#everyone knows he's going to be promoted to commander when they return home

[lieutgore]

something about first lieutenants man idk

[fuckyeahisawthat]

I was thinking about an alternate ending to Furiosa that I would have found more narratively satisfying, that dealt with the two third acts problem without radically altering other parts of the movie.

Imagine if you will:

The climactic action sequence is the one at the Bullet Farm and maybe a bit of the chase after. Same setup. Furiosa has the best chance she's ever had to get home, but she can't make herself leave Jack. Goes back to fight for him. He still dies--not in the same horrible drawn-out way, but Dementus kills him. Furiosa gets caught in a wreck or something with her arm pinned. Echoes of Max leaving the guy handcuffed to the burning car in Mad Max 1. He can live if he chops his arm off. And chop she does. Not in time to save Jack, but in time to kill Dementus. That's not long and drawn-out either but he is very clearly dead by her one remaining hand.

Maybe that's when the backup from the Citadel that they called for when everything went to shit arrives. Furiosa gets brought back to the Citadel, probably without much choice at that point because she's barely conscious due to rapid unplanned disassembly of arm. She is welcomed by Joe as a hero for slaying his enemy. Promoted to Imperator and told she will lead the War Rig crew when the rig is rebuilt new and better than ever. She was Jack's second-in-command after all.

Everyone is treating it like a victory for her but we feel it as a defeat, because she still lost the one person she cared about, and in the aftermath of that it seems like she has given up on trying to get home. Accepted that a high-ranking position in Joe's armada is the best she's gonna get. Maybe we even see her planting the peach tree at the Citadel as a sign that she's accepted she is never going home.

(We know she'll try again in Fury Road, but it doesn't look like she knows that.)

In this version of events, I think Joe would gift her the prosthetic arm. You are part of my war machine now. She has proven herself valuable enough to be taken care of, like the History Man advised her. Valuable enough to be repaired instead of discarded.

I am chewing on the parallels. At the beginning of the movie she has a chance to escape, but she can't leave her mom. She goes back and watches her mom die and gets trapped by Dementus. At the end she has another chance but she can't leave Jack. She goes back and watches Jack die and gets trapped by Joe. It's the kind of dark ending that works for a prequel when we know she is going to have her moment of victory in Fury Road.

I'm imagining the image of her being brought back to the Citadel in hollow triumph after killing Dementus. She's half-dead, one-armed, riding on the front of a car like the end of Fury Road but she's being kind of propped up like a trophy. Versus the end of Fury Road and its moment of real triumph--a return she never intended but this time to a place that maybe can be a real home for her at last.

[accidentally-in-fictional-love]

📖⛵🐑 thank you <3

there’s not enough work for my my man wojchek out there.

In This Moment, We Could Crash Together - Wojchek/Reader

Warnings: Female reader, no use of Y/N, fluff.

Wordcount: 1540

Summary: He was only with you for a short while, but maybe you could keep him if he let himself keep you.

Notes: I was going to attempt sleep again but I cannot resist my jolly sailor bold 🥰 Wojchek was the first character I actually shipped with, back when I was slowly falling in love with DD and the few roles I'd seen, so I kinda waxed poetic with this one 🥰 thank you sosososo much for sending this one right before bed, I hope you enjoy 💗💗💗

You sometimes wondered what he was like when he was out at sea on the Demeter, when he was the captain of his own ship and everyone followed his every command. You could only guess as you watched him give orders from the windows of your dockside home or from the busy street down below, everyone bustling around like ants and keeping you from getting too close. You only truly knew what he was like in moments like this, when he made port for a day or two to rest and resupply, never back for longer than a week.

The two of you were currently on your bed, his long body draped between your skirt-trapped legs as he rested in your lap, your idle hands carding through his long hair as he slept.

