#can we get a lovely freelancer and darlin meet up

[vollerey]

pov adam

no lovely, u didnt meet vincent at wonder world yesterday. it was me. these hips do lie and they lied to you, lovely. shakira shakira fucking dies

IM OSRYRYYR THE REFERNECE IS SO SILLY I LOVE MY BRAIN HEEPEPDODJDLEPEPEJFRJDKDPPL>€~£{€}€£#¥{¥]’nnwban

[penncilkid]

Welcome to the first official installment of my new rarepair tag! I hope you enjoy it.

///

Pick N Mix Medley

Pairing: Melodic Scars // Camelopardalis/Gavin/Darlin

[Rarepair Headcanons]

-Maia ("Darlin") [She/Her (but doesn't mind/care about others)] // 5'11" // Afro-Indigenous/Maori

-Camelopardalis // 5'1" w/o horns // Asian (To be further specified later)

-Gavin // 6'1" w/o horns // Black

///

[How We Get There/The Logistics]

-The first time Maia and Cam meet is prior to the issues with Quinn reach a head. She comes in to DUMP trying to file a report about an incident he caused, looking disheveled and frantic. Various DUMP workers dismiss her, eventually trying to outright ask her to leave until Cam notices and offers to take her to his office to speak with her instead. Their meeting doesn't last longer than a few minutes, Maia second guessing herself and panicking about even "snitching" on Quinn after not too long. Before she can leave, though, Cam hands her a card with his contact information: An open offer to reach out again if she needs him.

-Maia leaves Dahlia following the Quinn mess in June 2020. While back in Washington, she discovers Cam's contact card shoved away into the pocket of some bag. After a few days of eyeing where it sat on her nightstand, she gives Cam a call. They begin talking semi-frequently, becoming casual friends but both keeping one another at an arm's length for their own reasons. At least a handful of times, Maia comes back to visit Dahlia solely to see/talk to Cam. There's something about having a space distant enough from the pack that is comforting.

-Gavin and Cam first meet following the events of "The Cost". In this rarepair AU, Gavin and Freelancer are friends rather than ever becoming formal lovers but he's still more than willing to square up with Vega on their and Caelum's behalf. While in DUMP custody after that, he crosses paths with the serenity daemon and is immediately intrigued by him. After his release, he comes back by DUMP, looking for any opportunity to talk to Cam— which Cam initially deflects. Think something to the effect of "I'm far older than you and will not be easily swayed or charmed by your little tricks. You'll have to do better than that if you want my attention." (Which makes the chase all the more thrilling for Gav)

-The first time Gavin and Maia meets, Maia is visiting Cam at a time Gavin happens to be lurking around his office. Gavin gets to see firsthand what Cam is like when his guard is let down more via his interactions with Maia. This catching Gavin's interest, he approaches Maia after they've left— However, she's still a bit skittish, unsure of how to approach this because of how her and Quinn met and ended up.

-Initially, Maia is quite harsh towards Gavin— a wolf that bites back and all that jazz. It's an obvious defensive strategy, doing what she knows how to try and push away this strange incubus who's taken a liking to her. But seeing as Gavin is a being who can clock emotions in humans and such, he sees right through it (which terrifies Maia in a way). There would be a moment where Gavin points this out and Maia asks why he doesn't take advantage of her then. Seeing Gavin's faltered flicker of hurt would be enough to make Maia dial back the hostility and try to get to know him.

-Seeing as they're both d(a)emons, Cam and Gavin are both aware when the attraction is beginning to form between the three of them. For all Cam's hidden smiles and playfully disapproving eyerolls, he's become rather fond of Gavin. And enough visits with Maia in Washington has shown them both that what they mean to one another runs deeper than anticipated.

-When Maia does come back to Dahlia (shortly before or after meeting Sam) is when things become official. It's been months since they've all meshed as a trio and I'd like to imagine it's after one of the times Maia nearly dies fighting a vampire that she calls up them both and is like "I like you— Actually no, I'm in love with you. I am. I know that I am and that's— fucking terrifying but I don't want to pretend like I'm not. So I'm admitting it and we can see what to do next if you two don't mind that." Cut to them both showing up at her place as soon as possible, scolding her for her injuries before kissing her face and tending to them.

-(So loosely speaking, they'd be officially dating mid summer of 2021 give or take)

///

[Dynamic Headcanons]

-Cam has utilizes a more human form/hides his horns and such during the day (if he's gonna be interacting with humans more) versus at night/when he's alone in his office. For that reason, Maia one night asks Cam if she can see him at his "most comfortable". As she waits in another room, she's reminding him that this isn't about her, it's about his comfort and such and her supporting what that looks like. When he calls her into the room, she's just mesmerized. She imagines this must be what it feels like for someone to see her shifted for the first time because she cannot take her eyes off of him. She asks if she can touch any of him and he says yes, and her fingers are so careful as they graze against his horns and cup his face so she can stare into his eyes fully.

-Playing in a similar space that Domini did in the Cam/Vega fic, I think he does have a home in/on Elegy. But he's very selective about who he allows in. The first time Gavin was invited over, he saw Cam's massive collection of books, trinkets, and so on. At one point, Gavin went to pick something up— only for Cam to grab Gavin's wrist with his (C) tail without looking up, flipping through a book as he added "You should get permission before touching things." (Which Gavin finds incredibly attractive and makes him smirk)

-Maia would introduce her d(a)emons to the pack gradually and one-on-one. The first person would be Asher (don't even get me started on that friendship /pos) and the way he can see how much better she's doing compared to when she was "dating" Quinn is astounding

-Given the difference in size and height, Maia can and has thrown Cam over her shoulder to make him stop working

-Gavin loves to help Maia get dressed for things. With all the chains and spikes she owns, it's easy to adorn his wolf with shiny things

-Cam and Gavin are two sides of a coin when it comes to experiences gained as a d(a)emon. Whether that's connected to Ivan's situation or Inversion and so on, they have a unique understanding of each other for that reason.

-Freelancer is the most excited to meet Maia and yes, it's because she's a werewolf (Maia gets along with Huxley quickest though)

-Gavin has a habit of popping into Cam's office at the later hours of work/when he knows less people are around. If he's being distracting, Cam will kick him out. But sometimes he just enjoys keeping the older daemon company

-Gavin is the only one who doesn't have a procedure for if he's overworking/not relaxing because he's usually the one helping Cam and/or Maia do that to the other

-Both Gavin and Cam love watching Maia sleep because it's when she looks and feels calmest

///

[Short Rarepair Fic/Scene Under The Cut]

Note: Zabdiel = "Freelancer" // Castor is an OC belonging to @remcyart Cebalrai is an OC belonging to @sincerelywhistler (thank you both!)

The serenity daemon flipped through the reports sat in front of him, exhaling as he tucked his hair back again. "I swear, if I'm assigned to clean up another one of Castor's messes again, I'll drag that Inchoate in front of Chorus myself..." he muttered. He plucked a pen from the cup on his desk as a knock struck his office door.

"Come in...?" The door swung open, Cam tilting his head with a grin when he saw who stood on the other side. "And what brings you to my office, Cebalrai? I thought the Sodality kept you on a tight leash."

The sadism demon shrugged, a wide smile on his face. "I'm here handling business on their behalf actually. But I had a feeling you'd be in given your work ethic, so I thought I'd show my face." It ducked under the doorframe, approaching Cam's desk. "Long night ahead?"

Cam scoffed, leaning back in his chair. "Most likely. I was supposed to be gone nearly an hour ago, but of course I got Castor's mess dumped onto me again."

Ceb laughed, "Go easy on them. I doubt he means to break covert so easily."

"I'll go easy on them when I'm not handed his headaches anymore." The serenity daemon sighed, "Ignore me though. I'll sort it out eventually."

"Of course you will." The sadism demon bent down and flicked Cam's hair back into his face, "Don't stay up too late. I hear you have partners to go home too."

Cam laughed, gently shoving Ceb's hand aside. "So the Sodality is full of gossips?"

"Us demons talk, Camelopardalis~." It walked over to the door, "Come visit me sometime, will you?"

"Will do, Ceb." The demon ducked under the door, closing it behind himself. Cam uncapped his pen, making notes on the report in front of him. Judging by the information presented, he'd have to get creative with the memory wipe— Unfortunate but not surprising in the slightest.

A second knock came as he jotted down a phone number he'd have to call, the door opening without response. "Did you forget something else, Ceb—"

"Doll, I fear you're addressing the wrong demon~." Cam looked up as Gavin walked in, Maia following behind with a yawn.

The serenity daemon fought a smile, capping the pen as he rested his arms against his desk as the incubus sat down. "I see you were careful to not sit on my files this time."

"But of course. No need to earn a scolding while somewhere you can't properly reprimand me," Gavin purred with a smirk as Maia came up behind Cam, leaning down and resting her head on his shoulder.

Cam reached up, scratching the back of her head. "You seem tired."

"No shit. It's nearly 1 am and I'm the only human in here," she shot back with a tired smirk. "Which is why I'm trying to figure out why exactly you're still holed in this office."

"Darling—"

"Nah, don't 'Darling' me, Cam." Maia lifted her head off his shoulder, a hand grazing one of his horns. "It's late, and I want to know why you're still here when we're both supposed to be laid in bed right now."

"You have Gavin—"

"Ah ah, nice try, Doll. But believe it or not, I'd also like you home tonight. I spent all evening studying with Lasko and Zabdiel. What better way to end my night than nestled between my two oh so lovely partners?" Gavin leaned closer, the tip of his tail under Cam's chin. "We came all this way, Cam. You wouldn't keep us waiting, would you?"

The serenity daemon sucked his teeth before sighing, biting his lip. The two of them knew exactly how to get to him every single time.

It felt good to be known so well.

"Let me put a few of these reports in my bag so I can deal with them in the morning at least."

Gavin grinned, "Then allow me to move aside." He dragged his tail under Cam's chin and along his shoulder, moving over to Maia. "Let me carry your bag for you, Beautiful."

"This sounds like a ploy to butter me up since I have to drive us home," the shifter pointed out with a tired laugh, handing her bag over to the incubus.

"Well, is it working?"

"It is. But there's certainly more effective strategies you could use."

"Oh, are there?"

"Mhm," Maia hummed with a grin before Gavin kissed her. Cam smiled to himself, tucking away the papers as closing his own bag. He wouldn't trade this for anything.

He walked over to the door, flipping the light off as the two pulled away from one another, quiet panting blending with the steady click of a clock as Gavin pulled his hand from beneath Maia's shirt. "And you two said you wouldn't have handled yourself just fine."

Maia rolled her eyes with a smile, tugging Gavin behind her before kissing Cam's cheek. "Wouldn't be the same without you."

Gavin slipped a kiss onto the daemon's other cheek, "Which is exactly why you're coming home with us."

But in Cam's eyes, home was on either side of him.

