#declan that's disgusting..
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25 SMILES CHALLENGE
can you pinpoint the moments where i actually put in some effort to make it look sane as possible?
*SANE ..it's... It's supposed to say SANE.
#cw creepy faces#my fart#hahaha#declan that's disgusting..#declan don't write that as a tag#trivia! i made this character after experiencing the most violent intrusive thoughts I've had up to date#i don't agree with what this character stands for anymore#obviously#it's alot like saying that I'm a big fan of jthm but never with the intention of romanticizing the homicide#this has been sitting in my IBS so i had to shit it out#hehehhehehehe#that one was actually pretty funny#25 SMILES CHALLENGE#artist of tumblr
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Manchester United Vs. West Ham | FA Cup | 01.03.2023
#declan rice#I'm still mourning the old hair but I also am weak 🤷🏼♀️#and I cut him spitting because I am normal and find that disgusting I'm sorry 🤷🏼♀️#west ham#west ham united
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watching two teams you hate play each other is all fun and games until the team you hate a bit more wins
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a plain peanut butter sandwich? ronan you are one sick son of a bitch
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“I can’t stand to see ya’ with someone else.”
(Rivals) Declan O’Hara x Reader
Suggestion by one’s own heart @wobblybobbilyfleshybits 🩷 / Declan is wildly jealous to see you with somebody else, and he makes that very clear…
18+ FANFIC / Smut refs & gorgeously feral Declan 🥰 Reader character aged at 21. Hope you enjoy! 🫶🏽
The Rose & Crown — Rutshire’s quaintly village pub — was exquisite. Crimson red carpets, the fireplace roaring divinely in the corner and the welcoming chatter of more-than-friendly locals bouncing from the walls. Nestled in the corner, accompanied by the landlord’s slobbering bulldog, you gulped eagerly from your pint of Guinness, desperate to coax yourself into drunkenness after an atrocious day at work. “Hello, darling.” A beguiling man with a mop of silver hair bounced over, throwing himself in the seat beside you. His enchanting smile sent shivers down your spine, and you allowed him to buy you another drink whilst whispering honeyed words into your ear.
The bell of the front door jingled as Declan O’Hara entered the pub, tight-lipped and adorned in beige, as usual. You had been casually sleeping with him for a few months now, and as so, you were thoroughly aware that he drank many evenings away here — away from prying, judgemental eyes. He had sat himself at the bar, ordering a tumbler of Bell’s finest and disinterestedly flicking through today’s edition of The Scorpion. The grey fox beside you, however, told you a particularly risqué joke, making you release a wondrous cackle. Sighing in agitation, Declan slowly rose from the bar and stumbled over to your table. “Hello. Didn’t see ya’ there.” He mumbled, gulping from his glass and shooting the man beside you a villainous stare. “Hello, Declan. Take a seat.” You peep, and pat the space beside you.
Begrudgingly obliging, Declan took a seat — unknowingly subjecting himself to lascivious flirting between you and your new admirer, an overwhelming compliment here, a soft stroke of your arm there. Each motion made by the man was met from an increasingly reproving stare from Declan. “One moment, doll. Must take this.” The man excused himself, pulling his ginormous telephone from his bag and making his way outside. “Did ya’ sit me here to make me an accessory or was there a reason?” Declan spat towards you, motioning towards the barman for his fourth whiskey. “What ever could you mean?” You question with a smirk.
“Well, I’m sat watchin’ this cunt leer over ya’. Disgusting.” He added, nodding towards the barman delivering him his next drink. “I think you should make that your last. You get rather nasty when you’re drunk.” You remark bitterly. An acerbic snicker pushed from his lips as he lit a cigarette, leaning towards you, his hot breath steaming over your neck. “Ya’ have no idea how nasty I can get.” The Irishman’s voice was devilishly husky — enough to make your thighs involuntarily squeeze together. “Oh yeah? How nasty are you going to get with me, Declan?” You tease, relocating your hand to his thigh and running it dangerously close to his bulge. As your new admirer made his way back to the increasingly passionate scene, Declan muttered towards you under his breath. “I can’t stand to see you with someone else.”
“Sorry about that. Just work.” The man beamed, as you and Declan parted your lustful gazes, as though you hadn’t made conversation at all. “Anyway, doll, what’s to say you come back with me and I show you a good time?” The silver-haired man questioned, pulling at your arm and staring at Declan pompously. That was enough. “Touch her, and it’ll be the last fuckin’ thing you do.” Declan snarled, pounding his fists against the table as he stood up. Overtly threatened by Declan’s warning, the man backed away and promptly made his exit.
“What the fuck was that?” You interrogated, raising arched eyebrows to the heavens — feigning annoyance but terribly turned on by his rage. “Ya’ deserve much fuckin’ better than that.” He growled, knocking back his whiskey like a shot and stubbing out his cigarette. “Well, I wouldn’t know now, would I?” You spit, rolling your eyes. “Ya’ just fuckin’ love to tease me, I know it,” He begins, leaning into you and speaking into your ear with a seductive, hushed tone, “But I’m gonna take ya’ home and show ya’ that ya’ belong to me.”
#rivals#rivals disney+#rivals disney#rivals hulu#rivals fanfic#rivals fanfiction#declan o’hara fanfiction#declan o’hara fanfic#declan o’hara x reader#declan o hara#declan o’hara#aidan turner
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This is one of the most underrated parts of Dream Thieves. Just so much to unpack.
Adam's indescribable horniness for Helen's kitten heels? Like, sir? Are you okay?
IMMEDIATELY projecting said horniness onto Declan? He's not even THERE. Why's he catching strays? Foul.
It's even more foul considering it's not remotely true. Dating Helen would be Declan's personal hell. For one, she's smart, loves meddling in people's lives, and has immense resources at her disposal. Helen Gansey and her sexy sexy shoes would be his worst nightmare. Forget dating, even being in the same room as her would make Declan start to dry-heave in panic.
And SECONDLY, you know Declan is at once wildly resentful, disgusted, and bewildered by eldest siblings who aren't massively parentified. Like, what do you MEAN your life's sole purpose isn't to protect your younger brother? Sounds fake, but ok. Couldn't be me though.
#now I need fic where helen and declan meet#but anyway#adansey this and pynch that#what about adam's psychosexual obsession with all his friends older siblings??? Huh???What about that?#wasnt there something with him and orla too?#trc#The Raven Cycle#The Dream Thieves#Adam Parrish#Helen Gansey#Declan Lynch#Richard Gansey iii
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Bad Boy to Prep
Deck leaned against the wall, puffing away on his cigarette with a nonchalant air as if the school and its rules were miles away. The morning air was crisp, but he was enveloped in a haze of smoke and indifference. Deck heard firm footsteps approaching, knowing immediately it was Mr. Thompson the school guidance counselor. Deck, barely glancing his way, sighed with annoyance, exhaling another plume of smoke.
“Declan, would you please put that out and come to my office?” Mr. Thompson asked.
Deck rolled his eyes, “It’s Deck. And yeah whatever I’ll swing by later.” He exhaled another puff.
Mr. Thompson made eye contact and stated firmly, “I meant now.”
Deck, for a split second, felt a tingle down his spine. He put out his cigarette and said “Lead the way, dude.”
Mr. Thompson motioned for Deck to sit in the seat across from his desk. Deck slumped down, not wanting to be here any longer than he needed to be. Mr. Thompson took his seat at his neatly organized desk.
“Thank you for joining me Declan,” Mr. Thompson began.
“Not like I had a choice. And it’s Deck.” Deck said curtly.
“Right. ‘Deck.’” Mr. Thompson said hesitantly, “I wanted to talk to you about some things.”
Deck sighed, “Get on with it.”
“You need to stop smoking, Deck. It’s bad for your health. You also need to start dressing better and acting appropriately.” Mr. Thompson replied.
“Fuck that. This is who I am.” Deck said.
Mr. Thompson made direct eye contact with Deck, “Do not curse.”
With another slight shiver down his spine, Deck responded, “Okay.”
Deck felt weird. After Mr. Thompson told him not to curse, it’s like he suddenly was not able to. He couldn’t even think of a curse word. Deck brushed the weird feeling away and asked,
“So what do you want me to do about it?”
Mr. Thompson cracked a small smile. He made direct eye contact with Deck and said, “Start by using your real name. You are not ‘Deck’, you are Declan.”
“... I am Declan,” Declan mumbled. For a split second he could’ve sworn he got another weird feeling...
“You think you can do that Deck?” Mr. Thompson interrupted his thoughts.
“It's Declan, I don’t go by ‘Deck’. And do what?” Declan replied.
Smiling Mr. Thompson, made direct eye contact once again and said, “You need to change your clothes. You hate being unkempt and dirty.”
Before he could process the weird feeling, Declan stood up and looked down at his clothes with disgust.
“What am I wearing?” Declan exclaimed. “Dude, do you have a change of clothes? These are awful!”
Mr. Thompson, making eye contact with him said, “I do. You will wear them. They feel perfectly correct.”
Declan nodded and immediately grabbed the clothes. Not caring for Mr. Thompson’s presence, he immediately stripped to his underwear. He immediately began to put on the pastel polo shirt. He felt the comfort of the collar on his neck and thought, wow this feels great!
Following the polo, he pulled up the khaki shorts and absent mindedly tucked his shirt in. Mr. Thompson also provided new shoes too, boat shoes that he quickly put on.
“These clothes are so much better. Uh, thanks man.” Declan said to Mr. Thompson.
Mr. Thompson looked into his eyes, “You speak respectfully and eloquently.”
Declan paused for a second and responded, “Thank you, sir. I greatly appreciate your generosity.”
“You’re welcome Declan. You are a changed man. Respectable for society.” Mr. Thompson continued looking into his eyes.
“Yeah… respectable…” Declan trailed off.
“Declan. You need a better haircut, one suitable for a preppy like yourself. Allow me to provide it.” Mr. Thompson continued.
Declan let the words register before saying, “Mr. Thompson, would you be so obliged to provide me with a haircut suitable for me?”
Mr. Thompson nodded and pulled out a set of clippers from his desk. He began to make quick work of “Deck’s” hair, crafting a preppy hairstyle for Declan.
Declan stood proudly, now sporting a preppy hairstyle. Mr. Thompson beamed at his work of art. Mr. Thompson enjoyed “guiding” students to become better versions of themselves.
“Declan,” Mr. Thompson made eye contact, “You have always been a good preppy boy. You are respectful and do no wrong. Off to class.”
Declan smiled, “Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Your words are truly meaningful. Have a good day!”
