#but we wouldn’t be in this mess if they talked about their feelings hmm once

[cometrose]

tried looking at queen of tears discussion on twitter and that was my first mistake my bad anyway i think it’s wrong to pin their fucked up marriage solely on one person like you can say she should’ve been more attentive or he should’ve been more thoughtful but the truth is marriage is a two person game and it’s clear they still care about each other but their shitty communication ruining the whole show hell you could even say that they were so head over heels and got married that they truly didn’t understand each other anyway i digress

[jesssssssssica]

how you get the girl mv1

max verstappen was not normally someone who would go to other people for help, seeing as he deems it too embarrassing, expecting himself to be the only person that can fix his problems. 

that’s why when daniel was on the receiving end of a call with max verstappen at midnight on a tuesday, did he find himself shocked.

“i need your help”

“oh hello to you too max.”

“sorry, i just need your hel-”

“yeah, i heard you the first time. anyway you need my help? i thought you were mr independent, a lone wolf?” he chuckles slightly at the end of this question finding this whole situation quite ironic. 

“this isn’t funny dan, i really need your help, i messed up bigtime.” he whimpers, cradling his forehead with his spare hand. 

only now does daniel realise that his friend is truly being serious, having previously thought that the only help he needed was getting into his locked apartment but no it must have been much worse.

daniel quickly clears his throat before questioning,

“what happened max?”

“i broke up with her.”

silence. the air thickens on both sides of the phone, shivers running down the pair's backs. 

“why?”

that’s all daniel can say, knowing that if he were to say anything more he’d find himself getting angry at the issue at hand. in his mind a breakup between y/n and max wasn’t physically possible, they were so in love with each other it was insane. the pair were soulmates and nothing could get between the two which is why even the mention of a break up between the two leaves a sour taste in your mouth. 

“i…” max slowly says, “i don’t know dan. one moment we were on the sofa just talking and then the next we were just shouting and i just got so mad and so i just broke it off and left.” 

“what were you two talking about? it must have been something if it caused such an outrage.” 

“i was talking about y/n giving up her job to join me…” he utters, embarrassed at his past self's words. he knew from previous conversations that y/n would never ever give up her career, having given up so much to put herself where she is right now. 

‘how could i ever think so selfishly?’ max thinks, pulling at his hair, fisting it and scrunching it up as he fights off the tears brewing in his eyes, waiting for daniel. 

safe to say daniel was not very impressed with his friends words, knowing that you had not liked to even think of the idea of leaving your job, it being a big part of your life. 

“max… you know how she feels about that, she’s just afraid that if you ever were to break up then she would just be stuck and as much as she does love you, she just doesn’t want to risk it and plus she loves her job!”

“i know daniel, i know! but i miss her too much and it’s not like i wouldn’t be able to support the bo-”

“max! you have to learn that y/n wants to be known as y/n not max verstappen's girlfriend, which already happens when you’re apart. what do you think would happen if she went with you hmm?”

it’s as if time has repeated itself as once again the call goes silent.

“i just love her too much to not be around her all the time. it’s as if i can only live when she’s around, and it’s probably true. y’know my mum told me that she’s never seen me as happy as she did when i was y/n, claiming that when she was in the toilet i wasn’t wearing the same smile i was when she got back. i know that she’s my future dan, my world and now i’ve gone and messed it up just like everything else. when i told her that this wasn’t going to work, i swear the look she gave me made me regret everything and yet i just stood there, looking adamant at my decision. even as she packed her things i said nothing, i watched her go and did nothing. who does that to the person they love? who just lets them go so easily and doesn’t fight for it? i need her back daniel but surely she won’t let me back into her heart when i’ve only just broken it.”

by the end of max’s ramble, daniel is sure he hears a few sniffles, though he’s not sure if it’s from him or max. 

“i’ll help you max.”

—

the very next morning, max is woken from his broken sleep by relentless knocks on his door, followed by the shouts of,

“max!” “let me in!” 

“what are you doing here daniel?”

daniel, doesn’t reply, instead reaching into his bag and tossing out a booklet. 

How to get the girl by daniel ricciardo 

“since the call last night, i’ve been making this guide on how to get y/n back and i swear if you follow these steps, then all will be good.” 

“oh really? this is what’ll take to get y/n back yeah? just a few simple steps?”

“well if you read it then you’d know what these ‘simple steps’ were.”

step one - go to her (preferably in the pouring rain)

so he does. 

‘stupid daniel’ max thinks, shivering in cold and dreary rain, waiting anxiously for you to open the door.

“hell- oh max. what are you doing here, it’s tipping down? are you insane?”

“i missed you.” is all max can say.

“you miss me? you broke up with me and then you have the audacity to say that you miss me?”

“i didn’t mean it y/n, i just really wanted you to come with me because i love you too much to live without me-”

“hang on, you’re saying that you wouldn’t be able to live without me and yet you did the only thing which meant i wasn’t in your life. max, you could’ve just let our life continue on as normal and then you would still have me but you didn’t.”

“y/n i’m a mess without you and i am so sorry for everything. i love you with my heart and without you i’m not me. i don’t know what came over me in that moment but i will never regret anything more than i did in that moment. you’re my soulmate y/n and i can’t continue living without you. i’ve lost sleep and i’m not the same person anymore. i’ve gotten snappier and i’m distancing myself from all my friends because i’m scared i’ll lose them too.”

“oh.”

step two - say nice things 

“i want you for worse or for better y/n and i would wait for thousands of years for you to come back to me and i wouldn’t regret it because it would mean i would have you again. i know i broke your heart but hopefully it means i can put it back together because i truly do love you y/n.”

“max you need to understand that it’ll take time for me to take you back because even though you regret it, i need to heal and maybe once i’ve healed i’ll let you back in. i do love you though max, always will and i thank you for loving me too.” 

“i won’t give up y/n, i’ll keep coming back.”

“i’ll be here max.”

step three - remind her how it use to be 

the second time max appeared at y/n’s, he found himself feeling much more confident than how he did during his first endeavour, daniel having given him some motivation. 

he takes a moment to breathe before knocking his fist on your door. 

“when you said you’d keep coming back i didn’t know you’d actually follow through with it.” 

“of course i would, i meant it when i said i wanted you back.”

you just stare at the man as he talks, arms crossed around your chest resting on your doorframe. 

“well… what do you have to say for yourself? or are you just gonna stand there and stare at me for half an hour?”

“well if you’re offerin-”

“max! get to the point please or i will close this door.” 

he only smiles, staring at your face, admiring you before coming to his senses and speaking once more. 

“i just wanted to remind you of the time we spent together, y'know. i mean i was just lying down on the sofa and just staring at some old photos and i was thinking of the nights where we would just stay and lay and cuddle. nights reserved just for you and i remember? or as soon as we both had time off work, then we’d just jet off to a new country and relax, tanning under the sun or skiing in the snow. we should do that soon, have a nice holiday to just relax and love each other, wouldn’t you just love that, a romantic holiday just for the pair of us?  i certainly would but we’d have to get back together first but i guess that’s why i’m here.” 

“that would be nice i guess but i could do that with any man, a man that wouldn’t selfishly try and get me to quit my job when he knows i love it so much.”

“they don’t know you like i do though y/n! they also don’t deserve someone as sweet and perfect as yo-”

“so what? that makes you the perfect man for me then?”

“yes it does as a matter of fact! i know that even though you say that you love redbull, you really wish that some other team was winning but you also love that i’m winning. you also say that you prefer dogs but jimmy and sassy are your only exceptions. i know that y/n and no other person knows that. you say that you don’t want kids but you can’t help but want them when you see luka and lio and yet you still always claim that you will forever be the cool aunt! i also know that even though you put up this strong front, i know that i hurt you and i know that i will have to fight hard for you but i promise y/n, i swear that i will fight for you, i really will.”

by the end of his speech, both yours and his ears are filled with tears.

“...max.. i don’t know what to say.”

“then don’t say anything but yes, don’t say anything but i trust you max. reassure me y/n, tell me that we still could be something, don’t give me false hope i swear. i know i messed up but i really didn’t mean it.” 

“i swear max, that if you fight for me hard enough, then i’ll let you back in.”

step four - Say more nice things!!! 

the next time you get a visit from max is a week later in the early hours of the day. 

knock. knock. knock. 

repeatedly max knocks his fist on the door, over and over. 

quickly you get up, rubbing your eyes, stretching your arms and legs as you walk across your apartment, yanking the door open. 

“max? what are you doing here? it’s…i don’t even know what time it is but it’s way too early for me to talk to you about this.”

“i couldn’t sleep y/n, you kept me awake, i couldn’t stop thinking about you and so that’s why i’m here. i’ve been losing sleep everyday anyway but tonight was just unbearable. i need you y/n, please.”

“come in max.”

so he does, walking towards the sofa when a cough breaks him out of his daydream.

“no max, if you can’t sleep then sleep in the bed.” 

max’s heart soars at the prospect of being back into your arms once more, which is why he immediately scoops you up into his arms and dumps you onto your bed, tucking the pair of you under the covers. 

it takes a few minutes of staring at the ceiling to finally break down and hold each other, you having the confidence to rest your head on his chest, that soothes you, listening to the beat of his heart. 

it’s silent before the sound of soft sobs are heard throughout the room. the sobs are then followed by shaking. it’s max. 

“i love you, so so much.” is all max can manage to get out. 

“i love you too max.” 

that’s all the reassurance he needs, both of you falling into a deep slumber holding each other, just as you always would.

and that’s how you get the girl.

a/n: so i didn't die but i've just been so unmotivated to write and i just keep coming up with new ideas but no words to go along with it but oh well! this is for 1989 tv xxx

[xxnomadsxx]

I can only imagine your Branch giving the most disturbing gifts to show he cares. Ex:

Floyd: Oh man, I always worried Velvet and Veneer are gonna come back at some point

Branch: *Man, I wanna make him feel better hmm*

Cue the next day:

Branch: Here Floyd, this should make you feel safer (Man is covered in BLOOD and holding an even bloodier box) 😊

Floyd (about to pass out): Oh thanks B… what is it??

Branch: Velvet and Veneers vocal cords 😁 (He genuinely believes this will make him feel better)

Floyd: Oh… thank you Branch (He doesn’t want to reject the gift since it is one of the only occasions Branch has shown any of the brother’s affection)

His gifts only get worst from there. The brothers one time mention what happened to the Bergen that ate Grandma??? Branch puts Chef’s skeleton up in display for them to see that there’s nothing to worry about and that she’s been avenged. Meanwhile , BroZone: 🧍🧍🧍🧍

Poppy mentions that Creek betrayed the entire Troll kingdom??? Oh yeah, he tells the hilarious story about the time he was roasted alive and eaten by the village and even offers Poppy a tuff of his hair as proof.

He associates threats being eliminated as comforting and so he believes proof of that are the best gifts, he has good intentions but wtf he’s gotta work on better love languages.

anyways yeah BroZone loses their shit every time this happens but don’t have the heart to tell Branch to stop since it’s one of his main ways to show he cares about them and they’ll take anything at this point.

Honestly no one in the village is good at getting appropriate gifts ESPECIALLY Branch (he’s been living with the feral trolls(?) for years and their love language is violence) so you’re gonna have to forgive them on their very gruesome gifts.

All these situations are basically canon now because the idea is just so funny to me that Branch just pulled out all these corpse parts just to be like “don’t worry you’re safe😁”. Every time he does this his brother are just going through every emotion. It’s sweet that he did the gesture for them but also terrifying when you actually think about it (when he’s left the room, at least two of them puked and Floyd passed out four times) When Floyd is given the vocal cords as a gift the only thing keeping him conscious is the adoration that his baby brother got him a gift, but once Branch left the room, he immediately put the box in the closet and proceeded to puke on the floor. (Originally Branch got the vocal cords after he found out velvet and veneer took Floyd, but I find the idea of him going back for round two just so he can get a trophy for Floyd to tell him he was “safe” even better)

When he showed the skeleton to the brothers they were just too shocked to actually understand what was happening and kind of just went numb for a few minutes, all they could do was force themselves to focus on how happy Branch was so they wouldn’t have a meltdown.(when they later registered what they saw they just cried) When Poppy brought up how angry she is at Creek and how mad she is that he up and left again instead of staying to face his problems!! Branch laughed and said “OH, don’t worry we handled it😁” and he pulled out a tuff of Creeks hair, and hilariously explained the “funny story” of Creeks demise.

