#but yeah we can go ahead and throw matt in the ring too

[tittyinfinity]

2023 is the year of constantly battling the CEOs of social media websites huh

[starset21]

A Dark Day

A/N: Surprise! Here's an addition to the collection with another coming on Tuesday!

Standard disclaimer: I do not consent to the posting, translating, or publishing of my work to any 3rd party site, the only place it may currently be found is on tumblr and Wattpad under the name @.itswildflower

Looking for more? Chicago Fire Collection Masterlist 

Word count: 2.5k

Warnings: cannon typical depictions of fires/accidents, explosion

“Please make sure you register at least 30 minutes before the race begins,” the announcer calls over the PA as Matt placed a box on the table. Gabby sighed, “Really? Goat shirts?” Dani brought over another box. “Those are collectors' items,'' Matt defends. “Yeah, garbage collectors,” Gabby laughs. “You guys gonna run the 10k?” Jameson, one of the guys from another firehouse asked. “Uh, Halstead and I are, Casey chickened out,” Gabby told them, high-fiving Dani. “I'm more of a sprinter,” Matt tries to defend himself. “Heard you're gonna introduce the commissioner later,” Jameson teased. “Yeah. Not sure how that fell on me,” Matt grumbled. “Well, a ceiling fell on you while you were saving a baby, baby,” Gabby smirked. Dani pretended to gag. “Hey. It's... it's Kim, right?” Gabby asked, hearing the clattering and turning to see a woman struggling with putting up a display for CPD. 

“Yeah. Hey,” she replied. “Hey, you... you need some help?” Gabby asked. “I... I kind of have no idea what I'm doing,” she admitted with a laugh. “She was part of the team that got Diego back,” Gabby told Matt. “On it. Firefighters bailing out cops is a long tradition,” Matt teased. “Oh, okay. Well, when you need a police officer to…” she trailed off. “Yeah, I've got nothing,” she said and they all laughed. “Who's this?” Matt asks, referring to the young girl digging around in a box next to the table. “Oh, this is my niece Zoe,” Kim introduced. “How old are you, Zoe?” Matt asks, helping to set the frames up for the display. “I'm nine,” Zoe tells him. “Really? Let me see your driver's license,” Matt jokes. “I'm nine too,” another little girl comes up to them. “Wow. Well, uh, you're the designated driver because she doesn't have her license,” Matt tells them and they giggle. “Imogene, don't bother them. They're setting up,” a woman says as she approaches. “Oh, no, it's totally fine,” Dani reassured. “Do you want to go see them unload the animals for the petting zoo?” Zoe asked Imogene who nodded excitedly. “Go ahead,” Kim told her niece. “Stay where I can see you,” the other woman tells the two girls. “Okay,” they call out and run off. “Hey, you're the new pediatrician, right?” Gabby asks. “Yeah, Holly Thelan. Nice to meet you. I’m the new pediatrician, just moved here from New York,” she replies. “Well, welcome. Thanks for volunteering on your day off,” Dani tells her with a smile. “Yeah, my pleasure. I'll see you guys,” Holly tells them. 

“Hey, I guess I'll go get started with registration,” Gabby tells Matt. “You’ll sign me in and we can meet at the starting line?” Dani asked her, stretching out her limbs. Gabby nodded. “Have a good race, I’ll be rooting for you,” Matt tells Gabby, pressing a kiss to her cheek. They finished setting up pretty much everything so Matt offered to walk with her to go find Gabby. The two girls go running past them with huge smiles and balloons in their hands. “Wait for me!” one of them called out. “Hey, I like the balloons,” Matt called out to them. Dani watches them with a smile and goes to nudge Matt when an explosion goes off in the hospital. The blast throws the two friends to the concrete and the world goes black for a moment. Dani’s ears were ringing and she felt someone shaking her shoulder. She let out a few coughs before blearily opening her eyes, spotting Matt checking her over quickly. She pushed herself up so she was sitting and took a moment to take in the chaos. A man with a bloody leg was limping away from the scene, and those that weren’t hurt too badly had already begun helping where they could. She could hear screaming and crying through the ringing in her ears.

 “Danielle,” Matt called again and she could hear him clearer than before. “Oh my god,” is all she says as Matt stood up and grabbed her hand, helping her up. The two of them started walking towards the wreckage. There were cars flipped over and burning as they assessed the scene, a chunk of the hospital gone and crumbling. “Matt, look, the girls!” Dani took off for them. “Girls! Girls, can you hear me?” she asks, sliding to her knees in front of them, “Are you hurt?” “My head,” Imogene groans. “My tummy hurts,” Zoe tells her. “Hey. What's your name?” Matt asks a man who was getting up next to them, a bleeding wound on his head. “Vaughn,” he tells him. “Vaughn. I need you to run around to the other side of the hospital... and check to see if the ICU is intact…” Matt trails off as Vaughn ends up collapsing. “Hey! Hey!” Matt tries to wake him. “Oh, my God! Zoe!” Kim runs over and kneels beside Dani. “Imogene got knocked in the head. Zoe said her stomach hurts. This man just passed out,” Matt tells her, moving to assess the man. “Im? Im, talk to me, sweetheart. You know where you are?” Holly asked as she too kneels with the girls. “I'm at the race,” she mumbles. “That's right, honey. Are you okay, baby?” Holly asks. Sirens blared as emergency vehicles began arriving. “Ow!” Zoe cried. “Oh, my God. I think she might have a cracked rib,” Holly told Kim. Matt looked around for a moment before looking back to the women. “Hey. E.R.'s gone. We'll use that tent as triage,” he told them. “Okay, good.” They all nodded and jumped into action picking up the girls. “Everyone, this tent will serve as triage! Start moving people off the street and out of the rubble! Anyone that can help us, help us!” Matt yells. 

“Can you move?” Dani asked Vaughn who had started sitting up again. “I think so,” he told her and Dani grabbed his arm, pulling him up and helping him over to the tent where paramedics were already beginning to triage people. “Chief! Chief!” Matt called out as he and Dani pushed through the crowd after spotting the trucks. “Big explosion, no idea of the cause,” he tells the Chief. “You okay?” he asks the two firefighters, pointing at Dani’s cheek where there was a thin line of now drying blood. “Yeah, we’re fine,” Matt starts. “It’s just a flesh wound, triage in that tent. E.R. took it hard,” Dani told the chief. “Alright, people are gonna be trapped up on those higher floors,” Herrmann says, stepping beside the Chief. “Okay, you, Otis, and Mouch... you get the aerial moving,” Chief orders. Herrmann nods, rushing off. “Exterior oxygen and fuel tanks are on the other side of the building. This couldn't have been an accident,” Chief begins briefing the situation as Otis and Mouch hand Matt and Dani extra turnout jackets and gloves. “A bomb?” Matt asks. “The structure's unstable. Where's Dawson?” Chief asked. “Oh, God. She went inside,” Matt’s eyes widened. “Dawson's in there?” Severide asks. “We think so,” Dani told him. “We'll get her,” Severide assures Matt. “Go! Cruz, Mills, stay back!” Chief orders and everyone else gets to work.  

There was still debris falling closest to the collapsed zone. “Fire department, call out!” Severide yelled as the others pushed debris off of people they could easily get to. They helped people up and took trips carrying those who couldn’t walk over to triage. “Gabby? Call out!” Kelly yelled. “Hey! Dr. Arata, right?” Matt yelled up to a familiarish looking man. “Yeah,” he called back. “Did Gabby Dawson come in here? Have you seen her?” Matt asks. “Dawson... I did. I left her at the nurses' station,” the doctor told him. “She on this floor?” Kelly asked but the doctor burst into a coughing fit. “Hey! Casey, there's a ton of pockets in here. We'll find her,” Kelly tells Matt as Dani comes back over. “Hey! If you can move at all, get away from the exposed wall! Move back towards the center!” she calls out, noticing some people dangerously close to the edge of the exposed floors. “Gabby! Anyone! Call out!” Matt yelled.

“Hey! Hey! Seriously? What's your problem?” Matt yells as two men try to push past a man who was on the ground with a gurney. “We need to get this man out of here,” one of them tells him. “Here, take it,” Matt pulls the other person out of the way and he groans. “Hey, listen! A lot of people need to get out of here, all right?” Matt yells at them. Creaking sounded and Kelly looked up at the ceiling. “Casey, get back!” he yells but it's too late and part of the ceiling collapses. Matt coughs as Kelly helps him up. “I'm okay,” he grunts. “I'm okay,” he reassures. “Hey, stand back,” Kelly tells one of the men who was trying to get past Matt previously. “No, you get back! This is Alim Al Safir, ambassador from Syria to the United States. Ambassador Safir was here in your city's protection, and if he's dead…” the man begins. “Capp, Tony, get this guy to the "A" wing,” Kelly ordered. “You got it,” Tony told him, climbing over some rumble. 

“Severide!” Matt yells, standing up from where he had been kneeling looking at the rubble. “Yeah?” he asks. “There's plenty of room under the debris, the way it's fallen. I'm going in. If Gabby's under there…” Matt starts and Dani shakes her head. “Casey, I don't know if that's safe. You guys get stuck under there…” Capp trails off. “We won't get stuck,” Matt tells him. “Casey, Severide, maybe you should have me go, I’m smaller and can fit through gaps easier,” Dani tries, falling back on her training. Matt looked at her with narrowed eyes as he shed his jacket, shaking his head. Dani looked at Kelly, who looked like he was debating it. “Casey, it makes sense, I follow her in,” Severide tells him. Casey still looked reluctant. “I’ll get her Matt,” Dani tells him. “Halstead,” Capp tosses her a flashlight and she sheds her jacket. “Ready?” Kelly asks and Dani nods, slithering down into the hole in the rubble. “Gabby! Hello?” Severide calls out. “Hey! Gabby! Anyone! Call out!” Dani yells. “Halstead,” Severide says from somewhere behind her. “Yeah?” she asks, pausing. “If we don't find a space big enough to turn around, we're going to have to do this backwards,” he tells her. “I know. It’ll be fine,” she tells him, crawling forwards again. “Well, it might not be the smartest course of action,” he tells her. “We're going to be smart about this now?” she asks him. “No,” he responds. “Then we keep going,” she called back over her shoulder. In the world above Herrmann and the rest of the truck's crew finished evacuating people from the floors above and began gathering with the rest of the squad. “Hey, Casey! Tony! Where's Severide and Halstead?” he asks. “Down there somewhere,” Tony told him. “All right, let's spread out. Let's go, guys. Dig 'em out.” 

“I see someone! Call out if you can hear me!” Severide yelled. Dani didn’t quite hear him. “It's not her!” he yells. “What?” Dani yelled back. “She's dead,” Severide yells. “What?!” she yells back. “It's not Dawson!” Severide yells and Dani lets out a sigh of relief. “Gabby! Anyone! Call out!” she yells. “Gabby! Call out!” Severide yells. There is a distant metal clanging. “Shh, shh, shh, shh, shh. I hear something,” Dani shushed Severide. They froze, listening carefully for the clanging. “Keep going!” he told her and with a renewed vigor the two of them crawled through the dirt and debris. “The space up ahead is too small,” Dani tells him, moving some of the smaller rocks away and trying to make the hole a little bigger. “You can do it. I'm right behind you,” Severide encouraged. Dani managed to make it wide enough for her to crawl through into the next chamber. “Hey, Herrmann? Casey? Can you hear the banging?” Severide radios to the others. “Hey! Quiet everyone! Kill that torch!” Herrmann shouted. They listened carefully for any kind of banging and it didn’t take long to hear the faint metal banging. “Is that you, Severide?” Herrmann asks. “No.” Banging continues. “That's from over there!” Casey yells and everyone jumps into action, moving debris piles. 

“Gabby! Gabby! Gabby,” Dani shouted as she shined the light and spotted a figure. “You came,” the other woman muttered as she quickly moved into a crouch, trying to check her over. “How bad?” Dani asked her. “It's just my head, but I think I'm okay. Matt and you okay?” Gabby asks, as Dani takes a closer look at the large cut on the side of her head. “Yeah, we’re both fine. Matty’s freaking out up there, trying to get to you,” she tells her. “Damn, Dawson. You look like hell,” Kelly says as makes his way into the space behind Dani. They all laugh. “I'm not 100% sure I'm not dreaming,” Gabby tells them. “Hey, guys, Halstead and I have Dawson. She's alive,” Kelly calls into the radio. The guys cheer and applaud. “We're not out of the woods yet, boys! Let's get this concrete off of them!” Herrmann yells. They worked swiftly to uncover them and set a ladder down in. “Drop the basket,” Severide tells them. The two of them carefully place Gabby on it and strap her in. “Ready to get out of here?” Dani asks her. “Yeah,” Gabby nods. “Lift her up!” There was more cheers and applause along with welcome backs from the guys as they helped Gabby free from the basket. Once Gabby was cleared Severide gestured for her to climb up before him. She was clapped on the back as she moved away from the area so Kelly could climb up. Matt was holding Gabby tight, relief evident on his face. The whole of house 51 migrated from the debris to grab water and rest for a moment as another company arrived and took their place. Dani leaned on a barricade, watching the scene when she noticed a blue SUV with flashing red and blue pulled up. Jay Halstead and the rest of the intelligence unit climbed out, looking around. Dani’s green eyes met Jay’s and he gave her a subtle nod in greeting before he followed his unit. “Hey, Chief, commissioner's here,” Severide says. 

The commissioner walks over to them. “Fire commissioner,” Chief greets. “Deputy District Chief just brought me up to speed,” the commissioner tells him. “Dark day, sir,” is all Boden has to say. “That, it is. Listen, I am informed that you and your men from Firehouse 51 were first on scene and saved dozens of lives today,” the commissioner tells him. “Yeah. Plus one of our own,” Boden says. “Well… You can fall back, let some relief do some digging,” the commissioner tells him. Chief Boden looked at the company, everyone had stood, looking ready to get back to work, giving him the impression that they weren’t willing to leave so soon. “We think we'll stay,” Boden tells the commissioner. 

[mayhemproduces]

Welcome everybody to MPW: Night of the Butcher, here in Lowell, where we're kicking things off tonight with the signing off the contract for our MPW Atlas Championship match at Thunder in Paradise, where our General Manager, Matt Cardona, apparently fully healed from whatever injuries he was threatening to sue us over in the first place, has gifted himself an MPW Atlas Championship match against the champion, Mance Warner.

Matt Cardona, here tonight dressed in a suit, attempts to shake the hands of many of the MPW fans here sitting front row in, trying to thank them for coming, but, as one might expect, the fans are a lot more interested in flipping Matt Cardona off than shaking his hand. Looking offended but keeping it moving, our MPW General Manager makes his way to the ring. Heyman and Mance are whispering amongst themselves, as Matt Cardona's waves are met with boos from the fans, before he picks up a microphone.

"Welcome, MPW Universe, to MPW: Night of the Butcher, just two stops away on the Road to our next Premium Live Event, Thunder in Paradise! Your General Manager would like to remind all of you that MPW's shows are a Marijuana-Free environment, and anybody caught partaking tonight, whether that be smoking, eating, ingesting, or boofing, you will be forcibly removed from the building!"

The crowd boos, and Heyman makes a subtle gesture to the crowd suggest that won't be the case, before he thinks for a second, stops, and picks up his microphone.

"Do what you want, but please, do not "boof" ANYTHING at an MPW show."

Moving on..

Heyman grabs the contract and flips it open, putting it on the table for both men to sign. "This legally binding contract will set the terms for the MPW Atlas Championship match between Champion Mance Warner, and challenger Matt Cardona, for Thunder in Paradise 4. If you two could just sign-.." "Before we make this official." Matt Cardona interrupts Paul, and looks at Mance Warner, trying to extend a hand. "I just wanna say, Mance. As your General Manager, thank you for establishing a standard for the MPW Atlas Championship. A standard, which... It will be very, very easy to surpass, as I, one Atlas Championship match at a time, will remind these people what a true MPW Champion is supposed to look like. A champion who's hard working, comes to work in a suit, knows where the hard cam is, and knows how to sell merch. For too long, this company has accepted a sub-standard of champion, especially in the Atlas Divison, and that ends right now. " Matt Cardona throws down his mic, and, without reading a word of it, signs the contract. Mance and Heyman's eyes don't leave at each other the entire time, until Matt's eyes lock back on Mance. "If you can even spell your name, go ahead and sign it." Matt scowls at Mance, who just laughs and does so, before flicking the pen back at Cardona. Heyman, suspiciously quickly, gathers the contract and goes to leave, as Cardona & Mance stare each other down in the ring.

Heyman stops before going through the curtain, turning back to the ring, and once again raising the microphone. "Oh yeah, Matt. Real quick... I added a small clause to the match contract... If you lose, and don't win the MPW Atlas Championship at Thunder in Paradise... You will no longer be the MPW General Manager."

A MASSIVE pop from the crowd, and Matt Cardona looks like he's going to have an aneurysm, but only for a moment, as he gets spun around, and driven through the table by Mance with a Spinebuster!

Our nightmare with Cardona as GM may soon be over, if he can't win the MPW Atlas Title at Thunder in Paradise, he's out of a job as GM!

[leossmoonn]

Temptation

masterlist

pairing - silas x forbes,fem!reader

type - fluffy smut, angst

note / request - “can i request a silas fic where the reader is Caroline's lil sis and Silas likes to annoy her, and he likes her a lot. Then Care and Damon are always into protective sibling modes where silas is around y/n. So one day they catch y/n making out w him, and then theres a lot of banter again” this was really fun to write! im not gonna rewrite background info lol so make sure to read the request. also the timeline of events is a little fuzzy so i apologise if i make a mistake. enjoy :)

summary - damon and caroline find you making out with the enemy, who just happens to be silas 

warnings / includes - language, sibling fighting, steamy make out, sexual tension heheh, you’re in your senior year of high school, suggestive

————

*gif isn't mine*

“Hello, doll face,” Silas greeted behind you.

You jumped at his voice, but quickly settled down. “Hey, Silas,” you said dully.

“Why the long face, princess?” Silas asked. 

“Because you’re here,” you said. “Oh, that’s so mean. You’ve hurt my feelings,” Silas pouted. 

“Well, I’m not supposed to be talking to you anyways,” you stated matter-of-factly. 

“Ugh, you are such a goody two shoes. It’s cute, but annoying. Why not break the rules? I know you want to,” Silas said, leaning over the top of the couch, his face going right next to your’s.

You inhaled deeply, your heart pounding against your chest. You were attracted to him, no doubt about that, but if you even considered shaking his hand, Caroline and Damon would kill you. And you definitely didn’t want that.

“I can read your mind, Y/n. I know you want to kiss me, so go ahead,” he whispered. 

You didn’t turn your head, but your eyes wandered to the left. You got a good view of his lips, which made butterflies flutter in your stomach. It was so tempting to close the gap between you two, but you knew better than that. You turned your head the other way, standing up from the couch. You packed up your school work, deciding to leave the Salvatore house and go to your own. 

You were at the Salvatore house because Damon had offered to help you with your history homework. You took the offer and you two had been studying for a few hours. He had left you for 30 minutes to go and get you two lunch. In those 30 minutes, Silas had wandered into the house, looking for you. 

You pulled out your phone, texting Damon to go to your house instead of back to his. 

“Where are ya going?” Silas asked. 

“Home,” you mumbled, keeping your head down and walking to the front door. 

Silas stood in front of the door, making you look up at him with an annoyed frown. 

“Please let me go,” you said. 

“No, I’d rather see you beg,” Silas smirked. You rolled your eyes. “Please. Damon is waiting for me at my house with food.”

“Oh! Well, why don’t I just go with you, then? I’d love to see Damon.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” you chuckled. “Why not? I can just pretend to be his brother! I’ve fooled lots of people already,” Silas smiled. 

“I think Damon will notice. Especially if I’m there,” you said.  “I’ll just sneak in then,” Silas suggested. 

“No, Silas! I just want to go home alone. Leave me alone,” you said sternly, looking him straight in the eyes. You went to push him out of the way, but his hands grabbed ahold of your wrists. His strong grip made goosebumps rush up your forearms.

Silas couldn’t help but smirk. You rarely ever had outbursts. He thought it was incredibly sexy and cute when you put your foot down. Especially when it pertained to him. 

“You are so adorable when you’re mad. You're so small, too. I can’t help but not take you seriously,” Silas chuckled. 

Your eyes went wide and you opened your mouth to say something, but nothing came out. You masked your embarrassment by groaning and running your fingers through your hair in frustration. “Just let me go! Please. I’m hungry and tired and really need to study for my test.”

“What is your test over, anyways? History? Cause if so, I could help you out. I bet I know more than Damon,” Silas said. 

“No thanks, bro, she’s all taken care of,” Damon said from behind Silas. 

“You tattled that I was here! So naughty of you,” Silas glared at you playfully. 

“Step out of the way, Silas. Otherwise I will snap your neck,” Damon sneered. 

Silas sighed. “Fine! I’m only obeying because I want to kiss you before I die.”

“Fat chance of that. C’mon, Y/n. I got you a burger and those onion rings you like,” Damon said.

“Thanks, Damon,” you smiled gratefully at him. 

“See you later, doll face!” Silas called out as you walked to your car. 

“I’m sorry about him. I should make you the owner of the house,” Damon said. 

You shrugged, “It’s alright. He would never actually hurt me.”

“Well, we don’t know that,” Damon said. 

“Yes, we do. Sure, he might threaten to kill me sometimes, but his liking for me trumps any chance of him killing me. I don’t fear him, he’s just extremely annoying,” you said, getting in your car.