#gay hypnosis#hypnotized#preppy#hypnosis#preppy boy#gayhypno#boy hypno#polo#hairstyle#stepfordization#tfhypno
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i think declan touching doyle’s hand and saying ‘i remember you…’ and doyle responding ‘i’m sorry’ was the perfect way to end the emily & doyle & declan arc. it’s the perfect way to show that in a horrible, dysfunctional way they were a family (forced to be!!) and even though emily and doyle wanted each other dead and declan lives without both of them, a little bit of each other will live in all of them forever. honestly including this in the same ep where it’s revealed declan was born through doyle keeping his mother captive to force her to give birth, and emily’s disgust at that really makes this arc more powerful and tragic. like - she had to live with that man and make loving him believable. she had to believe 100% she was in love for him for this to work, not to mention she was further trapped by actually caring for declan and wanting to know he was okay. it’s a painful, confusing situation with no good outcome. if it’s not believable, you die and compromise the operation. if you believe it, you compromise your morality and identity and when everything ends you feel as though you’ve destroyed your home, your family. emily was left feeling so empty. god <//3
#this isnt a defence of doyle btw#hes a bad man i just think his character is rlly good considering he was only featured like in a couple eps#like honestly the way he forced her to give birth and then didnt raise declan anyway??#IN ADDITION TO trying to force him down a deadly path like#and the fact him wanting emily as lauren to raise declan is so??#manipulative and selfish and surprisingly earnest in his way#honestly monsters loving in their own unhelpful unhealthy repulsive ways is a sure fire way to make me so :(((#GOD ANYWAY#GOOOOD ARC I AM OBSESSED#LAUREN REYNOLDS <333#emily prentiss#lauren reynolds#ian doyle#declan doyle#criminal minds#cm#my posts
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think about it - - mason mount x reader.
summary: what happens when bsf! mason wants more, but you’re not willing too in order to protect your friends heart and yours.
wc: 1.3k
Hi everyone... It's been months... so forgive me... it's a Christmas miracle! 😭😭I hope everyone is doing okay and safe! I'd love to hear all about it if you'd like to speak about it! Feel like this is so bad and I lost my spark but I hope you can still enjoy :( 💕 don't forget to reblog, as us writers love to hear back from you!
“Stop! Don’t say another word,” you reluctantly stood being faced with Mason who stood confused. “You can’t say that Mason. You’re going out with her! One of my friends? How can you say that?” you defend your friend, even if she wasn’t there.
Being best friends with Mason wasn’t always easy. He forgot he was a normal person sometimes, and would let the fame get to his head, which is what he’s doing right now. Your parents and his were grateful more than ever to have you keep him in check because lord knew it would be a mess.
Mason had been flirting and going out with your friend Stella. From the stories she told, it sounded serious, and wanted more. You didn’t play Cupid, and part of you was slightly upset when you found out from Declan they were going out. Behind your back, not even a single word from Mason.
Stella was a beautiful blond, working at a law firm, and definitely super confident. You were the opposite, still at uni and trying to find a program that could promote your art. Art was your life, no matter what went on, it was a way for you to release all your energy into a blank canvas.
“All I’m saying is that I don’t like her like that anymore. She’s to stuck up and self-centered, I’m not ready for that commitment,” Mason reasoned but you shook your head with a no. This was him. Becoming a womanizer. Forgetting the good and little things that occurred in his life.
“You’re gonna break her heart? Before Christmas? Really?” you say with a pure questioning voice, your eyes squinting. Mason shrugged and nodded nonchalantly, “I don’t see why not. I realized I didn't want her. She’s not the one I want,” he said.
“So why play her? Drag it out this long. That’s not fair to her,” you say disgusted not being able to look at him. Mason always was a person you admired and looked up to, but deep down you fell for the freckled brown-eyed man. It was hard to resist and you refused to accept it, but when seeing them together, you couldnt help think it should be you aside him. “You don’t think it’s fair for me? I never wanted her, she threw herself at me.”
“Which is why I’m saying why play her when you should’ve made it clear from the start? You made her attached to you and let her believe your lies and promises. Mason what the actual fuck?” you spit out with pure rage. The room becomes hot as you begin to look around for the exit.
“She also played with me! I’m sure she didn’t tell you that because you’re blind to her. You’re so quick to defend her but what about me? Your best friend? Stella messed around with other men, while I stayed loyal to her. She’s a liar and a manipulator. So what if I end it before Christmas? I can finally have the person I want instead of being focused on someone who can’t even make time for me.”
This was certainly news to you, as you started to feel regretful for the way you screamed at him. To call him a womanizer and letting the fame get to him. You didn’t know Stella did this, it was news to you. As all she could brag about nowadays was about Mason this Mason that. She never mentioned talking with other people. He was right. You did let her get to your head.
“It’s okay I know you didn’t mean it, to scream at me,” Mason noticed your quiet tone, heart-wrenching as he tried to swallow the words that wanted to come out, before he knew it, he started speaking again. “I know you want what’s best for everyone, but when will you think of yourself? You also deserved to be treated right and loved by someone,” you eyed him weirdly and burst out laughing.
“Me being in in love? Or someone loving me? That’s impossible. I haven’t had a boyfriend in years, let alone go on dates. I’m starting to accept the fact I won’t find anyone, I mean look at me!” you said seriously, continuing to laugh. Mason frowned, shaking his head at the way you were talking to yourself.
“I am looking at you… and all I see is someone who’s scared of revealing who they truly are. The commitment maybe or afraid of being rejected. A beautiful, smart, independent woman,” Mason said carefully as he took steps closer to you. “Someone who deserves the world after putting everyone first before her. Why can't you see that? Why do you distance yourself from me?” he asked with urgency.
You would be lying if you said you slowly detached yourself from him. Avoiding plans or meetings because it hurt to see him. The idea of him not telling you he was going out with Stella, seeing them together when all your friends went out, your friend who still was with Mason, and being in love with your best friend but still trying to refuse it.
It drove you wild and often made you cry because everyone around you began to settle down, and you were left wondering why you couldn’t keep one good person in your life. You hated the fact of never being enough, for yourself or anyone around you. Maybe you weren't enough and that is what pushed people away.
“Mason…”
“Why can't you let me love you like you deserve? Let me take your worries and pains away? Let me be the man you need and love you unconditionally? What are you so afraid of? What else do I have to do to get your attention?” Mason confessed. The Christmas tree lighting made him look intimidating as he held your face in his large hands.
It was fucked up. He knew it was fucked up to mess with your friend to get you to see how madly he fell in love with you. It was an even bigger mistake to have dragged it out this long, knowing how distant and muted you were from him. He just wanted you to finally see that it was him all along.
You swallowed the lump in your throat, unable to look him in the eyes, because if you did, you would give it away how you felt about him. The eyes never lied. Your eyes never lied to him. “Say something please…” Mason pleaded, afraid he might've overstepped, or read the cards wrong.
“I'm not the right person for you Mase… I can’t give you what you want…” you painfully smiled, as both of your hearts sunk deeper. “I can't lose you like I’ve lost everyone else. We wouldn't work, I’m just way too different from the girls you've been with,” you say pulling away from his grasp and walking to the opposite end of the room.
“They're not you though. You will always come first. They didn't mean anything because it wasn't them I wanted, it's all along been you. I’ve spent way too much time thinking, losing you, suffering because you weren't with me. I'm tired of that, I just want you baby. Don't compare yourself to anyone in the world, because at the end of the day, you will be the first one I look for… I love you.” Your eyes widened, not realizing he stood in front of you again.
Your head felt heavy, filled with thoughts as they raced through your head. Your chest tightened at his words. After waiting so long to hear them, why did all of a sudden feel different? Like you didn't believe them. Believe him. Was it the fact she was still present, or were you afraid of finally having something real and you being the reason to lose it all? Mason leaned down kissed the inner corner of your mouth, and pulled away. Joining your families who were celebrating Christmas Eve.
“Think about it. Okay?”
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I'm hoping to have one last fic typed up, edited, and posted by the end of 2024, but as the year is winding down, I figured I'd post a wrap-up of the works I've completed this year. So here they are, from longest to shortest. 😌
In Comes the Tide - 45k - Rated T
Performing a simple, polite gesture should not result in a marriage, but—Adam Parrish learned—this did not apply to selkies. The summer before his senior year at Harvard, Adam returns to the same small coastal town where he's spent the past two summers. Bussing tables isn't what he wants to do with his life, but the dockside seafood shack where he works is popular, and the tips the employees split pad his bank account enough to afford a more leisurely fall when he gets back to Cambridge. Little does Adam know he's in for a very surprising summer when a selkie shows up at The Sea Shanty and Adam saves his coat...
While There's Breath in My Body - 11k - Rated E
Adam Parrish had lived in Port Royal for twenty years. He’d been around ships for almost two thirds of his life. In all that time, only one ship ever raised the hair on his arms each time it came to port, and it was not the ship itself, but the man who stood at its helm. A skirmish could put a ship’s fate in someone else’s hands. A storm or a cannon ball could put it at the bottom of the sea. A rampant illness could leave it crewless and adrift, waiting for the next enterprising group of sailors to come on board. But a particular flag, a particular captain… Those raised Adam’s hair far more than any combination of masts, sails, and anchors ever would.
A Pirate AU
Hello, I'm in Delaware - 7k - Rated G
Has anyone ever told you that you look like a fed?” “I am a fed.” “And it’s disgusting how much you don’t hide it.” Adam Parrish travels the country covering up sightings of dreamt cryptids. When he gets called to Delaware to investigate a creature caught on home security footage, he asks for some help from a dreamer. His fiancé, Ronan Lynch.
The Magician Entertainment - 5k - Rated G
When Adam Parrish reveals he knows sleight of hand at a company team building event, he doesn't realize how big of a mistake he's made until one of his colleagues corners him a few days later in the office kitchen. The entertainment Declan Lynch hired for his daughter's birthday party bailed, and Declan has ideas about who can fill that void: Adam. Adam agrees — simply because Declan offers him the easiest $500 Adam will ever earn — though Adam's not happy about it. It's only when he arrives at the party that he realizes he might be able to perform some actual magic. With Declan's younger brother, Ronan.
Just Coffee - 4k - Rated G
The new barista at Fox Way Cafe was hot as shit. Or Ronan Lynch hoped he was new. That was the only reasonable excuse why the barista sucked at barista-ing and seemed to provide the fucking worst customer service known to man. The way the guy’s thin smile faltered when he asked someone how he could help them said he’d rather throw himself into an active volcano — or possibly a tiny metal pitcher of freshly steamed milk, given the setting — than take another order for a nonfat pumpkin spice peppermint patty latte with almond milk or whatever, but damn, Ronan would stand in line all day if it meant watching the new guy epically fail at providing a good customer experience. Ronan Lynch doesn't mean to become a regular at Fox Way Cafe, but when he sees the cafe's newest employee for the first time, he decides to keep going back again, and again, and again. At least until the new barista learns how to spell his name...
