#before id just have to hold it or put it in my trouser pocket and risk unbuttoning my coat a little to get it out

[phagodyke]

NEW LAB COATS LETS GOOOOO

[ikleesfiction]

Miss Americana

Fandom : Crossover Hawaii Five-0 x Chicago PD TV Word count : 5,610 words Pairing : Steve McGarrett x Danny Williams; Jay Halstead x reader

Summary :  You met Williams-McGarrett family in Los Angeles and they introduced you to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Your boyfriend, Jay Halstead, doesn't know anything about this. Yet.

Author's note :

This is the fourth one shot of "Will you follow through if I fall for you" fic continuation. It would be better if you read it first. But if you don't, here's the quick summary.

This happened after I listened to a few podcasts (1  🞂  2  🞂 3) of Scott Caan and Alex O'Loughlin, passionately talking about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. 

This fic does not comply to the canon of Hawaii Five-0 or Chicago PD. So if you don't follow one of the other, it should not be a hindrance, I think. Here's hoping that I'm right.

Disclaimer

◢◤

"Would you like another cup of coffee?

You look up from the book in your hand to the waiter addressing you.

"Oh, I would love to. But it's already my fourth cup of the day," You grimace at him. "Maybe I'll take a bottle of water, please? Cold, if you have one."

The waiter grins at you, "Sure thing," then leave with your empty cup of coffee.

You are supposed to meet your friend, Tim, at his house on The Bird Streets to work on a song. However, he got a sudden appointment and asked you to wait for his call to reschedule. So here you are, sitting at a Cafe/Bistro somewhere in Los Angeles, drinking too much coffee.

You check your watch and your phone. It's almost lunchtime, but your phone is still showing nothing. Alright then, you thought to yourself, back to the book. Your eyes immediately find the last paragraph you read on Astrophysics for People in a Hurry.

Five pages later, the waiter puts a bottle of water on your table, "Here it is. You sure you don't want another cup of coffee?" He jokes with you.

You laugh in response, "No, really, thank you."

The waiter leaves with a smile and turns to the table across from yours. That's when you notice somebody's sitting there.

"Good afternoon. Only for two?" The waiter lays two menu cards on the table.

"Four. My husband and daughter are parking the car." The man answers him with a smile. He has a little boy sitting next to him. His son, you guess, since both of them have blond hair. Their noses look similar too.

"Danno, can I have ice cream for lunch?" The boy begs his father, pointing at one of the delightful pictures on the card.

"Hmm, maybe." The father hums his reply. He exchanges a knowing glance with the waiter.

"Do you want anything to drink while you're waiting?"

"Soda!" The boy yells from his chair, who laughs at his father's glare.

"How about two glasses of orange juice?" The father checks to his son before confirming it with the waitress.

"Okay, be right back with your drinks."

After the waiter leaves, the boy begins to prattle about everything to his father. About giraffes at the zoo ("They are so tall like Dad!"), about his favorite ice cream flavors ("Cookie Dough. But I like Kame's shave ice better, Danno"), about swimming at Venice Beach ("There's a lot of people there, Danno. I like our beach more")

The boy doesn't even look like he needs to breathe. You can't help but let out a chuckle. His father looks up at you and shares a grin. "That's great, Charlie," He comments to his son.

You let their conversation become a white noise while you read your book.

At your periphery, you see someone passes by. However, you don't expect a hand to suddenly sneak your phone from the table. Your hand instantly grabs that wrist, trying to stop it from stealing your phone. But the thief forcefully pulls his hand out of your reach and moves away.

Unfortunately for the thief, he runs straight to the father at your neighboring table. The man has no problem flipping the thief over and pushes him to their table. When the thief squirms away from his clutch, the man lifts the thief's elbow high up and turns it behind his back in a very painful lock. The unpleasant sound coming out of the thief's mouth proves how excruciating it is.

The man's eyes wander. Many shocked faces are staring at him, including yours. "It's okay, I'm a cop," He explains.

In contrast to the crowd, the boy looks at his father in awe, gleefully clapping his hands.

"Charlie, why are you clapping? You're not supposed to clap at this. Oh my god, you are just like your father! Happy to see any aggression," The man rants as he takes out a cable tie from his trousers' pocket. You don't even know why he got cable ties in his pocket. He efficiently ties the perp's hands behind his back and forces him to sit.

Only then, the man addresses the crowd again, "Has anyone called 9-1-1?"

"I did. The police are on the way," One of the cafe's staff squeaks from the door, with a phone still in her hand.

"Excellent! Did you hear that? Your ride would be here soon," The man tightly squeezes the thief's shoulders. The thief could only reply with an agonized grunt.

Everybody else resumes their activities with a sporadic look to their table.

The boy picks up the stolen phone from the floor. It fell near his foot during the short scuffle. "Danno," He hands your phone over to his father.

"Ah, thanks, Charlie," The man ruffles the kid's hair and kisses the top of his head.

"I believe this is yours?" The man returns the phone to you. "Hope it's still working?" He cringes at the spiderweb marks on the phone screen.

"Thanks. Probably not. But it's alright." You smile at the man and offer to shake his hand, "Y/N Y/LN, thanks again for helping me,"

The man takes your hand, "Hey, no big deal. Danny Williams. And this is my son, Charlie," Danny brings Charlie in front of him. You extend your hand to Charlie as well.

All of a sudden, you hear voices yelling from behind you. "Danno! Charlie!"

You look back to see a tall, dark, imposing man and a beautiful teenage girl rushing in your direction. Charlie shouts back at them, "Daddy! Gracie!"

So you guess they must be Danny's husband and daughter.

This new man drops down to Charlie's level and checks on him, trying to see if he's injured. "Are you okay? Charlie?"

"Dad! Dad! Danno was soooo cool! He pushing and then flipping and then that man went aaargh!" Charlie re-tells the scene to his father, holding his elbow behind his back to show him.

Couldn't really understand his son's story, the man asks his husband to elaborate, "Danny, what's happening here? Why are you arresting this man?"

"I'm not arresting anybody, Steve. We don't have jurisdiction to make an arrest, you know? Since we are in LA, not Hawaii? I'm just holding this man until LAPD shows up," Danny clarifies to his husband, Steve.

"But why?" Steve is still confused.

"This guy here, what's your name?" Danny barks at the thief. But his mouth stays glued. "Really? Would you prefer my ex-SEAL here asking you the question?" Danny gestures in Steve's direction.

Steve stands tall. His hands are folded in front of his chest. His biceps bulge in his tight t-shirt. The thief's face turns green, looking fearful. Steve's scowl was probably not helping either.

"Danny?? What's going on here?" Steve begins to lose his patience.

"What?? It's no big deal, babe!" Danny yells back at Steve. "This guy here tried to nick this woman's phone. I'm just helping her," Danny motions in your direction.

"Y/N, here's my husband, Steve McGarrett, and our daughter, Grace," Danny continues to introduce you to his family. You shake their hands and exchanging simple pleasantries.

"As I said, I just helped Y/N to get her phone back. Now we are waiting for LAPD," Danny ends his explanation.

Shortly a police car comes, and two officers quickly take their statements. Initially, the police officers are bemused to find the thief already sat with his hands tied behind his back. After Danny explains that he is a Detective from Honolulu PD and how he prevented the attempted theft, the police officers understand the situation. They ask if you'd like to press charges on Tom Norris, that's the thief's name according to his ID. Considering you're not hurt, you decline on pressing charges. The police are gone with the thief sooner than you expected.

"Can I treat you lunch for your trouble? Shoot! A super late lunch?" You corrected after checking your watch.

"Hey, don't worry, it's no trouble at all," Danny says to you with a big smile.

"No, no, seriously. You guys were on holiday, I guess. But still bothered to help me. Lunch is the least I can do."

Before long, they arrange to get a table for five and talk a lot during the meal.

◢◤

"So you guys are from Hawaii? That's nice!" You tell the family.

"See, Danno? That's what you're supposed to say about Hawaii. You're the only one who describes Hawaii as a pineapple-infested hell hole," laments Steve to his husband.

"I'm just telling the truth, babe. How about you, Y/N? Where are you from?" Danny tries to find out.

"Originally from The Netherlands, Amsterdam. But I moved to Chicago last year," You reply.

"Now that, Steve, is a city that would appreciate seasonal changes," Danny nods his approval of Chicago.

"Only you, Danno, who whines about constant sunshine." Steve grumbles.

Grace and Charlie don't react much to their parents' bickering. Too used to their silliness. But you still find it quite funny.

"So you guys are here for vacation?" You ask the family.

"Kind of. We are on holiday. Also, we are visiting the colleges here for Grace, who will graduate high school next year," Steve throws his right arm around Grace's shoulder.

"Yes, we are on an excursion to prove to Grace that LA universities are not better than the University of Hawaii," Danny quips from Steve's left.

Grace whines at his father, "Danno..."

"Danny here doesn't want his children to be far away from him," Steve enlightens you. "But I think going to school in LA would be better than The Netherlands. Wouldn't it, babe?" Steve winks at Grace.

"Do not joke about that, Steven!" Danny elbows his husband hard.

Grace looks thoughtful for a moment, "Y/N, did you go to college in the Netherlands? What do you think my chance to study there?"

"Gracie, can I come with you to This Otherlands?" Charlie innocently chirps to his sister.

Steve is laughing so loud, even after Danny punches his arm.

"What about you, Y/N? What are you doing in LA? Are you on vacation too?" Danny questions you after the laughter receded.

"I'm here for work. Most of the time, I'd do it remotely from Chicago. But sometimes I have to make the trip here or to Amsterdam," You tell them.

"What do you do?"

"I'm a music producer," You give a simple answer.

"What instruments do you play?" Steve is curious. "Guitar?"

"Mostly piano and synthesizer. I do play guitar, but I'm just an okay guitar player. I wish I could play better,"

"Dad plays guitar too!" Charlie happily declares as he points at Steve.

You cheer at Charlie's enthusiasm, "Does he? That's great!"

"Yeah, he plays very well. Maybe Dad can teach you to play better," Charlie directs you.

"Oh, yes, that would be awesome," You wholeheartedly agree with Charlie, as the rest of the table laughing at the idea of Steve teaches music.

◢◤

"Danny, I was wondering if you could explain something to me," You turn to the man.

"Shoot," Danny nods as he puts down his juice glass.

"The arm lock that you did to the thief. Where did you learn that? Did Steve teach you that?" You ask him, genuinely want to know.

"Well, even though Steve here was the Navy SEAL," Danny glares at his husband, who replies with a smirk, "I have been working as a cop for more than 20 years now. I know some moves too,"

"But that's not a cop's move," You contradict him.

"How do you know any cop's moves?" Danny confronts you back.

"My boyfriend is a cop in Chicago," You give Danny a sheepish smile.

"Ah, I see. Did your boyfriend teach you self-defense?"

"He did. I'm nowhere near good as Jay. But it's a start," You answer Danny.

"Of course. If he's not good at it, then he's not a good cop," Danny comments without sounding too arrogant.

"Jay also taught me about guns. Personally, I don't like it, but he needs me to know about it, especially gun safety. So..." You shrug.

Danny nods his understanding, "Yeah. Be glad that he doesn't bring home grenades or other explosives," Danny gives Steve a stink eye. "Unlike some Super!SEAL here,"

Steve is immune to that look. It doesn't seem to affect him anymore.

You smile at their interaction, "Jay was an Army Ranger. After he came back, he went to Police Academy,"

"Really?" Steve looks interested.

"Oh, here we go," Danny sighs at his husband.

Steve grins but decides not to comment on it any further. He goes praising Danny instead.

"But Danny is being too modest here. He is a great fighter. Sometimes he's even better than me. Which lots of people find it surprising, considering I was a SEAL,"

"and don't you forget it, babe," Danny smirks at Steve, who returns it with a chaste kiss.

You sigh internally. Looking at the lovely couple made you miss your boyfriend, Jay.

"In all seriousness," Danny begins, "I practiced Jiu-Jitsu since high school. That's where the moves come from," He pauses to sip on his drink.

"I got my Blue Belt when I entered The Police Academy. For me, I think, I learned how to fight better in Jiu-Jitsu than what they taught us there," Danny continues.

"Do you also teach it to Grace and Charlie?" You ask the parents.

"Yeah. Danny taught them both as early as possible. Grace already got her Yellow Belt when we first met. Now she is working for her Purple Belt," Steve brags. Danny also looks so proud. Grace, though, tries so hard not to roll her eyes at her parents.

"Me too! I will get my Yellow Belt soon! Right, Danno?" Charlie exclaims.

"Of course you are kiddo. After that, you surely can beat your Dad here," Danny ruffles Charlie's hair. Steve offers his palm for a high five, but Charlie punches it instead. He giggles when Steve is faking to be hurt by Charlie's tiny fist.

"Do you think I could learn it too?" You inquire to Danny.

Danny and Steve look at each other. You're waiting for their answer, hoping that they will agree.

Before they decide anything, Grace interrupts, "We can go check out the place that Sensei Egan told us, Danno."

"Yeah, that's a great idea," Steve agrees to his daughter's suggestion. "We can check that dojo for Grace, meeting the instructor. Maybe could show some moves too for y/n,"

"Okay then. Grace, share the dojo address with y/n. We can meet you there tomorrow morning, what do you say, y/n?" Danny asks you.

You're supposed to fly back to Chicago next afternoon, but what the hell, you are very interested in this offer. "Yes, sure. If you don't mind me crashing your holiday plan again?"

"No, not at all. We need to check out that place anyway." Steve waves off your worry.

Grace passes her phone to you. "You can puy your number there. I will forward you the address,"

You tap your number to Grace's phone before groaning when you remember that your phone is dead. "Could you e-mail me instead? I don't think I could replace my phone soon,"

Danny doesn't even try to hold his laugh at your poor luck.

◢◤

The next day, you take an Uber to the gym. No, it's The Dojo. You correct yourself. When you step in, Charlie is shouting at you from across the room. "Y/N!" Standing next to his sister, Charlie crazily waves at you, worried that you could not see him.

You remove your shoes, placed them accordingly at the remarked spot. Walking towards Charlie and Grace, you see the Williams-McGarrett clan wear similar outfits with other people in The Dojo. The only differences between them are their belts. Danny wears a Black Belt with a red stripe, while Steve wears a Brown Belt. Grace has Blue Belt, and Charlie has a White one. Knowing that you will do some workout, you wear a black t-shirt and training pants. Definitely a contrast in a room full of jiu-jitsu outfits.

Danny and Steve are talking to a guy on the other side of the room. This guy has a Black Belt with more stripes than Danny's, indicating that he is the instructor here.

"Hey, guys. Good morning," You greet Grace and Charlie. They reply with a big smile.

"Just out of interest, do you guys always bring your uniform on your holiday?" You gesture to Grace's clothes.

Grace laughs at your question, "It is called Gi. Yes, we are always bringing them along on holiday," She laughs again at your shocked face. "No, I'm joking. It's because we know we will visit this dojo, so we have our Gi with us,"

Soon Danny and Steve come over to your side. "Hi, y/n. So I talked to Sensei Marcus there," Danny gestures to the guy he spoke to. "We are going to follow their training for today. You can watch from the side if you're not sure you want to do it. The first hour would be the class for Kids and Teens,"

You see Grace and Charlie lining up in the center of the room with other children. They seem to be divided by belts instead of age.

"The next hour would be the adult class," Danny pauses for a moment. "If you want my suggestion, I encourage you to join the Teens class. I hope you don't feel insulted by that."

You chuckle at his words, "Not at all. I understand,"

"If it's too much, don't hesitate to stop and move aside. Everyone will understand," Steve adds.

You exhale softly, readying yourself, "Okay," before joining the line.

The first fifteen minutes, they start with stretching. So far, you have no problems with it. You practice Yoga for the last few years. You know how to stretch.

The next one, they teach you how to fall correctly. Which turns out to be a hard thing to do. At first, an instructor's assistant helps you. After a few moments, she moves away to help others. But you're still not doing it right. So Danny pulls you aside and teaches you privately for the rest of the hour.

You fall so many times until it tired you out. You cannot even get up from the mat. Your shoulders would have been bruised with so many times you landed incorrectly.

"Still interested to learn this?" Danny grabs your hand to help you get up.

Even though the lesson exhausts you, you feel great. You learn a lot, even from doing the same thing over and over again. "Hell yeah!" You grin at Danny.

"Crazy woman!" Danny pats your shoulders. Right where it hurts the most. You can't help but flinch away.

"Hurt, wasn't it? Why don't you go sit down on the outside of the mat with Charlie?"

Charlie sits on one side of the mat, a bottle of water in his hand. He is watching Grace, who has her hands on Steve's Gi, trying to throw Steve down.

Danny silently pays attention to his husband and daughter on the mat. But you can see his hands slightly move as if he's the one sparring.

Shortly, Grace has a chance to push Steve. Steve lost his balance for a moment before countering her attack. Grace would've fallen down hard if Steve didn't hanging to Grace's Gi so tight to slow her fall.

"That's great, Grace," Steve says to his daughter as he helps her up. They bow to each other to end the spar. Danny is clapping from outside the mat, "Good job, Monkey,"

Of course, you and Charlie follow Danny's example to cheer for Grace.

You still sit on the side of the mat, now also accompanied by Grace. You watch the next class practice, where Danny and Steve spar with other students for about an hour.

After the class is done, Steve taps on Danny's shoulder, "Danny, could you help me with this move?" He nods in the direction of the mat.

Danny responds with rolling eyes at his husband's antics.

Grace runs commentary in the background, "Dad didn't actually need help from Danno. However, you're not allowed to ask a higher belt to spar with. It's a sign of disrespect. But Dad and Danno often work differently between each other,"

You see Danny and Steve taking place at a ready position. It takes time before anybody falls, or one locks each other. They move fluidly. When one throws the other, they quickly bring them down along then keep them in a lock. The locks are soon countered, and they back up again. The great thing is they look like they enjoy sparring with each other. They share a laugh whenever someone throws the other or someone holds the other in a lock. You find that very interesting.

The sparring ends when Danny makes a grappling move that Steve cannot counter, so he has to tap out.

After the sparring, Steve sits back with you and his kids while Danny goes over to Sensei Marcus. Steve asks your opinion about Jiu-Jitsu, whether you're still interested to learn it.

"Very much, yeah. The first thing I will do once I'm back in Chicago is to find a Dojo," You excitedly tell Steve.

"Well, lucky for you, Sensei Marcus here knows a lot of Jiu-Jitsu instructors," All of a sudden, Danny joins your conversation. Sensei Marcus stands beside him.

"Sure, if you want to keep learning Jiu-Jitsu, I will give you some references of my fellows in Chicago," Marcus informs you.

"That would be awesome!"

Marcus shakes your hand, "Good luck!" and moves to shake hands with the rest of the Williams-McGarrett family. "Thanks for visiting our dojo. Please come again whenever you're in LA,"

They all look tired, but their smiles beam as bright as Hawaiian sunshine.

◢◤

Two weeks later, in Chicago,

You see your boyfriend's truck parked in front of your house as you walk home from the bus stop. You walk much slower than you used to. Your body is hurting all over the place, but you feel elated.

The day after you came home from Los Angeles, Jay was caught in a hard case. He had to fly out to New York and liaised with NYPD SVU to solve it.

You missed him a lot, for sure. Jay called you whenever he could for these past two weeks. Texted you every day too. But you have not got the chance to tell Jay about your new interest in Jiu-Jitsu.

After your last trip to LA, you promptly checked out the Dojo that Sensei Marcus referred to you. You were thrilled to find out that it's only fifteen minutes bus ride from your house.

You met with one of the instructors there and asked for a private class. Because that's what Danny advised you to do. "After you have a better understanding of the lessons, then I want you to go train with other people at the dojo. But for the first five or six months, you might've been better with one-on-one lessons,"

The instructor, Professor Louisa, is delighted to provide. You work on a schedule three to four times a week. The professor initially suggested only two meets in a week. But considering your occasional trip abroad for work, you prefer to do more lessons when you're in town.

This is the third week you've been learning jiu-jitsu in Chicago. Scraps and bruises are inevitable. Jay would freak out if he saw them before you could explain to him.

Jay's flight back from New York landed about two hours ago. He must've been coming directly to your place from the O'Hare. The house smells amazing when you enter the room. Following your nose leads you to the kitchen. You find your boyfriend pulling out what seems to be garlic bread from the oven, "Hey, babe. You're back!"

"Hey, you! Perfect timing!" Jay secures the tray aside before stepping closer to you. He puts one hand on your waist, the other one on your back. Moving even closer to kiss you.

His passion makes you forget your bruises for a moment. When Jay pushes you playfully, your shoulder hits the nearest wall. You instantly cry out in pain. "Argh!"

"What's wrong?" Jay stops everything he's doing to you right away.

"Nothing, I just got some bruises," You rub the pain from your shoulder.

"How come?" Jay begins to take off your t-shirt to check on the bruises, but you move away from his grasp.

"Hold on. Let me take a shower. I must've been rank from sweat. Then I'll tell you everything," You kiss Jay one more time before going to the bedroom.

As you eat the pasta primavera that Jay made, you ask him about his case in New York, "How was it?"

"It's done. We did what we have to do,"

Not interested in talking about his case, Jay interrogates you instead, "So, where did you get the bruise? I swear, I only left the city for two weeks, and you're already in trouble," Jay shakes his head.

"I'm not! I just joined this gym. Dojo, I meant. I'm taking Jiu-Jitsu lessons!" You cheerfully tell Jay.

"You what?" Jay pauses from drinking his wine.

So you told Jay the whole story. About how someone tried to snatch your phone when you're in LA. How you met the Williams-McGarrett family from Hawaii. How they got you into jiu-jitsu.

"It's so fun, Jay. Yeah, sure, I got bruises and scraps. But whenever I got stuck with my work, I go have a practice at the dojo, and then I come home feeling energized," You confess to your boyfriend.

"Really?" Jay looks at you, disbelieving.

"Uhuh," You nod as you swallow your spaghetti. "You know what, you should come and see the dojo. It might interest you too,"

"I know about martial arts, babe. I taught you how to punch, remember?" Jay reminds you.

"Yes, you did," You say in giggles, "Professor Louisa said she won't teach me how to punch,"

"Of course, Jiu-jitsu has a different approach than other martial art, say karate. Or boxing," Jay puts down his fork on the empty plate. "You sure you enjoy it?"

You hold Jay's hand and look into his eyes, "I am. This is something I want to do seriously, Jay. I admit part of it comes from you and your job. Like you always said, I need to be able to defend myself. Because you think I could get drag into your case one day,"

Jay puts his other hand on top of yours, looking somehow regretful, "Babe..."

"No, no. But I also do this for myself. Even though my body hurts, I feel great about myself. I feel more confident. It's really inspiring,"

Jay brings your hand to his lips, "Okay then, as long as you're happy with it. But I'm still going to take you to the gun range,"

You roll your eyes in response, "Of course, you will,"

◢◤

A week later, Jay walks up to The Dojo on the second floor. Someone greets him at the entrance, "Hey, man. Can I help you?"

"I suppose to pick up my girlfriend. She is training with..." Jay tries to remember the instructor's name. "Louisa?"

"Ah, yes, Professor Louisa. You must be y/n's boyfriend. I'm Professor Andy, the head of this dojo," The man offers his hand.

"Jay Halstead," Jay shakes Andy's hand.

"I think she will finish in ten minutes. You wanna see her practice?"

"Sure. If it would not be disturbing?" Jay hesitates.

"Not at all. Y/n is the only one in there right now," Andy directs Jay inside the dojo. He asks Jay to remove his shoes before stepping into the room.

Jay watches his girlfriend silently. He winces a couple times when you fall down. But he is amazed to see you immediately stand up again.

"She's resilient, your woman is,"

Jay chuckles at Andy's remark, "Yes, she is,"

Shortly after you bow to your instructor, you see Jay standing on the side with Professor Andy.

You walk towards them with a smile, "I see you met my boyfriend, Prof,"

"I did, yeah," Andy nods. "I don't think Jay would be interested in jiu-jitsu, though," He comments.

"Correction, I'm not interested to see you got thrown down repeatedly," Jay points out.

"Hey!" You hit Jay's arms as both Professors laugh at you.

"But that's how we are supposed to learn. If you don't know how to fall, you won't get back up again," Louisa says serenely.

Andy hums his agreement before ushering you out. "Alright, get out of here, you lovebird,"

When you're in the locker room, changing your Gi, Jay approaches Andy again. But before Jay could say anything, Andy hands a leaflet to him.

"Y/N told me you're a police officer. You might be interested in these classes,"

Jay takes it with a laugh, "Thanks, man. I'll check it out," He puts the leaflet on his jacket pocket and pulls out his card.

"If anything happens when Y/N is here. Or if you need anything I can help with, please give me a call," Jay sounds solemn.

Andy takes the card, "Don't worry, man. We take good care of our students here,"

"I know," Jay nods.

Soon you come out with a gym bag on your shoulder. "See you next week, Prof!"

Andy waves to the couple, "Bye, y/n. See you again, Jay!"

◢◤

Two years later,

You step out of the record store in Pilsen empty-handed, failing to find the vinyl you're looking for. You start walking west to the bus stop when you hear a commotion ahead.

You see a guy pushing people out of his way. He keeps looking behind his back like he's running from something.

"Police! Get out of the way!" You hear other voices shouting.

So this guy seems to be running from the police, you thought to yourself.

The man tries to shove you aside, but your reflex is much better. Your hands instantly grab the front of his shirt. When he tries to push you away, your right foot finds his inner left calf and sweeps him down.

When he tries to move away from your grasp, you lean down and grip his right wrist tightly with your right hand. You put your right elbow beside his right ear while your left elbow is placed underneath his elbow. Your left-hand moves to hold your right wrist from below his right hand. His arm is essentially locked when your left bicep snugs against his right tricep. You raise your elbow slightly from the surface. The more he wiggles his way out, the higher you raise his elbow from the surface, the more painful the lock is.

You hear an impressed whistle from above. When you look up, you find Jay and Hailey standing in front of you. Jay gets a huge grin on his face while Hailey is sporting a shocked look.

"Nice takedown, babe," Jay compliments you.

"Thanks. You might wanna take over from here, though," You say to your boyfriend as you hear few more steps rushing towards you.

You loosen the lock after you are sure Jay gets his hand on the perp. He grabs the suspect up from the floor and pushes him towards the wall.

You find a hand extends in front of your face, offering to help you stand up. You look up to see it was Hailey. You take her hand with a soft thanks.

Once you're back on your feet, you look around to see the other members of the Intelligence Unit staring at you. Adam, Kim, and Kevin are mirroring Hailey's initial look of surprise. Jay's boss, Hank Voight, looks impassive as always. But you catch an amused twitch at one corner of his lips.

"Man, at least give me time to feel my hand again! That bitch could break my arm, you know!" you hear the perp complaining when Jay prepares to cuff him.

Without saying anything in response, Jay folds the perp's wrist inside. The perp yells even louder because of the wristlock.

Kevin moves to take the man away from Jay before any further damage could happen. He ushers the perp right away to a nearby cop car.

Jay turns to check on his girlfriend, "You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm good." You nod back at him.

"I didn't know you could do that, Y/N," Hailey tells you. "You never tell me that your girlfriend practiced any martial arts," She continues to slap Jay's shoulder.

You answer with a sheepish smile, "It's kinda new,"

"Blue Belt in Jiu-Jitsu is not "kinda new" babe," Jay elbows you playfully.

The team boss pats your shoulder once before walking back to his car, "Good job, Y/LN,"

Kim, who's partnered up with Voight today, quickly follows. But not before inviting you for drinks, "You have to tell me all about this over drinks!"

"See? Even Voight agrees. We'll make a cop-out of you soon, Y/N," Adam offers his fistbump to you.

You meet his with your fistbump but shake your head, laughing, "Not in a million years, Ruzek,"

He only replies with his laugh and walks towards Kevin and the perp.

Jay puts his arm around your shoulders with a huge smile, "C'mon, Kev and Ruz can take care of the perp for a while. Hailey and I will drop you home."

[hobipaint]

Graffiti and Chalk - one.

summary: You thought you knew him. You thought him gone. Kim Taehyung was part of you that you had carefully suppressed, keeping his memories to one box near the wall of your mind. That was your fault, though - empty walls demand for art. And who other than your own neighbourhood vandal?

↳ pairing: ex police student turned vandal! taehyung x officer! female reader

↳ genres: angst, eventual fluff?