Everyone at this point just stops talking about people they don’t like out of fear that Branch Is just gonna come out with their body at any second. They like the gestures of the gift. It’s just the fact that they’re basically just corpse parts in a box that is handed to them with a smile 😊 saying, “I hope you like it” (he eventually stops when explained how messed up it is)

[noonaishere]

Online/Offline [C.S] - ninety-two | Mission Accomplished, right?

You sat on the couch and stroked Byeol as she napped, curled up in your lap.

“I know you don’t drink coffee, so here’s some hot chocolate.” San handed you the mug and sat next to you.

“Thank you,” you yawned. You took a sip of your drink and then combed your fingers through your hair and tried to fix the mess it became while sleeping. You looked over at Yunho, he seemed to be doing a not-so-bad job of making pancakes.

“She looks comfy.” San said as he gestured to Byeol.

You smiled. “Do you think cats know when people feel bad?”

“Mmm… I don’t know. Sometimes when I’m sad Byeol will come over to me so… maybe she does.” He smoothed his hand over her fur once.

You nodded. 

He watched you for a few moments as you pet her. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“Yeah, I guess. I mean, I probably should.”

You went quiet again and he watched you as he waited.

“Sometimes I wish I were a cat. Then I wouldn’t have to deal with any of this.”

“But you wouldn’t be able to play video games.”

“So? I’d be a cat. I’d have no idea video games even exist. I’d play the games Feather Toy and Ball of Yarn.”

He watched you, a half-smile on his lips from your joke.

You sighed.

“So how do you feel?”

You sighed again. “Better, now that Byungchul is being held by the cops and I know he can’t bother me.”

He nodded. “That has to be a weight off your shoulders.”

“Yeah, it definitely is.”

“I’ll talk to the legal team today and ask her how the case is coming.”

“They’ll have something already?”

“Yeah, they’re pretty fast workers.”

You nodded, impressed.

“So… should we tell the cops we’re dating or…?”

“Oh yeah, about that. We can stop fake dating in real life now, too. Since he’s behind bars and all.”

San’s eyes widened. “Oh-- oh yeah. We should stop pretending to date.”

“Yeah, I mean, Mission Accomplished, right? ‘We got em’.”

“Yeah. You’re right.” 

San looked and sounded dejected to you. You watched him out of the corner of your eye as he went back to petting Byeol.

“Are you okay?”

“Hmm? Yeah, I’m fine.” He smiled.

You nodded. You supposed you were wrong. “He knew it was fake too, so I guess we didn’t do that good of a job.”

He nodded with a laugh. “Well, at least I can take solace in the fact that I’m a much better real boyfriend than a fake one.”

You laughed loudly. “Well, then that’s all the more reason to break off our fake relationship; I wouldn’t want to get in anyone’s way.”

He looked at you. “‘Anyone’s way’?” 

“You know. Anyone who wants to date you. If you fake date me, you won’t be able to actually date someone else--”

He opened his mouth to speak.

“--And anyway, Byungchul hopefully won’t bother me for a while, so we don’t need to pretend to be more than friends anyway.”

He thought for a second, closed his mouth, and nodded. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

You nodded and forced yourself to smile. “And anyway, since no one will expect you to stream with me anymore, you’re free.” You gestured like you were shooing an animal away. “I cut you loose, you’re free. You can do whatever you want with your free time and real date whoever you want.”

He nodded again. “Yeah, I guess I can.”

You went back to petting Byeol for a few moments before she got up, stretched, and moved over to San’s lap. You smiled, you supposed she was a daddy’s girl after all.

San looked up at you, noticed your smile, and scratched behind her ears.

“Hey, I’m done. Breakfast is ready.” Yunho smiled.

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a/n: “I wouldn’t want to get in anyone’s way,” anyone else want to shake her?

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@rachs-words • @stayatinykatsy • @dinossaurz​​ • @conwunder​ • @tinyelfperson​ • @anythingrelatingtojinyoung​ • @jaytheatiny​ •

[nevaroonie]

Have You Met Them Yet

TW: mentions of inversion, character death, implied character death, cursing, guilt blaming (I probly missed some.. please click off if you find something that triggers you!) mentions of characters' actions(good and bad) {I don't know any southern slang- don't execute me..} {the ending feels a little rushed- I'm ngl}

it's my mission to make you cry let me know I how did!

I had a lot of fun writing this.. so um enjoy your readings! (no joking triggers this is a bit more serious than my regular writing style)

I met a person.. My person and of course like most of my relationships in this cursed.. After life. It started on the wrong foot. It seems a lot of stuff starts on the wrong foot nowadays.. Hmm.. Mamaw.. I don’t know why but I called them Darlin’ it just slipped out.. Then I encouraged them to do something stupid instead of telling their alpha. In which he found out later, but for now I'll focus on the beginning,  after we met and traded numbers.. I wanted to aid them in the search of that bastard.. I know you’re turning in your grave hearing me curse right now..

  And I'm sorry for that memaw.. Speaking of Bright and Fredrick they’re doing better.. I’ve been repairing and trying to compensate for how I acted toward Bright.. I don’t know if the dead can mess with the living.. But I felt you pinch my ear.. Haha. I wouldn’t be surprised- if you alone could.. But southern grandmas are like that. But I'm getting off track, one night I called darlin’ with some information, however when I called. It sounded like they were in pain.. Nowadays these ears don’t miss much- then again, they didn’t miss much back then either... But turns out.. My darlin’ hm.. Got into a fight with some vamps… they survived but got badly injured. They were acting recklessly.. And maybe it was the healer in me- or something else.. But unsurprisingly I practically drilled them with questions and eventually got some answers. That didn’t stop them from making it ten times harder than needed. But you could say I liked that about them. After all, in a way, we were still strangers to each other. 

Darlin was badly injured and needed some help and I’m pretty sure they were planning on bleeding out to death on their couch. And honestly, it seemed in character for them. That being said.. It wouldn’t have felt right on my conscious knowing I could’ve helped but sat around doing nothing about it. But I couldn’t just up and leave after all I chose to take responsibility for the newborns at the time. So I pulled some strings and got Vincent to look after them while I stepped out for a bit. You remember Vincent, right? Tall and annoying, with a heart in the right place- when he’s not being a little shit.. And now he’s got backup, that partner of his is just as devious.

Nonetheless, I made my way over there, you know my bedside manner ain’t never been as good as yours Ma. But it got the job done. Hell, I even made a little joke, if they stopped getting themselves in life-threatening situations. I’d improve my bedside manner… and for a while, they didn’t get in trouble. They called me and wanted to meet me. I didn’t know why at the time but they sounded troubled. So I went over, to figure out what was wrong. You know me Ma, putting my head where it doesn’t belong. And once again I put the newborns on Vincent. I’m slowly running out of favors with that boy. What we talked about was less than savory, Blood bonds aren’t rare but when they happen between a wolf and a vampire. After all, we tend to distance ourselves from each other… have I ever explained what a blood bond is to you Ma? 

I don’t think so, but whenever a vamp and another vamp come into contact with each other's blood almost always a bond is formed. Between 2 vampires you always know where the other is no matter what. However, between a wolf and a vamp, it’s a little different because of the 2 different types of magic at play. In the rare case that a bond is formed you get something different. You only know the location when the blood is outside of the body. And it seemed my companion, and Quinn formed a bond after their last encounter. And with that in mind. I practically begged them to stay safe, before I could finish my ‘’ friendly ‘’ chat. William called and someone wanted to speak to me. Hah.. I didn’t know David Shaw wanted to speak to me. It was surprising and sightly expected..  I went back to tell them some make-shift excuse, that I had to leave. And when he called I answered- and he asked to speak in person. And I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t intimidated. He’s much bigger in person then what they give him credit for. 

Ha.. that night the only question he had for me was ‘’ Is My Pack Member Okay? ‘’ despite Darlin’ not feeling a part of said pack.. They cared about them. David wanted to get the full story/ at the time we only had parts.. David told me his and I told him mine. From what I learned their relationship with Quinn was more than friends if you catch my drift Ma; and my Darlin was done with him when they found out what and how he viewed humans. Not only did Darlin leave him, but they also reported him to the department. In return, he attacked their friend Darlin arrived in time to save them. But Quinn got away-  though Darlin fed him the lie Quinn was caught.. He heard about Fred and Bright and got curious.. And surprise surprise the truth came to the light… hm.

      David then told me he planned on confronting them that day after all he knew where they lived. I was given a choice- and I chose to warn them… I thought they’d hate me. I don’t know why but I did. But Darlin proved me wrong, they called and invited me over. When I got there they looked like a kicked puppy….Pun unintended.. I’m quite sure I’ve told you the story of Alexis repeatedly.. And god knows.. But because I knew the story of Darlin and Quinn I thought it’d only be fair for them to know the story of Alexis and I. how my descent into the after-after life started.  

And next thing I knew we were on the couch and I was staring into their eyes. God their eyes.. Were so fucking beautiful that night. I think that night is when I finally realized I loved them. Maybe it was before that.. I don’t know- but at that moment, I let all those feelings out. And my darlin’ let theirs out. And we fell asleep there on that couch, ( and if you’re wondering it's the same couch they almost bleed out on. ) but back to the story.. The next morning we awoke on the couch snuggled up against each other. And the plan was to hopefully leave before the sun rose. But when you’re with someone you care about you lose sight of time. 

I’ll save you some of the sappy details, that you’ve probably been told already.. Ha..- eventually I wanted to make Darlin some food just before our day of comfort and clarity ended. And well- they didn’t have anything and I mean anything. How do you have a fridge full of condiments? But no food.. My Darlin was always a confusing person. But I’m sure they had a good heart.. But before I left I wanted to make sure they had a least a decent meal.. You know me Ma. 

I would’ve just taken them to the store… but this damn immortality and practical allergy to the sun. Made that impossible and they wouldn’t have gone on their own. So I pulled out the more reasonable idea and with all this damn tech. You thought it was confusing back then.. But it’s only gotten worse now, like how many iPhones does one person need? Then the whole controller vs pc argument. There's just so much and this old man can’t keep up with it. Darlin tried to help me with it..but the lord bless their heart. But with this little knowledge, have i learned how to use a delivery app. I’ll admit, I struggled a bit- but we got the food Darlin wanted ordered.  And wasted the rest of the day cuddling on the couch.. A few days later, I invited Darlin over hopefully I could encourage healthier eating habits. Even if I had to roast them over the fire. At the time they knew what a fully stocked fridge and pantry looked like now. The newborns were finally adjusted in the best way possible.. I don’t think anyone could adjust best in this afterlife especially not the way the 2 of them were brought into it.

 Just as the the newborns were getting used to being vamps Darlin was slowly but surely adjusting back to pack life. They used to say knowing they care about me doesn’t help me feel like they care about me.. They were just so used to doing it on their own but they were getting used to everything again. 

In a random twist of events, darlin invited me to their pack solstice. You know the whole moon-bound sun-bound shit... We didn’t have to worry about that when we were alive.. After all, freelancers kinda go with the flow..  Nevertheless, I wasn’t expecting to get an invite to their pack solstice.. I didn’t want to invade their fun.. You know? A vamp at an all-wolf party? 

I was hesitant till Darlin said David wanted me there. I didn’t want to let him down. Had I not encouraged Darlin to speak up instead of shutting down I probably wouldn’t have gotten the information. 

And as much as I wanted to deepen our relationship. Mentally I couldn’t, darlin understood.. They always did. So in the upcoming days, I went to the solstice and well.. It reminded me how anti-social I am.. Ha, Darlin left to go get a drink and I nearly had an anxiety attack. The Shaw pack is good people they still are.. Even now with everything that has happened.. But Asher tried to make me feel comfortable.. And kinda made an ass of himself..

Milo came over as crowd control. And Asher of course made a short joke which in turn made Milo retaliate with an invite to watch Asher get his ass beat. At that moment I didn’t what to say. And eventually, they wandered off.. And David found his way over to me- he was glad I came. And made a joke about Darlin.. I wonder if they went out to in fact fight a bear.. But Darlin came back with a red cup- they went to get a drink we teased each other. And enjoyed the rest of the night. 