Rock Beats Scissors - 2k - Rated M
Really, if they wanted to keep things fair and equitable, they could have found some impartial way to make the decision. Flipping a coin. Drawing straws. Rolling a die. But being distractingly hard didn’t always allow for rational thinking, and for two eighteen-year-old boys who appreciated the more physical aspects of life, neither of them would have been willing to hit the pause button to scramble out of bed and find a quarter or an old board game. They just kept going until someone gave in, and no matter who put what where, they both ended up exceedingly happy with the results. Which worked. Until the first time neither of them wanted to give in. When Adam and Ronan can't agree on who's going to top, they solve their problem the old fashioned way: rock paper scissors.
The Singular Formula - 2k - Rated G
It was because he spent his nights on Adam’s floor awake that Ronan heard Adam talk in his sleep in the first place, and though he might not have remembered when he first heard Adam sleep talking, Ronan would never forget what Adam said. Seal off the wall. Don’t let the submarines in. When Ronan starts sleeping over at Adam's tiny apartment above St. Agnes, he learns something about Adam he hadn't known before: Adam talks in his sleep.
Safe Bet - 1k - Rated G
The guy tilted his head slightly as if to say fair, and he lifted a long, lovely hand to push a lock of dusty hair back off his forehead as he looked at Ronan. “I might be, but I hope not.” One corner of his thin lips twitched, then he said, “Because I have a proposition.” Ronan stared. Blinked. He had not anticipated his evening taking this kind of turn when he’d needed to get out of his older brother’s apartment. Ronan loved his brothers Declan and Matthew — who he’d come to stay with while he tried to make his life less directionless — but sometimes three Lynches under one roof was too much. Evenly, he said, “A proposition.” When Ronan Lynch is approached by a hot stranger at a bar, the last thing he expects is that he'll be drawn into the guy's scheme to win a bet against his coworkers.
I've got tons of pots simmering on my stove going into 2025, so here's to another year of writing about these two idiot assholes falling in love over and over again. 🥰
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The Scare
Content: pregnancy symptoms, nausea, dry heaving,
An: I finally finished a fic! It might be a while before this happens again, but we'll see. Not proot read. Ps: I know pregnancy is not for everyone, but if it is I hope you enjoy, and I have never been pregnant, so I'm kinda just winging it.
The sounds of Kate, Declan and Alice discussing the plot of a TV show they are watching loud enough for me to hear in the office. On the other side of the kitchen from the bar.
Albeit, the restaurant is empty apart of the four of us and the doors between the bar and my office are open. The point stands. They are being loud.
Tuning them out is easy enough, this is rather normal behavior, the thing that made it difficult to focus was the nauseating feeling in my stomach.
It had been with there all morning, breakfast already made it's appearance for the second time in the bathroom of the restaurant. At least I was the first one here so no one saw.
After reading the same paragraph for the third time, I give up trying to work on the documents in front of me. I can come back to them when I don't feel like I'm going to puke every five minutes.
I push away from my desk and head out to the bar. Maybe some peppermint tea will settle my stomach.
The trio are in deep discussion, so they don't noise me coming out and filling the electric kettle behind the bar, and setting it to heat.
As I dig through the jar of tea for a bag of peppermint, the smell of the other teas in the jar meld together.
Lavender and mint, chamomile, earl grey, and green tea, all blending together to make the most disgusting smell on Earth.
I set the jar down and cover it as fast as I can. I brace myself against the counter, taking deep breaths and fighting the urge to puke.
"Boss? You okay?" Deklan asks, his voice full of concern.
I nod, not trusting my self to speak with out getting sick.
"You don't look it." He places a hand on my shoulder. " What's wrong?"
I shake my head, losing the battle with my stomach.
"'M gonna be sick," I mutter as I push past him and run to the bathroom.
Rush to a stall, and try to puke, but having not eaten anything since throwing up breakfast, it was nothing but painfully dry heaves.
I jump as a hand lands on my shoulders, then collects my hair, holding it out of the way.
"It's alright, hun, let it out." Alice's voice is calm and comforting as I continue to heave.
After few more heaves, the nauseous feeling begins to calm down. A tissue appears in front of me. I take it and wipe my mouth. I move away from the toilet, close my eyes and lean back against the cold metal of the stall.
"You okay now?" Alice asks, her voice still calm.
I nod. "I'm better."
"Good. Any idea what triggered it?"
"The tea jar. The smell was overwhelming and made me sick. Happened this morning too, but there wasn't anything to trigger that."
She hums, "Sounds like when I was pregnant with my first. The most random things would set me off. The smell of my favorite food, my husband's cologne."
I remember when she was pregnant. She had to take a few months off because the smells of the restaurant made her sick and she couldn't be in the building for more then ten minutes.
I cant remember my last period. Life has been busy and stressful. Between running a restaurant, Eliot being distant the past six months, and now, Dad and the team going after some big bad in a foreign country, and going radio silent.
I don't know if he even wants kids. We've never talked about them or the future. I know he likes kids. I've seen him interact with them and he's a natural. But they aren't his own.
I look at her. My face must show my train of thought, because she has a comforting look on hers. Like she's soothing a child.
"Don't panic yet, love. You don't even know yet. It could be a stomach bug making you sick and stress making you late."
I nod. It's true. It could be that. Or I could be pregnant with Eliot Spencer's child.
Eliot and I weren't as careful as we should have been the last couple times. And that was at least two and a half months ago.
"I'm going to run to the shop on the corner, grab a pack of tests and something to help your stomach. While I'm gone I want you to lay down in the office. I'll have Deklan bring you some peppermint tea so you don't have to smell that jar again, okay?"
"Okay," I nod.
She nods, pushing her self off the floor then extending a hand out to me to pull me up.
Once on my feet, I hug her tightly, she returns the hug, squeezing in a comforting manner.
"Go lay down. I'll be right back."
I release her and head to the office. Voices are low in the front of the building, but the couch in the office looks to inviting to care about what they're saying.
My stomach muscles scream as I lay my self down. Between getting sick this morning, and the recent dry heaving, it feels like I got punched.
I pull the blanket on the back of the couch down to cover me, tucking it around me, close my eyes and try to relax.
After a few minutes, foots steps approach the office, then a knock on the open door.
"Hey, boss," Deklan murmurs. "I brought you some tea. Alice said you had an upset stomach, so this should help. I put lots of honey in too."
He walks over to the end of the couch and sits next to my feet.
I pull my self up and take the mug. Deklan is a master tea maker, always makes it just right.
"Thanks, Dek." I smile at him.
He returns the smile, but I can see it doesn't reach his eyes.
"Are you ok?" He asks.
I nod. "I am. Alice has got to get something's. Hopefully it's just a bug."
"What if it's not?"
"What do you mean?"
He gives me a look, eyebrow raised and a smirk.
"I have met Eliot. And I have seen you on the days after he returns from his work trips." He says making my face heat up and look away from him.
"I may be a dude, but I have two sisters and Alice is a horrible liar." He adds, making me giggle.
"What'd she say?"
"She said she was going to the store for something to make you feel better, and absolutely nothing else. At all. Not making eye contact with us, and asked me to make you a cup of tea and ran out."
"She ran to the corner store," I mutter. " Get some tests."
He shrugs. "I figured. You gonna be okay? Need anything else?"
"No. I'm good. I'll be fine."
"You sound like you are trying to convince yourself more then me." His tone soft and concerned.
I break his gaze to look into my mug. Deklan has always been there when one of us needed him. The closest thing to a brother I'll ever get.
"I'll be okay." I mutter, looking back up to his worried face, "I just need to know for sure one way or the other so I can think about what's next."
"Well," he says, placing a hand on my knee, "I can't help with finding out, but if you need anything after that, one way or the other, I'm here. Just call."
"Thanks, Deklan."
"Anytime." He smiles.
He pats my knee, then pushes himself off the couch and head out of the office.
I continue to sip my tea, I don't know if it's helping my stomach, but it tastes good. The sounds of Kate and Deklan milling around acts as white noise, soothing my nerves and thoughts. But the thing I want most right now is a hug from my Dad and Eliot.
Not at the same time, though. Someone would lose a limb.
That won't happen for who knows how long. They were off on a mountain somewhere and hadn't any idea when they would be back.
Footsteps rushing towards the office pull me from my thoughts.
Alice appears in the doorway, a grey plastic bag dangling from her hand.
"I got ginger ale, saltines, tests, and your favorite candy." She puffs, sounding like she ran the whole way.
"Thank you Alice." I say unraveling my self from my blanket.
I set my near empty mug down on the desk as I stand.
She tussles through the bag and pulls out the box of tests, holding them out to me.
I stare at them. My arms feel like they are made of lead.
"They won't bite." Alice chuckles.
"You don't know that."
She huffs, dropping her arm back to her side.
"You won't know until you take one," she says. "Do you want to take one now?"
The thought of taking one scares me, especially without Eliot. And I don't really want to take the test here because i know I won't be able to control my emotions and will cry. Positive or not.
I just want to crawl into bed and hug Eliot's pillow and cry.
"I think I need to go home." I choke out, tears blurring my vision.
"Okay. We can handle everything here, don't worry."
I nod.
"Thank you." My voice barely over a whisper.
She nods, then puts the box back in the bag and sets the bag on the desk, before leaving the room and going down the hall.
Tears slip down my cheeks. The pit in my stomach growing by the second.
I take a beep breath and wipe my tears away.
Grabbing my bag of the hook by the door, setting it on the desk, and shove the grocery bag into it and zip it closed with more force then was probably necessary, and pulling my coat on next.
Flipping the lights off as I swing my bag over my shoulder, then head out to the hall, slipping out the side door into the employee lot and to my car to head home.
I swallow down tears as I drive, focusing on the road as I try not to think about the test I have to take when I get there.
I drag myself in the front door. Dropping my coat, purse, and shoes by the door, not bothering to put them away.
I pull the plastic bag from my purse, mozey my way to the kitchen and dump the bag on the counter. A box of saltines, a bottle of ginger ale, candy, and a box of pregnancy tests spread across the counter.
I stare at the box. I should take it. I can't freak out or relax until I know for sure and I can't know for sure if it don't take it.
I grab the box, tear it open and pull out the instructions.
The words are a blur through the tears in my eyes, making it impossible to read.
I sigh and toss the box back on the counter.
My head is pounding and my palms are sweating. An Eliot hug is exactly what I need, but his not here. And won't be back for a few more days.
I take a deep breath, then head to my room to change and crawl into my bed.
The bed feels big and empty. More then usual. I reach for Eliot's pillow and hugg it to my chest, borrowing my face in into it and breathing in his sent.
He had only been here one night after the last job. But then said the team had to lay low for a while and that he had to stay out of town for a while.
He seemed different, lighter, but he wouldn't tell me anything about it.
That was two and a half months ago.
Dad only told me they had a new job a week ago, but before that, I hadn't heard from anyone on the team.
After I calm down a little bit, I untangle my self from the bed, steel my nerves, and head back to the kitchen to grab a test.
I read the instructions, then go to the bathroom.