“Agreed,” Damon said. 

You two drove to your house, eating lunch and studying for a few more hours. Caroline and Elena then came home, talking to you and Damon about a party at the Grill. 

“Can I come?” You asked. 

“Um, yeah, sure,” Caroline nodded. 

You smiled excitedly. You barley went to any of these parties. You usually were at home studying or hiding away in your house because Caroline and Damon were always worried for you, but Caroline figured that since she and Damon and everyone else would be there, they would be able to protect you. 

So you took a quick shower and got ready for the night. You put on ripped jeans and a black, spaghetti-strapped top with a jean jacket. You put on heeled boots and put on some silver jewellery, as well as lined your eyes with eyeliner and painted your lips red with lipstick.

“Oh, you look so cute!” Elena exclaimed as you walked out of your room. 

“Thanks, Elena,” you smiled at her. 

“No, go change,” Caroline said. “Why?” You frowned. 

“Because Silas could be there and that outfit would tempt him even more,” Damon explained. 

You rolled your eyes. “So when Klaus was here, Caroline could wear anything, but I guess since I’m younger and a human, I can’t? That’s so unfair.”

“She’s right, guys. I hate Silas as much as you two, but let her dress how she wants. We’ll be there to protect her. Plus, if Silas thinks she’s hot, then good for her. She is,” Elena agreed with you. 

You smiled at her. “Thank you.”

“Of course,” she smiled. 

“Ugh, fine! But no drinking, okay?” Caroline said. 

“Ay, ay captain,” you said. You four went out to Elena’s SUV, driving to the Grill. 

Loud music blasted into your ears as soon as you stepped inside. You smiled as you saw everything dancing and having the time of their life. 

“Shots?” Caroline suggested. 

“Hell yeah!” Elena squealed. 

“Iced tea for you, Y/n?” Caroline asked. “Yes, please,” you nodded. 

“Alright, you guys go to the pool table. I’ll be back,” Caroline said. 

“Where is Stefan?” You asked, looking around the bar and walking to the pool table that was conveniently empty. 

“Right here!” 

You turned around, smiling once you saw Stefan in a grey shirt, jeans, and his leather jacket. You went to hug him, but Damon stopped you. 

“Ah, ah, ah. How do we know it isn’t Silas?” Damon asked. 

Stefan rolled his eyes. He pulled out a blood bag from his pocket, taking it and drinking it quickly. 

“Alright, alright, we know it’s you. Cool it on the blood, brother. Don’t want to go into a bloodlust,” Damon said, taking the empty bag and throwing it in the trash. 

“Well, I don’t really know how else to prove I’m not Silas,” Stefan sighed. “Can I get that hug now?”

You smiled and nodded, wrapping your arms around him. 

Between everyone else, Damon and Stefan were your best friends. They were like the brothers you’ve never had, protecting you and teasing you whenever they felt like it was necessary. You hadn’t seen Stefan in a while since he was found in the safe, but you were glad to see he was okay. 

“Glad to see you’re okay, Stef,” you said, pulling back. 

“And I’m glad to see you haven’t fallen victim to my doppelgänger,” Stefan smiled. 

Caroline came back with shots, pleasantly surprised to see Stefan. 

“Stefan! You’re here! Oh, my God the whole gang is here!” She squealed, putting down the shots and engulfing Stefan is a big hug. 

“I’m excited to be here, too. This is the first time I’ve really gone out for fun. I hope nothing goes wrong,” Stefan joked. 

“Well, if any of you spot Silas, make sure to not let him get close to Y/n. We don’t know what he could do to her,” Caroline said.

You rolled your eyes at her concern, but didn’t say anything. You knew it would end up with you two arguing and that was the last thing anything wanted. Forbes were very controlling and heated when they got angry.

You took your tea and sipped on it as Damon downed the first shot. 

“Wait, are we playing in teams?” You asked. 

“Yeah, which one do you wanna be one? Damon and I’s?” Stefan asked. 

“Definitely yours,” you said. “Oh, what! You know I win all the time,” Damon said. 

“Yeah, but when you lose you get so mad. It’s hilarious,” you giggled.

“True, it is cute,” Elena smirked. 

Damon rolled his eyes. “Whatever. You two are so annoying.”

You smiled and played with your friends for a little while. It came to a time where everyone was too tipsy to where they could barely walk, so you were in charge of getting the drinks. Damon and Caroline, despite being pretty much drunk, stayed close behind you. 

“Hey, Matt,” you smiled at the boy working behind the bar. “Hey, Y/n! Let me guess, more shots and another iced tea?” He asked. 

“You guessed right,” you chuckled. 

“So, how is school?” He asked. 

“Pretty good. History is kicking my ass, per usual. It’s weird because I’m surrounded by history buffs,” you said. 

“Well, I know you have Damon helping you, but Stefan is a lot better at tutoring, in my opinion. I know he’s been having a rough time, though,” Matt said. 

“He has, which is why I should be your tutor,” Silas smirked next to you. 

You jumped slightly, surprised to see him there. You looked at him, seeing him wearing a dark navy shirt and jeans. Your eyes stared at his biceps and his strong, broad shoulders. Once you noticed him smirking at you, you looked back to the drinks Matt was filling. 

“Now I get the silent treatment? C’mon, not fair,” Silas whined.

“You shouldn’t be here, man,” Matt said. 

“Yeah, and what are you gonna do about, it huh?” Silas taunted, looking at Matt with narrow, menacing eyes. 

Matt rolled his eyes, putting the tequila shots and your drink on a tray and handing them to you. 

“Thanks, Matt,” you smiled.

You took the tray, ready to turn around and walk away from Silas. He put his arm up, planning to grab your arm to stop you, but Caroline and Damon used their vamp speed to push him back. 

“Don’t you dare touch her,” Caroline sneered. Veins were circulating under her eyes and she bared her fangs. 

Silas smirked, not at all fazed. “Oh, please, I could kill both of you so fast, you couldn’t have chance to say bye to Y/n. Now, let me go, Damon.”

Damon’s grip on Silas’s arms tightened. “Not a chance. We’re going outside and I’m gonna make sure you are far away from here.”

Damon then took Silas to the exit, Silas looking back at you and giving you a wink. Caroline groaned in disgust and took the tray away from you. 

“You okay?” She asked. 

“I’m fine, Care! He wasn’t going to hurt me,” you glared at her. 

“You don’t know that! Why are you defending him? Doesn't he annoy you?” Caroline asked. 

“Yeah, he does,” you said, your voice trailing off at the end, alluding to something else.

Caroline stared at you intensely, gasping once she put the pieces together. “You… You like him? Ugh, why! He’s a monster.”

“I don’t like him! God, why is that always your first assumption?” You asked.

“Because you obviously are having physical reactions to him. We all see the way you look down in shyness when he flirts with you, and we can hear your heart racing. We just hoped you wouldn’t give in,” Caroline sighed. 

“I’m not! I don’t like him in any way, okay? Just because I defend someone doesn’t mean I automatically like them!”

“That’s what you always say! You need to get rid of those feelings, Y/n. He’s not a good person.”

You closed your eyes in frustration, sighing roughly. “I’m going to the bathroom to cool down. When I come out, you better not say anything else about me liking Silas.”

You spun on your heels, storming off to the bathroom. You washed your hands, putting them to your forehead to cool yourself down. 

“Feelings for Silas, please,” you scoffed to yourself. 

“She’s right. I know it, you know it. Everyone does.”

You looked in the mirror, jumping once you saw Silas behind you. You turned around quickly. 

“H-How did you get in here?” You asked.

“I knocked Damon out,” he shrugged. 

“What?! Is he okay?” You asked. “Yes, he’s fine. I know that you would hate me if I killed one of your friends,” he said.

You sighed, “I have to go. They’re waiting for me.” You went to the door, but Silas once again blocked the entrance. 

“You gotta be quicker, Y/n. Someday you might find yourself in real trouble,” Silas smiled down at you. 

“You are real trouble,” you retorted.

“Oh, we both know that’s not true. If I was then you’d be screaming for your life. But you’re just standing there, looking so incredibly kissable,” Silas said, shamelessly looking at your lips. 

Your cheeks felt like they were on fire, and you looked down to hide your face. “No, I just don’t want to make a scene,” you mumbled. 

Silas put his hand on your chin, making your eyes meet his. “While that is true, you also having feelings for me.”

You stepped away from him, his hand falling to his side. “I don’t. You’re evil and cheated on your girlfriend. No girl wants to be with a guy like that.”

“Elena practically cheated on Stefan emotionally, you’re still friends with her,” Silas stated. 

You furrowed your brows, not sure what to say back. He was correct, but you knew that wasn’t the point. You needed to get out of there otherwise Caroline and Damon would freak out. 

Silas walked towards you slowly, like you were his prey that he was stalking. You turned around, not wanting to look at him. Silas grinned, seeing as his plan would work out even better now that you were facing the mirrors. 

He put his hand on your bare arm, dragging his fingertips up your skin. 

“I’m so glad you took off the leather jacket. Your outfit looks so much better without it,” he murmured. 

You immediately froze. Your eyes were glued to the two of you in the mirror. You watched as his hand went up to your shoulders, pressing down lightly on your muscles. 

“Shouldn’t you be running, Y/n?” Silas asked, moving. your hair out of the way so he could get a better view of your neck. 

You knew you should, but his touch felt so good. It weirdly calmed your nerves down, but also made you flustered as hell. You would be lying if you said you didn’t want to stay in this bathroom and let him take you. Silas smiled at your thoughts, lowering his lips down to your shoulder. 

“I can totally take you right here if you want,” he whispered, his lips making contact with your skin. 

You inhaled sharply, finding yourself stumbling back into his chest. His other arm went around your waist, holding you close to him.

“Your skin is so soft, doll face,” he said while kissing up your neck. 

You watched him in the mirror, your stomach doing flips. Your legs felt weak and heat gathered in between your thighs. You had honestly wanted to kiss him this whole time. You decided a few more minutes in the bathroom couldn’t hurt. 

So you turned around, crashing your lips onto his. Silas smiled as you kissed him, his hands trailing down to your legs. He lifted you up with ease, taking you to the sink and placing you on the counter. Your legs wrapped around his waist, your hands running themselves through his hair. 

“Silas,” you breathed out as you felt his hands on your thighs, going higher and higher. 

“You like that, princess?” He hummed, his fingers going higher until they reached your clothed entrance. He pulled away, grinning and looking you in the eyes. 

“Uh-huh,” you hummed, pulling his face close to yours roughly.

Your lips collided again, your heart and brain exploding. Kissing him felt like heaven.

Silas mirrored your neediness and put his hands on your waist, pulling you impossibly closer. You pressed your chest up to him more, your hands going down from his head to the bottom of his shirt. You lifted it up, Silas pulling away so you could pull it off of him. You sat back and admired his abs and muscles, excitement growing in between your thighs. 

You dove down to his neck, kissing and sucking lightly. Your hands explored his chest, tracing along his prominate abs. Silas breathed heavily into your ear, groaning as you found his sweet spot. 

“Oh, Y/n,” he panted. 

You smirked against his skin. Before you could put your hands on his belt, the bathroom door burst open. You saw Caroline and Damon standing, eyes huge and mouths agape. 

“What the hell!” Caroline shrieked. 

Your eyes widened and you pushed Silas away from you, getting off the counter. 

“Really, Y/n? You pick him to make out with in the bathroom?” Damon groaned. 

“It is just happened,” you shrugged sheepishly. 

“Yeah, she’s a really good kisser,” Silas smirked. “I never would have expected it since she’s shy and all, but man, she is wil-”

“You shut the hell up. And you,” Caroline pointed to you. “Are going home. now.”

“He wasn’t hurting me, Care,” you said. 

Caroline looked at you two incredulously. “You’re making her say this! You pressured her, didn’t you!” She pointed to Silas. 

“He’s not! I was the one who kissed him first,” you admitted. “Yeah, but I helped a little,” Silas smirked. 

Caroline made her vampire face and lunged at Silas, to which Damon pulled her back. 

“Alright, blondie, why don’t you take Y/n home and I’ll deal with Silas, okay?” Damon said. 

Caroline huffed and nodded, grabbing you by the arm roughly. 

“We’ll continue another time, doll face!” Silas exclaimed. 

“No, you will not,” Damon glared.

————

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[waywardnerd67]

Star Crossed: Shining Star

Summary: Between filming and conventions, Jensen Ackles hardly has a moment to himself. During a panel one weekend he learns that his favorite band’s lead singer is a fan of his. Encouraged by his best friend, Jensen steps out of his comfort zone and reaches out to her on social media. That one decision throws his entire world into a whirlwind adventure. Pairing: No Pairing Rating: E - Everyone Warnings: Fluff Word Count: 1595 A/N: None

Check out: Star Crossed Masterlist

Jensen Ackles walked into his apartment kicking off his shoes by the door. Thankful to be done filming for the week and looking forward to not having to travel too far for the convention this weekend. He loved meeting fans and performing on Saturday nights. There were some weeks where he wished he could relax in his apartment and not have to worry about traveling.

Deciding a night of Netflix and pizza was in order, Jensen took a quick shower then put on some sweats with a t-shirt. He had settled in with his pizza with The Witcher series pulled up to watch when his phone started buzzing.

“No Jared, I don’t want to come out.”

Laughter came ringing through the speaker, “Jackles, it’s only a few crew and myself chilling at our normal spot. Come out for a little while.”

“What part of no don’t you understand? The N or the O?” Jensen rubbed his forehead hearing everyone behind Jared chanting his name, “Buddy, I’m showered and in for the evening. I’ll make it up to y’all tomorrow night.”

“Fine old man, see you tomorrow.”

He groaned, ending the call and no longer interested in the show on Netflix. Turning off the tv, he walked over to his record player turning on the band he had been listening to on repeat. He discovered Wayward Stars a few years ago when a fan gifted him their cd. They were a hard rock, alternative metal band with lyrics that spoke to the soul. Also, the lead singer was drop dead gorgeous.

There had been late night shoots he would turn on one of their albums listening to (Y/N) (Y/L/N)’s voice letting it seep into the far reaches of his mind. As he sat in his apartment alone, he allowed his mind to wander of singing with her on stage one day. Making a mental note to talk with Creation and Rob Benedict about getting her to come to Vegas for SNS. For now, he let the music flow over him well into the night.

The next day, Jensen slept in until he heard Clif knocking on his door. Twenty minutes later, he was walking down to the lobby where Jared was sitting with his eyes closed.

“Hey Jared!” He yelled.

Jared jumped falling off the chair he was on. Jensen and Clif started laughing as he mumbled curses under his breath getting off the floor.

“Not funny and I will get you back.” Jared’s eyes narrowed on him.

“I’m sure you will, big guy. Now, can we get on with our day?”

They had a few interviews at the studio and some meetings before they had to get ready for the concert that night. Since the convention was in Vancouver and there was no traveling, Jensen had agreed to sing that night. He was excited to perform new songs and to be in front of the fans. As they pulled into the studio parking lot, he sighed knowing it was going to be a long day ahead of him.

It was near six o’clock when Jensen arrived back at his apartment to get ready for the night. Once again, he turned on his favorite Wayward Stars song, A Light in the Dark. It was a slower song with beautiful lyrics and then a killer riff in the end. He was in his room, singing when he heard his door open. Only two people had a key to his place and he only needed one guest to know who was walking in.

“Really? Wayward Stars again?” Jared flopped down on his couch.

“I can’t help it that you have horrible taste in music.” He chuckled.

“I like the band… just not 24/7 like you.”

He rolled his eyes, shutting off his record player, “Don’t judge me. Now come on and let’s go hang out with the fam.”

Saturday Night Special was exactly that, special. Especially when they were in Vancouver. The cast and crew seemed to cut loose a little more backstage. He was catching up with Matt Cohen when they called him to get ready to go on stage. Jared and Misha were standing by the stage to watch as Rob called him up on stage.

There was nothing more exhilarating than being hit with a roar of an audience. An electric current steady ran down his body over the next fifteen minutes as he performed. When he walked off stage, as promised, he celebrated with Jared, Misha and others until the early hours of morning.

Their early morning panel was rough as the coffee worked through knocking out the whiskey from his system. The last question of their morning panel came from a young lady wearing a Wayward Stars shirt.

“Love your shirt.” Jensen smiled.

“We get it Ackles, you’re their biggest fan.” Jared jokes.

The fan laughed, “Actually my question is about them. SPN family loves this band since they are fans of the show. Wondering if you ever had a chance to meet them or if they could be invited to a SNS show?”

“Go on fanboy…”

Jensen rolled his eyes, “I would love to meet them one day and have them come perform during Saturday Night Special. I’m forever thankful to the fan who gave me their cd a couple of years ago. Many, many a night their music has kept me sane during shooting. So yeah, definitely would love to meet them.”

“I would love for Jensen to meet them so I can film it and post it on social media for everyone to see him fanboy all over (Y/N).”

The crowd ohhh as Jensen glared at Jared, “Alright, alright… I think we have to get going now. We will see y’all later.”

Waving as they walked off the stage. As soon as they were on the stairs, Jensen punched his friend in the shoulder.

“Ow!”

“You deserve that.” Jensen could hear Jared laughing all the way to the green room.

The rest of the convention went without a hitch. Monday morning brought a whole new week of filming. Jensen was in his trailer when his phone buzzed seeing a text from Jared.

He pulled up his app, seeing a few friends tagging him in a post from a girl named Addy. Clicking on the YouTube link surprised to see (Y/N) watching him sing from SNS.

“I can’t help it. He’s gorgeous and talented and the perfect man.” She threw her arm over her eyes dramatically pretending to faint.

Text flashed on the screen, “#1 Jensen Ackles Fangirl”

He sat there stunned for a moment watching the video again. He could not wrap his mind around that she was a big fan of his. He knew the band liked the show, but to think he was perfect? His heart thumped against his chest as his shaking hands typed a message back to Jared.

Jensen took a few deep breaths before typing a Tweet then deleting it. He typed another one and deleted it. The third time he hit post and immediately regretted it, sounding like an idiot. Within minutes he received a notification from (Y/N) on Twitter.

Before he could reply, Jared was calling him, “Are you freaking out?”

“N-No… maybe, yes.” He stammered.

Jared’s laughter filled his ear, “Oh my god I wish I could see your face right now. This is your chance to make all your dreams come true.”

“I’m hanging up now, Jerk.”

“See you in an hour, Bitch.” Jared was still laughing as Jensen ended the call.

He watched the video a few more times and sent another Tweet out to (Y/N) after following her page. He went on all his social media making sure he was following her before realization hit that it seemed stalkerish.

“Jay, calm your roll.” He muttered to himself.

Putting his phone down, he tried to go over his lines for the next scene they were shooting. When he could not concentrate then he buckled, putting in his earbuds and turning on Wayward Stars. His hands were still trembling as he tried to control his fan moment.

Over the next several weeks, Jensen and (Y/N) were chatting all over social media. He posted a picture on Instagram tagging her in holding up her vinyl record.

Finally, he gathered the courage to ask for her number in a DM to chat with her more in private. Since their fans were going nuts over their new friendship. Now they would text each other everyday like they had known each other forever. She would tell him about her shows and cities she was in. He would chat about filming without spoiling anything for her. The only thing he wished could happen was their schedules to sync up so they could meet.

That thought ran through his mind everyday especially when he was at conventions like the upcoming weekend in his hometown. Thursday night, he was on a plane heading to Dallas when a notification popped up on his phone from (Y/N) posting on Twitter.

“Not next to me.” He mumbled snapping a picture of himself before replying to her Tweet.

He knew where she was off too after they had talked earlier in the day. They were still a thousand miles apart but closer than they had ever been since their friendship had begun. Settling back into his seat, he enjoyed listening to Wayward Stars newest song released that week.

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[briefinquiries]

Luke Alvez x Reader: Our Place

Description: You ask Luke to sign the divorce papers, but he decides to try one last time.

Tagged: @ssaic-jareau , @alvezstan , @lcvischmitt , @ogmilkis , @ssa-morgan, @akimagies, @zhangyixingxing1 , @pinkdiamond1016​ , @yourwonderbelle , @rachelxwayne , @sc4rletw1tch , @ellvswriting​

Word count: 3k

Warnings: Angst

The two of you had made a promise.  For better or for worse- til death do us part.  And now that he thought about it, maybe you’d kept that promise. After all, he was feeling like he was dead inside. He didn’t know if he was a helpless romantic or if he was just too stubborn to break that promise.

Or if he just couldn’t bear the idea of losing the love of his life.

...

“You’re not going to meet your wife at a club, so just relax,” Matt had said close to his ear, patting his shoulder in a condescending manner. They sat at the bar of the club, and Matt was trying to lighten Luke’s mood. “But you can get laid, which really is our only goal here.”

He guessed that Matt was right- but that didn’t take his attention away from the girl sitting at the end of the bar. 

“You’re not helping, Matt,” Luke had replied, trying to look nonchalant while the most gorgeous girl he’d seen in his entire life glanced at him. 

“Actually, I am.” Matt tilted his chin not so subtly towards the girl.

When Luke looked up, the girl was smiling at him.  She tips the clear drink in her hand towards him, like a salute of some sorts. Luke blinked, confused, and looked back at Matt. 

A stuttered “What?” was the only thing he could say.

After an eye roll followed by a long-suffering sigh, Matt smirked, “I told the barman to give that girl a drink and say it was from you.”

“You what?” Luke gasped.

“You’re welcome,” Matt said, patting his shoulder again. “Now go talk with her, or you'll look like a dick.” 