He was always tired when he returned home, never showing it in the early days as he courted you with all the confidence of a man who knew the sea but not love, but now that you’d been together a few years he let you see this side of himself more often, not afraid to appear weak or vulnerable in front of you anymore. It made your heart soar every time he trusted you enough to close his eyes a moment, to relax on solid ground where it made him miss the ebb and flow of the waves, the unpredictability of the sea always bringing around the uncertainty of when he’d return to you next.

He didn’t have a home of his own other than the Demeter, and before he’d met you he used to sleep on board, not wanting to waste the money on a room when it could be used for better things, the promotion to captain giving him someplace more private for the first time in years. When you’d suggested he stay with you after a few months of meeting in the alleys along the docks he’d refused at first, for to spend one night would make this feel real, permanent, a temptation to stay. You promised him then that you’d never make him choose, you could never, knowing of his first love and how you could never compare to her, your eyes barely holding in your tears as he’d then lifted your hands to his lips and pressed soft kisses to your knuckles as he told you that the sea wasn’t his only love anymore.

He had no possessions to leave with you, nor any guarantees that he would return sooner than a month, if at all, most of the time, the two of you just needing to trust that he knew what he was doing and that his crew would help him finish the voyage. When he left and you were alone in your flat once more there were never any traces of him there to remind you of him, nothing but the memory of seeing him in all the places he no longer was. Over time it became painful to watch him walk out your door so you’d started standing on the docks just to be able to hold him for a few seconds longer, and each time you parted you felt like he was talking a part of you with him as you watched the Demeter sail away until it was nothing more than a speck on the horizon.

Neither of you spoke openly of love after that first time, but you knew deep in your heart that you were in love with him every time he returned back to you, arms open and waiting for you to rush back to him before time could tear you apart again.

He stirred but didn’t wake as you brushed the backs of your fingers tenderly over his cheek, feeling the rough stubble and wishing you could kiss him, but to attempt to do so would disturb him and that was the last thing you wanted. He usually dreamed so fitfully when he was on land but today he was calm, the two of you choosing this location since your old couch was too small for him to stretch out on even by himself, and as soon as you’d pulled him down to situate himself he’d almost instantly fallen asleep. It must’ve been a rough voyage for him to be this exhausted, chest rising and falling under his hands as they rested over his torso, the sight almost hypnotizingly rhythmic as you watched him.

Eventually you did have to wake him, though, your stomach grumbling against your will and rousing him from sleep before you could give him just a few more minutes. The sun had set a while ago now, the warm breeze carried from the water growing cold and making you shiver but he hadn’t noticed, used to it after so many years. He looked around before his eyes became adjusted to the dark, you weren’t able to light any candles with him laying on you after all, his head falling back against your stomach as he remembered where he was.

He mumbled something in his native language as he watched you, a small smile on your lips as you brushed your hair out of your eye in embarrassment. ‘I don’t understand,’ you admitted, his hand reaching up to caress you the same way you’d done to him.

‘I said, “you’re so beautiful,”’ he repeated in English, your cheeks flushing at the sudden sentimentality. It wouldn’t be proper to tell him how beautiful you thought he was in return, even though it was true, settling for handsome as you leaned forward until you could press a kiss to his forehead; you were stopped from sitting back up as his hand then found the back of your neck, keeping you close long enough to give you the kiss you’d been wanting, like he’d been able to hear your desires even in his sleep. ‘We make way for Barcelona tomorrow,’ he reminded you even more suddenly than his sentimentality, your faces still so close that you couldn’t even attempt to hide how you felt from him.

‘It’s so far…’ You hated the jobs that brought him away from you for more than a month, several weeks needed to get there, let alone return.

‘You promised to never make me choose,’ he reminded you, voice low but not upset, and you tucked your hair behind your ear as you sat back against your pillows.

‘I won’t,’ you reassured him, but still he pushed himself up to sit and look at you.