I leave the test on the counter to develop, set a timer on my phone, then I begin to pace the floor of my bedroom.
After what feels like an eternity and blink of an eye at the same time, the timer finally goes off.
----------------------------------------------------
Eliot Spencer Tag list
@fictional-hooman @skyeofbees @kimberkingrivers @spencereliotwinchester @padawancat97 @hunted-secrets-41319
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Which yugioh villians seems to have undeserved redemption arcs?
The abusive parents
That is my immediate answer. All of them, aside from Fuya/Nelson's mother who in the dub at least took accountability, changed for the better when she realized she was hurting her son, and was just never to the level of these other jerks I'm gonna talk about. None of these jackasses deserved redemption.
Gozaburo and Judai's offscreen parents thankfully didn't get the "redemption" treatment so I won't talk about how awful they are but from 5Ds onward, Yugioh has been doing this constantly and it pisses me off. Don't believe me? Here's a list off the top of my head. Spanning every show from 5Ds through Go Rush! Aside from Sevens.
Aki's father
I've been over this before but Yusei and the narrative itself forced Aki to forgive her emotionally and physically abusive father because this episode thinks her forgiving him was the only way to be "whole and good." This is still the most disgusting example of this pattern in Yugioh to me since at least none of the other characters were forced by characters in the story to forgive their abusers, they just did of their own volition for reasons I'll never understand.
Byron Arclight and Dr Faker
The former was quickly forgiven by his three kids who he used as pawns to gain number cards without so much as an onscreen conversation.
And the latter meanwhile was forgiven by Kaito and Haruto just because he's their dad I guess? Even though he was the villain of Zexal I and didn't give a single fuck about Kaito, his older son.
Eliphas
Maybe not forgiven by the characters (though possibly it's been a while since I've seen Zexal) but he was a shitty creator/father to Astral and a shitty leader to his people as he was constantly making all of them suffer with his awful decisions that did not have their best interests at heart yet his death is treated like some "noble sacrifice." NO. Too little too late. Rest in Hell.
Leo Akaba
This one's probably self-explanatory but he was a neglectful father to Reiji/Declan, abandoned him to start a war, disrespected his dead daughter's wishes, imprisoned four girls because they look like his daughter, and in doing all this, caused the revival of a literal DEMON who nearly destroyed the world. Declan rightfully stands up to him for this but in the end, Leo STILL otherwise gets off scott-free, not in jail or dead or anything, just vibing with the rest of the cast and the son he abandoned doesn't even seem to hold any ill will anymore. WHY?! He did all this world endingly horrible shit, didn't do shit to make up for it, and he ends the series with no consequences because?! What?! He "apologized"?! He "had reasons"?! NONE OF THAT JUSTIFIES GENOCIDE.
Himika Akaba
This bitch does not get nearly enough hate for grooming a traumatized child into a tool for war. She does NOT get to act like she's some "caring mother" to baby Reira/Riley after pulling that shit and roping her son into doing the same. He didn't, thankfully, he wanted Riley to have her own thoughts and feelings and not just the unfeeling vessel his mother groomed her to be but still. She STILL gets off scott-free for this and it's disgusting.
Kiyoshi Kogami
Okay, I'm cheating a bit since this guy was never redeemed or remotely treated as a good guy, thank god, but he fits this trend because Ryoken/Revolver, the son he neglected and traumatized, DID forgive him (even if the narrative/other characters don't) and continued to fight for his shitty ideals while being presented as a character we're supposed to sympathize with. This is more of a Ryoken character problem but it ties into this theme of shitty parents getting off scott-free in this franchise.
And if I had to guess, the next example of this disgusting trope is gonna end up being the Creator
Aka Otes's Earthdamar and the unnamed creator of the Velgearians. I hope he's not redeemed or forgiven. I hope he's condemned for creating an entire species just to be his pawns, MERGING WITH ONE OF THOSE PAWNS, and showing preferential treatment to Yudias over Kuaidul as well as a fucking card game over Kuaidul and the other Velgearians, both of which wrecked Kuaidul's mental and emotional state and contributed to him going down his villainous path. I know Yudias is known for forgiveness but come on he has to draw the line SOMEWHERE right?! Draw the line at the douche who basically ruined Kuaidul and Zwijo's lives, and sees them and the rest of you as things to use!
#yugioh#ygo#yugioh 5ds#ygo 5ds#5ds#yugioh zexal#ygo zexal#zexal#yugioh arc v#ygo arc v#arc v#yugioh vrains#ygo vrains#vrains#yugioh go rush#ygo go rush#go rush#not using any of these characters' tags#well except for:#I don't fucking trust the creator#rants
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Let the more loving one be me
Rupert knew himself to be a cad, a bounder and a rake, singularly devoted to his own desires and unashamed of it, but he hadn’t known he was stupid.
Terribly, terrifyingly stupid.
Because being a witless imbecile was the only way he’d ended up sitting in the waiting room of a hospital which could serve as prime evidence of NHS budgetary woes, the plastic chair doing its best to shove him off, the air redolent of antiseptic and very old, very cheap coffee, both scents an improvement over the remainder of Taggie’s vomit on his cuffs, the acrid bite of his own sweat.
He'd been so bloody stupid—and now she was suffering for it.
It hadn’t seemed like she’d been injured at all in the crash. He wouldn’t even have called it a crash, hadn’t, at first, when the doctor, a middle-aged woman with the coloring of a field mouse, had asked him what happened, how he came to be rushing in to A&E with Taggie cradled in his arms like a pre-Raphaelite maiden fished out of a weedy lake. She’d wrecked her car, but it was already a wreck and how Declan let her drive it was a mystery, and she’d gotten out and come to him entirely sensible, if breathless. He’d held her in his arms and she’d been whole, her trembling soothed by his hand stroking her hair, down the length of her spine. She’d seemed shaken up but that was all and he’d seen her look worse.
Until she’d cried out, gotten sick all over herself, and fainted. Until she hadn’t woken up when he’d called out her name several times, increasingly loudly, and then pulled over, nearly into a hedgerow, and had tried to wake her with a hand at her shoulder and then her cheek. She’d been desperately pale, her chestnut curls dark against her face, slumped over and for a moment, he hadn’t known what to do, everything blank.
Then he’d put his foot on the gas and broken every traffic law that existed in Great Britain.
They’d taken her from him as if something like this happened every day, which for an A&E department was probably the case, and he tried to be reassured by the general lack of interest engendered by an MP arriving with a unconscious woman in his arms, but they were all British and thus expected to be minimally excited by anything except sport and he hadn’t liked the way Dr. Field-Mouse had pursed her lips and then asked whether he’d noticed Taggie was bleeding.
He hadn’t and he’d thought that was good, but Field-Mouse, who had none of the charisma of a Harley Street surgeon, shook her head a little and paused before saying We’ll get her sorted out shortly, you might have a seat. She pointedly left off sir and it occurred to him she must be a Labour voter who loathed aristocrats and he blurted out she’s Irish, she’s only twenty, as if that would ensure better care.
Dr. Field-Mouse only said, “Have a seat,” again without the sir or any particular kindliness.
Rupert sat.
For two hours. Staring at his hands, at the signet ring on his finger, his stained cuffs. He tried to think of something distracting or consoling, but nothing helped, nothing worked. When he closed his eyes, he saw Taggie’s face, a dozen different times, how he’d shocked her, disgusted her, disappointed her. How she’d trusted him when he’d held her after the crash, how she’d looked at him in the bluebell wood. She had the most expressive eyes of any woman he’d ever known and he’d hurt her so many times already, sometimes with glee, and still she’d stumbled into his embrace, seeking comfort, Taggie who took care of everyone else in the O’Hara household. He was piss-poor at comforting anyone, at his best with dumb animals, and yet she wanted him to hold her, to tell her everything would be all right.
Would Taggie be all right? Christ, it was enough to drive him to prayer, dissolute sinner that he was. Stupid, when he didn’t believe in God and no God worth His salt would ever believe in Rupert Campbell-Black.
“Sir, your wife is stable, you can sit with her,” an orderly said.
“Not my wife,” he replied and the assessing look on the orderly’s face made Rupert barrel on. “Not my daughter, bloody hell, not mine—”
“Perhaps you’d rather ring someone then. Someone she’d want with her when she wakes up. She’s in 206, down the hall to the right,” the orderly said.
“I’ll sit with her,” Rupert said. He’d have to call Declan but he couldn’t bear to just yet, to explain what had happened, to hear the man begin to roar and then stop himself, to be cursed and rightly so, to brace for Maud’s tragedy queen entrance. He’d sit with Taggie first, for a little while, when it might be the last time they were alone. “206. Thanks.”
It wasn’t far and the walk took forever. She was lying quietly in a narrow bed, a blanket that had once been some pastel faded into a dull cream pulled up to her breasts, her eyes closed, for all the world like some fairy princess waiting to be woken with a kiss. He might have leaned over and grazed her lips with his, save that Dr. Field-Mouse was standing next to the bed.
“Her scans look fine, no evidence of bleeding in the brain or in her abdomen. She’s very likely badly concussed and we’ll want to keep her for observation, but she ought to be coming around,” Field-Mouse said. She nodded towards the chair next to the bed and he sat.
“I’ll feel better if she regains consciousness soon. You might try talking to her a wee bit, see whether she’ll wake up to a familiar voice.”
“What should I say?” he asked. Few people who knew him would have believed him ever at a loss for words, but Taggie, lying so still, so vulnerable, left him stricken, speechless. Field-Mouse held his gaze and something softened in her.
“Whatever you think she’d like to hear should do well enough,” she said and left the room.
Rupert reached over, took Taggie’s hand in his and squeezed it lightly.
“Taggie darling, angel, it’s Rupert, please open your eyes. You were right, right about everything—”
“What everything?” she mumbled, eyes still closed, and shifted her hand so that their fingers were laced together. He laughed, a choking sound, and then she did open her eyes. The mixture of skepticism and tender concern felled him. Tears filled his eyes, spilled over.
“Ssshh, s’okay,” she said.
“You’re hurt. I’m meant to be looking after you,” he said, his voice rough. When was the last time he’d cried? Maybe when he’d had to have Trajan put down after the stallion broke his right foreleg. Rupert had been fourteen.
“You’re holding my hand, that’s enough,” she said.
“It bloody well isn’t, but it’s something,” he said. “I haven’t rung your parents yet—”
“Later, I can’t, Da and my mother—in a little while,” she said.
Rupert nodded. He’d told her she was right about everything. He’d wait to call.
#rivals 2024#taggie x rupert#taggie o'hara#rupert campbell black#hurt/comfort#canon au#romance#angst#rivals fanfic
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Ranking the top 10 most pathetic SJM men
10: Ithan Holstrom Come on, if you didn't think him simping for Bryce after knowing her for like 5 seconds was pathetic then idk what is. Also, him being mad about the Fendyr heir being enslaved and stealing fire sprites for revenge will never not be hilarious
9: Fenrys Moonbeam Bro was so desperate to escape Maeve that he almost killed himself. Then he had that "You'd rather my queen die than your king" line. Like bro is Aelin's dog at this point.