“I hate you,” Luke mumbled, but Matt couldn’t hear him as he got up to walk away.

It wasn’t the first time Matt had embarrassed Luke ― or pushed him in the right direction, in his own words ― at a club. The thing was that Luke wasn’t the most confident man to exist when it came to girls. But he always tries hard, and he’s gotten really good at pretending.  So, he finished his beer in two deep swallows and walked towards the girl, acting like liquid courage was a thing.

The girl stared at Luke with a small, almost shy smile while he walked towards her.

With a grin, Luke came closer and said, “Hi, I’m Luke.” He knew his chat up line was lame, but he was a polite person and he thought it was only right to introduce himself first. “Sorry if I overstepped,” he added, and looked at the just emptied glass of alcohol.

“I’m Y/N.” Even her voice was beautiful. 

Luke smiled. “I don’t know-” he sputtered, rubbing the back of his neck.  “Would you wanna dance or something?”

“Not really,” you had laughed, cringing a little. Instantly, Luke’s shoulders deflated, and opened his mouth to apologize again for bothering you, when you quickly added, “But you can sit, and buy me another drink.”

...

In the end, Matt was wrong. Well, partially wrong at least, because Luke did get laid that night ― but he also found his wife.

Luke wasn’t sure why he walked to the park that he and you had gone for your first official date. At the time, you had called it a ‘dog date’, because you used the excuse of taking your dogs to play at the park to see each other again. There was a river there and you sat while Roxy and your dog played in the water.

The two of you kept going there with your dogs until you decided to officially make this into something it already was. 

Luke had asked you to marry him there, too ― with an expensive ring and kneeling and flowers and a bleeding sunset pouring across the sky from above. 

“What is it about this place?” Luke had beamed at you, admiring the ring on your finger with the backdrop of the flowing river. 

You had smiled, standing on your tiptoes to plant a kiss on his lips. “It’s our place,” you said, claiming the spot proudly. 

“Our perfect place,” Luke confirmed. 

You had gone there for your anniversary the next year as well.  And then again the year after that.  

The year after that though, was when everything started to crumble.

...

“It’s our anniversary, Luke. Don’t you remember? ” you hissed angrily on the phone, and okay, Luke knew he promised he’d be there- but work had gotten in the way. 

“You know I want to be there- but this case just came in. We can celebrate next week,” he said, apologetically, trying to make things better.

You had plans to go to the river again, but Luke’s work was demanding.  For the most part, you accepted that and supported him, but Luke could see that you weren't happy. Luke spent too much time at work ― and when he was at home, he was too tired to do anything besides sleep.

“Or you could tell your boss that it’s our anniversary and come meet me at the river,” you snapped back.

“You’re already there?” Luke asked, surprised. He looked at the clock and saw he had an hour before the time you had agreed to meet. Then, he understood. You were already there because you must have planned something special, which meant you were getting something ready. “Baby, I’m sorry-”

“Don’t be sorry. Just be here, ” you said, sighing tiredly.

“I’m already on the jet,” Luke sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “I called you now so I could catch you at home.”

You were quiet and Luke didn’t know what to say.

“Okay, ” you finally said, after a minute of silence, which startled Luke.  

“I swear, as soon as I get home from this case, I’ll set aside some time and we can have a special night- just you and me,” Luke said.  The defeat in your voice, paired with the easy acceptance made his skin crawl, and he should be thankful, but something felt off.

“Okay,” you said again. “Have a safe trip.” You hung up before Luke could say anything else.

...

Luke thought that walking in the park would be good for him- like closure of sorts.  But he guessed wrong.  All it did was make the manilla folder with the divorce papers inside feel heavier in his hands.  As he sat on the familiar bench, the packet clutched tightly between his grasp, he couldn’t help the tears glistening in his eyes.  He wanted to tear them to shreds, throw the remnants into the river, watch them wash away and disintegrate into nothingness- he wanted to do anything but sign them.

The worst part was that Luke couldn’t sit here and wonder where it all went wrong.  He couldn’t claim his innocence and plead that he did nothing wrong.  He knew what he did.  He knew what he didn’t do. What he didn’t know was when you decided to give up.

...

“Luke, you said you’d make time for us-” you said, and you didn’t sound angry, just really, really tired.

Luke had learned that he couldn’t schedule a date ahead of time, because he could never predict when the team would have a case and he’d have to be whisked away to some other part of the country. So he decided that he would just ask you to go out spontaneously and try to do this at least a few times a month.

The thing is, when he gets home he’s drained.  Physically and emotionally exhausted, and he couldn’t even think about going out.

“I know, I’m working on it,” Luke said, from where he had collapsed on the couch.

You had mumbled something under your breath that Luke didn’t quite catch. 

“What was that?” Luke had asked.

“Nothing.” You sighed and sat by his side on the couch, leaning into him.

Luke frowned. “I can’t understand you when you mumble. How can I stop doing what bothers you if you don’t tell me?”

“Because I have told you, Luke. More times than I can even count.  I’m married, but it feels like I don’t have a husband.” You snapped, leaning away from Luke’s side. 

“Babe, you know I can’t just not go to work,” Luke frowned.

“Actually, you can. You could quit that job and maybe find one that doesn’t keep you there eighteen hours a day,” you said.

Luke was shocked. “This is my dream job-I can’t just quit it.”

“You can, you just don’t want to.”

“We’re not having this fight. I don’t want to fight about it again,” Luke said, and got up from the couch.

“You used to apologize when you were wrong,” you mumbled, crossing your arms tightly.

“Yeah. I would, if I was wrong.” 

No one says anything for a while, and for a second, Luke can see that your anger and hardened features give way to a look of hurt.  A tear slips down your face before you can wipe it away.  

“Why did you stop trying?” You whisper, your voice trembling.  

Luke hates himself for making you cry and tremble and hurt.  He’s stunned and can’t come up with an answer soon enough.  

His silence is enough of an answer for you, though.  And with that, you went to the bedroom.

...

The wind blew the folder so hard it almost flew away.  Luke tightened his fist to prevent the pages from flying everywhere. There was no comfort or closure for him at this park.

The folder with the divorce papers made sure of that. 

...

Luke made his way back home.  To the home you two shared- although it barely looked like you lived there anymore.  Luke supposed you didn’t.  You spent the nights at your sisters house, and he could only assume popping back in during the day, while he was at work.  Each night he came home, more and more of your things were missing.  

The pen was on the table, and Luke picked it up while he flipped the pages until he found where he was supposed to sign. You had already signed it, and Luke just stared at your signature for a while.

The point of the pen was poised over the line in which Luke should put his signature. His hand was trembling so much that he dropped it, exasperated.

You were right, he stopped trying. Every time you complained, Luke knew you were right, and knew that apologies wouldn’t change anything, so he stopped with the empty promises and instead started to keep quiet.

He chose a job over you, waited until it was too late- when you had already left him. And he accepted that he no longer had the right to ask you to stay.

But that was the thing, wasn’t it? He never really asked you what you wanted, never talked about how you two could find a balance together. You always tried to talk, but Luke would choke on his feelings and wait until he was under so much pressure, he couldn’t even think of what to say. Which only ever made things worse. 

Maybe it wasn’t too late to tell you everything he’s realized since you’d left. But you didn’t want to see him right now- Luke doubted that you ever would.

Why did you stop trying? 

Your words echo in Luuke’s head and he breathes deeply.  You deserve someone who would fight for you, someone who realized your worth and your value. He picked up a clean sheet of paper and started to write.

‘Baby,

I know you don’t want to see me, but please, please- read this.

I’m not good at talking about how I feel, you know that better than anyone.  That’s why I decided to write a letter.  Because I do feel- even if I can’t talk about it.  And you at least deserve to know that.  I need to tell you some things, and you might think it’s too late, and maybe it is. But I want you to know- above all else, that I understand. I mean, I understand why you left, and I understand why you don’t want to see me.  I hurt you. I know I hurt you- and you’re still hurting.

It has killed me to know that I disappointed you.  To know I’m the reason behind your pain. And I am so sorry.  

I have been so focused on not breaking the promise we made on our wedding day, that I forgot all the other promises I made to you.  The ones I didn’t keep. And because of that, I lost not just my wife, but my best friend too.

There’s some things I should have said to you… The first one is that I don’t want to divorce you- I never wanted you to leave. I didn’t say anything before, because I thought I didn’t have the right to try to stop you from leaving.  But me not speaking up made you think I didn’t care. And that’s another thing I didn’t say before, but I’m saying now: I do care. I care and I miss you so much it hurts. 

Our home doesn’t have a meaning without you. It’s too big and too empty, and I see your ghost in every room. I can hear you humming in the kitchen when I close my eyes.

Maybe I’m too late, maybe your mind is made up- but I have to say it.  I have to let you know I care.  

I almost ripped the divorce papers up today, but I didn’t.  They’re still here. I haven’t signed them. I will if you want me to.  Just not until you read this letter.  Because I’m telling you- I don’t want to sign them.  

I love you.  And I want to see you again, to talk about this face to face. I’ll be at our place tomorrow and I’ll take the divorce papers with me. If you go, we can talk about it. If you don’t go, I’ll sign them.

If, in the end, you don’t want to go, just know that I understand.  I understand and I’m sorry and I’ll love you until the day I die.

This is me, trying. 

Luke’

...

Luke was anxious. He couldn’t sleep, he couldn’t eat, and he went to the park early in the morning. He knew you wouldn’t arrive early, if you even arrived at all. But Luke didn’t want to just wait around at home. 

He sat on your bench, under the tree, looking at the river flowing in front of him. 

His phone’s alarm was set to buzz at noon, but it didn’t stop him from looking at the time nonstop. The minutes crawled and he started to sweat. When it buzzed, he jumped and looked at it, his heart pounding in his chest. He started looking around the park frantically, but there was no sign of you.  Luke willed himself to calm down- to wait longer. 

When fifteen minutes passed, he got up and started to pace.  When half an hour passed, he sat again, feeling defeated.  You were never late. Which meant you weren’t coming. 

His eyes started to burn, but he swallowed hard. Luke sniffed and bowed his head, his sight falling at the damned folder. 

With a deep sigh, he picked the folder up and flipped the pages until he found the signature place.

His hands were trembling, but he forced them steady as he pressed the pen to the page and began signing his name.  Each line tore deeper and deeper into his heart.  

“Luke?”

He heard the soft call from behind, making him jump and turn quickly.  

You were standing in the grass, hands buried in your coat pockets as you shivered in the cold.  Your cheeks were red and your eyes were puffy, evidence that you’d been crying too.  But God, Luke thought you were still the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. 

“Hey,” he said, still in shock that you had showed up. 

“Hi,” you answered.  

After an awkward moment of silence, you shuffled your feet and nodded towards the paperwork in Luke’s hands.  “Did you sign them?” you ask. 

Luke nods, holding the folder up, offering for you to take it.

You sighed and walked closer to him, taking the papers before sitting down by Luke’s side.  

“I didn’t think you were coming,” Luke explained.  He watched as you stared towards the river.   

A weak smile spreads across your face as you sigh.  “Neither did I,” you admit.  

“But you did,” Luke continues.  

You nod, biting your lip.  When you turn to him, there are unshed tears glistening in your eyes.  “All I ever wanted was for you to try,” you tell him, your voice cracking. 

And before Luke can respond, you’re grabbing hold of his face and kissing him firmly. Luke pulled you closer, deepening the kiss quickly, needing you closer, closer, closer. Luke felt you smile against his lips, and for the first time since you’d left, he feels like he can breathe again. 

When you finally pull away, breathless, you just look at each other for a moment. 

“I am so sorry,” Luke’s voice was soft, but serious.  “I am so sorry I made you feel less important than work- because you’re not.  It’s just a stupid job, I’ll quit tomorrow if it means I can get even one more minute with you.” 

“I forgive you,” you whispered, watching as Luke’s eyes fell shut, like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.  You gather his hand in yours and squeeze it gently.  

“God, what is it about this place?” you say, lighter now.  

Luke smiles and turns his body so that he’s facing the river. “Special place for a special girl.” 

You looked up at him, a small smile on your lips before leaning into Luke’s side.  You rest your head on his shoulder, letting him wrap an arm around your frame and pull you closer. 

“Our place,” you state. 

“Our perfect place,” Luke whispered, placing a soft kiss on the top of your head.

[hournites]

Hournite Week Day 1: Light vs Dark - Hoax

Summary: When a distraught Beth visits the Farmlands one late night, Rick offers his support.

(read on ao3)

~.~

At the end of the day, Rick prefers to sit alone. There’s a chair in the living room, the room he used to play and sit with his parents in on the couch. The room he’d opened gifts on birthdays, watched television with his mother and sat by the window, looking out at the field for his father to come home. Matt has claimed that couch now. Rick doesn’t care to use it except when he’s forced to clean. It’s stained with beer and food that’s fallen through the cushions. His uncle brings women there, rarely ever the same woman twice. Rick knows it’s dirty and defiled and as beat up as the rest of the furniture Matt touches.

Rick prefers his father’s old recliner, shoved in the back dark corner where he can get the best bandwidth for the internet connection. Behind his uncle, it’s almost like Matt forgets Rick’s there. He studied those chemistry textbooks there, half-assed homework there, and fell asleep on rare occasions too. Outside of locking himself in his upstairs bedroom, it’s the closest to being invisible Rick gets. The closest to peacefulness he knows.

It’s on a Saturday night like that the doorbell rings, interrupting the tense quiet they’ve carved to share space.

Matt lifts his head from his phone, half-slouched on the couch, disgruntled when it rings twice more. “The hell?”

Rick stares ahead at the front door from the hall, startled by the foreign noise. “Um.”

Nobody uses the doorbell. They don’t even get visitors. The mailman drops parcels and bills off at the mailbox half a mile down the dirt walkway.

He looks at Matt.

“Ignore it.”

Rick stands. “It’s probably some real estate agent or something.” He’d notice a lot of the property nearby has gone up for sale. If he said they weren’t interested in buying, then they’d know not to come again.

“Exactly. So, leave it be.”

But the doorbell rings again just as he turns to walk away. Rick makes a move to the door.

“I said ignore it.”

He rolls his eyes. Well, now Rick was definitely going to do it. He glares at his uncle over his shoulder, twisting his wrist to unlock the door. “You can’t just tell me to—”

The door swings open and his eyes flit forward to address the figure at the arch. “Beth?”

Dressed in a dark purple cardigan and light-wash jeans, she’s clenching the rubber bars of her bike, fingers scrunched up like she wants to scratch it off with her nails. Like she’s moments from ripping it off entirely. She’s holding herself too stiff, head raised and chin jutted out. Rigid like she can’t move, twitching like she wants to fight. The irises of her big brown eyes skip from left to right, pleading.

“Can I stay here with you?”

“What? What’s wrong?”

“Please —” she begs, voice cracking. “Can I stay over with you?”  

“Tell them to fuck off!”      

Rick glances back awkwardly over his shoulder, wary of his uncle, not sure what to say.

“Rick, please—”

Rick steps outside and shuts the front door behind him.

“Why are you here? Are you okay?”

Beth drops the handles and her bicycle falls to the porch with a clatter.

His eyes widen when she lurches forward, catapulting across the creaking wood. Rick grunts softly at the force of her hug. He stumbles back with her, wrapping her arms tight as they stand in the doorway.

Her body shudders and whatever storm she had been withholding inside releases with a bursting sob. Beth sniffles into his shirt, the angle of her round glasses pressed into his ribs. Rick looks down, at a loss.

“Hey,” he rasps out, taking a firm grasp at her shaking shoulder. “Beth. Okay. Shh. Jesus, don’t cry.” Matt’s going to hear this. He’s going to hear and come and see and make this a mess. The thought makes his blood run cold. Rick peels her off. It hurts and is jarring and she seizes at the rip of comfort he just tore away that he knows she needs, but hair stands up on his arms, hyper-cognizant. It’s not that he thinks Matt will—Rick doesn’t know. He doesn’t know what he’d do and that’s been why he’s avoided letting the girls show up here.

“This can’t happen right now.” The last thing Rick wants is for Matt to find out about the hourglass or the JSA. The girls are his tether to that and he can’t risk Matt taking advantage or robbing anything he has no right to. Again.

Beth recoils. He’s quick to pull her back in, panicked. It’s not that he doesn’t care.  “I didn’t say that right. We just can’t do this here.”

“What do you mean?”

He leads her off the porch by the hand to around the side of the house. Rick can tell she’s biting down her lip to stop from asking another question, but it becomes clear where they’re going when they reach his parked car and she relaxes. He hops onto the hood and makes room for her. Beth looks reluctant, but joins him there, still brushing close, wanting him near.

“You don’t want me to stay?”

“It’s not that,” he promises. “I just don’t know how he’s going to react.”

Her wet eyelashes get stuck against the wall of her thick lenses. “Your uncle Matt?”

“I’ve told you. He’s not a good person.” His tone edges on sharp. “There’s a reason why I don’t want—” He pinches the bridge of his nose, fighting down his belligerence. Rick takes a breath. This isn’t going to help her. “He doesn’t treat women right.” He pauses, wanting to say more, but can’t bring himself to say the words.

She stares at him. “You think he’s a racist.”

“Well.” That too.

Beth slides off the car.

“Beth. Wait.”

She rubs at her eyes with the sleeve of her cardigan, turning back in the direction they came.

“I’ll go home.”

“Tell me what’s wrong first.” He follows her along the muddy grass. “You wanted to stay overnight.”

“You don’t want me here!” She shakes her head and squeezes her eyes shut. “This was stupid of me. I shouldn’t have come. I should’ve asked first.”

“Beth, that’s not true. I do. I always want to see you. It’s just...” His implication is obvious, but it came out worse than he’d meant it to. The point is, she could’ve gone to anyone else. She could’ve gone to see Courtney.

She should’ve called Pat. They trust Pat. He’s safe and is a good problem solver as annoying as his methods are.

She came here instead. And yeah, he does wish she could’ve texted or called, but the fact she’s now thinking it was wrong seems strange.

Rick knew something wasn’t right the moment he saw her in front of his doorstep, but now he’s very worried as he hears her curse herself and blinking back more tears. Beth has always been so confident in herself, regardless of how others perceived her. He had never heard Beth call herself dumb or pathetic or stupid. He didn’t believe she had ever seen herself that way either. Why would she?

According to their high school, she might be a loser, but there had never been a day she wasn’t unapologetically proud to be herself. There’s nothing wrong with being outspoken or bold or self-assured, trusting or smart and self-sufficient. She’s all of the above and maybe that had intimidated or even annoyed Rick sitting across from her to overhear, but it didn’t make it less true.

Doesn’t Beth know that?

She looks at him again. “I thought we were—”

“We are.”

She lets out another long breath and swallows.

“We are. It’s not that I don’t… My uncle is a real asshole. That’s it.” He grabs her hand. “Okay?”

“Okay.” She lifts a helpless shoulder, glancing back at the mustang. She lingers on it like she wants to go in.

“What?” Rick asks.

“Do you wanna leave Blue Valley with me?”

She doesn’t mean a road trip. The question throws him. Not because it’s terrifying to hear that from her. Though it fucking is. It throws him because he’s had the same thought pass through his mind at night a thousand times. A thousand times a week. Everything could be better, away. Without the memories or the roads or the trees and the people who’ve made this town an awful place. But their perspectives on Blue Valley had always been Rick and Beth’s stark difference. What happened to her unwavering devotion to caring about the town and everyone in it? It’s what Rick liked so much. The light from within her pushed her bravery, eradicating her limits.

“Beth,” he speaks carefully. “Why are you running away?”

Beth turns her face towards the farms, letting go of his hand. “I love my parents so much.”

Rick’s face softens. “I know.”

“No. They’ve been my inspiration my whole life. How can—I can’t fathom how…it’s all...”

“What are you talking about?”

Beth tugs her fingers into the sleeves of her cardigan crossed over her chest, refusing to meet his gaze, miserable. She takes so long to answer, but Rick can see the fight in her mind in the way she sticks her jaw. Whatever it is she’s torturing herself with it, Rick can feel it just by standing nearby. “Beth?”

“It’s the ISA, Rick. I didn’t want to believe it but it’s been them all along. My—” She chokes on her words.

Dread sinks to his gut. “Which one?”

“Both.” The blankness that shadows over her face, Rick has seen it before. The ghost of Yolanda’s detachedness after she was betrayed. The shattering shake in Henry’s voice moments before he was gone. “Chuck found out a while ago but I kept pushing it back and pushing it back because it wasn’t true? It wasn’t true and I couldn’t accept that until...They’re close with Richard Swift.”

He touches her arm, lets his hand slide down the expensive sweater to reach for her hand when she cries again.

“Can’t we just go?” When she asks Rick again, he understands. The slimmer of hope she’s threaded through her request. What it’s costing him not to say yes.  

“Come inside,” he whispers instead, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles. It's a dead weight like a stone in his hand. It shouldn’t be like this. Beth shouldn’t be like this. She’s not okay. “You can stay.”

She shoots a nervous glance at the house. “I don’t want to if it’s a problem.”

“I’ll make sure it’s not a problem,” he cuts in, sharp.

Beth mutters something, but Rick doesn’t catch it. He jogs back to the front porch and bends over to pick up her bike and lock it in the shed.

He returns, awkwardly holding her school bag, leaning against the wall.

“Stay here,” Rick says, “I’ll come to get you.”

He goes back inside and stands in front of Matt.

“My friend is staying over.”

“You have friends?” Matt scrolls on his phone with a snort. When he realizes Rick isn’t joking, he glances up. “No.”

