, Cassie.” 

“What have you done to earn my trust, hmm.  Why should I care about anything you say?  You've repeatedly thrown me around like shit since we’ve met rather than show me any little bit of humanity or kindness.” 

Bellamy lowered his gaze to the ground briefly, muttering under his breath where I swore I didn't hear him correctly.  “I was the reason mine and Octavia's mother got floated on the Ark.” 

“What? Bellamy, I'm-” 

I wasn’t allowed to finish my sentence before the flap was flung opened by Octavia and the boy who wore goggles on his head entering the tent.  “Jasper and I need to show you something. Where's Clarke?” 

“In the dropship.” Bellamy replied. 

The guy named Jasper ducked outside the tent going to get the blonde.  “I'll go get her.” 

Once my sister and Jasper came back into the tent they showed a knife made of metal that wouldn’t have been one of mine.  “ So, there's a murderer in the camp?”

“There's more than one murderer in this camp. This isn't news. We need to keep it quiet.” Bellamy briefly looked around at the group knowing it was a camp full of prisoners. 

My sister kept a hold of the knife attempting to leave.  “Get out of my way, Bellamy.”

“Clarke, be smart about this. Look at what we've achieved… the wall, the patrols. Like it or not, thinking the Grounders killed Wells is good for us.” 

She snapped back at him.  “Oh, good for you, you mean. What… keep people afraid and they'll work for you? Is that it?”

“Yeah. That's it. But it's good for all of us. Fear of the Grounders is building that wall. And besides, what are you gonna do… just walk out there and ask the killer to step forward? You don't even know whose knife that is.” He glanced down to the blade in her hands. 

She challenged him, holding it up to his eye level, pushing her way out of the tent.  “Oh, really? J.M. John Murphy. The people have a right to know.”

“Cassie.” Bellamy called my name seeing me slip out of the tent following after my sister. 

“You son of a bitch!”

Murphy stumbled backwards when she shoved him harshly and a lot of people who were building the wall paused their work to watch.  “What's your problem?”

My sister held up the knife.  “Recognize this?”

“ It's my knife. Where'd you find it?” He attempted to reach for it but she held it from his grasp. 

She glared at him before I felt someone standing behind me where I looked out the corner of my eye to see Bellamy and his sister behind me.  “Where you dropped it after you killed Wells.”

Murphy didn’t believe what she was saying to him.  “Where I what? The Grounders killed Wells, not me.”

“I know what you did, and you're gonna pay for it.” Clarke got up in his face. 

Murphy shoved her away pointing his finger at me.  “I didn’t kill anyone.  Why don’t you ask the prisoner that’s just walking around our camp like she ain’t a fucking grounder.” 

“I’m helping your people survive, asshole.  The portals, the wall and everything else were my ideas.” I jumped into the conversation not wanting to be blamed for something I didn’t even remotely do. 

Murphy stomped over about to take a swing at me until Bellamy grabbed his wrist getting up in his face.  “If you touch her.  You and me are going to have problems.” 

“He might be right.  Why don’t we float them both?” A black guy asked looking around th room. 

My sister looked back at him.   “That doesn’t seem necessary.” 

“I say we float them both.” The guy ignored her and the crowd started chanting the same words. 

“Float them!” 

Reaching down to my boot for a weapon I remembered Bellamy had my weapons back in his tent.  A few of the stronger guys came over twisting my arms behind my back dragging me behind Murphy until we were at the edge of the camp wall.  “No. No. No, please don’t!” 

“Make sure she can’t escape.” The black guy instructed one of the guys who was wrapping zip ties around my wrist. 

Murphy was put on the same metal box stand as I was.  But he had a gag around his mouth and rope around his neck.  “Bellamy! Please don’t let them do this.” Tears welling in my eyes I struggle to get free of the ties but the rope around my neck wasn’t helping me get out faster. 

My sister shoved Bellamy slightly backwards.  “You can stop this.  They’ll listen to you.” 

“Bellamy! You should do it.  Bellamy.” The black guy started chanting and the crowd followed.  “Bellamy, Bellamy.” 

My sister pointed her finger at his chest.  “I saw you in the woods with Atom.  I know you’re not a killer.  Bellamy, don’t do this.” 

