#but call the cops on someone sleeping outside their job and then go in and alienate their black coworker

[trans-yllz]

queer liberals in ******** will claim to cater their small business to any characteristic you can possibly imagine and still "forget" homeless people

[whencartoonsruletheworld]

so like. fnaf movie. after night five, all outside observers know is "this 30yo guy with severe anger issues + his 10yo mentally ill sister just walked out of his collapsing workplace with an unconscious, stabbed police officer, saying that someone inside the building tried to kill them but we can't get into the building to check. we went to their house and the aunt who was fighting for custody of the child is dead on the floor. the guy's career counselor is missing, as is his babysitter and her family and apparently they're all dead in the building we can't get into." and like. that all looks suspicious as FUCK however we know that in the few-weeks timeskip both mike and abby seem happy and fine so it's not like mike was arrested or anything. he seems to be more adjusted and is happily talking with her teacher so i doubt he's under stress of interrogation or anything

there's a lot of implications there that mike mighta pulled something but it's all circumstantial evidence at best. i'm sure in jane's autopsy and crime scene evidence they couldn't find any evidence of mike being the one to attack her, esp since it was probably just golden freddy bopping her in the head so they dont even have the weapon, and if she was strangled they'd be able to tell it wasn't by bare hands and they couldnt get prints or anyth. especially if golden freddy is a FULL ghost and thus left no trail.

mike would be smart enough to only tell the cops what they need to know without mentioning ghosts to sound crazy. abby might be more honest with the cops just bc of #autism but they'd be more likely to consider her talking about ghosts and imaginary friends as a child's way of coping, and they cant get anything out of her that would incriminate mike. ADD TO THAT that mike has wounds that are clearly defensive and is SUPER banged up and his wounds would likely match his story way better than evidence of him attacking anyone, AND that there's likely footage and witnesses of him being in the pharmacy and then driving to work (and thus not in the area to attack jane), AND if/when nessie wakes up she'll probably vouch for mike as well, and the cops dont have anything on him

though i DO wonder if they would have records of vanessa patching him up in the police outpost. if they do, that would also back up mike's story as it's 1) far away from the aunt jane crime scene, 2) confirms that he and vanessa were working together, so either she's complicit in Crime™ or his story is accurate and she was helping him save his sister. him going to defend her instead of calling backup is also consistent with his personality of getting triggered and jumping into action around child abduction, esp w/ his sibling in danger

considering what abby would probably say, AND the history of freddy's, it's likely that they would come to the conclusion of is "someone [likely the og kidnapper from the 80s] found out that the guy working at freddy's had a sister, kidnapped abby from her house while her aunt was babysitting and tried to recreate the crimes, his story of him and vanessa defending her and escaping vaguely checks out." whether or not mike would incriminate vanessa by mentioning her dad was the killer is up in the air, and there's obviously some huge holes that are left from nobody believing that there are ghosts in the building but that would probably be the eventual conclusion

but throwing that all away, it would be really, REALLY funny if the rest of the town, being really fuckin nosy and getting into the juiciest gossip they've had in decades, took one look at michael "big teddy bear falling asleep on himself" schmidt and said "there's no way. there's no way this guy murdered his aunt, stabbed an officer and then destroyed his own workplace, especially when he really needed that job and was on sleeping medication," and then turned around to look at abby "neurodivergent in the early 2000s (ableist af time period)" "vocally hates her aunt" "doesn't talk to anyone and claims that she can see ghosts" "vaguely possessive of her brother" "claims that she found the guy who hurt her friends and got him jumped by a cupcake(?)" schmidt and said "oh my god. it was her."

and nobody's gonna directly say anything but they've got cautious eyes on the situation and someone quietly slips mike a copy of the bad seed to see if he has a realization but instead he's just like "hey this book kinda reminds of that golden freddy kid lmao. wonder how he's doin" and then we smashcut to golden freddy kid poking springtrap with a stick

[revelboo]

you producing first so quickly has me inspired to start writing again

That’s awesome! Writing is an escape for me. It can feel like work sometimes, but these are just for fun and I missed writing things that didn’t need to be perfect or meticulously planned out

My Favorite Accident Pt 3

TFP Knockout x Reader

• Slowly following at a distance, he can’t understand why you wouldn’t just let him permanently take care of the problem, namely that other human who’d dared lay hands on you. And because that man’s still alive, he’s had to tail you to make sure you get home safely. While he doubts the man will go anywhere near you after a run in with him, it still bothers him. That uncertainty that something might happen to you if he’s not there as he keeps remembering the fear in your eyes. Realizing that you’re not as tough as you act. No one gets to frighten you like that, except maybe him.

• Pulling into the apartment complex, you press your head back against the headrest. Your nerves finally catching up to you during the drive, leaving your hands faintly trembling at what might have happened. At what likely would have happened if not for Knockout. And maybe he’s right and you should have let him take care of Ricky, but siccing your big, alien racing buddy on that idiot didn’t exactly sit well with you. And there’s that baffling, snarling protectiveness of Knockout’s to figure out, too. He’d been furious, more than ready to stomp the guy just for touching you. Like having your own giant, psychotically violent bodyguard.

• This is where you live? Headlights dimmed, his engine snarls. While he doesn’t claim to know much about human dwellings, this building looks like it’s seen better days. Actually, it looks like burning it down would be doing you a favor. Especially when he sees the other residents lingering outside watching you. Absolutely not. Shifting on his tires, he watches you park and get out, lifting a hand in greeting to the group hanging out. But also reaching back to where you keep that pitiful little knife. That unconscious gesture rubbing him the wrong way and driving home that this place isn’t safe for you and you know it.

• A few more race wins and you’ll have enough for a down payment on a better apartment. Letting yourself inside, there’s time to shower and change, then you’re falling into bed. Too aware that your little extra rendezvous with Knockout have cut your sleep time to five hours, then it’s up for your day job. Every penny you can get going toward getting out of here. Because what would that be like? To not be scared all the time, shuddering as the guys hanging out in the front start yelling at each other and you pull a pillow over your head. Eventually someone calls the cops on them as another unit gets off third shift and cranks rock and roll to rattle your windows.

• He knows he’s been gone too long from the Nemesis, that he’s going to be missed, but hates leaving you here in this pit forsaken cesspool you apparently call home. It bothers him enough he stays the night, watching the drama unfolding right outside your door and getting angrier and angrier, because this is unacceptable. And he’s going to have to do something about it.

Previous

Next

[bambikisss]

Django :: J.Yunho

-> Cop! Yunho x Criminal! Reader

-> Django: ATEEZ

-> After the bounty on you is raised, Yunho is sent out to go looking for you. What happens when he actually does find you outside of a club?

-> Warnings: Use of nicknames (Slut, princess, baby), degradation, spanking, use of handcuffs, car sex, from the back, ROUGH, oral (both reciving), Outlaw Yunho (deserves his own warnings at this point)

A/N: I have returned! I've been excited for ATEEZ's outlaw release, so I immediately thought of cop Yunho with Django. Plus, I just saw a video of Yunho getting mad and I immediately knew I had to write something about him. You are also nicknamed Django in this as well

Not proofread | Comments and reblogs are appreciated!

"Officer Yunho! Hey!" The busy police office doesn't stop Wooyoung from calling him as he enters the office, sighing as he asks what he wants. He had just came back from booking a criminal who punched him in the jaw, so he wasn't in the mood for whatever Wooyoung wanted to gossip about.

Before Wooyoung could show Yunho the meme he found, the police captain enters the room, passing around a wanted poster that was freshly printed. "Alright everyone, all hands on deck! We finally got a good picture to put on the wanted poster of the robber who has been making rounds around the city. She needs to be captured as soon as possible! The citizens of this city are constantly complaining about us not finding her."

Yunho nods at the captain's words, remembering the old lady earlier who was lecturing him while he was putting someone in his backseat. His eyes look over the wanted poster, noticing the now high bounty on you.

WANTED: Y/N AKA Django.

10 thousand dollar bounty! He can't help but scoff, knowing no one would turn someone else in for such a low bounty. He has often told his captain that they needed to raise the amount to actually make the citizens care, but his words were brushed off. His words were always brushed off, despite being one of the top cops who brought in the criminals. As he was preparing to go out on patrol to avoid doing any office work, the captain stopped him, handing him a stack of the wanted posters, giving him the silent look to go put them up all around the city. Yunho didn't even try to object, sighing as he accepting the papers before leaving the office, not wanting anyone else to add to his work load.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "No, ma'am, I cannot arrest him for parking here. This parking spot is not yours as it's public parking." Yunho couldn't help but sigh as he tried to hold back his anger at the woman's yelling, wanting nothing more than to yell back at her. But, he couldn't do that, not when he had this job to help people, even if they were centimeters from his face yelling about something as small as a parking spot.

Once he was finally back in his car, he drove a good bit away so he could be alone for a bit. Even though it was a good bit past midnight, the calls were still rampant. In moments like theses, it often made him wonder why he chose this job. He tossed his head back to rest against the headrest, taking a deep breath to help calm himself before he his phone began to ring, vibrating the many wanted posters of the criminal he still hadn't posted around the city. He answered the phone, returning to his natural position as he listened to Wooyoung.

"I'm currently working on the program for our bodycams, so I'm just calling to let you know that they'll be done for a while. I suggest you get some sleep while you can." Yunho thanked him before hanging up, smiling at the idea of finally being able to be asleep. He'd have to thank Wooyoung later for giving him a heads up.

As he returned to his upright position, he noticed someone walking out of a club, the woman walking right past the cop car. He couldn't help but admire the woman, his eyes moving over her beautiful short dress and heels.

Maybe he could do something else besides sleeping for the time being.

"Excuse me!" he got out of his car, jogging to catch up with the woman. He hoped he wasn't scaring her as he knew how some people felt about the police suddenly approaching them, but he hoped his charms could keep her from feeling so scared. He jogged in front of the woman, smiling as she met his eyes. "Sorry for bothering you, miss, but I-"

Oh. My. God.

Yunho paused as he made eye contact with the woman, his mind going back to the many wanted pictures that sat in the passenger seat of his car. He watched as a slow smile crept onto your lips, realizing that you're Y/N.

He just caught Django.

"You're under arrest, Y/N. Or, could I say Django." You tilted your head as you watched him roughly grab his handcuffs from his belt, the metal glimmering in the moonlight as he roughly grabbed your arm. You mentally cursed yourself for not realizing the car you walked in front of was a cop car, let alone the man you stopped to talk to was a cop. You tried to move from his strong hands, but he only pulled you closer to him, handcuffing your hands behind your back before he moved closer to you, pressing his chest to your back as he said into your ear "finally caught you, bitch." You would usually beat someone up for calling you a bitch, but to hear Yunho say it with a deep voice, filled with anger made your body warm up and your panties dampen. You wouldn't lie; he was hot and if he wasn't pushing you to get into his car, you would've given yourself to him to have his way with you. You were dying to know what was underneath the tight cop clothes that only showed off his muscles, mentally moaning at his roughness as he shoved you into the backseat before slamming the door shut.

Yunho couldn't believe he had been the one to catch you, smirking as he thought about what he could do with that lousy prize money- while it wasn't a lot, it was could be enough for a trip somewhere, maybe even a cruise.

He quickly got into the front seat before he began driving, thinking about what to do with you now that he had you handcuffed in his backseat. He knew that if he brought you back to the precinct, he wouldn't get the credit he deserved, plus you had escaped before so he couldn't bring you there. He bit his lip before pulling over into a empty alleyway, deciding to call his captain to tell him the great news. He looked back at you in the rearview mirror, gasping lightly as he noticed your legs now spread, giving him a perfect view of your now wet lace panties as your head rested back against the headrest. The image of you like that made his mouth water and pants tighten, cursing softly as he ripped his eyes from you. He waited at the tone for his captain to answer before he cursed as his voicemail began to speak. The one time he actually wanted this man to answer the phone, he wasn't. Yunho sighed before cursing softly, remembering that his body cams were off.

Why would he wait for the other police to punish you when he could? You gasped as the backseat door was ripped open, Yunho's hand moving to roughly pull you from the backseat to your knees in front of him, your knees now resting against the wet alleyway ground as he looked down at you with angry eyes. "What the fuck are you-"

"Shut up, slut. I suggest you do as I say or I'll make sure you'll spend the rest of your life behind bars." You jumped at his rough voice, watching as he began to unbuckle his pants, pushing them down his thick thighs to show you his large cock, hard and standing at attention against his stomach. Your mouth couldn't help but water, leaning forward to get a taste before hissing as his hand moved to grip your hair, roughly pulling your hair back so you could see his face, his tongue poking his cheek as his eyes darkened. "No. Good girls get to taste this cock. I don't think I should even let you look at it, let alone taste it." You were about to speak, your words cut off my his hand moving from your hair to roughly grip your cheeks, growling as he heard you whimper at his rough movements. It only made his cock harder, twitching in front of you, making you moan.

"You want this cock, you're going to earn it. Tonight, you belong to me- you are mine. You will answer to me or I will stop and drop you off in the jail in an instant." You nodded at his rough voice, mentally moaning when you hear him chuckling before moving forward, pushing only the head of his cock into your mouth, tossing his head back as your tongue moved around to gather the precum eagerly. Yunho closed his eyes at the feeling of your warm tongue moving over the slit of his cock before he decided he had enough, tossing his head forward to watch as he pushed the rest of his cock into your mouth, going down your throat in a slow pace. He watched as your eyes watered due to his large size, his hips moving in a slow pace as he clicked his tongue, shaking head in disappointment before removing his cock from your mouth.

"You want me to take care of that wet pussy you were showing me earlier, right slut?" you nodded at his question, gasping as his hands forcefully opened your mouth before he roughly pushed his cock back down your throat. "Then hurry up and pleasure me. Show me what you're good for, slut."

You nodded, your fingers digging into your wrist as you began to move your head along his cock, moaning around his long, thick length. You met his eyes while you did so, making Yunho moan as you moaned around him again, making him toss his head back against the wall. You moved faster as he cursed softly, praising you in between his moans.