“I’m not asking.”

“I babysit enough after you—”

“Is that what you call it?” Rick snarks.

Matt’s eyes flash at him. They say Don’t test me.

Rick steps away. He won’t. The plan isn’t to piss him off. He wants Beth to survive the night here. “She’ll stay in my room and I’ll sleep on the floor or something. It’s just for today.”

To Rick’s horror, Matt leers. “She’ll stay in your room?”

“Don’t.” Rick makes it clear. “Don’t. Don’t talk to her. She’s upset enough. She doesn’t need you in her business.”

“Whatever.”

“I’m serious,” Rick says. The flippant way Matt goes back to his phone has him unnerved. If it wasn’t for the fact he has the hourglass tucked away in his room, he’d walk right out and drive Beth to Pat’s instead. It’s not worth it.

But Rick can take Matt on now. If that’s something he ever needs to do.

“What’s her name?”

Rick doesn’t even want to tell him. He turns around and brings Beth in.

She wipes at her face and sucks in her hurt, attempting and failing to gather her emotions. “Sorry, Mr. Harris. I’m—”

“—No.” Rick pushes her past the living room before she could even finish her sentence. “Nope.”

“Is that any way to speak to your father? ” Matt yells after him.

Rick rolls his eyes hard and shuts the door to his room pointedly.

Beth sits gingerly onto his unmade bed. “You could’ve at least let me introduce myself. I’m in his house.”

“This is not his house.”

“Oh.” Beth picks at his linty sheet. “Right.”

He waits as long as he can before he can’t help himself. “Are you sure?”

“I’m sure,” she mutters. Beth reaches into her bag for Chuck and hands him over. “It’s all there.” Next, she pulls out a pair of leggings and a sweatshirt. “Sorry. Can I change?”

“Uh. Sure.” Rick moves. “Tell me when I can come back in.”

Rick leans against the wall, waiting, wondering what he should do. Chuck is in his hands, half-lit. The last time he learned the truth through green hue, his life had changed for good. Was this what it felt like for her?

The projection skittered across the off-white peeling walls.

James Chapel. The American Dream. Hired by Jordan Mahkent, January 2006. James Chapel, MBA Keynote Speaker - Geopolitical Realignment in the Pursuit of an American Dream. Funded by Richard Swift. The Theoretical Abnormalities of Frontal-Cortex Reconfiguration published by Blue Valley Medical Centre Press. Authored by Henry King Jr, Bridget Chapel et al. 2000. Scholarship funding provided by Swift Inc.

It is followed by grainy photographs of a tall slender woman in a blue and red polymer jumpsuit with the youthfulness of Beth’s face. The pixels dissolve away and return with one that resembles her father. There’s more evidence, hard core pictures. Records of Henry Jr’s faked autopsy. Medical records on Joey Zarick. Notes on the political numbers in William Zarick’s campaign.

“I’m sure this comes as a great shock.”

“How didn’t you know?” It feels ridiculous to hiss accusations at a piece of tech no matter how special. He does it anyway. The damage, it’s done. He has half the mind to smash Chuck against the floor. He doesn’t hate Chuck, he knows how important he is to Beth. It’s just the gratification Rick craves to break something that hurt her.

“A glitch in my system. The Gambler had scrambled their affiliation well. It’s not until I’ve reloaded my servers and Beth brought me into Dr. Chapel’s work office that she uncovered any peculiarities.”

“This is going to break her.”

“Bruise,” Chuck corrects. “Not break.”

Rick shuts it off when his door cracks open.

She stepped out looking as cozy as one could with red-rimmed eyes.

Rick tilts his head up from his crouched position in the hall, passing Chuck back to her. She hugs the goggles close.

“Where are you sleeping?” she asks. “I won’t let you on the floor.”

“I have a chair.”

“Where?”

“The living room?”

She considers it, peering down the stairs. “Isn’t that where your uncle passes out?”

“I can bring it up here.”

“We shared a bed at Pat’s cabin.”

“That was before…” Besides, Barbara was there checking in like every two hours.

“Rick,” Beth whispers. “I just want you near.”

~.~

She is near, nestled in his arms. The sheer closeness makes his heart jump, the solid feel of her body beside his. Beth trusts him, confides in him. Looks up at him when he hears her.

“I don’t believe they’d ever hurt me,” she says at last. Rick bites his tongue. Physically? No. Indirectly? He’s seen the way she’s vied for their attention. Idolized herself after their values. The dependency they’ve fastened to leech onto their ideals of transparency and complete openness from her side when they don’t return the favour. Some of their FaceTime calls at lunch had been flat-out weird. Rick assumed it was his irritability flaring out whenever they bothered to check in on her. What if it was surveillance?

Beth catches his hesitation and frowns. “I know what you’re thinking. My parents are different. I know they’re…on the wrong side but they’re not like Tigress and Sportsmaster.” She’s defending them. Naturally, and in spite of her grief. He squeezes her arm, unthinking.

“I didn’t think they were.”

She turns and pulls on the sheet, staring up at his ceiling. “You know what’s funny?”

“What?”

“Ever since I found out, my mind always circles back to you.”

“Me?” Rick’s brows crease against his pillow. “Why?”

“I was wrong about you too. I thought you were this unfeeling aggressive person that sat next to me at lunch all those years because you were indifferent.” She glances at him. “That’s not true.”

“It was a little true.”

She ignores that, carrying on. “But I wanted to be wrong about you from the beginning so I fought against my feelings to prove myself right that night. And I was. There’s so much more to you.”

He props his elbow up to study her quietly.

“I thought if there was more to you, there has to be more to my mom and dad. I didn’t think they could just leave me in the dark. That’s why I didn’t say anything for so long.”

“You don’t need to apologize.”

He knows that she knows they’ll be talking to Courtney and Yolanda and Pat soon. That the world as she knew it was gone now. For now, Rick listens, being there for her.

Beth might’ve been left in the dark, but she navigates well in it. Her heart and wisdom are a bright light in themselves. And she’s touched him with it, seared him with her brightness and truth in a way he can’t ignore. Beth lightened him in a way he’s only more drawn to. And if she loses it now, if it dims out of her, Rick swears he’ll find it. He’ll find it and bring it back out if he has to.

[fand0m-obsess3d-g33k]

Secrets and Seduction (Tammy x Reader)

Summary: You’re asked last minute to babysit for Tammy when some unplanned events take place which leads to an even more unexpected situation. You’re long awaited dream is about to become a reality.

Words: 3,348

Warnings: NSFW (just cunnilingus)

Author’s note: I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. This is my first shot at writing anything smut related so please comment or message me any feedback! It’s much appreciated!!! Also I just wanted to extend a thank you to everyone who liked/reblogged Confessions with Cordelia, it really means a lot. I’m done talking now, enjoy darlings! Mwah!

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It was Saturday afternoon when you received a text from the docile blonde who was secretly the subject of most of your thoughts these days. You knew it was wrong especially since you were quite a bit younger than her however, ever since Tammy’s inconsiderate asshole of a husband left, you couldn’t get her off your mind.

Hey Y/N, I know that it’s last minute but I just got a called in. Would you be willing to babysit Keri tonight?  

Of course, Tam Tam, I’d love to! What time do you need me? Even though you shouldn’t your mind drifted to other situations where she may need you but you shook it off before hitting send.  

Oh Y/N, are you sure it’s not an inconvenience? I don’t want to cut into any plans you may have!

C’mon Tam Tam, you know I never have plans and even if I did, I’d gladly drop them to help you out. :)  

Well as long as you’re sure. Could you get here by 4:00?  

Done and done! See you then! :)

You looked at the time...3:00. An hour to get ready, you had to look nice in front of Tammy even if it was only for a little bit. You went up and grabbed your favorite burgundy dress as your mind reminded you that Tammy complimented it the one time she saw you wear it. It had sheer lace quarter length sleeves and fell to just about the knees. You brush your knotted Y/H/C mane before adding some winged black liner and mascara. You completed the makeup with some deep reddish-brown matte lipstick. Before exiting and heading out into the fall air, you throw your black pea coat and flats on.

When you arrived, you noticed the blonde carrying heavy duffel bags to the trunk of the car to which you rush over to take a couple from her hands. Tammy releases a sigh of relief before heaving the bags into the trunk with a loud thump. She was breathing heavily from the exertion; her hair was slightly tousled from sweat and trying to rush around yet she still looked breathtaking as always. You felt your mouth go dry as your mind started wandering to other moments when she would look like this.  

“Y/N? Y/N!” Tammy shouts snapping you out of your daydream. Her hand coming to rest on your shoulder, the touch gives off heat so intense you feel it through your rather thick coat. “Are you alright sweetheart?”  

“Y-yeah Tam Tam, I’m sorry I was just thinking, you know how I get.” A nervous laugh escapes your mouth making her giggle. Her hand giving your shoulder a squeeze before releasing it, she opened her mouth like she had something to say but was interrupted by her cell phone ringing.  

“Yes...yes. I’m leaving now Lou, see you in a bit. Bye.”  

You tense up when you hear Lou’s name leave the beautiful woman’s lips. You knew they worked together, granted you didn’t know what they did for work but early on you decided that was none of your business. If Tammy was happy you weren’t going to pry. Lou was at a party that Tammy had once, she seemed really nice nevertheless you had a sense of distaste towards the other blonde when you realized she was rather handsy. This fact too was none of your business since Tammy was not yours to claim but you couldn’t help being bitten by envy. It wasn’t known if the mother was interested in women yet if she was your mind knew that Lou would have a way better shot than you would, it hurt. The blonde shut the trunk before giving you a quick hug.  

“Thanks, so much Y/N, I owe you breakfast. Stay the night if you don’t have any plans tomorrow. I’ll see you later tonight!”  

“See you!” You yell back as she drives off with the window down waving at you.  

It was about 7:30 and you had put Keri to bed after your hours of making food for you both, painting her nails and dancing around ridiculously around the living room. The little girl was so adorable that you could never be upset when she was around. As you stood in the doorway watching her little form sleep for a minute before switching off the light your mind flashed back to a time six months into babysitting the little cutie. It was a night you just happened to hang out at the house because Tammy invited you for dinner as a thank you for your help.

“Looks like someone was sleepy.” You whispered to Tammy in the kitchen, pointing to the little girl’s body passed out across the couch. The gentle mother came in bending down to pick her daughter up, you stuck your arm out to stop her. “I got her.”  

You carried her up to her room, while Tammy finished up the last dish that was in the sink from dinner. Carefully you made it up the stairs into the girl’s room to tuck her sleeping form in, she stirred a bit as you told her goodnight and kissed her forehead.  

“Goodnight, love you Y/N.” The girl mumbled sleepily before turning over to continue sleeping.  

Your eyes were wide and your heart swelled. It was the sweetest thing ever, you realized Tammy thought so as well because when you got to the doorway she was standing off to the side. A beaming white smile lit up her face and a single tear was rolling down her cheek. You look to her with furrowed brows as if to ask ‘are you okay?’. As if reading your mind, she wiped the tear away and nodded smiling even wider before you both headed back downstairs.  

Just to give Tammy an update you texted her real quick to tell her Keri was asleep in her bed. After an hour passed with still no sign of the older woman so you snuggled up on the couch and switched-on Netflix and decided to watch Carol. It was one of your favorites and since the older woman was running late you figured there was no harm, she probably wouldn’t be back for a couple hours. Before the movie even started you heard the front door open and you frantically searched for the remote. Where in the hell did you put the remote? It was too late to change it, Tammy was already in the door, kicking off her shoes and walking over to you by the time you found the controller and were only able to pause the movie. The blonde doesn’t pay much attention to your frantic actions and proceeds to enter the kitchen while apologizing for being late and not being able to text you with a time frame like she usually did.  

“It’s okay. I know you get busy.” You say shrugging.  

“Would you like to have a drink with me? It’s been a long night.” Clinking of glasses came from the kitchen and you get up to join her, this wasn’t the first time you’d joined her for a glass of wine or two.

“Sure!”  

Tammy caught sight of your outfit for the first time that night as it was previously covered up by your coat on your arrival. Her mouth went dry as she took in your appearance and she was mesmerized, wine glasses all but forgotten for the moment.  

“Tam Tam...Tammy the wine!” You say louder to get her attention as the red liquid continued to overflow the glass making it spill onto the counter top.  

She looked down; eyes wide as she said ‘shit’ under her breath. You rushed over and grabbed the roll of paper towels that she was frantically looking for. After you were both done cleaning up the mess, she looked up at you with flushed cheeks, wiping the sweat from her palms on her shirt. “You look lovely Y/N.”  

It was your time to blush while avoiding her gaze as you thanked her quietly. She offers you the glass that she didn’t overflow while she herself bent down to the glass and slurped the liquid from the rim of the glass until it was low enough to pick up and carry to the living room. With the remote in hand, you were getting ready to quickly switch Carol off until she interrupted you.  

“I’d love to watch a movie. What were you going to watch?”  

Your cheeks get hot once again. “Carol. We don’t have to watch that though we can watch whatever you want.”  

She seems to ponder the title while she sets her glass down on the coffee table. “Oh, I’ve never heard of that movie I’d love to watch it! Go ahead and start it up and I’ll make us some popcorn, how does that sound?”  

Like I’m going to want to crawl into a hole to wallow in my embarrassment. You thought.

“Sounds great!”  

The movie starts playing and you practically shove popcorn in your mouth with every Therese and Carol scene. The next time you try to reach into the bowl you were shocked to feel soft skin against yours, you both pull your hands back slightly before taking turns grabbing more popcorn. After Tammy’s second glass of wine was gone you noticed she sat down closer to you on the couch now right up against your side actually now that the popcorn was gone. The bowl forgotten on the coffee table along with your finished glasses. You were relieved that the wine had helped you relax a bit, the blonde hadn’t seemed to mention anything about the two women interacting on screen which you took as a good sign. The perfume scene was now playing on the screen and you swallowed hard still a little nervous that the woman beside you will question you or comment. Instead, you feel a soft hand land on your knee before she copied Therese from the film, leaning in and nuzzling her nose into the side of your neck under your ear. She breathes in your perfume; it was her favorite you guessed since she typically always commented you when you wore the fruity scent.  

“Hmm...you always smell so wonderful Y/N.” Tammy whispers.  

Thankfully she turns her head and continues watching the movie that is until the Waterloo scene comes on making you shift in your seat a bit. You’re watching a lesbian sex scene with your very straight crush! How could you not squirm? Why did you agree to watch this with her you idiot? Because you can’t say no to her the other side of your brain rationalizes. With the internal questions reeling in your head, you don’t realize that Tammy’s face got closer again until you hear her speak.  

“Are you getting a little hot and bothered sweetheart?” She purrs in your ear making you shiver at the low octave of her voice. “I see the way you look at me Y/N. Do you think about me sweetheart?”  

You swallowed hard and your body betrays you by shivering again by the words being whispering in your ear. The light graze of unbelievably soft lips against your ear lobe.  

“Yes.” You breathe out.  

“Look at me Y/N,” You do as she says, her expression absolutely serious, “if you feel uncomfortable tell me okay?”

You quickly nod your head. This brings a smile to the blonde’s face before she brushes a piece of your Y/H/C hair behind your ear, her thumb caresses your cheek. You subconsciously lean into the touch and release a huge breath that you didn’t realize you were holding. Soft lips ghost over your own testing the waters before coming back for more with more pressure making you moan. You allow your hands to get buried in the golden tresses that you’ve longed so many times to touch bringing her closer to you as you kiss her with the same amount of enthusiasm as she did. Your lips trail along her jawbone to her neck where you kiss and nibble here, a mixture of gasps and moans leave her lips sending heat straight to your core. However, intruding thoughts pushes forward...what about your friendship? Why you? You pull back to look at her.  

“I-I’ve wanted this for so long Tam Tam...are you sure you want me? Y-you don’t want Lou?”  

In response she turns away from you, your stomach sinking for a minute regretting the questions that flowed from your lips until you see she undid her button of her pants.  

“First of all, Lou is with Debbie and no I do not want Lou. Come here Y/N.”  

You move closer to her on the couch until you are right beside her; your knees bumping her legs. She gently grasps your wrist and brings it into the waistband of her pants to cup her core through her underwear. Her thoroughly soaked underwear. You gasp shocked not only at the gesture but also at the fact that she was so wet, another shot of heat goes directly to your own core which you were sure was just as wet as hers. You move your fingers over her core just barely touching, she releases a small moan and grinds into your hand for more pressure.  

“Is that what I do to you?”  

She nods biting her lip and grinding into your hand once more. To Tammy’s dismay you remove your hand before kissing her again, your hands grab the hem of her shirt pulling it off and tossing it aside. If you were being honest you expected nude-colored undergarments, not that you minded because either way this is what you’ve wanted for so long. The subject of your dreams, and fantasies just...Tammy. You were pleasantly surprised to find that her bra was a dusted pink color that looked so beautiful against her pale skin. In an instant after drinking in the sight before you, your lips are all over her pale skin. First her lips, then her neck, from there your lips are everywhere...her collarbone, licking at the parts of exposed breasts that weren’t confined by the bra. Tammy arches her back to which you take this opportunity to reach around and unhook the material, tossing that aside to lay with her discarded shirt.  

Tammy watched in awe as she watched your Y/E/C eyes darken in lust before she felt your soft hands caress her perfectly sized B cup breasts. Just the right size to perfectly fit in your warm hands. She gasped when she felt your tongue flick against her nipple before taking her breast into your mouth, sucking on it before releasing it with a pop. All the while shimmying out of her pants as your hands made quick work of simultaneously pulling them down your hips. The blonde’s honey brown eyes met yours, the desire in them matching yours.  

“Y/N, you are wearing too many clothes sweetheart.”  

The words come out in heavy rasps and you realized you could get used to making Tammy breathless.  

“Can you help me out of them Tam Tam?” You ask with the same rasp to your voice.  

“I thought you’d never ask.” She leans towards you as you turned around for her to unzip your dress. As she did so you felt the coolness of her knuckles pass over the skin of your back causing you to shudder and gasp. The older woman’s mouth found the same spot and slowly kissed from your shoulder blades up to the side of your neck, prior to slowly dragging the top half of your dress over your shoulders and down to your hips. Her hands drag along the same path afterwards it felt like heaven, it was too good to be real. You needed confirmation as her lips then followed the path, she was everywhere.  

“Tell me I’m not dreaming. Tell me this is real.” You breathe out, craning your neck to the left side to give those wonderful lips better access to your pulse point. A nibble to that exact spot made you moan deep in the back of your throat.  

“Oh, Y/N this is very real. Stand up please I need to see you.”  

Tammy watches with hungry eyes as you do what she says and remove your dress revealing your black bra and panties. The primal look in those honey brown eyes is something you had never seen before however; it was definitely something you wanted to see more of. Her hands grab your hips gently and pull you towards her still seated form on the couch, her long slender fingers hook in either side of the waistband of your panties then slowly peeled the fabric down your legs. The older woman noticed your fingers fidget nervously at your sides as if wanting to cover up, which makes her take action by moving to the edge of the cushion and placing a kiss to the skin above your mound.  

The older woman scoots down the couch and lays back flat against the cushions then politely instructing you to straddle her hips. You follow her instructions of then removing your bra and easily follow as her hands press into your back causing your torso to lean forward. Her hands and mouth find your breasts sucking, kissing, and touching the ache in your core grew stronger to the point where you could barely stand it. Tammy must’ve felt your arousal against her hip bone because she grinded her hips up and moaned.  

“Come up here please sweetheart.” It took you a second to realize what her words were meaning exactly until your brain processed exactly where she wanted you. You were still hesitant though, no one had ever done that for you what if you didn’t smell or taste good. Tammy’s hands grabbed both of yours intertwining your fingers, the action made your stomach flutter. “Do you trust me?”  

You instantly nod. You trusted Tammy more than a lot of people in your life. This made you feel confident enough to let go of hands and climb your way up her body finding your balance on your knees straddling the beautiful woman’s face. A kiss is placed against your clit making you jump slightly. Within seconds you felt the older woman’s tongue on your pussy swiping through your folds before coming to suck on your clit. Your legs started to quiver but then you whimper in disappointment when you feel the lips release the sensitive bud.  

“Tammy.” You whine.

“Not yet.” You hear her mutter softly.

“Tammy please.” You whine again this time looking directly into her eyes. This is her weak spot, just like you, she never wanted to deny you anything.  

“Just remember you need to be quiet. Can you do that?”  

“Y-yes...yes just please Tam Tam, let me cum for you.”  

A moan leaves the beautiful lips below you before you feel the long thick tongue attacking your pussy again swiping through your lips once again before entering slowly into your soaking wet core. You had to bite your lip hard in between your teeth to keep your moans and screams at bay, her tongue was so talented as it filled you and hit the sensitive spot inside your walls. Fingers started rubbing your clit in quick, tiny circles, you looked down at her with your mouth open wanting to scream but thankfully no words escaped. Your Y/E/C eyes met hers and that was your undoing. Your thighs spasmed, pussy walls clenching against the warm, talented tongue belonging to the most beautiful woman. It was the most intense orgasm you’d ever had.  

Tammy quickly cleaned up every drop of your arousal moaning at the taste until you came down from your high. Moments later you laid there for a moment in each other's arms breathing heavily, feeling her fingers draw little patterns on your back.  

“Can I taste you Tam Tam?” You asked quietly.  

She smiled like a cat that caught a canary and kissed you passionately before sitting up.  

“Grab the clothes and follow me upstairs sweetheart.”  