[ashturnedtomist]

Song Lyrics that Remind me of the Redacted couples <3

Lovely & Vincent: “You take the breath out of my lungs, can’t even fight it, and all the words out of my mouth without even trying,” - Speechless, Dan + Shay

Angel & David: “My accidental happily ever after. The way you smile and how you comfort me, with your laughter. You were not a part of my book, but now if you open it up and come take a look, you’re the beginning and end of every chapter,” - Never Knew I Needed, Ne-Yo

Asher & Baabe: “It’s a beautiful night, we’re looking for something dumb to do. Hey baby, I think I wanna marry you,” - Marry You, Bruno Mars

Milo & Sweetheart: “Let’s start the day with breakfast in bed, think I’m gonna love you ‘till I’m dead. I can’t wait to buy you things, a brand new diamond ring. This is more than just a fling,” - Something About You, Eyedress

Sam & Darlin’: “I will not ask you where you came from, I will not ask and neither should you. Honey, just put your sweet lips on my lips, and we should just kiss like real people do,” - Like Real People Do, Hozier

Gavin & Freelancer: “I know that I’m feelin’ so much more, than ever before. And I’m giving so much more to you than I thought I could do,” - Fly Love, Jamie Foxx

Damien & Huxley: “We don’t know where we’re going but we know where we belong. And, oh, we started two hearts in one home. It’s hard when we argue, we’re both stubborn, I know. But oh, sweet creature, sweet creature, wherever I go, you bring me home,” - Sweet Creature, Harry Styles

Lasko & Dear: “And I know I’ve kissed you before, but I didn’t do it right. Can I try again, try again, try again?” - Pink in the Night, Mitski

Vega & Warden: “Deadly fever, please don’t ever break. Be my reliever, cause I don’t self medicate,” - my strange addiction, Billie Eilish

Bestie & Blake: “Don’t you know I’m no good for you? I’ve learned to lose you, can’t afford to. Tore my shirt to stop you bleedin’, but nothin’ ever stops you leaving,” - when the party’s over, Billie Eilish

Avior & Starlight: “Look at the stars, look how they shine for you, and everything you do. Yeah, they were all yellow,” - Yellow, Coldplay

Sunshine & Elliott: “When I’m without you, I’m somethin’ weak. You got me beggin’ beggin’, I’m on my knees,” - Sugar, Maroon 5

Aaron & Smartass: “I figured it out, saw the mistakes of up and down. Meet in the middle, there’s always some common ground. I see what it’s like, I see what it’s like for day and night, never together ‘cause they see things in a different light like us,” - You and I, One Direction

Ollie & Baby: “And when I start to build my future, [they’re] the main component. Call it dumb, call it luck, call it love, or whatever you call it, but everywhere I go, I keep [their] picture in my wallet,” - Cupid’s Chokehold/Breakfast in America, Gym Class Heroes

Honey & Guy: “I don’t wanna go to school, I don’t wanna take the call, I just wanna be a fool and get lovesick with you,” - Lovesick, Peace

Geordie & Cutie: “You’re coming back, and it’s the end of the world. We’re starting over and and I love you, darling, and I am done, dear,” - I Want You, Mitski

Anton & His Listener: “I sit by myself, talking to the moon, tryna get to you in hopes you’re on the other side talking to me too,” - Talking to the Moon, Bruno Mars

Side note: what do you think Anton’s Listener should be called? Or Lasko’s?

[autisticempathydaemon]

"First Ten Lines" Tag Game!

Tagged by the divine @gingerbreadmonsters, thank you, dear~

(honestly, I didn't even realize I had enough fics to do this when did my fic count go up to eighteen without my say so wtf)

Meet me on your best behavior (Meet me at your worst)

When Christian asks David about mates, his Alpha describes something like love at first sight (as loathe as he is to admit it).

fill my heart with song (and let me sing)

“You know what?” Milo says, voice infuriatingly, deliciously smug.

I won't cross these streets (until you hold my hand)

“-and where did this one come from?” Sam asks, tracing a smooth finger across his Darlin’s scarred palm.

Baby, baby, baby (you're gonna set me on fire)

‘Don’t get distracted, don’t get distracted, don’t get dis-’

this could be the end of everything (so why don't we go)

“Talk to me,” his freelancer murmurs against his neck, lips and words gentle against his aching skin like butterfly kisses.

make you (feel my love)

Once upon a time, there was a captive princess- revered, admired, lonely- and the delicate, beautiful chains entrapping her.

I don't know (how to forget you)

"Alright, there we are- I reckon that doughnut'll hold up till you get into town, but take it easy, ya hear?"

-and it was at this moment the dumbass realized, though they have eighteen fics, they only have seven opening lines they actually like.

So, as always, I will pick Ginger's gorgeous brain and share some opening lines that I haven't published yet!

lost and hurt (and bone thin)

In the rough times, in the days blurring together, in the blindingly white prison they find themselves trapped in, Baby mourns not just the memory of their name but the memory of cooking.

make yourself some friends (or you’ll be lonely)

Mini-alpha: hey sam can we talk for a second

these memories lose their meaning (when I think of love as something new)

Contrary to popular belief, androids don’t dream of electric sheep.

Tagging:

@bratty-telepath @sealriously-sealrious @starlitangels @dominimoonbeam and whoever else would like to join!

[starlitangels]

Neighbors

This is literally just a present for @zozo-01 for putting up with me (love you!) 2.8k words

—

Knock-knock-knock-knock-knock!

“The hell…?” Zo whispered, looking up from the pack group text she’d been trying to sort through. It had been going off like crazy all night and now she was finally catching up on it. “Sam, are we expecting visitors?”

Her mate appeared in the living room from where he’d been in the kitchen, glancing toward the door. The confusion on his face was all the answer Zo needed. “Pair-a auras,” he said. “One’s too strong to be human. The other’s a Freelancer.” He blinked and glanced down at Zo. “I’ll answer it.”

She hopped up and jumped over the back of the couch to follow him to the door.

He grabbed the knob and pulled it open.

“Hi!” The enthusiasm in the voice made Zo recoil. Who had that much energy this early in the morning? She leaned to see past Sam’s shoulder.

The woman standing on the porch was probably in her mid-twenties. She was petitely short with fair skin, freckles—

And stark white hair. It was long and thick, but there wasn’t a strand of color. Not even at the roots, like it had been dyed.

“Mornin’,” Sam greeted. Cautiously.

“I’m Estelle. My partner and I moved into the cottage about a mile away. We’re not, uh, technically neighbors, I guess. But you’re the closest house to us and we wanted to let you know that we’re here.” She held out the plate—covered in cling film—in her hands toward Sam and Zo. Revealing the NASA logo properly on her grey T-shirt. “If you ever need anything, feel free to reach out. My number is on that slip of paper in the saran wrap.” Zo felt a tiny bit of magic brush against her aura as Sam took the plate. “My partner’s a demon and doesn’t really keep a phone on him so it’s just mine.” Estelle gestured to the man standing beside but a step behind her.

Zo hadn’t seen a demon in a while, but she recognized the timelessness in the man’s face. The same sort of timelessness vampires as old as William had, but much more noticeable if one knew what to look for.

Estelle made a face of apology. “We didn’t know that you’re a vampire. Sorry if the cookies are not the, uh, the greatest introduction gift.”

“Don’t worry about it. They’ll taste just as good, vampire or not.” Sam stuck a hand out, careful not to let his fingers touch the sunlight. “I’m Sam,” he greeted.

Estelle shook his hand. “Pleasure to meet you, Sam,” she said.

The demon also shook Sam’s hand. “My name is Avior.”

Sam glanced back at Zo. “Darlin’?”

She stepped up. “I’m Zo. Sam’s mate.”

Avior’s eyebrow twitched upward before settling back even with the other.

“Just Zo?” Estelle asked.

“Well, it’s short for something but people just call me Zo.”

“Nice to meet you, Zo.” Estelle smiled. Her teeth were almost as white as her hair. She reached back and felt around for Avior’s hand before he slid his fingers between hers. “Well, we’ll let you go. We just wanted to introduce ourselves. There’s like a mile of uninterrupted forest between your home and ours but if you need anything, just let us know.”

Sam glanced down at the plate. “Thank you,” he said. “If you need anythin’ from us, we’ll do what we can.”

“We appreciate that,” Avior said. He had a soft-spoken but self-assured manner of speaking. In a way that reminded Zo of David but was nowhere close to how David actually was.

Estelle squeezed Avior’s hand. “Well, we’re gonna get going. Thank you.”

“Hey, thanks for stoppin’ by,” Sam said.

The couple waved and headed down the porch steps as Sam and Zo waved back and shut the door.

Zo glanced down at the cookies. “Those look delicious. I’m eating one,” she said, taking the plate from Sam’s hand and pulling at the cling film on the bottom to free the cookies. The paper with the phone number on it fluttered out from between the layers. Sam’s hand lashed out and snatched it from the air. He set it on the counter in the kitchen and pulled out his phone. Plunking her number in. Zo fished a cookie out from the layers of the cling film and took a bite out of it.

The cookies were still a little warm, a little doughy, and the chocolate chips were still a bit melted.

“These are good,” Zo said. “Have one or else I’m going to eat them all over the next couple days.”

Sam laughed and accepted the cookie she handed him.

—

Estelle sat on the porch of the cottage, watching the rain fall. Rain out here in the woods smelled much fresher than rain in the city. Which made perfect sense—she just never thought she’d be able to live out in the woods.

The front door to the cottage opened. “Room for one more?” Avior asked.

She smiled. “Always.”

He sat beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. She leaned into his side.

“I think our, uh, neighbors seem polite,” Avior said.

Estelle nodded. “They did. Maybe we should have them over for dinner sometime.” She licked her lip and narrowed her eyes in thought. “Maybe when winter’s a little closer so Sam doesn’t have to worry about the sun being up.”

“Maybe.” Avior nodded.

They sat quietly, just watching the rain, for a bit.

“You’re doing that thing again,” Estelle said.

“What thing?”

“The one where you stare at my hair with a sad expression on your face and think I can’t see you.”

At the mention of her hair, his fingers started to twine through it. “I can’t help it, starlight. It’s my fault you lost the pigment in it.”

She snorted. “That’s a lie and you know it,” she said. “The rift collapsing was no one’s fault. Playing the blame game gets us nowhere, just like it got us nowhere back then.” She brushed her hair behind her ear. “Avior—”

He went rigid, staring out into the trees. His grip around her shoulders tightened, drawing her closer. She felt his magic burn warmer as the beginnings of a ward started forming around them. A fine spider-web of impenetrable magic that anyone unfamiliar with demon magic wouldn’t even notice.

“What’s wrong?” Estelle whispered.

“Someone’s coming.”

Now that he mentioned it, the rustling in the trees was a lot louder and more deliberate than the usual wildlife.

Estelle tucked herself closer to Avior’s side and prepared her own magic.

Two figures stepped out of the trees.

Avior immediately relaxed.

Zo and Sam.

“Evening,” Avior greeted.

“Nice weather for a walk, isn’t it?” Zo asked.

“If you don’t mind mud in the area,” Avior remarked.

Zo blew a raspberry and waved a hand dismissively. “I’m a shifter. Mud is nothing new.” She shrugged. “We were actually wondering if you two would like to come play some games with us.”

“What sort of games?” Estelle asked.

“We’re a bit more inclined to board games, but Sam’s still got a lot to learn when it comes to Super Smash Brothers if you’re more in a video game mood.”

Estelle laughed. “I think putting me up against someone new to the game wouldn’t be particularly fair, although Avior’s never played it.”

A smile drew up Zo’s face, tugging on a scar over her lips. “You think you’re good at it?”

“Well—I’m definitely not advanced but I’m significantly better than a newcomer. So unless he wants a trial by fire—”

“Trust me, I already had that with this one’s pack brothers,” Sam grumbled, throwing an arm around Zo. “It was kinda scary how good they were at it.”

Zo shrugged. “That’s just how they are.”

Estelle grinned. “Well. They’d probably wipe the floor with me.” She glanced at Avior. “What do you say? Wanna go play some games?”

“Sure. Let me grab your jacket.”

—

Estelle and Zo were on the floor of Sam’s living room sorting through games. Avior and Sam were in the kitchen gathering a handful of snacks.

“So. How long have you and Sam been together?” Estelle asked.

“Officially… Little over a year. How about you and Avior?”

Estelle fidgeted with a bit of hair that was falling in front of her face. “It’s… complicated. Best way to put it is also about a year,” she said. “I don’t want to get in the weeds with it. We bumped into each other—literally—on the sidewalk one day and never got out of each other’s lives, really.” She whipped the hair back so it was out of her face. “Is the vampire thing a recent development or—”

“No. He’s been one for… twelve years or so.”

