#charlene earrings

[gabriellademonaco]

Princess Charlene’s fabulous earrings collection (110/?)

[borgchip]

THEY BOTH HAVE THEIR OWN LITTLE SUITCASES THAT R OPPOSITE OF EACH OTHER 😭

[a-aexotic]

𝐛𝐮𝐛𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐦 𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡, chapter 1

𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 ! 3.5k

𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 ! familial issues, underage drinking, tension (between literally every LOL), blair/serena hating each other, you/blair and you/serena being besties lol, a lotta winfrey lore

𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬 ! ahhhh im super excited, as always please lmk your thoughts !!

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PRESENT DAY.

Hey, Upper East Siders, Gossip Girl here, and I have the most surprising news ever. Y/N Winfrey spotted back in town after she disappeared for almost 6 months. But where has she been all this time? Sources tell me she's been living it up in the City of Love, Paris. Oh la la! But what brings our darling Y/N back to the Big Apple after all this time? Could it be a scandalous affair, a family feud, or perhaps a fashionable rendezvous with the elite of Parisian society?

Rumors are swirling as to the reason behind Y/N's sudden return. Some say she's back to reclaim her rightful place among Manhattan's elite, while others speculate that she's returned to stir up trouble in the already turbulent waters of Upper East Side.

But what of Y/N's infamous entourage? Will her loyal subjects, Nate, Isabell, Kati and Blair, welcome her back with open arms, or will there be whispers of betrayal and backstabbing among the ranks of Manhattan's elite?

Will she pick up right where she left off, ruling the social scene with her signature grace? Or has her time away changed her in ways we can't even imagine? So grab your designer handbags and your most scandalous gossip, Upper East Siders, because things are about to heat up in the city that never sleeps. XOXO, Gossip Girl.

As the sleek black limousine rolled to a stop in front of the towering building, the door swung open with a soft whoosh, revealing the figure of Y/N Winfrey stepping out into the cool Manhattan air.

With a flick of your hair, you cast a cool gaze towards your old home, a grand penthouse that stood as a testament to the wealth and power of the Winfrey family. The familiar sight of the elegant facade stirred a flurry of emotions within you, memories both bitter and sweet flooding your mind as you took in your old home.

You were too focused on the old home to hear your mother come up from behind you, putting a hand on her shoulder as she examined the home as well. She hadn't been there since the divorce, which was almost a decade ago.

"I know you're nervous, Y/N. But don't let any of them get to you, okay?" Her voice rang in your ears as you nodded slowly. You weren't sure who she was referring to; your father's new family or your old friends. Or maybe, all of the above.

"Okay," you whispered, your voice barely above a whisper. "I won't."

With a reassuring squeeze of your mother's hand, you gathered your resolve and stepped forward, ready to face whatever awaited you within the walls of your old home.

Your new family met you with open arms and it felt strange to be back home, the same home you'd left; except, everything inside had changed. There were no more pictures of you anywhere, they were all replaced with wedding photos or pictures of your new stepsister, Charlene. It made your stomach twist in disgust, you couldn't believe your father had a brand-new, shiny family. The perfect family he'd prayed for, you were almost happy for him. Almost.

"So how was Paris, Y/N? Did you like it?" Josie's voice brought you back to real life. You turned your gaze up to meet hers, a tight smile on your lips. You were sat in the living room of the penthouse, alongside your mother and stepmother.

"It was... fun," you reply carefully, your tone neutral. You couldn't bring yourself to admit just how much you missed Paris, how it had felt more like home than this place ever did. Instead, you plastered on a facade of indifference, hoping to shield yourself. "It's too bad that we left."

Your mother let out a light laugh as she glanced back at you. "We'll be back as soon as we can. I just missed New York so much and I'm so happy to be back." What she didn't mention was that the only reason she was back was for her business, she wanted to open more shops in Manhattan.

"Yeah, it's nice to be back," you replied, forcing a smile. Despite your mother's attempt to lighten the mood, you couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of your stomach.

Josie, your stepmother, chimed in, her voice cheerful. "I'm glad to hear that. I'm sure you'll adjust to being back in no time. Especially with Eleanor's party tonight, you'll be attending that... right?"

"Yes, yes she will." Your mother answered for you. You knew that your mother wanted to reintroduce you back into Manhattan society but you didn't even have time to adjust back into New York time, you were jetlagged.

You didn't want to even think about why you even left in the first place. When you decided to leave, you promised that when you'd come back, you'd leave it in the past. You'd leave him in the past.

Nate. The mere thought of him sent a shiver down your spine, a reminder of the heartache you had endured before leaving for Paris. You had promised yourself that you would never allow him back into your life, that you would move on and leave the past where it belonged.

Lost in your thoughts, you barely noticed as your mother and stepmother continued to discuss the details of the upcoming event, their voices fading into the background as your mind wandered back to memories you had long tried to forget.

──౨ৎ──

"And if they ask you about the business, what do you say?" Your mother quizzed you as she put on lipgloss, looking into the mirror of the hallway of the building that Blair's penthouse resided in.

You tore your gaze away from your own reflection to meet your mother's eyes, a sense of unease creeping into your stomach. "I'll say that things are going well," you replied, your tone carefully neutral. "That we're expanding and looking for new opportunities in Manhattan."

Your mother nodded in approval, her lips curving into a satisfied smile. "Good," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of pride. "Just remember to keep it vague. We're a family, and we need to show the world that we're strong, no matter what."

You forced a smile, though the weight of your mother's words hung heavy in the air. The facade of unity was fragile, and you knew that beneath the surface, tensions simmered, threatening to boil over at any moment.

Your mother finally finished her lip gloss, focusing now solely on you. "Remember, confidence is key. You're representing not just yourself, but our entire family."

"Got it." You answered, the words coming out as more of a reassurance to yourself than to her.

Her words echoed in your mind as you followed her towards Blair's penthouse, the anticipation of Eleanor's party looming ever closer. The elevator dinged and the door opened, revealing the glamorous penthouse of the Waldorf's. Your mother's hand found yours as she squeezed it, reassuring as you two walked back into Manhattan's elite society.

"Priscilla Winfrey! You made it!"

Your mother's head turned to meet Eleanor, a charming smile enveloping her lips as she walked toward her.

"Oh, and is that Y/N?" Eleanor gasped as she studied you, taking every little detail in. "You look absolutely stunning, sweetheart. You're starting to look more and more like your mother every passing day."

"Thank you, Ms. Waldorf," you replied graciously, offering her a polite smile. Despite the compliment, you couldn't shake the sense of unease that gnawed at you.

Eleanor's gaze lingered on you for a moment longer before she turned her attention back to your mother, engaging her in conversation. Left momentarily alone, you scanned the room, taking in the familiar faces that surrounded you.

Your eyes landed on your old friend group, all seated on the couch. A sense of nostalgia hit you as you examined their faces, all the nights you'd spent partying with them playing in your head. Isabell, Kati and Chuck sat as they spoke, talking about God knows what.

You couldn't help but wonder where Blair was, it was her party and she wasn't with her friends. And of course, Nate.

Chuck's eyes finally met yours, a wide smirk on his lips as his eyes fell on your body before back to your eyes. But before you could go up to them, you heard an excited squeal behind you.

"Y/N!"

You recognize that voice anywhere; it was Blair. She enveloped you in a tight hug, her excitement palpable as she pulled back to study your face. "Oh my God, it's been too long." she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling but there was something you couldn't quite place. "You look amazing, as always."

You were nervous, it had been so long since you'd seen your old best friend. Your stomach twisted in guilt as you gave her a tight smile, her hands squeezing yours. "Thank you, Blair. You looked stunning but I'm sure you don't need me to tell you that."

Blair's smile faltered for just a moment before she regained her composure, a flash of something unreadable passing through her eyes. "Thank you, Y/N," she replied, her tone warm but tinged with an undercurrent of tension. "I'm just glad you're here. Like, really here."

You and Blair had been close since you were kids, your families being close since the beginning of time, basically. Your mothers were best friends in school and now, you are too. Before you left Paris, you told Blair and Serena and made sure to give them calls whenever you could. But soon, Serena stopped answering your calls and according to Blair, she just disappeared to a boarding school in Connecticut.

Blair still didn't know the real reason you fled to Paris and that gulit chipped at you everyday, even more now as you saw her lips curve into a rare genuine smile.

"I've missed you, Blair," you replied, your voice tinged with sincerity. "It's good to be back."

"It's good to have you back, Y/N." Blair gave your hand a squeeze before she spoke again. "Excuse me for two seconds, I have to go to the bathroom."

"Of course, Blair," you replied, offering her a reassuring smile as she excused herself.

You let out a sigh before turning your focus back to your mom, who was now in a conversation with a person you weren't sure you knew the name of. You knew you couldn't bother her right now, she was networking.

With a resigned sigh, you resigned yourself to the role of observer, content to blend into the background as your mother worked her magic in the world of Manhattan's elite. It wasn't the first time you had found yourself sidelined in favor of your mother's professional pursuits, and you knew it wouldn't be the last.

You couldn't blame her, though. After the divorce, her career had become more than just a family business—it had become her lifeline, it was the only thing she still had.

You remembered the days that followed your parents' separation, the way your mother had thrown herself into her work with a fervor bordering on obsession. It had been her way of coping, her way of escaping the pain and heartache that had threatened to consume her. You didn't blame her, her high school sweetheart had left her for a woman almost half her age, closer in age with her daughter than her.

You found the drinks table quickly, grabbing a glass of champagne and taking a sip of it. As you lifted the glass to your lips, the cool and crisp taste of the champagne washed over your tongue, distracting you from the emotions swirling within you. With a sigh of contentment, you leaned against the table, letting the hum of conversation and laughter wash over you.

As you scanned the room, your eyes fell on a familiar brunette. Your heart skipped a beat as you realized who it was; the person you'd been wanting to escape since you left for Paris. His bright blue eyes met yours and you felt a rush of conflicting emotions flood through you. It was Nate, your once-close friend, the one person who had been a constant presence in your life before everything changed.

His gaze held surprise as he caught sight of you across the room, and for a moment, you found yourself unable to tear your eyes away from him. You were frozen, unable to move as he approached you.

You couldn't escape him now.

Nate's lips curved into a smile as he took you in, with all your glory. "Y/N, you're back. It's, uh... good to see you."

"Yeah, you too." You responded, giving him a short answer.

Nate's smile faltered slightly at your response, a flicker of disappointment flashing across his features before he quickly masked it. "So, uh... how have you been?" he asked, his tone cautious as though treading on uncertain ground.

"I've been good. And you?"

"Me too. I'm happy you're back." He looked down at the glass of champagne as he let out a chuckle. "I'm glad you still have that taste of champagne, some things just never change."

You couldn't help but smile at Nate's attempt to lighten the mood, the tension between you easing ever so slightly. "Yeah, some things never change," you agreed, a hint of warmth creeping into your voice.

"Nate!" Blair's voice echoed as she came up to the two of you, grabbing his arm. "You don't mind if I steal him for a second, Y/N."

You and Nate exchanged looks before you tore your eyes from him and back to Blair, a forced smile playing on your lips. "Of course not, he's all yours." In more ways than one, you thought to yourself as the two walked away, leaving you alone once again.

Before you could relish in being alone again, your mother's voice rang behind you. "Y/N! Blair! Look who's back."

You turned to meet the blonde you'd once called your best friend. Serena. Her gaze held excitement as she found yours, you began walking toward and engulfing her in a big embrace.

You didn't know why she left for Connecticut but you knew she would tell you and Blair eventually. You, Serena and Blair had always been close and tight-knit, no matter the circumstances.

Serena pulled out of the hug and put her hands on your shoulders as she studied your face, a grin on her face. "You're glowing, Y/N."

"Says you. How did you get even more blonde since I've seen you?" You teased as she let out a laugh.

Serena's laughter echoed through the hallway, a sound that filled you with a sense of warmth and familiarity. Despite the time that had passed since you had last seen each other, it felt as though no time had passed at all.

"I've been spending way too much time in the sun," Serena admitted with a playful grin, her blue eyes sparkling. "But enough about me, tell me everything. How was Paris? Did you meet any cute French boys?"

You chuckled at Serena's teasing. "Paris was amazing," you replied, a smile tugging at the corners of your lips as you recalled your time. "And as for French boys, well, let's just say they definitely live up to the hype."

Serena laughed, nudging you playfully with her elbow. "I knew it!"

"Serena?"

You both turned to face Blair, a unreadable expression on her face before she quickly masked it with excitement. She pulled her into a tight hug but you could feel the tension, what the hell did you miss when you were Paris?

"So good to see you, how are you?" Blair pulled out of the hug as she looked in between you.

"Oh, look! The girls are back together, my heart is gonna burst." Eleanor gasped as she observed the scene in front of her, oblivious to the tension in the room. "Are you staying for dinner, I'll set a place next to Y/N and Blair!"

"Yeah, um, there's somewhere I have to go." Serena looked in between you, a guilty expression on her face.

"You're leaving?" Blair's voice sounded hurt as she looked back at Serena.

"Yeah... I don't feel well, I-I just wanted to come and say hi. I'll see you guys at school tomorrow." Serena responded as she slowly began to back up, before she turned away.

Blair's expression dropped immediately back to a bitter expression, looking back to you. "At least you're staying. Who needs Serena anyway?" She whispered the last part as she turned away and began walking away.

You began following behind her, "What did I miss?"

"What do you mean?"

You caught up to Blair and you two began walking toward the couch. "I mean... with you and S?"

"Serena." She corrected. "And nothing except all you know. She left without saying a word, to none of us." Blair sounded bitter but you knew deep down, she was just hurt.

"Well, maybe something happened."

"With what?" Chuck joined the conversation as Blair glared at him. You could feel Chuck's gaze on your dress as he smirked.

"Mind your business, Chuck." Blair spoke as she rolled her eyes.

You caught Chuck's gaze, his smirk igniting a spark of annoyance within you. "Chuck, it's not polite to stare," you retorted, your tone sharp as you shot him a pointed look. Some things never do change, you thought.

Chuck's smirk widened at your words, a glint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Forgive me, I couldn't help but admire the view," he replied smoothly, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You did some growing up in Paris, I could tell." His eyes were focused on your dress as you scoffed.

"Paris does wonders for a person," you replied dryly, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing you flustered.

──౨ৎ──

"I'm pregnant! Surprise, Y/N!" Josie shouted as your father pulled her in closer, your jaw slowly falling. She's... what? Your fork clattered against the plate, the sound echoing in the tense silence that followed Josie's announcement. Pregnant? The word echoed in your mind, disbelief and shock washing over you in waves.

Your head was pounding, you got home around 12:30 last night because the party lasted a little longer than expected. You were just trying to enjoy your breakfast before school, but then they drop this bombshell on you.

"Wh-what?" You finally managed to stammer out, your eyes wide with disbelief as you looked at Josie. "How does, uh, Charlene feel about it?"

Charlene was Josie's daughter from her previous relationship, she was about two years younger than you and... well, you couldn't stand her.

"You can ask her yourself!" Josie's gaze moved behind you and you turned to face Charlene. Speak of the devil.

Charlene's lips curved into a smile, though there was a flicker of something else in her eyes. "Super excited. I mean, I can't wait to be an older sister."

There was awkward silence before you got up from the dining table, clearing your throat. "Well... I have to get ready for school. This was really nice."

You got up and began walking up the stairs, ignoring their stares. You wanted to stay with your mom but she was staying at The Palace and your father insisted you stayed with them and his shiny new family.

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[xxgoblin-dumplingxx]

Freebie!! May the house be as cooperative as possible

Logan sipped his coffee and half listened to the shower in the bathroom, keeping an ear out in case you fell or something. And tried not to hear you trying to- well.

Because that was driving him crazy. He wanted to help so bad he thought he was gonna bust. He appreciated you trying to be discrete about it though. You probably didn't understand how good his hearing actually was. Even if you did know how good his sense of smell was now- good enough to pick out changes in your scent.

But the banging on the door and Trigger barking interrupted his thoughts- and his planning.