8. Eris Vanserra Thanks to @kateduchessofdolittle for making me see how pathetic Eris is.
-Fiancee goes to *great lengths* to get out their engagement. After all that, bro still bailed her out by dealing with her father Keir in ACOSF
- Got to be a passive little bitch to monster father
- seems to be a surrogate father to the *worst* people
- he's giving mama's boy
- his allies taunt him with another engagement and she laughs in his face too
At least he has his dogs.
7. Hunt Athalar Not sure how to explain this one. It's just the *vibes*
6. Tarquin Poor Tarquin. I felt so bad for him during that Feyre-Tarquin scene in ACOMAF (one of these days I shall write the Feyquin fanfic and rectify Feyre's mistakes here).
5. Ruhn Danaan You may be surprised Ruhn is so high up on this list. But bro, Hypaxia duped him so badly. Also, he was so desperate to get back in his sister Bryce's good books. Here are just a few examples from the book:
Ruhn bared his teeth at Maximus as the glowering vamp headed toward the golden steps. “Riso called me a few minutes ago and said you were here. With that fucking creep.” “Excuse me?” Her voice sharpened. It had nothing to do with the fact that she highly doubted the diplomatic club owner had used those terms. Riso was more the type to say, She’s with someone who might cause the dancing to cease. Which would have been Riso’s idea of Hel. Ruhn said, “Riso can’t risk tossing Tertian to the curb—he implied the prick was being handsy and you needed backup.” A purely predatory gleam entered her brother’s eyes. “Don’t you know what Tertian’s father does?” She grinned, and knew it didn’t reach her eyes. None of her smiles did these days. “I do,” she said sweetly. Ruhn shook his head in disgust. Bryce leaned forward to grab her drink, each movement controlled—if only to keep from taking the water and throwing it in his face. “Shouldn’t you be home?” Ruhn asked. “It’s a weekday. You’ve got work in six hours.” “Thanks, Mom,” she said.
She just opened the door. “If you hear anything about the Viper Queen, call me.” Ruhn stiffened, his heart thundering. “Do not provoke her.” “Bye, Ruhn.” He was desperate enough that he said, “I’ll go with you to—” “Bye.”
She flinched as Ruhn said at her ear, “You don’t need to see this.” This was another murder. Another body. Another year. A medwitch even knelt before the body, a wand buzzing with firstlight in her hands, trying to piece the corpse—the girl—back together. Ruhn tugged her away, toward the screen and open air beyond— The movement shook her loose. Snapped the droning in her ears. She yanked her body free from his grip, not caring if anyone else saw, not caring that he, as head of the Fae Aux units, had the right to be here. “Don’t fucking touch me.” Ruhn’s mouth tightened. But he looked over her shoulder to Hunt. “You’re an asshole.”
Ruhn was in the apartment lobby when Fury dropped her off. Tharion left them at the docks, saying he was going to help haul in the seized synth shipment, and Fury departed fast enough that Bryce knew she was heading out to make sure the Viper Queen didn’t abscond with any of it, either. Ruhn said nothing as they rode the elevator. But she knew Fury had told him. Summoned him here. Her friend had been messaging someone on the walk back from the docks. And she’d spied Flynn and Declan standing guard on the rooftops of her block, armed with their long-range rifles. Her brother didn’t speak until they were in the apartment, the place dark and hollow and foreign. Every piece of clothing and gear belonging to Hunt was like an asp, ready to strike. That bloodstain on the couch was the worst of all. Bryce made it halfway across the great room before she puked all over the carpet. Ruhn was instantly there, his arms and shadows around her. She could feel her sobs, hear them, but they were distant. The entire world was distant as Ruhn picked her up and carried her to the couch, keeping away from that spot where she’d yielded herself entirely to Hunt. But he made no comment about the bloodstain or any lingering scent. 4. Lucien Vanserra (or Spell-Cleaver? Vanserra sounds better)
Ah, Lucien, Lucien, Lucien. My poor baby just wants somebody to marry him. Does it get any more pathetic than "I'm a mated male now?" My man prepares for rejection every holiday without fail. He and Lucien did not exchange gifts, though the male had brought a gift for Feyre and one for his mate, who barely thanked him after opening the pearl earrings. Cassian’s heart strained at the pain etching deep into Lucien’s face as he tried to hide his disappointment and longing. 3. Chaol Westfall I don't think many people remember Lithaen, but Chaol was in love with her and she fucked Dorian's cousin instead. Also there was this:
Babe, ily but wtf. You ran into a different fucking dimension to save your ex-girlfriend's DOG??? Talk about pathetic. 2. Lorcan Salvaterre Bro abandoned the queen he served more loyally than any of the rest of the cadre the moment a tiny little human with witch blood showed a little cleavage and bossed him around. Bro wanted to be someone's bitch SO BAD. He RIPPED his shirts up for her periods even after she refused to even speak with him and said she hopes he's miserable and spends the rest of his life alone (and threatened to gut Rowan and Gavriel if they ever told her it was him). He swore a blood oath to his greatest enemy just to protect her and lost the will to live when she called him a monster. Absolutely fucking pathetic and we love him for it. 1. Tamlin It was a close fight to first, but nobody can beat Tamlin in the pathetic category. For one, of all the love interests we have seen, he is in possession of the least rizz. Negative rizz, actually. Lucien actually roasted him so badly for his negative rizz, and Lucien personally backed off so Tamlin and his negative rizz could rizz up Feyre. Bro sacrificed all of PRYTHIAN to keep Feyre safe, bartered with his enemy to get her back, only to have her destroy his court. Even after that, he saved her life at the Hybern camp and revived her mate. And unlike the others above, he didn't get the girl, and probably won't get any girl, actually. We could always put him up for adoption and one of the members of the fandom can take him? Maybe??? Maybe @kateduchessofdolittle will take him.
#ithan holstrom#fenrys moonbeam#eris vanserra#hunt athalar#tarquin#ruhn danaan#lucien vanserra#chaol westfall#lorcan salvaterre#tamlin
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Because I knew you, I have been changed for good. PT.1
(Rivals) Taggie O’Hara x Reader (Platonic)
Suggestion by a sweet anon 🫶🏽 / You, Rupert Campbell-Black’s daughter, make it your mission to befriend Taggie O’Hara.
18+ FANFIC / Platonic love! Mentions of Rupert & Bas. Reader character aged at 21. Maybe a few parts? Hope you enjoy! 🩷
Taggie O’Hara, locked away in her turret bedroom like Rapunzel imprisoned in her tower, held a ruffled forest green chiffon dress to her figure, tilting her head in indecision. Summer was fast approaching, and the sun grew mellow and vivid, coaxing vibrant patches of indigo geraniums and coral pink hydrangeas into life. “Tag, no. That is disgusting.” Caitlin O’Hara spat, protruding her tongue and mock gagging. “What are you dressing up for, anyway? You don’t go anywhere.” She continued, splaying herself across Taggie’s bed and flicking through a glossy magazine. “I’m catering Rupert’s garden party. He told me to wear something nice.” She muttered, now holding a yellow taffeta dress in front of the mirror. “Definitely don’t wear that.” Caitlin tutted, despite not looking up from her magazine.
-
Some hours later, Taggie had packed containers of ambrosial boeuf bourguignon, prawn vol-au-vents, homemade chicken kyiv’s, and all manner of food that she remembered Rupert adored, into the rusted old Mini and was beginning the short drive up to Penscombe Court. As she pulled into the driveway, she took sight of the marvellous party Rupert was hosting. Majestic white marquees with empty tables awaiting Taggie’s decoration. Champagne flutes galore and a sea of brightly-dressed women in cocktail dresses, trailing after suited businessmen and politicians.
Clutching the tupperware desperately between her arms, Taggie stumbled into the garden, keeping her eyes fixed on her feet as to not meet the disapproving glances of the crowd. “Well done, angel. This looks incredible.” Rupert Campbell-Black spoke from behind her, planting his hand firmly on her shoulder. Her heart fluttered frantically as she spun round and began to decorate the elongated table with her food. “I hope it’s good enough. I made the dishes you suggested, and then a few others.” She grinned, batting her lengthy, wispy eyelashes towards him. Wow, Rupert thought to himself, she is beautiful.
You, however, was in the midst of an incredibly monotonous conversation with Basil Baddingham, your honorary uncle. “Bas, shut up a second. Who the fuck is that?” You asked, raising your hand to silence him and knocking back your glass of champagne like a shot. Partly irritated with being interrupted mid-flow, Basil raised his head to meet your sightline — a roguish grin beginning to tug at his lips. “That, my darling, is Taggie O’Hara. Declan’s daughter. Your dad’s got a bit of a crush on her.” Your fist clenched in envy until your knuckles grew white. The thought of your dad moving on from your mother, with whom he’d split from some ten years ago, made you enraged. Snatching Bas’ glass of champagne, you marched towards them.
“Dad! I’m so incredibly bored. When is this thing over?” You whined, resting your temple against his shoulder. Taggie’s eyes widened in a concoction of wild perplexity and utter horror. “It’s only just begun!” Rupert exclaimed, rubbing your back consolingly. “Darling, this is Taggie. Make sure to help her, and don’t let her work too hard.” He beamed, which made Taggie blush furiously, and strode towards Declan who had just arrived with Maud.
Instantaneously reverting back to her work, Taggie continued to laden the white table with her food, decorating it lavishly. “So, Taggie, you’re the cook, are you?” You asked, pinching a vol-au-vent from the metal plate and stuffing it into your mouth. “I’m a cook, yes. I didn’t know Rupert had a daughter, he never mentioned…” Taggie trailed off as she spoke, chomping down on her tongue to stop herself. “I bet he didn’t. He never does to the women that he wants to get into the pants of.” You spat. You wanted to be furious at Taggie, to despise her. But, as you studied her in great detail, all you could see was her kind, glittering eyes and her compassionate smile. “You weren’t just invited to do the food, were you?” You asked, hardened expression softening. Taggie was evidently grateful for this — she shot you a glimpse of her affectionate grin as she finished displaying the food. “N-no. I hope not. I insisted on cooking, but I know your Dad would’ve wanted me to anyway.” Taggie mutters, mopping her brow with the back of her hand.
“Drink?” You asked, waving a full glass of champagne under her nose. “N-no. I’ll have to serve soon.” She shook her head, wiping her hands down her yellow taffeta dress. “No way! Let them serve themselves, they’ll all be too pissed to notice anyway. Honestly, Tag.” You reaffirmed, pushing the glass further towards her. It took a few moments for her to decide, but she did eventually and took a ravenous gulp. “Is that your dress?” You asked, lighting a cigarette and leaning against the table, wind beginning to billow at the thin fabric of the marquee. “Yes. Do you like it?” She asked, a grin turning to horror as she noticed the unsightly brown stains from the bouef bourguignon swept across her dress. “No. And even more so no, now it’s covered in beef. I’ve got too many dresses, if you want to change?” Your raised eyebrows framed your mischievous grin perfectly. Swiping an unopened bottle of champagne, you took a hold of her hand and set off from the garden.