“Oh okay. I just… I’m sorry. I ask too many questions. I’m dating a demon for heaven’s sake—I know relationships between mortals and immortals happen I just…”

“Hey, I get it. You’re curious. Nothing wrong with that.”

“There is when the questions are invasive,” Estelle mumbled quietly, setting a Monopoly board firmly behind her in the no pile they’d set up. “My brain never knows the difference until after I’ve already asked.”

“How about I balance it out with an invasive question, then?” Zo suggested.

“Sure.”

“What’s with the white hair? It looks natural but you seem a little young to be fully grey.”

Estelle laughed. “Magic mishap,” she said, pulling at a bit of her hair and twisting it around her fingers. “I… I took in a lot more magic than I should have been able to handle and it… essentially killed all the pigment in my hair.”

Zo scrunched her eyebrows. “What, like, you overclocked your Core?”

“No… it’s more like…” Estelle sighed. “I don’t know how to explain it.” She rubbed her chest. “I don’t know.”

“That’s fine. We can leave it at that for now.” With a flick of her fingers, Zo snapped a playing card. It spun across the room and disappeared into the kitchen.

“Thanks.” Estelle held a hand out toward the kitchen and narrowed her eyes. The card came whizzing back in and landed on her hand. She passed it back to Zo, who added it into the deck with its fellows.

“Sam was a Freelancer. Before he turned,” Zo offered. She bowed the deck of cards in her hand and sprayed them upwards.

Estelle gasped and splayed her hands out, screwing her face up. The Psychokinetic wave she released froze all fifty-two cards in the air. She opened her eyes and started plucking the cards out of stasis, stacking them in one hand. “Well. We’re the most common form of empowered human,” she remarked.

Sam and Avior came into the living room to see Zo and Estelle picking cards out of the air and putting them in Estelle’s pile. Neither of them said anything, and both ladies figured their partners heard the whole conversation.

“Anyone wanna play Clue?” Estelle offered.

“Fine with me,” Sam said.

She grabbed the box and started to set up the board on the coffee table. “So, Sam. What do you do?”

“I work for my clan’s property management company.”

Estelle glanced at him over her shoulder. “Solaire clan?”

“That’s the one.”

“Cool. I’ve heard nothing but good things about your clan,” she said.

“What about you?” Sam returned the courtesy.

“I work for the academy. I teach here and there but I’m mostly a researcher.”

“What do you teach?”

Estelle laughed. “Everything. I mean, I’m a fully-certified Freelancer. I just kinda get assigned whatever course needs an extra time slot somewhere. I’ve done everything from Advanced Healing to Intro to Energetic Command.” She wasn’t stupid—she noticed the way Sam and Zo glanced at each other when she mentioned Healing. Don’t ask questions. Don’t be invasive, she thought. “Zo mentioned you used to be a Freelancer.”

“I was,” Sam agreed.

“Were… were you a healer?” Estelle hedged carefully.

“Starlight,” Avior whispered in warning.

“It’s fine, Avior,” Sam said. “Yes. I was.”

“So… this might seem ridiculous but are you Sam Collins?”

“Yep.”

Estelle’s reluctance at her own inability to shut up and stem the flow of questions vanished as she beamed. “My professors still talk about you!” she exclaimed. “Or, I guess, they did when I was still going through the healing courses, like…” She blinked and glanced at the ceiling. “Six years ago.”

Sam blinked. “They do?”

Zo threw her head back and laughed. “Why doesn’t that surprise me?”

Estelle nodded. “My healing professors always had examples from your work to show us. Especially me when I was a Freelancer in a class of specialist Healers. They always made a point of telling me that just because I wasn’t a specialist didn’t mean I couldn’t do great things. ‘Because look at this former student Sam Collins’ work!’”

Sam stared. “Wow,” he said. “I didn’t know that.”

Estelle shuffled some of the game cards. “You ever wanna try teaching?” She dropped the Professor Plum game piece in front of herself, handed Miss Scarlet to Zo, then gave Sam Mr. Green and Avior the Colonel Mustard piece. Then sifted through the deck to remove the player piece cards that weren’t present, and went back to shuffling.

“Never thought much about it. Why?”

“I did my student teaching at the vampire school. A lot of my first students were empowered turns who were… understandably frustrated at their weaker Cores. I did my best to help them. But the fact of the matter is I have no idea what it’s like to be a vampire. I could probably talk to some friends I made in the vampire school’s admin team. Put together some sort of seminar for empowered turns to adjust to their new Cores. If you were interested in teaching.” Estelle shrugged. “I… I just thought you might have a lot of insight you could share.” She smiled and shook her head. “I’ll shut up now. Let’s play Clue.”

Sam glanced at Zo. Who was grinning. “I’ll think about it.”

—

Zo sat in the back of the small classroom. Strictly speaking, she wasn’t supposed to be in it at all and she knew it. But that had never stopped her before and it sure as hell wasn’t going to stop her now.

Sam was at the front of the classroom. There was no PowerPoint or anything written on the board. He was just talking. The handful of vampire students were listening raptly.

Zo wasn’t entirely certain the circumstances that led to Avior essentially being roped into the seminar as Sam’s TA—but Estelle had mentioned that he’d started teaching in the Corsairs’ School of Daemonism and Demonism so that probably had something to do with it.

Sam cast another quick glance at Zo as he spoke. She beamed and gave him a thumbs-up with a dramatic wink. He looked away quickly, his eyes darting to Avior.

With a swift step, Avior disappeared backward through a rift.

He reappeared next to the desk Zo was sitting in. “C’mon,” he beckoned quietly.

“But—” Zo began to protest.

“Don’t make me drag you out of here by your ear.”

Zo snorted. “You could try.”

Avior cocked an eyebrow. “I’m a demon. If you get in a fight with me, I’ll win,” he reminded her. “Come on.”

Zo pushed herself to her feet and followed him out of the classroom. “What did I do?” she complained when the classroom door shut behind them.

“Sam needs to focus when he’s teaching. You are distracting him.”

“Oh, so I’m not allowed to support my mate?” Her sarcasm wasn’t lost on him—she’d discovered he was quite fluent in sarcasm himself—but he rolled his eyes.

“You can support him but you can’t distract him.”

“Oh come on. As if Estelle doesn’t distract you when you’re teaching.”

Avior didn’t flinch, but he did twitch. “This isn’t about me. This is about Sam. Now, can you behave and I let you go back into the classroom, or are you going to keep being a distraction and I keep you out here until class is over?”

“Just because I know how to behave doesn’t mean I want to.”

“Zohniyya,” Avior warned.

Zo sighed dramatically. “Fine. I’ll behave,” she relented. “For now.”

Avior snorted. “Good. You can go back in for now. But if I have to bring you out again, I’m having Estelle take you home.”

“Fiiine.”

He opened the classroom door and beckoned her to go in. She slipped through and back into her seat.

[vampire-biter]

DEAR AND FREELANCER I KID YOU NOT HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY FAVORITE FREELANCER SHIP

LIKE HELLO??

I always like to imagine that dear loves helping freelancer when it comes down to water elemental stuff

“Yk i could help with your homework if you’d like?”

“Thanks dear that would mean a lot to me right now,”

Dear and freelancer would talk about bridging sometimes and maybe eventually do it very very slowly,

talking through every step,

and dear telling freelancer they can back out and comforting them throughout

Eventually freelancer gets so comfortable like this they start asking to bridge when they fall asleep to feel closer to them

I talked about lovely/darlin already but still!!

Lovely being the reckless driver they are and darlin fearing for their life sense they’ve been in a car accident before

(Another head cannon that I got from a animatic I saw is that darlin was in the car with Gabe on sep 3)

“Lovely I beg of you to actually stop at a stop sign this time!!” - darlin

*turns to look at darlin * “No ones around it’s fine darlin!” - lovely

“EYES ON THE ROAD OMG.”

Darlin never let lovely drive again with them in the car after that :,)

Lovely/treasure seem like they would def be childhood friends with mutual pinning that NEVER was talking about and broke apart due to one of them moving schools or smth

They meet back up at some random place that meant a lot to them as kids,

randomly realize who the other is,

catch up,

fall in love,

and then literally beg and plead with Vincent/Porter to do a poly couple just so they (lovely and treasure) could be together

Then continue to talk shit about their respective “first” partner,

“Vincent will randomly start doing shit in his sleep. I swear one time he was asleep and just tried to do the laundry?” - lovely

“Oh my! Well I guess something i could saw about porter is that he got horny when you punched him?” - treasure

“He got what.” - lovely

High school almosts between darlin/treasure sounds so agonizing??

There’s definitely so much tension between those two??

And I love tension don’t get me wrong.

But it’s like so much tension you could feel it from a mile away when they’re together, and their like flirty about it too?

“Did you do the math hw last night? I need some help with doing #7 if you don’t mind” - treasure (definitely a person who does all their hw and stuff on time and gets 100% almost every time)

“No~ but I could help do you? Come on, there’s a empty classroom down the hall” - darlin (not a school person, would rather be anywhere but school and never does any hw, it a miracle they graduated to be honest!)

*whisper yelling but still filled with giggles from being flustered* “DARLIN! I BEG OF YOU TO QUIET THOSE DIRTY THOUGHTS FOR 2 SECONDS!!”

“Mmn. How could I? You never wanna act on them and until we do I shall continue to ask if you want to, respectfully of course. My treasure this tension we have is bound to get of somewhere will it not?”

DARLIN BEING A HELPLESS FLIRT IN HS WITH CLOSE FRIENDS MY BELOVED OMG

(I wanna make that last one a fic now I’m gonna be honest with you…)

THIS IS SO LONG OMG IM SORRY :(

What are yalls favorite listener x listener ship??

Doesn’t need to make sense

Hit me with em.

For me personally it’s Angel and sweetheart

or freelancer and lovely

There’s no in between for me tbh.

My Personal head cannons about their relationships below!!

Lovely “died” which brought upon more stress for freelancer sending them into a panic over a person who was already in a (what seemed to be) happy relationship.

They didn’t wanna fuck that up.

And never got the chance to even try.

Then with Angel and Sweetheart

(my ver of Angel was in the army!!)

They were Highschool sweethearts (hehe) who broke up due to Angel wanting to go to the military

And Sweetheart didn’t want to get a call or a person at their door saying

“I’m sorry. But Your partner has died on the field,”

Angel only saw them again AFTER sweetheart had got with Milo

(Also two females at birth, lovely and freelancer, and female at birth, Angel, with basically a trans fem intersex person, sweetheart my beloveds)

I don’t wanna hear about how these wouldn’t work.

These are my rare pair ships and you will not take them from me. /LH /POS /HJ

[gavinsdeviant]

How the bois would react to their partners dressing up in a formal outfit

Thanks to @thesunandmoons-blog for helping me come up with this idea! If anyone wants me to write these headcanons in fics, feel free to let me know!

Happy reading!! 

@sealriously-sealrious @daveysangelsposts @sherlo-ck-holmes

𝕎𝕠𝕝𝕧𝕖𝕤

ᴅᴀᴠɪᴅ

The first time Angel gets ready to meet the pack, they wear a pantsuit and as soon as David sees them, he growls and mutters “fuck” under his breath before pulling them closer by the waist.  As the meeting goes on, he finds himself glancing over at them and just feels proud to have them at his side. 

“Wait till we can home, Angel...” he whispers to them as soon as he gets the chance. They shiver, but smile. 

ᴀꜱʜ

When they go on a date, the third or fourth one, Babe feels like dressing up. They wear a dress (which they don’t normally do) and do something different with their hair. When he sees them, he’s speechless for a few seconds and then he smiles the biggest grin they’d ever seen and hugs them. 