He went to the door and looked in the peephole to see a barrel-shaped woman with steel gray, poodle-permed hair and an oxygen tank. "What the fuck-"

"Y/N will you open the damned door?" she barked. "I know you're there I can hear the damn dog."

Logan heard the shower turn off and the thud of you opening and closing dresser drawers "FUCK! Logan? Can you-"

"Got it, Princess," he said unbolting the door and taking a deep breath. There goes his nice calm day. He can feel you in the bedroom, already whipped into a frenzy. "Can I help you?"

"Where's Y/N?" she demanded. "And who are you?"

"Mom," you tell her appearing next to him and nudging him out of the way gently. "This is Logan. What- why didn't you call?"

"Since when do I have to call to see my daughter?" she scoffed, barging past both of you and flopping herself down in an armchair, almost like she was striking a pose. A queen expecting tribute.

Logan can feel you assessing the room. Taking stock. Calculating. And he can hear your heart racing as you flit towards the kitchen to make coffee for her. And put a cinnamon roll, the one you were saving for later on a plate to go with it. "Since the time you came to visit and I was at an event in Ohio-"

"You should have told me," she scolded. "You never tell me anything. Wade told me everything."

Logan stifled a snort turning it into a cough and followed you, "What can I do?" he muttered. Your hands were trembling. He could hear things knocking together from the livingroom.

"Call Wade. Tell him to stay out of here today. Then call Vanessa and tell her the same," you murmur, lips barely moving.

He nodded and took the cup and the plate from the counter for you, taking it to your mom.

"How'd you get here?" you ask, starting a cup of tea.

"Your Aunt Charlene, 'o course," she answered, inspecting the cinnamon roll. "You make this?"

"Yesterday-"

"It's dry. What's with all the baby shit?"

Logan freezes halfway to the bedroom. Listening. Phone in hand. He knew you had to control a story here. Were you going to tell her? If you didn't tell her- How were you going to explain it when there was a baby? Or if she dropped by and you were ready to pop?

"I- do you want a glass of milk? You said that was dry."

"Ugh. I don't want it, sweetie. You got anything else?"

"Sure, mom. Gimme a minute. I'll make you something for lunch. It's a long trip. Aunt Charlene didn't want to stay?"

"You know her," she snorted.

Logan exhaled and listened to you take the plate and head back to the kitchen. Wondering how many times HE put you in this spot. Managing his emotions. How many times they'd all done it to you. Your heart was still racing and now it seemed like the rhythm wasn't going to slow down. Hovering just below utter panic.

"You really should lay off the sweets," he hears, "you're getting fat."

That made him crinkle his nose in distaste. Hardly. Even if you weren't pregnant, he was pretty sure there was some shit you just didn't say.

___________

"Hey, Peanut," Wade said, "Y/N putting a hit out on you or-"

"Your mom's at her apartment, numbnuts," he hissed. "Call Vanessa and tell her. Don't wanna leave her alone too long."

"Shit," Wade groaned. "Listen. Keep your head down. Keep your mouth shut. And just- whatever witchcraft she does let her do it."

"Whatever," Logan said hanging up. It wasn't witchcraft. It was you standing in front and taking body blows for the rest of them. It was you weaving a web and doing a whole song and dance to make it all work to protect them. And he could take a few if it meant it gave you some space to breathe.

_____________________

Logan walked back out into a tirade about how everything was going wrong with the house. About how YOU had to fix it. Because WADE would have done it because he was such a good boy. A good son. And now that he was dead-

"I'll come take a look at it if you want," Logan said, taking a seat next to you on the couch. putting an arm around you possessively.

"Who're you?"

"Logan is my boyfriend," you explain, "he does construction-"

"You definitely don't wanna get fat if you wanna keep that one," she said, looking at him properly.

Logan half shrugged and pulled you closer, "She's not getting fat, trust me. She gets too much cardio for that."

When the other woman laughs and you go tense, feigning amusement at your own expense, he winces internally.

'Gotta go watch my pans," you tell him, getting up.

"None of that fancy roasted shit," Your mother called. "Cook those vegetables the RIGHT way. Like I taught you-"

"Of course mom," you hum.

Hiding. You were hiding. And he knew it. But he understood it- sort of. Too many variables. Too many emotions to need to control. You were emotional. And all you could do right now was cook. So you cooked. If you were busy and helpful no one was going to be mad at you. Not him not your mom. Not anyone.

And All Logan could do was keep her talking about the house and not the size of your ass. Drinks filled. Bones for the dog. Plates on the table. It was a flow. You faded into the background.

Taking the complaints and the demands. Serving a meal and keeping things comfortable. It set Logan's teeth on edge watching your mother treat you like the help in your own home.

But by the time she left and you handed her a check just to get her out the door, he was furious. You shut the door behind her and slid down it, wrapping your arms around Trigger and burying your face in the fur of his neck. Just sobbing.

"Princess," he said softly, "com'ere?" He felt helpless.

The dog whined and pressed closer to you, laying across your lap when you let him go. "I'm okay," you mumble. "Feel like shit but-"

Logan nodded and took a seat on your other side, "Bet you wish you could have a drink, huh?"

"So fucking much," you huff, leaning against his side. "Usually when she leaves I buy a bottle of wine and order sushi."

He smiled a little and kissed the top of your head. "Promise. I'll make sure you get your wine and sushi as soon as you finish pushing."

"That might be the sweetest thing you've ever said to me," you tell him.

"Also," he snorted. "You're not getting fat. You're pregnant- she's just a fucking cunt."

[agentlizardofowca]

perryshmirtz “maybe we should kiss just to break the tension.” from the quotes prompt

After three successful dates (and one bad one, it was not their fault) Perry invited Heinz to meet his immediate family. It had gone surprisingly well, and over the months that followed Doof somehow built a stronger friendship with the Flynn-Fletchers than he had ever managed with Charlene's parents and sister. They had never liked him much, but Perry's family didn't bat an eye at his strange behavior. Strangely enough, Heinz almost felt like he fit in.

It took almost two years of officially dating before Perry informed him that it was time for Heinz to meet the extended family. Perry's expression was not enthused, but Heinz was used to his boyfriend's stoic expressions so he did not think much of it.

The day of the Fletcher Family reunion arrived and Heinz was introduced to Winifred and Reginald Fletcher who were both hilarious, interested, friendly, and potentially insane. Never before had Heinz met a woman who was as unimpressed with Perry as his foster mother. She ordered Heinz to grab them "a cuppa" before she told him an array of embarrassing stories from Perry's youth. In her purse she had a stack of photos, some of a teenaged and awkward Lawrence, and then a few of a grumpy-faced peach-fuzz-lipped Perry who wore his school uniform with absolute disdain. His hair was too long, in one ear sat an earring, and in some pictures, he sported an impressive black eye.

"Perigrin wasn't very impressed with the school bullies," She said with poorly hidden pride. "He showed them what for!"

Perry was in the middle of begging his mother not to tell any more stories when a new group of people arrived. A young lady and a herd of boys all stormed in, followed by a man who had to be Lawrence's biological brother.

"Aiden, how nice of you to come!" Lawrence announced and went to hug his brother.

Distantly, Heinz registered that his hand was being crushed.

He looked down and found that Perry was looking particularly grave.

"Perry?" Heinz asked, and Perry blinked as if coming to his senses. He released Heinz's hand from the death grip, dusted his knees, and got up from his begging position.

Heinz then watched as Perry stiffly and awkwardly went to greet Aiden. They shook hands so politely that Doof couldn't help but feel a bit worried.

"It's been so long, Perry," Aiden announced loudly. "I see you haven't grown an inch!"

Perry bared his teeth in a most unnatural smile and continued shaking his hand.

After Aiden was done laughing at his own joke, he wiped a fake tear from his eye before continuing what Heinz could only describe as a comedy routine.

"I'll give you twenty dollars to say something right now," Aiden pulled out his wallet, and when Perry just grimaced at him uncomfortably he put it away and laughed some more.

Perhaps it was more like a roast.

"How's the wife and kids? Oh no wait! You're single and lonely!" Aiden laughed again, completely unaware that he was the only one.

Perry had crossed his arms two "jokes" ago, and beside Heinz, Winifred crossed her arms impatiently. Apparently, this routine happened every time? Heinz couldn't help but wonder why Perry hadn't smacked that guy yet, if Heinz made a joke that bad he'd be bruised for a week.

"Actually Aiden, Perry brought his partner along!" Lawrence announced, and he held his arms out as if he too was scared of what Perry was capable of.

Aiden paused his laughter. "Wait really?" He asked and he looked around the room in surprise. His eyes landed on Heinz and after a moment where Heinz and Aiden stared at each other awkwardly, the brother said "Oh," In an almost disappointed tone.

"Come meet Heinz," Lawrence tried to guide Aiden towards him. Heinz rose to his feet hesitantly, and his eyes checked with Perry who had apparently decided to stay there and let this happen.

"Aha," Aiden agreed. "Heinz. Foreign name?"

"Drusselstein." He agreed.

Aiden's face contorted for a moment. "Like Matteo Spieler, Drusselstein?!" He asked loudly. And his face got quite red, quite quickly

Heinz had to think for a moment. He wasn't much of a sports guy, but even he knew that Matteo Spieler was Drusselstein's most famous soccer player. He was currently playing in the European league and was personally responsible for the winning goal against England. Ah. Heinz might understand the sudden burst of anger.

Aiden turned to Perry. "You're DATING THE ENEMY?!" He shouted and he grabbed an apple from the counter and threw it on the floor. Where it burst into many pieces.

"Now, now Aiden!" Lawrence interjected and he tried to calm him down. Linda sighed loudly and left the room, if anyone expected her to clean up that mess they were wrong.

"Drusselstein?! Really!"

Whilst Lawrence kept Aiden occupied, Perry returned to Heinz's side and circled his heart with one finger ��Sorry.」

Heinz watched the hissifit with amazement. "Not your fault. I think?"

"Honestly, I expected his homophobia to be the issue, not your nationality," Winifred remarked as she sipped her tea casually.

Heinz blinked and turned to his boyfriend. "Do you think that if we kissed to break the tension that would snap him out of it?"

Perry snorted in amusement and pulled Heinz along as he stepped up to Aiden. He cleared his throat dramatically, twirled Heinz around, dipped him low, and mashed their mouths together in an unelegant but enthusiastic kiss.

Winifred cheered happily.

Aiden paused his argument with Lawrence to look at the performance.

When Perry eventually released the Drusselsteinian enemy from his kiss, he smiled at Aiden and winked.

It worked, in that Aiden shut up about football for a while, but Heinz very quickly learned that the other members of the Fletcher family were a lot more fun to talk to. After all, Winifred still had pictured from Perry's youth he had to see.

[bettyfrommars]

I'm on Fire

biker!eddie x fem!reader x biker!Steve

Chapter 15: Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck

summary: tensions are high as the last few chapters come to a head. Now that Craig has you, and none of the gang knows where you are, panic ensues. Eddie has to deal with an unwanted interaction with an ex, while Steve finds out the truth about Charlene. Astrid gets a bad feeling and thinks Steve might be hurt, meanwhile you decide to take matters into your own hands and deal with Craig in order to escape. wc: 10.7k

masterlist playlist

WARNINGS: 18+ONLY, angst, a gun, typical series violence, gunshots, reader being held against her will, abusive ex, stabbing, hand to hand combat, some violence toward women (which I do not condone under any circumstances), manipulation, dark themes, reader fights back, revenge, hurt and comfort, sex with someone other than reader (not Eddie), premonitions, murder, being chased, aggression. protective!eddie, protective!steve, slightly gigolo!steve. Header photo is not meant to be reader.

author's note: In this chapter, I'm making up for the fact that 90's tow truck driver Eddie and the rest of the MC would've had beepers, but, alas, I failed to mention them before. I've been staring at this for so long now, I need to post it. Really hope you enjoy, and I look forward to hearing what you all think.

"It ought to be easy, ought to be simple enough Man meets a woman and they fall in love But this house is haunted and the ride gets rough you’ve got to learn to live with what you can’t rise above If you want to ride on down in through this tunnel of love."

Tunnel of Love, Bruce Springsteen

-------

(This chapter starts of exactly where part 14 ended)

Just as Robin was about to reach out and catch Steve’s elbow, the bride, Daphne, jumped in front of her. 

“You made it! I’m so happy I could cry!” Daphne hugged her tight and, over her shoulder, Robin watched Steve and Charlene disappear into the crowd, helplessly. The wedding was packed, but she was sure she could find him as soon as she was done with a polite chat.  

She figured there wasn’t anything too bad that could happen in five minutes.  

A minute or two into acting interested in the conversation Daphne and one of her bridesmaids was having, Robin turned around to gesture at you—to make the introductions—-but you were nowhere to be found.  Daphne talked for a bit longer and Robin pretended to listen, but she was distracted, and the bad feeling in her gut was making her fidgety.

Good Vibrations by Marky Mark and The Funky Bunch ended, quickly to be replaced by What I Am by Edie Brickell, and Robin excused herself to go and look for you, apologizing to the bride profusely.  Telling Steve that Charlene was an obsessive psycho didn’t feel as important in that moment—-she knew Steve could handle himself.  But you? You were being stalked by a notoriously abusive ex and now Robin had no idea where you were. She should not have run off like that without you, and now she was kicking herself.

As Robin turned on her heel trying to spot you in the crowded lobby, Steve and Charlene were about to bypass the people on the dancefloor and make their way up to the hotel room.  Steve didn’t know what was happening, at first, when she made the bold move of grabbing his hand in the crowd and pulling him closer.

“Hey, hey now,” he said in her ear over the twang of the music.  “Should we be doing that where people can see us?”

Charlene sent her hand down to massage his cock, and then she leaned in and licked his earlobe.  “I don’t care anymore,” she replied, leading him out of the low-lit reception hall and down the hallway. 

Steve didn’t really know what that meant, and he hoped she wasn’t getting the wrong idea.  If she wanted to flush her marriage down the toilet—-awesome—-but Steve didn’t want to be the reason.  He had no intention to continue to see her after that evening, unless she was paying him, and he had every intention of making that clear in the elevator, but then she was on her knees with his cock in her mouth and he forgot what he was going to say.

—----------

Eddie rumbled into the parking lot on his chopper, ignoring the valet as he tried to tell him which way to go.  He parked as close as he could to the building, sliding in next to a limousine, even though there was no parking space there, and gave a blank stare to the guys who were about to try and ask him to move it.

He yanked the main door open, eyes darting around the people in the lobby.  He had no idea where to start looking for you, and that filled him with a frustration that made a growl escape his chest. The crease in his forehead softened when he felt two arms go around him from behind, but then one glance down at the hands, and he knew it wasn’t you. 

“What the—” the relief he felt at the idea of turning around to kiss you was abruptly stifled.

“Hey baby,” Melanie cooed.  She reached up to brush his bangs off his forehead like she used to in the old days, but Eddie moved his head away and blocked her hand.

He looked around before leaning forward to whisper curtly, “you just can’t take a hint, can you?”

Melanie settled back, bracketing her hands on either side of her hips.  She had on an impossibly short, sequined lime green dress with dark red lipstick and it looked like she should’ve been on a stripper pole, not at a wedding.  “Why do you hate me so much, Eddie? I gave you the best years of my life, the least you could do is be civil with me.”

Eddie frowned, moving to walk by her.  

“Please, Eddie!” She screamed it, catching his arm.

Eddie hitched his shoulders up to his ears in frustration, cringing at the way so many people turned to stare at him.  He moved in a circle, checking the crowd for you as he went, and then came back to face Melanie with weary reluctance.

“What do you want from me, Mel?” He asked, hoping it would be a quick fix so he could continue on with his night.  

Melanie slid the tip of her tongue along her top lip.  “Listen, I know I hurt you, okay? I know it was bad.  But I’m a totally different person now, I’ve changed.”

Eddie cocked his head. “Good for you.  What does that have to do with me?”

“Let me prove it to you,” she reached for his arm again and he let her hold it this time, hoping to speed things along.  “Have a drink with me and let’s talk.  I really miss you, Eddie,” she could tell he was about to interrupt and she put her hand up to stop him.  “You told me once that I was the love of your life, that you’d never love anyone more than me, and I know a part of you meant it.”