↳ word count: 4.7K

↳ disclaimers: pg15!, vandalism, police officers, criminal past and heavy discussion of it, mentions of attempted murder.

one | two

a/n: this was supposed to be a one shot, but i decided to make it a two shot because inspiration struck at the twelfth hour. This is based on stigma tae, and has massive massive references to hyyh tae as well!! I'm warning you all. Written for the @bangtanwritingbingo prompt: chalk drawings. Beta read by @vaekth and @kookiestarlight who are possibly the most supportive and appreciative people I could have asked for, thank you so much!!

You'd thought that being an officer would mean solving cases for people who genuinely needed help. Not hunting around for a missing pumpkin. 

"It's round, large, and I think it was slightly squishy, Y/N," the kid who had run up to you exclaimed again, while making gestures for round, large and squishy. 

If the kid weren't this adorable, you'd squish him for being too loud at 8 in the morning. 

You unlocked the door to your office, taking in the sight of the homey little cubicle that you maintained alone. Being the sole officer in a neighbourhood should be hard work, but in a neighbourhood where practically everybody is asleep? Not as much. 

You sighed as you pulled the kid in - who by now had told you that his name was Sungwoo, and he was eight years old. His mother told him that if he ever lost anything precious he should head to the police, so here he was. 

"Can you find my pumpkin?" He peered up at you as you tried to get the coffee machine started- well, as well as you can with a kid in the way. "It's round, large and squishy." 

"Round, large, squishy. Got it." You smiled wearily at him, seeing how his eyes lit up at the sight of your notebook- the one he obviously thought you wrote your cases in. You took your espresso in a mug, running over to him before he damaged it. He ran over to it, picking it up, dropping it because of its weight and picking it up again. 

"Can you write a message for Peter here?" He asked you, eyes wide and round as he stared at the brown leather bound book. 

"Peter? I thought we were talking about your pumpkin?" 

He nodded vigorously- strong enough to make you worry if his head would fall over. Flopping his hair to the side messily, he scampered to you as you settled in your chair, opening the last page of your book - where you had kept your post-its. "Peter is pumpkin! It's made of something- mom told me-" he put a hand to his head, trying to force his small head to think of big words, "Is it pushy?" 

"Do you mean it is a plushie, Sungwoo?" You said, sighing and writing it down on a post-it note and sticking it on your desk. 

"Yeah!" His eyes sparkled, and he bent his head down to the paper you gave him to scribble a hasty note for Peter. Once satisfied, he raised his head, giving the chit two pats before turning to you. "It's missing, Y/N. Can you find it?"

"Of course I can," you reassured him the best you could while half-asleep. The boy suddenly pulled you into a hug, happy tears spilling out of his eyes as he murmured thank you's over and over. 

You held him for a few more seconds, understanding the worry that the kid would have over his plushie. You didn't understand why he had to bring it to you, though. 

You felt a soft yet insistent buzz in your pant pockets all of a sudden, realizing it was your phone. You pulled yourself away from the crying child, and caressed his head while picking up the call. 

"Good morning, Officer L/N." The coarse voice of your chief barked at you. 

You sighed, not wanting to deal with any of his tantrums right after you dealt with the case of Peter the Pumpkin. "Good morning, Chief." 

"I'm arriving at your office in about ten minutes. We have to discuss something important." 

You sighed again, hand grabbing Sungwoo's as you led him outside the office. Time to clean up. "Of course, Sir."

"Why is this place so messy?" was the first thing you had to hear in the form of a greeting. When your chief said ten minutes, he clearly meant half an hour.

You'd spent some time clearing up cookie crumbs from your table, dusting any evidence of your multiple ramen packets, arranging the tables in proper order, lining the chairs up, and stuffing all the stuff you couldn't clear into a closet. It seemed clean enough to you.

"I shall clean it, Sir." You bowed your head once, carefully maintaining your expression so that the chief doesn't think of you as any more insolent than he already does. 

"It doesn't reflect well upon the force to have a messy office, Y/N. I'm sure you were taught that," he said, pressing his finger to a certain spot on a table, and raising it up to show you. "Dust in our offices speaks of nonchalance. That is the last thing we'd want anyone to think of us is that we're nonchalant."

"I apologise, sir. I shall rectify it." 

"I expect you to. Anyways," he said, dusting his hands and moving to another corner of the office, "that is not what I came here for." He settled into the chair-  your chair, with the note for Peter the Pumpkin intact.

You prayed for him to ignore it. 

"There's been growing signs of vandalism in the neighbourhood you're patrolling, Y/N," The chief said to you in a gruff tone, looking like an angry cat with his whiskers trembling. He wore a scowl to match the whole look. Luckily, his pondering eyes missed out on the missing pumpkin report. "I want you to catch that person. Why isn't it done yet?"

"They were untraceable, Sir. All we could capture was a navy blue hoodie and jeans. Nothing else. There's only graffiti and chalk all over the places he's been at, Sir. I tried looking for clues-" 

"Keep looking, then."

"I'm trying, sir. I have asked the owners of all the shops on the street to hand over any CCTV footage they have of the person so that I can analyze it and try to nab him. It is a futile task till now, though." 

The chief rubbed his hand hard on his thigh, the sound of his palm scratching against the coarse trouser fabric reaching you. "They are being a menace, Y/N. A nuisance to those who want peace in this neighbourhood. You are supposed to bring that peace for them, not complain about not being able to get that person. That is your job." He looked you directly in the eye, anger clearly visible. "Or would you wish to leave?"

You twitched in anger, forcing yourself to remain calm. The chief had a penchant for transferring those who were unsuccessful in their cases to different stations- the more transfers, the more incompetent you seemed. You had already begun at a relatively low level, and you couldn't afford going lower. You nodded stiffly. 

"Any more complaints, and I'd be forced to transfer you somewhere else and hand this case over to someone competent. And you know it wouldn't be safe for your career, Y/N." He rose up from the chair, heading towards the door. "I want it resolved. Soon." 

You bowed your head, in a sense of respect for your senior you'd actually never felt. It was annoying, honestly, and your hatred for this man just grew more and more. You had requested since the day of your graduation from the academy to be put in the forensics department - something that actually was your specialty. But no, here you were, patrolling a neighbourhood where the only problem was a kid scribbling on walls and leaving an alphabet behind. 

V.

Taehyung kicked a pebble aside, letting it roll aimlessly along the half-paved, half-broken road. "I'm out of green paint, again." 

He glanced at the aluminium shutters he had decided to vandalize- no, beautify- today, deciding that the subtle decor of the florist's shop and the grim outside of the tattoo shop - both needed redecorations. He didn't care who was the owner. He didn't care how many reports they filed about the eerie similarities of the vandal to Mrs. Kim's son - they never cared about him before, so they'd never care about him now. That, he was sure of. 

His red paint had been used to make the outer petals of a rose that he had dedicatedly been drawing the previous day, until the owner had yelled from his house above for him to stop. That was early, though. 11 AM was a predictable time for a vandal to walk through the streets, spraying graffiti and dusting chalk over every nook and corner until he was satisfied by the art he had created. 

His wristwatch ticked three as he picked up his blue paint can. Just a few hours later, but effective enough for the owner to have fallen asleep - Taehyung could definitely justify that by the snores that echoed behind the shutters. 

"Reporting. Reporting. Vandal. Street 13. I repeat. Vandal. Street 13." 

The cuckoo clock that your mom had gifted you to decorate the less than neat office struck three just when the report came through. Just when you were about to settle for the night.

You pushed your papers aside, leaving the missing car complaint on your table. Holding your baton, slipping your ID into the pocket of your jeans and dusting crumbs off your chiffon blouse, you picked up the radio. 

"Street 13. Officer Y/N reporting." 

The gruff voice of your chief growled back at you. "The vandal has been found on camera, finally. The florist's CCTV; he sent a complaint. In fact, he's been wandering the streets for half an hour now, Y/N. Where have you been?" 

You were about to form a legible enough response, say that the paperwork he had set for you was what consumed your time, but he beat you to it. Sighing into the phone, he said, "Nevermind that. Get to his location immediately, and capture him." His voice stumbled for a second. "Take the taser, just in case." 

"Yes sir," you responded meekly, and disconnected the radio. 

You looked around for your keys, going past a board full of cases that were never relevant enough to be solved - especially the one of the missing pumpkin. The types of cases you received here made you shudder, this wasn't why you had spent so much time training at the university. You tucked your radio into your jacket as you pushed it on your shoulders, grabbing onto a half-eaten sandwich to satisfy your hunger along the way.

"I have to get that person before he robs me of a chance at the forensics department forever," you thought while speeding towards the location told to you - while maintaining the speed limit, of course. No space for nonchalance. 

You'd wanted to finish all your paperwork today and get back to an analysis you were working on - preferably get a nap too. Capturing a neighbourhood graffiti artist- this isn't what you had wanted to do.

This wasn't what Taehyung had wanted to do. 

The paint dried off slowly on the metal surface, a small drop of ink trickling down where Taehyung had stopped. The design wasn't matching what he had thought at all, he thought as he stared at it. Time to switch it up. 

He picked up the painting from right where he had stopped it - merging blue into the red petals as he was on his way to the centre of the flower. Painstakingly, he traced lines that would capture the delicate curves of the outlines, serving to further merge into the picture. 

His vandalism wasn't ugly drawings, nudity, or someone just spraying 'SUCKAZ!' all over a wall. That is for amateurs. His was nuanced art. Art that he couldn't do in the day. The ones he could never showcase in the galleries. The ones he buried in the deepest recesses of his mind, burning a hole into the boxes he stuffed them into. This was his freedom. 

Taehyung picked up the black can. Fixing the nozzle in the proper direction, he shook the bottle- once, twice. The paint came out in spurts at first, before settling into a steady spray. Black always enhances everything, doesn't it? Enhancement that never seemed beautiful - it was just there to make it stand out. Be noticed. Be shamed. Be suspected. Look deadly, or even look dead. Even the most innocent faces look devious with black. What's to say his flower would still look alive? 

The black slowly spiralled across the expanse of the shutter, coiling over and over in what Taehyung thought could be the leaves. The thorns that held the flower back from reaching the epitome of beauty- at least, outwardly beauty. He detested how overhyped a rose was- just as destructible as all other flowers. Where's the beauty in something temporary? 

The green paint can had been used up last time when he had sprayed ivy all over the fashion boutique's doors- all of which had been washed away. A shame, Taehyung thought, and picked up his airbrush. Filling a little green into the small holder, he tested it a few times on the footpath - he'd scrub chalk all over it later on, he still needed to add more to beautify the shops. He carefully painted leaves all over the black he had sprayed, letting them flatten out against the metal at the back and form a protective layer around the rose. Unnecessary by all means. 

He then switched to a darker green, picking up the airbrush once again to add some subtlety in the leaves. He watched the spray slowly settle right where he wanted it - paint, unlike his life, was something he had full control of. It was liberating. 

Standing back and twirling the can over and over in his hand, Taehyung was somewhat satisfied with what he made. A rose. Simple, overrated. Just like flowers. The leaves stood out more to him, along with the thorns; their prickly points being the focus of the picture. Perfect. 

He picked up his personal favorite - a small can of black paint who's nozzle had been crafted by him. Stooping down to the corner of the shutter, he slowly sprayed across it. Black settling on silver gray, one single alphabet. V. 

That's it. He was done. Just an hour's work. 

He turned to the tattoo artist's shop, the shutter a colourful mess littered with messy black stains and drawings the owner probably thought was hip. Taehyung cringed. How was it possible for an artist to be that bad at decorating their own shop? He walked a few steps back, admiring the size of it and thinking of what he could fill there. Something that would really annoy a tattoo artist- he deserved it after having ruined the shutter like that. Picking up a blade, Taehyung set to scrape away the skulls- which, he found, were stickers. Gross. Peeling them off, he set to chip away at the paint- the soft thunk, thunk of the blade slapping against the metal echoed around him. Hopefully, not too loud. 

The metal loudly protested as Taehyung pressed his blade against what seemed to be an outline of a body, done with black, and some random inscriptions that he could notice were wearing away. This had to be really old. 

Scratch, scratch, scratch. The blade kept pushing at the layers of colour, forcing them off the metal. He could see glints of silver shining underneath it, dim under the streetlight.

Scratch, scratch, scratch. He kept pushing at the paint, tongue poking out as his eyebrows furrowed in concentration. He had to do it now. There was no other time for him to do this. Now. Now. Now. 

The silver suddenly glinted more brightly- a shade impossible under the dull, flickering yellow of the streetlights. White lights created a halo of sorts around him, and Taehyung knew his time was up. He smiled. At least one place got the beauty they deserved. 

"Hands up!" A voice yelled behind him, and he could hear a click that definitely sounded like a taser gun. 

Looking up, he cursed loudly at everyone and anyone. He could have finished it tonight. His work would have been done, and he would have been on his way. He turned around, annoyance sparking in his eyes with sarcastic acceptance lining his lips in the way they curled. "You found me," he murmured, before letting himself get slammed against the very shutters he was painting.

Fate played wonderful games, and for now, you were its newest loser. 

"Name." You spoke, your voice monotone yet clear. 

"You know me, Y/N. Don't pretend you don't." Taehyung crooned, smirking while he rotated the glass that rested atop the table. 

Your annoyance only grew. When you were told that there was a vandal in the streets, you didn't expect it to be a familiar face. 

Kim Taehyung was known to you. Someone who had lived right next door. Someone who had been known as a lovable, obedient boy by the neighbours- you still remembered how your mother would gush about him. Someone you knew, and once, cared for. 

Someone who was later only known as the kid who flung a bottle on his stepfather's face and was sentenced for five years - which, in fact, was a misjudgement. He was innocent, and the video of him attacking the man was manipulated. Fake. Edited. Whatever you chose wouldn't be enough to change anything in the past. 

Taehyung had come out of jail a changed man, weeping openly in the streets when he heard of his family's fate- what he had heard, though, was something you were unaware of. Two years had since passed, and you no longer heard your mother talking about the Kim's boy. He had simply vanished, for you. No traces anywhere. 

But here he was. Kim Taehyung. Alive, breathing. Smirking. And spinning a glass over and over. 

"Give that to me." You said, snatching the glass away from him and keeping it aside. Settling into your chair, you pulled your laptop closer once again, mustering the most serious look you can. "I'm not playing around, Taehyung. Talk properly. Behave. You're already in a rough spot." 

Taehyung laughed; a mirthless, almost painful laughter. "I can't see how anything can be bad here, officer. With all due respect, of course." He straightened up, still keeping that smirk on his face.

You exhaled your breath slowly, holding back all the words you wanted to hurl at him. "Name?"

"Kim Taehyung."

You typed it in, feeling the way each letter pad was pushed down before you moved over it- momentary, but fulfilling. "Age."

"As of today, 25." 

"Job."

"Nothing. Add the official vandal of Street 13 if you want." 

You raised an eyebrow, fingers abruptly coming to a stop. "Behave." 

"No job, officer." Taehyung said, settling further ahead in his seat and pausing, before speaking again. "Why do you need this though? I already have a criminal record, don't I?" 

You turned your face to him, the sudden change in light exposure hurting your eyes. The hurt they felt couldn't possibly fathom the depths of pain you saw churning in Taehyung's eyes, like pits of fire. They were seemingly blank,  but you had known him. Known him long enough to know that this wasn't who he used to be. This wasn't him. 

"Once you were proven innocent, your record was wiped clean. The manipulators were given the charges that you had." You looked at him while saying this, trying to notice any emotions that would make way to his face. None. No twitching lips, no annoyance in his eyebrows. Just his eyes that seethed anger. "Family?" 

"None." 

You raised an eyebrow. "None?"

Taehyung groaned, getting up from the chair and turning around, hands on his waist. "Don't make me repeat all that shit again. You know it, Y/N." 

"Sit back down, Taehyung." You said, irritated by his tantrums. It was four in the morning, for God's sake. You didn't have the energy to deal with him. "I need details if you want to get out of this without any charges." 

"Dead. Most of them. Those who aren't, disowned me as soon as I got into jail. Something about not wanting to be related to a criminal." He said lowly, a gruff tone to his voice as he spoke the last words. 

You hummed lowly, not knowing what to say. How do you possibly respond to something like this? You weren't trained for interrogation at university. You specialized in forensics. This wasn't supposed to be your job. 

"I'm sorry that happened, Taehyung." You managed after a few moments of silence. 

"Don't be." He shrugged, then looked up. "You don't mean it." 

"I still need a reason as to why you are destroying the places around here with your graffiti and chalk drawings, Taehyung." You ignored him and continued, rising from your chair to let your sore limbs relax. "Unfortunately, I can't let you leave till you give me a reason." 

Taehyung stayed mum, much to your annoyance. 

You slammed your hand on the table, a loud slap that stung your hand, but also Taehyung's ears, it seemed. "Reasons. Now."

"I just wanted to." 

"Wanted to? So you were voluntarily damaging someone else's property?" 

He raised his head to look at you; once, twice. Then with a resigned sigh, he responded. "Yeah. But I was beautifying it." 

"A beautification they never asked for?" You said, as Taehyung groaned behind you. 

"No one gives a damn, Y/N-" 

"The police do." You say, preparing to send a message to your chief over the radio. "Got him." 

"The police didn't care when I was innocent in that case, Y/N. Stop pretending like they'll care for me when I'm actually guilty of something." 

"That case was mishandled."

"Yeah, Y/N. It was mishandled. But only for you." You turned to him, shocked at the venom that suddenly laced his voice. 

In the few seconds that you had turned away from him, his eyes had turned bloodshot. Red rimmed the remaining white of his eyes. "You wouldn't know what it is to be locked up for harming people you loved, Y/N. You wouldn't understand that pain," he murmured, loud enough for you to hear him in the echoes of the office. 

You wanted to scream at him. Tell him how he had hurt you. Remind him of all the things you had forced yourself to forget over seven years. The way your heart still hurt for him. 

"You're right. I won't understand. So sit here, and explain yourself." You pulled your chair back, seating yourself in it and gazing up at him expectantly. 

He was just staring at you- you couldn't say whether his gaze held expectations or disdain. Then, shaking his head, "You're still just as stubborn, aren't you," he said, softly smiling as he slipped into his chair. "Adamant, and so, so confusing."

"You don't know me anymore, Taehyung. Don't pretend. Anyways," you said, turning to your laptop again. "I need-"

"No." He stood up once again- why was he standing? "Answer me, now." 

He rested his arms on the table, chest leaning forward to balance himself- and now, you could see the changes he had brought in himself. In place of lean muscle there were defined biceps you could see being flexed. In place of short hair was curly locks that fell until his crown, now hanging over. In place of a cheeky grin that sent your blood rushing to your cheeks was a pair of lips, set tight in one line that sent chills down your spine. There was warmth to him, yes, but it was different. This wasn't the Taehyung you knew. 

"You knew that I was back." Your eyes moved back to look into his. And you noticed more changes. Instead of a carefree twinkle, there was dark, brooding black filling his pupils. "You knew. I'd seen you that night." 

The night when you had seen him falling to his knees, soaking himself in the rain as he gave his tears as a tribute to the gushing skies. The night he returned. The night you thought he didn't know you. 

"I'd seen you after that as well. That day at the convenience store, I'd seen you buying candies. You still buy the same kind, don't you? Lemon flavoured." 

The night you gave up on your dreams to become an analyst in the forensic lab for the police. The night where you stared up to question everything you did as your feet soaked in the snow. Two years ago. The night he thought he knew you. 

"You're hurting me by not remembering us, Y/N." 

"We were nothing to begin with." You cleared your throat, settling further back into your chair. "You asked me on a date, and stood me up. We're nothing. Absolutely nothing." 

Taehyung opened his mouth to speak again, but leaned back, standing tall, straight. You almost missed his warmth - no. This wasn't the warmth of a person you had cared for. 

"It's so cold outside, Y/N, why haven't you turned on the heater?" Your chief's voice filled the room after a few minutes of absolute silence. Taehyung had taken to leaning on the wall, now, maintaining an anxious distance. "Did you get the man?"

You simply pointed towards Taehyung, watching the chief's face flash with recognition, brows hastily furrowing as a frown formed on his face.

"Kim Taehyung?" Your chief asked, coming up to the two of you. "Is it really you? Are you the vandal?"

Taehyung remained silent, head hung. 

The chief inhaled, then exhaled; loud enough for you to hear him - "It is you, isn't it. What happened after the attempted murder case?" 

"Proven false, Sir." You informed your superior. For some odd reason, you felt like you had to come to Taehyung's defense. 

"I am aware of that, Y/N." The chief said, looking Taehyung up and down. As reported, he was in the navy blue sweatshirt and ripped jeans- and you could see in the clear light of your office that he had ripped the holes into them himself. Something he did before to look fashionable, he used to say. 

"I don't really want to put any charges on you, Taehyung. Why did you do it?"

Taehyung spoke, voice gravelly. "It was liberating, Sir." 

"You broke the law, though." 

"The law broke me, Sir." 

The chief took another deep breath and settled onto the chair where Taehyung was sitting just a few moments ago. His wrinkled skin seemed to age even more. Taehyung was close with the chief as a student, that you knew- you had seen him going multiple times to his office to get clarifications after class. You wondered how the chief felt - did he feel the same sting of recognition you had felt? 

"I don't want you to get any charges, Taehyung," he said, before laughing and adding, "all these years, and I still have my student in my head." 

He stood up and turned to face Taehyung again, worry reflecting in his eyes as he held him by the shoulders. "You're still the Taehyung I know, right?" 

Taehyung looked away, down, his face coming in your line of vision - you could see the small rivulets that flowed from the pool of emotions in his eye, down the lines that worry, anger and disbelief had formed on his face. Sniffing softly, he turned back to the chief. "Yes, Sir." 

The chief visibly relaxed, his arms coming down to his sleeves, gripping Taehyung. "Good. I hope it remains that way." 

He returned to his stern stance, and faced you. "I suggest you keep him here for the night, Y/N." he looked outside, the sky just turning sapphire. "I shall return in the morning to talk. Get some rest while you're at it. And Taehyung? Eat something." 

The chief swiftly departed the office, and Taehyung slumped into the chair. "Seven years, and the old man still remembers me," he laughed mirthlessly, lips twisting in an amused smile. "Always appreciated him." 

"And so did he," you mentioned. Taehyung was always brought up as a comparison for your batch of officers to emulate. Even when he was in jail, he was remembered among you as a diligent student and worker. "'Remember his good', he used to say. He always remembered you."

"And you?" He suddenly looked at you. His eyes were no longer bloodshot - there were small remnants of anger, but all you could see was wistfulness. "Did you remember me, Y/N?" 

a/n: yup, I stopped there. Do leave some feedback if you liked it- in the comments, or as an ask! Also, if you wish to be tagged for the next part, you can ask for that too! Thank you for giving your time to this fic,, and I hope you enjoyed reading it! love, hazel💞

masterlist

[ill-be-your-honey-bri]

You Send Me

Welcome to my VERY FIRST fic! This would not have been a thing if it weren’t for the love and the support of my best friend @mysweetcreaturestories​. I had a lot of fun writing it and it was therapeutic to be able to escape from the madness that our world is now. I hope that you are able to escape for a little and enjoy! Please let me know your thoughts and any suggestions for the future, whether it be a vic idea or ways that I can improve. As always, all my love!

Enjoy some Dad!Harry from yours truly.

Warnings: smut, overload of cuteness

It was a typical Saturday night plan for you and your best friend/co-worker, Kacie; girls night out. Neither of you had ever been to this bar that one of your other co-workers had suggested for your bi-weekly tradition.

Climbing out of your Uber and interlocking your arm around Kacie’s, you trotted to the entrance, hearing live music come through the open front doors. It was dark the moment you stepped foot inside, the bouncer taking your IDs and providing a neon green wrist band to each of you. You both go straight to the bar; Kacie getting her go-to Captain and Coke while you ask for a Jack and ginger.

You hear the beginning cords to a song you have never heard before, considering it was the vocals of a choir in a downtown bar, automatically making you look to the stage. It’s pitch black but then the white lights start to surround the band, making it look like the lights at the gate of Heaven. When the choir hits the highest of the crescendo, vocals of “HEY, HEY” and harmonies penetrate your ear drums.

You are completely entranced by the front man of this band. He is dressed in all black; wide leg black trousers and a black T-shirt that looks like it could be painted on. He’s holding a beautiful golden Gibson guitar strapped across his chest, forming chords and strumming with long fingers covered in an array of rings. He looked completely in his element; working the crowd and enjoying himself.

~~~

Time froze for Harry when he was singing his song, “Only Angel”, and he saw you standing by the bar, your friend handing you your drink. He felt like it was that scene in Wayne’s World where Wayne sees Cassandra performing and “Dream Weaver” starts to play, except he is the one performing and he is seeing a real angel in front of him. How cliché could he be?

Harry continues to play through his set, ending on his favorite song, “Kiwi”. He watched you make your way from the bar to a table a little closer to the stage. He couldn’t help himself, he was staring at you throughout the whole song.

“Such a pretty face, on a pretty neck. She’s driving me crazy.”

~~~

“Holy shit…” Kacie was watching it all unfold before you.

“What?”

“Singer totally has the hots for you. He hasn’t stopped looking in your direction since you started drooling over him at the bar!”

You look right at Kacie to deny any of the ogling on the singer’s part or the drooling on your part. “I need another drink.”

~~~

Harry said his “thank you’s” to the crowd at the end of his set, putting his guitar pick between his teeth while pulling his guitar over his head. He turned to look at your table to see you were no longer there, your friend looking at her phone. He looked to the bar and saw you leaned over, ordering a drink. He began to walk off the stage and towards you at the bar.

If he thought you were beautiful while he was standing on the stage, you were absolutely breathtaking from the foot away he was now.  The spot directly next to you finally opened up and Harry slid in. You seemed to be still waiting for your drink, or perhaps on the bartender to take your order.

~~~

You noticed the front man of the band began to inch closer to you as spots opened up along the bar. You tried to be sly with your glances at him. He was godlike with his curls falling on to his forehead, tattooed forearm and ringed hand resting on the bar.

“Any luck?”

You froze and gave an, “Excuse me?”

“Any luck getting an order in?”

“Oh…” you continued to avoid his gaze, not realizing he had been staring at you since he got to the bar. “No, no luck so far. Pretty busy.”

The front man pulled out the skill of a wolf-whistle, quickly getting the bartender’s attention, causing the bartender to walk right to him.

“Can I get two tequila shots, a La Paloma for myself, and for the angel…” looking right to you, his green gaze focused on your’s. You blink a couple of times, completely enamored by this man in front of you. He raises his brows, as if egging you on to respond.

“Um, Jack and ginger… please.”

He ordered your drink of choice and handed it to you with a beaming smile.

“I’m Harry.”