[inactive-seathesilverlinings]

Nine for a Kiss

Kayo barely knows what’s running through her mind as she jumps directly out of Shadow’s cockpit and sprints towards One’s dock. She can’t think straight, all she can think of is making sure that Scott is okay.

Virgil would have cleared him to fly, so he must be alright. But she heard that tertiary explosion; a clear, ringing BOOM down the comms. Colonel Casey and Captain Rigby had heard it too, Kayo didn’t remember getting back to shadow, she didn’t even remember how she got home.

Her heart is thumping in her chest by the time she reaches the side of the sleek silver rocket.

Scott slumps onto the platform as he peels himself out of the pilot chair. It’s been a very, very long thirty-six hours. He’s tired. So tired.

“Scott!”

Kayo.

He doesn’t have the energy to speak but just enough to look up before she’s crashing down in front of him. He smiles as her hands come up to cup his face.

Her lips are on his before he can think of anything except how much he needs a shower. His hand rests on whatever part of her he can reach, his brain is a little too sleep foggy to notice, as all of his thoughts turn to her and just her alone. Her kiss is fierce, it’s burning with need after the day they have had, in that moment nothing else matters to her except him and nothing matters to him, except her.

*

 It hardly comes as a surprise when it happens. Although he doesn’t quite know when they crossed this line John’s hardly likely to object. He’s glad they’re up in space because if he had her pressed up against a wall of glass anywhere else, he’s sure four brothers would have something to say about it.

Her lips quirk up into a smirk.

“You’re thinking far too hard right now.”

“Just considering my options.”

“Oh yeah? And how are they looking?”

“Not too bad from my vantage point if I’m honest.” He’s not that much taller than her really, but he likes to remind her that he is. “What about down there?”

He brushes a hand along her jaw and around to the back of her neck. She smirks again and lets herself be drawn in.

“I like this option.” She whispers with mere millimetres between them.

“I thought you might.”

*

 It was a reflex. An old reflex. One left over from his final year at college when he’d dated his project partner (something else he shouldn’t have done, but hey you live and learn) a kiss born out of excitement and closeness.

“Oh my god. Brains. I am so sorry! I didn’t… I… Shit, I’m sorry!”

They had worked together on so many things, and it had never happened before. This crush was getting out of control.

“I-its fine.”

“No, it wasn’t. I’m really sorry.”

“It’s alright Virgil. E-enjoyable, actually.”

“I overstepped and I - - What?”

Brains shrugged slightly, and turned away with a smirk.

Virgil’s brain took a minute to catch up.

“Wait. No. You can’t just walk away… Brains!”

*

 She’d planned it meticulously the moment she’d heard Gordon’s voice over the comms.

Complete the rescue, save the people, get back on FAB 2, and bring Gordon with her.

Easy.

Simple.

Perfect plan.

Executed to perfection.

Gordon is sitting next to her, they’re on FAB 2 and they’re blissfully alone. They’re talking, getting closer, Penelope thinks he’s even getting the hint.

“You’ve been missed Gordon Tracy.”

“Missed. By anyone in particular?”

Except…

“Um…” She hesitated. Why did she hesitate? It only leaves room for interruption.

And interruption they get.

“What are we chatting about on this beautiful evening?”

“Pie!”

Just like that, the moment is gone. She smiles a little sadly but manages to cover it up with politeness.

“Well, we can’t say no to pie, can we? Let’s go find some plates.”

She doesn’t just hear Gordon’s sigh behind her. She feels it. Feels it in her bones. In every fibre of her very being, right deep down to the core of her person. So she stops, let’s the others go on ahead.

“Aren’t you going too?” She heard him mutter to the pup on his lap.

She turns.

She goes back, and before Gordon knows what’s going on her hand is on his knee and she’s pressed her lips to his. It’s nothing special, it’s brief, but sweet, and when she pulls away his eyes are wide.

He’s smiling, and she wants nothing more than to do it again.

“My way of saying: Thanks for saving us today.”

*

It was a party, there was alcohol, he was legal age in New Zealand, and he was on downtime, his brothers couldn’t exactly protest.

Or at least what they didn’t know, couldn’t hurt him.

And Brandon sure knew how to throw a party.

Alan was staying with Brandon but when he got there the party had already been starting up and Alan realised that he knew no one else, not even by reputation. Brandon had introduced him to a few people and then flitted off to play host.

Alan didn’t see him again until he went to the kitchen for another drink.

“Hey dude!” Brandon’s arm was around his shoulders before Alan was out of the fridge. “You really seem to be getting on with Kiera!”

“Wha - - Who?”

“Kiera. The girl you’ve been talking to all night, the one hanging off your every word?”

“Oh, right.” Alan shrugged, opening his beer. “Is that what her name is?” He hadn’t meant to sound rude, but the party was loud, and he was sure she only recognised him from the TV.

“C’mon dude, she’s totally into you!”

“I figured. No thanks, I’m good. I didn’t come here to hook up with a random girl.”

“No random girls, okay, okay…” Brandon nodded thoughtfully. “I’ve noticed Matt with his eye on you,”

“Which is he again?”

“Tall, long hair, sorta beard.”

“Still no thanks, no random guys either, I’m good.” Alan waved him off.

“Alright,” Alan watched Brandon take a long drink of his beer, draining the bottle. “Then what about me?”

“What about you?”

“I’m not a random guy, or girl for that matter. What about me?”

Alan raised an amused eyebrow, just how much had Brandon had to drink?

“You’re staying here anyway so it’s not like we’d have to chase out a rando in the morning.”

Alan wrinkled his nose, feeling a little annoyed. “Is this the reason you invited me?”

“A little, I need encouragement,” He waved the bottle in his hand to illustrate his point. “For courage to say stuff sometimes.”

“O-kay, I think that’s enough of that.” Alan took the new bottle from Brandon before he could open it.

“Just one.” Brandon held up a finger.

“What?”

“One kiss,” He clarified, stepping up to the astronaut. “And if you don’t like it, I’ll never say anything about it again.”

Alan nodded. “And if I do?”

“We can revisit again when I’m sober.”

“Alright.” Alan closed the gap between them. “Deal.”

He pressed his lips firmly to the vloggers and felt an instant response. Fingers sliding into his hair, scratching ever so slightly on his scalp, a tongue running against his lips that is granted immediate access.

Oh yeah, this is worth a revisit in the morning.

[justahopelessssromantic]

Perfect

Part 11

Part 10

A/N: Hey guys finally have the next part out for y’all! I’m going to tag the parts a little different and just link the one before this because it’s getting a little tedious 😅. Anyways I hope you all enjoy and thank you so much for all the continued love and support! You all really mean the world to me! 💖

*gifs not mine*

Warnings: Angst, violence

A few weeks had passed and with each one you saw less and less of Angel and more of Matt. It wasn't your intention, Angel just wouldn't come around as often, avoided you the best he could whenever you were at the clubhouse, and was going on more runs than usual. He was trying to stay busy, to keep his mind busy.

He was waiting for you to blow up on him about the text but you never did. A few days after he sucked it up and came into his father's shop while you were working.

"Hey," he greeted you with a nod of the head. If you were going to say something about it now would be the time. He was ready for it.

"Hey," you smiled back at him. "How are you doing? I saw your text." You said gently.

"You did?" He assumed you did but you never said anything until now. Here it comes, he thought. Holding his breath he waited for you to explode, but you didn’t.

"Yeah. Sorry I didn't reply I didn't see it until later and when you didn't show up I just assumed you weren't coming, that maybe club shit came up." You understood that the club would always come first and naturally if you didn't hear from him that was the reason. "I appreciate it though, you wanting to check on me. Thank you."

"Didn't think you needed me," he complained, "You seemed just fine with Matt there."

Now you realized why he hadn't stopped and you let out a sigh. You could just feel the stress headache coming on already.

“What’s the problem, querida?” He leaned onto the counter closer to you, his cologne strong and intoxicating bringing you a sense of nostalgia as he continued spitting words better left unsaid, “Didn’t want me to find out? He stay the night too? Fuck your pain away?”

“That’s your thing, not mine.” You spat back, your jaw clenched. “Remember?” You internally scolded yourself for letting him get under your skin, again. Stepping back from the counter closing your eyes you rubbed your temples. “How many times are we going to keep doing this Angel?" You asked before opening your eyes and looking back at him. 'Aren’t you tired of it?” You were feeling incredibly burned out and tired, tired of going round and round in the same circle over and over again. You couldn't understand how he couldn't be tired as well. You didn’t have the energy for this fight again, especially not today. “Because I am. I'm so very, very tired.”

Angel laid his palms flat against the counter top looking down at the packages in the display case below him as he let out a sigh. He was tired just like you, maybe even more so, but he couldn’t give up on you. He couldn’t let you go. You held his heart and there was no one in the world he could ever give it to again. It belonged to you just like he did. It pained him to know how bad you were hurting to see how now that you were back everything was weighing down on you once more but this was a fight he couldn’t give up on. “Yeah, I’m tired too.” He said, looking up and meeting your eyes, getting lost in the familiarity of them. “I’m tired of not waking up next to you, tired of not being the reason behind your beautiful smile, tired of being the reason for the pain I can see so clearly in your eyes, mi dulce.” He swallowed trying to keep his emotions in check, which was almost nearly impossible when he was around you, “ And most of all I’m tired of missing you.”

“Angel I-”

The soft sound of candy spilling out of a box alerted the two of you to the presence that was now in the shop with you. You were so caught up in each other you didn’t even hear the man enter. Turning your attention to the man you watched as he plopped a couple of the Candy & Licorice candies he had into his mouth.

Angel tensed up beside you immediately holding himself taller. No one had said anything yet but you could tell by Angel’s reaction to the man that he was not a friend.

He slipped the box of candy into his pocket before returning his gaze back to the two of you. “Trouble in paradise?” he finally spoke up with an unsettling smile, “Please continue.” He motioned towards the two of you. “Don’t let me interrupt your little lover’s quarrel.”

“What the fuck do you want?” Angel spoke up stepping closer to the man.

“Meat of course. What other reasons would there be for someone to stop into Carniceria Reyes?” He said almost challenging Angel. Smiling once more he turned his attention to you and stepped up to the counter. “Forgive me. Where are my manners?” He said extending his hand out to you, “I don’t believe we’ve met. Lincoln Potter.”

Angel’s glare burned through Potter’s back. He didn’t like him being here, sniffing around you. It did nothing but add on to the stress and anger piling up inside him.The last thing he wanted was for Potter to involve you in any more of their shit then you already were.

His phone buzzed from within his cut and as much as he didn’t want to leave you alone with Potter he knew he had to take the call. He pulled the device out, “Yo.” He answered, walking towards the window.

You kept most of your attention on your new acquaintance, Lincoln Potter but were also very aware of Angel and his reaction to the man and did your best to be aware of any silent signals Angel may give you as well. He was ordering a roast and you smiled politely taking his order but you knew that wasn’t why he was really in the shop that day.

“I’ll be there.” You heard Angel say before hanging up his cellphone. You finished wrapping the produce and turned back around meeting his eyes. You gave him a little nod to let him know you would be okay before he ducked out of the shop, the bell dinging behind him and you turned your attention once more to the task at hand.

After that day you didn’t see as much of Angel. He’d ride by every once in a while to make sure Potter wasn’t giving you trouble and each time he would it seemed Matt’s truck was always outside his Pop’s shop. Eventually he couldn’t handle it anymore and stopped altogether. He was trying to give you space, trying not to lose his cool and if that meant he had to avoid you then avoid you he would.

Or at least he’d try.

But like you had said that was impossible. Everywhere he went if he wasn’t seeing you or Matt he was hearing all about you from the people of Santo Padre. And if it wasn’t you and Matt it was Coco and Matt, even sometimes the three of you. He understood now more than ever why you up and left him and the small town you held dear in your heart.

But Angel couldn’t run away so instead he found other ways to release some stress. Like after he saw Matt at your place again he took it out on the old piece of shit car that had been sitting at the scrapyard. He swung the crowbar over and over, shattering the glass, denting the car up beyond repair before tossing the crowbar to the side without paying any attention to his surroundings. The only thing on his mind was rage at that moment.

“Shit,” Gilly said, jumping away from the flying object. “Damn Angel, watch what you’re doing.”

Angel ran his hand through his hair. He turned his attention to his brother, completely out of breath. “Fuck, sorry hermano.” Angel pulled his pack out of his cut extending a cigarette Gilly’s way.

Gilly took it, flipping a couple of buckets over creating a seat for him and Angel. He sat down lighting it up watching as Angel did the same. The separation was rough on Angel but this was so much worse and Gilly was starting to really worry about his hermano. None of the guys knew what to do. They felt like they were walking on eggshells around him just waiting for him to explode, so they let him take his frustrations out as best they could. “What’d old Matilda ever do to you?” He tried to tease Angel nodding to the beat up junker.

He should have known better though. Angel hadn’t been much in the teasing mood for a long time. He just started ahead with his cigarette dangling between his fingers getting lost in the damage he had created both physically in the car before him and in his relationships.

Gilly missed the old Angel.

When Angel wasn’t beating the shit out of inanimate objects he was taking it out in the ring. Every opportunity he got he’d be busting it out in there, taking whoever it may be who would be willing to be his punching bag that day. The guys knew it wasn’t personal and all took turns taking the brunt of it just trying to help in any way they can.

“Alright,” Angel said, approaching the table of his fellow members, “Who wants to have a go in the ring?”

The men all groaned internally. Gilly sipped his beer, Riz pretended to be very involved in the current card game before him, Creeper acted as if his phone held something very important and EZ stood up making some excuse about needing to clean the bar up.

“C’mon,” Angel whined, “Really? None of you fuckers are gonna be man enough to take me on?” He said, trying to play at their egos.

The truth was they were all exhausted. They could only go this way for so long and it seemed that Angel never got tired, he was always ready for another fight. It wasn’t normal and sure as hell not healthy.

“Fine,” he spat, grabbing a beer off the table. “If you need me I’ll fucking be out back!” Beer in hand he stormed out, the door slamming behind him.

Another method Angel used to distract himself was running. Every morning he would wake up at the crack of dawn, throw on some shorts and sneakers and head out the door with no destination in mind, just letting his feet take him. It was like he was training for a marathon that no one knew about.

Unfortunately though his feet were always taking him to your place where he’d stand across the street staring at the dark house before him. You were always sleeping so you would never know he was there but he’d be there a good twenty minutes before he’d suck it up and move on. If he wasn’t finding himself at your place then it was the park where you had your first official date. He’d stop and sit on the swing for a moment catching his breath as he remembered all the picnics you had shared there together, the birthdays, anniversaries, and just lazy days when you’d get the day just for the two of you.

Every place in this town held a memory of you, a memory of your time together as a couple. He really couldn’t escape you.

All these things provided him a momentary release but it wasn’t enough and it was only a matter of time before he snapped. Everyone could see that and were anxiously waiting for the moment to come only hoping there wouldn’t be too many casualties in the fallout.

Each day at the Carniceria got a little easier. You started to notice Angel’s lack of being around a little less and tried to push him to the back of your mind.

Matt would come by often, bringing you coffee or lunch. You’d take your breaks with him enjoying the food he provided and taking a nice stroll in the fresh air. He was easy to talk to, you never shared the deepest parts of your life but anything else was always on the table. There was nothing you felt like you couldn’t share with him.

He felt just as comfortable around you as well and would tell you about his mother who practically raised him all alone after his father split. His dad was a drunk so he nor his mother ever missed him once he was gone. He told you about his days serving with Coco and all the shenanigans they would get up to. His stories were always so detailed you could picture them vividly and you’d get lost in them.

When you were with Matt all your worries would go away, you felt free and the time would fly.

You were wiping down the counter as EZ browsed his father’s bookshelf looking for something new to read. Unlike Angel he was always stopping in, offering a hand and checking up on you and his Pops. He even would talk to Matt when he’d stop in. EZ liked him, he seemed decent and no one could deny how his presence seemed to lift your spirits, get you excited again.

It was nearing one in the afternoon, the time that Matt would usually come in and you’d close shop for your lunch break. You finished your cleaning, tossing your gloves in the trash bin and then removing your apron and hanging it up on the hook.

You stepped around the corner looking over at the shelf next to EZ as he pulled out a title and examined the back. “Find anything yet?” You asked.

“Yeah,” EZ grinned holding up the book and turning to you. “You know he likes you.” EZ said changing the subject.

“Who?”

“Matt.” He said. He chuckled noticing how you began fiddling with your hands. You might not want to admit it but he knew you liked him too. “He’s a good guy, makes you happy. You deserve that (Y/N). You should give him a chance.”

“I don’t know EZ..” you tried to protest. You did like Matt and he was a great guy but you still couldn’t fully comprehend him liking you back and even so your heart always tugged towards Angel.

“Just try,” EZ encouraged taking your hand in his. “I know you still love Angel but there’s a lot of pain there. Maybe Matt’s what you need right now, a fresh start.” EZ hated himself a little for telling you these. He knew Angel would kill him if ever found out but from how things were going right now your relationship together was toxic. Maybe this was what was best, to let go of each other. He just wanted to see the two of you happy again, to see you stop hurting one another.

“I’ll keep it in mind.” You said leaving it at that. Sure you dated one guy since Angel but that was different. It never went farther than just a few dates and one kiss before you ended things knowing you didn’t feel for him the same way he did for you. You just couldn’t get Angel out of your head, constantly comparing the poor guy to him. With Matt however it was different, Angel was still in the back of your mind but it was easier to forget when you were around Matt. You never compared him to Angel and you couldn’t deny that he made you happy, or was easy on the eyes.

A few days later Matt was in the shop again. You had just had lunch together and he was getting ready to head back out as you resumed your position behind the counter.

He was headed out the door when he stopped himself just short of it. It was now or never he thought. He turned back around stepping up to the counter. You picked your head up smiling at him. Your smile would always be enough to take his breath away, he thought. “Would you like to go out with me? Like on a date?” He asked. On the outside he seemed cool and collected but inside he was more nervous than he had ever been. To say he was rusty would be an understatement. He hadn’t been on a date in forever let alone ask someone on one but you were special. You made him feel like he could have someone to come home to, someone to care for who also cared for him. Like he could have a family one day.

You felt like a silly teenager again, the butterflies swirling inside you. You had hung out plenty of times but never for a date which naturally made you a little nervous. If it wasn’t for EZ’s comment earlier you would have been completely caught off guard but thankfully you were a little prepared. “Okay, yeah.” You decided, giving him a smile before adding, “But only on one condition.”

“Deal,” he said maybe a little too quickly. He grinned back at you loving the way the corner of your eyes crinkled slightly when your smile grew.

“I haven’t even told you the conditions yet,” you laughed lightly at his eager response.

“Whatever it is will be worth it if it means I get to have the evening with you.”

You felt your face flush as you looked down. You met his eyes looking back at him, “Come to my place. Friday, eight pm sharp. Don’t be late.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” He replied grinning. He nodded his head before stepping back. “I can’t wait. See you then (Y/N).” He said before stepping out of the shop and down the street.

Friday night and all the men sat around nursing their beers while they played a hand. The day had been fairly relaxed and everyone was enjoying having the day off.

Coco walked into the clubhouse seemingly just having ended a phone call. He nodded at Bishop getting his attention from the table. Bishop stood up excusing himself from the game and walked into Templo with Coco behind him.

“What’s up, Coco?” He asked once they were in the room.

“Just got off the phone with Matt, he’s on the other side,” Coco explained as Bishop listened carefully, “He’s in a bit of a situation, needs help getting back over.”

“Go,” Bishop told the younger Mayan, “We shouldn’t need you.”

“Aight,” Coco nodded, turning back around to head out.

“Coco!” Bishop called out getting his attention. “Take Angel and EZ with you, you’ll need some backup.”

“No offense, Bish.” Coco addressed his president, “But that sounds like a terribly fucking idea.” They all knew the situation between Angel and Matt was tense, more so with Angel.

“Doesn’t look like Matt’s going anywhere,” Bishop said, stepping closer to Coco, “They have to work this shit out, Angel needs that to get through to him. It’ll be good, for everyone.”

Coco nodded once more before turning back around and out. “Yo Boy Scout, Angel!” He called out. Getting their attention the two Reyes brothers followed him out and to van.

The ride to the tunnels was long and quiet. This was the last place Angel wanted to be but he sucked it up. At least in this way he felt like Coco still needed him even if it was just to save his other fucking best friend. Once there they made their way through and into the vehicle waiting for them on the other side.

They found the location Matt had shared and walked into the building. Matt sprung up aiming at the men causing them to draw their weapons as well before they all lowered them upon the realization of who the other was. Walking over, Matt pulled Coco in for a quick hug a young girl following behind him. “Thanks brother.” He said, patting his back.

“Who’s that?” EZ asked about the young girl. She looked frightened but at least wasn’t injured.

“Don’t need to know,” Matt said plainly. That’s all he could tell these men even if they were trusted friends.

“We come all the way over here to save your ass and you won’t even tell us why?” Angel spoke up, pissed. They were risking their tails without a clue to how dangerous the situation is and he didn’t like being in the damn dark.

“Angel!” Coco scolded. This wasn’t the time for this petty shit.

“I’m just saying we have a right to fuckin’ know! I’m not risking my life for-” Angel’s next words were interrupted by gunshots flying into the small room.

The girl screamed as Matt pushed her under a table to protect her from the bullets raining down on them. “EZ!” Matt called out getting his attention, “Watch the girl.” He ordered before stepping out and shooting back at the men who had ambushed them.