Eddie cringed at the memory of the young, impressionable boy he was back then, so pussy drunk that he didn’t know which end was up.  Did he mean it when he said it back then? Yes, from the bottom of his horny soul.  Did a part of him still feel the same way? Not a single drop.  What he’d felt for Melanie all those years ago paled in comparison to the level of devotion he had for you.  He was a man now, determined not to make the same mistakes that plagued him in his boyhood.

Eddie took a deep breath, eyeballing the crowd again.  “Okay, listen to me,” he took hold of Melanie’s bare arm, holding her firmly, and tilted his chin down to look her directly in the eye.  “What we had has been long over for years now.  I don’t know what I’ve done to possibly lead you on to believe there could ever be anything between us ever again, but I need you to get it through your fucking head that I don’t love you anymore.  Things will never be like they were.  I wish you well, but I don’t want you in my life, even as a friend.  I need you to respect this. Nod if you understand.”

“Do you not want me in your life because your new girlfriend will get jealous?” Her mouth fixed in  a mischievous grin, as if she’d completely missed the point of everything he just said.

“Fucking, goddamn it Melanie,” Eddie hissed, and then he ran both of his hands through his hair and gripped his fingers in at the roots, snapping his eyes shut to try and calm his frustration.  “I can’t do this right now, I’ve got more important shit going on,” he shook his head and dropped his hands, turning to head in the opposite direction.  “We’re done, totally done.  Forever.  I don’t want to ever see you again, Mel.  Don’t call, don’t show up.  Just go back to wherever and stay there. Have a nice life.”

He was a few steps away when she shouted to get his attention again.  “I know where your girl is, if that’s who you’re looking for,” she had her arms crossed and a bored expression on her face when he turned to regard her again.  “She left with some dude, if that means anything to you.  They were holding each other pretty close and if you ask me—-”

But the last word got caught in her throat as Eddie barreled down on her, gripping her arms so tight, his rings pinched her flesh. He shook her a few times, making her eyes go wide.  “You’re hurting me!” She balked.

“Tell me where they went,” he spoke with so much force, he accidentally spit on her.  

—----

Robin caught sight of Eddie and started to make her way to the other side of the lobby, relieved, but then she saw who Eddie was talking to.

She made a face and stopped in her tracks for a beat.  “Melanie?” She asked it to herself, under her breath.  Robin knew she was the last person on earth Eddie would want to see, let alone be standing in such close proximity to.  Eddie started to walk away, but then he turned back around and grabbed Melanie with a force that made Robin gasp.  He could be a violent person, sure, but never with women, and it worried her to think of what she might’ve said to him.

Everyone was getting drunker and more oblivious to the people around them, so she worked hard to maneuver her way through the clueless party goers as What is Love by Haddaway jolted from the dance hall.

“Hey, Eddie!” She cupped her hand over one side of her mouth to shout it, but then she watched helplessly from a distance as Eddie and Melanie went down the hall and disappeared from view. What the hell was he doing with her—where the fuck were they going?

—-----

Craig had a room in the hotel, and that is where he took you.  

As much as you were afraid of Craig, you also knew how to handle him in situations like this.  To fight him, to argue with him, would only make things worse.  He wasn’t the type to feel much empathy for any of the pain others felt; his pain and emotional distress were the only things that mattered. If you fought him, or if you tried to run, he wouldn’t hesitate to terrorize your friends.  The thought made you shiver—you couldn’t let him get his hands on anyone else.  He could take whatever he wanted from you in exchange for their peace.

Craig was also extremely stupid, and as long as you placated and went along with him—you’d have more time to think about your next move instead of struggling and wasting your energy.  You didn’t put it past him to drug you and throw you in the back of his SUV, so you put on your Academy Award winning “this is fine” face while your mind raced for a plan.

Once he closed the door to his hotel room and put the deadbolt on, he took you in his arms, pulling you in for an embrace.  “Ahh, now–isn’t this nice?”

You nodded against his shoulder as your eyes darted around for something sharp.  “It really is.  I’m glad you came to find me.”

He pulled away to smile down at you; thin lips stretching to expose perfectly white teeth. “See, now, there’s my girl,” he tipped your chin with the crook of his finger and then planted a kiss on your forehead.

You were sure he brought you up there to have sex with you, and the thought made your stomach churn—-you were prepared to rip his balls off before that happened.  Craig was really strong though, and he could kill a man twice your size with his bare hands, so you had to find a way to battle with your wits.

“Have a seat,” he motioned to the bed in front of the TV, and then he grabbed the remote.  “You wanna check and see what is on pay per view? We can order room service.  Are you hungry?”

Such normal questions for such an abnormal and unfortunate situation.

You sat down cautiously, keeping your back stiff and straight.  You noticed a huge black duffel bag sitting on the floor, and it looked like the type of thing he usually carried all of his weapons in. 

“This is okay,” you gestured to the episode of Three’s Company that popped on.  

He handed you the remote as he bent down to kiss your temple. “I’m going to wash my hands.  Stay here, alright?”

You gave him a wink.  “Of course I’ll stay here, sugar plum.  There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

He sighed, offering a dreaming expression. “I’ve missed you so much, it hurts.”

“That’s sweet,” you offered, turning your attention back to the tv as he went around the corner to the bathroom.  You got up and walked slowly to the window to see what you could see, talking to him all the while to keep him satiated.  “I could definitely eat.  Maybe room service wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

You held the rod and slid the curtain open a few inches, realizing you were above the middle section of the parking lot.  Could you see your car from there? You didn’t have time to check; it was too dark and you heard the water shut off in the bathroom.

“Tsk, tsk,” he said, stepping back out into the hall so he could see you as he dried his hands off.  “Step back from the window, honey, I don’t want you to ruin our fun with one of your clever ideas.”

“Oh I was just curious,” you were casual about it, making a point to leave the curtain open a bit. “If any of my friends were looking for me.”

“Oh they might try,” he undid the buttons on the cuffs of his white dress shirt and rolled up each sleeve, exposing faded military tattoos on his forearms.  “But I booked this room under an alias.  Plus, no one saw us leave, so your friends will be scrambling around like chickens with their heads cut off.” He emphasized the word “friends” in a sarcastic way, as if they weren’t that at all.  

“I’m sure they’ll just think I went home,” you said, which was the furthest from the truth.  You thought about Robin going crazy trying to find you.  You wouldn’t be surprised if she worked her way up every floor, knocking on every door.

He sat down on the bed next to  you with a bounce and took your hand, lifting it up to kiss the back of it.  “Have I told you yet how beautiful you are tonight?”

“A few times,” you couldn’t help but lean away when he came in closer. “You told me downstairs and in the elevator.”

He wrapped his arm around the side of your hip and pulled you to him.  “C’mon now, give daddy some sugar,” he cooed, diving his lips in for another attempt.  

But you dodged him again.  You could feel yourself blowing it, and you knew you needed to comply in order to find a way out of this, but the thought of being intimate with him made you want to dig your own eyes out with a spoon.

“I don’t know if I’m ready…for that,” you managed.  “Too soon, I think.  Just give me a little time…to get used to you again.”

Craig grabbed your jaw, squeezing your mouth together so tight, your lips puckered, yanking your head to make you look at him.  His eyes were dark now, narrowing on you.  His tone was ice cold, “Oh but you’ll kiss him won’t you?  That filthy dirty biker?  You make me sick.” 

You swallowed hard, and in your mind, you considered the ballpoint pen next to the pad of paper on the desk.  If you could get a hold of it, you could stab him in the side of the throat.  

But, if you made the decision to wound Craig, you had to be willing to go all-in.  

You had to be willing to end him.

—-------

Steve waited to cum until he was back in the hotel suite.  Charlene got on the bed and sucked him off the rest of the way while she came using the vibrator she carried around in her handbag.  It turned Steve on to know that she always had it with her—he’d never been with a woman who was so incredibly sexually charged before.  

He came on her face, and then she licked it up and rubbed it down her breasts.  They got in the shower together after that, and the thought crossed his mind that he should go down and have a drink with you and Robin, but then his dick took over again and he forgot.  

The suite was huge, and while Steve lounged on the sofa in one of their complimentary robes looking over the room service menu, Charlene sat down on the bed to rub lotion on her legs.

She smiled over at him.  “The life of leisure looks good on you.”

Steve lifted his arms up and glanced down at himself.  “You think? Yeah, I could definitely do with some more of this.” The fridge was fully stocked with booze and sparkling water and other goodies, and Steve had raided it like a little kid at Charlene’s urging.  He was on his second fancy beer and third bag of pretzels.  

“You should come with me to Greece this winter,” she worked the lotion down around her manicured feet, feeling suddenly too shy to look at him.  “My friend has a house there, and we could charter a yacht, play on the beach, eat and fuck until we pass out. And then do it all over again the next day.”

Steve flipped the page on the menu, eyes glancing over the seafood section as he plucked at his bottom lip thoughtfully.  “Sounds good.  I’ll have my secretary clear my schedule.”

“I’m serious,” she laughed, rolling over onto her stomach to face him, kicking her feet up behind her.  “Wouldn’t you like to spend more time with me?”

Steve shut the menu and met her eyes.  “Well, sure, I mean, but I can’t just take off for a week to wherever, sweetheart.  This man of leisure is living paycheck to paycheck over here.”

“Oh, you wouldn’t have to worry about that,” she assured him, resting her chin in her palm. “I’ll pay your rent and whatever else you need. Give you some spending money. You won’t have to pay for anything, unless you want to buy me something pretty.”

“Yeah?” Steve smirked. “What’s the catch, angel? You gonna sell me to the highest bidder for some black-market organ donation once we get there?”

“No catch,” she shook her head.  “It’s just hard to find good companionship these days.”

He sucked his bottom lip through his teeth. It all sounded a little too good to be true, but he would be lying if he said the offer wasn’t tempting.  Fucking Greece? He’d only been out of the state a few times in his whole life, and it had all been for MC related stuff.  

“You could even bring Oliver,” she continued, looking down at the bedspread.  “I could pay for a nanny to travel with us, so we could have time alone.”

That made Steve frown, and he searched his mind for how she would know that he had a son, but then the moment passed.  He must’ve mentioned him at some point, accidentally.  

But Charlene seemed harmless enough.  Just a bored housewife with a smoking hot body.  

She got off the bed and slinked over to stand next to him.  He ran his hand up her leg under her robe until he was able to grab the apple of her ass, and then he spanked it.

“Did you decide what you want from the menu?” She asked, mussing up his hair. “Or we can still go out to dinner if you want.”

Steve tilted his head all the way back to look up at her, letting the menu slip to the ground. “Are you on the menu?” He asked, moving his hand around under the robe until his fingers found where they could sink in.

“For you? Always,” she said, and then she bent down to catch his mouth with hers.

—-------

Eddie had Melanie by the arm, and she tried to jerk out of his grasp, but he was way too strong---way too pissed off.  

“And then where did they go?” Eddie was scowling at the numbers on the three different elevators.  “Which floor?”

“I SAID I DON’T KNOW,” Melanie hissed, finally wiggling her arm away.  “Jesus. I never saw you worry about me like this before.”

“Fuck,” Eddie started to pace.  He was losing it, and he didn’t know where to start looking or how to find you.  He wanted to rip the whole building down with his bare hands.

Another man’s voice stepped into the equation.  “Hey, what the fuck are you doing to her? Leave her alone, you freak.”

Eddie spun around, eyes like daggers.  It was some douchebag he didn’t recognize in a tux, even taller than Eddie, with a lime green bow tie and cummerbund, clearly there for the wedding.  From the looks the guy was sharing with Melanie, it was probably her date.  

“Just stay the fuck out of it, whoever you are,” Eddie warned.

Melanie stepped back with a little smile on her face, enjoying the tension over her that was building.

“I asked you a question, man,” the guy in the tux with the short blonde hair said as he came up behind Eddie to jab his palm into the back of his shoulder.

Before anyone could comprehend what was happening, Eddie turned and swung on the guy.  

Robin came into view and screamed, covering her mouth with her hands.  

Eddie’s fist was like a brick, and the guy went down hard. The elevator opened and the four people inside yelped as he crashed in, with Eddie in hot pursuit.

Two people rushed out of the elevator, but another couple stood huddled in the back corner, afraid to move.  Eddie lurched forward to grab the guy by the front of his coat and yanked him to his feet to pull him out of the compartment just long enough to send a jab to his ribs that made him double over, and then he pushed him down.

The elevator closed again with the frightened passengers still inside.  The rest was a blur for Eddie as he got on top of the guy and started wailing on his face.

“Eddie, stop!” Robin tried to grab his arm on the back swing and the force almost knocked her over, but she did not relent.  “DINGUS STOP!”

Somehow, the nickname seemed to snap him out of it, and, with a few sharp intakes of breath, Eddie got to his feet, panting, standing over the guy.  The dude on the floor was somehow still conscious, but he probably wished he wasn’t one side of his face was mangled where Eddie’s rings broke the skin and there was blood dribbling from his mouth.  

There were people gathered at the mouth of the hallway now, watching with slack jaws, and Robin was worried someone had already called the police.  “Nothing to see here, people!” She called out, waving her hand, begging them to disperse.  

Eddie was about to drop down and punch the guy again—just because—but Robin used all of her strength to forcefully push him back.

Eddie snapped his attention to Melanie and pointed at the guy on the ground.  “Is this yours? Both of you get the fuck out of here before I—-”

Robin had only ever seen Steve like this—never Eddie.  Normally, he possessed the most patience and composure out of everyone in their friend group.  

She slapped him softly on his cheek to get his attention.  “Hey, listen to me.  I need you to fucking focus right now,” and then she snapped her fingers in the air in front of his face.

Eddie huffed a few heavy breaths out his nose and adjusted his Coffin Kings leather over his white tee.  There was a sheen of sweat on his face and a few pieces of his hair clung to his cheek and forehead.  Melanie was able to help her date to his feet, and Eddie watched them go with hard eyes and flared nostrils, silently begging the guy to throw him a dirty look or say something stupid.  Thankfully, for Robin’s sake, the guy wobbled away with his arm over Melanie’s shoulder without a single glance back.

“Focus,” Robin repeated, snatching his chin. “Your girl is here somewhere, and I can’t find her.”

“Yeah, I know,” Eddie jerked his head to evade her grasp.  “She’s with that fucking psycho and I have no idea where to start looking.” He shut his eyes tight and winced.  “I fucked up, Rob.  I should’ve killed that guy when I had the chance.  Now he has her.  If he hurts her, Rob….”

“Hold on,” Robin frowned as she took in the information, her body flushing with guilt.  “You know she’s with that Craig creep? How do you know?”

Eddie didn’t want to talk—he wanted to move.  

Outside, through the glass front of the building, he watched a police cruiser pull up through the crowd. It did have its lights on, and whoever was driving didn’t seem to be in a hurry, but all the same, he hit a button on the panel and took hold of Robin’s arm, ready to pull her in when the doors slid open. She followed his gaze to the two cops that were now heading into the building, and panic seized her.

It was taking too long for the elevator to come, so when the one across the way opened, they darted there instead.

A woman got out of the elevator as they stepped in and quickly hit the button for one of the higher floors.  A delivery driver carrying Chinese food was about to get in with them but decided against it at the last moment.  

Once they were alone, Eddie answered her question.  “Melanie saw them,” he breathed, falling back against the wall. “The description fits, and she said he had his arm around her,” Eddie cringed.  The thought of him touching you made him want to punch something.  

“Shit,” Robin said under her breath, feeling the thick weight of uncertainty hang in the confined space around them.  “You don’t think he’d actually do anything to her, do you?”

Eddie eyes glazed over and shook his head, concentrating, unable to form words.

“Nice dress, by the way,” he said, referring to the strapless blue number that she now regretted ever buying, let alone wearing.

“Shut up.” She returned.  

The doors opened at a floor that wasn’t theirs and Eddie told the two people waiting there to take the next one before he slammed the button again with the side of his fist. 

Robin started to gnaw at her thumbnail.  “Steve’s here somewhere too,” she let him know.  “He came with that Charlene woman, the one you used to bone.”