The inversion is still hard to talk about nowadays.. David almost lost his Best friend.. Vincent’s partner had to give up everything or die.. Maybe at that moment, I felt a small jolt of jealousy.. They had that conversation.. They got the choice I didn’t and the choice bright didn’t get. Maybe in that moment.. I felt selfish.. I.. god.. Ma.. you’d think I was a bad grandson.. It was something.. But my Darlin was right there when that ward went down. They were right there, the look they had on their face was just heartbreaking.. Then again everyone they knew and cared for was trapped inside trapped in inside a ward.  And the fucking department was no help. But that wasn’t surprising. Milo’s mate and perhaps a few others are the exception, they know how to do their jobs… and with all that had happened, I just went on a drive.

 I just kept driving, Darlin was busy with everything else doing their best to help their family.. Even if they're still adjusting, they can be just as stubborn as me. But when it was my turn to get some of their care- which I wasn’t aware of at the time. They sat outside waiting for an hour for me to get home. So when I pulled back into my driveway and saw them standing there I realized. How much they cared about me, and in that moment after I handed them the key to my house.. I realized just how much time I was wasting, they weren’t going to live forever for this never-ending game of cat and mouse. So when I handed them that key, I gave it my all. I stopped letting the past dictate everything I do. I wouldn’t let losing you, my parents or Alexis ruin what I had in front of me. 

And I guess Darlin thought the same. They called me their Mate that night. Hearing that would come out of their mouth was, something different.  Knowing something like that and then hearing it come out of someone's mouth hits differently. That night I learned to move on. I learned to accept and grow.. And so did my darlin. And honestly everything was going fine. Till maybe a day or 2 later David called with some information, quinn was supposedly up north.

And as soon as those words left that man's mouth. Darlin shot up like a crack on ice, and when David hung up. They started thinking.. I could it in their eyes. They thinking how far they’d have to go.. How fast they’d get there and how fast they could take him down. I tried my best. Had I not been there, they would have gone after him that night. Had I known any better I’d think they would sneaked out that morning. Hell, they’d get pretty far.. But I should’ve known something was wrong. Maybe.. Just maybe… but I somehow calmed them down. I made them a promise if the department doing do anything.. We’d go after the rat bastard ourselves.. Yeah.. yeah not the smartest thing I could have said in that moment.. But I don’t regret what I said that night. Quinn had caused everyone pain. And he’d been breathing too much and too damn long. 

And for the time being, things were fine. Darlin tried to teach me how to play Smash.. If you remember the last time. We talked about Smash, I lost.. Destroyed.. They beat my ass so bad. I never wanted to play that damn curse of a game again. But Darlin offered to teach me. And by teach they meant watching me struggle. And even laughed a little, as I said.. This old man ain’t used to this. After I got my ass beat a few times by the NPCs I won a game against a different group of NPCs..  everyone needs a break from the games.. Like I don’t know if I could take one more micro transition before losing my mind you know? 

So introducing Darlin to old-fashioned horror movies seemed like the best way to wind down. My big bad wolf kept getting scared out of their fur.. This time the pun was intended. And at this point, we made a habit of falling asleep on that damn couch. But now I can’t stand looking at that damn thing.. Then again I haven’t ever cleared their stuff out of our home… even now that it’s been months.. I can’t bring myself to do it. We moved in together almost a year and some change ago. And every moment of it was bliss. Once again I’ll save you the sappy details. I'm sure you’re gonna get fed them. And other teasing details. I wouldn’t expect any less from my Darlin. Unsurprisingly I got roped into playing Smash again mainly because Milo wanted a rematch. But like I said the pack is good people, and they need a shoulder to lean on.. As much as I do too. The night went by soundly.. Darlin set me up more than once. Which hurts by the way! But seeing them interact with the pack soundly was amazing. 

It was a fun night, but it wasn’t going to last forever.. I wish it did. Over and over.. Day by day.. But no one can change time, no one can fight destiny…. Pun unintended. Maybe a week or 2 darlin got a call from David. After I had to go to work… you already know I work as a restate agent.. Never thought It’d be a path I’d take but here we are.. I wasn’t expecting a lot of things. Quinn had been caught.. He managed to take out 2 of the arresting officers.. But he was brought in, only problem was he had a girl.. And she was on borrowed time. 

And the only person he wanted to see was me. He was refusing Darlin's Acknowledgment.. He had already run from them once. Now he was taking this away from them again…but I knew they needed to be in that room. Somehow, they convinced me everything would be fine. That they’d watch from the glass 

Every word that left his mouth hurt..like hot iron on the skin if I thought he was a monster before. Hearing him talk about Frederick.. And.. I, that girl was the only thing tying me to that room.. One thing I wasn’t expecting, was for him to air out his.. Romantic life with darlin.. You don’t do that to someone you supposedly love- then again he wouldn’t know what love is even if it slapped him in the face. It felt like hours before he shut up.. God I never wanted to punch someone so badly. Maybe that's a bit of a lie.. I’ve met a lot of people I’ve wanted to punch in the face. 

At that moment he just took the cake. I sat there listening to it all cringing.. I wasn’t my Darlin there’s no doubt they thought I was judging them.. I wasn’t. I promise you, the last thing on my mind was judging them. I wanted to leave that room and just hug them, and never let go. Eventually, he shut up.. I guess he realized he wasn’t getting to me. And he told me where that girl was. And with that information, I practically ran through the door. 

I needed to get to them. I wrapped them in a hug, they may have fooled the others with their poker face. But I knew. I saw through it like a glass door. I held them close in that moment. Kissed their temple even. I was doing my best.. I wanted them to feel safe. David helped them while I was in the room with him. He did his best. He promised them he’d get Quinn. I should’ve known the damage was done. I should’ve done so much more than what I did... because just maybe.. Had I tried a little more.. Maybe they.. Would’ve had.. 

They were already going through so much.. And it didn’t get better. After I tried to calm them down and make everything better.. Fucking David called.. With the worst news known to man. The girl was already dead.. She had been for 2 days. All the proof Quinn showed was fake, they were taken before he drained her dry. I was distraught and that creature.. Had taken another life, and his actions would claim another. 

Darlin and David told me. Everything wasn’t for nothing at least that girl's family got closure. I know that should’ve been enough.. But it wasn’t and I hate myself for that.. Me and Darlin drove in silence… ha.. You know Ma.. I’m a bit of a crybaby nowadays.. 

Have you met them yet?.. God, you too would have so much to talk about.. That night when we got home. After David's phone call..we-.. we just needed each other. I hadn’t realized they holding on to so much more than I thought.. People tend to say Stress kills. I just didn’t believe em. Darlin fell asleep in my arms.. They didn’t even try to talk my ears off. They went to sleep with a smile on their face, I should have known.. I.. my Darlin..was gone. I should’ve known.. When their body went cold.. There were so many signs, and I just brushed them off. Had I, just noticed something sooner than I did.. You guys wouldn’t be meeting as fast as you are.. They had so many years left. Darlin.. Hearing that girl didn’t make it. Having to relive everything.. To be exposed like that in front of the people you care about.. You were under so much.. I should’ve done better.. But you can’t take back the past. Only learn from it. 

I love you..you brought your light to this darkened cowboy's life. You showed there so much more to life. Then living in the past. So I came here, to tell you both.. I love you more than anything. And I would have loved to give you my last name in due time. 

Sam stands and places Red Orchids on the gravestone. As his tears rolled down his face. 

‘’ My big bad wolf.. With a heart of gold..’’

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

WC: 3.5K (or if you wanna get specific 3504) another thing. the flower choice was very specific

[crushpunky]

rafe x kook!reader - a hike between two “friends” (a cabin in the woods part 3)

inspired by "when we are together" by the 1975, enjoy <3 part 1 | part 2 | part 3

Rafe woke up to his head pounding, the sunlight peeking through the curtains causing him to groan as he slid out of bed. Once he finally emerged from his bedroom, hair a mess and sock covered feet padding down the creaky wooden stairs, he entered the empty kitchen. With no sign of life, Rafe went to start the coffee pot but was surprised to see it had already been brewed and a cup poured. He glanced out the window above the sink to see y/n sitting quietly on the porch, a mug in her hands as she stared out at the property. Rafe quickly poured himself a cup of coffee before slipping on his sandals and meeting her outside. She was swaddled in his sweatshirt yet again which caused his heart to skip a beat.

“You’re up early.” Rafe said, which caused y/n to look up at him. Her cheeks were flushed from the early morning chill as she grinned at him before patting the ground next to her. Rafe sat next to her with a groan, stretching his legs out down the steps.

“How you feeling?” Y/n said, taking a sip of coffee.

“A bit of a headache, you?” Rafe asked.

“Same. Couldn’t sleep, hence the fresh laundry.” Y/n responded, gesturing to the fresh and fluffy state of her socks, sleep pants, and Rafe’s sweatshirt. Rafe nodded, his eyes lingering on her as she looked out towards the pasture the cows roamed. He scanned over her, taking in the way her every feature looked against the early morning sky. The way her lips parted slightly, her nose pointed, her jaw curved…

“Boy?” Y/n said, breaking him out of his trance. She was looking right at him, her eyebrow raised quizzically.

“Hmm?” He asked. He hadn’t been paying an ounce of attention, too focused on watching her like a creep…

“I asked if you know why the cows lay down like that.” Y/n said, pointing out at the pasture. The cows had gathered near the fenceline, laying down on top of the grass.

“I think it’s something about the weather, yeah?” Rafe said, running a hand through his morning hair. Y/n nodded, taking in his words as she took another sip of coffee before glancing down towards the ground.

“Nice socks.” Y/n laughed, pointing out Rafe’s thick, bright red socks and sandals.

“You like ‘em? I was hoping I was making a fashion statement.” Rafe grinned, wiggling his toes, which caused y/n to laugh more. He felt himself staring again, watching the way her shoulders shook as she laughed and the way her mouth curved into a smile.

“Should I wear them on our hike?” Rafe asked.

“Oh, yeah...” Y/n said, her smile dropping as she looked away from him.

“Something wrong?” Rafe said, scooting closer to her.

“Top and Kelce already told me this morning they don’t really want to go anymore, and I’m guessing you probably don’t want to go—”

“Of course I do, why wouldn’t I?” Rafe scoffed.

“I don’t know. You were acting… different last night and I didn’t want to make things awkward.” Y/n mumbled, swirling the coffee around in her mug. The truth was she couldn’t sleep last night because her mind was plagued with thoughts of Rafe. The way he looked at her after she had said she kissed Sarah, how he was acting before he jumped in the water and after when he helped her out of the pond. She just couldn’t stop thinking about it, overanalyzing all the things she did to freak him out and make him look at her and talk to her like that. She was treating him the way he wanted her to, like a friend, so why was he acting so strange?

“What do you mean?” Rafe asked. He had thought she was acting weird last night, simultaneously acting so intimate and yet so far away the whole night. Saying it was “normal” for friends to kiss each other, asking him to help her out of the water, and wearing his sweatshirt, but at the same time talking to him and looking at him just like she did with Topper and Kelce, even inviting him to jump into the pond naked without even batting an eye. They were just friends, and he knew that was how she felt, but ever since Midsummers something just felt different…

“Look, I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable and—” Y/n started but was interrupted when Topper stumbled out onto the porch.

“Shit, there’s no way I’m going hiking this morning.” Topper said with a groan, sitting on one of the patio chairs. Y/n checked her phone before standing up abruptly.

“We should get going if we want to start before it gets too hot.” Y/n said shortly, heading into the house. Rafe huffed, running a hand through his hair before he stood up.

“You guys good?” Topper asked, taking a sip of coffee.

“Yeah, yeah I think so.” Rafe said with an exhale. He hoped he was right, hoped he was just overthinking this and things hadn’t changed.

“Are you sure? ‘Cause last night you guys were both like being super…” Topper smirked.

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Rafe scoffed, putting his hands on his hips.

“I see the way you look at her Rafe, Kelce and I both do.” Topper said pointedly.

“I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.” Rafe waved Topper off, moving to head inside.

“Just talk to her, ok? She loves you, dude. I promise.” Topper said. Rafe looked back at him for a second, his hand still on the door. He had no idea that he and Kelce knew. He hadn’t told them, of course, and he had done a good job of keeping it under wraps… right? And “she loves you”? Yeah, of course he knew that. As much as he didn’t deserve it, she was his best friend and she loved him like a friend… right?

“See ya, Top.” Rafe muttered before heading to grab his hiking boots.

The drive to the hiking trail was yet another awkward silence, one that seemed to become more and more common over the past few weeks. The hike wasn’t much better, the only words shared between them strictly about the bumpy trail or woodland animals that would scurry through the brush. Finally, after two hours, they made it to the peak, the point looking out over the expansive forest and swirling rivers.

