#deciding fuck everyone else we are gonna go and get abigail the fuck out of there

[feuer-bluete]

The time has come to make things right You and I must fight for our rights You and I must fight to survive

[vntildavvn]

The Quarry | Interview Ending

Abigail

"It was so dark and I couldn't see anything." Abi began, "It wasn't a normal animal but it wasn't human and I couldn't do anything, I tried so hard to help him but it wasn't good enough, I wasn't fast enough." The officer frowns at her in utter confusion, "Abigail..." They trail off and the girl looks up, red clinging to her like a second skin. "You said that it was your friend, Nicholas -" She shakes her head, "Nick, it wasn't him, he wasn't himself, it wasn't his fault." With an unsure sigh, the officer stares, "What wasn't his fault?" It's silent for a moment and Abi finally speaks, "When he was turning into one of those things, he didn't mean it..." She utters out quietly, "He didn't mean it." This time the words sounded more unsure, taunted by her actual thoughts.

Dylan

"What happened to your hand, Dylan?" The question held a hint of concern, unsure if the young man should instead be in the hospital rather than in a dirty interview room for disease to hurt him even more, but Dylan only shrugs and smiles, more of a grimace as he replies. "It's nothing, it's a precaution or was..." He trails off, dazed but alert all at the same time and the officer clears his throat, "What do you mean by a precaution?" The Lenivy boy looks up as if the man had asked something stupid but he replies to him in a calm voice, the most calm he had been all night. "It was the only option, okay? So I wouldn't turn into a werewolf." The officer raises a brow at the words, "Werewolf?" Now he was sure the boy needed to get that wound seen to, it was as if the unsure tone was dismissed by Dylan as he's quick to look around sharply, "What about Ryan? Was he okay after everything? And the others, did everyone else make it?"

Emma

Emma Mountebank was practically rocking in her seat, a look of disbelief as she eyes the officers with judgement. "I am telling you, it was on the island!" Her voice raises in a sharp annoyance, "It chased me and attacked me and I almost didn't get away!" She confirms, "I told you about the photo, the one on my phone, the proof is right there on my camera!" The officer stares with a look that Emma knew meant he didn't believe her, "Miss -" She cuts into his words quickly, "You're not listening to me." Before the officer could say another word, Emma scoffs and leans back into the metal of the chair, "If you aren't gonna even listen to a word I've said then let me go, I wanna see my friends, I wanna see Abi." At least her friends knew what happened was true, at least they believed her when they lived through the exact same threat.

Jacob

"So you sabotaged the van on purpose?" Jacob's eyes are watery, tears wobbling and threatening to slip, he didn't want to be a weak link to them. "I didn't know what would happen, I just wanted another night with her." The officer writes something down sharply, "Who was it?" Jacob did not understand why he asked but he answered "Emma, I wanted to spend more time with her. We had a moment at the lake but it all went to shit..." It fell quiet before the officer spoke, "What do you mean by that?" Jacob sighs at the officer with an irritated glare, "Oh, I don't know, maybe finding a fucking dead body or being caged next to a monster who used to be my friend, you decide!" The officer stares with some curiosity, "Was the body male or female?" Jacob is quick to look up, "I don't fucking know, I was too busy in trying to get the rotor arm, all I know is that it was gross as shit!" The officer speaks into one of the recorders placed on the table, "Please make a note to investigate further..." Jacob lets out an unsettled sigh as the room falls quiet once more.

Kaitlyn

Kaitlyn Ka was nervous but she didn't show it. Her face is blank as she stares ahead, keeping her breathing steadily calm but it doesn't stop the thundering heart that makes her throat close up with anxious waves engulfing her and making her ears ring that she barely hears the officer who asks another question. "The gun used on Caleb Hackett, it has your fingerprints on it. Would you mind explaining why that is?" The brunette looks up with furrowed brows, a sense of outrage that barely manages to be held down against her words, "He was a fucking werewolf! He tried to kill me and Dylan and if Abi hadn't given me the silver shells then I wouldn't be here in this room right now!" It's the officers uninterested stare that makes Kaitlyn shake her head and scoff, "So you intended to shoot him?" The officer twists at her words, trying to tell a story that was anything but true. "No, that is not what I said, you aren't listening to me!" Shuffling in her seat, she sits forward in anger, "I am trying to tell you that I didn't have a choice, I shot him in self defense not knowing it was him and even if I did, I would do it again because he was trying to kill us and he would have if I didn't do what I did!" She stares at the officer with no doubts, remaining silent.

Laura

"What happened Laura?" The blonde was silent for a few moments, lips in a thin line and face blank as she tried to tell a story that needed to be heard. She felt familiar with the questions, the interrogation tactics, observing Travis Hackett over the months and learning a thing or two and knowing what the officer in front of her wanted to know. "I did this to end the curse, I did this to cure Max and for this whole nightmare to end." She says calmly, "A family was found dead, Miss Kearney." The officer replied, "The Hackett family, Constance Hackett was found shot dead, Jedidiah Hackett was strangled until his neck broke, and Kaylee Hackett was found dead in a pool and a few camp counselors have said you were the one who killed her!" It was clear the officer was unhappy with her response but Laura didn't care anymore, "Everything I did was to stop more death from happening, every single thing that has happened tonight was to stop them from causing more bloodshed and tragedy." The officer glared ahead, "And so you stopped it by causing more bloodshed yourself?" Laura glared back, not letting his comments get to her, she didn't care anymore.

Max

"Is Laura okay?" Was his first question unanswered by the officer in front of him and Max couldn't stop his thoughts taking over, about Laura and all that blood, the screams that blurred between fear, waiting hours on that island, isolated and alone. He was no longer alone, stuck in a police station as an officer spoke quietly to him. "What were you doing on the island?" He frowned but answered honestly, "It was to stop me hurting anyone else, to stop me from killing anybody." The officer let her confusion be known, "What do you mean, Max?" He lets a sigh leave him, "When I turned into that thing, into a giant monster, I wasn't in control and so Laura left me there so she could end the curse once and for all." He admits with a weak smile, "I guess it worked..." He trailed off, a look of relief crossing his features that he wouldn't have to ever live in fear of losing control, losing himself to a monster.

Nick

"It was some kind of animal." Nick said quietly, voice low and tired. Covered in red like Carrie White on prom night. "I remember Abi... She tried to - she tried to help me. She never stopped looking out for me even after those things I did and said to her." He admits, guilt all over his face, it's what makes the officer intrigued as she speaks up, "What did you do, Nick?" The Furcillo boy fell silent, he felt sick to his stomach, disgusted by the words he said that were simply not true, words he tried to fight against while this monster clawed its way out and turned him into an evil, a thing that he feared of becoming. "I remember her face, I remember how scared she looked, how upset, how much terror was in her eyes when I -" He stops, "I didn't want to do that, I'd never do that to her, I didn't mean to hurt her." He admits, "But I did, I hurt her. I know I did."

Ryan

Ryan was quiet and still in his seat apart from his left leg bouncing up and down with fear and his eyes wandering the room with paranoia. "We've identified the body of your camp leader, Chris Hackett." The woman's voice was steady as she spoke, "Is there something you'd like to tell us, Ryan?" His frown deepened, "Chris was - he was a good man, he always looked out for me." He let his words go quiet, "He told us to stay inside, I should've listened, I should've convinced the others to stay inside, I should've done more and maybe this wouldn't have happened..." The officer wants to know more and so she pushes at him, "What wouldn't have happened, Ryan?" It fell quiet for a moment before he spoke once more, "The werewolf attacking Nick and Abi, Dylan's hand being cut off, Kaylee..." He trails off before continuing, "Chris never let me down before, he was always looking out for me, it isn't fair, he didn't deserve this. If I just knew the truth, if I'd believed in something I thought was just a story then maybe I could have changed things." The officer in front of him clicks her pen and asks one final question, "What story would that be, Ryan?" He meets her gaze and lets a quiet answer follow, "The Hag of Hackett's Quarry..."

[fezcosbitch]

JJ MAYBANK IMAGINE:

PASSION AND WILD REGRET 2

After a few requests, here’s the second part to passion and wild regret

you can read part 1 here

if the link doesn't work please tell me! x

I hope you enjoy ❤️

You can request if you want x

Warnings: Angst, hella angst. Also the pogues (kie) are rude in this one like...RUDE. Reader is confrontational and not gonna lie, i’m here for it, like I wish I could do this. also if you like Kie... you about to not like Kie, shes a bit off the rails, mega jealous ex here.

All feedback’s welcome, as long as its not mean or rude 💙

So yeah, hopefully you enjoy❤️

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was 2:57 when i woke up the following morning, or evening, and i had absolutely no clue what to  do with myself. I had an immense headache, and a deep pain in my heart. How could they do that? say that? You had been there for them all, through everything. Yet somehow they decide to say all that about you. You were there for Kie when she was at her lowest point, you found her in the bathrooms with Sarah, yet when Sarah left, you stayed, and she never saw it. When John B felt like he would never fit in, and you were the only one (apart from JJ) who stuck by him. Or pope, who, for preparation for his college interview wanted someone to revise with so he wouldn’t be lonely for hours on end, and when everyone opted to surf and sun tan instead of help him, you were the one to stay behind and assist him in his studies, while you could’ve been outside in the summer, tanning and surfing. And  then JJ, the person who undoubtedly hurt you the most. You were there for him all the time. Throughout all the beatings his dad gave him. And all the angry times he almost threw his life away by getting arrested. You saved him from so much, and yet he repays you by saying you’re too much for him, and not worth him.

You couldn’t stand having these thoughts festering around in your mind, so decided that the best thing would be to confront the pogues, and ask why they thought what they did. You hopped in your car and drove over to the chateau, ready to either make or break all your supposed friendships.

Pulling up to the chateau, You saw all the pogues sitting around the porch, talking about something you couldn’t hear. After you’ve stepped out your car, you slam the door shut and lock it, as all the pogues heads turn to look at you. JJ immediately gets up and heads towards you, while the rest of the pogues stand up behind him.

“oh baby I-” JJ started, tears brimming in his eyes already just wanting to apologize over and over again. “don’t even JJ, don’t even start” you said , shaking your head at him “I-” he tried again desperate for you to hear what he wanted to say. “NO JJ, NO. You don’t get to speak over me ok? none of you do. I cant believe you guys i mean, how dare you. I’ve done nothing but stick by you! all of you! yet you repay me like this? wow, Thanks guys I really appreciate that yeah. Just, I can’t believe all of you.” You quickly let out, looking at all of them

“I DIDN’T AGREE WITH THEM BABY I SWEAR” JJ bursts out, desperate for you to forgive him. “what?” you question, immediately wanting to know if this is true. “ I-I-I don’t know what you heard but I never agreed to what they said,I would never, please baby believe me, I know you’ve done so much for me, you’re the best thing to ever happen to me, I argued fully with them all night, I never once agreed, please take me back.” JJ begged, now directly in front of you grasping onto your hands. “is this true?” you asked the rest of the pogues behind him, desperate to find out if it was true or not, desperately wanting someone on your side. All the pogues solemnly nodded, proving to you that JJ did in fact argue against his friends. You looked him dead in the eye “of course i’ll take you back idiot, i kind of stormed of halfway through, didn’t get to hear what you said” you told him smiling through your tears of joy due to knowing that JJ did in fact fight for you. you quickly take him in your arms and hold him tight, “I’m so sorry” you whispered, knowing it must of been hard for him to read the letter you left him. “It’s ok” he whispered back, lightly kissing your shoulder. In that moment you both knew you were never going to let go of each other again, and that if needed, you’d swim entire oceans to be together. 

In all of that chaos you had forgotten the pogues behind you, who you initially came here for. Breaking out of the hug between you and JJ, you turn to face them with all your pent up anger ready to be unleashed, and knowing JJ was safely with you, and prepared to go to the end of the earth with you, you felt ready to take on whatever your ‘friends’ say to you. 

“What about you guys then?” you started off. “What was that all about? all the ‘Y/ns not good enough for you’, and the ‘she’ll only bring you down’ what was all that?” you questioned looking around at all three of them “Its our honest thoughts” Kie spoke up, making you turn to look at her. “really?” you questioned, cocking one eyebrow. “yeah” she responded, crossing her arms. “boys?” you asked, wanting to see if they agreed. John B was the first to nod his head, almost instantly, and pope slowly after, agreeing with his statement. “wow... All my friends hate me.” you whistled, slowly coming to the full realization. JJ grasped your hand, to remind you that he was there for you. “We don’t hate you y/n... we just hate you and JJ being together” John B backed Kiara up, acting as if it was the most obvious thing ever. “why bro? why can’t you just be happy for us?” JJ questioned from behind you, genuinely curious “ because bro, Shes a bad influence. She doesn’t care bro, not about you, us, anyone man why can’t you see that? sure shes cool and stuff and shes a fun friend but that’s all she should ever be” John B ranted. “ What the fuck bro? All of you think that? wow. So everything I’ve ever done for you guys is washed away by some dumb mistakes right? I do some drugs and SHIT I’m the worst person in the world right? everything I’ve ever done forgotten because of some things I do when I’m drunk right?” you questioned all at once, trying to show them how stupid they were being. “Yes” Kiara responds. “Yes because we don’t know what else you’ll do. First it’s molly, next its what? METH?” Kiara stressed. “You’re unreliable, and God knows what you could get JJ into.” she finished. “wha- Kie why are you SO scared about what JJ could get into man? Like what?  I’d never hurt him, or do anything like that, I love him man, so what are you so worried about?” you ranted, confused by Kies emotions. Of course you understood her worry for her friends. but she didn’t say that about John B, or Pope, so why JJ? “BECAUSE YOU DON’T DESERVE HIM! YOU NEVER DID” Kie fully lets out. Ah, you understood now. “You jealous Kiara?” you questioned? “you want JJ yeah? want him to be with you, so now everything I do apparently is more of a reason for him to be with you yeah?” you finally said, having worked out why she was so angry. Kie and the rest of the pogues were silent at your discovery. “wait, what about you guys?” you questioned the two boys. “well uhh, Kie kinda told us you may have cheated on J”

your jaw dropped. 

“THE FUCK KIE? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?” you were shocked at the lies she was spilling. “ WELL YOU DON’T DESERVE HIM ANYWAY, THE MORE PEOPLE THAT SEE THAT MAYBE THE MORE HE’LL REALIZE IT, WHO CARES IF THERE’S A COUPLE OF LIES” all of you stood there shocked at what Kie just said. “ the fuck-” JJ started, shocked out of his mind that Kie would say something like that. “ I can’t even. Don’t talk to me Kiara, don’t even approach me until i say so, oh and sort out your major jealousy problem, it’s not cute honey” you said while getting in your car, waiting for JJ to enter in the passenger side. After J got in, you started the car and rolled down your window, “oh and I forgive you boys, i understand why you did it, so like don’t worry. Sort it out Kie, love” you sarcastically grinned and waved to her as you drove away.

“Jesus Christ” you said to JJ “you know I’d never cheat on you don’t you?” you questioned just to make sure. “no of course i know you wouldn’t, its just, the fuck was that with Kie like, what even?” JJ responded. “Honestly, I don’t even know. I forgive John B and Pope cause like, obviously, they were lied to and lead to believe all that but like. How can she be so jealous man?” you questioned, genuinely curious about how one person could be so jealous of another. “I don’t know baby, I don’t know” J responded while kissing your hand.

even though you were away from it all, one question played on your mind...why would she do that?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So yeah... Kie did that.

What were your thoughts? Please tell me ! 💙

Part 3 anyone? If so please tell me x

Sorry for the long wait x

And also sorry if it’s bad ❤️

But yeah that was that how do you feel about it?

All feedbacks welcome as long as it’s not rude or mean💙

But yeah, cya

People who wanted to be tagged :

@mrsmaybank18 (Wouldn’t let me tag you :( )

@captainwinterwriter @ifilwtmfc @hurricane-abigail

@thenextteen

[queenxxxsupreme]

Hello!! I'm kinda embarrassed but could you do an uno reverse with the chubby Arthur fanfic but its with a chubby reader instead?? (your choice to make Arthur also chubby or not) Thank you!!

A/N: Don’t be embarassed (I spelled that wrong but autocorrect won’t work right now and I’m too dumb to know how to spell it off the top of my head lol) I absolutely love to write for Arthur! I feel like he doesn’t get enough attention anymore. Thank you for the ask!! I hope you like this! The ending got a little messy and not great cause I didn’t know how to end it but I hope you like it!

Warnings: mentions of poor body image and Micah being a fucking douche, but there’s fluff! Arthur makes things better

***

“Y/N!” Mary-Beth called your name. 

You turned your head to look at her. Karen and Tilly stood with her by the wagon. John was hitching up a couple horses to the wagon with Lenny’s help.

“Hi, ladies.” You greeted them as you approached the tent. 

“We’re gonna go into town. You wanna come with us?” 

“What are you plannin’ on doing in town?” 

“Oh you know, just the usual.” Mary-Beth answered with a little wave of her hand. “Seein’ what the folk around here are like.”

“And maybe robbin’ them.” Tilly giggled. 

“But we aren’t gettin’ into too much trouble.” Karen added. “John won’t let us, will you John?”

“I hope not.” He sighed, buckling a strap on the horse. 

“So what do you say, Y/N?” Tilly asked you.

Arthur watched from across camp as you declined the ladies’ offer to join them on their trip into town. His eyes stayed on you while you watched them leave in the back of the wagon John and Lenny were driving. 

You began to pick at your nails, the furrow between your brows becoming more prominent. The picking at your nails was a bad habit of yours, one you only did when something was clouding your mind. 

“Are ya even listening to me, Arthur?” Uncle asked him.

Arthur took the cigarette out of his mouth and tossed it into the fire as he stood up. You were going to your tent so that’s were he planned on going. 

“Stopped listenin’ a while ago, Uncle. Thought you would’ve noticed.”

Uncle began to complain about Arthur’s inattentiveness but the outlaw was already leaving the table, making his way across camp to check on you.

Arthur ducked inside the tent he shared with you, taking his hat off. 

“Hey, pumpkin.” He greeted you.

You turned to face him, offering him a little smile. 

“Hi, Arthur.”

“What’re you up to?” He asked. Maybe you were too busy to go into town. 

“Gonna go read out by the cliffside for a bit.” You picked up your book from the end table. “Do you want to come with me? Or are you busy?”

“I’m never too busy for you, pumpkin.” He flashed you a little smile as you moved towards him. He was expecting you to stop, even if only for a moment, to give him a kiss on the cheek or to brush your hand along his chest like you always did when you passed him by. But you simply walked by him without even looking at him.

Something was definitely wrong. This confirmed his worries. 

“How was meetin’ up with Mary?”

“Went about as pleasant as you’d think. Wanted me to get her brother back from that religious group, the Chelonia.”

“That sounds like fun.”

“Depends on your definition of fun.” Arthur muttered.

You were thankful that no one was down by the edge of the cliff. You wanted to have some peace and quiet away from everyone. 

You decided to sit beneath a tree, placing your book in your lap. Arthur grunted rather dramatically as he got down next to you.

“M’too old for this kinda shit.” He sat facing you. One of his legs was loosely crossed while the other was spread to cross over yours, though he didn’t put any weight on your legs. 

“You don’t gotta follow me around, you know.” You giggled softly.

“I know. Just like spendin’ time with ya.” He took his hat off and put it in the grass beside him. “I, uh, I heard the girls were askin’ you to go to town with them.”

You nodded your head, opening the book in your lap so that you didn’t have to look at him. 

“Why didn’t you go? Thought you were tellin’ me just last night you had some errands to run in town.”

“I can do them another time, Arthur. It wasn’t anything important.”

Arthur rubbed the back of his neck, unsure of what to say next.

“Mary-Beth sounded a little eager to have you go with them, don’t you think?”

“I guess you could say that.”

“She was just bein’ friendly though, wasn’t she? She’s a good kid.”

“Arthur, what are you getting at?” You looked up from your book, meeting his gaze.

“I don’t know.” He sighed heavily. He ran a hand over his face. “I-I saw that look on your face when you were watchin’ them go, pumpkin. You looked upset about somethin.’” He paused to gauge your reaction. “Did something happen with one of the girls?”

“No, Arthur.” You dropped your attention back to the book.

“Karen’s not bad unless you get her drunk.” Arthur thought out loud. “And Tilly’s a nice girl, least from what I’ve seen. Mary-Beth too. Abigail can be.... something else. Did she do something?”

“Arthur, please.” You closed the book firmly. “Just stop.”

“Pumpkin, I’m just concerned is all.” Arthur reached over to place his hand on yours. “I don’t like that look I saw on your face. It don’t belong there.”

“The girls didn’t do anything to me, Arthur.” You murmured quietly, feeling a scratchy sensation begin in the back of your throat. “It’s all okay, I promise.”

“You say that, but I don’t see it in your eyes.” He shook his head. Cerulean blue eyes gazed at you with such a softness that you could’ve melted right there, but the torment you felt in your chest and in your head were too much. It pushed that softness he was able to make you feel away and brought in a dark feeling. 

“It doesn’t matter, Arthur.” You stood up, brushing off your skirt, and began to move back towards camp.

However you didn’t get very far. Arthur’s hand found your arm, bringing you to a stop. 

You turned your head to look away from him, taking a steady deep breath through your nose in an attempt to make the tears go away. If you could calm yourself down, they would go away. 

Arthur’s hand slid down from your bicep to your hand and his thumb began to trace small circles on the back of your hand. You turned your hand over so that you could lace your fingers together. 

“You don’t gotta tell me, pumpkin, but I just hate to see you so upset and so quiet about it.” He stepped closer and leaned down to kiss the top of your head. 

“I just…. I can’t stand some of these people, Arthur.” You tilted your head down, unable to look up at him. You focused your eyes on his boots. “Just can’t fucking stand them. They’re just….” You couldn’t find the words to accurately describe what you wanted to say. 

“Who was it?” Arthur had a very short list of who would put you on the verge of tears. Possibilities and scenarios began to race through his mind. 

“Micah just…. He was just being a bastard.” Your voice cracked. “He said you were going into town to see Mary Linton. I knew that’s where you had been earlier today. But he just…. He started saying that you were going to…. That you and her…. Because she’s-she’s thin and pretty and I’m as big as one of the pigs Pearson butchers.”

“He what?” Arthur had to pull his hand away from you as to not cause you any harm. His fingers automatically curled into tight fists and he felt the need to seek out Micah Bell to cause him serious damage. 

His eyes left yours and he tilted his head up to search the camp behind you. Micah was sitting at a table with Bill, sharpening his knife. 

“It doesn’t matter, Arthur.” You sniffled, looking down at the buttons on his shirt. “He wasn’t wrong. No use in sugar coatin’ it.”

Arthur stared at you for a few moments, his brain still trying to process the anger he felt. Then he took a breath and ran a hand over his face. 

“Micah Bell is a miserable son of a bitch, Y/N. He ain’t right about nothin’. Not a damn thing.”

“But Arthur, I don’t-I don’t look like other girls, like Mary or like Karen.” You whispered, tears trailing down your cheeks. You crossed your arms over yourself, suddenly feel extremely self-conscious. “I-I didn’t go into town with them because every time we go into town, people stare at me.”

“Pumpkin, they stare at me too. They’re just a bunch of judgemental pricks.”

