#dagger gang universe

[arcane-vagabond]

Don't Hang'em Til Noon Masterlist

Pairing: Jake "Hangman" Seresin x Reader

Summary: Jake "Hangman" Seresin is a notorious leader within the Dagger Gang of the old western territories of the United States. You, a recently orphaned socialite from the eastern seaboard, find yourself swept off to live with your older brother who has set down roots in said western territory. Determined to to make the best of your situation, what will you do when said outlaw sets his sights on you?

Series CW: Swearing, violence, period related violence and swearing, slow burn, fluff, (eventual) smut, enemies to lovers in a way, suggestive language, references to prostitution, firearms, etc. Chapter specific warnings will be included.

A/N: This is gonna be my first ever fanfiction series that I've ever written. Kind of excited for it, not gonna lie. Anyway, started this blog because I have very specific needs for fanfic, and apparently I've gotta do everything myself, so...enjoy. This work is also being published on AO3 under the username sailor_aviator.

All posts related to this series will be tagged as "DHTN" and "Don't Hang'em Til Noon"

*Denotes smut

Meet our heroine!

Last updated: 11.27.23 (Complete)

Masterlist || DPU Masterlist || Fan Art || Moodboards || Playlist 1 || Playlist 2

Series;

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five*

Chapter Six*

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine*

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve*

Drabbles;

The first time Jake sees Scout...

Scout gets the laundry

Jake teaches Scout how to play baseball

Scout and Jake spend Christmas together

Scout finds Jake asleep

Scout and Jake wake up

Pregnant sex with Jake*

Jake gets hired on as a ranch hand

You call Jake "baby boy" in bed*

Isaac's attack from Jake's POV

The morning after Chapter Six

Scout talks to Jake while he sleeps

Jake carves the horse for Scout

Jake thinks about his and Scout’s fight

Jake's POV while being arrested...

Penny and Mav talk about Jake and Scout...

Scout meets Sarah and Billy

The jail scene from Jake's POV...

Tom and Jake's Relationship...

[star-suh]

Make You Mine

Lee Donghyuck x Male Reader

cw: sub top haechan, power bottom reader, mentions of blood, sacrifice, marking, bareback, multiple rounds, nipple play, breeding, spit swallowing, slapping, rough sex, feminization, hair pulling, spanking,

an: inspired by madison beer's make you mine mv and the movie jennifer's body.

yn has always been the outcast at the university, the mean boys of his class always bullied him, throwing away his things in the trash or even to the point of physical violence. in that group of bullies is haechan, yn’s crush, but he doesn’t do anything to stop his friends for harming him. he’s that typical angel like face boy who claims he’s a good one but it’s just a farce, a mask he puts on when others are around. “i love you but i hate you” yn regrets every night recalling the memories of his crush. one night while walking towards his house from the convenience store yn is abducted by some guys that put a clothe with some liquid on his mouth. he tried to scream for help but not a single sound came from his mouth, they then put him inside a black van.

he then wakes up tied to a tree surrounded by candles and a big pentagram, “what the hell” he says while feeling dizzy, “what’s happening?”. “oh hey he is awake” one of the guys tell to the others and that’s when yn realizes that the guys that kidnapped him were his bullies and in between them is haechan, “are you scared, little lamb?” one of them asks. “w-what?..” yn starts to get desperate, the tight ropes burning on his skin, “let me go.. this .. this isn’t f-funny” he starts to panic and yell for help. “shush” one of them put his index finger on yn’s mouth, “we need you come on, don’t let us down”, “need me for what?”goosebumps take over his body, the fear intensified when one of them pulls out a dagger, “you see we want money, cars, the chicks but none of that would come to us if we keep being like this, studying doesn’t take you nowhere” he points the dagger towards yn “unless you have someone that can move his influences for you to get something so.. we choose the easy way” he licks the dagger and immediately afterwards he stabs yn “a deal with the devil, we just needed a virgin so you were the perfect choice” he pulls out the object and as if it was a fountain blood splashed everywhere, some of it even falling on haechan’s shoes. each one took turns to stab yn, he was trying to tell them something but he couldn’t, the pain was unbearable. they basically showered in his blood but not forgetting to place 5 cups full of his blood on each point of the pentagram. once again, as always yn felt disappointed in haechan as he died slowly, he was just there watching how his friends were having the time of his life killing an innocent…

next day in class the gang of bullies were acting as if nothing happened but haechan was the only one feeling preoccupied, the guilt was eating him. the door opens and what they saw made their skin crawl in fear, it was yn but not the same shy outcast yn, he was.. hot?. his hair was styled differently leaving his forehead uncovered, his clothes weren’t baggy anymore they were tight, leaving nothing to the imagination, it also showed them he was hiding a big ass down there, “that’s a big cake” one of the bullies murmured despite feeling fear. yn saw them and smiled at them, leaving them with their mouths open.

wanting to know what happened to him, who was supposed to be bug’s food by now, the gang of bullies decided to have a one night stand with him and get as many answers as possible out of him. something yn has already thought about so it made it easier for him to plot a revenge against them.

the next few weeks each one of the bullies disappeared ’’’’mysteriously’’’’, their bodies were found near the forest or in old abandoned houses. the first and only theory by now is that they were attacked by some wild animal due to their ripped bodies by what it seems are claws and razor sharp fangs, so all the town decided to hunt these so called monster, not knowing the real one was among them. haechan suspected from yn because the only ones dying were the ones who took part in that ritual, and he was the next and last one of the gang. he avoided yn all he could, he even sleeps with a gun next to his bed now, how did he got it? no one cares. one day he decided to follow yn after classes to try to confirm his suspicions. yn was moving further and further away from the city and into the abandoned houses where one of his friends was found. haechan enters the same house yn entered and carefully to not make any sound he pulls the gun out and points it at anything that made a sound. his hands were shaking, fear taking over his body, “hey haechan” yn abruptly greeted him, making him shoot at him, “be careful with that, stupid” yn said with some anger in his tone.

“i know you’re the one behind that killing spree” he blurted out, “you’re supposed to be dead” he yells at yn “what are you?”.

“i’m yn silly. well… a better version of him actually” the calmness of his voice sending shivers down haechan’s spine “thanks to those bastards you used to call friends” he laughs “they did something good in their life at least” he walks towards haechan, “stop or i’ll shoot” he says desperately. yn storms towards haechan putting the cold metal of the gun right at his chest “i dare you to do it, but would you be able to?” his iris turning white and his pupil into a slit like when a feline is chasing a prey “thought so” haechan can feel the disappointment in his voice “you’re just a pussy haechannie” he takes a deep breath and yells “you’ve never been able to do something on your own” slapping haechan’s hand making him throw the gun away. haechan falls to the floor and crawls away from yn “what the fuck are you?” he asks once again, yn crouches down and starts to walk sensually in all fours, chasing haechan “you’re stupid ass friends offered me in sacrifice thinking i was a virgin but i wasn’t” haechan’s back hits against a wall and yn corners him, his face now on the side of haechan’s “you shouldn’t assume other’s sexual life, channie” he whispers.

haechan felt mesmerized, was he wrong for liking this side of yn?, maybe this is his punishment for not doing anything to stop his friends bullying yn. he was ready to be ripped into pieces to death but instead he felt kisses?, yn’s lips latched against his neck already leaving hickeys on it. “w-what” he moaned, “all this foreplay made me so horny haechannie” yn admits putting his hand on haechan’s growing bulge, “it wasn’t a foreplay dumb bitch i was trying to kill you” yn talks back. “seeing you trying to act all manly fuckkkk… my ass is itching for you and your friend here looks like he wants it too” he grabs the bulge hard drawing a loud moan out of the other’s mouth…

“you’re being such a good boy channie” yn spoke while riding haechan’s rock hard cock, “hmm?” haechan asks, his face buried in between yn’s chest sucking his nipples, “yeah” yn reassures. haechan also grabs yn’s dick and put it against his toned abs so he can rub it there while he rides, “those abs are making my dick feel so good channie, i wanna paint them in white”, “please” he begs already falling into submission.

“be a fucking man and pound me hard” yn demands slapping haechan’s cheek, haechan’s pace grow faster and faster, his dick reaching parts no one has ever reached before “yes yes right there! fuhh..” he lets out all the air, feeling haechan brushing his prostate. “fuck i’m gonna cum” haechan cries, emptying his load inside yn, after he rode his high he tries to pull out but yn clenches his hole hard with a superhuman strength, not letting the other’s dick to go away “we’re not done here” he licks his lips “demon pussy isn’t satisfied by just one load”.

yn rides once again haechan while spitting inside his mouth and haechan swallows it with no complaints, he was so ass drunk that the only thing that crosses his mind is to satisfy yn’s needs. “uff, yeahh… i’m gonna milk you dry channie” yn plays with his nipples and then with haechan’s, “give me your next load” he sits hard and faster and on top of that he grips again with that superhuman strength he apparently possess now overwhelming haechan in the process who couldn’t take it anymore and just lets out his sperm inside him once again. the next hours yn kept milking him until not even pre-cum came out of him, some times haechan tries to take control by pulling yn’s hair or spanking him until his ass is bright red but somehow yn always manages to take back the control and made him writhe and cry in pleasure. their hair sticking on their foreheads due to the sweat, the beads of it rolling down their bodies, especially on haechan’s abs they’re so perfect that yn could pass a whole day licking them non-stop. for the last load haechan fucked yn in a roast chicken position so he can have an easy access to his cum-filled hole. his thrusts churned the sperm inside and also caused some delicious gushy wet sounds, “yeahh keep filling this pussy up, use your own cum as lube” he pouts. after some final nasty words the last load from haechan’s balls were deposited on yn’s cumdump hole and after a kiss haechan falls tired on top of yn’s body.

haechan’s life has been spared by yn but in return he has to find new victims or at least a way to suppress yn’s hunger for human flesh and also let him use him as his human dildo, something that he didn’t mind because the sex was good and his dick feels amazing inside yn’s warm demon pussy.

[000marie198]

I just realized.

Hiccup loves Toothless but he doesn't have a reason for it like everyone else.

Like, everyone in-universe loves Toothless right?

The antagonists are fascinated by him and are obsessed with him because he's a night fury. Pre-redemption Dagger loves him because of same reason and post-redemption, he likes Toothless because of many other things that have to do with Toothless’ personality. Stoick loves him as a son, yes that is very true, go rewatch the series if you don't believe me, all of the Berkians are in awe with Toothless because of his capabilities, the kids adore him, the dragons listen to him (because he had protected them for a long time), the animals stopped being afraid of him because he was protective and kind, and the Gang loves him for a lot of things, for his capabilities and his fun personality and intelligence, he is their friend just as much as Hiccup is. And we viewers love Toothless for a lot of things, we can make a very long list of reasons.

But then you get to Hiccup, the one person who loves Toothless the most, out of anyone in the whole franchise.

But then you think about which quality of Toothless does he love him for? His intelligence? His protectiveness? His loyalty? His speed or stealth?

Everyone has a reason to love this dragon, what is Hiccup’s reason?

And I thought back to the movie and the short movies and the series and realized, Hiccup doesn't have a reason.

He just loves Toothless, and he would love Toothless even if he weren't a powerful, fast, kind and intelligent night fury, he would love Toothless even as a tiny terrible terror (he has in fact, maybe in another universe).

Hiccup saw Toothless, saw his eyes for the first time and saw his own soul staring back.

Hiccup saw Toothless, saw his eyes for the second time and saw his own curiosity and intelligence staring right back.

Hiccup and Toothless’ friendship grew slowly, gradually and strongly, they love each other for no reason other than the fact they learned to trust each other, no ulterior motive.