EZ ran over taking guard and cover near the girl shooting at anyone who came near. The four men took out the small team fairly easily. Bodies laid everywhere as they took in the carnage before them.

“Fuck!” Angel shouted, turning towards Matt. “What the fuck was that?! We almost got fucking killed!” He charged towards Matt when one last man who must have been hiding jumped out and tackled him to the ground. Matt, Coco, and EZ watched as the two tussled starting with Angel getting on top and pinning him down.

Angel was living for this. This man was just what he needed, someone he could best the shit out of like he wanted to do to Matt. He landed blow after blow to the guy's face before he managed to get the upper hand himself and got Angel turned around so he was on top with him in a tight choke hold. Angel fought the man taking a little longer than he would like but he knew he could take him down, that he’d kill him.

The fight was taking too long and they didn’t have time for this. Matt pulled his glock out and shot the man point blank in the head finishing the job and ending the struggle.

Angel gasped for air as the sound of the gunshot rang in his ears while he pushed the man off him and wiped the blood from himself. He caught his breath standing up and glared at Matt.

EZ came over in an attempt to make sure his brother was okay but Angel didn’t care. He only had one thing on his mind.

Angel was fuming as he stomped past EZ and up to Matt. “What the fuck was that?!” He barked. Adrenaline coursed through his body from the previous scuffle and his hatred towards this man who was stealing his life away. His chest heaved rapidly as he readied himself for the much needed release of shit that had been building up for too long now. It wasn’t enough to take it all out on everything and anything else around him. He needed to take it out on the root of his problem, Matt.

“Oh, you mean me saving your ass back there?” Matt wasn’t having this crap today. He had put up with Angel for too long now. He just saved his ass, and all Angel was doing was being an ungrateful little shit.

“I had it fucking handled!” Angel defended himself. He didn’t need Matt swooping in and saving the day. He could handle himself, could hold his own and that kill should have been his not fucking Matt’s.

Matt looked Angel up and down only adding to Angel’s irritation. “Could’ve fooled me. Looked like the fucker was going to kill you so I took him out, saved your life. You’re not going to hear an apology from me so if that what you’re waiting for I suggest you walk away and not waste anymore of my fucking time.”

“Right cause you have some big date tonight with my girl!” Angel spat. Yeah he knew about it, EZ had mentioned it to him after you had told him. He couldn’t believe this was happening. The day was long enough as is and as soon as they got back he’d just be stuck thinking about that damn date that should be with him not Matt. He should be coming back from this shit show to your comforting embrace not Matt. That should be him. “Don’t act like you were doing me some big fucking favor. You did that for yourself! So you could play hero and brag all about it to (Y/N) so you can get in her fucking pants! I see right through you Matt, know what guys like you do.” He was lashing out now, hoping to get under Matt’s skin just as deep as he had his. There was no way he was as perfect as he seemed. “You’re just going to use her and then you’re going to throw her away once you get what you want. You’re gonna fucking break her heart, and when you do I’ll be there to clean up the mess.”

“You mean like I’m doing for you? I think we both know that you’ve already handled breaking her just fine yourself.” Matt said stepping up to Angel, the two men’s chests were practically touching by now. “I threaten you Angel, I get that. You’re scared that she’s going to find everything she needs in me. That I’m going to take care of her, respect her,” he spat, “like you should have and she’s going to realize she is much better off without you, that she deserves better.” He snarled. “You know that, I know that, and deep down she knows that too. It’s time you let her go.”

Angel’s eyes darkened with each word that was spat out at him. If steam could physically be coming out of someone’s ears it would be happening to Angel right now. Everything finally was bubbling up and over with actions winning over more words. Without missing a beat he grabbed Matt by the shirt swinging a right hook straight to the side of his face, his large metal rings cutting up his skin with the force of the punch.

Matt staggered back just a little before catching himself. He rolled his jaw, spitting the blood to the ground as he snarled at Angel. Before Angel could react the wind had been knocked out of him with a fierce blow from Matt.

EZ perked up ready to jump into the fight when Coco held his hand out keeping the young Mayan back. He shook his head, “They need this Boy Scout , he needs this.” He told EZ nodding to Angel.

Angel hunched over unable to breath as Matt held him up and pushed him back against the nearest wall. His voice was rough and hushed as he growled into Angel’s ear. “You know I’ve been real patient with you Angel, more so than you deserve, but you know what? You’re right. I did do it for her, not you, because for some reason,” he tightened his hold on Angel pulling back his face so he could look him in the eyes, “for some reason she still cares about you, and I care about her. That’s what you do Angel, when you care for someone. You put their needs above your own. And yeah I’d like more than anything to beat the ever living shit out of you right here and now but I won’t, for her.” It was difficult for him but if he started he may not be able to control himself. He wasn’t going to let Angel push his buttons, wasn’t going to let him feed that monster within. Turning his head to the side he spat more blood out from Angel’s hit, the cut on his lip stinging from the movement. He was done tiptoeing around Angel. He looked back at him challenging the man in front of him. “So Angel, tell me, do you really care about her? Are you going to put her needs for once above your own?”

Angel could finally breathe again as he regained his voice. “What? And that’s supposed to be you?” He snarked.

“Why don’t we let her decide for herself.” Matt said before pushing off Angel. Turning around he headed towards the exit of the building grabbing the girl on his way out. Coco shook his head looking at Angel now hunched over with his hands on his knees before jogging after Matt and catching up beside him patting his shoulder.

EZ walked over helping his brother up. “You okay, Angel?”

Angel wanted to shrug his brother off but he didn’t. He watched as Coco caught up to Matt the betrayal stinging him even more. “Yeah lil bro. Just fuckin’ peachy.”

Perfect Tag List: @jadert15 @dearsamcrobae @joalsglasses @chibsytelford @lover1307 @mrsamaroevans @expir3d-l0v3 @nakusaych9 @sophiasotherdaughter @toni9

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[meghan-huntergirl-winchester]

A Twist in Fate (Hardy Boys X Sister!Reader)

Request: Hi, I was wondering if I could get a WWE imagine where you’re the Hardy's little sister and you work in WWE but it's kinda of weird for Y/N because her brothers aren't there. At WrestleMania 30 she has a match for the diva's championship and wins but she didn't know her brothers would be backstage waiting for her when she came back and she's really excited and happy to see them since they hardly get to see each other. Can you make the ending sweet? Please and thank you! Love your writing btw. :)

A/n:  Hello Sweetheart! Thank you so much for your request! I wanna say that I am so sorry that it has taken me so long to get this to you. I got this request sooooo long ago. I had really lost my passion for writing, but I didn’t wanna leave you hanging forever. I am so sorry ☹. I really hope you enjoy it! I had to go back and watch some old Hardy matches to get into the groove of writing this one so thank you for making me go back and watch some! Enjoy!

Y/n= Your name

Y/n/n= your nickname

Word Count: 1565

Warnings: None except for Violence and Language

WrestleMania 30….who would have thought that I would be a part of the Diva’s Title match at WrestleMania. My name is Y/n Hardy. That’s right, I said Hardy. That means my brothers are Matt and Jeff Hardy. Tonight was going to be the hardest match of my life. Tonight is the “Vicki Guerrero Diva’s Championship Invitational Battle Royal” or something like that. Almost all of the active Divas are participating in the match and I’m dying to get my hands on that Divas Title. I just really wish that my brothers were here to see it. With my traveling schedule with the WWE and their traveling schedule with other things, it’s almost impossible for us to see each other. A knocking on the door pulled me out of my thoughts.

“Ms. Hardy? 5 minutes to gorilla position.”

“Thanks Tom!”

I turned back to the mirror and smiled at my reflection. I truly was a Hardy. Being that tonight is WrestleMania 30, I took extra care into my ring gear. Since my brothers couldn’t physically be with me tonight I was going to take a piece of them to the ring with me. I was wearing one of Matt’s Hardy Boy shirts, and before I left home I had the chance to steal Jeff’s favorite sets of arm warmers to wear to the ring. With one last look in the mirror, I put the finishing touches on my black eyeliner and headed towards the gorilla.

As I approached gorilla and saw several of the other Divas making their way to the ring I started to stretch and do a few warm ups before my music was played.

“Hey Y/n! Good luck tonight!” I heard my friend April, otherwise known as AJ Lee, say as she passed by.

“Thanks April. Don’t go too crazy on me tonight okay?” I said with a laugh as I stood up and stretched my arms over my head.  I heard April laugh and felt her hand pat me on my shoulder.

“Deal! Only if you promise no Twist of Fate!”

Before I could say anything else, April’s music hit and I watched as April slipped away and AJ Lee came to the front. I couldn’t help but shake my head with a small laugh. I loved that girl but she was fucking crazy sometimes. Knowing that my music was up next, I grabbed my ‘Hardy’ necklace and an extra T-shirt to hand out to the audience before getting into position.

Moments later my music blasted through the arena and I smiled at the crowd reaction. As I made my way down the ramp I pulled my necklace off and placed it over the head of a little girl who was holding a “Y/n Hardy” sign and handed my T-shirt to one of the Make-A-Wish kids who were sitting in the front row, before leaping up on the ring apron. Staring down the Divas for a moment, my eyes met Aprils and I saw her nod slightly with a barely noticeable smile. I hopped up on the middle rope and posed for a moment before hoping down and getting ready.

“The following contest is the Vicki Guerrero Divas Championship Invitational! The first Diva to score a pin fall or submission will be declared the winner and the Diva’s Champion!”

The bell rang and immediately AJ and I were thrown into the center, all of the other Diva’s surrounding us. For a moment, no one made a move until a foot suddenly slammed into my stomach and all hell broke loose. I could feel Tamina stomping on my back with her foot as Nikki Bella stomped on my left knee. With a harsh kick to my side, Tamina kicked me off the apron and onto the floor. I could hear the ref making counts but none were even close to a 3 count. I pulled myself off the ground by holding on to the apron and I watched as The Bellas knocked everyone out of the ring and then did twin suicide dives through the ropes.

Nikki and Brie were the only ones standing and I watched as they slowly turned on each other and began to fight amongst themselves. Across the ring, Aj was slowly getting to her feet and she made her way into the ring along with Natalya, Naomi, Tamina, and Alicia Fox. They brawled for a few moments until AJ got Naomi in the Black Widow. I could tell that Naomi was about to tap so I quickly jumped into the ring and pulled Aj off of Naomi before kicking her to the floor. Now only AJ and I were left in the ring.  We stared down each other for a moment before we locked up. AJ caught me in the black widow but I was able to power out and reverse it into a twist of fate.

The crowd was electric as I climbed to the top rope to do my finisher. The swanton bomb. I hit it perfectly and rolled AJ up for the pin. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Brie and Nikki fighting to get to me.

1….

2…

The Bella’s had climbed under the ropes and were in the ring.

3!

The ref slammed his hand down a third and final time right before the Bella’s reached me and the bell rang.

“Here is your winner and the New WWE Diva’s Champion Y/N Hardy!!!”

Sitting there with my mouth wide open, it hit me. I was the new Diva’s Champion. The ref handed me the belt and all I could do was stare at it. I could hear Nikki and Brie yelling at the ref in outrage but I didn’t care. I did it…..I was champion. I stood on the turnbuckle and hoisted my title over my head. After celebrating my win for a few more minutes, I made my way backstage. All the women from the match and a large group of superstars came over and congratulated me on my win. Soon enough I broke away from the crowd that had gathered and made my way back to makeup and hair.

“Hey hun! You need a touch up for your championship photo shoot?” Leslie asked as she got off her phone and tossed it to the table.

“Yeah, they want me to go ahead and do the pictures that way I can relax for the rest of the night.”

I hopped up into the chair with my title in my lap. Leslie started fixing my hair and my face and I couldn’t help but wonder if Jeff and Matt got to at least watch my match.

“All right honey. You’re all set. Let me give you a final spray with this setting spray and you’re good to go.”

“Thanks Leslie! You always do an amazing job.”

Hopping out of the chair I quickly headed to my photo shoot. I saw my friends the Shield coming down the hall with some food, and I snagged a cookie from Seth’s plate before scurrying down the hall.

“Hey! Get your own cookies champ!”

“Sorry! I’ll buy you coffee in the morning!” I called down the hall only to receive a thumbs up from him. He was so easy to please. Buy him a coffee or agree to work out with him and he is set.

“Ah Ms. Hardy, congratulations! We need to get photos for WWE.com and for upcoming promotional posters.”

“Let’s get this party started then!”

The photographer tapped the play button on the radio to fill the silence in the room and got to shooting.

“Good, now can you raise the title up with your right arm and give us the Hardy symbol with your left?”

I did as told and even stuck out my tongue during it.

“That looks awesome! Come take a look.”

Relief swam through me as I finally got to drop my arm for a few moments, and I stepped forward to glance at the screen. Joseph, the photographer, turned the screen to me and I gasped in shock. It was me throwing up the hardy symbol and my title but standing on either side of me were my brothers Jeff and Matt.

“Congrats sis!”

I whipped my head back around to where I was just standing and there were Matt and Jeff.

“Wha- I thought you wouldn’t be able to make it! You lied to me!”

Jeff launched forward and wrapped me in a tight hug.

“We got here right as you were making your entrance. Matt and I were able to rearrange some things and get here just in time.”

Jeff released me just in time for Matt to wrap me up in his arms as well.

“You did it sis. We’re so proud of you! There’s a new champ in the family.”

Joseph spoke up, startling me out of my thoughts.

“How about we do a few photos of the three of you now that you know that they are here? We can show the photos to Vince and maybe he can use them on WWE.com.”

So, the three of us posed together for a bunch of photos and this time the smile on my face was as genuine as it could get. My brothers got to see me wrestle and win my first title at WrestleMania. What more could a girl ask for?

[fanficimagery]

Imagine Enzo always being there to listen to anything you have to say, whenever you need him (Part 1 of 2).

Prompt courtesy of @obscure-imagines 

Enzo X Reader

Sitting at a park bench and staring up at the clock tower in town square, you can't help but contemplate life. Your left knee bounces rather rapidly for no apparent reason and you find yourself feeling rather downhearted.

"Well hello, Gorgeous." Glancing to your right, you see Enzo sauntering up. You smile and stand to briefly hug him, the both of you then sitting back on the bench as you shove your hands back into the pockets of your jacket. "Penny for your thoughts?"

"I'm not sure a vampire such as yourself is equipped for my lowly human problems, Handsome."

"I do love the pet name, darling." Enzo smirks and you chuckle. "But what are you doing out here all alone? Shouldn't you be with the scooby gang?"

You shrug. "I'm having a bit of an existential crisis."

"Really?" He drawls.

"Yeah." Heaving a sigh, you ask, "Do you really want to hear this? Or am I keeping you from scouring for dinner?"

"For you, Y/N, I've got all the time in the world."

"You really are trouble, Enzo St. John. I don't know how the ladies handle all that," you say while gesturing to his entire being. He merely laughs in return and settles in for the impending conversation. "So a while back, when we were at war with the Mikaelsons, I got trapped in a room with Caroline and Klaus. Skipping passed all the threats and violence, I ended up having a unique heart to heart with the Original Big Bad."

Enzo's right eyebrow quirks. "Truly?"

"Yep. We talked about my human status in a group of supernaturals. In a moment of weakness, I confessed how unhappy I was with my friends at the time." You pause to take a deep breath and then let it out in one harsh exhale. "Them being supernatural didn't bother me, but what did was how easily they could push aside people- pushed around Bonnie- when they needed their needs met. They didn't care who got hurt and in the long run, it was always me, Bonnie, Jeremy, or Matt."

"And what did the scary Original have to say about that?"

"He told me if I couldn't keep up, then maybe I needed an upgrade. He offered to turn me that night."

"You obviously refused."

"Barely," you quietly admit. "But that was a long time ago, so.."

Enzo shifts in his seat, turning towards you and you turn to face him. "So what brought this on tonight of all nights?"

Rolling your eyes, you glance back up the clock tower that's about to read 8:24P in just a few seconds. "I'm about to turn twenty right.. about.. now."

And without missing a beat, Enzo says, "Happy birthday, love."

You huff a brief laugh. "Thank you. But anyway, I got a package this morning from none other than Klaus Mikaelson himself. Apparently our heart-to-heart stuck with him after all these years."

"Oh? And what did the most dangerous man on Earth get you?" Pulling out one of your hands from your jacket pocket's warmth, you open your fist to show him what's sitting in the palm of your hand. "Is that a vial of blood?"

"Yep. Original blood. In a note, Klaus told me that should I ever change my mind he'd be proud to sire me even if he's not present for it." Enzo remains quiet and you quickly put the vial back in your pocket as you seek out his gaze. "Am I stupid for wanting this? For wanting to leave my meek human existence behind in favor of near immortality?"

Enzo takes a moment to ponder, his lips briefly pursing as he reaches in to move your hair behind your ear. "Y/N, this town is toxic. There is nothing wrong with wanting to become a little bit more sturdier, so if that means becoming a vampire then I am behind you one hundred percent."

"Really? You're not going to attempt to dissuade me? Especially since it's Original blood."

"It's your life, sweetheart. If it means using Original blood to reach your goal, then do it. Or if you want mine, I'll tap a vein for you right now." You snort and Enzo grins at you. "And once you become a creature of the night, we'll flee this ridiculous little town and the petty drama the Salvatore's keep finding. And that Gilbert girl. Ugh."

"Hey," you laugh. "Don't be harsh on Elena. She's a good person, she's just- she's.. Elena."

"And I'm just Enzo. So whatever you decide, I'm on your side. Lead a normal human life in Mystic Falls or join me on the dark side and travel the world?"

"Can you please not encourage her to go dark?" Someone suddenly muses. Glancing up, you bark a laugh when you see Bonnie standing there with a lone cupcake in hand and a single lit candle stuck in it. "Being a normal vampire is fine, just don't let her go out of control." Enzo huffs and Bonnie smirks at you. "Happy birthday, by the way."

"Thank you." You accept the cupcake, licking a bit of the frosting from the side. "How'd you know where to find me?"

"I might have performed a locator spell." Bonnie shrugs as if it were no big deal. "And I also got the most surprising phone call this afternoon from Klaus. He.. spilled the tea on a lot of things."

"Spilled the tea?"

Enzo's confused expression has you and Bonnie grinning. But instead of explaining, your friend goes on. "He told me what you thought about a long time ago and what you might have been contemplating tonight after he explained what he sent as a gift."

You groan. "He didn't."

"He did. He also asked me for a favor- a favor which I found myself accepting given it was for you."

"For me?" At Bonnie's nod, you then glance down when she reaches into her pocket and opens her fist to produce a very pretty lapis lazuli ring. Your eyes immediately tear up and your gaze darts up to your friend's face. "But you.. dislike vampires. After all they've put you and your family through-"

Bonnie gulps. "You are not them, Y/N. You won't be. At least you won't be with Enzo's guidance. Hopefully."

You shakily accept the ring from Bonnie before jumping up and hugging her, all without the lit candle going out on your cupcake. "I don't know how to thank you."

"You can thank me by never shutting off your emotions. No matter how much you're hurting, you feel it. You feel everything. Don't take the easy way out without having a fail safe in place that will bring your shining personality back."

"I'll do my best."

Enzo clears his throat. "We'll do our best, sweetheart. I'll be with you every step of the way."

As you and Bonnie pull apart, Bonnie grins at him. "I was hoping to hear you say that." She reaches back into her pocket, this time producing a masculine looking lapis lazuli ring. "Please don't make me regret this. If you're going to show a daywalker the ropes of being a vampire, then it only makes sense you're a daywalker too. And I totally give you permission to steal her ring if you think she's going off the deep end."

"Hey!"

Enzo blinks in surprise, he taking the ring as if it were something precious and delicate. "You're serious?"

"Yep."

A full smile blooms. "Bonnie Bennett, have I ever told you what a wonderful witch you are?"

"Sure, Enzo." Bonnie rolls her eyes, still smiling herself as she looks to you. "Whatever you decide, I am still your friend. But if you decide to turn, I suggest you leave Mystic Falls behind."

Your brow furrows. "What? But you just said-"

"I know what I said. But I also know our friends, Y/N. You're only still alive because you're human, but the second you become a vampire and more durable.. you become a capable fighter and expendable if it means protecting Elena."

You gape and Enzo sighs. "Well she's not wrong."

Taking a moment to collect your thoughts, you remember your cupcake in hand quickly blow out the candle before any more wax melts on your treat. Then, you ask, "What about you? I don't feel comfortable leaving you with all of them."

"I'm capable of looking after myself."

"I know you are, but still.."

"Go," Bonnie urges. "Live the life you truly want and send me a postcard at every new destination."

Your eyes tear up again as you throw yourself at Bonnie, she laughing as you squeeze her as tightly as you can. "You are the most amazing friend anyone can have, Bon. I won't forget this."

"Yeah, yeah. Now go with your vampire boy toy before everyone else finds you and makes you attend an impromptu birthday party." You pull back, eyes wide. "What?" She laughs.

"Vampire boy toy?"

"You and Enzo. You're totally a thing."

"We totally are not."

"You totally are. See? Not even Enzo is denying it."

You glance at Enzo and he shrugs before grinning. "She's not wro-"

"Just shut up." Letting go of Bonnie, you pocket your new ring before working on halving your birthday cupcake. Then offering her one piece, you jokingly cheers with them. "To a new beginning."

"To a happier life," she replies.

Once the cupcake is eaten you then reach into your pocket for the vial of blood. Uncorking it, you down it without second guessing yourself and walk back towards Enzo to loop your arm through his. "Ready to help me start this new life of mine?"