“I’m so lucky to have you,” they remember him saying, and knew that they were in love. 

ᴍɪʟᴏ

Milo knew, at that point in their relationship, that Sweetheart loved when he dressed up. But he didn’t know that it had an affect on him in the same way until they came home from work one day, their leather work pants fit perfectly to their thighs and their white shirt unbuttoned at the top. He doesn’t know what to do with himself and just stares before pulling them to the bedroom.

“Hell, Sweetheart. You’re fine as hell, like this. I love you,” he kisses their shoulder,” and I love your body.”

𝕍𝕒𝕞𝕡𝕚𝕣𝕖𝕤

ᴠɪɴᴄᴇɴᴛ

For their first formal dinner with the clan, Lovely dresses up. They wear all black and Vince takes a long while to study them once they're done with a smile on his face, his dimples making their knees weak. He sees they’re nervous and takes his hands in theirs and tells them they always look beautiful. 

“I love you, Lovely. Nothing will ever change that.”

ꜱᴀᴍ

For their first job back at Shaw Security, Darlin dresses up in something other than their leather jacket and jeans. Sam notices and fumbles over his words when he sees them. 

“Hey, Darlin, I was thinking maybe we could--” A pause. “You- I- You’ve got to be kidding me.” 

They’re confused at first until he leans in to kiss them, growling into their mouth about how fucking sexy they look. 

Qᴜɪɴɴ (ɪꜰ ʜᴇ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴀʟᴇxɪꜱ)

She’s probably be attending some event as the King’s progeny and dresses up in a red cocktail dress to compliment her ginger hair. When Quinn sees her, his brows furrow as he pulls her in for a heated kiss. He doesn’t want her to go out in a dress like that but she somehow manages to convince him. 

“You’re mine,” he snarls, and she nods. “I’m yours.”

𝔻(𝕒)𝕖𝕞𝕠𝕟𝕤

ɢᴀᴠɪɴ

Freelancer gets ready to go to a school event with humanborns to try and convince them to join the academy. They pick out something graceful to wear and put on the rings Gav loves so much. They don’t expect him to come over, but as they finish he’s suddenly behind them, having rifted into their apartment. He pins them to the nearest wall and trails his mouth down their neck and collarbones, whispering soft words meant only for them. 

“You look beautiful, my sky. You always do.”

ᴄᴀᴇʟᴜᴍ

With each of his charges, he likes to pop up when he has time or when they feel particularly bad. But when he shows up to one of them getting ready he makes sure to tell them that they look happy-- that they look good and that they deserve it. 

“You look really nice. And you deserve to feel nice, cause you’re amazing.”

ᴠᴇɢᴀ

Warden is getting ready for a ball and Vega doesn’t make them forget that they’re absolutely stunning as they get ready. He likes to compliment their eyes, most of all- how absolutely radiant the color is. He loves the way their face lights up, the only happiness he’d allow himself to bask in. They like to tell him how he’s much sweeter and gentle than he lets on and he laughs. 

“Oh Warden, the object of all my joy, just for you.”

[redacted-ghost]

Caelum somehow knows and connects everyone and here’s how

(! this is not canon !)

We obviously know about Freelancers and Gavin, which in correlation will connect him with Damien, Huxley, Lasko, and the others.

Along with this, I believe a charge for Caelum is Asher- he’s very outgoing, optimistic, and I can just see Caelum watching as Asher sets a kitchen on fire not knowing how to help.

This would have a direct connection with David since they were roommates, so Caelum would know David- and I feel as though Caelum is… too curious for his own good, which would lead him to actually showing up to a pack meeting. (I also was told that Caelum got David and Angel together? Which, I mean I wouldn’t be surprised and honestly that’s really cute, lmk if I’m wrong about this)

Leading to Caelum meeting Milo. And with Milo, would be Sweetheart- which he’d also know from Vega and the Department (connecting him with the Warden as well). I can see Caelum asking for some daemons be put out for the look out on Milo and Sweetheart because I can see both of them being very good at bottling up their emotions (which would lead to knots).

And, because we don’t know much about Cutie, I believe that they work in the Department in some way similar to Sweetheart. So, with Sweetheart, there comes Cutie. And with Cutie, so does Geordi.

Continuing on, Freelancer and Lovely probably have a class together, and for the meaning of this headcanon, they have a group project together. Which would connect Lovely and Caelum either through Freelancer talking about them, meeting at each other’s houses, etc. Caelum would probably check up on Lovely after a while due to how many knots they definitely still have from Adam.

Which would connect Caelum to Vincent, and because of this, Sam and Will as well- and with Sam comes Darlin’. Another curious case for Caelum, and I can see him asking for Darlin’ to get some help because damn they have trauma with Quinn.

[mingain]

Shifter in the Classroom! Chapter 5

Pairing: Mentions of Angel/David, Sam/Darlin and Asher/Babe Characters: Alora Gold, Quinn, David Shaw, Tank/Dalin’, Sweetheart, Angel, Asher, Babe, Milo Greer, Lasko Moore, William Solaire, Alexis, Gavin Words: 1,011 CW: Quinn, implied panic attack, mentions of a school lockdown, unconsciousness, mentions of death Additional Notes: Sorry for taking so long to get this out - low motivation paired with life is a killer combination.

Shifter in the Classroom! Masterlist

The camera dropped. They couldn’t see them anymore. They were stuck with Quinn and they could no longer monitor the situation. Great.

But then the camera lifted and Alora undeafened herself. But it wasn’t Alora. It was that fucking leech. The only sounds that filled the meeting room were the cries and screams of the students. Then Alora’s account disconnected from the call.

“Tank, I need you to call Sam, we need the Solaire Clan’s help and Stealth, alert the Department - this is beyond just us.” He tried to stay calm, it was his job to take charge when things went to shit. But all he could think of was Angel. His Angel. His mate. The love of his life… in the hands of a psychopath.

Somewhere in the back of his mind he realised young pack members were also in danger, but he was panicking. Somewhere in the back of his mind he registered that both Tank and Sweetheart were on the phone now, just as he’d asked, but that was hardly his largest priority.

Asher could see right through David. It was something he’d always been able to do. Asher once again moved away from Babe, though it didn’t startle them this time. He put his hands on David’s shoulders. “We’ll find them. It’s not going to be just us looking, and if I do say so myself, I’m one hell of a brilliant tracker.”

Then Milo came into view. “You know, I could call some people as well. While you guys were all trapped behind the wards with the shades, I ended up acquainting myself with a member of the D.A.M.N staff. I could ask him if he and his friends could help. Lasko knows Angel as well - I left them and Babe with him while I was talking to Sweetheart.”

“Call him now. I want all the help we can get.”

——————————

When Lasko got the call, he was with the Freelancer and Gavin. They told him to just take it there, not all that bothered over the interruption. “Hello?”

“Hey Lasko, it’s Milo. The pack, we… uh… we need some help. Would you and your friends be able to assist us?” In the background, Lasko could hear various things going on. He could hear other calls being made. He could hear panicked voices shouting.

He stood there for a minute before Freelancer gave him a questioning look.

“I, well, I mean I can help. I’ll have to check with my friends though. They might not be free, or they might not want to, or they might-“

“Lasko, breathe.” Three voices spoke simultaneously.

“Lasko, who is it and what do they need us to help with?” Gavin spoke up, trying to give Lasko something to think about so he wouldn’t spiral, even though that wouldn’t last all that long.

“Milo. He’s from Shaw Security, the one I was with when the… anyway, he hasn’t told me why, but he says that his pack needs help with something.”

“Angel was kidnapped by a rogue vampire.” Came from the other line.

“W-WHAT!? Milo, are you being serious?” The confirmation from the other line was enough for Lasko to agree to help. Milo ended the call after said agreement, telling Lasko where to meet the pack in the next half an hour.

——————————

Alora came to, dazed and confused. She looked around, not really taking in her surroundings until she saw the other occupant of the room. They were still out cold, leant up against the wall. That’s when it hit her. The lockdown. That guy. He knew about the pack and he knew that Mx. Shaw was the mate of the alpha. She thought he felt like a vampire - not that they’d been around all that many vampires, but he felt like Sam.

She tried to move closer to Angel, but it was futile. She tried to shift but that wasn’t working either. Great. All she could do was wait. Whether that was for help, for Angel to wake up or for the vampire to come in and kill them both she wasn’t sure.

——————————

Everyone was finally here. The adults of the Shaw Pack, most of the Solaire Clan, the students from D.A.M.N. and some investigators from the Department.

“Ok, we have shifters, vampires, a stealth, a telepath, an incubus, two telekinetics, 5 freelancers and a handful of elementals. I think we should be good to go against Quinn.” Asher listed to David, who was clearly too out of it to recognise and count the magical signatures around him.

The alpha stood before those assembled, shaking ever so slightly. “I’m not sure how much was explained to all of you but I’m going to recap everything for the sake of everyone here.” He saw a couple of nods around the room and continued. “My pack has been trying to track down a vampire called Quinn for a while now. He hurt a friend of one of our members and has done various other horrible things. Today, he got into the private high school on the unempowered side of Dahlia and kidnapped one of the younger members of the pack and my unempowered mate who teaches there. We don’t know what he’s going to do to them or if they're still alive, but we need to find them and deal with Quinn.”

There was no sound other than the breath and heartbeats of those with him. He could see other shifters giving him a knowing look, one that could only be given by those who had mates. He could see Sam and Tank sat together, both stiff and rigid. He could see William Solaire and his first progeny, Alexis, leaning in as if to whisper to one another. But nothing was fully registering. Not at the moment, at least. 

The next thing he knew, William was standing up, along with the incubus. They both told him that them and those in their circles were happy to help. And so it was settled. There was an army coming for Quinn.

[unhappyriver]

Song lyrics that remind of redacted parings

Wolf boys:

David/Angel: Telephones by Vacations

|Rise with the morning

You call to me

My thoughts are crawling

You're all I see |

| I wish I could live without you

But you're a part of me

Wherever I go

You'll always be next to me |

Asher/Babe: simple romance by COIN

| You can try to simplify romance

Reduce it to a touch

But maybe we're in love

You can try to simplify romance

Call it odd attraction

Pulling like a magnet |

| Black and white

Rainbow

It's chemical

What you do to me|

Milo/Sweetheart: I love you by The Bees

| Baby there's no lies

I wouldn't make you cry

I love you

You’re charming in my thoughts

With the magic that you brought

I love you |

(I can just imagine them slow dancing in the kitchen with this song)

Vampires:

Vincent/lovely: Infinity by James Young

| Baby, this love

I'll never let it die

Can't be touched by no one

I'd like to see 'em try |

| Cause you're the reason I believe in fate, you're my paradise

And I'll do anything to be your love or be your sacrifice |

Sam/Darlin: Lover boy by Phum Viphurit

| Darling, I got my trust issues

Warning, you stay away

If we meet at the rendezvous

Take me away, sunray |

| I'll know peace when I'm your lover boy

I'll be your new school soul

Silver and gold

New desire

Friends on fire

Call me, "Lover boy"|

Fredrick/Bright eyes: Arms Tonite by Mother Mother

| And hey, you, don't you think it's kinda cute

That I (I) died (died) right inside your arms tonight

That I'm fine even after I have died

Because it was in your arms I died |

| I fell in your arms tonight

I died in your arms tonight

White light in your arms tonight

I fell in your arms tonight |

Adam/lovely: Stalker by IAMX

| Knock knock, I am here for you

Who’s there? Just the eternal fool

I will be your shadow

I will follow you, never let you go

I will be your shadow

I will follow you, never let you go |

| You are a siren in my dark

You need me now like I’ve needed you from the start

I will protect you from yourself |

Quinn/Darlin: Bed of roses by Mindless

Self Indulgence

| Hey its alright my life has never been a bed of roses

This way's better for me I don't care to live the life i've chosen |

| Screw you, my sentiments the same my friend

Screw you, my sentiments the same it always was |

Unempowered Humans:

Aaron/smartass: sparks by coldplay

| Did I drive you away?