“That’s different, Arthur.” You shook your head. It was sweet of him to try to make you feel better, but they stared at him for different reasons than they stared at you. “It’s-It’s just not the same. You.... You’re a normal size. You just come across as intimidatin’ and sometimes folk don’t know how to take that. But me.... They see me and all they see is a pig in a dress.”

“Don’t you say that, Y/N.” He reached up to cup your face, calloused thumbs brushing away your tears. “You don’t look nothin’ like a pig.”

“Mary, she’s just…. She’s so different from me, Arthur.”

“Course she is, pumpkin.” Arthur leaned forward to kiss your forehead, then he placed his hands on your hips and pulled you in for a proper hug. His slipped around you, providing you with a sense of protection. “I don’t see nothin’ wrong with that. And I definitely don’t see nothin’ wrong with you. You’re absolutely gorgeous in my eyes, pumpkin. Wouldn’t change a damn thing about you.”

“But Arthur, I look like a cow.”

“Stop comparin’ yourself to farm animals, Y/N.” He kissed the side of your head. “It’s breakin’ my heart.”

You frowned, leaning your head against his shoulder. Arthur pressed his lips against your head. 

“I know you’ve never had the best thoughts about yourself.” He murmured into your hair. “But I got plenty of good thoughts about you for the both of us. I’ll make sure to share them with you until you start thinkin’ about yourself differently. I need you to know that it don’t matter that you’re different from Mary or Karen or anyone else. Ain’t nothin’ wrong with that. It’s who you are.”

“Thank you, Arthur.” You sniffled. “You’re too sweet to me.”

“Only ‘cause I love ya, pumpkin.” 

***

Hosea caught sight of Arthur as the burly outlaw made his way across camp, a dark look in his eyes.

“Arthur-,”

“Not now, Hosea.” Arthur waved him off. His eyes were set on Micah who wasn’t even looking at him. His back was to Arthur. He sat at a table with Dutch talking about something Arthur didn’t care to listen to. 

Arthur grabbed the back of Micah’s chair and tipped it back, knocking Micah out of his seat and on to the ground. In the same heartbeat, Arthur drew the revolver from his hip and cocked the hammer with his thumb. 

He put his foot on Micah’s shoulder and aimed the gun at Micah’s chest, glaring down at the man. 

“Whoa, cowpoke!”

“Arthur!” Dutch shouted. “Put that gun away!”

Arthur ignored Dutch. The anger bubbling and festering in his veins made him focus solely on Micah.

“It’d be in your best interests to leave Miss Y/L/N alone.” He spoke lowly.

“I was just havin’ a conversation with her while you were out with your old fling-,”

“What I do ain’t none of your goddamned business.” Arthur cut him off. “If I find out you’ve said anything out of line to Y/N again, Micah Bell, I’ll be puttin’ a hole through your goddamn chest.”

Micah said nothing, locking his jaw as he glared up at Arthur. Arthur lowered his gun and then removed his foot from Micah’s shoulder. 

Hosea watched as Arthur moved towards his tent, holstering his weapon. 

“You’re a funny guy, Arthur Morgan!” Micah stood up, angrily brushing off his clothes. 

“And you’re a dumb bastard.” Hosea muttered, shaking his head as he walked away. “Surprised it’s taken this long.”

Taglists:  @winterwolf @doggone-cowgirl @lauramb7 @caraqas @bluscryn @nonodino @krenee1drful @thefirelordm @sargeantsea @sokkasdarling @zodiacaldust @gabstaroc @cal-lifornication

If your name is in italics, it wouldn’t let me tag you :(

[nightklok]

Title: 'Cause I've been hurt so many times, I need someone who will try to soothe me, and not use me Pairing: Abigail Remeltindtdrinc/Pickles the Drummer Rating: E (For one future smut scene but chapter one is T-rated) Tags: Fake dating, Additional tags on AO3 Summary: Abigail considers herself great at her job; she knows how to make a successful album and her track record shows it. Dethklok proved to be the biggest challenge yet but she learned to overcome any hurdle thrown her way. However, what she didn’t anticipate was Seth’s second wedding. Specifically, Pickles’ mother getting on his case about finding a date to the wedding. Logically, she decides to be his fake date for the wedding. Just fake a relationship for a few months until the wedding then 'mutually' break it off; should be easy enough. It’s just the most renowned music producer and most popular musician fake dating. Surely no feelings or trouble will rise out of this.

Chapter One on Ao3 Here! Chapter one is also under the cut

Abigail had learned quickly that working with Dethklok was oftentimes like walking through those Halloween hay mazes blindfolded. Years upon years of working with pretentious celebrities, tight deadlines, and challenges that were thrown her way would never prepare her for working with them. For a group of five who lived together and knew each other the best, it didn’t always mean that they thought the same way and one would think they finally learned what worked best for them after years of working. But for some reason, they continuously went with the same method that never worked out because it seemed like the best to them. And clearly, it wasn’t.

She was no stranger to challenges so when Dethklok proved to be one, she did her usual process of breaking through to them. And that was asking questions to the right people. Charles stated it was just how they were. Knubbler said they were a bunch of dumb jackoffs so she had to hold the least amount of expectations for them...and lower it. Melmord had offered her weed because it would be the only way she could ever handle working with them. Twinkletits had suggested unresolved trauma and perhaps banana stickers would solve it.

She would find soon enough that everyone was right in their own suggestions but it didn’t mean she followed through with any of them. It didn’t take long to figure out that scheduling private sessions with each individual band member was a lot better compared to them being together only to yell at each other. Within a few days of the focus being more on private sessions, the difference being made was incredible. They seemed to thrive better under one-on-one time and having the group meetings at the end of the day so they could go over their progress had helped incredibly.

The only problem that she couldn’t solve was their old habits. Most of the time the sessions were either forgotten or recordings had to take a week or longer just to make sure the sound was perfect. They were still five people with different ideas of how the album could be better; it would be hard to find common ground and even harder to get them to be responsible under her schedule.

It didn’t mean every member was a thorn in her side though. Pickles and Skwisgaar were some of the more responsible ones compared to the rest. They’d sometimes forget to show up but that was expected.

Skwisgaar did have a certain way of speaking about music she couldn’t quite understand but she found herself slowly understanding him the more they recorded his sessions. It became like learning a new language but less on the fun part. Luckily, he was never one to speak much regardless; music did the talking for him and that was a good enough language for them to understand.

And Pickles, despite his years of experience under the spotlight, wasn’t the pretentious celebrity she expected him to be when they recorded together. He did his work without much complaint, left when she was satisfied and his first-week recording for a song would be the last as there generally wasn’t much left for him to retake. He normally trusted her judgment and any criticisms offered were never given for the sake of belittling her. It came from a place of experience and knowledge and it became something she quickly respected him for. He still occasionally missed his recordings, however, but with how time felt so rapid in getting things in order, she didn’t notice he actually began showing up more often.

He couldn’t show up one day due to a last-minute scheduling conflict that day and since he had a valid excuse, she didn’t expect him to show up at all. Deciding to not let those hours go to waste, she spent it contacting Knubbler for a quick meeting. He sent her the tracks he finished for her to listen to and she offered her critique. They were tossing track after track at one another to see what sticks and eventually something did. After sending him the latest track to fix-up by the end of their meeting, she checked her email to go more into the boring parts of her job.

She loved her job without a doubt but it didn’t mean there were some parts she actually dreaded doing. Emails were one of them; business language, having to wait up to a day for a response, and everything else just to show she was a professional despite her name being tied to so many influential things. Maybe she was famous enough to sign off her emails with a ‘k thx’ but didn't quite know if it was even worth the impending backlash soon after. She was known for her professionalism, not lack of.

But the album wouldn’t be finished for quite a while so she simply had to make do with what she could. Regardless, the marketing director wanted to listen to one of the demo songs. The day was winding down, she just had to spend an extra hour or two in the recording studio, then she could grab food, take a long bath and watch a movie until she fell asleep.

The motivation of food and a chance to relax was enough to look through her emails once more as she played the finished track. She didn’t hear the knock on the door but she did hear the door opening but didn’t turn around. She had expected it to be a klokateer doing some late cleaning.

“Abigail?” A voice all too familiar filled the silence. As she turned around, Pickles closed the door behind him quietly as if to not disturb her (even though he already did). He seemed a bit sheepish as he put his hands in his pockets to play off a calm attitude, “I just wanted to know if you still needed me.”

“Well, it’s not the first time you didn’t show up to a session, Pickles.” She answered a little too bluntly. It came off harsher and she had almost expected him to be offended by it but he shrugged instead, “Charles told me you wouldn’t have been able to come today, anyway.”

“Okay, yeah, that’s true I have bailed out on a few sessions, but I was planning on showing up to today’s session. I promise.”

She folded her arms, leaning back against the chair. It was new territory having Pickles actually show up when he wasn’t meant to. It didn’t seem like he was there for anything else too, “And you really mean that?”

He casually held up his right hand in a three-finger salute, “Scout’s honor...if I was a Boy Scout, that is.  But I’m here now. That should be enough proof, right?” He grinned at her before he walked to the recording booth, “I got this beat stuck in my head I wanna get out of my system. Won’t take too much of your time.”

She glanced at the clock; it was still early enough to record a few takes and he did seem excited to record. Might as well give some time to humor him, “Alright, you get one hour to impress me.”

“I’ll make it count,” He finished her sentence as he closed the door. Taking the drumsticks and headphones, he took a seat in front of the drum kit and quickly prepared, “This is for uhhh...what did we call 8?”

“ Uncensor My Songs On The Radio You Fucking Tool. ”

“Yeah, that’s it! Anyway, I think I figured out why it doesn’t fit on my end. Can you play from the beginning?”

“Sure, get ready in five seconds” It took just a few clicks to get to the song he wanted. She let the metronome play for just a few seconds for him to get the beat before hitting the record button as soon as the song played.

As soon as the song played, Pickles began without hesitation. The sound was much different compared to his other takes...and it fit perfectly as he had said. She waited though; listened to every hit and snare intensely for a mistake to come and screw his take over. But that moment never happened and before she knew it the song was over.

“How did I do?” He grinned at her as he wiped his sweaty forehead with his arm, “Not bad for one take, right?”

Impressive. “Not bad at all. I think this might be just the parts we needed to get the song to be finally done,” She answered as she hit the record button to pause the recording. She made sure to save the file and backed up the file into her work email. (Charles had requested she make backup copies of each recording without the boys’ knowledge when she began working. Just in case).

She watched as Pickles removed his headphones but quickly stopped him, “It’s great but I think another take would be good to have, right?”

“Oh C’mon! Isn’t it great as it is?!” He pleaded. He was foolish to think he could impress her with just one take.

“I’m not denying that it’s great but I’m sure you would be able to do another take if you got it all memorized, right?” She answered. The tone of her voice just shifted slightly enough to indicate a challenge and that’s all that Pickles needed to hear from her.

“Don’t think I can do it, huh?” He smiled back at her as he put the headphones back on.  It was a challenge he could easily win, after all, but she was never one to even let him believe it would be easy. The rush of it and the feeling of adrenaline starting to kick in made it all the more tempting,  “Well get the song playing again. I won’t stop until you’re satisfied.”

“You’re gonna end up tiring yourself out, Pickles.”

“You can let me off the hook then if you’re so worried about me.” He answered with the signature lopsided grin he gave out as freely as sweets, “I think there are some restaurants around that we can go to if you still haven’t eaten yet.”

Bargaining and banter had become something that they learned to communicate with. If there was anyone else in the room, there was no way she would be talking so loosely with him. They were alone however and would be for a long time so it became easier to shake off the layer of professionalism she had to keep up with all day. However, the remaining part of her brain that was still in work mode rejected his offer despite the temptation being far too great, “Not a chance; you walked yourself into this one...But if you wow me just early enough, I might take you up on your offer.”

“Get the song playing again and tell me when to stop.”

The truth was she was already satisfied by the third take but she did let him keep going at least two more times for good measure. By the time she said he was finished, Pickles’ legs were sore but it was nothing he wasn’t used to. Five takes weren’t bad at all and he found himself confident in the progress.

“Not bad, Pickles. I think there’s something there I can take for the recording.” Abigail answered with a grin that he tiredly returned.

“Hm, not satisfied yet, or just wanna keep my ego down?”

“Maybe.” She watched him put the headphones and drumsticks away before exiting the recording studio.

“I wanna hear it though. Play the best track.” He went to the mini-fridge and offered her a beer which she declined.

“Just get me a coke. The drink, I mean. I’ll play the best track in a second,” She had already labeled the track files by a number scale and taken notes so she didn’t need to relisten. He set the can of coke beside her as he watched her take a few moments to look through the notes before finally deciding on the best track. She quickly spliced it in with the demo and hit play.

Pickles already flopped on the couch, on his second can of beer already somehow (She didn’t know if it was impressive or horrifying). He didn’t say anything while the song played, leaned back against the couch. When it ended he asked, “Is that the best one?”

“Well, I think it is. It’s the one that doesn’t even need much editing. The others are just as great too, in all honesty,” She answered as she checked her notes briefly. She could go into great detail over the tracks, maybe even explain why the tracks were a perfect fit for a song but she didn’t want to ramble. And besides, he seemed a little bit bothered, “But what do you think?”

“Hm. Not as good as I thought it would be,” He said a little sullenly, “Nate’s gonna wanna delete it. I just know it.”

“Are you sure?  I don’t think he’d want you to delete them especially when he knows you’re having a hard time with this song. They’re all pretty good but if you want to talk with Knubbler since he’ll be doing most of the editing, just give him a call tomorrow.”

“Do you even think it’s good?”

“Of course. If I wasn’t satisfied enough, I would’ve had you still record a few more takes.”

That was an answer that seemed to satisfy him at least as he didn’t say anything else in retaliation. He only asked to play the track again, and finished his second can of beer, “I guess if you think it’s fine, I’ll take your word for it. It’s probably getting late isn’t it?”

“Come in tomorrow and you can listen to it again. If you really aren’t satisfied with it, you can try again,” She offered. She checked at her watch briefly; 10:45 PM. How has it been almost two hours already?

“Yeah, I think that sounds like a plan. We can put a stop to it for now. But uh, sorry for wasting your time.”

She shrugged, “You’re not, Pickles. Don’t worry about it. I would’ve left around this time anyway.”

“Okay, if you say so.” With a shrug, he shifted his mood and stood up. He didn’t seem to sulk longer than he usually did, probably because it was already late and they were both tired, “Did you still wanna eat?”

“Don’t you usually eat with your bandmates?” Usually, mealtimes were the quickest and easiest ways to find them if she needed to. Having memorized that schedule, she knew that dinner was about a few hours ago...or a few hours from now depending on what they did that day.

“Yeah but not today; Offdensen really had us doing interviews all fuckin’ day. I don’t think I’ve eaten lunch yet and I guess you didn’t get dinner either?”

“Nope. I was planning to, anyway.” A late dinner invitation was not rare to get but it was rarer to get one by someone she wouldn’t mind having dinner with. Their relationship with each other was always professional, and he also had years of experience in the music business outside Dethklok. It always felt refreshing to talk to someone who shared the same interests as her. She put her laptop away in her briefcase once she saved all her files; her night was officially done, “Is there someone even able to make dinner at this time?”

“There should be. If not, there are probably leftovers in the fridge. Or we can order pizza, it’s completely your call.”

She slung the briefcase over her shoulder, following him to the hallway. After shutting and locking the door to the recording studio (Charles gave the only keys to her and Knubbler), she walked with him to the kitchen where the conversation of dinner slowly shifted to music and almost anything they could cram in the next two hours.

And by the end of that night, the late dinner invitations became frequent and she had accepted every single one. He always hung around by her last hour of work, even if it meant staying up late. It only meant ordering food to be delivered to them as Pickles convinced her to watch a film she hadn’t seen in years or her convincing him to watch one of her favorite guilty pleasure sitcoms.

For the most part, it was assumed she was just working with him on the album. No one really needed to know about the breaks where they shared a beer and gossiped about the celebrities they had interacted with before. As far as Knubbler and everyone knew, she was using most of the two hours to perfect his recording.

But just a few months later, the hangouts and late-night dinner invitations stopped in their tracks with no warning whatsoever.

She wondered at first if it was something she had done. But then it began affecting his work and it was clear he was distracted about something. She knew and learned enough about him that he was a perfectionist when it came to the drums; he was always a person who wanted to do his job correctly when it came to something he really did care about at the end of the day. Music was his passion, after all. And if he didn’t have passion for the things he cared about the most, then something was going on.

“Do you want to take a break, Pickles?” She asked. It was currently her fifth time asking the same question that week alone.

“No, it’s fine. Let’s keep going.” He answered as he picked up his drums and waited for her to press record.

She didn’t say anything else after that and she let him leave after a few hours. He left before she could get a word out and she would be met with the rising feeling that something bad was about to happen and recordings that not even Knubbler could salvage.

A few days later, she figured out what happened. It took a text from the staff group chat and an email that contained a video to piece the puzzle together.

“Hey, Neon Genesis Evan gail ion. It’s me, your coworker, Seth.”

She did not watch the rest of the video (sober) and instead asked about the video in the group chat. Seth was never invited to the chat for the same reason Melmord was not invited to the second wedding of Seth and whatever poor woman he got roped up with.

Just by that video and conversation, she had connected why Pickles might be upset. It had something to do with the wedding, sure, but what specifically about it? Was it that he had known the girl Seth planned to marry? She wanted to ask so many questions but limited herself to three. But even those three questions were quickly narrowed down to one, then none at all when she realized it would be harder to pry anything out of him.

But, as advised by Knubbler, it was best to keep going. He’d probably breakthrough midway through a recording session. Being someone who knew to listen to others, she listened to his advice for at least a few more days.

She waited those few days and then two more. It was clear whatever was bothering him was still going to continue bothering him until the end of time probably. She had to talk to him against their better judgments; it felt like the only option available to her.

It was a session that lasted over seven hours and she was sure both of them were getting frustrated on their own ends. No amount of coffee or whiskey could even cure the boredom and annoyance that was of a session that would lead to nowhere. It was better to just cut things short and talk about it. If not even the drums could help him feel better, how serious was the situation?

She pressed the intercom button when the song finished and she immediately hit delete. There was no way to salvage the song, “Pickles, would you mind if we talk?”

His expression was perplexed for a moment before he resigned to his fate, not giving much of a protest, “Alright,” he answered with a sigh. He set his drumsticks down as he walked out of the booth, taking a seat by the couch.

She was never all that good at talking to people about feelings in all honesty. And he seemed like a rather emotional guy, to begin with. There were a few moments of awkward silence between them as she tried to find what a good way to start the conversation would be, “I think we know that you seem distracted lately. What’s been bothering you?”

And despite all her mental preparations that he would find it hard to pry open, he actually opened up quite honestly, “Well you know about the wedding right?”

“Yeah, he invited me too.” She answered as she thought back to the weird video message Seth had sent her. She wondered if she should even make a comment about that but decided against it, “You don’t want him to get married or something?”

“I don’t care about that. He could get married as many times as he wants; He’s still getting a fucking Vitamix.  But it’s not about that,” He answered, “It’s my mom. She’s been blowing up my phone all week asking about who I’m bringing with me to Seth’s wedding. Keeps talking about how I should settle down, find someone to marry, or whatever. But I don’t have the time to date!”

She stared at him and didn’t say a single word until he caved in.

“Okay, time’s not the problem but dating while you’re this famous is fucking hard. You must’ve seen that public divorce in ‘89 right?”

She definitely remembered. She was on college radio at the time and had taken over someone’s show. It was either some debate or public opinion show and that was probably one of the more shows she had ever experienced. Did it help that she was a fan of his music back in the day? No, but she would not admit that “I kind of knew about it. It sounded like it was an awful divorce for you. But you were only nineteen, weren’t you? You shouldn't stop yourself from dating for something that happened when you were just a teen.”

“Nineteen, thirty-five, ninety, does it matter? It was as awful behind the scenes as it was in public. I’m not gonna bore you with that but basically, I’m done with dating. And she won’t see that!”

“Well...maybe one of your bandmates can be your date?” She offered.

“Nah, been there, done that, it didn’t work out. And plus, would you even fake date any of them?”

She thought for a moment, “Yeah, smart choice.”

“It’s gotta be someone she has never met before to make it more believable.”

“I see,” Abigail paused. She had waited, expecting almost, for Pickles to look at her, drop the ‘except…’, and plead for her to be his fake date but he didn’t. He only reached into the mini-fridge to pull out a beer, offering one to Abigail who accepted. She didn’t like the beer and had to hide her disgusted look as she took a sip and tried to set it down casually.

The conversation had died out like that. She kept on sipping the beer and hoping he would say something. But he didn’t and it became clear that she had to be the one to speak up. There was only one possible solution to it and it felt like the most obvious., “If you can’t find anyone else, I can be your date.” She offered.

Pickles looked at her like she had asked him to play the drums with his mouth, “I respect you too much to get you involved with my family. They’re like...leeches that suck the fuckin’ life out of you! This is a me problem, you don’t need to fix that. ”

“Well...it’s affecting your drumming too.” she pointed out as she looked at him, “And trust me, I know what I’m getting into. I can handle it, Pickles. I work for Dethklok and I’ve certainly been through a lot more than just a wedding party. I appreciate your concern, but let me help.”

“Abigail...” He almost pleaded.

“I owe you, remember?”

He clearly did remember, “but-”

“He invited me anyway, Pickles. I’m still going out of work obligations; I promise this won’t bother me at all.”

“But you know it’s gonna have to be a lot more than just going to my brother’s wedding right? My mom will want to meet you and who knows what other folks are gonna try and meet you too.”

That was one thing more terrifying than the branding ceremony. Was it even worth it to complete the album?, “Then basically we’d just be faking a relationship until the ceremony?”

“I guess yeah...and that’s...three months from now? You really don’t-”

“As I said, I know what I’m getting into. I want to help you and if we have to do this for a week, months, or a year, it’s okay with me.”

Pickles said nothing for the longest time. He held the half-empty can of beer, nulling over his options that probably didn’t help with him being slightly intoxicated, “You won’t hate me right?”

It caught her off guard almost but she remained on track, “Of course not. I promise,” If she hated him, that would mean there would be no more all-nighters together but she wouldn’t admit that.

“Okay. Just so you know you can back out of this anytime, I won’t be offended if you do.” He said finally and that had sealed the deal, “But we need to keep this a secret which I know is probably obvious enough. If the guys find out, they’ll never stop teasing us about it.”

“But if all we really need to do is just please your parents, I don’t think that will be a problem. Don’t worry about me, Pickles; it’ll be fine. I promise that I will back out if I don’t want to do this anymore.”

It was clear he was unsure still and she didn’t know how much more convincing he would really need. But perhaps that was something to let sit and process; and hopefully, in time, he’d warm up to the idea enough to feel like a weight was lifted off his shoulders.

There was nothing else she could really do at this point she knew. It was a quick resolution but a slow payoff and she had done what she could for the day, "How about you take the rest of the day off? If you wanna give recording the song a shot tomorrow, we can."

“Alright,” He threw out the half-finished beer can, beer spilled from the can, some of it splashing into the sides of the trash can and leaving a potent smell of beer. She made a reminder to herself to have a klokateer replace the trash can later. But it would be quickly forgotten when he spoke up again, “I uh, appreciate it, Abigail. I really do."

