#chris catches on and he starts leaving it out for his dad whenever he comes back from therapy sessions but never admits to it

[daniclaytcn]

personally i like to think that eddie secretly kept buck's drawing of a heart and he takes it out and looks at it whenever he has a bad day because it makes him smile :)

[sturniqlo]

His Two Girls- M.S

summary: dad!matt husband!matt headcannons with his wife and daughter

cw: fluff, slight cursing

an: there will be many time jumps, from where their daughter was a baby to a girl in college | lowercase intended

masterlist

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dad!matt who always takes pictures whenever he's sees his two girls together doing anything and everything.

"careful, sweetie." his wife says as their three year old daughter cracks an egg into a bowl of cake mix. "did it!" the little girl cheers throwing her hands up. matt quickly takes out his phone and captures a picture of y/n smiling down at their daughter.

"ready?" y/n tells the little girl who is standing at the edge of the pool, floaty around her waist. "daddy i'm scared!" she turns back at matt who is sitting on a lounge chair, towel wrapped around him while he holds his phone up with the camera app open. "you can do it, baby. mommy will catch you!" he encourages her. "okay! here i go, mommy!" she jumps and matt captures the moment.

"what's going on here?" matt says, walking into the bathroom where he sees his wife and thirteen year old daughter. "she wanted bangs before she starts school, so i'm about to cut them." she parts her hair. "wait, don't cut them so short!" their daughter shrieks as she sees her mom putting the scissors to high up. "i'm not, just measuring." she murmurs, focusing on her daughters hair. "i'm about to cut it, matt, move. makin' me nervous." matt laughs. "i haven't said anything." he takes his phone out, capturing the moment when she cuts her hair. shock on both of their faces when they realized it's too short. "mom!" "matt, can you make a appointment at the hair salon." she puts the scissors down on the counter.

their daughter was back home from college for her winter break, and time to relax from many exams. matt had returned home from work and heard giggling from the kitchen and soft music playing. peering through the corner, he sees his two favorite girls rolling out dough for cinnamon rolls. something they always loved to bake together. he pulls out his phone and takes multiple pictures before making himself known.

dad!matt who cries on any milestone their daughter achieved/meets

"matt stop! i promised myself i wouldn't cry!" she lightly swats his chest, seeing his tears fall down to his cheeks as they watch their little girl walk in line to enter her classroom for her very first day of pre-k. "i can't help it, look at her." he points, they see their daughter wave at them with a smile, her two pigtails swinging. "oh my god, i can't look anymore." his wife's tears start falling.

"are you crying?" y/n giggles. "stop making fun of me!" matt wipes his tears looking away from his two girls. "look at it, her tooth is so small." she places it on a napkin. "there's a hole in my mouth!" their daughter screams from the bathroom down the hall.

"oh, look. she's next!" y/n pats matt's shoulder as she sees their daughter about to cross the stage. "here come my tears, shit. chris, record on my phone!" he passes his phone to chris who's sitting next to nick. "matt, my mascara." y/n taps her under eyes with a tissue. "look! she's about to walk." they all get up and cheer for her as she walks and waves at them. outside, they take pictures matt can't help but cry. "dad, why are you crying?" his daughter giggles. "look at you, you're growing up and you're about to leave for college. how could i not cry?"

"matt, why are you crying? she just used the toilet? "because she won't be using diapers anymore, she's growing up!"

dad!matt who always goes in daddy daughter dates every friday

"you ready, sweetie?" matt says as he sees his five year old daughter sitting on the couch. "yep! where are we going today?" she jumps off the couch, walking to her dad. "we're going to lunch and then we're going to do anything you want." he grabs her small hand, walking them to the front door. "excuse me, little miss? are you not going to say bye to me?" y/n dramatically gasps as she comes down the stairs.

"i'm not sure if your mom will let us go anywhere alone again." matt says, as he look back at his ten year old daughter in the back seat holding a small puppy. since she gets to choose whatever they do, she decided to to a animals shelter. when they walked in, the worker showed them a litter of puppies that had found in a dumpster. "let's get one." she had said and matt had gotten the paperwork. here they are now. "at lease we got a puppy." she said. at home, they had tried to sneak through the back door but, y/n was unfortunately in her garden nursery. "oh hey, you two. what'd you guys do to-" she drops her small gardening shovel. "matthew? why is she holding a puppy. and why are you holding dog food, bed and toyy?" she sighs. "surprise?"

matt and y/n's daughter had been away at college for about four months now. she had missed waking up to smelling her mom making breakfast, gardening with her, going shopping, baking and cooking. something she had especially missed was her weekly daddy daughter dates with matt. two weeks earlier, she had called her mom and let her know of her plan. y/n was excited, knowing how much matt had missed his weekly days out with their daughter. she had booked their daughter a ticket so she could come home for a week. "hey, matt! can you get the door?" y/n excitedly bit her lip. "who's coming over?" he gets up off the couch and walks towards the door. "not sure." she follows trying not to ruin the surprise. as he opens the door he gasps at who's behind it. "ready for our date?" "oh my gosh, you're here!"

"where you goin'?" y/n asks giggling, as he sees matt and their one year old daughter on his hip come down the stairs in matching outfits. "thought me and this little one should go to the park, and give you some needed alone time from the crazy one." he walks to her, placing a hand on the small of her back to lean down and give her a goodbye kiss. "the crazy one being you?" she mumbles against his lips. "okay." he says and she laughs. "we'll be back later. say bye to mommy." he looks at the baby on his hip and waves at y/n so the little girl can copy. "bye-bye." she does a small wave.

husband!matt who also loves going on weekly dates/ alone time with his wife and makes his brothers babysit

"should we?" y/n second guesses her and matt's first night out ever since their daughter came into the world. "yes, it's much needed, okay? we both need a break once in a while from parenting. it's been five months of straight craziness." he rubs her cheeks as they stand in the middle of their room. "you're right, but we've never been away from her for so long, the most we've left her with chris and nick was probably an hour max."

"and make sure you guys burp her a couple of minutes after feeding her, and no screen time for her, we don't want her to be an ipad kid. and-" matt gets interrupted by chris. "matt we get it, we babysat her last week and the many weeks before that." nick giggles at a funny face the baby did while holding her. "shoo shoo, parents night out, whoo! go do- whatever you guys were going to do." he pushes the couple out the door. "send me pictures, please. i can't go a couple of hours without seeing her face." y/n says before chris closes the door. "got it!" he says. "and don't forget-" matt gets cut off by chris slamming the door in his face. "did he just slam my own door in my own face?"

"any reason why we're not babysitting at your house?" nick says going through the baby bag. "no reason at all." matt smiles, "we thought she could use a change of scenery for once." chris fakes gags. "yeah, right." he says. "oh shut it, chris. sorry you can't get nothing." y/n places her daughter in his hands. at the door, nick follows to show them out. "please don't give us another niece or nephew until this one can do everything on her own, not sure if we can handle two babies at once."

"miss having you all to myself, babe." matt brings y/n's knuckles up to his lips to kiss them, pressing a longer kiss onto her the finger where her sparkly ring sits. this was another week where they dropped off their daughter at chris and nick house instead of having them babysit here. "yeah, me too. but i love our little family." she wraps her arms around him before falling backwards on the bed. "me too, care to expand it?" he kisses along her jaw, down her neck. "i would love to." she says before he slowly undresses her and unbuckles his belt.

husband!matt who reminds y/n to dedicate a whole day to herself to get a break from mom life

"no, matt, she needs me." she sighs. "i know, i know. but, you need a break too, even if it's from your own baby. i know we have our dates but you need a day for you. you're here at home with her all day everyday, i know you get overwhelmed sometimes." he puts her purse in her hand. "so, go out and come back whenever you want. you can get some coffee, eat lunch, get your nails done, i know you miss doing that, hang out with friends. whatever you want, m'kay?" he kisses her forehead. "are you sure?" "yes, baby."

"y/n your sister is here!" matt lets his sister-in-law in the house. "my sister? why is she here?" y/n says confusingly, feeding her eight month old daughter her bottle. "ouch?" her sister says and matt laughs. "it's your day!" matt says "i had one last week, though." "so? here, i'll finish feeding her. go get ready."

"a girls trip?" y/n says into her phone, talking to her best friend. "i don't know, matt works the whole week and i have nobody to watch the baby." matt walks into the kitchen where y/n is cooking. "oh! matt just got home." he goes to y/n and kisses her cheek. "where is she?" he refers to their daughter "she's napping." "so, what do you say, y/n?" her best friend says. "i'm going to have to pass up on that, sorry." "pass up on what?" matt says, grabbing a piece of garlic bread y/n had taken out of the over earlier. "i was just telling y/n about going on a girls trip." there's some ruffling in the background. "she's in." matt grabs yet another piece. "what? i am?" matt nods. "im sure i can pull some strings at work. you deserve a girls trip."

dad!matt who is overprotective over his daughter when it comes to boys

"that little boy is tooo close to her for my liking." matt mumbles to y/n "matt, they're six, and they're just standing in line." she says, laughing. "still."

"why're you so smiley and giggly today?" matt told his daughter as he picked her up from school, deciding that y/n should go to a spa to treat herself. "nothing!" she says in a singsong tone. "you're being suspicious." he opens the car door for her to get in. "timmykissedmycheekatrecess!" she blurts out and covers her mouth right after. "what was that, honey?" he says confusingly as he didn't understand her. "nevermind." "oh, okay?" later that day, y/n and their fifth grader were at the dinner table doing homework while matt finished up some online work. "guess what, mom." "what?" she smiles. "remember timmy?" she nods. "i remember him, yes." she recalls her daughters crush. matt, in the living room can't help but eavesdrop. "he kissed my cheek at recess today." matt gasps in the living room. "is that so? does dad know? he picked you up today." "now i know!" he says from the living room, getting up to meet them at the dining room. "who's timmy?"

"hey, dad." the now sophomore in high school walks into her dads office with a fruit bowl for him. "hey, sweetie. bring my wallet, i know you want something." he says looking up from his laptop, taking the bowl of fruit from her. "no, no, i don't want you to buy me something this time." she laughs and wraps her arms around him. "okay, you're scaring me." he hugs her back. "can i go out with a friend tomorrow after school?" she whispers. "have you asked mom." she nods. "she told me to ask you." "okay then, you can go." she lets go of him. "great, okay, because it's a date." she says quickly before she tries to walk out. "wait, wait, wait. come back here." she groans. "dad, you and mom said yes already." she turns back to face him. "does you mom know it's a date?" she nods. "and she's okay with it?" "yes, she was happy for me." "i want to meet them first, so come over here first and then you two can go." she gasps. "really? you're letting me go?!" he nods. "unfortunately, but, i know it's a part of you growing up, it was bound to happen anyways."

"mom, i would like you to meet, my boyfriend." she motions her arms to her boyfriend she met back at college. "it's nice to finally meet you, ms.sturniolo." the boy shakes her hand. "please, call me y/n. and it's nice to finally meet you too, i've heard many good things about you." she looks at y/n. "is dad home?" her daughter asks. "nope, unfortunately, he had to run into work really quickly to sign some papers. he'll be back soon though." the girl was a bit nervous for her dads reaction to meeting her boyfriend. he could be a bit overprotective sometimes. "i'm home! is my wonderful daughter here yet?" matt walks through the door and hour after she had arrived. "dad!" she runs to her dad who she hasn't seen in a couple of months. "oh, i missed you so much!" he hugs here, kissing her forehead, temple and cheek. "is he here?" he whispers. "yes, please don't do anything to scare him, he's nervous as is." she whispers back. "no promises." "dad!" he laughs. "kidding, kidding" he holds his hands up in surrender.

"who's noah?" matt holds his daughters phone up, as it was blowing up next to him while she was in the kitchen making a snack as matt's chicken got burned so now they're waiting until y/n gets home to eat an unburned meal. "a friend." she says, eating a spoonful of her cereal. "why is he telling you 'see you tomorrow love you so much?'" matt emphasizes on the he. "she is the friend i'm hanging out with tomorrow and me and her always tell each other we love one another." matt's face turns red in embarrassment. "oh- well she sent you some other messages, sorry."

dad&husband!matt who always reminds his wife and daughter how much he loves them.

"where are my two favorite girls?" matt walks into the living room, hiding his hands behind his back holding something. "we're here! we're here!" the seven year old little girl says from the carpeted floor where she was coloring with her mom. "hi, babe." y/n says. "alright, who's favorite color is pink?" he asks, already knowing the answer. "me, me, me!" the little girl gets up. "i believe these are for you." he pulls out a bouquet of pink roses from behind him. the little girl gasps. "they're so pretty!" "and who's favorite color is red?" he asks the little girl. "that's mommy's favorite color! mommy, he got you the same ones but in red!" "thank you, baby." y/n kisses his lips. "i love you two very much, okay?" he hugs both of them.

"you're amazing, i hope you know that." he kisses his wife's forehead as she just gave birth to their daughter a few hours ago. "thank you, matt." she says tiredly. "i love you so much, so so much. never forget that." he says as she slowly starts to fall asleep. "i love you more, matt." two hours later, y/n is still napping, and matt has been contacting and responding to more of their families messages until he hears his newborn start to cry. not wanting y/n to wake up he quickly gets up at attends to her. "hi, little one. don't cry, don't want mommy to wake up. she's been through so much, yeah?" he cradles her in his arms and she quickly stops crying and opens her eyes and stares at him. "look at your eyes, so much like your mommy's, and your little nose. you're beautiful." he rubs her small cheek with his finger. "i love you so much, and i will do everything to show you just how much. i'll do everything to protect you and your mommy, everything to take care of you two." he whispers. "i love my two girls."

[anakinsbaee]

𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞 - m.s

Summary: In which you are hanging out w/ the triplets and your abusive dad texts you to come home

WARNINGS!: abusive parents, cussing, use of y/n, remarks of physical abuse, sad-ish?, i thinks thats all

a/n: this is my first fic, if u have any feedback pls share !!!

From Dad

“Come home, now.” 

You read the text, your heart instantly dropping. Your palms start sweating and you look around the living room. Nick's beside you, Chris and Matt and your other side of the couch. You don’t even bother telling them because you have to explain why you don’t get along with them, and that’s a whole different story. The triplets didn’t know about the situation of your family, they didn’t know how you weren’t close with your parents at all, constantly fighting them, having to hide things from them. They don’t even know about Nick, Matt and Chris at all.

You start typing fast trying not to cry at the thought of getting yelled at when you come home.

I don’t wanna go home. 

I don’t feel safe there.

“Are you alright?” 

Nick asks, looking down at your phone with a worried face.

“Who is that?” you hesitate telling him, “Oh my dad.. He wants me to come home” you laughed dryly. Matt and Chris heads turn at you. 

“What happened?” Chris asks. 

Fuck.

I don’t want to tell them at all.

“She has to go home, but it’s like literally only 8pm?” He told them

They nodded

I feel like shit whenever I have to go home early, especially because of my fomo.

“Jus’ ask him to go at like 10?”

The problem between their parents and mine is that my parents are strict, especially ‘cause I’m a girl. They don’t want me hanging out with people they don’t know either. Sometimes I feel like I envied their parents' bond with each other and their kids. They all loved each other, my parents couldn’t give less of a fuck. 

“Um, yeah I could ask. I doubt I can stay that long though.”

I threw my head into my hands, sighing loudly.

“Are you sure that’s all that happened?” Matt asked 

“Yeah, don’t worry” I smiled

Nick looks at his brothers with a suspicious look.

I got up leaving my phone, grabbing something to drink. I had to get my mind off it.

A few minutes went by and I was up against a counter drinking out of a juicebox thinking about how I can avoid coming home.

Matt comes into the kitchen with my phone.

“Here, um..”

“What?” I looked at him

“I saw your phone” He says looking down at his feet

“Yeah you always do?” I laughed a bit confused.

“No like your messages, you left it unlocked.”

No.

He didn’t.

No fucking way.

“Yeah your dad left like 8 other messages”

You snatched the phone out of his hand

“Oh my god.”

Dad

“Come home right fucking now.”

“Where are you?”

“Are you fucking slut now? Not telling us where you went?”

“I swear, are you with a guy? better not catch you with them or else I’ll fucking break your skull.”

“You’re grounded.”

Mom

“Y/N where are you? I’m serious, if you don’t come home, I won’t EVER let you inside our house again.”

“This is why I wish I never had a daughter.”

I teared up looking at the messages, although it’s nothing new, they act almost as if they care. Wanting me to come home. They just don’t want to lose someone that does everything you ask them to do.

“Is that why you couldn’t stay?” He asked quietly.

I nodded, my throat felt like it was closing up, I couldn’t breathe. 

I can’t believe he saw that.

“I’m sorry.” That's all I could say, warm tears falling out of my eyes.

“Sorry.. For what?”

“For what you saw.. And crying.”

“Don’t be sorry for anything you are completely valid in this situation. I can’t believe you’ve been dealing with them and you haven’t told us.”

“It's a burden. You can’t really help me” I said exhaling. 

“I could. You can stay here. My parents wouldn’t mind.” Matt says smiling a bit.

I smiled back.

They care about me.

Why was it so hard for my parents to?

What did I do?

I was grateful, insanely grateful.

Matt stepped closer to me and wrapped his arms around me. "I'm so sorry."

I hummed

"Thank you so much." I looked up at him as we hugged

I squeezed Matt as hard as possible like he was going to slip out of my grasp.

I can’t leave.

I don’t want to.

"I'll have to text them." I said stressed again. "We can make my dad call your parents or something?"