I know what you'll say

You say, "Oh, sing one we know"

But I promise you this

I'll always look out for you

Yeah, that's what I'll do |

| My heart is yours

It's you that I hold on to

Yeah, that's what I do |

Unempowered humans:

Ollie/mentor: I want to be your boyfriend by hot freaks

| Before I see you I pick out some things to say

Don't want to sound foolish and waste my chance away

Oh, I'm not gonna make the same mistakes

I'm not gonna run |

| I wanna be your boyfriend

I wanna be your boyfriend

I wanna go on walks with you

I wanna have long talks with you |

Geordi/Cutie: Crush by Danny Knutelsky

| It's me

I'm the only thing you got

I'm the only thing you need

So can't you can't you see? |

Ivan/baby: MX. sinister by I don’t know how but they found me

| What will it take?

What else should I do?

How far must I go to prove

That I love you? |

| Oh you never seem to notice

That my heart beats for you

So I'll open you up

And make yours beat for me too |

Sad boi Ivan/ ex: I love you so by the walters

| I'm gonna pack my things and leave you behind

This feeling's old and I know that I've made up my mind

I hope you feel what I felt when you shattered my soul |

| But I love you so (please let me go)

I love you so (please let me go)

I love you so (please let me go)

I love you so |

Daemons:

Gavin/freelancer: scary love by the neighborhood

| You look better when you first wake up

Than anybody else I've fucked

Baby, I got good luck with you

I didn't know we'd get so far

And it's only the start

Baby, you got me worried (ayy) |

| Your love is scaring me

No one has ever cared for me

As much as you do

Ooh, yeah, I need you here, oh |

Avior/starlight: young by vacations

| I wanted to go

I wanted to say

All things come to pass

With time

But I want everything now

To be all mine |

| You think it's all over

Get up and try again

You've got to act your age, darling

Before you fall back in |

Walkers:

Elliot/sunshine: Best friend by Rex Orange County

| And that's because I wanna be your favorite boy

I wanna be the one that makes your day

The one you think about as you lie awake

I can't wait to be your number one

I'll be your biggest fan and you'll be mine |

| You better trust me when I tell you

There ain't no one else more beautiful in this damn world

In this damn world |

Blake/friend: Me and you Mama by Childish Gambino

| Can't stand it, backhanded

They wanna see us fallin' apart

You know that I love you

So let me into your heart |

| This is the end of us

Sleeping with the moon and the stars

I know where you've been, oh |

Elementals:

Huxley/ freelancer: puppy dog by dreamer dog

| I've been spaced out

Not reading the signs

I've been fucked up over you for quite

Quite some time

I need a way out

I'm begging you please

'Cause something about the way you are

Is making me weak |

| I've been waiting for you to see me like I see you

Staring at you with my puppy dog eyes

Floppy ears

While I'm faking a smile |

Damien/freelancer: hey! Love by the Delfonics

| Hey love (hey love)

Turn your head around (turn your head around)

Take off that frown

You're in love

Wake up (wake up)

Open the door (open the door)

Don't cry no more

You're in love |

| You know we need each other

And you girl

Yes you should be lovin' me

Lets go on together

We'd be happy

So happy |

Lasko/freelancer: are you bored, yet? By wallows

| What's wrong?

You've been askin' but I don't have an answer

How come?

I'm still thinkin' let's pretend to fall asleep now

When we get old, will we regret this? |

| Cause we could stay at home and watch the sunset

But I can't help from askin', "Are you bored yet?"

And if you're feelin' lonely, you should tell me

Before this ends up as another memory

Will you tell the truth so I don't have to lie? |

Kody/freelancer: your dead to me by Kali Uchis

| I don't know what you been told

See, I am not your enemy, ooh-oh

But if there's one thing that I know

Is that you ain't a friend to me, ooh-oh |

| You're dead to me

You're obsessed, just let me go

You're dead to me

I'm not somebody you know

You're dead to me

Could you just leave me alone?

You're dead to me |

[thiswasinevitableid]

Picture Perfect (Indruck)

A friend on discord @morganeashton asked for this meet ugly for Indruck: 09. we’re strangers who meet at a bar, get drunk, and wake up to announcements of our new engagement all over our social media - what did we do???

Duck’s woken up with worse hangovers. He’s also woken up with far worse people in his bed. The man next to him is slim and angular, silvery hair falling across his face as he sleeps. Yep, just as cute today as he was yesterday. 

Now if only he could remember if they slept together. 

He groans quietly as he climbs out of bed; he’s in a fluffy hotel robe with nothing beneath it. So one point in the “we fucked” category.

Duck tugs the curtains, already mostly closed, all the way shut to block out harsh daylight. The man, Indrid, makes a chirping noise and rolls over, still asleep.

“Can I buy you a drink?”

“I was not aware this was that kind of bar.”

“It’s, uh, I mean, it ain;t, but, uh, you, uh, you looked kinda lonesome and , uh, well, fuck, nevermind, sorry-”

“It’s alright” the man grins reassuringly, setting a hand with black painted nails on Duck’s arm, “it would be good for me to spend the night with something other than my own thoughts.”

Duck hops onto the stool next to him, signals the bartender for drinks

Padding out into the next room, the suite is just as impressive as last it was last night. Whoever Indrid is, he’s loaded. 

“So, uh, what do you do?”

“I’m a photographer.”

“Really? Damn, I, uh, I dabble in it as a hobby, mostly nature stuff, and I’m fuckin’ amazed by anyone who can do it as a job. Shit’s hard.”

“It is rather challenging at times, though I enjoy it. What do you do?”

“I’m a ranger in the national forest. Live in Kepler, that dinky little town by it, came the half hour here for a work conference.”

“That sounds fascinating, tell me everything” Indrid leans closer, grinning.

“Uh, okay. Usually folks are itchin to make some joke about trees. Or Smokey the Bear.”

“I suppose you are bear-like.”

“Heh-”

“I like it.”

“Guh.”

He finds a room service menu on the table by the T.V the size of his first car, reads it over as he wanders back to the bedroom. Peeking into the trash, he doesn’t see any condoms or condom wrappers. One point in the ‘we didn’t fuck” category.

“That was last call, sugar.”

“No, unacceptable, I want to hear the bear-box story you, hic, --excuse me-- promised me.”

“And I wanna tell it, jus’ can’t be here.”

“Come, come back to my room. It’s big, we can talk, please come?”

“Course, darlin, whoa, damn, think we better take the elevator, little drunker than I meant to get.”

“I’ll, hic, admit I was paying more attention to you than my, hic, drink quantity, my sweet.”

He sets the menu down, wanders into the bathroom but finds no pain killers. Settles for filling two glasses with tap water and carrying them to a side table. When he slides back under the blankets and rests against the headboard, Indrid sighs, wiggles closer and snuggles so his nose is bumping Duck’s thigh.

“Morning?”

“Yep.”

“Ugh.”

“Here, this’ll help.” He hands Indrid the water as he blearily sits up. The taller man downs it in one, handing the empty glass back to him with a smile.

“Thank you. Such lovely southern manners.”

“You’re welcome. And, uh, speakin of manners, do you remember if we…”

“No, we did not. There was some kissing, I recall, but we decided we were too drunk. A wise decision all told, though the temptation was great.” Indrid slowly looks him over, smile turning from sleepy to sultry.

“Well uh, this was they day I set aside for sight-seein. Think I could be persuaded to see some sights right here.” His phone buzzes. He ignores it.

“Really now.” Indrid purrs, leaning in to kiss his cheek. On the other nightstand, his phone dings. He ignores it. 

“Oughta get some breakfast in us first, fuckin on a hangover stomach ain’t fun.” Another buzz.

“Mmm, very wise. Their breakfast is quite good, you can order whatever you like.” Indrid is nearly in his lap. His phone dings twice more. 

“Ain’t you the polite host--for fucks sake.” Duck reaches over and grabs his phone, Indrid sighing and mirroring him when his dings three more times. 

He has texts from Juno, Aubrey, and Ned, two calls from Jane, and one from Joe, and all seem to be about…

“Oh no” Indrid covers his mouth with one hand, brown eyes wide, “oh no, oh Duck, oh I’m supremely sorry.”

“Married? What the fuck? We didn’t get married, we cant, there ain’t a spot for it here, what the fuck-”

“Why do they think this, it must be oh, oh dear” he turns his phone. It’s an Instagram profile, at the top of which is a photo of the two of them in  their robes in this very bed, lounging together with goofy smiles as Indrid kisses Duck’s cheek. The caption is even worse.

“Best man ever. Internet, say hello to my husband. Isn’t he handsome?” Duck reads aloud, Indrid making a prolonged noise of alarm as the phone continues dinging. 

“I’m so sorry, I, I don’t know, I must have been trying to type future husband? Which is still hyperbolic, I was drunk, but it would have been more salvageable.”

“Okay, right, we all done some boneheaded shit havin’ had a few too many, but why the fuck does everyone and their goddamn uncle know?”

“I....I never said my last name last night, did I.”

“No.” Duck’s stomach sours.

“I’m Indrid Cold.”

Duck blinks at him, and even in the midst of the panic he smiles a little.

“I didn’t get the sense you knew of me, which was part of your already considerable charm. I, I am the man you call for your Rolling Stone spread or your Vanity Fair cover, the one magazines fight over to have cover the MET Gala or the Oscars. My social media followers meet the same number as some countries populations, and I am notoriously reclusive and private about my life. Hence the uproar.” He rubs his forehead, “I am fairly certain I just wanted a picture of us; I was having so much fun, you, you made me feel so wonderful and I assumed this would be a fling, and I, I wanted a memento. In my compromised state, I must have misjudged where to put it.” 

“Huh.” Duck stares at his phone, still lighting up with new messages. He’s torn between being flattered and being really, really pissed. 

“I, ah, I will call my publicist and sort things out now. Excuse me.” 

Duck watches Indrid leave. His phone is buzzing with unfamiliar numbers now, and when he answers one it’s a reporter from a fashion site he’s never heard of. 

Indrid is handsome, and intriguing, and Duck desperately wants to see as much of him as he can. But there’s no way in hell he can handle this kind of attention, even if it’s misplaced. So while Indrid speaks, hurried and hushed, in the other room, he slips on yesterday’s clothes and disappears out the door. 

---------------------------------------------------

He almost doesn’t look at the phone when it buzzes. For starters, he’s at work, but also the last two weeks have made him never want to speak to another living human again. When he pulls it from his pocket and looks at the message a half-dozen emotions hit him at once.

Indrid: I’m fairly certain we exchanged numbers, so I hope this is the right one. Duck, if this is you, I hope you’re well. And if you’re interested, I was wondering if you’d like to meet again.

Duck: Yeah, it’s me. And my answer might be different if I hadn’t spent the last two weeks being hounded by fucking reporters.

Indrid: So my clarification did nothing.

Duck: convinced them there’d been some kind of drama, so now they all want to know if it was a money grab or I’m an escort or some shit like that.

Indrid: I’m sorry, Duck. I’ll make things right, somehow. 

Duck: Don’t do it thinking it’ll get you a second date. Because the thought of that much attention all at once again give me fucking hives.

There’s no response, so Duck jams the phone back into his pocket and trudges up the trail.

------------------------------------------------------------

Alright, maybe following Indrid’s Instagram was a bad idea. Because, unlike any other celeb on the platform, he never posts pictures of himself. Duck just wants to see his face again. 