"It's not a problem at all. I hope you know that you can always turn to me if you need anything?"

"I do, yeah, and uh the same right back," He paused for a moment, "I'll take you out to dinner sometime if you want. It's the least I can do."

"That would be nice but I don't need a big fancy dinner. I'm fine eating here, and watching a movie." She answered. She wanted to speak more but her phone began ringing and she saw that it was from Charles, "I should probably take this."

"Oh yeah, go ahead. And uh, if you wanna grab some dinner again you know where to find me. I'm sorry I bailed out on you this week, I'll make it up to you." He quickly left before she could speak.

All alone in the studio, she took a moment to compose herself. Refusing to give herself even more time to let what she had gotten herself into sink in, she answered the phone.

It was only three months but somehow this new task felt like it would end up being the hardest task yet. But, she had an album to finish. It was just part of the job, right?

[marybethsjournal]

Fare You Well, Dear Sean

Summary: Karen finds out what happened to Sean in Rhodes

Pairing(s): Sean Maguire x Karen

Warning(s): kidnapping (Jack), major character death, religion talk, reference to vom!t, vague thoughts of suicide, super vague implication of pregnancy(?)

Word Count: 1749

A/N: To the anon that asked for Karen x Sean fluff, this is not it lol. Yours is coming, but this is just pure sadness

Also, here’s the link to the song from RDR2 that inspired my title: https://youtu.be/S5N-nLY32KA

ao3 link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/29829786

Today was absolute chaos. It had started out normal enough. Karen had woken to Sean shaking her wildly just like she always did when he actually made himself useful and went on a job outside camp. He thought she cared so much about what he was doing for the day. He hadn’t gotten the hint that she didn’t care. Well maybe she cared just a little… but not much! She knew that he wanted her to be impressed and think that he was some sort of hero, but Karen had a strict rule against getting impressed by stupid men. Especially stupid men named Sean Maguire.

“Miss Jones! Wake up and give your suitor a kiss goodbye!”

“In your dreams, Sean.” Karen mumbled, opening her eyes and swatting her hand at him.

“I always was told I’m a dreamer. My da-”

“No, not today. Too early.” Karen cut him off. Sean’s face fell for half a second, barely detectable, before a smile was plastered on his face again.

“You’re right, it is early. You know what they say, though, the early bird gets the worm! Sad to say that my worm-” Sean was going down a path that Karen did not like the looks of.

“Sean! That’s disgusting!” Sean laughed, glad he was able to get a reaction out of her. Any attention from Karen was good attention, at least in his mind. 

Karen patted the ground next to her, signaling for him to sit. “Where you boys off to today, then?”

Sean's face lit up as he sat down next to her, happy to be able to tell of the important job that he was going to go on today, “The Grays need security so naturally they called upon Dead Eye Maguire. Nothing gets past me! I could do it by myself, you know, but I decided to let Bill, Micah, and Arthur on the job. Poor boys needed something to do.”

Karen rolled her eyes at the inflated story Sean just told, but upon hearing that Micah would be there, she felt her instincts screaming that this job wasn’t such a good idea. All of Micah’s plans were terrible, truth be told, but Dutch thought differently, for some reason. “Be careful, alright. I don’t trust Micah as far as I can throw him.”

“Ahhh he’s a bastard but he ain’t got nothing on ol’ Sean Maguire. Don’t you worry your pretty little mind about that.”

Karen sighed, remembering that anytime she expressed any concern, Sean’s ego grew. “Forget I said anything.”

A silence, neither particularly comfortable or uncomfortable, grew between them. Karen thought that for once, maybe Sean was just going to leave her alone and go on about his business. But then he wouldn’t be Sean.

“Can I have my kiss now?” Sean puckered his lips and leaned forward. Karen could hardly find it in herself to not slap him.

“Hell no. Go bother someone else.” She tried to shoo him but he wouldn’t leave, not that she particularly expected him to.

“I know you love me, you should just stop fighting and admit it. I’m irresistible”

“I wish I was resistant to you” 

“You’ve got to stop wishing such pain onto yourself,” Sean paused for a second before remembering something that he apparently deemed far more important than further pumping up his ego. “You feeling better today?”

Karen sighed. No she was not feeling better, not at all. She’d been feeling worse and worse every day since she had first fallen ill a little over a week ago. She appreciated Sean asking but didn’t feel like worrying him (and she especially didn’t want to confide in him about what she thought may be causing his illness). “Maybe a little. I’m fine, I promise.”

“Karen, you puked on my shoes last night.” Sean pointed out. 

“Ugh, okay, maybe I’m not fine, but I will be. I’ll be alright, Sean.” Karen’s tone grew softer at the end.

“I’ll pick you up some cola syrup in town. Maybe that’ll help?” 

“That’s not gonna make me kiss you, Sean.” Karen teased.

“I know. Just want to help, is all.” Sean took Karen’s hand and ran his thumb over her knuckles. “Cause I love you, I really do.”

Karen sighed, feigning exasperation. “Oh alright, come here, you.” She pulled Sean in for a quick kiss. It lasted no more than two second but it was more than enough to make Sean happy.

“See everyone, she loves me!” Sean yelled way too comfortably for Karen. He was practically floating on air, skipping across camp. 

Sean had already gotten up onto his horse before Karen yelled back at him,”I do not, you ass!”

Several hours later, the whole gang had turned to chaos. Something had happened to Jack, he was nowhere to be seen. Karen had thought woefully that when no one was watching, maybe he had tried to go swimming in the lake and had drowned. The thought sickened her. But soon enough, Kieran came forward and said he had seen some men come by and had thought they were coming for a meeting. Since no meeting had taken place, it was then assumed that someone had taken Jack. Karen hoped against hope that he was safe.

Karen, trying desperately to comfort Abigail, barely noticed when Micah, Arthur, and later on, Bill returned to camp. And she certainly didn’t notice that Sean didn’t join them. It wasn’t long after Bill returned, however, that Reverend approached her, a solemn look in his eyes.

“Miss Jones, I need to take you somewhere private to talk.” he grabbed for her hand.

“Are you crazy, you drunk bastard? Jack is gone! We all need to help look.”

Reverend’s face changed to a look of pity, which made Karen’s heart sink. She didn’t know what had happened, but something was terribly wrong.

“You’re right, we need to look for Jack, but I still need to talk to you first.”

“Alright.” Reverend led her over to one of the far sides of camp, next to a wagon. Karen grew more uncomfortable with every passing second

“Karen,” Reverend started, “The boys went into town to see the Grays this morning.”

“I know that already!” Karen interrupted impatiently.

“It was a setup. They shot Sean.” Reverend bowed his head.

“Well where is he? I’ll go to the doctor to see him, right now. I’m sure he’ll want to see me.” Karen rambled quickly.

“No, you don’t understand. He um, well he passed. Bill told me earlier and said there was nothing they could have done.”

Karen backed away from Reverend, her hands shaking. “No, no. That-no” She didn’t know what else to say.

“I’m really sorry, we all cared so much about him.” Reverend awkwardly hugged her. She normally didn’t like physical affection, but she didn’t want anyone to see the tears that were streaming down her cheeks. This couldn’t be happening. Sean hadn’t done anything to deserve this. 

“Bill buried him, nice and proper, he said. I’m going over there now. Couldn’t read him his last rites, but hopefully I can still pray over him for a safe journey to Heaven. I’ve got to at least try. I’d like for you to come along, if you can find it in you.”

“Of course I can find it in me!” Karen cried.This was her last chance to say goodbye and there was no way she was going to pass it up.

Reverend helped Karen up onto the wagon and they went on their way. They sat in mutual silence, save for Karen’s soft crying, for most of the ride. Karen didn’t feel up for conversation, understandably. 

When they were getting close to Sean’s final resting place, Karen finally broke the silence. 

“God, I hope he didn’t hurt for long.”

“Bill said they blasted a bullet straight through his skull, so I’m sure he died immediately. Didn’t see it coming.” Reverend responded, without thinking much over how his words might impact Karen.

“Oh my god don’t tell me that!” Karen sobbed, placing her hand over her face.The sentiment made her feel sicker to her stomach than she already had been that morning. This had to be the worst day of her life, no contest.

“I’m sorry Karen-”

“I think I’m gonna be sick” 

“Hold on, we’re almost there.” Reverend assured her.

A moment or so later, they arrived at a little patch of grass, shaded by trees that overlooked Flat Iron Lake. 

“Sean! No no no!” Karen jumped off the wagon and ran to the grave before the horse had made a full stop. She collapsed in front of the grave and cried harder than she had ever remembered doing in the past.

“I know it’s hard, but he’s in a better place now.” Reverend said in an attempt to console her. “You think?” Karen asked between broken sobs.

“Yes, I really do.” Reverend told her, kneeling down and patting her on the back.

Karen, while sitting through Reverend’s prayers for Sean, recalled how poorly she had treated him. She was the worst girlfriend, or whatever she was to him, in the world. No sooner had Reverend said “Amen” before she looked at the cross, which had Sean’s name engraved on it and began rambling.

“I’m sorry I called you an ass. I really didn’t mean it, I swear. I love you, I can’t believe I didn’t tell you, God I’m so fucking sorry.”

“Karen, he knew. If there’s one thing I’m sure of, it’s that he knew that.” Reverend assured her genuinely.

“You promise?” Karen looked back at him, her eyes full of tears and puffy from crying.

“Of course. He’s probably watching over you right now. And I think he’d want you to be strong.”

“I don’t want to be strong. I want to be with him.” In fact, the last thing in the world that Karen wanted to be was “strong”. She was pretty sure she didn’t even have it in her.

“Here, Bill found Sean’s satchel. You can keep it if you like.” Reverend picked up the small bag from the other side of the tree and handed it to Karen.

Karen's hands shook as she opened the satchel. Inside was a wad of money, a half eaten chocolate bar, an unfinished letter he’d written to her that was dated back when he had been taken prisoner by Ike Skelding’s bounty men, an Emerald ring, and the Cola syrup he’d promised her that morning.

[dbnightingale24]

Last Chance At Redemption

Chapter 11

~~

Happy Thursday!! So, the next few chapters of this story are done, but I’ still hesitant to put them up. This story a little more than halfway over, so every time I go over what I write, I decide I don’t like it and I start all over again. Please be patient with me. Anywho, I hope you all enjoy it!

Warnings: swearing, mentions of abuse, drinking, lying, bits of some hate, fluff (if you squint)...I think that’s it? Shitty writing as always

Word Count: 2366

Song That Inspired This Chapter:

Trust Issues - Olivia O’Brien

I do not consent to have any of my works/stories posted anywhere else.

~~

Abigail stood in her kitchen watching the clock. She gave up on the idea of getting work done hours ago. No, she had decided that the idea of working was hopeless given the current state of things. Her mind wouldn’t stop going back to that night and every thing that had happened since.

She had every thing she had wanted in one night, but threw it away in less than an hour the next day.

 ”So everything you said last night…that was a lie?!”

“No it wasn’t and you know that!”

“Then what-”

“It was wrong, Hugh! No matter how I feel, he’s still my boyfriend! I cheated on him! Fuck, why did you have to come over?!”

“So, this is MY fault now?!”

“No…no, this is on me. I did this, I fucked up.”

“It’s not a-”

“I fucking cheated! I fucked up!”

“He cheats on you all the fucking time, what the hell do you feel so bad about?!”

“No matter what he may or may not do when I’m not around, I don’t cheat. This isn’t how you fucking fix things when people piss you off.”

“Then tell him, he’ll break up with you, and we can be together.”

“It’s not that simple, okay?”

“Why the fuck not?!”

“Because I love him too! Jesus Hugh, I know the relationship is a fucking shit show, but I do love him. We’ve been together almost a year.”

“But you love me more. I know you do.”

“Hugh please,” she pleaded softly “just don’t. I fucked up and I know it okay? Please just don’t-”

“So that’s it? Get a good fuck out of me and throw me away?”

“You know it’s not like that. Don’t say that!”

“Whatever, I’m fucking over this. At least I fucking got off.”

“Hugh-”

“See you in hell” he muttered, walking out of her room and slamming the door closed behind him, leaving Abigail to breakdown in the middle of her room.

 Abigail shook her head at the thought , like she had every day for the past two weeks since everything had happened.  

To make things worse, her confession to Todd had gone much worse. He had come to her house with flowers and a thousand apologies, but it soon turned into swearing and harassment.

 “So you’ve been fucking around this entire time?!”

“No, it was just this once and Todd I am-”

“Who the fuck was it? Ransom?”

“What? No! He was hosting that stupid little party!”

“Yeah but…never mind, were they there when I came by to see you?”

“Yes, but that’s NOT the reason I wanted you to leave! Things are not good between us, and they haven’t been for a while-”

“So this is MY fault?!”

“It’s both of our faults!” Abigail yelled, before feeling a sharp sting across her face.

“You ungrateful little bitch. Do you know who else is gonna want you? No one. Not a single fucking person in this town. Good luck, you miserable bitch” he spat, before throwing the flowers he got her down on the ground, and storming out of the house.

 At some point, he had bothered to tell Ransom, because he wouldn’t stop texting and calling her. She refused to answer him though. She refused to answer anyone. That’s when Lisa started coming around, spending hours on her doorstep, trying to figure out what was going on. She even enlisted the help of Taylor, which didn’t help her at all, seeing as Abigail wouldn’t talk to her either.

 After a week of her ignoring everyone, Ransom tracked her down at work. She begged him to go home, but when that turned into argument, she pulled him into her office. It quickly went from a heated argument, to a heated make-out session, to him passionately claiming her on her desk.

 As if that weren’t enough to make her flustered, Todd wouldn’t stop sending he flowers and apologizing for everything. She had stayed strong at first but eventually he wore her down, and she found herself taking him back. However, she thought that was the best possible outcome. She had hurt Ransom and treated him just as poorly as everyone else had. He’d find someone knew, worthy of his love, and she’d stay with Todd. It’s what she deserved.

 She was pulled out of her party of self hate when she heard the doorbell ring. Sighing, she smoothed her hands over her hoodie and sweats, before slowly making her way over to the front door. She didn’t know why she had agreed to letting the guys watch the football game at her place, but it was too late to back out now.

 “Hey babe,” she smiled, greeting Todd with a small kiss on the cheek “come on inside guys, the food should be here soon” she said to the rest of them and avoiding Ransom’s heated gaze. Why did Todd have to invite him to everything?

 In no time at all, they all made themselves comfortable in her living room, pouring drinks or cracking open beers. Abigail did her best to ignore the irritation growing inside her and made herself her own drink. She didn’t want to be around his friends, she didn’t want to be around Todd, and it hurt too much to be around Ransom. Every time she looked at him she hated herself a little more each time.

 When the food finally arrived, she set up plates and utensils for everyone, doing her best to stay out of sight and out of mind.

 “Babe, why don’t you stay in here and hang out with us” Todd questioned, noticing her make her “I thought you liked football?”

“I don’t really like college sports. Besides, I have some work I need to do for the restaurant anyway. I’m just gonna go upstairs”

“Babe-”

“You’ll have more fun without hearing me typing away,” she smiled before dashing into the kitchen to grab her laptop and a bottle of wine. “If you need me, I’ll be upstairs” she mumbled, practically running upstairs.

 She set her laptop up on her bed, took some snacks out of her nightstand, opened her wine, and snuggled under her covers. She was determined to either be asleep or drunk by the time her movie or the football game was over.

 **

 Abigail was half way through her movie when there was a knock at her door. “Come in” she mumbled lazily, thinking it was Todd.

“I thought you had so much work to do” a soft voice spoke harshly.

“Ransom I-”

“I’ve told you about calling me that” he spat, closing her door.

“You can’t be up here. You can’t be…here.”

“Your beloved boyfriend thinks I’m talking to you about my fucking book” he muttered, tossing a folder full of papers on her bed.

“I don’t want to argue. I’m tired and I just don’t fucking feel like it.”

“Then lets not argue, lets talk”. He sat at the foot of her bed, and raised an eyebrow. “What the fuck?”

“Hugh, please just go. You’ll thank me in the long run when you’re in love with someone who’s worth your time.”

“Isn’t that supposed to be my fucking decision? The first time I feel something for anyone and you’re telling me to just forget about it? I told you that night that I tried to get over it. Pretend I wasn’t feeling what I feel. Yet, here I am, in your fucking room, angry as fuck but still trying to figure this out. You may love him but not like you love me.”

“He’s what I deserve. You think I’m what you want because you don’t know any better.”

“So I’m an idiot?”

“Is that what I fucking said?”

“It’s what you implied.”

“Bull-fucking-shit. You’ve known me long enough; I say what the fuck I mean. If I wanted to call you stupid, I would have. I’m saying you don’t know an better because you’ve never been in love. Hell, you don’t even love yourself. I make you feel good and I make you feel happy. I won’t always make you feel like that and this won’t always be sex and happiness. I won’t always be a good time. You don’t deserve that…you’ve been through enough.”

“We’ll figure it out” he shrugged, as if it were a no-brainer.

“Hugh,” Abigail groaned, running her hands through her hair “two broken people can’t have a functioning relationship.”

“But they can try,” he all but whispered, before getting up and walking over to and sitting beside her “do you love me?”

“Hugh-”

“Yes or no?”

“You know I do.”

“Do you want this?”

“I do, but we can’t be together in peace-”

“Fuck them. Fuck every single one of them. This is not up to them and they don’t know shit anyway.”

“We can’t just-”

“Yes we fucking can. We can do whatever the fuck we want. You just have to want it too.”

“Why are you fighting so hard for this?”

“Because I’ve been on this planet for 32 years and you’re the only thing that’s ever made any sense. The only thing that has ever felt right.”

Abigail was on the verge of tears, but she wouldn’t cave that easily. She wouldn’t be made a fool of by both Ransom and Todd. “What about Todd?”

“What about him?”

“I haven’t caught him cheating and as much as I believe you’d never lie to me,” she smirked sarcastically “I need some proof of something.”

“For fucks sake, where’s your phone?” he huffed, holding out his hand.

“Here?” she questioned, handing it to him

“Sent you a follow request a month ago” he muttered, going directly to her Instagram and accepting his own request, before taking out his own phone and accepting the follow request he sent from her phone. “Sweetheart, if I’m sending you requests on social media, accept them. I fucking hate all this shit, so there must be a reason for me being on it.”

“How the hell was I supposed to know it was you?”

“Who else d you know with the initials HRD?!”

“We’re fighting about a fucking Instagram account, but you expect this relationship to work?”

“Cause we’re just as good at making up as we are at arguing,” Ransom growled, a devilish grin playing on his lips.

“Stop it, Todd is downstairs”

“Then be quiet.”

 Ransom took her face in his hands and kisses her deeply. He was more than happy that the feel of her was becoming more and more familiar to him. She was more familiar to him. He already knew that they’d be together forever, but he needed her to believe that before they could have a real shot at anything.

“Hugh stop,” she sighed, as he kissed from her lips down to her neck “he could come upstairs at any moment. We can’t do this”

“I miss you and you miss me. He isn’t fucking you right, is he?”

“Hugh-”

“Is he?”

“No, but that doesn’t make this right.”

“Something that feels this right can’t possibly be wrong,” he chuckled right before hearing Todd call Abigail’s name. “Fuck”.

“Yes?” she responded, sitting up and pushing Ransom away. He couldn’t help but smirk at the scowl on her face.

“Someone’s at the front door, babe”

“On my way.”

 She shoved Ransom and he just laughed, as she opened the door and practically ran to the front door. The scream that left her mouth had both Todd and Ransom running towards the front door.

“You’re here, you’re here, you’re here! Wait…you’re a week early?”

“Yeah, I’m tired of seeing you mope around on FaceTime,” Taylor smirked, hugging her back just as tight “it’s time to do girl shit and get ready for your least favorite holiday”.

**

taglist: @jennmurawski13 @goldenfightergir @princess-evans-addict @jeremyrennermakesmesmile

[himbo-buckley]

Sex, Intimacy and Buddie (better known as I have a lot of feelings about this show, some of which are related to the before mentioned topics) - Part 5

Hej alla,

hur cool att du är här! Vad kul!

(Kay, that’s it, all the Swedish I remember from two semesters of not really studying, so it’s probably also wrong, uups?)

(Still passed though.)

You guys! We made it! And please, do not imagine this read to you in a happy voice. I am sobbing. I already miss it!

(Also, if you do imagine how I might sound please consider due to several unforseeable circumstances of student exchanges in my youth I have a very weird mixture of British and American English, which basically translates to sounding like either of those doing a bad impression of the other accent - or you know, Australian.)

I’m really having a hard time finishing this meta because I loved doing it so much and I loved talking to all of ya’ll so much. This is a sad moment. (HEY, what if ya’ll came and visited my askbox and I get to discuss random stuff with you!)

Just a fair warning now, somewhere hidden in the middle: this thing is fucking long! We are talking longer than Season 2, so be warned!

Anyways, in case someone is new:

part 1 - part 2 - part 3 - part 4

And some general info:

This meta was supposed to be a lot shorter and only talk about how both Buck and Eddie use sex to distract their respective partners from whatever topic they actually wanted to talk about but since I decided to rewatch the show to make sure I don’t miss any such scenes, it has exploded a bit and taken on more topics

I should also mention that I am a Buddie shipper and while I tried, you will find several references and arguments for the ship in this Meta, not all of which necessarily call for a romantic pairing but just: These two are deeply connected and you cannot look at one without discussing the other and they are each other’s strongest emotional connection.

I should also preface this by saying that the whole of the 118 has some obvious intimacy / commitment issues except Bobby (which is sort of surprising) but *John Mulaney voice* we don’t have time to unpack all of that!

On another note I cuss a little in this Meta because my parents let me listen to TicTacToe as a small child and after that it never stuck that cussing is wrong so, uhm, parental supervision is advised or something

This Meta has FIVE parts. Season 1 and 2 make up one part each, while Season 3, due to something pesky called feelings and the fact that I can’t shut up, has been split in three parts: Part 3 aka Season 3A, which spans 3.01 - 3.10, Part 4 which spans 3.11 - 3.17 and this part which is officially only one episode - but still manages to be just as long. Yay! (Sorry.)

And now for the last time for now: part 5 (also called „You’re a godless, half-witted himbo, Evan Buckley, and I wish I loved you less so I could talk about it more“)

Episode 3.18:

My oh my, this episode.

I loved it but I also … didn’t.

It was way too much and at times felt a little rushed and the pacing was just weird.

I mean I loved the party but did we really need 5 min of it? Did we really need Josh’s storyline and Michael’s so randomly in the middle of the episode? Could we have gotten a longer apology scene? Why the weird phone call?

Let’s talks about all of that! (It’s why you clicked read more, right?)

Ya’ll, I gotta be honest, I am from Europe and I regularly go to places via train and while it’s better than a bus, I can’t see anyone falling in love with that! I am just gonna assume Abby did not go by train in Germany. Or Austria. Or Italy. Listen, I like trains just fine but man, do they not look like what we see here!

But also, as someone who has watched Community, the train lady saying „This isn’t Subway“ in an Episode where the human embodiment of Subway acts is very very funny to me.