Taking a sip of your drink with a soft smile, “Y/N…”

~~~

A few rounds of pool, a couple shots of tequila, and picking a range of songs on Harry’s TouchTunes app later, you found yourself pinned to Harry’s front door. Harry held you into place with his hips, his hands running along your waist and hips.

You had an arm slung across his shoulder with your other hand tugging at his chocolate curls as he started to kiss along your jaw and down the side of your throat. You gave a breathy call of his name, causing the vibrations of his moan into your neck to light a spark within your abdomen.

“Harry… Keys…” which he returned with a mumbling of “Mhm” and continued to kiss along your collar and down to your chest.

“Get your damn keys out so you can get me inside and fuck me properly.” Harry’s mouth froze on the part of your chest that he exposed with a nudge of his nose to your shirt. Harry looked up at you with a hungry gaze but obliged by pulling his keys out of his pocket.

Both of you stumbled into the entrance of Harry’s townhouse. Harry wrapped his arm around your waist to prevent you from falling backwards, eliciting a laugh from the both of you. He began to guide you to the closest wall where he recreated the position you shared on his front door.

Harry returned to the spot on your chest he was forced to part with mumbling against your skin, “When I saw you, standing at the bar, I knew I needed you. Fuck, needed to feel you.” He began to pull your shirt over your head and once it hit the floor, he was on his knees. “Needed to taste you, more than anything.”  Harry began to undo your belt, enchanted by the twitch to your stomach, the rise and fall of your chest, the warmth of your core.

It was torture how slow he was going, taking his time, etching you into his memory. He was dominating over you and he didn’t even intend to but when “Daddy, please…” whimpered out from your beautifully bruised lips, it caused him to pause all his praises on your skin.

You looked down to see Harry looking up at you with a look you couldn’t decipher; did you take it too far? Was he not into that thing?

“I-I’m sorry, that was too much…”

Harry rested his head on your lower stomach and shook his head back and forth, his nose grazing your panties as he took in a deep breath.

“Say it again…” his voice was husky with a slur, his accent thick. You were frozen, attempting to comprehend what he had just said.

“I told you to say it again.”

As it was about to fall from your lips, Harry took a grip of your panties, pulling them down your thighs. He gripped your inner thighs, spreading you open, taking you in. He pulled both of your thighs on to his shoulders, looking up at you for the magic word.

Your mouth was dry as you were watching his every move. He cocked his eyebrows waiting for you to tell him what to do. He may have control over you in this position, but he was still a gentleman.

“Please, Daddy.”

“Please what, angel? Tell me…”

You couldn’t remember the last time you got good head, honestly couldn’t remember the last time you got head at all.

“I want you to eat my cunt, Daddy. I want you to eat me until I can’t feel my legs. Please, Daddy.” You looked down at him with big round eyes and pout, feeding Harry everything he never knew he needed, including your cunt.

Harry’s tongue grazed your outer lips, sucking one into his mouth with a little nibble. His eyes never left your face, using it as a guide to what you needed. He pulled the other lip into his mouth and pulled away with a pop before licking his lips. He dove into you, spreading you by wiggling his tongue back and forth. Your taste invaded his taste buds and he never wanted to taste anything other than you from now on. He began to lick in stripes up to your clit before he used the tip of his tongue to circle your bud before sucking it in between his lips.

You have never orgasmed so fast before. Luckily, he was still gripping on to your thighs, otherwise you would be a mess on the floor. Your moans were a symphony to his ears, a true angel calling him to heaven. He could stay between your thighs forever.

You began to push his head away; “Fuck… fuck Harry, fucking stop, I can’t! I’m too sensitive! Shit!” He didn’t want to stop, he needed to feel you cum on his tongue again. He was moving his tongue with such vigor, closing his eyes to focus on making you cum again. When you released for the second time in mere minutes, he was satisfied with your hisses and curses above his head.

You had fumbled when Harry began to peel your thighs off his shoulders, Harry catching you to ensure your safety. Once he was upright, he gripped your chin to pull you in for a kiss. You had the gall to nibble at his lip, earning you a moan. “Fuck, I need to be in you.”

You began to untuck his shirt from his trousers, exposing his tattooed covered torso. Your fingers danced along the ink, tracing down his abdomen, along with your eyes when you noticed the prominent bulge.

“You need me Daddy?” Palming his length along the seam of his trousers. The noise that came out of Harry’s throat had caused your core to flutter.

“I need you so bad… fucking hell.” He rested his head on your shoulder, taking a bite of your flesh causing you to whimper at the delicious pain.

You began to undo Harry’s trousers, them falling easily to the floor when they became loose around his waist. “Take me, any way you want.”

Harry turned to pull you up the stairs, tripping on his trousers in the movement. This time, it was your turn to make sure he didn’t fumble, gripping his forearm. You try to prevent the laugh from escaping your mouth, but you were too late. You slapped your hand to your mouth, but the damage was done.

“Oh that’s funny, is it?” You began to shake your head but you let out a snort, ruining any cover that you thought you had. Harry raised his brows and let out a high pitched boyish laugh, “Oh, you’re in for it now, angel!”

Harry had kicked his trousers away as he began to pull you by your hand up the stairs. You tried to keep up but Harry was taking two steps at a time, eager to get you to his bed.

When you got to his room, he turned around to face you, gripping your hips to pull you close. He began to kiss you, leaving you breathless. He began to remove his briefs and you felt him spring against your lower stomach, causing you to look down.

If you thought you were dizzy from arousal when Harry was between your legs, you were about to pass out now. How could a dick look so pretty? Without even a thought, you gripped his girth in your palm, feeling his warm weight in your hand.

Harry’s breath hitched as your thumb grazed his tip to collect his precum. He watched you pull your thumb to your lips to have a taste of him. He continued to watch you as you sank on to your knees, moaning at the piece of art that is displayed before him.

You wasted no time in taking his length into your mouth. You had to rub your thighs together due to the heat created at your core from hearing Harry’s moans. Harry’s chest began to flush with your eagerness, taking as much length as you could into your throat. You pulled off of him to catch a breath and what Harry saw was complete filth.

Your chest flushed to match his, your hair disheveled from his insistent pulling. Your lips a dark strawberry, your saliva mixed with his precum connecting the two of you by your lips and his cock.

Harry couldn’t take it anymore. He tugged you to your feet by your hair, guiding you to the bed and laid you down. Harry crawled up the length of your body, kissing your skin along the way. He gave himself a few pumps before he settled between your legs.

He paused all his movements.

“Shit.”

Oh no. He hit that moment of regret, didn’t want to go through with this. You weren’t going to be lucky enough to feel his coc-

“Condom. Need to find the condoms.” Harry began to shuffle around his side table drawer. So he was out of practice as much as you were. You began to gently run your fingers along his back as he was bent over looking in his drawer, praying that there was at least one condom in there. He turned on his side table lamp to get a better look. You saw your reflection in the mirror just past Harry. You looked a proper mess; your hair all over, your makeup smeared. You were hoping Harry was going to turn the light back off the moment you heard a triumphant “AH HA!”

He turned to look at you with a boy-like smile holding your face to give you a kiss. Mumbling a “where were we?” against your lips. You watched him roll the condom down his length and return to his position between your thighs. He had noticed that you had coiled into your shell, giving you a soft look.

“Do you still-“

“YES!” You covered your mouth at your eagerness, causing him to let out a soft chuckle. “Yes, I want you more than anything. Could we just, turn off the lights?” You began to reach for the throw blanket that was on Harry’s bed to begin to cover up.

Harry pulled the soft pastel yellow blanket away from you, “Why would I want to do that? I want to see every inch of you, angel. You're breathtaking.” He began to give you soft kisses to the corner of your mouth and made his way to your lips.

You easily allowed Harry to deepen the kiss, picking up the heated moment you had prior to the condom fiasco. Harry had gripped your thigh, pulling it up around his waist. You felt Harry graze his tip across your slit, rubbing it gently on your clit before sliding back down, moving his hips to push his head into you.

You were breathless. He hasn’t even thrusted all the way in and you were experiencing euphoria. Harry watched your face as your brows pulled together and your mouth formed an ‘O’ shape. He bent down, nipping at your bottom lip before sliding his tongue into your mouth. He began to pick up the pace of his thrust, rolling his hips into you deliciously. He snaked his arm around your lower back to pull you close to him, causing you both to moan at the new angle.

“Feel good angel? Talk to me… tell me, tell me what you need.” Harry began to pant more between his moans, coming close to his end, but he needed to hear you say it. “Need to tell Daddy, angel” taking your nipple into his mouth.

You weren’t holding back any more, you were going to show your true colors.

“I need you to fuck me, Daddy. I need you to fuck be so hard that I can’t walk in the morning. I need to you drive into me so I can feel you when I make myself cum when I’m all alone, wishing it was you. Fuck me, Daddy. Don’t hold back.”

Harry moaned out at your demands, gripping his headboard for leverage. He began to snap his hips into you, making you move up the mattress and causing the whole bed to shake.

“You want me to fuck you angel? Really fuck you? I’ll give it to you, give you all you need.”

You felt like you were going to blackout from the pleasure flooding over you. You felt Harry’s nails dig into your waist as he continued to pull you closer. You felt the slick stickiness develop between your bodies from exchanging body heat.

Harry removed his hand from your waist, sliding it across your stomach and down your mound to press his thumb to your most sensitive spot. Your thighs clamped around his hips as your orgasm hit you suddenly with the help of Harry’s thumb.

Harry gave a few quick, repetitive thrusts before he released into the condom, promptly collapsing onto your chest. You let out a giggle as Harry let out a sigh of relief.

“I’m out of fucking shape.”

You burst out a laugh at his confession as well as the double meaning behind his statement. You felt him laugh on your chest as he turned to kiss your sternum. Harry rolled off of you, laying on his back and pulled you into his side.

“I’m proper knackered. Let’s get some sleep and then I’ll make you brekkie in the morning, hm?”

~~~

You woke up the next morning as the sun was starting to rise. Harry had been turned away from you in your sleep but your feet were intertwined. You gently pulled your feet away, climbing out of bed and making your way down the stairs. You put on your clothes that were still in a messy pile by the door. You stepped out the front door, gently closing it behind you as you ordered your Uber.

~~~

You were excited for the new school year. You loved to set up your first grade classroom with a theme for the welcoming bulletin board, being the center for the aesthetic of the whole room. “You’re Going to Grow This Year” was at the top of your bulletin board, decorated with different types of flowers in colorful pots with a student’s name, 15 of them.

There were live plants and flowers scattered around your classroom, comforting colors, attempting to make it as homey as possible. You were finishing up putting the students names at their assigned seating when the children began to file in.

~~~

“Alright bubby! First day of the first grade, huh?”

Emmett was sitting in his booster in the backseat, holding his pastel yellow blanket for comfort as he watched other kids line up in their assigned area. He was nervous, to say the least. His dad had walked him to class every day in his first year of school, but now with his dad taking on more clients, he was unable to do so.

His dad had popped out of the car to open the backseat and help Emmett out of his booster. His dad grabbed his bag and his blanket, putting the blanket in the backpack then held out his bag for Emmett to slide on.

“You alright bub? I know this is a lot for a first day. Are you sure you don’t want me to walk you?”

Emmett had nodded, knowing he would have to be a ‘big boy’ and go on his own, sooner or later. His dad gave him a kiss with an “I love you.” Emmett mumbled “Love you too” before gripping the rainbow straps of his backpack and walked towards the aids outside. His dad watched him as he made his way into the school.

~~~

Emmett was walking the hall, following the aid that was guiding him and his classmates to their assigned room. He read the bulletin board outside his classroom, “You’re Going to Grow This Year”. He looked for his name, noticing that names were on the pots, finding that his pot was filled with sunflowers. He began to smile; sunflowers are his favorite.

He walked into the class and huddled with his classmates at the entrance while the teacher made her way over to greet them.

“Good morning class! My name is Miss Y/L/N. It is nice to meet you all!”

Miss Y/L/N had met all the children individually, introducing them to their cubby for their belongings and where they were meant to sit. Emmett thought she had seemed nice and she was really pretty. With the floral dress she was wearing, he thought she could be a princess.

~~~

You get to the last student when you approached with a smile and a “you must be Emmett Styles.” He beamed up at you with a nod. He was a little smaller than the other kids in the class, needing some assistance reaching the hook for his backpack. You showed him to his seat and began the daily lesson.

~~~

Harry had looked at his watch, finishing up with his client.

“That seems to be a good place to stop for today, Jeremy. When we meet for our next session in two weeks, I’d like to hear how you feel your mindfulness journaling has been supporting your goals.” Harry stood and shook his client’s hand then guided him to the door, telling him to stop at the clerks desk to get an appointment card.

Harry sat at his desk, looking at his watch again before pulling his glasses from the neck of his shirt to perch on his nose and started typing his note for the therapy session. He had to pick up Emmett from school and had a special plan for dinner for getting through his first day of the first grade.

~~~

Harry stood there patiently waiting, pulling his lip between his thumb and forefinger, anxiously awaiting his son to walk outside. Harry certainly wasn’t expecting his son to be running out with a beaming smile, straight into Harry’s arms.

“Daddy!”

“Hi bubby! Did you have a good day?” Crouching down to catch his son into his arms for their favorite bear hug.

“I had such a good day, daddy!” Handing Harry his bag to put in the car while he was climbing into his booster. Harry has never seen Emmett so eager and excited. The last time Emmett was close to this excited was when they went to see Trolls in the theaters.

“Tell me all about it, yeah?”

And he didn’t stop talking about it. “And there was a pot of sunflowers with my name on it!”

“That’s awesome, bub! Your favorite!”

“And I sat by a girl named Riley and a boy named Jaxon, and we got to write our names, and we read a book! One that we have daddy! Miss Y/L/N has it too!”

“Wow bubby! Sounds like fun!”

“And Miss Y/L/N played us songs on the guitar, and we did some yoga at calm time! I showed them the move you taught me daddy! This one!” Emmett grabbed his foot and kicked it up into the air. “Miss Y/L/N couldn’t do it because she was in a dress, but she said the next time we do yoga during calm time, she will try.”

Harry was happy to hear that his son had a good day, and it seems like he is enjoying his teacher.

“Miss Y/L/N is a princess daddy! She had flowers and plants everywhere and she even has a pet for the classroom! His name is Gus and he is a pet mouse, like in Cinderella! I got to pet him!”

Harry doesn’t think Emmett took a breath the whole car ride home. He may have taken a drink from his yellow-glitter water bottle just to keep talking without a dry mouth.

Harry parked in the garage attached to his townhouse and helped Emmett out of his booster. Emmett ran straight for the door, reaching up to let himself in. They had their routine of, “shoes off, potty time, wash your hands” before they make dinner together. “Daddy too.”

Harry set Emmett up on his spot on the island for them to start making dinner. Harry pulled out the sauce, cheese, and premade pizza dough along with all of their favorite fixings for them to make personal pizzas. Emmett picked broccoli and peppers while Harry opted for mushrooms, onions, and peppers, stealing peppers from Emmett’s pizza to put on his that Emmett promptly grabbed back to put back to where they belonged.

Harry had put the pizzas in the oven while Emmett set the timer shaped like a chicken and extended his arms out for assistance getting off the island. Harry grabbed their favorite cups and filled them with celebratory juice for a successful first day.

~~~

After getting full bellies and cleaning up after dinner, Harry followed Emmett up the stairs to go promptly to Harry’s en-suite. Emmett already had his duck-hooded towel hanging on his designated hook. He went to his spot under the sink to get out his bubble bath, occasionally using Harry’s bubble bath when he isn’t feeling well. Emmett carried the bottle to his dad and started to undress.

Harry set up the bath and helped Emmett climb in to not slip and fall. Harry grabbed the Bluetooth speaker, putting on “Emmy’s playlist”. Both beginning to sing the calming toons emitted by the speaker.

“Miss Y/L/N likes The Beatles too daddy! She says they are her favorite!”

“Does she?”

“Uh-huh! She likes the same music we do! She has a playlist for the class for calm time too and I like all the songs!”

Emmett continued to talk about his teacher while cleaning up and winding down for the night. Harry grabs Emmett’s towel as Emmett unplugs the tub, standing up and waiting for his towel. Harry picks him up in the towel, pulling the duck bill over his head to dry his hair. Harry carries his son to the vanity where he plants his feet, looking in the mirror.

“Alright bubby, you know the deal.” Looking slightly up at his son, smiling at each other. Harry begins to rub the towel on Emmett’s shoulders and head while Emmett looks to the mirror.

“My name is Emmett Robin Styles. I had a good day today. My favorite part was doing yoga and singing with Miss Y/L/N. My least favorite part was saying bye to daddy because he couldn’t walk me to my classroom but it is okay because he is helping people.” Harry couldn’t help but get a little choked up as he wrapped his arms around his son’s tiny waist and resting his head on his shoulder, Emmett laying his head on top of Harry’s.

“I’m going to make tomorrow better by giving daddy an extra long hug before school.” Harry smiled and kissed his shoulder, prompting the last part of their pre-bed routine before brushing their teeth.

“And what are we bub?” In unison, “we are smart, we are kind, we are beautiful, inside and out, and we are loved.”

Emmett turned in his dad’s arms to wrap his little ones around Harry’s neck to give him a hug, pulling away to give him a kiss. Harry helped him sit on the edge of the vanity so that they can both brush their teeth.

~~~

After reading a story and giving multiple good-night kisses, Harry makes his way downstairs after getting in lounge clothes to prep their lunches and bags for the next day. Harry opened Emmett’s backpack, pulling out a folder that had not been there this morning. The folder had puffy letter stickers combined to read out his son’s name. Harry opened it to see a hand written note on floral stationary.

Dear care-giver to Emmett,

Emmett had an amazing first day! He was kind and courteous, helpful to his classmates, and was eager to learn. He enjoyed yoga, showing us some different positions, and made requests during music time (he has good taste with requesting Dreams by Fleetwood Mac). I look forward to seeing Emmett grow in my classroom!

Attached is a sign up form for a parent teacher conference I will be holding throughout the first few weeks of school to discuss Emmett’s growth and development. Please let me know what works best for your schedule. I look forward to meeting you.

All the best,

Miss Y/L/N

~~~

Harry was running late, so fucking late, for the parent-teacher conference with Miss Y/L/N. Emmett had talked about how excited he was that his dad was FINALLY getting to meet “the best teacher ever!” It had been a few weeks since Emmett started school and it seemed like Harry was the last to participate in the conference due to his schedule with work. And now he was running late.

Harry had parked his car close to the entrance of the school, starting to jog while pressing the button on his key to lock the car. Harry was looking at the door numbers while slowing his jog when he heard Emmett’s laugh and some Sam Cook playing through the door to the right. Harry ran his hand through his hair, parting in the center on it’s own even though he tried to fluff it. He stepped into the room seeing Emmett sat at a table with his teacher, her back to the door.

~~~

“Daddy!” Emmett shot up from his chair, running right into his dad’s arms as you stood from your chair. When you turned around, you weren’t expecting to see…

“Harry?” Holy. Shit.

And he looked good. He was in yellow wide leg trousers and a royal blue button-up, top few buttons undone, and a white suit coat covering his broad shoulders and long arms. Only he would be able to pull a look off such as this.

Harry’s eyes went wide as he looked up at you from his squatting position, bear hugging Emmett, who was apparently his son. “Y/N!” with a scoffed laugh. “You’re Miss Y/L/N… Emmett talks about you constantly.”

“She is the best teacher in the world, daddy!” Harry pet the top of Emmett’s head as he was trying to take you in. You both stood there for a moment, soaking the other in, until Emmett broke the awkward silence. “I’m going to play with the blocks…” walking away and going to the building area of your room.

You get right to work, clearing your throat before grabbing Emmett’s folder from your desk and guiding Harry to a table for you both to sit. You open the folder, avoiding Harry’s strong stare on you.

“Emmett has-”

“Why did you leave? You snuck out. Why?”

You finally looked up at him and he looked, well, he looked hurt, like he has been waiting for this opportunity to confront you.

“You didn't even leave a number to call you. I was going to make you my famous french toast. I thought that we had something, something special and you didn’t even give us the opportunity to possibly explore that. I get that maybe you didn't want more than just that moment, but, I certainly did.” Harry was rotating the rings on his fingers while spilling his heart out. “I would have called you.”

You sat there stunned. When you were putting Emmett’s folder together to prepare for this meeting, you didn't know that you would have been confronted by the best one night stand that you have ever experienced. You were excited to finally meet the person, or people, that have raised such a special boy. You know that you shouldn't pick favorites in your students, but how could you not love Emmett with all your heart?

“Harry…”

“Just tell me why, that's all I ask. Was it something I did or said?”

“No, no, not at all Harry. As cliché as it sounds, it’s me, not you.” You tried to lighten the mood with a light giggle, but Harry was still stoic, with those damn soft eyes… “That night scared me, okay? I was able to be completely myself with you, in all aspects of the night, and it scared the living shit out of me”. You looked over to the block area to make sure that Emmett was still preoccupied and didn't hear you curse in your classroom. “I really didn’t mean to hurt you Harry. I was being selfish when I walked out that morning.”

Harry reached his hand across the table, grabbing your hands that were resting on Emmett’s folder. He began to smile as he was looking at your hands together. “I was scared too, really. But waking up without you next to me, I think that’s the worst I have ever felt.” He ran his thumb over your knuckles before he let go and leaned back in the chair. You noticed that Emmett was making his was over, breaking the little moment you and Harry were having.

Emmett began to climb up Harry to cuddle in his lap, “Daddy, I’m hungry.” Emmett laid his head on Harry’s chest, playing with his emerald cross necklace as Harry kissed Emmett’s head and rubbed his leg.

“We will be heading home soon bub, just let me talk to Miss Y/L/N for a little longer, okay?” Emmett nodded but cuddled closer to Harry. You took it as an opportunity to actually have the parent-teacher conference.

“I must tell you that it is a true joy to have Emmett in my class room. He is always the first to help anyone, including myself. Emmett is polite and is eager to learn every morning he walks in.” You go to pull out some of his art and workbook from Emmett’s folder to prove all of his hard work and growth he has had in the few weeks he has been in your class. You turn the work to show Harry as he continues to rub Emmett’s back and kiss his head.

To say Harry was proud was an understatement. Emmett had issues with some of his letters when they practiced over the summer, but now he is a pro! His artwork is colorful and vibrant. You continue to talk about Emmett in the class and his progress and Harry is beaming, especially when he hears how kind he has been to his classmates.

“A true sweetheart.” Harry looks to you at your sentiment and sees that you are smiling at Emmett who is smiling right back at you.

“Join us for dinner.” Causing both you and Emmett to perk up for very different reasons.

“Oh, Harry. I shou-“

“Please Miss Y/L/N! It’s brekkie for dinner night! French toast!”

Harry smirking at you, “You can see what you had missed out on. I’m a proper chef when it comes to brekkie, angel.”

Emmett had fully perked up at the idea of having you over for dinner, offering up his favorite blanket as well as your favorite Disney movie for movie night. Both boys are looking at you with a pout, though you try to be professional.

“Harry, I’m your son’s teacher…”

“You met me first. Please angel, have mercy on us poor boys. We would love your company.” Emmett resting his cheek on Harry’s, both throwing a pathetic pout.

~~~

You were cursing yourself the whole time you were following Harry’s car. Were you doing the wrong thing? Was it the right thing? You cared for Emmett more than you ever cared for any other child. You love all your students but, Emmett... Maybe because he was his father’s son? There is a resemblance between the two and both are so sweet. Not that you knew he was Harry’s kin before tonight.

Would they notice if you turned around? You couldn’t break Emmett’s heart like that, or Harry’s. Again. God, being in the car alone, driving to the best fuck/father of your student’s home really takes a toll on your anxiety and overthinking.

You pull up and park behind Harry and before your engine is off, Emmett is running to your door to open it for you. After he used all his strength to open your door, he was beaming up at you with a hand out for you to take.

Harry was standing there with both his and Emmett’s bags slung over his shoulder; he looks quite cute with rainbow straps. Harry was smiling at the image of you with his son, letting Emmett lead you into their home and he followed close behind.

Emmett went right into his after school routine while Harry walked into the kitchen with you following. Harry pulls out a pan along with the fresh bread and eggs to begin dinner. “Can I make you tea? Coffee? Glass of wine maybe?” Smiling at you over his shoulder.

“Tea, please.” You are still standing there with your hands straightening out the skirt of your dress before sticking your hands in the pockets of the dress, the reason why you bought the dress honestly.

Emmett walks out and goes right to Harry with his arms up for Harry to pick him up and place him on the counter to be his “little sous chef”. Emmett reaches for you to come closer and Harry hands you your cup of tea. Emmett shimmies his way closer to you before he cuddles into your side, you subconsciously wrapping your arm around him.

Harry wishes that he could see this image every night.

~~~

You’re looking at the pictures Harry has along his wall, a gallery of his family. You smile seeing a picture of Harry holding Emmett in his first few days on the earth. Another of Emmett on Harry’s back, both bent over laughing and sharing the same smile and wrinkled eyes. You see Harry with his mom and sister, Emmett in pictures with each as well. The whole family is so beautiful.

You try not to think of Emmett’s mother and that potential situation as you find yourself standing by the wall. THE wall. The wall you were pinned to with quivering thighs and labored breathing. As you turn to return to the kitchen to get away from that wall and your thoughts, you hear the little pitter-patter of feet coming down the stairs.

Emmett clad in Paw Patrol pajamas runs right into your legs, hugging them. He grabbed your hand and pulled you into the living room then gently pushed you to sit down while he ran to his backpack to get his blanket. He came running back and covered both your laps with the blanket before cuddling into your side.

Oh, this blanket. It was on the bed when you and Harry… you tried to cover your naked body with Emmett’s favorite blanket! If only the ground could open up and eat you whole.

“Daddy is making popcorn and then he will put on the movie!” Emmett pulled your arm so that you could wrap it around him to cuddle closer. You rub his shoulder before Harry makes his way with popcorn in his arm, Emmett’s juice sip cup in one hand and two glasses of wine in the other. Why did you find that so sexy?

Harry handed Emmett his cup and you your glass of wine before Emmett sat up to hold the popcorn on his lap. “What is this? No cuddles for daddy?”

Did he just?...

With the smirk he was giving you over the edge of his wine glass, he certainly did.

“After popcorn daddy! Then you get cuddles!” Emmett fisting little handfuls of popcorn in his mouth as the opening credits to “Beauty and the Beast” started.

~~~

Harry had been watching you the whole time, especially when Emmett had laid on your lap and fell asleep. You were playing with his hair as little snores slipped out from his mouth.

“I should have known he was your son from all the pouting he gives me in class.” You begin to smile as you continue to look down at the little cherub on your lap, knowing Harry is giving you an offended face.

You turn to look at him but he didn’t have an offended look on his face, he had a face of adoration. He was also moved closer to you than the start of the movie. You clear your throat but not wanting to disturb Emmett while he’s in dreamland. “I should get going.”

“Please stay, stay the night.” Again, with the pout.

You sat in silence for a moment, “I don’t have anything with me.”

The smile on Harry’s face slowly crept to show his dimples. “I have stuff for you, angel.” He stood up, grabbing Emmett from your lap to carry him to bed and then put his hand out to you to assist you in standing up. He held your hand behind his back the whole way up the stairs. It seemed like dejavu being in this position but more at a tired pace. Harry went to Emmett’s room to lay him down before guiding you to his room.

Harry left a crack in the door before making his way to his dresser. He handed you a pair of his boxer briefs and an old T-shirt before he stepped into the bathroom to pull out towels and a spare toothbrush he had under his sink. “Help yourself to anything. I’m going to properly tuck in Emmett.” He kissed the side of your head before shutting the bathroom door behind him.

You got ready for bed and made your way into Harry’s room. He was sitting on his bed with his glasses perched on his nose, reviewing emails on his phone. He was pulling his lip between his thumb and forefinger and had a slight furrow to his brow. He looked up at you and his face instantly softened, giving you a lopsided smile. “All set, love?”

You nodded and made your way to his bed, climbing under the covers. Harry laid himself out so he was level with you, laying on his side and putting a hand on your hip. His glasses were skewed due to him laying on his side so you did the favor of pulling them off to fold them and place them on his side table. You laid back down to look at him, resting a hand on his face, stroking his stubble with your thumb.

“Thank you.” You must have pulled a face because Harry started to giggle. “Thank you for being an amazing teacher to my son.” He began to melt into the bed and pulled you closer. “He had a rough first year of school and hated it. He was always disregarded by his peers and had a hard time making friends. I always thought it was my fault because I raised him to never be ashamed of what he liked and to be who he wants to be. Kids made fun of him because he loved bright colors and wore them everyday, and he was small so he was an easy target.” Harry looked like he was on the verge of tears, eyes darting across your face. “You let him do that in your classroom, it’s a safe space for him. He has friends, he is getting invited to birthdays and playdates, not out of obligation but because they want him there. He is so happy coming home and talking about his day so openly,” Harry lets out a giggle, “and he doesn’t shut the hell up about you.”

You now have tears in your eyes as you let out a wet laugh and a sniffle. Harry wipes your tears with his thumbs before kissing their tracks, then your nose before pulling you by your jaw to plant a soft kiss to your lips. You feel the sigh leave his nose against your skin as he pulls you as close as possible. “Thank you, for caring about Emmett and for staying the night tonight.”

You cuddle closer to Harry as he turns his side lamp off and wraps his arms tightly around you before you both fall asleep.

~~~

You woke up on your side, facing away from Harry. You feel his arms pull you closer while he is in the process of stretching. He began to kiss between shoulders, humming happily with a murmured rasp of “Morning”. You push yourself closer to Harry in the cuddle, holding his arms that are wrapped around you.

Harry moves one of his hands to rub up and down your side as he continues to kiss along your spine. His fingers find the hem of the shirt before they begin to creep along your skin, creating goosebumps. He hums as he moves his way to your neck, giving you soft kisses. You roll to your back, allowing Harry to hover over you slightly, gripping his jaw and pulling him down for a kiss.