"Okay so like do you wanna die?" We both laughed

"We can focus on that tomorrow, I just want you to know that you're safe here. Does he know us?"

"Umm, no." I said embarrassed.

"Thats fine I understand, they are fucking insane." "Just, don't worry. Okay?" He smiled.

What is this feeling?

I felt like I was melting inside, he was so kind.

Chris and Nick entered the kitchen.

“Is she okay?” Chris mumbled.

“I mean we kinda heard everything..” Nick said awkwardly.

I wasn't even mad that they heard the whole conversation, that’s all I ever wanted.

I wanted someone to hear me

To listen to me.

i reallyy hate this!

sparkles from @bebanie

[xetlynn]

By Your Side- Prologue

(Joshua Washington X Reader)

(Until Dawn)

[Prologue] [One] [Two]

“Hey sissy.” Jessica jumps on the end of my bed with a huge grin. I raise a brow, closing my laptop.

“What is it, Jess?” I let out a large sigh causing her to pout out her lip.

“Oh come on, I just wanted to hang out with my older sister.” She nudges my calf, scooting closer to me on the bed.

“Right, you haven’t called me sissy in years.” I call her out, to which my little sister scoffs. Shaking her head in disagreement to my statement.

Right now we’ve been home alone, our parents out for some business trip or so they say. They do this every month or two, telling us a business trip came up that they have to go to when in reality we all know it’s just a mini vacation they want to take without feeling guilty. Something they shouldn’t have to feel guilty for.

“Uh, yes I have. Just the other day. Maybe I just want to say it again.” Jessica argues with me and I let out a small chuckle.

“Okay, I’ll keep you to it, sissy.” I mock her, she tries to hide it but she breaks out into a smile as well.

“Okay, fine. I overheard Hannah saying we’re going to the lodge! Did Josh say anything to you about it?” She hops up on her knees, bouncing on my bed a little bit. “It was mentioned but I don’t think I’m going.” I let out a nervous laugh, I watched as her eyes bulged out of the sockets along with her mouth hung wide open.

“You have to go! Mom and dad won’t let me go unless you do.” She grips on my knee shaking me aggressively.

It’s not that I don’t want to go.

It sounds fun as heck but lately Josh has been acting a little more flirtatious with me and I’m not up for an awkward weekend of the group making fun of us. Ever since Thanksgiving he started becoming more flirty with me. I went to his family’s dinner and I don’t know.

I like him, of course I do. Who wouldn’t in my position I just don’t want our friendship to get messed up in the heat of things.

“I.. I don’t know Jessie. I have a lot of homework to catch up on.” I lie, I’m all caught up. I only have three classes so I also have time to work.

“[Name], please. I’ll clean your car whenever you want me to! And your dishes! For a month!” She pleads with me. I bite the tip of my thumb thinking about it. A weekend with friends might get out minds off of things. Josh might not bother me as much as I think he will. I close my eyes.

“Okay,” I breathe out, “okay, I’ll go but please try to make sure the pranks against me are at a minimum. And don’t worry about cleaning my things.” I slouch down a tad bit only to be brought back up by my sister who squeals and hugs me. “I can’t wait for the invitation to make things official!” She lets me go and excitedly leaves my room.

I hear her call Ashley which surprised me. I didn’t expect her to really become friends with Ashley. It’s better than Emily though.

I check my phone that pings a few times, Josh and Chris’s names pop up and I roll my eyes at what they’re saying.

“Partying it up on Mount Washington!!!!!!!!! What you guys think?” Josh using way too many exclamation points.

“I’m in, you know it!” Chris sends with multiple emojis and I snort out a laugh.

“[Name], how about you?” Josh puts a little winky face to which I roll my eyes, a smirk still laid upon my lips though.

“Hm, I don’t know.” I respond back, Chris sends a gasping face emoji in response to my message.

“You’re the life of the party you have to be there:(“ Chris says.

“Is it worth my time though?” I tease them, obviously I already told Jessica I was going. I’m not backing out of my word but it is fun to mess with my boys.

“Oh wowww, can’t believe Miss chugger won’t come to a party… with provided alcohol.” Josh says, my jaw slacks open in shock.

“Hey, Miss chugger is in the past, dead even and she’s not coming back.” I remind him. In high school we of course were bit of partiers.

I was the worst of the worst when it comes to drinking. I’d out drink everyone, chugging disgusting beers, taking shots of pure vodka like it was nothing. Just thinking about those days makes me want to vomit.

“I miss her:(“ Chris comments,

Josh puts the laughing emoji, “me too:(“ I roll my eyes once again.

“Shut up, I’m coming I already told Jessie I would. Miss chugger on the other hand you guys can forget it.” I turn my phone off after I hit send, getting back on my laptop to watching YouTube videos like I was before Jessica rudely came into my room.

“C’mon, sissy, everyone else is already waiting for us!” Jessica dramatically tugs me onto the cable car.

“You’re really sticking with Sissy now?” I scrunch my face, throwing my backpack onto my back since I just had to get my hat out, somehow I forgot how cold it actually was going to be up here. I was currently wearing a little puffer jacket, a pink slightly cropped sweater underneath with low rise jeans.

“Of course, I told you I might want to say it again and I do!” She folds her arms. I shake my head. “Okay, sorry.” I jokingly say.

As the cable car goes up I glance around. Taking in the beauty of it all.

I used to come up here with the Washington’s for the summer sometimes, this also isn’t my first winter up here. I love the Washington’s, they’ve always welcomed me. It was nice to have a place where I didn’t always have to take Jessica with me since she’s my younger sister our parents always expected me to have her tag along.

I love her and all but it’s cool to have my own time too.

“Look, I see them!” She points over to the group who were actually waiting for us. I glance over and they’re waving to us, so we do it back.

Jessica was practically on the edge of her seat excited to get off. As it gets to where we need to be we rush off and get greeted with hugs from our friends. Even if we’ve seen them just days or a few weeks ago.

“It’s nice to see you actually came!” Josh jokes with me, pulling me into a tight hug.

“Yeah, it was a tough decision.” I mess with him. Chris gives me a small side hug.

“Ready for the weekend Chugger?” He takes my hat off to which I slap him on the arm.

“Chugger doesn’t exist anymore. Give me that!” I jump up to grab from the blond.

“I think I’ll wear it.” He places it on his head. “Doesn’t this look nice on me, Josh?” Chris turns to our other friends as we all start walking. “Oh man, I’d totally take you to the bone zone if you were a girl.” Josh says and I let out a sort of loud laugh.

“The bone zone? God you are so corny.” I hold my stomach.

“Okay, okay, calm down. It wasn’t that funny.” Josh pats my back. Chris tries to hold back his laughter as well.

“Are we almost there yet, my feet are killer from the work out I did earlier.” Matt speaks up from behind us, we stop and turn.

“Just a little bit always, princess.” Beth replies to him. “Ha-ha, I’m serious. I might’ve did a little too much.” He mainly comments the last part to himself. I then hear Mike and Emily flirting with each other making me want to gag but then I also notice how Hannah was staring at them, well staring at Mike.

We began walking again and I slowed down a little bit.

“Hey, Han.” I nudge her arm. She snaps out of her thoughts looking at me.

“Hey [Name].” She gives a small smile. “You like him?” I whisper, her face suddenly then drops.

“Who told you? Did Josh read my journal or something?” She starts to panic but I shush her, calming her down.

“No, no, I saw the way you were looking at them. Either you like him or it’s Emily which is kind of doubtful considering I didn’t think you swung that way. It’s not a bad thing if you did.” I rambled on a little bit, causing her to snicker shaking her head.

“It’s him, I didn’t think I was that obvious.” She shyly rubs her hands together, most likely trying to give herself warmth.

“It’s probably not, I just enjoy observing people sometimes.” I assure her.

“Oh, okay. Well I’ve actually done some observing myself and it seems like you’re avoiding my brother.” She calls me out, my mouth instantly closing having nothing to say in response to that spot on observance she had.

“What? I haven’t- I’m not avoiding him.” I disagree, glancing up to see Josh, Chris and Matt messing with each other as Mike cheers for god knows what they’re doing. “Right, so you not coming over on the weekends to hang out with Josh after Thanksgiving is you not avoiding him?” She questions me.

“Exactly it’s not.” I try to stay confident with my answer, attempting to keep a straight face but once I look at her we both burst into laughter.

“Fine, fine! I am.” I sigh out, kicking the snow as we walk up the trail. “But why? You guys never have a problem.” She frowns.

“It’s a long story.” I bite my bottom lip thinking about all that’s happened.

“We have some time before we get to the house.” She says, shrugging her shoulders. I glance up ahead again, seeing as everyone was pre-occupied with each other.

“Josh and I sort of got flirty with each other. Your brother was super headstrong with it. I kind of did it back. We kissed a few times on Thanksgiving night and since that night I was scared it would ruin our friendship so I cut back. I gave excuses to not come over.” I let out in a low voice so only she could hear. Hannah smiles at me sweetly.

“I know I’m a jerk for it but it’s just my anxiety taking over I guess.” I stare at the ground.

“You’re not a jerk. That also wasn’t a long story.” She comments, both of us laughing once again. “Just talk with Josh. You never know what could happen.” Hannah nudges me, I do it back to her. Both of us smiling. “Okay, I will.” I stand up straighter.

Once we get to the lodge, Josh opens the door dramatically.

“Finally, warmth!” Sam opens her arms, spinning around as she walks further inside. I watch Beth turn the lights on with a smirk watching Sam. “Very exciting.” I agree, tugging my jacket off, holding it in my arm.

“Party time!” Mike announces earning the rest of us to cheer. Josh, Chris, Ashley and I go get our rooms, well Josh is showing us to ours, I’m the last one too. He turns a familiar corner and I start to fold my arms.

“This is your room, Josh.” I point out. “Nice observation.” He smirks, taking my jacket and back from my hands he places them down with his on a chair that’s up against the wall. I shake my head, chuckling.

“Where’s my actual room that I usually sleep in?” I lean against the doorway.

“Oh c’mon, babe. Just this weekend.” He comes up to me, taking one of my hands. “Just this weekend, what?” I raise a brow, confused but also intrigued. He leads me into the room, sitting me down before going back to close the door.

“I mean we both know how we feel about each other. It’s pretty obvious.” He concludes, not exactly looking me in the eyes. “And how do we feel about each other, Joshua?” I stare up at him. His eyes finally meet mine, and it looks like he melted just from our eye contact.

“Y’know…” He mutters, coming closer. “I don’t.” I tease him, standing up to push him down on the bed so I’m in between his legs this time. His hands find my hips, aggressively he squeezes them, lowly groaning.

“[Name], please, you don’t understand what you do to me.” He pulls me closer to him, my chest practically in his face. I feel my face warm up, I wasn’t expecting this. My hand drags up his torso to his face, cradling it as I force him to look up at me.

“Let’s try this out.” I whisper. His eyes lighten up, I feel his grip tighten even more.

“What- what do you mean?” He adjusts himself on the bed, I still stare at his face. “Let’s try out the relationship thing,” I begin and a smile erupts on his face.

“But, if this doesn’t work out, we don’t let our friendship get awkward.” I practically am begging with my facial expression. “It will work out.” He pushes me back a little bit so he can stand up. He kisses me gently, first on the lips then trailing down to my jawline.

“We should get going back down before anyone gets suspicious.” I hum out, feeling his lips begin to touch my neck. I try to push on his chest but he’s gripping my sides so tightly like I’ll run away.

“Let them.” He takes a small break only to work on my neck again. “Josh.” I gasp. He snickers, finally stopping. His eyes trail all over my face then to my neck.

“You might want to cover that up.” He taps the spot he was attacking before grabbing his phone from the bed and walking out. My face scrunches up, confused at first but then I rush over to the mirror, I let out a loud gasp.

“Joshua!!” I hold my neck and I hear him let out a laugh. I sigh, going over to the chair with our stuff and dig in it, finding a stupid thin scarf I brought and neatly wrap it to hide the hickey he gave me.

I finally start heading downstairs, joining the rest of the group who were planning out what we’re doing for the weekend.

Later that night Josh and Chris decided to do a drinking game, I sat next to Josh as Chris sat across from us.

Beth and Sam were watching everything go down. “Come on Chugger, you gotta join us.” Chris practically whines, my eyes roll in response. “I told you she’s dead. Now knock it off.” I wave my hand in a swift movement.

“I liked Chugger, she was sexy.” Josh whispered the last part into my ear. I shove him away from me as my face warmed up.

“What was that? Care to share with the class?” Sam speaks up and I felt my eyes widen.

“Chugger, she was a sexy woman back in the day.” Josh announces and my body shrivels down in embarrassment. “She was a careless teenager.” I disagree. “Same thing.” Chris shrugs his shoulders, picking up a beer and beginning to take the first sip.

I watched as the two get shitfaced with Beth and Sam, us three talking about school work or just things going on in our lives.

Sam decides to join the others and I think Hannah went to go write or something, Beth and I are now taking pictures on our phones acting stupid.

Josh and Chris are passed out now.

“I’m glad you decided to come.” Beth smiles at me and I nod, putting my phone down.

“Me too, even if your brother is annoying. I’m still having fun.” I joke, of course forgetting why I have my scarf on I take it off due to me getting hot and my neck starting to sweat.

“He loves you.” Beth mumbles looking over at her drunken brother, laughing. “I don’t know about love but yeah.” I glance over at him, his face smushed on his arm with his mouth wide open.

“Oh my god.” The girl suddenly whispers and I snap my head over to her. “What? What is it?” I look down at myself to see if she accidentally dropped something on me.

“Is that a hickey?” She flicks the spot on my neck, I hiss, slapping her hand away.

“Is that from Josh?” She breaks out into a small laughing fit.

“What- no, it’s- maybe.” I couldn’t find a good excuse okay? Kill me. “That’s hilarious, Matt owes me fifty bucks.” She throws her head back.

“You bet on our love life?” I crossed my arms. “Everyone practically did. Even Chris.” She gets up to start cleaning after Josh and Chris.

I just sit there, in shock from what she just told me.

Beth leaves the room and I go back to sitting beside Josh, laying my head down on his shoulder. He moves around a little bit. “Hm?” He hums and I shush him.

“Sorry, just wanted to be by you.” I whisper. He grumbles a little bit but harshly leans up to put his arm around me, laying his head back down on his other arm. I smile to myself, laying down on my arm, cuddling up next to him. Our legs now sort of entangled together. I didn’t drink or anything but the tiredness of traveling finally hit me.

I don’t even know how much time has passed but that was until I heard the ending of a conversation.

“Just because he’s class Prez doesn’t mean he belongs to everyone… Mike is my man.” I hear Emily say as they leave the kitchen.

“Hey, Em. I’m not anybody’s man.”

“Whatever you say, Darling!” She sings. I lift my head up for a second but then shrug, going back to sleep, I hear someone walk in but I just ignore it.

Thinking I was going to get to fall asleep for longer I instead get Beth walking in to continue cleaning up, I still let Josh hold onto me but I sit my head up to watch her.

“Hey did you see that? Dad said it’d just be us this weekend.” She turns to us but sees the two boys still passed out.

“Josh?”

“He’s been passed out, love. I don’t think you’ll be waking him up anytime soon.” I give her a sad face.

“But what did you see?” I ask. “I thought I saw someone outside. I swear I did.” She frowns, glancing at the window again but she heads over to the counter.

She picks up a bottle that’s in front of us and empty by the way. It’s an older scotch, Jeremiah Cragg.

“Jeez, Josh… Once again brother you outdone us all. She pats the arm that he has around me and I tiredly laugh. I then watch her spin a paper around, picking it up to read it.

“Oh my god. What did our naive sister get herself into now?” Beth turns to us and I raise a brow. “What?” I ask. “Here.” She hands me the paper and I read it. I close my eyes letting out a long breath.

“I think they found out about Hannah’s feelings. This has to be a prank.” I gently pull Josh’s arm off of me and I stand up, placing the paper down and they we look outside to see Hannah crying, running past the window.

“Oh my god.” I gasp.

“Wake Josh I’ll go to the others, I hope that wasn’t Hannah.” She runs outside, I nod. Going over to the passed out drunk. I overhear the others yelling outside for Hannah and then hear Beth run after her sister.

“Josh, Joshua, hun.” I push his body. His snore becomes a little louder and I bite my bottom lip. “Babe, c’mon wake up, Beth and Hannah ran outside.” I say a little loud, shaking him more aggressively.

“What?” He becomes more awake.

“They what?” He lifts his head up.

“The others played a prank on Hannah, I’m guessing it was bad because she ran outside and Beth followed from what I heard.” I tell him, now he’s more alert and he drunkenly stood up. He stumbles a bit so I run over and get him a water.

“Here, drink and let’s go.” I tell him. Suddenly when we saw the group he sobers up.

“What the hell did you guys do!?” Josh angrily shouts, he was holding my hand for support.

“It was just a prank, Josh, we didn’t mean for it to upset her like that.” Emily steps forward and I glare at her. Then at Mike, then to Jessica.

“Especially you, Jessica.” I point a finger at her, her head goes down.

“I can’t believe you guys would do something so stupid like that.” I shake my head, disappointed.

“I tried to warn her, I was too late.” Sam tells me and I smile weakly. “Let’s just hope they come back soon.” I frown.

Soon never came though.

After thirty minutes Josh began to panic and I woke Chris up. Catching him up with everything as we decided to go look for the two sisters.

I called the police and mountain patrol but we never found them.

For months we did search parties, I stayed by Josh’s side, knowing it’s a tough time for him. I barely passed two semesters as I was always with him trying to help.