I feel like I don’t have to point out how significant the cut from Abby saying „They stopped waiting for me a long time ago“ to Buck and Eddie discussing Chris is. Everyone has talked about it by now. But yes, it registered, as did the fact that Abby is dating a single father - while Buck is apparently basically dating a single father. But, you know, that probably means nothing! *chugs a whole bottle of wine*

The co-parenting was very cute and honestly I feel for Christopher and Carla and the firefam is Buddie does happen because they will try to out-protect each other and it will be glorious and also Chris might never get to leave the nest ever. That poor boy.

Sidenote: We as a fandom have not talked enough about Eddie’s reaction to Bobby yodelling and I think that’s very tragic of us. Because his reaction is the best, all: „Is he - should I - no, you know what, fuck it, Eddie, ignore this, that’s too much, you can not unpack all of this, just move on. Brush it off!“

Just watch his face ya’ll, it’s great! (He will be talking to Frank about this, I know it.)

Sidenote: Also Eddie in 3.15 / 3.15. / 3.17 / 3.18 > any other Eddie, and no, I do not take criticism. That boy has always been fine but the military hair cut or what ever is doing things to me as do his happy eyes and the smiles - my god, the smiles!

It does seem significant though the way the show focused so heavily on Buck’s reaction and - as it had been the case since „Eddie Begins“ - we basically don’t see Eddie without Buck and that’s weird. That feels pointed and important, the fact that after realising, who his family is, Eddie basically never leaves Buck’s side if they are at work.

Also the way Chimney and Bobby look at each other in between, yeah, again, making fun of Christopher’s dads! Like, even if you don’t read this as Buddie, you cannot not read this scene as somewhat confirming the „Buck is Christopher’s other parent“-thing. And I know I answered an ask on Tuesday(?) where I said he wasn’t really but yeah, he is getting there. The whole season spent a lot of time focusing on Buck’s relationship with Christopher and even if it isn’t about Buddie, I still think it will cause trouble in Season 4 if Eddie begins dating again, specifically Chris’ teacher.

I also need to talk about Eddie and control, because like I said in part 4 Eddie needs to learn to let go of Christopher a little which is what we see here happening, specifically through the lens of making Buck even more overprotective than Eddie to really cement the fact in all our minds that Eddie is trying to let his son have some freedom. I am so proud of him, you guys! He just signed up for the worst two weeks of his life, he will be dying on the inside out of concern and Buck will pester him every two seconds about whether or not Chris is fine. This is why these three haven’t been to Disneyland, ya’ll! Eddie wouldn’t be able to handle it without murdering either Buck or himself. I’m sorry.

And speaking of how the episode is cut:

One thing I love about 911 is the way it always makes me consider new character pairings and connections I myself would have never thought of, in the context of this episode: Athena, Josh - and Eddie.

And look, the Athena and Josh thing is daunting enough but you can probably still catch my train of thought, because both are recent victims of assault and the episode shows them dealing with trauma and confronting their attacker, even though in Athena’s case it was just theoretical. But now you’re probably wondering, okay, why Eddie?

Well, for starters, what the episode made me realise, whether on purpose on not through cutting from scene to scene is how many similarities there are between Eddie and Athena, both of them always trying to be in control, both of them more prone to violence / more okay with violence than the others, both soft underneath, both with a tendency to let anger take over, both considered to be extremely capable, both with an intense need for control, both straight talker.

And now I will obviously not pretend that letting your child go to sleep away camp for two weeks is similar too confronting your assailant who beat you up, but still: facing fears and letting go of control vs. finding different ways to regain control is the theme for these three in the episode (or this Season in Eddie’s case) and I like it.

I really like what they did with Athena in general in this episode, because, while I don’t think we will see her as a civilian in Season 4, I am confident they will address her trauma and PTSD - especially if they only do a short time jump of say three months and not jump all the way to January / February which is when it might air if we’re lucky.

And I do think the comparison between her and Josh is very nicely done as both characters did the whole brushing it off / moving forward / I am not fazed by any of it thing, as we as viewers clearly saw what utter bullshit this was.

Which of course connects nicely to Mr. „Brush it off and move on“ who has spent a whole season learning to not just move on but to talk about it. A lesson he might have learned? At least that’s what the episode made me think, from the way he came to Buck / the firefam to talk about Christopher and camp to the way he so clearly tried to get Buck to open up about Abby. Jup, that is some motherforking growth right there!

I also wanna say hi to Brooke Shields and say I hope we see her again, cause her character seemed interesting!

And I do appreciate Athena herself addressing the fact that she messed up a little by not calling for back-up right away. This is not meant in a victim blaming way, I just think Athena is very used to handling everything on her own and not asking for help and it is interesting to see how that changes, now that it has backfired on her once.

And now we are getting into the Abby of it all and if anyone reading this is anti Buddie or severely pro Abby this is the moment to either leave or scroll down some more, because ya’ll I won’t really hold back!

(I think.)

I wanna begin by saying, uhm, Abigail, honey? Can you not read what is written on Eddie’s and everyone else’s helmets? Yes, he is from the 118, it literally says so on like every article of clothing he is wearing, omg!

(Writers, do better, that made an already unlikeable character seem downright stupid.)

Now it is very interesting, that the first person we see Abby interact with directly from the main cast (I’m counting the phone call with Maddie as indirectly) is Eddie who doesn’t know who Abby is but who is close enough to Buck to know the second he sees her who she is. The episode spends just as much time focusing on his reaction to Abby as 3.15 did on Buck’s reaction and tbh that feels … fairly non platonic. Of course we can always go back to „Stuck“ and remember what Hen said about Tatiana but still. That was one scene, here we have several scenes highlighting Eddie’s reaction to Abby and just, what do you want me to do with this, Tim?

I mean, the meeting scene literally goes like this:

Eddie *talking to Abby* > cut to Buck, coming closer > Buck: „Abby?“ > cut to both Abby and *Eddie* > Abby: „Buck?“ while the camera is still on her and Eddie > cut to just Eddie’s face having a realisation > cut to Buck

That is some very extreme focus if we’re being honest.

Also her panic reminds everyone of Buck in 3.15, right? The way she is screaming, disregarding her own safety, all desperate to get to her fiancé. Yeah.

I like how Eddie lets them talk and then steps in when he realises Buck is too shocked and only then rushes off, nearly touching Buck. Too be honest I didn’t realise his hand didn’t make contact until I saw some gifs of the scene.

Also the way Oliver plays this scene? The whole scene is so painful and I love it a lot, his whole delivery is so very painful, from the way he says „We’ll find him.“ to the „Um, what’s his name?“ to the „No. Oh. Don’t worry about it.“ because you can actually see him go through all the emotions from devastation to being so very pissed off and then locking that shit down!

Listen, I know it was teased that Buck had to grapple between being a professional and his personal feelings and I think this episode is him being a professional, because this is Buck and Buck cares so for Buck being a professional means risking his life for some guy on the train, regardless of his promise and who he is engaged to.  

Sidenote: This episode really brought home why Eddie is a firefighter and not a paramedic, because his bedside manner is shit. „This is gonna hurt a little“. Way to downplay, dude!

Also, while I do love the idea of Buck getting to be Captain one day, I think this episode shows why he won’t be. Because even when he is being professional and having great ideas Buck still cares too much and is unable to make the hard decisions. Compare it to Eddie, who, yes, does say „If we have to choose“, but also is willing to make the choice. Because sometimes you have to. (And now I’m crying a little and oh my, this is why I do not work in any job that has me make such decisions because I could not imagine living with myself if I did.)

I do think however Buck did good, from the way he talked to Sam being his usual self and all.

I’m also such a fan of smart Buck and him standing up for himself with Bobby because he doesn’t get to do this often enough and because it is important for him as a character to learn to trust his own judgement and not depend so much on Bobby’s approval. So yay, my baby is growing up!

(Also, obviously Bobby’s worry was also about Buck and not just Athena, we’ve had half a season of Bobby doing the most to „protect“ Buck, mostly against his will, so I really like that Buck got to do the rescue his way in the end, because it shows growth on both sides.)

Now, Eddie and his dramatic reaction in this scene, first of all:

I wanna take a moment to remember the fact that Edmundo Diaz, my main man, my love, my absolute ray of grey sunshine, apparently lacks any kind of self-awareness - or he would stop acting all high and mighty around Buck because the second Buck is out of view he like, drops any pre-tense of having critical thinking skills or something akin to self-preservation and does the next thing that enters his bird brain no matter the consequences. So a moment of silence for Hen, Chimney and Bobby and all they had to go through in the 6/7 months between Buck getting crushed by a ladder truck and coming back to work, because Buck? They can at least make fun of. Or tell him: yo, bro, you being stupid!

You can’t do that with Eddie - because when Eddie does stupid he gone nearly die but like in a heroic way where he still ends up saving himself and you have to be impressed. Urgh, the nerve!

So, you know what, how about, Mr. Edmundo Diaz, you do not judge Buck for wanting to save people and risk his own life UNTIL WE HAVE FORGOTTEN ABOUT YOU CUTTING THAT MOTHERFORKING ROPE? Got me? Thanks. (I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed, dude.)

(But then again EVERY MOTHERFORKING CHARACTER ON THIS DAMN SHOW SUFFERS FROM CRAZY STUPID DISEASE and no, I do not take any criticism.)

Also I loved Eddie’s dialog and how clearly the whole thing about the promise slipped out if the way his hands closed are anything to go by (or was he imagining punching some sense either into himself or Buck because in both cases: Call Frank, Eddie!). Anyway the way he just left, like, „I can not deal with ya’ll’s stupidity, I am leaving!“ has me shook! That is the top tear entertainment I expect from my favourite show and I love them for it!

I do love how both Buck and Eddie are in protector mode in this episode, Buck with Sam and Abby and Eddie with Buck, especially because if we’re being honest, which we are (this is a safe space ya’ll), Eddie is the one being far more unprofessional! For his standards, of course.

But this is the closest Eddie has come to showing some form of violence since 3a viewed chronologically (because 3.15 happened mostly in the past) yet Buck is just being is usual too caring self. It’s telling and it’s interesting and I’m just gonna say one thing:

„No one is good when it’s personal.“ - because for Buck with Sam it isn’t really personal (though that won’t hit him until later) but for Eddie it kinda is because he is worried about Buck. (And now I did spell it out! But, oh well, I did say we were gonna do some Buddie right around here!)

Sidenote: what exactly was the meaning / reason of that phone call between Abby and her stepdaughter? We already knew Sam had children and from the was she was looking outside they could have had her just see Buck and step out of the tent to watch the rescue, so why do it this way I ask? Why this incredibly unnecessary phone call that felt so very awkward?

Also I am not gonna talk about that scene right now, because I get mad every single time!

So I will just leave a link to what I’ve said about this scene so far here *and* give you the notes I took on this scene:

ALWAYS READY TO DIE

godless heathen of a man he makes me so angry i hate him i hate this show I wanna leave

EVAN BUCKLEY LOOKS GOD IN THE EYES AND SAYS NAH BRO NOT TODAY

(It’s not like his suicidal tendencies are relevant to this meta anyways because like I said a few paragraphs ago: The whole firefam has them! )

Also, for the first time ever: here is a picture I took while watching the show because what are these two extras doing? Why are they touching like that? Who are they and will we see them again? Does my brain get easily distracted by completely unrelated things?

Anyways, the way Buck answers Sam „She’s down there waiting for you.“ when he asks for Abby and his „Good to meet you Sam.“ really brings home how none of his behaviour was about Abby and all about Buck being Buck. (And now I am angry at him again, urgh, THE NERVE! Selfless fucking himbo!)

I really liked that Sam knew who Buck was and that they got to have this little interaction where he probably reevaluated the whole night because that boy just risked his life for him, the guy marrying his ex-girlfriend, and has spent the whole night being so very nice to him and talking to him. Not gonna lie, Buck is a good guy through and through and Sam probably feels like shit now.

Also Eddie coming to stand in front of Buck - I know some people think it was out of protectiveness, which got me thinking:

Tbh at first I was convinced it was a camera angle thing? Because if Eddie stood behind Buck we wouldn’t really see him. Then I thought, so why choose this angle to film it? Obviously the set had to be built a certain way so was there no other way to do it? Also why was it even important, that we saw Eddie arrive like that, couldn’t they have just changed the angle after Abby was gone to get Eddie in the frame? Why was it important that we knew that Eddie was there and 1) was putting himself physically between Abby and Buck meaning 2) that when Abby leaves with her single father, Buck is left with his single father? Why does an episode that is supposed to give Buck closure focus so much on the reactions of his non romantic partner?

(Because tbh, even if they needed to find ways to use Ryan Guzman in this Episode without adding too many scenes, they could have done it with less focus on Abby. I say this as a Buddie shipper who does recognise how important the connection Buck and Eddie have as friends is: storyline wise Bobby would have made more sense in most of these scenes and Eddie could have been used in a different way.)

I’ll leave this scene with the very nice visual of Buck running back to the traincrash and Eddie following him. These two. Like magnets.

And a quick topic change, because I do wanna talk about Michael and Doctor Hale as well in this meta, one because I found them very cute and two because I’ve now talked to a few people about Ana and Eddie and while we by now know she will probably be in Season 4, I feel like we need to compare Michael and Doctor Hale vs Eddie and Ana. Because there is such a difference in the way these love interests where introduced.

Now, of course we need to realise that Eddie and Michael are fairly different characters and Michael has way less relationship related baggage than Eddie has which is why he goes after what he wants way faster (also, carpe diem, he just found out he won’t die). Also of course, there is no moral component to address in Michael dating some doctor vs. Eddie dating his son’s teacher, but still:

Michael and Dr. Hale had one scene together and it wasn’t even overly flirty and yet, we knew where it was heading, we felt the chemistry and everyone ended the episode saying: I ship it, more of that - which they did give us, just *one* episode later. They had some awkward moments, yet the show never left a single doubt in your mind where this is heading.

Now look at Eddie and Ana:

Sidenote: I do wanna say be kind to the character and no hate, especially not to the actress! Yes, she needs to be flashed out more; no, what we saw so far does not make me ship them; no, I do not mind if they dated a little.

First of all we learned more about Doctor Hale in the two short scenes than we did about Ana in four scenes. That seems deliberate.

Second, while we do realise Eddie thinks Ana is attractive from the get go she repeatedly shuts him down by pointedly saying „Mr. Diaz“.

Third, every scene between them - and I mean every single scene - is connected to Buck in some way:

In „Fools“ we cut from Buck saying he likes being single to Eddie doing parent-teacher conference and yes, meeting some other teachers first but also Ana, showing us that while Buck is fine with being single - Eddie might not be. Also, Carla’s „blue eyes“ line which is a little clown-y, so take it with a grain of salt that it could connect us to Buck

Then of course her next scene is Eddie getting in her face about Christopher being hurt. Later in the episode we see Buck reference this on a call, meaning either Carla or Eddie told Buck about it (I am leaning a little toward Carla making fun of Eddie in front of Buck and Eddie then having to come clean about all of it, because I cannot wrap my head about the idea of Eddie telling Buck about having a crush, I’m sorry.)

Her next scene is Eddie coming to apologise to her and she gives her speech about limitations - which we can of course connect to Buck and Eddie talking about Christopher and his limitations before that and then afterwards going skateboarding with them. (It does feel a little deliberate.)

And then of course we have „Eddie Begins“ and you guys, they could have very very easily have either Carla or Buck make a joke about Mrs. Flores and Eddie’s crush in the firehouse scene, but they didn’t! And then we do get to see her at the end where she has one whole line and Eddie barely looks at her and you know what happens? They have a child ask the same question Buck asked at the beginning, making us think of Buck. Like, it would have been enough to establish Eddie doesn’t feel like a hero if the question was asked only once - twice in the span of 45 minutes constitutes a callback, meaning we are supposed to think of the other scene and that means thinking about the other person that asked, which was Buck

And yes, once Season 4 premieres and we get Eddie and Ana in this epic romance because Tim Minear wants to be the next Rick Berman, I will go back to this meta and beat my own ass. Or something.

(Listen, her returning in Season 4 does not mean endgame or the end of Buddie, it just means Eddie might get a love interest. Tbh I actually think it could get us closer to Buddie and you know what, I’m just gonna link all my Ana Flores posts here here and here now so you can read all the other stuff I, alongside some other people, said on this topic, if you’re interested because none of this has a point right now.)

Now, let’s get into the meat of things and talk about *that* scene:

Was it a good apology? No.

Did Buck deserve better? Fuck yes.

Did he get closure? Yes.

Is the way that scene was done actually perfect? I mean, ya’ll, yes? A little?

Listen, this scene was always about closure and that’s what Buck got here and that’s what Buck needed.

Buck, who in Season 1 had described Abby as the perfect woman, needed it to go down like this so he could realise she wasn’t and he could finally let her go. And that’s what it was about!

Obviously looking at Abby’s character this episode does not make her look good, like not at all and I’d be very surprised if we ever saw her again. But looking at it from Buck’s point of view it was exactly what he needed. (Not what he deserved, but yeah, if this show was about what Buck deserved it would be a whole lot different and Buddie would be canon by now.)

One thing I really loved about the scene was the way it was filmed, with LA in front of us, Abby and Buck with their backs to the camera and us only ever seeing them in profile, because it was a  private moment and this sort of made you feel like you were intruding. Like you were listening in on a conversation and I liked that a lot.

Also I think her speech about losing herself through helping people is very interesting because it contrasts her to Buck. Buck found himself in helping others and lost himself when he was no longer allowed to do that and I think that is what she means when she says she would have lost herself with him again. Because Buck is selfless and he is so selfless he inspires others to be the same, except Abby isn’t but being with Buck she would need to be and that is a problem.

Look, if you’ve followed this blog at all or maybe just read part one of the meta you have probably guessed by now that I don’t like Abby. I found her character boring. I thought she overstepped all the time. I got so mad at her for the way she treated Buck in Season 1!

Because in 1.06 she *actually* complains about him being too thoughtful and scared of messing up while calling him a *toy boy*. The truth is, after 1.05 and their first meeting, Abby no longer takes him seriously. She hardly ever takes his feelings into consideration. The relationship, from Valentines Day onward becomes all about what she wants and what she needs and our Buck is the selfless idiot who gives her his all.

I mean, she never even talked to Buck about wanting to leave, just presented him with her decision and then lived her life and never thought about him again.

And like, I think she is wrong if she thinks she’d have lost herself with him again, because Buck was what showed her that she lost herself in the first place. He helped her on the path of self-aquaintance (I guess? I’m lacking the word here), but she is right if she means the relationship wouldn’t have worked.

Because one of them would have lost themselves, though I do think it would have been Buck and not Abby. After all, Buck was the one who gave everything up from the get go and yes, Abby helped trigger him finding himself alongside Bobby and the job and she did help him stay on that path in the beginning - but in the end it was never about her at all. It was about him and him alone and the amazing person he had always been.

And I think that is what Buck realises in the scene. Despite Abby ghosting him, he still looked at her through rose coloured glasses and with fondness, but here, he realises, oh, Abby isn’t perfect. Abby isn’t like the woman I made her out to be. Abby never really cared about me. And as much as that probably hurt, this is what Buck needed to let go of her!

He needed to see that Abby wasn’t the perfect woman so he could let her go - and find himself the perfect person, someone who reciprocates and doesn’t just take. (Am I crying?)

(And look, I am not saying he already found someone like that, someone who proved in this episode how much they care about Buck and his feelings and making sure he comes home every night to his family - I’m saying he found someone who is working on being that person!)

Let’s talk about Eddie and Abby for a second, again, okay?

(Bro, how did I just get to that topic? So random! *laughs in Buddie*)

When I watched the episode my second time to take notes, I wrote one that said ‚Abby and Eddie parallels / lawsuit‘ - and I gotta be honest I barely remember what I meant. But I did still produce some thoughts (just not sure if that was where I was going with the note, so if anyone has some other ideas, please share):

You know how Abby talks about losing herself when she is with Buck? Well, I know someone who lost themselves just this season because he wasn’t with Buck! (Jup, we’re back with the lawsuit, ya’ll really thought I wouldn’t bring this up? You guys! More than 20000 words and you still don’t know me!)

It’s a very nice parallel to have Abby talking about losing herself with Buck when we saw Eddie losing himself without Buck. Because while I think Eddie himself is a selfless person just like Buck, similar to how Buck needed Abby in Season 1 as a catalyst of change so to speak, Buck was the catalyst of change for Eddie.

I talked a lot in the other parts about Eddie having problems with voicing his needs and feelings - and now please once again look at his relationship with Buck. Because here he has been doing this, not from the get go of course, Eddie didn’t take one look at Buck and his whole life was turned upside down (that was Buck looking at Eddie), but I think Buck steamrolling through Eddie’s life helped Eddie find himself. Buck, from the get go, is a calm centre for Eddie, an anchor, even after he reconnects with Shannon. Buck is who he turns to in a crisis, who he trusts with his son, with having his back.

And I think in both cases - Abby and Buck as well as Eddie and Buck - the relationship is brought to the next level through Buck’s selflessness and willingness to help. But while Abby just takes it and doesn’t really see it as the gift it is and never fully lets Buck in, Eddie does the opposite. Eddie, whether knowing or unknowing, makes himself exactly what Buck needs: someone who puts trust in him, who treats him like an equal, who opens his home and his family to him. And he also tries (and this is a big thing considering who we’re talking about right now) to be there for Buck, to be his anchor just like Buck is his - which obviously works with mixed results, because one person, no matter how hard they try can never fix the problems of someone else alone. Believe me. I’ve tried.

And wow, did that get deep and fast! Damn ya’ll and I haven’t had a drop of alcohol in like 5 days. This show really gives me all the feels!

Now, to keep me and maybe ya’ll from crying I’m gonna change the subject and talk about something else, also known as the rest of the episode:

To go back to the start of the episode, Buddie really had some extreme couple / family vibes going on, especially with Christopher in the mix. It’s telling that they included a scene of Buck and Christopher specifically and it was to remind us once again that these two have a strong bond.
I won’t go all: Buddie confirmed, this is were we are heading, ya’ll! Because as you must have realised by now I am fairly cautious when it comes to this and am always fighting to keep my own clownery at bay, but I do have to say so far nothing in this show and Season 3B specifically has read as a red flag for me, disapproving the possibility or making me feel queerbaited. Now, maybe I am just very off in my intuition and they will change gear in Season 4, but well, right now I have some hope!
I also loved the scene of Christopher going to camp and the card which reminded me of 3.01 and also, Eddie looks so good here! And he came so far, letting his son go to camp and all!

Of course I would have loved to see Buck there as well, but one, that would have been a Buddie confirmed and we’re not quite there yet and I’m glad cause right now they aren’t fully ready (in show terms, fanfiction is something different), and two this proves what I said about Buck and Christopher being connected and him having parental / fatherly feelings toward the boy but like, not being his actual father yet! Buck loves Chris and Chris loves Buck and obviously he is part of the Diaz family - but he also isn’t.

(Also: I went to something like camp when I was 11 and you think both my parents brought me? Nah, son, they didn’t. My dad brought me while my mom made breakfast.)

Now, some sidenotes to round it all off:

Karen is a gift and I really hope we see more of her because omg, I wanna be her friend, I wanna be her wife, I wanna learn about life from her! She is awesome and I will never fully forgive Hen for cheating on her, like girly, Eva isn’t even close to Karen on any level?