Harry’s leaned on his elbow as his other hand moves up your stomach and begins massaging your breasts. His tongue grazes your lip, causing you to open your mouth further for him to taste you. The morning heat in your stomach starts to bloom. Harry’s hand begins to trail down your body and dip into the boxer briefs he had provided. His fingers begin to graze yo-

“DADDY!” The door slammed against the wall as Emmett climbed up the bed with his blanket draped over his shoulders and climbed on Harry’s back. Harry quickly removed his hand as both of your faces blushed. Emmett gasped seeing you in Harry’s bed and then began to pout. “You didn’t tell me we were having a sleepover! I wanted a sleepover with Miss Y/L/N!”

You began to giggle as Emmett climbed over Harry to lay on you. You covered him in his blanket as Harry was watching you care for his son. “I didn’t know I was going to be sleeping over either, but I got so sleepy after cuddling with you that your daddy was nice enough to let me stay.” Emmett seemed to have settled for that response and asked that since there was a guest if they could go to his favorite diner. “They have smiley pancakes and they put extra blueberries in them for me!” Harry agreed that it was a good idea, helping Emmett up to get ready but not before leaning over to give you another kiss.

~~~

It had been a couple of days since you had stayed at Harry’s. You were sitting in the art area of your classroom assisting the kids in the Picasso project you had picked for your lesson plan. The children were slowly mingling out when their parents came to pick them up. Emmett was the last one so you sat in the “comfy chair” with him in your lap, listening to music and having him read you stories.

Harry walked in, smiling at the sight before getting Emmett’s things together. You look up to see his back turned to you and you begin to smile. He was in brown trousers with a red sweater and a plaid button up under the sweater, sleeves rolled up. His bum looked really good in those trousers. Harry looked over his shoulder and smiled back at you, knowing you were checking him out.

Harry made his way to you and was about to interrupt Emmett’s reading but Emmett put his hand up to stop his dad before he had even opened his mouth. Harry's jaw dropped as you began to giggle, covering your mouth. “Almost done daddy, shhh.” Emmett was bouncing on your lap due to your giggling.

Emmett finished his story, closing the book and climbing off your lap before putting it back to where it belonged in your library. You stood up as Emmett walked to Harry, giving him a hug when Harry squatted down. You smiled as you watched the scene then went to your desk grabbing your bag and coat.

Harry walked to your desk and you turned as you pulled your hair out from under your jacket. Harry had his arm extended with a bouquet of tulips in hand. “For you, from me and Emmett. He told me to get you tulips.” Harry had a slight blush to his cheek. You accepted the flowers, putting them in a vase on your desk and filling it with water from your water bottle.

“Thank you!” You bent down to kiss Emmett on the cheek and you felt Harry’s hand on your lower back. You stood up and turned to Harry, placing a hand to his jaw before kissing his cheek as well. “Are you ready?” Grabbing Harry’s hand as you walk out the door.

Harry was dropping Emmett off at his sister Gemma’s for the night before taking you out for dinner. You met Gemma when Harry was saying his goodbyes and good nights to Emmett. She was gushing over how much both of the boys talked about you, saying that it had been “so long” since she has seen her brother this happy. “Harry was devastated when Emmett’s mom said that she didn’t want Harry or the baby. She left Emmett with Harry at the hospital the day he was born. She never even tried to reach out.”

Emmett ran back over to you to give you a hug before running back to the kitchen to help Michel make dinner. Gemma gave both you and Harry a hug and wished you a good night before Harry walked you outside and opened the car door for you, helping you into the car before going to dinner.

~~~

Harry had taken you back to his place, saying he had dessert at home. He pulled out a bottle of wine with glasses and grabbed the cheesecake from the fridge. He tried to pull off that he had been the one to make it but you knew better since it was from your favorite bakery.

Harry had put on a movie for you to cuddle and drink your wine to. He was feeding you cheesecake from the plate you were sharing, making sure you got the last bite. He sunk further into the couch, pulling you with him. You had a leg draped over his waist and your head on his chest. His hand was caressing the bare thigh that was on his waist while his other arm was wrapped around you.

You noticed as the movie progressed that Harry’s hand began to sneak higher on to your thigh. The skirt of your dress was up past your hip at this point. Harry starts to place kisses on the top of your head, rubbing your arm with one hand and begins to caress your bum with the other. You smile into his chest, “What are you doing, sir?”

Harry hummed as he gripped the back of your knee to pull you on top of him, straddling his hips. He started to rub up and down both of your thighs when you sat up to look down at him. You raised your brows at him, still waiting for a response. “I'm gonna make you feel good, that’s what I’m doing.”

Harry sat up while he caressed your face with both hands, pulling you in for a kiss. He undid the zipper of your dress, letting the sleeves loosen before he assisted in removing the garment, pulling the dress over your head and letting it fall to the ground. Harry had taken his sweater off when he got home, so you began to undo the buttons to his shirt. He was taking his time, kissing you softly and slowly. He began to kiss down your sternum as you pushed his shirt off his shoulders. Once the shirt was off, you took a hold of Harry’s hair, massaging his scalp as he continued to kiss the skin along your chest.

His hands returned to massaging your hips and thighs as his kisses became eager against your skin, trailing to your lips. He began to pull you to lay down with him and moved his hands to your bum, massaging and pulling you down to grind against him. You let out a moan at the feeling of his bulge pressed against you, your hips moving on their own chasing the pleasure.

You whine as Harry pulls away. You kiss along his jaw and neck as your hips continue to roll against his. Harry is panting your name but you don’t stop your actions. The only thing that makes you stop is Harry begging you, “Sit on my face angel.”

You moan at the demand, tugging at Harry’s hair causing him to hiss. You sit up and Harry assists you to stand up as well as taking your panties off. Harry maneuvered himself so that you could straddle his face comfortably. When you went to straddle his face, he wasn’t expecting you to turn to face his feet. He couldn’t see what you were doing but he could feel you undoing his pants and begin to push them down his thighs, exposing his hard on. He bit into your ass cheek as he heard you spit into your hand and felt you begin to stroke him.

Harry felt you take him into your mouth as your wet center hovered over him. He threw his head back into the couch as he felt you tongue his tip. Harry wrapped his arms around your thighs and used his hands to spread you open for the taking. He licked his lips before giving you soft, sucking kisses to your outer lips. He can feel you moan around his dick, urging him to dip his tongue into you.

He pulls you so close to his face, you think you’re going to suffocate him. You pull off Harry to pump him a few times as well as to let out a moan of Harry’s name. His mouth and tongue are everywhere; kissing your thighs, teeth nipping your ass, his tongue trailing from you dripping cunt up to your puckered hole. Harry moves one of his hands so that his fingers can fuck into you as he is lapping at your ass.

You give Harry a firm squeeze, causing him to pull off of you to let out a guttural moan. He thrusts his hips up to you, causing his tip to graze your lips before you take him fully, causing him to lick and finger you with fervor. Your hips begin to roll on their own accord as your orgasm flooded over you. Your movements on Harry pause since your orgasm is overwhelming but the moment you start to come down from your high, you take all of Harry into your mouth. You pump what your mouth can’t handle, focusing your tongue on his tip. You hear Harry mumble something but can’t make out what he says before he is cumming into your mouth.

You pull off of him, giving him a few gentle pumps through his orgasm before climbing off of him to straddle his waist. When you turn to look at his face, you can't help but laugh. He had his eyes closed with his head tipped back and a smile gracing his face. “That good, huh?”

He let out a laugh before lacing his fingers with yours as you climb back on top of him. “Unexpected was what it was, and yes, it was THAT good.” He kissed your fingers before he gently pulled you to lay on him. He pulled the blanket that was behind his head over the both of you before he began to rub your back. Both of you began to doze off while the movie continued to play in the background.

~~~

When you woke up, Harry was kissing your cheek. “Rise and shine sweetheart.” He continued to kiss over your face until you squirm away. “Let's get you up to bed, hm?” You nodded as you climbed off of Harry, wrapping the blanket around you. You're sluggish in your movements up the stairs but seeing Harry’s naked bum in front of you puts a little pep in your step.

Harry plops onto his bed ungracefully, opening his arms for you. You climb into bed to cuddle into Harry. He tips your head up from his chest to give you a kiss, deepening it as your thigh grazes his naked member. He whimpers into the kiss before he turns to his side to pull your thigh around his waist. He fully settles between your thighs, laying you on your back, when you pull him closer with your leg.

He rubs his stiffening member between your folds with rolls of his hips as he continues to kiss you. He is slow and gentle in his movements, wanting to savor the moment. You are the one to reach for the side table to turn on the light as well as to look for the condom. They are front and center when you open the drawer, causing you to bark a laugh. “Prepared this time, I see.”

Harry began to blush and bury his face into your neck, “hopeful is more like it.” He began to pepper your neck with kisses as you unwrap the condom. As he sat up for you to place the condom on him, he began to smile at you since you looked so concentrated with your tongue sticking out to the side. You looked up to him with a smile and a nod, causing him to lean on his elbows, hovering over you. You held his face giving him a soft kiss that both of you were smiling into.

Harry rubbed his nose against yours as you squeezed his hips with your thighs. Harry brushes your hair from your face then reaches down to line himself up to gently push into you. He looks back to you when his tip is inserted, kissing you as he rolls his hips to be completely enveloped by you.

Harry is kissing every inch of skin he can touch as your soft pants brush past his ear. This time is completely different than your first time, this was intimate. You lace your fingers into his hair as his hand is rubbing up and down your thigh, hooking it around his waist to pull you closer.

Harry pulled his face from your skin to watch you. You turn your head to look at him and you start to smile as you continue with your soft, quick breaths with each thrust of Harry’s hips. He starts to smile down at you before leaning to give you a kiss to your lips. He pulls away and continues his movements. You push his hair off his forehead before you kiss every inch of his face, causing Harry to giggle.

He leans so that his body is surrounding you, kissing your shoulder as his pace quickens. He pulls you closer to him by gripping the thigh wrapped around him, pulling you at an angle that hits your inner spot perfectly. His pelvis is grinding against your clit with the movements of Harry’s hips, giving you everything to push you over the edge. You grip Harry’s hair pulling him closer to you, whimpering out his name.

Harry began to suck on your collar, quickening his pace, leading Harry to moan out as he began to feel your light pulse on his shaft. He pulled his face from your skin to watch you as you come undone. The grip on his hair and his waist from your thighs tighten while your face scrunches with your orgasm. Harry quickly pecks your face with kisses before he locks his lips with yours and releases into the condom.

Your pants mix with Harry’s in the air between you before you lean up to gently place a kiss on his lips. He begins to smile as he continues to peck your lips, causing you to giggle out and grip his face.

Harry rolls off of you and pulls you into his side. “You’re not going to leave me in the morning now, are you?” He had a smile on his face but you knew he was still concerned.

You began to pet at his face, getting him to look at you. “I’ll be here in morning. Every morning if you want me to.” He smiled and kissed you again with a hum.

“I would really like that.” Harry kissed you again before getting up to get ready for bed, turning off the bedside lamp and cuddling you close as you fell asleep.

~~~

Harry had brought you coffee to bed in the morning along with the newspaper. You stole his glasses from his face when you found an article that suited you and placed them on your own. Harry rested his head on your shoulder as you read it aloud, him feeding you pieced if jellied toast between lines.