‘It won’t be as long as last time,’ he said, already knowing down to the day how long it would take, the markings of a great captain. It filled you with pride to think about it but still you wished you could go with him just once, just so the wait wouldn’t have to feel like an eternity. You could never share that secret desire though, it would be too much to ask for from him, so you can only look away, stay silent. He shifted himself over your leg so he could crawl up to the pillows, now laying beside you as you were the one to be lowered against his chest, his arms, toned and tanned from many years of rising in the ranks until he was where he was now, wrapping around you and reminding you that he was still there, he wasn’t leaving just yet.

His hands were rough from a lifetime of labour but they still touched your cheek so softly it felt like an ocean breeze, his breathing calm as you gave in, got comfortable against him, your hunger forgotten as you mesh together effortlessly. You played with one of the holes in his shirt as he brushed your hair out of your face, mirroring you without realizing in a way that only a lover can, and when you try to hold his hand he brings it up to his lips, kisses each knuckle before hesitating on your bare ring finger.

Your hands found a place on his lap, his thumb running over the space and drawing your attention to it, the topic of the future just as elusive as the one of love in the days you were able to spend together, that silence finally broken as he laced his fingers together with yours. ‘When we leave tomorrow, do not follow me to say goodbye,’ he whispered, your heart aching as your body started to tremble. ‘Do not say goodbye, but come with me, let me introduce you to my second love.’

‘I thought I was your second,’ you blurted out before you could stop yourself, and he smiled with the shine of the sun in his eyes as he tilted your head up towards his own. ‘What about the crew?’

‘If they have a problem with you, I’ll throw them over myself,’ he promised, his expression making you feel like you could believe in him, in this. ‘Kocham cię,’ he then told you gently, your eyes closing even though you didn’t understand.

‘What does that mean?’ you asked, his lips just a breath out of reach before he closed the final gap, the translation still on his tongue as he kissed you.

‘I love you.’

[written-in-the-stars135]

helloo! just gonna dump a few questions rq C:

favorite color?

favorite book/show/movie/video game/non video game?

thoughts on pineapple pizza?

do you have any ocs? if so, would you mind yapping about them and telling me everything 👀

hope you're having an amazing day holly!! :D

Hi!!

I love purple

Oooh... for books I just really like Stormlight. Despite how little I post about it the cosmere is my main interest. I like the owl house (TV show) and for games it has to be undertale.

I've never tried it but I don't trust it lol

I doo!!! I have 2 main ones rn. I will warn you I may never stop talking if I start-

Yap under the cut

So the two main main ones are named Kahza and Kavinn. (Lore incoming)

So about 100 years before the plot Kahza’s country got into a war that broke a very tenuous treaty everyone was a part of. Due to the other country having better trade routes and stronger connections they got aid from most everyone else leaving Kahza’s people (Hivaz) too disadvantaged to win. So they lost a good half of their territory and were pushed into the dessert part of their land. As well as all ties with other nations being cut.

so for that 100 year gap the Hivaz have been preparing for a war. Kahza’s father was a general and Kahza strives to live up to him. She has a passion for her country and the concept that the war is about justice.

But there are a few problems. While she was recently promoted she is paired up with her ex. Their relationship is tense but both of them are good commanders and kahza doesn't want to cause a stir so she goes with it. And she not generally well regarded by her peers. She often comes off as cold and uncaring. She also tends to be more formal then necessary giving people a bad impression of her.

But once she gets on to the field a darker side of the war shows itself. The two generals kill an Ambassador during a diplomatic meeting. And most attacks are on civilians with no army in sight. But her mind is made up this is for her country for justice. Until something changes.

She meets Kavinn when he saves her life. She finds him in a later battle but let's him go telling him that she's repaying the favor.

Meanwhile Kavinn's country joins the war after their allies Ambassador is killed. He does not want to fight, he plans with one of his few friends to desert. Then he finds a survivor in one of the wrecked towns and he makes a last minute decision to stay.

through a long series of encounters and events Kahza decides to give information to Kavinn's country (Havalinia). That way the war will end swiftly and less casualties on both sides. And os that way she can get a better treaty for her people.