"There we go, slut, now you're showing me what you're good for, fuck!" His voice raised as his hips began to move, dragging his length all the way out of your mouth before slamming back down your throat, making you choke around his length at his hard pace. You couldn't help but moan at rough he was being with you, squeezing your own legs to offer yourself some pleasure as he continued to fuck your throat at a fast pace. You soon felt his cock twitch, letting you know that he was going to cum. Yunho showed no sign of slowing down, though, moving even faster before roughly stopping his hips against your face as his cum filled your throat, choking out a moan before he slowly pulling out of your mouth as you cough, a mixture of drool and cum dripping down your mouth as you did so.

Yunho smirked before his thumb moved across your skin, gathering the mixture before shoving it back into your mouth, humming as your tongue moved around it to gather the mixture. He felt his cock harden immediately, hooking his thumb into the side of your mouth before helping you stand, ushering you to get back into the car. You carefully crawled in, gasping as you felt his hand meet your ass roughly, surely going to leave a mark as the car door slammed closed behind him. You rested your head against the seat as you felt his hands move around your body, pushing up your already short dress up your waist before kissing around your ass and lower back, whispering praises as he did so.

"I think you earned a bit of a surprise, don't you, princess?" He asked against your lower back, his hands moving to pull down your panties in a slow pace. You nodded, your brain too fuzzy from him face fucking you to think clearly. Yunho smirked at your state before letting his fingers move along your wetness, chuckling as he listened to you mewl at the teasing feeling. "What if my other officers were on duty tonight and caught you walking in front of their car wearing this slutty little dress instead of me, huh? Would you let them get a taste of this pretty pussy like this, princess?" He chuckled as you let out an almost drunk sounding "no, only you!"

"Fuck, yes that feels so good!" You moaned loudly as his finger suddenly plunged into your wet heat, his tongue soon following while he tasted you, making you moan loudly. It seemed like everything about Yunho was big- his cock, his muscles, even his tongue and fingers were big as he ate you out, his fingers moving in you at a rapid pace. He groaned as he felt his cock twitch underneath himself, letting his fingers move from you to lubricate himself before pumping himself, moaning loudly into your wet cut. The sounds and noises you were making for him made him move his own hand faster along his cock, plunging his tongue deeper into you to capture more of your wetness. You tasted so fucking sweet to him, making him want more of you.

It almost made him mad that his bodycam was off- he wanted to be able to watch the footage back of him having you like this.

"C-cum, I'm going to-" Your whimpers were cut off with a noise of disappointment as Yunho immediately removed his tongue from your wet cunt at your words, making you whine louder before yelping as his hand laid another spank to your ass. Before you could ask what the fuck he was doing edging you like this, you gasped at the feeling of his cock slowly pushing it's way into your cunt. Yunho swore it felt better than heaven; the way it wrapped deliciously around his long, thick cock made him toss his head forward with a loud moan, spanking you again. "That's such a nice pussy, baby. Too bad I'm going to ruin it"

That was the only warning you got before he began to pound into you, rocking your body as his hips roughly met the plush of your ass. He grunted as his hands held onto your handcuffed hands for balance, driving his hard cock into you at a fast pace. He tossed his head back as you moaned loudly, the feeling your orgsam soon washing over you as you toss your own head back, coating his cock in your warm cum. You laid against the seat limp as all of your energy left your body, trying to catch your breath as you felt him slowly pull out of you with a wet pop. You winced at the wet sound, wanting nothing more than to fall asleep against the leather seats.

"Don't think I'm done with you, slut. This is your punishment."

You gasped as you felt Yunho pick you up, sitting himself down before having you hover over his hard cock. You whimpered as he slowly sunk you back down onto it, moaning as you noticed the bulge forming in your stomach from how big he was. Once you were fully seated on his cock, Yunho noticed how tried you were, clicking his tongue before slapping your ass, grunting out "you better get to riding slut or that jail is going to be where you're laying your head for the night" "It's hard to ride you with my hands behind my back" You moaned out harshly, letting your head rest back against the front seat as you tried to catch your breath. Yunho chuckled, before leaning forward to kiss your neck, leaving marks along your neck before pulling back from you, holding up the handcuffs that were around your wrists. "There. Now ride me."

You nodded at his demanding voice, placing your hands on his shoulders before bouncing along his cock at a fast pace, moaning loudly at the feeling of his cock grazing your G-spot. Yunho moaned before smashing his lips against yours, gripping your hips to help you move along his cock at a fast pace as the sound filled the car. He let his tongue move to meet yours as you moved faster, panting into the kiss at the feeling of him going so deep into you.

"Fuck, Y/N baby, if you keep riding me like this I'm gonna fill you up with my cum." he couldn't help but laugh breathlessly as he tossed his head forward to let his lips hover over yours as you bounced his hands gripping your breasts now to for leverage as he fucks up into you, saying "and if you make me cum hard enough, I'll let you fucking go. Yeah baby, ride me hard like that and I'll let you go free"

You let his words provide sudden motivation to you as you begin to ride him again, meeting his rough thrusts as you bounce, gripping his hair as you pressed your foreheads against each other, moaning loudly as the wet sounds become louder int he car, the car moving with the force of you two.

"That's it, Y/N, I'm going to cum! You better cum with me, let me fill you up with my fucking cum!" Yunho tossed his head back as he slammed your down on his cock, an almost animalistic moan leaving his mouth as he cums, roughly kissing you as you squeeze around him, both your cums now coating your thighs and his cock. You both panted into the kiss before he carefully helped you to lay back against the leather seat, slowly pulling out of you as your legs shook.

You let your eyes close as you heard the car door close before the car turn on, being too tired to do anything as you slowly fell asleep. You soon woke up to the sound of Yunho on the phone, fully dressed in his police uniform as he spoke to who you figured to be his captain. You fixed your dress as you felt a surge of nervousness fill your body, reaching for the car door, feeling surprised as the car door opens, showing you it was unlocked. As you slipped out from the backseat, you realized Yunho had brought you back to where he had originally found you. You turned to him as he held out his card, his number written on it before he said to whoever he was on the phone with "Did I find Django? Y/N? No, I didn't."

You caught him smirking at you as you accepted the card, smiling back at him as you exited the car, the last thing you hear him say before you close the door being "yes I will go patrol and look for her." You carefully closed the door as he drove away, looking down at the card he gave you with his number on it.

Call me, Django ;)

[fluentmoviequoter]

Blue and Red

Pairing: David 'Deacon' Kay x fem!firefighter!reader

Summary: You are a firefighter who has a unique rivalry with Sergeant Deacon Kay. When you're injured while working together, Deacon learns why the rivalry started.

Warnings: fluff, angst, reader gets shot, Luca is smarter than Hondo, lots of teasing and playful arguments, parts of this are inspired by S.W.A.T. episode 4x7 "Under Fire"

Word Count: 2.7k+ words

Picture from Pinterest

“Well, if it isn’t the fireflies,” Hondo taunts, drawing attention to the firefighters walking in.

“Still upset we beat your team of Girl Scouts?” your captain replies.

Feeling eyes on you, you turn to the side and smile when you see him.

“Sergeant Kay,” you greet.

He says your name, taking a step toward you before asking, “Come to see what a real job looks like?”

“Actually, we were just hoping to steal some of your donuts before going over to the elementary school and inspiring the next generation.”

“Yeah, go tell a bunch of kids how much fun fire is. You must be bored.”

You press your lips together, raising your brows before turning back toward your crew.

“We’re covering for your on-call crew,” you tell Hondo.

“The city should be terrified,” Street deadpans.

“With that haircut out in public, you’re absolutely right,” someone quips.

“Still single?” Deacon asks, suddenly closer to you.

“No, I’m actually engaged to an attorney now,” you answer. “Rich guy.”

You watch Deacon, surprised to see him silent for once.

“Yes, I’m still single,” you admit, saving him from whatever thoughts were rushing through his head. “And I know you are.”

“You can’t know that.”

Turning toward him as your crew prepares to leave, you lay a hand on his chest and pout.

“You’re a cop, Deac. You never sleep at home, and you have no money; I know you’re single.”

Winking at him, you step backward before waving and following your crew back to the truck.

“Call us when you need us!” you yell, saluting Deacon.

He rolls his eyes, freezing as he sees Luca staring at him.

“What?” Deacon asks.

“Nothing, just wondering if you’re on the same page of the rivalry handbook as us.”

“They’re firefighters,” Deacon answers.

“And you’ve been tainted,” Luca says, looking at Deacon’s chest where your hand was.

“You treat her differently, too.”

“Yeah, because she’s a girl, not because I want to know if she’s single.”

“20-David, let’s roll!” Hicks yells, interrupting Deacon and Luca’s conversation.

Deacon crosses his fingers that you have a quiet day, not because he doesn’t want to see you, but because he doesn’t want you in harm’s way.

✯✯✯✯✯

“You’re a terrible person.”

Deacon turns around quickly, surprised to hear someone else.

“Really?” he asks, shaking his head.

“Yep,” you reply, popping the ‘p.’ “Cops are good for one thing and one thing only, but there isn’t a single donut in here.”

“You think these abs happen with donuts?”

You lower your gaze to Deacon’s stomach, smiling when he fights a squirm at your attention.

“Looks like a six-pack of donuts to me,” you answer, falling back against the couch in the S.W.A.T. common area.

“There’s donuts in the break room outside of S.W.A.T. if you really want one.”

“My captain will kill me if I eat a donut. They only keep me around for funding. Apparently, women in uniform get more donations.”

Deacon hums, and you sit up quickly, glaring at him.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“Just an interesting take.”

“You know what else is interesting? That you can’t beat the firefighters in the annual competition. Despite the fact that we have a higher number of female competitors.”

“I didn’t mean it like that,” Deacon says.

You hide your smile to storm past him and say, “Interesting take.”

✯✯✯✯✯

“No, it isn’t,” Deacon argues.

“No what isn’t?” you ask, interrupting his conversation with Hondo. “I’m bored,” you answer, replying to their unasked question of why you’re here.

Deacon shrugs before filling you in. “Hondo thinks the firefighter outreach to schools is just to give the teachers a break and encourage the kids.”

You look between Deacon and Hondo, surprised that Deacon is on your side.

“Deacon’s right,” you respond. “It’s not for the teachers in any way, it’s for the kids.”

“Most of those kids don’t become firefighters, they just like to look at the big red truck for an afternoon.”

“This morning, we went to an elementary school and there was a blind kid in one of the classes we talked to. His favorite toy is a fire truck, but he’s never seen one. So, we took him to the side, let him feel every inch of our uniforms, and then took him into the truck. His teacher said he’d never been that excited before, and when we were getting ready to leave, he hugged me and told me that he’d be a firefighter someday. And you’re right, he may not, but the smile on his face when he got to sit in a real version of his favorite toy and find out what a uniform feels like? It’s worth it, no matter the reason.”

Hondo tilts his head as he concedes.

“You’re right. I mean you’re wrong about everything because you’re a firebug but yeah, the kids are important,” he says.

Your radio turns on just as Hicks enters to call Deacon and Hondo.

“We’ve got an armored barricade at a bank,” he says.

“Meet you there. Loser buys dinner and donuts don’t count!” you yell over your shoulder as you run out.

“Firefighters,” Hondo groans under his breath while Deacon smiles at you.

✯✯✯✯✯

You are at the sight and in your turnout gear several minutes before Black Betty rolls up, stopping in front of the fire truck.

“Oh good, the boys in blue are here,” you say, your lack of enthusiasm causing your crew to laugh.

“You need to stay behind Black Betty until you’re cleared to go in,” Hondo reminds.

“Which, based on your track record, is about thirty minutes after the block is burned to a crisp,” your captain replies. “Stop telling us what we know and do your job.”

“Be careful,” you add quietly, looking at Deacon.

He nods, and you move to the back of the truck, readying your gear for entry.

When you hear a steady stream of gunfire, your breath catches. Deacon breached with Hondo and Street while the rest of his team went around the sides.

“26-David, shots fired,” Street’s voice comes through the radio.

Another shot echoes, but it sounds much closer than the first.

“That wasn’t in the bank,” you tell your captain.

“20-David this is Engine 35, there’s another shooter,” he radios.

“22-David, copy Engine 35. Shooter to the West of the bank; stay in place,” Luca responds.

Glancing toward the back of the truck, you see something move and reflect the sun on a rooftop. One of your crew members is past Black Betty's protection, and you don’t hesitate to run toward him, tackling him to the ground just as another shot rips through the air.

✯✯✯✯✯

“20-David, suspect down, code 4 and clear for entry,” Hondo says, standing behind a desk.

“Deac!” Luca yells as he enters the front door.

“25-David, second suspect down,” Tan reports.

“Where was the second shooter?” Hondo demands.

“Roof next door,” Luca answers, trying to say something to Deacon before Hondo cuts him off again.

 “Where’d he shoot?”

“I’m trying to tell you,” Luca snaps. “He got two firefighters.”

The world seems to slow around Deacon as he runs out.

✯✯✯✯✯

The gunfire in the bank continues, and you stare at the door, hoping that Deacon walks out completely unscathed. Holding a spare shirt to your side, you lean against the side of the fire truck as your crew moves everything and everyone behind Black Betty.

“We need to get her out of here,” someone says.

“Ambulance can’t get down here until we’re clear and we don’t have the supplies to safely remove a bullet,” a second voice answers.

“I’m fine,” you interject, wincing against the pain as you twist toward them. “You need to be ready to put that fire out as soon as they radio a code 4.”

✯✯✯✯✯

You blame the adrenaline for how conscious and coherent you are five minutes after getting a bullet to the abdomen. When you see Deacon running out, you sigh and slump against the truck, wanting to kiss him and slap him simultaneously: concern and anger mixing in your mind.

“Back up,” Deacon demands, shooing your crew members away and toward the small fire in the bank vault as he pulls a bag from Black Betty.

“You scared me,” you admit when he turns toward you.