You showered together and began to get ready as Harry was calling Gemma to let her know that you were on your way.

~~~

Emmett was running out of Gemma and Michel’s front door when his aunt had opened it, seeing Harry and you were approaching. Harry had feigned hurt when he saw Emmett run right for you. If anything, Harry was ecstatic to see the exchange. You picked up Emmett and carried him to the car, assisting him to get into his booster.

When Harry approached Gemma, he knew she had something to say. “Don’t fuck it up, Harry.

She’s good for the both of you.” Harry’s jaw dropped at Gemma, hurt at the idea that he would fuck up such a perfect thing. Gemma gave Harry a hug before waving at you and Emmett over his shoulder.

Harry climbed back in the car to see Emmett eagerly telling you all that he had done with Aunt Gem and Uncle Michel. Harry made sure that both you and Emmett were buckled up before he started to drive. Harry reaches his hand over to your lap, squeezing your thigh before lacing his fingers with yours.

“Daddy? What are we doing today?” Emmett was looking out the window, having an idea of what they were going to do by knowing what day of the week it was as well as by their surroundings, but he wanted to hear his dad say it.

Harry looked back in the rear view mirror while giving your hand a squeeze. “We are going to go to the park for a while before going to our diner.” Harry began to smile as he saw the excitement grow on Emmett’s face.

The Saturday tradition that used to be strictly meant for Harry and Emmett now was made better by having you with them.

[plasticnightmaredoll]

(artwork is a commission done by @stillfuckinbetterthanyou)

I guess because it’s my birthday soon and I’ve been obsessed with Arkhamverse Riddler lately, I came up with a kinky little drabble involving Enigma/Edward Nashton (Riddler before he was Riddler, basically) and my Arkham Origins o/c, Lorelei Jones.

This may not be part of the main fic involving them, but can be seen as a sort of “bonus” side story or a deleted scene even. 

But it’s canon (well, for this Arkham Origins A/U at least).

The main fic will probably be called, “Break All of Our Stigma,” which is a line from Lady Gaga’s song, “Enigma” (Yes, I know, I know, I just lover her, ok? And the song actually kind of fits Lorelei and Edward). This side drabble is called, “Cake,” and while it does involve Lorelei helping Eddie celebrate his birthday, the “cake” in question isn’t a literal cake.

If you know what I mean 👀👀👀👀💦💦💦💦💦

I mean, there is a cake mentioned in the drabble, but the cake Eddie gets to feast on isn’t that cake.

*cough*

Anyway, here is part 1 of what will most likely be 3 parts. Part 1 is the lead in to eating the “cake,” part 2 will be “eating” the “cake,” and part 3 will be...well, you’ll figure that out ;)

Hey, if you think this is spicy, this is NOTHING compared to what I’m writing for Telltale Riddler. Imagine all of this but, like........................MORE PORN. 

Very NSFT/NSFW content under the cut because Eddie and Lorelei are horny little fuckers 😘

Cake (part 1)

Summary: It’s Edward’s birthday and his lovely GCPD detective, Lorelei, decides to plan something special for him, including a cake. He tells her she needn’t spend so much effort on him, especially since she just wrapped up a rather exhausting case. However, she shushed him and told him he deserves, at the very least, an excellent cake for his special day. However, the “cake” she has ready for him isn’t what he’s expecting...not that he’s complaining.

Edward was more than ready to get to his apartment after a long, tiring, frustrating day at the always “glorious” GCPD. How was it that so many idiots worked in one place? Why were people in general so damn annoying? And stupid? 

As he made his way down the hall, he felt some of the tension leave him as he knew his lovely detective was waiting for him. She’d already given him a birthday gift that morning (a green-striped scarf and dark green gloves, both of which he loved but he told her she didn’t need to spend her money on him), and now she had a cake prepared for him. Sharing some cake with her on his “special day” (he still didn’t see what the big deal was) sounded like the perfect way to unwind (even if she didn’t need to go through the trouble to make one for him). Perhaps it would be relaxing for her as well, chatting over something sweet and enjoying some peace after finishing a very tiring case? He hoped as much since, again, he didn’t want her to feel like she had to spend time or money on him like this.

“I’ll be in the kitchen,” Lorelei’s text had said in response to him as he left work, and when he entered the apartment, he heard her call out.

“In here, Darling,” she said.

“Be right there,” Edward replied as he hung up his scarf and coat, then placed his gloves in said coat’s left pocket.

Loosening his tie, he placed it on the back of a chair in the living room along with his vest and ID tag. Undoing a few buttons of his dress shirt and rolling up his sleeves, he made his way to the kitchen, a warm smile on his face as he prepared to greet his sublime lover.

Edward stopped dead in his tracks as soon as he saw Lorelei sitting on the kitchen table wearing nothing except a green garter belt with matching stockings and green high-heels. He could feel his face turning red as his mind struggled to come up with something to say, something that made sense considering his thoughts were all jumbled up at that moment.

“Where’s the cake?” he finally asked, and he mentally kicked himself for asking such a ridiculous question.

“Right here,” Lorelei said as she opened her legs for him. “Disappointed?”

“Not at all!” he said with a little nervous laugh. “Just...really surprised.”

‘Well, it is your birthday...surprises are bound to happen.”

“Indeed…”

“So, are you gonna come over here and enjoy your ‘cake’ or…?”

Edward’s legs seemed to move on their own as he quickly walked over to Lorelei, stepping between her spread thighs and grabbing her waist as he pressed his lips to hers in a deep, passionate kiss. She was so receptive, moaning into his mouth as she wrapped her legs around him to keep him close. How did he get this lucky? Why was he even this lucky? The way she treated him, it was like he was the sexiest man alive, and while he honestly wasn’t, he couldn’t help but soak up all the attention. It felt good -- she felt good. Ah, more than good. He couldn’t properly describe it, especially not while he was making out with her as she was practically naked and had just invited him to enjoy her...to put his face between her thighs and…

“So, did you expect to come home to an invitation to feast on my cunt?” Lorelei asked, slightly breathless, as Edward kissed and nipped at her neck.

His cock twitched in his trousers upon hearing that, and he bit back a moan.

“N-No,” he replied, moving to her collarbones. 

“Disappointed it’s not a real cake?” she asked, and he could hear the smirk in her voice.

“Not one bit.”

“There is actually a small cake in the fridge for us to share. I literally finished icing it before you texted me to tell me you were coming home. We can have some now if you prefer?”

“No, it can wait...I mean, thank you but I...I, umm...want this other ‘cake’ first.”

“Which cake?” 

Lorelei had the most devious grin on her face, and she couldn’t help but think of how adorable Edward looked blushing like crazy and acting a bit shy while still feeling incredibly turned on. Yes, he knew how to fuck her just right so she was reduced to a moaning, panting, mewling mess, but he was undeniably sweet. He gave as much as he took, you could say, and sometimes, he didn’t take nearly enough since he always focused on her. She had no idea what she did to deserve him but she wasn’t going to complain.

“Ummm…” Edward gave Lorelei a cute bashful smile as he slowly reached down between them and pressed his fingers between her slick folds. “This one.”

“You naughty little geek,” she teased with a giggle.

“I haven’t even gotten started yet,” he said, raising a brow and smirking, feeling more and more bold as the seconds ticked by. “This is hardly naughty.”

“Oh? Then what is naughty?”

“This.”

Edward slipped a finger inside Lorelei, meeting little resistance with how wet she was, and quickly inserted a second one, curling them both against her spot and making her shudder. He watched her eyes flutter closed as he carefully stroked her inner walls with his fingers, using his free hand to help guide her head down onto the table. 

“Mmm...that’s more like it,” Lorelei purred as he continued to finger her at a steady pace. “But is that all you--Oh!” Her eyes shot open when she felt Edward’s thumb rub her clit. “Oh, fuck…”

But Edward wasn’t done yet.

He hadn’t failed to notice the green-gemmed nipple piercings Lorelei was wearing (she really knew exactly what turned him on, didn’t she?) and he leaned down and gently sucked on her right nipple. Her fingers threaded into his dark brown hair as a sigh escaped her, and when he lightly tugged on the nipple ring, she inhaled sharply, her fingers scratching at his scalp. 

“Mmm...Eddie,” she panted, chewing on her lower lip. “That’s so good…”

Edward started to use his palm to stimulate Lorelei’s clit as his fingers moved more roughly against her g-spot. Coupling that with the way his mouth was teasing her breasts and Lorelei was no longer as chatty.

“Yes, yes, Eddie, fuck!” she moaned. “Just like that, please, fuck, fuck...ah, shit, fuck!”

Or rather, she wasn’t very coherent anymore.

As much as Edward was loving the sexy noises Lorelei was making, the feeling of her elegant fingers grabbing at his hair, and the lewd wet sounds caused by his fingers between her legs, he knew he had to stop or else this would all be over too soon.

“Sorry,” he said as he slipped his fingers out of Lorelei, causing her to whimper at the loss. “But we can’t let things end too quickly…”

Edward kissed his way between Lorelei’s breasts, up the side of her neck, along and jaw, and stopped at her lips. Their eyes met and they both couldn’t help but smile warmly at one another, her hands cupping his face. Time seemed to stop in that moment, and all he could think of was how much he loved her, how much he craved her, and how he’d give up anything and everything for her. Her thoughts were nearly the same as she delighted in the fact that her life had become so much brighter since she’d let him get close to her.

The kiss they shared was tender this time since neither of them were good at being very sentimental with words. It was enough, though -- or they hoped it was enough to convey how much they cared for one another. It didn’t take long for the kiss to become hungry, however, both of them practically gasping for air as they clung to each other and nearly refused to take proper breaths. 

Lorelei’s fingers moved to Edward’s shirt, undoing the remaining buttons before tugging it out of his pants, watching him sit up and practically tear it off before pressing his now naked upper body against hers and kissing her hard. They were almost forgetting what they were even doing on the kitchen table, and when she reached down to grasp his erection through his pants, he hissed into her mouth and rutted against her palm. She hastily unfastened his belt and ripped it from the loops, then went right for the button and zipper of his trousers, allowing her to reach into his boxers and take hold of his cock.

“Ah, L-Lorelei!” he groaned as he lightly bucked against her hand. 

Honestly, she wanted to beg Edward to just fuck her already, forgo this whole kinky surprise ‘cake’ thing and let him raw her, but no, no, she wanted to do this right. It took all she had to resist but she managed to get herself together so she could speak.

“You haven’t had your ‘cake’ yet,” Lorelei said as she removed her hand from Edward’s pants. 

“You’re right,” Edward said, letting out a breathy laugh. “I want to taste you, Lorelei. Can I? Can I put my mouth on you?”

“It’s your birthday, Baby. Have at it!”

Edward flashed her a grin before giving her a sweet kiss and standing up.

“Let’s get you situated,” he said as he looked her over.

“Yes, Sir,” Lorelei said with a wink, and a shiver ran through Edward.

God, she was going to be the death of him and he didn’t have one complaint about that.

[baldwin-montclair]

@butternuggets-blog Because of an unexpected family emergency, Baldwin is left alone at Sept Tours, babysitting Margaret Wilson.

———

“Soph, we need to go to the hospital now!“

Nathaniel already had the maternity stay bag over his shoulder and was holding his toddler daughter on the other as he coaxed his very pregnant wife to the large door, the main exit from Sept-Tours.

“I’m not due for another week!” She yelled back, resisting his attempts.

“What in the gods name is all this racket?” Baldwin had appeared at the bottom of the staircase in slacks, a comfortable sweater and a decidedly irritable air.

Nathaniel only saw his wife turn to look at the vampire, not her actual expression, which he massively regretted as the ancient creature looked momentarily cowed.

“Sophie’s going into labour and Marcus’ flight is grounded because of the snow, she needs a doctor.”

“I already told you,” Sophie’s ire turned on him, “I am not going into labour!”

“Yes, you are,” Baldwin argued, retrieving his phone from his trouser pocket “Alain!” He called out and the vampire was immediately with them.

“Sieur?”

“Ms Sophie here is about to give birth,” he spoke whilst texting rapidly, “and I’d rather it was not in my hallway, please convey them safely.”

“Where to?” Alain asked.

“The clinic.”

“She needs a midwife!” Nathaniel shook his head.

“And she’ll have the best, I keep staff on retainer since my sister’s travel plans tend to be unreliable.”

“Ma’am-“ Alain opened the door for her and she treated him to a softer look than the other two men received.

“You’re not seriously bringing the child?” Baldwin asked as Alain helped Sophie out the door and to the car.

Nathaniel looked around pointedly.

“I don’t have a choice.”

“Nonsense,” Baldwin shook his head and gestured for Nathaniel to hand her to him.

“You?” He asked, incredulous.

“Yes, you have met my nieces, Rebecca is handful enough but put her, Mellisa and Emily together and it’s as close to re-enacting the fall of Rome as is possible. I think I can cope with just one.”

“Mr Wilson,” Alain called, “we are about to depart.”

“Okay, fine,” Nathaniel let Baldwin take the child who, strangely, never seemed phased around vampires, “be good.” He told her, eyeing up Baldwin before leaving.

“There’s been no answer the whole night, where are they,” Diana asked no-one in particular, “and why isn’t your brother answering his phone?”

“It’s not like him.” Matthew agreed, eyeing the dark french countryside on the road to Sept-Tours.

Suddenly, her phone came to life in her hand, Nathaniel’s caller ID.

“Nate? Is everything alright? What happened?”

Matthew could hear him chuckle on the other end of the phone.

“Everything‘s perfect, Margaret has a little baby brother, we’re calling him Marc.”

“Perfect name,” she agrees, “and how’s Sophie? I know she wanted us there to do this at the house but-“

“Diana, it’s all fine, turns out your brother already made arrangements, just in case.”

“Yeah, he does that.” She glanced at Matthew who smiled.

“Congratulations Nathaniel.” Matthew called out.

“Wait, where is Margaret?” Diana asked.

“You won’t believe me!” Nathaniel responded cryptically.

They found Baldwin asleep on the couch, with little Margaret, pacifier in mouth and fast asleep on Baldwin’s shoulder. She was nestled comfortably between the back of the sofa and Baldwin.

An overturned book sat in Baldwin’s lap.

“No wonder they’re asleep,” Matthew nodded towards the tone, “Timaeus”.

Diana shook her head in amused disapproval.

“He’s reading the toddler Plato?”

[duskyskz]

- Erasure - 1

Hwang Hyunjin x Female Reader

With washed out, dyed pastel hair, sea salt and acrylic clinging to his jeans, Hwang Hyunjin expected to find himself many places that night. A jail holding cell. Under the abandoned train station bridge. Maybe even his own bedroom.

Your living room wasn't on the list.

Warnings - Some angst in later chapters, suggestive/smut, minor character death mentions, Hyunjin is an eboy and a little angsty, Changbin is doing his best as a big brother, slow burn (?)

A/N - Finally! Sorry for the delays, my head just hasn’t been with me this week;; I hope you enjoy this series as much as I am excited to write it. 

***

The steady buzzing of your speakers fills the living room as you watched Changbin scroll through the Netflix home page. Both of you settle deep into the sofa, balancing a bowl of popcorn and chocolate between your knees. 

“Endgame? Homecoming, Nightmare on Elm Street?” Binnie flicks through the suggestions, and you shake your head in distaste. “I'm not watching that octopus documentary again!”

“You only hated it because you cried at the end.”

“She died! He had to look after her little babies! Your heart is too cold, too far gone for that level of compassion.” The last part of your brother's grumbles are cut off when you throw a burnt kernel at his forehead, barely missing his ear. 

There’s nobody else home. Nobody else ever comes home, either. It's been just you and Changbin for a while, and it's not all that terrible. He’s a few years older than you, having graduated last summer and now undertaking an apprenticeship at the village police station. It doesn't pay a stellar amount, but Changbin reassures you once he passes the trainee exams he’ll treat you to a new pair of winter boots and you can finally quit the ice cream parlour to focus on college. You tell him that even if he wins the lottery tomorrow, you'll work your own job. For all the support your elder brother gives you, you like having your own thing. It makes you feel a little more involved, a little more even than jsit washing the dishes and doing his laundry on days he’s too tired to move. 

The Thursday evening is reserved for you both, to catch up on the hours together you miss during the week when Changbin doesn't get back till you're fast asleep and you don't have the chance to say good morning. 

He’s been doing that a lot more recently. 

Sighing into his coffee, shaking his head at nobody in particular. It's easy to notice the signs of stress and overwork in his face, sunken and tired even on the weekends when he finishes early. 

“Do you wanna finish Teen Wolf?” The softness in his voice when he addresses you is the same, though. “We have three episodes left of this season, if you wanna binge.”

“Sure.” You want to ask him about the circles under his eyes. What’s got him coming home later and later because nothing ever happens in this town. “I'm still waiting on Derek’s redemption arc.”

You're twenty minutes into the episode when a vibration from your coffee table catches your attention. You glance at Changbin, but he ignores his ringtone, flipping it to silent.

It rings again, no music, but harsh vibrations drumming against the polished wood. 

And again.

Knowing he’s not picking up to make a point of it, you pause the show, nodding at the mobile he’s avoiding glancing at. “Go on. Pick up, it might be an emergency.”

“If it's an emergency they don't need an intern there.” Despite his words, Changbin shifts his position and you know he’s growing hesitant. 

“If it's an emergency all the more reason for you to be there and learn.” You state with more force behind your tone. “Why have your grades been dropping? You're coming home so late but your exams keep getting delayed -”

“My grades are fine!” Changbin never snaps at you, but the frustration in his voice is evident. “I'm fine. There's just - Just one case we're working on and I'm nearly there, I just need time.”

You shut your mouth, letting him speak.

“There’s this kid who keeps tagging the beach houses on Dawning Lane, and that shit  was expensive to put up last year. Some stupid, bored child that thinks a few cans of spraypaint and lung cancer are a good excuse for your adolescence. He’s not even that good… Just scribbles.”

His lips pout in a frustrated whine at the last phrase, and you know he’s more frustrated at the situation than he is at you or himself.

A beat of silence, interrupted by another ringtone - you almost reach for it yourself to check the caller ID and force him to pick up, before Changbin’s arm shoots out past you to snatch the device, slinking out the door and into the hallway. 

You aren't surprised when a few moments later, your brother’s head pokes nervously out the door frame - He's already got his coat on, waving his phone at you as an awkward goodbye. 

“I’ll see you in the morning, y/n.”

“Yeah, see ya.” You salute back, smiling to ease the tension in his shoulders, and it works a minimum. You won’t see him till the late evening at best.

The door clicks shut as soon as he turns around, leaving you surrounded by popcorn and empty space. You really aren't surprised - but it'd be pointless to deny you weren't hurt by another night alone with Teen Wolf playing idly through your TV speakers. Cold popcorn only did so much to soothe your heart, and the distance wedging itself recently between your sibling bond was hard to brush over, between missed calls and texts too often left unanswered. 

You just really miss your big brother.

 You commit yourself to Stiles Stilinsky instead, sighing into the blanket around your shoulders. Autumn rolls in quick by the seaside, making your calves prickle with goosebumps. It's nearing 11pm, you realise, picking up the -

Thump!

Your fingers freeze, hovering over the TV remote. Changbin wouldn’t be back yet, he never comes home the same night he leaves. 

“Bin?” You try it anyway, calling tentatively into the hallway. It’s still entirely black, void of disruption.

Clang!

That definitely came from your kitchen.

Armed with a half empty popcorn bowl and nerves of steel, you tiptoe into the other room. There’s a lump of something or someone crouched behind the dining table, and your grip around the glass dish tightens marginally despite the quivering of your knees, fumbling for the lightswitch without taking your eyes off the rising dark mass as it straightens its back. 

“S-Stay down! I have corn and I know how to use it!” You don’t have a fully formed plan yet, but you’re sure the sharp kernels will be of some importance. Fluorescent white light floods the kitchen, momentarily blinding both you and the intruder who now stands at full height. A steady 12 inches above you. 

“Ouch! Calm down, I’m not going to rob you!” He says, sounding almost exasperated at your defense of your own property. He still has his hands raised in defense, keeping the table between himself and you, and you’re grateful he hasn’t tried to knock your legs out from under you, yet. “I’m not here to steal your stuff.”

“What are you here for, then?” You lower the popcorn bowl, but don’t let it fall out of your grasp. He doesn’t seem dangerous - He doesn’t seem like he could manage clambering through the window you always leave ajar either, but here he clearly is. There’s something sticky and pink in his blonde hair, stains following down his shoulder blades all the way down the cuffs of his jeans. If anything, he looks...a little lost.

“It’s the address on the post-it note.” Your confusion must have been plainly obvious, because the boy elaborates, pulling a crumpled neon-green paper from his jacket. “The post-it note that man gave me. That’s what Changbin gave me.”

Perhaps you lack self preservation instincts, but there’s an uncertain vibration in his voice that makes you give up your weapon and attitude. 

“You know my brother?” 

“He told me if I really need to go somewhere, I can come here.” You watch slim fingers tug at the sleeves of his jacket as he measures with a weight akin to a glare. “He didn’t tell me it was his house, or that somebody else was living here.” 

Bold of him to accuse you of ruining his night plans. 

It really did only click in your head when you looked closer at his tangled hair, dried paint clumping it together at the ends of bleached blonde strands. The  artistic menace haunting your sea-side town was standing right on your tiled kitchen floor, and he looked downright miserable. 

And Changbin had invited him. 

Biting down the discomfort at realising how little Changbin had been telling you recently,  you set the popcorn down on the table, you take in the threat currently three feet before you. A tall, lanky boy, with odd shoelaces and a sharpie sticking out of his trouser pocket. His hair hasn’t been cut in a while, and probably brushed either - it’d be generous to say he ran more than a stressed hand through it anytime recently. Though chapped, his full lips and wide eyes made him look far too innocent for his own good, and you blamed your soft heart for finding the boy kinda cute. 

He did have a leaf stuck above his ear, though. 

You almost reached up to remove it.

“Do you wanna watch Teen Wolf?”  You break the quiet that settled, already shuffling your feet out into the living room. You sincerely hoped he’d follow. You weren’t sure what you could do apart from leaving him standing on cold tile, and he already looked freezing from the night chill. 

Luckily for you, with a hesitant step, your impromptu companion takes after you to the couch where your Netflix and remove still await instruction. Changbin might grumble at you tomorrow at finishing the season without him, but you needed something to lure the boy into comfort. 

“I’m y/n, by the way.” You mention. The boy sits stiffly, clasping his hands in his lap with parted lips, avoiding the decorative pillows. 

“Hyunjin.” Now that he’s actually inside your house, Hyunjin’s confidence seems to have evaporated. The thrill of the break-in, if you can even call is that, has worn off, giving way to the nerves. He’s suddenly too conscious of the paint on his clothes, of sandy shoes still on his feet, of the smudges still on his cheeks. Should he take his jacket off? Or wipe his shoes? 

You press resume, watching him relax after a few minutes as his brain finally has something else to focus on to let his worries ease. Hyunjin doesn't seem to mind you already being halfway through the episode, and you let yourself admit it’s nice having someone around this late at night. 

“How do you know Changbin?” You ask while the topic is still fresh.

“I don’t.” Hyunjin bumps his knees together, fiddling with a loose string on his jeans as he shrugs. “I don’t really know him, he just...saw me around a few times, and I guess he figured I could use a place to crash. So he gave me your address.”

“You’re the mystery kid painting the beach houses, right? On Dawning Lane.” 

At the accusation, Hyunjin’s lips part, flipping to face you with wide, blinking eyes., knowing he’s in no place to try and deny it. You blink back, observing his reactions, in case he suddenly changes his mind about staying. “Are you gonna turn me in?...” 

“No.” You shake your head after a moment of thought, and he visibly untenses. “For whatever reason Changbin didn’t, so I won’t either. If he trusts you then I do too.” 

You’ll never know if it was the murmurs of the TV, or if Hyunjin did whisper a thank you, and you won’t ask. There’s a lot of things you do want to ask, but a tug in your heart tells you now is not the time. Hyunjin looks exhausted, eyes drooping with every slow blink as he does his best to focus on the screen, hands previously tugging at his jeans now still and flat on his lap, slouched forward as if any moment he’ll drift off sitting on your pillows. Flurries of fluorescent light flicker on his cheeks, over barely scrubbed paint smudges and faint cuts from running too fast, you guess. In the delicate, dimmed light of your floor lamp, it’s hard to imagine Hyunjin as a bad kid. Prickly, maybe. On edge is a better word for it, tension clinging to his shoulders like stubborn dust bunnies. Curse your naive little heart, you tell yourself, building up your courage to speak.

“Hyunjin?” He hums in response, straightening his back. “Do you want to sleep here tonight?”

All you’ve been taught in life sent alarm bells through your skull when you asked a complete stranger (who just two hours ago, broke in through your kitchen window) to sleep in your living room overnight, but Hyunjin didn’t feel  like a stranger. Changbin trusted him enough to lead him right to your house, so that must count for something, right? And no matter how much you tried to keep your guard up around the boy, watching him struggle to stay upright instead of letting his tall, lanky body fall backward and rest comfortably only made you worry a little about him, not the other way around. 

Well, he did say he’s not going to rob you. 

“You can sleep on the couch if you want, I’ll bring you some blankets.” You prompt him again when he doesn’t respond. “Changbin won’t be back for a while still.” 

“Are you sure you’re okay with that?” There’s a lilt of doubt in his voice, but he sincerely hopes you’re serious. This couch is warmer than anything he’s slept on in months and he really doesn’t want to crawl outside again with the rain pattering against your roof. 

“Sure, you haven’t tried to stab me yet.” You shrug, getting up to fetch a duvet and looking him over.

“Ah, you probably want to wash your hair from all...that,” Hyunjin’s hand flies to his hair, patting out the tangles as if it’s the first time he’s noticed them. “You can use the bathroom upstairs, there’s towels by the shower already.”

He nods, following your directions with a ‘thank you’. Once his footsteps disappear up the landing, you set about pulling out the couch into a flatbed, rearranging the pillows at its base. Lugging the duvet down from Changbin’s room had been a feat, but you’re determined to make the space welcoming. Satisfied with the cushioned bundle you created, you run back upstairs. 

You invade your brother’s room for the second time that day, tugging open his drawers in search for something acceptably pijama-like. 

“Hyunjin?” You knock tentatively on the bathroom door as the shower head turns off and the shuffling ceases. “I’m leaving some clothes for you to change into outside, okay? Come downstairs when you’re ready.”

You scroll through your timeline as you wait, catching up on the last few hours’ events from your friends until a shuffling to your left prompts you to raise your head. 

Your brother’s sweats hang a little loosely around Hyunjin’s hips, ending just above his ankles, bare feet sliding over the wooden floor of your living room, sinking into the rug as he steps closer to where you sit. His own clothing cradled in his arms close to his chest, you can’t stop your thoughts drifting momentarily to the damp mess of sunshine coloured hair. With his jacket on earlier, it was hard to make out his build under layers of fabric, but now it’s proving a challenge to not focus on the lines of his arms or the curves of his large hands gripping his clothes. Luckily for your dignity, your nerves of steel allow you to drag your gaze away from the collarbones peeking out from under thin white cotton higher to meet his eyes instead and find your voice again.

“I brought down some pillows for you, these are a bit too hard to sleep on.” You note, pointing to the decorative cushions you moved onto the lounge chair. “My room is right opposite the bathroom if you need anything, I’m a light sleeper.” 

“M’okay.” Hyunjin towers above you, yet you’ve never seen a boy so dainty. There really is no other way to describe the delicate line of his nose bridge or the rosy tint of his lips when his tongue pokes out to lick them as he mulls over your words, settling down on the makeshift bed. 

The proximity now feels different than the air between you when Teen Wolf still blared through your speakers, warm quiet heavy on your tongue with dim golden glow tumbling over his cheekbones that’s too much for your heart to take unprepared.

“Goodnight then!” You bounce up from the couch waving Hyunjin a quick goodbye, but a soft hand wrapping around your wrist pauses you. 

“Wait,” Hyunjin brushes his thumb over your palm softly, and you hope he doesn't notice the goosebumps on your skin at the contact. “Thanks for not kicking me out...or calling the police. Y’know, as most people would for a break in.” 

The smile he flashes you is almost teasing, but you can tell he means the words sincerely. You lay your other hand on top of his, patting in what you hope is a reassuring motion.

“Sure, Jinnie. It’s okay.”

[taking-over-his-life]

Munich Chapter 2

Chapter 2

I had a constant stream of friends and family visit me over the summer, as I tried to pretend that Gunter was in this body, fuck how I enjoyed that. Old boyfriends, shags mates, I played the part well and soon fell into my new life naturally.

I was the son of a rich family, living on an allowance so I didn’t work, and didn't need too, this suited me down to the ground as the sex was just intoxicating, and it was my true drug.

I had been building my body up so the muscles were starting to show and the idea of showing them off turned me on. Bear chested with a leather waistcoat, that was my dress until the rains came. In the clubs and bars I attracted attention, and enjoyed every minute.

One night I had been out clubbing and was walking home. I was out of my mind on speed and drink.

I decided to walk down a tow path near the canal. It was dark, very dark, but in that state I didn’t care. It smelt of dampness and plant life, the dew was on each leaf and stalk.

As I walked in there were the normal tramps sleeping on the benches, I was looking for some hot leather man. I walked right through, about half a mile there was no one there, ‘FUCK’ I said as I headed back.

‘FUCK ‘came a voice from the darkness, ‘please!’ I looked and could see no one, but the voice came from a clump of bushes, so in I went. Stupid fool I would regret this.

I peered into the darkness and a guy got hold of me, ‘You horny fucker, give me your arse’. He started to loosen my chaps, ‘FUCK OFF’ I said, I couldn’t see him , and he was moving too quick. I turned round and started to walk away. An arm came round my neck and pulled me back in. ‘YOUR MINE FAGGOT!!,’ I started to shout, but he forced something into my mouth, it was so filthy and stunk so bad, ‘SHUT THE FUCK UP ’ he said. I was on the ground in seconds, He put his hands in my pockets and took my wallet and money, ‘nice, I need some cash' he said.  He went through my wallet, and took a letter, ‘this is where you live homo, is it?’ At this he violently kicked me in the stomach. I doubled up in pain, another followed, ‘answer me’ he said threateningy.

‘Yessss,’ I said in pain, my eyes were getting accustomed to him, I saw him, muscled, but a tramp, so filthy the dirt was so bedded into him it looked like leather.

‘Take me there,’ he said as  he stood me up and made me walk in front. No one was out it was 4am.

We arrived at the flat he took the keys and opened it, ‘anyone else in, ‘I looked at him and did not answer, ‘If they are they are dead’ he snarled.

He pushed me in and opened each door. When he was satisfied he pushed me into the bedroom.

Nice place faggot, give it to me, I need a base, maybe take your place. I bet I could be a mincing queen.

I was so terrified. He turned the light on, and I saw him properly for the first time. he was attractive, same shape and look and colouring as me. He could be my brother. He was wearing filthy hiviz over old combat trousers, they were so filthy that they were black in places and were shiny, his boots were worn the leather cracking, they were laced , he just stunk to high heavens.

He started to search and found my cache of chems, wow some supply, we are in for a hot night faggot.

He walked over to me and forced me to take 3 pills, FUCK I thought that’s too much, it wasn’t long before I started to drift.

He lifted a chair and put me on it in the bathroom.

He started to strip, Hi vis jacket hoody, both so filthy and stinking, and threw them at me, ‘your new clothes man’ he said, then the combats, and some filthy piss stained long johns under them and the shoes,.

He was so stinking and dirty. ‘You like faggot eh?’ I did, it was getting me hard and he could see.

He went over to the sink and started to shave, he had a large beard but using my clippers, he soon had stubble and a Mexican moustache.

Now he started to shave his head. When he finished, he washed his face. ‘What do you think queer boi’ he said, FUCK, he looked just like me, He got close to me and started to kiss me, as he did, he fiddled with my ears. As he drew back I could see he had taken my rings and he was positioning them on his ears, ‘There we go’, he said, now he took out my nose ring, and put it in his. ‘Don’t I look the fucking part homo.’ he said as he laughed at me.

My nips had the rings taken then my cock. He was in ecstasy as he said, ‘Fuck these feel so great on me. It will be your clothes next tramp boy’

Next he was in the shower, I tried to stand up but couldn’t and fell, straight onto the pile of his clothes, they stunk but were very horny and I was so out of it on chems, they turned me on. he looked out, ‘don’t try to escape MR I need your clothes, and your identity, Your going to enjoy being a lousy tramp Mr.’ he said smiling.

I was terrified, he was going to take my place, what would he do with me.

He stepped out and dried off.

His dick was hard, now I need your clothes to finish it off.

He lifted my leg and started to pull of my boots, then my socks, my breeches left me next then my jock. He got down and took my cock strap, and then in seconds it was all on him