And speaking of Hen, I love the subplot of Chim coming to terms with her potentially leaving and deciding to help her because he was who she really needed on her side - not anyone else. I’d write a meta on their relationship but tbh it’s so consistent and unproblematic, I really don’t know what to write except: goals about 10000 times. Which isn’t that different to me finding new ways to write THE CONNECTION, if we’re being honest but oh well! Now it’s too late to stop that!

I loved Athena getting spooked by Bobby showing up behind her when she was getting a drink - talk about this show finally addressing the trauma these characters go through! And it only took, oh well, about 35 episodes. Let’s hope that is the energy they bring into Season 4.

Now the apology scene with Bobby, I do hate how Buck is once again the one apologising and especially since it’s with Bobby but I do think it was a nice scene and a great callback to 3.01. Also this episode showed a lot of growth in Bobby and Buck’s relationship. Because after 3a was all about Bobby projecting onto Buck and making decisions for him based on what he thought was the right thing, this episode not only had Buck standing up to Bobby in a healthy and adult way (no lawsuit this time!) but also Bobby giving in and letting Buck make the decision even if he disagreed. That is some motherforking growth right here and Babe, I hope you are not to disappointed with me, but if they keep Bobby like this I might actually begin to see his appeal to people (still need him to suffer the consequences of his actions, though).

But to end on a great note:

Buck is doing okay and - most importantly - MADNEY BABY!!! You guys, we knew it was coming from the promos and all but I cried! I cried so hard! I am so happy for them! These two soft characters and their amazing, open, caring, trusting, adult relationship deserves all the luck in their fictional universe!

Whew, you guys! We’ve done it! And it’s longer than Season 2 (I’m sorry, are ya’ll surprised? This episode was a lot!)

I feel like I should write some form of conclusion to this whole meta and yet my words elude me. Here are the few I have for you though:

This meta began with the idea that neither Buck nor Eddie really knew how to be emotionally intimate with a person and instead used sex as a substitute. This is no longer true for either character.

Buck has learned through his relationship with Abby, that he can be both physically and emotionally intimate with a person and he has proven how this is still true in his reaction to Taylor and his relationship with Ali, what little we saw of it. Furthermore Season 3B specifically showed that Buck, while still afraid to open up to people, is trying. I do think Season 4 is heading toward some kind of romance for him and while I am praying to several deities I do not believe in and the universe itself that it is Eddie, I am not sure. I hope so. But never the less, my shipping aside, Buck has grown tremendously in the course of 3 Seasons and I am so impressed both with his character and the way the show has so realistically done it. I love him. Even more than Buddie I hope we get to see him truly happy in Season 4, happy and settled and learning what life actually holds for him because that kid could rule the world if he wanted to.
Now, Eddie: It’s funny, when I began this meta I felt more connected to Buck, I didn’t really see myself in Eddie, I barely had a grasp on his character at times. Now? Now he is my favourite, I love his greyness, his goodness despite his faults, the way he always struggles with himself to do better, to be better because it doesn’t come naturally to him, because it has been taught to him to do the opposite. And that is so impressive. I love the growth we saw in him, the evolution, the fight to be a better man than his own role-models and I love especially how all of this was motivated by and for his son. He truly loves him more than life itself and I am so impressed with 911 subverting something that feels like a very female storyline by giving it to a man.

But of course Eddie isn’t done yet and Eddie still struggles with intimacy and opening up but he is getting there. Through Frank and Buck and for Christopher he is fighting and he is getting there and I love that for him and about him! He deserves to be happy in Season 4 just like Buck, but mostly he deserves to be at peace with himself!

And I already talked at length about Ana and their potential and linked what I thought didn’t fit in here, so I will not bore you by repeating myself and just say: wait. Wait and see. Maybe the show will surprise us. Maybe it won’t. Maybe corona will kill us all before we have a chance to see Season 4. Maybe we are in the Matrix and the blue pill is a metaphor for being trans. Life is strange!

Also on a more personal note I wanna say thank you to everyone who has read and liked and reblogged and commented. I love all of you. Your support and trust in what I am saying has meant a lot and will mean just as much in the future and I do hope I get to do this again in like a year once they return!

(Also, not to sound needy but another reminder to please reblog and comment? Because I *am* actually writing this because I really wanna talk about the show and my feelings and your thoughts and you know, that can only happen if ya’ll do some reblogging)

(Or come to my ask if you are more comfortable being even more anonymous, I don’t judge - I NEVER ask question any other way!)

In diesem Sinne: hamma wieder was gelernt, recht herzlichen Dank für Ihre Aufmerksamkeit und auf Wiedersehen!

Also, of course, the tagging:

@chimbuckleys​ @angelcamael​ @greyhello​ @the-family-we-choose-118​ @ipleiade​ @sevensoulmates​

[nootnewtnute]

Tom Cullen/Nick Andros x OC - Saviors

TW: Mention of rape

Word Count: 1730

Another punch sent you to the ground. One more and you would probably black out, and that was real bad.

“Feeling a bit sleepy after that one, huh?” The guy laughed. “That won’t be a problem, darling.”

“Fuck you,” was your reply. This really was going to be your fate. Taken by a disgusting man for things you didn’t want to think about.

“Well, go right ahead, if you want to.” He grabbed you by hour shirt and pulled you back up, ready to punch you again. That’s when a shot rang out, and blood went flying onto you. You gasped and stumbled back. You quickly looked up to see two men standing about 50 feet away, with bikes. You quickly picked up your own gun.

“Hey, missus!” The bigger guys said. “Are you alright?”

“Uh, yeah…” You replied.

“That guy was bothering you, wasn’t he?” The guy began walking toward you, and you backed up out of fear. You had no idea what kind of person this guy was. The big guy stopped. “What’s wrong, missus? Did I scare you?” Slowly, you nodded. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to. My name is Tom Cullen. I’m developmentally disabled. I have trouble reading social cues, which is why I did not know you were scared. I don’t want to hurt you. My friend back there is the one who got rid of the bad guy.” Tom gestured to the guy back at the bikes. “He’s a nice guy, too. I don’t know his name, though, because he can’t talk, and I can’t read his notes. Maybe you can help?” You weighed your options. Could you really trust these guys? You thought you could; Tom had mentioned he was mentally disabled, and you could tell he wasn’t lying. He genuinely seemed like he wanted to help.

“Sure.” Tom began walking back to his friend

“My friend doesn’t talk at all. Did I mention that? I think he’s deaf, too. He tried to do some hand gestures to talk to me, but I didn’t understand them. Is that what sign language is?”

“Yeah, it is.” The good think was you knew sign language. You would have to try it.

“She’s ok, mister!” Tom said as the two of you approached his friend. The guy gave a thumbs up to Tom, then turned to you and handed you a note. It said ‘Nick Andros. I’m deaf.’ So, he definitely must have attempted to sign to Tom. You handed the note back and signed Nice to meet you, Nick.

Nick’s face lit up, and he smiled and signed You know sign language?

Yeah, my mother was deaf, so I learned.

“Are you guys talking?” Tom asked.

“Yeah,” You replied.

“What’s his name? Did he tell you?” Tom asked in excitement.

“His name is Nick.”

“Nick… I like that! Nick, Nick, Nick,” Tom said. That made Nick smile again. “Thanks, missus. What’s your name, you haven’t told us yet!”

“(Y/N),” You said.

“Do you want to join our group, (Y/N)? Having another person around would be soooo cool!” Tom asked.

“I mean, if you guys don’t mind me joining…” Tom nodded enthusiastically, and you turned to Nick. Well, what do you think? Mind if I tag along with you guys?

Not a problem, Nick signed back.

“I’m just gonna go over to that stream and clean up a bit first, if that’s ok,” You both say and sign. “I’m not in the best conditions right now, obviously.” The two guys nodded, so you went off and got cleaned up. You were really happy that you had actually found some people who weren’t bad; the last guy what the first living person you had encountered since Captain Trips killed everyone else, and obviously he hadn’t been so good. You wouldn’t have to worry so much about being on your own now. You were finally part of a group.

When you finished up, you felt a little bit better. You had finally gotten all the blood off (yours and the other guys) and had assessed your injuries; a black eye and a couple of bruises from the punches.

Feeling better? Nick signed when you walked back, and you nodded.

“So, this may be a really stupid question, but are you two going to Nebraska?” You said and signed. Both men looked at you in shock when you said that. “So, I’ll take that as a yes. I’m assuming that means you’ve been dreaming of the old lady, too.”

“Mother Abigail!” Tom said. “Laws, yes, we both have. We’re gonna go see her.”

“This is crazy, isn’t it? All of us having the same dream?”

It is, but it would be crazier if only one of us was having it. Nick said.

“So, how much farther do we have to go to get there?” You asked.

I’m guessing about 200 miles. So, not too far Nick joked, and you laughed.

“Yeah, definitely not far at all.”

“Wanna use my bike, (Y/N)? I don’t mind walking beside you guys, really I don’t!” Tom offered.

“I wouldn’t want to make you do that, Tom,” You say. “Although I appreciate the offer.”

You can ride on the back of my bike, Nick signed. Both of us can fit on mine.

Are you sure? You ask.

Not a problem.

“What’s he saying?” Tom asked.

“He offered to let me ride on the back of his bike. We can both fit, so might as well.”

We can stop in the next town and try and find a bike for you, Nick said, and you nodded. You walked over and got on the back of the bike. There wasn’t much room, so you were leaning against Nick’s back. Ready? Nick asked, and you gave him the thumbs up. Then, the three of you were off.

You made it to the next town half an hour later, and lucky for you, you were able to find a bike, and some new supplies (the bad guy had ruined all the supplies you had before). It was almost night by the time you got stuff, so the three of you only rode for a little while longer, then set up camp. All of you ate canned beans for dinner.

“(Y/N), where are you from?” Tom asked as you ate.

“Missouri… what about you?”

“I’m from Kansas,” Tom said, and Nick signed Arkansas. “Nick and I met each other in Kansas, and then we teamed up to go to Mother Abigail!” Tom said. “Then we encountered one other girl, but she was crazy. She tried to shoot us! So, we left that town, and then we found you here!”

“Sounds like you two had quite the adventure,” You say. The three of you continued to talk, and you learned about the two of them. The obviously had very similar experiences as you with Captain Trips; everyone but them got sick, and they were left on their own. Then each of them, like you, had the dreams of the old lady in the cornfield, and decided to go after her. Now here you were, sitting in the middle of the road eating canned food, on your way to a supposedly supernatural woman.

After a while, Tom decided to go to bed, as he was quite tired. You and Nick decided to as well; you would have a long day of biking tomorrow, and you wanted to be well rested. However, you couldn’t stop thinking about the events of the day. The past few weeks, really. So much had happened, and it felt like forever since life before Captain Trips. Eventually, you got out of your sleeping bag and sat back down by the fire Nick had started earlier. It was almost out, but the small amount of flames left provided a little bit of light.

You were deep in thought when Nick suddenly sat down next to you. You looked over at him, and he smiled a bit, then signed Can’t sleep?

Nope, you replied. Too much to think about.

Agreed. The two of you sat there for a moment. All of this is pretty crazy, wouldn’t you say?

Crazy is an understatement, you say, and both of you laugh a bit. So much has changed for so many these past few weeks, it feels like it’s been an entire lifetime. And there’s still so much that could possibly happen. I mean, we still have so far to travel, and then we’re going to meet this Mother Abigail, if she exists… then what?

Nick shrugged. Who knows what happens after? If Mother Abigail IS real, I’m imagine it’ll be something good.

I sure hope so. So much bad has happened, we need something good to happen. You looked up at Nick. That guy that was trying to hurt me earlier… he wasn’t the first guy who tried. That was the third guy. I was able to stop the first two on my own, but the third guy… he really almost had me. He was going to rape me if you hadn’t intervened. So… thank you for what you did.

I’m glad I could help. I wasn’t just going to let him hurt you. You leaned over and rested your head on Nick’s shoulder, and he put his arm around you. As scared as you were for the future, being around nice people for the first time in weeks felt very comforting. The two of you sat there for a while bit, then Nick turned to you with a smile. So, Tom is quite a character, wouldn’t you say?

You laughed. Yes, he is. He’s nice, though. It’s his kindness that we need in a world like this. Nick agreed. People like Tom were the ones the world needed if it wanted to survive. He would give everyone (however many there may be) the hope and strength to get through… well, whatever was going to happen. It was the same with Nick; he had shown his kindness and willingness to do the right thing for others the first moment you had encountered each other. Right as you had begun to lose hope about the people left, and the way the world was going, two kind saviors had come in to change everything. It was those kinds saviors you were sure were going to bring the world back to its former greatness.

[heart-of-gold-outlaw]

Welcome Home: Arthur Morgan x Modern!Reader (3/?)

Chapter Three: Dirty Rotten Bastards

Ao3

Wattpad

"So," Dutch says as he walks over to where you're sitting by the campfire. His expression is borderline unreadable. "Hosea told me about your hunting trip."

You wiggle a stick in the air, trying to make it look like a piece of string. "Yep."

"And Arthur told me about what happened in Valentine. With George Foreman."

Snapping the stick in half, you toss it into the fire, watching it ignite with a strange sort of fascination. "Uh-huh."

Dutch sighs and moves until he's standing in your line of sight. "Y/N," he says, voice low and entirely too serious, "you need to be more careful, darlin'. You ain't from here. What'll happen when Hosea and Arthur aren't there to keep you from getting into trouble?"

You shrug. "Guess I'll die."

Of course, of course, the meme goes right over Dutch's head. He stares at you, mouth slightly agape as concern immediately floods his eyes. You internally groan. You'll have to keep reminding yourself that morbid humor doesn't mean the same thing in the past as it does in your time. Still, you stick to your guns and don't elaborate. Let Dutch figure it out for himself.

"And Hosea," he eventually grinds out, "told me about that kind of talk from you."

At this point, you decide to check out of the conversation. If he's just going to lecture, you'll wait for him to climb on his soapbox again. Thankfully, Dutch seems to get the hint and leaves. You sigh. You know he's just looking out for you, as he looks out for everybody else in the gang. Still: it's annoying. You don't need a father. Not right now.

The sun rises over the mountains off in the distance, and you go about getting ready for the day. Abigail and John argue about who knows what, and you find yourself drifting toward their conversation. You know John doesn't do nearly enough to help with Jack. Abigail does most of the work. The thought alone makes your blood curdle. John's a goddamn father. The least he can do is take some responsibility and act like one.

Speak of the devil, John finishes arguing and goes off to sulk. You glare at him as he passes. He doesn't seem to notice, though, which is probably a good thing. Sighing, you decide to check on Abigail. She's furiously scrubbing something or another, but looks up at you when you approach. You watch her try her best to put on a facade.

"How you doin', Y/N?" She asks, straightening up and setting aside the wash. "I know this's gotta be confusin' and all."

"He's a fuck-off," you blurt, jabbing a thumb over in John's general direction, completely ignoring her attempt at small talk.

Abigail blinks, clearly taken aback. For a moment, you wonder if you've said too much, but then you decide it doesn't really matter. You're only speaking the truth.

"No seriously," you continue. "What the hell's his problem? First of all: he completely ignores his kid, then has the audacity to get mad at you—you—when you're the one doing all the goddamn work!"

Briefly, Abigail looks so shocked, you almost want to apologize. But then her shoulders slump and she sighs before leaning heavily against the wagon.

"I don't know," she says. "I guess that's just the way he is."

You feel your eyebrows skyrocket. "Oh now that's some bull. Motherfucker's gonna get a piece of my mind—and my foot—if he doesn't square up."

Abigail blinks again, then laughs. "Now that's somethin' I'd like to see."

Before you can continue, you spy Arthur riding into camp. You immediately shut your mouth. Abigail frowns, then follow your gaze... and you're mortified when her eyebrows shoot up in amusement. A knowing grin spreads across her face, much to your chagrin.

"Well now," she says, "if I didn't know any better, I'd say you fancy a certain rough-and-tough outlaw, Y/N."

You snap your eyes to hers. "Not even," you deny, though you can feel your face burning. "Not. Even."

Abigail shrugs and goes back to doing her wash. You look at Arthur as he feeds and waters his horse, then stare at your shoes when he glances your way. When you finally muster the courage to look up again, the corners of his lips are twitching. This, you've come to realize, is about as close to a smile as he gets.

"Y/N," he says in greeting when he walks over.

Your brain freezes momentarily, but you quickly recover. "Hey Arthur... nice weather, huh?"

If there was ever a time you wanted to die, actually die, that was it. Still, you don't bother trying to make a comeback. And lucky for you, Arthur chooses to let it go. Instead, he shrugs it off and starts walking toward the edge of camp.

You follow without really thinking. Surprisingly, you find yourself standing behind him a few feet away from the tied up O'Driscoll. Kieran, if you remember his name right. Arthur gives him a look—and you're suddenly grateful you're not on his bad side. Kieran leans away. You can see him shaking, and the stench radiating from him makes your nose scrunch up.

"Ready to talk yet, O'Driscoll?" Arthur asks as casually as if they're talking about the news.

Kieran groans. "How many times do I gotta tell you? I ain't an O'Driscoll."

"Really?" Arthur raises an eyebrow. "Ain't how it looks to me."

At that moment, Dutch walks over, followed by Bill Williamson. You're not too sure how you feel about Bill. He hasn't outright treated you poorly, but he's not the nicest guy in the gang. Then again, he is an outlaw. "Nice" isn't exactly a requirement.

"Oh who am I kidding?" Dutch says, getting close to Kieran's face. "This boy's not gonna talk. Not yet."

For the first time, Kieran seems to notice you're standing just a few feet away. His eyes find yours, wide and pleading, and your heart breaks just a little bit. You've never really paid him that much attention since Arthur found you in the Grizzlies. He was just some unlucky bastard who got mixed up in a bad scene.

"You want him to talk?" You say as you take a step closer. "Then let's make him talk. Gimme five minutes with him."

Dutch, Arthur, and Bill all stare at you like you've suddenly grown a second head. Kieran, though, just watches you warily. You can tell he can't quite figure out what game you're playing, so you give him your best smile. Honestly, you don't know what game you're playing yet, either. You're just making it up as you go.

Eventually, Dutch shrugs motions for Arthur and Bill to move away. "What've we got to lose?"

He and Bill stalk away, but Arthur lingers for a moment, glowering at Kieran with everything he has. Kieran shrinks back as far as the tree will allow.

"Try anything," Arthur warns, "and we'll have ourselves a dead O'Driscoll."

With that, he walks away. You catch him throw a glance over his shoulder, but he doesn't say anything else. Once you're sure he's out of earshot, you turn back to Kieran.

"Not an O'Driscoll, huh?" You plop down in the grass. "Me neither."

He watches you. "Then what are you?"

You shrug. "Just from the future. I know how this all ends."

It's one hell of a bluff, but you hope Kieran will take the bait. You've got a lot riding on this. Not only do you want to look good in front of the gang, you want to impress Arthur. And this seems like a good way to do it.

"H-how does it end?" Kieran, much to your delight, sounds like he believes you. The tremor in his voice is a telltale sign.

You shrug again, deciding to draw it out. "For them? Not too shabby. For you..." You give him a look. "Well... I don't think you wanna know."

// // // // //

Five minutes later, you casually approach Arthur, Bill, and Dutch. You twirl a few blades of grass between your fingers, then let them go and watch them fly away in the wind. Then, you turn to meet everyone's questioning stares.

"Y'all ever heard of Six Point Cabin?" You ask. "Kieran says that's where Colm O'Driscoll's hiding."

Bill nods. "Yeah, I know it. Ain't too far from here."

"How in the hell," Arthur says, "did you get him to talk?"

You shrug and absently draw a circle in the dirt with your foot. "I told him I'm from the future and that y'all kill him and cut up his body into fourteen pieces, then scatter them all around the Grizzlies so nobody can ever find him."

Three pairs of eyes widen as the outlaws gape at you. Eventually, though, Dutch lets out a bark of laughter and pats your shoulder.

"Nice work, Y/N," he praises. "Guess we can count on you to get things done around here."

You find yourself smiling. "Just takes a bit of skill and a whole lot of lying."

"Well then." Dutch glances around at Bill and Arthur, then back to you. "Why don't you tag along with Mr. Williamson and Mr. Morgan, see if you can't pay ol' Colm a visit?"

At this, Arthur shoots Dutch a look. "You sure?" He asks, giving you a once-over. "They still don't know how to shoot, Dutch."

You know he's right, but the last thing you want to do is stay cooped up in camp any longer. And besides: how hard could shooting a gun be? All you have to do is pull the trigger.

"Take the O'Driscoll with you," Dutch is saying, "and have Y/N watch him. Any luck, we can catch Colm unawares."

Arthur still seems uncertain, but eventually nods. "Fine." He turns to you. "Sound alright?"

"Oh absolutely." You give him a wide grin. "Let's go."

A/N: So, I know that it's been a while between updates, but life got a little hectic with the whole quarantine business. Hope y'all enjoyed this chapter! Likes and comments are much appreciated!

Next Chapter: In Progress

Previous Chapter: Lionheart

Inspired Playlist Track: Green Day - “Dirty Rotten Bastards”

[darthyentruoc]

You Rat!

Sadie Adler x Reader

I suck at using punctuation so please forgive me if parts make no sense.

Also use whatever name and pronoun that makes you comfortable.

This will be a two parter as it was far too long to post as one.

..................................................................................

'What're we gonna do now dutch?' Bill asked just as the boat was finally pulling into the harbour of Van Horn after a very long journey back from Guarma 'we just need time, thats all but first we need to rejoin our family. When we get off i want each of you to check places we last was; Bill check around Saint Denis, saloons and such, Arthur check rhodes maybe our old camp, Javier you check up near lakay around near the bayou maybe they went up that way, Micah check horseshoe maybe they backtracked, y/n check shady belle and i will ask whomever i come across. Be safe....all of you' each of you nodded before one by one entering the small rowboat to head back to shore.

Since the bankjob you had been suspicious, it was obvious that one of the gang was in on it that there was definitely a rat amongst you. You didnt know why maybe it was just because he was an asshole but, something inside you consistently pulled your suspicion toward micah. So when you saw him mount up and start to ride off you decided to follow him.

As you neared horseshoe overlook you almost gave up and was about to head back until you saw a wagon blocking the road infront of him, 'ah shit...sorry micah but if youre about to get shot. I aint goddamn helping you' you whispered to yourself as you slowly pulled off the road and watched from a distance, the door opened and out stepped Agent Milton and Ross you couldnt believe your eyes as you saw micah dismount and follow them both back into the wagon as if they were old friends having a reunion after years apart 'you goddamn bastards' you spat. That was all the information you needed now you just had to find the others before he did.

Arriving at shady belle the grounds were clearly abandoned and strewn with rubbish and broken tents they obviously had to leave in a hurry, you just hoped that somone left something to help you find them. You walked into the plantation house the door creaking loudly 'HELLO....SADIE....ABIGAIL? ANYONE?'. Nothing. You searched the downstairs rooms and spotted a letter on the dining table

"Dear Uncle Tacitus.

I do so hope that you enjoyed your vacation. Lucky you! Leaving like that. And you always suggested you were too old for travel. I hope you and your cousins enjoyed yourselves. Me and your grandneices have decided to take a trip of our own as the place has become so dreary and God forsaken in your absence. We have gone to visit relatives [from my daddy's side. You are not yet acquainted with them] in lakay a small village just north of Saint Denis.

Its buggy and muggy but apparently neither is too bad this time of year. Please come see us when you can.