His eyes are soft and scared as he looks into yours. 

“You’re scaring me too, so we’re even.”

Someone screams down the street, and Hondo and Luca detour before seeing you. Street approaches behind Deacon, and his eyes widen when he sees you.

“I need to move this,” Deacon tells you gently, pulling the shirt from your tight grasp and exposing the wound.

“Ambulance is here, Deac,” Street says, patting his shoulder gently.

Deacon nods, pressing a fresh gauze against you with more pressure than you had. You groan, and he slams his eyes shut as his jaw clenches.

“Gonna pass out,” you mutter, raising a bloody hand to lay over Deacon’s.

“Hey, no, stay with me,” Deacon demands, raising his voice when your hand slackens. “Open your eyes right now!”

You shake your head, barely visible, before the paramedics take you away from Deacon. Or try to.

“Sergeant, we got her.”

“Deacon,” Street says quietly, “Let them take her.”

Deacon stumbles back, standing as he watches them load you onto a stretcher. He nods when they tell him which hospital you’re going to, but as soon as you’re out of sight, his eyes drop to your blood all over his hands and up his sleeves.

“The other firefighter is fine, just a flesh wound,” Luca fills in. “That scream was just some kids, so we’re good.”

“Who was the other injury?” Hondo asks.

Street whispers your name, and Hondo looks at Deacon before leading him toward a nearby patrol car. 

✯✯✯✯✯

While he waits in the hospital, Deacon scrubs his hands until they hurt. The rest of his team was called away, but Hicks knew better than to ask Deacon to leave someone alone in the hospital.

“Sergeant?” a nurse asks, holding a door open. “Follow me.”

You look peaceful, asleep in the hospital bed. Deacon hates it. He doesn’t like you peaceful, he decides immediately. Teasing him, testing his patience, being mean to him, that’s how he wants you, needs you.

“The doctor will be by in a few minutes to fill you in,” the nurse says gently. “She’s a fighter.”

Deacon nods, pulling a chair beside your bed and taking your hand in his. Your fingers squeeze his just before you turn your head and open your eyes.

“Hey,” you whisper.

“Hi.”

“Why are you here? Wasn’t there another call?”

Deacon’s brows furrow, wondering how you knew that.

“The doctor said something about it before I went into surgery. Why didn’t you go?”

“I couldn’t leave you here alone.”

You smile, and though your lips are chapped, Deacon thinks you look beautiful. It hit him quickly at the bank, the realization that he needs you. Not knowing if you were okay made him feel like a piece of him was missing.

Blinking quickly, you try to focus on Deacon, but something is wrong. He notices, too, worriedly saying your name. You watch his mouth move but don’t hear anything before your eyes close, and the heart rate machine starts beeping rapidly.

Two nurses and a doctor run in, pushing Deacon back wordlessly and gathering around you so he can’t see you. He does hear the flatline, though, as he realizes he missed his chance to tell you.

“Ow,” you groan just before the nurses laugh.

Deacon’s heart seems to stop as he watches one step back.

“What was that?” he asks her.

“A pretty common reaction to one of the medicines, but when she rolled over, the IV and heart monitors were disrupted. She’s completely fine, Sergeant, just going to be a little sore,” she answers kindly.

“She owes you her life,” the doctor adds on his way out.

When you see Deacon again, you can’t tell if he’s angry or terrified. Either way, you offer a small “Sorry.”

Deacon takes a deep breath before walking to the side of the bed, his thighs hitting it as he looks directly into your eyes. He raises his hands and gently cups your cheeks, bending down toward you.

“Don’t ever scare me like that again,” he begs, his voice rough.

“I’m sorry,” you say, leaning toward him. “But you scared me too. I heard all those shots and didn’t know.”

Deacon sighs, resting his forehead against yours. He nods before stepping back, taking his previous seat, and placing his hand over yours.

“Do you need anything?” Deacon asks.

You shake your head, asking him if everyone else is okay.

✯✯✯✯✯

“Is he holding her hand?” Hondo asks.

Your captain hums, and Hondo shakes his head.

“This changes things.”

“What are you talking about?” Luca asks with a laugh. “This changes nothing.”

“They hate each other, they’re at each other’s throats daily,” Hondo points out.

��Because they like each other. Cop/firefighter relationships bring out the schoolboy approach: bullying.”

“He’s right, Hondo,” your captain affirms. “Not surprised you didn’t catch on though, playboy.”

“Easy,” Hondo replies.

“Are we going to check on them?” Luca asks.

“Not today. She’s perfectly fine with him,” your captain promises, turning toward them. “And I’ve had a bit too much of your kind today. Enjoy having your regular team back tomorrow; God help them.”

✯✯✯✯✯

“It hurts.”

“Well, you did get shot,” Deacon says. “You want me to find a nurse?”

You shake your head, then stop moving when your eyes land on Deacon’s sleeves.

“You haven’t been home yet?”

“No. Why would I?”

“I was in surgery, you had time. You could have gone right after, too.”

Deacon looks at his sleeves, where your blood stains are a harsh reminder of the emotions Deacon experienced just a few hours earlier. As if he’s back in that moment, Deacon looks to you.

“Help me up?” you ask, interrupting him.

“You’re not supposed to,” Deacon argues.

“I need to. Please?”

Deacon hesitates but helps you sit up before pulling you to your feet, hovering right in front of you, and letting you hold his forearms.

“I’m sorry,” you say quietly. “For scaring you. But thank you for staying with me. I need you.”

Unwilling to miss another opportunity, Deacon whispers, “I love you.”

You smile, but Deacon is more concerned with keeping you upright than your facial expressions.

“I keep going back to that moment when I ran out of the bank and you were just sitting there, covered in blood but watching me; you were alert and up. And as soon as you saw me, you said something, and then that light just went out.”

Deacon takes a breath to continue, but you don’t let him, tugging his forearms to bring him down to your level. He bends without thought, and you kiss him, sliding your hands up his arms to hold his shoulders. Deacon responds easily, moving against you as he moves his hands to your hips. He pushes you back against the bed so you sit. Kneeling, Deacon follows you and stays at your level. As you kiss, your worry and pain seem to disappear.

“You’re pushy,” you tease as you take a breath.

Deacon chuckles, looping an arm around the uninjured side of your waist as he leans toward you.

“But I love you,” you add quietly.

His smile grows, and Deacon kisses you quickly, his smile pressed against yours.

“Even though I never sleep at home and don’t have any money?” he repeats your earlier comment.

“I don’t either.”

“Then we’re a perfect match.”

You laugh, hiding your face in Deacon’s neck.

“The cop and the firefighter… who knew?”

Your smile falls when you sit up and look at Deacon.

“I did,” you confess. “Why do you think I teased you so much? So differently than the rest of S.W.A.T.?”

Deacon suddenly remembers every example of how you spoke to him versus Hondo or Luca; it was always a little nicer, delivered with a smile.

“You’ve known?”

“You didn’t?” you ask with a bright smile. “I guess I’ve got a lot to teach you, Blue.”

“That’s going to stick isn’t it?” Deacon grumbles, moving his hand to cup your cheek again.

“It sure is,” you answer happily. “Because I love you, Blue.”

“I love you.” Deacon’s smile grows before he adds, “Red.”

[nineinch-nailgun]

I fucked this up so I ahd to reedit it AUGH

Weird pet pt 3

So, it's been a month now and you still have that thing in your basement. Lord knows why you haven't set it free or called the cops but it's too late now. The mimic you have locked in your basement had proven to be... kind of stupid. Maybe it was young and an inexperienced hunter but everytime you went down to feed and water it, he would just stare. No attempt to attack or chase, just stare. His eyes were piercing like a Phineas Gaige flagpole. He was patient too, if you considered foaming at the corners of the mouth while watching someone come down the stares with raw ham patient, that is.

Tonight is special, well not really. You got a raise recently at your dead-end job and thought you'd use your first extra hundred to get something extra for the massive beast that lived in your house rent free. As you sauntered down the steps you could practically hear the drops of slobber that plopped on the ground. He stood at his full obnoxious height- roughly around 7ft. He stared intensely as you got to the last step and place the food down on the 'meal towel', as you called it. You always made sure to take off the shitty plastic wrap- and you poured the water into the large bowl you'd gotten him. He honestly lived like an animal- but he didn't seem to mind too much. Compared to other mimics this could be considered the life of luxury, he gets to sleep and eat all day. No hunting, no running from human groups that want to kill him, no need to find shelter, and best of all it comes at no cost to him. He's practically spoiled, and wouldn't last a day out in the wild. You backed away from him and watched as he threw himself at the ham, devouring it like he'd not eaten ever in his entire life. He got to have more than just one tonight, and it was a little more expensive- and given how he ripped at it he seemed to think it tasted better too.

You suddenly remembered some of the things you'd left in your car from him, and decided to go and get them. You quickly drove yourself up the stairs, closing the basement door behind you. You got outside and opened the back of your car. Comforters and pillows. Your poor... beast mimic pet thing had to sleep on the cold hard floor while you learned to be more comfy with him. Now you'd went out and got him some nice cushions so he could maybe feel more at home- how domestic! You carried the rest of your spoils back into the house, cutting wrapping off of different things so he wouldn't try and eat it and choke and die. You weren't sure how smart that thing was but he seemed intelligent enough. You made your way back down the stairs and found he'd already finished his food. He stood there contentedly, eyes shut and he swayed a tiny bit. Oh yeah mimics have a whole... "digestion mode" thing. He heard you though, and lazily opened his eyes. His perpetual smile was still eerie despite his comatose like state. Although he perked up at the sight of the blankets and pillows you had tucked under your arms. He watched as you made your way to his usual sleeping spot, a towel here and there. You sat down the pillows and blankets- attempting to make a nest for him. You wanted to maybe try and appeal to his animalistic nature, give him something comfy to sleep on but also something that he was familiar with. He peered at you from his spot rooted on the floor. He wasn't moving anytime soon, but he did seem to enjoy watching you set up something so thoughtful for him. He didn't turn his head, just gave you some side eye. Once you felt satisfied you got up and pulled away, admiring your handiwork. You started to walk away, getting ready to retreat back upstairs when you heard him whine a little. It was pathetic. All his sounds seemed to be pathetic though. You looked at him and his half lidded eyes were a little wider now. He made a lazy attempt to reach for you, but didn't try too hard. His arm dropped back by his side. It was unclear what he wanted but you decided to stick around, if only for a moment.

Ok so it had been more than just a moment. More like several moments turned into minutes turned into what felt like hours. Although it had only been like a minute and a half. He had shut his eyes by now, and something about his tired demeanor made you feel a bit safer. He wouldn't bite the hand that feeds him would he? So for whatever God forsaken reason, you sneak forward, and hand extended towards him. His eyes open ever so slightly, but he doesn't move. Soon enough you're within "grabbing and killing" distance- but he makes no move once again. You don't know what the fuck you're getting yourself into at this rate, but your extended hand touches his arm.

Naturally you flinch away, he didn't seem to mind though. He watched curiously as you reached for him again, brushing your fingertips with his forearm. Slowly your hand wraps around it and brings his arm forward, sliding down to his hand. You inspect his claws, and watch his face cautiously, looking for any possible threat. But no threat shows itself. He's just letting you inspect him, in fact he seems just as curious as you are. He stares down intently as your hands hold his. Eventually you feel embarrassed and pull away, his fleshy arm falls to his side and he watches with a little strain as you back away towards the stairs.

He seems almost disappointed, but you don't notice. You crawl back up the stairs towards the living room of your house. Maybe he was a mimic with the brain of a trimming. Im not complaining though, he hadn't eaten you yet- so that was certainly a plus.

[oreolemur]

His Possession- Junpei Yoshino Fanfic

Moving into a new neighborhood wasn’t easy. Starting a new job, and being independent, made things more difficult. You’ve been living on your own for a few months. Things started out okay, until it wasn’t. You started to feel weird vibes from your neighbors, but mostly, the man next door.

He showed up to your job, more often than anyone should. You never talked to him outside of work, nor knew his name. He was a mystery to you, and a mystery you didn’t want to solve. Some of your coworkers took note of his odd shopping habits, and informed you of the rumors. “Stay away from him, he’s weird”, they warned. “He just got out of prison for stalking”. Hearing this sent shivers down your spine. It all made sense, especially when you noticed how some of your things would go missing. 

Whenever he showed up, Junpei always went to your register. “Hi, how are you today?”, you casually say, ringing up his items. He never bought any real groceries, only picking up frozen meals and junk food. “Does he not know how to cook?”, you thought. “I’m good, you?”, he asks, never breaking eye contact with you. His voice was quiet and calm, almost robotic like. After finding out he was a stalker, you no longer looked at him for more than a second. It was awkward giving him service as you would always feel his eyes piercing through you. “Your total is $18.50, sir”.

The price of his items remained the same too. Never less, never more, but the same. As he handed you the money, you felt the warmth of his hand brush against yours. It was surprisingly soft. You took a quick glance at his face, noticing his cheeks were pink. “Have a good day, sir”. He was frozen by the sudden contact, “Y-you too”. You watched him walk away. His pace was quicker than usual. Your shift went on like any other day. Stocking the shelves, working the registers, and cleaning was what you did. It never bored you, but you didn’t like it as much. “I can’t wait to get a new job”. Although the pay was good, you didn’t appreciate the fact that you were the only one who did most of the closings. Letting out a deep sigh, you were happy your shift was over. It was a long day and you couldn’t wait to head home. 

After driving for 30 minutes, you made it home safely. Stepping out of your car, you felt someone was watching you. Looking around, you glanced over at your neighbor’s house. “What the fuck?”, you questioned, seeing the silhouette of a man facing you. It creeped you out, so you quickly went inside. An hour later, after settling down, you laid in your bed with your cat. You ate, took a shower, and wanted nothing more, but a good night's rest. 