“Bell - amy!” I croaked out seeing him coming forward, eyeing me before he kicked the crate and I gasped sharply feeling my throat get closed tightly by the rope and the crowd cheering yet only for a brief moment.  My eyes closed when my breathing began to return to somewhat normal when I felt my body falling to the ground.  Except what I landed on wasn’t harsh twigs and wet dirt from the rain but muscular arms causing me to use what little energy I had regained to shift my head upward seeing Bellamy staring down at me.  “Bell - you cut mine.” 

Clarke cried in anger while my eyes rolled seeing Murphy still hanging by the rope.  “How could you!” 

“This is on you, princess.  You should’ve kept your mouth shut.” Bellamy shouted back at the blonde still holding me against his chest bridal style.  “Some sister you turned out to be!” 

She stumbled backwards in confusion.  “What?” 

The crowd's cheering turned into shouts when someone came running in giving orders to cut Murphy down.  Two guys took out weapons threatening to hurt the one guy until the young child Bellamy had told me about broke through the madness.  “Murphy didn’t kill Wells.  I - I did!” That was all it took before everyone went silent. 

“Cassie - Cassie, no, no, stay awake for me.” Bellamy shifted his gaze down to me feeling my body going limp in his arms.  My eyes rolled into the back of my head before I passed out.  “Cassie!” 

[trashbag-baby666]

Oh, Baby!-Firehouse au

Summary: Curt and John are on call during the full moon…their calls are deemed to be more crazy, including them carrying out three different women in labor at once. (Loosely based on an episode of 9-1-1)

WC: 2, 245

C/W: birthing

MOTA Masterlist!

"I told you there is no way the full moon has anything to do with the kind of calls we get tonight." Benny grumbled bent down in front of the truck inspecting the skunk leftovers. 

"Speak for yourself DeMarco, but you're telling me it doesn't seem kinda crazy that we coincidentally hit two fuckin’ skunks on just this last call!" Curt was about the most superstitious one in the house. Although he just blamed it on his Irish heritage. He barely allowed them to make spaghetti, because that would always warrant a call, don't say it's quiet because then they'll get a hail storm of calls, he even went as far as carrying the same routine of laying in bed for 15 minutes then going to sleep. Because if he laid down and went to bed right away there most certainly would be a call.

"Counter argument, we were driving on a back road there was sure to be skunk. But maybe you wouldn't know the difference between a skunk and a raccoon, New York." 

"Shut your fuckin' yapper, Benny." Curt pulled on a pair of the rubber gloves pulling out an unfortunate piece of skunk out of the grill.

"You guys aren't making probie do this?" Ham walked over ,the smell considerably stinking up the house so he came to complain.

"No, I'm not gonna make Brady dig skunk out of the grill. Now you on the other hand...Your mamaw used to make you shoot squirrels for dinner. Why don't you come and dig out Mr Skunky?" Benny held the tail portion and began to chase the lenghty blonde with it. 

Curt took this as his opportunity to get out of there and not have to help him dig out skunk. 

Alas, another call and John could feel his sinuses swell the moment they walked into the yoga studio. The overwhelming scent of far too many incense tickled his nose causing him to sneeze.

"Bless you, cap." Dougie walked beside him carrying the backboard. Apparently some lady was stuck in a yoga position. 

"I'm Firefighter Captain John Egan, can you show us to where she is?" He held his hand out to shake the instructor's hand.

"Yeah, just this way, I will tell you that the yoga class is for women over 26 weeks pregnant and I tell them not to overexert themselves." She held open the curtain into the yoga studio revealing the woman stuck in what looked to be a nearly impossible looking pose. Her leg up into the air, her chest on the ground and her arms laid out behind her.

"The locust pose," Curt spoke with a bit of too much excitement in his voice. The two side eyed him at the random information drop, "What, Kenny drags me to yoga class with him?"

John shook his head and nudged Dougie, walking over to the lady. Alright can I have you guys step away from her, so we can get in there?" he got on his knees next to her.

"Uh, it hurts so bad," The lady whimpered and John couldn't even imagine bearing the pain that she was in right now. it's something he always thought about on calls, "Is the baby okay? Please tell me my baby's okay!"

"Okay, we're gonna check your baby right now, ma'am, I'm gonna touch your stomach." John put two fingers onto the woman's stomach feeling for abdomen trauma, "Okay, no abdominal trauma."

"Vitals seem normal, fetal heart beat is normal." Dougie held the stethoscope to her stomach for a moment listening. 