“We made it.” Y/n said, her hands on her hips as she took in deep breaths. A thin layer of sweat covered her forehead and arms, Rafe’s sweatshirt tied around her waist as the morning cool faded away to the hot afternoon.

“Shit.” Rafe exhaled, gazing out across the site in front of them. He had ditched his t-shirt, tucking it into the waistband of his shorts. The moment was cut short, however, as they felt rain prickle lightly against their skin before it suddenly began to pour. The two of them scrambled to the nearby covering, huddling under the protection from the small wooden structure.

“I guess the cows were right.” Rafe panted, wiping his face with his t-shirt. Y/n looked over at him, watching as his chest rose and fell with every breath he took. Somehow, despite the rain and sweaty hike here, he still looked as beautiful as ever. She looked away from him, scolding herself for staring. For being weird again…

“I’m sorry about what I said earlier.” Y/n said quickly, her words tumbling out without giving them a second thought.

“About what?” Rafe asked. He knew what she was talking about. Of course he did, it was all he was able to think about for the last few hours. How he was being weird towards her and making her uncomfortable and being a shitty friend and—

“Saying you were acting weird last night. I was drunk and being weird and over thinking things and—-” Y/n rambled.

“No, no, I’m sorry for being weird last night. I’m sorry for being weird these past few weeks, I—” Rafe cut himself with a groan rubbing his hand along his jaw. He didn’t know what to say. “I’m sorry I was being weird these past few weeks. I'm just in love with my best friend and don’t know what to do”? No. “I feel sick and fucked up and the only time I feel I might get better is when we are together”? No.

“Did… did I do something to make you feel… uncomfortable?” Y/n asked softly. Was she trying too hard to hide how she felt and pushing him away? Or was she not trying hard enough and making him run away?

“What? No, no, of course not.” Rafe reassured her, grabbing onto her shoulder softly.

“Are you sure because ever since Midsummers I just feel like there’s this… awkwardness between us that wasn’t there before. And last night, when I said I kissed Sarah, you looked so hurt.” Y/n said, looking down to the ground, unable to face Rafe.

“Y/n.” Rafe said softly, moving his hand to cup her jaw as he tilted her head up to face him. Her eyes were glassy with tears, her bottom lip trembling slightly as she looked at him.

“You didn’t do anything. I just…” Rafe struggled to speak. He wanted so badly to tell her this wasn’t her fault, that his distance wasn’t because of anything she had done. That he was scared. Scared of how he was feeling. Scared of how much he realized he loved her ever since that night. But right now, seeing her crying and blaming herself, scared him even more.

“I love you, y/n. I- I’m in love with you.” Rafe said, feeling his chest tighten once the words left his mouth.

“Rafe–” 

“No, no, no, I know. I know we’re friends and I don’t want to fuck this up because, shit y/n, you are the most important thing to me and I can’t lose you. And if you feel like I’m pushing you away for something you did, that’s just not true—” Rafe continued, his other hand moving to cup y/n’s jaw in his hands. Y/n looked at him, tears streaming down his face as he continued.

“Rafe please—-”

“I just don’t want you to get hurt. I can’t let you, and if… pushing you away keeps you safe then that’s just what I have to do.” Rafe let out a deep breath. He hadn’t even realized it, but he could feel his cheeks warm with tears.

“Rafe, why didn’t you tell me?” Y/n said softly, her hands coming up to rest on Rafe’s forearms.

“Because you’re my best friend and I— I know how you are. I’m your best friend, and you’re only gonna beat yourself up because you don’t feel the same way… and I can’t let that happen.” Rafe closed his eyes, chewing on his lip in the silence that sat between them for a moment.

“How do you know I don’t?” Y/n said softly, causing Rafe to open his eyes. She looked into those blue eyes, the same ones she had looked into a million times before. The eyes of her best friend. The eyes of the boy she loved. The eyes of the boy telling her he wasn’t pushing her away because he hated her or because of something he did, but because he was in love with her.

“How could you?” Rafe whispered.

“How could I not?” Y/n said. Rafe’s lips parted, scanning over her face before y/n moved forward, crashing her lips to his. It felt so much different than it had at Midsummers. It felt strong and passionate. It felt like years and years of love crashing together in one moment.

Once they pulled away, they looked at eachother, their faces both flushed.

“I love you, Rafe Cameron.” Y/n said, causing Rafe to crack a grin. He had imagined what those words would sound like, how they would sound coming from her soft lips, but this was so much better than he ever could have imagined. He pressed his lips to hers once again.

“I love you, y/n y/ln.” Rafe whispered against her lips. He felt her smile against him and kissed her one last time before pulling away. They smiled at each other like two idiots, both of them unable to hold back their bashful giggles.

“What are we going to do, boy?” Y/n said, looking up at Rafe as he slung an arm over her shoulder.

“I don’t know.” Rafe sighed, looking back at her. It was the truth. He had no idea what they were going to do when it stopped raining or when they got back to the cabin or even when they got home, but for some reason, he didn’t seem to mind… and neither did she. How could they think about anything other than the way it felt to be like this, to be… something. What exactly that “something” was, they didn’t know, but it certainly wasn’t “friends”.

[oldiesstationlover11607]

Can you just be an adult about this for once?

Relationship: Tyler Joseph x Fem!Reader

Warnings: small fight/misunderstanding but mainly fluff

Description: reader thinks tyler's leaving her at home during the clancy tour which causes a massive misunderstanding.

Tour was three days away, and Tyler still hadn’t asked me to go with him. We’d been dating for a year, together for the whole album process. Lore research? Done in bed with me. Writing and recording? Done in our basement studio. Album release stream? I was in it. Twice. I had been looking forward to The Clancy Tour since Tyler knew it was greenlit. Even Mark had been talking to me about all the tech and graphics, clearly wanting my opinion as someone with a film degree. But still, no mention of me coming along.

I got up and made breakfast for Tyler, knowing he was heading into another long day of rehearsals with Josh.

“Hmm, thanks, Y/N,” he said, grabbing a cup of coffee and sitting down at the bar. Josh had called me earlier in the week, wanting to know if I was coming. Debby always went on tour. I remember, before Tyler and I got together, I would look at her Instagram stories for behind-the-scenes pictures and videos. Josh knew Tyler hadn’t mentioned it yet; there was no way he didn’t know.

“Tyler?” I almost never called him that. It was Ty or Honey or some other cute nickname I’d come up with on the spot. He paused, eyes darting up to mine. I tried to figure out what to say next without causing an issue; he was already stressed about having the perfect show for the clique.

“What?” he asked, genuinely clueless about what was wrong. I looked down and started picking at my fingers, trying to find a decent way to ask him about the tour. “Y/N?”

“It’s nothing, Ty.” Of course, I couldn’t say anything to him. It wasn’t going to come out.

“Well, clearly it’s something.” He raised his eyebrows and folded his arms across his chest. I’d started something I didn’t want to finish.

“Are you going to hate me if I’m honest?” I asked, pulling at the sides of my nails. Tyler reached out to grab my hands, stopping me. My palms were sweaty; I knew they were.

“You need to relax and calmly tell me what’s bothering you, okay?” He held eye contact until I nodded silently. I took a deep breath, trying to reset my mind. “You’re really upset, aren’t you?”

“Well, wouldn’t you be if the love of your life was about to leave you for, like, three months?” I snapped, immediately regretting what I’d said. Tyler’s jaw dropped. I could tell he was trying to figure out how to respond. A slow smile crept onto his face. He thought this was funny. “Can you just be an adult about this for once? Everyone keeps asking me if I’m going on tour, and I have to keep telling them no. It’s embarrassing, Tyler. Not to mention that we haven’t spent a night apart in a year, and I’m already missing you.” He stood up and walked around the bar, standing directly in front of me.

“I love you.” The smile was still planted freshly on his face.

“This isn’t funny,” I said, rubbing my eyes.

“No, I know. It’s just… you scare me when you act like that. Like I’ve done something terribly wrong and ended up ruining our relationship. But then it turns out you’re just gonna miss me,” he pouted, dragging out the last few words. “I was going to surprise you. You’re coming with me; I just wanted it to be special, you know.” Then I felt bad. I’d really messed up.

“Oh god, I’m sorry. I just felt weird and was gonna miss you and–” I was interrupted by his hands cupping my face gently. He leaned forward, and his smile turned into a smirk. I could feel warmth rush to my cheeks as I tried to keep my cool. A year-long relationship, and I still wasn’t used to the things he did.

“Y/N, we have three months living in a bus together. Trust me when I say that we’ll be spending so much time together that you’re not gonna miss me,” he chuckled, and I nodded quietly. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

//

Please submit any requests y'all have! I love to write so let me know if you've got any!

[runningfrom2am]

coryo: money is not an object, i just want you to have the wedding of your dreams.

r, realising the who is paying for everything: the wedding won’t be perfect if i don’t have at least seven dresses.

-and i love her for it.

SEJANUS AND LUCY GRAY MENTION!! had they not returned to capitol, sejanus and lucy gray would have been the best man and the maid of honour. this is going to haunt me.

at first i was shocked that tigris wasn’t the maid of honour but then i read the reasoning behind it and everything, once again, made absolutely perfect sense. someone who is almost everything but not quite, fitting the image but still less than her. also her thinking tigris is prettier than her while coryo doesn’t even consider tigris pretty.

“we agreed on the wedding and this is the reception.” he thought he did something there didn’t he? the audacity. he was late too.

living for the fact that %90 of the impulsive decisions the bride makes are what the groom wished he could at one point in his life.

imagine getting livia cardew thrown out of a social event for causing a scene. with the award season starting recently, let’s give r an oscar for the best actress.

no bc first of all AS SHE SHOULD i love that energy for them i just know she had the time of her LIFE planning this wedding.

also AHH yes sejanus and lucy gray and HERES THE THING: r is all like “hmm idk maybe it would have been them guess we’ll never know 🤷‍♀️” but i can 100% tell you right now it would have been them, no questions even asked. up until the very bitter end she truly did love lucy gray, and she loved sejanus even after that. i think he was so much harder for her to get over and i would LOVE to expand on that one day in another oneshot maybe but i digress…

i truly believe that at this point r really does love tigris, but the love she gives out is fragile so as we have discussed it wouldn’t last forever and it would end abruptly. BUT i think that honestly the only reason she didn’t ask her to be MOH was because she believes she’s prettier than her. clemensia was not doing well, she was still recovering from the snake bite and clearly a mess physically AND emotionally (if her drinking habits are any indicator) so r thought she was perfect for the job because she under no circumstances could steal any positive attention from her. with tigris, i do think that in some subconscious capacity r feels threatened by her. she’s the only one who knows coryo as well as she does, possibly more, and that scares her after what happened with lucy gray. i believe she firmly does honestly think that tigris is prettier and that’s why she picked clem, but there is more behind that decision than even she understands. i think that she was embarrassed that her family would not be playing any kind of role in their wedding, so what would people think if his cousin did? they needed to be equally independent from their families, otherwise people would ask questions she did not want to answer.

edit from an hour later: i’d also like to note that when tigris talks to katniss, she claims that she was let go from her job as a stylist in the games (r’s games) bc snow “didn’t think i was pretty enough anymore”, so which snow did she mean?? just food for thought idk

okay and then on the topic of her father,, coryo ate him UP. enough said, honestly hahahaha

moving on to your next point, that’s totally a big part of why coryo loves her so much. that’s evident from the very beginning of the series too, though back then he views it a little differently. while other people look at her and see recklessness, anger issues, and general unpleasantness, he only sees that she’s a lot more honest and brave than anyone else is. he’s said it a billion times- she’s braver and stronger than anyone he’s ever met; including himself, and he admires that she can take what she wants without feeling guilty or embarrassed about her actions.

and FINALLY,, so true bestie she does deserve an award. even if the acting itself fooled no one, who are they to say that it wasn’t genuine?? rumours would not stick on her- livia would be at fault regardless. also shoutout coryo for understanding the vibes immediately and going along with it. he’s so real for that.

ONE MORE THING on the topic of livia,, this was so fun to use her to show how much r has changed through the whole ordeal. this takes place a little over two years (ish) after the finer things in life, and the way she treats livia is so so different, but livia has stayed pretty much the same, if not hardened up a little. r went from livia kicking her out of a party for bringing drugs only to hug her in response, to kicking livia out of her wedding for wearing a dress that had a little too much white on it and her first urge was to get violent over it. idk, i feel like i could talk ab this more but it’s just a little thought i wanted to share.

thank you as always bestie!!