Eddie froze, giving her an incredulous look.  “And you let him?”

She held her arms out, raising her voice.  “I just realized who she was a little bit ago.  What am I, his fucking keeper?  Besides, she offered him so much money to take her to this stupid thing, I don’t think he would’ve cared.”

Oh, Steve would care if he knew the whole story, Eddie thought to himself.  And he’d really care if Charlene started targeting his family when he tried to end things with her or move on with someone else.  

When the elevator finally dinged and opened at the floor they chose, there stood Steve.

In a white bathrobe carrying a bucket of ice.

With his sunglasses on.

—--------

After being scolded by Craig, you disarmed the situation by pressing your lips to the side of his mouth. “Baby, why don’t you get comfortable so we can snuggle? Like we used to.”

He crawled on top so that you were both on the mattress.  You needed to build a decent level of trust with him in a small amount of time and letting him have some intimacy was the quickest way to do that. 

He got on his back, with his head on the pillow, and pulled you up alongside him so that your cheek was on his shoulder.  He lifted your chin to give you another kiss.  “Isn’t this nice?” He asked, rubbing his nose on yours.

“It really is,” you lied.

It took a lot not to try and scratch his face and knee him in the groin right then for what he’d done to you, for what he’d done to Jester.  For the pain that Eddie would go through when he couldn’t find you.  

But you found your center and took a cleansing breath.

You had formulated a part of a plan, but you had to be patient.

Soon.  

—---------

When Steve came back into the penthouse with the extra ice, he didn’t have the patience to wait for room service to bring, he was different, and Charlene noticed it right away.

She could see it in his face, the way he refused to make eye contact with her when she dropped her magazine to her lap to greet him and tell him their dinner was on the way.

Without a word, he grabbed his clothes and went into the bathroom.

“Stevie?” She called out to him, anxiety tightening in her chest. “What took you so long? Is everything alright?”

Steve shut the bathroom door first, and then he mumbled, “yeah, I’ll be right out. Just need a second.”

He let his robe fall to the floor and braced his hands on the edge of the sink, naked, letting the information Eddie had just shared with him in the hall absorb.  He tossed his sunglasses on the counter, so they skid across and landed against a hand towel folded in the shape of a swan.  

He ran the sink and splashed some water on his face, letting himself peek in the mirror at his reflection over the tips of his fingers.

As close as he was with Eddie, they weren’t in the habit of swapping partners, and if Steve had known that Charlene was that “rich, older woman he hung out with once in a while” a few months ago, he never would have gone that far with her in the first place.  

Water dripped cool down his tattooed chest as he looked down at his cock, lolling out at the triangle base of the muscular indents at his hips.  He patted a finger on the shaft so that it bounced.  “I hope you’re proud of yourself,” he whispered to his dick.  

Not only was Charlene someone that Eddie had fucked, but she’d also tried to make Eddie’s life a living hell when he tried to move on with you.  She’d paid a private investigator to stalk Eddie, tried to break the two of you up, and was the reason you got fired.  Eddie warned him not to trust her, and to not let her sink her claws in and try to keep him like a pet.  

He put his pants on and wet his fingers to run them through his hair, squaring his shoulders at his reflection, wondering how he’d get the rest of his money out of her.  She’d paid half up front, but now he needed the rest, and then he wanted to get the fuck out of there.  Eddie and Robin were headed to do some investigating, and he said he’d meet them in the stairwell in about 20 minutes.  

Charlene was hovering near the bathroom door when he opened it, and she searched his face for a trace of the person he was before he went to get ice—but it was no longer there. 

Her Stevie was gone.  

“Hey,” he said as he brushed by her to put his shirt on.  He left it unbuttoned as he turned, fixing the collar.  “It’s late, I need to get going.”

“But,” Charlene looked around, her mind racing with ways to keep him there. “The food will be here soon.”

He’d been trying not to meet her eyes, but when he did, his stare was frigid.  “I’m not hungry anymore.  I just need you to pay me the rest of my fee, and I’ll get out of your hair.”

He went to the couch to put his shoes on.

“Steve, please tell me what is going on? I thought we were having a good time, I thought—”

“You thought what?” He asked snidely. “That I’d do all this for free? Out of the goodness of my heart?”

He was about to be a real asshole, but then he remembered that he had enjoyed his time with her, and under different circumstances, he would’ve stayed to fuck her all night even if he wasn’t getting paid. But he had to end it—he needed to cut ties before things turned into a shitshow like they had for you and Eddie. He couldn’t afford that level of drama in his life, not with Robin and Oliver at risk.  

She rushed up to him and started kissing his chest.  “Can you just stay a few more hours? I don’t know what is bothering you, but I know I can take your mind off of it,” she sank lower, kissing his stomach, about to get on her knees.

“I said no,” he repeated, grabbing her arm to pull her back up to face him.  

“But, why—”

“Why didn’t you tell me you used to fuck Eddie?” He blurted, scowling at he ground.

A hard swallow clicked in her throat as she searched his eyes. “I-I didn’t think it would matter.  Eddie and I aren’t—”

“Is that why you bailed me out of jail? Was it all part of your maniacal plan to get back at him or some shit?”

“Absolutely not. Steve, I really care about y—” she reached out to touch his face, but he moved away, stepping further back.  He looked hurt and confused and disgusted all at once.  

“Don’t act like you give a shit about me,” he warned. “I don’t think you’re even capable of caring about other people.”

At that, she bristled, and her cheeks burned red. She froze so still that, if not for her blinking, one might have thought she’d turned to stone.

“You know what? Forget the rest of the fucking money,” he walked to the nightstand and put his wallet in his back pocket. “It’s not worth it to me anymore. I’ll chalk it up to a couple orgasms and a free meal.”

Charlene did not respond, she only wet her lips as her eyes stayed fixed on one spot on the carpet.  

He went over and paused his hand on his jacket that was hanging over the back of the couch. “Actually, I could probably sell this suit and makeup the difference so yeah—we’re even.”

When Charlene finally spoke up, her voice was different; it had an edge to it.  “You’re awfully ungrateful for someone who should be on their knees thanking me.”

Steve chuckled a low laugh. “Listen, baby, the sex was great, I’ll give you that, but it wasn’t that great.”

“I’m not talking about the sex,” she turned and tilted her chin up at him. “I’m talking about how you still have custody of your son and he’s not several states away with Tina right now.”

Now, it was Steve’s time to turn to stone.

When he finally blinked, he made a face like he was staring into the sun. “What the fuck did you just say? How do you know about my son? About Tina?”

Charlene would’ve said anything to make him stay, and she was oddly pleased that this did the trick.

She shrugged. “I know that it didn’t take much money at all to get Tina to come here and cause some trouble.  Shame she signed her parental rights away, but there are always ways around that, considering how much blood you have on your hands.”

Steve reeled back, almost knocked off his feet at the weight of the confession. He had to grab onto the back of the chair at the writing desk to steady himself as his head swam. Bile rose in his throat as if we were about to puke.

“You’re the reason I almost lost my son?” He whispered it, overwhelmed with the realization that Charlene was to blame for all of it:  Every disaster that had befallen them since the day Eddie met you.  All of the pain, all of the worry, all of the sleepless nights.  

Charlene folded her arms over her chest.  “If you think I can’t prove you have blood on your hands, try me.” Her eyebrows darted up a few times. “Eddie too.  He left a bloody fingerprint at the crime scene when he killed a man in my driveway.  All I ever do is try to keep the two of you safe, and this is the thanks I get?”

Steve’s mind barely had time to register that his body was moving—-he knocked the chair to the ground and lunged after Charlene.

His hands were around her throat so fast she could barely take a gasp of air at the end of her sentence.  He took her to the ground, slamming her into the floor.  She coughed and her eyes bulged.

“You tried to take my son away from me?” He was shaking; his eyes bloodshot with rage, but also wet with emotions. His lower lip trembled, and his face was beet red.  

She held onto his wrists where he was choking her, sputtering, trying to catch air.  She squirmed underneath him, but if her knees made contact with his stomach or groin, he couldn’t feel it.  

"Kill me," she gasped, and Steve released his grip a little but did not relent.

“I should kill you,” He hissed, searching her face.  He realized then that she had her hands locked on his wrists to keep him there, not to push him away.

“Please,” she wheezed.  “Please…kill me.”

With a string of curses, Steve pushed off of her and jumped back, planting his arm on the edge of the coffee table to steady himself as he tried to collect himself.

Charlene sucked in a few gulps of air and stayed on the floor where she was.  

Steve wobbled and stumbled a bit as he stood, trying to catch his footing. He looked down at his trembling hands, and then over at Charlene.  

“I'm sorry,” he breathed.  It took a few sold moment to find his composure. “Listen, stay away from me, stay away from my family. Stay away from my friends.  I won't tell you again.”

It had taken all of his strength to not crush her windpipe just then, and he hated that about himself.  He hated that, on top of everything else, Charlene was the reason he’d laid hands on a woman in anger for the first time in his life.  Wayne and Robin would be very disappointed in him, no matter the circumstances.

His son would be disappointed in him.

“Steve,” Charlene rolled over onto her side. “Please don't go."

He fixed his collar again and left the jacket.  He grabbed his smokes, and fumbled the lighter, trying to compose himself.  The thought occurred to him that he should go over and help her up and make sure she was okay, but then he remembered…then he remembered all of it.  

Without another word, he left.  Once he was out, and the door clicked shut behind him, she continued to shout his name and tell him she was sorry.  He could hear things being thrown around the room; the sound of glass breaking as it hit the wall.  Steve kept a quick pace, only faltering once to shoulder check his balance against the wall, dizzy, but was already in the stairwell as her declarations of remorse echoed down the hall.

—----

Craig ordered Chinese food from the restaurant up the street and had it delivered.  For a second you thought you might be able to get word to the delivery driver that you were being kept there against your will, but what would the delivery driver do? Get himself killed, probably, or pretend like he never saw you because who in their right mind would want to get mixed up in that?

It may have taken 20 minutes to eat your meal, but for you it might as well have been hours.  He liked to coach you on how big your bites should be and how long you should chew your food.  If you chewed too loudly or too fast, it would agitate him, and he’d stop you to make you start over.  

It was all you could do to muscle down each bite when you weren’t even hungry, and it took every ounce of your willpower not to scream.

The fortune cookies were interesting because the paper inside yours said “this too shall pass”, while Craig’s was blank.

“I’ve never seen a blank one before,” you said nonchalantly, closing the lid on your take-out container.  You could see the inconsistency was bothering him; he kept turning the paper over as if he’d missed it somehow.  With his obsessive personality, you expected him to call up the restaurant and ask for another cookie.  

But, he decided to let that one go and tossed the blank fortune into the pastick sack that the food came in.  

You knew he’d want to clean up the area right away and sanitize the table again, so you took your opportunity.

“Can I use the bathroom?” You stood up, picking a piece of sticky rice off of your dress.  

“May I,” he corrected, pushing his chair back exactly where it had been before he sat down. He lifted his eyebrow at you.  “May I use the bathroom is the proper way to ask that.”

Your throat was tight as you swallowed, biting back a rage that was surely bubbling in your eyes.  You forced a smile that cracked your cheeks.  “May I?” 

“Of course you may, silly goose,” he walked over to brush his finger along your cheek just before he leaned in, and your nostrils flared at the unwanted touch. “Don’t take too long.  I’ll miss you,” he cooed after he pecked you on the lips.  

Safely in the privacy of the bathroom, you locked the door quietly and gave a long, silent scream into your palms. Tears jerked at your eyes and mouth, but you sucked them back, squaring your shoulders. 

You stared at your reflection in the mirror, wondering if you had the guts to do what needed to be done.

If you didn’t already have the guts, you needed to find them—fast.  

You’d asked Craig earlier what the plan was, and he’d made it very clear that he was taking you back to your place the next day so that you could pack your things and then return with him to Michigan.  He casually mentioned that he knew where Oliver was spending the night—-just throwing out small details he thought you should know.  In case you fought or refused to leave with him.  

You realized now that he would never stop coming for you, not while he was alive.  

You turned the faucet on so that the noises you were making wouldn’t be so obvious as you went to work unwrapping the soaps and scattering things around the countertop.  You flipped all of the towels on the wrack around and unfolded them, making them as messy as possible.  You got the bottoms of your shoes wet and made a bunch of dirty footprints around the floor tile.  You relieved yourself quickly on the toilet, but then yanked some off the toilet paper down so that it pooled on the floor.

“Hey, pumpkin?” You called out to him over the sound of the toilet flushing.  “Do you have some toothpaste I can borrow?”

He came over to the door and tried the handle.  “There’s some in that black bag by the sink.  Why is this door locked? Please put the cap back on properly when you are finished.”

You waited a few beats before unzipping the small, black bag, quickly eyeing for anything else you could use but, toenails clippers and a toothbrush weren’t great weapons.  Unless you had time to widdle the end of the toothbrush into a shank like they do in prison.  You put the cap of the toothpaste back on, but you left everything on the counter.  

Before you opened the door, you moved the bathmat so it was crooked as it hung over the side of the tub, and you unhooked the shower curtain from two of the rings.

“Ahh,” you said as you exited, looking refreshed.  “Much better.”

He was just walking to put the trash outside in the hall when you took the initiative to hug him.  “I think I made a bit of a mess in there, baby.  Sorry about that.”

When he shut the hallway door again, he came to flick the light on in the bathroom and his shoulders fell, his face pinching tight.  “This is unexceptable,” he mumbled. 

You took note that he forgot to dead bolt the front door in his haste.

You could hear him cursing you under his breath, but also knew that he wouldn’t be unable to function until he tidied up that room and put everything back exactly the way it was.

“Sorry lover,” you yelled, sweetly, turning the sound on the tv up.  It was an episode of Golden Girls this time. “I was going to take a shower but decided not to.”

He had to shut the bathroom door in order to fix the shower curtain, and that was when you hurried to grab the red lipstick out of your purse.  With your heart racing so fast you thought it might explode, you eased back the curtain to the window over the parking lot and wrote on the glass with the lipstick, and then you gently pulled the cream colored curtain back in place so that it didn’t make any sound as it skidded along the rod.  

Craig opened the bathroom door again, but he would be cleaning and organizing for a while—so you forced a fake laugh over something that happened in the show, to make him believe you were just chilling, and then you grabbed the ball point pen you’d noticed earlier and put it in your back pocket.  It wasn’t much, but it would have to do.  You made a mental note to always carry at least a pocket knife or pepper spray with you at all times.  

Wait….

You suddenly remembered the travel-size can of aerosol deodorant you’d put in your clutch for Robin because it wouldn’t fit in hers.  

You took that out, and tucked it under the covers.  

At the last second, Craig stuck his head out to see where you were, and you just happened to be relaxing on the bed with your head cradled in your hand, face lit up with amusement at the screen.

—------

Alone at her place, on the way from the kitchen to the living room with a mug of tea in her hand, Astrid felt a pain shoot through her heart that was so sudden, she dropped the mug and it shattered to pieces on the laminate floor.  She clutched her chest and swallowed back the taste of bile, trying to steady herself, bracing her hand on the stove. 

After a few deep breaths, the flash of agony subsided, and a glance up at the clock told her that Steve was probably still at the wedding.  

Her head swam, and her ears went blind as if her head was submerged in water.  

A gun shot? 

The thought occurred to her, but then it passed. 

Was she experiencing another one of the symptoms of the strange connection she had with Steve ever since they were kids? Or was she having a panic attack of her own? She’d been thinking about the tarot reading she’d done for him; the warnings she’d been moved to share with him.

And then that charming, goofy grin he’d flashed her as he came in for a kiss, making light of her sudden and deep concern.

Driven by some type of inexplicable instinct, she stepped over the broken ceramic, toed into her shoes, and grabbed the keys to her old truck, hoping the engine didn’t fail her this time. 

She also hoped, for some unspecified reason, that she wasn’t too late.  

Too late for what, she wasn’t sure.  

—-------

“First things first,” Robin paced in the stairwell between the 3 and 4th floors while Eddie gnawed at his lip, his arms crossed stiffly over his chest.  “I’ll go down and see if I can find out from the front desk which room Craig is staying in.”