And Hiccup moved on so fast from an overhead sketch scribbled hastily for scientific record to scribbles in the dirt of eyes full of life, the one thing occupying his mind as he stays within the same space as the one whom his people considered the offspring of death itself, feeling unworried and safe.

And Toothless, sharing his fish, even though he doesn't share with other dragons, napping in the same space as the human, letting down his guard enough to fall asleep, unaware of time passing till evening arrives, seeing a figure of himself being drawn in the dirt and allowing the human to reach out and touch him.

He comes to care about Hiccup just as much, enough to protect him from everyone and everything, even the rudeness of other vikings.

He doesn't have a reason to love Hiccup. One would think it's because Hiccup gave his flight back but no, Toothless broke the new tail that allowed him to fly free, he jumped into an inferno with no guarantee of survival, he ate an eel, he broke an alpha’s command when he heard his best friend’s voice, for Hiccup.

Everyone who loves Hiccup has a reason for it, be it his skills or kindness or compassion or intelligence or parental pride or hero worship. But Toothless would love Hiccup even if he were being reckless and stupid, even if he didn't win at something, battle or game, even if he becomes sleep deprived and half crazy, even when the boy couldn't fight as he does once grown, even when he was small and hidden and hated by many.

Hiccup and Toothless love each other, without a reason and unconditionally.

[demxters]

—LOVING YOU IS ENOUGH

frat!jake seresin x f!reader

dagger squad college!au

summary: a week after the fight that tore you apart, jake finds out about the accident. (part 2 of a losing game)

wc: 9.3k 

warning(s): 18+, fem!reader, no y/n (reader goes by nickname ace), recommended to read a losing game first, angst galore, swearing, mentions of alcohol, drunk driving (don't do it), bad parental relationships, academic pressure, hospitals, description of injuries 

part of the loving you universe || find it on ao3 here

𝐅𝐄𝐄𝐃𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊, 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒, 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐑𝐄𝐁𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐒 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐃!

Jake Seresin used to think he had no regrets in his life. Every time he was close to feeling as if that were so, the universe found a way to turn it around and prove to him that he made the right choice. Choosing to go to USC for instance, instead of staying in his home state of Texas, he thought was the biggest mistake he had made in his life. Then USC led him to Delta Chi where he made lifelong friends, and ultimately he met you. So no, Jake Seresin had no regrets in life. Yet as he sat under the fluorescent white lights of the sterile hospital waiting room, Jake was able to think of one. 

All the days passed by in a blur, with Jake finding himself in a robotic routine that helped him get through the day:

Wake up 

Go to class

Eat 

Do not think about Ace 

Nap 

Eat 

Do not think about Ace 

(attempt to) Sleep

It wasn’t the healthiest of routines, but it was enough to keep him surviving. At least until he began receiving your texts. Your apologies and declarations of love made him weak, making it much harder for him to stand his ground and give himself the space that he told himself he needed. With each passing day, he found it harder to convince himself that space is what he actually wanted. So he silenced your notifications. The bright red badge continued to grow in number and it took all of his power to not give in and click your contact. 

By the fifth day, Jake thought he was actually doing pretty well. He was even studying for his finals and going to every single one of his study groups that you had suggested he try. Even as one thing or another always led back to a reminder of you, his self control was much more restrained and he felt just a little bit lighter. 

Jake missed you like hell, that was for sure. But maybe this fight was a sign for him to work on himself. To be better not just for you, but for himself as well. 

So he did what he thought was best by pulling a page from your book and choosing to throw himself into his work. He shut everyone out, refusing to go to any outings with Javy and the gang. He didn’t answer his phone and barely left his room other than to go to classes or use the bathroom. Jake ignored the fact that in doing so, he was neglecting his physical and mental health. In turn, making this coping strategy of his more harmful than good. While he thought his obsession with his isolation and studying was “making himself better,” he didn’t realize that the only thing he was really doing was actively avoiding the problem at hand. 

But as day seven rolled around, Jake’s fake it till you make it attitude came crashing down. Upon returning back to his and Javy’s shared room in the Frat House after his final exam, Jake fell onto his bed and finally let himself feel. 

Jake Seresin has never felt so alone. After days of avoiding, he gave himself permission to think about you–to miss you. Remembering the last time he saw you and the last moment you shared, he could feel the tears that began to gather on his lash line. Too tired to hold it in, he let his emotions go. He let the sobs and cries for help he has been burying in his chest break free. He was tired, so damn tired, of pretending like everything was okay. Like he was okay. 

He wanted someone to notice that something was off with him, that something happened to make him feel absolutely miserable in his own skin. However, everyone was too caught up in their own whirlwinds of final exams, studying, and relationships to notice that Jake was struggling to stay afloat without his life preserver–without you. 

His heart ached and longed for you. Your voice, your touch, your love. If he could take it all back he would. He would’ve come back to you without a second thought. Jake would have gathered you in his arms and sat with you all night long until the two of you could work it out. Because he wasn’t Hangman anymore. He wouldn’t leave you out to dry. Yet somehow he managed to do exactly that. 

With the only thing on his mind being you, he finally mustered up the courage to read all of the texts you had sent him days prior. The first few made his heart ache, reading your heartfelt apologies and declarations of love was enough to make him start crying all over again. Teary eyed smiles graced his features at your small anecdotes and pictures of things that reminded you of him. 

He could hear your voice and see your mannerisms in his head at each text he reads through. 

Jake’s euphoria is interrupted by the fifth call he has received from Natasha. He rolls his eyes before immediately declining her call. Nat probably finally talked to you about what happened and he figured she was calling to rip him a new one. He definitely wasn’t in the mood for that right now. 

His smile grows as he scrolls through his phone, especially at the photo of a golden retriever you saw on campus that “looked like him.” A playful scoff leaves him at that as he imagines the way you would’ve jumped up and down on the tips of your toes, clutching onto his arm, as you justified how he was a golden retriever in human form. This was the closest he felt to you in days and he wished for it to never end. 

Jake continued on, savoring every good night and “I love you” text, every apology, and every good luck you wished him on his exams. Though one series of texts was enough to have the fullness in Jake’s heart flushed empty. He reads them over and over again, praying that he read them wrong. 

I failed my exams, Jake. I don’t know what to do. 

His heart skips a beat. 

I can’t go home this summer. I won’t. I can’t face my parents, they’ll hate me forever. 

But the worst of them all, the one he begs was a prank being played on him by the universe read: I’m taking your silence as a sign that I’ve fucked us up beyond repair. I love you, Jake Seresin, even if you no longer love me.

He’s going to be sick. Sure he was mad, but he never wanted you to ever think that he didn’t love you anymore. That was just a statement that could never be true. Jake was done wallowing. He was done making you both suffer because he wasn’t man enough to confront you. Swallowing his fears and his pride, he begins formulating a text to ask you to meet him at The Hard Deck–somewhere familiar, though not too intimate just yet. 

He’s about to press send when a phone call from Javy interrupts his screen. Jake instantly presses decline, however, he barely has another second before Javy’s name pops up again. 

With an agitated sigh, Jake finally answers the phone, swearing up and down that whatever he was calling for better be something good. “The hell you want, Javy?” 

“Jake–” he starts. 

“Look, I’ve been getting calls from Nat all day and I’m assuming that’s why you’re calling me right now,” Jake vents. “But I really, really don’t have time for a lecture from either of you right now, man.” 

“Jake.” Javy’s voice shifts into something more somber, more serious. “Ace’s been in an accident.” 

It’s as if his feet have processed the information long before his brain did. Jake blacks out, barely recognizing the actions in which he’s pulling on his shoes and rushing out of his room and into the common living area. 

The air is knocked out of his lungs, forcing him to grasp for leverage on the edge of the table. Jake can hear Bradley asking what’s wrong but all he can focus on is Javy’s breathing, the sound of people rushing around in the background. The phone slips from his hand and he feels like his entire rib cage is caving in on itself, crushing his heart. Black spots swim on his vision and there’s a hand on his chest telling him to breathe.

“Come on, Seresin,” Bradley’s voice comes through. “Breathe.” 

A heavy exhale escapes him as he desperately tries to catch his breath. He’s muttering an incoherent string of words, stumbling his way through the room and trying to get to the front door. 

Bradley is right on his tail, yanking on his own pair of shoes and grabbing the phone that Jake haphazardly dropped on the floor in the middle of his attack. “You gotta tell me what’s going on, man, you’re scaring me.” 

Jake abruptly stops at the front door, turning to look at Bradley over his shoulder with something worse than heartbreak in his eyes. He doesn’t say anything more other than, “Ace. It’s Ace.” 

That’s all Bradley needs to hear before he’s grabbing the car keys from Jake’s hands and dialing Javy’s number back into Jake’s phone. 

Jake could hardly remember when he got to the hospital, let alone how he was able to navigate himself to get to the ER without help when the only thing on his mind was you. He couldn’t even recall what Javy had said about the extent of your injuries, just that you were still unconscious from the car accident. 

Upon reaching the ER Jake saw Nat sitting in the waiting room with her head in her hands while Javy sat beside her and gently rubbed a comforting hand up and down her back. 

Bradley and Jake’s heavy footsteps alert the couple. Nat’s head shoots up, her red rimmed and teary eyes locking on Jake’s. She’s storming over in seconds, pushing at his chest angrily. 

“Why the hell didn’t you pick up your phone?” 

“Nat–” he starts, only to be silenced with another harsh shove. He takes the brunt of the hit, knowing he deserved every single one and worse. “I’m sorry.” Jake winces at how pathetic he sounds. 

Natasha shakes her head with disappointment clouding her features. “Sorry isn’t gonna fix this.” 

Javy joins the group, nodding at Bradley as he gestures for him to sit down. He places a hand on Jake’s shoulder asking him to do the same. He only brushes Javy’s hand off, taking a step closer to Nat. 

“Is she…is she okay?” He braces himself for the worst. Jake’s heart beats so fast against his ribcage that he swears he could feel the muscle begin to ache. 

Natasha inhales shakily before collapsing into the nearest seat. “I don’t know.” 

“What do you mean you don’t know?” The fear in his veins begins to mix with annoyance and fury. The rational side of him knew he shouldn’t be mad at Nat, but the only thing occupying his thoughts was the idea of you not being okay. Having to hear that you were in the hospital was already bad enough. He doesn’t think he could take anything more. 

“I mean, I don’t know!” Nat’s voice rises with that same frustration and fear. “All the lady on the phone said was that she was in a car accident with four other people from our school. From what I understand, the others made it out okay, but the car that t-boned them…” Her voice wavers, recalling the words she heard earlier that evening and imagining the worst. “The other car hit Ace’s side head on. She took most of the impact. The other four made it out okay with barely any scratches.” 

Jake’s hands are shaking as he braces them on his knees, desperate to catch his breath. He didn’t realize his knees had hit the floor until he felt the sting from the solid ground. But he didn’t have it in him to care about anything other than you right now. Jake desperately tries to piece everything together from your texts from the night before but nothing was making sense. Everything he was trying to understand came out between shallow breaths. “Where did she go? Why was she out so late? Who was she with? Why weren’t any of you with her?” 

“Jake,” Bradley interferes, squeezing his shoulder as a gentle reminder to breathe. 

Jake catches the way Javy clenches his jaw from the corner of his eye which has him demanding answers. “Javy.” There was something his friends weren’t telling him, making the searing hot anger in his blood begin to boil. 

Nat saves her boyfriend by giving up the information for him. “Before you get upset, you need to understand that she didn’t tell any of us where she was going. None of us had really seen her lately and just assumed she was stressed out from finals. We didn’t think things were this bad.” 

“What aren’t you guys telling me?” 