I didn’t mind it though. I wanted to make sure he was okay. I knew he wasn’t. His parents were rough on him, telling him it was his fault since he was drunk.

It wasn’t his fault. It was our stupid friends fault for playing that dirty prank on Hannah the way they did.

It’s about a year now and no one has even seen a sign of them…

It’s horrible.

[sapphirefallschronicles]

- ̥۪͙۪˚┊❛ Welcome to Sapphire Falls - Where are they now #2 ❜┊˚̥۪͙۪◌

Basketballer!Chris Evans x Abigail Syverson (plus size!ofc) & Farmer!Syverson x Livia Darmandi (Asian ofc)

Summary: Ever since Livia and Syverson announced the pregnancy, how are they doing?

Word count: 1k

Warnings: None

The Advent Calendar (a.k.a. the masterlist)

It had been a crazy three days, but now the door is closed and we are hidden away from the hospital, nosy citizens of Sapphire Falls and it’s just the three of us. The three of us. 

‘We made this,’ I whisper, as I lean against the headboard while I stare at my lovely Sy, who’s holding the baby in his strong arms. ‘I can’t believe that.’

Sy smiles, catching himself getting choked up again. He did that in the hospital a few times already and when I woke up from a deep sleep after giving birth, I saw how he was gently holding our little Luke, whispering all kinds of sweet things to him, with the tears burning in his eyes. ‘Liv, I don’t think I can ever thank you enough.’

I start to chuckle. ‘Honey, you… You don’t have to thank me. This is a co-production.’

He carefully gets up from the edge of the bed and sits next to me, as Luke opens his eyes and takes us in. ‘If I cry again, will you ever take me seriously again?’

I nuzzle against his side, before kissing his cheek. I always take you seriously, Sy.’

●・○・●・○・●

‘You know,’ Liv says as I hold up my phone, ‘You resemble your sister when you take photography so seriously.’

I offer her a stern look. ‘Don’t say that.’

Chris and Abigail are visiting Sapphire Falls, meaning we finally have a trusted babysitter around. I don’t like other people around my baby, so whenever Liv and I want to go out for a date, we bundle up Luke and take him with us. He’s a very calm and sweet little baby, but to just stare at my Liv, it feels like a while ago.

‘You look beautiful,’ I tell her and she smiles. 

‘Sucking up to the model,’ she notes. ‘I see what you’re doing.’ 

After I took a few photos, I grab my chair and sit next to her. ‘I love you,’ I tell her, as I wrap my arm around her shoulders.

●・○・●・○・●

‘Within two years, Caleb Syverson knocked me up again,’ Liv chuckles as she enters the bedroom. After putting Luke to bed–who insisted on having his mom kiss him goodnight–she steps on the bed and straddles my lap. ‘And not with one baby, but with two.’

I lovingly cradle her stomach. ‘I’m an overachiever.’

She smiles at me. ‘You better not freak out, like you did with Luke.’

‘I did not freak out with Luke.’

Livia cocks an eyebrow. ‘Honey, you totally freaked out. And that’s okay, it was our first time having a baby, but I would prefer it if you tried to stay calm. This time around I have to push out two.’

●・○・●・○・●

Finally Sy picks up. ‘Look look look,’ I say with a squeal, pointing the camera of my phone to our twins Felice and Jason as they walk ahead. ‘I bought them matching outfits.’

Sy does not match my enthusiasm. ‘Really? It looks like they are wearing school uniforms.’

‘That was the point! Sy, keep up, will ya?’ I call out the twins’ names and they stop walking, looking over their shoulders. 

‘They are so stinkin’ cute,’ Sy notes and when I look at my screen, I can tell he is lovingly staring at his. ‘You coming home any time soon? I miss you.’ He has been like this for a while now. With Luke going to kindergarten now, these two are a needed distraction. But we’ve been shopping and Sy’s been at the farm.

Sometimes it’s hard on him not having a kid around and I totally understand.

‘You two wanna go home?’ I ask them, once I caught up. ‘To dad?’

‘Yes!’ they both exclaim.

●・○・●・○・●

Livia sniffles as she looks at Luke. It’s a hard day today. While the twins aren’t starting kindergarten for another two months, this fella is going to first grade.

And that’s been hard on Liv. ‘I cannot believe this,’ she chokes out, ‘my first born going to school.’

She stares at Luke, her oldest son, who is leaving his kindergarten days behind. She clears her throat, before she walks over to him, holding his face in her hands. ‘Mom, what’s up?’ Luke asks her.

‘I am so proud of you, my darling,’ she whispers. ‘Oh, so proud of you.’

I can’t help but smile, as I see how Luke consoles his mother. From the two of us, Livia is the more emotional parent–though I’m softening up as the years go by. While these milestones make me incredibly proud, they make Livia a little sad. She reminds me of my mother, who always cried whenever Abigail and I started a new school year. 

Luke gives his mom a kiss on her cheek. ‘I love you, mom,’ he mumbles.

‘I love you too, my sweet boy.’

●・○・●・○・●

‘You really said copy paste with our kids, didn’t you?’ Sy notes as he stares at the picture of the twins. ‘Luke looks just like you. These two look like you.’

Livia turns to the side. ‘I pushed three kids Syverson size out of my vagina. The least they could’ve done is resemble me.’

Sy can’t help but chuckle. ‘Okay, that is true,’ he laughs.

●・○・●・○・●

‘Okay, okay, I’m ready!’ Livia says.

‘Mom, you look beautiful!’ little Felice says with a smile. ‘I wanna be like you when I grow up.’

Sy’s eyes have widened, a little in shock to see his wife like this. Normally she wears comfortable clothes as work around the farm does not permit you to wear designer clothes, but with date night around the corner, she went all out. 

While their sons Luke and Jason compliment their mom too, give her a hug and a kiss, Sy gets up from the couch and walks over to her. ‘For fuck’s sake, Liv,’ he mutters in her ear, loud enough for her to hear it, too soft for the kids. ‘Good thing Chris and Abigail are here, because we’re not coming home early tonight.’

Chris walks into the room and says: ‘Okay kids, hot chocolate in the kitchen with aunt Abigail.’

‘Bye mom, bye dad!’ they all exclaim, before rushing to the kitchen.

Chris cocks an eyebrow. ‘I can recognize that gaze from anywhere,’ he says. ‘If you’re quiet, the shed’s all yours.’

‘The shed is always all ours,’ Sy notes.

Chris chuckles. ‘Just keep it down a notch, okay?’

[tic-toc-clock77]

I made my own creepypasta:0 it's sorta trying to bring back the tragic killers type of stories like Toby, Jeff and all that. It's very edgy

Here it is!

The Seeker "I Found You." Origins

The tick of the clock was driving the young girl mad. Tick tick tick....it kept going until she could hear a buzz in her ears. From downstairs, the screams of her mother and father could be heard, "That child never should've been born, she ruined us, Nathan!" Her mother yelled. Once she was mentioned, she knew she'd have to hide.

She ran to her bedroom door, nearly slipping on the knotted up carpet and held her back to it. She shut her eyes tight, hoping and praying her mother wouldn't come in, that she wouldn't hit her again, that she wouldn't have to hide any more bruises. Her ears started ringing again until a loud bang came from the kitchen.

The young girl, named Mackenzie, turned and opened her door to the bright light of the hallway, she passed her parents room, then the bathroom then came racing down the stairs.

She tripped, falling flat on her face. When she mustered the strength to look up, the sight before her was traumatizing; her mother held her father's hunting gun in her right hand and on the floor laid Mackenzie's father, a gun shot wound deep within his head. The young girl's eyes widened in shock and horror. She let out a blood curdling scream, loud enough to wake the neighbors and make them call the cops.

Years later, the now 16 year old Mackenzie did not dare to leave her bedroom. She laid on her side, listening to her clock and letting her ears ring out. She stood groggily, making her way to the bathroom then heading down the stairs of her childhood home. Each time she reached the stairs, she couldn't help but remember her father's face, his eyes that stared into her soul as a child when he laid dead.

She swallowed her fear and walked down anyway. In the kitchen, sitting at the small table, were her mother, her step father, the former prisoner guard and her step brother, Christopher. Their happy domestic act made her sick.

"Good morning, Mac." Dale, her stepfather says while smiling good naturedly. Mackenzie stares at him before her face becomes a scowl. "Stop fucking calling me that, only my dad calls me that." She mumbles, shoving her hands into the pockets of her black sweater. "Mackenzie!" Her mother smacks the table with both hands. Mackenzie turns only slightly, her mother's eyes stare in a patronizing manner from behind the panes of her glasses.

The young girl scoffs, and turns away from her mother. She grabs cereal then returns to her room, waiting for Dale to offer to drive her to school as he did usually whenever he bothered to try becoming her 'friend'. "Mackenzie, I'll drive you." He says, right on cue. She gets up, leaving another bowl in her room, and heads downstairs. It's a beautiful sunny September day outside and the black car nearly burns her hand when she opens it to get in the passenger seat. Chris is already sitting in the back, his blond hair matches the sun. It looks nothing like Dales', which is brown and turning grey. Chris got his hair colour from his now, long dead, mother.

They drive in silence, Mackenzie's brown hair goes every which way, her black leather jacket and black jeans are hit aggressively by the sun's rays, heating her body. A strange but common rage is built up in her stomach, she glances up at the rearview mirror and catches a glimpse of Chris chatting with his father. It wasn't about anything too important, only school and something about his fixations. Mackenzie thought to herself, "You don't know how lucky you are." She sighs.

The car ride is short, save for a pitstop that Dale had to make. Mackenzie exits the car and looks past the schools gate, her shoulders sluggishly sagging while she walks inside. Inside the brightly lit corridor is Lucy, bright blue eyes, long silky blonde hair and light makeup. She waits patiently, holding her hands behind her back, for Mackenzie to walk to her. Mackenzie turns her head, anxious not to make eye contact with the girl she's deemed "Crazy Church Go-er" the same as her mother when she got home from prison, having 'found God'. "Fuck." Mackenzie mumbles as she unintentionally walks past. "Mackenzie!" Lucy says, grinning from ear to ear. She waves, trying to move on but Lucy's short legs catch up in no time at all. "I prayed for you last night!" She tells her after catching up. Mackenzie accepts her fate and realizes she's eternally doomed to hear another sermon from the small, chubby girl beside her.

Mackenzie never had anything against her since they'd first met in second grade. They'd even been friends for a short while, before it happened, before Mackenzie's father was killed, before she changed. However, now, the only thing she could possibly have against Lucy James, is her constant talk of a demon having taken over and that she prays nightly for the demon to be removed from Mackenzie's soul.

Mackenzie never thought much of a 'demon' controlling her. She'd always known she was strange, that other people didn't want to talk her out of fear she was actually a murderer due to a nasty rumor spread by some girl who's father was a cop investigating the crime of Mackenzie's father's death. The rumor that she had killed her father. She didn't do anything to deny those rumors or stop the alienation that followed not just from school peers but also the foster parents and foster siblings who were supposed to take care of her while her mother was in prison, she simply took it all, every bit of abuse and pain.

The rumors weren't true so why should anything else of her predicament be true?

Over time, she simply stopped believing any of it had happened and tried to live normally, when people asked her questions about it, she'd reply like it never happened but still, she wasn't happy. That was the work of the 'Demon' Lucy was always talking about, Mackenzie believed, that if something like that could really do anything to her, it would be keeping her unhappy.

"Gonna perform another exorcism on me?" She asked, eluding to the time in 6th grade when Lucy had tried so hard to get to her to come to church, she asked the priest to perform an exorcism on her and he did it. Of course, it didn't work. There was nothing to work on. "No!" Lucy says stubbornly, straightening her black hair band. They walked for a while in silence, until Mackenzie spoke up, "What makes you think a demon is controlling me? Cause I have trouble focusing on the good...or something?" Lucy stops in her tracks, "It's because you..." She fumbles over her words, trying to speak in a kind way, "You've always had this weird thing where you talk about...death and killing." She admits awkwardly, playing with her fingers and not making eye contact.

Mackenzie stares at Lucy for a moment, death and killing? "That's it?" She asks. Mackenzie nervously ticks, grabbing one arm with the other and looking away, suddenly taking into consideration how much she's always talked about it, blood and gore, murder and all that nasty stuff. To her, it was exciting and entertaining. There was probably some sickening reason for it, like her father's death. Maybe a way to have controlled and dominated the fear of death but she couldn't be certain.

Lucy's face looked guilt filled, "O-others think so too. That you're sort of...weird." She admits sadly, as if Mackenzie didn't know. She figured people would know since that day one of Lucy's friends was pushing her around and knocked her journal out of her loose bag, revealing all the pages filled with her dark thoughts and drawings of decapitated figures, cut off limbs, knives and other weapons. "I knew that." Mackenzie laughs, seemingly unbothered and even laughing a bit. Lucy turns her face back to Mackenzie and looks at her, "You did?" She asks. Mackenzie feels a little bubble of rage in her stomach that Lucy thought she wasn't aware but she smiled anyway. Mackenzie shrugs, her smile turning to a relaxed smirk as they kept walking.

Soon enough classes began. Mackenzie walks through the hallways until she finds a resting spot, the small, claustrophobic and dark space, perfect for her writing and drawing. Her safe place behind the lockers, a place not even janitors know. It's filled with spider webs, the floor is slightly wet but it works. She sits on the ground and takes her journal out, she puts her flashlight in her mouth and turns it on, uses her hands to draw and write; people in pain with their fingers chopped off, their limbs being torn from their bodies, blood and guts scattering on the ground and finally, herself in the middle covered in blood.

The sight makes her skin crawl in an sickeningly exciting manner. She grins and continues to draw. Unable to hold in her urges, she grabs a small pocket knife from her bag and moves her sweater arm down. She reveals the cut skin in various lines, some fresh and some old. She prepares to make new lines until, "I found you, Mackenzie De Vries." Mrs. Madson, the old cranky teacher who never quit talking about her failing marriage, the teacher who's class she should be in.

She figured nobody knew her spot but then again, the school had always been around, even before Mackenzie was born. Mrs. Madson looked disgusted at the sight on Mackenzie's wrist. She gasps, pulling her up by the hand. "Disgusting, child!" She yells, pulling her forcefully. Mackenzie pulls away but to no avail. With her other arm, she puts her hand in a fist and punches the lady, desperate to grab her journal and run away so nobody sees how truly disgusting she is. It was already bad, nobody had to see it worse. Mrs. Madson's nose bleeds. "Shit." Mackenzie thinks to herself, the maddening look appearing on her teacher's face. Grabbing Mackenzie's wrist more forcefully than before, she pulls her down the stairs and into the office. She explains loudly how sick and vile Mackenzie is.

The principal eyes Mackenzie's arms and sighs. "Ms. Des Vries, we had this discussion before, I believe." Mr. Johnston stands from his red leather seat and looks out the window at the courtyard of the private school, the one Mackenzie got into through her father having gone to the same school.

Mackenzie stays silent throughout the long lecture and the yelling from her teacher. Her ears begin to ring, she doesn't care to listen any longer. She couldn't pay attention to anything but the window, her eyes trained on the large figure she seen outside; tall with no face, pale like paper in a black suit and red tie. That wasn't the first time she had seen the creature...

She thinks back to the night her father was killed, staring out the window in the police station, static in her ears as she stared at the creature, same as now, her eyes trained the same as before, her ears ringing the same static, her heart still pounding and deep within her chest lay a rage, a deep rage. It began to control her when her hearing phased in and out.

Her chest falling and rising again and again, panicking more as time went past. Her teacher hadn't stopped yelling, her principal raising his voice to counter her now. Mackenzie, feeling almost as if her actions weren't her own, smashes her fists down on the desk.

The principal and teacher both turn, shocked. "Shut up!" She screams before running from the room. Pacing down the hallway of the school, she crashes into Lucy. Falling on both their asses, Lucy begins apologizing profusely. Rubbing her head, Mackenzie feels the strange emotion fade as she faces her. She'd always been like this, her emotions would sometimes act out more than her head and in those moments, she'd imagine killing the noise or rather, whoever was making it.

"Are you okay?" Lucy asks, crawling toward her and putting a hand on her forehead. Mackenzie swipes Lucy's hand away. "I'm fine." She mutters. They both stand, Lucy already knows what happened, looking down at her friends bloody wrists. Lucy smiles sadly as Mackenzie awkwardly rolls her sleeves back down.

"Come on." Without warning, Mackenzie's hand is grabbed by Lucy, who drags her outside then to the courtyard and past the gate. Initially, Mackenzie was going to ask why the shorter girl would ever skip classes but soon enough, she realized why.

Once at the church of their hometown, Mackenzie felt...strange, like she shouldn't be there, she had no business in a church and she hated the scent. Lucy walked her toward the pastor and sat in the pews. For hours, Lucy and Mackenzie, listened to the sermon.

They'd spent the day in the church, a peaceful day for the last bit. Once night had hit, Mackenzie felt refreshed and calm, more than peaceful. The two friends sat on the bench in the dark at the nearby park, the orange street lamp warming them enough not to shiver.

The last bit of happiness was drained from that moment when Mackenzie's ears began to fill with sounds of static. A sharp pain in her chest with that same rage built again, eyes widened and clutched at her sweater where the pain began. Her eyesight started to fade while her breathing increased.

She couldn't help but smile, sickeningly as she stared at the pale creature in the bushes once more. "Mac, what are you-" Lucy goes to say but Mackenzie was too quick for her to get any words out when she wrapped her hands around Lucy's throat. Gripping it with so much intensity it could kill her.