"Good, amazing."

"Is the baby fine?" the lady's voice panicked as she let out another groan of pain. 

"Your baby is fine," John assured her, getting down on his elbows to talk to her.

"He's not even mine, I'm a surrogate."

"Well you outta charge them for this," John sighed, they paid their surrogate for Flynn very kindly and he sure would want to compensate her if she had been in a situation like that. "Can you tell me where you're feeling any pain? is it localized? in your arms, back, legs?"

"Arms and legs but it's the worst in my butt and down my thigh and calf." 

"Look, I think you slipped a disc." John sat up back onto his knees, " we're gonna need to get her on her side, very carefully. Support her head, Dougie. We're coming towards you."

John instructed them as they began to move her onto her side a woman across the room let out a loud pained groan. She was on her knees rocking back and forth, her face scrunched up. This is what John really didn't want to do, deliver a baby tonight. 

"Alright I'm gonna take care of that, you take care of this." Since it was a full moon shift they were being spaced out and it was just the three of them. John took his gloves off and swapped them for a new pair walking over to the other woman. 

"I think I'm having contractions ." The woman's forehead was covered in beads of sweat and her teeth clenched. 

"Alright, how far along are you ma'am?" John knelt in front of her. 

"38 weeks. alright just keep breathing with your contractions, what's your name?" 

"Sarah."

"Okay, Curt, get some water for Sarah." John pointed to him and the instructor quickly fetched him a water bottle. It's times like these that John really would surprise everyone with how calm and collected he could be on a call. 

"Okay, I think this is Braxton Hicks, it's a type of soft labor. your contractions will go away once we get you hydrated and relaxed. Curt handed John the bottle of water and he unscrewed the cap and handed it to her, "Sip on this."

Pure terror ran through John's body as the terrifying sound of another woman's water breaking.

"Oh god," She looked panicked, her hands going to her stomach. 

"Curt," John cleared his throat.

"Yup I'm already on it, dispatch, requesting additional paramedics to 263 Casper and Main. Possible spinal disc herniation needs transport to hospital immediately." Curt spoke into his radio and helped the lady onto the floor. John rushing to his side, 

"Have you done this before, cap?" he raised his eyebrows, his eyes a little wide in panic.

"Uh, no but I've seen Kenny do it." 

"Okay, I'm gonna." Curt pulled out his phone and John nodded. 

"Okay, your contractions just started so I think we can get you to a hospital." John rested her hand on the lady's shoulder.

"No this is my fourth kid, it's coming." She growled at him, deservingly. 

"Okay, we need towels! I need towels." John began to look around as another woman brought over a stack of towels. "Curt, how we doin'?"

"Just got him on the line," he came back over to them. 

"Hey, Kenny, I hope you can help me out here." 

"Anytime, Bucky, alright how far are her contractions apart?"

"Cap, her contractions are three minutes apart. I don't think this is in soft labor..." Dougie spoke from across the room sitting with Sarah still. 

"Uhm, alright, well ma'am you're having this baby we won't be able to get you to the hospital. Transportation is too risky right now, but you're in good hands." He nodded to her, whipping over his shoulder as another woman's water broke. 

"Kenny we got a third, can you walk us through this. I've only watched you do it." John felt his stomach turning with his own anxiety about all the bodily fluids and umbilical cords. He shuddered metaphorically because he couldn't be scared in front of these women. 

"Ma'am I have a paramedic on the phone with me right now. His name is Ken Lemmons and he's gonna help us through this." 

"Okay, have her lay against someone with her knees bent in a squatting position.” Kenny instructed and John waved over the instructor to help. 

"They say when a full moon's between the eastern horizon and at its highest point it can induce labor." the instructor smiled, clasping her hands together.

"I told you the full moon brought out the crazy." Curt put his hands up in defense rushing over to the third woman and helping her lay down.

"We can discuss the moon later, Curt. Okay now what, Kenny?"

"If you're not in labor can we please have you exit the space and go into the lobby?" John asked, pointing towards the door, he grabbed his radio, "Dispatch, I have two possibly three women in labor. I need a couple of extra transports to the hospital. 

"Okay, Bucky, I'm gonna need you to have her push, alright?"

"Okay, and we're pushing take a deep breath in," 

"I've done this four times!" The woman snapped at John as she pushed clenched another woman's hand 

"Is the baby crowning, John?" 