Dozing off to sleep, your phone went off. It was an unknown number, so you didn’t answer. The moment you declined it, it rang again. “Hello?”, you answered. “Thanks for leaving your door unlocked”. Your heart dropped. You instantly turned off the TV, trying to listen for any voices nearby. “W-who is this?”. A low chuckle was heard,”I’ll tell you, only if you do as I say”. You gulped, feeling nauseous and scared. “Please leave me alone”, you croaked.

“I can’t. I’ve waited so long for this”. A tear fell from your eye as you began to shake. You reached under your pillow, for your knife. “Shit!”, you cried even more, realizing it wasn’t there. “I’ll call the cops”, you threatened. “You can if you want. But, they won’t get here in time”. “What do you want from me?”, your voice was shaky. “I want you. I’ve always wanted you”. 

Suddenly, the lights went off. “Do what I want, and I’ll leave you alone”. You contemplated, feeling trapped at the whole ordeal. You felt disgusted knowing what the person wanted. “O-okay. I’ll do what you want”. With that being said, the phone hung up. You stayed still, burying your face between your knees. “What am I doing?”, you questioned.

Your bedroom door slowly opened, revealing a tall figure standing in front. You looked up and gasped, regretting your decision. “W-who are you?”. They said nothing as they walked up to you. Standing by the end, you noticed it was a man. Since the lights were off, you weren’t able to see the face. “You’re so pretty”, he said. His voice sounded familiar, but you couldn’t make out who it could be.

Junpei was nervous. He positioned a camera on your dresser and pressed record. “Have you ever had sex before?”, he asked. You shook your head. “Good, I’ll be your first”. Unbuckling his belt, Junpei let his pants fall to the floor. “Come here”. You hesitated, not moving an inch from your spot. “Come. Here”, he was getting impatient. Grabbing you by the hair, he pulled you off the bed, forcing you on your knees.

Your cheek was pressed against his covered boner. With one hand holding your head still, Junpei used his free one to pull his boxers down slightly. His penis sprung up, hitting his lower stomach. “Remember what I said, do what I want, and I’ll leave you alone”. He positioned himself near your mouth, gesturing for you to open up. Putting the tip in, you begin to lick, and then suck, and then lick again. 

Junpei liked the sensation, but felt as if you were teasing him. “Come on, put the whole thing in. You have to do better than that, dollface”. Already struggling with his size, you tried to go deeper. It amazed you that you didn’t gag. You looked up at him, trying to see who it was. “Who are you?”, you thought. He moaned quietly, enjoying how warm your mouth was. “Fuck”, he groaned. He tightened his grip on your hair, pushing you down deeper until your nose hit his pelvis. He thrusted harshly, working to get his orgasm.“I’m almost finished”.

He used your mouth as his own personal fleshlight. You didn’t have any problems breathing as you figured out how to do it through your nose. His hips started to buckle. Warm, thick fluids filled your mouth as he pulled out. “Swallow”, he ordered, putting his hand over your mouth. He grinned at your obedience. “Now it’s your turn”.

He lifted you up, throwing you on the bed. He forced your legs open, rubbing his fingers over your clothed vagina. You twitched and squirmed trying to close your legs. “Stop fighting, I want to make you feel good too”, he said, removing your panties. You watched him put his fingers in his mouth. Out of shame, you covered your face. He slipped two of his fingers inside while his thumb massaged your clit.

You began to cry at your body’s reaction. You didn’t want any of this, but your body said otherwise. “Please stop”. Junpei ignored you, continuing to give you pleasure. He liked how your walls contracted around his fingers. He enjoyed how wet you were and how wet he made you. He looked at the red light on his camera and smiled,”Only I can see you like this”. His pace quickened, causing you to whine. “Cum for me”, he pinched your nipple, adding more stimulation. Your body twitched more, and your back arched.

You grabbed his arm and climaxed. “Good girl”. He shoved his digits into your mouth, making you taste yourself. “Nice, isn’t it?”, he laughed. You bit him, “Fuck you!”. He winced in anger, slapping you in the face. Junpei got up to get his belt. “I didn’t want to use restraints, but now you leave me with no other choice”. He pinned your wrists above your head, tying them to the headboard.

Frustrated, he walked over to the camera and came back to you. “Apologize”, the device was in your face. His heavy body rested on your torso. “Apologize”, he repeated. You refused, earning another slap in the face. He sat it down on the nightstand, checking to see if everything was being filmed. 

“Now”, he said, hoisting your leg over his shoulder. “I’m running out of time”. Without warning, he forcefully shoved himself inside you. “Stop!”, you cried. “Please, it hurts!”. He wasn’t moving, admiring the painful look on your face. “Repeat after me”, he leaned into you, resting his forehead against yours. “I’m sorry for being disobedient”. He stared into your eyes, waiting for a response. “I-I’m so-”, you attempted, feeling him thrust. “Say it, my love”, he teased. “I-I’m sorry for being-”, yet again his movements cut you off. “Disobedient”. He chuckled at how pathetic you look.

He never gave you a chance to adjust to his size. Tears fell from your eyes as you begged him to stop. The man went deeper, “You’re so pretty when you cry”. Junpei took hold of your neck, using it as support to keep his pace. He was close to finishing.

Before you knew it, your nightmare was over. Releasing your throat, you gasped for air. He laid on top of your chest, feeling satisfied. “Are you done?”, you asked. “I did what you wanted, now leave”. Junpei laughed at you. “What’s so funny? Leave!”. He became louder, almost scaring you when he glared at your confused expression. “You're dumber than I thought”. He sat up, fixing himself between your legs again. “After experiencing this, now I never want to let you go”. 

[lovergirlll-12]

Homecoming Heartache

roommate!leon kennedy x fem!reader

summary: Your roommate, Leon, hasn't been answering your calls after travelling to Raccoon City. After days of an empty apartment and a head filled with worry, someone knocks on your front door.

warnings: hurt/comfort, depictions of injury

notes: Re2r Leon is honestly so fkn adorable, this is more platonic

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The apartment felt emptier than usual, the silence echoing off the bare walls. Without Leon’s awkward yet light-hearted personality, there was a void that seemed to swallow up the space. The colourful throw pillows on the couch seemed less vibrant, and the kitchen felt cold and unwelcoming without his laughter filling the room. Everything was just as he left it, yet it all felt strangely wrong, as if the apartment itself missed his presence.