Lucy gasps for air after pushing Mackenzie off of her but her feeling isn't gone. Lucy begins to run as her 'friend' is momentarily knocked down. Before long, Mackenzie is standing again but Lucy is nowhere to be seen.

Angrily, not like herself, as it happened time and time again through her life despite trying her damnedest to be normal...but this was an extension of that, something much worse.

Mackenzie slashed after taking out her pocket knife, she trudged through the woods nearby the park, a sadistic grin reaching across her face. Giggling softly, she began to hum until she broke out into a quiet song

"Run Run, Hide Away

But I won't wait another day

I'll find you

Kill you

And then you'll rot away!"

She sang as she chased until Lucy came into view. Teary eyed, Lucy ran with all her might, she didn't dare to look behind her. Mackenzie's sneakers crushed the fallen leaves below her as she dashed toward the blonde girl, giggling maniacally. "Where are you going?" She taunts, reaching and catching Lucy's leg.

"Get away from me, Demon! Get out of Mackenzie!" Lucy yells, making Mackenzie's eye twitch and for a split second she regains herself and is no longer subconsciously witnessing her own movements but she isn't normal again, she hasn't gone back down. "There's no demon here, you stupid bitch! This is all me!" Mackenzie's grin and laughter only got louder by the second, paralyzing Lucy with fear. Lucy screams as the knife plunges downward....

Mackenzie shoots up from her sleep, looking around she notices that this place was not her room once again. The white walls and flooring cause an intense nausea in her stomach that nearly comes up in her mouth, she pulls her knees up to her chest and drapes her arms around them, keeping her head down. Every waking moment, she's reminded of what she had done a month ago, how she nearly killed Lucy but for some odd reason, it doesn't make her sad or scare her anymore.

Since November had begun, she hadn't moved from her room in the mental ward. She had her arms bandaged and she'd been heavily medicated ever since she'd shown up, diagnosed with paranoid psychosis and clinical psychopathy. The medication wasn't helping but it seemed they'd given up on her almost, deciding just to keep her body until she would die on the outside as she had on the inside.

"You have a visitor, Ms. Devries." The young brunette nurse says as she peaks into the room. Mackenzie says nothing as her mother enters the room, carrying a small tray of food, on it was ham, cheese and some pickles. The knife and fork still sat on the tray along with the food. Her mother sits herself down beside her. "I brought you some food." She says, placing it between the two of them.

"Mackenzie?" Her mother calls to her but she just stares aimlessly out the window at the creature, he'd been there whenever she looked out the window, stalking and watching. Finally, it mumbled just loud enough for her to hear, "Kill her." It said, sounding as if it were right by her ear. "Mackenzie, are you okay?" Her mother leans over to her, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Mackenzie Devries grabbed at the knife on the tray and stabs her mother through the neck. When the woman had tried to scream, all that came of it was gurgles of blood. Pulling the knife from her, Mackenzie grinned. "You came right to me...Thanks for making it easier to seek you out." Mackenzie laughs as the body of the woman falls backward, her blood spilling on the sheets.

Deciding she wasn't through with it yet, the deranged young girl climbed on top of her, stabbing her repeatedly until her blood splatters from the floors, to the walls and to Mackenzie's body.

Now blood-stained in shades of red, she breaks through the window, knife in hand and tumbles out onto the grass. Having that she'd slept all day, it was night as she dashed out to the park, where she slipped on a liquid she didn't recognize. During her escape, a nurse had called the police.

Having tripped and short of breath, she came to a stop in the place she'd almost killed Lucy so very long ago. She looked up at the tall trees then turned her body to view behind her at the cop cars and bright lights. She had one opt out, peering at the matchbox beside her in the grass and the liquid that she realized quickly was gasoline.

"Put your hands up!" A cop screamed but in the dark, she had slid a match on the box to light it up and grinned widely when it hit the puddle below her body. Flames shot up and she closed her eyes, prepared to go out her own way...until the creature appeared behind her and began to lead her away from the flames.

Two days later, Lucy James sat in her home with her mother tending to her cuts and the stab wound from Mackenzie. The news was on in the t.v. in her room.

"Currently, the suspect of the attempted murder of Lucy James and the murder of Meredith Devries is still loose. The suspect, Mackenzie Devries is suspected to be declared dead but no body has been found to date." The news anchor states. A pit of sadness is left in Lucy's heart for Mackenzie and her mother. She sighs as her own mother leaves the room to let her rest for the night.

Once all the lights in the house are turned off, Lucy hears a tap on the window and then it opens. She instantly recognizes her old friend with a knife in hand. The floor boards creak as she approaches...

"I found you."

Lucy James let out her final breath in a horrific scream...

[whoseafraidofliloleme]

It kinda was but kinda wasn’t, ngl I expected Zoa but not really Jihan as she wasn’t mentioned much…lowkey was expecting it to be Lia 😂 but honestly the Peace fic has such a special place in my heart and I’m always re-reading it it’s just so good and a perfect mix of everything. I would also just like to preface I love all of your enhypen works not just the hogwarts ones heheh.

Ngl with Jin being my BTS bias I giggled seeing the flying kiss gif 🤭 I’m actually soooo glad you talked about the album cause now I can talk about it too. Honestly I love the album as a whole and I really love when artist can do different concepts and emotions in songs especially in an album as it makes it so much more complex and non repetitive…. Maybe that’s why I started stanning Enhypen when they debuted 🤔 plus I love me some songs with hidden meanings and stories with all the plots somehow correlating to each other.

Anywhoooo rn my go to song is another level it kinda gives me old school kpop vibes like Pray(I’ll be your man) by BTOB. It’s gonna sound a lil silly/unrelated but I do still love super tuna lmaooo something about that song is just so Jin and cute and fun and so unserious and I love that so much. Honestly makes my day brighter hearing it and imagining his windshield wiper laugh missed him so bad 😭 speaking of tangent I had bought tickets for the one time they were gonna be in FL and it got postponed then cancelled cause of covid so I’m really hoping I’ll be able to see them when they all come back inshallah 🤞🏼

Oooo make sure you stay warm and healthy babes 💕 but I definitely feel you on the liking colder weather part I moved out of state to live with my parents and younger brothers again and rn with the seasons changing all of the tree leaves are turning various shades of Orange, red, and brown and I’m loving it! Plus the below 10 degree weather(Celsius) is nice, well at least for myself and one of my brothers lol my mum and dad keep complaining the house is freezing 😂.

You’re soooo sweet omg 😭 thank you for wanting to read my Jake fic. I did end up tagging you in it as I finally finished and uploaded it (warning I got carried away and it’s 18.2k words), feel free to pm me your thoughts if/whenever you get around to reading it. I will babes, you as well make sure to take care of yourself well!! 💕

Lol, I definitely made it obvious that Zoa is one of the gossip girls. I liked twisting it by having Jihan a hufflepuff that was being a major bitch for no real reason other than she didn't like YN 😂. Peace was such fun to write, I definitely like that I tried something new to me and it wasn't a complete failure 😅😂. Aww thank you for loving all my enhypen works 🥹🥹. If I could ask which ones would be ur top? Obviously Peace but apart from that top 3 or 5? With reasons please🥹 Whichever is easier to pick. I'm fascinated by knowing this stuff.

Well knowing Jin is ur bias too, I'm adding a Jin gif at the end of every ask now 😂. Gotta spread his world wide handsome. Lol, let us fangirl about our bias. I agree, the album as a whole is just so good, if anything I want more from Jin 😫 only 6 songs ws too short.

Having Gary Barlow as a song writer was a surprise for me, I was maybe expecting Chris Martin to be involved somehow. Tbf I don't really know Gary Barlow all that much apart from when he was a judge on X Factor UK which I watched as a teenager. The Brit pop rock feeling of Running Wild is great for me but again my favourite song changes every listen.

Super Tuna never fails to bring a smile to my fave 😂. It's so silly and childish but so totally Jin at the same time. Like only this man can make an emotional song abt going to military and loving his fans but also have a silly ass tune abt catching Tuna. The versatility with this man is wild and I genuinely love everything he's putting out, I havent watched any of the stuff, I'm saving it all for a rainy day when I need my bias to pick me up.

Inshallah u get to see them live. I hope I can too one day. One of my best friends for my birthday in 2021/22 I think took me to see BTS in concert at the cinema, when they did the whole PTD in cinemas? It was a wonderful experience but it just made me want to see them live even more.

I am a winter baby through and through. Gimme the cold over summer any day 😂. The snow didn't stick, atleast not in my part of London but that was cause it was raining at the same time 😂. It did continue to be freezing for the next few days but it's gotten better. That cold spell was wild for the few days we had it 😂.

Girlie gimme that power to be able to write 18.2k words pls. I couldn't leave a comment as I read the fic on my way to work but I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it. I don't tend to read Jake fics but u just sucked me in and I couldn't stop reading.

Stay hydrated, take care and remember self care and to always love urself as much as our bias loves himself 💞.

[siiinfully]

continued from this with @bewitchingbaker

At this very moment in the dusky town of Sedona, Christopher Noe Luna was 23 years, 7 weeks, 2 days and 10 minutes old. Tears stinging those big brown doe eyes as he watched the group of wolves leave. One wolf in particular held his hand for an eternal 10 seconds, both afraid to let go. It was as though they both had a frog in their throat. Both begining to speak up just to silence themselves.

Valentina Barclay, a leader of the pack of werewolves that patrolled Arizona's nights. A strong young woman who held a charisma and strength that matched her beauty. Despite his being a witch, the baker was actually under the spell that was love.

With another look at those enchanting hues,it was the moment that our young witch realized something.

'...I want to go with you...'

A thought that he would soon regret not voicing. The second the warmth of her hand leave his, the young Lunas heart sank to the deepest pits of his stomach. Alone he sat on the mountains, watching the pack make their way out of the desert town until they were no longer visible.

Two years had passed and the young baker was now in charge of the Luna Family business, Luna's Moonlight Delights. Perhaps due to burying himself within his work. Lonley nights with his lovecraftian cat, Dee and hound from hell, Quas, turned into business certificate study sessions. Afterwork record shopping was soon replaced by learning new pastries from fellow bakers.

But even with the distraction of work, family, and two cute familiars. The baker's heart yearned for the werewolf leader. A fact that had not gone unnoticed by his friends and family. Enough to set him up on dates that would end with a nice hug or a thinly veiled promise of meeting again. Whenever he would catch a full moon, the Luna's mind would wander to his dear, sweet, Valentina.

At this very moment, Christopher Noe Luna was 25 years, 2 weeks, 12 days, and 10 minutes year old when would see the werewolf who stole his heart 2 years ago. To think, a late-night walk for Quas to the bakery would lead to his heart skipping a beat when the hellhound happily spotted Valentina.

"...Valentina...?" he asked, mouth agape and cheeks red as the cherry pies he baked. It was as though he had seen her for the first time all over again. "You're back?"

The baker takes a moment to think over his unsaid words and decided he wasn't going to hold back his true feelings anymore.

"...I missed you..."

+++

Valentina Barclay was exactly 10 years, 2 weeks, 6 days, and 8 hours old when she moved with her pack to Sedona. And she was exactly 10 years, 2 weeks, 6 days, and 9 hours old when she fell in love.

She remembered seeing him for the first time in his treehouse, which happened to be across her new bedroom, and waving at him in the hopes of making a new friend. The moment her gaze locked with his, however, something clicked. Zinged. Zapped.

But she never told anyone, not even the then-mysterious boy, who she soon came to know as Chris.

She didn’t tell him when they started attending the same classes.

She didn’t tell him when it was time to ask someone to prom.

And she didn’t tell him when it was time for her to leave.

‘Come with me,’ she wanted to say, but all that came out of her mouth was a hum and one final kiss on his cheek.

The first and last time she kissed him intimately.

Valentina hated the idea of leaving Sedona, but with her dad’s failing health and the increasing strength of their vampire enemies, they needed to regroup and regain their power. She didn’t know how long she would return, if she ever would, and she believed that by not giving him hope, they would be able to move on with their lives.

Except it seemed that she left herself in that sleepy little town, a fact that her dad had noticed before he finally passed.

You can’t zing with someone and leave them behind, love.

Go to him. The pack will understand: they all clicked with their mates, too.

Besides, I think they all miss Abuela’s baked goods.

Be happy.

So, with her father blessing her decision to return, she returned. No inkling whether he had moved on and had found someone else to spend his life with or if he was still there. But the moment she stepped into Sedona, she picked his scent easily and knew he was. She could pick him out in a sea of people, of witches, all with her eyes closed.

But she found him late at night, holding on to Quas’ leash, and she smiled. He had barely finished his sentence when she was on him, lips moving over his in a hungry kiss, her arms wrapping around him as she allowed herself to succumb to the feelings she had for close to a decade and a half.

“I missed you, too,” she whispered.

Valentina Barclay would be 25 years, 6 weeks, 5 days, and 8 hours old when she would tell him that she loved him.

[keanureevesisbae]

Henry Cavill x actress!fem!reader x Chris Evans

Summary: When you discover you're pregnant, you (the literal reader) can decide how the story ends.

Wordcount: 624

Warnings: pregnancy and the mention of trying to conceive. Also, this whole situation is a little bit unusual, so it kinda has a poly!vibe to it?

A/N: The picture is just the aesthetic I was going for. I know pregnancy can look different on many people, however the fem!reader I wrote about, is completely neutral when it comes to race and phsyical appearance.

You could’ve and should’ve known this was going to happen eventually. That becoming pregnant was inevitable, especially with the rate you were at. While being pregnant wasn’t a big deal—you’ve always wanted a family—there was a catch: you had two men who could be the father. 

That was everything but ideal, however Chris and Henry were both very supportive of the pregnancy, despite not knowing who fathered the child. While you were hibernating, so the public wouldn’t find out about your unborn child, they were constantly at your beck and call whenever you needed anything. When the guys weren’t around, you had two loyal dog fella’s around you to protect you.

Despite enjoying having both Chris and Henry around, you were often wondering whose baby it was, but as the end of your pregnancy grew closer, you started to wonder something else: what would happen to the other guy?

The guy who wasn’t the father. 

‘So,’ you said that night at the dining table. ‘I have been thinking.’

‘Okay,’ the two men said. ‘Shoot.’

‘The baby obviously is someone’s,’ you started. ‘What will happen to the other guy?’

☄. *. ⋆

After you gave birth to a little boy named Freddy, you took the dreaded paternity test. You had made up your mind about what would happen to the three of you once you took the test. 

But were you ready for that?

☄. *. ⋆

Option #1:

When you found out Chris was the father, it meant that Henry would leave you be. It was the arrangement you three had made and he took his loss like a champ. However, he was a good sport and became the best uncle the little guy could wish for. The two of them were thick as thieves and you loved seeing them become best buddies. Often times you would be left alone, as Chris and Henry took little Freddie out for a boys day. You liked how not only your boy had an amazing father figure to look up to, but also a wonderful uncle. 

Chris and you eventually got married and had one more boy: Oliver Evans (who was just as close to his Uncle Henry as little Freddie was).

☄. *. ⋆

Option #2: 

When you discovered Henry was the father, Chris left the two of you. However, unable to cope with the idea the baby wasn’t his, he never contacted you again. Whenever he saw you at an after party, he went the other direction, heartbroken with the loss of a very wanted family. 

Despite feeling for him and reaching out to him quite a few times, you and Henry celebrated your life together and enjoyed it as much as possible. 

You and Henry got married proceeded to have two more girls: Mia and Jennifer Cavill.

☄. *. ⋆

Option #3: 

The paternity test showed Henry was the father, however the three of you decided that you wanted to have another kid: this time with Chris. You loved these men so much, the thought of you being apart, left you already heartbroken. 

So, a year later, you were ready for another baby and Chris was determined to get you pregnant. You and Chris had a little baby girl named Rachel. You loved seeing baby Freddie with his half sister Rachel. He was such a sweet little boy, looking just like Henry with the little curls and Rachel had the bright blue eyes of her dad Chris and the cheeky chuckle inherited as well.

While it was quite unconventional, you became pregnant two more times: once by Chris and once by Henry. Your family grew from three people hopelessly in love, to seven happy people. You, Chris Evans, Henry Cavill, Freddie Cavill, Rachel Evans, Louisa Cavill and Garrett Evans.

To a happily ever after. 

☄. *. ⋆

Taglist:@diegos-butt // @cherry-gemz // @crazybutconfidentaf // @sillyrabbit81 // @thelastsock // @enchantedbytomandhenry // @lyrarodriguez // @islacharlotte // @summersong69 // @sunshine96love // @oddsnendsfanfics // @gearhead66 // @xobriellaxo24 // @xuxszx // @liecastillo // @sofiebstar // @eldarwen333 // @omgkatinka // @abschaffer2 // @pterodactylterrace // @kebabgirl67 // @peaches1958 //

[huggybug]

u should do a pt 3 of the boys and chris actually meeting at the game!!

part one, part two

“Promise me you won’t be weird” You say in a warning tone and your father looks at you innocently.

“Me? Weird?” He asked with a big smile. 

“Yes you, Mr. ‘I need an Estapa jersey’” Your dad was offended, looking down at the white jersey Mark had gotten for him in preparation for the game.

“I couldn’t show up looking like some random person, people need to know who I’m rooting for!” You roll your eyes but you can’t help the big smile that creeps onto your face. Really, Mark was the first of your boyfriends that your dad had actually approved of, let alone liked. Sure, he was polite to your previous boyfriends but he hadn’t gone out of his way to get to know them like he had with Mark.

You chose not to give him an answer as you led him through Yost in search of your seats. The game was just starting by the time you got settled and the conversation was then limited to topics regarding the game and the players.