"Yes, yes the baby's crowning." He supported the baby's head, "You're doing such a good job right now, ready one, two, three." she let another roaring yell as she pushed again. 

"Do you see the umbilical cord? Make sure it's not wrapped around the baby's neck."

"No, no everythings normal." John felt his stomach beginning to get queasy but he could not do this here. He tries to ignore all the fluids and blood, he thinks he might actually take five showers when they get back to the firehouse. 

"Can someone get you a towel?"

"Curt! I need a towel!" 

He came rushing over with one John snatching it straight out of his hands and putting it on the floor. 

"Okay, are you seeing shoulders?"

"Yeah, yeah."

"Alright, one last big push."

"Ma’am, can you give me one last big push?" John was trying to catch his own breath. If the full moon was anything of good luck he needed it to not pass out. 

She let out an ear piercing, banshee-like scream. The baby fully being born, John catching her in the towel. God, newborns are so ugly... "Congrats, on your baby girl." 

"Curt, do you have the clamp and scissors?"

“Yep,” he turned to hand them to him but he just stared back at him. He was not going to be cutting the cord or else he was going to need an ambulance too. 

“Are you?” Curts eyes narrowed as his glare set in on him, “Why do I have to do it?” “Damnit, just.” in a moment of pure adrenalin he snatched the clamp from him, moving quickly and cut the umbilical cord. Nearly sending himself to the floor but he quickly swaddled the baby in the towel and handed her to the mom. 

“Cap, she’s sayin’ she didn’t feel this way with her last pregnancy!” Dougie called from across the room. John rushed over to see the petite lady.

“Ma’am how tall are you?”

“Four 11.”

“Did your doctor tell you about the size of your baby? Is he big?” “Yeah he’s big.”

“Alright, I think your baby's head is too big for your pelvis, we’re gonna get you to a hospital immediately for an emergency c-section.” Like on time the paramedics arrived and the three felt relieved. 

“Our names are Curtis, Dougie, and John if you wanna…name any of your babies after us.” Dougie removed his gloves picking up the bag.

The first thing John did after they got back to the firehouse, but the second thing was sitting down to call Gale. It was late and part of him felt guilty knowing if he called he would wake him up. But as soon as he was staring at Gale's contact a text came through from him. He hit the callsign with no hesitation bringing the phone to his ear. 

“Hey,” He smiled as soon as Gale picked up, not even giving him a chance to speak. “How’s your full moon shift going? Has curt convinced you you’re going to turn into a werewolf?” he could feel his smile through the phone, he could imagine Gale in his raspberry maroon silk robe. Leaning on the counter maybe? His phone in one hand while he mindlessly fidgeted with something else.

“No, no. But I think Curt might be onto something with the moon…” 

“Don’t count on it.” 

“You’re no fun, you won’t even let me read you your horoscope.” John smiled, running his hands through his hair sitting back in his office chair. 

“So, what’s got you convinced? What crazy thing happened tonight?” 

“Well, we got called to this prenatal yoga studio because this lady was stuck in this pose. But then three ladies ended up in labor, two gave birth.” 

“Oh, so our daughter's birth was too much for you?” Gale laughed at him, a snort coming from his nose.

“Okay, but I was on an adrenaline rush and I almost passed out after cutting the one lady’s cord.” 

“I’m proud of you, John, I haven’t ever delivered a baby before.”

“We had to call Kenny to tell us how to do it.” John snickered his cheesy smile pulling on his face and he realized he might look crazy if any of the guys saw him right now. “You should make him a pie for that, he always brings you pie anyways.” 

“I’ll get the girls to help me. But I just wanted to hear your voice, I miss you.”

“I’ll see ya in the morning Johnny, love you.”

“Love you too.”

“Oh and don’t let the Curt wolf bite!” 

-

-

Taglist: @austeenbootler @coastiewife465 @slowsweetlove @executethyself35 @storysimp

[russellshaws]

Chenford + 18 please!

chenford + things you said when you were scared

"So I'm right," she won't meet his gaze even though he's trying to catch hers. She busies herself with folding and re-folding the blanket thrown over the bottom corner of her bed, the one he'd put on her side for the nights when she gets cold and needs an extra layer (which is all of them, really). Her fingers fumble the corner once, twice, again. "You seriously don't think I can do it."