You've been trying to reach Leon for days now, but every call goes unanswered. He left a few nights ago to start his new job as a cop in Raccoon City, you didn’t question when he didn’t answer your numerous calls after arriving. Presuming he was tired after his first day on the job, you figured you would get a call back from him in the morning. However, when days passed and all you got was radio silence, the worry you felt for your best friend started to grow. Call after call was sent to the authorities in your area, but you were met with reassurance that he was fine, and not to worry about him too much. Their carelessness was unnerving, and it confused you. You couldn’t shake off the worry that had been gnawing at you since he left. The unfamiliar surroundings of the new apartment felt even more uncomfortable without his presence. Every siren outside sends a pang of fear through you, wondering if it's something related to him. You try to stay rational, reminding yourself that he's trained for this, but the silence is deafening, and the unknown is unsettling.

~~~~~~~~~~

A knock on the door startles you. Eyes shooting open, you stretch your arms and legs out across the soft cotton bedsheets as your body tries to awaken itself from its deep sleep. You take a quick glance at the alarm clock beside your bed: 3:45am. The vast darkness consuming your apartment is ignored as you try to find your way out of your bedroom, through the hallway and to the front door without tripping on discarded clothing or any foreign objects. As you make your way to the front door, your hand finds the light switch to your left. With a quick flick, your apartment is illuminated, forcing your eyes to squint from the harsh light. As you rub at your eyes, still felling a bit disoriented from your lack of sleep, a chorus of aggravated knocks echo throughout the building. You step forward to unlock the door. ‘‘Alright I’m coming, you don’t have to be so impatient…’�� The sight at your front door silences you. Your heart instantly drops at the sight of Leon standing there, his normally vibrant eyes dulled with pain. His shirt is torn, revealing a bandage hastily wrapped around his torso, stained with blood. Small cuts litter his arms where bruises are already forming. You gasp, stepping back to let him in and closing the door behind him, your hands trembling as you reach out to touch him, confirming that he's real and safe, despite his injuries. The relief floods through you, mixed with a surge of protectiveness and love. Leon leans into your touch, wrapping his large arms around you, his exhaustion and pain evident, as you guide him to the couch, your mind is racing with questions and fears for what he must have gone through. You adjust your body so he can lay down comfortably above you as you run your hand up and down his back, trying to console his continuous tears. ‘‘It’s all gone’’, Leon whispers into your chest, his voice cracking. ‘‘They killed them all, they didn’t even try to save the innocent people. Let alone fix the others’’. Clouded with confusion, you decide not to question him. ‘‘Everything’s going to be okay, you’re home now,’’ you reply as you wiped the tears from his eyes with your thumb.

You couldn’t help but stare at his downcast face, never have you ever seen Leon look so broken. It took you months to get Leon to open up to you when you were first moving in. He was quiet and reserved, only speaking to you to say good morning or good night. Slowly, you two started to get closer. At first, his quiet demeanour made you wonder if conversation would always be sparse, but you soon discovered his sweetness and thoughtfulness. He was the type of person who would wash your dishes without being asked or leave little notes of encouragement around the apartment. Over time, you both developed a comfortable routine, sharing meals and watching movies together. His quiet nature didn't hinder your friendship; instead, it seemed to deepen it, creating a bond built on mutual respect and understanding. Leon became more than just a roommate; he became your best friend. Your Leon. ‘‘Why don’t we get you cleaned up and in bed?’’, you questioned while running your hands through his blonde hair. He nodded timidly as you helped him to his feet. His sunken eyes were filled with tears and his hand felt unsteady in yours.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

an: ignore any writing mistakes pls, this is my first post :) I might make a part 2 to go more into detail of the relationship between Leon and the reader and get past the platonic stage into some fluffy romance xx

[meraki24601]

The Human Side

If Hero didn’t get some rest soon, they were going to die. Sidekick knew that the moment they saw them. They knew it days ago, really. Hell, the first time the thought crossed their mind was nearly three weeks ago.

Hero was just trying to do their job. Sidekick, the police, and countless others were also out there doing the same work, but the people didn’t want them. They wanted to be helped by Hero. 

Today, Sidekick had seen enough. Hero was so exhausted and bruised they could barely stand, but under the pressure of the cheering crowd of fans outside, they agreed to go on patrol. They had hoped that their presence would be enough to deter any criminals from acting, but Sidekick went with them just in case. As they walked, the familiar sounds of a fight rang out nearby. 

Based on the noise, whatever happened was being resolved, but they decided to check it out anyway. 

Two cops were putting cuffs on a man after what seemed to be a mugging. The victims, a small family seemingly on their way home, were huddled together to the side as the officers worked with the aggressor. Everything was taken care of, so Hero and Sidekick moved on; only one of the children saw Hero. 

“Save us, Hero!” She cried. No matter how hard Hero and Sidekick tried to convince her the police had everything under control, she and her family wouldn’t have it. Hero looked sad as they accepted the mugger from the cops. They didn’t have the strength to hold the man on his feet. The officers wound up taking the man back and waiting as the family refused to leave and give their testimony until after they’d taken pictures with Hero. 

It was time for the people to realize what they were doing to their Hero. 

The crowd outside of the office had gotten restless. They saw Hero return from patrol, knew they were in the building, and wanted to see them. Hero was finally getting some rest on the small couch in the back of Sidekick's office when someone in the crowd threw a rock at the window. It hit hard enough that the sound echoed in the small room and woke Hero. 

Sidekick tried to soothe them back to sleep, but the damage was done. The so-called “adoring fans” had proven they were willing to get violent if they didn’t get what they wanted. Hero was awake and stumbling toward the door. This time, Sidekick swore they’d see a side of Hero they refused to acknowledge. 

The human side.

Careful as they could, Sidekick threw Hero’s arm over their shoulder and led them to the front door, mindful of their healing broken ribs. They didn’t argue as Hero pulled away from their support to walk out of the building. They controlled their face as the crowd screamed loud enough to make Hero flinch. 

This time, instead of following close behind Hero as the other signed autographs and shook hands, Sidekick allowed the crowd to see Hero, then stepped protectively in front of their friend. “Hello, everybody! Let’s give it up for Hero!” They screamed over the crowd.

The answering cheers were deafening. Sidekick felt Hero’s hand brush their back in a silent question, but they stepped away from the touch. “Alright, alright! Let me hear you if you saw Hero on patrol today.”

Again, the crowd cheered.

“Yeah! What about yesterday? Anybody see them take down the gang threatening downtown?”

Deafening screams.

“What about the gunfight the day before? The meet and greet the day before that? Anyone here saved by Hero from that burning building four days ago? Five days ago, anyone hear about Hero saving the woman from a rapist? Six days ago, when Hero stopped the car from crushing a family? Does anybody still remember how Hero found that missing child seven days ago?”

The crowd was putty in Sidekick's hands. People were cheering and crying; a few seemed even to be livestreaming. The whole time, Hero stayed tucked behind Sidekick, cowering away from the reaching hands that would grab and tear, disregarding the hidden and visible injuries. 

“Hey, listen up! Does anyone know what all those things mean?” Any answers to Sidekick’s question were buried in the screams, cheers, and more than a few “I love you, Hero”s that blasted Sidekick’s Eardrums. 

“Alright, Alright. That’s right, everyone. That means Hero has been working all day every day for the past seven days without being allowed to rest or take the time to see to their wounds properly! Woohoo!”

A few cheers still rang out, but Sidekick was mainly met with low gasps and confused looks. Hero’s hand gripped Sidekick’s arm tightly, but they weren’t about to stop yet. They had the people’s attention. 

“Yep! That’s right! That means Hero is a total beast, right?” 

A few more confident cheers.

“Hero is a real superhuman, right?” 

The volume was back, but there was concern simmering under the surface.

“Hero is an actual god, right!” 

The people who cheered jumped around and grabbed at the people actually looking at Hero. Sidekick could tell some of the tears this time were not happy ones.

“Wrong! Hero is a human! A person just like you and me.” 

A few people had the nerve to boo at Sidekick, but they weren’t near done. “Hey, anyone want to guess how many hours of sleep Hero could get in the last month? A grand total of 90 hours! Isn’t that crazy? People are supposed to get around 240 in that time.”

“Oh! You know what? I’ve got a great idea. Let’s take a look at the damage saving those people from that car did. Sound good?” Sidekick growled as they dragged Hero out from behind them. The motioned jostled Hero so much they could only gasp for air instead of begging Sidekick to stop. 

Hero’s hands gripped Sidekick's arms as they lifted Hero’s shirt. The action wasn’t to stop what was happening. No, Hero could only hang on and rely on Sidekick to keep them from falling to the ground. They didn’t have the strength to stop the people from seeing the mottled bruises covering their side. They didn’t have the will to beg Sidekick not to turn them and display the gash from where they had been stabbed during a robbery. 

Sidekick lowered Hero’s shirt, adjusting their grip on the other to hold them in a way they hoped didn’t hurt too bad. “Oops. Sorry about that last one. That wasn’t from the car crash. That was from the robbery two weeks ago. Man, that’s barely healed at all, huh? Hey, Hero, why don’t you have that bandaged? Oh, right. When you tried to get medical attention, a woman screamed at you until you got her kid out of a tree, definitely within their reach.”

“You’re lying!” Someone in the crowd called, “You’re lying. Hero is a hero. They protect us!”

Sidekick scoffed, “You’re right! I’m sorry. Here you go, Hero. Go protect them.” Though it sickened them, Sidekick lifted their arms, pulling their support away from Hero. Their stomach churned as their friend fell to the ground and didn’t move.

The crowd parted as a man pushed to the front. He glared down at Hero and began to laugh. “Seems you’re right. Hero is broken.” The man yanked a gun out of his jacket, aiming it down at Hero. Several people screamed, and the security guards and police officers keeping control of the crowd moved to charge the man, but Sidekick waved them off. They signaled them to stay ready, but now wasn’t the time.

Gun waving in the air, the man pushed past the barriers and slowly approached Hero. “It’s been exhausting, living in fear of this idiot for so long. Thank you for taking out the competition. You really have done great work. The streets are clean, and the addicts are absolutely begging for more. You can die knowing you helped me greatly, Hero.” 

The man stepped into range, and Sidekick had their gun pressed to the man’s head before he could lower the barrel to aim at Hero again. In the blink of an eye, every officer, security guard, and protector inside the building and outside had surrounded the man, all aiming their chosen weapons to strike should the man so much as twitch. 

“Sorry, friend.” Sidekick giggled. “Just because Hero needs to take a vacation doesn’t mean they’re leaving the city unprotected.”

Sidekick pulled away from the would-be shooter and helped Hero to their feet. They made sure Hero was in good hands, then moved forward to address the audience one last time. “Listen up. You’ve trusted Hero to protect you, right? Well, now you need to learn to trust the people Hero trusts. Hero will never stop saving the city, but they can’t do it alone. I think you can see that now. 

“Hero hand chose everyone in this building to help them keep you safe. They took the time to meet every single officer in the police department and knows them all by name. Hero is our hero, too. Let us do the job we were trusted to do. Let us help Hero. Let us help you.”

The crowd was silent as the officers took the would-be shooter away. There were a few hushed murmurs as Sidekick took Hero back into their arms, but none were loud enough to cover Hero’s gentle chuckle, “I knew you were jealous you didn’t get to make a big speech after the burning building.” Sidekick simply flicked Hero’s nose and helped them back inside. It was about time Sidekick forced them to see the medics.

“Thank you, Sidekick!” A single voice called right before the door closed behind them. The lobby of the building was quiet. Most of the people had rushed outside to protect Hero and were now doing crowd control. 

That was all well enough. It meant no one except Hero saw how the thanks brought tears to Sidekick’s eyes. Even Hero chose not to bring attention to it.

Sidekick didn’t think anyone knew their name.

[pompadourpink]

hi mom! i'm starting uni in september, i'm moving to a new city so i need to start shopping and all, but also my parents didnt really give me advice and im the eldest so im kinda lost, do you have any advice?? XX

Hello darling,

The ABC:

Uni is scary because your free-will goes from 8 to 90 in two months and freedom is intoxicating. Making up for lost chances can lead to bad choices (spending, dating, partying).

If your family failed to parent you, it is now your job. Autonomy is essential. Learn to cook, budget, clean, be clean, save, be a good citizen, make scary phone calls, keep yourself safe, prioritise.

No one will force you to get up and study, or hire you at 21 when competing with a bright 18 year old. Effort will not betray you (being a grown lazy gifted child will).

Have shared hobbies, from movie Sundays with a girlfriend to knitting with your sister. A social life is a happy life.

Trust your body, it knows. Stomach cramps mean we hate him, daydreaming means try, yawning means bed, not coffee.

The home:

Make a cleaning schedule, be open-minded and reasonable, do not do or say anything your landlord wouldn't like (I fully recommend having roommates once for exposure therapy).

If you have a neighbour your age, introduce yourself. Having that phone number will one day mean not having to sleep outside or getting a package stolen. Thank them with food.

Start documenting problems right away (photos, timestamps, screenshots, testimonies) as you may need to take action later. No emotions, you're just "worried about everyone's wellbeing".

Mould, vermine and leaks are enemies. Act yesterday.

Avoid big purchases. You don't know what the future (location, size, taste) looks like. Go secondhand, neutral, practical.

Avoid silly purchases: streaming, takeout, drinks, fast fashion. You will not regret having a downpayment saved in ten years.

If you ever need to do emergency laundry, put a bin or a bucket in the shower, add water and detergent (+ soda crystal for stains or whitening), wait an hour, rinse, wring, hang.

The shopping:

My grandmother has kept her house clean with a broom, bucket, squeegee broom wrapped in a floorcloth and Marseille soap since the 60s. When something doesn't work, look back.

Must-haves: cleaning (see #1 + cloths, soda, lemons, white vinegar, steel wool), hygiene (scraper, net, shower head filtre, first aid), night (good pillow, plugs, mask) supplies, freezer if possible, water filtre, reusable period protection, winter clothes, long chargers, sunscreen, friend living at home who will lend you tools.

Must-not-haves: anything trendy, collections (even books), a pet - don't let Felix keep you back, sleep over and study in Paris!

Have an emergency kit (+ whatever you need) + a smaller version in the car/at the office (with cash).

Fresh fruit, starches, a few types of frozen vegetables, of cans of legumes, of fresh, canned and frozen protein, a treat, something fun once in a while to experiment + a (bi-)monthly outing.

A couple of formal outfits. Large black dress pants, white shirt, dark grey thin jumper, pencil skirt, blazer, large coat, trench coat, loafers, heels, tall boots. Never slouchy or skin tight, plain.

Craigslist, Facebook marketplace, thrift stores. Spend a few hours making a perfect home board on Pinterest instead of listening to TikTok and taking what Ikea gives you.

The social life:

Make one or two real friends and cherish them forever. Support each other, travel, buy a house together, idk.

Don't be afraid to be/do things alone. You shouldn't be afraid of what your head says when it's not distracted.

Don't miss out on huge opportunities for people. Some are around out of necessity and will ghost you after graduation.

Do not try to impress, especially people you don't like and who don't like you. Do not do or say anything cops wouldn't like. Be a homebody who doesn't drink if that's what you want.

Do not try to educate those who will not learn.

Do not befriend someone who lacks confidence as they will make you pay for their jealousy, nor someone who wants a free therapist. Those relationships will be one-sided.

Befriend a couple of older girls. They will see through the lies of the people (men, classmates, employers) trying to fool you.

The love life:

The thirty-two year old man doesn't find you mature, he finds you inexperienced and malleable. Don't try meth thinking you're special enough to not get addicted.

If a date mocks you and you get mad, either that is who he is or he hates you. If you got mad, he is not for you. Your job is not to pretend you don't care so he can have a girlfriend.