“Jake,” Javy starts cautiously. He kneels down beside his friend, speaking nice and slow, almost like he was conversing with a child. “If we tell you, you have to promise to stay calm.” 

He scoffs in disbelief, rolling his eyes at his best friend. “How do you think I’ll be able to stay calm? I just found out my girlfriend has been in an accident and no one wants to tell me what the hell is going on!” 

“Javy, just tell him. He deserves to know,” Bradley sighs. 

“Damn right, I deserve to know. I’m her boyfriend!” Jake’s seething as he gets up and starts pacing back and forth. People are beginning to stare but he doesn’t give a damn. 

It’s Nat’s turn to grow agitated. “Really? Because last I heard the two of you were on a break.” 

“Wait, what?” Javy looks at his best friend in bewilderment. 

Nat shoots him a look that says, I’ll explain it all later. 

“Doesn’t matter if we were on a break or not. She’s still my girl and I need to know what happened.” 

The conviction in his tone and the strength on his face are enough to make Javy and Nat cave. Hiding this from him would only make things worse than they already were. 

Nat doesn’t dare to meet Jake’s eye as she says, “She was with some Alpha Sigs and their girlfriends. Everyone in the car was intoxicated. Even the guy at the wheel. They were coming from the Alpha Sig house. I don’t know what the hell they were doing in a car like that but I know the Sigs are in interrogation with the police right now.” 

Bradley clenches his fist. “Those bastards.” 

“Ace was the only one whose condition was critical.” The word critical falls short on her tongue, being whispered into the tense atmosphere. 

Jake’s silence is unnerving. They were expecting an outburst of some sort. Some screaming, maybe even some physical aggression yet not of it came. The sound that fell from Jake’s lips was worse than anything they could’ve imagined. 

It was as if everyone in the room heard his heartbreak as he was unable to control the tears that fell from his eyes. The feeling of overwhelming guilt rushed over him at the realization that he should have been there. That this was all his fault. You would have never humored the idea of an Alpha Sig party in the first place if the two of you had just talked everything out. But you weren’t thinking straight, and neither was he, leading the both of you towards the path of least resistance. Instead, Jake had to be stubborn and sensitive. He couldn’t just man up and admit that you were more important than his ego and pride. 

Nothing matters to him anymore upon his epiphany other than needing to see you. You were the only one that could help him. 

“I need to see her,” he says through nasally breaths. 

During Jake’s spiral, Nat had let tears of her own fall. “They’re not letting any of us see her right now. Just family.” The last part tastes like acid on her tongue. 

“We’re her family. They need to let me see her,” he begs. Jake remembers you telling him that he and your friends were truly the only family you have ever known. 

“Biological, Jake. We can’t. Not until her parents get here.” She doesn’t even try to hide the scowl on her face. 

“Well, where the hell are they?” Jake questions. 

“Bora Bora? Or was it Barbados? I have no fucking clue. The nurse said it sounded like they were more upset about their vacation being cut short than their own daughter being in the hospital.” 

Jake hates that he wasn’t too surprised to hear that. How ironic that the real people you considered family were here and yet they wouldn’t even let them see you. 

Jake swallows, trying his best to ignore the stickiness of his throat. “Then I guess I’m staying here until then.” 

Javy, Natasha, and Bradley share a look of uncertainty at his words. Certainly, it wasn’t healthy for him to be there all day and all night waiting for your parents to get there. It was Jake’s determined look and sureness that also let them know that there was no talking him out of this. The three make a silent, unspoken pact to watch over the boy until then. 

Jake wasn’t giving up. Not now, not ever. Leaving you was the biggest mistake he has ever made. He was never going to let that happen again. 

Seventy-two hours later and Jake was still left in the dark about your condition. He desperately wanted to sneak into your room and see you. He was close to lying to the nurses and saying he was your cousin if that was what he needed to do. But the rest of his friends convinced him to be patient. Though it hurt, the pain lessened with them around. 

Like clockwork, the group would come to the hospital to wait for any news and to take care of Jake. The mornings would consist of Javy and Natasha bringing Jake a new change of clothes and breakfast. His afternoons were spent with Bradley dragging him back home to take a quick shower while Bob stayed at the hospital until they returned. The first day was like pulling teeth with Jake. The scene would have been quite amusing, if not for the seriousness of their situation. Bradley looked like he was dragging a child through the hospital with how stubborn Jake was being. A quick phone call to Javy had him fixing his attitude. 

“You don’t want the first impression Ace gets of you after so long to be that you stink, do you?” he had said. 

So he reluctantly obliged, returning back to the hospital freshly bathed under 45 minutes flat. 

Jake’s evenings were spent with Mickey and Reuben force feeding him dinner and trying to distract him with mediocre board games. 

The next day, the cycle would repeat. Then again on the next. Their distractions were welcomed and he appreciated how they have been there for the both of you through everything. When night fell and the waiting room emptied, Jake stayed right where he was. 

He would bury himself into the neck of his sweatshirt and try to get as much sleep as he could. Sleep didn’t come easy to Jake. All of the “what if’s” and the fear of missing the moment you’d wake clouded his thoughts to the point where sleep just seemed absolutely impossible. 

The only ones left in the waiting room were the few straggling family members waiting for their loved ones and the nurses who passed by every now and then. The dim lighting and eerie silence, bar the sound of heart monitors and the occasional code call, were more than enough to have the voices in Jake’s head amplify in volume. 

It was his own voice, berating him for not checking up on him sooner. For being hard headed and too full of pride to approach you first. It was Javy’s, telling him that you got into an accident. It was your last I love you. No, not last. He won’t entertain that idea. 

No matter how much he willed himself not to, he couldn’t help but think to the last time the both of you spoke. Jake hated himself for not saying those three words back to you. He never thought that one choice would lead to the possibility of never hearing your voice again, touching your soft skin, or seeing your bright eyes full of life. Of never loving you again. What hurt him the most though, was the possibility that your last thought of him may be that he didn’t love you anymore. That was far from the truth. 

He loved you more than he thought he was capable of loving someone. Jake has had his fair share of girlfriends and flings, but not one of them made him feel the way you did with something as simple as a look in his direction. That’s all it took with you. One look and Jake knew you were it for him. Nothing else mattered. 

Jake hated himself for making you doubt that. Jake hated himself for leaving that night and most of all he hated himself for not saying it back. Now, all he wanted to do was shower you in love and reassure you that despite the sting of your words, he never stopped loving you. He can’t imagine what he would’ve done if he was in your shoes. Right now, he wished he was. If he could be in your place and take your pain, he would. 

But he can’t and if something worse were to happen to you, Jake would be the one to live with that pain and burden. He wouldn’t be able to live with himself if it came to that. 

It’s funny to think that three years ago, Jake would have rolled his eyes and scoffed at the image of himself being hopelessly in love. Now you were his everything–the thing he couldn’t imagine his life without. 

It was a miracle that he was able to fall asleep that night with no nightmares. The exhaustion must have finally caught up to him because his sleep was so deep that he woke up to Javy frantically shaking his shoulders to get him to wake. 

His eyes snapped open as he came to. His senses readjusted to the environment around him before remembering where he was and why he was there. 

Javy sounded like he was underwater as Jake shook himself awake. His vision finally clears and he sees the rest of his friends already there in the room. A quick glance outside was enough to tell him he slept through breakfast and probably lunchtime too. 

Jake, still feeling groggy, was completely disregarding everything his best friend was saying. He assumed he was being given the same spiel he’s heard for the past three days about needing to eat and take care of himself. 

Then Javy says something that has Jake snapping wide awake. 

He barely gives him another chance to repeat himself before Jake is scrambling to his feet with bleary eyes and disheveled hair. He had no other cares in the world right now other than to confirm that what Javy had said is true. 

The sweet nurse who Jake had familiarized himself with during his stay gently caught him by the wrist and tugged him towards the hall. 

“Her parents got here an hour ago, but since she woke she’s only been asking for you,” Nurse Donna informed him. 

A small flutter works its way around Jake’s rib cage and down to his stomach upon hearing her words. He can no longer contain the nerves that flood through his system as he continues to clumsily follow Donna, tripping over his own feet in the process. 

When Donna finally lets go of his wrist, he stops outside the door marked with your last name for just a moment. Hesitation and fear cloud his mind. Maybe Donna was mistaken. What if you weren’t actually asking for him? What if she had misheard? What if–

“It’s okay, honey. Go see your girl.” Donna urges him with an encouraging smile. 

His girl. God, he missed hearing that. He gives her a small nod of gratitude and exhales softly. Jake’s shaky hand reaches for the silver knob. Giving it a forceful push, he makes his way through the door frame. His feet skid to stop at the threshold and his breath hitches in his throat as he’s met with the sight of those beautiful eyes he’s been praying to see for days on end. 

Two Years Ago 

Jake didn’t understand why you were so cold towards him. You were even able to warm up to his frat brothers Javy and Reuben. He was dying for it to be his turn. It got to the point where Jake would just breathe while standing beside you and you’d let out a loud groan and move beside Bradley. 

Jake hated to admit that he was jealous of Bradley’s ability to get along with you so easily. After your little moment in the library, he thought things between the two of you would be easier, lighter. Instead, it became the absolute opposite and Jake was close to doing something stupid just so you would pay attention to him again. He doesn’t know why, but ever since that day in the library, he found himself desperate for your attention. He was filled with the satisfaction he used to get when flirting with sorority girls. He hasn’t been able to feel that since you. 

He doesn’t know what he did to make you dislike him so much. If only he knew, then maybe he could do something to rectify your predetermined notions of him. 

Even now as he attempted to butter up an Alpha Phi girl, his green eyes were constantly drawn back to your figure on the other side of the aisle. The high pitched voice of the girl in front of him turned into white noise as Jake zeroed in on you. Suddenly, getting this girl to come to the party tonight was the last thing on his mind. 

You hadn’t noticed him yet. If you had, you probably would’ve made a B-line toward the exit already. You were standing on your tiptoes with your tongue slightly poking out from the corner of your mouth. Brows furrowed in concentration, you desperately tried to grab a book on the top shelf. After a lousy first attempt, you try a second time. This time, you rock back on your heels for momentum before launching yourself upwards. Your second try is just as unsuccessful as your first. 

Jake shakes his head with amusement as he watches you try for a third time. Your third attempt was just as successful as the last two, leaving you standing empty handed. 

“Hey, Becky? Why don’t we finish this conversation another time, yeah?” He gently pats the girl on the arm, all while keeping his gaze trained on you. Jake barely waits for the girl’s response, missing her disgruntled correction of, My name’s Brittany! that falls from her lips. 

You’re staring heatedly at the book on the top shelf. He strides over to you, patiently waiting for you to notice him. He stands beside you, also looking up intently at the book, with his arms crossed over his chest. His lips quirk up at the corners as he notes the way your body tenses upon sensing his presence. 

All you do is roll back your shoulders as if preparing for one last jump. Jake stops you before you can even make your attempt. 

“Sit tight, Ace, your savior’s here.” His left hand hovers over the small of your back while he extends his right arm to reach the book you were looking for. An over dramatic sigh leaves his lips as he brings his arm down and hands the book out to you. His green eyes twinkle with delight as you cross your arms in annoyance. 

You turn to meet his gaze, your own stare burning into his. 

Jake’s stomach does the strangest thing upon catching your eye. He suddenly finds himself mesmerized by their beautiful color. The intensity of your stare makes him feel like you can see right through him, all the way into the depths of the most hidden parts of his soul. He could get lost in them if you let him. 

Breaking eye contact at the intensity of his gaze, you scoff, snatching the book from his hands. Swiftly turning on your heels, you make your way toward the end of the aisle. You stop right at the end and pause before turning over your shoulder to see Jake still eyeing you in bewilderment. “Careful on your way out, Seresin. Your head’s getting so big I’m afraid it might be a bit of a tight squeeze.” 