Yours sincerely,

Caroline"

You chuckled this note had sadie all over it you even found yourself reading it in her accent, just as you folded it away you heard the sounds of hooves nearing the house, racing to the window you saw 3 pinkertons dismounting outside 'why have we gotta check here again, they aint here','yea well Mr Milton wants us to check everyday until they are' you lowered yourself to the floor and took cover behind the wall 'urgh Mr Milton, ive got a spare bullet for him','shh come on, look footprints someones here...scout the area' you stayed in cover as two of them entered the house and one walked right past you, quickly you crept past them and back to your horse, making your way to lakay.

The sun was slowly setting as you arrived at lakay, you spotted Sadie, Pearson and Abigail outside you made your way over to them your footsteps prompting Abigail to turn around 'y/n....oh my goodness, he's/she's alive.... youre alive!' She dived into your arms 'welcome back Mr/Miss Morgan' Pearson smiled widely. Your eyes moved to sadie who was still stood to the side just looking you over as if you were a mirage 'i...uh got your note' you stuttered pulling the piece of paper from your satchel, with that sadie stepped forward and gently tossed the letter into the mud before wrapping her arms around you in a warm but protective embrace which shocked you as she had never been too affectionate before, which you totally understood but nevertheless you held her close for what felt like minutes before pulling away 'im glad you're ok' she smiled.

The reunion was short and sweet before you remembered earlier that day 'micah!' You spoke out loud 'what?...' sadie looked at you confusion painting her face 'is he back?' You asked 'yea he got back a couple hours ago.... but why?....' sadie couldn't finish and was just as confused as ever as you barged into the cabin, ignoring everyone you spotted micah asleep in a hammock on the left of the cabin.

Without missing a beat you marched over and tipped him out sending him sprawling to the floor 'WHAT THE HELL! ARGH...WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT FOR MORGAN' he shouted angrily as he pushed himself back up, you grabbed him by his collar pinning him to the nearest wall 'did you have a nice chat with milton?...huh, did you?' You spat smashing him back into the wall aggressively 'hang on a minute, what the hell is going on?' Abigail inquired as she pulled jack into her chest in an effort to stop him from seeing anything 'he got picked up by the pinkertons, thats whats up' you could see him squirming under your grip 'i dont know what he's/she's talking about, clearly all that sun got to your head' he chuckled trying his best to get anyone else on his side, with a calm demeanor you said 'Abigail take jack outside for me'. As soon as you heard the door slam shut you threw micah to the floor and sent a fist across his face 'what did you tell em'. He wiped the blood with his sleeve 'why would i tell you' he chuckled 'oh your gonna tell me'.

You punched him over and over until his face was purple and bloodied 'just tell him/her Micah' Susan screamed from the doorway, with that he began laughing hysterically spitting the blood from his mouth onto the floor 'right ive had enough of this' you pulled out your revolver and pointed it at micahs kneecap and fired making him let out a pained scream 'TELL ME, OR I'LL SHOOT THE OTHER' you yelled taking aim at his other knee 'alright.... alright, they knew you were here','are they out there now?.... are they waiting for us? Answer me you bastard','yes.... yes theyre waiting for you all and then theyre gonna ambush the cabin to get us to surrender.... please dont kill me' he begged 'we arent gonna kill ya, at least not yet' Arthur threatened before sadie sent the butt of her rifle into his face knocking him out cold.

[mayhemproduces]

As Syn walked to the back, finishing the last of his beer and putting his phone back in his pocket, he looked up to see that three of his stable mates, Mance Warner, Effy, and Manders were all standing there, arms crossed, definitely not looking very happy with him right now.  “What the hell was that?” Mance asked, in an accusatory manner, and Syn put his hands up defensively. “What? I did what y'all asked, I went out there with her. Not my fault she couldn’t pay attention enough to win the match.” Effy sighed and his arms dropped to his side. “Really? Because it’s a lot easier to win a match when you don’t have to worry about someone else at ringside fucking with you while you’re trying to wrestle. That’s usually why we go out there with one of the others watching our back. But tonight, you just decided to fucking sit there while Kris basically had to fight off both Derek Dillinger and Ziggy Haim."  Syn rolled his eyes. "I told you guys. I’m not down with Abigail joining this group. Just because she’s got everyone else fooled, doesn’t mean she’s gonna pull the wool over my eyes."  Mance at this point lost his cool, and got right up in Syn’s face. "You listen to me and you listen good because you’re completely missing the point of what we’re talkin’ about. I don’t care if that is Abigail in a wig or if it’s just some fuckin’ girl who just had her ass stamped in her second ever match. The problem here is that she put her god damn trust in you tonight to watch her fuckin’ back, and you let her down. Your ass sat there and watched her get taken advantage of, when at any point if you get off your ass and go sock Dillinger in the jaw, maybe she still don’t win, but maybe she don’t get her ass kicked like she just did. You gonna do that to me next, huh? You gonna sit there and watch as I gotta fight off all those 44OH dipshits? You gonna just sit there and let your buddy Manders have to try and fight off ANarChy all by himself? You gonna sit there and kick your god damn feet up and scroll through twitter while Effy gets jumped by The Fallen? Answer me because we gotta figure this shit out right here and now."  Syn sighed and looked down at the ground for a moment before shaking his head. "No, I’m not, but Mance, this is different…-"  "It ain’t any fuckin’ different!” Mance was almost red in the face. “Like it or not Kris is rollin’ with us. And that means you gotta have her back like you have ours. I know that girl, I been sittin’ up and talkin’ to that girl, at the bars, in the car, back at the hotel, and I know she’s got your fuckin’ back. Now you gotta work through whatever bullshit you’re dealin’ with, and you gotta have hers.” Mance put a finger to Syn’s chest. “Now you got somebody you gotta apologize to. That shit you pulled tonight wasn’t cool, man. I know you, brother that ain’t you. Figure your shit out, but you gotta apologize."  The camera panned back to show that Kris had come back through the curtain at this point, and had been standing there, the remnants of a couple of tears still showing on her face. Syn sighed and turned around, slowly, and faced the blonde, who finally looked up at him after a moment. "Look….” Syn sighed. “I’m sorry. I got your back next time.” Kris took a deep breath and nodded, wiping her eyes. “I’m not what you think I am. I’m not here to trick you or deceive you. I just wanna roll with you guys. You guys are cool."  "Alright.” Mance put an arm around both Syn and Kris. “Now our ass-kickin’ ain’t done tonight. But after we take care of business here, we’re all gonna hit that pay winda’, and then we’re gonna go get ourselves some light beers and show Los Angeles how the Second Gear Crew parties baby!"  The group walked off together, things seemingly alright for the moment. But one had to wonder how far this potential rift in the SGC might go. 

[mwolf0epsilon]

Sammy and Norman. One of them gets drafted? The goodbyes, the worry, maybe never get to see the other again ?

Summary: The battlefield took his arm and a finger, and maybe a little bit of his sanity, but that studio took much more from everyone else. It took their mind, soul and body.

---

Dread had been a creeping stalker from the moment he'd witnessed many of his neighbors being called upon to help in the war efforts. It had followed Sammy around like a wolf in the shadows, making him fret for what he considered an inevitability of sorts. As the man of a household it only made sense that he'd be singled out as another viable soldier despite being the least capable sort to be found in a war.

A man of the arts, with careful and gentle fingers. Cannon fodder at best.

It was a harrowing feeling, because it truly made him fear for what may happen to his dear little sister without him around.

So really, one should be more sympathetic when his turn did come up and his only reaction was to fall to his knees in despair.

He had two days to make preparations. Then he'd be sent out with the rest of the sheep to the slaughter.

-

"You're leaving?!" Joey Drew, as slow as he was to move about without that silly looking cane of his, was much too fast getting to his feet for Sammy's liking. He shot up from his seat like a serpent ready to strike at any moment.

The safety of a desk between a scared mouse and a vile snake was a comfort.

"I don't have a choice in the matter." The blond kept his composure despite knowing quite well what Joey was more than capable of doing if he felt like he'd been crossed. He'd rather be scorned by the devil than be labeled a traitor to his country.

One of these outcomes had a 50% chance of survival. "I've been drafted. In two days I'll be sent off to die in a nonsensical war."

"But your obligations to the studio! We need you here to put a tune to the cartoons!"

"My obligations?! Joey, I've been drafted. I can't kindly decline!" Sammy exclaimed in disbelief. "It's not like picking what you want to eat at lunch. If I try to skirt around this I'll be as good as dead."

"If you go you'll most certainly be dead, and then who's going to compose for the studio?!" Joey's tone had a hint of accusation, as if Sammy wanted this to happen. Might as well blame him for the war while he was at it.

"It's a fucking cartoon, Joey! My life is worth more than your stupid pictures!" His blood was beginning to boil. "I'm leaving and that's that. I'm dropping off the rest of my scores so Jack can finish them up, and I'm conducting the band one last time today. But tomorrow I ain't coming in because I'm helping my sister move out."

"You can't do this to me! How am I supposed to find a composer on such short notice?!" Joey slammed his hands on the table. From the looks of it, he was seething.

"Figure it out. You're the boss aren't you?!" Sammy turned away from the shaking Joey and walked out of his office. He felt strangely lighter on his feet. For once, arguing with his employer didn't make him feel vulnerable.

It was great, despite the circumstances.

-

"I can't believe you're going to war... Sammy that's..." Jack's reaction to the news was a tearful one. It was quite sobering after getting a little giddy from getting under Joey's skin with no real consequences. "I'm gonna miss you."

"Aww... I'll miss you too, you big softy." The blond gave the shorter and pudgier man a pat on the shoulder, allowing him to squeeze his midsection in a tight hug. "You're going to be the man of the house now. Don't let the band trample over you... Those savages can sniff out weakness like a pack of hungry hyenas."

"They're not that bad. You're just easy to rile up, is all." Jack teased, laughing when Sammy gave him a pointed look.

"You know as well as I do that Joey will go after the head of a department if the lackeys slack off." He ignored the few glares he got from said 'lackeys'. "And this bunch gets what it deserves for being a bunch of children on the job."

"Can you leave sooner?!"

"Fuck you too Johnny! I hope your pipe organ falls on you!"

Jack cackled, which got a few other band members to crack up as well. Sammy too found himself smiling. Despite the frustration of leading this group of hellions through a carefully composed song, he'd miss the few occasionally humorous banters and mishaps.

He'd especially miss his good friend and pal. He could only hope the stress wouldn't get to Jack while he was away.

-

People either gave him knowing pitiful looks, complimented his bravery in confronting Joey over his leaving on such short notice, or gave him a vague 'nice working with you, good luck' sort of gesture.

Word had spread through the departments and Sammy felt genuinely impressed at how quickly people went from detesting his presence to sucking up just to save face. No one wanted to be that one guy who was a dick to a soon to be dead patriot.

Susie absolutely smothered him with tearful kisses and tight hugs. She was a mess and, in return, he felt a mess as well.

He didn't want to leave...

"I'll see you off tomorrow." She whispered in his ear during a particularly long hug in the recording booth. "For good luck."

"Thank you doll..." He held on to her for as long as he could. "I'm going to miss this."

"Getting cried on?"

"Just being with you. You make my world so much brighter..."

"Sammy Lawrence you're such a sap, I love you." Susie giggles into his chest.

"Love you too Susiebell."

They'd parted ways, Sammy to collect his belongings and Susie to freshen up in one of the women's bathrooms.

On the way he encountered Norman while passing by the stairs that lead to his booth.

"Who'd have thought..."

"Hm?" He looked up at the projectionist who was staring down from his vantage point. Norman backed off and went for the stairs, meeting him halfway.

"My pa was military. He did things a particular sorta way." Norman explained "Includin' raising his kids in a rather peculiar fashion."

"That would explain your... Eccentricity." Sammy rolled his eyes, which got a laugh out of the older man.

"N'aw. I'm just the weird one... My siblings are pretty normal folk." He chuckled "But I digress. Thing is, my pa would wake us up at 5 in the morning, to do drills with us. 'Case of emergency he always did say... There's a war out there now and yous would think they'd call on me to help."

"Haven't they?" Sammy frowned.

"No." Norman's smile gradually faded. "My eye. It ain't no good, so they decided to call on my little brother instead..."

"....Shit."

"Uh-huh. Was lookin' for ya to tell ya. Your sister can still move in. Nelson's just gonna be the head o' the house instead."

"What about income? Who'll pay the rent and bills?" He felt uneasy about the situation. "They're still too young."

"I'll help with expenses ta best I can, but my little niece and nephew is looking for work. I'd advise your sister do ta same. Times gonna get rough Sammy."

"They are... Thanks Norman." The blond worried his bottom lip. "For helping."

"Well I'll be... Sammy Lawrence thankin' me for being a decent fella. What a day."

"Fuck you."

"You offerin' dinner first?"

"GOD!" He threw up his hands in defeat, which got a good hearty laugh out of the projectionist. "I'll be around your brother's tomorrow then. Good luck with Drew. I got a feeling he'll be extra surly in my absence."

"Can't imagine why. Poor Grant will go nuts if he hires an entire orchestra's worth o' folks to substitute yous."

The music director laughed and went back to what he'd been set to do. It felt nice to hear that he was worth an entire orchestra in someone's eyes.

He hoped Norman wouldn't have a hard time.

-

Saying goodbye to his sister felt like a death march in its own right. He spent the entire day helping her move her belongings to the younger Polks's house. Her two friends were good help, and they even offered him tea and told him to rest whenever he got winded.

The boy, Nelson, warned him that he'd need to train his resistance if he wanted to survive the military drills. The family cat was much more sympathetic, seeming less worried about his physical capacity and more content with having a warm lap to sit on and a set of dexterous fingers to give it some good scratches.

When they'd finished, Sammy had taken his sister out to lunch. They'd run around town just having fun, something he'd rarely been able to do while working at the studio.

Then came the time to go.

To his surprise the train station was packed with a few studio workers.

Susie, Norman, Jack, Wally, Emma, Shawn, Grant and even a few of the band members had come to see him off.

He wasn't ashamed to admit he cried like a baby getting to say goodbye all over again. It felt good to be cared about, even if he wasn't the easiest person to be around of. The only other person that cried just as hard was his poor sister.

"Please come back, I can't lose my grumpy brother." The pleading broke his heart. He couldn't promise he'd come back which was what made this so upsetting.

"I'm not grumpy, just misunderstood." He retorted playfully in between hiccups.

"You're a grumpy butt, grumpiest goof there ever was." A tearful chuckle. His little Abby was flushed and covered in snot and tears. They were both very gross criers.

"Slander! I'm a misunderstood suffering artist." They pulled away and Sammy made sure to take a handkerchief from his pocket and begin trying to clean his sister's face. "Be good to your little friends. I'll try to write to you as much as I can..."

"I will... Please be careful Samuel." She pulled that old doll he'd given her and handed it over to him. Seamus had seen better days, well loved that he was. "Both of you have to come back."

He took her doll and smiled a sincere but rather sad smile.

"I'll do my best Abigail."

His best was not enough, but damn if he wasn't a stubborn son of a bitch. He'd return with her doll, even if he had to drag himself all the way back.

-

Henry gave him a sympathetic look as both descended the lift with Boris looking at them uneasily. They'd pleased Alice enough that they'd gotten the tommy gun from her to complete the last task on her list of demands.

Sammy glanced at the cartoonist with a sad and tired expression. His prosthetic pinkie tapping against his ruined prosthetic arm.

It had already been clunky enough. After a few hits from a Piper, it had become virtually useless other than as a makeshift instrument.

"Are you ready?" Henry asked.

"No... But I never am for this part."

The lift stopped on level 14, and Sammy walked forward. Stamping his feet and kicking up as much ink as possible.

The shrill screech of the Projectionist filled the room as the twisted horror that Norman Polk had become ran forward to evicerate whomever dared intrude upon its domain.

Henry shot it down effortlessly and left Sammy to kneel beside the fallen beast.

The blond sighed sadly, staring at the dying creature with pity, before gently brushing it's back. He could hear Henry moving around, collecting the hearts.

"Shhh... Hush now." He continued to comfort what had once been a friend, feeling the burning gaze of Alice upon him. Judging him. "Sheep, sheep, sheep, It's time for sleep. Rest your head. It's time for bed. In the morning, you may wake. Or in the morning, you'll be dead..."

If it appreciated not being alone as it died, the Projectionist didn't give any indication. But the gentle pawing at his leg made Sammy hopeful that something of Norman remained to thank him before the poor creature went limp for good.

It would reform with no memory of his kindness, but it made his soul feel less heavy with guilt.

"Such a pity." Alice taunted from above. "If only you'd cared and stayed... Maybe less of us would have suffered so greatly."

"I doubt that Susiebell." He replied, uncaring if he would end up enraging her for denying her new identity. "I doubt that..."

The battlefield took his arm and a finger, and maybe a little bit of his sanity, but that studio took much more from everyone else. It took their mind, soul and body.

What was left made Sammy feel hopeless.

[nextgensquad]

hey pearl, so i just finished reputation and i loved it!! i really wish there was more of it, so i’ll just ask about the story arc i was most interested in - what happens to abby after the events that have elapsed? does she get together with james? what does her child end up being like? where does her life go from this point?

(companion piece to this)

one.

AbigailLongbottom has had a plan for her life as long as she can remember.

It’sthe third time she goes to see her grandparents, when she’s seven years old,and the first time she’s old enough to have a memory of the visit. Her brotherJake goes in first, and then Neville takes her hand and lets her clutch ittight before leading her into the quiet room where his parents are. Abby hidesbehind her father and peers out at the two strangers, their glassy eyes andgreying hair, the way they don’t recognize their grandson.

“Daddy,”she whispers, tugging on his arm, “I’m scared.”

Nevilledraws his arm around her and takes her to the side of the room. “There’snothing to be scared of, Abby. They’re your grandparents, remember?”

“Iknow.” Abby wrings her hands together. “But I’m scared for them. They don’tknow me. They might think I’m an evil witch like Bella—Bellatrix Lechange.”

Neville’slips quirk. “Honey, nobody on Earth could ever think that. You’re theirgranddaughter. They’ll know it deep down, okay?”

Abbylooks over at her grandmother, talking with Hannah about an incomprehensiblesubject. Jake is trying to show his grandfather an easy, colorful game on hisnew smartphone. The room feels so small, to have two whole lives containedhere. Their jug of water is half-empty on the dresser. She knows if she looksinto the fridge, there’ll be barely anything there. A deep, irrepressiblesadness takes place inside her chest until she feels like she can’t breathe.

“Daddy,”she cries. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry I wanna—”

Nevillescoops her into his arms and takes her out of the room before the panic attacksets in. Abby cries in his arms that whole afternoon, for her father, for hergrandparents, for herself. She’s too young to comprehend that sort of pain, tooyoung to understand where it comes from.

Thatnight, when she gets home, she decides she’s going to save them.

two.

Whenshe’s seventeen, she gets an early acceptance to St. Mungo’s apprenticeshipprogram under Healer Robbins and the first place she goes is straight to herfather’s office to tell him; the second place is the garage in downtown Londonwhere she knows her best friend has snuck out to that weekend to get hermotorcycle fixed up.

“Abby!”Lucy Weasley says in delight, swooping her up in a hug. “That’s amazing! You’rereally gonna go save the world, aren’t you?”

“Justthe people who need it,” Abby says with an embarrassed laugh, disentanglingherself from her best friend. “Like you, if you aren’t careful at your racethis weekend.”

Lucyflashes her a smile, all teeth like a shark. “I’m always careful.”

‘Careful’is not the first word that comes to mind when one thinks of Lucy Weasley. Sharpand wicked and ferocious, maybe. Always with a hand on the wheel and a foot onthe gas pedal, pushing further and faster and higher and better. Reckless andrestless. Running from something, running from everything.

Abbyloves her, but she worries. If she doesn’t have the hands that heal, the magicof a medic, will Lucy be okay? Will Lucy come back?

Sucha Gryffindor instinct, her mother hadtold her once, smiling fondly, brushing Abby’s blonde hair back into a braid, towant to save everyone else from themselves.

It’shard to feel like she belongs in Gryffindor, surrounded by Potters and Weasleysso full of fire and rage and glory, but sometimes the word bravery fitsinto her heart just right. Just good enough to make her smile.

three.

She’snot going to tell anyone about the baby. She’s not. She’s going to wake uptomorrow and go to the clinic and get rid of it. That’s what she’s going to do.

It’sthe only thing to do. The only course of action that makes sense.

Shehas a plan. She’s not going to be pregnant at nineteen. She’s going to graduatefrom the St. Mungo’s apprenticeship, she’s going to become a Healer, she’sgoing to save her grandparents and Lucy and everyone else in the world.

That’swhat she’s going to do.

She’ssitting at her kitchen table when Fred finds her.

“Hey,”he says softly. “I was looking for Lucy, is she… are you okay?”

Abbyswallows. Shakes her head.

He’sthe first person she tells.

IfAbby is a healer, then Fred is a fixer. He repairs Lucy’s motorcycles with thesame care he takes with his cousins, firm and gentle and easy. Fixes cars withthe delicate determination of someone capable of reaching into something’s gutsand pulling them all out one by one and rearranging them into something thatmakes it all worthwhile. Takes science and turns it into magic.

Heasks her if she wants the baby.

She’sgoing to say no.

Theword “yes” comes out of her instead, small and terrified, a fluttering birdtrying to take flight.

four.

Hergrandmother offers her a candy wrapper.

Abbyturns it over in her hands, smoothing out the wrinkles and then twisting itback up again. Beneath it, her stomach is round with the shape of her child,and her grandmother smiles at her, with no comprehension of the new lifegrowing in there.

“Itold him the child would be a Longbottom,” she says conversationally. As if hergrandmother can understand. As if the words won’t just slide through Alice’smind like water down a pipe. “The gossip blogs all think it should be a Potter,obviously, but…”

Shecurls her free hand around her stomach, protective already. “It’s important tome. That this is a Longbottom child. That this is—that you’re—”

Alicereaches over and presses her hand over Abby’s, against her belly. It’s such astrange and startling gesture that the tears disappear from her eyes as shestares at her grandmother.

“Doyou understand?” Abby whispers, desperate and hoping. “This is yourgreat-grandchild. This is—this is proof, you know. That you survived. Thateverything you went through, everything you did—it was worth it. Because Dadexists. Because Jake and I exist. Because…”

Alicesmiles at her. It’s a vacant smile. A faraway smile. But she doesn’t pull backlike she always does. Doesn’t spook away from her granddaughter’s touch, whenAbby places her other hand, candy wrapper clutched between her fingers, on topof Alice’s. Doesn’t move at all, the two of them sitting in the quiet, coldhospital room, listening to the child inside her.

five.

Lucycurls up in the hospital bed with her. “Am I the godmother?”

Abbylaughs, interlacing their fingers. Her daughter sleeps in the crib just nearby.Every bone in her body aches from exhaustion. “Of course you are. You and Al.”

“Don’tyou need a third?”

“No.”Abby leans her head on Lucy’s and glances up to the doorway, her gaze seekingout the familiar figure situated in the chair just outside her room. “She’s gota lot of people who love her around here.”

Lucyfollows her gaze to where Fred is sitting, half-asleep with his head in hishands, still wearing the clothes he had been in when he’d taken Abby to thehospital. She shoots her best friend a fond smile.