...

“Dylan is the short one?” You laugh before nodding, dragging your dad down to the locker room. He had been determined to learn all your friend’s names by the end of the game but he wasn’t quite there.

“Y/n/n!” Mark comes running out of the locker room and lifts you up in a hug which makes you giggle.

“I don’t need to be picked up Mark” Your boyfriend laughs a little too loud at your dad’s poor excuse of a joke.

“How’s it going Mr. Evans?”

“How many times do I have to tell you? Call me Chris” You watched as Mark nodded sheepishly.

“Holy shit-”

“No fuckin’ way” You turn to the dressing room at the voices to see Brendan and Thomas standing there with wide eyes. Soon, the rest of the team files out and the hallway is suddenly chaotic. You look to Mark with frantic eyes and he looks to his teammates quickly, trying to figure out what to do.

“Hey!” Mark yells, “Everyone back in the locker room” The boys protest but Nick, Johnny, and Mark work together to corral them back out of the hallway. You sigh once the door shuts behind them and turn back to your dad who looks thoroughly amused.

“They seem nice” Is all he gets out and you chuckle lightly.

“Hey babe?” You spin back around to find Mark looking at you with soft eyes. “Nick’s talking to them, telling them to tone it down a bit, do you think you want to go in there with Mr- Chris” You can see your dad smiling approvingly at Mark catching himself before calling him Mr. Evans. You nod hesitantly and Mark immediately grabs your hand in his. 

He knew exactly how nervous introducing your dad to people made you. You were scared people would think of you differently or use you somehow to get to your father. It had always been something that made you uneasy why was why you didn’t flat out advertise that you were related to the Chris Evans. However, when Mark found out, it felt like the most natural thing ever.

“When can I meet your parents?” You had met Mark’s parents when they came to one of his games last week and ever since, Mark had been pestering you about meeting your parents.

“Well you know... my dad travels a lot for work so I don’t know when he’d be free” It was the truth. He travelled a lot for filming but you were also leaving out that he was currently filming in Detroit, about half an hour from campus.

“Do you not want me to meet him?” Mark asked and your heart ached. Despite only being together for a few months, you loved Mark and truly wanted nothing more than for your dad to meet him but the voices in the back of your mind were holding you back from that.

“No- I... it’s complicated” You sighed.

“I don’t know why it’s hard but if you aren’t ready, that’s okay, just know that I do want to meet him so whenever you want that to happen, I’ll be happy to” That was it. He was the perfect boy for you. You spilt it all to him that night and a couple days later, he accompanied you to Detroit to meet your dad for lunch.

“Honey, it’s going to be fine” Your dad said as he led the way to the locker room. “Hi guys” You stood back with Mark as your dad was swarmed by the team.

“Can I come to your next premiere?”

“How many celebrities do you have in your contacts?”

“Can I hold your shield?” You snort at the last question, offered from none other than Brendan Brisson.

“Uh... sure?” You laughed as your dad answered and Brendan hollered loudly. “You should have just asked Y/n, she has one of them” Eyes were suddenly on you and Mark burst out laughing.

“You have a shield?”

“Mhm- actually I think Mark has it right now” That really set the group off and the sight was hilarious.

“We should probably get going” You dad announced after checking his watch. He had to work in the morning which meant he couldn’t exactly stay out late tonight.

“Where are we going?” Brendan asked and you laughed when Mark smacked his arm.

“Not you, idiot”

“We can grab dinner before I head back if you want” You nodded, expecting that it would just be your dad and Mark going out.

“Alright, Mark you choose the place and whoever can come, we’ll see you there” Your dad announces before leaving the locker room, dragging you along with him.

[moonbeambucky]

I Promise (Part 2/2)

Pairing: Chris Beck x Reader Word Count: 4722 Warnings: fluff, light angst, pregnancy

Summary: Before heading to Mars Chris Beck reconnects with his best friend, unaware of the outcome of their night together. With the burden of his mission will Chris make a promise he can’t keep?

A/N: A big thank you to my love Allie @all1e23​​​​​ for beta reading 🍕❤️ gif source (x)

PART 1

In the months that passed Chris had been able to keep up on email with a bit more regularity though it still took some time in between messages. Video calls were less frequent but you still had them. You stood back from your laptop and faced sideways, lifting your shirt to reveal the protrusion of your growing belly. 

His smile was bittersweet, wishing he could be there in person to watch you grow, to feel when the baby starts kicking. You were having a boy and decided to name him Oliver. After you first spoke Chris waited for you to tell your family first before he told his over email, and you followed up with a visit to see them.

His parents, Michael and Lori, were so happy to see you again. They always knew you and Chris were close but now with a grandchild on the way they were thrilled. Along with your parents they offered help immediately, everyone overwhelming you with to-do lists and essential shopping you hadn’t thought about at that point.

“My dad’s going to help make the storage room a nursery.”

Your apartment was technically a one bedroom but there was a small room adjacent to yours you’ve been using as extra space to hold anything random you couldn’t find a spot for anywhere else. It was on the narrow side and currently overcrowded with junk, not the most picturesque nursery but it would have to do for now, as soon as you get rid of things to make space. 

“I wish I was there to help you,” he sighed, not speaking solely about helping you clean. “We’ll be descending for Mars soon so I won’t be able to keep in touch until we get back on the Hermes.” 

You understood. Chris would be there for about a month and you assumed it would take a little longer to hear back from him once they got back on board to begin their journey back. 

It was an unassuming morning at home. You were trying to find a comfortable position on your couch, adjusting the cushion you bought for extra support. You’re tired, finding it harder to fall asleep comfortably with a bigger belly. At 24 weeks your baby was apparently practicing to be a soccer player, his kicks growing stronger every day. You loved this part of pregnancy but you also couldn’t deny how terrible you felt. Your feet started swelling, your skin was itchy and you thought you were going crazy every time you tried to read but the words were blurring. Changes were expected but not in the way you always thought. 

A news report breaks on TV, a red banner that flashes words that have your heart beating rapidly – ARES III ASTRONAUTS COMING HOME. Tears flood your eyes as you hear the news, Mark Watney is dead. Nausea washes over your body in waves and you clutch your stomach, forgetting to breathe until you hear that Chris was safe. You exhale with relief though your heart aches for the crew and Mark’s family. You rubbed your belly in gentle circles, speaking softly to let Oliver know that Daddy was alright and he was coming home. 

It was late December when Chris finally had a chance to call you. Tears glisten in his eyes as he sees you, thanking you for the picture you emailed him from your latest sonogram. The 3D technology showed a clear picture of Oliver’s sweet face and Chris longed to meet him. Your belly had grown as well, with less than three months to go before your due date. 

The nursery was complete and you really owed a lot to your family and Chris’ for helping it come together. Chloe arranged a baby shower which helped fill the nursery with everything you needed, from drawers full of diapers to a wardrobe of clothes, a lot of space themed outfits you couldn’t wait to send Chris pictures of. 

Though you were overjoyed at everyone being there it was hard to keep up a smile. Everyone knew the situation and there was no way getting around the fact that he wouldn’t be home for another year. Still you pushed on and tried not to dwell on what you couldn’t change.

“Wow,” Chris marveled as you showed him your bump. “You’re so much bigger since I last saw you.” The flat, unamused expression you shot Chris made him quickly stutter on his words. “I meant your bump, it’s… you look beautiful, I promise.” You smiled a little, trusting him even if you didn’t quite believe it all the time. 

Catching up came to a halt when Chris began to open up about what happened. You knew it was coming. It was ubiquitous in the news cycle but hearing it from Chris directly made your stomach churn. You wished you could be there, to wipe away his tears and hold him close as he mourned for his friend. You wished even more that you could tell him the truth… Mark was alive. 

You received communication from NASA just before the public learned about it though you were specifically instructed not to tell Chris about the information. According to them the crew needed to focus on their mission home and honestly you thought it was a bunch of bullshit. You felt nauseous the whole time speaking to Chris, trying to hide the truth you so desperately wanted to tell him. Lying was not something you and Chris ever did to each other and every second you held your tongue felt like you were betraying all the years of your friendship. 

When the call ended you shut your laptop, hanging your head low and breaking down into tears. It was a deep, messy faced cry with guttural sobs. You were crying for everything. For Mark, mistakenly left to die on a planet of isolation, for Chris and lying to his face, for Oliver who can’t have his father around like you wanted him to be.

As time went on you felt better, emailing and speaking to Chris whenever he could. It’s February and your heart feels lighter as you await the video connection. You try not to get sentimental with Valentine’s Day having just passed. You and Chris are not anything officially, just two adults who have known each other their whole lives having a baby… but the idea doesn’t scare you. 

You think back to your thirtieth birthday and what would have happened if you were single. Would Chris have mentioned the promise? It’s a silly thought. He was so busy with his career he probably wouldn’t have gone through with it but you can’t help thinking about the “what if.” And now you were single, single and pregnant with his child, so what if…

Your thoughts are cut off immediately when you actually see Chris. His eyes were rimmed red, eyes glistening with tears that made the tiny red veins scattered across the whites of his eyes look like they were bleeding.

“Mark is alive,” his voice shuddered through a heaving sob. 

Your mouth dropped open as you listened in shock. How does he know? 

Chris rubbed his nose with the back of his hand, eyes squeezing tight as he exhaled another heavy sigh. “I’m the one that called it, did you know that? I told Commander Lewis he was dead and they knew…” 

His words dropped, his voice failing to speak but Chris’ grief turned to anger just as quickly. “They knew… they knew for two goddamn months that he was alive! Do you know how that feels?”

Your heart was breaking for him even more and there was nothing you could do but offer words of comfort as he vented. “Chris I’m so sorry. Who told you?”

“Mitch Henderson, our flight director, he– wait.” Chris’ body stiffened, eyes narrowing at the screen. “What do you mean who? Did… did you know?”

You dropped your head in shame, unable to answer him in words.

“You knew? Y/N look at me!” he shouted. 

Your head snapped up to see Chris’ nostrils flaring, jaw clenched tight. “You knew my friend was alive and you didn’t tell me?” he grit through his teeth, anger burning hotter than the sun. 

“I’m sorry Chris, I couldn’t.” 

He scoffed, cutting off your explanation. His tone raised to a level he’s never taken with you before. “You couldn’t what, Y/N? You looked me in the eye and lied to me about everything!”

Though Chris may have been justified in his anger it shouldn't have been directed at you. Just as quickly you retorted, “I’m not the only one Chris! Everyone knows, your parents, Chloe; this isn’t on me. NASA told us not to say anything to distract you.”

“Oh but telling me you’re pregnant wasn’t a distraction?” he snapped.

Chris knew he made a mistake but it was too late, the words came out and he couldn’t take them back. He watched you sink in your chair, your lips beginning to quiver. You dropped your head down to hide the tears but he could see them leaving wet puddles on the fabric of your shirt. 

He was upset, feeling guilty about leaving Mark stranded even though he knows there was nothing he could have done. His biometer was damaged, he thought… they all thought he was dead and if they didn’t leave they’d all have died too. There was nothing he could do to change the past but this isn’t what he wanted. 

Chris was angry and frustrated with everything. He wanted his friend to be safe on the Hermes, he wanted this mission to be over, he wanted… to be with you. You were due in three weeks and the closer the date got the more he hated being up in space when all he wanted was to be by your side. 

“Y/N… Y/N please… I’m sorry,” he sniffled, wiping away fresh tears that began to fall. “I didn’t mean to take this out on you… please…”

Tears still fell as you lifted your head slowly towards the screen to find Chris looking just as upset as you were. You cleared your throat, wiping the wetness away from your cheek as you spoke, “If you don’t want to do this–”

“No!” he cut you off immediately, “Y/N please, I was wrong. I was upset and I didn’t mean that. I want this more than anything. I’m sorry.”

The sincerity was clear in the depths of his eyes, staring at you as if he was unworthy of your gaze. You took a moment to think of what he’s going through; the world had time to process everything that was happening with Mark but for Chris this was new and upsetting and you understood.

“I’m sorry too. I never wanted to lie to you.”

“Stop, you don’t have to apologize, I was an asshole.” Chris immediately stops your protests and you let him, feeling yourself smile again the longer you continue to speak. “I miss you a lot, do you know that?” His smile returned as he spoke, asking how you were feeling with your upcoming due date.

Your smile stretches wider across your face. “I miss you too. I’m…” The smile curbs a bit as you let out a sigh. “I’m nervous honestly, excited but scared I guess, I don’t know. I know it’s unrealistic and maybe even a bit selfish to say but I feel like if you were here I’d be a lot better.”

He apologizes again though you find yourself doing the same, not meaning to add to the guilt he already lives with. “I wish I could be there but I know you’re going to get through it, and Oliver already has the best mom in the world.” 

Your mouth gasped open and you placed your hand on your bump. “He just kicked when you said that, I’m not even kidding!” 

“See, it’s true,” he grinned widely. 

There was a faint noise in the background and you saw Chris looking off to the side. When he turned back to face the screen you could tell by the tension in his face that he was needed for something. 

“I have to go now, but… I love you Y/N.”

Though you’ve heard those words so many times before and have spoken them yourself, this time they felt different. You wondered if he meant to put that new emotion behind it and if you felt the same.

There wasn’t much time to ponder these thoughts as two weeks later you were in the hospital, with your mom and Chloe by your side getting you through labor. It was an excruciating ordeal with contractions that were so intense you were in tears. They helped you breathe through them, letting you squeeze their hands as you received an epidural and finally a few hours later it was time to push. Chloe recorded the birth over your shoulder for Chris and with a strangled cry Oliver came into the world. 

Tears of joy ran down your cheeks as you held him against you. He was beautiful and you could see so much of Chris in him already. A bittersweet sob wracked through you, wishing he was there. 

Chris called the whole crew in to see photos of Oliver as he opened his email. There were a ton, his family making sure they took pictures from every angle. There were close ups of his little toes, pictures of him sleeping and Chris’ favorites of you holding him.

“Congratulations Beck!” “Welcome to fatherhood.” “He’s beautiful.” 

Chris saved some things for himself like Oliver’s birth and a special message you sent him. The phone was held out in front of you, the unforgiving hospital lights showing off how tired you looked but to Chris you were beautiful and shining as bright as the stars.

“We did it.” Your voice was soft and strained, but you still pushed on to speak to him. The camera flipped towards the bassinet beside your bed with Oliver sleeping peacefully. “Say hi to Daddy,” you whispered softly. There were a few moments of silence watching him sleep, and you couldn’t help but let out a soft giggle as Oliver’s mouth twitched. “I can’t wait for you to meet him Chris,” the camera flipped around again, “I know you’re going to be an amazing father. I love you so much.” 

When the video ended Chris couldn’t help but kiss the screen, wishing it was your lips that his were pressed against. He’s eagerly counting the days and soon enough he would be.

Chris sat uncomfortably in his chair, elbow resting on the glossy white table as his hand covers his mouth, hiding the worry and tension of his lips. He feels like he swallowed a bag of rocks, his stomach is tense and tight, cramping in all the worst ways. He tried to hide it, shifting in his chair as he listens to his Commander lay out a plan to save Mark.

It goes directly against NASA’s orders and he’s not sure what the consequences would be for mutiny but he doesn’t care about that, not if it means they can rescue their friend.

“...If we do everything perfectly we add 533 days to our mission, 533 more days before we see our families again, 533 days of unplanned space travel where anything could go wrong.. If it’s mission critical, we die.”

He shifts again, his stomach twisting in all directions as he ponders what to do. He missed your pregnancy, Oliver’s birth. He could be home in six months and his heart swells at the thought. He is ready to happily spend his nights changing diapers and preparing bottles, bonding with his son and allowing you the sleep you need. 

Chris’ shoulders slump. He doesn’t know much about fatherhood but he does know he wants to be someone Oliver could look up to and he wouldn’t be that person if he didn’t stay true to his heart and make a tough decision. 

“Well, it has to be unanimous,” Commander Lewis said, scanning her head to lock eyes with each member of the crew. 

It would be another year and a half before Chris saw you and Oliver and the thought hurts him deeply but he knows it’s for the best. “Let’s go get him,” he said, his voice wavering between excitement and trepidation. He knew this was right and he hoped you would believe him. 

Once the Hermes corrected their course it was official and NASA knew they would have to send them the resupply probe for their extended mission. Now all Chris had to do was tell you.

It was hard to watch the tears stream down your face as you broke down, you weren’t even able to wipe them with Oliver sleeping in your arms. Chris is crying too, looking at the sweet face of the son he has to wait even longer to meet. You know why he’s doing this and you can’t exactly be mad at him. Even growing up Chris was always the person to do the right thing no matter the consequence. 

“Y/N… if anything happens…”

“No!” you cut him off, letting out your anguish as softly as you could so you didn’t disturb Oliver. “Chris, don’t say that.” Your eyes pleaded with him, hating that he made you even consider the worst.

“Please, if anything happens I want you to know that you and Oliver…” His voice gives out, even Chris has a hard time accepting a very possible reality. “I made sure you’ll be taken care of.” 

He stared straight through you and you understood what he meant. Adjusting your grip on Oliver, you quickly wiped the wetness from your cheek and rubbed at your nose. “You have to come back to us, promise me.”

“I promise,” he replied with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. He wants to keep his promise but it’s not something he can guarantee. Oliver stirs in your arms, his face twisting as he lets out a piercing cry as if he also knew the stakes at hand.

You soothe your son as best as you could, feeling he needed a diaper change. Before saying goodbye you looked into Chris’ eyes through the screen, wishing you could reach out and cup his cheek as you proclaimed, “I love you, Chris.” You meant every word, more than ever before. 