He looks down, notices four new notifications; an account with only five posts and an icon that’s just two red circles followed him a few days ago, and whoever it belongs to really likes his photos. 

Refreshing the app brings a new post from Indrid, black background with red text.

Mr. Cold invites members of the press to learn how they can gain access to exclusive images and information. 

“Good for him.” Duck mutters, before rolling over and shutting off the light.

---------------------------------------------

Duck sits on the pebbled shore by the lake, skipping stones without counting their jumps. He’s off shift, could go home, but some evenings what he likes best is sitting here, watching the world change from afternoon to dusk. 

Someone is coming up the trail and he sighs; hardly anyone comes to this lake, and yet someone has to at the exact same time he’s trying to decompress. 

“It’s even lovelier in person.” 

Pebbles scatter as he spins.

“Indrid, what the fuck are you doing here? Uh, I mean” he scrambles for his words when he sees Indrid wince at the tone, “not that I ain’t happy to see you but...why?”

“I wanted to ask you if you were still being bothered.” The lilt is shy, nearly drowned out by the cicadas.

“Nope. Stopped about a week ago.”

“Ah good. That means my plan worked. You see I, ah, I offered every large press and small freelancer the chance to access never before seen pieces of my work, all for free. In exchange, they signed a contract that they would leave you alone indefinitely, regardless of your relationship to me, and that any writing on me and a partner would only be done with permission from both myself and them. Anyone who violated those clauses would face a very painful lawsuit.”

“You realize that didn’t do much to make people think I meant nothin to you.”

Indrid shrugs, “That was not the point. I wanted them to leave you alone.”

“Oh.” He looks back across the water, watches an Osprey skim the surface, “how’d you know I’d be here?”

“It’s a spot you shoot often, so I showed your friend at the station the photos and she pointed me the right way.”

“...You’re the person who’s been likin all my pictures, ain’t you?”

“Yes. I, ah, you post plenty of yourself, or your friend the Lady Flame tags you, and I, ah, I missed you, I thought about you so much that I wanted to see you. Perhaps that’s, ah, creepy. I thought it better than constantly trying to contact you.”

“Yeah, good call.”

Indrid shifts, awkwardly, “may I sit?”

Duck nods, and Indrid sinks onto the ground next to him.

“You really ain’t dressed for hikin, are you?”

“No. It’s not something I do often, though you make it sound very appealing.”

“We oughta go together then.” He sets his hand, upturned, on the warm rocks in between them.

“I would like that.” Indrid takes it, “perhaps we could go to lunch afterwards.”

“Sounds real nice.” Duck scoots closer, setting their joined hands on his thigh and resting his head on Indrid’s shoulder.

“To be certain I do not make a fool of myself again; are you saying you would like to try dating me?”

“That I would. But you gotta promise one thing.”

“Anything.”

“No pictures until the third date.” He grins and Indrid chuckles, leaning in for a kiss as warm and slow as the setting sun. 

[asphodelsandpomegranates]

Meeting Jaden (Buck Ferguson x Reader)

A/N: Same Universe as Familiar Face.

“Buck, you sure this is a good idea?”

“Of course, it is. You wouldn't believe how long it took my ex to get back on the dating scene.”

“I can imagine.”

You were standing outside with Buck at his ex-wife's home. You were picking up his son, Jaden, to come and stay. Usually, when it was Buck's turn to have time with his son, you would go and visit your parents for the time being. But, Buck thought it to be a good idea to introduce Jaden to you as he picked him up from his mother's.

You, on the other hand, didn't think it was a good idea for Buck to introduce you in this way to his son. You thought it would have been better for Buck to pick Jaden up from his mother's and introduce you to him at his place.

But here you were. Too late to go back, now.

The front door opened and a dark haired, thin male answered the door.

“Ah, Buck. Nice to see ya. Jaden's just getting his stuff sorted.”

“Oh, good. Thanks, Greg. Oh, by the way, this is (Y/N), my girlfriend. (Y/N), this is Greg”

“Nice to meet you.” you said, holding out your hand.

“Girlfriend?” Greg mused, shaking your hand and staring at Buck, bemused. “I didn't know you'd started dating again.”

“Yeah, well, it was none of your business.” muttered Buck. “May we come in?”

“Sure.”

Greg stepped aside and you two entered the house. You felt partly annoyed and a little nervous. Annoyed by Greg who seemed to be a complete jerk, and nervous because you were meeting your boyfriend's son. You just hoped that his ex-wife was just as nice.

Buck led you to the living room where a short blonde haired woman sat.

“Hey, Linda.”

Linda looked round. “Oh, Buck. Jaden's just...upstairs.”

Her words seemed to falter when she saw you. Now, you felt very safety conscious and leaned towards Buck a little.

“Oh, good. Well, we're gonna go shopping after we pick him up. Oh, by the way, this is (Y/N), my new girlfriend. Baby, this is my ex-wife, Linda.”

You couldn't help but smile nervously as she continued to stare at you.

“It's nice to meet you. You have a lovely home.”

“Thank you.” Linda said dazed.

Greg soon came in and sat down beside his wife.

“So, what do you do for a living, (Y/N)?”

“Oh, I'm a photographer. Just freelance work, really.” you shrugged.

“Really? Well, we're actually looking for a photographer, weren't we, darling?”

“Yes, we were.” Linda said, now recovering from her shock and smiling. Her hand lay on Greg's lap.

Two can play at that game, you thought. You slipped your arm through Buck's.

“How much do you charge?” Greg continued.

“About forty dollars.” you said. “Depending on what the occasion is. But now, I've just been helping out with some screen shots for Buck's vlog. Made a little fan site for him as well.”

“Sounds interesting.” replied Greg, a little too enthusiastic. “And how did you two meet?” asked Greg.

“In the woods. Buck was out hunting and I was taking photos. I recognised him from his Buck Fever vlog.”

“Yeah. I tracked her down and caught her up in my net.”

You couldn't help but giggle at his puns.

“And we've been together for at least two years.” Buck continued.

“Well, we're happy for ya, aren't we, hon?”

“Yes, we are.” said Linda.

Just then a small boy came into the living room.

“Hey, dad.” This had to be Jaden.

“Hey, kid. You all packed?”

“Bag's by the door.”

“Good. Ah, now, Jaden. I've got someone I'd like you to meet.” And he maneuvered you so that you were standing in front of your boyfriend. “This is (Y/N), the girl I've been telling you about. Sweetheart, this is my son.”

You gave a timid wave. A smile came up on the little boy's face.

“You're Dad's new girlfriend?”

“I am.”

“He's told me so much about you.”

“Oh? All good I hope.” you said, casting a teasing glance to your boyfriend.

Buck was blushing a little.

“See, mom.” Jaden said. “I said he wasn't lying.”

You all froze. You glanced over at Linda who was sitting there stock still like a deer in headlights. Greg didn't know what to do with himself. You looked at Buck, who looked just as confused as you did.

“Did she, now?” the hunter asked.

“Anyway,” you said, trying to defuse to the tension, quickly. “Shall we get going?”  

“Yeah, we should.” said Buck. “Come on, kid. I'll have him back, next week.”

“Okay.”

“Pleasure meeting you both.” You said with a tight smile and left, following Buck and Jaden out the door.

As soon as the front door closed, you let out a frustrated growl. Thankfully, Jaden was at the car.

“That...that cow!” you hissed. “Fancy saying that in front of your son. Of all people.”

“Sweetie, calm down.”

“No, I won't. She couldn't say that. What happens in your life, now with your son, with me, is none of her concern? She could be filling your son's head with all kinds.”

Buck was silent, for a moment, before saying. “Darlin', I used to do that.”

“What do you mean?”

“The way that Linda is acting right, now. I acted like that. After the divorce, things got painful for me. There was a part of me where I thought I wanted her back. But sometime after taking my son on his first hunting experience, I realised I did, and I stayed away from the whole dating...thing. But then you walked into my life, and I could not be happier.”

“Oh, Buck.” you simpered before stepping on your tippy-toes to reach his lips. Buck leaned down to meet you halfway. As you both kissed, you heard a:

“Ewww, (Y/N)'s got dad cooties.”

You broke the kiss, laughing while Buck gave a playful scowl to his son.

“All right, hot shot. C'mon let's head to the grocery store and we'll head home, okay?”

“Sure.”

“Sir, yes, sir.”

Buck looked to you and gestured to the car, letting you go first. You smiled, politely. You walked forward and felt a stinging sensation on your rear end. Yelping, you looked round to see Buck, grinning.

“Fucker.” you mouthed and hurried to the car.

[beefybuffybucky]

The Bedroom Mentor

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x female!Reader

Request: Hey doll :) I had an idea but I’m not sure if you like it. You’re a recruit for SHIELD and get trained by the Avengers and your Mentor is Bucky. So during the time together you slowly fall in love with each other but you reject him one time cause you don’t want to get in Trouble and leave the Training upset. Later that evening Buck Comes to your room and wants to have a talk with you but he can’t contain himself and you both end up having sex :) then he holds you and asks you to be his ? :) -anon

Warnings: language, smut/unprotected sex (18+), nsfw, some oral (male receiving)

Word Count: 2.9K

A/N: I listened to Africa by Toto on repeat while I wrote this whole fic. I don’t really have an explanation why, but it happened. I really enjoyed this three-day break from my first week of school but now it’s back to classes tomorrow. Anyways, feel free to send in more requests! Hope this is what you were lookin’ for!

A few months ago, Nick Fury had hunted you down in the middle of one of your freelance missions and offered you a position working for S.H.I.E.L.D. Naturally, your first instinct was to laugh in his face. Working for him and the organization meant having to abide by someone else’s rules, which, up until that point, you had always taken whatever missions you wanted, and never had to follow any other rules besides your own. But here you are, three months later, lacing up your shoes to get ready to start your training with the Avengers. Each new recruit - no matter how much experience they’ve had prior to joining S.H.I.E.L.D. - is required to go through the training, and are assigned mentors. You haven’t been told who your mentor will be yet, but honestly, you just wanted to get this over with.

You sigh and push up from the bench in the locker room, and saunter down the hallway leading to the training room as you threw your hair up into a quick, tight ponytail. Pushing through the door, you’re greeted by a bright, natural light streaming in through the skylights of the training room, and spot Fury standing near the main entrance.

“Y/N, glad you could join us,” Fury’s sarcastic voice rings out through the air as you jog up to them. You immediately recognize the other man towering behind him as James Buchanan Barnes - the Winter Soldier. Like everyone else on Earth, you were very well aware of who Bucky is - or, more accurately, was. He was strikingly gorgeous. His thick, soft locks of hair were pulled back into a bun, and the scruff on his face made his jawline look even sharper than usual. The tight black t-shirt stretched across his broad chest looked like it could rip if he breathed too deeply, and it was paired with slouching sweatpants and black tennis shoes. The smooth metal of his left arm glistened in the light. You were convinced you had never seen a man more beautiful than him, and you tried your best to brush away the steamy thoughts surfacing in your mind.

“This is Bucky,” Fury nods his head over his shoulder towards Bucky. “He’ll be your mentor for the next few weeks. It’s crucial that you show up to all the training. We need you to be fit for the job.” He turns to leave the room and pauses at the door. “Oh, and if you don’t think you can handle this, let me know.” And with that, he takes his exit, leaving just you and Bucky.

“Alright, kid,” Bucky deeply sighs. “Let’s see what you can do.” He walks into the middle of the floor, his arms crossed over his chest. You blink at him.

“What do you want me to do?” You question him, shifting your weight to one foot.

“Gimme your best shot,” Bucky shrugs, a sly smirk tugging at the corner of his lip.

“You want me to just…throw a punch? Or…,” you tilt your head in confusion.