She hates herself a little for it.

She hates herself a little for everything lately, if she's being honest. There's this feeling in the back of her throat she can't get rid of, a tickle that's causing her to say things she doesn't want to, that's goading her on to be the worst version of herself because she can't not. If she's going down, she's dragging everyone with her. Is that dramatic? Sure, but she's never claimed to be anything less.

She sees the twinge in Tim's eye and something in her stomach soars, surges, squeezes. She's got him.

This is stupid, her rational brain tells her. You're self-sabotaging. Tim loves you. He believes in you. Stop picking fights with him because you're–

Shut up, she tells her rational brain, which apparently is the only part that doesn't have an issue listening to direct orders.

"Lucy, we're not doing this." His teeth are grit and his neck is tense. She can tell he's actively trying to soften his face, not to look stern and defeated in the way she knows he would if he wasn't aware of what she was doing. She would hate herself for doing this to him, but she decides to hate him a little bit for not calling her out on it instead.

"Doing what?" Her tone is snappier than she intends it to be, but it works in her favor.

He sighs deliciously. "This. This. We're not having this fight that has no point – either you believe me or you don't."

Lucy rolls her eyes, chewing on the inside of her cheek as the silence floods between them.

Usually, the silence is comfortable. The silence is nice, even, while she folds her laundry and he reads through a file, pretending he's not struggling to see the text without the dollar store pair of cheaters she'd tucked away in his desk a few months back when she'd noticed how far away from his face he was holding his phone.

They don't talk and they don't have to, because she knows every tiny movement Tim's jaw will make while he reads gory details, because he knows every ClipTalk trick she'll use in order to fold a fitted sheet without asking for help. They don't need words to know what the other is thinking, what they'll do next, when they need each other.

Today, the silence is overwhelming. She ignores the piece of her that aches for him and swallows it down – partly because it doesn't matter, partly because she doesn't want it to.

She leaves the blanket in a lopsided lump on the edge of the bed and crosses her arms. "I'd believe you if you were believable," she offers, shrugging. "If you don't think I can do better a second time, you can just tell me. I'd rather know the truth than have you pretend to support me again."

Tim rolls his eyes. "You know what," he starts, but shuts his eyes, shaking his head. "I'm not giving you what you want here."

"Oh, I know," she huffs, a dry laugh escaping her throat. "Trust me."

Tim squints at her, then stands up, rolling his sleeves up slowly. She watches, tipping her head to the side. At least he looks nice. "Enjoying the show?"

"Immensely," she deadpans, then purses her lips and lets herself meet his eye. He's staring her down and she swallows hard. "What?"

"What are you getting from this," his voice is lower, softer. She rips her gaze away and shakes her head. "Lucy, come on – you don't get to use me as a punching bag because you're scared you're going to fuck up ag-," he stops himself, but the damage is done.

She shuts her eyes, turning on her heel and heading towards the bathroom. She's not upset, honestly – she's kind of relieved, revitalized, ready to rub it in his face. At least he's being honest, this time. At least he's not pretending he's not disappointed in her. "See?"

"That's not what I-," she shuts the bathroom door behind her, muffling the sound of him. He knocks on it softly. "Baby, come on."

"Do not," she nearly growls.

She hears the light thunk of his head leaning against the door and she takes a step away from it, bristling at the sound of him sighing out a slow breath. "You don't think you can do it. You don't, and you know that." She doesn't answer and he sighs again, this one louder. "Talk to me, would you?"

"Go home," her voice is on the tip of her tongue, surprising her when it comes out firm, strong, certain. She hadn't known she wanted him to go home. She's not actually sure she does.

"What?" He sounds genuinely confused. Lucy ignores the fact that part of her mind is racing around, searching for ways to keep him here and get him to convince the rest of her mind to leave her the fuck alone. "You want me to go?"

She doesn't give herself the chance to think about it. "Go," she says again, firm, "home, Tim."

He waits. She knows this game – he'll count to ten, then twenty, then thirty. If she doesn't tell him to stay by the time he reaches sixty, he'll leave her be. It's fucked up that she knows, she realizes. It's fucked up that there's a pattern to this at all.

She swallows, then glances over at her shower and taps her fingers against the door lightly. He taps back. He's got to be somewhere around 35, by now.