“They’re not just gonna hand that information over to you, Rob,” Eddie bit, trying not to take his frustration out on her.  His own mind was racing, not only because of you, but also at the thought that Charlene had crossed yet another line and was trying to fuck with his friend.  He couldn’t worry about Steve though—he had to trust that he would take the information he’d given him and do what needed to be done for that situation. 

It was then that Eddie’s beeper went off, echoing off the walls.  

He unclipped it from his belt to check it and found that it was from Wayne.

Alerts on his beeper from Wayne that were not during business hours always made his heart stop for a second.  

“Shit, I gotta find a phone,” he mumbled.

Robin started taking the stairs down, motioning for him to follow. “We can sneak around to the payphones in the lobby. This way.”

Turns out, the cops weren’t there for Eddie, they had just been strolling by to check on the event. Robin batted her eyes at the guy at the front desk and asked for a peppermint while Eddie checked out the scene.

Wayne wanted to let him know that Bones and the rest of the Coffin Kings were on their way.  

Eddie leaned against the payphone as Wayne advised him to wait for the rest of the MC before he made a move; it wasn’t safe to go up against a guy like Craig alone.

“Be careful, son,” Wayne told him.

“Take your meds and get some rest,” Eddie returned, which was just another way to say ‘I love you’.  

“You need me there?” Wayne asked.  “You need me to go and check on the boy?”

Eddie looked across the lobby at Robin who was on her way back with a handful of red and white peppermints wrapped in plastic and her tongue out in a goofy expression.

“That’s not a bad idea,” Eddie murmured.  “Check on Oliver just in case. He’s with his friend Paul at Raina’s.”

He also knew that Wayne was much like him, and in a situation like this—he needed something to occupy himself so that he didn’t go mad.

He hung the black phone back onto the receiver and let Robin feed a round candy into his mouth; he started chewing right away instead of sucking on it, crunching down so hard his jaw clicked.  He didn’t want to think what Craig was capable of now that he had you all alone, all to himself.

What if he put his hands on you? What if he….what if….

Eddie growled in frustration and punched the cement wall.  

He hissed in pain, knuckles zinging, and then flapped his hand in the air.  

“I need to go slash that fuckers tires so he can’t go anywhere,” Eddie told Robin, and she nodded; agreeing.

They told Steve to meet them down in the parking lot, and now they’d have more muscle as the rest of the kings rolled in.

But Eddie was losing patience, and—even worse—he worried he was losing you.

—------

Craig was in a bad mood when he was done cleaning the bathroom, and you knew he would be—but it was a price you were willing to pay. 

He turned the TV off and stood in front of him, glaring down his nose at you.

“What have you been up to while I’ve been busy cleaning up your mess?”

You sat up and batted your eyelashes a few times.  “I’ve just been missing you, that’s all.”

His open hand slap came hard and fast across your face and it stung like hell. 

Your eyes were watering as you slowly brought your head back to face him again. 

“Are you done being a little pig?”

You sucked in your bottom lip, nodding. “Yes.”

You winced, because you thought he was going to slap you again, but he grabbed your chin like he’d done before and squeezed, making your mouth pucker. “Say you promise.”

“I promise, baby.  I promise.”

“Good,” he released you.  “Now we can finally enjoy our evening.”

You sank from the bed and got to your knees in front of him, and his hooded eyes followed your every move.

“If I can’t be a pig, can I be a whore?” You purred, moving to unfasten his belt buckle.

“You are such a fucking whore,” he hissed. “And you know how much I hate whores.”

You undid the button and pulled down the zipper. He groaned a little as he watched you reach inside his boxers to pull his cock out. He tilted his head back, feeling your warm breath on the tip as you stroked him and he pushed his pants further.

“Fuck yeah,” he said to the ceiling. “Suck me dry like the whore that you are.”

You spit on the tip and jerked him a few more times, unwilling to touch him with your mouth, as you reached around for the pen in your back pocket and clicked the point out.

“Yes, baby,” you whispered.  “Let me take care of you.”

On the next breath, you jabbed the pen up into his balls as fast and as hard as you could.  

In that first second or two, while he was still in shock, wailing, you stabbed him with it a few more times. 

Jab jab jab

Blood gushed out and he fell to the ground whimpering screams that could not be fully formed inside the crushing pain.

He clutched his wound and rolled over, giving you enough time to scamper away.  He lurched for you as you darted across the bed, thinking you wanted to grab for the deodorant spray, but then you just said fuck it and let out a feral yell as you dropped down with your knee in his face, and then you brought the pen down again....

You were aiming for his eyeball--hopefully his brain---but it stabbed into his cheek instead.

His scream was so piercing, you thought it might break the window

Was he dead or going to die? Probably not, but this was your only chance to get away and you had to take it. You ran as fast as you could, fumbling at the handle of the door as you heard his shrill, gurgled moans behind you.

—------

Steve found his way down the stairwell and stopped to take a breather.  He’d been walking awhile, and his adrenaline was through the roof, so he paused to lean against the railing and light a cigarette.

“Son of a bitch,” he said on the exhale as smoke billowed out, and then he wet his lips. The worst part about finding out what Charlene did, was that Steve had honestly started to like her. He felt like he’d been tricked into dubious consent because he never would’ve let himself have any feelings if he’d known even half of the truth.  He put two fingers to his throat to check his pulse, certain that he was in the middle of a panic attack.  The nicotine did its job to calm him down, it also got him to slow down and breathe, if only to support his habit.

His attention perked up again when he heard a scream and a thump coming from the floor above, and then more screaming, as if some dude was being murdered.

—-----

On the highway, Astrid struggled to catch her breath, and the constriction in her chest made her swerve into the gravel and fishtail before she righted the truck again while the duet Jackson by Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash played through static on the radio.  

She could see the lights of the hotel up ahead through the trees.

—-----

Eddie found Craig’s SUV in the parking lot and stabbed its tires with his utility knife, thinking he should have one of the guys bring the tow truck around and impound the fucker. Robin tried to open the doors and cupped her hands around her eyes to see what was inside.

Behind them, a car was pulling in off the highway; the headlights behind them cast their shadows over the pavement.

they heard the brakes squeal to a halt and a woman yelped.

Eddie’s attention went to the side of the building and he caught sight of something scrawled in red on one of the windows.  

—-----

You turned a corner at the end of the hall and ran like the devil was on your heels, passed several vending machines and a pool, until you broke through into a dark stairwell and made your way down on foot.  

You were afraid to look back.

The fear of hearing him enter the stairwell behind you had you in such a hurry that you tripped twice and caught yourself.  You were barefoot, and you were pretty sure you’d stepped on a thumbtack or some glass because the pad of your left foot stung like hell, but it did not slow you down.  

You wiped something wet out of your eye with your arm, assuming it was blood, and regretted that you didn't stay to make sure you killed him like you knew you should have.

In that moment, as you stumbled down the stairs afraid for your life, you felt like going to prison for such a thing would've been worth it.

You finally shot out into the night air and took a deep breath.

You came out around the backside of the hotel, where there wasn’t much illumination but for three lights up high on a ledge.  You only paused for a second, but kept going, passing dumpsters and an employee entrance before you caught sight of the highway and headlights making their way onto the property.  

—-------

Charlene darted from the hotel and out into the street, desperate to find Steve to explain, to let him know she regretted all of it, without looking where she was going. Before one of the valets could stop her, she almost got hit by an old truck cruising in at twice the speed it should have.

Only a hair away from the grille, she turned to throw the driver a dirty look.

Astrid was startled as well, but with her foot on the brake, and her eyes locked on Charene, she revved the engine.

—-------

When Craig stumbled into the elevator with a dark stain seeping through the crotch of his denim and a punctured face oozing blood, everyone in the compartment cleared out, muffling their screams as they went.

He heaved and grunted and thumbed the button for the lobby as he scowled down the hall at nothing while the doors slid shut.  

He had two loaded guns shoved in the waistband of his jeans and he intended to use them.  

—-----

Eddie stepped closer to read what it said on the window with a tilt of his head. It read: “Eddie I love u” and it was written backwards so that it could be legible from out where he was, not inside the room.

“Baby,” he whispered with a catch in his throat.

Forgetting about everything else he was doing, and the chaos that was going on, he took note of which floor that was and started to book it back inside, but then that was when you came into sight, limping around the shadowy corner.

You had blood spatter on your face, and your dress was ripped.  It also looked like you hurt your foot somehow and your face broke into a sob the moment you saw him.

—------

Astrid parked her truck right where it was, with the headlights still on as she got out to find out where the boys were. She grabbed a shovel out of the bed in case she needed to use it as a weapon.

She was about to say something to Charlene when they heard the gunshot and both women ducked down, shoulders pressed together behind the side of the truck.

—-----

Craig exited the building on a rampage—not caring who saw him or what it looked like as he shot a bullet into the air.

He stepped out between you and Eddie, and you called out to him.

“I’m right here, Craig,” you said, stepping further into the light from the shadows.  “Please just, leave them be.  I’ll go with you wherever.”

Craig turned to give you a sneer of a grin, his white teeth now pink from all of the blood in his mouth.

“Oh, honey, it’s too late for that.”

You locked eyes with Eddie across the way and he started towards you, ready to breech the gap, regardless of the consequences as Craig turned the gun on him.

Eddie kept his pace, getting closer.  “You better be ready to use that, man, before I get my hands on you.”

With Craigs finger hot on the trigger, there was a sudden yell from somewhere in the bushes as Steve flew out of nowhere and tackled Craig to the ground. Eddie took that split second to get over to you, to hold your face and make sure you were okay.

The gun went off again, but the two were a tangled mess on the ground.  Steve beat Craig’s skull into the pavement a few times, and jammed his thumb into the once good eye, but Craig clocked him with the butt of the gun and it stunned him for a second.

It all happened so fast.

Steve was able to crack Craig’s hand against the ground and he lost his grip on the gun, and it skidded away, out of reach.

There were motorcycles thundering near in the distance as Craig yanked the other gun from his waistband and shuffled back to take aim.

Eddie spread his arms out and moved in front of you to act as a shield..

And then there was a gunshot from somewhere else, but the bullet only skimmed Craig’s shoulder. He yowled, but he did not faulter.

Charlene tried to aim at his skull for a second one with trembling hands, but Craig turned the gun on her and Astrid before she could, and he got a shot it, just before Steve reared up to take him to the ground again. The struggle turned them over several times, but then in a blink, Steve was on his back again, but he was able to wrestle the other weapon from Craig.

Craig reared up to bring his fist down into Steve’s face just as Astrid was about to bring the business end of the shovel down on his head---

but then there was a shotgun blast from out of the dark.

Blast…click…Blast…click…Blast

You ran up behind Eddie and put your arms around him.

Craig’s body spasmed in the air where he knelt above Steve as the power of the shots knocked him back.

There were smoking holes blown through his head and his chest.

With one final, open-mouthed pause against the beam of the headlights, and a choked gurgle, Craig’s dead body slumped to the ground.  

Panting, Steve unsheathed his knife and got to his knees; ready for more just in case.

Everyone’s eyes followed the line of fire to the source.

And there was Wayne.

He stepped out of the shadows in his Coffin King's denim kutte with “Uncle” on the front pocket, lowering the double barrel.  He tipped his chin to both of the boys and squared his shoulders.   

A crowd had gathered from inside, including the bride, and the woman who had just caught the bouquet, and Melanie. Even Erika was there as someone’s date. They whispered to each other as Craig’s blood pooled into a little river on the uneven pavement and made its way to the gutter.  

From inside Astrid’s truck, the chorus to the song I’m on Fire by Bruce Springsteen was eventually drowned out by the fierce rumble of motorcycles as the entire MC entered the parking lot and flanked the scene.  

Part 16

----

whoa, who knew this would be such a family affair when this fic first started? This world has come to mean so much to me, and I'm so grateful to those of you still riding along.

As always, your comments mean the world, and, if you enjoyed it---reblog it---because it's the only way this fic will ever be seen by anyone but us 🧡

----

Taglist: @notsobubblybaby @eighty6babyyy @unfocused81 @aysheashea @etherealglimmer@manicmagicmayhem @dream-a-little-nightmare@chaoticgood-munson @ms1oftheboys @emxcast @rhirojo@bexreadstoomuch @micheledawn1975@falling-solar-system @secretdryrose@kurdtbean @whatwedontdointheshadows @miarosso @seventhlevelofhell @corrodedcoffincumslut @lofaewrites @goldyghoul @chloe-6123 @kelsiegrin @chelebelletx @stylesxmunson @dandelionnfluff @lilpotatobean2-deactivated20230 @clincallyonline17 @tlclick73 @eddiemunson95 @sidthedollface2 @hideoutside @truffleshuffle12 @tenthmoon @texasblues@emilyslutface@mmunson86@onegirlmanytales@layla-loves-ed @dashingdeb16 @eddiiiieeee @michellecrusher

[xiaoluclair]

sorry SORRY but the pure 💍 HUSBAND 💍 of lestappen all weekend like ofc given the maxplaining the leclerifying the eye cronkles nuthing new still GAAA 😩 but but then the praising alllll the fucking praising oh max did you think they would be fast uh huh i knew CHARLES 😄 would be fasst and hes confident ofc he is confident that is why he put it on my pole like 😳 SIR this is NOT the bedroom Y are u praise kinking this man into next week and then and THEN charles i saw a cat 🐈‍ leclerc max can adopt the cat 🐈‍ verstappen CO CAT 🐈‍ DADS anyone ALL THE PRESS CONFERENCE SHIT fast forward and cannot BELIEVE they did the girl stands in front of boy's rage just listen to my voice baby calm down baby im here baby like GROSS i need MORE and THEN fast forward some more the goddamn podium room which [ eats inedible things 👞✈️ ] MORE PRAISE HELLO ah ofc i had to go fast you were catching up 😜 🙄 my brother in christ he was not passing you unless God picked him up and PUT him there and uh sorry did u want to sit here next to max no? cool so let me have this next to max and then the PODIUM fucking okay miss emile bronté He Is More Myself Than I Am like bro u gon let that man have your step uh Okay 🌈🤨 u gon let him stand under your flag under your name Uh Okay ( 🌈🌈🌈 ) charles VAULTING himself off that P two stand BUSINESS TRANSACTION: i get PRAISE KINK you get SPRAY KINK like ONCE AGAIN this is NOT THE FUCKING BEDROOM and now AND NOW seeing charlene going to PRESS HIS HAND to maxene's back like the SMALL of his back yknow the place that place The Place like so intimate so 😩😩 like he's not even THINKING about it while max isn't even looking just a touch just a TOUCH and im 😃🔫 OH and like not even MENTIONING max entered the fucking grand prix with The Single Aim of talking anyone's ear off about a fucking twenty billion year old PHOTO of him and charles like licherally just. HAVE I EVEN MENTIONED +0.000 YET SEVENTEEN INJURED THREE THOUSAND DEAD I- well done baku ig 🧎

edit: 🔫

[princessanneftw]

I listened to it this morning and it greatly improved my walk 😁

I will now be starting a petition to include Tim in the annual engagement count because it’s what he deserves.

Dear @duchessofostergotlands and @princesscatherinemiddleton,

When is @onheirpodcast back?

Love, your number one fAnne 😚

[thislovintime]

Peter Tork, 1967.

“Peter was absolutely handsome in an all-white outfit for a banjo solo. Nobody wanted him to go.” - Charlene Steffens (16), on The Monkees’ Cow Palace concert; Tiger Beat (?), 1967

“[Monkees fan Loreen Mahoney said that Peter] ‘looked absolutely gorgeous, his hair was so shiny.’ […] Of the whole performance [in Seattle] she says she remembers most of all, Peter’s opening words of: ‘Let you in on a secret, we love you all.’” - The Calgary Albertan, September 2, 1967 (x)

“Then, clad in a very tasteful chunky knitted white sweater and knitted trousers, Peter Tork returned with his banjo for one of the highlights of the evening — a beautiful version of a Buffy Sainte-Marie folk song. By straining all my ear-power in one direction I could just catch the sound [over the screaming of the fans] — at least sufficient to realize that this is a Monkee talent we should hear much more of.” - David Hughes, Disc & Music Echo, July 8, 1967

[monetka228]

I was rewatching PnF and wrote some hcs about Heinz/Charlene. Idk why, but I love them sm. Can’t stop thinking about those babies

So, here they are. Enjoy.