“Yeah,” he lightly chuckles. “Let’s get a move on.”

You straighten up and walk over to him, adding a little extra pep in your step as you approach. When you pause, you meet his gaze. His eyes shine with amusement and anticipation, the smirk still plastered on his face. After a few moments, you sharply inhale and send a fist flying towards his cheek, which he easily blocks, completely encapturing your fist in his hand. You don’t even hesitate to send another counter attack flying towards his gut, which he also blocks, and you drop as he attempts to swing at you. Using your leg, you manage to trip him up a little bit, giving you a window of opportunity to throw in another hit, barely making contact with the side of his jaw as he uses his arm to block it. You spar for several more minutes until he manages to flip you onto your back. You land with a huff as the air is kicked from your lungs and open your eyes to find Bucky hovering above you, pinning your wrists above your head.

“Not bad,” Bucky pants, a few loose strands of hair dangling down from his bun. “You need some work, but you’re better than most of the agents I’ve seen.” He releases his hold on your wrists and rests on his knees, basically straddling your waist. “I like your style. I have to admit, you were a good challenge.” He pushes up from his knee and stands over you, offering a hand for help. You painfully push up and rest on an elbow, clamping your other hand in his. The skin on his hand is rough, but you find your mind wandering to the part of your thoughts you were trying to block out. He pulls you up, and his face is so close to yours that his soft, warm breaths fan across your cheeks.

“How are you with lifting?” His eyes don’t leave yours as he whispers.

“Weights? I can lift more than it looks like,” you smile, allowing yourself to sneak a quick glance to his lips. Your gaze flicks back up, but you catch a glimpse of a muscle in his jaw twitching.

“Show me what you got, darlin,” he smirks again, his pupils dilating slightly.

This is going to be the death of me.

It’s been nearly two weeks since you’ve arrived at the compound. It’s been nearly non-stop training and working with other members of the team to build your skills and knowledge, and today has been no exception.

“One more rep. C’mon, doll, you got this,” Bucky calls out over the music in the training room. Every breath feels like fire in your lungs, and your legs are ready to give out. You huff out a sharp breath as you squat down and grip the bar, mustering all the strength you had left in your to deadlift the weights. As you straighten your body and hold the stance, you catch a glimpse of Bucky in the mirror in front of you, his eyes scanning every inch of you. You drop the weights and they land with a hard, loud thud on the floor mat.

“Atta girl,” Bucky smiles as he slowly closes the distance between you two. “I knew you had it in ya, sweetheart.”

“What’s with the pet names?” You shoot as you work to take off your gloves.

“You don’t like ‘em?” Bucky glances at you over his shoulder.

“N-No, it’s just…I -.” you could feel the heat rising. Truth is, you love the pet names. They would send you into a sort of daydream where - most of the time - you typically imagined Bucky calling you different names, but in the bedroom.

“Why so flustered, doll?” A sly smile pulls at his lips. “Did I say somethin’ wrong?”

“What makes you think you said something wrong?”

“Your cheeks are a bit red, darlin’. Do you have a fever?” His eyes shine with laughter as he tilts his head, the smirk on his face growing even larger. You quietly shake your head. “Then what is it, doll? Did I make you blush?” He suddenly leans forward, getting dangerously close to your face. Naturally, you noticed the way the muscles in his arms shifted with his movements, the tight material of his shirt becoming even more strained.

“I’m pretty tired,” you whisper, lying through your teeth. “I think I’ll head to bed.”

“Mind if I were to join you?” Bucky mutters, his voice smooth and low.  

“Bucky, I…I’m sorry, but I…I can’t.” You could barely manage a whisper as you quickly made an exit from the room, nearly running for the elevator to head back to your level. The ride back up to your floor felt like an eternity, and as soon as the elevator’s doors opened, you made a beeline for your room. Once inside the door, you decide to try and shower to wash away your emotions, hoping that the warm water and the steamy air will calm your nerves, voiding your mind of thoughts of Bucky.

After taking a quick shower, you pad back into your room, only wearing a towel around you. From your drawers, you toss a big t-shirt and some panties onto your bed and start to get dressed. You’re only able to pull on the t-shirt before a soft knock comes from the door. You quietly tiptoe across the floor and slowly open the door a few inches. Bucky looks up from his feet, his eyes shining with a mixture of emotions.

“Can we talk?” A muscle in his jaw twitched.

“Sure,” you hesitantly pull the door open wide enough so that he can step in. Bucky’s boots softly thump on the floor as he walks past you. Closing the door gently, you turn on your heels to face him. He’s standing a few feet away with his hands tucked into the pockets of his dark jeans, his t-shirt clinging to his body in all the right places.

“Look, about what happened down there, I -”

“It’s not your fault,” you cut in. “I…I overreacted. I shouldn’t have just run off like that,” you sigh, crossing your arms over your chest. The hem of the shirt slides up your leg and brushes against the middle part of your thighs, revealing even more of your legs than it already was. Bucky’s eyes take in your body, briefly focusing on the bottom of the shirt. He slowly pulls his bottom lip in between his teeth.

“I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable,” he quietly continues. He slowly closes the distance between you, stopping a couple inches from you. “If you want me to back off, all you have to do is tell me, Y/N.”

“I don’t want you to,” your voice is a soft whisper as you breathe in the scent of his cologne. “It’s just that once I get my teeth into something, it’s hard to let go. And I don’t want to risk getting in trouble here. This is my chance to really get back on my feet, and I can’t let my feelings fuck that up for me.”

A quick flash of hurt darts through his gaze. “We wouldn’t get in trouble, darlin’,” Bucky shakes his head slowly. “Trust me.”

“I want to, but I need to -”

Bucky quickly dips his head down, capturing your lips in a gentle kiss, his hands resting on your hips. As the initial shock subsides, you mold your lips to his, deepening the kiss. After a few long moments, Bucky pulls away, your breaths mixing together in the cool air of the room.

“I-I’m sorry,” he stutters. “I just couldn’t help it.”

“No, it-it’s okay, Buck,” you hum. His flesh hand brushes against your cheek, cupping your face. His gaze locks in on yours. “I want this.”

That was all he needed to kiss you again. He uses his other hand to pull you closer to him, a gentle moan escaping your lips through the searing kiss. His thumb brushes across your cheek as he runs his tongue along your bottom lip. This time, you’re the one to break the kiss, taking his hand and leading him to your bed. You run a finger under the hem of his shirt, your fingertip ghosting over the warm skin of his waist. He swiftly pulls his shirt over his head and dips back down to kiss you. His tongue enters your mouth and tangles with yours as he carefully pushes you back onto the bed.

The cool metal of his hand leaves goose-bumps in its wake as it runs up your leg, sliding up under your shirt and stopping at the side of your hip. A low groan tumbles from Bucky’s throat as he realizes you’re only wearing the shirt. He gently squeezes your hip and the kiss deepens, transforming into a needy, animalistic frenzy of all tongue and teeth. Bucky painstakingly breaks away and pushes off the bed, moving to undo his pants. You quickly scramble over to him, moving his hands away from his waist, gazing up at him through your lashes as you undo his pants for him. Dragging them down his waist, you nearly drool at the sight of his hard erection pressing against his restraining briefs. You wet your lips as you pull those down, too, heat pooling between your legs as you fantasize about what you want to do with him. His hard cock springs free and you take him into your hand, slowly rubbing his precum over his tip.

Bucky bites his lip to suppress a delectable moan that rumbles through his chest. The tip of your tongue lightly teases his head, leaving sweet kitten licks up and down his shaft. His metal hand snakes through your hair, lightly holding your head in place near his tip as your lips wrap around it. Slowly, you bob your head, gradually taking in more of him each time.

“O-Oh, fuck, doll,” Bucky grunts above you. He gently pulls your head back and cups your face, bringing it up to his. You promptly kiss his jaw, lightly dragging your tongue down his neck and nipping at the sensitive skin. Bucky’s hands travel down your sides, stopping to grip the hem of your shirt. You pull away from him so he can drag the fabric up your body.

“You’re gorgeous, Y/N,” he mutters longingly. His flesh hand gently pushes you back down onto the bed and he climbs over you, hovering only a few inches above. His soft lips pepper wet kisses down your neck as he gently sucks and nips at your skin, leaving light marks of his intentions. The cool metal of his hand sends tingles through your skin as it slides up your chest to your breast, lightly pinching and toying with your sensitive nipple. More heat pools in between your legs as your body begs for attention. His warm mouth captures the other one, causing you to moan in pleasure as your back arches off the bed, one of your hands tangling into his hair while the other grips the sheets. A quiet whimper bubbles from your lips as he pulls away, the loss of contact making you insanely desperate for more.

Bucky’s flesh hand travels down your body, one of his rough fingers dipping into your folds and toying with your clit.

“So wet, doll,” Bucky mutters above your breathless moans. “Is this all for me?”

You nod in response through hooded eyes and watch as Bucky takes his hand away and sucks your arousal off his finger.

“Sweet like candy,” he hums with a devilish smile. He moves back up your body to kiss you, the taste of you on his tongue driving you crazy with desire. Your hands explore his shoulders and back as Bucky positions himself over you again, brushing the tip of his hard cock over your wet folds. His eyes meet with yours while he waits for your approval. You nod and run a hand through his hair, stopping to cup his face.

Bucky pushes into you, both of your euphoric groans filling the air around you. He pauses, gripping the headboard with one hand and your hips with the other, suppressing another groan as he waits for you to adjust to his large, overwhelming size.

“M-Move, Buck,” you shakily pant. Bucky nods and dips his head into the crook of your neck as he pulls out and slams back into you. The sheer force of his thrusts sends stars dancing across your vision. Your grip tightens in his hair as you urge him on to go even faster.

“F-Fuck, darlin,” he growls against your skin, his warm lips brushing against your shoulder as he continues to pound into you. The coil in your stomach tightens as he whispers more praises into your ear. “You’re so fuckin’ tight.”

Your walls flutter and clench around him as you near your climax, the heat and tightness in your stomach threatening to burst. Bucky releases an animalistic groan and his cock twitches inside of you, his grip tightening on the headboard above you.

“‘M cl-close, Bucky,” you breathlessly manage.

“Come for me, baby girl,” Bucky moans against your ear, his pace quickening as he chases after his own release. After a few more thrusts, your orgasm hits you like a roaring wave and your cries of desire cut through the air. Bucky reaches his own climax a few moments later, his hot seed coating your walls as he works you both through your orgasms. As you come down from your highs, Bucky collapses next to you, nearly gasping for air.

“I’m sorry if I was an asshole earlier,” he sighs. You prop yourself up on your elbow and looks at him.

“What do you mean? It was my fault for being so weird.”

“It’s just that…I like you, Y/N,” he lazily drapes an arm over your waist. “Sometimes I’m just bad at expressing my feelings.”

“You could’ve said something earlier,” you giggle, pressing a light kiss to his lips. “I would love to date you, Bucky Barnes.”

A huge, brilliant smile bursts across his face as he attacks your face and neck with kisses.

“Are you up for a round two?” He cocks an eyebrow, a smirk pulling at the corner of his mouth as he pulls back from your neck.

“Always,” you smirk back. “But this time -” You swiftly move to straddle him. “I’m in charge.”

[ace-in-a-shopping-cart]

Not a short summary but a summary:

While in the main story, it's implied that the Weavers were banished to the Meridian (some theorizing that they *are* the Meridian), in Imperium, they were kept in Aria as an eternal source of food for the demons/daemons. Thus, most humans haven't seen either of those and the few we do have are on the run from the Department.

In Imperium, the Department is controlled by His Most Royal Highness, Damien. (Fire Lord Ozai, for those who get that reference.) Damien also has Angel as a royal concubine and a main point of their video is that Angel feels their status as an unempowered human will drag down his reign, which is only starting due to the death of his mother shortly before we start Imperium.