A cacophony of giggles and thunderous footsteps followed the pair of you as you bounded up the staircase, throwing open your door and collapsing onto your bed. Drunkenly hobbling, you slid open the closet door and presented Taggie with numerous pink dresses — a heap of chiffon, lace, silk and cotton. As Taggie held each one up to her figure in front of the mirror, you chugged at your fizzing bottle of champagne and glared at her, alcohol seeping into your pulsating veins. “My Dad. Do you love him?” You interrogated, and feel slightly reprehensible as you observe Taggie’s melancholic manner. “No! Of course not.” She lied, cheeks rouging in flustered sorrow. “Are you lying?” You continued to question, handing her an intricately laced salmon-pink cocktail dress. Taggie didn’t reply — but began to peel the repulsive yellow fabric from her curvaceous body.
“I’ve seen the way he looks at you. I’ve never seen him look at anybody like that before. So, Tag, my darling, we must shape you up. I will make it my life’s mission!” You exclaim, dashing to your vanity table and pulling out your makeup bag. Agatha will be your friend before she is your stepmother, you will make certain of it.
“Whatever way our stories end, I know you have rewritten mine by being my friend.”
#rivals#rivals disney+#rivals disney#rivals hulu#rivals fanfic#rivals fanfiction#rivals smut#rupert and taggie#taggie & rupert#taggie o hara#taggie o'hara#bella maclean#rupert campbell black#rupert campbell-black#alex hassell
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Let Me Go (Epilogue)
Pairing: Hangman x f!reader, Rooster x f!reader
Warnings: none, teenagers being teenagers, ANGST (but you knew that), bittersweet ending
Word Count: 5.8k
Summary: Reader is married and shares a child with Hangman, Life and circumstance drives reader into Rooster’s arms, but Hangman isn’t giving up that easily
A/N: Here it is the epilogue of Let Me Go. I can't believe this story that I thought of during my commute to work last summer, a story that I didn't anyone but me would care about is now at its official end. Even if it did take almost a year, and several hiatuses to get here. I will admit this past year has been some of the hardest of my life, with so many changes and obstacles I've gone through. But this story, this community has always been a safe space for me to run to. I'm sure that not everyone will be happy with how I chose to end this story, but this past year has taught me to trust my instincts as a writer and I will not please everyone, but I hope you understand why I went with what I did. I don't know if you all know this but Let Me Go is actually the first full-length multi-part series I've ever created, and I just wanted to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for taking this journey with me. Whether you've been here from the beginning, if you're a casual reader, someone who has waited months for me to update, to the people who have left me kind and supportive comments, and even to those who weren't necessarily the kindest. Thank you. Enough with all of that, without further ado, Let Me Go the final FINAL part.
Declan Belmont had Astrid pressed against the brick wall at the back of their high school. They definitely should not have been skipping 4th period, but the feeling of how soft her lips against his and the sounds of her whimpers as he grabbed the skin of her hips, definitely made him forget about the important test review they were currently missing.
“Dec, slow down.” She pulled herself away from him, trying to even her breath.
“We are not hooking up next to the soccer field.” She told him with a raised eyebrow.
He let out an exaggerated groan before turning them both around until Declan’s back was the one against the wall.
“Fine, fair enough” He chuckled as he gave his girlfriend a small peck on the lips.
“I can’t help it, you look so good today.” He sighed pressing his face into her collarbone breathing in her scent.
“I can’t keep my hands off of you.” He mumbled into her chest.
Astrid let out a giggle, pulling his face away from her.
“You say that everyday.”
“And it’s true!” He exclaimed
“Every. Single. Day” He pecked her lips in between every word.
“You’re such a dork.”
“YOUR dork.”
“Ew you sound just like my dad.” She said, feigning a disgusted face.
“Speaking of your dad, when are you going to introduce me to your family?” Declan asks her, his once joking demeanor fading to nervousness.
Astrid backed away from his touch, putting distance between them.
“Dec..”
“Come on Atty! We’ve been official for almost 6 months! You’ve met my mom, my brother, even my stupid cousin.”
“Your cousin doesn’t count, we have trig together.” You pointed out.
“Okay fine, but besides the point, you’ve met them!”
“Are you ashamed of me?” He asked solemnly
“No! That’s not it Dec! My family is just…” Astrid stops to piece together her thoughts.
“They’re absolutely insane!”
“My aunts and uncles are so loud ALL THE TIME. It’s basically impossible to get ANY work done whenever they’re around.”
“Don’t get me started on how nosey my Uncle Mickey gets. Like I think that man forgets that he’s nearing 50 and does not need to know why Beca from fourth grade and I aren’t friends anymore.”
“Or how my Aunt Nat and Uncle Bob, LOVE to torture my dad and the sweet little imbecile he is always takes the bait.”
Astrid didn’t notice how intense her tirade was until she felt her face heating up and Declan staring at her in amusement.
“Sorry..” she told him embarrassed at her outburst.
“You should really breathe in between monologues, you were turning blue babe.”
“See what I mean? They make me CRAZY, and I didn’t want you to see that side of me quite yet.” Astrid admitted.
Declan chuckled before approaching Astrid, wrapping his arms around her waist, and using a finger to have her look up at him.
“In case you haven’t noticed, I happen to like your crazy.” Declan kisses the pout off of Astrid’s face.
“And I really like you, and I don’t see anything short of you committing murder, changing that.”
“Can I get that in writing?”
“I’ll even get it notarized.”
“Lucky for you, my family’s monthly barbeque is happening tomorrow, and I can maybeee get you an invitation.”
“Aw you’d do that for me babe?”
“I guess, and I do happen to know the host of the party.”
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Declan felt a knot form in his stomach as he stood outside Astrid's house, trying to muster the courage to knock on the door. He knew he shouldn't be nervous, but he couldn't help the feeling of apprehension that was creeping up on him. What if her family didn't like him? What if he did something embarrassing? What if he accidentally insulted someone?
He took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down. Technically this was his idea, and Astrid had continually warned him about her family’s many quirks but assured him that they did have good hearts. But she didn’t elaborate further. Declan now mentally kicked himself for not asking more questions about them, now he was going into this meeting blind with no preparation or any talking points.
“Fucking Amateur Hour Declan!” He muttered to himself, there’s no going back and changing the past now. He couldn’t stand on the front porch forever.
Finally, he raised his hand and knocked on the door. He could hear the sounds of laughter and conversation coming from inside the house, and his nerves intensified. After what felt like an eternity, the door swung open and he was greeted by an older man, a silver fox with a broad chest wearing a leather military flight jacket. He wasn’t very tall but it didn’t make him any less terrifying.
“So you’re the boy our little Astrid has been seeing.” He greeted Declan with a grin
The man had a warm smile and Declan felt himself release the breath he didn’t realize he was holding.
Declan held out a hand towards the older man to shake.
“No need for all of that son, welcome to the party!”
The older man pulled Declan into a hug, clapping him on the back and dragging him into the house.
“Don’t scare him off Pete, he just got here!” A beautiful older woman with brown shoulder length hair and kind eyes laughed at the man.
“Sorry about him Declan, he’s just excited.”
“I’m Penny, and this is Pete.”
“Call me Mav, son.” He smiled at Declan.
They led him to the back of the house towards the glass doors with a deck where he had a a clear view into the backyard.
He saw a handful of men and women standing around the large yard. They held themselves in a way that made it obvious that they were military despite being out of uniform.
Declan felt his previous nervousness return, feeling his throat get dry. He placed his hand on the door to open it, when he realized that he never properly greeted Astrid’s parents.
“I am so sorry, I was so nervous that I forgot my manners. It’s so nice to finally meet you Mr. and Mrs Seresin.” Declan beamed at the older couple.
“Astrid is an amazing girl and its an honor to meet the people that raised her.”
Penny and Mav stared at Declan in confusion before bursting into laughter.
Declan stood confused at the sudden outburst.
After they settled down, Mav clapped a hand on Declan’s shoulder.
“You flatter us son. But we’re not Astrid’s parents.”
“I am Atty’s godmother, and Mav here is her grandpa.”
“Hey! You say that like I’m old!” Mav pouted.
“If I’m her grandpa that makes you her grandma.” He pointed out.
“No way old man, I am perfectly happy being Auntie Penny.”
“Yeah Yeah.” Mav wrapped an arm around Penny’s waist giving her a kiss on the temple.
Declan felt slightly awkward watching this interaction, he wasn’t exactly used to PDA from adult couples, mostly due to his own family history of divorce. But most of it stemmed from the embarassment of wrongly assuming his girfriend’s parentage.
“You can relax son, we definitely helped her parents with babysitting and carpool, but we can’t take credit for the woman she’s become.” Mav explained.
“And don’t worry about us, if Atty likes you, then we like you.”
“And that goes for all those other meatheads out in the backyard.” Penny reassured him.
Declan nodded as the couple led him to the outside.
“Look whos here!” Mav announced to the other attendants of the barbeque.
The group waved and roared with excitement, greeting Declan from his vantage point on the deck.
“Hey Dec!” His girlfriend greeted him.
Declan momentarily forgot his troubles as he took in his girlfriend’s appearance. She looked like sunshine in her frilly yellow sundress, her head adorned with a puffy white headband, her smile beaming as she walked towards Declan’s position on the deck.
“You’ll be okay son, we all got your back. The only person here you need to impress is that guy.” Mav pointed at a younger man, taller and somehow more menacing looking, manning the grill.
Declan took a hard gulp as Astrid finally approached him, grabbing his hand and dragging him down the stairs of the deck towards a gathering of 3.
“Dec, This is my Auntie Nat, Uncle Bob, and Uncle Mickey.”
“Guys, this is Declan Belmont, my boyfriend.”
“Nice to meet you Declan.” The woman greeted him.
The shorter man with wire framed glasses simply smiled and nodded at Declan in greeting.
The final man, seemed to be of hispanic descent with short buzzed hair.
He surprised Declan by pulling him into a hug.
“Its nice to finally put a face to a name!” Uncle Mickey beamed at Declan.
“We all know how picky our Atty can get, so you must be something special.”
Uncle Mickey pulled back on hug before throwing an arm around Declan’s shoulders and pulled him aside from the group and whispering.
“ I want to know everything, do you know what you want to do after graduation? Anything you’re thinking of studying? How did you and Astrid meet? Do you love her?”
“Uncle Mickey!”
“Fanboy!”
The other members of the group obviously heard everything from the forced huddle despite Mickey’s attempt at whispering.