He grins. "Are you telling me I get the honor of snapping your neck?"

"Duh. Who else would I ask?"

Bonnie snorts, but her words, "You guys are weird. You deserve each other," go unheard.

"Sweetheart, it would be my genuine pleasure."

Glancing around to make sure no one is looking, Enzo only moves into action once Bonnie gives him the go ahead. Then between one blink and what was supposed to be the next, Enzo's hands grasp you around your chin and the back of your head. With a quick jerk of his hands, your world goes black.

[nowitsdarkfic]

chapter twenty (back to the watershed)

“Take that to the bank and call it a check, Masked without a weapon. I'm skinny as a spit pan, dealing with the shit plan. Playing with my bad hand: just another rock band.” -”Wattershed”, Foo Fighters

December 22, 1988. Seattle, Washington.

I open up the curtains in time to behold the sight of Lars, Spence, and the girls bounding into the driveway down below. I turn to Nancy, who's got her arms folded over her chest. I'm sure this is the next step in figuring all of this out. It's all so obvious to me now, and it should've been obvious to me before now. Oh, well. Better late than never, I suppose.

“They're here,” I tell her.

“Okay.” She opens her arms for me. I hold her close to me and her arms go all the way around my body. “You guys be careful, okay?”

“Of course.”

“And you take care of yourself for me, too,” she adds, pulling back and running her hand down my stomach.

“Thank you,” I tell her, “thank you for everything.”

Chris strides into the front room right then, dressed in a flannel shirt and black pants, and his long black wavy hair drifting back from his head.

“Catch you later, man,” he chirps at me.

“Yeah, you too, Chris—we'll be back before either of you know it, though. I'm sure of it. And you guys take care of yourselves!”

“Oh, we will,” he assures me, putting his arm around her.

“I have to protect him, anyways,” she adds, leaning up to his neck for a little kiss. I then wheel around and reach for my coat hanging on the hook next to the door. The gloves and my pinky ring are once again in the pocket; I put the latter on once I have the coat on over me and then I slip on the gloves as I'm descending the stairs. A risky move on my part but one that'll get me into the car in time. Spence climbs out of the passenger seat next to Lars and heads for the back seat behind it. I duck into the car and before I can even so much as put on my seat belt, Lars steps on it and we lunge forward to the pavement in front of us so as to make a loop around the complex. The hydrogen never makes a sound as we go forth.

“Joey, there's a raspberry danish in the back seat for you,” he begins as I buckle myself in. “Sonia has it.”

I turn my head as she's reaching into a brown paper sack on her lap; she hands me the golden and crispy danish with the light glaze on the top accompanied by a white tissue paper.

“Thank you,” I tell her as I take it and then, with my free hand, I take out my sunglasses from my coat pocket.

“Okay, so we're going back to the airport because the plane leaves in about an hour,” Marcia explains. “Barney and Billy are already there, I guess.”

“Okay, good,” I reply, taking a whiff of the danish first before eating it.

“So, tell me,” Lars starts as we reach the street, “—how'd you figure this whole thing out again?”

“Okay. It's simple.” I take a bite out of the danish. “Angeline and I had dinner at Maya's foster parents' house over in Boston a few weeks ago on Matt's birthday, and we found the house was totally advanced like how all of Seattle and the cafe we ate it in Ballard was totally advanced.”

“Right.”

“You know that medicine I gave you for your knee?”

“Yes?”

“It's made by Morlente Medicine, which—I guess?—is an offshoot of Maxwell Industries.”

“Morlente as in Maya's foster parents,” he follows along as we pull onto the street.

“Right! It's so stupidly simple that I can't believe I missed it, either.” I take another bite of the danish, which, despite being crispy on the outside, is light and fluffy on the inside, just how I want a danish to be. I swallow it down in order to speak again. “I've known Brick most of my life but I never knew what his parents did for a living. Do you see where I'm going with this?”

“Brick's parents are in cahoots with Maya's foster parents?” Spence asks me.

“Exactly! But this almost feels like a conspiracy, though. Like, why? Why would a couple of French Canadians want to go into business with them like that?”

“Probably can't get that in Quebec?” Lars suggests.

“Eh, who knows, really. I only sort of knew his parents because we were more intent on playing hockey and hanging out with each other whereas they were more intent on working.”

“But why would Brick's parents be a part of something that's so intent on killing him, though?” Spence wonders aloud. “That doesn’t make any sense.”

“I know, that's like the one thing that's throwing me, though,” I point out, licking some raspberry off my finger. “Why would his parents be a part of something so nefarious?”

“Wait a minute,” Lars stops me as we’re pulling up to a low hanging stoplight. “Are you telling me the shit you gave me for my knee is made by the same people who are Maya’s foster parents and are in cahoots with the same company that’s probably killing your best friend?”

“Yes,” I answer as hard as it is to answer that.

“And are you telling me the exact same shit you gave me for my knee is made by the same people who are Maya’s foster parents and are in cahoots with the same company that’s probably killing your best friend is the same shit Nancy rubbed on your belly after you were moaning and groaning in utter agony last night for that pain?”

“...yes.”

“What the serious—fucking what?”

“That’s what I’m wondering, too. But remember, Lars, it’s an offshoot from the parent company.”

“Yes, but—I remember distinctly it looking like some kind of... black tar with glimmers in it. Like neon glimmers.” The light turns green and we roll on forward with the sun in our eyes. Lars scoffs and tugs down the visor.

“Right, and their house is also full of the same millennia-ahead-of-everyone high tech that was in the cafe we ate at in Ballard when I first met Soundgarden. Tell me none of that is a coincidence.” I take another bite from the danish and catch a little bit of crumbs which fell from the corner of my mouth. “This is a really good danish, by the way.”

“Courtesy of Marcia,” Sonia pipes up.

“Really?”

“Smell the magic, Joseph,” Marcia replies. “Smell the magic.”

“I taste it, too.” Marcia really is not that bad. She just needs a little love, and I’m giving it to her by gobbling up this lovely danish before we reach the airport.

“Alright, so the three of us and the Greys,” Lars starts again, “are heading back to New York, and Marcia and Sonia are taking the car back up to Everett with them.”

“You’re not going to Portland?” I ask him, and then I remember. “Oh, right, right, right.”

“Yeah, it’s--yeah.” He shrugs at me. “And we still didn’t take a closer look at the heart of Seattle, too. Dammit!” He slaps the edge of the steering wheel.

“Probably don’t need to at this point, dude,” says Spence. “Joey’s pretty much got this in the bag.”

“I wouldn’t be so confident of that, though, Spence,” I point out to him as I’m dabbing my mouth with the paper, “I just answered one part of this whole puzzle and it only raised a metric shitload more questions. And even then I’m not feeling too good about answering that.”

“Why’s that?” Lars flashes me a raised eyebrow before turning back to face the road.

“Well, there’s the whole thing with Maya. I just answered what could be behind Brick. I figured out my best friend but I still have no idea what’s going on with her.”

“She does have that scar on her forehead,” Lars points out.

“Right. That’s what I’m talking about.” We fall into silence for a moment as we board onto the freeway and head on down to Sea-Tac. And then, I watch Lars knit his eyebrows together and cock his head to the side as if listening for something. Yeah, I’ve got a weird feeling, too.

“Hang on, hang on--” He closes his eyes. “You don’t think--”

I turn my head to see the disgusted look on his face, and I shake my head.

“No way,” I almost blurt out.

“No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. No. No. No. No. No. No.”

“Brick’s parents are nice people,” I quip at him, flexing my fingers inside of my gloves.

“They really are,” Spence joins in.

“Distant, but they are in fact nice people. They wouldn’t--”

“No,” Lars sputters out.

“They can’t,” I continue as the sign for the exit to the airport enters our view.

“No.”

“They can’t!”

“No!”

“They can’t! They couldn’t! They didn’t!”

“No!” Lars shrieks, slamming his hands on the edge of the steering wheel. “No! Nein! Ingen! Ingen! No! No!”

“They did!” Marcia and Sonia shout in unison.

“Oh my gracious God,” I groan out, running my leather-bound fingers through my hair before peering out the window. “It’s impossible. It’s just--there’s no way. They couldn’t do it to her.”

“But they somehow did!” Lars exclaims. I let out a low whistle.

“Let’s just go back to New York,” I grumble to him. “We’ll--figure out where to go from here while we’re on the plane.”

Once we’re at the airport, Lars, Spence, and I climb out of the car and bide Marcia and Sonia good-bye for now, and head on inside to meet up with Barney and Billy at our terminal. Right before we board the plane, Lars takes something out of the lush interior of his coat and shows it to me: a little dark grey square with nothing on it.

“What’s this?” I ask him, taking it from him.

“Your voice.” And then it dawns on me.

“Oh, right!”

“I can probably help you with production, too, if you’d like. I’ve done it thrice before.” His breath smells sweet, like he just had a danish himself before picking me up. Well, he does in fact have history with Marcia and Sonia. 

We step onto the plane and find our seats in the front of coach class, right behind first class. Some day I’ll be up there.

There is one person I want to speak to when we get back to New York and that’s of course Maya. My hope is she can give me some more insight because I’m dying here. There’s so much here and I just figured one aspect of the whole thing, and I almost don’t even know where to begin with all of it. I hope I can get her to talk. And if I can’t get her to talk, I hope I can get her to eat something. It’ll serve her right for stuffing me silly that one time, too.

But the very first thing I want to do before I do anything is do laundry. I’m not going to my parents’ house for Christmas looking like I can barely dress myself.

When I finally return home at about mid-afternoon, I head on down the hall to turn on the thermostat and set down my things. I take off my coat followed by my shirt.

Something stops me.

I turn my shirt inside out and bring my nose to the fabric that was right over my belly. It smells sweet, like sugar. It’s not from the danish, that’s for sure, given the smell is on the inside.

I think back to when I dissolved some of the serum in a glass of water for Lars’ knee. I remember, albeit a vague memory, that it’s only to be taken orally with some water. Nancy rubbed something that’s only to be taken orally with water on my belly along with some aloe. Either it was the aloe and the tea alone that did the trick for my pain, and that cybernetic serum shit is a phony, or someone else is lying to me now.

But the sweet smell is so clear and crisp in my nose: it’s like someone burned some sugar and poured the caramelization on the inside of my shirt and never managed to scrub out the smell.

That cybernetic serum shit is a phony.

“Placebo,” I mutter aloud, rubbing my bare stomach with my hand even though it’s still kind of sore and not in the same agonizing pain from last night. “And someone else is lying to me.”

[isthisthingeven0n]

delicate morning - part two : d.d

as requested here is part two of delicate morning, to make a bit of sense you might wanna read part one if you haven’t. and whilst you’re at it why not check out the rest of my writing on my masterlist? 

thank you for all the love and support, I’m excited for the new year and all I have planned! :)

Sitting opposite Joe he leans forward, a stunned expression on his face as he struggles to contain his laughter about the entire situation. 

His eyes dart from both of us as he lifts his fingers pointing between us to which I merely nod. “So, you guys actually,” His words trail off as I see David nod out of the corner of my eye, and Joe leans back into the sofa. “oh wow.” He starts laughing to himself before clapping his hands together.

“Did you see anything happen between us last night?” I speak up in hope of interrupting his overdramatic laughs. “Anything, Joe?” My voice becomes louder to drown out his laughter, and his giggles die down to a mere wheeze. 

Clearing his throat he pauses momentarily. I turn to look at David who focuses on Joe, rather than meeting my gaze. “I saw you guys pretty close in the kitchen. Dave spilt his drink on your dress as the evening was coming to an end.” 

I try to picture it, last night. Faintly I recall us talking in the kitchen as everyone was leaving. There was only us, Joe, Zane and Corinna. 

“I remember seeing Y/n head into the bathroom, but I didn’t see you again after that.” Joe tells me and I let out a deep sigh. “But I saw you a few more times that night Dave,” My ears perk up as Joe continues to recall the events of last night. “you were legless, to say the least.” 

David groans lightly into his hands and I pat his back lightly. “You weren’t the only one, remember.” I mumble and he slowly lifts his head back up, focusing on Joe. 

“You said to me you had to go see Y/n and everyone started leaving around one I think. I checked up on you but you were in bed when I left, and yeah.” Joe scoots closer off of the sofa, his arms resting on his thighs. “I guess after I left you guys just, got it on.” A small smirk forms on his lips and I roll my eyes. 

“Nothing else?” I ask helplessly, but Joe shakes his head. 

“So, this mean you guys are a thing?” He asks, raising an eyebrow to us both with a small smile on his face. 

I let out a dry laugh before looking over at David. “No, no no no.” I state clearly with a small laugh. “No that was,” Turning to look at David he remains quiet, not interjecting or agreeing. “a one-time thing.” I stand up and grab my bag. “Anyway, thanks Joe. I should probably get going. I told Zane I’d film with him and Matt today.” 

Letting myself out I feel my cheeks burning at that simple question, and I can’t help but let it linger for the entire day. 

David was just so David. 

He was David, the guy who was always there but not someone I always found myself looking at. He was sweet, kind hearted with a big grin on his face the majority of the time I saw him. 

But the David I woke up next to wasn’t the same David I’d seen and partially knew. This version was sexy, he was funny and a gentleman who respected my boundaries. 

Shaking my head I pull up at Zane’s and without needing to say anything I am greeted with that look. 

I sigh loudly and raise my hands up in defeat. “Alright Zane, say what you wanna say.” I grumble as I pass his judgemental gaze and head for the kitchen. 

He slowly follows behind me, making his footsteps heard clearly as he leans against the counter. “You guys slept together didn’t you?” He phrases it as a statement as opposed to a question. 

Turning to close the fridge door my eyes meet his. “Do I even need to respond?”

He claps his hands together and laughs loudly, “Oh wow, I didn’t expect you to have actually done it.” He exasperates and I take a seat at the breakfast bar. “How was it?”

Shrugging my shoulders he seems unconvinced. “Neither of us remember anything.” He frowns before rolling his eyes in response. “Hate to burst your bubble, but can we get on with filming at least?”

He murmurs to himself before motioning to my appearance. “Best get you cleaned up first.”

*

After turning the camera and equipment off I lean back into the sofa, yawning loudly as Zane sees me struggle to keep my eyes open.

“D’ya need to take a nap?” He asks and I shake it off.

“I’ll be alright, I should probably go see David.” I respond and he raises an eyebrow to me. “To see if he’s found out anything else about last night.” I explain, but Zane keeps that smile on his face before disassembling his tripod.

“Whatever you say, baby.” He states clearly as he walks me to the door, waving me off as I head back to my own house.

As I pull up to my own driveway I try to think about last night. But it is a broken record at this point, playing the same lyrics over and over. I remember leaving my house, arriving at David’s and immediately being brought into drinking games with Heath and Zane. The second I try to think any further into the evening it is all blurred and censored by own minds restrictions. 

Yawning loudly I take my phone out of my pocket, going to text David, but he’s one step ahead of me. 

is it alright if I come over soon?

sure, let yourself in 

Throwing my phone on my bed I lie down, finding myself slowly shuffling closer into my pillows as another yawn slowly escapes my lips. 

My eyes feel heavy as they start closing and I mumble to myself, “Just a few minutes won’t hurt.” 

Closing my eyes I bring my legs close to my chest, kicking my blanket up over myself as I keep my phone face up, knowing the second I hear a text come through I’ll awaken. 

*

David

Turning the front door I silently let myself in. I let out a shaky breath as I wipe my hands on my jeans as I head through the hallway. Usually, music sounds through the rooms, but today there is nothing. 

“Y/n?” I call out as I slowly pace towards her open living room. 

I take the moment to look at the photos on her shelves, the ones I’ve never really noticed before. 

In each of them, she’s different. She’s happy, drunk, with family, laughing with friends, playing with her pets at home. 

I can’t ignore the smile on my face that I see reflect through the picture frames, and I cast my eyes away. 

After last night I can’t deny how I feel. Whatever lead to us being together last night, whether it be a mistake or something more I can’t act like it didn’t happen. If Y/n wants us to go back to being kind of friends so be it, but I think it might be hard to distance myself after being so close. 

My ears perk up as I hear the sound of a soft snore and I turn to see a door slightly ajar with some cushions decorating the wooden floorboards. 

And there she lies, all curled up in a blanket. She has her mouth partly open as she snores quietly whilst her hand rests under her cheek whilst the other holds onto the blanket. 

Remaining still I analyse this current state, the one I wasn’t able to admire this morning due to sheer panic. But now, now she is perfectly calm, content. 

I reluctantly move closer and step over the cushions towards her bed and sit down next to her. 

Moving the flyaways from her face I gently tuck them behind her ear, her cheeks so soft, so smooth. 

“I know you’re fast asleep, which is actually kind of a relief.” I whisper with a small laugh as she is completely out of it, not hearing a single word I am about to say. “But last night, however it happened, well I know how it happens but I mean, the events leading to it I, I don’t regret it.” 

She shuffles ever so slightly and I freeze on the spot. I swear I can see a small smile forming on her face, but I shake it off, convincing myself I am merely imagining it for my own sake. 

“And yeah, I am glad it happened. I, I guess what I’m trying to say is I wouldn’t mind it happening again. Maybe not the way it did last night, but, but,” I sigh loudly, running my fingers through my hair in frustration as the words struggle to form. “I like you, and I don’t really know what to say as I don’t know how to talk about this and you’re unconscious so you won’t even know I’ve told you this when you wake up.” 

Quietly laughing to myself I realise how pointless this all is and turn around, facing the window as I focus on the sun setting over the city from her window. 

“Hey,” She whispers and I quickly turn around, seeing her hand rest on top of mine. “I like you too dummy.” 

She moves to sit upright, blanket still draped over her and the imprint from her rings leaves a mark on her cheek. But despite her hair out of place and still being half asleep, she looks beautiful. 

“You heard all of that?” I ask as I cringe internally, and she simply chuckles, nodding in response. “And you still like me?” 

“Yeah,” Y/n answers with a smile growing on her face. “I mean, I didn’t exactly know what to make of last night but I did a lot of reflecting on my drive home.” She explains and all I can do is focus on the glint in her bright eyes and the movement of her lips. “I never thought of you in that way, but now that I have I wouldn’t mind giving it a go.” She clears her throat and nudges closer to me. “I mean, only if you do that is,” 

I rest my hand on her cheek and lock eyes with hers. “Yeah,” I whisper as I close the space between us and place my lips on hers. 

Closing my eyes I feel her hand rest on my arm as she deepens the kiss. 

Even if we did this last night it feels like the first time, and I know there is so much more to come. 

[crazedlunatic]

Hero

“Hey, I thought you were going to pick me up after work!” Adrian walked into Matt’s kitchen.

Matt, who was sitting at the kitchen table and still in his uniform, looked up. The fact that he was still in his uniform was unusual. He generally took it off as soon as possible because usually it was disgusting. It could have anything on it from blood to urine to serious drug residue on it.

“Hey.”  Matt said, taking a bite of a cereal bar.

“Are you… okay?”

“Sorry. I, uhm, was going to call but I just got home.”

“You were supposed to get off at 4:00. It’s 10:00.” Adrian looked at him, confused.

“I had to stay late.”

“Did someone call in?”

“No. I had to talk to a chaplain.”

“Like… a preacher?”

“I guess but it’s kind of more of a counselor thing for us. He only brings religion into discussion if you bring it up first.” Matt sighed as his personal cell phone started to ring. He held it up to his ear. “I’m fine, Mama. I’ll call you in the morning. I’m going to bed… yeah, I promise… Yes, I’ve eaten.”

Adrian sat at the table next to him, confused. Any other time Matt talked to anyone from his family on the phone, it was usually laughing and joking. Something was definitely going on.

“Yeah, Mama. I know. Yes, I know Logan is down the street. You do know I’m almost 23, right?” Matt gave Adrian an annoyed look. “Good night. I love you too.”

“What happened?”

“I haven’t eaten since this morning and if I don’t eat this before I talk about it, I won’t eat and then I’ll be sick on duty tomorrow. Can you wait?” Matt said.

“Yeah.” Adrian, who had leaned forward, sat up straight against the chair. He moved his foot back and forth anxiously because it was literally taking forever for Matt to finish his Cheerios breakfast bar. Forever. He’d seen Matt down two in the span of three minutes however it seemed to take Matt a whole minute to take one bite and swallow it.

It was just weird.

Matt let out a frustrated sigh when his phone rang, picking it up. “I’m literally going to turn my phone off if you people don’t quit harassing me. I am in bed trying to sleep.”

Adrian gave him a look seeing as he… obviously was not in bed.

“Fine. I am at my table. But I’m also fine and I would like to eat so I could go to bed and be back in hell bright and early in the morning… God, Mark. No, I don’t want a three day weekend… you guys are driving me crazy. I will stop by Mom and Dad’s in the morning and I’ll report to your office like a good boy as soon as I make it in… Sorry, I’m not trying to be a dick… okay, bye.” Matt shut his phone off.

“Matt…” Adrian bit his lip as Matt’s work cell phone started to ring.

“I can’t. I’m done.” Matt stood up, walking out of the room and leaving his cell phone to ring.

Did he ignore his personal cell phone? Only all the time.

The work one? Absolutely not since he was over forty people who often needed approval for stuff or who even knows what they needed.

Adrian followed Matt into the living room and sat next to him.

“Why don’t they just hang up?” Matt groaned.

“Matt…”

Matt glanced at Adrian, his eyes teary.

“What happened today? Why do people keep calling you?”

Matt covered his face when his cell phone started to ring again.