All the while tensions brew with her Co-comander (Vixtilian) wich results in a duel where the loser gets demoted. Kazha wins and gets someone else to work with her. As they work together Kahza sees her growth as a person.

Through long late night conversations after giving information Kahza befriends Kavinn and the two find they have far more in comon then they ever assumed.

Kavinn ends up severely injured in the last main battle and Kahza risks revealing her treachery to save him. The injury leaves him crippled and since he had nothing else other than his military job he doesn't know what will come next.

After the war ends with Kahza losing she returns home with Kavinn planning to live together. But she still has to tell her parents and best friend from home. She explains what she did and they basically disown her. Soon after she gets promoted. So the ending is a little bitter sweet

there are more specific scenes but I thought that may be TMI

[evilphrog]

Watching Wheel of Time without reading the books: Season 2, episode 2

I am going to have to post this as half a review again. I had a lot of feelings, and I am never going to get around to watching the rest of the episodes if I don't just post what I have. I still haven't covered the Moiraine or Perrin plotlines, but believe me when I say I adore them also. You can read about the rest of them below.

We finally get to see what Rand has been up to all this time: having nightmares about hurting everyone he loves, and whoring himself out for room and board. It’s like he got separated from the group and immediately thought “What would Mat do in this situation?” He is also working as an orderly in a mental hospital. Ah yes, I see. He needs to prove the intrusive thoughts wrong, by being extra caring and kind. Someone should let him know that command hallucinations are not a predictor of violence on their own, and one of the best protective factors is having a robust support network that keeps you grounded in reality. In other words, he should be doing the opposite of what he has done. But that’s Rand. His head has never contained any thoughts except “Gee I sure love my friends and family” so it was the perfect place for Nancy Reagan to move right in. Just a big house with five bedrooms, cathedral ceilings, and only two cardboard boxes stuffed in one corner of the garage. The first was labeled “willingness to do anything for my loved ones” and the other was labeled “nuance.” The second box was empty. This will not go well for him.

He’s been caring for a man who survived the Aiel wars, and got some serious PTSD from it. He’s a sword master, and has been teaching Rand some proper forms. Too bad some absolute caricature of a douchebag working at the hospital likes to pick on him for no reason. Rand responds in the way every mental health worker witnessing an abusive staff member dreams of. He calms the patient, finishes out his shift, then follows him home and beats the shit out of him. But whoops, he underestimated his Manneler strength and maybe killed the guy instead. It’s hard to know for sure, since Rand has some major hallucinations going on most of the time. I feel for him here. In Rand’s mind, he was standing up to a bully as his equal. But Rand has no equals. He is quickly realizing that no fight involving him will ever be fair.

Douchebag fails to show up for work, so Rand gets promoted to the garden, where all the famous patients hang out. And his first patient of the day is Logain, the false dragon. Dun dun DUN!

Meanwhile, at the White Tower, Nynaeve is busy being wooed by an increasingly desperate JK Rowling. Unfortunately, her main selling points are gender supremacy and pre-crime. The fascism isn’t even thinly veiled, she just comes out and says it. Nynaeve isn’t interested. JK needs to change her sales pitch. To cope with the rejection, she goes and torments her pet Mat for a bit. He tolerates it, and as soon as she is gone, continues his Shawshank Redemption plan. He eventually succeeds in tunneling through his wall, only to discover another cell. At least this one comes with company in the form of Min, the psychic who bailed on the final battle. Once in the presence of another human, Mat’s charm immediately returns. Thank the Light. I like New Mat after all. He wants to know how Min ended up in Aes Sedai Jail (because she’s a girl), but Min has no clear answers for him. She does have wine, though, so now he has a drinking buddy. He offers to also be an orgasm buddy, but she has a vision of him stabbing Rand with the cursed dagger, which is a major lady boner killer. The rags and prison smell are probably also a factor.