"Please go home," she repeats, and it sounds different. A little raw, a little real. "I just want to be by myself, okay?"

He's quiet. She huffs. "Are you going to answer if I call later?"

She surveys her thumb nail, then bites the loose skin on her cuticle gently. "Maybe," she mumbles.

"Are you going to snap at me again?"

"Probably."

"Wow," he sounds a little annoyed, but mostly bemused. "Honesty for once."

She groans, but he doesn't laugh. She hears the floor creak beneath his feet as he makes his way back into her bedroom, then through the kitchen, then out the front door. The lock turns and the hum of alone silence falls over her as she leans back against the door and shuts her eyes.

He didn't say goodbye. She files it away, another thing she can pick a fight over later if she needs to.

She ignores her rational brain, screaming for her to figure this out before she ruins the most important relationship in her life. She'll ruin it if she damn well wants to, thank you very much.

The alone silence, the silence she wanted, doesn't feel as good as she'd hoped.

[ranchracoon]

"Make Me Yours" Ch. 6 The Involuntary Servitude

Chapter 5

The blond, Bela, dragged Carmen down through corridor after corridor until they arrived in a long hallway not nearly as beautifully designed as the rest of the castle. The walls and floor were made of stone, with rusty doors leading to who knows where. Bela hands her a musty stack of clothes and ordered her to wash up and join the others. Carmen flinched and hissed as the ice-cold water hit her skin, she shivered violently and made this the shortest shower of her life. As she dresses in the plain black dress, she groans under her breath and decides to stash her old clothes rather than throw them away. This has to be a joke. Any minute her true mate will reveal herself, there's no way that woman is her mate. If she is, did she truly not feel anything? This was a mistake. She wants to go home and forget any of this happened. She has to get out of here. She remembers one of the daughters mentioning a third, Daniela? Maybe she is the key. 

Carmen found herself amongst the others who were kidnapped into servitude, all of them gave her a wide berth and hardly spoke to her. They all reeked of fear, and she can't blame them, for she too felt the embrace of fear and uncertainty. She found the head maiden, a girl no older than 16 by the name of Lilliana. Carmen wanted to scoff at the notion of following the orders of a literal child, a human one at that, but then she remembers her goal: escape. This would be so much easier if she hadn't forgotten her cell phone. The child leads her to the main dining hall adjacent to where she was first caught, there she finds three others scrubbing the table, including the girl from before. 

Carmen growls, she wants to wring her neck for giving her away! As Carmen approaches, she pauses, yet another child, looking closer this one can't be older than 14 and that's being generous. She huffs, this child sniffles and bows her head begging for an apology while the others stare. Carmen relaxes and gently touches the girl's shoulder, but she flinches away and sucks in a sharp breath. She can't hurt her, nor can she truly be mad, but something stirs within her; she not only needs to escape but she needs to protect these children. Carmen looks around at the others who quickly look away, the head maiden sighs softly when Carmen rejoins her. They go into the kitchen where more children are working, Carmen realizes she's the oldest one there. 

"Why is everyone so young?" Carmen blurts out. 

There's a pause in the kitchen, everyone looks at each other and silently speak to one another; who is going to tell her. 

"The Lady requires virgins for her wine." The head maiden finally speaks. 

"Wine?" Carmen asks. 

"Her blood wine. Her and her daughters live off consuming blood and human remains." Says one bitterly. 

"So...you're all-" Carmen starts. 

Cattle. That's what they are. They're all cattle waiting for the day that they'll be sent through the slaughterhouse. New objective: escape and help these children escape. Suddenly there's a rush of cold air that surrounds her, she hugs herself and looks around but sees no windows or anything to cause such a breeze. She feels uneasy, like someone or something is watching her. A bell rings from overhead, Carmen flinches and covers her sensitive ears from the loud intrusion, the maids from the dining room suddenly appear behind her. Carmen moves out of the way and watches these poor souls move in rehearsed fashion. 

"It's dinner time. You'll be joining me." She states matter of fact. 

Carmen hates how her inner wolf wags her tail; she'll get to see her mate again. NO. There's no way that monster is her mate! She must know something, because Carmen knows it's none of the daughters and it can't be any of these children. She has two feelings: fear of being skinned alive, and excitement because she's so close to her mate. Her idiotic wolf brain is only focused on the later and not on the fact that she needs to get out of here and find her true mate. If only she could reach out somehow. 