[homesickwhispers]

before he went (Away.)pt 7

(Van X Reader.)

after an intense morning together, you and Van go to meet his parents, his mom asks to talk to you in private.

warning: NSFW content.

from the universe of Away. 🌸

As I woke up, I turned to find Van still next to me. My heart felt a mix of relief and sadness.

I was glad for him being here, but frustrated to know that we wouldn’t wake up like this forever. His arm was still secured around my back, just like I had instructed him to do, to ease my pain during the night.

Glancing over at him, I watched as he slept, his expression peaceful and content. The sunlight streaming through the window illuminated his features, making him look even more alluring.

I shifted slightly, and he stirred awake.

“Hey,” he murmured, his voice thick with sleep.

“Hi,” I replied, trying to keep my tone light.

“You okay? You’re sick?”

“Surprisingly no,” I said with a soft smile.

“Good,” he replied, giving me a sleepy grin, his eyes fluttering shut again.

“You want to sleep more?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

“If you want to, yeah. If you don’t, then let’s get our day started.”

I hesitated for a moment, glancing at the morning light filtering through the curtains. “No, it’s okay. We can sleep a bit more.”

He smiled again, this time more genuinely, and pulled me closer, making me feel safe and warm. I closed my eyes, savoring the moment, wishing it could last a little longer.

I didn’t want to give in this much, and I wasn’t going to let him back into my life like that. But maybe this morning… maybe this day, I could just allow myself to be with him. To be the woman who was wanted by her man.

“Just for today,” I thought, closing my eyes and allowing myself to lean into the comfort of his embrace. It felt nice to simply be. To feel desired. To forget the complications that loomed over us. I let out a soft sigh, surrendering to the moment, hoping it would last a little longer before reality crept back in.

He held me through his sleep, and we cuddled for hours, enveloped in a familiar warmth and comfort. His hands cupped my breasts gently, providing a sense of support that eased the pressure on my back. It felt so intimate, so right. I couldn’t remember the last time I had slept so soundly, so peacefully.

The world outside faded away, leaving just the two of us in our own little bubble. I listened to the soft rhythm of his breathing, each exhale soothing my racing thoughts. It was the best I had slept in months, and for the first time in a long time, I felt safe and cherished.

As I drifted in and out of slumber, a smile crept onto my face. Maybe it was okay to let myself enjoy this moment, to be vulnerable just this once. I relished the feeling of being wanted, of belonging, and I savored the thought that, for now, nothing else mattered.

One moment when I felt Van shifting, I woke up too, a soft “Hmm” escaping my lips. I was already missing the warmth of his hands on me.

“I’m sorry, love, wait a minute, I just—” he murmured, his voice still thick with sleep.

But as he shifted again, I felt his morning hardness pressing against my thigh. A smile crept across my face, a rush of playful mischief igniting within me. I couldn’t help but shift my body slightly, letting my ass rub slowly against him.

“Fuck, don’t do that, baby, please,” he breathed, his voice strained and filled with longing.

The reaction I elicited from him sent a thrill through me. There was something intoxicating about being this close to him, about feeling his desire for me so palpably.

Even though I knew I was going to regret it, the heat coursing through me was overwhelming.

Van and I were intimate almost every single day before my pregnancy, and suddenly spending five months without crossing that line was messing with my head.

I felt needy, horny, and the way he pressed against me only intensified that feeling. Every brush of his skin sent sparks of desire shooting through me, igniting a longing I couldn’t ignore any longer.

“Fuck it,” I thought. “I need it.”

The pull between us was too strong to resist, and in that moment, all my reservations faded away, leaving only the primal need to feel him inside me.

“I want it inside me,” I said, my voice steady despite the rush of emotions coursing through me.

“But you said yesterday… you said—” he started, his brows furrowing as he tried to process my sudden shift.

“It doesn’t matter what I said. I want it inside me now, Van,” I urged, pressing myself more urgently against him, feeling the heat radiate from his body.

His breath hitched as he searched my eyes, gauging my sincerity. The tension between us was palpable, an electric charge that seemed to crackle in the air.

“Are you sure?” he finally asked, his voice thick with desire.

“Yes,” I breathed, feeling a surge of boldness. “I’m sure.

“From behind,” I whispered, my voice barely above a breath. “It’s better this way.” I liked the thought of the closeness, with nothing between us but the warmth of our bodies.

“Okay…Tell me if anything hurts,” he replied, his tone serious as he shifted slightly, ensuring I felt safe.

I nodded, feeling the weight of his concern wash over me, but the excitement of the moment made my heart race even more.

I positioned myself, letting the anticipation build, my mind screaming at me to not give in, but my body begging me to stop fighting it any longer.

He touched my slit, his fingers brushing against me with a mix of curiosity and heat. “You’re wet?” he asked, his voice low, sending a jolt of electricity through me.

“I think so,” I managed to say, my breath hitching as the reality of the situation washed over me.

“Maybe we should take care of you a bit?” he suggested.

“I just want you inside me.” I said. “Please, Van, I need it.” The words spilled from my mouth, filled with a hunger I couldn’t hold in any longer.

His soft groan filled the space between us, and he pressed closer, his hardness throbbing against me. “Like this?” he asked, sliding it along my slit teasingly.

“Yes, just like that.” My response came out breathy and desperate.

“You’re wet, baby,” he murmured, sliding along my slit again.

“Let me just…” he murmured, nudging into me. I felt myself stretching as he began to ease inside, every nerve in my body tensing with anticipation. The feeling was almost overwhelming, a wave of pure pleasure washing over me as he filled me. The sensation was so intense that my mind went blank, leaving only the electric sparks that his touch ignited.

“Oh,” I moaned, my legs shaking slightly as I felt the thickness of him spread me open. “That’s a lot,” I managed to whisper, my body tensing slightly at the new angle.

“It’ll feel better in a second, baby,” he promised, his voice soft but reassuring.

And he was right. As he slid deeper into me, my muscles relaxed, and I let out a soft moan, my eyes fluttering shut. The feeling of him filling me up was exhilarating, a mix of pleasure and pain that threatened to tip me over the edge.

“Is that good?” he asked, his breath against my ear sending a rush through me.

“Yeah,” I managed to reply, my words muffled as I buried my head into the pillow. I couldn’t control the sound that came out of me, a moan of pure pleasure and relief, my body trembling slightly as he started moving inside of me.

The heat between us was intoxicating, a mix of need and urgency. He began to move faster, his cock hitting a spot deep inside me that made me shiver.

His breathing became more rapid, his hips thrusting harder and faster into me. Every stroke brought me closer to the edge, and soon, I was panting, my skin slick with sweat.

“Oh god,” he groaned, his thrusts deep and slow as he let out the pent up tension that had been growing for months. The way he moved made it feel like the first time all over again.

“You feel amazing, baby, fuck, it feels so good,” he murmured. Every thrust filled me completely, his body moving in perfect sync with mine, every touch igniting a burning need for more.

I let out a soft gasp as I felt him reaching even deeper than before. “Yes, just like that,” I panted, my voice echoing his.

The way he touched me was almost too much to bear. I felt a rush of desire mixed with a sense of vulnerability as we shared a moment of pure connection. There was no need for words; his touch alone communicated what we were both feeling.

The rhythm of his thrusts became faster, his hips jerking with need. “Oh god, I can’t hold on any longer,” he gasped.

I pushed back against him, urging him on, the desperation for more, for all of him, threatening to consume me completely. His thrusts became more urgent, more desperate, each one a declaration of need and desire for me. I matched his rhythm, our bodies moving together like they had been molded to fit like this.

“Feels so good, Van,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper, overwhelmed by the warmth radiating between us.

“I know,” he replied “You always feel so perfect.”

We were two people who had found their missing pieces in each other, connected in a way that only we knew. The intensity of the moment threatened to consume me, to push me over the edge.

“I can’t—” I started, my voice cut off by the overwhelming sensations coursing through me. The rhythm of his thrusts was relentless, each movement building toward something more, something inevitable.

“Baby,” he grunted, his hands grabbing my hips harder, holding me in place as his body released. The pulsing of his member inside me was almost too much, sending me over the edge into a climax that left me breathless. My muscles tightened around him, milking him dry as I trembled beneath him.

The aftermath of our lovemaking left us both panting, our bodies slick with sweat and heat. Van pulled me into his arms, holding me close, and I let myself relax, letting the tension ease away as he stroked my hair.

I wanted to tell him that I loved him, that I couldn’t imagine ever letting him go, that we deserved a chance to find out what this could be. But fear still clung to me, the memories of all I had lost lingering in the back of my mind like a shadow

So instead, I just kept quiet, savoring the few minutes of peace before reality settled in again. The warmth of his body next to mine was comforting, but I knew that I couldn’t linger in this moment forever.

“Hey,” he asked after a while, his voice laced with concern. “Are you okay? Was that okay?”

“Yeah, I’m good,” I replied, trying to sound casual. “I just need a shower.” But as I got up too fast, dizziness and sickness hit me like a wave, the room spinning slightly. “Fuck,” I muttered, losing my balance.

Van was instantly there, steadying my body with gentle hands. “I got you. Let’s go.” He guided me to the bathroom, his grip reassuring as he opened the water, steam rising and filling the air with warmth.

“Want me to help?” he offered, a hint of playfulness in his tone.

I nodded shyly, my cheeks heating at the thought of him seeing me like this—vulnerable and exposed. As he stepped closer, his presence enveloped me, making it hard to remember why I was even nervous.

He started cleaning me gently, his fingers brushing against my skin with a tenderness that sent shivers down my spine. When he focused on the sensitive area between my thighs, I felt my breath catch. It was intimate and electric, and I couldn’t help but lean into his touch, surrendering to the moment.

“Is this okay?” he asked softly, his eyes searching mine for permission, his expression a mix of desire and genuine care.

“Yeah, it’s okay,” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper, feeling a rush of warmth bloom inside me. I was grateful for his kindness, the way he seemed to know exactly what I needed—even if my heart raced at the intimacy of the situation.

He continued, his movements gentle yet confident, and I closed my eyes, losing myself in the sensations. This was more than just a shower; it felt like an unspoken promise, a connection that deepened with every brush of his fingers.

“You want to stay a bit longer?” he asked, his voice soft, as if he sensed my reluctance to let go of the moment.

“No, it’s fine,” I replied, trying to sound more assured than I felt.

He nodded, turning off the shower and helping me into a hotel robe, wrapping it loosely around my waist so my belly could sit comfortably. The fabric felt soft against my skin, a welcome warmth after the water. He gently eased me back into bed, retrieving his briefs from the bathroom floor before sitting next to me.

We sat in silence for a moment, the weight of what had just happened hanging in the air between us. Finally, he broke the quiet. “So… what we just did…”

“It didn’t mean anything, Van,” I cut him off, feeling the need to establish boundaries. “I needed that; you gave it to me. It’s over.”

He sighed, his frustration palpable. “(Y/N), can we at least talk about it?”

I turned to him, meeting his gaze. “What is there to talk about? It was a moment. Nothing more.”

He looked at me, his eyes wide with a mix of surprise and disappointment.

“I’m sorry,” I said, feeling the need to clarify. “I didn’t mean to be rude. I just… I needed that. We were on a crazy rhythm before my pregnancy, and I miss it. I miss..Having sex.. But it won’t happen again. I just want to keep my focus on the baby and myself. I can’t get lost in this again, not when I have so much to figure out.”

He looked at me, the tension in his jaw relaxing just a bit. “I understand.”

“So can we meet your parents today?” I asked, the words tumbling out before I could really think them through.

“Today?” he echoed, surprise flickering in his eyes.

“Yeah, today. We’re already together here, aren’t we?” I felt a surge of determination.

“I suppose,” he replied slowly, as if still processing my request. “I’ll call them…”

As Van dialed his mother, I felt the weight of what we had just done pressing against me.

The intimacy of the morning loomed large, making everything feel more complicated. Part of me felt exhilarated at the thought meeting his parents; the other part was terrified. What if they didn’t approve? What if it made everything more real than I was ready for?

I watched him as he spoke softly into the phone, his voice calm and reassuring. He seemed to slip effortlessly into the role of someone who cared about the family, and it made my heart swell and ache at the same time. Could I really let him in like this?

He ended the call and turned to me, a mix of excitement and nervousness in his expression. “They’re free. We can head over whenever you’re ready.”