Charlene loves all kinds of shiny things, so Heinz often pampered her with gifts of white gold and diamonds, because the company paid him a lot of money + his inventions, which now serve humanity, brought him extra money every month.

Charlene likes indoor plants, but does not like to take care of them. This annoys Heinz, but he still waters her flowers and pots.

Heinz took maternity leave and took care of their daughter while Charlene was at work.

Charlene is allergic to fur, so they got a sphynx. It always slept between Heinz and Charlene like a baby.

When Charlene had painful periods, Heinz stroked her belly and gave her various treats to make her feel better.

Charlene always covered her husband with a blanket when he fell asleep at his desk and scolded him for the gigantic amount of coffee he drank.

Heinz always hugged her whenever he could. He wanted to feel her touch and hold her close to him.

Heinz's love language: touches, words. Charlene's love language: actions, gifts.

Charlene likes to buy him flowers when she gets home late from work. She likes to watch his reactions.

Charlene often sends him intimate photos of herself when on business trips. Heinz then writes a one-meter poem about how flawless and beautiful her body is.

Heinz was her ideal of male beauty.

Charlene liked his German accent, which later disappeared due to life in the United States.

Charlene wakes up first. She strokes his head and kisses him a few times, then gets up and cleans up the mess left in the bed last night. Then she goes to the kitchen and leaves him a breakfast of eggs and fried vegetables and juices that she made herself. Also leaves a note with her lipstick on it and says how much she loves him and goes to work.

After the divorce, Charlene still uses the perfume that Heinz gave her because: "This perfume reminds me of you."

Back in college, Charlene developed a habit of covering her mouth with her hand to stifle her moans. And when Heinz was pleasing her, she covered her mouth again, but Heinz jerked her hand sharply and said: “Don’t do this. I want to hear how good I make you feel.''

Heinz was constantly playfully pinching her, squeezing her, lifting her sweater a little so that her skin could be seen. He liked to touch her and wanted to feel closeness not only emotionally, but also physically, although he preferred relationships where partners are close in spirit.

Heinz is afraid of mice. Charlene was the one who nailed them, muttering, "All men are big babies!", while Heinz was trembling in fear.

The scientist liked to read her something about biology. Charlene herself didn't study it much at school and found it boring, but she listened anyway because she liked hearing his voice.

When Vanessa was little and slept in another room at night, Heinz was afraid to touch his wife, get alone have sex with her. He was afraid that his daughter would hear and run into the room. When he himself was a goldfinch, he heard strange noises from his parents in the room and ran to check. He’d rather not check...

Charlene had black hair for a while. Heinz dyed it himself.

Heinz's favorite pastime was lying on Charlene's chest and listening to her steady heartbeat. Every time she said she could hear and feel his breathing, he felt goosebumps. She also often whispered cute things in his ear that made him melt.

Charlene loved it when Heinz hugged her from behind and kissed her neck and shoulders.

Charlene kept frowning as Heinz leaned in to kiss her after smoking a cigarette. He would then go brush his teeth and chew some iced peppermint gum to kill the stench and kiss her.

Charlene can play double bass and piano, and Heinz knows a few chords on guitar and violin. She often played the piano, and he sat and admired the smooth movements of her fingers, which so skillfully ran over the keys, creating a pleasant melody and a beautiful picture of pacification on her face. She also taught him to play several pieces: "Dog's Waltz" and "Rosehip". They even played an ensemble.

[gabriellademonaco]

Princess Charlene’s fabulous earrings collection (111/?)

[telekinetictrait]

"Right now, I hold on to myself, sometimes literally. I hold on to my sides, my arms, my stubborn ankles, because in this house of nostalgia and fear, of time warps and trivia, I'm the only one I know about for sure." (Memory Mambo – Achy Obejas, 1996)

i'm running out of things to say, in all honesty. there's only so many times i can say that a decade is focusing on comfort before i get super repetitive. but, anyway, the nineties! baggy sweaters and pants, spaghetti straps, tank tops – etc, etc. oh. preppy sweater vests also. umm. plaid pants. sneakers. docs. grunge, specifically seattle grunge. riot grrl. pop country. r&b. hip-hop. the fresh prince of bel air. clueless. ten things i hate about you (one of my favorite movies ever). dave grohl <3. super baggy clothes. chokers! friends! rent! i'm just listing things from the 90s! i have no idea what to talk about!

also, this decade is modeled by a draft of my current simself <3 previous looks that were based on myself were just, like, brunette and slightly not skinny. but here's a draft of my simself in all my acne-scarred, hairy, stretch-marked, eye-bagged, physically disabled glory!

1800’s / 1900-1909 / 1910-1919 / 1920-1929 / 1930-1939 / 1940-1949 / 1950-1959 / 1960-1969 / 1970-1979 / 1980-1989

cc links under the cut!

see my resources page for genetics AND ALSO seaslugsims' acne redux / ohwiepowie's just a little bruised bruised knees / teabaker's joint tape / bellassims' crutches

uallach : syaovu's exia hair v3 (left pony + bangs) / base game necklace / jellymoo's nami shirt / r0ach3z’s emo kid gloves / definitely not grunge revival shorts / base game shoes

udelia : cazmari-mods' nora hair / zeussim's renaissance choker v2 / pixelette-cc's rosemary outfit / sondescent's babydoll shoes with socks

ufrasie : pigeonhome's scruffy hair / jellymoo's vintage headphones / definitely not grunge revival shirt + jeans + shoes

uliana : imvikai's dina hair with bangs / base game earrings / kamiiri's victoria sweater / greenllamas' scizzorhand skirt / aveirasims' slyd charlene heels recolor

uma : okruee's rin hair / uxji's wolf lipsticks / definitely not grunge revival necklaces / sforzcc's thistle dress / trillyke's blake socks / sondescent's leaf crusher shoes

undine : jellymoo's rowan hair + bandana / base game necklace / jellymoo's yasmin dress / sondescent's babydoll shoes with socks

ursella : oakiyo's coraline hair / ice-creamforbreakfast's mcmoo earrings / dyoreos' jelly choker / base game tank / kimoanasims' wave jeans / definitely not grunge revival shoes

ustyna : softpine's rubber ducky hair / get together top + cherryacets4's tie recolor / dyoreos' drifted shorts / jellymoo's sikk high tops

utilia : subtles4stubble's revamped bombshell hair / base game aviators / zeussim's judy sweater / clumsyalienn's sally trousers / greenllama's off duty platform docs

uvie : simmister's maxified franzi hair / base game necklace / sondescent's plaid top / sondescent's peekaboo cargo / sondescent's sim stomper shoes

thank you to @seaslugsims @teabaker @bellassims @syaovu @jellymoo @mossylane (mossylane uploading the grunge revival kit... you have saved my life.) @cazmari-mods @zeussim @pixelette-cc @sondescent @pigeonhome @imvikai @kamiiri @greenllamas @aveirasims @okruee @uxji @trillyke @oakiyo @ice-creamforbreakfast @dyoreos @kimoanasims @softpine @cherryacets4 @subtles4stubble @clumsyalienn and @simmister !!!

[showalittlespine]

LOCATION —  [REDACTED] DATE — April 14th, 2024. SELF-PARA

The stupid girl had laughed.

Maybe that's what had pissed her off enough to strangle her in the end.

//

"Do you know who is Yves de Metz?"

"No." A sleepy snort. "Who's that?"

Silence settles in the dark of the bedroom. The window is cracked open, but even the outside world is still, apart from the occasional vehicle in passing. Nicoleta takes in the unfamiliarity of her surroundings once more, beginning to feel restless.

"Do you know who is the boss of Vixen?"

A yawn. "Everyone knows Cecelia and Charlene."

"Who are these two? They are both boss?"

The redhead stretches her willowy limbs against the tangle of bedsheets, then turns to face Nicoleta, propping her chin in one hand. "Something like that. Though recently it's been mostly Cecelia. Word has it she's making up for lost time or something. Not that I mind, personally. People tend to like her better... She's the nicer one."

Cecelia. She internalizes the name and meets the redhead's gaze. "I want to speak to Cecelia. How do I do this?"

The woman responds with a laugh that pops out the dimple in her cheek. "How would I know? I already told you I go for the shows and the punters, I don't care what happens behind the curtain."

"They must have office behind curtain. Where?"

That infuriating giggle again. "You can't just march into Vixen and ask to speak to the boss. It doesn't work that way!" She reaches for Nicoleta's hip, a playful pout on her lips. "Why do you want to meet her, anyway?... You wanna fuck her? Ain't I enough?"

But she slaps the hand away, no longer playing the game. Reaching for her discarded t-shirt, Nicoleta pulls it on. "She must have house somewhere."

"You didn't even know who she was five minutes ago. How can you be so obses-"

"Cecelia. What is her last name? You never say this." The Romanian flips her hair from under the shirt and reaches for her underwear. "Answer question, it is easier this way."

"No! You're being weird now. Like I know we just met but-"

"What is last name?"

"What's your problem?? Can we get back to the part where we-"

Changing tactics, Nicoleta widens the scope. "The French that go there. There are mobsters, da?... You know any ones? Give me their names."

That laugh again. Pretty, incredulous. "You're crazy. Like actually fuckin-"

"Names."

The redhead tries to get up but the Romanian snaps a hand around her arm to stop her. "I don't remember any of their names!! And they wouldn't talk to you anyway, did you see the people in that club?? They're made of money. Let me go!"

"Tell me Cecelia's last name."

"Fuck yo-"

For all that she lacks in height, she makes up for in agility; turning lightning fast to pin her companion to the bed again, in much less pleasing a manner than the first time around. "Give me last name."

One last laugh, a little crazed this time. It continues to ring in Nicoleta's ears long after it's stopped. "She wouldn't give you the time of day, either!! You're fucking delusi-" The accusation's cut off abruptly as a hand clamps down over her airway.

"Last name."

The woman begins to thrash and buck wildly. The contempt in her eyes turns quickly to fear, to desperation, as she tries to gasp for breath. Saliva's beginning to pool out of the corner of her mouth. A wheeze, a sputter. "Hatha-... Ha-Hathaway."

Finally, Nicoleta has what she wants. Finally, she can stop.

She doesn't.

[a-aexotic]

𝐛𝐮𝐛𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐦 𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡, chapter 4

𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 ! 4.9k

𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 !

𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬 !

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"Y/N! Wake up right now!"

You stirred in your bed before you heard your mother's voice ring out again, except this time she was closer. She came into your room and she opened the blinds, making you let out a loud groan.

Yesterday was the most eventful day yet. You found your best friend's boyfriend (who you've been in love with since the 9th grade) slept with your other best friend the same night he told you he loved you. It sounds worse than it is, you swear.

You were also very hungover, considering you had... you're actually not sure how many vodka redbulls you had last night, but they were way more than you should've.

As your mother's voice echoed in your ears, you groaned and buried your head deeper into your pillow, the events of the previous night flooding back to your memory. The room spun slightly as you tried to sit up, your head throbbing with each movement.

You rubbed your eyes, the morning sunlight searing into your brain like a hot poker. "Mom, can you please close the blinds? I'm dying here."

Your mother ignored your plea, her expression stern as she crossed her arms over her chest. "We have brunch in two hours. Remember, the Bass' annual brunch?"

You groaned again, rolling over and burying your face in your pillow. "Mom, I can't do this today," you muttered, your voice muffled by the fabric of your pillow.

But your mother was having none of it. She pulled the covers off you, leaving you exposed to the chilly morning air. "I don't care what you can or can't do, Y/N. You need to get up and face the day. Now."

"Mom!"

"Your father wants you there, okay? Get up and take a shower, for the love of god." Your mother's voice cut through your haze, firm and unwavering.

You looked up at your mom, confusion on your expression as you sat up. "Wait, what do you mean?"

"I'm not going, I have a meeting." Your mother replied, her tone softened slightly. "But you need to go. And you need to make an effort, especially after last night."

You blinked, the events of the previous night flooding back to you in a rush. The party, Nate, Serena... It all felt like a bad dream. But the reality of it hit you like a ton of bricks as you groaned inwardly. "Can I come with you, please? I can be a great secretary."

Your mother gave you a pointed look as you rolled your eyes. You let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through your tousled hair. "Fine," you muttered, pushing yourself out of bed with a resigned sigh. "But I'm not wearing heels."

"You are going to wear what I picked, sweetheart." She wiggled her eyebrows playfully as you swung your legs out of the bed.

You grumbled under your breath, knowing it was futile to argue with your mother when she had her mind set. As you heard her footsteps fade down the hallway, you flopped back onto your bed with a defeated groan. Today was shaping up to be even more of a nightmare than yesterday.

"Out of the bed, Y/N!"

With a resigned shrug, you trudged towards the bathroom to start getting ready for the day ahead.

──౨ৎ──

You walked into the Palace, heels clicking as you walked next to your family. You were wearing a deep frown as your father walked hand-in-hand with Josie, Charlene walking next to you.

The elegant decor and the clinking of glasses only served to remind you of the facade of perfection that often overshadowed the reality of life in the Upper East Side. But you plastered on a polite smile, burying your turmoil beneath a facade of composure. After all, in the world of Manhattan's elite, appearances were everything. And you were determined not to let the cracks show.

"Charlene is going to follow in my footsteps, she will be attending Harvard." Your father looked at Charlene, a proud grin plastered on his face as you felt slight resentment building in your stomach.

Harvard, prestigious and exciting, had always been a dream for you. Yet here you were, overshadowed by Charlene, forced to the sidelines of your father's attention.

It irked you that Charlene, who wasn't even his biological daughter, was being showered with praise while you felt overlooked and underappreciated. The unfairness of it all left a bitter taste in your mouth, threatening to sour the already strained atmosphere.

You fought to keep your own smile in place, masking the bitterness that threatened to consume you. It wasn't Charlene's fault, after all. She was just a pawn in your father's game of appearances, a tool to bolster his image of prestige.

You felt a tap on your shoulder, turning to meet Blair's eyes. You couldn't help but let out a relieved sigh as she greeted your parents. "You won't mind if I steal Y/N for a moment?"

"Of course not, dear. She's all yours." Josie spoke with a grin as Blair grabbed your arm, pulling you away from your 'family.'

"Thank you, B." You let out a big exhale, earning a soft chuckle from Blair.

"I heard what your father was saying about your step sister. That was cold, I mean... really cold." Blair gave you a sympathetic nod as you let out a bitter scoff. Harvard has been your dream since you were a kid, basically.

And now he just passes the dream off to Charlene like it meant absolutely nothing. "It's not fair."

Blair's expression softened with understanding as she listened to your frustration. "I can't imagine how mad that must feel, Y/N. Harvard has been your dream for as long as I've known you."

"It doesn't matter anymore." You muttered as you reached the drinks, pouring yourself a glass of scotch.

Blair gave you an amused look. "It's barely noon, Y/N. Scotch?"

You shrugged nonchalantly, taking a sip of the scotch and relishing in the burn as it slid down your throat. "Why not? It's been that kind of morning."

Blair chuckled, shaking her head as she reached for a glass of champagne. "Well, if we're indulging, might as well make it a proper brunch, right?"

You smirked, raising your glass in agreement. "Cheers to that, sister."

One glass of scotch turned into three, and now you were seated next to Chuck Bass laughing at every word that came out of his mouth.

"So, Y/N," Chuck drawled, a glint in his eyes as he leaned closer. "Any scandalous gossip to share with your old pal?"

You raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk playing on your lips. "If I told you, Bass, it wouldn't be scandalous anymore, would it?"

Chuck chuckled, his laughter infectious. "Touché, my dear. But a little birdie told me you're the one with all the juicy secrets."

You feigned innocence, batting your eyelashes in mock surprise. "Oh, I'm just a humble observer of the Upper East Side drama, Chuck. But who knows? Maybe I'll let you in on a secret or two."

Blair, who was sitting across from you, rolled her eyes playfully at Chuck's smooth talk. "Don't encourage him, Y/N. You know what happens when you do."