Carmen follows the head maiden and stands by her, it's weird being the tallest one for once for she practically towers over the other staff. That's quickly dwindled when the daughters arrive; Bela is first, then the brunette, and then a redhead who must be Daniela. They sit next to each other on the opposite side of a large chair which can only be for one person who makes her presence known. Carmen can't help but straighten her back a little more, present herself a little, and curse her stupid, horny, wolf for making her this way. The lady crouches through the doorway and stand upright, completely ignoring Carmen and the other staff as she takes her seat. A little deflating but no matter, Carmen has to impress her mate! No, she has to escape. 

"Good evening daughters." The lady states. 

"Good evening mother." The daughters respond in unison. 

"Bela, report."

Bela, starts off with her day. Carmen gathers she must be in charge or the oldest judging from her duties: she took inventory of stock, which included staff, ordered for the private wine tasting room to be restocked, etc. The more Bela speaks the more Carmen feels queasy, that is until Bela mentions her. 

"We had an intruder and no one told me? Where is she?!" The redhead interrupts. 

Carmen stiffens and suddenly looks up and finds the redhead staring directly at her. Carmen gulps and feels sweat begin to form in her lower back. 

"Wow. She's pretty. Can she be mine?" The redhead asks. 

"No." The lady responds quickly, "she is an outsider. Mother Miranda will decide what to do with her. Until then, she'll be working under myself or Bela." The lady looks over at Carmen, who can't help but straighten up again and internally grin, "we wouldn't want her wandering off."

"Aw. Bela always gets the new playthings." Whines the redhead. 

"That's because you kill them too quickly." The brunette comments. 

"I do not!"

"Enough!" orders the lady, "Cassandra report your day."

Ah, so the brunette is Cassandra and the redhead is Daniela. Bela, Cassandra, and Daniela. Carmen's wolf is leaping for joy at the thought of being closer to her mate, but Carmen's mind is wandering on how she's going to get to Daniela. Bela strikes her as the type to never deviate from what her mother says, so she'll have to be sneaky and crafty. Just like hunting. As Carmen listens to Cassandra report, suddenly she perks up when the daughter mentions hunting. Okay, so her and Cassandra have something in common. Perhaps she can work her way in that way? Cassandra seems like the hardest to get through but if she finds common ground, Cassandra might be her key to getting to Daniela. Already the wheels are turning. 

Daniela finishes with reporting, she spends most of her time near the library wherever that is.  Carmen will have to learn the layout of this castle quickly if she's going to escape. Finally, it's the lady's turn to speak and Carmen hangs on every word despite it all being mundane. The lady never looks in her direction while speaking until the very end when they make eye contact and Carmen beams with joy. The lady sneers. 

"Come here."

Carmen obeys, she curses herself by how easily she approaches the woman who threatens her very existence. 

"Carmen was it?"

"Yes." Carmen responds. 

"Yes...what?" The lady growls. 

Carmen raises an eyebrow, "yes...ma'am?"

"Acceptable but you will refer to myself or my daughters as my lady, ma'am, or with a proper title. Understood?"

"Yes...my lady." Carmen grumbles. 

"And none of that." The lady spits, "can you read? Write? Obviously, you can talk."

"Can you shake? Lie down? Sit? Play dead?" Cassandra snickers but quickly quiets down when her mother glares at her.

"Yes, I can read, write, type, hunt" Carmen emphasizes the last word, capturing Cassandra's attention. 

"You will only answer my question directly. Now, I have no use for you in my wine, so I'll have to find something else for you to do until I hear from Mother Miranda." 

Carmen blushes, her entire body heats up, can she smell that she's not a virgin? Or maybe it's her age? Either way it's embarrassing. The lady dismisses her, and Carmen returns to her post, she sighs heavily as she relaxes but her wolf is going fucking nuts inside her. She wants to burst out and claim her mate, but this woman isn't going to accept her, but she hasn't rejected her either. After dinner Carmen helps clear the table and joins the staff in the kitchen for dinner, the serving is measly compared to what she's used to. It's bland and honestly, she's pretty sure it's not even food but she eats it anyhow to sate her growling stomach. She follows the staff to the staff quarters where she finds an empty bed to claim as her own, but despite the exhaustion haunting her body, sleep does not find her easily. 

Chapter 7