“We’ll reconvene later.” He gave a final whisper before turning back around to the rest of the group.
Declan found purchase by Astrid’s side one again wrapping an arm around her wasit.
“Oh no you won’t Uncle Mickey.” Astrid glared at Fanboy.
“Yeah leave the damn boy alone.” Phoenix added.
Bob stood silently in the middle amusement clear on his face, holding in his laughter.
“But mija, How am I supposed to find out?”
“Fanboy, the boy has been here less than 5 minutes and you’re already giving him the third degree.” Phoenix rolled her eyes at her frend.
“I just wanna get to know him better, see why Atty likes him so much.”
“And don’t act like I’m the only one who’s curious” Fanboy pointed at his friends.
“You know what, you’re right!” Bob finally spoke out.
“I do wanna know.”
Natasha stared at her friends in disbelief, before her face released its scowl in a look of agreement with the two men. Crossing the middle and standing by the two male daggers.
“Traitor!” Astrid frowned at her aunt.
“Sorry kiddo, Fanboy’s got a point”
Astrid’s face turned red in embarrassment.
“Y’all promised to be cool.” Astrid pouted.
The three aviators shot her an apologetic look with a shrug.
Declan felt so much warmth and joy from watching his girlfriend interact with her family, despite their antics they all clearly deeply for one another. Almost made him forget about the menacing man across the yard watching his every move. Especially at his hand placement.
He quickly took his hand off of Astrid’s waist. Which took her by surprise, and made her think that he was horrified at her crazy family.
“I am so sorry about them Dec. I asked them to be normal ” Astrid turned to him with pleading eyes.
Declan was confused at her uneasiness
“Don’t be! I think they’re sweet.” He replied joyfully.
“And I will be happy to answer any and all questions you all ask me.” Declan announced to the three before distractedly looking off to the distance back to the man by the grill.
“Then why did you..?” Astrid began to ask but trailed off as she followed her boyfriend’s line of sight, her aunt and uncles doing the same.
“Ahh, the big man.” Mickey deduced.
“Him? A Big Man?”
“Are we looking at the same person right now?” Phoenix raised an eyebrow at her friend.
“I mean yeah he’s not a big man to us, but imagine how Declan feels right now.”
“Guys, you’re not making it any better.” Astrid sighed.
“Don’t worry about him, he only looks like a grizzly bear, in actuality he is a big soft teddy bear.” Phoenix reassured the boy.
Declan was still frozen in his place, feeling smaller he’s ever felt in his life.
“He’s gotta meet him at some point kid, go rip the bandaid off.” Phoenix reminded her niece.
“You’re probably right Aunt Nat.” Astrid sighed.
“Come on Dec, lets go.” Astrid grabbed Declan’s hand and dragged him towards the grill.
“Dad!” Astrid exclaimed as walked towards the aviator, with Declan in tow.
“This is my boyfriend Declan.”
Declan felt frozen in place, never feeling quite as intimidated as he had in this exact moment. He outstretched a hand, a gulp trapped in his throat. The older man gave his hand a firm shake, his grip tightening and holding Declan’s in a steel grip, staring him down.
“Dad, stop it.” Astrid chastised the man after several agonizing seconds that felt like hours to Declan.
“But its so funny.”
The man released his grip and his entire demeanor changed in that exact moment, like a light switch being flipped. The stoic look on his face changed to a dopey grin.
“You should’ve seen your face! You look like you’re gonna pee your pants!” The older man chuckled.
Declan laughed awkwardly alongside the aviator.
“I’m sorry Dec, my dad thinks he’s funny.”
“You used to think I was funny.” Astrid’s dad pouted.
“Yeah when I was 4”
“When I also used to think mac and cheese and mashed potatoes mixed together was the greatest food to exist.”
“But Atty…you still think that.” Declan muttered.
The two men maintained eye contact with one another, their grins slowly getting larger before bursting into laughter.
Astrid stood still in her spot, a frown planted on her face.
“Come on babe, just joking around with your dad.”
“I think I liked you better when you were afraid of everyone.” She glared at her boyfriend.
“Sir, has she always been this intense?”
“Yup, even when she was a little girl, terrifying minimum wage teenage face painters who merely suggested to paint her as a butterfly, insisting yoshi was cooler.”
“Please tell me you have a picture sir.”
“Come on.. You know I do.” Both men laughing with one another once again.
“I can’t believe you two are ganging up on me!” Astrid exclaimed.
“And I still stand with that previous claim, Yoshi is cooler than a butterfly.”
“You’re just further proving our point babe.” Declan smiled, reaching for Astrid’s hand once again, now feeling more comfortable.
She dropped his hand in a huff, folding her arms across her chest.
“I’m not a big fan of whatever.”
“This.” waving a finger between the two men
“Is”
“Come on Little Chick! I thought you wanted me to get along with your boyfriend.” The mustached man pointed out.
“Well the two of you can get along all you want in this corner, I’m going to talk to Uncle Javy and Uncle Reuben. At least they’re nice to me.” Astrid pouted as she walked away from Rooster and Declan.
Declan had the biggest smile plastered on his face watching his girlfriend walk away.
“She’s something isn’t she?” Rooster referred to Astrid’s retreating figure.
“That she is.”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Declan was honestly having a really nice time. He couldn’t remember the last time that he was at an event with extended family. It was just him, his mom, and his brother (sometimes his aunt and cousin) for as long as he could remember. Large in part due to the divorce and his dad constantly traveling for work. So it meant a lot to him that Astrid’s family welcomed him with open arms.
He had spent the better part of the hour asking Astrid’s family members funny embarrassing stories from her childhood, and he also got to meet Astrid’ Uncle Javy and Uncle Reuben, with a few more attendees joining.
Declan was currently helping Astrid’s dad with the grill, with Mav often coming around to nitpick the younger men’s work. And Rooster telling him to “fuck off, old man”, with Astrid and Penny laughing at their antics.
What confused Declan was the lack of appearance from Astrid’s mom. Astrid had never mentioned having a single father so Declan knew that she probably had a mom.
He was about to open his mouth to ask when he was interrupted by the sound of the backyard fence opening and his girlfriend’s booming voice.
“Daddy!”
Daddy? Wasn’t Declan already standing next to her dad?
An older blonde man dressed in service khakis had arms wide open for Astrid as she ran towards him nearly knocking him over.
“Bagman!” Astrid’s (other?) dad exclaimed.
The other attendees of the party approached the man.
“Look what the cat dragged in.” Phoenix smirked
“We thought you’d be out in the Pacific for a few more weeks.” Payback commented.
“Well y’all know me, I get shit done.”
“Plus, I missed little Pixie over here.” He answered hugging his daughter once more.
How did Declan not know that his girlfriend had two dads? How heteronormative for him to assume that his girlfriend had a typical nuclear family? Then again she’s never mentioned too much of her family.
The aviators threw greetings and questions at Hangman, with the man in question trying his best to answer them all.
Declan stood at the edge of the crowd, bewildered at the new addition. Jake noticed the unfamiliar boy amongst the group.
He parted the group stopping all conversation and made eye contact with Declan.
“Now, whos this?” Jake asked walking towards the boy.
“Oh, daddy this is Declan. My boyfriend.” Astrid smiled introducing him.
“Boyfriend already?” Jake turned to Bradley.
“I thought we had more time.”
“Thats exactly what I was thinking, I was not ready.” Bradley clapped jake on the shoulder.
“I am 16. I am more than ready. You should be too” Astrid rolled her eyes at the two men.
“As long as you’re not ready for other things.” Bradley raised an eyebrow at the girl while Jake gave Declan a death glare.
Astrid’s cheeks turned bright red.
“Dad, Daddy, you’re embarassing me!” She was mortified at their behavior.
“We just wanna make sure this boy is not gonna pressure you into something you’re not comfortable with.” Jake explained.
“I would never sirs!” Declan interjected.
“I can vouch for him Hangman, hes a good kid.” Bradley responded.
“I’m going inside, this is mortifying.” Astrid ran into the house.
“Do you need me to-?” Decaln started to follow behind her before being stopped by Jake.
“She’ll be fine son, you stay right here.”
“ Rooster might’ve vouched for you but I’m still gonna take a peek under your hood. Make my own conclusion.” Jake led Declan to the outdoor seating beside the deck stairs.
“So Declan right? You got a last name?” Jake asked as they both sat down.
“Belmont sir.”
“Belmont? As in Vice Admiral Richard Belmont?” He inquired.
“Yes sir, he’s my father.”
“I know your dad, he works right under me, good man, dedicated to the work, dedicated to his country.”
“He works under you?”
The pieces finally connected in Declan’s brain. Astrid Seresin. Seresin. Commander of the Pacific Fleet, Admiral Jacob Seresin.
How did not put that together before?
Declan stood up abruptly, assuming a salute stance.
“I’m sorry to be disrespectful sir, I did not know you were THE Admiral Seresin.”
“My father taught me better than that.”
“At ease son, no need for all of that.” Admiral Seresin chuckled
Declan dropped the salute but still remained standing in stance.
“Did Astrid not tell you?”
“No sir, we did not speak too much about our families.”
“Well if you’re really afraid of being disrespectful, kid, you gotta know that all of these people are decorated officers.”
“Them right there are Captains Avalone, Lennox, Lee, and Bassett.” He said pointing to the men and woman that Astrid introduced as Uncles Billy, Brig, Logan, and Auntie Callie.
“Maverick was also captain before he retired.”
“Over there are Rear Admirals Floyd, Garcia, Finch, and Machado.”
Uncle Bob, Uncle Mickey, Uncle Reuben and Uncle Javy.
“Finally, Old Rooster and Phoenix over there. Vice Admiral Trace, and Admiral Bradshaw.”
“Holy Shit.” Declan gulped.
“So you better treat our Astrid right, if you’re smart you can forsee how people with our experience can ruin your life, in more ways than one.” Admiral Seresin warned.
“Understood sir.”
Declan shifted in his spot, desperate to change the subject from the possible harm that would befall him if he ever made the mistake of hurting his girlfriend.
“So my father works under you, sir? Last I spoke to him he was stationed to the Pacific.”
“Yes, that’s where I just returned from. Your dad is still out there though.”
“Yeah I figured, I reckon he would’ve called by now.” Declan tried to hide his disappointment.
Jake read him easily however. He quickly remembered his absence from his daughter’s life earlier in her childhood. Immediately feeling sorry for the boy, he motioned for him to sit once again
“I get it, it's hard, I wasn’t around much for Astrid’s childhood, I was too focused on getting to.. Well here.”
“Was it worth it sir?”
“Not sure I can answer that, I missed a lot, but I was lucky enough to have someone who understood my ambitions.”
“I don’t know how y’all did it sir, especially since you being the Commander of the Pacific fleet and Atty’s other dad also being an Admiral.”
“And especially with the stigma you two had to face with the Navy.”