Ask yourself if you would tell your best friend, mother, Taylor Swift, that he (hers) didn't mean it like that. If not, take a break from dating and think about why you think you don't deserve respect.

Don't forgive what you don't want to tolerate.

Don't try to force a relationship with someone who made it clear that he is, for whatever reason, not interested. You will be played like a fiddle until he meets someone he wants.

Don't try communicating with someone who is messing with you on purpose. No one ignores you for three days or sleeps with your friend or breaks your favourite necklace after an argument by accident. Also, your husband would never.

The daily life:

Have a clean e-mail address (firstname.lastname) for official biz and a casual one (f.lastna) for everything else, a solid password (Lanadelrey1984#) - change it yearly - and a list of the usernames and passwords you didn't pick.

If you don't trust your parents, block them off your account or open a new one when you turn 18 before they rob you.

Save a year worth of expenses, don't purchase what you couldn't buy twice now, don't replace what still works, give yourself week-long thinking periods before spending.

Get folders for your paperwork and keep them safe + take pictures for an encrypted Drive (beware of iCloud): diplomas, flat, car, big purchases, work, taxes, health, etc.

Print pics and make albums. One day, the app will die.

Mind your health. Exercise weekly (cardio/strength, ex: runs + weighted Pilates), walk, get more water, sleep, and fibre, take vitamin D, mind your eyes/ears/skin/teeth, stretch, leave.

Only invest energy, money, or time into what is worth it. FaceTime before the date. Get secondhand leather boots instead of replacing plastic. Drop the book after 100 bad pages.

Refuse conversations with people whose lives you wouldn't want, who happily overwork for a mediocre wage and don't know how old their children are. The handcuffs are homemade.

The job:

People will not forget how you made them feel and the world is a small place. Colleagues, clients, bosses will gossip: make sure it is for good reason. Dress and look clean, stand straight, be on time, never ever gossip, even when you were wronged.

Understand the power of sobriety. Be known for the success of your last project, not your bright skirts or temper.

Protect future you so you get the promotion/project/raise. No friends, no enemies. Smile, have neutral answers, make them talk, move on, make your IG private, google your name.

Lie. You don't avoid them, you eat lunch with your nana (hi Paula, no, I forgot about the hairdresser's), weren't unemployed, your father was ill, cannot go out, you have a birthday party.

Act boring with the jealous old woman or the obnoxious man. Take the fake compliment for a real one, don't understand the innuendo, have too much work to chat. Bullies get bored.

Instead of clapping back (see #3), be Cinderella, who ignores the insults and turns to Mr. No nonsense, who has been there twenty years, worryingly asking if Ethel is okay, I don't know what to do (no mention of ego, you're just distraught about her).

Sites to look up: Proton (mail, VPN, drive), Notion.

Love,

Mum

(PS - apologies if the she/he thing doesn't match you, this is a flexible plan for all of my children)

[annaphoenix1994]

Yes to the Dress

Previous Chapter - Masterlist - Next Chapter

»»-------¤-------««

"What else is on the stupid list mom gave me?" Baler huffed as he and Simon both were growing tired of shopping for his upcoming school semester, being enrolled after it was official that he was now a Riley. 

Simon sighed as he used his free hand to dig into his pocket while his other arm held Jacob close to his chest, "Well, did you get your school supplies like you were supposed to do when I left to go and change him?" He questioned, nodding his head towards Jacob's sleeping form against his chest while Baler pushed the shopping cart. 

"It was just a few notebooks and binders-"

"Negative," Simon cut him off as he walked around him to look into the cart, using his free hand to move the miscellaneous items around. "You have five classes. You should have five notebooks and five binders. You only have two of each." 

Baler shrugged, "It's not like I'll use 'em..."

"You better. Your mum and I talked long and hard about whether we should send you to school or homeschool you."

"I would've rather been homeschooled."

"Well, you're not. You need to be around kids your age. Being homeschooled on the ranch will teach you what you need to know outside of school, but being in school will teach you social skills and what you want to be when you grow up." 

"Not really..." Baler shrugged, refusing to take Simon's words into account. "I'd rather work and make money than go to school. I mean, you're a cop and anybody can be a cop and mom worked in a courthouse. Surely it's not so hard to get a job." 

Simon chuckled at Baler's ignorance, "You've got us all wrong, kid." 

"Then fill me in. Anybody can be in the military-"

"-I was in the S.A.S. A Lieutenant for years. Kiera was a Case Officer."

"What's that?" 

"What's what? S.A.S or Case Officer?"

"Both?" 

"Special Air Service and to summarize what Kiera was: when the FBI wanted to find someone, she's who they'd send out." 

"Damn. Is that how you two met?" 

"No, we hooked up at a bar in London," He answered sarcastically, smirking at how gullible Baler was. "We met on a mission in Mexico."

"You must have a big dick or a lot of money to have kept her around for that long," Baler poked, genuinely loving pissing Simon off, especially now that he could call him dad. "You better hurry up and marry mom before she gets bored." 

"I have both, but she kept me around because I'm not a bastard." He answered hatefully, not caring that Baler was only fifteen and shouldn't be having a conversation of that topic, but Simon figured that if he was old enough to speak crudely, he was old enough to hear the consequences of it by hearing what he doesn't want to hear.

Especially from his own dad.

"I beg to differ, dad." 

Simon would be lying if he said he didn't feel a bit of pride after hearing the troubled teen address him as his parent, imagining that soon, he'd have two more young beings calling him the same thing for the rest of their lives. He couldn't fucking wait. 

"Just go and get five notebooks and five binders," He huffed. "You already have everything else and she did the hard part by taking you shopping for clothes. We need to hurry up and get home."

"Why?"

"We're feeding the horses tonight."

"Where's mom?" 

"She took Evie and her mum shopping."

"Where?"

"How many fucking questions are you going to ask me?" 

"Mom said no cussing around the babies."

"Well, your mom isn't here, is she?" He retorted. 

"In that case, I'm going to ask how many fucking questions I want." Baler poked, his tone playful. 

"She said for you not to cuss, lad."

"I don't recall that." 

"Best get to remembering," He huffed. "Let's go. I'm tired of being in this bloody store." 

"Wouldn't of had to bring me here if I was homeschooled..." 

"That wasn't my decision." 

"Then what was your decision?" 

"I don't think I should answer that." 

"Don't be a wuss. I can take it." 

"Eh, I better not," He shrugged, a sly smirk on his lips. "You're technically my son now. I have to take your feelings into consideration now. Let's go. We have things to do." 

"Okay, fine," Baler huffed. "What's mom making for dinner tonight?" 

"She's not, we are." 

"Why?" 

Simon huffed at Baler's consistent questions, "She's been handling a lot recently. The least she needs to worry about is making dinner when we're more than capable of doing it to help her out." 

"Wow, I'm quite surprised that you're sentimental." 

"She's my only exception. Don't expect me to do the same to you." 

Baler knew Simon was lying, being told by Johnny that "if Simon doesn't intentionally piss you off or constantly make hurtful comments, he doesn't like you." 

"Least you have a heart." 

"A cold one. Let's go." 

Baler shook his head with a smirk, wondering what question he could ask Simon to purposely aggravate him, "Well, when will mom be home?"

"When she gets home." He grumbled. 

"Hateful today, huh?" 

"What made you guess that?" 

"Because you're a dick when she's not around. That's usually my first clue." 

Simon scoffed, "I'm a dick when she's around too, just not to her." 

"No, you're giving her your- never mind. I shouldn't say it." Baler snickered.

"You better not." 

"I won't, but you know what I mean. I unfortunately hear it."

"Hear what?" 

"I may be fifteen but I'm not stupid," Baler scoffed. "I hear you two "wrestling" at two in the morning sometimes." 

"I'm not home at two in the morning unless I'm off work, but nice try." 

"So I guess mom has a dude on the side."

Simon furrowed his brows, wondering if - by some chance - his comment was true. Surely not, he thought. I would've found out by now if she was cheating on me. I'm too observant for her own good!

"Yeah? What have you heard?" 

"Just like last night, I heard a bunch of thuds and she screamed 'oh fuck!'. Then I heard her leave the bedroom and ransack the fridge." He explained. 

Simon then knew that Baler was not aware of Kiera's sleepwalking habits. Unable to hide a grin, he was relieved to know that Kiera had more than likely stubbed her toe during a sleepwalking incident instead of having another lover. "First of all, we're never up at two in the morning when I'm home. Second of all, I guess she never mentioned to you that she has Sundowners." 

"W-What's that?" 

"You ever seen The Visit?" 

"...Yeah?" 

"Just take my advice and go to bed when I tell you to." 

Simon was pleased to see Baler's playful expression turn to nervousness, oblivious to the fact that Kiera did not have Sundowners, just a moderate case of sleepwalking every now and then.

"O-Oh...I didn't know that." 

"Just don't mention it. Talking about it triggers it." 

"R-Right." 

"Let's go find something to make for dinner."

"Can I meet you up front? I wanted to make a stop real quick-"

"No. The last time you "made a stop" led me to search the entire store for you because you didn't mention that you went to look for something you wanted then ran off with Johnny when I purposely avoided him when Kiera said he was here." 

"Fine, I guess I won't get mom flowers." 

Simon stopped in his tracks at Baler's admittance, "What did you do?" 

He shrugged, "Nothing? I just saw how happy she was when you got her flowers the other day and I wanted to make her happy after the headache I've been giving her." 

"Least you admit it. Just meet me up front." 

"I might." 

Baler chuckled at Simon's glare before he made his way towards the floral section. It's so fun pissing him off, he mused.

»»-------¤-------««

"Have Simon and Baler been getting along?" Eva asked as she bounced Evie on her lap as Kiera continued to browse at wedding dresses. 

"They have," She hummed. "Although they get under each other's skin and butt heads a lot. That's why I send them to run errands together." 

Eva snickered, "It's because they're just alike, sweetheart." 

"That's definitely it. I just hope they haven't killed each other by now. I sent them to Wal-Mart to go school shopping."

"You definitely like to test Simon's patience," Eva giggled. "Sent him to the busiest place at the busiest time of year." 

"Hey, I did the hard part and took Baler to go shopping for clothes. All Simon had to do was take him shopping for his school supplies and pick up something for me to make for dinner tonight. He's probably home by now," Kiera explained. "There's one more dress I want to try on. The first one I liked but-"

"No need to explain, sweetheart. This is going to be a big day for you. I have all the time in the world. One of the many joys of being a retired old goat. Gives me more time to spoil my grandkids!" 

Kiera smiled, sighing as she walked into the dressing room to try on her last dress. With she and her mom going to four stores already, she was growing rather tired of shopping and ready to get home. To my boys, she thought, smiling at herself at the realization that she had finally had a family of her own to fill her once-empty home. "I think this dress really suits you." The assistant smiled as she buttoned the back of the dress. It does seem to fit without needing to be altered...

"I hope so," Kiera breathed. "This is the fourth store we've been to. All of them are so pretty, but I want to try on every single one I like." 

"Girl, I was the same way when I got married," The assistant smiled. "When's your big day?" 

"October 25th." 

"I love Fall weddings!" She gasped. "Indoor or outdoor?" 

"The ceremony is outdoor, but the reception is indoor. We're having it on our family ranch. It's a spot that me and my fiancé found and we - well, I - wanted to be married where nobody has ever been before. You see most people get married in a church or in a vineyard and we just wanted something that was ours." 

"I love that. Your father is Charles Dutton, right?" 

"Sure is." 

"I remember when your family used to rent out a cabin on the west side of their ranch. We used to love coming up there for the summer." 

"He was talking about doing that type of thing again. Although he quit due to people trashing the place when they came to stay," Kiera sighed. "Unfortunately, it takes one to ruin it for everyone else." 

"Yeah, I get that. It's a shame people would come all that way and leave the place a mess. Your father always invited us for breakfast and dinner. I remember he took my husband fly fishing once." 

"He loves to fish," Kiera breathed a laugh, looking at how the dress seemed to fit her perfectly the more the assistant continued to button the back. 

"Take a deep breath out for me. I have two more buttons left." 

"O-Okay. Sorry," She smiled nervously. "I'm just so stressed out." 

"I understand. This is a lot to take in." 

"Not only that, but I've been worried about getting this wedding planned and I'm constantly anxious that something is going to go wrong at the last minute. I still need to find a photographer, my bridesmaid's dresses, decorations - all that stuff." 

"I'm a photographer on the side!" The assistant chimed. "If you're needing help, I'll gladly help you!" 

"Really? How much do you charge?" 

"I can work with you on that," She smiled. "I'll give you my number and later, when you're free, just text or call me with what you're looking for and I'll give you a quote." 

"Thank you so much." 

"You're welcome!" She smiled, fixing the dress and clasping the veil to the crown of Kiera's head. "Alright, let's see what you and your mom think!" She directed, gathering the train of the dress in her hand as she helped guide Keira through the door and into the show room, smiling as she heard Kiera's mom gasp in excitement before Kiera was able to see herself. 

"Oh, honey, that one is gorgeous!" Eva smiled. "It flatters you so well." 

"I think so too, momma," Kiera blushed. "Do you think Simon will like it?" 

"Sweetheart, he will love anything on you. What do you think of that dress?" 

She hummed as she continued to look at herself in the mirror, overwhelmed that she had once seen herself as never getting married due to the fear of not being good enough. She fought tears as she continued to look at herself. Never will I understand why you chose me, Simon. "I-I think this is the one..." 

Eva smiled from ear to ear, clutching Evie close to her chest as she stood to her feet, closing the distance between her and her daughter as she looked at the dress closer. "I love the lace sleeves! It's so beautiful, sweetheart." 

"I think so too," She smiled. "I think this is the one." 

Eva refrained from jumping for joy due to having Evie clasped against her chest. "You are so beautiful. My little girl is all grown up and running off to get married!" 

"I can't believe it." She forced a smile, unable to hold the tears back. 

"Sweetheart, it's okay to cry," Eva smiled, reaching up to wipe the tear from her cheek. "You're going to be such a beautiful bride."

"Thank you, momma," She whimpered, leaning over to press her cheek against her mother's before turning to the assistant. "This is the one." 

"You're absolutely perfect for this dress!" She smiled, clapping her hands together. "Let's get you changed and I'll wrap it up for you!" 

»»-------¤-------««

After Kiera and Eva made it back to the ranch, Eva quickly took the dress to hide it in the lodge, knowing Simon wouldn't "accidentally" see if Kiera would have taken the dress to their house. With a quick and warm hug, Eva wished her daughter a warm and restful night as Kiera began to make her short drive towards her house. With Evie nestled against her chest, she slung her purse over her shoulder before using her free hand to punch the keycode into the front door, opening it to the smell of a homecooked meal, smiling when she saw Simon and Baler in the kitchen - Simon hovering over him as if he were teaching him something. 

"Just a splash of bloody milk, lad. You're making mashed potatoes, not porridge." 

"That's what I'm doing!" 

"Well, why did we have to add another potato just to make it thicker, huh?"

"Because you said mom likes chunky mashed potatoes!" 

"He's not wrong," Kiera chimed in with a smile, watching them nearly jolt under their skin at her sudden appearance, the pair greeting her with a warm smile and Simon greeting her with loving eyes. "You two didn't have to make dinner tonight-"

"We wanted to," Simon answered, walking up to her and placing an eager kiss to her lips. "I'm glad you made it home, love. How'd your shopping go?" 

She giggled, "I called you when I was on my way home! It's not my fault you didn't answer your phone!" 

"I'm sorry, love," He huffed. "I didn't hear it ring-"

"He also had it on the couch while we were watching Squid Game!" Baler chimed in.

"What is that?" 

"Some bloody fucked up show on Netflix-"

"Don't let dad lie to you, he saw it when we first turned on the TV and he thought it looked cool." 

Kiera shook her head, "You two do nothing to surprise me anymore. What should I trust that you're making for dinner?" 

Simon chuckled as he placed a kiss to her temple, "One of your favorites, don't worry. You never did tell me how your shopping trip went with your mum." 

"I can't say, babe. It's about our day." 

He couldn't hide the smile that spread across his lips, "Then I won't ask, love." 

She giggled, "You'll see in October. I'm going to go change and get her ready for bed-"

"I can get her, love," Simon offered, opening his arms to retrieve his daughter from her arms, smiling at her matching brown eyes as she greeted her father with a toothless smile. "Look at you, lass, wide awake at ten o'clock," He chuckled, keeping her close against his chest as he followed Kiera towards the bedroom. "I dread when you get older. You already have me wrapped around your little finger." 