His cheeks pulled into a warm smile as he said it back. The screen goes dark and he sits quietly starting his countdown over for the day he can say it to you again in person.

A year has passed and you’re sitting on the floor with Oliver in your lap, holding a book out in front of you. This was your nightly routine before bed, letting him pick out a story from his little shelf against the wall and reading it together. He was very interested at this age, helping you turn the pages or pointing at the pictures that you would describe and try to get him to repeat.

He’s grown so much and every day you find more ways he looks like Chris, especially when he scrunches his nose, putting up a fuss when eating bananas. 

Oliver’s first birthday was two months ago, it was a small party at Chris’ parents house filled with cake and presents but the best gift was that Chris was able to call in. You cried immediately, holding Oliver up to the screen and pointing at Chris. “Dada! Look Oliver it’s Dada!”

There were pictures of Chris in your house and every time you passed them you would show Oliver, hoping the connection would eventually sink in. Oliver grinned at the screen showing off four tiny teeth in the center of his smile. “Oliver it’s Daddy!” Chris said, waving his hands. “Hey buddy. I love you Oliver. I’ll see you soon.” 

It didn’t feel real that Chris was actually coming home this year since he’s been gone for so long. You’ve been keeping in touch, emailing him as many pictures and videos of Oliver as you could. Everyone loved the professional shots taken when he was six months old, dressed in pajamas printed with planets on them, holding a bottle shaped like a spaceship. In others he was dressed as an astronaut tethered to a bright and colorful rocketship laying against a starry background made to look like he was floating in space, just like his Dad.

With Oliver in bed you went to the kitchen to make yourself something to eat though you could barely focus. You were on edge, watching the live stream of Mark Watney’s rescue on your phone. 

Your head lifted to the TV as you waited like the rest of the world, watching the rescue in real time. It took an hour before there was confirmation that Mark was safely on board and the relief brought tears to your eyes. The whole world was celebrating and you couldn’t imagine how happy Chris and his crew were to get him back and soon enough Chris would be home too.

While some people were opening up presents on Christmas morning you were opening suitcases and getting ready to pack things for yourself and Oliver to fly to Houston to see Chris. The crew landed two days ago and seeing footage of him being pulled from the capsule brought tears to your eyes. You pointed to the screen for Oliver, “Who’s that? That’s…” 

His face lit up, his little hand slapping at the screen as his squeaky voice said, “It’s Daddy!”

“That’s right. Good job!” you beamed, planting a kiss to his soft cheek.

Oliver did a lot of growing up in the last year. He was a few months shy of two, a little ball of energy that brought smiles everywhere he went. He was playful and kind, he loved to splash bubbles during bathtime, and wiggle his body to music. 

Chris was able to see his emerging personality whenever you spoke to each other. Oliver was shy at first and a little confused, looking back at you instead of the screen as Chris was trying to talk to him. It took a lot of patience but you got there, pointing at Chris and saying “It’s Daddy!” enough times for Oliver to finally recognize him. Chris would smile and wave, calling him his little buddy and Oliver waved back. He was hesitant at first but regular video calls normalized their relationship and soon Oliver would press his lips to your laptop, leaving a big wet kiss on the screen meant for his Dad. 

It was hard knowing Chris was back on Earth but you couldn't see him yet. He was undergoing physical evaluations and you were certain more testing would be necessary in the future considering he and the Ares III crew have set a record, spending nearly three times the amount in space than ever before. You chuckled to yourself, knowing Chris would probably want to take on the study himself although part of you knew he was more anxious to spend time with you and Oliver, a thought that made your heart swell.

A week later and you were at the Johnson Space Center, in a waiting room meant for the family of returning astronauts. Oliver is playing with Aunt “Coey” as he called her, holding his spacecraft toy and making it fly above armrests of the row of blue chairs you’re so tired of staring at. Whenever you heard noise in the hallway you quickly rushed towards Oliver, brushing his hair in place with your hands and adjusting the bottom of his striped blue shirt. 

This time you were right to be prepared as a man opened the door. You all scrambled to stand up, holding Oliver in front of you with your hands on his shoulders. The man nodded, giving a quick smile and suddenly you felt overcome with nerves. After two and a half years you were finally about to see Chris again and your heart was beating wildly. You tried to steady your breaths, holding a nervous smile as you waited for him to walk through the door.

The moment he did you were overcome with emotion, bursting out with tears of joy, a smile stretching from ear to ear. He was here, he was actually here. Chris had a smile that beamed as bright as the stars, his eyes glistening with tears as he looked at you and Oliver who had grown restless of standing and made his way into his grandpa’s arms. 

Chris walked unsteadily towards you, thinking Oliver could probably walk better than he can at the moment as he was still adjusting to gravity. You ran forward meeting him more than halfway, throwing your arms around him for a crushing hug. As you cried against his chest your own legs nearly gave out when you felt his arms around you. 

“I missed you so much,” you muffled against his shirt, pulling yourself back to stare into his eyes once more. 

“I love you,” he said, a clear admission of the feelings in his heart, no longer meant with platonic innocence. 

You were always close and while the two of you never saw each other as anything but friends it certainly surprised everyone around you when you didn’t end up together. Things were different now and you both felt the shift in your relationship since he’s been away. It was more than the bond you had by having a child together; Chris always had a place in your heart and you wondered why it took this long to see it. 

“I love you too,” you cried again, feeling the relief of his lips against yours as they pressed together for a sweet and long overdue kiss. 

Lori kissed her son, hugging him quickly as did Chloe who was eager to record Chris and Oliver’s first official introduction on her phone. Michael placed him down and you kneeled beside Oliver. Chris eased himself down, feeling his heart pounding like a drum in his ears. In the last few years he’s been through countless stressful situations, none of which were more nerve wracking than meeting his son for the first time. 

There’s a nervous look on Oliver’s face as a room full of people are all watching him and he turns to look at you, his eyes pleading for help. You reassured him that everything was okay and like the many times you’ve done in the past you pointed towards Chris. Your voice wavered as the words you spoke bubbled out of your throat, “Oliver, this is your Daddy.”

Chris smiled softly, keeping a short distance between himself and Oliver because he didn’t want to overwhelm him. It was clear Oliver was unsure of what to do, looking back and forth between you and Chris. 

“Hey buddy, it’s me. I’m your Daddy,” Chris said and finally Oliver’s face lit up with recognition. 

He grinned, waving to Chris in front of him as they had done through the screen so many times before. With a proud smile Oliver picked up the hem of his shirt, exposing his tummy and strung together a sentence of mostly recognizable words that meant, “I have a belly button!”

A tear squeezed out from the corner of Chris’ eyes as he laughed, “Yeah you do buddy!”

The ice was broken between them and Chris looked over his shoulder at someone who discreetly handed him something behind his back.

“I’m so happy to meet you Oliver. This is for you,” Chris said, handing over a teddy bear dressed as an astronaut. 

He jumped as he took the bear, squeezing it in his arms with the happiest smile. With some encouragement you had him thank Chris and Oliver pursed his lips forward to kiss Chris’ cheek. Oliver let Chris hug him and he smiled through his tears, finally experiencing what he’s been imagining for years, holding his son in his arms. 

Chris thought his days among the stars were over but together with you and Oliver he’s surrounded by a whole galaxy of love. Each day shines brighter than the last and Chris has no doubt that one day soon he will finally keep his promise.

[ashintheairlikesnow]

writing request for whenever: Laken and Chris go to a dinosaur museum/exhibit

CW: Referenced past pet whump, mentioned negative stimming resulting in self-injury, pet whump (different character) with intimate whumper, grief, referenced parental death, trauma response, brief reference to true crime

Timeline: Chris is 25 years old in this piece

Rafael (Raf) first appears, unnamed, in this drabble from Chris’s early college days

Laken’s hand is warm in his, their fingers intertwined, as they stand underneath the hanging bones of an enormous ancient thing like a whale but entirely unlike it, too. Chris closes his eyes, swaying lightly side to side, humming softly as he imagines it, rows of teeth with some as big as his hand, moving through oceans older than anything he can imagine, chasing down prey.

The sun shines in through the all-glass windows that make up the other side of the atrium, warming against his shirt without prickling his skin. The lights are far up and away, and the sunlight is stronger. 

“Wow,” Laken murmurs, and he glances over at them to see their chin tipped back, liquid dark eyes focused on the recreated bones not so far above their head. “I’ve never been here before. Have you?”

Chris feels the hint of pain at the question, and for once it’s not in his head from memories but simply the aftermath of what he knows. “Yeah,” He answers, voice low and soft. “With my, my dad and mom. Long, um, a, a long time ago.”

Laken’s expression shifts, too, and they wince. “Sorry. I didn’t think about-”

“No,” Chris says, insists really, giving their hand a squeeze. They squeeze back, looking him over with the face they make when they’re reading his expression. He knows it’s going to happen for a while - the cut across his forehead is still bright and obvious against pale skin, although the one on his cheek is nearly healed up and gone. They’re searching, now, for signs it’ll happen again - that he’ll pull back into his head again, maybe take longer to come back out this time.

It’s-... it’s funny, now that he has the memories, he can remember his mother worrying over it, too. And his father’s soft reminders that the worry wouldn’t fix him, because fixing wasn’t what needed done.

It’s funny. To have been told no one loved him, and that was why he had to be remade into a pet, a sort of breathing toy, only to have it all break through with the constant reminders of what a fucking lie that had been.

He’s been reading about people who were kidnapped, lately. Staying up with Wikipedia open on his phone finding names and faces. The girl in Utah, the ones in Ohio, the boy in Nevada, that guy from the famous billionaire logging family who disappeared in California... all of them say, they told us we weren’t wanted by anyone else, for anything else. After a while, we believed them. What else could we do?

It’s... soothing, almost. They weren’t drugged to make it happen, but it did, anyway. It wasn’t Chris’s fault - there was no way he could have kept himself. 

But getting all of it back came at the cost of scaring everyone who loves him now, leaving them all worried he’ll hurt himself again.

He doesn’t think there’s anything else in there that can hurt any more than what’s already come out from behind the flat, cold white light in his mind. But they’re not certain.

“Don’t worry,” Chris says, tilting his head and giving them a smile. “I’m, I’m, I’m okay, Laken. I promise. I, I, I, I-I-I like thinking ab, about them now.”

“Well... good. Okay. Just, let me know if I cross a line, okay?” 

“I, I will.” 

Laken gives his hand another squeeze and steps away to read a freestanding plaque below the bones of the belly of the creature over their heads. Chris picks up the feather necklace he’s always wearing, moving himself over to look outside, at the brilliant green lawn, the landscaping studded with blooming tulips along the walkway. There are plastic sculptures of dinosaurs out there, and Chris watches a little girl in a dinosaur-themed dress and leggings clamber up on one, giggling as she sits on the triceratops like she’s riding it and her father looks on, amused, nearby. 

The world feels strange and thin, for just a moment. He feels like he’s on the other side of a wall, and if he took a hammer to it he could step through and see himself, small and gangly and young, his mother nearby with a giant purse full of all the things he might need, her jaw set and ready to fight a battle on his behalf. One she didn’t always have to fight - but she was ready for it, anyway.

His eyes roam the green area outside, scanning, looking over every child, every parent, every friend. He’s looking for her, he realizes, his hand squeezing tight around the plastic feather, rubbing his thumb hard over the vanes. He’s looking to see if she’ll be there, ten years after she was gone. 

If all he’ll have to do is look hard enough, and she won’t be dead, she’ll be here, ready to load Tristan into the car to get his chicken nugget kids’ meal and go home.

If he only looks hard enough-

“What’s this one, sir?” The voice is soft, sweetly charming, and sends a chill up Chris’s spine with its perfect familiarity. Not that he’s ever heard this voice before - but he knows the tone, the way of rounding your mouth around each syllable, the subtle flirtation built into each word.

His heart stops beating - and then starts again, as he slowly turns to look over his shoulder.

Laken is across the room, now, off to one side. He can see their black hair, the way they stand with one hip slightly out is as familiar to him as his own skin. The soft blue sweater they’re wearing over black jeans and boots is his, they pulled it on this morning with a laugh when he said it looked better on them. He’s wearing one of their shirts over his compression shirt, fair’s fair, sweetheart, you get mine if I get yours. They’d laughed and said he looked so good in t-shirts for bands he never listened to. They’d both laughed.

Between him and his partner, though, is a couple - an older man with a much younger one. It’s the younger man who spoke.

The older man has a hand at the small of the younger man’s back, casually possessive, but it’s the black leather collar worn openly around the young man’s neck that catches Chris’s breath. He can almost feel the constriction around his own throat. Can almost feel the breath against the back of his neck as it’s buckled there, safe and sound, the collar means-

The collar-

The older man frowns, looking up at a large predator skeleton, then down at the plaque in front of it. “ Ac-... Arcanthosaurus,” He says, confidently mispronouncing the name. Chris knows how to say it. He knows exactly what it is. He could say everything on that plaque without looking. Therpopod, Early Cretaceous, fossils found primarily in Oklahoma, Texas, and... somewhere else, Colorado or Wyoming. He could describe its habitat, its likely diet, what its life looked like from birth to death.

The man says the name wrong, and his pretty pet, illiterate and dependent on him for every scrap of knowledge, doesn’t know any better. He only smiles and says, “That’s a pretty name.” He sounds satisfied.

But Chris sees his dark eyes flicker to the plaque and away, the curiosity quickly stifled and shoved down. He’s seen Kauri do the same thing, force himself into safe ignorance to avoid asking too many questions. He’s seen himself do it. He’s seen them all do it, if they weren’t allowed to read, to know, to ask, to think.

The younger man, Chris’s own age, has close-cropped black hair and wears a black shirt and pants clearly tailored to skim, to fit tightly without being indecent. To be a show of wealth without being ostentatious. That’s when it clicks - he’s seen the pet before, in a cafe with his friends. 

The younger man must feel someone looking at him, because for just a moment, his head turns and he looks right at Chris. Their eyes meet, and Chris knows the man recognizes - if not him, then what he was, what he used to be - in a second.

The pet mouths, hi, and tries for a slight smile. He lifts one hand, just a little, and his fingers move in a slight wave.

And Chris had pretended not to see, hunched down in his seat with his heart racing until the two were gone. What were the odds he’d see the same one again? What were the fucking odds, he’d get to be a coward again, to hide from his own life. What were he odds he’d see one here?

Chris had forgotten the museums are all pet-friendly if you call ahead. So many of the places he goes now aren’t. 

Suddenly, he wants to leave, to never come back, not to let the reality of his life intrude on the moment where he’d been so, so close to the memory of his mother, had nearly seen her on the grass. 

“Stay here, Raf, I’m going to step over to the water fountain.” The older man kisses the younger man’s cheek, and they smile at each other, but Chris knows a pet’s smile when he sees one. He’s made the same expression, again and again, felt the snap of white-hot pain on his back or his hands whenever it wasn’t believable enough for the handler staring down at him.

The older man walks away.

For the second time, Chris is faced with the same pet standing alone in a room of people, the two of them know each other in a way no one else here ever could, not really, not without losing it all, too.

He takes a breath.

Raf - the pet - turns to look out the window at the sunlight, and for the second time in his life, Chris meets eyes with a stranger who is, in many ways, exactly like him. 

The pet maybe doesn’t recognize him - without his long hair, and they only saw each other once - but he recognizes something, because his expression changes. Chris isn’t the only one staring - there are children asking soft questions in stage-whispers who are admonished by their parents, older kids staring openly in silence, two adults who see Raf and just as quickly leave the room. 

In a wide, round room full of people, Raf is utterly isolated from all of them, from anyone but the man who keeps him. Chris knows the feeling.

He tells himself to move. All that happens is that he pulls on the feather necklace so hard the cord snaps, comes free, and he stares down at it, before slowly raising his eyes again.

The pet gives him a faint, sad smile.

He mouths, hi.

It’s a circle. 

Somewhere just behind him, he feels the warmth of her, a hand around his shoulder. His eyes blur with tears. She’s so close, here. With the world she brought him out into comes all his memories of her, crowding in on him. Kisses to his forehead, a hand to check for a fever, arms around him to block out the heavy weight and shrieking noise of a hungry world with its jaws open to hurt him.

He can feel her hands on either side of his face, leaning her forehead to his, whispering, you’re okay, Tris, we’re going to get out of here and somewhere quiet, you’re okay. Just hold onto me. 

Just hold on.

She’s so close.

He can hear her, feel her. If he could just move the right way, she wouldn’t be dead at all. If he could just undo everything, if he could fix his mistakes, if he could stay still in the closet and hide just right, if he does it just right nobody has to die and he doesn’t have to lose them and no one has to die-

One step, and then another. His mother’s voice, not forgotten, although blurred by time and loss. That’s how we start, Tris. One step, and then another. You can do this. I’m right here if you need me, but listen - you won’t. You’ve got this, baby. They’re going to love you, all those kids in there.

How, how, how, how, how can you, what if they, they don’t-

They will. 

But-

One step, Tris, and then another. We’ve done it all that way, and we’ll do this that way, too.

He looks back at the green grass outside, the courtyard with the playing children and watching parents, the faint sounds of their happiness through the glass. Her hand is at his back, and Chris takes one step, and then another. His heart is in his throat, his hands shaking, his stomach is twisted in knots and a cold brick of ice inside him. 

One step, and then another. 

She’s so close, and if he does this just right, she’ll find him and take him home. 

No.