For once, his brain seems to have shut off and he’s unable to think up a cocky or witty remark. He watches you go with intrigue and admiration. His stomach does another somersault as he recalls the exact shade of your eyes and the sway of your hips.

 You are going to be the death of him. 

“Jake?” 

Just like that, he can finally breathe again. Tears gather in his eyes faster than his feet can bring him to the edge of the bed. Jake’s sweeping your hand that’s not hooked up to the IV in his and he lets out a breath of relief at the feeling of your skin on his. A feeling that he was afraid he’d never get to have again. 

“Jake,” you sigh, the moment his hand is in yours. You breathe his name like it was your first full breath of fresh air. It falls from your lips like a prayer. Soft, sweet, and full of conviction. 

He gives himself a moment to scan your body. Jake’s heart fractures even more than he thought was possible given everything he’s been through this past week. Upon seeing the state you were in, anguish crashes down onto his body. His shoulders feel heavy and his knees are weak at the sight of your pretty face all battered and bruised from various hits you took. There’s a nasty gash on your forehead that was barely holding itself together with the bandage that was placed there. Your right arm was in a cast and your left knee was propped up and wrapped up in a bandage of its own. He hopes that this was the worst of your injuries, but he knows that the extent of them goes deeper than what he can see with his naked eye. Your skin was adorned in a variety of scrapes and scratches, all of which Jake desperately wished he could kiss away. 

The shallow movements of your chest and the pained whimper that leaves your lips have him carefully running his other hand over the side of your head, softly soothing you. He bends down to gently rest his forehead against yours and the second his skin makes contact with yours, he’s unable to stop the tears that begin to fall. Jake’s eyes squeeze shut and the heaviness that has been pushing on his chest since the moment he walked away from you finally subsides. His grip on your hand tightens ever so slightly as if to tell himself you’re here, you’re alive, you’re okay. The same words leave him in a hushed whisper that he shares between the two of you. Though they were more of a reassurance for himself. 

A shaky exhale escapes you at his words and the way you’re gasping for air signifies that you’ve started crying as well. Part of it was from the tight pain in your chest and the other from the utter disbelief that this was real–that Jake was really here. 

The first thing you thought of the second you woke was Jake. You were positive that he wasn’t going to be there, but you desperately begged for him anyway. The shock on your parents' faces that clouded your vision quickly turned to disgust as you refused to listen to their words. Your mother had tried to reach out to you, but you thrashed in her touch and frantically shook your head as you cried out for Jake. 

You were in near hysterics and your parents were staring at you in shock and horror but you didn’t care. You didn’t care that they were there when all you wanted was Jake. 

Your mother begged Nurse Donna to sedate you. The sour look on Donna’s face was missed by your mother as she left the room. She thought that Donna had gone to grab the sedative. However, when she returned without a syringe and with a boy, your mother almost fainted. 

You, on the other hand, thought you were dreaming when you saw him walk through that door. You just couldn’t believe that even after everything, Jake was there. Then he touched you and you broke down. His scent invaded you. His touch that you’ve craved like a drug for days on end was finally yours again. The reality that he was there was more than enough to have you breaking down again. 

“I’m sorry,” you slur, still slightly drowsy from the medications. “I’m sorry,” you mutter over and over again as he places his forehead on yours. 

You feel him pull you closer and shush you gently as tears of his own run down his face. You did this. You made him cry. If your limbs weren’t so heavy and numb you would’ve brushed away all the tears that ran down his perfect face until his eyes were finally dry. 

Jake’s elation shatters at your words. You had absolutely nothing to be sorry for right now. If anything, he should be the one on his knees begging for your forgiveness. He opens his mouth to speak before getting cut off by someone in the corner of the room clearing their throat. 

Jake’s attention was so focused on you that he hadn’t noticed your parents standing there this entire time. Hot, white fury fuels him at the sight of them looking more bothered than worried for their daughter. 

“You didn’t tell us you had a boyfriend,” your mother practically sneers at him. 

Jake wills himself to pull it together, for your sake. 

“Mom–” you start. 

“How does that make you feel, son? Knowing your girlfriend didn’t tell her own parents about you?” This time, it’s your father who speaks up, eyeing Jake up and down. “Insignificant, I would say.” 

“Dad! Stop it!” 

The stress in your voice is evident and the spike of your heart monitor grabs Jake’s attention. 

You barely had enough strength to defend Jake against their venomous words. He looks at you with wide eyes, asking for your permission to speak to them. Had this been under different circumstances, Jake wouldn’t need to think twice about biting his tongue. He probably would have snapped back at them too if he didn’t notice the unnecessary stress this entire situation was putting on your shoulders. 

You shake your head at him before glancing toward your parents. “Please. Please leave.” You didn’t want them here right now. You didn’t need anyone but Jake right now. 

Offended, your mother scoffs. “You’re choosing a boy over your own parents?” 

This time, Jake decides to jump to your defense. “I believe she asked you to leave.” He looks over his shoulder, narrowing his gaze at your parents who stand unbothered across the room. 

“Why should we listen to you?” Your mother fights back. 

You start feeling lightheaded from the entire situation and you lay your head back, sliding out of Jake’s hold slightly. “Please,” you ask with the little strength you have. 

Noticing the warmth of your skin leaving him, Jake gently follows the movement of your head and cradles it while helping you lower your head to the pillow. His full attention is back on you as he scans you for any more distress. Jake was getting angrier by the minute. Couldn’t your parents see how much stress they were causing you? Why wouldn’t they just leave? He was close to yelling at them now but was saved by Donna entering the room. 

“Your daughter asked you to leave,” she tells them sternly. “Now I suggest you listen before I call security to have you both dragged out of here.” 

Your mother’s jaw drops and your father shakes his head with a scowl. Putting his hands up in surrender, your father is the first to leave. 

Your mother, however, lingers for just a moment more. “I can’t believe we left the Bahamas for this.” She always had to have the last word. 

Once the room is free of their presence you heavily exhale, looking at Donna with a grateful smile.

 She nods with a small smile of her own. “I’ll let you kids have a moment. Oh, and don’t worry, I’ll be right outside in case your parents try to come back.” 

“Thanks, Donna,” Jake sighs, his eyes never leaving yours. 

She winks at the both of you before softly closing the door on her way out. 

“Are you–” the both of you say at the same time. 

You avert your gaze with a nervous chuckle and Jake smiles, urging you to go first. 

You take a moment to observe the boy in front of you. This Jake was not the one you saw the last time. This Jake was tired and worn out. If the dullness of his green eyes and the dark circles that surrounded them weren’t a telltale sign of his exhaustion, it was the paleness of his skin and his sullen cheeks. 

“Are you okay?” You ask timidly. For the first time since you started dating, you find yourself feeling incredibly anxious about him. You were the reason why he looked like this, so empty and void of life. You didn’t even deserve for him to be here right now. 

Jake shakes his head with a sad smile playing on his lips. “You’re the one in a hospital gown and you’re asking if I’m okay?” 

He presses a sweet kiss to your forehead and you almost cry from the contact. 

“That’s my Ace, always worrying about me.” So much fondness shines in his eyes, causing you to finally break. 

The tears start flowing again, scaring Jake just a little bit. 

“Your Ace?” You sob. Somehow, you knew he had already forgiven you, but you still didn’t think you deserved it. “How can you even stand being here with me after everything I did? I hurt you, Jake. I hurt you and I am so, so sorry.” 

“Hey,” he whispers, softly stroking your hair. “It’s okay.” 

“No, no it’s not okay. Nothing about this is okay!” You hiccup and hiss at the sting it causes in your rib cage. 

“Ace, breathe for me sweetheart, come on.” He gently coaxes you with teary eyes of his own. He needs to hold it together for your sake. He needs to be strong for both of you. 

“It’s not okay,” you sniffle. 

“Shh…” Jake sees how much of a toll this entire thing has taken on you. 

Your eyelids are drooping heavily, but you will to keep them open. You’re afraid that once you close them, you’ll wake up to find that this was all just a dream. That Jake was never really here to begin with and that you were all alone. 

Jake pulls the empty chair that was beneath your bed closer to him and takes a seat. He encapsulates your hand between both of his and brings them to his lips. “It’s okay, Ace. Sleep,” he guides. 

“No.” You tiredly fight against the exhaustion that is threatening to take over. “No.” 

“Sleep,” Jake requests again. “I’ll still be here when you wake up.” 

“You promise?” You whimper. 

“I promise.” He gives your hand another kiss for safe measure, already seeing that your eyes have already begun to close. With his lips still pressed against your skin, he swears, “I’ll be here, Ace. I promise I’m never leaving you again. I love you. So fucking much.” 

Jake doesn’t miss the faint smile that ghosts your lips as sleep finally takes control of your body. 

Two Years Ago 

He finds you lying on the dewy lawn of the Delta Chi house splayed out like a starfish. “What in the…” he mutters to himself as he makes his way towards you. 

Jake stands over you, coming into your vision upside down causing you to giggle. 

“Ace?” 

“Hangman!” You exclaim with a dopey smile on your lips. 

He rolls his eyes at the name and crouches down above you. “What are you doing out here all alone?” 

You sigh dreamily. “Stargazing.” 

Jake catches the scent of cheap beer and jungle juice on your lips, letting him know you were currently far from sober. That makes him worry just a little bit. Last he heard you didn’t drink. You despised it actually. 

“How much have you had to drink?” He asks for safe measures. 

Another giggle erupts from your lips as you hold up all ten of your fingers and even your feet, wiggling your toes in your sandals. “This many.” 

That’s all Jake needs to confirm that you are long gone. “Where’s the rest of your friends?” He glances around looking for any sign of your roommates. All he sees are drunk couples making out on the front porch and the occasional flash of disco lights that escapes through the front windows and open door. 

“Dunno,” is all you say with a lazy shrug. 

Jake sighs, finding himself caught in a dilemma. He had a smoking hot blonde waiting for him to come back inside and bring her upstairs. So why did he feel so guilty about the thought of leaving you out here to fend for yourself? The two of you were hardly even friends, acquaintances at most. He only saw you after your group project because his friends mingled with your circle of friends after miraculously getting along upon meeting each other. 

Yet as he looked down at you staring awe struck up at the sky, he knew he couldn’t just leave you out here alone. Pushing himself off his knees, he groans. “Mind if I join you?” 

You shrug. “Mi casa es tu casa. Or no, wait. Tu casa es mi casa. Get it? Cause this is your house?” You laugh at your own joke. 

Your laughter is infectious, plaguing Jake with a few chuckles of his own. He lays on the damp ground beside you, resting his arms behind his head. “Not really my house, darling. It’s the fraternity’s.” 

“Same thing,” you wave him off. 

The two of you lay there in comfortable silence, watching the night sky. Jake had to admit, this was the most fun he has probably had all night even if you were doing nothing but looking at the sky. 

Out here with you, Jake felt like he could let his guard down. His cocky, playboy, frat boy persona disappeared. When around everyone else, he felt like he was expected to act a certain way but being out here with you, he knew you expected nothing of the sort. 

That was one of the first things that caught him completely off guard when he met you. All it took was one look at him and you were picking him apart, dissecting all of the fronts he put up around others. That’s why you bothered him so much. He barely knew anything about you and somehow, it was like you knew everything about him. You saw through his charms and arrogance, leaving no room for any funny business. 

Jake’s shoulders fall from his ears and he lets himself relax. 

Hearing you shift beside him, he wants to ask you what was on your mind. His curiosity never failed to make itself known when you were around. Again, he knew that you didn’t drink, so why were you absolutely wasted right now? 