You let out a very loud laugh, making Blair snort as you shook your head. You heard the chair next to you drag and you looked up to meet Nate's blue eyes. You rolled your eyes, not hiding your annoyance as he took a seat next to Chuck, separating you two.

"Looks like the gang's all here," Chuck remarked, a knowing smirk on his lips before he continued. "Oh, except Serena."

Chuck's mention of Serena brought a sudden stillness to the table, the jovial atmosphere tempered by her absence. You glanced around, noting the subtle shift in mood as everyone exchanged uneasy looks.

Blair rolled her eyes as she took a sip of her mimosa. "You really know how to ruin the mood, Chuck."

Chuck chuckled, unfazed by Blair's remark. "Just keeping things interesting, Blair. Wouldn't want our brunch to be too dull now, would we?"

Nate cleared his throat, breaking the tension with a forced smile. "So, what's on the agenda for today, aside from the gossip and bottomless mimosas?"

Blair shot Nate a pointed look, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Well, considering you're here, I'd say we have all the ingredients for a classic Upper East Side drama."

You couldn't help but laugh at Blair's dry humor, grateful for the brief respite from the tension. "Ah, the joys of being back in Manhattan."

"Actually we're missing one key ingredient." Chuck smirked as his gaze fell on the previously mentioned blonde with the same guy she was with the night before, on the other side of the venue. "Looks like she decided to come by."

Blair's gaze fell on Serena, a bitter laugh falling out of her lips. "You've gotta be kidding me."

You got up from the table, grabbing your glass as you tried to walk away. Instead, you tripped, causing Nate to hold on your arm to stabilize you. "How many drinks have you had?"

"Why do you care, Nate?" You spoke as you ripped your arm from his grip, excusing yourself to go get yourself another drink.

Nate watched you go with a troubled expression, his eyes following your retreating figure with concern. He knew you were hurting, and seeing you in this state only added to his guilt.

As you made your way to the bar, the room seemed to spin slightly around you, the weight of the previous night's events pressing down on your shoulders. You reached the bar and poured another drink, the cool liquid providing a temporary comfort from the problems in your life right now.

Before you could drink it, you felt someone grip your arm. You looked to meet your father's disappointed gaze. "That's your third glass, Y/N. Put it down."

You narrowed your eyes as you let out a bitter scoff. "Since when do you care? How about you check on your sweet Charlene."

"So this is what this is about? You're jealous I'm giving Charlene some attention. Come on, Y/N, you're acting like a child." Your father whispered as he looked around, making sure no one is watching too hard.

You clenched your jaw, the bitterness of your own words lingering on your tongue as you glared at your father. "I'm not jealous, Dad. I'm just angry that you just threw away me and Mom for a brand new, shiny family. How do you think I feel?"

Your father's eyes widened in surprise at your words, the weight of your accusation hitting him like a blow. He opened his mouth to respond, but the words seemed to catch in his throat as he struggled to reply.

You glared at him, a bitter laugh escaping your lips. "That's what I thought." With that, you shrugged off his grip and stormed away, the weight of your resentment heavy on your shoulders.

As you walked away, you left the room and began walking through the Palace. You were so overwhelmed, you didn't even know what to do anymore. You couldn't run away from it anymore, you had to face it.

You were walking before you ran into Serena and Nate, talking. They both saw you and Serena immediately began walking toward you, Nate following the both of you.

"I need to talk to you." Serena spoke with urgency, her eyes pleading for your attention.

You crossed your arms over your chest, a defensive barrier between you and the two people who had caused you so much turmoil. "I don't think there's anything left to say, Serena."

"You told her too?" Serena sent a glare toward Nate, causing you to scoff.

"I didn't, it was Blair." Nate's gaze was on you as he spoke, guilt in his expression.

Your eyes stayed on Serena. "Why does it matter? I know now."

Serena's expression softened, her voice filled with remorse. "Y/N, I'm so sorry. I never meant for any of this to happen."

"Can we all just talk please? Not here, though." Nate spoke as his gaze flickered between you and Serena. "Meet me in Chuck's suite in 10, okay?"

You hesitated for a second as Serena took the key from him as he walked away. You looked up at the taller blonde, your heart heavy with conflicting emotions. "Fine."

You and Serena made your way to Chuck's suite in tense silence before she broke the silence. "Look, I know hurt Blair. And I know you're trying to protect her but... I don't like Nate, you have to believe me. I was drunk and-and hurt, Y/N."

Your steps slowed as Serena's words sank in, the tension in the air thickening with each passing moment. Despite the anger and betrayal swirling inside you, you couldn't deny the honesty in Serena's voice.

"I get that you were hurt, Serena," you began, your tone softer than before. "But that doesn't change the fact that what you did... it hurt Blair. And me too."

Serena's eyes pleaded with you for understanding. "I know, Y/N. And I'm sorry. But I can't have both of my best friends angry at me, I don't know how I'd manage."

You sighed, feeling the weight of Serena's words. "I know. I get it. I'm not mad at you but that doesn't mean I'm taking your side in this whole mess, I'll do my best to get Blair to relax."

Serena's shoulders relaxed slightly at your words, a faint smile touching her lips. "Thank you, Y/N. That means a lot to me."

You returned her smile with a nod, knowing that resolving the tension between Serena and Blair wouldn't be easy, but feeling determined to try. "Let's just take it one step at a time, okay? We'll figure things out."

You got to Chuck's suite and waited inside. And as you heard the door swing open, your eyebrows furrowed as you saw Blair and Nate kissing before he slowly pulls her off. "Wait, this is Chuck's suite."

"Nate." Serena spoke as she watched the scene in front of her.

Blair's eyes flickered in between you and Serena, anger clear in her expression. "What is she doing here?"

"Meeting Nate," Serena replied honestly as you let out an exhale.

"Me and Y/N just wanted to talk her, I swear." Nate's voice was rushed as he tried to explain, as he glanced between you, Blair, and Serena, his expression caught between guilt and irritation.

"You said you'd never speak to her again." Blair's voice sounded hurt as she glared back at Nate, her voice sharp with accusation.

"You said that?" You muttered as you rolled your eyes. How the hell did you get mixed up in all this? This is what happens when you give people the benefit of the doubt.

"Why would you say that?" Serena's voice was laced with disbelief as she glared back at Blair.

Blair's gaze hardened as she turned to face you. "Why are you even here, Y/N? Are you taking her side now? She can't be trusted, I thought I told you."

"It's not Serena's fault." You and Nate spoke in union, earning a scoff from Blair.

"I asked her to come." Nate continued as his eyes flickered to yours.

"Oh! Oh, so you wanted to talk." Blair's voice boomed as she glared back at Nate, her voice laced with betrayal.

"Yes, to explain why we... aren't talking." Nate continued, his voice faltering slightly under Blair's intense gaze.

"Fine. Maybe I'll leave you guys to finish this fancistaniating conversation." Blair's jaw tensed, her frustration evident as she glanced between you, Nate, and Serena as she began walking away.

"Oh, no, no I'll go. I'll let you two get back to your quickie." Serena's voice dripped with sarcasm as she walked up to Blair, her tone biting with resentment.

Blair shot Serena a scathing look, her eyes flashing with anger. "It wasn't a quickie. Sex is actually kind of a big deal to some of us!"

"Enough, both of you," you said firmly, your voice cutting through the silence. "We're not going to accomplish anything by arguing like this."

Blair's jaw clenched as she shot you a sharp look, her frustration evident. "You don't understand, Y/N. Serena is the reason for all of this mess."

Serena glared back at Blair, scoffing bitterly as she ignored your words. "Losing your v-card in Chuck's bed, real romantic. Classy too."

"Oh, like you?" Blair let out a bitter laugh as she looked in between you two before backing up slowly. "I bet your new friend Dan would love to hear all about how classy you are."

"Blair!" You shouted as Blair ran out of the suite, running after her. You lost her quickly, looking everywhere to go find her. You didn't even know why you cared so much, you didn't want to be involved in this mess anymore.

Blair found Dan quickly, going up to him with a big grin. "Dan! Hi. I'm Blair Waldorf, Serena's friend." She shook his hand, his expression confused.

"Oh, yeah. Hey, do you, uh know where she is?" Dan asked, his brows furrowing in concern as he met Blair's gaze.

"As a matter of fact, I do!" Blair's smile didn't falter as she began to speak before getting interuppted.

"Blair." You spoke as you glared at her. Serena and Nate followed behind you, crowding in the middle as Blair turned back to Dan.

"Serena, there you are. Uh, where were you?" Dan looked uncomfortable as everyone crowded him, the tension palpable.

"She was waiting in a hotel room for my boyfriend. To talk." Blair gave Serena a fake smile as your jaw dropped at her words.

"About why we weren't talking." Nate interjected as Blair glares at him.

"That doesn't sound any smarter the second time." Blair retorted, her tone sharp with frustration.

"I was there too." You spoke, giving Blair a glare. "If that helps." You gave Dan a sympathetic smile.

Dan's expression shifted from confusion to annoyance as he glanced between Serena and Blair, his brow furrowing deeper. "Why weren't you talking?"

"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" Chuck's smooth voice cut through the tension, his smirk widening as he surveyed the group. "Looks like we've stumbled upon quite the scandal."

"Oh, exactly what this situation needs, Chuck." Dan spoke, sarcasm dripping from his voice. "Now what's going on here?"

"We were just getting to that." Blair turned to face Dan, a bitter smile etched on her lips.

"Blair, please. Don't do this." Serena pleaded, her voice tinged with desperation as she glanced between Blair and Dan.

"Sorry. You wanna tell him?" Blair's voice was laced with feign concern as she spoke.

You rolled your eyes, sighing. "This is pathetic. Oh my god." You muttered before Chuck spoke.

"I'll tell him." He spoke proudly as everyone shot him a look.

"You know?" They all (except Dan, of course) spoke with shocked looks.

"I know everything." Chuck's smirk widened as he sauntered forward, reveling in the attention.

Dan sighed, his frustration evident in his tone as he looked around at the group, his brows furrowed in confusion. "And apparently, I know nothing."

"Look, Dan. It-it was a long time ago and I regret it." Serena began to explain before Chuck interrupted.

"Look, Serena, stop trying to pretend you're a good girl. So you slept with your best friend's boyfriend, I kinda admire you for it." Chuck's words hung in the air, a heavy silence descending upon the room as everyone processed his callous remark.

Serena's expression hardened, her jaw clenched with anger as she shot Chuck a scathing glare. Her eyes began to well up as your head fell back in utter irritation.

"Chuck, that's enough," you interjected, your voice firm as you shot him a warning glance. "This isn't helping anyone."

"Is that true?" Dan spoke, hurt evident in his voice.

"Well, then she ran away and lied about it. I just thought you should know before you fall head over heels for your perfect girl and her perfect world, and then get left alone with no one but your cabbage-patch kid." Blair spoke, amusement in her voice as everyone watched her. Dan's expression darkened as he processed her words, the hurt evident in his eyes.

"Cabbage patch?" You and Nate both said in union, your gaze flickering on each other before Blair continued.

"Did you talk to my sister?" Dan's voice was strained as he addressed Blair, his eyes searching hers for answers.

"Ah, yes little Jenny. I do believe me and her have some unfinished business." Chuck's voice interjected, his tone dripping with mischief as he stepped forward, his gaze locked on Dan.

"Chuck, what the hell? Isn't she a freshman?" You looked confused as you looked around the group, looking for answers but no one to give them to you.

"You stay away from her." Dan got close to Chuck as she spoke, anger evident in his expression.

"Poor Daniel. So little time, so many sluts to defend." Chuck smirked, obviously trying to get a rise out of Dan before he shoved him harshly into a table, glasses breaking as he fell to the ground.

Everyone in the room exchanged glances, shocked and amused ones. The room fell into a stunned silence as Dan's shove sent Chuck crashing into the table, the sound of breaking glass echoing in the room. Chuck regained his footing, his expression a mixture of surprise and irritation as he straightened himself.

Dan let out a big exhale as he looked at everyone in the room, regret seeping into his expression. "It's fine, it's fine, everyone can stop looking. He's a jerk. But it's-it's my fault and I'm leaving."

"I'll go with you." Serena spoke up, her voice soft as she turned to face Dan as he walked away.

"Actually, I'd prefer if you didn't." Dan replied, his tone firm and tinged with anger. He glanced at Serena with a mixture of disappointment and hurt before turning to leave the room.

As Dan walked away, leaving the room in a cloud of tension and unresolved emotions, you felt a surge of frustration and anger building up inside you. The chaos and drama that had unfolded before your eyes had reached its breaking point, and you couldn't hold back any longer.

"Seriously?" you exclaimed, your voice cutting through the quiet like a knife. "This is ridiculous! We're all acting like children, pointing fingers and placing blame, but what does that solve? Nothing!"

Blair opened her mouth to retort, but you didn't give her the chance to speak.

"And you," you continued as you glared at Blair, your voice cutting. "You can't keep dragging everyone down with your drama. You're so focused on your own vendettas and insecurities that you're willing to hurt everyone around you, including your own friends!"

Your gaze swept over the group, your frustration evident in your expression. "Nate, you can't just sit by and watch this happen when it all started with you. And Chuck, for once in your life, could you please just keep your mouth shut?"

Chuck's smirk faltered, his expression shifting from amusement to surprise as he regarded you with a raised eyebrow.

"You all need to grow up. You think this is some kind of game, but you're hurting people in the process. That poor guy, what was his name... Dan didn't deserve that. And even though Serena did some bad things, she doesn't deserve this, and I sure as hell don't deserve to be dragged into your mess." You spoke quietly as your words hung in the air, the tension in the room palpable as everyone processed your outburst.

You sighed before shaking your head, walking out of the room and out of the Palace. This was exactly why you didn't want to come to the brunch and why you didn't wanna come back to Manhattan. It was all drama, drama, drama. No logical thinking or empathy, just grudge-holding and gossip. It made you feel suffocated and you hated being dragged along in drama you didn't ask to be in.

But you knew that you didn't have a choice, that was just the life you were born into. Only a brunch in Manhattan can be this dramatic.

──౨ৎ──

You sat on your bedroom floor, going through the tens of albums of photos you have with Serena and Blair. It made you feel nostalgic and bittersweet. Each photograph captured a moment frozen in time, a memory of happier days before the drama and tension had consumed your friendship.

As you traced your fingers over the pictures, memories flooded back, reminding you of the moments you had cherished together. From late-night conversations to adventures, you had experienced so much together, and it was hard to believe how much had changed.

But now, everything felt different. The trust had been broken, and the rift between you seemed impossible to mend. You longed for the simplicity of those days, when your friendship was uncomplicated and unwavering.

As you lingered on each photo, you couldn't help but wonder if things would ever be the same again. Could you repair the damage that had been done? Could you rebuild the trust that had been shattered? Or was this the end of an era, the inevitable conclusion of a friendship that had once meant everything to you and the girls you'd once called your sisters.

As you flipped through the album, you stumbled across a photo of you and Nate. You were transported back in time, when you and Nate would spend every waking moment together. There were no secrets and no hidden feelings, it was pure friendship. But as you stared at the photo, focused on the way Nate stared at you, you wondered if you were naive to think that was all it ever was.

You couldn't help but wonder if you had been blind to the signs, oblivious to the undercurrents of attraction that may have existed beneath the surface of your friendship. Had you missed the subtle hints and longing glances, too caught up in the comfort of familiarity to see what was right in front of you?

As you continued to study the photo, a sense of longing washed over you, mingled with a twinge of regret. Regret for not exploring those feelings when you had the chance, for letting fear hold you back from taking that leap of faith.

You were quickly jolted out of your head as you felt your phone buzz on your bed. You got up from the floor and picked it up, reading the caller ID. The picture of Blair flashed on your phone screen, accompanied by her name. You hesitated for a moment, debating whether or not to answer.

With a resigned sigh, you swiped to answer the call, bringing the phone to your ear. "Hey, Blair," you greeted, your voice tinged with uncertainty.

"Hey." Blair's voice came through the line, a hint of hesitation in her tone. "I, um... I wanted to talk."