“Okay,” I said, taking a deep breath to steady myself.

“Thank you,” he said softly, his gaze warm as he watched me prepare. “For doing this.”

“It’s okay,” I replied, running a hand through my hair to smooth out the strands. “Can you just give me a minute to get ready?”

“Take all the time you need,” he assured me, his voice low and steady.

As I blow-dried my hair, I felt his eyes on me from the bed. Our gazes met in the mirror, and for a moment, the world outside faded away.

There was something comforting in that silence, a shared understanding that hung between us like an unspoken promise. I could feel the butterflies in my stomach fluttering with both excitement and nerves.

Once I finished drying my hair, I turned to find him already next to me, holding my dress and heels in his hands.

“Thanks” I said, my heart warming at the casuality. I took the dress from him, feeling the soft fabric against my fingertips.

He stepped back, giving me the space I needed to change. As I slipped into the dress, I caught a glimpse of his reflection in the mirror. He looked handsome, wearing a simple shirt and jeans that accentuated his relaxed style.

“Are you ready?” he asked when I emerged from behind the door.

I nodded, my heart racing. “Yeah, I think so.”

“Good,” he said, a soft smile spreading across his face.

We instinctively held hands as we checked out of the hotel, the warmth of his touch grounding me in the moment. While we waited for the car to pick us up, I turned to him, a hint of uncertainty creeping into my voice.

“Are you mad at me?” I asked, trying to gauge his reaction.

“What? No. Of course not, why would I be?” he replied, his brows furrowing in confusion.

“Because of this morning…” I said, biting my lip.

“You think I’m mad at you… for wanting to have sex with me?” His tone was incredulous, and I could see the surprise etched on his face.

“Yeah, I mean, I was pretty clear this wouldn’t happen,” I admitted, the words spilling out before I could stop them. “But I gave in.”

He took a moment, his gaze steady as he processed what I said. “(Y/N), you’re allowed to change your mind. It doesn’t mean you’re any less serious about what we’re building together. I’m not mad; I’m glad you felt comfortable enough to want that with me.”

I looked down, feeling a mixture of relief and lingering guilt. “I just didn’t want to confuse things. I thought we had a deal.”

“We did, but life isn’t always black and white,” he said gently. “It’s okay to feel things. It’s okay to want things. I’m here for you, no matter what.”

His words wrapped around me like a warm blanket, soothing my worries. “I guess I just need time to sort everything out.”

“Take all the time you need,” he said, squeezing my hand reassuringly. “Just know that I’m not going anywhere.”

The sincerity in his voice made my heart flutter, and for the first time that morning, I felt a sense of calm settle over me. As the car pulled up, I glanced at him and smiled, grateful for his understanding and support.

“Thank you,” I said softly, resting my head on Van’s shoulder as we settled into the back of the car. The rhythm of the engine and the warmth of his body lulled me for a moment.

“Anything for you. Always,” he replied, his hand gently resting on my belly, his touch both reassuring and intimate.

I smiled with my eyes closed, breathing in the familiar scent of him—cologne mixed with something uniquely Van. I let myself relax until we finally arrived at his parents’ house.

As the car came to a stop, Van opened the door and stepped out first, helping me as I carefully climbed out. His mother, Mary, greeted us with open arms, her face lighting up as she saw her son. She enveloped him in a tight hug, and I could see the love and pride radiating from her.

When she turned to me, her smile was warm and inviting. “(Y/N)!” she exclaimed, taking my hand in hers. “It’s such a pleasure to meet you. You are so beautiful! Van was right.”

Van chuckled softly, a hint of embarrassment coloring his cheeks as he rubbed the back of his neck. “Thanks, Mom.”

“Thank you, Mrs. McCann,” I replied, feeling a blush creep up my face at her kind words.

“Please, call me Mary,” she insisted, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “And look at that beautiful bump! Oh my God!”

I glanced down at my belly, a mix of pride and nervousness swirling inside me. “Thank you, Mary. It’s definitely a new experience.”

She stepped back to take a better look, her gaze filled with warmth. “You two are going to make such wonderful parents. Come in, come in! I’ve prepared some snacks, and I want to hear all about you.”

As we stepped inside, I felt a mixture of excitement and anxiety. Meeting Van’s parents was a big step, but with him by my side, I felt a little more at ease. I squeezed his hand gently, silently reminding myself that I wasn’t alone in this.

“Bernie, come here! Come meet your daughter-in-law!” his mother called out, her voice cheerful and light.

My heart skipped a beat, and I glanced at Van, panic rising in my chest. Did his parents not know we weren’t together? The thought sent a wave of anxiety through me.

“Hello, (Y/N)!” Bernie said as he came down the stairs, a warm smile lighting up his face.

“And hi, bud,” Bernie said, patting Van’s shoulder affectionately. “How are you, dear? Are you two hungry?”

“I guess we could eat something,” Van replied, a hint of reluctance in his voice that didn’t go unnoticed by me.

“Great! Let’s sit down at the table,” Bernie said, leading the way to the dining area.

As we followed him, I could feel the tension lingering between Van and me. The cozy warmth of his parents home contrasted with the knot of anxiety in my stomach. I took a seat at the table, and Van sat beside me, a bit closer than necessary, as if seeking comfort in my presence.

Bernie bustled around the kitchen, gathering plates and setting the table with an energy that was infectious. “I made your favorite, Van! And (Y/N), I hope you like it too!”

“Of course, Dad! You always make the best meals,” Van said, a genuine smile breaking through his earlier tension.

I forced a smile as well, trying to mirror the ease that seemed to come so naturally to them. “I’m sure it’ll be amazing,” I added, hoping my voice sounded more confident than I felt.

As Bernie filled our plates, the conversation flowed easily about mundane things—sports, local news, and funny stories from Van’s childhood. I found myself laughing along, momentarily forgetting the underlying tension of our situation. But every time I caught Van’s eye, the unspoken words hung between us like a fragile thread, threatening to snap at any moment.

“So, how’s the band doing, Van?” Bernie asked, setting down a steaming dish in front of us.

“Pretty well, actually. We are just finishing a tour,” Van replied, glancing at me briefly. “It was a lot of work, but we had some great shows.”

“Yeah, I saw some clips online! You all looked fantastic,” Bernie said, his eyes sparkling with pride. “And you, (Y/N), you must be so proud of him!”

“Um, yes, definitely,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “Van’s really talented.”

Van shot me a look, an unreadable expression crossing his face. I could sense that he was weighing the moment, contemplating whether to reveal the truth about our relationship status. I held my breath, wishing he wouldn’t—at least not yet. I didn’t want to ruin the evening or put him in a difficult position with his family.

As we dug into the meal, the initial warmth began to settle in, but I knew this wouldn’t last. Sooner or later, we would have to confront the reality of what we were to each other now, and the thought of that conversation made me uneasy.

“Okay, you two, now let the girls have some fun!” Mary chimed in, a playful glint in her eyes as she leaned closer. “(Y/N), how’s pregnancy? Does that little lady kick a lot?”

“She does!” I said, chuckling at the memory of the little flutters I’d felt earlier. “Van actually felt her yesterday.”

“Yeah, I did.” He said smiling at the memory.

“Are you still sick a lot?” Bernie asked, concern etching his features. “Van told us you were struggling.”

“Yeah, some days are harder than others,” I admitted, trying to keep my tone light. “But it’s nice to have his help.” I shot Van a grateful glance, and he offered me a reassuring smile in return.

“That’s good to hear,” Mary said, her expression softening. “Just remember to take it easy. You’re not in this alone, and you have a lot of support around you.”

“Absolutely,” Bernie added. “We’re all here for you, (Y/N). It’s a big journey, and it’s okay to lean on others.”

“Thanks, I really appreciate that,” I replied, feeling a little more at ease. Their kindness was heartwarming, and it reminded me that no matter how chaotic things felt, I had people who cared about me and were willing to help.

“Boys, can you excuse us for a second?” Mary asked, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “I want to show her something.”

I followed her upstairs, my curiosity piqued as we headed to a room I assumed once belonged to Van. The door clicked shut behind us, and I glanced around, taking in the familiar yet nostalgic atmosphere.

“I still remember him right here,” she said, sinking down onto his bed with a wistful smile. I joined her, sitting beside her as memories seemed to swirl in the air around us.

“He was the kindest, funniest soul,” she continued, her voice softening as she spoke. “He loved and respected us so much.” There was a pause, and I could see the depth of her concern for him reflected in her eyes.

“I don’t know, (Y/N),” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “I don’t know what happened… I don’t know why he became a person who ran away from things.” Her vulnerability hit me, and I felt a knot tighten in my stomach. “But please, don’t give up on him.”

Her plea hung in the air, heavy with emotion. I turned to look at her, feeling a surge of compassion. “Mary, I—”

“Just promise me you’ll try,” she interrupted, placing a hand on my knee. “He needs you. I’ve seen how he is when he talks about you, when you’re around. It’s like he lights up, even if he doesn’t show it.”

I nodded, the weight of her words settling deep within me. I wanted to believe that things could get better, that the years apart hadn’t completely eroded what we had once shared. “I’ll try, I promise.”

Mary smiled, her expression a mix of hope and gratitude. “Good. That’s all I ask. Just don’t let the past define your future together.”

As we sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the past felt a little lighter. I could hear the muffled laughter of the boys downstairs, and it reminded me that despite everything, there was a chance for healing, for reconciliation.

“He said you were the kindest person he ever met,” Mary said, looking at me with sincerity in her eyes. “I believe he’s right.”

I smiled back at her, warmth spreading through me at her words.

“I don’t know what goes on in Van’s head,” she continued, a hint of frustration in her voice. “Trust me, I wish I did. But I do know that he loves you and that kid so much…”

Her statement hung in the air, and I felt my heart skip a beat at the thought. It was easy to forget, in the midst of our past misunderstandings and hurt, that there was still something deep between us—something worth fighting for.

“Thank you, Mary,” I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper. “That means a lot to me.”

Mary nodded, her expression earnest. “You have no idea how much he’s changed since he saw you again. I know he struggles with his demons, but he’s trying. For you and for your baby.”

“Thank you,” Mary said, her voice trembling with emotion. “Thank you for trying with my son, and thank you for taking such good care of my granddaughter when he was nowhere to be seen.”

I could see the worry etched in her features, the love for her son battling with the pain of his absence.

“I know how motherhood can be terrifying,” she continued, her gaze steady on mine. “And the fact that my kid left someone to go through that alone killed me inside, (Y/N.) But I want to believe, as his mother, that he can change.”

Her honesty struck a chord within me, and I nodded, feeling a lump rise in my throat. “I want to believe that too, Mary. I really do. It’s just…hard sometimes. We have so much history, and it feels like we’re always circling back to our past mistakes.”

Mary sighed, her eyes softening. “History is complicated. But it doesn’t have to define your future. It’s about what you both choose to do now. You have a second chance, and that’s something precious. Don’t let fear hold you back from exploring it.”

Her words resonated deeply within me. I had been so afraid of the past repeating itself that I hadn’t fully embraced the potential of what we could be now.

“I’ll try,” I promised, my voice steadying.

Mary smiled, her eyes shining with gratitude. “He needs you, (Y/N.) He always has. Just be patient with him, and let him find his way back.”

“What else did he tell you…about us?” I asked, my heart racing as I braced for her response.

“Well,” Mary said, her voice softening, “he said you two are not together officially. That he was absent the first months of the pregnancy. And he went to the clinic with you.” She paused, searching for the right words. “He also mentioned that he was scared you’d never want to see him again.”

The admission hit me like a punch to the gut. “He’s scared?” I echoed, feeling a mix of surprise and sadness. “I thought he was just…running away from everything.”

Mary nodded, her expression understanding. “He’s scared of losing you, (Y/N.) He may not show it, but deep down, he cares a lot more than he lets on. He’s always had trouble dealing with his feelings.”

I ran a hand through my hair, trying to process everything. “But he hasn’t been there for me or for the baby. It feels like he’s made his choice.”

“I understand,” Mary said gently. “But sometimes people need time to realize what they’ve taken for granted. He’s not a bad person; he just has a lot to work through. You have to give him a chance to figure it out.”

“Do you really think he can change?” I asked, my voice trembling slightly.

“I want to believe he can,” she replied firmly. “But it will take time and effort on his part. He needs to want it, and he needs to feel that he has a family who loves him. Just keep being there for him. You might be the anchor he needs.”