While in the Canon universe, empowered people typically hide themselves and their powers, it's the complete opposite here. Empowered are the main inhabitants and use their powers regularly and without any care to anything else. Due to that, the few demons/daemons who have crossed over to Elegy, either by being banished from Aria or escaping, (Gavin going by his original name of Vindemiator and Avior being the two we interact with) can tell that the Meridian is not able to keep up with the amount of magic flowing through it. If they keep that up, the Meridian will fall and Elegy will combine with Aria.

As Aria is completely magic and humans can't survive in a real of pure magic (without anything physical), the humans would be wiped out while the demons/daemons would be the only survivors.

As for the actual happenings of the world:

David and Darlin are dead, killed by Quinn and Alexis. Asher is now Alpha while Milo is his Beta. Quinn was killed shortly after he killed David and Darlin. David and Asher were canonically mates in Imperium.

Sam is a Mass Maker, a vampire who was essentially created by the government with the express purpose of creating new vampires. Vincent (and, in the first audio, Adam) is a free born vampire, not subject to the government. He and Adam, his boyfriend at the time, come across Lovely in the abandoned Wonder World, begging to be turned. Instead, Adam wants to drain them while Vincent wants to keep them hostage, "ambrosia on tap". Vincent kills Adam and keeps Lovely in his basement.

Freelancer is first met running from Kody, who spends his time hunting down Human Borns and using a demon/daemon to cut their powers, weeding out the "weak links". They had been hiding their magic all this time and didn't even know exactly what they are. This time, instead of snapping their threads before going to feed, Vindemiator says that he's tired of Kody (I could swear there's another character in here but I don't remember who, only that he's on the bad side) and wants Freelancer as a sex slave essentially and that he wants their magic intact as it's more fun that way. Kody reluctantly agrees. As soon as the two are alone, he apologizes for being a dick and explains a plan to get them both out.

They manage to kill Kody and steal a car, going to D.A.M.N as Vindemiator heard it's a safe space for both Human Born and demons/daemons alike. When they get there, Huxley is at the gate and pretty much bullies Vindemiator until he decides to bring them directly to the president of the academy, Lasko. Lasko has a strange obsession with Human Borns and fawns over Freelancer, all the while having a dangerous undertone to the whole conversation. He decides to enroll Freelancer to the academy but Vindemiator is kept separate from them, only being allowed to meet rarely.

Avior works at the Academy as a liason between the humans and those from Aria. He then tells Vindemiator and Freelancer that the academy is actually run by the Department and everything they've heard about it is propaganda designed to lure in demons/daemons. He and Starlight, his handler in this universe, have a melancholy conversation on the roof late at night as Avior describes the way the Meridian is falling apart and how no one has ever helped him.

Babe breaks into the academy, stealing papers left for them there, and is caught by the Shaw Pack (possibly renamed to Asher's unknown last name but I wouldn't put it past him to have taken David's last name). Christian and Milo have a scuffle before Asher comes over and brutally breaks it up. He briefly tells Milo to Beta up and expect orders to be obeyed the first time they're given and to crush Christian under his heel if he wants him to respect him at all. Asher initially is going to turn Babe into the Department before they tell him they've been in communication with Starlight and they've got bad news about the Meridian. He reads the papers they stole and agrees the situation is bad.

Asher goes to Vincent for help getting rid of the government owned vampires as that's the only way any of them will have a chance at taking the academy over and turning it into Rebellion Home Base. Vincent, after feeding on Lovely, talks to Asher (unforgivably insulting Milo and calling him small along the way) and says the only way he'll help them is if Asher and his pack kill Alexis for him. Asher agrees as he's been wanting revenge on the death of his mate and pack member. His most recent video is an argument between him and Babe on the ethicality of killing Alexis.

Milo and Sweetheart are still mates in this universe. Huxley and Lasko have some subtext going on but nothing explicit. We've yet to see our unempowered boys so there's nothing to go on there. Vindemiator and Freelancer are clearly endgame even in this universe (he's called them "my love" and speaks so gently and softly to them I could just break). Avior and Starlight might have something in this one too, it's a bit too vague to tell just yet.

Aaaand, I think that's it!

I need someone to give me a summary of the imperium universe because there’s no way I could sit and listen to all of the suffering but I want to be in the loop. I need a quick detached explanation lol.

[niall-is-my-dream]

Flirting - Part One

His IG post had got almost 600,000 likes and over 7000 comments. 

"When you meet your mates at the pub and you're dressed almost identical to one of the girls!" #besties #styleguru @ErinLouPhotography

There was a picture of you and Niall both wearing dark denim jeans, pale blue and white striped t shirt and brown boots. You'd each got one arm wrapped around each other and you were each holding a pint of Guinness in your hands laughing your heads off.

You were shocked at some of the comments. A lot of "who the hell is she? Is she his girlfriend?" 

Lots of nice comments though about how relaxed Niall looked with you and how pretty they thought you were.

You'd been in photos with Niall before in the 2 years you'd known him but never one on your own and he'd never tagged you before.

You'd woken up that morning with thousands more followers which hopefully would be good for business. Your freelance photography business was going well but a bit of free publicity courtesy of Niall was good. 

You were making breakfast when you got a text. It was Becky.

"Get to Willie and Niall's for 6:30, we are going to have a drink there before we head out to dinner. Table booked for 8. Oh and check with Niall about what he's wearing, don't want you two wearing the same outfit again! Shit that was funny! Love you x"

"Morning! Happy Birthday lovely! I'll see you at 6:30, have fun with your family today. And yes I'll text him although I hope he won't go out to your birthday dinner wearing a dress! Love you to x"

You started your message to Niall.

"Morning style guru! Hope you slept well after your 7 pints of Guinness. Thanks for the arse grope on the walk home last night. I loved it! Text me later to let me know what you're wearing tonight, don't want to turn up in the same again! See you at 6:30 xxx"

He text back not long after.

"Morning darlin'! Woken up with no headache actually, sorry about the arse grope. I'd be lying if I said I don't remember doing it but I do and I loved it to! Will send you a selfie later of my outfit but for now you'll just have to have this one."

He'd attached a selfie of him lying in his bed, the white cotton sheets crumpled from where he'd slept. He'd obviously just woken up but he looked fucking amazing.

"P.S. I expect a picture back x"

Ha! Cheeky fucker!

You posed holding your coffee and giving him a cheeky smile and pressing send.

He replied with "beautiful x"

You let out a massive sigh. You loved all the attention you got from Niall but to be honest it was tiring trying to figure him out. The sexual tension between you was crazy especially the last 4/5 months. If you were together in a group you always sat together. He couldn't sit or stand near you without touching you in some way. All your friends found it hilarious. They constantly took the piss out of you both but Niall never said anything to make you think he wanted to be more than friends. 

You started getting ready about 5, showering before slipping on your underwear and putting on your make up. You were just finishing your last curls when your phone bleeped. You knew it would be Niall but you didn't expect to see the image that appeared.

"Can't decide what suit to wear" the picture was of him wearing just a towel that was tied low on his hips. His body and hair still wet, a shine gleaming off them as he stood in front of the mirror in his walk in wardrobe with 2 suits hanging on either side. Holy shit! The physio work outs he'd been doing with Mark were working. His body looked amazing. He knew what he was doing when he sent that picture. The little shit! It suddenly occurred to you how to get your own back.

You were wearing a black lace thong and matching bra, you'd already done your make up and had literally just finished your hair. You walked into your  own wardrobe setting up your photo in the same way his was. You hung the two dresses you'd been considering for tonight on either side of your mirror and then you posed turning your body slightly so that he'd be able to see you were wearing a thong, sticking your bum up a little.

You write out the message. "I know, I don't know what to wear tonight either" you added the photo and pressed send. "Oh and I like the navy suit btw" you added after.

You felt like such an idiot. You'd never sent photos like that before to anyone. You'd also never taken it that far with Niall. You were nervous for his reply.

"Picking clothes is so difficult. Maybe we should skip dinner and just hang out with each other in what we have on now." He added a few wink emojis.

"Don't think the birthday girl would appreciate us bailing on her, maybe another time x" 

"That a promise?" He asked.

"Maybe" you replied.

"Tease! Wear the black dress, see you soon x"

You decided to put on the black dress. It was knee length with 3/4 sleeves and a low v neck, perfect to show off your boobs. It fitted and hugged in the right places. You had black heels and matching clutch to finish the outfit off. You checked the time almost 6:15. Niall and Willie didn't live far, just around the corner so you decided to walk to theirs.

You rang the bell and Willie opened the door, greeting you with a hug. 

"Where's the birthday girl?" You asked.

"She's just finishing getting ready." He replied.

"How did it go with her dad today?" You whispered.

"Great, he was really happy. But now I'm nervous!"

"Don't be you'll do great!" You replied giving him a massive smile.

"Come on I'll get you a glass of wine" he said gesturing to the kitchen.

"Niall ready yet?" You asked. 

"No idea, go ask him what he wants to drink will you please?"

"Sure" you replied putting your clutch bag down on the kitchen work top.

You walked down the hall way to Niall's bedroom, you knocked. No reply, so you slowly opened the door. His room was ridiculously tidy and clean. Sleek and modern.

"Hey Ni you here?"  You called out.

"I'm in here" he shouted back from his walk in wardrobe.

You walked over and leant against the door frame. He was straightening the collar on his white shirt. A little bit of chest hair just peeking out. 

"Nice suit" you said smiling.

He smirked.

"Nice dress, although I'm currently thinking about the underwear you've got on underneath." He raised his eyebrows.

"You liked that picture did you?" You smiled giving him a cheeky wink.

"God yes!" He said walking over to you.

He put his hands on your hips, stroking his thumbs over the fabric. "You wore the black dress?"

"well you asked me to" you said running your fingers along the lapels of his jacket trying not to look at him. You knew your eyes would give away how much you wanted him. He smelled amazing, fresh from his shower with a hint of cinnamon.

You'd never shared an intimate moment like this with Niall before. You'd flirted before but nothing like this. You liked it way too much. He closed the gap between you, he was so close to you now. He tilted his head, his nose meeting yours and he nudged at you making you finally look him in the eye. His eyes were different now almost lustful.

"God I want to kiss you so much" he said.

Shit did he just say he wanted to kiss me?

"Hey you two coming?  The others are here and we are getting the drinks sorted." It was Willie shouting through Niall's open bedroom door, he couldn't have seen you near the door way of the walk in wardrobe but you dropped your hands from Niall's jacket and went to step back. He held onto your hips not letting you move away from him, your heart was beating so fast and loud you were sure he could hear it.

"Yeah will be right there" Niall replied to Willie not taking his eyes from you. 

He leaned back down towards you again, the tip of his nose touching yours. "Can I kiss you now before we get interrupted again?" You moved your hands up to the back of his neck, fingers running through his hair as you pulled him down so your lips met. It started off slow, lips just ghosting over each other before you knew you needed more and it became fast and passionate. His tongue entering your mouth with so much lust you moaned out in pleasure. His hands were on your hips and back deepening the kiss. Fucking hell this was a good kiss. You didn't wait it to stop but you knew if you were any longer in his room then Becky would come looking for you.

You broke away from him an annoyed moan left his lips. "We should stop" you said. "Everyone is waiting for us."

"I know" he said sighing. "I just didn't want to."

You both checked you appearance in his mirror and walked out into the living room. 

"What you two been up to eh?" Asked Deo winking. 

"Nothing that your thinking Deo, you dirty fucker!" Said Niall. 

He obviously didn't want it to be known to anyone what had happened and you didn't either.

https://niall-is-my-dream.tumblr.com/post/168298306478/flirting-chapter-two