A new girl has moved in to Novice school. Obnoxiously, with all her furniture blocking the hall. Egwene goes up to yell at her, and I get to meet Elayne, the girl everyone has been screaming about since the promo photos dropped. First impressions of Elayne: I want to hate her, but I just can’t. She is naive, but earnest. She’s very excited to be “just like everyone else” but can’t help mentioning that she’s the princess three times per conversation. I have to hand it to the actor. This character could very easily be played as condescending and out of touch. But instead, her sincerity bursts out of her with such force that I can’t help but like her. She latches onto Egwene like a lovestruck koala and never lets go. She propositions her in the first conversation, and says she hopes they become soulmates. Egwene is redheaded channeler catnip.

JK’s new sales pitch is apparently accidentally-on-purpose getting caught caring for her son, who is dying of old age. Or maybe it was a genuine accident. It is hard to tell with her. Nynaeve shows concern in the only way she can, by helpfully pointing out a mistake JK made, and telling her how to fix it. That earns her a slap in the face, which was pretty much what she expected, but JK does take her advice.

Meanwhile, Egwene figures out that Elayne is making up excuses to spend time with her. Good. She really needed this, because she has finally fallen into Gifted Kid burnout. She cries to Elayne about how Nynaeve gets all the praise without even trying, and meanwhile, she struggles to even get noticed. Elayne tells her jealousy isn’t a good look on her, in a voice that strongly implies she thinks nearly anything at all would be a good look on Egwene. I told Husband that Elayne is going to leave her morning whippings and run straight to Egwene to rub soothing lotion all over her. He said that’s actually canon.

Sadly, Nynaeve overheard this conversation. The thing that upset her wasn’t any kind of insult or character assassination. She is hurt that Egwene feels abandoned. She pretty clearly only joined Novice school so she could watch over Egwene and protect her. She is being harangued every day by the people she hates most, and now she’s being accused of ENJOYING it? Oh no! I hate miscommunication as a plot device, but I like this show’s spin on it. Another show might have Nynaeve walk away with the impression that Egwene has upgraded her best friend to the princess of the kingdom, and no longer needs the peasant from the two rivers. That was what I was worried would happen. But once again, the soul of the show is the way these five all love each other so much and know each other so well. I now have more hope that Mat isn’t as fooled by JK’s cursed dagger behavior as he is pretending.

JK interrupts Nynaeve’s angst to come extremely close to apologizing, and even closer to saying thank you. But her evil plan to force Nynaeve into an acceptance speedrun has already started, so there’s no turning back now. Nynaeve must walk through the arches and face her biggest fears, in order to become a full Jedi master Aes Sedai. Dun dun DUN!

Other episode reviews

[nichiperi]

MWAHAHAHAHAHA I DID IT!! Look at my terrible fail-children! (⁠✷⁠‿⁠✷⁠)

An aggregious amount of MORE information about them under the cut lol.

Here's everyone's basic timelines. But keep in mind, I'm still reworking them so they could change.

BEK

• Grows up in the smeetery at the same time as Chara and former Tallest Spork. All three of them end up getting a lot of special privileges upon leaving because they're tall.

• Bek has a super brief stint being an Irken Elite soldier with Chara for some basic training.

• Takes the test to become re-encoded as Invader class and passes with flying colors.

• Meets Teira when getting a custom weapons system for his ship. The two enjoy talking about horrendously destructive weapons and cool explosions together.

• Is responsible for the take-over and/or destruction of several planets. These accomplishments combined with his height make him a prominent figure in Irken high society. He frequently meets with Tallest Miyuki directly, and is always invited to socials, which he always invites Chara and Teira to as his plus ones.

• Miyuki grants Bek the gift of a vacation. He takes the opportunity to discover a new world on the fringes of Irken-observed space: Earth.

• He arrives on Earth in the year 1989. After a having a horrible time and traumatizing a single horrible human, he returns home and reports Earth as being a garbage planet with garbage lifeforms. Upon his return, he discovers that Miyuki is dead, and Spork is now the tallest.