I nodded slowly, contemplating her words. “I want to be there for him, for both of us. But it’s exhausting waiting for him to decide to show up.”

Mary squeezed my hand reassuringly. “You’re strong, (Y/N.) And you’re doing an amazing job. Just remember, it’s okay to put yourself first sometimes, too. You and that baby deserve love and stability.”

Taking a deep breath, I felt a flicker of determination ignite within me. “I won’t give up on him. I just hope he realizes what he stands to lose before it’s too late.”

And I really did hope that.

[milflewis]

wip snippet game

thanks @rosyjuly for the tag! and i’ll tag @husbono @lewishamil10n @effervescentdragon @sionisjaune @russilton and anyone else who wants to do it!

Mick tips his head back on the head of the beach chair, lolling onto the side, cheek pressed into the plastic. The moon glints off the edge of Lewis’s aviators, perched on her braids.

Mick once saw a picture of Lewis stuck up in Seb’s locker from years ago when her and Sebastian were on two months leave and decided to spend it in the sun, Sebastian’s shoulders pink and peeling, Lewis’s curls longer than Mick has ever seen them and free around her face. “Tell me about when you were younger.”

“Hmm?” Lewis glances away from the night sky, face shadowed. “When I was younger?”

“Yeah, both of you. Back before you met me.”

Lewis laughs, low. She lifts one hand to rub at her mouth. There’s a different kind of longing in her face now than there was when she was looking at the stars.

“Right. Back then.”

Sebastian used to talk about them in TOPGUN and afterwards as instructors, and wingwomen, like it was a foregone conclusion, like there was never any other way their story could’ve gone. That’s how she had introduced Lewis, back in the beginning; “This is Lewis, my wingwoman,” and Mick had understood the weight behind those words.

“She was a cocky little shit,” Lewis starts, fond. “Like, truly the fucking worst, man. Good, so good, and so fucking fast and she knew it too, but so reckless – too much at times. Not everyone can fly like her, you know? And she’d forget that.”

“You could.”

Lewis pauses, something in her face cracking open. “Yeah, I could.” She leans back in her chair, legs crossed at the ankle. “I can.”

“She got under my skin,” Sebastian told him one time, lying in warm sheets, a rare morning off, the sun creeping into their room.

She had laughed, “Fuck, she did. She’s so hard to ignore, especially back then, with her eyes and the way she was so angry but would do this thing where you could physically see her swallowing it back. She got under my skin, and I hated it, pretending I didn’t care, which got under hers.”

“I was.” Sebastian had stopped there for a long moment, frowning. Mick was not used to guilt on her face and so it took him a beat too long to recognise it. “I was not fair. A lot of the time. Neither was she, really, but — it was easier for me. I ignored that for a long time. Too long.”

Sebastian had rolled over onto her stomach, propping her chin up on Mick’s bicep, grinning at him. There was a faint bruise nearly healed tipping over the side of her left cheek. Mick could just picture the two fo them, barely twenty-five, bold and hungry and wanting more than their bodies could give them.

“And she was so fucking good, Mick. And so fast, it was insane. I could beat anyone, ten times over, outnumbered, didn’t matter, but Lewis? Lewis was a challenge. Lewis was fun; never made a mistake. She’d just wait you out until you made one, used to drive me crazy. Lewis meant something.”

Sebastian had made a face then, mouth pulling down. “I chased that. That feeling. Her. And we crashed. She swerved and nearly hit me and I was so angry; thought she did it on purpose. To mess with me. Not her style so I didn’t see it coming. Ah, that was probably why I was so mad – hurt too, I suppose – and I lost focus and clipped her wing. We both went down. I was lucky we were up high, and could punch out.”

Mick had watched as Sebastian looks down and away and back again, and reached over to run a hand through her hair. Whenever she talks about Lewis or to Lewis, she always looks years younger.

“She was so angry when I saw her after in the hospital. Mark had tried to stop me going, but I knew I had too after seeing the data. I had to.”

“And then what?” Mick asked after a long moment when it looked like Sebastian wouldn’t continue. She had shrugged, the movement awkward and jolting.

“I said sorry. And she only asked if I’d put that in my official report, which I was going to do anyway, and we were good.”

Mick’s chest had ached and he had thought: oh, Lewis. Looking at Sebastian, he had known she had thought the same.

“Too good to be true,” Mick had only said, and when Sebastian had pushed up to kiss him, hair tucked behind her ears, she had been smiling.

“Tell me another thing.”

Lewis cuts him a sideways look and heaves a sigh like she doesn’t love to talk about Sebastian, even now.

I am trying to make sure you don’t remember her wrong, Mick doesn’t say. I am trying to make sure she stays who she was and not something more in your head. That’s not anything she would’ve wanted for you.

“Another thing,” Lewis says, drawing the words out. She tilts her head back, eyes closing. It’s still late July and the nights are only slightly cooler than the days here in Italy. “Did she ever tell you about the time that she buzzed the tower and made Alonso spill coffee all over classified files in a Very important meeting?”

Mick laughs. “No.”

Lewis has never brought up the hop where Sebastian took the two of them out, and Mick has never asked.

“Well,” Lewis starts. “Like always, Sebastian thought something would be funny and……”

[analexthatexists]

Limitations

A short skit between Hex and Ink

———————————————————————

“…Hey, Hex! Can we talk? Just for a second?”

“Huh? Oh! Haha, of course! I’m just surprised you thought I WOULDN’T want to!”

“Haha, yeah, it was a little funny to ask!…”

“Hah…yeah… why… exactly did you seem a little unsure about talking to me? (His eyes are doing that thing again… makes his emotions such a dead giveaway!)”

“Alright, well…hmm… you know we’re pals and all, right buddy?”

“Pssh, why wouldn’t I? You’re acting so weird, man…”

“Well! Well, uh… I need a favor from you. A nice, simple favor between friends. Can you do that?”

“Favors? Really? Well alright, I guess one teeny tiny favor couldn’t hurt! Just don’t make me try to calm one of Error’s tantrums! Hahahah! Alright, alright…Watcha got?”

“So, I need you to- yes? -do a better job of- better? I can do better, ok -not messing with the- what? -stability of the multiverse?”

"...Pfft, haha, okay, okay, uh, You're kidding me, right? You're usually better with jokes, Ink! This is just sad."

"Hah...I...I'm not joking, Hex... I uh...I mean it. This is becoming a problem. You're a great variant, you really are. Just... your whole antics are a little...tiring. I don't think I can keep asking you to tone it down without making my own tone serious for once. That make sense?"

"..."

"Hey, don't go all silent on me! You've got to admit that what you're doing isn't, you know, cool? At least to the Multiverse and me? Especially in the long term?"

"...yeah right... 'Least I'm not actually, you know, destroying AUs or genuinely hurting anybody. I thought you were on board with my shenanigans, but now you're just acting like DREAM!"

"The 'shenanigans' that you pull can cause entire AUs to go offscript... or even... self-destruct... Don't you realize that!?"

"THE LITTLEST things can set these places off! What, are we ruining a timeline right NOW just by being here!? Haha, I mean, come ON! Can't a little fun be present in this world drowned in rules and balance?"

"...It's not fun having to clean up messes that people like YOU make, Hex."

"So what? Not like cleaning up messes is going to stop them from being made. Why don't any of you realize that?"

"...Hex, you- No, no. YOU know that, don't you? You know this is all a lost cause, and yet you still choose to TRY and make sense of nonsense."

"..."

"...Well? How close am I? 70%? 80? Full one-hundo? Deciphering people like you is fun, you know! You guys are like Rubix cubes! Haha!"

"...Pfft....Hahaha!"

"There we go! Finally, snapping out of that balance talk... It feels good to laugh, doesn't it?"

"...Ah...Hex, you really do know how to irritate me..."

———————————————————————

This isn't the first time Ink has had to talk with Hex about stuff like this. Hex knows what he's doing, but nothing Ink says is likely going to stop him. I do wonder... when is enough enough?

[justaduckarts]

An Earnest Confession

The silence was almost suffocating. Warmth spread through your whole being. Your fingers found purchase on the fabric of your shirt. In front of you, Sun bounced in place. He was becoming antsy, waiting for you to say something. Anything. 

The solar animatronic pressed his hands together. The smile on his face felt tight suddenly. His rays, which had been spinning like crazy moments before, slowed to a stop. He watched you open and close your mouth. He wished he knew what you were thinking.

“I...” You wanted to reply smoothly, but you couldn’t seem to find your voice. How do you respond? What if you messed it up? You were so nervous! 

“...It’s okay,” Sun said gently, “if- if you don’t like us back, I mean! We’ll understand! We’re... not the easiest to get along with.” He looked off to the side. It wouldn’t be the first time. 

“It’s not like that!” You shook your head adamantly. Great, now you were messing it up because you were so worried about messing it up! Sun looked back at you. Did he dare to hope? 

“I’m just...” You dug your fingers into your shirt, “me? I mean- No, I- Ugh! Why can’t I just- I like you a lot, okay?” You buried your face in your hands. Why was it SO hard for you to share your feelings with people? 

“Haaaaa,” you sighed, “I just- I’m sorry, I’m SO bad at this, but I just didn’t think YOU would like me! And- Hands lifted you up. You scrambled to grab onto something to steady yourself when your feet left the ground. Fabric met your fingers. Sun’s collar. 

“How could we NOT like you?” Sun grinned at you, holding you up to better look at your blushing face. “You’re so so so wonderful! And silly,” he laughed a little. 

“You’re the silly ones,” you laughed, watching his rays begin their merry spin once again. He giggled, shaking his head. 

“Of course we’re silly! We’re supposed to be silly,” he set you back on your feet. Straightening, Sun put his hands on his hips. 

“So! Does that mean youuuuu’ll go on a date with us?” He bounced a little, looking at you hopefully. You blinked up at him. 

“A date? Are you even allowed out of the daycare?” You glanced around aforementioned daycare; spotless as usual. 

“Well- Well no,” Sun laughed nervously, “buuuut we could just have one here! Right?” When he looked at you for approval you smiled. Who said dates needed to be conventional? Hardly anything about your life was anyway.

“Right!” You nodded, “I guess that means I’ll be picking you up! Should I dress up?” Sun bounced again, nodding eagerly. 

“Ooh! Yes yes yes! Not that we don’t like how you look all the time- But it would be fun to see you in something besides your uniform!” He clapped his hands together, “Moony and I will have to plan something good!” 

“I’m looking forward to it,” you laughed a little. Hmm... Maybe you could bring them something? Like flowers? Would they like flowers? Your watch chimed, pulling you from your thoughts. 

“Ah, that’s the end of my shift,” you sighed, silencing your alarm, “I’ve gotta get going before I get locked in again.” You glanced up at Sun. 

“That wouldn’t be so bad, would it?” He laughed a little. 

“Did you forget what happened last time I got locked in overnight?” You crossed your arms. Sun laughed, hiding his grin in his hands. Moon laughed into their shared headspace. No, they hadn’t forgotten. 

“Well, I’m sure Moony is sorry! ...At least a LITTLE sorry!” Sun swayed merrily. 

“Somehow, I doubt it,” you laughed, “alright. I’ve gotta go. I’ll come by a little early tomorrow so we can talk about our date!” You turned towards the doors. 

“Oh, wait!” Sun caught your hand. You stopped, turning to look at him. 

“Hm? Did I forget something?” You smiled up at him.

“Just one thing!” Sun scooped you up. A moment later he was pressing his grin to your cheek. Your brain did the mental equivalent of a bluescreen. You might’ve uttered some unintelligible nonsense.

“Okay!” Sun set you on your feet. “Have a goodnight! We’ll see you tomorrow!” He watched you struggle to gather yourself for a minute. Finally, you offered him a shy wave and make your way towards the exit. Sun sighed happily, turning back to the daycare. 

“What a good day!” He hummed, starting the walk towards the little crafting section. It had been a good day. Hopefully there were even more good days on the horizon.