She’s already here, no matter where he goes. Home is Jake, and Laken, and Antoni, and Kauri, and Nat. Home isn’t a place, it’s people, and he’s his mother’s home, now, the place where she lives after she’s gone.

He closes the distance between them, and stops next to the pet, holding the broken feather necklace in his hand still. The weight of the sun on his back is warm, and not too heavy. 

They stand next to each other, and he looks just to the side of the pet’s eyes, focused on something else, to avoid the way looking right at him would overwhelm, be too much to take. 

“You were one,” Raf says, in a low voice, sounding stunned. “But you’re not... not now.” 

Chris inhales, slowly. His body screams at him to run, to move, and his mind demands he be silent, be still. Instead, he rocks, forward and back, feels the air move around him. Reminds himself he could do - could be - anything with his body that he wants to, now.

And maybe this pet can, too.

“I, I, I named myself, um, Chris,” He whispers, hoarsely. 

“He calls me Rafael,” The pet replies, and his eyes move over Chris’s face. There’s an expression Chris can’t read well there, a subtle desperate want, but expressions are hard for Chris and right now the static crackling in his mind, the trains of his thought careening wildly around each other, make it even harder. “I would have liked to name myself.”

One step, his mother says, urging him into the gym, where some other kids are already doing backflips and tumbling on mats. One step and then another.

“You can... can do that. If you, um, if, if, if you-you... run.”

“I-... I couldn’t do that.” The pet looks off to the side, but his owner is still in the bathroom. There’s fear in his voice - that Chris can read without trying. Fear, he knows so well. “Where would I go?”

Chris manages a faint, thin smile. He wants to shake apart. He settles for holding out the feather. “Home,” He whispers.

Come on, Tris. You can do this. I believe in you.

“Home is-”

“Home is, is, isn’t this. It isn’t-... it, it, it isn’t him. It’s not an, any of, of, of of of them.” 

“But-”

“5-5-5,” Chris says softly. Sweat sticks his compression shirt to his back, cold trickles down the back of his neck. His heart pounds so hard his lungs have no room for air, his voice is breathless, barely even a whisper, now. “7-2-3-3. They’ll, they’ll help you. Call them.”

Rafael looks down at the feather, and slowly takes the soft purple silicone into his hand, rubbing his fingers over the carved plastic, then looks back up. “I love him,” He says, softly. “I was-”

“Made for, for him,” Chris finishes, not wanting to hear it in the other pet’s voice. Hating the idea that they both know every single phrase by heart, forever, and they can’t undo that. “But... I was, was, was, too. And I’m not, now.”

Rafael slides the feather into his back pocket, looking to the side, at the pristine, cloudless blue sky visible above the courtyard through the thick glass. “5-5-5,” He says, softly, “7-2-3-3.”

“Call,” Chris says, his voice failing him as his fear keeps rising. He has to swallow and steady himself to speak again. “Someone... somebody, somebody l-loved you.”

“But-”

“They, they, they lied to us.” It feels so weird to say it out loud, but he does. He can’t stop himself. “They lie to, to, to to-... to-to... to us all. Someone, somebody loved you.”

He has to go, he can’t be still a second longer, and he walks away without waiting for a response. His timing is perfect - he steps up to Laken just as the pet’s owner comes back from the restroom, sweeping past Chris - pretty but scarred, nothing special, please god don’t look at me - and moving back to Rafael, who smiles up at him with the same perfect, pristine affection Chris has seen in himself and in Kauri and in every single one of the ones like them.

Practiced at the edge of a knife, the lash of a whip, the crack of a cane, until they can turn it on and off on command, at will, whenever they need the smile to keep themselves safe.

Laken turns to him as he stops next to them, looking him over, eyebrows furrowing slightly. “You okay? Oh, hey, your feather’s gone. What happened?”

He allows himself a glance over his shoulder, sees the pet and his owner moving to another room, walking together. The hand at the small of Rafael’s back.

The broken cords from the necklace just barely visible sticking out of his pocket before Chris watches him push them further in to hide them.

“I, I, I gave it to, um, to someone,” He says, turning back to them, leaning over to kiss their cheek, barely a brush. “I, I, I need to go outside. The, um, the everything... can, can we, um, can we go-”

“Yeah, sure. No problem. Do we need to, like, go go, or...”

“No.” Chris looks up at the dinosaur Rafael had been looking at. “Oh, I, I, forgot to tell him it’s acrocanthosaurus.”

“What?”

“Um, noth-... nothing. Let’s, um, let’s go outside for for for a while.” 

Laken hand slides back into his and they walk out the opposite door that Rafael went through, Chris’s hand moving to tap on his own hip as he walks, calming himself with each quick rush of sensation. 

“Hey, hey Laken?”

“Yeah?”

“Remind me, um, remind me to, to, to-to-to call Nat later. Okay?”

“Sure. Why?”

They walk down a set of stairs, people moving quickly past or around them. He misses the weight of the feather over his chest, but he has more at home. And now there’s a pet with proof, tangible and real, that there’s a life to be made by leaving. 

A life worth living.

A life worth running without looking back.

“I, I, I want to tell her to, um, to tell the groups to... to see if someone calls them. I want to, to, to... to know if he does.”

“Who?”

“Um, I’ll, I’ll tell you, you... out, out, outside, okay?”

Somewhere inside him, as his pounding heart calms, his mother says, I’m so proud of you when he tells her that he spoke up. 

He knows Nat will say it, too. 

They surprise a bird in a burst of red wings out of a bush as they move outside, and Chris watches it fly across the courtyard and disappear into the canopy of a tree. 

One step, and then another, to build the man he is out of the boy he was before.

---

Tagging: @burtlederp , @finder-of-rings , @endless-whump , @whumpfigure , @astrobly @newandfiguringitout , @doveotions , @pretty-face-breaker , @boxboysandotherwhump  , @oops-its-whump  @cubeswhump ,  @whump-tr0pes  @downriver914 @vickytokio @wildfaewhump

[godzillerd]

Resident Evil 8 AU Pt 2: Parenthood Boogaloo??

Former Post Here

To summarize: Ethan takes deal. Miranda goes boom. Village goes boom. Chris is like this is serious. Heisenberg is like no baby for me pls. Ethan is like yeah no absolutely no baby for him pls. Chris is like sorry but baby for him. Didn’t even get a baby shower. Fucking brutal. Hate this place.

RIP pls forgive this obnoxiously long post that will never become a cohesive fic.

Why am I like this. 

My life is a sea of regrets.

Seriously though forgive how all over the place this is - it is literally me vomiting thoughts for sport.

Immediately after leaving the village (what was left of it) Heisenberg headed west with Rose. 

As expected, it took a matter of hours for the Duke to show up bearing gifts. Not much, mind you, but enough. 

He even allowed Heisenberg to start running a tab, despite quibbling that it was a bad business practice. 

For the first year, they were completely off the grid with zero contact with the rest of the world, usually living in ramshackle hunting cabins in the forests of whatever country they happened to be in at the time. Hungary, Austria, Slovenia, and eventually Switzerland. 

Not requiring food or water himself, caring for Rose was relatively easy with some help from Duke. Heisenberg became an old hand at building fires out of nothing.

The whole baby thing did not come naturally to him. In fact, it took over six months for Heisenberg to have any kind of clue as to why the potato might be screaming this time. 

He came very close to just killing it and fending for himself, but after seeing what Rose did to Miranda... it was enough to make anyone hesitant. 

Around eight months in, Duke showed up with a new present: A cell phone. And a secure number. And a delicate observation that Ethan Winters might actually kill Heisenberg if he didn’t call soon. 

Calls with Ethan were an infrequent thing. Ethan passed along pertinent information, but being under heavy monitoring, he didn’t have a lot of private time. 

Heisenberg had less of an excuse, and just genuinely didn’t like Ethan. 

Despite being told about it specifically, Heisenberg missed Rose’s first and second birthdays. She didn’t seem to mind. Ethan did.

Around then, it became obvious that living in the woods, completely cut off from humanity, wasn’t going to work out well for a growing child. 

Did you know electromagnetic energy can really fuck up a bank machine? 

Heisenberg (well, Duke) found a reasonable, small cottage on the outskirts of a village in the south of France. He put together a decent little business selling metalwork crafts that were simple (for him) to build, but could sell for high profit. Horses were a bit of a specialty.

Became the local backwoods crazy rural uncle who can fix anything using anything. 

Ethan managed to pull enough strings to buy himself a four hour window while in France for unrelated business to visit Rose for the first time just before she turned three. 

They agreed to meet in a town about an hour south as Ethan had ‘security concerns’. 

ie. He and Chris both doubted Heisenberg’s ability to blend into a crowd. 

To prove a point because he’s a petty bitch, Heisenberg walked Rose past Ethan five times while Ethan was waiting around for them. Ethan only noticed them when Heisenberg said his name. 

Shaving, showering, a haircut, and new clothes can do a lot for a man. 

Rose did not recognize Ethan and was extremely reluctant to speak to him at all. Eventually, she was coaxed into introducing herself as “Rosalie-Elise”. For reasons beyond Heisenberg’s comprehension, this seemed to have a profound emotional effect on Ethan. 

Aside from occasional visits from Ethan (usually every year or two) it was mostly Heisenberg and Rose against the world. 

Duke did roll through, though less frequently than when they were actively fleeing the village. He was incredibly fond of Rose, after all.

Until Rose turned three, Heisenberg largely saw her as a nuisance - something he was obligated to keep alive for his own sake. 

When she was three, and shortly after they settled in the French House, Rose began picking up on Heisenberg’s mannerisms. Speaking like him, sitting like him, trying to mimic everything he did on a smaller scale...

Overnight she went from a nuisance to the apple of his goddamn eye. 

Heisenberg rarely called Rose by her name unless it was serious. More often than not, she’s ‘Kid’ or ‘Blondie’

By the time she started school, Rose could dismantle, repair, and reassemble most standard engines (with a bit of help). She was also shaping up to be a mean little welder.

She also picked up a bad habit of swearing (fortunately, only in English)

Rose was raised speaking French almost exclusively, and her English was heavily accented. Heisenberg learned it with great difficulty, but became fluent by speaking only French for years.

Despite being happier by himself, cut off from other people, Heisenberg deliberately put in the effort to appear as ‘normal’ as possible. 

He never claimed to be Rose’s father - to her or to anyone else. Instead, he called himself her crazy uncle and left the gossip-mongers to come up with a story about her parents. 

Ethan was mockingly referred to as ‘Brother’ every time he called or visited, though. 

When Rose was six, Heisenberg gave her a watered-down version of what happened in the village. 

Watered down for him, at least. 

Rose had nightmares for six months. 

In the midst of that fun time, Ethan gave them a warning that the BSAA was starting to suspect something, so they up and disappeared in one night. 

This pattern continued for years, destroying any chance of Rose having a ‘normal’ childhood. 

Despite that, she developed a startlingly good mindset about things. Influenced by Heisenberg, Rose grew up with a tendency towards independence and isolation, with a hell of a lot of self-confidence and pride to boot. She never particularly enjoyed being around other children, even when she had the opportunity. She preferred staying close to Heisenberg whether it was necessary or not. 

Being an obnoxiously touch-motivated brat, Rose spent most of her childhood hanging off his neck, or flopped over his shoulders, or literally hugging him while he was juggling hot metal. Heisenberg gave up caring when she was about four and by the time she was five he didn’t really notice it at all. He often sprawled on the couch just so the kid could nap on him and catch up on sleep. 

After learning the truth about the village, Rose never did sleep particularly well at night - especially not alone in her room. Most nights, Heisenberg would sit next to her bed until she fell asleep. Sometimes even all night. 

Again, likely influenced by Heisenberg, Rose grew to dislike Ethan as time wore on. Despite her solid relationship with Heisenberg, most of their arguments were about Rose seeing Ethan. 

Heisenberg understood that their safety relied on Ethan being on good terms with both of them. Rose “didn’t give a fuck”

They reached a compromise eventually that Ethan was only ever promised one hour with Rose. If she wanted to leave after that, it was her choice. Similarly, Heisenberg let her set the boundaries about hugs and calling Ethan her father. 

Needless to say, Ethan stopped getting hugs by the time Rose was ten, and he was never called her dad. 

On the other side of things, Rose adored the Duke just as much as he adored her. Whenever Duke was in their neck of the woods, he made a special point to track them down in order to give Rose extravagant gifts. 

Puberty was a hell of a time.

A hell of a time

Rose manifested a massive amount of power in the span of six months when she was thirteen. Around the same time she discovered her love of girls, teenage rebellion, and sticking it to the man.

During one rip-roaring fight when she was fourteen, Rose sent Heisenberg through not one, nor two, nor even three walls. She sent him through five.

Somehow, that incident was enough to curb the rising tide of teenage hormones and got them both back on track.

Heisenberg always struggled with knowing how much or how little to tell Rose about their predicament. On one hand, Ethan hated the idea and thought it would destroy her entire childhood. On the other hand, Heisenberg disliked the idea of lying to the kid. 

Eventually, circumstances were such that there was no choice but to tell Rose everything in order to stay safe. By the time she was twelve, she had a pretty good idea about everything that had happened in the past. 

Mostly because Ethan assumed he wouldn’t do it, Heisenberg also told her all about himself.

Surprisingly (or maybe not so surprisingly, after so many years) it didn’t change much. She tried to use it as ammunition during a few teenage tantrums, but when she realized it didn’t phase him, it was never really brought up again. 

[extasiswings]

And part 2.  Part 1 is here.  Also on ao3. See, I said you could trust me. 

Eddie feels like an asshole. 

He hates fighting with Buck, inevitably regrets everything he says when tensions are running high—and they had been. He’d been blindsided the night before when Christopher had stopped him before bed and asked dad, are you dating someone? He’d been avoiding that conversation, hadn’t been ready to have it, hadn’t even known how to start it. And even though he stumbled through it successfully enough, he was still—

He hadn’t slept well, spending the night staring up at the ceiling stewing, uncomfortable and upset for reasons he didn’t even really understand. It was just—what the fuck?  Buck can go out with whoever he wants, including apparently Taylor Kelly, and that doesn’t warrant a conversation about what that means for his own relationship with Christopher, but he felt the need to put himself in charge of talking to Chris about what Eddie dating means? 

Eddie’s not going anywhere, he’s the parent. Buck’s the one who doesn’t have to stick around, the one who can walk away whenever he wants to, who can fall in love with whoever he wants and leave—

It’s not fair. And on some level he knows that. But—what was it Buck said after everything with his parents and Maddie? That it’s easier to lash out at the people you know will forgive you? 

...yeah, it’s easier to fight with Buck than look too hard at why exactly he’s so upset at the idea of Buck not always being there. 

But after the shift, he doesn’t feel any better. He just feels like hell. And as he sits in his truck thinking more about why he hadn’t wanted to tell Christopher in the first place, he pulls out his phone and makes a call. 

It’s easy. Simple. There’s no yelling, no drama. 

He tells Ana she’s a wonderful woman—which is true—but that he’s just not in the best place to be dating—which is mostly true—and she says she completely understands and wishes him well, and that’s the end of it. 

It ends and he’s not sad—it barely even registers—which really says about all there is to say. And Eddie goes home and thinks about how the hell he’s going to fix things with Buck. 

He still doesn’t have a clear plan the next morning, but he figures starting with coffee can’t hurt. He knocks on Buck’s door just before eight—he has a key, but with everything...well it’s easier to knock.

Buck opens the door looking rough, unshaven with dark circles under his eyes, and stops. 

“Hey.”

Eddie swallows hard and holds out the coffee cup like a peace offering. 

“I broke up with Ana,” he says, and Buck takes the coffee, stepping aside to let Eddie in. 

Although, that doesn’t stop him from asking—

“Before or after you bit my head off yesterday?”

Eddie winces. “After. Last night.”

“I’m sorry,” he adds after a beat.  He and Shannon never said that much, more often than not fell into the don’t apologize, just sleep it off school of fighting, which rarely fixed anything, just let things get pushed down to fester until some future barb cut deep enough to uncover them again.  But he wants to say it.  He needs to say it.  So, he does. 

Buck looks down at the coffee cup, takes a sip in the silence—then he shakes his head. 

“You didn’t say anything that wasn’t true.”  His voice is hollow, accepting, and Eddie hates it.  Because he doesn’t want to be right, he doesn’t care about technicalities, about accuracy.  There have been times when he’s needed to play the I’m his parent card—usually when he needs his parents to back the hell off—but it’s not something he likes to do.  It’s not something he’s ever enjoyed doing.

Especially not with Buck.  

“Maybe, but—I still shouldn’t have said it like that. So. I’m sorry.” 

Buck looks at him for a moment.  “I’m sorry, too,” he says finally.  “Whether he knew or not, you’re right that how he feels about you dating—that’s something for the two of you to discuss and it wasn’t my place to bring it up.  I overstepped.”

“I want him to be able to talk to you,” Eddie replies.  “I know that there may be things that come up sometimes that he won’t want to talk to me about and I want him to be able to talk to someone he trusts if I’m not it, I just also don’t want you to feel—”

His tongue ties itself in knots as he looks away, searching for the right words, but they’re all a mess in his head and his throat, a tangled snarl of thoughts—I’m afraid that I’ve been leaning on you too much feeds into I don’t want to lose you which twines through I don’t know what I’m doing—all too much to spit out.  

Buck has a strange look on his face when Eddie looks back.

“Obligated?”  Buck fills in, and his tone is unreadable.

Eddie shrugs.  “I’ve been doing this alone for a long time,” he says.  And I’m tired, he thinks. 