You swallowed hard, steeling yourself for whatever conversation was about to unfold. "Okay, go ahead."

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before Blair spoke again, her voice soft. "Today, at brunch. I should've never got you involved like that and if I wanted to screw Serena over, I should've waited for a better time. I... I'm sorry."

"No, it's alright," you replied, your own voice softening with understanding. "I shouldn't have went up to the suite with Serena, especially knowing that Nate was gonna meet up with us. I just want everyone to get along."

"You're sweet for thinking that and that's why I love you so much." Blair paused as she tried to find the right words. "Serena just isn't... she isn't good for us."

"Blair, I know you think you're trying to help me and I-I appreciate the sentiment but... I don't know. We've all been close for so long, I don't wanna choose a side. Serena messed up really bad but everyone deserves a second chance, right?" You rambled, not really knowing what to say.

Blair paused for a moment. "I don't think she deserves a second chance." Her voice was bitter and you could sense the hurt even from the phone. "But I can't expect you to choose a side. The one thing I ask is that we have to stay close, I can't lose two of my best friends."

That's exactly what Serena had said earlier and you wanted to tell Blair but it just didn't seem right. You wanted to tell Blair that shouldn't be so stubborn and cold, especially to her best friend but you couldn't find it in you.

You didn't blame Blair, either. You couldn't even imagine how betrayed you'd feel if Serena had done that to you - or anyone, for that matter. But at the same time, Blair shouldn't be acting like a child and making it her life mission to ruin Serena's life.

But it's not that simple, it never is.

"It's okay, B. I love you." You spoke, your voice exhausted.

Blair's silence hung heavy on the line for a moment before she spoke again, her voice softer this time. "I love you too, Y/N."

[cas-skz]

Enigma Part 3

Song Min Gi x (fem)Reader

Summary: Song Mingi is a mystery to you. A man with morals, to a certain extent. The method to his madness isn't typical: Violence, threats, and crime. After the first time you encounter him, he's got you locked in. The first encounter, wont be the last.

Warnings/Tags: 18+, MDNI, Suggestive Content, Language, Mentions of Drugs/Murder/Suicide

Word Count: 2.5k

Part 1 | 2

Written By: @littleforeignaffairs

You and Tiff stand in silence in your new bedroom. You look around the room as she makes up your bed. The room is fairly plain, but in a comfortable way. You run your fingers over a dark wooden armoire, admiring the details. You sling your fingers through the door hook, pulling the door open slowly. You catch glimpse of a fully intact wardrobe. One belonging to a slim female. You glance over your shoulder, making eye contact with Tiff.

“Really?” You start, scoffing a little “He placed me in his hook up pity room?”

Tiff walks up beside you, her hand reaching out to touch a piece of clothing. She shook her head a little

“Other than me, there hasn’t been a female stepping foot into Min’s space since Charlene”

You follow Tiff’s stare into the armoire. She pulls open the other door, revealing pictures pasted on the inside. She runs her fingers over the memories and looks to you.

“This was Cherry’s room”

Tiff forces a little smile, turning back to your things. You look to the photos again, seeing photo’s of a younger Tiff and Mingi. There is a third person, who you assumed to be Charlene, “Cherry”. You close the doors slowly, suddenly feeling guilt in the words you said. You purse your lips, wandering over to the side of the bed. You sit, pulling your legs up onto the mattress.

“What happened to her?” Your words are hesitant.

Tiff freezes, a heavy sigh leaving her lungs before she continues unpacking your bags.

“Min took me and Charlene in a handful of years ago. We both worked for Lee, got into a lot of trouble for him” Tiff nods slowly, her eyes staring blankly downwards “Mingi helped us get away from Lee. But, Charlene was his favourite girl. He did everything he could to get her back…”

Your mind starts to wander, thinking of how Lee treats you compared to the other girls. Even Alise. He is kind to them, respects them too. But for you, Lee always went above and beyond. Tiff’s voice begins to hum in your ears, bringing your attention back to her.

“Where is she now?” You interrupt.

Tiff closes your bag. She walks past you to place it in the armoire.

“I suggest you don’t touch anything in here that isn’t yours”

“Tiff? What happened to her…”

“I’m actually kind of surprised he told me to set up this room for you”

You turn onto your knees, facing Tiff. You start to speak again, your curiosity getting to the best of you.

“Tiffany” A low toned voice startles you both.

“Jesus Min” Tiff returns to her loud, foul mouthed self. “Stop fucking doing that”

Mingi walks into the room, bringing a heavy cloak of tension with him. His eyes are stuck to you, making you feel a little uncomfortable. You shift on the bed awkwardly, knowing he heard your conversation. His head turns slightly towards Tiff, but his eyes remain on you.

“You can leave now”

You look to Tiff, who returns your concerned expression.

“I didn’t say anything, Min”

The thing you’ve noticed about Mingi’s subordinates, including the girls, is their respect for him. Tiffany has shown herself to be quite outspoken, the most comfortable with poking and prodding at him. She appears to be the only one who can really push his boundaries. Though this topic, this girl, is one even she dared not speak of.

Mingi doesn’t respond to Tiff, he merely motions towards the door with an upward nod. Tiff presses her lips together, taking her leave. Mingi waits until he hears the click of the door closing over. You can see the muscles in his jaw tense. He takes another few steps into the room, the tapping of his shoes against the floor breaking the harsh silence.

“You’re awfully nosey” He finally states “I’m letting you stay in my home. Trying to keep you safe…”

Mingi’s words are quiet and calm, but they stab in your stomach. Stinging you with shame and guilt. You try to avoid his gaze, but he leans down gripping your chin with his fingers. He turns your face slowly to make you look at him. His eyes narrow,

“You could at least keep to yourself. Have a bit of respect”

“I’m sorry” The words leave your mouth before you even process that you had said anything.

Mingi drops his hand, straightening up in front of you. You breathe out slowly, the unknown tension leaving your body.

“There are some rules you need to follow while staying here” Mingi crosses his arms over his chest “First, you go nowhere alone.”

Your face scrunches

“You’ll have one of my men with you at all times”

“I’m not a child”

“Second. You have a curfew of 11pm..”

You scoff loudly, arms folding underneath your chest

“...Unless you’re working. Which you’re now working for me along side Tiffany”

“Excuse me?!”

Both you and Mingi hold each other’s stare. You can feel your blood boiling in your veins. You part your lips, running your tongue over your teeth. Mingi raises a brow

“Which part do you not understand”

You clench your fists at your sides. You feel as though he’s mocking you. Mingi shoves his hands in his pockets, waiting for a response from you. He tilts his head, rocking on his heels. He nods slowly as a response to your silence. Though he takes it as you agreeing with him, you’re just trying to  hold your tongue from saying something you’ll regret.

“So. You understand?”

You squint your eyes, a sarcastic smile pulling your lips.

“Yes Daddy”

Mingi's face drops, turning pale. He swallows hard, Adam’s apple bobbing noticeably.

“Don’t call me that” His voice is low

“Well, don’t try to control me or act like one”

Mingi avoids your eyes now, running his hand through his hair. His hand rests at the back of his neck

“The house is free roam. Treat it as your home while you’re here” His voice seems softer now.

His eyes finally rise to look at you. Though you still feel angry with the conditions he’s given you, the way Mingi looks at you, you can almost detect a bit of concern. From what you have seen of Mingi, his eyes are dark. But they appear soft, almost sad, when focused on you.

“I’m down the hall if you need anything”

Mingi’s voice startles you. Your cheeks flush a light pink when you realize you’ve been staring at him a little too long for comfort.

“Tiffany’s room is next to yours”

You nod with an awkward amount of enthusiasm

“Sure. Okay”

Mingi nods once, reaching for the doorknob.

“I’ll see you in the morning then. Breakfast goes on the table by 8:30”

You force a small smile, pretending to fix up the bed.

“Mhm”

The night feels so long, dragging on uncomfortably. It’s difficult to pin point what exactly is making you feel uneasy. You’re in a strange home, with multiple strangers who suddenly decided they need to keep you safe. Lee, someone you used to trust with your life, is now apparently trying to hurt you. Kill you? You don’t even know that much.

You sigh heavily, kicking the blankets off your body. You sit up in defeat, swinging your legs over the side of the bed. You toes touch against the floor, its surprisingly warm. You wrap your arms around your body in habit, making your way over to your door. Peeking through your door, you slip through, avoiding any bit of noise.

The hallway is fairly dark, but a dim light fades in your direction. You move slowly, following the light to a door at the end of the hall. You peer through the crack, pushing the door open carefully. The door creaks when it swings open. You scan around the room, making the assumption that this was the room Mingi said was his.

You furrow your brows, noticing there isn’t a bed in the room. Your curiosity starts getting the best of you, pulling your further into the room. A couch, large desk with paper scattered, walls filled with news articles and photos; the room is set up more like an office than a bedroom. Though as you stray further, his wardrobe comes into view. A large closet set before an en suite. It seems though he treats his bedroom as an office, or vice versa.

You turn back towards the door, but a collection of articles catches your eye. A lot of the information is blacked out or written over in red ink. From what you can piece together, it exactly what you expect: Drugs, Vandals, Assault. A sharp pain squeezes your chest when your eyes land on a photo of familiar faces.

You pull the paper off the wall. As clear as black and white can be, the faces of Lee and Cherry look at you. The pain rises from your chest into your throat.

“murder suspect”

“assault”

“manipulation”

“substance abuse”

“suspicion of suicide”

Before you could piece together any information, a hand grasps the paper from your hold. He startles you. You look up to meet his finger pointing close to your face. Mingi doesn’t speak right away, but the look on his face and the paper crumpled in his hand are enough to tell you that he isn’t happy.

“What are you doing in here” His voice is unstable.

“I couldn’t sleep”

“So your idea of a lullaby is to invade someone’s privacy?" Mingi’s voice becomes harsher with each word.

Dumbfounded, you stare at Mingi, unable to form any words. That feeling of cowardice resurfaces in you. You cheeks feel hot as you cast your eyes away from his. Mingi grabs your face from underneath your chin, forcing you to look at him. Your knees weaken from his grasp.

“I asked you a question”

The eyes you had seen earlier, soft and concerned, are replaced with displeasure. Still, you cannot form any words. You merely hold your stare with his. His eyes scan your face. A gleam of guilt in his eyes changes his whole demeanor. He can see the hesitation and fear he’s instilled in you.

Mingi drops his hand, backing up from you.

“When I said the house was free roam, I didn’t mean disregard my privacy”

His words are still firm. You can’t understand why he has to scold you for everything. He’s the one who brought you in. You didn’t ask for this, yet you have to constantly tip toe around him and the secrecy on why he’s even brought you here.

You feel like a child. Belittled.

“If I'm such a hassle to you, why bother bringing me here” You look to the floor, tugging at the sleeves of your sweater.

Mingi huffs

“I already told you that I suspect Lee is planning some shit”

“And?” You look back to him “What do you think I’ve been doing without you for the last 2 years?” A sudden surge of anger hits you “Why do you think you suddenly need to take care of me? I was doing just fine before you pulled me aside in your club”

Mingi furrows his brows, a slight wince at your words

“I’ve known you for a whole what… 40 hours? And you just boss me around, scold me and make me feel belittled. You say Lee is so bad, he treats me better than you do”

Mingi’s jaw tightens. You swear you could hear his teeth grind.

“You told me you’ve known him for a long time. Something obviously happened to that girl”

You point to Mingi’s hand. He looks down at the ball of paper in his fist before relaxing his hand, the paper slowly crinkling.

“You’re making me involved but you’re not even telling me what’s going on. Why he’s doing this”

Mingi lifts his head, but doesn’t meet your eyes.

“You should go back to bed” He’s quiet

“You’ll be going with Tiffany tomorrow. She’s going to start training you to work the bar."

He spoke no other words, and walked past you, leaving the room. You watch him leave, unsure how you're supposed to feel. One moment he's making you feel a like a burden, the next you're filled with shame and guilt.

You push your food around on your plate, the quiet scraping being the only sound in the dining room. You glance up at Mingi, who sits across from you at the table. He focus is on an iPad, presumably work. He grabs his mug, bringing it to his lips. His eyes raise, looking over the rim of his mug at you.

Neither of you look away. Not until Tiffany enters the room. Mingi looks to her. He sets his mug down, and motions for her to come over to him.

As instructed, she walks over to him, standing between you two.

“Take her with you this morning. I want her to know everything. Floor, drinks, stock” Mingi looks towards you “Everything that I’ve taught you, pass on to her”

“If you want to replace me, just say so” Tiffany laughs, shoving Mingi roughly.

He raises a brow, looking up to her. Tiffany rolls her eye, grabbing his mug of coffee.

“Tough crowd”

You can’t help but smile at how Tiffany treats Mingi, and how he just accepts it.

“So” Tiffany takes a drink of the coffee “She’ll work a few hours, come home to rest, then come back again tonight to work with the girls?”

“No.” Mingi’s voice is hard, curt.

Tiffany looks from the mug, to Mingi. Her expression shows clear confusion with Mingi’s response.

“She’s learning everything, except hosting?” Tiffany reiterates.

Mingi has that stern look in his eyes again. He doesn’t respond to Tiffany verbally. He merely raises a brow. Tiffany looks down to you, breathing in deeply.

“Everything except hosting it is”

“Why” You immediately interrupt. “You’ve obviously seen me work the floor before. You’ve seen me at your own club”

“I said No”

“What is it with you that you have this dying need to keep me out of sight from everyone” Your voice starts to escalate. You can see Mingi’s expression changing, slowly becoming frustrated with you

“I already told you it’s to keep you safe until this situation is figured out”

You scoff a laugh

“Right, yes, I’m sure. It’s everything to do with Lee, and not some sick joke you like playing”

Words just roll off your tongue. You don’t even know why you’re arguing with him. You don’t know if you’re actually mad about the situation, or just like seeing Mingi get worked up.

Mingi narrows his eyes at you.

“Do you have to make everything an argument? Can you not just listen to me for once?”

“Yes Daddy”

Mingi slams his fist onto the table. Simultaneously Tiffany chokes on her coffee, spitting it out. You flinch at the sounds. Mingi’s face reddens and he looks away from you, flustered. You stand up a look to Tiffany

“I’ll be ready in 10”

You glance back to Mingi, his eyes still avoiding you. You sigh, walking off.

Tiffany watches you walk away before turning her attention back to Mingi. She wipes the coffee off her chin and laughs.

“Oh, Min. She’s a keeper”

“Fuck off…”

[kelloggjkellogg]

PART TWO: THE MID SIXTIES LOOK FOR WOMEN

In 1965/66 hemlines rose considerably but for a more restrained look just a little above the knee would suffice...although that would soon change.

Patricia wears: Hair: EnriquesS4 Money hairstyle Posts tagged mycc | ENRIQUE (tumblr.com) Eyelashes: Kijiko 3D Lashes | Kijiko (kijiko-catfood.com) Eyeshadow: GEORGIAPEACH (tumblr.com) Eyeliner: The Sims Resource - Sharp Love Eyeliner Blusher: MAC, Base game Lipstick: MAC, Base game Earrings: Base game Dress: The Sims Resource - Simxties_SLCC_Dress_1 Pantyhose: Mod The Sims - Better Pantyhose Shoes: Linzlu's 1960 Custom Content Linzlu's Custom Content — 1960 Basics Collection [Download for FREE on... (tumblr.com)

Barbara wears: Hair: Charleston hair Charleston Hairstyle – birksche's simsblog (wordpress.com) Eyelashes: 3D Lashes | Kijiko (kijiko-catfood.com) Eyeshadow: Swingin' Sixties Makeup | Patreon Eyeliner: The Sims Resource - Sharp Love Eyeliner Blusher: Swingin' Sixties Makeup | Patreon Lipstick: The Sims Resource - Simxties - Jackie Lips Dress: Linzlu's Custom Content — Tina Mod Dress [Download for FREE on Patreon] (tumblr.com) Pantyhose: Mod The Sims - Better Pantyhose Shoes: Aveira's Sims 4, SLYD’s Charlene Heels - Recolor 66 Colors ... (tumblr.com) Watch: Base game