The question is on the tip of his tongue, begging to be asked, but he exhales gratefully when you speak up first. 

“My parents are assholes who care about nothing but my grades and their image.” 

He’s not sure if he was meant to hear what you just said or if you realize it’s him that you’re talking to. So he stays quiet and patiently waits for you to continue. 

“It’s parents’ weekend next week and they don’t even bother to answer any of my calls or texts about it. And when I do hear back from them it’s a halfhearted apology that they can’t make because they’re off on the other side of the world.” A dry laugh escapes you. “I don’t know what I was thinking when I invited them. I knew they weren’t going to show up, whether they were actually here or not. I mean… is it too much to ask for them to just show up and be proud of me?” 

Jake sits up with a frown on his lips upon hearing your voice crack. He hesitates, unsure of what to say. He was never good at the whole comfort thing, especially when it came to crying girls. He used to try to comfort his sisters when they would cry, but he always just seemed to make things worse. He didn’t want to make you feel worse than you already did. “I’m sure they’re proud of you, Ace. They’d be idiots not to be.” 

You scoff, seemingly sobering up just enough to push yourself to sit up beside him. “I guess they’re idiots then.” 

Jake’s mouth runs faster than his brain can manage to keep up.“Hey, at least you have parents. I mean...look at Bradley.” 

That pulls a snort and a teary laugh from you. “Oh my god! Jesus, Seresin…” You’re laughing. You feel bad that you are, but the delivery of Jake’s words was so nonchalant that you couldn’t help but burst out laughing. “You’re insane.” 

He joins in your laughter, glad that he was able to pull your attention from your inner turmoil even if it was just for a minute. “What? Am I wrong?” 

“You’re not, but come on. That was so uncalled for,” you shake your head in amusement. 

Jake sends you a toothy grin, captivated by the way your smile grows. 

“Jake!” The sound of another feminine voice catches both of your attention. The blonde he left inside earlier was running down the porch steps and in their direction. “There you are,” the girl exclaims, throwing her arms around him as she joins him on the ground. She presses an obnoxiously loud kiss to his neck with a smile. “I’ve been waiting for you, Cowboy.” 

As if suddenly realizing where you were and who you were with, you tuck your chin to your sternum and avoid his gaze. He grimaces in the other girl’s hold.“Ace–”

You go to stand, still wobbling from the alcohol but you’re coherent enough to know where you were going. “Looks like duty calls, Hangman.”

The girl gives you a cheeky smile as she moves her lips from his neck to the side of his face.  

He doesn’t miss the somber note of your tone. Jake watches you sway on your feet as you make your way back inside. He wants to reach out to you, beg you to stay but he holds himself back. With a sigh, he pulls the girl who’s clinging to his side up to her feet and flashes her a halfhearted grin. 

Even with his newfound company, Jake couldn’t get you out of his head. 

True to his word, Jake never left your side since you woke up. If the doctor’s needed to personally evaluate your condition, he would step outside but immediately come back in once the doctor gave him the okay. 

Your parents haven’t made another appearance since that first day and you were relieved. Your friends have been in and out of your hospital room once you were moved to the regular hospital floor from Urgent Care. 

Your body was still pretty weak due to the severity of your injuries but you felt stronger than you have in weeks. Being surrounded by your friends, your family, gave you some of that strength back. Most important of all, being with Jake had you feeling invincible. 

The doctors were thrilled with your rate of recovery and predicted you would be discharged in the next couple of days. 

Though Jake kept his promise to you, you still had a sliver of doubt about where the two of you stood relationship wise. You tried to bring it up a couple of times, but Jake would only respond with a shake of his before telling you not to worry about it now. 

You were just a bit afraid that this was his way of letting you down easily. That this was his way of telling you that he loved you, but he just couldn’t be in a relationship with you anymore. 

But then he’d do something as small as brushing your hair gently from your face as you ate or held your hand before you fell asleep at night and that little bit of worry would subside, if only for a moment. 

You’re laughing at Reuben’s lame attempt to sink Nat’s battleship when Jake gives you a quick kiss on the cheek muttering a soft, “I’ll be right back,” into your ear. 

You shoot him a soft smile and nod, before returning your attention to your friends’ antics. 

Meanwhile, Jake makes a quick run to the coffee machine down the hall. He barely makes it five steps there when he runs into someone right outside your door. 

He looks up and almost spews out an apology before realizing exactly who he ran into. 

The look of distaste that falls upon his face is anything but subtle. 

Your mother shares a look with your father, who sneers at the sight of him. 

Being born and raised by his southern gentleman of a father and kind hearted mother, he knew he still had to show some respect towards your parents despite his dislike for them. 

He gives them a nod as a form of greeting and silently prays that they let him slip past them. 

“You should leave now before it gets worse,” your mother speaks up. 

Jake knew he should probably ignore it. Leave your mother without the satisfaction of getting under his skin. But he couldn’t. He stops in his tracks. Glaring at them from over his shoulder, he hissed, “Excuse me?” 

Your mother only shrugs, pulling her handbag tighter over her shoulder. “She’s not worth your time or the trouble. Trust us. As her parents, we would know. How does it make you feel? Knowing you must mean so little to her that she didn’t even mention your existence to her parents.”

Jake was finally tired of biting his tongue. No one, not even your own parents, talked about you like that. Not if he could help it. “With all due respect, I know she didn’t tell you about me and frankly, I don’t blame her considering the way you treat your daughter. Besides, how would either of you know anything? You’re never here so you’d never know just how worth it your daughter is. I would walk through hell for her. Something I know neither of you would ever do.

So no, you don’t know. You don't know just how thoughtful and sweet and caring she is. You don’t know just how incredibly smart she is. Most of all, you would never understand that she is worth everything.” 

Jake is breathless at the end of his speech. His chest heaves as he catches his breath and harshly swallows from his passionate spiel. You were everything and the idea that anyone would think otherwise astonished him. 

Your mother barely bats an eye. “Well, I guess you wouldn’t mind completely taking her off our hands then. Considering she moved so far away from us for college, you can tell my daughter to not even bother coming back home to visit us because apparently, we’re never here for her anyway.” She storms past Jake in suppressed fury, muttering to herself, “The Bahamas!” 

Your father, on the other hand, pauses for a moment. He opens his mouth like he wants to say something and glances through the doorway before looking back at Jake and clearing his throat. “Just, um, just tell her the hospital bill will be taken care of once it comes in the mail.” He gives one last look at your hospital room before scurrying in the same direction your mother had gone. 

A sigh of relief escapes Jake’s lips from the encounter, diminishing his prior craving for caffeine. 

He makes his way back into the room to see three pairs of eyes settled on him. Jake’s a bit unnerved at all the attention he’s receiving and he’s slightly confused by the way Nat, Reuben, and you were all staring at him. 

He nervously chuckles, running a hand down the back of his neck. 

Reuben suddenly stands up, grabbing his battleship board. “I think we should continue this outside, right Nat?” 

She nods with a smile grabbing her board as well. “Yeah, let’s. We’ll give you two a minute.” Natasha squeezes your hand as she ushers out of the room. 

Jake shifts back and forth on his feet, feeling a heat of embarrassment flow through him. “You heard all of that, didn’t you?” 

A look he can’t fully decipher on your face. “Yeah, I did.” 

“I am so sorry if I crossed a line I just—“

“I love you.” You cut him off teary eyed. 

“What?” He breathes, the wideness of his growing smile no longer contained. 

You give him a smile of your own that matches the look of love and pure happiness that lights up his features. “I said I love you. I heard you, that first night you stayed over but I was too afraid to say it back. Just in case you didn’t mean it the way I did anymore. But then you…” 

Jake cups your face in his hands, nodding to encourage you to take your time. 

“But then I heard what you said to my parents and no one has ever stood up for me that way.” 

His thumbs begin to trace gentle patterns onto the apples of your cheeks. 

“I guess what I’m trying to say is that I love you and I’m sorry if I ever made you feel otherwise.” A tear finally escapes from the corner of your eye that gets gently pressed away by Jake’s lips. 

“Oh, sweetheart. I’m sorry if I ever made you doubt my love.” 

You shake your head, desperately hoping he understands that none of that matters now. “You’re here now. That’s what matters. I love you, Jake Seresin.” 

Finally, after days of waiting, he kisses you softly on the lips. It’s not rough or hungry, despite how long he’s been waiting for this moment. It’s soft, delicate, and full of love. It’s passionate and heartwarming. It’s the kind that you could feel all the way to the tips of your toes. Just like the first time. 

“I love you, Ace. You’ll never have to doubt that again.” 

Your relationship, just like your body, wasn’t one hundred percent healed. There were still many things the two of you had to talk about. 

However, knowing that Jake loved you didn’t make the unspoken parts so scary. Having him, loving him, is enough. 

a/n: a super duper, huge thank you to @blue-aconite for beta reading and being just the best support system through this entire journey <3 she even swayed my original plans for this so you should thank her for jake and ace getting back together sooner that anticipated lol as usual, reblogs, feedback, and comments are all greatly appreciated and the inbox is always open

add yourself to my taglist! 

tgm taglist: @joaquinwhorres​ @harrycherrylove @smoothdogsgirl​ @t-nd-rfoot​ @dempy​ @ollyoxenfrees​ @potato-girl99981​ @averyhotchner​ @2guysonascooter​ @loveforaugust​ @blue-aconite​ @fandom-life-12​ @stiles-banshees​ @iamdannyday​ @hotch-meeeeeuppppp​ @breezemood​ @eli2447​ @angelbabyange​ @finelytaylored​ @pono-pura-vida​ @hecate-steps-on-me​ @blueoorchid​ @aviatorobsessed​ @blackwidownat2814​ @hallecarey1​ @averagereader35​ @laneylovesglen​ @atarmychick007​ @kajjaka​ @urfavelocagirl​ @clancycumber230

[kazehita]

hi! i noticed your recent post recommending the fic natural satellite and i think i've noticed other isat fics around your blog too. because of that, i was wondering if you had a list of recommended isat fics! i will admit i am not someone who just peruses around on ao3 but i love reading about these characters so if you have any recs, i would greatly appreciate them! thanks and i hope you have a lovely day :3

I love ALL isat fic - each and every one is so special and wonderful - but if I listed the whole archive that wouldn't really help huh... So! Im going to list just some off the top of my head., this is in no way definitive. Isat spoilers ahead - get all the way through the game and the secret before proceeding.

Big recommendation list below:

Additionally, mind the tags for each fic - I wont be specifying the content warnings here.

(don't just read the complete ones!!! Incomplete fic is just as delightful I promise :3)

Complete: Bloom - Level99Eevee Most people know it, it sits at the top of the tag! It's my every wish fulfilled for post-cannon moments.

Memories of defeat - dirtbagtrashcat Stuff in and immediately after the loops, fantastic extrapolations!!!! Very much Loop <33 I find this very grounded and realistic!!!!

Emotion Sickness - dirtbagtrashcat Post cannon fun/trauma with siffrin and the gang.

Memories of Touch - dirtbagtrashcat look i just really like their work sjkdjkfjkasdf its all good go through their profile. This is Isa thoughts.

And if I were not myself, would this be easier? - rabbit_soup Post-game! I love how they flesh out the world.

The Understudy - kittyorange Suuuuch a loop fic I love it to bits. Post cannon loop and the gang stuff.

Star-Speckled Skin - Lora_Blackmane Funn angsty moment, title is very descriptive. Lives in my head rent free.

Clinging to dying embers - Coffeewolf67 Odile's perspective of sif using the dagger. appropriate content warnings apply :)

between the end and a new start - glowingjellyfishtreelights SICKFICCC I had a very funny experience with this one where due to memory mishaps I got to read it for the first time twice! Absolute banger.