The strange look doesn’t go away—Buck’s brow furrows like he’s trying to figure out a complicated puzzle.

“You know you can trust me to stick around though...don’t you?”

“I—”  It’s dangerous, the highwire he’s walking on, the thin line between I want and I shouldn’t, the whisper reminding him that he never gets to keep the things he wants.

“Eddie?”  Buck prompts.

“I don’t expect your next serious girlfriend to be super comfortable with you helping to parent someone else’s kid, no,” Eddie admits, and waits for the other shoe to drop.

But it doesn’t.

“You’re an idiot,” Buck says.  And Eddie blinks.

“What?”

“I said you’re an idiot,” he repeats.  “If you think I wouldn’t pick Christopher over some random hypothetical woman—and they are all only hypothetical right now—if you think I would get serious with someone who refused to understand that you’re in my life, that he’s in my life—I—you’re an idiot.  Why wouldn’t I put him first?”

“His own mother didn’t.”

“Yeah, well—I’m not Shannon,”  Buck’s voice is steady, and his eyes soften as he adds— “You let me into his life.  You let me be part of your family—you’re my best friend and I know I’m not his dad, but I’m not just going to walk away from that.  I love—”

Eddie’s breath catches.  Buck cuts off and looks away, clearing his throat.

“—Christopher,” Buck finishes.  

Eddie’s pulse is racing, blood rushes in his ears, and he tries to breathe and put his world right, return it to the balance that existed before he thought Buck was about to say—

It was a stupid thought anyway.  He has no reason to think it, but he can’t stop wondering—            

“Why did you break up with Ana?” Buck asks.  The question cuts through Eddie’s reverie and his throat closes for a moment.  Because he’s been turning that question over in his head for hours and while the answer is simple, it also feels...messy.  Especially in this moment.  Like it leads down a path he’s afraid to examine too closely, a slippery slope that goes...he’s not sure where.  But he owes Buck honesty, so he swallows hard and admits—

“I realized I didn’t want her to meet Christopher as my girlfriend. And I didn’t think I ever would.”

Another odd look flickers across Buck’s face.

“She seemed kind of perfect for you,” Buck says.  “Pretty and smart and stable—”

“Yeah,” Eddie agrees.  “But she wasn’t what I wanted.”

“So...what do you want?”

A single word whispers through his mind, catches in his throat.  And maybe he is an idiot, because he can be brave when it comes to any number of other things—running into burning buildings or downed helicopters, scaling walls and talking down impersonators who steal firetrucks—and yet, when it comes to this—

“I—”

Buck sets the coffee down and takes a step forward, then another, closing the distance until he’s close enough to touch, until Eddie can feel the heat of him.  

“What do you want?”  Buck repeats quietly, his gaze searching, and Eddie still can’t manage to make the words come.  But something flickers in Buck’s eyes before they settle on resolve and he nods.

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

Buck laughs and Eddie doesn’t have a chance to ask why before he’s being kissed.  

Oh.

And words may be difficult, but that he can do. 

“For the record,” Buck says when he pulls back.  “I don’t want to date anyone but you.”

“Well, that’s convenient,” Eddie replies, and pulls him down to kiss him again.

When they tell Christopher, they tell him together.  

[potterbite]

i can only be me with you

After one of Buck’s heroics spreads all over the news, Eddie finally sees what happened above ground when he was trapped almost a year before. 

On AO3.

As Buck and the team hops out of the firetruck, the rest of the station starts applauding; some are early for their shift that’s about to start, others preparing to head home. About twelve of fifteen people are just standing there, grinning at Buck.

“What - ?” Buck begins, looking to the others for some confirmation that they know what this is about. However, they all seem just as confused as he feels.

As the applauds die down, Bobby speaks up.

“What was that about?”

One of the women on the upcoming shift grins. “It’s gone viral.”

“What has?”

“The video from earlier today of Buck jumping out of that window to save the little girl.”

Oh. 

At this, Hen and Chim laugh while Eddie gives him a nudge on the shoulder, muttering, “Now you’re just like Firefox.”

-----

The thing is, it’s not like he had the time to think it through before jumping out of the window on the eight floor; it was all instinct, seeing that little girl fall through it with nobody else close by to help her. But on some level, he knew he still had the harness around his middle and he trusted his team enough to fully believe they would catch that rope before it was too late.

So he flew through the crashed window barely two seconds after the screaming five year old and caught her around the waist; she was so stunned she paused her screaming. They came to an abrupt stop at the fourth floor, hanging like a couple of ragdolls, and he could’ve sworn he heard someone from up above swear loudly in spanish. 

But it’s not like he thought that someone might be filming it all and uploading it to every social media plattform known to mankind or that it would be on all the big news channels less than six hours later. 

He won’t lie, he kind of likes it. But he’s still exhausted by the time he pulls the key out of the ignition in the driveway. He leans his head back and closes his eyes; his phone is finally quiet, blissfully so, after ringing every three minutes since he finished work four hours ago. Granted, he did turn off sound and vibration so the quiet might be thanks to that but he doesn’t dare to look and check for number of missed calls in the last thirty minutes.

A rapt knock on the driver window makes him jump, the top of his head hitting the roof of the car with a thump and his legs slamming into the steering wheel.  

He curses in pain, but still hears the muffled laughter; he flips the other person off. 

“Nice one,” Eddie comments as he opens the car door. Buck just grunts in response, shaking his legs a couple of times as he climbs out. 

“Don’t sneak up on a person like that.”

Eddie raises both eyebrows. “You’re sitting in my driveway. Chris heard you and wanted me to check you weren’t a murderer.”

Buck grins at this. “And he made you go alone?”

“I didn’t say it was logical. Now come on, dinner is almost ready.”

At least three or four times a week, Buck goes over to the Diaz house for dinner and to hang out with two of his favorite people. Also, ever since Eddie broke it off with Ana a few weeks back, Buck’s been afraid that Eddie might feel lonely. Whenever he asks about her though, Eddie doesn’t say much about the break up, only that it had been amicable and then he always gets this tinge of red on his cheeks that Buck absolutely does not find cute. 

“Hey kiddo!” Buck calls out as they enter the house through the kitchen door.

“Bucky! You’re on TV,” Chris replies and Buck sighs, standing next to Eddie by the counter. 

“I can’t look at that shit anymore,” he murmurs and the other man smirks.

“Not all it’s cracked up to be, being a celebrity?”

“I - “ 

“Bucky! Come see, they’re showing when you tried to save Dad, too,” Chris calls and well, Buck isn’t sure but it would seem his entire stomach flips at these words. 

Eddie goes still, a frown on his face. “What’s he talking about?”

Buck will absolutely not blush. “Probably just heard him wrong.”

“Dad! It’s really cool when Bucky screams like that, come see!”

Buck straightens. “He really shouldn’t be allowed to watch the news by himself, I’ll go put a movie on.”

He takes big strides towards the living room, but before he makes it all the way Eddie swishes past him as if he’s got wings. Eddie picks up the remote and rewinds a couple of minutes. And honestly, for a man claiming he hates technology, Eddie really loves that smartTV, even though he didn’t even know he could rewind until Buck showed him (something he regrets now). 

It’s not like Buck is ashamed of how he reacted that day when the ground collapsed on top of Eddie. Not really. It’s more that it feels like a pandora’s box he’s only ever opened on that day and he’s now deathly afraid of what will happen when he peeks under the lid again. 

But what can he do except stand there behind the couch next to Eddie and watch as the other man finds the right moment and press play? 

“Yes! Let’s watch it over and over again,” Chris claps. Buck ruffles a hand over his hair in response and the boy giggles.

“When was - ?” Eddie starts, but then he seems to recognize the farm. “Oh.”

In silence, they listen to the news anchor saying what a good guy Evan Buckley is and how he lost it when one of his own team members went under. There’s a drone shot from the moment of the collapse. A close-up on Buck’s face as he screams, and Bobby scooping him up.

Buck had known there were news teams there, of course, but he hadn’t realized they’d gotten him on camera as well. He’d ignored all reports from that day, preferring to not think about all the thousand things that could’ve gone wrong, so he’s never seen this before. But obviously, Eddie hasn’t either given the way he stares open mouthed at the screen. 

When he turns his head to look at Buck, Buck just shrugs sheepishly at him.

“That was so cool, right dad?” Chris grins, and Buck sees Eddie’s face soften. 

“Yeah, it was.” He looks up and meets Buck’s eyes for the fraction of a second and there’s another jolt in Buck’s stomach. “Time for dinner.”

-----

They don’t talk about what they saw on the news for the entire dinner or during the movie. 

Well, Chris does bring it up one time when he turns to Buck and asks, “Would you scream like that if I disappeared too?” with honesty only a child can muster. Buck doesn’t really know what to say to this so he grins and promises that he sure would. 

But even though Eddie acts normal, Buck can feel it in the air or when their eyes meet. It’s as if Eddie is screaming to say something but doesn’t want to in front of his son. Buck has no idea what that would be, because there’s no way Eddie could tell from those fast glimpses what really went on inside his head. The repeated mantra of ‘not him, not him, not him’ was not seen in his eyes, he’s sure of that.

If it were, Eddie would’ve caught on earlier. Maybe when he, Eddie, started dating Ana. Or when he broke it off with her. That fire inside of Buck’s soul dimming and glowing stronger was not visible through his eyes, because that would mean he’d lose his best friend. And that was not an option. 

But he’s still nervous when it’s time for Chris to sleep; is this the last time he’ll say goodnight to Chris like this? So when the boy takes Buck’s hand and says, “Can you do it instead of Dad?” he does. Eddie stays in the doorway to Chris’ room, silently watching as Buck tucks the boy in. 

“Buck?” Chris whispers so quietly Buck has to lean forward to hear.

“Yeah?” he whispers back.

Chris reaches for Buck’s face and moves it so he can whisper the words right by his ear. “I think he loves you, too.”

Buck blushes, straightening a bit. “Um, thanks buddy,” he replies, his voice still barely a whisper. He sneaks a glance at Eddie, who thankfully doesn’t appear to have heard the silent conversation. Then louder he adds, “Sleepy time.”

Chris nods happily, and has fallen asleep within three minutes of Buck reading his favorite book. 

As he stands up to leave the room, Eddie enters to give Chris a kiss on the forehead. Buck stays in the living room, not sure if he should take his opportunity to leave or just get this over with so he’ll know if their friendship is ruined or not.  

Before he has made up his mind, Eddie comes out and closes the door behind him. Buck opens his mouth to say something, anything, when Eddie meets his eyes and Buck sucks in a breath. 

“I’ve never seen that before,” Eddie says. Buck doesn’t even question what ‘that’ is, since he can only be talking about the video of Buck screaming at the top of his lungs. 

“No,” Buck says stupidly. “I suppose not.”

“I wish I had though.”

“Oh?” Buck isn’t at all sure where this conversation is going, but for some reason Eddie keeps moving closer to him, so he has no choice but to lean against the wall. 

“Yeah.” Almost chest to chest.

Buck licks his lips and swallows. His stomach does another flip then, because Eddie most certainly followed that movement with his eyes. 

“Why?” Buck asks even though he has difficulties concentrating when all he can think about is if Eddie can feel the beating of his heart when their chests are touching like this. 

“‘cause we could’ve done this much sooner,” he replies and surges up for a kiss. 

Buck gasps, and he can feel the smirk against his own lips. So as soon as his brain has caught up with what’s happening, he pushes off from the wall and flips them as some kind of revenge. He presses Eddie against it instead which makes him groans, and as his lips open Buck takes advantage of that and sneaks inside. 

As they battle together and Eddie’s fingers caress his neck, Buck nudges his thigh in between Eddie’s legs and gets another groan in appreciation; Buck savors that vibration as if he’s starving. 

He feels as if they should slow down, talk about what’s happening, why neither of them has said anything and what’s going to happen next. But then Eddie bites gently in his lower lip, making him moan and Eddie swallows the sound greedily. 

As if it’s the most natural thing in the entire world, he starts to back Eddie into the master bedroom, closing the door with his foot once they are inside.

What the hell, they can talk tomorrow instead. 

[cloudystevie]

Hi! would you be willing to write something where Chris starts dating the reader and he doesn’t realize she’s Rdj’s daughter and one day she’s visiting Chris on set and RDJ finds out? Idk it could also be Steve & Tony if you want

hi honey! thank u so much for requesting and i hope this is what you were looking for! also just for inclusion purposes, the reader is adopted because yeah

one sunny boston morning, chris is out and about running errands as he decided to walk into one of his favourite local coffee shops

as he opens the door, the windchimes jingle and it catches your attention

you look up from your laptop where your gazes meet for a few long seconds

you feel your cheeks heating up at the attention and you quickly turn away and focus back on this essay

you were in boston because your dad was currently filming a few scenes for his avengers movies and he thought it would be nice if you could accompany him

chris clears his throats and shakes his head at himself because he totally just blew it by looking like a total creep practically gaping at you

he ordered his usual and while he was waiting he somehow mustered up the courage to come over and speak to you

he chanelled his inner frat boy, took a deep breath and walked over to where you were sitting

“i’ve never seen you around here”

you look up from your laptop screen to meet his very ocean blue eyes

“i’ve never seen you around here.”

he smiled at that, and moved around to the empty chair across from you, “this seat taken?”

“take a wild guess”

chris felt something he hadn’t felt in a really long time towards a girl

normally he met a lot of sweet shy girls, but something about your responses made him want to work even harder for your attention

however, you payed him no mind as you turned back to your screen

long story short, chris ended up getting your number that day, and asked you out to dinner

needless to say that date went super well, conversation flowed super easily between you two

you never thought you would meet someone like him

mans was super fucking hot AND can hold a conversation

well, sign you the fuck up

things moved pretty quickly between you two after that

you were still in boston for a few more weeks with your dad, but you hadn’t really mentioned your family or anything

you got a text bright and early from your boyfriend asking if you had any plans for that day

you quickly responded and he wanted you to come to set with him

you were a little hesitant at first because even though you grew up around your dad, you didn’t really like going to his premieres or on actual set when he asked you too

it just wasn’t your scene and you felt super out of place

but chris assured you that you would love everyone there

and from the few weeks that you had been with him, it was apparent already that he wouldn’t let anything bad happen to you

so you shot your dad a text and told him you would be busy today and he said that was fine

you and chris walked hand in hand to his trailer, and on the way you met a few of his cast mates and just like chris promised, they were super nice.

whenever chris was called on set, there was always a few people with you, talking to you and trying to get to know you

you got along really well with everyone and you felt like everyone actually liked you

it was nearing the end of the day and you and chris were finally alone together

he pulled you onto his lap as his hands fell to your waist, “how did everyone treat you princess, you have fun?”

“yeah everyone was super nice and i feel like i actually got along really well with all of them. tom was a little weird around me though, i don’t know what that was about”

“i think he liked you honey, you just got that kind of effect on everyone” he winked at you as he brought his lips up meet yours

you giggled against his mouth as you two shared a passionate kiss

both of you so wrapped up in the feeling of each other you failed to hear the footsteps outside of chris’ trailer

the door opens “hey chris i leave for a few hours and suddenly you have a-”

you widened your eyes as you shrieked and jumped off of chris’ lap

“DAD”

“Y/N”

chris gets up from his spot on the couch and looked between you two “dad?” he looks at you two confused

“my daughter is your girlfriend. out of every women in the world, you had to date my daughter.”

your dad had a mean scowl on his face as he stared you two down

this was exactly why you didn’t wanna tel your dad, you knew he would go uber protective and embarrass you

and he was definitely succeeding right now

“dad i-”

“no y/n i don’t wanna hear it.”

your eyes stung with tears because your dad’s approval and opinion truly meant the world to you and you were so afraid you disappointed him

chris sensed the shift in your emotions and he quickly moved to comfort you, rubbing a hand up and down your back as you tried to stifle your cries

“robert dude, you can’t talk to her like that.”

“she’s my daughter i’ll talk to her how i want. i wanna know why she kept her having a fucking boyfriend from me. especially when that boyfriend is my friend.”

your voice was wobbly as you tried to explain

“because i knew this is how you were gonna react. you always treat me like some fragile doll who isn’t capable of making her own decisions. you always shelter me and the one first time i ever hid something from you, you act like this.”

your dads eyes soften as he takes in your words and your tear filled voice

he sighs and moves over to hug you

“i’m sorry sweetheart. i know you didn’t wanna hurt me but i still feel like you’re my little girl.”

you giggle chris smiles at the heartfelt moment shared between one of his closest friends and the person who mattered most to him

“i’m always gonna be your daughter dad, i promise. just please don’t get mad at me”

your voice broke near the end of your sentence and out of pure reflex chris’ hand moved to soothe your back

“i’m not mad at you sweetheart, i overreacted, i’m sorry. i know you’re all grown up now and can think for yourself”

he pulled away from you and turned to look at chris, quickly wiping his own tears and fixing him with a dangerous look.

“don’t think that just because you’re my friend i’ll go easy on you. you hurt my daughter. and i’ll have your head served on a silver platter, you hear me evans?”

chris gulped, actually scared for a quick moment as he mock saluted your dad “sir, yes sir. i promise i love your daughter and would never let anything bad happen to her. ever.”

all three of you laughed at his actions and robert turned to step out of the trailer but just as he was about to close the door he turned around

“oh and absolutely no kissing or sex. ever. nuh-uh.”

“daddddd”

yo this kinda long, but i hope this is what you were looking for! lemme know how i did for my first headcannon. also let’s not talk about the fact that my dumbass read this wrong at first and started writing something completely different and when i went back to read it i had to delete everything ajdjdjjs