The more he dressed the more he looked like me. My rings arm bands chain, shirt jacket

The lot

The transfer was complete.

‘Well Mr what do u think?’ He was identical. ‘What the fuck are you going to do, your not me, I am! ‘ I said he responded ‘You are now a loser Mr, I the fucking gay boi now, your life is now mine, nobody will know the difference. Im looking forward to living here, in your gear, with your money and lifestyle. Bet id be a great gay shag eh?’

He then started to dress me in the filthy stinking gear he had worn,

He put me on my back and started to pull the long johns on my legs, they were yellow with age and so filthy huge stains on the arse and dick, they smelt so ripe, it was sickening. He pulled them so far up, they caressed my dick and balls. Real man stink, I was getting hard

I couldn't resist. Then the old combats, they fitted me perfectly, he fastened them, and zipped in my dick, old socks so ripe they were slimy on my feet, holes all over, then his boots. He laced them up. ‘You look good MR’ he said

He stood me up and pulled an old T shirt over my head it was so filthy, and stink of BO and beer

Then the hoody top and the old stinking leather jacket and hi vis.

‘Look’ he said as he stood me in front of the mirror, ‘what do u think what a transformation’. ‘Fuck I'm going to enjoy it here, and you will really like the canal,’ My dick was ridged and seeping, I was so horny, and he could see it, the filthy smell and feel of his gear was turning me on. See ‘you want it boi, be a real man, and ill be the faggot. You can have my history in the army memories of my wife and kids, ill be a filthy worthless rich cunt now giving my arse to the biggest dick. Got to act limp and camp, maybe the change will make you a man,’ he laughed and laughed, he started to feel his arse in my jeans, he enjoyed the leather. ‘Feeling his chest and enjoying every minute. I could see the leather was interacting with him, giving him my sensations and feelings, he was really taking my place. He strutted the room and checked himself in the mirror, each time the leather got tighter shaping itself to him.

He pulled me over to the sink and cut my moustache and rubbed some dirt off his boots and into my skin on my face, ‘dirty fucking tramp, loser.’ he whispered

‘Nooo, please your not me ‘I said slurring my words. ‘Only you and I will know that’ he said ‘Take a drink he said and he forced whisky into me 'I was out of it. I could see and hear but had no control.

He got a house plant and forced my fingers in the soil and rubbed the dirt in my hands so I looked the part. He lay me on the floor and pissed all over me, then he lifted me up, I was helpless. He lay me over the sink and started to push his huge dick deep inside me. There was nothing I could do. I enjoyed the feeling so much, I came twice adding to the filth in the long jonhs, then I pissed myself, He pulled at my shoulders as he lunged into me, ‘í want to be you, gunter, Im the faggot now, I want to live your life, Your Nathan, enjoy your new life' he started to cum wads deep inside of me.

I lay on the floor watching him, he was exactly like me, fuck he couldn’t pull it off surely. I'm no tramp. I watching as he got used to my flat and gear, my food, sitting at the table, eating from my plates, wearing my gear, Then phoning on my phone, as he sat down the leather gear moulded to his shape, ‘it s good to be gay ‘he said, laughing at me. He lit up a joint and sat with his boots on my stomach, or rather my boots. He was reading my papers memorising things about me, reading my letters finding out about my family, ‘gunter hammerstaed, that’s me, true fucking German.’he said, looking at me.  He repeated my birthdate place of birth etc, things about my family. ‘I'm you now Gunter, I'm you, I'm the faggot boi, me a rich little cuntboi. And you’re the tramp’. he laughed

Suddenly there was a knock at the door. 

He opened it. It was Peter, ‘Hi Gunter’ he said, and kissed him, he responded. In he came, I tried to speak, peter help, he kicked me hard, ‘who the fuck is he’, said Peter, some old tramp I took pity on’ he replied.

‘Fuck you’re a brave man letting him in here.’ said Peter.  I tried to get peters attention, but it wasn’t too long before he was on top of the impersonator and in bed, after hours of fucking peter didn't notice any difference and believed it was me. What was I going to do. Before he left Gunter said, ‘give me a hand getting him back to the canal.’ 

Peter and him took an arm each and walked me over to the canal It was dark and damp and smelled, of the vegetation around, I tried to speak but couldn’t, Peter said ‘he fucking stinks, maybe we should just fuck him and let him float away in the canal better ending for him’. and he found the spot where we met, there was some cardboard and a few possessions, he lay me down, and whispered, ‘enjoy it, this is you now.’

They both walked away.

It was mid day and I woke up, I was still well gone but could walk, I was going to have that bastard. As I walked towards the flat, there he was with peter in a street café, wearing my levis chaps high boots waistcoat, and cap. My piercing in his ear shone in the sunlight and it caught the silver ring in his nose, his nips stood out with my rings in the and my thick silver chain lay round his neck. 

He was wearing al my rings one on each finger, fuck I looked great I thought, that’s my image and I'm having it back, Petr will help me. Fuck he looked great, but that was my life and I was going to have it back. I went up to the table, and got hold of him, ‘your cunt’ I shouted and pushed at him, Peter jumped up and grabbed me by the shoulders and spun me throwing me into the road, ‘FUCK OFF YOU FILTHY CUNT ‘he said. He looked at the impersonator, ‘see I said you shouldn’t help.’ @ Peter its me ‘ I said, but my voice was still slurred.

‘Go away boi,’ he said to me ‘or ill call the police’, ‘call them’ I said, and they did.

Within minutes they were there, and they explained I had attached him. Peter witnessed it as did others, the police held me and I explained my story, they looked at each other, ‘careful, he has a knife’ shouted the impersonator, ‘where’ said the policemen, ‘he put it in his leg pocket’ he said. The pushed me on the front of the car and searched me, yes it was there, and they found crystal meth, enough to deal, ‘Your coming with us' they said, I was in shock lost didn't know how to react

‘No I screamed, he has stolen my life I'm Gunter hammerstead, not him’, he and peter laughed, ‘too many chems they said’ to the police. I was cuffed and bundled into the back of the car. Then it struck me this nightmare was real

In the car I tried to tell the cops but they ignored me, ‘fucking shut up you dirty filthy tramp’ they said.

I got to the station, and they searched me. He had a passport on him, Nathan johns, he was exactly like me and me him. I was a Canadian. They took my fingerprints and picture and his name went on the record. Fuck now my fingerprints matched his identity , nooooo.

In the morning I was thrown out. So back to the canal I went, then to my flat. The clothes stuck too me, and the smell was riveting, he opened the door,'FUCK’, he cried and pulled me in.

‘You cunt go away, I don’t want you here Nathan. This is my house my life, ive taken it from you, I'm Gunther now’ he said , ‘NO!’ I shouted, he threw me against a wall he was strong, and it winded me. The next minute he was on top of me,’ like your new name Nathan?’ He said, ‘like your filthy clothes and your new life, Canadian boi’,he sneered. I struggled but couldn’t move. ‘Now I am you cunt, understand it, or ill wipe you out,’ he showed me a syringe, I struggled and he jabbed me in the arm, . ‘next time cunt Ill overdose you., and they will find you in the canal, and who the fuck will care about a tramp.’he said

‘I need you passwords and bank codes, faggot, so spill the beans, give them to me’. I passed out.

When I woke up I was tied down and gagged. He was sitting at the far side of the room, napping. He looked unbelievable, it was me, tight leather jeans with a white stripe, fitted him to perfection showing every curve, the highly polished boots,, on his feet, the waistcoat, tatts on his arms identical to mine, his tan, piercings, the muircap, he was an exact replica of who I used to be.

I struggled, and he woke, ‘Keep still Nathan, ’he said  'm not Nathan, I'm Gunter, ’I shouted.  Suddenly he delivered a huge blow to my face,’ NEVER SAY THAT AGAIN. You are Nathan’ he screamed.

I started to speak and he forced my mouth open and forced some drugs in. ‘Your with me now till you’re a full time druggy Nat’. and he started to laugh, I was tripping and couldn’t stop myself

.Hours went by, I woke up, he was there , ‘who are you’ he said ‘gunter’ I replied. he punched me so violently, and more drugs were forced.

Again, ‘who are you' he said. I looked into his eyes so angry so evil,  I hesitated, he looked at me, with pure evil. ‘I'm I'm I'm Nathan’ I said with tears rolling down my face., ‘Good he said, who am I' ‘Gunter I said

‘Excellent boi’ he said , he questioned me on my family and I told him everything he wrote it down then bank accounts the lot, he had my history my money my gear my house my looks, he was me. 

And me, well Nathan is my name now, I'm a tramp in Munich.

[crystalwillow]

That’s Dr. Valentine To You

Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x Casey Valentine (F!MC)

Warning: Smut

Age Rating: 18+

=======================

It was Valentine’s Day and Casey arrived at work with 2 of her best friends Sienna and Bryce. They walked through the doors holding coffee cups and cookies whilst laughing at a story Bryce was telling them from his high school days. “.... and then out of nowhere he ran out onto the pitch, stark naked and done the full dance. He didn’t know until after that it was on national TV” he laughs as he finishes telling his story, whilst they all clock in and finish their coffees. As they binned their cups and turned to go and get changed a stern voice shouted out from behind them “Valentine. You’re late!” It echoed through the almost empty lobby. They all knew who it was. Dr. Ramsey, and if Casey wasn’t dating him he would definitely sound more harsh right now. They all turned around, Casey digging through her bag as Bryce and Sienna smiled at him as he came to a stop in front of them. “Good morning Dr. Ramsey” Sienna beamed, “Sup dude?” Asked Bryce. Ethan gave them a friendly smile in return and turned to Casey. “Care to explain why you’re late?” He asked. “Uuhhhh yeah. 1 second, it’s in here somewhere........ ah-ha!” She said victoriously and handed him his glasses “you forgot these, the toilet clogged again and the line at the coffee shop was out the door. A down fall of having a 9am start here I suppose.” Casey smiled at him, “oh! I also brought you this” she put her hand in her bag and pulled out one of his favourite cookies and handed it to him “now. I don’t know about you but I have patients to see to and other work to do. See you around Dr. Ramsey” Casey said as she pressed a quick kiss to his cheek and rushed off to get changed and start her day. “he’s whipped” Bryce snickered quietly to Sienna before slinking off to get ready for his shift. Leaving Sienna and Ethan to go their separate ways.

2 hours into her shift Casey was rushing through the hallway flicking through a chart as she was on her way to her next patient, when she walked right into someone. “Oh! I’m so sorry” she said quickly catching her stethoscope as it fell from her neck and carried on towards her next room. “But Case-“ Ethan said calling after her softly. But she was gone round the corner before he could say anymore. Saddened he made his way to the nurses station she was at and left his gift there before getting back to work. Later on she returned to the station and was given the gift by another, older nurse who was just about to leave off for the day, “here love. Dr. Ramsey left this here for you. Said you were in a rush earlier” she smiled and pat Casey shoulder softly before leaving the room.

Setting her clipboard down Casey get a better grip on the box and opened in carefully. Inside was a shiny new charm in the shape of a the letter ‘C’ for her bracelet she always wore when she was off duty, she smiled as she wiped a tear from her cheek with a sniffle. “I thought you’d like it” she froze in place as she heard Ethan’s gentle voice behind her. She placed the box on the side and threw her arms around his neck “I love it. Thank you” she said happily as he hugged her back tightly. “Ahem... Dr. Valentine?” A nurse spoke from behind them, they broke their hug and turned around. “You’re needed in room 462” the nurse informed her and rushed off. Casey turned back to Ethan and kissed his lips sweetly “I’ll see you later” she said as she pulled away and waved as she rushed away. Ethan smiled, waved back and put her box away in her pigeon hole at the desk then headed back to work.

A few hours later Bryce and Casey were eating lunch in the cafeteria when Ethan entered and got his own lunch & sat at a table. “So... you’re telling me he’s actually got a soft side for real?” Bryce questioned as Casey ate her cheese salad sandwich. “Mhm” she nodded as she swallowed he food “underneath the gruff exterior, is a really kind, sweet and caring man” she answered and took another bite of her food. “And he replaced your charm you broke literally just 3 weeks ago?” Bryce questioned further and again got a nod as a response. “Wow” he commented and Casey giggled.

Soon they were clearing away their rubbish and about to get back to work when Bryce spotted Ethan sitting alone looking rather glum and zoned out feeling sorry for him. “Okay let’s go. ... Bryce?... Helloooo? Earth to Lahela. ..... BRYCE!” Casey shouted and got his attention “huh? Yeah, they’re real cute” he said startled and Casey burst out laughing “what???!” She asked “Pandas. They’re cute. I answered your question” he replied, “I didn’t ask what you thought of pandas. I said let’s go.” She chuckled. “Oh. I guess seeing people glum is more of a distraction than I thought” he blushed as he pointed toward Ethan as Casey looks at him quizzically. “Oh... um.. I’ll be 5 minutes. If you see Ines, could you tell her I’m a bit tangled up?” Casey asked, Bryce nodded and headed back to work as Casey walked over to Ethan’s table and sat opposite him. “Hey sweetie” she chirped but Ethan didn’t say a word, just poked at his food. “Come on. Your morning can’t have been that bad could it?” She continued as she out her hand over his and smiled softly as he looked up and met her eye. One look told her all she needed to know. He’d lost a patient. She squeezed his hand tightly and he responded in kind and Ethan let out a rough sight “I just-“ he started but the stopped as he choked on a sob and his eyes welled with tears. “Do you need some air?” Casey asked, after a moment he nodded and the two made their way outside.

They crossed the street and sat on the bench just opposite the hospital. “He was doing fine Casey. Everything was brilliant. He was healthy and recovering. Then boom. Just like that... he... he’s gone” Ethan rambled and he slumped forwards putting his head in his hands and sobbing. “Hey... hey it’s going to be alright. I’m here for you” Casey cooed lovingly as she pulled his broad frame closer to her. They sat there for about 10 minutes while Ethan sobbed. Casey felt sorry for him, she had never seen the man she loved so broken, in such a mess like this and it broke her heart. “Hey. You know what would cheer you up?” She asked as Ethan sat up sniffling “what?” He asked dabbing at his eyes with his coat sleeve. “This” Casey stated as she handed him a card and a couple of tissues. He took them and blew his nose before looking at her curiously “go on. Open it” she said pointing to the card in his hands. When he opened it, the most sincere smile spread across his face at the photo on the front. A picture of them together at the baseball game where they saved a Baseball players life. He opened it and some papers fell out. “What’s this?” He asked as he removed the elastic band and flicked through them “one free hug. A free pep talk, workplace only. Kiss me, Please, I need it.” He chuckled at the next one “that is highly inappropriate for the work place Casey Valentine” he smiled at her devilishly. “I don’t know what you’re talking about Dr.Ramsey” she replied innocently as she stood up and held out her hand. “Come on. We need to get back. Keep the coupons in your pocket and page me if you want to redeem one” she smiled as he took her hand and they headed back inside.

“Finally! There you are!” Zaid shouted as they entered sharing a kiss “Valentine you’re needed in a meeting in room 521, IMMEDIATELY!” He demanded and Casey rushed off “Love you!” She called back to Ethan as she got in the elevator. “And you were needed in operating theatre 5, almost 45 minutes ago!” Zaid continued ranting as he got closer the Ethan’s face. “DO NOT. Get any closer Zaid.” Ethan spoke authoritatively and Zaid backed off. Later in the day, around 6pm Casey was sitting at the nurses station balancing pencils on her nose. As she was about to successfully add the 5th pencil she jumped at the sudden sound of her pager bleeping.

She collected herself and checked who needed her and where, she then grabbed her stethoscope, pen, ID badge and clipped her pager the her trousers and hurried towards the first place she was needed. As she rushed through a hallway a small rectangular box was held out at her, she grabbed it before she bumped into the arm holding it and looked back before she rounded the corner. A small smile playing on her lips as Ethan stood there and mouthed a quick “I love you” before turning round and returning to his work. The rest of Casey’s shift went past in a blur of checking up on patients and running back and forth from the blood lab.

Towards the end of her shift she was walking back from the blood lab to get changed when suddenly she gasped loudly with a small scream, as was pulled into a side room and heard the door lock behind her and then things shoved into place to bolt it shut. Terrified she had a stalker and was about to be killed she cautiously grabbed her stethoscope from her neck making it a loop and started to turn slowly. A low and amused but familiar chuckle sounded as she turned and relief immediately ran through her as she relax a little as she came face to face with Ethan. “You know I’m impressed you grabbed that thing. Anyone else would have just assumed it to be their lover” he said with a certain darkness to his tone, Casey chuckled a little “Well I’m not anyone, Ethan. You know that.” She replied as she placed her stethoscope on the side. “Now what do you wa-“ she started but was interrupted “To redeem this” he replied with urgency as he held one of her hand made coupons out towards her. She took it to see which it was and laughed warmly “I thought this one was highly inappropriate for the workplace?” She said with a cocky look on her face. “Don’t care. I need you Casey. Right now. You’re all I’ve been thinking about the whole of my 20 hour shift. You drive me crazy and I just... I need you” he rambles looking at her with hunger and need. A need that’s hard to say no to “Alright. Qui-“ before she can even finish her sentence, Ethan’s pushed her up again the cabinet kissing her so ferociously she can taste his desperation. “Mmm. Babe” she said as she pulled away to catch her breath, he looked at her quizzically, waiting for her to continue. “One, I was going to say I need to clock out. I’ve actually just finished. And two, you have a condom right?” She asked.

He gave her the sexiest most hot smirk she’s ever seen and she was so focused on him that she didn’t notice that her breath caught in her throat. “Am I ever not prepared?” He growled lowly in her ear as he reached into his pocket and pulled out the condom to show her. She smiled and he quickly continued his heated assault on her body. “Mmm, Ethan” she moaned softly as he slid his hand into her trousers, rubbing over her panties as his other hand cupped and entertained on of her breasts. Casey bit her lip as she watched him, seeing the concentration on his face. He removed his hands and she groaned in disappointment “Ethaaannnn” he smirked as he unbuckled his belt and dropped his trousers, revealing the thick outlines of his hardened dick causing Casey to automatically fall to her knees “oh god.” She whispered “you’re so hard for me already” she continued as she teasingly rubbed him through his boxers causing him to throw his head back with a low throaty moan. Casey quickly pulled down his boxers allowing his dick to spring free, another moan escaped his lips as she started stroking his hardened length before wrapping her lips around it and starting to suck. “Ohhhhhh. Mmmm fuck. Ahhhh yes.” Ethan moaned as Casey sucked and swirled her tongue around his dick whilst her hands gently massaged his balls. As soon as she pulled away from his dick, Ethan pulled her up by the arm and stripped her of her clothes, sitting her on a chair he dragged in with him and lowered himself to between her legs. “My turn” he said lowly, his eyes dark with hunger. As his mouth made contact Casey gasped and moaned with pleasure “mmmnnnn. Fuck yes.” She continued to let out little breathy moans as Ethan continued his pleasurable assault on her pussy. Not being able to hold off any longer Ethan grabs the condom, ripping open it’s packaging and sliding it on. Soon he’s lining himself up with Casey, looking deep into her eyes. They stare at each other for a moment before a gaspy moan escapes Casey’s lips as Ethan pushes himself inside and starts to thrust. Soon they’re both moaning, sweaty messes as Ethan pulls out and gives Casey a quick kiss, pulling her up and sitting on the chair. A smirk played onto Casey face as she stood over him lowering herself down onto his dick a starting to ride. Both moaning as quietly as they could at the pleasure that ran through their bodies.

A few hot and heavy moments later Ethan picked up his pace, causing Casey to let out a louder moan as how good it felt with her pocket vibrator held against her clit. “Oohhh fuck Ethan yes!” She screamed as her head rolled backwards. Soon he was pulling out and ripping the condom off and binning it, “You want my cum baby?” He asked smiling cockily, already knowing the answer as Casey fell to her knees “suck my cock” he demanded and Casey obeyed sucking harshly on his cock as he let out a string of hissed and whispered moans “oh yeah. Uuhhhhhh. Ssssss, just like that babygirl. Mmmm I’m gonna cum” he moaned lowly as Casey pulled back and opened her mouth, sticking her tongue out a little ready to catch his load “you look so pretty down there with flushed cheeks Casey. So pretty & so fucking sexy” he whispered as he closed his eyes moaning as he came into Casey’s mouth. She swallowed and collected what missed with her finger, swiping it into her mouth a swallowing before sucking his dick a little more and standing up to kiss him.

They stood there for a few moments catching their breath and enjoying each others presence. After a few moments Ethan started to quietly chuckle to himself, “what’s funny?” Casey asked quietly as she drew shapes on his chest “nothing. I just... I just had workplace sex for the first time. I showered a woman with gifts on Valentine’s Day, whilst we were both working. I have a beautiful girlfriend who means the world to me. And she gave me a card and some coupons that were hand-made, because she may or may not have known that she’s the only gift I need. She’s helping me open myself back up to the world and life. I’m opening my heart to her and that’s scary. But I feel.... I feel.... happy.” He says sweetly as he strokes Casey’s hair and she sniffles and holds back tears at his sweetness. “Ethaaannn.” She whined “you’re gonna make me cry. What’s got you all so sentimental and mushy?” She continued to ask. “You have Casey. You came in here a year ago, caught my eye and drove me crazy for the entire year. In more ways than one and now where here.

Standing in a supply cupboard as a couple, half naked after having sex. I only have one question” he said as he pulled his pants back up, zipping and buttoning them up before rebuckling his belt. “Shoot.” Casey replied as she picked up her bra. “What have you done to me Casey?” He asked as he moved close to her and fastened her bra hooks. “What do you mean?” She questioned as she slid her scrubs shirt back on over her head. “Well I’m now flocked by people and called friendly. Not a cold-hearted bastard” he explained and she sighed and he unbarricaded and unlocked the door whilst she tied her shoes. “You were never a cold-hearted bastard. You were just hurt & misunderstood. With many people unwilling to get to know the real you underneath that hurt. All I’ve done is brought the real you to the surface” she answered as they turned off the light and exited the cupboard and walked to the end of the corridor “well.. I’m this way” she said pointing left before running a hand through his sex-tousled hair, smoothing it out. “I’ll see you in a bit then Casey-poo” he smiled returning the gesture and resting his hand on her face.

She leant into his warm touch before reluctantly pulling away “yeah. In a bit” She said softly as she turned away, taking a few steps before stopping and turning back “Oh and um Dr. Ramsey!” She called out stopping him before he turned the corner. He looked at her with a raised eyebrow and she smiled mischievously “we’re in the workplace so that’s Dr. Valentine to you, sir” she shouted down the hall. He laughed and shook his head good naturedly before carrying on down the hall. Fifteen minutes later Casey exited the main hospital doors to a couple of whoops and cheers. “What?” She said to herself and turned around to see Bryce and Jackie sitting round the statue with a flushed Ethan looking at you apologetically and she knew they’d talked out of him what they had just done moments before. And to be completely honest, she wasn’t mad at him for telling them. I mean he was practically glowing, walking on clouds and grinning like a kid in a candy store. She swatted Ethan’s arm playfully and the four of them made their way home to the apartment block they lived in.

[issabangtanfic]

[Jungkook] The Windmill House (Chapter 4)

Masterlist

Synopsis: When for once rich doesn’t rhyme with Christian Grey.

Pairing: Jungkook x OC

A/N: Feel free to submit a cover! Tell me what you think in my inbox! Enjoy!

-

Friday comes in a blink of an eye, and before I can really prepare myself mentally I am back at the mansion, where so far nothing good ever happens to me. It’s the end of the week, I’ve had a long day, so I don’t feel like dealing with any of Mr. Jeon's bullshit. Before leaving my car I give myself a mental pep talk. I am not going to let him get in my head, or in my pants, for that matter. Once under the porch, I knock and my client opens the door.

"Miss Fair.” He greets, all navy suit and yummy face. I give him a tight smile. This is going to be difficult.

“Good evening Mr. Jeon.” I reply. He steps aside to let me in and closes the door behind me.

“How was your day?” He asks once we’re in what could be considered the foyer of the mansion.

“Busy. How have you been?”
 I reply. He gives me a playful look.

“Impatient.” He says. Goddammit.

“Can I get you anything to drink?” He proposes, shoving his hands in the pockets of his fin, fine trousers.

“Our barman just arrived.” He informs me, leading me down a short corridor.


“Barman?” I repeat.
 “This is going to be a hotel?”
 I ask him as we walk into a hall with a bar. There’s a counter and four wooden stools.

“I don’t know yet.” He shrugs a shoulder.

“But you have a barman.” I retort.

“I’m the barman.”
 He explains.

“Wine?” He proposes, slipping behind the counter. I’m not against a little something to make this whole thing a tad easier.

“Just a sip. I have to drive.” I agree, sitting my bum on a stool and putting my purse on the counter. I watch as Mr. Jeon pulls out two wine glasses and a bottle of red wine. As he’s open to open in, his phone starts to ring in his pocket. He halts to look at the caller’s ID, and I see his face harden, He stares at his phone for a couple of seconds before looking back at my waiting form.

“Sorry, I have to take this.” He says. I nod, and watch him walk out the room. I sit there, waiting twiddling my thumbs, resisting the urge to open each and every door I see and climb all the stairs I can find.

“Miss Fair?”

I turn my head and see a man walking down the stairs. Tall, dirty blond hair and a light stubble, the man is in a suit with no tie, and the top two buttons of his shirt undone. He radiates with charisma, his eyes green and piercing.

“That’s me. And you are?” I reply, watching him walk to me. He gives me a smile I’m he reserves for ladies. It is as devastating as it is familiar. Where have I seen this fine man?

“Good evening. I’m Eliott, Kook’s brother.” He greets. Eliott… Eliott… Eliott Hargreeves? They don’t have the same last name?

“Oh. I do remember you. Me and my colleague Ava worked on your home in south London, right.” I tell him once he’s in front of me.

“A masterpiece.” He nods, giving me his hand to shake.

“Good evening, Eliott. Mr. Jeon told me you recommended me to him.” I say to him, shaking his hand.

“I did. You did a fantastic job in the penthouse, so I figured you could do wonders in this place as well.” He explains. I wonder if he knows his brother almost gave the project to someone else.

“Well thank you very much, it’s a very exciting project.” I reply, and he hits me with another charming smile.

“You’re most welcome.” He murmurs, almost making me giggle. I watch him as he goes behind the counter, where his brother has left a bottle of wine and two glasses. He takes the bottle and looks at the tag, before making a grimace and putting it away.

“Do you know what mister Jeon has in mind for this building? Surely he doesn’t live here.” I ask him.

“I think he wants to turn it into a luxury hotel.” Eliott explains, pulling out another botte from under the counter.

“I see.” I say, watching him open that second bottle.

“I think he should go for an Italian design, but he wants everything to look like your neighborhood Dubai villa.” He says, shaking his head disapprovingly. Exactly!

“That’s exactly what I told him.” I concur as he pours us some dark red- almost black wine.

“And he accepted?” Eliott challenged, putting the bottle down.

“Well, I’m here.” I shrug, and he chuckles, sliding one glass in my direction.

“Nice one.” He says, raising his glass at me. I raise mine and take sip. This is strong.

“So,” I pipe up while Eliott takes a stool next to mine. “How’s your company doing?”

Mr. Hargreeves tells me more about his fintech company and his new projects. He plans on opening a hotel and is looking into buying cruse ships. He also explains how he tries to make all of his businesses as eco-friendly as possible, which is something I admire. He asks me about my most recent projects, lets me show him some pictures on my phone, and proposes to hire me to work on his hypothetical hotel. The discussion never ends as we bounce off of each other’s subjects to bring up new ones, wine being poured continuously, so much so that we don’t feel the time pass.

“Eliott?”

We both turn our heads to see Mr. Jeon returning after his phone call, eyebrows knotted together.

“Hey, big bro.”
 Eliott greets him.

“I thought you were leaving.” He says, sounding annoyed.


“I was, and then I ran into your lovely guest.”
 Eliott replies with a grin, waving towards me. Oh, flattery.

"Just sharing a drink. Well two, by now.”
 He informs him, bringing his glass to his lips. Two?! I look at my empty glass. I hadn’t realized I was drinking. How did I not pay attention? I won’t be able to drive like that.

“You’ve been drinking Marsala?”


When I look up Mr. Jeon has walked behind the counter, and is holding the now empty bottle of wine. I gape at him, clueless.

“Maya. this is 20 percent alcohol. You’ll be drunk in a few minutes.”
 He admonishes. Oh bloody hell.

“Oh, crap.”
 Is all I manage.

“S’fine. I can get you home after we’re all done.”
 Eliott counters nonchalantly. After we’re done?

“After what-“


“I’ll get my assistant to drive you.” He says sternly, and I feel like it’s more of a declaration than a proposition.

“Elliot, do you mind?”
 Mr. Jeon says to his brother, inviting him- or ordering him I don’t know really, out of the room. Eliott makes a childish sulky face, sliding off his stool. When his eyes land on me, he gives me a dazzling smile, holding his hand out.

“Mrs. Fair.” He says as I take his hand to shake it. He flips my hand and drops a light kiss on the back of it, enough for tickles of his lips to make me smile.

“Pleasure seeing you again.”
 He murmurs as I slip my hand out of his. I giggle softly, finding his over-the-top flirting quite charming and somewhat funny. He has always been like this as far as I remember, both with me and Ava. He is flirty but in a way that says he’s never going go too far, which made our meetings with him super pleasant.

“For me too.” I reply before watching him amble out of the room, all while avoiding the missiles his brother is throwing at him with his eyes.

“Get Jimin to drive you home.” Mr. Jeon says to his back, and he replies with a wave over his shoulder. When Eliott is out of sight, Mr. Jeon sighs deeply, clearing our wine glasses off the counter. Not knowing what to say, I watch him, twiddling my thumbs anxiously.

“While you’re still sober, how about actually getting to work?” He finally proposes, his tone icy. Being tipsy on the job, talk about professionalism. This has never happened to me before.

“I had no idea what was in that bottle.”
 I say defensively. It’s not my fault his brother is an interesting person.

"You’re right. I’m sorry.”
 He sighs again. “It’s his fault.”


He’s in the worst of moods now. I don’t feel comfortable.

“Maybe I should leave. I’ll get a taxi.” I propose, grabbing my purse.


“No.”
 He retorts, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“No, just…” He trails off, thinking.

“Have dinner with me.”
 He proposes. What?

“You’re not going to be that drunk if we get some food into your system.” He explains.

“I’m not sure that’s appropriate.” I mutter.

“It’s not.” He admits. 
“But you know how little I care about that.”

Mmmh. I’m not going to have dinner with him. Ever. It’s just an excuse to spend time with me in hopes to get me to open my legs. It’s high time we started actual work.


“I was thinking maybe you could give me a quick brief about what you want for the rooms.” I counter, and watch his eyebrows become a knot of confusion.

“We have to get to work someday.” I shrug a shoulder. Mr. Jeon sighs, defeated, and fumbles behind the counter once more. I hear the tap open and close.

“Here.” He drops a tall glass of water in front of me.
 “Drink this.”


“Thank you.” I reply, only too glad to drink it. As I start gulping down on my water, I hear his phone go off again. I watch him sigh out of annoyance while he looks at his phone.

“I’ll be back in a minute. Sorry.” He mutters before leaving me once more. As he disappears behind French doors, Eliott peeks from the door next to the stairs.

“Is he gone?” He asks me, eyes dancing with cheeky amusement.

“You’re still here?” I utter, my eyebrows meeting my hairline. He strolls to me, smiling from ear to ear.

“I made our mom call him.” He explains. That’s so childish. I giggle.

“He’ll be back in a second.” I remind him, but he waves a dismissive hand at me.

“What side of the house are you working on? The red room?”
 He asks once he’s next to me again, elbow on the counter.

“The red room?”

“He hasn’t showed you the red room?” He frowns. I copy him. What in the hell is the red room?


“Is that where the previous owner had his large parties?” I take a wild guess. Eliott chuckles at me.


“More like large orgies.”
 He clarifies. I look at him in a mix of shock and wonder.

“There’s an orgy room?”
 I utter, and I don’t know why I am so excited about it. I’m just really curious now. The owner threw orgies not parties in there. That’s why this place used to be so hard to get in.

“It’s a piece of work. Very sexual. Let me show you.”
 Eliott proposes, and it take me everything I have to refuse.

“I should wait for your brother. He’ll be back in a minute.”
 I tell him, not wanting to deal with angry Jeon again.

“It’s right across the room, we’ll hear him come back.”
 He argues, pointing towards the door behind me. It is right there!

“Okay.” I give in, hopping off my stool.

“It’s really something. Jungkook wants it gone but I like it.”
 He says right before pushing the double doors open. I walk into a gigantic, red leather-padded chamber. The first and unmissable thing that catches my eye is the sumptuous chandelier hanging over the center of the room. The walls are covered with all kinds of tools: floggers, whips, cuffs, gags, collars, leashes, canes, paddles and other sex toys. I have never smelled so much leather in my life, not even in my uncle's leather couch shop.

“Oh wow.” I breathe, my feet carrying me further in. There are round beds here and there, desks and chairs in other spots, 4 sex swings, one in each corner of the rooms, two huge wooden crosses with ties on them, and so many other things I can’t describe. This some hard core bdsm dungeon. At the center, right under the chandelier, lies a tailored circular bed propped up on a platform, almost like a stage, with red satin sheets and pillows. On that bed alone could fit 15 to 20 people. I can’t even imagine how many kinky middle-agers used to come here at once.