What's in a name? - Raaj Explores siffrins love of plays. I have to regularly reread this for my brain to function.

Starstruck - Dusk_Illusionist Isa yearns. The fic. It rocks.

Saturn Devouring His Son (Time Choking on Stone Choking on Blood)- BasilPaste Post cannon moment... I like it...

(Why) you can't let them know by Mayasynth sasasap fic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i like it. i hold it. i like it. UGH theres more but I have already listed so many.. my other favorites... im so sorry.,.. i love you guys too... Incomplete:

How To Rest by rabbit_soup Sequel to "And if i were not myself, would this be easier?" Loop is here and I love violence.

TRY IT AGAIN, CHEATER! by discatded "[Loop returns to their own universe after everything. It's hard.]" - from the summary. Love it love it. I will never get enough of this premise.

To Extend our Reach to the Stars Above by Cinnamin_Is_a_Star "Sif if he was team rocket" and is so fun. Very excited to see this one pan out!

until we move on. by Anonymous (also known as lozy) LOOP MY BELOVED..! loop returns to their universe and promptly looses it like the universe intended. Cant get enough of it.

Natural Satellite by dirtbagtrashcat If a single fic makes me the Most insane its natural satellite if I'm honest.... like bro... It just gets right to me...

Sunder by Miranda_tries_their_best Post-cannon Loop fic!! They travel on their own for a bit (but not forever), and I love it dearly.

Face the Light by Kaimiiru Post-game, I hold it close to my heart.... Ah... It's so dear to me.

These next two are sloop so if that's not your thing you have been warned :]

raconte-moi qu’on puisse crier tout bas by bibliomaniac I'm holding this high above my head so everyone can see it the characterization is off the charts.

To Cut You Open With a Knife and Find Your Sacred Heart by Hexea_Art Changeling Loop fic!! What a fun concept. I am excited to see where it goes. yay! AGAIN... THERE ARE SO MANY I LOVE SO MUCH but im forcing myself not to look through the tag else I'd add everything. Honestly, I do recommend just launching right on into the ao3 tag for ISAT even if you aren't super familiar with ao3. Just be sure to filter out anything you don't want to see!

Consider this a good starting point ^^

[me-paina]

AO3 Recommendations Part 2

Previous recommendations - Part 1

Next - Part 3

Hey so, I haven't done this in a long while but I wanna recommend some AO3 fics that I have read and loved these past few years. I'll put a limit because I can go on and on, so 12 fics per fandom. (multifandom person >:))

(Oldest to newest bookmarks of mine)

UNDERTALE -

1. Because I Trust You by WrittenKinzy18 (Complete)

(I love all of their fics! you should read the Winged Multiverse series)

2. Soulless by ItzZaira (Complete)

(ItzZaira fics are always amazing no matter what fandom!)

3. Silent Stars by fifi11 (Hasn't updated - 2022) :((

(This is a sad one guys, so, buckle up.)

4. My Fault by Keelynoelle (Complete)

(I read this a long time ago but I know there was some good brother bonding moments and Grillby being amazing (made me emotional))

5. From Murder to Dust by Clichely (Complete)

(Really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really dark. Good one though)

6. Steel and Stripes by Lady Quo  (Hasn't updated - 2021) :(((

(This is just adorable. ¡Tiny sans alert! Older papyrus!)

7. Fatigue by duckydotducky (Hasn't updated - 2021) :(((

(Monsters are really untreated fairly, at least one human is nice. )

8. An Err in Communication by TheVoidIsMyHome (Complete)

(Mute Error. Literally love this concept.)

9. Inquisitive by Another_thing (Hasn't updated - 2020) :((((

(You don't know how much I love FGOD Error, I go crazy for it. Why is Nightmare's gang so wholesome, I swear, I love them so much)

10. ZombieTale by Kamisori (On going)

(I literally can't describe how amazing this fic is. This has helped me get through so much over the years. Thank you for making this amazing fic!)

11. Serif One by samlysam (Complete)

(Sans, and Papyrus, are going through so much There are a lot of fics where Gaster is bad but it still hurts. I'm glad Red, Alphys, Undyne, Edge and Miss Toriel were there for them.)

12. Scenic Our House by grubbin (On going)

(If you don't say Snowy is the best character ever, then I'm not being your friend. I love this rendition of the machine bringing skeletons here.)

ROTTMNT -

(ROTTMNT/12 TMNT)

1. The wrong side of the portal by ItzZaira (On going)

(See I told you they are good at writing. This is just so heartbreaking for Leo (2018) but don't worry I swear it gets better.)

(ROTTMNT/12 TMNT)

2. Stranger Danger by Balkanbitch (On going)

(The Mikey's switched places. I think it's good for Mikey (2012) to have a break and be in the ROTTMNT universe. Not so sure about Mikey (2018) though, I mean he could help the others and make them act to be better family, but on the other hand, the krang is still here, and as we have seen, it can cause a lot of PTSD and other issues.)

(ROTTMNT/12 TMNT)

3. Dagger From the Mirror by TotallyNotASecretAO3Account (Complete)

(Dagger from the Mirror is dark, hahaha, but Stranger in the Mirror the sequel of it (you should read it too) is a lot darker and also gets better (eventually))

(ROTTMNT/12 TMNT)

4. Presumed Dead by Minor_Inconvenience23 (Hasn't updated - 2023) :(

(The 2012 gang is so caring! I love Leo angst if you couldn't tell.)

(ROTTMNT/12 TMNT)

5. Displaced by spiromachia (Hasn't updated - 2023) :(

(PB & J duo is amazing. I love this so much.)

(ROTTMNT)

6. Power Up by pickledcarrotsandradish (On going)

(Leo angst again. This is just sad. new power up and it's to heal or rather take the pain away and give it do himself. :( he is just so sacrificial.)

(ROTTMNT)

7. Fading Memories by HellsTrojanHorse (Complete)

( This reminds me too much of when my grandpa passed. it's been 2 years. This fic made me cry. Their writing style is so beautiful. The way they write, and show their emotions in the words are just perfect. This fan-fic just reminded me that I'm not alone in feeling this grief. )

(ROTTMNT/12TMNT/03TMNT/87TMNT)

8. A Mixed Bag by GreatlyBlessed (Hasn't updated - 2023) :(

(All of the turtle's mixed together to find away out and find each other :3)

(ROTTMNT)

9. This Was(n't) About You by uncouth_peasant (Complete)

(When Leo decided to tell no one of these self-sacrificial ways… Well this is the result.)

(ROTTMNT/12TMNT/03TMNT/87TMNT)

10. B.E.A.S.T by SkylerSkyhigh (Complete)

(The Rise boys aren't violent, they're just traumatic)

(ROTTMNT/12 TMNT)

11. The Purple Conundrum by Donnies_Lady_87 (On going)

(The Purple Turtles swapped, but instead of teenagers, they swapped when they were tots, and now everything is going to be different when they grow up.)

(ROTTMNT/12 TMNT/03 TMNT/87 TMNT/Bay TMNT/IDW TMNT/07 TMNT/Last Ronin/19 TMNT/16 game TMNT/19 Power Rangers TMNT)

12. Multiverse of Michelangelo by Srae13 (Complete)

(Mikey, why are you stealing your counterparts?)

MARVEL -

1. Take These Broken Shards (I’m bleeding out) by DaniWib (Complete)

(This is so scary, heartbreaking and terrifying yet Peter Parker & The Avengers bonding is so adorable at the same time. I am so glad that the Avengers are here to help. That shit-bastard, Skip Westcott can go and dig his own grave.)

2. Reintroducing Hope by Fernandidilly_yo (Complete)

(I am actually so shocked... I can't believe how amazing this Fic is. Peter is so precious, and the adventures are such an amazing family.)

3. Child's Play by theoneandonlyfishboy (Complete)

(Why is Marvel fics so emotional.)

4. Somewhere You Can Be Safe by sarcasmismyweapon (Complete)

(Switched, well transported to another timeline... Wow, and these Avengers are much more Domestic.)

5. The Avengers vs The Peter Factor bymidnightwolf2192

(Hasn't updated - 2023) :(

(The Peter factor is working really well!)

6. You Screamed For So Long We Forgot To Care Anymore by GalaxyThreads (Complete)

(I love Loki so much, and seeing him like this breaks my heart! Poor Loki.)

7. Dysfunctional by InkpotGod97 (Complete)

(This is a dysfunctional family.)

8. Not Everyone Deserves a Second Chance byJustRandomStories

(Complete)

(This is so insane, I love this so much, the new avengers are so amazing, and the rogues are honestly dickheads. I love the red three, they are the best.)

9. from your perspective, the world is flat by blueh (Complete)

(Identity reveal for Peter, and to his Academic Decathlon Team. I mean he took it better than I'd expected. the Avengers are so nice! Read the second part as well peter parker's guide on secret identity fails :D)

10. Formalities by Terranpheum (Complete)

(This is an amazing fanfic, oh my gosh! The way everyone just enters Peter's apartment and hangs out with him is amazing. I love the bond everyone has with Peter, it's precious and it's like everyone just adopted him (I mean that's kinda what happened). Towards the end, it got really sad but I'm glad Peter knows he has support now.)

11. The Other Stark by Angst_gremlin (On going)

(Oh... Holy... I have no words. Honestly, This is one of the most heartbreaking stories I have ever read on Ao3. My heart aches for Peter, the sheer neglect he faces daily from everyone is just making me so angry, like WTF do any of you guys have common sense? Do you know what this can do to someone's mindset, A CHILD no less? He doesn't deserve that treatment, hell no one does.)

12. Neon Liar (Hiding in Plain Sight) by isaDanCurtisproduction (Complete)

(This is one of the Best Field Trips to SI fics. There is so much Fluff and a good amount of Angst. Oh, and you can't forget the embarrassment Peter gets. I love this so much, the way the Avengers interact with Peter. My favourite part is when everyone thought he was skipping school. The text messages were priceless!)

Am I crazy... Yes

[lu-dao-writes]

A Turn of Events (Keir x Reader)

◌⃘❀Synopsis The universe can be kind just as it can be cruel.

Warning(s) Violence, blood, death, injury, mutual pining between you and Keir, gn!reader, quickly edited.

A/N There’s barely any fanfiction for this fandom so I’m gonna try to help out lol. This man… Surprisingly he’s at the top of my list. Cirrus was at the forefront, but he is a bit too intense for me lol. Still like him tho! It’s just that Keir thoroughly got me captivated 🥰. I also hope I’ve written him well enough. ✿

The newest addition to Mouse Hole was a man that goes by the name Bones. He’s quiet, speaks only when spoken to, or when it’s important enough, but he’s got good skills. Quick on his feet, stealthy like a shadow, and good with his fists and knives.

The gang took a liking to him, especially Griff. Your opinion of him was mostly neutral, not that you didn’t like him or anything, you just don’t talk often, and you’re mostly glued to Keir’s side.

A new job was just assigned to you from Oleander, and Keir decided to let both you and Bones take it. It’d be your first job without the others, and having the responsibility of looking after a newbie. 

The job was fairly straightforward: Find the loot some rich fuck was hiding and get out. Oleander would only be there to help distract. 

You were nervous, but excited to prove yourself in this mission. 

Oleander had provided attires and new masks for both you and Bones, which you were grateful for; he even said you could keep it. 

“Think of this as a gift from a friend, especially since you’re doing this for me~.”

As you make your way towards Lave, Halo, Griff, Keir, Oleander, and Bones, you don’t hear as Keir’s breath catches in his throat, his ears slowly becoming a different shade at the sight of you. 