Adrian hopped up and quickly went back into the kitchen. He saw it was Matt’s dad and answered it. “Hey, I think he needs some downtime right now.”

“Can you stay there tonight?” His dad asked urgently.

“Yes.” Adrian’s response was instant—like he would have left Matt like this alone anyway. Because this just wasn’t even his Matt.

“Call me on either phone if you need anything and try to make sure he eats more than just a stupid breakfast bar, okay?”

“I’ll try to get him to.” Adrian said.

“Go ahead and turn his work phone off. Is it okay if I call you if something comes up?” Matt’s dad asked.

“Of course. You can always call me.”

“Thank you.” Matt’s dad sounded relieved. “Let me know if you two need anything, alright? I’ll let everyone in the family know that you’ve got your phone on you but hopefully they’ll leave you alone.”

“You don’t have to thank me.” Adrian glanced at Matt in the other room, who was staring at his shoe and clearly lost in thought.

“Just… Make sure he falls asleep before you do, okay? Otherwise he won’t get any. I’m going to see about getting his shift tomorrow covered.”

“Okay.” Adrian said, eyes still on Matt.

After a few more sentences which were mostly Matt’s dad saying without saying to keep an eye on Matt, they ended the call and Adrian turned Matt’s work cell phone off. He then came back into the room slowly and sat next to Matt on the couch.

Matt leaned against him, slouching down so his head was on Adrian’s shoulder.

“Do you want to talk yet?”

“No.” Matt whispered as Adrian stroked his hair.

“Do you want to watch something?”

“No.”

“Can I do anything?” Adrian pulled back a bit to look at him.

“Just… be here.” Matt let out a shuddery breath.

Adrian continued to run his fingers through Matt’s hair for nearly an hour, his stomach in knots. The only time he’d gone this long without hearing Matt’s voice when they were together was if Matt was asleep.

Finally, Matt pushed himself into a sitting position and he looked at Adrian.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” Matt said, his voice sounding more like his own. Not quite there, but… not like it had been an hour prior.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“I don’t want you to have to think about it.” Matt frowned.

“I want to know.” Adrian insisted.

“It’s… pretty bad.”

“I know.” Adrian nodded. “But I still want to know. You need to talk about it.”

“I was riding alone today and… uhm… I got a call about an unresponsive kid but nothing other than that.” Matt sniffled a bit. “And I got there and this, uhm… this mom r-ran over her son b-but not all the way so, like this three year old little boy’s face and skull is crushed in and he’s barely breathing and there’s nothing I could do but hold this dying baby as this mom is freaking out and I didn’t know what to do. Like… what? How do you hold this dying baby and just… sit there like a fucking kid because you can’t do anything? And why didn’t the parents hold him? Why? And why did the ambulance take so long? Not that they could do anything either.”

“I don’t know.” Adrian whispered, his heart breaking. Maybe it was horrible but he was still more worried about Matt. He had never seen Matt like this and he didn’t want to ever again. And if Matt’s dad was that worried, how bad had it been for him to stay six hours after his shift ended talking to a chaplain?

“And it’s so messed up. I’m sitting here thinking why didn’t she just finish running him over so this poor kid isn’t in this pain? And why couldn’t I do anything but just sit there? Why couldn’t the EMT’s tell me something to do over the phone? Why didn’t she know where her kid was? I know it’s not her fault but why? Why do all these horrible things just perfectly align and end up in this horrible, horrible thing? I felt so useless. I couldn’t do anything and he was still alive. I’ve never felt so useless in my life. I always make it better but I couldn’t d-do anything. And I just love the kids.” Matt covered his face, beginning to cry loudly.

Not even normal cries. It was louder and much harder than that.

“I can’t… Like, I’ve cut people down from ceiling fans and I’ve seen these mangled bodies and I’ve walked into welfare checks with dead old grandmas and grandpas but nothing hurts like this. And she knew. The dad knew. We all knew this baby boy was going to die. You don’t live without a skull, Adrian. You can’t.” Matt sobbed. “So, what’s the fucking point? God. Why didn’t she just run all the way over his head so he didn’t have to—oh my God.” Matt leaned over, throwing up.

Adrian pulled Matt into his arms when he stopped puking, wrapping his arms around him tightly.

He didn’t even know his heart could feel this broken. The last time he’d seen Matt, earlier that morning, he’d been so excited. They were going to go to a festival in Boston when he got off work at 4:00. Sure, they’d only catch the end but it was something to do. And he’d been so happy and laughing like he always did.

And this was exactly the opposite.

Matt cried harder into Adrian’s chest, hand gripping Adrian’s side—not painfully. Just enough to know Adrian was there.

“Shh.” Adrian rocked him a bit. “Shh, shh, shh. It’s okay.”

“It’s not.” Matt protested, sitting up and looking down at his vomit. “It’s not okay. Nothing is okay, Adrian.”

“It will be.” Adrian touched his wet cheek.

“God. I’ve got to clean that.” Matt moved to stand.

“No. You stay there.” Adrian stood and went into the other room to get some old towels. He could feel Matt’s eyes on him as he cleaned it up. “I’m going to throw these in the washer and I’ll be back, okay?”

“Thank you.” Matt’s voice was soft.

Adrian forced a smile before going into the laundry room. He took a deep breath, pulling dry clothes out of the dryer and putting them in a basket. He then moved the stuff in the washer to the dryer, turned that on, and then started the towels in the washer.

He came back into the living room, placing the clean clothes basket on a chair next to the couch.

“You didn’t have to do that.” Matt said.

“I know.” Adrian sat next to him again. “I love you, Matt.”

“I love you too.” Matt gave a very forced smile.

“You are such a special person to do what you do… and you’re so brave. I know tonight was really hard and I’m so sorry, but you’re my hero… and you are also that boy’s parents hero because you did something they couldn’t and you comforted that boy in his last moments.”

“He wasn’t conscious.” Matt shook his head. “It didn’t even matter. He didn’t know.”

“I don’t care.” Adrian shook his own head.

“It just… hurt more than when it’s adults in speeding accidents… or kids in speeding accidents. Or anything.” Matt sniffled and wiped his eyes. He then whimpered, “I don’t know. Adrian, sometimes I love this job but sometimes I r-really hate it.”

“You can do anything you want to do.” Adrian whispered even though it wasn’t like anyone else could hear.

“No. I’m not smart like you.”  Matt shook his head.

“You want to know a secret?”

Matt gave him a weird look.

“I know you are. I talk to your mom, you know? She told me that you got into NYU, Boston University, Harvard University, and Amherst College. You couldn’t pick one so you decided to take a year off to figure out what you wanted to do, you got an associates in law enforcement, and began police courses the day you turned 19.” Adrian looked him in the eyes. “There’s a reason you’re over people twice your age and that reason isn’t just because of who your dad is. You can do anything you want to do… and for the record if  you do go to school, I will go wherever you go… because I know you can do it and you’ll deserve it a lot more than me.”

“I can’t quit my job… The force has put too much money in me. In three years, I start active SWAT training. They’ve spent thousands sending me to classes on management and training, tactics…”

“And you’ve used it well and you’ve saved hundreds of lives.” Adrian said. “I just hope you know that your happiness comes first. I’m here whether you’re a law enforcement officer or not… and I’d love you even if you worked at Taco Bell… Blaine would really love that because he’s a big Taco Bell fan.”

“I have thought about it.” Matt admitted. He then added, voice softer, “Mama really wants me to go back to school.”

“What do you want?” Adrian asked.

“You. To be with you.”

Adrian smiled and kissed the top of Matt’s head. “Besides me?”

“I don’t know.” Matt bit his lip.

“Well I’m here for you whatever you decide.” Adrian stood. “Come on. Let’s at least try to get some sleep, okay?”

“I have to get up so early.” Matt sighed.

“Your dad texted me. Your shift tomorrow is covered.” Adrian held out a hand to help him up.

A look of relief flooded Matt’s face and Adrian wrapped an arm around him.

“You are my hero. I hope you know I wasn’t just saying that.” Adrian looked at him.

“I better be because I didn’t give you a ticket that day.” Matt attempted to joke.

“Tomorrow will be better.” Adrian promised once they got into Matt’s bedroom. He immediately went to Matt’s dresser and pulled out two pairs of pajamas.

Matt took one pair and pulled them on. “I don’t know why you don’t bring your own. I told you that you could have the two drawers I never use.”

“You know I have to steal everything that you love. Food, blankets, clothes…” Adrian changed into the pair he usually stole—which also happened to be the pair that Matt wore the most.

Matt laid down as he rolled his eyes.

Adrian laid next to him, draping an arm over him and scooting right up to his back.

“Can you wait for me to fall asleep before you do?”  Matt asked, voice soft.

“I already planned to.” Adrian kissed the back of Matt’s shoulder.

“Thanks.” Matt said, relaxing against Adrian. “I love you, Adrian.”

“I love you too, Matt.” 

[builder051]

Higher (Part I)

Daredevil!  Avocados at Columbia.  This is Part 1 of what I hope to be a 3-parter.  I wanted it to be a one shot, but it’s too long.  I have about half of part 2 written, and it will come (hopefully) within the week.

_____

Can you take me higher?

To the place where blind men see

Can you take me higher?

To the place with golden streets

_____

Matt’s so relieved to be inside that he almost slips on the patch of bare linoleum in the doorway to his room.  His shoes are wet from wading through the soupy trenches of snow that criss-cross the quad.  It’s the first full day of classes after the holiday break, but the campus still seems winterized, as if maintenance isn’t expecting students back for a few more days.

Matt breathes in sharply and reaches for the wall, his cane dropping from his limp grip.  He’s not too impressed with the way the air burns on its way out of his throat.  He feels like he could cough up a fish hook.  And there are another 15 or so scraping around in his sinuses.

Matt almost expects to hear the tinkle of fine metal hitting the floor.  The sound of his cane bouncing off something big and hollow catches him off guard, but it brings him back to reality.  His brain makes the jump, the oh of realization, even though the rest of the faculties necessary to think in words haven’t caught up yet.

“Whoa there.”  Swiveling wheels bump over a ridge and grind to a stop on the industrial-grade carpet.  Foggy’s suitcase falls over almost immediately.  “Hey, buddy.”  His voice hitches as he bends to right it, and he hands the cane back to Matt upside-down.

The tip is freezing and gritty against Matt’s palm.  “Oh,” he replies lamely.  His ability to speak in multi-syllabic words is still offline.

“Whoops.”  Foggy straightens up and flips the cane.  Matt hears the sleeve of his friend’s sweatshirt brush the body, worn jersey swishing against worn jersey.  Presumably he’s holding out the cane and waiting for Matt to take it.  But Matt doesn’t need it now; their tiny dorm room is easy to navigate without it, even when stray suitcases pose a trip hazard. Maybe Foggy forgot.  Or leftover Christmas cheer is making him extra polite.

“Here ya go, Matt.”

Foggy seems casual enough, but Matt’s ears are ringing, and he doesn’t have enough input from his other senses to tell if he’s putting on airs.  Fear and stress induce observable changes, like quickened heart rate and a sour tang to the air.  But mild concern sounds like nothing and smells like potato chips and Downy.

A drip escapes Matt’s nose and shivers for a moment before it runs down his upper lip.  He wipes the moisture with the back of his hand, cringing a little at the savagery of it.  Foggy’s not exactly clean and tidy, but Matt still expects him to unleash a comment or two about acting civilized.

“I’ll just put it here for you.”  Foggy steps around his suitcase and leans the cane against the wall beside Matt’s bed. “Alright?”

“Hm?”  Was that a question?  Is he supposed to answer?  Matt jars himself out of the murky world of memory just as he remembers where he was criticized with such pre-Columbian terminology.  Sister… what was her name?  The one who was a missionary in Asia.  Or was it Africa?

Matt’s wristwatch slides an inch or so up his forearm, pulling hairs painfully taut between the icy metal and tender skin. He forces his thoughts through the intervening decade at warp speed, trying to focus on now.  On whatever Foggy just asked, or didn’t ask.  “Yeah,” Matt says with a wince.

There’s a beat of awkward silence, then the fan of the heater kicks on with a whine, and a gust of hot, dry air blows down from the vent in the ceiling.  Matt expects it to feel good.  Compared to the drafty halls of the orphanage, a room with a direct connection to the heating system is a luxury.  He supposes somewhere in the depths of his brain he’s glad to be rid of the chill in his bones, but the relief is lost in a slick of clamminess beading on his forehead.  A minute ago he could excuse his malaise as tiredness.  But now Matt just feels sick.

“Huh?”  It’s Foggy’s turn to be confused.  Matt analyzes his reaction like a brain teaser, grateful for the distraction from what’s quickly becoming nausea.  Foggy hadn’t uttered a full word, but his voice was full of the drawn-out, wistful cadence that comes with a stretch of the short-term memory.  He’s trying to remember if what Matt said jives with what he originally asked.

“You ok, bud?”  He must’ve decided it didn’t.  Foggy pulls his pop-up hamper out of Matt’s desk chair, spinning it around and throwing the nylon bag into a slippery heap on his side of the room.

Matt wonders if he’s pale.  He’s on the point of shrugging and saying he’s fine, but Foggy keeps talking.

“I was gonna ask if you wanted to go to a party, but I’m gonna go ahead and go with no.”  He puts his hand on Matt’s shoulder and squeezes a subtle invitation for him to sit.

The touch of Foggy’s palm doesn’t typically feel like barbed wire.  Especially not a gentle gesture through two layers of clothing.  The problem’s not with Foggy, though.  Mat knows it’s all on him.

“How’d you guess?” Matt tries to joke as he sits.  He doesn’t do a good job, but his head gives a renewed throb anyway. It’s like attempting to be funny has drained another reserve from his energy bar.  He leans forward and rests his elbows on his knees, head tilted sideways and his cheek pressed against the bony ridges of his knuckles.  The difference in temperature between his hands and his face is extreme.  The whole setup feels precarious, like he could tumble forward onto the carpet at any moment.

“Oh, something about your color,” Foggy says.  He moves his suitcase again, tucking it against the foot of his bed and retracting the handle.  “It’s like the snow outside.”  He laughs sympathetically.  “And that’s not the fresh, pretty kind.”

So it’s worse than Matt thought.  He’s past pale, onto grey.  “Thanks,” he mutters.  Then, “Sorry.”  He takes off his glasses and rubs his eyes, though he’s trembling so much he practically sticks his thumb through his orbit.  It hurts, but not the spot he poked.  Pins and needles erupt under Matt’s cheekbones.  He isn’t sure if he’s going to sneeze or throw up.

“Nah, apologize to yourself, man.”  Foggy’s shoes cross the room, and Matt hears him pulling tissues out of the box. “Here.”

“I’m ok.”  Matt pinches his glasses in one hand and the bridge of his nose in the other.  He doesn’t want to let go of either.  Even thinking about moving brings a threatening knot to his throat.

“No, you’re not.  Trade you.”  Foggy snags the glasses and stuffs the tissues between Matt’s fingers.  “Like Indiana Jones.”  He’s a little less coordinated, but he laughs anyway.

“Stealthy.”  Matt sniffles and reluctantly dabs under his nostrils.  His ears are plugged up, but the sound of the Kleenex scraping against his stubble still seems loud.

“Yeah, well.”  Foggy grabs the creaky wicker basket from atop the microwave.  It was a lucky dumpster find at the beginning of the previous semester, and it’s been useful as a mobile medicine cabinet.  For as sloppy as Foggy can be when it comes to things like cleaning the shoes that got vomited on at a kegger back in October, he’s surprisingly good at staying organized.  He’d arranged all the boxes and bottles of over-the-counter remedies according to function and even offered to get braille labels printed.  Matt said no.  But thanks.  He didn’t go into the details of the smelling and feeling he uses to tell what’s what.  He did buy a clean set of shoelaces, though, and re-threaded Foggy’s Nikes one night after he was asleep.

Matt remembers the smell of beer and bile too well.  The snot he’s been swallowing all day bubbles a threat , making his gut feel tight and sore somewhere around mid-chest.  He swallows hard and tries to forget about it.

“That’s the kind of cold it’s easy to sneak up on.”  Foggy paws through the bottles of pills and packets of lozenges.  “But I think I’d hear you coming a mile away.”

“Hm.”  Matt’s positive that the chills, the nausea, the gunk in his lungs all point to something a touch more severe than a cold.  He’d stay in denial if he thought he could, but he’s beginning to seriously doubt he’ll make it to class tomorrow.  If he can even get out of bed at all.  Foggy will fuss over him regardless, but in the choice of sooner or later, Matt would prefer later.  “A party, eh?” He changes the subject.  “Bit soon, isn’t it?”

Foggy’s been back at school for, what, eight hours?  He hasn’t finished unpacking yet.  It might take him the rest of the week to see his neatly folded jeans and boxers back into his dresser, but that’s beside the point.  Who goes to a party on a Monday night?  Boozers and troublemakers.  Not Foggy.  And definitely not Matt, even when isn’t feeling like death warmed over.

“Well, maybe party is the wrong word.”  Foggy sets a sloshing bottle down on the edge of Matt’s desk, then a rattling one. “Cough medicine and ibuprofen,” he says.  “I thought we had dayquil, but looks like you’ll have to take the components individually.  Want me to dose you?”

“I can do it.”  

It’s not a lie.  Matt can.  It’s not exactly a smooth process, rubbing the pad of his thumb against the raised lines on the side of the little measuring cup, then holding his ear close as he pours, listening and feeling for minute changes in vibration when the liquid reaches the proper level.  He’s more worried about his gag reflex, and he’d rather not have an audience, just in case the syrupy medicine doesn’t go down so well.  “So…”  Matt reaches for the thread of the conversation.  “It’s not a party?”

“You ever played white elephant?” Foggy asks.

“No,” Matt replies, almost defiant in his honesty.  “I know what it is, though,” he adds quickly.  He’s not in the mood for an explanation.  Something about the concept of people buying each other lame gifts on purpose rubs him the wrong way.  The cheap stuffed animals and flimsy ping pong games the nuns handed out can be twisted into something goofy when he retells the stories, but they weren’t supposed to be.  In the years since, Matt’s flip-flopped, wondering how anyone could think dollar store merchandise would delight children who were all smart enough to know about the Toys R Us catalogue.  Then the predictable guilt hits, and he wonders how horrible of a person he is for expecting to get anything at all.

“Well, this is like the white elephant of white elephants,” Foggy prattles on.  “I guess it’s something the law students do every year?  It said annual on the flyer.”

“Must be, then.”  It must be the mucous sticking to the walls of Matt’s throat that make him sound like such a dick.  He certainly isn’t doing it on purpose.  At least, not too much.

“Anyway,” Foggy says, his eye-roll obvious.  “You bring your most ridiculous Christmas gift, or the one you’re most eager to get rid of, and pan it off on somebody else.  For example…”  He trails off as he unzips a pocket on his suitcase.  “Behold.  The Little Book of Yoga.”  Foggy reads aloud in a voice rather like an impresario announcing what’s behind the curtain at a freak show.  “Simple poses to change your life!”

Matt coughs out a laugh.  “Is that from your mom?”

“Grandma, actually,” Foggy says a little guiltily.  “I feel kind of bad giving it away, but it’s not like I’m gonna use it…”  Matt assumes he’s shaking his head.  Usually he can hear Foggy’s hair whipping around his chin, but his last thick swallow made his ears pop.  The echo is yet to die down.

“Can’t beat the logic,” Matt offers.  A wave of sickly heat washes over him again, reminding him that he meant to take off his coat and lie down.  “I don’t have anything to trade anyway.”  Matt wiggles out of his jacket, uncomfortably aware of gaping sweat stains in his armpits.  He undoes the top few buttons, just enough to lessen the constricting feeling around his neck a little.  He isn’t usually shy about undressing in front of Foggy, but today it seems unnecessarily embarrassing, like baring his body only ups the factors that make him different, that make him lesser.

Matt doesn’t say that he didn’t get a single present this year.  He doesn’t need to.  Foggy already knows, Matt can tell.  He probably observed and inferred, like a proper lawyer-to-be.  He probably noticed there weren’t any new knick knacks on Matt’s side of the room and added that to his choice to stay at school for intersession classes despite his perfect GPA.  But goosebumps prickle up Matt’s arms, half suspicion and all fever.  Can Foggy smell it on him?  His poverty?  His pitifulness?

“You could wrap up that Delsym.  Bet somebody would enjoy it.”  Foggy chuckles.  When Matt doesn’t reply, he drops into a more serious tone.  “For real, though.  Get some rest.  I’ll give you some space.  You probably got all used to life without me, and here I am, mucking things up right when you’re not feeling good.”  He laughs again, but this time it’s different. The words are only funny because they’re true.

“No, Fog, it’s fine.”  Matt stands up and toes off his shoes, as if that somehow changes the atmosphere between them. “I’m fine.”

“Matt…”  Foggy gives him a gentle push in the direction of his bed.  “Go to sleep.  You sure you don’t want me to measure out your meds?”

“I’m sure.  You go have fun.”

“Ok.”  Foggy sighs.  “If you need something, call me.  Otherwise, I’ll stay out of your way.  See if I can get some blonde bombshell to take me home for the night.”

“So…”  Matt muses, turning down his blankets.  “Back by midnight?”  He smiles, even though it hurts.

“Ten-thirty, probably.”  Foggy picks up his keys.  “See ya.”

“Yeah…”  The word still hangs in the air after Foggy closes the door.  The room feels empty without him.  Colder, too.  For as much as Matt wanted him to go, now he wishes he still had Foggy’s soft, bumbling presence to distract him from the workings of his own fevered brain.