“You could fit a hundred people in there.” I observe, not knowing what else to say. It is very red, and very sexual. I’m just shocked this is here, but the design itself is beautiful and it would be a shame to remove it. I feel Eliott before I see him, his breath tickling the hair on my nape and making it stand alert.


“Two's just as fine.” He retorts, his voice low and quiet, just as the doors close behind us.

[thousandfourhundreddays]

Yours For Tonight. Pt 2

Michael Gray x Reader

Part One

A/n: Requested by @namelesslosers , “Part two please! This is amazing, Maybe one where he's already with Gina and the reader comes back to Small Heat? They never stopped loving each other and yeah... Anyway, tag me if you do please?”

The Morning After

“I couldn’t face saying goodbye for the last time, and I’m sorry. I’m sorry that I have to leave and I’m sorry that we can’t spend the rest of our lives together. I know I promised we would. I’ll never forget you Michael, the love that you showed me was possible, and I’ll forever be thankful for that. I’ll love you always, y/n”

That was the note you left for Michael the morning you left, taking one last look back at his sleeping figure before you gently closed his bedroom door, sneaking down the staircase and onto the cold, harsh cobbles of the street outside, ready to begin your new life in France with your boyfriend. Well... as ready as you would ever be.

Three Years Later

The sharp wind whipped around your as you stepped out of your taxi, taking a long, deep breath whilst you stood taking in your surroundings, the sleek black car vanishing back down the street. A small smile spread across your face as you saw the familiar blackish grey terrace houses that held so many memories. The dull, cold cobbles of the roads which ironically brought you so much warmth and comfort.

You were home... you were in Small Heath.

With no plans of where you’d live, or work, however truthfully, your husbands job left you quite well off so for now you could easily pay for a hotel for however long it took for you to find a house, you found yourself heading to the garrison.

As soon as you made your way through the sparkling golden doors, you caught eyes with Harry, his face lighting up with surprise. You sat and chatted for a good hour or so as he served the men in the pub, this is where you learned that Tommy had bought the pub not long after you left, explaining the glamorous new design. Sparking the topic of the Peaky Blinders, him raving about how well they were all doing which lead to you subtly asking how “Pollys son, that new lad Michael” was doing, which was how you were told he had moved to America on business for a while before moving back a few months later. The topic didn’t last long, you not wanting to seem suspicious so you let Harry briefly fill you in on how your mutual friends were doing.

After a short while, a few familiar faces, mostly friends from school and thier boyfriends and husband made their way into the pub as the day shifted into the evening. The garrison grew busier with time whilst you were bombarded with questions about your life over the past three years, the contry, the food, the people. You almost didn’t notice the door fly open and the faces of Tommy Shelby and Polly Gray appear in the doorway. You breathed a sigh of relief when they turned to make thier way into the back room.

That was until the door creaked opens once again, revealing the face of the man you once, a almost definitely still do love. Your breath caught in your throat as you stared at him, placing a cigarette between his lips and raising a match to light it. He lifted his eyes whilst tucking the match box back into his trouser pocket, scanning the room. Your heat skipped a beat as his chestnut brown eyes can’t into line with your y/e/c ones. It felt like the world stopped spinning, his face unreadable as you swallowed the lump in your throat. The buzz of chatter began to ring in your ears, fading into silence. To you, it felt like it was only you and him in the room. A shy, unsure smile flashed across your face, his astonished eyes softening in response.

Suddenly the noise returned to your ears, your heat started to beat and 1000 miles an hour and you watched a woman slip through the crack between the doors, her golden blonde hair glistening in the light. Her painted red lips raising to Michaels ear, whispering something which you couldn’t make out. Her hand making its way upto Michaels neck to get his attention, her burgundy nails gently scratching against his skin. On her finger, a ring.

You forced your eyes away and tears welled in them. Michael snatching his head in the direction of his wife and they also made thier way into the back room.

Your mind was riddled with questions and possibilities. How long had they been married? Did they have children? What was her name? Of corse you knew there was a possibility of seeing him, you weren’t stupid. You for some reason you hadn’t expected this.

You spent the next half an hour or so trying your best to act natural, a few wuenstioning looks were directed at you from your friends, which were returned with you most convincing smile.

Not long after, the Blinders left the back room, Tommy heading to the bar, Polly heading home, leaving Michael and his wife stood talking for a second before she ran to catch up with Polly. He stood searching the room for your face in the crowd of drunken men and tipsy women, after finally spotting you he gave a sly nod in the direction of the door, indicating for you to follow. You waited a minute or two to avoid any suspicion, and to prepare yourself for what was about to happen, before excusing yourself to the toilet and slipping out the out the pub undetected.

The cool air hit you, somewhat refreshing however due to your lack of preparation to be stood out in the cold with your ex lover at this time of night, and therefore your lack of coat, the cold soon hit your bones, causing you to warp your arms around yourself with a shiver.

You searched the darkness for Michael, only spotting him when the glow of a match lit up his face in a discreet ally a few meters away from the entrance of the Garrison. Letting out a shakey breath, your feet subconsciously carried you towards him.

You froze a couple of meters in front of him. You took in his appearance as you stared at one another. His eyes sat above light purple circles, he looked exhausted. His skin a little more wrinkled than when you left, obviously from stress. His hair gelled to the side, much smarter and professional than you ever remembered, must be to cover his tiredness.

“Hey” the simple word snapped you out of your thoughts, bringing your eyes back upto his. They were no longer bright and full of life, they were dull and mysterious.

“Hi” you said, your voice wavering slightly as you let out a breath you didn’t realise you were holding.

He offered you a cigarette which you gladly took, thanking him with a smile as you made your way forward, now standing opposite him.

A few seconds past before he broke the silence.

“How’ve you been?” He said cautiously.

“Not bad, you?”

“Yeah, good, thank you”

You stood in an awkward silence, neither of you knowing how to begin a conversation, or more like not knowing what kind of conversation to start.

Once again, it was Michael who spoke first. “What are you doing here, y/n?”

“Well, Iv got nothing left for me in France, let’s just say that.”

“What about...” he began, about to ask about your boyfriend before his mind assumed the worst. “Is he... ok?”

“He’s fine. Well...” you took a second to think of how to word your sentence. Do you lie? How much should you tell? You gave in, letting out a sigh, you continued “Prison.”

Michael raised his eyebrows in shock, your boyfriend would be the last person anyone would’ve expected to go to prison. A respectable lawyer from an honourable family.

“Yeah” you said, reading his expression. “Money laundering... got three years inside.” You looked down at th ground, for some reason ashamed of your partners illegal antics which you had absolutely no involvement in.

“And you didn’t want to wait for him?”

“Nah” your lifted you head to have another drag of your cigarette, as did Michael.

“You know how I feel about criminals.” You joked with a small smile, you were fully aware of what Michael and his family did for a living, and he knew that. A faint grin flashed across his face, giving you his good old, soft ‘shut up’ face as he let out a soft laugh.

“Didn’t expect that” he said, deciding to state the obvious.

“Yeah well he wasn’t as lucky as you lot, he got caught” Another giggle left his lips, you always knew how to make him laugh, he loved that about you.

“No, but seriously... I just saw my chance and took it, you know how I felt about him, I never wanted to leave. Anyway, here I am.”

He gave you a sympathetic smile, imagining how it felt to have to sail off to a new country, leaving everything you ever knew behind to live with a boyfriend you you’d fell out of love with.

His trail of though was broken. “So, what’ve you been upto?” You said solemnly, leaning back against the cold brick wall, preparing yourself for the conversation surrounding his wife.

Michael inhaled on his cigarette, needing to calm his nerves, he knew you had realised who she was when he walked into the Garrison, you weren’t stupid, he could see it in your eyes.

“She’s my wife.” He stated, knowing you’d catch on to who he was talking about.

“Congratulations” you tried to put on your best fake smile.

“I didn’t think you’d ever come back, y/n, honestly if I had any ide-”

“Michael... dont. You weren’t to know”

He nodded slightly, clearing his throat. “I still love you, you know” his voice was shy, laced with anticipation and somewhat fear.

“Loving each other was never the problem, mikey” you said softly.

“Yeah but now the problems Gina, and I-”

“Gina” you cut him off, reality hitting you now that you learned his wife’s name. He just looked at you, sadness set deep within his eyes.

“I’d do anything for you y/n, anything to have you back” his voice was barely a whisper as he stepped closer to you. His hand cautiously reaching up to cup your face. You leaned into his palm as you eyes glided shut, a tear escaping. “Look at me, please y/n”

You slowly opened you eyes to see Michaels only inches away, now glistening with tears of his own. Before you knew it, his lips were on yours, the connection which you had longed to feel for so many years hit you. The butterflies in your stomach, the slight dizzy ness that only Michael ever made you feel. It was all still there.

Despite your hunger for him, you abruptly broke the kiss, stroking his cheek, trying to hold yourself back. “I can’t do this Michael... your happily married” once again leaning into his touch.

“I’m not happy” he said bluntly, shaking his head as if to convince you.

“She is”

“I’m so sorry y/n, for everything” his voice filled with regret.

“Don’t be, please don’t be... Iv got to go Mikey”

And with that, you smoothly escaped his grasp and made your way out onto the street, the biting wind surrounded you once again.

You heard the faint calls of Michael shouting your name as you forced you self to keep walking. Leaving you both with tear stained faces.

Michael would have to go home to his wife, his mind submerged in thoughts of you whilst you lay in an estranged hotel room, drowning in thoughts on Michael.

PartThree.

A/n: hehehehe I’m actually SO proud of this :) @namelesslosers I hope this is ok!!

Remember my requests are always open!!

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[mymelodyheart]

Forget Me Not Chapter 29 ~Before We Do~

"if anyone can show just cause why this couple cannot lawfully be joined together in holy matrimony, let them speak now or forever hold their peace."

Jamie's gaze swept over their families and friends sitting on the benches. The church was small and intimate, with high ceilings and ornate stained-glass windows. The lilies were creamy white, and the faint scent of incense hung in the air. And Claire looked beautiful, from the flowing trail of her sheer lace veil to the elaborate pearl-encrusted train. She gazed at him with evident love, her beaming face a reminder of why he had fallen in love with her all those years ago.

And then the unforeseen happened.

"I object," a deep male's voice reverberated.

Loud gasps of shock permeated the air, and Claire spun around, her eyes filled with disbelief.

What the fuck?

Dressed in a sharp black suit, Frank stood up, arms extended as if in a last-minute plea. "Claire, I tried to move on, but you're the only one I've ever loved. I can't let you marry Jamie if there's still a chance for us."

For one endless, horrifying moment, everything went dead quiet. Jamie froze, his mind unable to compute the disaster unfolding before his very eyes.

Claire's face looked unsure as her gaze flicked from Jamie to Frank and then back to him again. "I'm so sorry, Jamie. It's always been Frank all along."

Another gasp from the crowd. The priest's jaw fell. Jamie watched in a daze as Claire dropped her bouquet of flowers and took a step back away from him.

"Claire?" he whispered, swallowing past the panic that threatened to choke him. "Why are ye doing this?"

Claire just shook her head, lifted the skirt of her dress and ran towards the door.

He stood frozen on the spot, unable to move or utter a word as he watched helplessly the love of his life run away from him. 

The door of the church slammed shut.

Jamie shot up, the scream trapped in his lungs. Sweat ran down his body, and his heart hammered painfully against his ribcage. In a state of haze and panic, he reached out for Claire, but she was gone. Grasping for something to ground him, he grabbed her pillow and clutched it against him. It was still warm from use. He dragged in a breath, drawing in as much of her essence as he could to calm his pounding heart. 

Finally, fully awake, he got up and swung his legs onto the side of his bed. Leaning over, he placed his hands on his knees and calmed himself. He heard Claire's voice in his head.  Long, slow breath through your nose, hold ... and count to three ... and exhale ... and relax.  And he did just that. 

It had been a while since he had nightmares and all had been of the shooting incident with Annalise. The bad dreams had stopped ever since he and Claire got back together. Sifting through his alcohol addled brain, memories of the night before came rushing in. There were snippets of his stag party, and then there were fragments of Claire's friends urging him to strip. The most vivid recollection of them all was Claire's impatience to get him out of his clothes once they were alone in the house. The thought of it flushed out the lingering bitter taste of the nightmare and replaced it with longing and anticipation.

It was their wedding day tomorrow and remembered he wouldn't see her until then. She was somewhere in some undisclosed location with Geillis, Lousie and Jenny. They were being prepared and pampered for the big day. He wished she had woken him up before leaving.

Pinning his bad dream to wedding jitters, Jamie quickly showered, dressed and made his way to the kitchen. He found Willie multitasking, pouring coffee into a mug, sifting through unopened mails with a phone tucked beneath his ear. A rapid stream of promises and assurances flew through the air. "Aye, dinna fash. Everything is in order, and we have the kilts ready." Pause. "Aye, we won't be late, and we'll be sober. Alright, I'll see ye tomorrow. Have fun." He put the phone down and let out a huge sigh. As soon as he saw his brother, he rolled his eyes. "Women think we can't function without them."

Jamie smiled and grabbed a coffee. "And yet, almost every day, we're relegated to the kitchen just because we're cooks."

Willie shook his head, poured them both a Bloody Mary from a pitcher and slid one over to him. "Drink. Just a wee hair of the dog to get ye going today. So, does Claire nag often?"

He choked out a laugh. "Is being ordered about the same as nagging?"

His brother's lips curved in a knowing grin. "Aye, definitely, but I ken ye wouldn't want Claire any other way. Oh, by the way, did ye have another one of those nightmares? I thought ye stopped having them."

Jamie stared. "How did ye know?"

Willie sipped his concoction. "I heard ye shout. Are ye still having bad dreams about the shooting?"

Jamie shook his head. "It wasn't the shooting. I dreamt Claire left me at the altar because of Frank."

"Really?" He braced both hands on the countertop and let out a whistle. "Frank, yer mate back in high school? A bit odd to be having a nightmare about him. The shooting I can understand. That was traumatic. I still have bad dreams about it too. But Frank?"

Jamie sat on the stool and massaged his throbbing thigh. "Claire was infatuated with him almost all her life."

"Ach,  bràthair,  are ye still bothered about that? Surely not."

He winced, feeling slightly embarrassed, but he forced the words out. "It's not about Frank. It's what he represents. Successful, a decent bloke even if he was a dickhead back then and he's making loads of money. I hope I'll be enough for Claire."

Willie nodded, lapsing into a thoughtful silence. "Ye will always be more than enough, Jamie. Ye and Claire share an incredible gift. There's a bond between the two of ye that is quite extraordinary and undeniable. Ye ken well, sometimes the mysteries of attraction cannot be explained through logic." He paused, trying to find the right words. "What I'm trying to say is, ye are both incomplete without the other. I dinna ken how else to explain it, but maybe, just maybe, it's the faults and cracks in yer personalities and hearts that become the very hinges that hold ye together. I dinna ken. But whatever it is that is between the two of ye, there's nothing in this world that could compete with the kind of connection ye both have. Ye and Claire are meant to be, that's all ye ever need to know. And that is more than enough." His answer was full of conviction and surety, it almost made Jamie choke with emotion.

"And ye loved her too," Jamie whispered.

Willie reached out and playfully ruffled his hair. "Aye, I did. Anyone in their right mind would love Claire. And I will never stop caring for her, Jamie ...as a brother."

"And ye? Are ye happy with Geillis?"

He slipped both his hands in jeans' pocket and smiled. "Geillis is a handful, but, aye I am very happy. We do argue a lot, though. Perhaps it's because of our age difference, our stubbornness ...I dinna ken. But one thing for sure ... she does keep me on my toes. And I must admit, making up after a fight is the best part," he admitted, winking mischievously.

This time Jamie laughed, a weight lifting off his shoulders. It was not often the brothers talked at a deeper emotional level, and it felt great. And he knew from then on, something shifted between them. "That's good. I want ye to have what I have, Willie ...and that's happiness."

An uncomfortable silence lapsed.

"Stop! Ye're getting all soft on me, wee bràthair!"  Willie joked, shoving him lightly on the shoulder and pushing the Bloody Mary in his hand. "Drink up, ma is expecting us for brunch. She might need a bit of help. Mind, Jenny is away with the bridal party."

Jamie was about to grab his drink when his phone vibrated. He glanced at the ID. "It's Claire..."

"Alright. I'll leave ye to it. I'll put our kilts in the car."

Jamie nodded and clicked on the phone. "Hey, ye didn't wake me up before ye left," he scolded gently, tidying up the countertop and putting empty cups into the sink. He could hear music and giggles in the background.

"I know, I'm sorry, but ye had a lot to drink last night. You needed your sleep." 

Images of last night's escapade after coming home from the pub flashed in his head. "Weel, ye didn't seem to think I needed sleep then. Ye couldn't wait to take my trousers off," he teased. He was quite sure she was blushing and wished he could see her face. "If I'd known striptease turns ye on, I would've done it sooner. Yer hands were all over me."

"Aww, was I too rough on you?" she asked in a husky voice. Jamie caught the amusement in her tone. Oh, she was bold when there was a distance between them. 

"Sassenach?"

"Hmmm?"

"Christ, I want ye now, and ye're teasing me. Ye think ye can go in a bathroom or something ...away from the lassies? Facetime maybe?" He craned his neck to see where Willie was. Looking through the window, he saw his brother was on the phone. 

"Jamie! You just have to wait until our wedding night," she admonished, pretending to sound shocked. He could tell she was turned on by his suggestion as he was. 

But then he saw Willie making his way back to the house. "Fine, I'll let ye go. But I promise ye there will be retribution for leaving without saying goodbye this morning."

She giggled. "Enjoy your brunch and tell ma and da I love them." He heard Louise in the background calling out to Claire to try her wedding undergarments on. He groaned.

"Will do," he replied, tamping down his frustration.

"And Jamie?"

"Aye?"

"I love you, and I can't wait to be your wife."

"I love ye too, Sassenach. Now go before I use the location app on yer phone to find ye." She heard her laugh before the phone went off. Shoving the phone on the back pocket of his jeans, he smiled and tried to shift his thoughts to puppies and nuns, instead of thinking of Claire. He sighed, and he knew it was going to be a very long day, indeed.

..........

Brunch was perfection. Jamie, Willie, Ian, his parents and Murtagh, feasted on Eggs Benedict, waffles and fruit salad. After their meal, Jamie stayed behind to help his mother clear up while the rest went fishing. 

Once all the dishes and cutleries were put away, Ellen made coffee, and Jamie settled back on the wooden chair, waiting for his mother to join him.

"Ma, did ye ever think you'd fail when ye first started the hotel?" he asked. "It was a lot to take on while running a household and raising four bairns."

Ellen smiled and sat next to him. "Of course I did. And I was scared, but I had yer da at my side. There is no shame in hard work or failure. Only in not trying."

He took a sip of his coffee. "I ken the hotel was da's dream. But ye ...ye always wanted to be an artist. I've seen yer paintings from when ye were young."

"Ah, that is true, son. It was difficult to give that part of myself up. But it wasn't only me who had to make sacrifices. Yer da had sacrifices of his own. We took it upon ourselves to run a hotel and never looked back. We had a few regrets and heartaches along the way, but our path has led us to three wonderful children and Claire. We never realise at the moment what our futures hold, but sometimes we must go on a leap of faith."

He sifted through her words, thinking of Claire being orphaned at such a young age. Fate had brought her to Lallybroch and to him. It was easier said than done to believe each moment, good and bad, has a purpose.

"Do ye remember what I told Claire the first time she asked about her real parents? She was about ten years old, I think," Ellen asked as if reading his thoughts.

Jamie blinked. It was the day Claire came home from school, looking sad. It was also around the time when her uncle Lamb recently died. She had come to him asking if her parents were really dead or if they've abandoned her in Scotland. It was apparent the bullies in school had given her the idea. "Aye, of course, I remember. You explained to her what really happened. And she asked ye if she was worthy of love because she felt abandoned and the kids in school were constantly mean to her. And you told her she was loved and had worth, and one day she'd see it."

She smiled at him. "Aye. And do ye remember the last thing I said?"

He played back the conversation in his memory. "Ye told Claire she was searching for something and that one day she'd find it. But she'd need to be brave enough to think she deserved it."

"Aye, that's right, my sweet darling boy. And that applies to ye too. All the hurt, losses and disappointments are part of who we are. The setbacks need not take over, and being brave does not mean the absence of fear. Loving someone and letting someone love ye is the hardest and most courageous thing ye will ever do. It's all about the choices ye make. Just like the choice Claire made in life. She could have chosen to cower in the corner and wallow in self-pity after what life had handed her. But no. She chose to fight, to love and to pursue happiness despite all odds because she believed, that she too is deserving and worthy. And ye need to believe that ye are worthy too."

He shifted in his chair. "It has always been Claire for me. Although, in the beginning, she only saw me as a big brother and as a friend."

Ellen threw her head back and laughed. "That's what ye thought. I've seen the way she looked at ye when ye weren't looking. But it was a good thing ye both didn't know what ye felt for each other back then. Otherwise, there would have been problems, especially living under the same roof."

"Aye, ye're probably right ...we were too young. I just want to make Claire happy, ma. She's been through a lot. I must have done something right to be deserving of her."

Ellen's smile was pure joy and pride. She reached out, twining her strong fingers with his. "Ach, lad, ye have the wisdom and gentleness that humbles me. Mind, ye've been through a lot too. I've watched ye grow up into a man I'm proud of, and ye are most certainly deserving of her as she is of ye. Ye've seen her at her worse and yet ye love her. Ye are Claire's other half, and she adores ye. I've always known that fact deep in my soul. Ye've continuously had each other's back and nae matter what life threw at ye, ye eventually found yer way back to one another. It only made sense that ye both fell in love."

Jamie stared at his mother. Her voice echoed to a place inside his soul, back to a time when he almost gave up on Claire and himself. But then another image took hold, one of Claire's face, open and laughing, her eyes full of love as she kissed him, held him and showed him everything was possible.

An odd nudge stirred in his heart. "What if I fail, ma?"

Her hand squeezed his harder, and she looked at him with tenderness. "Ach, there will be times when ye will fail, I will not lie. And when that happens, ye get up and try again. The prospect of joy and disaster is part of the package when ye love someone. Marriage will not be a walk in the park, mark my words. There will be sacrifices, heartaches and loss, but there will also be rewards that will make it all worth it. With Claire by yer side, ye will find the strength. I know because I raised her like my own. And that lass is a fighter. And I ken she will keep ye right."

The emotions snuck from the pit of his gut, took root and began to bloom. "Thank ye, ma."

Ellen stood up, took him in her arms and held him tight for a very long time. "Dinna fash, lad. Ye are more than enough for Claire," she whispered, stroking his hair.

..........

"Claire? They're ready."

She turned and smiled at Jenny, Geillis and Louise. They seemed to have forgotten to breathe as they stared at her in awe. "How do I look?"

Jenny shook her head, tears pricking her eyes. "So bonnie, I cannae even talk. And here I thought I was going to be the first to get married."

Claire's hair was twisted up into a spill of elegant curls, the veil cascading past her shoulders, highlighting the clean, sleek lines of the dress. Just like her, the bridal gown was classic, with its fitted bodice and a crisscross of shimmering pearls cinching the waist, then falling smoothly to the floor in sheer chiffon. Her simple heels added to her graceful stature. She held a small bouquet of forget-me-not and lily-of-the-valley, mixed with greens and tied in a rustic style.

Geillis sniffed. "Aye so very bonnie indeed that our wee fox cub will try to rush ye through the reception. But we won't let him." With her warm shade of burnished copper hair done up in French twist and pale skin, the soft blue tulle bridesmaid dress looked perfect. The girls had been excited about the dresses from the moment Jenny had shown a drawing sample. With a flattering V-neck, the dusty blue chiffon held a top layer of silver shimmer to make them look as if they were lit up.

Louise fanned her hand in front of her face. "Aww you're going to make me cry, and I don't want to ruin my make up."

Claire laughed. "Oh, look at all of you. So, so beautiful. Thank you so much for everything. I know I wanted a simple wedding, but you lot made everything extra special. I love you all so much. How do I get to be so blessed?" They all gathered around her for air kisses and quick hugs. Steadying herself, she drew in a deep breath. "Please, tell da, I'm ready."

Brian stepped in. "I'm here, sweetheart." 

Jenny gave a long sigh as she looked at her father. "Ach da, ye scrub up well, and ye look dashing." Then she turned to Claire. "We'll wait outside. I'll check and make sure everyone's in place. That should give both of ye a few minutes before the ceremony."

She nodded to the girls who left the room giggling. Then she faced the man who had been a father to her for most of her life.

"Da! I'm getting married!" Emotion struck her hard. She gazed at him, dressed in full glory and her throat tightened. He wore a traditional kilt paired with a Prince Charlie jacket, waistcoat and blue-grey ruche tie. The Hunting Clan Fraser tartan was in hues of blue, red and green and was accessorised with the customary sporran, black kilt hose and polished, black brogue shoes. He was as tall as his sons, and he looked handsome and distinguished with his thick dark hair peppered with gunmetal grey and piercing blue eyes.

" Mo nighean,  ye look like a princess," he said gruffly, taking her hand to kiss it. "Yer parents and uncle Lamb would be so proud."

She smiled, tears threatening to spill. "I wish they were here, da."

"I know, sweetheart, but believe me when I say, yer parents are here. How do I know? I know because ye exist," he said, touching her cheek tenderly. "And even if ye weren't marrying Jamie and even though ye are not my flesh and blood, ye were and always will be the daughter of my heart. And I couldn't be happier now that ye will carry our family name."

Childhood memories in Lallybroch flickered before her, of all of them laughing as they gathered in the kitchen. In the confines of the Fraser home, she was loved and cherished, and she belonged. "I love you, da," she said. They were the only words she could utter as emotions threatened to overwhelm.

"And I love ye, Claire," Brian replied. "I have loved ye every day of your life ever since I laid eyes upon ye. I will love ye for every day of mine and more."

She was about to say more, but Geillis peeked at the door and smiled.

"It's time."

Brian met her gaze and smiled. "Come now, sweetheart, let's get ye married. We don't want to keep Jamie waiting. He's been asking every few minutes when ye will be ready. If we make him wait some more, God knows what the lad will do."

She laughed as Brian tucked her hand in his arm and escorted her out of the room and made their way to the chapel.

[fanfictrashdump]

Queening a Pawn, 15

Summary: During the Time Heist, Loki stole the Tesseract and escaped. He did not expect, however, to be pulled through a Time Loop that delivered him to a Midgard more than a decade older, wiser, and bitterer. Having just lived through his unsuccessful attack in New York, Loki must learn to live in Midgard after the defeat of Thanos (post-Endgame). The question is, who is Loki without a quest for a throne or total domination?

Pairings: Loki x OC

Notes: I have so much to do! So, of course, I’m procrastinating. Whoop!

=

Loki watched closely as Delilah picked up her trilling mobile phone for what was the twelfth time that morning. With a small smile, she read the accompanying text message and then sent back some appropriate response. The phone was back on the coffee table a second later, and she moved her Knight against one of Loki's pawns.

"You're popular today," he mentioned casually, staring over the rim of his coffee cup.

Lilah shrugged. "I guess so." Her phone buzzed with a phone call. She eyed the caller ID and sent Loki a smile. "I have to take this. Don't cheat!"

With little more than a hop, she was on her feet and pacing around his small kitchen with her phone, laughing at something that was said on the other side of the line. Loki narrowed his gaze, pondering what the ruckus could be while he switched her Queen around the board. When she sat back down to the game, she rolled her eyes and righted all of the pieces to their original position.

"Hey, Pygmy Puff?"

Both Loki and Delilah tilted their heads curiously at the sound of Tony's voice. Apparently his AI was learning new tricks.

"Yes, boss?"

"Don't be mad," Tony's voice prefaced, "but something's getting delivered to your place as we speak. It's really pretty, though. I think you'll like 'em."

The woman hesitated before answering. "I thought I told you no more gifting–"

"But it's your–"

"Tony, it's just–"

"Pleeeease," the disembodied voice pleaded until Delilah groaned.

"That's not fair," she argued, but he was still pleading. "Fine. It's fine. You win. Thank you," she acquiesced, knocking one of Loki's bishops off the board.

"You're welcome, Honeybee. Take it easy, you hear!" Tony said a quick farewell before cutting off.

Loki stared curiously at Lilah who anxiously tapped her fingers down on the solid dark oak of the coffee table. He quickly moved his Queen into position. "Checkmate," he announced, easily. "You're off your game today. Everything alright?"

"Yeah, I–"

"Oh," Tony's voice came back in. "And, happy birthday."

Lilah instantly winced at the wide-eyed expression Loki suddenly acquired. "I-it's your birthday? Today's your birthday?"

"I… well… yeah, but… it's," she struggled to find a suitable explanation for failing to mention this important occasion to Loki when she caught the edge of his lips curling upward. "And, you already found out, didn't you?"

He let out a deep chuckle that thrilled and annoyed her in equal measure. "I know everything, darling." With a darkened smile, he stalked forward across the coffee table to the comfortable armchair she was sitting in. Delilah leaned back, swallowing thickly when the demigod did not stop short of her seat, but instead towered over her until her back was pressed against the overstuffed fabric. Loki's lips skimmed her neck as he reached around her, but before he could make any real purchase on her twitching pulse point, he had leaned back, holding a brightly wrapped parcel between them. "Everything," he restated, huskily, drawing a shiver from her spine.

Loki gestured the parcel and Lilah reached for it with timid hands. The box was a cube, perfectly wrapped in shimmering green paper with a golden bow. A tag dangled from the bow declaring To the prettiest of Queened pawns on her natal day with all my love. May your judgement be swift and mercy, eternal. xo. He raised his eyebrows at her when she didn't do anything further than turn the box in her hands.

"It's so pretty," she began, "I don't want to ruin it."

"Aren't you curious?" He asked, teasingly, shifting her aside until he was sat on the armchair with her on his lap. He pressed a kiss to her temple the second she got settled in and sighed. "Don't you want to know what I think is an acceptable gift? You might have your own micronation to take care of now."

"You're really excited about this and I'm not sure if that's a good thing," she mused, though she settled back against his chest, delicately peeling away the paper that seemed to be held together with sheer force of will and complicated pleating patterns. The paper fell away and she was left with a black box, roughly the size of her hand, with some small hinges at the top. Her fingers worked the delicate hook catch and let the box open with a pop. Her fingers fished out a glass orb, containing a multitude of colored glitter, surrounding many crudely drawn little figures frozen perfectly in time.

"I might have had some help with that. I mean, I did do the whole magic bit, but I suppose credit where credit is due."

"You just have a little minion army, don't you?" Delilah laughed.

"Of course I do, pet. To make pretty things for you," he retorted in a whisper and lay a chaste kiss on her lips. "Keep going."

Another dip in the box came up with a smaller velvet box she promptly opened. Two medallions rested on a dainty silver chain, etched with a set of runes on each. "I know that one is yours," she thought aloud, tracing her finger over his High Asgardian rune. "Is that mine?"

"Clever girl," he whispered, carefully sounding out the runes. "I may or may not have made it with the sole purpose of protecting you."

"What? How?"

"Pray you never find out, love." Another kiss to her temple and he helped affix the chain around her neck with nimble fingers. Delilah offered him a smile, absorbing his enthusiasm and returning it in a kiss, her hands carding through his shortened locks with a dreamy sigh. "There's something more."

She scraped the bottom of the box and produced a black collar, with silver clasps and a circular medallion hanging from the middle. Lilah could barely contain her laughter. "It's cute, but I don't think it will quite fit, Lokes."

"It's not for me, I assure you." Loki rolled his eyes, though he was still smiling like a fool. "Or you, though I am tempted to make you a soft velvet thing such as this for research."

"Then, what… Delivery?" Her eyes widened with excitement.

"Yes, perhaps that was what Stark meant when he–" 