Griff teasingly jabs him with his elbow, Keir giving him a glare behind the cloth of his mask. 

Oleander whistles at you, and you give a little spin and strike a pose, reveling in the attention. 

“You look dashing. A lovely choice I must say.”

“I certainly have to agree,” you reply to Oleander before thanking him. 

Bones, as usual, remains silent, giving you a nod of approval.

Lave and Halo chip in with their approval of your attire, and you finally notice just how quiet Keir’s been. 

“Oi, Keir? Cat got your tongue or something?” you tease, coming closer to him, your giddiness growing as you spot the flush on his ears. 

“Shut up,” Keir grunts, putting his head in his hands. 

“You… You look good,” he eventually mutters out.

It makes you smile softly behind your mask, your cheeks becoming warm. “Geez, was that so hard to say? You sound like a strangled cat.”

Keir scoffs and flicks you, getting a laugh from you. 

“We should do a rundown of the plan before we go,” Bones cuts in, shattering the slight intimate moment. 

“Right,” Keir replies, clearing his throat. 

The plan was Oleander would come in first and eventually you and Bones will follow after. Oleander will distract, and you both will hunt for the goods. 

“Don’t get too cocky. This is just to see how you work together, and how you can do without us,” Keir reminds you both sternly. 

“We’ll be careful,” you declare with a firm nod. 

The mission was going fine.

You and Bones had enjoyed a bit of food and drink before getting to work, finding the room where the loot was. It was a big treasure chest filled to the brim with coin, jewels, pearls, jewelry, and there even was a treasure map and a jeweled dagger.

You both took the map, dagger, and jewelry, knowing these will probably be good for Oleander, and then you grab what you could of the other items, knowing it’ll help out the people of Mouse Hole. 

“Here, I’ll hold everything,” Bones declared, taking the stuff, you had off you before you could refuse him. You let him, not exactly seeing an issue.

“Alright let’s get outta here,” you murmur. You both planned to leave out a different way rather than the front door, but you weren’t expecting to run right into a guard that was patrolling the hall. It was a rookie mistake, but it could have gone smoother.

It happened suddenly. One minute you were near Bones, and then suddenly you felt something white hot at your side, a strangled cry leaving your lips. 

Footsteps speed away past you, and you’re suddenly tossed aside like a ragdoll. But despite the pain you were in, you can’t afford to waste a second, otherwise you’ll definitely be dead. 

Your foot slams into the guard’s nether regions and snatch his blade, thrusting it into his throat, and his body sagging to the floor, choking on his own blood as his life slowly fades away. 

With adrenaline guiding you, you run, never stopping. You escape out a window, continuing to flee from that damned place and shoving your way past the people wondering the streets.

The world starts to spin, black spots painting your vision and beginning to blind you. Soon you drop, your body crashing into the rough ground, your legs cold and weak like jello.

You don’t have time to think or feel anything other than pure exhaustion and pain.

But you do think of Keir’s face as you black out. 

[imtheyellow]

hey you! want some rise fic recs?! *throws*

=Like Father Like Son

Leo gets kidnapped by draxum and HEAVY angst happens

=The Aftermath

aftermath of the movie, very well written

=Emphaty Amplified

Mikey does mystic stuff but angsty way

=odd man out

peepaw Leo comes back (he's a cool guy)

=B.E.A.S.T

TMNT crossover where 18 boys are scary

=Blood is Thicker than Ooze

Donnie is raised by draxum and refuses to see draxum is a bad person

=Every Night the Longest Day

in which Leo can't sleep but make it angsty

=Where in the World is Neon Leon?

Leo centric angst throughout the show + movie

=Tales of the Spirits

atla x rottmnt crossover, good plot

=In Which Donnie and Leo Make Themselves Everyone Else's Problem in an NYC That Isn't Even Their Own

the title speaks for itself. it's very funny

=I May Be Invisible, But I Still Look Good

Leo gets cursed and becomes a ghost

=Mystic Hands

F!Mikey comes to past and does no bullshit

=Eldest Brother

Raph goes to 2012 universe and suddenly has 4 new bros

=Tapping Out

disaster twins help each other when they are having though times

= Trial and Error

peepaw Leo comes back (he's an asshole at first)

= Mutants Ninja Midlife Crisis

peepaw Leo comes back (he is a grumpy old man but he is trying)

=The Jersey Incident

2012 x 2018 crossover and rise Leo is not having a good time

=The Call Back Home

Leo has nightmares and they turn out to be real

=Would It Really Matter

a ring gets stuck in Leo's finger and he becomes invisible

=Singing An Addolorato

slice of life stuff from rise gang

=the question is violence and the answer is pizza

2012 x 2018 chat fic, funny stuff

=The Same Little Faces

Leo becomes a turtle tot and its the most adorable thing I've ever seen

=Last Grain Of Sand In The Hourglass

peepaw Leo comes back instead of young Leo from Mikey's portal

=We'll Meet Again Soon

peepaw Leo comes back and yeesh

=Dagger from the Mirror

2012 x 2018 crossover but rise gang is kidnapped by Kraang (they are evil)

=Power Up

Leo's portals comes with a little twist (angst happens)

=At My Worst

peepaw Leo is stuck in young Leo's mind

trust me I've read more fics than these and these are the best ones I've read. also PLEASE tell me if you have any fic recs IM STARVING 😭😭

[bp-zb1fics]

Yelling

pairing: kum junhyeon x bp trainee reader

genre: canon, fluff, humour, crack

tw/tags: a lot of yelling, seunghwan is a tired boi, shirtless kum junhyeon, ggang team chaos, very slight suggestive themes towards the end

wc: 1024

summary: when junhyeon gets a little too loud, it’s time to call for reinforcements. You come to claim your morning cuddles.

a/n this turned out longer than I expected it to be but anyways, a love letter for our all-rounder and master of variety, hope you all enjoy! Trying my best to do more bp trainee fics before zb1 starts activities since I’ll probably do more fics about the members!

Check my pinned for more fics~

It’s a perfectly peaceful morning at the Boys Planet dorm. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping-

“YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-”

-and Kum Junhyeon is yelling.

“-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-”

He’s always yelling.

“-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-”

Except for when he’s sleeping, eating or seriously practicing,

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-”

It’s quite normal for him to exceed maximum volume capacity.

“-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-”

Only Seunghwan had gotten approximately 3 hours of sleep and he’d like to get a few more before they actually have to get up for a long day of practice.

“-AAAAAAAAAAAAAA-”

Times like this is when he wished that any other team had been open when Sung Hanbin had moved him out of Tomboy.

“-AAAAAAAAAAA!!”

Literally any other team.

“.....”

And just when he goes back to dreaming about making the Top 9 or maybe even going home for the break and getting to sleep in his own, blessedly quiet bedroom…

“YA! YOU BRATS COME BACK HERE OR I”LL-”

A series of expletives follows, too colorful for Seunghwan to even wonder how Junhyeon at his young age knows. Ggang’s tired leader sits up, staring daggers at Chen Jianyu who, in all this chaos, manages to stay dead asleep. If only he could. 

And since Seunghwan’s day can only get better, the door flies open and slams shut, Jianyu stirring a little in his sleep before settling back into slow, even breathing. Seunghwan wants to strangle them all, seriously and it isn’t even Jianyu’s fault.

Lee Jeonghyeon and Mun Junghyun stare up at him sheepishly from where they’re crouched on the floor, one of them holding what looks like Junhyeon’s practice clothes. Which means-

Seunghwan resists the urge to commit murder which has been a thought on his mind more than what should be usual. While they are three years apart, the other Wakeonez called them the demon twins and now Seunghwan was acutely aware of why. Before they can say anything, Seunghwan shushes them. At this rate, he figures that he either kicks them out to the hall and Junhyeon starts yelling at them or Junhyeon finds them and starts yelling. All scenarios end with Junhyeon yelling, he thinks, there’s no scenario where Seunghwan wins and gets a few more hours of sleep. Unless-

Reaching for his phone, Seunghwan dials the number that the Back Door team advised he call for Junhyeon volume control.

__________________________________________

You’re jolted awake by your phone, vibrating quietly beside you. Without looking at the contact, you answer it, sneaking a glance at your two roommates, both fast asleep.

“Yes it is” 

You confirm when the caller asks for your name.

“Ah, this is Lee Seunghwan from the Gang team. Listen, I’m really sorry to disturb you but Junhyeon is-”

__________________________________________

Seunghwan hangs up from the call and sends a silent prayer to the universe for strength to deal with his demons team.

As if on cue, the door swings open and there he is, in all his glory, Kum Junhyeon, with his hair still damp from the shower, a towel wrapped around his waist and his nostrils flaring with a fury. The offenders shriek, scramble off the floor and conveniently find themselves on top of Junhyeon’s bed. Seunghwan braces himself.

“YA! HOW DARE YOU-”

Three things happen simultaneously. The door shuts, Junhyeon freezes and Jianyu finally wakes up. 

You survey the scene before you and sigh, turning to your boyfriend. Trying your best to remain composed, you fix him with a dead eyed stare, pointedly ignoring the droplets of water beading down his flat stomach. While it’s not Kim Jiwoong’s abs, it’s still doing things to you.

“Ah Hyeoni, what’s this I hear about you yelling so early in the morning? And walking around like this? Ya, you know there are kids here.”

You see the gears in his head turning before he drops his posture and says your name, laying the aegyo thick the way he does whenever you scold him. While you’re unfazed, the rest of the room’s occupants visibly cringe.

“Junhyeonie was showering and those meanies took Junhyeonie’s clothes so Junhyeonie chased them and told them to give back-”

You decide to stop him before Seunghwan actually commits murder.

“Mhmm well get your clothes back and come to my room. It’s early, let’s sleep a bit more before breakfast.”

So after extracting his clothes from Junghyun, who’s still in shock from the aegyo overload they had all borne witness to, Junhyeon trails after you, clutching them close to his chest with one hand and letting you drag him by the other.

As soon as the door closes behind the two of you, Seunghwan heaves the biggest sigh of relief. With one look at his teammates all dozing off as well, he finally closes his eyes and gets the sleep he needs.

__________________________________________

You love Junhyeon morning cuddles. Well, you love any kind of Junhyeon cuddles.

But there’s something about mornings and trying your best to burrow yourself into the blanket as he wraps his arms around you and tangles your feet together. Your roommates are still fast asleep and unbothered though you know they’re going to tease you later when they wake up and find Junhyeon in your bed.

You look up and he’s looking at you, your bodies so close that it’s almost impossible to tell where you end and he begins. You’re still a little distressed from witnessing his post-shower glory and so you tug him forward into a lingering kiss. He chases your lips, hands sliding to hold yours.

His breath goes a little shaky as you trail soft kisses across his cheeks and down his neck before returning to his lips. He wishes it could last longer but soon the fatigue from weeks of grueling practice and lost sleep sets in. You rest your head against the back of his neck, spooning him as he holds your hand, pressing kisses to your knuckles.

“Love you Hyeoni.”

You say, voice muffled as you bury your face into him.

“Love you too.”

He says so softly that you almost don’t hear it as you doze off. But you do because even when he whispers, Junhyeon’s love for you yells for the whole universe to hear. And you heard him.