“It’strue. Potter, Weasley, Abbott, Longbottom. Killer combo right there. Nothingbut love.”

“Yeah,”agrees Abby, her voice softened with tiredness and peace all at once. “If there’sone thing our families do right, it’s love.”

six.

Eleanorhas her grandfather’s green eyes.

Shecan tell it shakes James, just a little, when he comes over to her house.Bright, bright green, the same shade as his brother’s, set in a Weasley-roundface, framed by tufts of Abby’s blonde hair. The Longbottom nose and the Abbottlips and the Potter spirit all wound up in one little girl.

“Ifeel like I should be jealous,” he tells Abby, as Eleanor bats at his face withtiny fists, giggling with a baby’s delight for finding new objects of attention.“That those green eyes skipped me entirely.”

“Alsays we should start telling people he’s the father,” Abby says, looking upfrom her papers to smile at them. “Just to confuse the tabloids.”

Jamessnorts. “It would work, too. Do you know that fake baby rumor is still goingaround? That she’s some sort of fucking—sorry, sorry—a magic doll.”

“Shecan’t understand you yet, you know.”

“I’mtrying to cut down the cursing in advance.” James flashes her a sheepish grin. “Justso I’m prepared.”

Abbywatches him thoughtfully for a moment, as he leans in to make faces at hisdaughter, adoring and generous with the love he’s always tried so hard to keepcrushed inside him. Pulling it all out from deep within his heart to lay itbare at Eleanor’s tiny feet.

It’snot perfect, not now, not ever, but it’s not what it was nine months ago. Jamesisn’t who he was nine months ago.

She’snot sure she was ever supposed to be a mother. She knows James was never meantto be a father. Parenthood sits awkward around the both of them, a fragilething they keep grasping at with both hands, trying desperately to be good atit. To be good for her.

It’snot what she thought it would be, but it’s theirs.

seven.

Freddoesn’t kiss her for the first time until Eleanor is three years old, potteringaround the garden under her grandfather’s watchful eye, the two of them standingin the shade of the gazebo and laughing about old jokes, times before thefuture had taken a hold of them.

“Whattook you so long?” Abby asks him, breathing soft, when he pulls back.

Hehesitates, trails his fingers down her bare arm. The cool metal of hisprosthetic glints under the afternoon sunlight. Abby catches his hand and holdsit tight.

“Ididn’t want you to think—that this was because of Eleanor—or James,” heexplains, halting and nervous where he’s always been so steady, so gentle. “Becauseit’s not. It’s you.”

Abbyslides her free hand into his dark curls, pushes herself up to kiss him again. It’ssweeter now than it would have been if he’d done it three years ago, or whenthey were teenagers. Before they knew the places they were meant to be, thespaces they were meant to take, the people they were meant to love.

Sweeternow that they’ve made it here, past the pain and the heartache and the mess.She smiles into the kiss, thinks—This was worth it. This was worth all ofit.

Oneday, her grandparents will open their eyes and see it, too.

[ask-the-apocalypse-kids]

Don’t sleep

Summary: After an unknown plague that kills you while you sleep sweeps across the world, a group of survivors must stay awake for as long as they can to find out the truth. But what if some can’t keep their eyes open?

Warnings: Descriptions of kidnapping, swearing, descriptions of surgery, death mentions, drug mentions

Chapter 3

The man stood over the empty ghost town that laid out before him. Not a single thing made a peep ever since the previous night. This was his world now. The man grinned to himself before walking back to his van. He grabbed the back door and pulled the sliding door open. Stepping inside, he looked at the young woman he had chained up in the back of his van. She was whimpering quietly as she looked up at him. “Maddie?” The man mumbled quietly as he sat down on the floor. “Yes sir?” The girl croaked out as she looked up at him.

“Somethings happening. Something incredible.” The man told her with a wicked grin. “Please sir. Please let me go home. I just want to see my mom.” Maddie begged the man, tears streaming down her swollen cheeks. “I hate to say this Maddie but I think she’s dead.” The man told her frankly, no sympathy in his voice. Maddie broke down and started to sob loudly. She wanted to go home. The man frowned as her sobs got louder. “You know you’re really ugly when you cry? How about you shut the fuck up?” The man snapped at her. Maddie only sobbed harder.

“Here, are you hungry? Let me drive to town and get us some breakfast.” The man hummed before crawling into the driver’s seat and starting up the van. The man drove down the hill and into the empty town. He stopped in the middle of the road and got out. Walking down the street, he looked at the empty stores and buildings as he passed. He eventually stopped in front of a gun store. Smirking to himself, he grabbed a stray brick off the ground and threw it at the store window. The brick shattered the glass and the man stepped inside.

“Hallelujah.” The man hummed to himself as he walked through the store. All of this was his for the taking. He was in control now. He picked up an AK and cocked it. “Hot damn.” He exclaimed as he started to fill it with bullets. It was time he paid some people he knew a visit.

July 5th 10:00 a.m. Brody smelled of vomit. Aasim had made her throw up the sleeping pills she took not too long ago. Aasim looked at her hunched over figure, a bit of worry filling him. “Do you want some water? I have a bottle or two in my car.” He asked her, resting a hand on her back. “Yeah. Yeah. I could use one.” Brody huffed before walking back over and getting in the car. Aasim got back into the driver’s seat and picked up a water bottle from the middle dash and handed it to Brody. She thanked him and took a swig of the water bottle. When she was done drinking, she set the bottle down.

“How are you feeling, Aasim?” She asked him, looking over at him. “Sleepy.” Aasim hummed quietly. He was hoping that response would make her laugh. It didn’t. “Aasim, this is serious. You have to let me know how you’re feeling at all times now. Neither of us can fall asleep or that’s it, we’re done.” Brody told him seriously. “I hear you.” Aasim told her with a nod as she settled back into her seat. “We need to go back to the hospital. I need to perform some tests. Try and figure out what’s causing this.” Brody stated. Aasim nodded and started his car back up, driving down the road.

As they drove down the road, Brody looked over at Aasim. “Hey Aasim?” She asked him quietly. “Yeah?” He hummed in response. “How did you know I needed to throw up the pills?” She asked him. Aasim contemplated on what to say. He figured that she would think he was crazy if he told her it was because of the dream he had the night before. So he didn’t tell her that. “Just has a feeling.” He told her nonchalantly. “A feeling?” Brody questioned him, her eyebrow raised. “Yeah. I figured that it had to have something to do with sleep. So I took a risk.” Aasim explained to her. Brody nodded and leaned back in her seat.

“We might be in luck when we get to the hospital. The place has a pretty large stash of Modaffinil.” Brody hummed quietly. Modaffinil was a drug manufactured for the purpose of staying awake. One little pill could keep you awake for up to 48 hours. It was originally used to be some cure for Narcolepsy. But then it was used on soldiers to keep them up for combat for days at a time. In other words, it was a super drug. “You really think that can help us?” Aasim asked her as he drove. “It’s our only shot. If we have a chance to stay awake, we need to take it. No fucking around.” Brody told him as they pulled into the hospital parking lot.

Brody got out of the car and walked up to the hospital doors. Aasim followed close behind her. The automatic doors slid open as they walked up to them. As they walked inside, Aasim immediately noticed that the place was empty. Not a single person in sight. “Dr. Chan?! Abigail?!” Brody called as she walked down the hall. She was met with dead silence. “Fuck.” Brody cursed before walking back to Aasim. “Dr. Chan must have told everyone to evacuate. This whole place is empty.” She told him. “Okay. Well, what should we do?” Aasim asked her. “You call anyone you think still might be awake. Tell them to not go to sleep and to meet us here. I’m gonna prepare some cadavers for examinations.” Brody explained to him.

“Wait, what are you gonna do with cadavers?” Aasim asked her as he pulled out his phone. “If we wanna know what’s doing this, we need to examine the brains of the victims. Now make your calls.” Brody told him before walking off further into the hospital. Aasim sighed before walking out the automatic doors to the front steps. He went through his contacts to see who might still be awake. Mitch’s contact came up and Aasim hesitated to click on it at first. After some thought he decided to try and call Mitch again. Six rings. “Hi this is Mitch. Leave a message.” The same damn automated message played when no one picked up on the other end. “Fucking hell.” Aasim cursed quietly. “Hey Mitch, it’s Aasim again. Listen, you need to come to Santa Mero hospital. It’s extremely important. Please let me know that you’re safe.” Aasim spoke into the voicemail before hanging up.

Aasim scrolled through his contacts some more before clicking another name. Louis was on his couch playing Red Dead Redemption when suddenly his phone rang. Reaching over, he picked up the phone and answered it. “Hello?” He hummed tiredly into the phone. “Louis! Thank god you picked up! Listen, I need you to get to Santa Mero hospital as soon as possible.” Aasim’s worried voice spoke on the other end. “Woah, woah dude, slow down. What’s going on?” Louis asked him as he sat up straight. “I can’t explain it directly over the phone. I need you here.” Aasim told him directly. “Sim, you’re freaking me out.” Louis told him. “Just get here! Please!” Aasim shouted at him. “Okay! Okay! Let me get my pants on.” Louis told him before hanging up.

A few minutes later, Louis pulled up to the front of the hospital in his car. Louis spotted Aasim waiting on the front steps for him and stopped. When Aasim spotted the familiar black camaro pull up, he stood up. He watched as Louis stopped his car and got out. “Louis. Thank god you’re here.” Aasim called as he walked up to him. He could tell that Louis was visibly shaken. “What the fuck is going on? Where is everyone?” Louis asked with clear fear and worry in his voice. Louis must have clearly noticed the empty streets. Santa Mero, a once lively city of 50,000 was now a ghost town.

Aasim looked over as Brody walked over and greeted Louis. “Hi.” She said simply to Louis. “Louis, this is Brody, a nurse who works at this hospital. Brody, this is Louis, my co-worker and closest-“ Aasim was suddenly cut off. “What the fuck is going on?” Louis snapped, fear evident in his voice. “We don’t know. All we know is that it started last night around four a.m.” Brody told him calmly. Aasim sat and listened as Brody caught Louis up to speed.

Louis was a veteran and has seen his fair share of shit shows. But this was something else entirely, and Aasim could tell it scared Louis down to the bone. “You can’t be one hundred percent sure it’s sleep right? I mean, it’s just so fucking crazy.” Louis told them. “Yeah, it is fucking crazy but think about it. Everyone who went to sleep last night is now dead and the only people who stayed awake are still alive.” Brody told him firmly. “When my friend took a nap this morning she was dead within minutes.” She added, a tiny bit of sadness and pain in her voice. “So as crazy as this fucking thing sound, it seems to only be connected to sleep.”

Louis stepped away, fear and worry growing in his eyes. “I gotta call my mom. I gotta call my sister. They live in El Paso, I gotta make sure they’re ok.” He said as he pulled out his phone. “Take all the time you need Louis.” Aasim told him. “Just remember that with each passing minute we’re gonna get more and more tired. I’m gonna need the both of you to help me.” Brody told them both, crossing her arms over her chest. “Thanks, Brody, we got it.” Aasim said with a nod. “I’ll be inside in room 104.” Brody finished before walking into the hospital.

Once Brody was gone, Aasim looked back over at Louis. “Do you want a minute alone to call your family?” He asked sympathetically. “No it’s alright. I’m sure they're alright.” Louis told him as he shot a text to his mom and sister before putting his phone away. He looked over at the hospital as he shoved his hands into his pockets. “Do you trust this girl?” Louis asked Aasim quietly. “Brody? I don’t know, I guess. I just met her last night, but I mean she seems trustworthy. She’s an ER nurse so she’s pretty intense. But I guess that’s a good thing considering the circumstances.” Aasim explained to him.

“You sure she’s a nurse?” Louis asked him in a whisper. “Well yeah, she works right here.” Aasim responded, looking back at him. “I don’t know, Sim. I know plenty of nurses. From Iraq, from the VA. She doesn’t act like any nurse I’ve met.” Louis told him, concern lacing his words. “Well sure, she might be a little odd but it’s probably because we’ve all had a lack of sleep.” Aasim said, crossing his arms. Louis snickered lightly, a small grin appearing on his lips. “That’s funny, Aasim considering you haven’t been able to sleep your whole life. Maybe that’ll help you now.”

...

Louis was right. As a kid, Aasim was constantly in and out of doctors’ offices. With every doctor, every scientist, every specialist, every psychologist, no one had an answer to Aasim’s condition.

Aasim sat in a waiting room with his parents one day. It was another day another doctor. After a few minutes of waiting a male doctor walked into the room. “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Torres.” He greeted them, shaking their hands. “Hi Dr. White. Thank you for seeing us.” Aasim’s mother greeted him with a smile. “And this must be Aasim.” Dr. White smiled down at Aasim who was sitting in his chair with a toy dinosaur in his arms. Aasim shyly waved back at him. “Aasim, do you mind if I talk to your mommy and daddy alone for a bit?” He asked him in a soft tone. “Yeah.” Aasim said quietly with a nod.

“We’ll be right back, sweetie.” Aasim’s mother said as she followed her husband and Dr. White into the office. “So from the symptoms we’ve discussed, the weight gain, the fevers, the mood swings, these are all side effects from the sleep deprivation.” Dr. White told them. “Okay.” John mumbled quietly. “Aasim is suffering from extreme exhaustion. As a five year old boy, this could lead to developmental issues later on down the road.” Tracy started tearing up at this point. “I’m sorry.” She excused herself as she wiped the tears from her eyes. Dr. White offered her some tissues. She thanked him and took some.

Dr. White sat up in his chair and pulled out a pen to take some notes. “I’d like to ask you two a couple of questions to help clarify Aasim’s condition a little more.” He asked them. “Of course, go ahead.” John hummed, shifting a bit in his seat. “Alright, to start off, has Aasim had any recent problems in school?” Dr. White asked. “We took him out of school two months ago and started homeschooling him.” Tracy told him. He nodded and jotted that information down in his notes.

“How is Aasim’s life at home?” Dr. White asked, looking up at the both of them. John was a bit confused by that question. “What do you mean?” He asked. “Well, have there been any problems at home? Any marital issues?” Dr. White clarified. “W-Well I mean sure but who doesn’t? But we love each other and we have our trials and our frustrations.” John explained to him. “Have these frustrations ever been taken out on Aasim?” Dr. White asked them. The two of them were silent for a moment. “In what ways?” John asked the doctor. “In any way.” Dr. White said.

John put two and two together and started to get mad. “Are you asking me if I hit my son?” He asked, anger apparent in his voice. “John.” Tracy said quietly, her tone asking him to not make a scene. “Is that what you’re asking me?” John repeated. “You see Mr. and Mrs. Torres, your son is showing very obvious signs of post traumatic stress disorder.” Dr. White explained to them. “What is that?” Tracy asked. Aasim’s mom wasn’t a moron by any means. This was in the nineties before the war in Afghanistan and Iraq. Not a lot was known about PTSD.

“Post traumatic stress disorder occurs when someone experiences severe stress or anxiety after a traumatic event has occurred. We see it a lot in soldiers and veterans.” The doctor told them. John was getting more upset by this. “Yeah that’s great and all, doctor, but we’re not talking about a marine, we’re talking about my five year old son.” John snapped at him. “Well, when we see signs of ptsd in young children, it usually comes from physical or sexual abuse.” Dr. White told them.

John finally snapped at that. “That’s it, we’re leaving Tracy.” John said angrily as he stood up from his chair. “John please.” Tracy said as she stood up. “I’ve heard enough Trac, we’re out of here.” He growled before walking out into the waiting room. “Aasim, Come on, we’re gonna go find a newer better doctor.” John called. Aasim nodded and got up from his chair, taking his dad’s hand.

Tracy sighed quietly before grabbing her coat and purse. “I’m so sorry about all this, doctor.” She said quietly before walking out of the office and following her husband and son out of the building.

…

After Brody had prepped three cadavers for surgery, she set up a small recorder on a table nearby. Once she turned it on and started recording, she spoke out. “My name is Brody Russo. I’m a registered nurse at Santa Mero hospital. The time is 11:36 a.m. July 5th, 2019. Assisting me with the pathology report is Aasim, what’s your last name?” Brody looked over at Aasim who was standing not too far from her. “Torres.” Aasim answered her. “Aasim Torres and Louis..” Brody looked over him to answer. “Louis Leon.” He hummed. “And Louis Leon.” Brody finished.

“Today we are examining the cadavers of three individuals. Jon Bradly. 16 year old male. Checked into the hospital on the evening of July 4th, 2019 for third degree burns. Dwain Trent. 53 year old male. Checked into the hospital for severe heartburn. And..” Brody fell silent for a bit as she looked at the last body. She swallowed a large lump in her throat. “Rebecca Woods. 46 year old female. She was a nurse working at Santa Mero hospital. Time of death was between nine and Ten a.m.” Brody finished with a sigh before going over to her table of tools and picking up the electrical razor.

“We will begin with Mr. Bradly.” Brody hummed before flicking on the razor and started shaving off the boys hair. “I am shaving the hair off of Mr. Bradly’s head to make a clean incision around the head to get to the skull cap.” She documented as she shaved. Aasim and Louis watched as clumps of the boy’s brown hair fell to the ground. Once Brody had shaved off as much as she could with the electrical razor, she grabbed the regular razor and cleaned up the small patches she couldn’t shave off before.

“Okay, the head is shaved and secured, I will begin to make the incision. Pass the bone saw.” Brody said as she looked over at Aasim. He perked up at her words and immediately looked around her tool table. “This one?” He asked as he picked up one of the tools. “Yes, thank you.” Brody hummed before taking the saw. Flicking on the saw, Brody started slowly cutting just above the ear. But before she could move too far, a sudden burst of blood shot out from the cut, landing on Louis. He and Aasim both jumped and yelped at the sudden splash of blood. “What the fuck?!” Louis exclaimed in disgust as he looked at the blood covering his clothes.

“I must have hit a capillary above the ear.” Brody muttered as she kept on cutting. “Is it on my face?” Louis asked as he looked himself over. “You can go wash up in the sink.” Brody told him, not taking her eyes off the cadaver. “Fucking shit.” Louis snapped as he walked over to the sink to wash up. “It’s alright, it’s just a little blood.” Brody called over to him. “I didn’t see any splash on you!” Louis whipped around and snapped at her. “I’m a nurse, I get sprayed all the time.” Brody shrugged off his hostile tone as she kept working.

Once Louis was done cleaning himself, he walked over to Brody. “Do you even know what the hell you're doing?” He growled at her. “I’m not a pathologist. I’m just trying to determine the cause of death.” Brody responded, glaring daggers back at Louis. While the two of them were bickering, Aasim noticed something about the body. “Uh, guys?” He called to them, but they didn’t hear him. “What then? Are you gonna cure us?” Louis challenged. “Careful, you don’t want to tire yourself out, you might fall asleep.” Brody growled at him.

“Hey!” Aasim called louder, making Brody and Louis look over at him. “Is that normal?” He asked, pointing to the cadaver’s head. They all looked over, a small gasp left Brody. “Step back.” She whispered to Louis, who complied almost immediately. From the cut in the cadaver’s head, black smoke was rising into the air. “What the fuck?” Louis whispered as Brody approached the body’s head. “There appears to be some sort of black gas or smoke rising out of the incision I made in the cadaver’s head. I am going to continue with the removal process of the skull cap.” Brody documented as she started cutting more of the head.

The more Brody cut, the more smoke came out. It filled the room quickly, making them all cough and hack. “The smoke a-appears to be trapped inside the skull cavity. It is very thick and more is billowing out as I-I cut.” She explained as she worked. “It has the odor of burning.” She said softly. Eventually, she had made her way all the way around the head. Once she was finished, she flipped off the saw and set it down. “I am now removing the skull cap.” She said before slipping her fingers into the cuts and pulling away the cap.

Right as Brody did that, a large cloud of thick black smoke filled the entire room. Brody coughed hard as she was hit with the brunt of it. “The smoke is very thick. It’s obstructing my view of the brain. I am fanning it away to get a clear view.” She documented as she grabbed a magazine off a nearby counter and fanned away the smoke. Once everything was clear, she looked down at the cadaver’s brain. A small gasp left her and she dropped the magazine. “Oh my god.” She whispered in horror. “What the fuck?” Louis exclaimed, fear evident on his face. “What is that?” Aasim asked Brody, staring down at the cadaver’s brain. “I don’t know.” Brody whispered back.

…

Tracy was watching the news in her living room when she heard the land line phone ringing. Getting up from her chair, she walked over and picked it up. “Hello?” She hummed as she held the phone up to her ear. “Mrs. Torres?” A male’s voice asked on the other end. “Yes this is her, who’s calling?” She asked. “This is Dr. White. We met earlier today in my office.” The voice told her. Tracy swallowed a small lump in her throat. “Oh, Doctor, I would really like to apologize for the way my husband acted in your office today. We’ve been under a lot of stress lately.” Tracy told him softly, not wanting John to hear.

“I understand, Mrs. Torres. I can understand how this whole situation can be overwhelming for you both.” Dr. White told her sympathetically. “Trac, who’s on the phone?” Tracy heard John’s call from the kitchen. She had to make up an excuse. “Oh it’s just the office!” She called back before bringing the phone back to her ear. “I’m sorry doctor, but now isn’t a very appropriate time to call.” She whispered into the phone. “If I could just have a few moments of your time, I would really like to speak to you about Aasim.” The doctor pleaded with her. “Alright, go ahead.” She sighed as she leaned against the wall.

“How many doctors have you taken Aasim to?” Dr. white asked her. “Heh, name one.” Tracy said a little snarkily. “Dr. Jesup?” Dr. White asked. “The neuropsychologist? Seen him. And Dr. Brundle, and Dr. West, and Dr. Pretorius. We’ve seen them all and none of them could give us any answers.” Tracy explained to him with an exasperated sigh. “I figured as much.” He sighed quietly through the phone. “The problem is, with all the breakthroughs we’ve made with modern medicine, we still know very little about sleep.” He continued. “We know even less about dreaming. You’re being passed around from doctor to doctor because no one really knows how to help your son.”

Tracy gripped the phone tightly in her hand, her knuckles turning white. “So are you calling me to tell me there’s no help for Aasim? No hope?” She asked him, pain lacing her words. “No, no, not at all, Mrs. Torres. I have a son myself. And as a father, I feel for what you and your husband must be going through.” Dr. White explained to her. “We don’t need empathy, we need help.” Tracy told him firmly. “And I want to help you, really I do. I just want to ask if you and your husband would be open to trying more.. non traditional therapies?”

..

“No, absolutely not, no way in hell.” John argued with his wife as he cleaned dishes at the sink. “Why not?” Tracy protested, exasperation in her voice. “Because it’s fucking insane.” He shot back, looking over at her. “Dr. White thinks it’ll work.” Tracy told him. “That guy is a fucking nut job!” John exclaimed as he dried his hands. “Do we have any other choice?” Tracy exclaimed, moving over so she was standing in front of him. “We see another doctor.” John told her, moving away towards the stove. “We have seen every goddamn specialist on the west coast!” Tracy snapped at him. “Then we fly to the east coast, find better doctors there.” John huffed impatiently. “And what will hear there that’s any different from what we’ve already heard here huh?” Tracy asked him, putting her hands on her hips. “Tracy, you’re talking about a treatment that is not FDA approved! You really wanna take that risk with our son?!” John exclaimed at her. “The only risk is if we don’t try something new.” Tracy hissed defensively.