[faterpresources]

Wɪᴛᴄʜ ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ Hᴏʟʏ Nɪɢʜᴛ - Cʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 2 : Lɪᴛᴛʟᴇ ʜᴀᴘᴘᴇɴɪɴɢ ᴏғ ʟᴀsᴛ ɴɪɢʜᴛ (ᴘᴀʀᴛ 2) - Sᴇɴᴛᴇɴᴄᴇ Sᴛᴀʀᴛᴇʀs

A collection of random lines compiled from the game Witch on the Holy Night (Mahōtsukai no Yoru ,also known as Mahoyo) Feel free to change the pronouns in order to better suit the parts involved. Warning: some crude language

❝So we're really going through with this? We're absolutely sure we wanna do this? ❞

❝I thought I told you yesterday that I'm not interested in being your taste tester. ❞

❝No matter where you run, they'll chase you as long there's still life left in them.❞

❝There's nothing I can do if neither of you understand why you feel the way you do. ❞

❝Who could have thought His/Her Highness could be so considerate to his/her friends? ❞

❝Just because he/she wants to be friends doesn't mean I have to suddenly like him/her. ❞

❝Oh, nothing. It's just that those are some special-looking rice balls you've got there. ❞

❝Are you trying to make fun of me? A word of advice, leave that to us smart people, hmm? ❞

❝The city is really strange, but a pretty easy place to live, once you get the hang of it. ❞

❝You're so petty, you know that?! You're supposed to repay insult with insults, you coward! ❞

❝I'm impressed you never complain about it. You always look like nothing bothers you at all. ❞

❝We never see eye to eye. Talking to you is like going on a date, both pointless activities. ❞

❝Hearing you say that, I was just thinking I've never met such a despicable person in my life. ❞

❝Hopefully you've learned your lesson, oh hellish demon who feasts upon the hearts of men/women. ❞

❝ Relax. The city might have its share of shady guys, but none of them are magicians in disguise. ❞

❝ Are you kidding me!? How in the hell do you come to that conclusion after hearing a story like that!? ❞

❝ He/she won't like you for being nice to him/her, and he/she won't hate you for being mean to him/her. ❞

❝ I'm not someone who goes around holding grudges for something that happened over a week ago, you know. ❞

❝ Oh! You wanna become our second volunteer? Perfect! I'll make it the best winter vacation you've ever had! ❞

❝ Hehehe, have you lost your way, Your Highness? You're slumming where the commoners eat gruel from their toughs. ❞

❝ Really?! But 's such a goody-two-shoes! He/she's never broken any rules! Well, the rules of the school at least! ❞

❝ I was starting to wonder if it was normal for that kind of thing to go on in a city, so I wanted to hear your opinion. ❞

❝ Don't mind them. If you get involved with every idiot who invites you to do something, you'll mess up your whole life. ❞

❝ Don't you think you should stop wasting brainpower on this? I mean, you've got so few brain cells to work with as it is. ❞

❝ Rumors like those can come in handy sometimes. You can use them chase off annoying people. Just be careful about who you tell, okay?❞

❝ I could hear you before. I was just ignoring you because you were annoying me, and I thought it'd be easier than getting you to shut up. ❞

❝ Like how everyone think he/she's an angel, and how nothing seems to bother him/her. Maybe it's how good he/she is at getting on my nerves. ❞

❝ I forgot. You don't know about what happened a year ago… 'Cause if you did, you wouldn't be treading down this path of destruction, my friend. ❞

❝ Okay, so why'd you pick a fight with him/her? I mean, he/she does throw you off when you talk to him/her, but there's not an evil bone in his/her body. ❞

❝ Sometimes I feel someone's gaze on me, and when I turn around to see who it is, he/she's there, looking like he/she's worried about me, that I'll mess up. ❞

[unabashedly-faulty]

My parts are so damn cute. Their crushes and the way they value each person is so sweet. Being the one that expresses them, it doesn’t give me much room to feel and experience. I’m the part of this system that upholds my hosts boundaries. Imagine you’re the most responsible of your siblings and develop this complex that you cannot mess up because it would cause harm or distress to those siblings and whomever they may interact with. Harm for us is emotional pain. We’d truly rather die that cause the same traumas others have caused in us. And that doesn’t necessarily translate to other parts in different developmental levels. It quite taxing and frustrating. Sometimes I feel them so much I think I am them and then I have to journal or talk to someone about it so I can express them. To depress them is to create depression within myself. And I’ve gotta find balance daily in giving them a voice because not giving them a voice causes distress. More stress on the brain. More symptoms. And we can’t really have that so I’ve got to stand on our boundaries. And that’s great brainwork. I’m exercising muscles that consider others with the totality of myself. Many parts of a whole. A walking village of myself. All working together to try and show up for each other and the people in our lives.

I always wondered how I could have different relationships with different people in my youth. Like I’d be cool as hell with one person and then another and another but it wouldn’t overlap. I could never get my friends all together because they were all so different because they all knew a different dissociative part this whole timeeeeee.

When it seemed like I had many partners I did not. Each part had a person they favored and connected with and that should’ve been valid but it wasn’t because we were fucking plural in a non plural world. Connections meant you belonged to one person. Omggggg everything makes so much sense nowwww.

I did my best truly. And once it wasn’t enough I was alone. Hmm.

[cintasfics]

Woman Seeking Dead Husband: Smokers Okay, No Pets - 1x04

Marley arrives to the station separately to the guys, meeting chief Vick on the way to her office

They have a nice little chat about how Marley is finding the work, saying that she enjoys it, that the boys are good fun but that they know when to be serious

She wants to take back her words once she sees Gus sitting in Vick’s chair drinking a smoothie

Watching Shawn win Raylene over gives her an insight into how the agency works

Marley: Okay, I’m starting to get it now Gus: Get what? Marley: If we don’t get given a case, we take it, so we’re never out of business Shawn: Huh, I guess you’re right Marley: That wasn’t your intention? Shawn: Well, I mean- Marley: Oh, I see, you’re just nosey and can’t help yourself, got it Gus: Yeah, that’s more like it

Like Gus, she’s unsure about how they’re going to get any answers from a dead person, but agrees with Shawn when he says they don’t need to talk to her dead husband to get information

Marley: Cold reading Gus: Huh? Marley: You do a cold reading, you know, like those tv psychics with their vague and open-ended questions that get their targets to tell them everything they need to sell it Shawn: See? She gets it Gus: Gets that it’s a scam, sure

She argues against the séance though, mainly because she thinks it’s a dirty move messing with people’s emotions like that, but also maybe because she’s a bit scared

Shawn: Ghosts aren’t real, Marley. Nothing’s going to happen at the séance Marley: You don’t know that for sure, one wrong move and the next thing you know we’re in The Conjuring Shawn: You know those movies aren’t 100% true, right? Marley: Yes I know that the Warren’s were frauds and the real life events are greatly embellished, but that still doesn’t mean I’m risking it Shawn: Come on, it’ll be fun! You can help me with the special effects! Blowing curtains, flickering lights, all the fun stuff! Think of it as a small theatre production

She’s still a bit iffy, not feeling like it’s right, but she can’t deny the allure of playing around with special effects while also getting information from the family

Gus: Did you do that? Shawn: Why would I ruin our totally cool window? Gus: For effect, to make me think you contacted an evil ghost. Shawn: Gus, please. Marley - Why didn't you think of that? That's genius. I expected better from you Marley: Hey! I didn’t know smashing the window was an option! Shawn: Come on, Marley. You can’t let the fear of a little property damage stop you! Gus: Yes she can!

At the station, she waits outside while Shawn goes into the records room and Juliet stops to talk to her

Juliet: Marley, you’re still here? Marley: Yeah, just waiting for Shawn, he had to use the bathroom Juliet: Hey, sorry I couldn’t be more help, I could get in big trouble for showing you guys those files without the chief’s permission Marley: Don’t worry about it, I completely get it. I’m sure that if we really need to know something then the spirits will provide Juliet: You really believe he’s psychic? Marley, keeping up the ruse: If I didn’t know him I wouldn’t, and I admit that sometimes I have my doubts, but the more I work with him the more I believe it Juliet: Hmm, right. Well I should get back to work, see you later Marley

Knowing the plan for tomorrow, she’s able to be ready and waiting for the guys to pick her up so she doesn’t wake up to Shawn in her apartment like Gus did

She’s completely taken off guard by the SuperSniffer

Shawn: Oh, Gus, please, with the supersniffer. You have to stop Marley: I’m sorry, the what? Gus: The supersniffer. It’s a gift passed down through my family, we’re all blessed with a heightened sense of smell. Observe - Marley, trying not to laugh: Wow, that sure is uh, impressive

When discussing what their next step will be, Shawn notices that Marley is being oddly sympathetic to David

Shawn: Why do you want to help him? Marley: He just seems like he genuinely regrets what he did and wants to make it right Shawn: Really, Marley? Marley: What? Shawn: First Gus has a thing for the wife, now you have a thing for the husband Marley: I do not have a ‘thing’ for the husband Shawn: Oh yeah? That’s why you kept staring at him, huh Marley: I was just surprised to see him alive! Shawn: Hmm, sure

After finding out about Raylene from the bank robbers

Marley: I knew he was a good guy, she was just manipulating him! Gus: A good guy? He robbed a bank, Marley Marley: We all have our flaws, besides, he was under a lot of pressure Gus: And you think that makes it okay? Marley: Hey, I’m not the one crushing on ‘the viper’ Shawn: So you admit you have a crush on David Marley: Be quiet, Shawn, I never said that

After the confrontation in the mausoleum, she comments on the new experience of being held at gun point

Marley: I’ve been in this country for almost 8 months without incident, but one day with you guys and I get held at gunpoint twice Shawn: Welcome to America!

[elderwisp]

◁ || ▷

Frances: Can you hand me the tape once you’re done?

Dan: I think I used up the last bit, maybe we can stop by the store? I need a new sharpie anyway.

Frances: Wanna go right now? I need a break.

Dan: Ye ye. Kai!

Kai: Sup.

Dan: What happened to your face??

Kai: I tried covering all of the holes but, uh, Frances you might not get the deposit back.

Frances: When do people ever get their deposit back?

Kai: Trueeeee.

-

Dan: YOO we should get a crock-pot-

Kai: Who the fuck says that, Dan?

Dan: Bitch, you’re the one that burns pre cooked fries in an air fryer. Of COURSE you wouldn’t be literate in the art of food.

Kai: OHKAYYY since when did working in fast food make you a food critic?

Dan: I don’t have to be a food critic to know you suck at cooking, right Frances? 

Frances: [ a longing sigh ]

Dan: … Frances, you okay?

Frances: Hmm? Oh, yeah, bad at cooking.

Dan: Hold up, what’s wrong?

Frances: Graduation’s coming up.

Dan: Thank god, right?

Frances: And then I leave for De Sol Valley…

Kai: Exciting! Wait, why do you look so sad?

Frances: I dunno, it’s… So far away.

Kai: Only a short two hour train ride.

Frances: And I’ll be alone.

Dan: Facetime?

Frances: I just… [ sings ] Liked this little life. 

Dan: You mean being stressed out juggling several jobs and school?

Frances: It kept me active.

Dan: Your anxiety hair literally clogged the sink multiple times.

Frances: I needed to thin it out anyway.

Dan: You’re weird.

Frances: Thanks. 

Kai: I mean, is there anything else holding you back?

Frances: I- A lot of things. I’ll sort it out though before I go.

Dan: Well, let us know if we can help you.

Kai: So, you think I can sleep in your room while you're gone?

Frances: I mean, sure but why?

Kai: I think I kind of hate being home now.

Frances: Oh?

Kai: It’s nothing serious.

Frances: Dang- Wait, hold that thought I gotta pee.

Dan: Todo bien? Everything good?

Kai: No le digas nada, pero Atlas está usando otra vez. Don’t tell her anything, but Atlas is using again. 

Dan: ¿De verdad? ¿Cómo lo sabes? Really? How do you know?

Kai: Atlas estaba mandando un mensaje a Taryn sobre eso. Hablan... mucho. Atlas was texting Taryn about it. They… Talk a lot.

Dan: Fucking hell. Did you check her phone?

Kai: It was an accident! Sort of. Look, I would prefer skydiving without a parachute instead of watching this unfold.

Dan: I mean, the good thing is he stopped, right?

Kai: I dunno but that doesn’t hide the fact that he lied.

Both: Again.

Kai: He asked her not to tell us, Dan. His friends.

Dan: Yeah, well, he hasn’t necessarily been the most open lately. 

Kai: I mean I would have thought we mattered more. 

Dan: You can’t take it personal. You know how he gets.

Kai: I just feel like eventually we’re going to get tired of it.

Dan: I’m aware. [ sighs ] Jesus, this is a mess.

Kai: Yep. By the way, he invited us to go to the skatepark, please go.

Dan: Duh. Hopefully it’s not awkward. Don’t make it awkward.

Kai: I won’t!