[nimuetheseawitch]

He's good and he's bad and he's all that I've got

Chapters: 1/? Fandom: Top Gun (Movies) Rating: Mature Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw/Jake "Hangman" Seresin, Minor or Background Relationship(s) Characters: Jake "Hangman" Seresin, Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw, Javy "Coyote" Machado, Natasha "Phoenix" Trace, Robert "Bob" Floyd, Beau "Cyclone" Simpson, Chester "Hammer" Cain, "Dagger" Training Detachment Aviators (Top Gun) Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Western, Hurt/Comfort, Whump, Bandits & Outlaws, Con Artists, Historical Inaccuracy, Implied/Referenced Torture, Established Relationship, Canonical Character Death, POV Multiple, Kidnapping, Tags May Change Summary:

Long before Hangman became notorious for making his living parting rich men from their money at the card tables, there was just Jake Seresin. But between a gang of outlaws with a grudge taking up residence in the town he used to call home and an ambitious US Marshal, it looks like his luck may have just run out. Jake's two worlds are colliding, and hopefully he can survive long enough to apologize to Bradley for who he's had to become.

[unordinary-diary]

Prison Tattoos

“Rule number one for surviving prison: the tougher you look, the easier your ability to choose the person you want to be while you’re inside. Be labeled or perceived as a punk, a bitch, or a weakling, and you will have your public perception on the inside chosen for you. So you can lift weights, learn to fight, practice snarling in a mirror — you can do all these things, but none of them will accomplish as much for you as getting a [good] tattoo.” — Chris Dankovich in The Tales of a Former Prison Tattoo Artist

An alternative idea to my first, more pessimistic Season 3 Prediction, in which they find him looking a little more like this ^

For the tattoo designs I did a lot of research and I chose them carefully. The snake tattoo I chose because it is: A. Not affiliated with any particular real-world gang, B. Common among white prisoners (many prison tattoos are racially specific), and C. Notably, not a nazi thing (I did check). Snake tattoos can sometimes symbolize change or rebirth because of the way they shed their skin, but there doesn’t seem to be any one, universal meaning for them. For Blyke here, I thought it would serve as a message to other inmates: “Don’t touch me, I’m venomous.”

The rose with a dagger through it can mean many things in the free world, but in prison it means someone was locked up before they reached adulthood. I don’t know if people typically get this as kids or if they get them when they grow up (probably the latter), but I imagine that Blyke gets it because: “I was a kid when they locked me up. But now... I’m a man. Grr, hng, and other macho man noises.”

More versions of the drawing below the cut

Latest chapter as of Prediction: Side Story — Triple Threat (2)

[arcane-vagabond]

Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers! Spread the self-love 💞

Hey Quincy!! Ohhhhh let me think...

In no particular order...

Fool's Fare - Pirate!AU with Jake "Hangman" Seresin

Don't Hang'em Til Noon - Wild West!AU with Jake "Hangman" Seresin

Amhrán na Farraige - Selkie!AU with Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw

We Abide - Apocalypse!AU with Tyler Owens

Road to Perdition - 1930s!Mobster!AU with Jake "Hangman" Seresin

[ghostgal2]

Killer!Chosen AU (not finished yet)

The Killer!Chosen AU is a Universe where Alan decided to name The Chosen One "Killer" instead

Characters: (still workshopping the names for KillerAu!Orange and KillerAU!Dark)

AVA TRIO:

Victim: His origins are the same, but instead of being set on defeating Alan, he is set on capturing and permanently trapping Killer.

Killer(35): From the moment he was created, he was set on Killing (his name says it all), and Is now the antagonist instead of a Protagonist. His Main weapons are 2 daggers and a spear he made from the line tool from Alan's PC.

The Life Giver/TLG(34) (tdl): Almost a complete opposite to their Dark Lord counterpart, instead of being a (mostly) cold hearted killer, They are now set on helping people, He lives in regret for nog stopping Killer's rampage on the Net. They now live with Color Gang and Alan on Alan's PC.

Color Gang:

The Hero/Orange(16): They are much more serious than TSC, but can still have fun, and is still a master musician, they were created by Alan to be a counter to Killer. They unlocked their powers right after Alan temporarily deleted Red, Green, Yellow and Blue. (Alan had some trouble calming Them down). Any Weapons Hero holds can be enchanted with their powers, mostly using their diamond sword.

Red(13): The Youngest of the color gang, and the most energetic, He's got ADHD, He has gloves made by Yellow which have the code of the Minecraft game icon, despite his happy demeanor, he has a vendetta against Killer, since on their first encounter, Killer murdered Red's parrots as a "Lesson", he idolises Orange/Hero. And sees TLG as his big brother (not biologically)

Green(16): Green is mostly the same to his regular counterpart, but his biggest difference is that his right arm is robotic which was made by Yellow. He lost his arm when him and Color Gang fought Killer for the first time. After the Events of Animation vs Minecraft, him and Purple ended up meeting up with Purple more and more, and the two ended up dating.

Blue(17): The oldest of the Color Gang, and the most calm one, like his regular counterpart, he still cooks for CG, and still eats netherwart, but in this universe, He suffered the most during the Color Gang vs Killer fight, with Killer using Yellow's staff to badly burn him, He now needs to wear a soft full body suit, and take healing potions constantly, the scars will eventually heal but it will take a long time. Since the events in AvM Ep28, Him and Yellow have been dating, with Yellow sometimes having to force feed him a healing potion.

[7ndipity]

I saw that ask and poll about who was going to marry first, and I immediately thought to that short period of time everyone was convinced Namjoon was married and had kids.

That's not the reason I chose him tho. I did because I think he'd find "the one" first. Or better said he will make "the one" out of the person he chooses. He'll be so madly in love with this person that he doesn't care anymore. He decides that they're the one rather than waiting for some sort of specific reason or sign of the universe. I think Tae and maybe JK would wait for such a sign. That's also why I think Tae specifically will be the last one to marry. He'd be very picky in who he chooses to marry? He won't date much either because he dates to marry, and not to break up. So if he doesn't see marriage potential, he's not putting time and effort in dating you. (I am totally not projecting here or anything 🙄😂)

Jk would also want to wait for a sign but I think he would feel it more than that it's a sign from the universe. Almost like an epiphany? You'd be doing karaoke at home and you'd be singing and he'd look at you and as if he was just punched in the face with his feelings realises you're the one he wants to mary and spend the rest of his life doing karaoke in the living room.

Jin I think would be kind of traditional in the sense it'd be just like the movies? He finds a partner, spends some time dating, can't really imagine his life with someone else, decides to go for it and propose. Be engaged for a while, have a wonderful wedding, and start the rest of his life with you. No fuss, it just happens naturally.

You wouldn't even be surprised when Hobi announces his engagement. He was always raving about them and was fantasising about marrying them early on the relationship. So no one bats an eye and just asks when the wedding is planned so they can keep the date free.

I somehow think people would be surprised to hear when Jimin is going to get married? I feel like he wouldn't make a big deal out of the relationship with you. Like he would casually announce he has a partner, and then casually bring them out for dinner to meet the gang. Everything is just kind of casual? Very romantic still tho. He'd pull out their chair at the dinner and have his arm on the back of their seat. It just looks like they've been together for forever. The engagement and wedding would have the same vibe.

Okay last but definitely not least. Yoongi would be a bit of a combination of Jin, Namjoon & Jimin? It's a very domestic relationship. Also not a lot of fuss, but like Namjoon, he'd decide that the person he loves will be the one for him. He'd ask for help planning the proposal because he wants to surprise you and be very romantic, some may even say cheesy. So that might be a big thing, but in the way that he'd have a picnic in the park with fairy lights from Hobi and Jin helped with cooking all the meals and the maknae line would make sure everything looks cosy and soft and warm. Namjoon would help with preparing a "speech" when Yoongi wants propose. During the engagement and the planning of the wedding he'd be the person to back everything his partner wants and he would glare daggers at anyone saying they can't have what they wanted. Also the only person not to be afraid or too intimidated to reign you back in with the plans or tell you no. As long as he gets what he wants for the wedding (ie have the boys be his best men and maybe have Holly as flower dog), he's good with anything you want. He's whipped like that

Omg I love this!😭

I agree with you on most points, except maybe on Tae being the last to marry? Mainly bc I kinda see him having a similar epiphany moment like you described with Jk where the two of you are doing something simple or domestic together, like having dinner and talking abt your day, and he would just sorta realize that this is what he wants forever. You and him, together in that moment, are his sign.

And although he loves the idea of the big, romantic proposal(and he might still do that later, once he gets a ring), I think he would end up just saying it, right then and there, while the feeling is still strong in his mind, just "I want to marry you."

[the-children-of-gotham]

Gotham has failed us

Gotham has failed all of us

Gotham is a ruin of filth and people undeserving of the air they breath

Gotham must be cleansed

-The children of Gotham

Meet the gang:

[Nicknames]

[Theme songs]

Elwin: Fair skin with freckles. Short pink curly hair. Missing his left hand. Human. No powers. Uses a whip and other strangulation weapons. Text

Lanira: Dark skin. Waist length white hair. Missing her eyes. Immortal. Ancient magic. Uses a crossbow. Text

Celeste: Tan skin. Shoulder length red hair. Missing some teeth and crooked fingernails. Human. Magic from a spell book. Uses Twin blades. Text

Xyria: Pale skins. Mid-waist length grey hair. Skin taken off (healed). Destroyed uterus (unknown status). Human(?). Powerful magic. Uses a dagger. Text ( +Arixy’s text )

Circe: Dark skin (human form). Purple skin (Hybrios form). Waist length brown hair (human form). White hair (Hybrios form). Scars from being harvested. Hybrios. Magic. Uses her claws, teeth, and antlers. Text

Desdémona: Dark skin. Ear length blue hair. Missing her right leg (prosthetic). Human. Uses twin pistols or a sniper rifle. Text

Iris: Tan skin. Shoulder length black hair. Missing her ears. Human. Blood and body magic. Uses a whip. Text

Marco: Pale skin. Chin length black hair. Missing her tongue. Human. Uses throwing stars. Text

Anastasia: Tan skin. Chin length ginger hair. Has a severe spine injury. Human. Can command animals. Uses brass knuckles. Text

Rose: Tan skin. Shoulder length brown hair. Missing her nose. Has five fingers missing. Human. Magic related to energy. Uses electric batons. Text

Mary: Pale skin. Shoulder length green hair. Messed up lip. Bad burns. Human. Uses guns or a spiked bag. Text

Jaelina: Tan skin. Back length black hair. Wheelchair bound. Human. Uses a pistol or the occasional grenade. Text

Lore:

[Memories]

[The general timeline]

[Training arcs]

Ooc: Hey! For long time followers of this blog, THIS IS THE SAME STORY!

These are the same characters, the same universe, and everything said before is canon. They’ve just gone through a huge story thing behind the scenes and have completely rebranded because of it

Enjoy :D

[cicadianrhythm]

I've been thinking again about the 1987 Beauty and the Beast with Ron Perlman and Linda Hamilton, the one with George R.R. Martin and all the orchestral music. and there's really no way to describe it without devolving into a Stefan sketch. It's got everything. It's got

The conflict between northern and southern ireland.

A ghost painter.

A non-denominational winter's solstice.

The wrist dagger from assassin's creed.

The excavation of a buried ship wreck.

A capital D Deaf street gang that's out for blood.

The Ming dynasty novel Journey to the West.

A pet raccoon.

A justified lake side murder.

The orphan grandson of a "Gypsy King."

A bottomless pit.

A lady cop who plays by her own rules and cares too much.

Subway ne'er-do-wells.

The black plague.

Executive meddling, both in AND out of universe.

A long lost friend who is your adoptive father's real son.

Telepathy.

A ballerina in an abusive relationship.

A mutant baby with a mysterious wasting disease that's cured by love.

A tribute to 16th century philosopher alchemist Paracelsus.

James Hong.

A cave that echoes whispers from across new york city.

A mysterious soothsayer.

Dungeons and dragons.

A young black autistic man who blames himself for his piano teacher's death.

Helicopter sabotage.

And on, and on and on and on, from episodes not even touched by this list. Ron Perlman goes into heat.