John sighed and leaned against the counter top. “What is this thing called again?” He asked while he worked on dinner. “Sensory processing therapy.” Tracy told her husband. “It’s an 18 month long process. He can have visitors after six months but for that first period, it has to be me.” She explained. “Where?” John asked, turning to face his wife. “Somewhere remote. A cabin in the woods up in Oregon or Montana. We’ll dip into our savings to rent someplace.” She sighed, crossing her arms.

“Those savings are for Aasim’s college tuition.” John protested. “Well, he’s not gonna go to college if we don’t do something.” Tracy snapped back. “It’s just so cruel, Trac! You want our boy to spend 18 months alone with no friends, no family, not even his dad?! Is that what you want?!” He exclaimed at her. Tracy got mad at this point and got in John’s face. “What I want is a night where I’m not woken up by my son screaming in terror.” She hissed as he turned away, leaning over the counter.

“What’s it gonna be tonight John? Is it the dream where mommy and daddy have glass in their eyes?” Tracy asked with a scowl. “Trac..” Her husband whispered. “What about the one where rats come and bite of his fingers and toes?” She kept asking him, getting closer. “Please..” John whispered again, a little louder this time. “How about the one where daddy chops mommy’s head off?!” Tracy yelled. “STOP!” John shouted back, his clenched fist slamming against the countertop.

Tracy fell silent for a moment when she heard her husband start to weep quietly. “What do you think happens to a boy who dreams like that every night? Does he become Einstein or Bill gates? No! He becomes that other type of man you see in the paper. The one in an orange jumpsuit and his neighbors say ‘Oh! He seemed so normal!’” Tracy told John as he cried quietly.

Suddenly they both heard the sound of the kitchen door opening and they both looked over. “Daddy?” Aasim’s small voice called as he poked his head into the room. “Hey buddy, how about you go back into the living room, dinner will be ready in a few minutes.” John put on a fake smile as he wiped away his tears. “Okay.” Aasim mumbled before leaving the room. “It’s the only chance left, John.” Tracy whispered, looking back at her husband with sympathetic eyes. “Who’s gonna tell him?” He asked, meeting her gaze. “We both will.”

…

The hours ticked on as Aasim, Louis, and Brody looked at five more bodies. But it was always the same. On every cadaver’s brain was a small black triangle burned into the person’s frontal lobe. After checking out all the bodies, Aasim and Louis chatted quietly while Brody cleaned up. “It’s the government, that’s what I think.” Louis told Aasim as he leaned back in his chair. “When I was in Iraq, a friend of mine worked in this underground bunker. They were experimenting on monkeys.” He explained how his friend would see all these horribly deformed monkeys in cages, the terrible screaming they would make.

“Once, my friend saw this monkey with huge ass muscles, it looked like John Cena. They must have given it some kind of steroid trying to make it into some sort of super soldier.” Louis told Aasim. “I’m sorry, did you say a monkey that looks like John Cena?” Aasim started to snicker, a grin spreading across his lips. “I’m serious.” Louis told him, shoving his hands in his jacket pockets. At this point, Aasim started full blown giggling. “I’m sorry, I don’t know why I’m laughing.” He wheezed. “Maybe it’s because I’m so tired but that’s so fucking stupid.” Aasim cackled. “You wouldn’t be laughing if you were stuck in a cage with one of those fucking things.” Louis huffed, sitting up in his chair. Aasim eventually stopped laughing and wiped a tear from his eye.

“If this isn’t a government supervirus, what could it be?” Louis wondered out loud. “What else could burn a triangle into your brain?” The two of them then looked up when Brody walked over with a bottle of pills in her hands. “It’s time for a modafinil. These are each 600 milligrams. Split them in half.” She instructed as she handed a pill to Aasim to split with Louis. “And I don’t think the government is behind this.” Brody sighed as she took half a pill herself and closed the bottle. “They mess with other stuff like smallpox and influenza. That’s child’s play compared to this hell.” She sighed quietly as she put away the bottle.

Suddenly the sound of a ringtone filled the quiet room. It was Aasim’s phone. When he pulled it out of his pocket and saw the name, Aasim nearly dropped his phone. It was Mitch. He answered it almost immediately and held the phone up to his ear. “Mitch?” He asked. “Oh thank god, you’re okay.” Mitch’s relieved voice flooded his ear, making his heart beat wildly. “Don’t worry about me, what about you? Are you okay?” Aasim asked him urgently. “Yeah, I’m okay, I’m outside and where the fuck is everyone?” Mitch asked him, clear worry in his voice.

“I’ll explain later, can you get to the hospital?” Aasim asked him. “Yeah, yeah I can get there in a few minutes. I’m on the corner of main street and laurel.” Mitch explained, his breathing a little heavy. “What happened last night? I called you like twenty times.” Aasim asked him, he started pacing around the room at this point. “I was at Marlon’s party last night and I met this guy, Sean.” Mitch started to explain. “That fucking drug dealer?” Aasim asked, a small bit of anger in his voice. “He told me he was giving me ecstasy but I think it was speed because I’ve been tweaking out and completely wired for the past 15 hours.” Mitch explained.

“Look, we can talk more when you get here, how much longer will you be?” Aasim asked him, urgency and a little bit of impatience in his words. “I should be- oh wait! There’s a car coming! I’m waving them down.” A few seconds later, Aasim heard the sound of a car pulling up on the other side of the phone. “What kind of car is it?” Aasim asked him. “A white van, the windows are blacked out.” Mitch explained before Aasim heard the sound of a window rolling down. A familiar voice made Aasim’s blood run cold.

“Hey there. Where you headed?” An older man’s voice called from the car. The trespasser from the night before. “Santa Mero hospital. Can you drive me there?” Mitch asked the man. “Sure thing, hop on in.” The man responded. Aasim could just hear the man’s sinister grin. “Mitch, you have to get out of there.” Aasim told him through the phone. “What?” Mitch responded with confusion.

“RUN!”

Tags: @journalofthedead @maybemitch @the-walking-memelords

[thehyperkraken]

EDIT: yall idk why the actual fic isnt showing up in the tags but this shit is, bc thats literally the opposite of what i wanted, but for the love of god read the fic first and/or instead, that’s the thing i spent more than 20 minutes on: [link]

Hey random idea dump for that one fic i done did yeehaw... it’s almost longer than the fic itself but jesus christ i need to get these ideas out of my head and throw them into the internet ether, seriously don’t read this its a goddamn mess

So ghjkdf the actual plotty part of that fic came from that one b99 bit... the Bone one.....u kno

Arthur: Come on, Dutch. The O'Driscolls thing isn't the problem. You're in a bad mood because you've been so busy planning this heist that it's keeping you and Hosea apart. You two just need to bone. John: Oh no... Dutch: ...What did you say? John: Don't say it again! Arthur: I said you two need to bone. John: Oh my god... Dutch: (with barely contained fury) Hhhhhow Dare you Arthur Morgan, I am thIS GANG'S LEADER!!! You have NO RIGHT to comment on my sex life— (5 minutes later) Dutch, standing on top of a table screaming: BONE?!?!?! (10 minutes later) Dutch: What happens in my bedroom, son, is NONE of your business— (20 minutes later) Dutch, jumping up and down on the table: BOOOOOOONE!!!!!!!!! (40 minutes later) Dutch: And don't EVER speak to me like that AGAIN! (storms off) John, sunken down in his chair in horror: Why the hell did you do that? Arthur: (shrugs) They need to bone. John: Gross, Arthur! That's our dads!

And then like a day later gfdhkg

John: Oh hey Dutch! I know you don't want to talk about Hosea, BUT, I had an idea— Dutch: No need, John, it's all good. John: So... your fight with Hosea is over? Dutch: Yep. John: Because you finally figured out a plan for the heist...? Dutch: Nope! Arthur, excitedly: Because you guys—? Dutch: Yyyyep! Arthur, looking smug: Knew it. John: Ugh... Arthur: (leans down close to him) See, what happened is, our dads had sex— John: UGH, SHUT UP!

Another inspiration I had was John Mulaney’s bit about zoning out for John with adhd,,,,, the part where he’s like “the doctor was reading me the results of a blood test, it was IMPORTANT that I LISTENED, but NO, I zoned out, I was like, I’m just gonna stare at the wall and think m’thoughts” that’s why I wrote the part where John was like “ehhh attention deficient something something disease” bc it made me laugh gjhggdjh

Dutch: so the doctor says you have ADHD John: (thinking about minecraft) what?

Also unrelated but blease consider Arthur teaching John to drive like

Arthur: are you watching the road? John: ........I am looking through the windshield Arthur: John: .......and I’m not gonna hit anyone...... Arthur: John: ....but no. I’m thinkin’ about minecraft

(Also I don’t know anything about ssb I’ve played it once and hated it, minecraft is my og video game love, but Abigail beating John at ssb is funnier, I’m a fake gamer boy :^( rip)

ONE MORE INSPIRATION THAT ONE VINE ITS MY FAVORITE VINE

Arthur: are you drinking coke for breakfast? John: yeah, what did you have for breakfast? Arthur: ........nothing John: (sipping his drink) I’m doing better than you, then

Anyway onto ACTUAL IDEA STUFF HOORAY

So when Dutch and Hosea decided to adopt, they agreed they wanted to take in kids who needed good homes the most, so they were specifically looking for older kids who would probably age out of the system and wind up on the streets

They met Arthur who was a clearly depressed and gender non conforming thirteen year old who hated everyone and everything and wasn’t getting the Love he Deserved, and Dutch was like “I want THAT ONE, with the SAD EYES”

Arthur tried to push them away at first, cuz he absolutely didn’t trust anyone, and some part of him believed they’d just give him right back up for adoption if he disappointed them in any way. But he eventually learned that they were good guys who really just wanted to help him, and they weren’t gonna abandon him if he wasn’t the perfect kid they always wanted

(he probably told them about this fear eventually and Hosea just snorted and was like “if we wanted a perfect kid we woulda got a cabbage patch doll. something that wouldn’t scream or make a mess” and Dutch was like “yeah! or like a 27 year old with a job and their own house and kids of their own. pre-made grandkids” and Hosea was like “or a cat” and Arthur was like “...okay”)

Anyway it took a loooong time but Arthur eventually trusted them enough to come out to them as trans, without really knowing the proper words for everything, just knowing that He Is A Boy And That’s That. As much as Hosea is the one the lads go to to talk about stuff and get comfort and Wise Dad Advice, he probably told Dutch first bc he was more uncertain how he’d respond and he wanted to get it over with in the worst way possible.... like, if they were gonna react badly, heap all the bullshit on in one fell swoop

I imagine he did it off the cuff too, in response to something Dutch said, like Dutch was like “u get back here right now young lady” and Arthur was like “first of all I’m not a lady, I’m a BOY, and second of all FUCK you, I do what I WANT” and Dutch was like “groovy. you’re grounded.” Arthur was like (offended) “don’t say groovy... don’t try to be hip” and Dutch was like “no it’s totally tubular that ur a boy. It’s absolutely funky. You’re fucking grounded though”

Then he went and told Hosea like “congrats! it’s a boy” and they helped him transition and they didn’t tolerate a single person misgendering him the whole time. Like before he’s even begun transitioning, they’re literally at the doctors office to discuss it w/ their doc for the first time, and a nurse is like “ms. morgan?” And Dutch is like “INCORRECT” and the doctor is like “what seems to be the problem (deadname)?” and Dutch is like “FOOL! THIS CHILD WAS LABELED INACCURATELY, WE REQUIRE A GENDER RETRACTION” and Hosea’s like “please stop yelling”

Anyway probably about a year later they got John when he was ten and Arthur was fifteen. Arthur was a little bit jealous like, wow, am I not enough kid for u, but Dutch and Hosea always planned on getting at least two bc they wanted them to have siblings, and they know John came from a pretty abusive situation, so Arthur can’t be too mad at him. At least until he met John and realized what a fucking brat he is

Since John was younger and way more desperate for affection, he immediately loved Dutch and Hosea just bc they were nice to him, he was ready to call them his dads within the month but he was nervous that it was too soon and they’d be weirded out. But I imagine he got triggered by something and had a meltdown and they got to see just a glimpse of what he’d been through, and Dutch and Hosea were falling over themselves trying to comfort him and tell him they love him and now I’m making myself cry :’^(

Anyway... from that point on John was like “these are the only dads I’ve ever had and I would kill a man for them.” He gets in trouble quite a bit bc he’s Naughty, but Dutch and Hosea always make sure to punish him fairly and never yell or be physically intimidating with him or permanently take away his stuff, like they make him do chores to earn back the right to use the xbox or something. And they always explain to him exactly what he did wrong and why he’s being punished and talk to him about how he can make it better or what he can do next time, or if there’s a root problem, like he’s acting out bc he’s overwhelmed with school work or smthn, how they can help him. Especially after he gets diagnosed with ADHD

And of course they do all this with Arthur too, but they make a special concerted effort with John bc he’s The Baby :^) and Dutch somehow maintains an attitude of “idk what ur talking about, John has never done anything wrong ever in his life” every time he gets in trouble meanwhile Hosea is like “what do you MEAN, he’s a GREMLIN” fjfjfhhf

Arthur was probably diagnosed with depression and anxiety at some point... it was probably a long process to get him to even admit he had a problem bc he didnt wanna bother anyone... Arthur also probably came from an abusive situation from the way canon Arthur talks about his dad, but Arthur is much more the type to be like “i’m gonna keep all my feelings inside, and then one day, i’ll die” whereas John is like “i will SCREAM if i get a papercut”

[EDIT: i woke up in a cold sweat at 4 AM with this in my head so now i’m putting it here

Charles: So, Arthur... Do you wanna talk about your feelings? Arthur: No. John: I do! :) Charles: ...I know, John. John: I’m sad! :) Charles: I know, John.

i’m sure it’s been done before but it’s so good. ok now back to our regularly scheduled programming]

In regards to Arthur being trans, John doesn’t really Get It, Arthur tried to explain it to him once and John couldn’t care less, all he knows is Arthur used to be a girl or something, there’s tea involved probably, and John is thinking about minecraft again... he has 2 am thoughts about it sometimes and comes to Arthur like “what IS gender” and Arthur’s just like “hm. big mood”

Dutch is “Dad” and Hosea is “Papa” or “Pa” or “Pops” or “Dad, No Not You, The Other One” or “Other Dad.” Hosea really doesn’t mind at all, he wouldn’t care if the kids called him Hosea or mom or anything else, it truly isnt important to him. But Dutch Loves being Dad. Every time they call Dutch Dad he grows three times stronger and 10 years are added to his lifespan. Dutch is an Alpha Parent, he 100% goes to every parent teacher conference and bake sale, he’d go to every game and concert too if either of his kids had a single athletic or musical bone in their dumb little bodies. I guess the school probably hosts art galleries sometimes to display art the kids make, Arthur always has a drawing in one of those, and Dutch will absolutely go just to brag about his cool son.

Dutch is the Fun Energetic Dad who embarrasses the boys in front of their friends but can always be talked into taking them out to get ice cream. Hosea is the more quietly anxious dad, he makes sure they do their homework and keep their rooms clean and shit, and he's the one the kids always go to talk to when they’re having problems... like Arthur will rant for an hour and a half about high school drama and Hosea will patiently listen to all of it and when he's done he’ll offer to kick the other kids’ asses for him, and Arthur’s like lmao but Hosea Means It.

Hosea is also the one the kids go to for help on their homework because Hosea and Dutch have five brain cells between them, and four of them belong to Hosea. Dutch is like “suddenly I don’t remember basic math, time to make shit up” and Hosea is like “I must become an expert on 1820s Chinese history in two days for my beautiful sons”

I have NO idea what either of their jobs are, I wanna say Hosea is a lawyer or smthn but idk, Dutch is probably like......................a used car salesman LMAO...... they clearly make a lot of money (or maybe STOLE SOME) bc I gave them a huge house w/ a pool gjhkdhg

Anyway more about THE KIDS

They go to a school that is a combination middle school and high school, bc that’s what my school was like

Mrs. Grimshaw is the strict and irritable principal with a secret soft spot for kids, Mr. Pearson is the cafeteria cook, Strauss works in the office, I wanna say Rev. Swanson is a weird but friendly janitor or something lmao. Uncle is Dutch & Hosea’s annoying forever-drunk neighbor who everyone barely tolerates fjfjhfh

Micah is The School Bully but like bc this is a cutesy high school au and I can do what I want, he’s not actually like a violent racist or anything he’s just a bad mad sad kid who is a huge dick

Bill is Micah’s Bully Henchman, he’s generally not as much of a dick as Micah is, but he punches whoever Micah asks him to bc they are the closest thing to friends that either of them have

Trelawny is a new student who just moved from another school and he’s that fucking Weird Magician Kid who can’t hold a conversation longer than five seconds without saying “wanna see a magic trick,” tried to do some unimpressive card tricks for the school talent show, unironically wears a cape, etc.... Arthur stood up for him when he was getting pushed around by Micah and Bill so now Arthur has +1 more weird friend

Karen is the Popular Girl who somehow knows everyone, is probably a cheerleader, everyone is either extremely intimidated by her or thinks she’s gonna be a stuck up bitch, but she’s actually just super fucking chill and nice, WILL stab a man for her friends, she won’t hesitate bitch

Tilly is Karen’s bff who was getting bullied by *shakes fist* those dang foreman brothers.... Karen stood up for her and Tilly was like “no don’t u will get hurt!!” and Karen was like “ha... fool... cheerleaders cannot die” and whooped ass with her gymnastics skills and somehow got the foreman brothers expelled. So now Tilly is like “I owe u one (1) Life Debt” but Karen is like “nah it’s chill just come to target w/ me & we’ll call it even.” Tilly is just tryna get shit done and do her damn homework but everybody else is going on adventures and being nuisances so of course Tilly has to go too bc come on....... who do you take her for, some kinda two-bit GEEK? NO WAY

Mary Beth is a quiet nerdy girl who’s always reading or writing and never talks in class or anything. Karen and Tilly became her friends thru sheer brute force, Karen just sat by her one day n was like “sup” and Mary Beth was too shy to ask her to leave. They were surprised to discover Mary Beth is actually pretty nice and funny when you get to know her and also the Biggest Lesbian Alive

Sadie is a BAD BITCH... NOBODY fucks with Sadie, not even Micah, Sadie is the girl who when some dipshit boy spreads a rumor that he had sex with her, she agrees and tells everyone she pegged him and he cried after, she hasn’t given a fuck since 2007. she climbs on the roof to get lost frisbees. one time she got the gym coach to agree to give her an automatic A in the class if she did 100 push ups in 5 minutes. Then she Did That. She might have pulled several muscles in both of her arms but She Did That. Karen, Tilly, and Mary Beth (but mostly Karen) approached her like “damn that was sick” and Sadie was like “yea i know” and then they were friends

I literally don’t know anything about Sean I’m sorry...... maybe he’s a transfer student who becomes friends with John, they play Minecraft together and Sean boobytraps the houses John builds. Sean is the only living human being who understands how redstone works and he uses his powers for evil

Molly is going to a nearby community college and is working at the high school part time as a TA and she is like 19-20 or smthn so the kids all think she’s The Hottest Shit,,,, like they think she’s just the coolest hippest person alive, but also she is Very Attractive so fuckin everybody has a crush on her, most specifically Javier and Mary Beth. She ineptly tries to flirt with Dutch every time he comes to a parent teacher conference bc she’s dummy thicc and thinks it’s friendship goals that Dutch lives with and has adopted children with his Best Bud Hosea

The teacher Molly is TA for is Charles Chatenay, an all-grades art teacher who takes his job WAY too seriously, like dude chill they’re high schoolers. His class is where Arthur met Albert, bc Arthur loves drawing and obviously Albert loves photography. They were both like “wow he’s cute” but were too shy to talk to each other for more than basic pleasantries, until one day Albert’s Big Project was ruined a day or two before he was gonna turn it in, and Arthur helped him fix it.

They’re so sweet on each other it’s unbearable, they’re both Soft Boys so they fuckin blush if they make eye contact...... the most bold either of them get is when Arthur is feeling insecure about his body and Albert gladly tells him how perfect and handsome he is in every way, and he wishes he was half as gorgeous as Arthur is, and Arthur is like (offended) um, excuse me, how dare u insult my beautiful boyfriend in this way?? They both wanna grow beards so while they’re still going thru Changes they excitedly bond over their facial hair......... they run up to each other at school like LOOK AT MY NEW CHIN HAIR and the other one is like WOW!!! GOOD JOB

Javier has a big lovely family who spoil him rotten and tbh love to spoil his friends when they come over too, his parents are in a constant and devastating game of dish-gifting with Dutch & Hosea, Arthur and John have eaten more of Mr. & Mrs. Escuella’s tamales than any other food, neither Dutch nor Hosea are very good cooks but luckily Javier has plenty of aunts and uncles and cousins who are happy to occasionally take one of their unimpressive lasagnas or cakes from a box mix

Lenny’s cool dad in canon is the high school au dad of Charles and Lenny, he and Charles’s mom amicably divorced and he got remarried to Lenny’s mom, who is a Cool Stepmom to Charles. Charles and Lenny go stay with Charles’s mom all the time, in fact she was around so much when they were younger that she practically helped raise them both. maybe she gets a gf and Charles and Lenny have so many moms and are so loved & cherished like they fuCKIN DESERVE

Kieran is the weird horse girl at school, he’s Lenny’s age, they become friends when they’re forced to sit next to each other and they’re both too awkward and shy to say anything until they’re paired up on a project together bc everyone else in the class already paired up and they were the only ones left gjkhfd.... John wants to dislike Kieran bc Lenny is HIS friend now, but Kieran is a sweet lad with a mean dad.... His dad is Colm O’Driscoll, Dutch & Hosea’s other neighbor and Dutch’s sworn enemy

Dutch expects Kieran to be as shitty as his dad, but he is a SWEET BOY, and as soon as they realize his situation, they tell Kieran he can come over whenever he wants and spend the night any time, he doesn’t have to ask or anything, but Kieran is super respectful and always asks permission and always tries to come over when John or Arthur are there so he can go under the pretense of hanging out with them, bc he doesn’t wanna intrude...

Once he came over when Hosea was the only one home and he was like “hi Mr. Matthews are John and Arthur home” and Hosea was like “no sorry they’re out” and Kieran was like “oh... ok sorry I’ll just go then” and Hosea was like “absolutely not” and brought Kieran in and made him snacks and wrapped him in many blankets and watched a kids movie with him until he fell asleep on the couch... when Dutch came home he was like “??? new son ???” and Hosea was like “yea I guess. oops”

When Kieran gets older they help him become an emancipated minor and get a job and his own place (even tho he knows they’d let him stay with them if he wanted) and he changes his last name to his mom’s maiden name Duffy... Colm and Dutch glare at each other over their fences and Colm is like “enjoying stealing my son?” and Dutch is like “my son now” but Colm really doesn’t care bc he’s an asshole... and even tho they don’t legally adopt him, Kieran’s like “I’m more of a Van der Linde than an O’Driscoll” and oops i’m making myself cry again :’)

And yes Abigail does eventually teach John how to play stupid super smash bros. She’s Pro Gamer level of competent at nearly all video games and John has the biggest heart eyes for her, the end thank u for listening