"Simon," Kiera giggled, entering their bedroom and grasping her pajamas that were folded on the nearby chair. "She doesn't know what you're saying yet." 

"But it makes me feel better by telling her early." He chuckled, unable to help himself by watching her change. He knew she hated when he looked at her when she changed clothes in front of him, hating how she looked, but Simon never saw a flaw in her.

And never would. 

As if he had to repeat himself, he loved every new stretch mark she earned during her pregnancy, her hazel eyes, her smile, the way she slept walk, when she giggled at nothing, the way she spoke, the way she put everyone else before her - every inch of her was nothing but perfection in his eyes. 

Kiera giggled as she shook her head, removing her shoes and jeans and tossing them to the side before sliding on her pajama pants, "Whatever you say, babe." 

He smirked as he bounced Evie on his hip, "Has she already eaten for the night?" 

"No, I gave her a bottle about an hour ago, but I was going to feed her before we eat dinner. Where's Jacob?" 

"He's had a rough day, love," He sighed. "He threw his first temper tantrum at the store today. I can't blame him, though. I hated being in there too. He gave me a good excuse to leave faster." 

Kiera frowned as she gestured for Simon to lay Evie against her chest when she propped herself up on the bed, making a mound of pillows around her to support Evie when she started feeding. He slowly set the baby into her arms, bracing his weight against his palms that lay flat against the mattress as he moved his lips closer to hers, grinning against her lips when he felt her free hand clasp through his hair. "I'm going to feed her and put her to bed before I meet you for dinner."

"I'll be waiting," He smiled before pressing another kiss to her lips. "Baler is trying to make cookies anyway." 

"You best get in there and make sure he doesn't burn the house down." She giggled. 

"That's why I sound like I'm in a rush," He chuckled. "I'll see you soon, yeah?" 

"I'll see you there, babe." 

She smiled as she watched him walk towards the door, turning back to look at her once he reached the doorway, his hand clasped around the doorknob to shut it behind him. "What's that look for, love?" 

"Just looking at you, Simon." 

"You look like you're hiding a secret." 

"Maybe I am." 

"I thought we weren't about secrets, yeah?" 

She arched her brow, "Then since that's the case, I should tell you that I said yes." 

"Yes to what?" 

"The dress." 

His lips curled into an excited smile at her admission, "October can't get here soon enough." 

[accusedoffeminism]

Policing the streets wasn’t nearly as hard of a job and Steve thought it would be when he first joined the force. Sure there was actual detective work that needed to be done out in the world, but that wasn’t what Steve was out doing this night. No no. Steve was on ‘crowd control’ at the local bar to make sure no one was causing too much trouble or getting into their cars when they had too much to drink. An important job on paper, sure, but most people in town were sensible enough to get an uber or at the very least bat their eye lashes at officer Harrington and ask for a ride home in the cop car. All things considered, this was a pretty fun part of the job. More fun than passing out speeding tickets that is.

Steve was looking over the crowd of smokers outside the bar, silently wishing that he was one of them when someone with a bright flash on their phone came up to him.

“Oh Mister Officer.” The stranger sang at him as he pointed the flash at him.

Okay what the fuck?

Steve was no stranger to being filmed. There was a lot of paranoia now a days when it came to cops, which was whatever. It wasn’t like Steve was doing anything he had to be worried about anyway. He could be filmed. But he wasn’t really used to hot men getting in his face with a camera. This could be fun.

“Name and badge number.” The stranger commanded with an easy grin.

Steve laughed softly, clearly happy with the attention from the stranger. “My name and badge number?”

“Sir yes sir! Name and badge number.” Hot guy chimed. Oh he was so making fun of Steve. Steve was into it.

“Harrington. 5327.” Steve smiled running a hand through his hair, giving the stranger an easy smile. I his move had gotten him in plenty of bedrooms before. It was tried and true.

“Good boy.”

Steve let out a choked laugh, clearly a bit caught off guard by the pet name. The… compliment? Yeah that was a compliment. Steve’s crooked smile grew right back onto his lips. “Oh am I?” He asked, folding his arms over his chest, leaning back against the wall.

The stranger didn’t respond for a moment, waiting to see if he could get more of a reaction out of Steve before his recording ended. Hot guy laughed as he put his phone into his pocket.

“So…” Steve started, not quite ready to let go of this conversation. “You do that to all cops or just the ones you think are cute?”

“Cute? That’s funny. Your reaction? Not so much. Usually cops get a lot more big bad wolf over me doing that,” He answered. “You’re more like the brick house that won’t get blown down.”

Steve laughed brightly. This guy was funny. “Is that your way of telling me I look built?” Steve teased, only flexing his muscles slightly from where they were folded over his chest.

“Is that what you heard when I said that just now?” The stranger asked him, no teased, him with a raised brow.

“What’s your name?” Steve asked.

“Why? You wanna put me under arrest?” He asked.

“No.” Steve replied.

The stranger laughed, pulling out his pack of cigarettes and lighter. “I don’t have to tell you anything, 5326.”

Steve laughed brightly. “27.” He corrected.

“5327.” He repeated, placing the cigarette between his lips.

“Can I bum one?” Steve asked.

“I don’t share with pigs.” He replied as he lit his cigarette.

“Thought I was supposed to be the big bad wolf in your story.” Steve laughed flatly.

“You can be both.”

“You’ve got a funny way of flirting.” Steve told him.

The hot stranger shook his head. He looked like he didn’t entirely hate how forward Steve was being thought. Steve bit his lip before speaking again. “What are you up to tonight?” He asked, trying to push the conversation a little bit further.

“I don’t sleep with pigs either, Harrison.”

“Harrington.” Steve corrected. “A little flirting never hurt anyone.”

The stranger raised an eyebrow. “Yeah but more than a few cops have.” He said flatly. “Have the night you deserve officer.” He called out before walking away.

Steve laughed and shook his head, watching as he walked away. He was going to be thinking about this stranger for the rest of the night, that was for sure. It turns out Steve would be thinking about that stranger everyday, until his friend Dustin introduced him to his friend Eddie Munson. Dustin had apparently worked very hard to keep them apart given Eddie’s very loud hatred of cops and Steve being well…

Steve could still win him over, right?

[sassycheesecake]

It was the middle of the night when you hear lots of tapping noises while you are sleeping in your apartment.

It sounds like multiple taps all at once, almost like little pebbles hitting your glass window.

Groaning, you turn to the other side in your bed, away from the noise that keeps coming from your window.

All of sudden, the noises stopped and you sighed in relief, happy to go back to sleep.

But then, when you were mere seconds away to falling into your dream of a zombie apocalypse, the noise of something hitting your window came back, a lot louder this time.

Apparently, whatever flew against your window broke the glass and now a big rock of the size of a rat lays on your floor.

When the sound of broken glass finally wakes you up with a startled gasp, you run to see what could have caused this.

A stalker? A murderer? A kidnapper? A shooter?

As soon as you look outside, you see a tall figure standing on the ground, all dressed in black.

You’re about to run to grab your phone from its charging station to call the cops, but when the big figure pushed down the hoodie from his head, you see spiky salt-and-pepper colored hair, with a big smile and golden, illuminating eyes.

Your heart does a few exciting jumps, easily being able recognize that hair from miles away.

But then you remember that the cute asshole just busted your window.

Opening it, you see Bokuto coming closer to you, if he had a tail, he‘d be wagging it wildly.

"Bo! You busted my window!" You hissed at him.

"I am sorry, love! But you weren’t answering your phone or my window call so I had to use something bigger! I just missed you so much." He looks sheepishly back at you, as he kicks one of his shoes into the dirt.

You sigh, his cuteness never fails to make you swoon for him.

You don’t get to see your boyfriend often due to his busy job, recently promoted to a wakagashira, the first lieutenant of Shūgo Meian, family boss of the Black Jackals of Tokyo.

"Can I come in and see you? I haven’t seen you in weeks! Boss had me running his errands forever." He pouts and gets even closer to the window. The only thing that separates you from him, is being on the second floor.

Now, Bokuto could be a normal person and just use the front door like a normal person, but Bokuto is not a normal person.

No.

That 6' 2.9" pure muscle of a man takes a few steps back and you know what that means.

Bokuto starts running towards your window and jumps to climb up the pipes on the side of your apartment.

The first time he did that, you screamed in fear, terrified he would fall and die.

With the many times he has done that, it’s a piece of cake for Bokuto now.

You see his tattooed hands on your window sill, pushing himself up with a small grunt, yet it looks like he didn’t break a sweat.

When he slides over your window frame, and stands up to his full height, you almost tear up in happiness.

Like magnets, the two of you almost run into each other, engulfing yourselves in a tight hug.

Bokuto is nuzzling his face into your neck, inhaling your familiar strawberry shampoo, while his strong arms wrap around your waist.

Standing up on your toes, you have your arms wrapped his neck, almost tearing up because you missed your muscular teddy bear so much.

Even if he occasionally has to kill people, easily snap someone‘s neck with his bare hands, he still has the softest heart around you.

Like sending you flowers almost every day, hiring someone to deliver food to you whenever you’re hungry or sending you romantic poems, pouring his whole heart into words of affirmation if he can’t be with you physically.

When he takes a small step back, he still has you in his arms, and he takes a good look over you, making sure you‘re okay.

"Kō? Everything okay?" You quietly ask your lover with a worried look on your face because it looks like he is close to tearing up.

"I just missed you so, my precious sweetheart. I am sorry I was gone for so long, you’re always in my thoughts every day and when you didn’t answer your phone…. I-I was so scared that something happened to you." Almost shaking, he responds while caressing your face.

You see the two owls on his neck, one great horned owl, representing him and one collared owlet, representing you.

He got that tattoo done on your first anniversary together, you sat with him while he didn’t flinch a single time, he just kept smiling at you while caressing your hand with his own.

That may have been a stupid decision on his part, because everyone knows you shouldn’t get a couple tattoo of your partner but you know it and Bokuto knows it.

You are soulmates, even if your worlds are completely different from another.

[ketho484]

Chapter seven of the Actor AU!

Warning: This chapter contains mentions of near death and actual death as well as gun use. Discretion is advised

Au belongs to @frillsand

🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀

Chapter 7: The Rescue

The cast of Welcome home all had a day off today. They went to their chatroom and decided to meet at the community center to figure out their next move to help Willow. They all met at the center, Wally arriving last as he was still seething after last night. When prompted by Barnaby about his anger, Wally told them everything he learned, showing them the contents of the briefcase as proof. Needless to say, they were convinced his theory might be right.

“No wonder you go to close to her so quickly” Poppy stated as she and Howdy inspected the birth certificate

“No wonder she trusted you more than all of us combined” Howdy added

“And now that poor little kid is living with her kidnapper?” Sally asked, Wally nodding in affirmation

“And the murderer of your parents?” Frank added, earning another nod from Wally, who looked ready to kill someone

“Gee, Wally. That must’ve been really hard on you to learn this” Eddie said as he put a comforting hand on Wally’s shoulder

“…I’m going to that house tonight” Wally stated “We have the evidence we need right here. Id you guys can keep all this safe, I’ll get Willow somewhere safe and make sure the cops take him away”

“Wally, are you sure that’s a good idea?” Julie asked, worried for her friend “What if you get hurt?”

“Julie’s right” Barnaby spoke up “If you’re gonna do this, at least take someone as backup”

“Not to mention a potential witness if something goes wrong” Frank added

“Mmmm…You all make good points” Wally said as he took a breath “I-I just couldn’t sleep last night now that I know what I know”

“It’s okay, Wally” Poppy said as she wrapped a wing around his shoulders “Nobody’s judging you. We just want you to be careful”

Wally sighed and looked over at Eddie

“…Me?” Eddie pointed to himself

“You and Howdy both work jobs outside of our acting careers” Wally explained “You work at the post office in the early mornings, he works the night shift at a Whole Foods. Not only are you the most available, but thanks to your job, you’re cool under pressure and won’t freak out of something goes wrong”

“Wally has a point” Howdy said “You remember that fight that broke out in the store last time you were there. You immediately took charge and acted as a mediator to help break it up before security could do anything”

“If anything, behind that sweet attitude is a smart soldier” Frank added, making eddie blush

“Well…If you really think i’m capable, you don’t mind if I drive, do you?” Eddie asked shyly “My car is darker, so it’ll be less likely to be spotted”

“Deal” Wally smiled before turning to the others “The rest of you be on standby just in case something goes wrong in the worst possible way”

With an affirming nod, the group all went back to their homes, Eddie taking the briefcase just in case Eric tried looking through Wally’s house to get it back. Wally waited all day, practicing his painting while he did before Eddie pulled up in his simple, black Camaro. Wally got in, tablet in hand, and directed Eddie to the right house. The arguing was really bad tonight. Poor Willow was crying again as Wally pulled out his phone and called the cops.

“HCPD, how can I help you?” A lady on the other line spoke

“Hi, I’d like to report that I might’ve found the killer of the Darling couple” Wally said

“Wait, really!?” The lady spoke up “Where is he!?”

“Number 2059 West Maple Avenue”

“Damn, that’s in the suburbs. No wonder we couldn’t find this guy. Alright, a squad is-”

Before the lady could finish, a loud shot was heard inside the house, making both Eddie and Wally jump

“What was that?” The lady asked, having heard the gunshot

“…I think the guy shot a gun” Wally said worriedly

“Okay, don’t move. Help is coming” The woman said before hanging up

“We’ve gotta get Willow out of there!” Wally said as he dropped his phone and dashed for the house, Eddie following close behind

Willow screamed from inside, a scream that quickly got louder as she saw Wally and ran for him. Wally was going to pick her up, But Eric came from behind and headlocked her, picking her up and backing away as he held a gun to her temple. Behind them, Wally and Eddie could both see Jessica dead on the ground with a bullet hole in her skull. It made them sick, but also sad that the one person Willow saw as her mom, the only one in that house who tried to save her, had died to try and make that happen.

“Stay back!” Eric shouted, Willow crying out as she struggled in his hold, finding it somewhat hard to breathe, though not impossible “You bastards should’ve minded your own damn business!”

“It is our business!” Wally shouted, rage evident in his eyes “Especially since you took my sister away!”

“This brat is mine!” Eric screamed “This is how a puppet should treat it’s fucking master! And you made her disobey!”

“Please let her go” Eddie begged “She’s just a child”

“No! I’m making sure nobody will find this brat again!” Eric shouted as Willow got an idea “And you can’t stop me-AAAAAGH!!!”

At that moment, as the sirens were being heard coming closer, Willow bit down into Eric’s arm and ran towards Wally, not even thinking about catching her breath. Wally bent down and held her in his arms, but turned his body around when Eric pointed the gun and fired, Eddie, getting down to avoid the shot…

…Silence filled the air followed by a thump. Willow let out a scream as Eddie ran to place pressure on a fresh gunshot wound in Wally’s chest. The guy was struggling to breathe, his vision blurring and his hearing muffled as he heard sirens of the cops and an ambulance. The cops dragged a screaming Eric to their car while the paramedics took Wally straight to the hospital. Eddie had to stop Willow from running after him, holding her back so the medics could do their jobs. Once she stopped struggling, once the ambulance drove off, Eddie washed his hands in the house sink and took Willow to the car, driving her to his apartment. It was small, but quaint. Eddie set Willow on the couch and got her something small to eat, not wanting her tummy to be too upset after what she just went through. She didn’t eat anything. She just stared at her plate for forty-five minutes before the landline rang. Eddie picked it up.

“Hello? This is Eddie” He spoke to the other person on the line, though Willow couldn’t hear what the other person was saying “Uh-huh…Yeah, she’s safe. How’s Wally?…Yeah? Oh my gosh, thank you so much!…Yeah? Oh…Oh, I see…No, no, I’ll tell her…Yeah, I’ll deliver the news…He’s going to be okay, right?…Okay…Yeah, thank you” With that, Eddie hung up the phone and approached Willow slowly “Well…The good news is he’s stable”

“Will he be coming for me?” Willow asked, her voice quiet as she set the food tray aside