“It was a little weird and difficult at first. But Astrid made it worth it. And Bradshaw has been a big help.”
“Well you two raised an amazing daughter. How long have you been together?” Declan inquired, knowing about the rampant homophobia that still unfortunately plagued the military branch.
But seeing how well respected and high in rank the two men were he knew that couldn’t have been easy, but now they’re both in positions where no one would dare to criticize them.
“How long have we..? Wait. Do you think me and Bradshaw are..” Admiral Seresin broke out into boisterous laughter.
“Hey Rooster! Get over here!” Declan looked at the older man in confusion as the second Admiral made his way to the duo.
“What’s up Bagman?” Rooster responded as he halted his jog.
“Come and give me some sugar.” Jake chuckled as he brought Bradley into a tight embrace planting a wet kiss on his cheek.
Declan felt his face heat up at the PDA presented in front of him by his girlfriend’s fathers.
Bradley stumbled back after Jake released his hold, a look of amusement on his face.
Hangman threw an arm around the other aviator.
“Not that I’m complaining, but not sure how my wife is gonna feel about you planting one on me Bagman,”
Rooster laughed.
Wife? Now Declan was even more confused than before. Astrid’s dad has a wife and is also with her other dad? Is the wife okay with this? Is the wife also with Commander Seresin?
Declan felt a migraine coming on from the heavy wheels spinning in his mind trying to piece together his girlfriend’s interesting family dynamic.
“Nicholas Bradshaw! If you don’t stop running right now, you’re not getting any Ice cream!”
Declan’s thoughts were interrupted by the sight of a woman that looked like a more mature, not necessarily older version of his girlfriend making her way down the deck, running after a little boy that looked like a miniature version of Admiral Bradshaw.
Is this the wife? She was very beautiful. Admiral Bradshaw is a lucky man.
Declan had so many questions. The boy he gathered was Astrid’s little brother. And then the woman , possibly her mom??? Declan just became more confused with every passing minute.
Both Admirals stared at the woman in adoration as she chased after the boy.
“But Momma, Uncle Jakey is here!” The boy ran into Admiral Seresin’s arms who picked him up with a chuckle.
“No love for your dad buddy?” Rooster feigned hurt.
“Uncle Jakey. Toy please.”
“Ouch! Little man, and here I thought you were just happy to see me.” Jake answered also feigning hurt.
“Sweets! Come and meet Pixie’s boyfriend.”
“Sorry for messing with you Dec, you just made it too easy.”
“Now who’s this?” The woman approached their chattering.
She had kind eyes and a beautiful smile. She was dressed in a sundress that almost mimicked the one his girlfriend was wearing except in an emerald color.
“Declan, Ma’am nice to meet you.” Declan nervously held out hand to the woman who shook it gently.
“I’m Astrid’s mom, y/n. And you must be the boyfriend we’ve hardly heard anything about.”
That one annoying song that his sister used to sing non-stop, Stacy’s Mom he thinks it’s called, never made more sense to him than at that moment.
Don’t get him wrong, Declan loved Astrid, more than anything. But in some kind of alternate universe where they weren’t together and he didn’t know her and her entire family. He would proudly declare her a MILF, but at risk of pissing off his girlfriend, her grandpa, godmother, her large array of uncles and aunts, and her dads who also happened to be top ranking navy officers, he would never admit it to another soul.
“So where have you been hiding?” Astrid’s mom asked jokingly.
“Mom! Dad! Daddy!” Astrid shouted as she exited the house and jogged down to the outdoor furniture.
Astrid slid into the gap between Declan’s arm and torso, laying a hand on his chest.
“Stop giving him the third degree.” She glared at her parents.
“Hey! I was just introducing myself to Declan here since you refused to give your poor mother anything.” Her mom pouted while poking Astrid on the tip of her nose.
Astrid stuck a tongue out at the older woman.
“Yeah okay mom, stop acting like you didn’t grill me about Dec last night.” Pointing a finger at y/n.
“It’s not cute, mother.”
“Your mother happens to be very cute.” Bradley wrapped an arm around the older woman planting a kiss on her forehead.
Jake nodded in quiet agreement, but Declan noticed a glimpse of sadness behind his eyes. He wonders what’s that about.
“Ewww Mom and Dad, can you please not do that in front me and Dec.” Astrid exclaimed, further burying her face into the crook of Declan’s neck.
“How come you two can have PDA and me and your dad can’t?” Her mom responded.
“Because you’re old.”
“Don’t listen to her Sweets, you’re as beautiful as the day I met you.” Jake chuckled.
“Atty!” A small voice originating from lower ground whined.
“Oh her buddy!” Astrid kneeled down to her little brother’s height.
“Did you have a good practice?” She asked grabbing Nick’s little body into her lap tickling his neck and making him laugh hysterically.
“I want kiss!.” He shouted through his giggles.
“Anything for you Goosey!” Astrid covered her little brother’s face in kisses.
“Momma too!”
“Oh of course my little goose.” Y/n laughed as she kneeled down to the same level as her children.
“What a lucky little dude.” Bradley smiled.
The two other men chuckled watching the love fest before them.
“Not to interrupt your little family time but since you were distracted Bradley, I took it upon myself to cook the steaks PROPERLY.” Maverick shouted across the backyard.
“Come and get your steaks!”
“Oh sweet, steak grandpa mav style is my favorite.” Astrid exclaimed picking up her little brother and making her way to the grill, Declan close in tow.
“Yay steak!” Nick cheered
“Is it ‘Hurt Dad’s feelings day’, Little Chick?” Bradley groaned as he followed the rest of the group to the food.
Jake hung back watching the sight before him. His daughter, so grown up, so beautiful, smart, and headstrong. Just like her mother.
Jake thought back to Declan’s earlier question. Was it all worth it? Those 4 years where y/n and Astrid away was some of the loneliest of his life. He honestly took that time to take every deployment, work every detachment, and because Y/n needed time to think, he for that time being never felt guilty for his ambition.
.Y/n could never be malicious enough to keep him away from his daughter. She gave him every opportunity to be involved. Of course, he visited his daughter as often as he could. But it definitely was not often enough. His work was all he had, he thought, so he threw himself into it completely. Up to the point where he finally surpassed Rooster.
When those four years were up it was clear where his priorities lied, and in a way he understood what Y/N said before. He was selfish for making her take a back seat to it for so long, when she and their daughter deserved so much more than that.
It honestly didn’t surprise him when Y/N chose Bradshaw in the end, he was there for Y/N and for Astrid when he couldn’t. It didn’t make it hurt any less though. He definitely had some dark years after that. Years where he would go months into his work, not bothering to keep in touch with his ex-wife and daughter.
No one heard from his for an entire year after he caught wind of their wedding and Bradshaw legally adopting his daughter.
All he had was his career, his ambitions, it was the only thing keeping him going. He thought that’s all he needed. It should have been enough. His lifelong longing should it been quenched when he was promoted to Admiral, a full 4 years before Bradshaw. He finally won.
But did he really?
He threw himself into a drunken stupor at the Hard Deck, ‘happily’ celebrating his promotion. Alone. Completely Alone.
But Y/N, sweet and strong Y/N, walked into the bar. And dragged him to his feet pulling him to his senses.
“I gave you space all these years Jake because I thought it was what you needed. I know the news about me and Bradley was not going to bve easy for you so I stayed away, I didn’t want you to think we were rubbing it in your face. I didn’t say anything when you went years making Astrid feel like she didn’t have a father, Bradley stepped in because that is the type of man he is and he loves her. But that deosn’t change the fact that you’re her father, she still looks for you every birthday, checks the news to make sure nothing bad has happened to you, still tears up whenever she sees or hears Pixie Sticks. We may have not worked out Jake, but that doesn’t mean you abandon her.” Jake hadn’t seen so much pain in your eyes since that final night before you left.
“She doesn’t want to see me. You left me.”
“Exactly. I left you Jake. Your daughter didn’t.”
“ And all she wants now is you to show up and apologize for the years you missed and eat the cake she baked for you for your promotion, instead of sitting here wasting away alone”
“She baked me a cake?” Jake asked his eyes filled with tears and hope for the first time in over 7 years.
“Yeah she did. Even wrote “Congrats Daddy” on it with light green frosting to match your eyes.”
You nodded.
“Okay, take me to see Pixie.” He smiled.
That was 5 odd or so years ago. It took a lot of work but through endless groveling, apologies, and carefully curated gifts. Rooster finally forgave him.
Just kidding, Astrid forgave him. Of course she says that there was no forgiving needed to be done in the first place, the young girl knew that her dad had things to work out on his own before he was ready to come home to her. But Hangman knew better and he made sure to make up for the 7 years of missed birthdays, holidays, and just regular Daddy-Daughter time, and as an admiral he had more leeway to pick his schedule and deployments.
Things with Rooster also got better, despite his years of resentment towards the man, he definitely appreciated the care that he gave you and your daughter in his absence (even if he didn’t appreciate the way it begun). After a couple years of awkwardness where the two men couldn’t be left alone in a room together, they found a mutual respect and admiration for both of their work and dedication to the Navy.
The two were definitely more alike than they realized, it just took an intense rivalry, a couple of punches thrown, a few black eyes, a pair of bruised jaws, a divorce, a wedding and adoption, and a couple of years of close proximity to unlock.
From there bloomed a friendship that can’t be described by anything other than a total “bromance”.
As he stood in the yard contemplating his journey to that moment, he was pulled out of his thoughts by your hand caressing his cheek.
“How you doing Zuko?” You smiled at him with bright eyes.
“I’m doing good Sweets.”
“Just thinking about how fast time has passed.” He explained.
“It has been a wild ride hasn’t it?” You responded, dropping your hand, placing it back to your side.
Jake felt cold from the removal of your hand, his body still searching for your warth even after all these years. He tried to hide his disappointment from his face but you knew him better than that.
“You know I will always love you, right Jake?” You smiled at him sympathetically.
“We’ve been through so much together, and even though it wasn’t all rainbows and sunshine, I will be eternally grateful to you.”
“You gave me her.” Your eyes twinkled looking at Astrid.
“And you know I will never get over you right?” Jake responded, his voice thick with melancholy.
“Maybe…” You began.
“But I hope someday you will. Our love, our connection was so filled with fight and fire, and I loved it… I loved you. But after all of that, we were just left with ashes.” You looked at him, your smile bittersweet.
“You taught me how to love Jake, and loving you, prepared me to love him.” You gestured to Bradshaw.
“To love them.”
You looked lovingly at your family, your friends, your husband, your children.
“Promise me Jake, that when the time comes. You will take that love, the love you had for me, the love we shared, and you will use it to love someone who deserves it.”
“Because you deserve someone amazing, someone who will love better than I ever did.”
You walked backwards towards the others, flashing him that same smile that started all of this, before turning around and walking away.
“Okay.” He smiled to himself, joining the rest of the party.
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