She had already flown off his lap, clutching her glass globe and making haste through the door. 

"Will you wait for…? Oh, Norns, she is incorrigible." 

He made after her with a quick pace, sliding to a stop in front of her door. The glass orb was already on display on her bookshelf, and she was carefully bending over a box with airholes and a large red bow on top. She made a whimpering sound as she glanced over at him, almost vibrating with excitement. The bow was undone and the top hastily discarded. From amid a high-pitched coo, she pulled out a charcoal and black Norwegian forest tabby cat, small and sleepy, and impossibly fluffy. "I see you've found Einherjar."

"Einherjar?"

"Asgardian army. These cats are of Asgardian descent and they're surprisingly good guards, so…" he trailed off, balancing back and forth on his heels, anxious. "Do you like him?"

"I will kill anyone who dares hurt my baby." The kitten was purring contentedly, a single paw onto Delilah's cheek.

Loki shot her a genuine smile. "I'm glad. A little concerning, but glad." He stuck his hands in his pockets of his dark trousers to keep from fidgeting. "May you live an eternity longer, darling." Her lip quivered suddenly, hot tears spilling out the corners of her eyes, unbidden. "What did I say wrong?" She shook her head vehemently, and all he could do was wrap his arms around her, making a little parcel out of Delilah and Einherjar he was meant to keep away from harm. "Have I done something to upset you?"

Delilah sniffed, adjusting the fluffy bundle in her arms to free a hand to wipe at her eyes. "I'm sorry, it's just been a while since I had such an extravagant birthday." She hiccupped a sniffle. "I never let Tony throw me a party or anything because I didn't want my parents...," she trailed off to Loki brushing his fingers down her cheek.

"Oh, love. If you think this is extravagant..." He let out a sigh and smiled devilishly at her. "I am going to shower you in pretty things and baubles and gems... I will make you blush to think of the treasures you have." His nimble fingers carded through her short, shaggy locks, surprising himself in how much comfort he gleaned from simply doting over her. "I want to promise you a world you can mold to your whim–"

"Loki–"

"I'm simply saying that I want to, not that I am, darling." He kissed the very tip of her nose, smiling genuinely at her giggling, eyes shining with mirth. "Now, I promised I wouldn't say anything but…"

Delilah sighed knowingly. "Party?"

"Yes, Loud and large and obnoxious and you are late for it." Loki ignored her loud complaints, making a show of putting the kitten down onto the fluffy carpet before attempting to herd her out the door. He humored her resistance just long enough to justify throwing the slight woman over his shoulder and marching a screeching Delilah down the relatively calm corridor.

[caddy-whump-us]

And so begins 8204’s time in The House--which is a specialty training facility some small distance from the main Box Dreams campus. Products in preparation with 4-digit ID numbers are sent to The House (the 4-digit code designates that assignment in the records; generally they’re customized or special-order products). Most of the products who are sent to The House are there for endurance or pain-tolerance training. 8204 is there because of his future owner’s experimental design for an outwardly typical, inwardly traumatized Box Boy.

In the house are 4027, 8063, 5110, 8204 (Riddle) and No Number. They’re being trained by the Master of the House.

Cautions: Major dehumanization, physical violence (especially regarding No Number), psychological torture. This part isn’t so rough, but this series is going to get heavy pretty quick, so be warned.

---

“Strip.”

That was the first thing the Master of the House said to 8204 when he arrived (he? it?). 

Dutifully, 8204 peeled off his shirt and trousers and folded them carefully and set them just aside his feet (bare already).

“All of it.”

He hesitated and it earned him a slap across the face, hard. 

“All of it. Faster.”

The door of the house was still open on the stands of dry grass and brambles that stood like walls around the battered house, and only a narrow path between. 8204 kept his eyes on his feet as he stripped off his underwear.

(He had been collared and muzzled when he’d been trundled up the hill to the House, a driver to the van and a handler to keep his leash.

The house was a ruin of peeled paint and rotten boards, a few panes of glass left in the windows that weren’t yet boarded over. The door was shut. 

The trees were bare, save for a handful of brown leaves left on the oaks. Tall grass that hid the house from the view of the road (dirt, two tracks, and sparse grass between) and blackberry brambles toiled before it--dry and dead. And 8204 found himself wondering what the season was because he had forgotten.

They had driven up as far as the dead grass and then 8204 had been delivered into the hands of the Master of the House.)

The Master of the House caught hold of 8204’s hair and pushed him down onto his knees. Quiet and still, quiet and still. And he knelt there in the band of gray light that came in through the open door, waiting. His muzzle and collar hung on the wall now, along with others.

The plaster on the walls was cracked, the paint was peeling. There was darkness in the corners and dead moths and dead leaves. He waited and the wind from down the hill was cold and brought along the rattle of dead leaves. Winter? Early spring?

The Master of the House returned with another boy who had the number 4027 written on his forehead in ink. 4027 was carrying a folded set of clothes. 

The Master of the House swung the door shut. The light was blotted out. The door slammed and the Master locked it. 

He pointed and 4027 set the clothes down in front of 8204 and then retreated again.

“Get dressed,” the Master said.

8204 rose up on his knees to stand up and dress himself, but the Master of the House pushed down against his head again. 8204 tried again, perhaps confused, and the Master of the House pushed him down again, harder and faster this time.

So he was kept kneeling as he wriggled into the simple clothes: a buttoned shirt, underwear, a pair of black trousers. It was better than the numbered uniform he had been wearing at the main campus.

Only when he was dressed did the Master grip him by the hair and pull him to his feet again. 

“Number,” the Master said. It was not a question. He drew a thick black pen from his shirt pocket.

“8204,” he answered, flat.

The Master took 8204’s left arm, rolled up the sleeve, and wrote 8204 across his skin. 8204 watched. Then he grabbed 8204 by the throat and pulled him in closer. By pure instinct, 8204 dared to look at the Master’s eyes, afraid. The Master squeezed at his throat until 8204 looked down again, humble, submissive. And only then did he write the number across 8204’s forehead.

“Burn those,” he said to 4027, who immediately knelt (he did not bend and he did not stoop) to collect 8204’s former clothes and carry them away.

The Master snapped his fingers at 8204 and then pointed down to his own heel (well-heeled in black shoes) and began to walk away. 

When 8204 failed to follow, the Master came back to him and struck him across the face again, twice in quick succession. 8204 wanted so much to put his hand over the burning mark, but perhaps that would earn him another and he kept still. 

The Master snapped his fingers and pointed to his feet again and this time 8204 came to him like a dog coming to heel, head down, hands folded.

He was led into the front room of the house, perhaps once a parlor or a drawing room, with half the windows boarded over and cabbage rose wallpaper peeling in long strips to curl on the floor. There was plaster dust on the floor and soon on 8204’s feet.

The Master sat down in a tattered red armchair more like a ruined throne. The unbroken windows showed gray sky and brown grass on either side, a balance, King of Swords. A half-devoured taxidermy deer’s head hung on the wall above him. He motioned and 8204 sank back down onto his knees and heels again.

A lord on his throne, the Master spoke: “Face.”

8204 hesitated, uncertain, then turned his face up to face the Master.

No slap, no strike: he must have done well.

The Master had laced his hands together before him, his elbows still resting on the arms of the chair. He spoke again: “These are the rules of the house: my word is law, you will obey me, silence is the rule. You understand?”

8204 opened his mouth, then hesitated again. Silence is the rule. He kept silent and nodded.

“Say it.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Say it.”

8204 held quiet a moment more, then spoke only above a murmur: “Your word is law, I will obey you, silence is the rule.”

In a blinding moment, the Master reached out and slapped 8204 across the face again. 

“Silence is the rule,” he said again. “Say it.”

“Silence is the rule,” 8204 said again.

And again The Master reached out and struck him across the face. And this time tears came to his eyes, but only from the pain. 

“Silence is the rule,” the Master said yet again. “Say it.”

And this time, 8204 only mouthed the words: Silence is the rule.

The Master grabbed him by the throat and pulled him forward, up off his heels and onto his knees. He hissed in 8204’s ear, hot and raging, “Think you’re really smart, huh?”

8204’s gut clenched in a knot. Heat and anger rose up his back, up his chest. Something in him remembered something--lashing out. His jaw knotted. 

“Say it.”

8204, with his jaw and tongue trembling, turned his head down (such as he could) and nodded, once, almost a bow.

The Master tossed him aside and 8204 sprawled for a moment, caught himself, and pulled himself back to his knees. The Master had his chin in one hand (long fingers tracing the angles of his face, sharp), lounging on his throne.

“You’re a fucking amazing failure so far.”

And 8204 lowered his head. But what was the answer? Speaking or silence? 

The Master stretched out one leg and shoved 8204’s shoulder with his foot. 8204 swayed, but stayed in position. The Master watched him and 8204 felt himself sinking down into the dreamlike unreality of Quiet and Still, waiting, waiting to wait.

The Master lit a cigarette and sat on his throne, blowing the smoke out into the room. 

8204 kept still though the Master still kicked at his shoulder at whiles. There was no time, there was nothing, there was only waiting. He breathed, he waited, quiet and still, quiet and still. His knees began to ache; the floor was bare wood, stripped of any polish or varnish. Still he waited. 

The Master finished his cigarette (the same one? another?), dropped it on the floor, and ground it out with his heel. 

“Up.”

And 8204 rose on numb feet. 

The Master snapped and pointed to his heel again and 8204 stumbled to his side. His feet burned as the feeling came back into them. The Master caught him by the hair again and shook him and he stumbled again.

“You are absolutely pathetic,” the Master told him and strode out of the room.

8204 followed behind him, keeping up as best he could. 

[noroger]

can i have a fic with tim murphy and 2. from your promt list? love you xx ~ billie

2. “excuse me, i think you dropped this”

Thank you for your request love :),, i hope you like it x

You were a tour guide at the new dinosaur museum that had just opened up. You loved your job so far, you loved how people’s faces would light up with amusement when you told them stories of the dinosaurs or the bones that were found

You had just currently finished up on your last tour of the day and had started making your way back to the locker room to collect your belongings.

After getting your bag and coat and putting all your stuff away, you singed out and headed past the main exhibits which you never got tired of looking at, you were so fascinated by it all.

Just as you were making your way out the door you heard a voice that made you turn around.

“Excuse me, i think you dropped this” it called out and echoed through the empty hall.

Sanding there you were met with brown eyes, looking down you saw he was holding out your ID badge which must have slipped out of your locker when you put it inside, or so you must have tried to.

“Thank you so much Mr Murphy” you smiled softly at your boss as you took the card from his hand and placed it inside your bag.

“You heading out Y/N?” he asked as he placed his hands into his trousers pockets.

Which you nodded and softly replied with a yes.

“Got any plans for tonight then?”

“Nope just going home and getting dinner, might get a takeaway on the way home” you shrugged as you looked up at his smiling eyes.

He let out a groan of satisfaction “i could kill for a takeaway right now”. which made you giggly softy.

“You wouldn’t mind if i came with you, would you?” he asked as he stepped closer to you.

“No, not at all sir” you rushed out as you felt your heart fling around in your chest, the man you had the biggest crush on was asking if he could walk with you, but he was also your boss so it felt kind of wrong at the same time.

“Oh stop, please call me Tim” he shook his head, you turned around as he started to walk with you to the door.

“Look after my bones Clyde!” he teased playfully as you guys both walked past the night guard who responded with something that you didn’t quite make out but it must have been funny since Tim started to laugh so you giggled to try fit in it too.

“So where we going” Tim asked as he rubbed his hands together as you both made your way out of the door and down the long line of steps.

“I was thinking chinese”

“Sounds great” he nodded before you guys both fell into peaceful quiet, it didn’t feel awkward at all and you enjoyed his company, a lot.

“Sooo, what made you want to be a tour guide at my museum, be careful with your answer i’m your boss after all” he asked with a little playful smirk playing at his lips.

“Well dinosaurs have always been a fascination of mine, anything to do with palaeontology really, i’ve been keeping up with your findings on your blog actually and when i saw you were opening up a museum i knew i had to find a job there, i used to work at the historical museum across town” you spoke which made Tim’s smile grow wider as he listen to you be at an awe with the whole topic he too loved, he understood everything you said.

You both stopped in front of the takeaway and Tim willingly opened the door for you as you stepped inside the warm place. The man took both your orders, Tim teasing you for getting so much but you explained that you always liked to have left overs.

“Do you live far away from here?” Tim asked as he sat himself down beside you on the brown wooden bench they had.

“No, just around 10 minuets away” you shook your head “how come?”.

“I’m walking you home of course” he smiled.

“You don’t have to do that”

“Need to make sure a beautiful girl like you gets home safe, especially at this time of night”

You were about to respond but the man called out that your food was ready and you both got up, fishing through your bag to find your money but by the time you had got it out Tim had already payed for it which made you groan out in annoyance.

“You didn’t have to do that either” you whined as you both thanked the man and walked out of the small shop.

“Oh hush, let me be a gentleman” he teased as he followed you to the direction of your apartment.

“Got anything planned for the weekend love?”

“Not that i know of, probably just sit around watching tv” you shrugged with a little blush climbing onto your face at the use of name he had for you.

He hummed in response, “I’m going out on a dig on saturday, if you’d like to join me”

You gasped and stopped walking which made him turn around in confusion with a raised eyebrow.

“Really?, your inviting me to a dig!?” you chocked our excitingly.

He chuckled at your excitement and nodded.

“I would love to, oh my gosh” you exclaimed loudly and you started to walk again with a big grin on your face.

For the next 5 minute walk back to your place you talked about your personal life’s, since talking about dinosaurs would have been a little too much already, since you both work around them.

“Well this is me” you smiled as you pointed up to the tall apartment building.

“I’m glad i caught you before you went home, it was nice to talk to you”

“Me too, i’ll see you saturday?” you questioned as you tilted your head out of habit which Tim thought was the cutest thing ever.

“Yes!, i’ll call you , since i already have your number from work and all”

“Goodnight Tim” you spoke as you stated to walk to your building with a smile still glued to your face.

“Goodnight Y/N, enjoy your food!” he smiled back as he watched you walk to your building and close the door behind you.

You let a big breath out that you didn’t know you were holding in and squeaked out in happiness and excitement, you had just made plans with your hot boss, you hoped it was a date honestly.

Just as Tim went to walk away he heard your squeal and shook his head with a chuckle at how adorable you were, but he wasn’t judging because inside he was feeling the same way too.

[nicolasnelson]

Hosie & Sizzie fic - Tabula Rasa

Title: Tabula Rasa Relationships: Hope/Josie, Sebastian/Lizzie, MG/Kaleb Additional Tags: Memory Magic, Inspired by Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Humor, Misunderstandings, Kissing, First Kiss, Getting Together, Monster Hunters Chapters: 1/3 Words: 3,631

Summary: Hope does a memory spell to make everyone forget her again. Problem is, they forget who they are and that magic exists. Meanwhile monsters from Malivore are closing in. Chaos ensues.

[AO3 LINK]

Read Chapter 1 below the cut:

Hope felt more alone than ever. All her friends remembered her now, but they were angry she’d kept her return a secret. No one bothered to ask her why she’d done it. Landon hadn’t even said a word to her, and Rafael had said they couldn’t talk anymore.

Everyone was leaving her. At least she’d be going back to Malivore soon. She could finally end this, and with luck, everyone would forget her again. But Hope wasn’t sure she could wait that long. The past few days had been unbearable. She felt nothing but pain and a loneliness that rendered her useless.

A knock sounded at her door. Hope didn’t have the energy to get up and answer it. She wrapped her blanket tightly around herself and returned her attention back to the show she was mindlessly watching. Anything to fill the void.

“Hope, please open up.” Josie’s voice.

That was the last person she wanted to see right now. She hadn’t spoken to her since she’d cast the spell to return everyone’s Malivore memories. Hope was too angry to see her. This was all Josie’s fault. If she’d just let sleeping dogs lie, Hope could have told everyone in her own time. They could have found another way to destroy the Croatoan.

“Please, Hope. This is an emergency. There’s a hoard of Malivore monsters heading for the school. We need you to help fight them off, to help protect Landon.”

Hope’s heart stuttered at the sound of his name. “Landon doesn’t want to see me.”

A blast sounded behind her. Hope whirled around to see the door had burst off its hinges. She glared at Josie. “What the hell was that for?”

“I wanted to make sure you were definitely in here before I forced my way in.”

“How did you find me?”

Josie held up a map with a splotch of blood on it. A simple location spell.

Hope sighed. She should have done more to mask her location. She was just so sure no one wanted to see her right now that she hadn’t bothered. Hope swiped at her tears, letting her messy hair fall across her face. She didn’t want Josie of all people to see her like this.

“Are you going to come and fight or what?”

“No one wants me there,” Hope said, hugging her legs and resting her chin on her knees.

“My dad does. And Lizzie too. I haven’t spoken to the others, but they all know you’re the best chance we have at fighting Malivore’s monsters. We’re all gathering in the library right now to prepare to defend the school. We voted and we want you to lead the fight. Come on, Hope, people do want you there.”

“Who voted against me?” Hope asked, raising her chin. Though she already knew the answer.

“Landon and Raf. Oh, and that new vampire. Or old vampire. Sebastian.”

Hope raised an eyebrow. “Ah, the one who saved us from the Croatoan. I’ve yet to meet him, but he sounds terrible already.”

“Come on, Hope. You know you’ll never forgive yourself if the monsters get Landon and you weren’t there to save him.”

Hope let out a long sigh. As much as she didn’t want to care anymore, she knew she still cared far too much. “Okay, fine. Let me just get my stuff together.”

She went into her room and gathered her weapons into a duffel bag. She glanced over her shoulder and listened carefully to make sure Josie wasn’t right outside the door. The creak of the couch sounded as the voices on the TV droned on.

Hope pulled out the spell book she’d been poring over last night and gathered the ingredients to a particularly useful spell. She struck a match and lit the bundle of sticks.

“For those who remember what Malivore obscured, this I char,” she chanted. “Let Lethe’s Bramble do its chore. Purge their minds of memories grim of pains from recent slights and sins. When the fire goes out, when the crystal turns black, the spell will be cast. Tabula rasa. Tabula rasa. Tabula rasa.”

— 

When they arrived at the Salvatore School library, Hope set down her weapon bag on an armchair and surveyed the group. Alaric was poring over books at a table in the middle of the room. Landon and Rafael stood nearby discussing different tactics superheroes in comics used to fight large groups of monsters.

A broody fellow was standing in a corner tracing his finger along the book titles. Lizzie walked over to him and handed him an old-fashioned outfit on a hanger.

“Seriously, Sebastian, you haven’t washed that outfit in six hundred years. People have been complaining.”

“Is it really so important that I smell nice going into battle?” Sebastian asked, his voice lofty and lilting. She couldn’t place his accent, but it sounded vaguely British. Not what Hope would have expected.

“It is if I’m fighting with you.” Lizzie pushed the clothes into his arms and held her nose.

Sebastian flitted out of there at vamp speed and returned a moment later dressed in the new clothes. He even looked like he had showered.

Hope turned her head to the side, sniffing herself cautiously. She’d put on deodorant, but she hadn’t taken the time for a shower. Hopefully she didn’t smell too bad.

“Much better,” Lizzie declared, practically fawning over him.

MG and Kaleb were standing by one of the display cases. They’d lifted the glass, and Kaleb was showing off a ring Hope recognized.

“Hey, that’s my father’s,” Hope said. “Be careful.”

“Chill, girl. I’m just trying it on. Gosh, this is so dope.” He admired the thick golden band.

“Oh, look, there’s another,” MG said. He snatched a gold ring from the case and slid it onto his finger. Hope was about to tell him that was her step-father’s but decided it wasn’t worth the trouble. She just needed to make sure they put them back before they headed in battle.

“What do you think, Lizzie?” MG asked, holding up his hand.

She rolled her eyes. “It looks stupid. Now can we get on with the monster fighting? What’s the plan, Hope?”

All eyes turned to Hope. She glanced at the crystal in her pocket. It was almost completely black. Good. She just needed to stall a little longer. “What do we know so far?” she asked Alaric, who was sitting at a table with a book in front of him, clearly in the middle of some research.

“We don’t know much about the monsters. Only that Malivore can now send more than one at once. The zombie from last time is among them, but I expect there might be vampires as well. All with the mark of Malivore carved into their foreheads.”

“Do we have any idea of their numbers?” Hope asked. “I was thinking we could scout—” The world swayed as lights danced before Hope’s eyes. She was vaguely aware of Rafael running towards her as she passed out.

A moment later the rest of them passed out too.

—

A group of nine strangers awoke in a room filled with bookshelves. They all looked around at each other, confused.

One girl awoke in the muscled arms of a handsome black guy. She tucked a strand of long brown hair behind her ear and backed away from him. She didn’t know who he was, or who anyone was, or even who she herself was.

“Hey, there.” The guy smiled at her, giving her an appreciative look. Did he know her? Was this some strange case of amnesia? Oh, God. She needed to get to a hospital right away.

“What is this place?” came a surly British accent.

She looked across the room at a guy dressed in a ruffled shirt, dark blue coat, and black trousers tucked into boots. He looked like he’d been transported through time. Or maybe she had been transported back through time. But no, most of the others were wearing clothes like hers.

“Does anyone remember anything?” the blond girl next to the British guy asked.

“No,” everyone said at once.

“Maybe we’re all just really drunk,” said a black guy with braids.

“I don’t see any drinks, and my breath doesn’t smell like alcohol. Also I don’t think drinking would make us forget who we are,” the blonde said.

A boy with curly dark hair dug a card out of his pocket and held it up triumphantly. “I found my student ID. It seems my name is Landon. I go to Salvatore Boarding School for the Young and Gifted. Oh, wow. I’m gifted. I must be really smart.”

“Oh, I go there too,” said the black guy with braids. “Maybe we’re friends. I’m Kaleb.” He gave Landon a fist bump.

“What’s your name?” Kaleb asked the guy standing next to him.

“Milton,” he said, making a face. “Gosh, why couldn’t I have a cool name like Kaleb or Landon?”

“I’m Hope Marshall.” Hope stood up and brushed off the dust from her pants. She was relieved to have a name now, even though she still had no idea about anything else.

“Oh, hey, you got a last name. No fair,” Landon said. He rushed over to look at her ID card. “You go to a different school.”

“Mystic Falls High School,” she said, nodding. Guess she wasn’t as smart as the others...

“I’m Rafael,” said the guy she’d woken up on top of. “I go to Salvatore too.” He looked at Hope. “Hey, do you think we’re dating? We woke up all huddled together like that.”

“I guess we must be,” Hope said. There was something incredibly familiar about him, and her heart was doing little somersaults in her chest.

“Looks like we’re in the library of Salvatore Boarding School.” Landon pointed to a picture on the wall. “Most of us are students, I’d guess, but who are you?” Landon asked the older guy sitting at the table.

The guy dug through his wallet and pulled out a driver’s license. “Alaric Saltzman.” He looked at the books in front of him on the table. “I’m quite a bit older than you all. I must be a teacher, or maybe I’m the librarian. I do seem to know my way around the books.”

“I know this sounds kind of crazy, but we look kind of alike, and I feel like I need to get your approval. Do you think you’re my father?” Landon asked.

Alaric studied him. “You know. I do feel very disappointed in you and like I need to protect you. You probably are my son.”

“So I’m Landon Saltzman,” Landon said proudly. “That’s right, Hope Marshall. Last name buddies!” He gave her a high five.

“Not that anyone cares but I’m Elizabeth,” said the blonde.

“That is a beautiful name,” said the broody British guy. “Unfortunately, I have not been able to locate any identification on my person.”

Elizabeth reached over to check the tag of his coat. “Oh, look, your name is Lysander.”

Lysander scoffed, running a hand through his dark hair. “My mother must have hated me. I cannot believe she had the audacity to label my clothes and name me Lysander. What kind of name is that? Lysander. It sounds like a plague.”

“At least it’s better than Josette,” said a girl with wavy brown hair.

“That’s not so bad,” said Elizabeth. “We can call you Jojo for short.”

She made a face. “God, that’s even worse.”

“What about Josie?” Hope said.

“Ugh.” Elizabeth made a puking face.

“No, I like that. Josie it is.” Josie gave Hope a shy smile.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “Whatever. We need to get to a hospital and figure out what’s going on.”

“Wait,” Landon said, jumping in front of her. “What if we’re just being punked? You guys could all be pretending, and I’m the only one who doesn’t remember.”

“None of us are pretending, you turnip,” Lysander grumbled.

“Maybe we’ve all been drugged,” Milton suggested. “That could explain why we don’t remember anything, right? Or we got hit on the head.”

“My head feels fine,” Kaleb said.

Josie walked over to them. “Oh, hey, you guys have matching rings. Are you two together?”

Milton and Kaleb looked at each other. “Maybe,” Milton said. “I feel like he would be my type. Strong-willed, handsome, clever.”

Kaleb grinned. “Aw, you’re making me blush. I don’t think I’d go for such a nerd, but there’s something really endearing about you.”

“Your ring,” Josie said, picking up Kaleb’s hand. “It has an M on it. M for Milton. And yours has a K for Kaleb. Guys, these look like wedding rings. I think you’re married.”

“Oh, nice.” Kaleb put his arm around Milton, smiling.

It was Milton’s turn to blush.

“Aw, you guys are so cute.” Josie looked around, wishing she had her own partner. A number of these people were good-looking, but the only one that really captivated her was the girl who was already dating someone. Hope, was it?

“Okay, everyone, let’s get out of here,” Elizabeth said, marching to the door.

“Who made you the boss?” Hope demanded.

“You guys are just sitting around, so I’m taking charge.” Elizabeth opened up the door.

Three men in horribly gruesome Halloween costumes growled at her. They had some weird symbol on their forehead, along with a ton of fake blood. They smelled horrible. Elizabeth slammed the door in their faces and backed up.

“It’s Halloween, isn’t it?” Elizabeth said, trying her best not to freak out. “Those were just costumes, right?”

“No, that smelled like real blood,” Lysander said, somehow certain of it, though he couldn’t explain why.

“How would you know?” Elizabeth asked, suspicious. “Are you a doctor, or something? Maybe you’re the one who trapped us here.” She crossed her arms.

“I assure you I did nothing of the sort.”

A crash sounded and the door flew open. They all screamed and backed away. Elizabeth picked up a sword from one of the glass cases and swung it at the approaching zombie. She kicked it backwards into the other one.

Lysander joined her, swinging a heavy book onto the monsters’ heads with surprising accuracy.

“I’m really good at this,” Elizabeth said, relishing the fact. “I must be a monster hunter. We make a good team, Lysander.”

“There’s a secret door in the wall over here,” Hope called. “It looks like it leads down somewhere.”

“I’ll check,” Rafael said. He ran down the stairs. A moment later he came back. “It looks like some sewers or tunnels. Definitely a way out.”

“Good. You guys use that to escape,” Elizabeth said, swinging at the zombie. “Lysander and I will hold off the monsters.”

“Oh, hold up. You’re not fighting them alone,” Kaleb said. “I’m going to help too.”

“Me too,” said MG.

“Look, here’s a whole bag of weapons,” Landon said. He passed them out to everyone.

“Okay, we split up,” Elizabeth said. “The rest of you go down the stairs and find a way out. We’ll hold them off as long as we can.”

The others hurried to obey, eager to be out of that room.

Elizabeth grabbed Lysander’s arm to get him out of the way of an attacking monster. She pushed the monster back with her other hand and the monster went flying backwards in a shower of sparks.

“Whoa,” she said. “Did you see that, guys? I have powers. I’m like a superhero or something.”

“No wonder you’re the boss,” Lysander said, laughing. He was looking at her in awe, clearly impressed.

“Hey, when you guys are done flirting, we could use some help over here,” Kaleb said. He was struggling to put an arrow in a crossbow.

Elizabeth marched over there and snatched it from him. As if by instinct, she placed the arrow in it and shot the zombie approaching them. “Why don’t you guys catch up with the others in the tunnels? Lysander and I have got this.”

“We can still help,” Kaleb insisted. “You can do magic, right? I found this book of magic on the table. Maybe I can find a spell you can use to stop the monsters.”

Milton grabbed Kaleb’s hand. “Come on, babe. They’ve got this.”

Kaleb looked disappointed. “There’s got to be something in the book. Come on, it’s worth a shot.”

Elizabeth huffed. “Fine, you two work on that. Lysander and I will draw them outside.”

It was easy enough to herd the monsters outside. There were twelve of them in total. This was going to be a long fight. Elizabeth glanced over at Lysander. He was strong, but he hadn’t displayed any magic skills.

One of the monsters opened its jaws displaying sharp, pointy teeth. “Oh, God, a vampire.” Elizabeth ran it through with a sword, but it didn’t slow it down even a little. She tried to knock it back with magic, but nothing happened when she thrust her hands forward.

Lysander suddenly appeared behind the vampire and snapped its neck. When he looked up at Elizabeth, dark veins spread under his eyes and long fangs protruded from his mouth.

Elizabeth yelped and stepped away, holding the sword between them. “Don’t come any closer.”

“What’s the matter, Elizabeth?”

She turned and ran.

“Elizabeth, would you slow down?”

—

Hope led the way through the underground tunnels. It was poorly lit with electric bulbs along the walls at intervals. Rats skittered across the damp floor, and a rank smell filled the place. Like old blood.

“Everyone okay?” Hope asked, glancing back at the others.

“So far,” Landon said, rubbing something sticky off his jacket. “I think I stepped into a spider web.”

Alaric placed a hand on his shoulder. “You should be more careful.”

“Sorry, Dad. It’s just really hard to see down here.”

“Post tenebras spero lucem,” Hope muttered. An orb of light burst forth in her hand. Everyone jumped, startled. “Okay, I have no idea where that came from.”

“You have magic,” Josie said, looking fascinated. “That is so cool.” She reached over to link arms with Hope. “I’m sticking with you from now on.”

Hope laughed. “Oh, it’s not that cool. Okay, it’s pretty cool. I wonder what else I can do.”

Landon was muttering the words Hope had spoken over and over again. “Dang it. I don’t have any magic.”

“Me neither,” Alaric said. “Looks like we’re both regular humans, son.”

“Yeah, I can’t do anything either,” Rafael said, shrugging. “Looks like Hope’s the only one.”

Josie said the spell, not expecting anything to happen. Light burst forth in her hand. “Oh, I can do it too,” she said excitedly.

“That’s great,” Hope said, smiling. “Maybe we were in like a coven together or something.”

“Yeah, we’re probably magic buddies.”

“Do you think we knew magic existed?” Landon asked. “Or are we not supposed to know? If it’s some big secret, then we should be pretty excited about this, right? I mean, it’s okay for me to be geeking out a little right now.”

“The book I was reading when I woke up was a magic book,” Alaric said. “I think I must have known about it, or at least suspected.”

Rafael wrapped an arm around Hope, pulling her away from Josie. “Well, I’m pretty sure I knew since I’m dating this goddess.”

Hope felt a little weird. She was pretty sure she liked him. Her heart was racing and her skin felt electric at his touch, but she couldn’t help glancing at Josie…

—

“Elizabeth, would you stop running for one moment?” Lysander grabbed her arm. He felt a pinch of pain and then he was flying backwards. He rubbed his head. “What was that for?”

“You’re a vampire!” Elizabeth yelled. She didn’t know why her magic only seemed to work when she was touching him, but that was hardly her concern at the moment.

“What? I am not a vampire,” he said, offended. “I am one of the good guys. I have been fighting by your side all this time, haven’t I?”

“Check your teeth.”

Lysander felt his canines. They were long and sharp. He sniffed the air and found he could smell blood. Goodness gracious, the girl was right. This did not make any sense to him.

“I hunt monsters like you,” Elizabeth said.

“And I feed on people like you.” He stepped closer to her, but she didn’t back away this time. Her chin was held high, and damn was that attractive. “So why don’t I feel the slightest urge to bite you? Instead I find myself drawn to you in a way I cannot explain. And why am I fighting against other monsters?”

“Maybe you’re not as powerful, and they pick on you for that.”

“No, that isn’t it,” he said with certainty. He knew he could hold his own in a fight. “I must be a noble vampire, far more intelligent than any of the monsters that give in to their thirst. I doubt I have had a drop of human blood in my life. I only feed on animals and hunt the villains who prey on humans.”

Elizabeth rolled her eyes, scoffing. “A good vampire? That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.”

“Yeah, well, maybe you have forgotten that along with everything else. Maybe I should remind you.” Lysander was taking a risk here, but it felt right in his bones. He wrapped a hand around Elizabeth’s waist and pulled her into a deep kiss.

Elizabeth felt like her skin was on fire. She wanted to get closer to the vampire. She dug her fingers through his hair and kissed his mouth, careful not to brush against his fangs. He tilted his head so his lips brushed her neck, and she melted into his arms.