“…That’s the bad news. He’s in a coma right now, so he won’t be able to wake up for a little while” Eddie explained, pulling the little puppet into his arms “He’ll wake up, I’m sure of it, but he needs some time, okay?”

Willow hugged Eddie, fresh tears coming to her eyes as she nodded tiredly

"...Okay. I trust you..."

[myfriendofmiseryyy]

Fade into you

A Marcus pike x plus sized fem reader fanfic 💜

Content warnings!!!!!!

Mentions of very toxic relationships,mentions of verbal and emotional abuse,mentions of sexual assault and abuse.

3 months earlier:

Rain falls down my face as I stand outside his apartment for the last time,I’m done done with his mind games and constant gaslighting. I call an Uber to pick me up,and take me back “home” my own fucking apartment doesn’t even feel like home anymore every where I look I see all the memories and arguments I’ve had with jake,I can’t even sleep without having vivid nightmares about the last 12 months of our relationship.

I moved half way across the world for him,for it to be thrown back in my face when the abuse started. I should of seen it coming,I was stupid to think someone could actually love me. But at least I’ve got a job now,and I enjoy it. I work for the government,fbi to be exact,how I fucking FBI Agent didn’t see the fact my own boyfriend was abusing me for 4 years is beyond me. I get in the Uber and tell the driver the directions to my apartment,I feel on edge,I don’t trust anyone especially men. He gives me a kind smile and starts driving towards my apartment,sensing I didn’t want to speak,he just turned the radio on. Thank fuck.

I get home and slump on the couch,my now ex boyfriend has sent me multiple messages

11.30 pm

“Please I fucked up,please I love you forgive me”

11.33 pm

“Please baby,I will do anything”

11:45 pm

“Fuck you,worthless slut. You are not worth anything. Your friend is a better fuck anyway”

I block his number and his social media accounts.

One thing about being in the fbi is that I know he is going to pay for what he has done. Maybe after this is all over I will help over people in the same situation as me, help them get their life’s back on track. But first I need to help myself.

My apartment is a mess,my constant state of depression and being at work all the time has really taken its toll,I try my hardest but sometimes all the cleaning gets too much. I do the reminder of the dishes then decide to head to bed,not that I will be getting any sleep. I’m constantly terrified jake will break in,he has done it before. Breaking in to my apartment at the dead of night just to shout abuse at me,but my neighbours know what a scumbag he is,and they have cameras all over the building. “I’m safe” I tell myself.

No way am I sleeping with the lights off though,I do my nighttime routine and then text my co worker Marcus to say that I might be running late tomorrow because I’ve only just gotten back. Honestly,marcus has been suspicious of jake since the the day he burst into the office demanding that he needed to speak to me “right now” ever since then marcus has kinda been protective over me. Marcus and I have become pretty close friends (as close as Jake allowed us to be) and we check in on each other regularly. He has been through some shit the last few months with his ex Teresa,she abandoned him and called off the engagement after she met another guy. Marcus was in bits,I just wish I could of helped him more at the time. But I had to be home at a certain time,Jake set an alarm on his phone for what time I finished work,and if I wasn’t home by then he would go ape shit.

At least now I can hang out with Marcus and other co workers after work without jake breathing down my throat.

———————————————————————————-

3 months later

It’s been 3 months since I broke it off with Jake,my life has taken a turn for the better. I got a restraining order against him and I came clean about what happened to Marcus,he was infuriated and wanted to put the man behind bars. However Jake is (was) a cop and trying to put a cop behind bars is…very tricky,Jake knew all the best lawyers and the case fell through. It’s weird because technically the FBI is above the police but it still felt like Jake had all the power over me. I cried and cried that night. Marcus has Been there for me every step of the way,even down to coming to my apartment at 4am after I call him hysterically crying because I had a nightmare about Jake. He has installed new locks and a ring camera for me so I can see who is at my door,and has even taught me how to defend myself in that sort of situation. We have movie nights often where we take it in turns to pick a movie,I still feel very on edge around physical contact,Marcus acknowledges that and keeps his distance if needed,but honestly I like snuggling into him. He feels safe and I trust him. I often find myself falling asleep in his arms,it’s a reminder that I’m healing. I’m healing from all the shit Jake put me through. Although at the moment I can’t see myself and Marcus being more than good friends,I can’t help myself but like him as more than friends,he is kind,caring,compassionate and not to mention drop dead gorgeous. I think somehow,somewhere,someone put us together. I’m not a religious person,far from it. But I do believe in “soulmates” and I also believe in spirit guides. Maybe this is the way my life is supposed to go. Yeah I’ve been through a lot,to much if I’m honest. But maybe meeting and working with Marcus is the best thing that will ever happen to me,he certainly restored my faith in men.

I’ve been going to therapy for around 3 weeks now,my therapist being a very wise mid to late 50s woman,who has also gone through abuse.she tells me I am very strong and have a heart of gold. And that I need to heal before I get into another relationship. She has told me a lot of methods and books I can read,I’ve read more in the last few weeks than I have in my entire life.

Marcus is interested too,I lent him one of my books and he came to work the next morning with tears in his eyes and said “if this is just a fraction of what you went through then you are the strongest person I’ve ever known” and pulled me into a hug. Marcus is never shy to show his emotions,I like that about him. He is never shy of crying at a movie or a good song,he is never shy of telling me how HE feels. It has come up in conversation once or twice how he “thinks the world of me” and I’m “the most powerful beautiful woman he’s ever met” it normally comes out on the nights I’m crying into his shoulder because I think it’s all my fault. “Darling,one day you will know how it feels to be loved by a proper man,a man who will do anything for you because you deserve everything” he will whisper into my ear,he knows I am not ready for a relationship yet,he actually encourages I heal first,just like he did with Lisbon. But feelings are feelings and we both know that our feelings towards each other are more than platonic at this point. Small touches and eye contact kinda give it away,I just wish I wasn’t so fucked in the head that I could act on those feelings.

Later that day

Marcus comes over for our weekly movie night and we start the night off like we usually do,getting takeout. I’ve started to feel more insecure about eating around Marcus recently because of my feelings for him. I’m a bigger girl and all through out my life I was told I’m “fat” and “shouldn’t be eating that” the take way is ordered and it comes in no time,we get the pizza and sourdough out of the boxes and sit down on the sofa. “You can eat around me ya know,I think your body is beautiful,I don’t care what society thinks” Marcus softly says. “I know…it’s just all through out my life people have told me I shouldn’t eat certain “fatty” foods because I’m already fat enough” I sigh.

“Well fuck them,eat what you fucking want. It’s your life not theirs.” He says softly then chuckles.

“You think I’m beautiful?” I shyly say.

“I know you are” he says and leans in closer to me.

Ya know how I said I love how Marcus speaks his mind? That is what I mean,he isn’t afraid to say something “controversial” he also isn’t afraid to admit something is off with himself or if something is off with me he will be the first person to notice. He’s just so god damn perfect.

I sigh deeply.

“What’s up” he says after finishing his pizza “pizza put you in a food coma?” He chuckles.

“No no,I’m fine! just…thinking”

“Penny for thoughts? Or do you want to be left alone for a bit?”

Prang there goes my heart strings again,god fucking damnit.

“Could we just cuddle for a bit? Could use the grounding?” I say softly.

“Sure thing hunny,come ‘ere” Marcus pats his chest.

We stay cuddled for around half an hour,to be honest I’m far from relaxed I’ve been rehearsing a fucking speech for the past hour,of how I’m going to admit my feelings to Marcus,how I’m going to go about it.

“You sure you ok? You are very quiet today” Marcus strokes my hair gently.

Fuck it I’m gonna tell him,what could possibly go wrong?

“Marcus,can we talk?” I say shyly.

“Yeah of course what’s up hun?” He lifts his head up slightly and pauses the movie on the screen.

I take a deep breath,”this has been bubbling for a while now,but I like you.more than just friends,you make me feel safe,protected…happy again,you’ve help me through the toughest times of my life…you’ve helped me heal. I never thought I would trust anyone with my heart again but you came into my life with your charm and kindness and swept me off my feet. I think I’m ready to take my healing journey to the next step,to be in a relationship again,and I want it to be with you”.

Marcus looks shocked but happy,he puts his finger on my cheek and wipes the tears,”oh darling I’m so proud of you, you already know how much I think of you,how beautiful I think you are. And how I want to spend the rest of my life proving how real love should be. But for you to say those words,I’m so fucking proud of you. I know how much it took for you to say those words,and how much it even took for you to admit you had feelings for someone again. We can take this as slow as you want,your in control here,we will do this at your pace. And I mean everything,sex,kissing,going out in public,everything is your pace I promise”. He holds my face in his hands before pulling me into a hug,I can’t help but breakdown a little. This is the safest I’ve ever felt,in years…maybe even in my life,and it’s all thanks to Marcus.”don’t cry baby,you’ll get me going” Marcus soothes me gently by rubbing my back. “There happy tears,I’ve never felt so happy and safe with anyone” I say wiping my tears.” “Is it ok if I kiss you,I really want to kiss you” “I want you to kiss me Marcus,I’ve dreamt of kissing you for the last 8 months,when I was with Jake, and he would kiss me,I imagined it was you,even though you are nothing like Jake…obviously,I’m rambling just kiss me” I laugh softly. The moment his lips meet mine it is like a million fireworks,his lips are so soft and plump,like they were made for me. They mold into mine so easily,the softness of his lips and the slight roughness of his stuble,it all feels so amazing,it feels natural to kiss him. Like we have been together all along,our skins rubbing against each other as we kiss.

When we finally break the kiss,the look on both our faces is pure bliss,”so your saying…all them years I’ve been in bad relationship after bad relationship you were here all this fuckin time,waiting for me?” I chuckle softly. “That’s how the world works darlin” he laughs and cups my face in his hand “your an amazing kisser,I can’t believe I didn’t kiss you sooner” he chuckles

“You and me both,I wish I found you when I moved over here. Not stayed with that abusive dickhead for another 5 years.” I sigh softly “you make me feel so alive Marcus”

We have a deep chat about how our relationship is going to go for the next 4 hours before heading to bed.

“Can you…sleep with me tonight, I know you normally sleep on the couch but…I want to be close to you” I say shyly.

“Of course hunny,I couldn’t think of anything more perfect” Marcus whispers.

We sleep in each others arms all night.

[lyraeon]

at 20 I thought I was faking my depression and was "bad at life" and lazy like my family said. I still earnestly believed I was entirely straight and everyone knew girls are just nicer to look at. I still had a ton of ingrained racism and other bigotry from my Bush-worshipping family. My main dream of being an astronaut had been smashed by my anxiety and health problems, so I was trying to study Japanese because like every other weeb I thought I'd fit in better over there (lol), but I'd already flunked out of one college and been forced to quit another to get a second job. I was overdrawn constantly and often buying gas station gift cards at the grocery store so I'd only take one overdraft fee. I was dating someone horribly controlling who eventually earned the title "evil ex", dialed up my eating disorder, and traumatized me out of writing for 2+ years. I had several roommates because we all considered having the funds to go to anime conventions more important than personal space (and because back then we already thought $600/month was expensive). I spent any other free time half asleep at a friend's house cuz there I could play games and watch Intent videos. Half my meals came free from work, the rest were hacked together from stuff that worked out to $1/serving or so. The power or internet got turned off at least twice a year from non-payment.

at 25 I thought I was too depressed to deserve burdening others with my presence or existence. that I was a burden and purposeful downer and nothing would ever get better. I was still dealing with a ton of internalized transphobia, racism, and other bigotry that I had been taught was Just The Truth and still occasionally fall into. I was massively straight edge against weed and anything else (threatened to call cops on close friends) while also being a half bottle of vodka a day alcoholic just to get my brain to shut up enough to let me write or sleep. I didn't know how to have fun without alcohol, if at all. I had lost my ability to draw when I severely injured my wrist while i had no insurance. I tried going back to school, first for architecture then teaching, and flunked/dropped out of both. I was losing jobs every 6~8 months from being chronically late and being sick constantly. I manged to lose one on my birthday and wound up having to make some other tough choices because of it. I had only just reached the point where being overdrawn was a rare thing and I wasn't buying single gallons of gas with tip money. food was still often just ramen but I no longer had days where I didn't know if I'd get to eat, though I was often dependent on my then-bf. I had multiple teeth rotting and couldn't afford any treatment besides getting them pulled, and often not until they'd become infected.

by 30 I was finally on antidepressants and in therapy. I was on the road to physical therapy for shoulder and wrist injuries that had happened years earlier. I was pretty happy in my relationship. I held down one job for almost 3 years straight after getting medicated, then turned around and flunked/dropped out of college for the 5th time (Physics this time) because I was too anxious to take public transit reliably and STILL couldn't do homework anywhere but in class, so most projects never got done. I'd stopped being able to write (and am still running from the possibility my meds Took That from me because it doesn't come back if I stop them). Food had become a different struggle - I no longer had time, physical health, or executive function to cook reliably so I was spending too much on take out and causing wild fluctuations in my weight. I was hiding my eating disorder from my partner and my friends. I had begrudgingly un-estranged myself from my family to support younger cousins as they came out as queer. I had developed a healthier relationship with alcohol. I had accepted that, outside of addiction, drugs are a bodily autonomy thing and stopped being an ass to people about them. I had finally learned some damn etiquette around things like not accidentally outing people. I started streaming and making videos - stuff I had dreamed of since first watching Dead Fantasy and Red vs Blue and Weeblstuff in high school but had thought impossible after I lost the ability to draw.

I'm currently 35. This year I am living on my own for the first time (aside from 5 failed months at 18). I got divorced - a complicated, regretful process that was ultimately for the best but I could and should have handled better (and sooner). I've been in physical therapy long enough that I'm able to use chopsticks properly again and am thinking of trying to relearn drawing. It's also meant I can do the dishes and wash my hair on my own again, most days, so I'm relearning how to cook consistently. I'm reading (listening to) books again. I'm on year 8 of antidepressants and currently working with my doctor to fine tune what I'm on (and finally have a system to take them consistently). I've been diagnosed with ADHD and figured out I might also be autistic, and a lot of things in my life make way more sense when viewed through that context. I have appointments to get evaluated for ADHD meds, autism, shoulder surgery/other "PT isn't enough" treatments, teeth implants, and new glasses. my clothes have been put away 3 of the last 5 times I did laundry and I've learned that if I only own one dishwasher worth of dishes, the sink can't pile up. I've fully embraced that I'm polyamorous, pansexual, and demiromantic, and that I can be cis while also being "gender agnostic" - none of it really matters or processes to me, but I get that it does to others so I respect it. I'm seeing someone who makes me feel like I can do anything, is inspiringly ambitious themself, and is equally polyam, meaning I might also be asking out a cute girl soon and don't know where board game nights with the nice throuple I met might go. I'm having to do odd jobs and accept help from my dad to make ends meet, but I'm arguably a full time content creator now - something I literally didn't even let myself dream about when I was younger because it felt impossible, but which is fully worth the complications and budget crunching because it's so accommodating to my disabilities and uses so many of my talents. I'm still depressed, but I have hope that ADHD treatment will help cut through the remainder. Most days I just have hope, period. And more days than not, I'm genuinely happy for at least a while.

You'll find yourself.

It might take a while. There will be detours, mistakes, pain, tough choices, and a lot of hard work. But there will also be unexpected joys and more possibilities than you ever imagined.

Someday, you'll find yourself.

And when you do, it will be worth the wait, I promise.