• Spork and Bek proceed to hate each other fervently, but are still forced to interact because the whole of Irken society expects it. It's awkward.

• Bek discovers a planet that reveals some amazing truths about ancient Irken society. Spork blows it up on orders from the Control Brains. Bek is pissed.

• Bek and a mysterious vortian botanist form an unlikely alliance, and begin holding meetings for a secret society that aims to take down Tallest Spork. However, just as their murderous plans come to a head, Spork just happens to die a horrible death due to some energy blob thing I dunno. Weird.

• New Tallests Red and Purple promote Bek to becoming an Irken Special Enforcer (Basically like a 'Secret Police' type of position, but only really tall Irkens can get it. Of course they also have to not suck at their current job.).

• Bek keeps in contact with the anti-Sporkers. They wanna know who killed him. Because of this, Bek gets involved in the trial of Zim by being one of the people to wrangle him back to Irk for the event.

• After watching that shit-show go down, Bek decides he's just sick of the Empire in general and decides to go off on his own. He invites Chara and Teira, but they refuse.

CHARA

• Raised in the smeetery with Bek and Spork. She gets along with both of them equally, and often breaks up their fights. Usually by being a violent turd and knocking them both out.

• What was supposed to be brief stint as an Irken Elite soldier turns into a decades long career when she fails the Invader-class test. She ends up really enjoying her work as a soldier, however.

• She tends to meet up with Bek a lot after he's conquered another planet for the Empire, as her squad of soldiers is often sent to do "clean-up duty" and law enforcement after a planet's been taken over.

• Chara is promoted to being a Fleet Commander.

• She meets Teira through Bek, and while she is not impressed by Teira's height, she does enjoy getting intel on the latest weapons. The two begin a lifelong, flimsy fake semblance of a friendship.

• When Bek leaves on his vacation, Chara is given a chance to re-take the Invader-class test, and passes. Teira follows suit. Chara almost begins to respect her. But not quite.

• Chara gets sent to planets which need to be subdued by force and taken over.

• After Miyuki is killed, Spork becomes the Tallest. He gives Chara everything she asks for, so of course she thinks he's a fantastic leader.

• Chara becomes enraged when Spork is killed, vowing to kill whoever was responsible.

• She is present at Zim' trial, and nearly leaps down from her seat to maim him after hearing that his blob killed Tallest Spork. Teira and Bek keep her in check.

• Chara hopes to grow taller and become a Tallest like Spork someday, but she's stopped growing decades ago. She never lets go of her anger over his death.

TEIRA

• Raised in the smeetery about 10 years after Bek and Chara, Teira is small and keeps to herself. She's extremely intelligent, and immediately becomes a scientist upon leaving.

• Teira chooses to work in weapons development because she adores the sight of explosions. It's the only thing that brings her a genuine sense of joy.

• Bek and Chara are the first Irkens that Teira almost enjoys spending time with, though she would likely rather expire than admit that.

• Teira is probably the least species-ist of the trio at this point, as she frequently worked with Vortians and other capable scientists during her time as a weapons developer.

• When Bek leaves for his vacation, Teira is inspired to try to pass the Invader-class test after Chara brags about it. She very easily passes. As an Invader, Teira is usually sent to planets that don't have much in the way of sentient life in order to blow everything up and create a clean slate.

• When Spork becomes the Tallest, Chara begins hanging around him more often, leaving Teira and their rivalry/almost friendship begins to deteriorate somewhat. When Bek returns, the two spend more time together without Chara for a while.

• After the death of Spork, the trio begins to hang out frequently again, though the dynamic is significantly different. Both Bek and Chara have drastically changed as a result of Spork's time as Tallest for vastly different reasons. Teira is the only one to notice this, but does nothing.

• Teira opts to stay with Chara out of the hope that they'll one day rekindle the horrible fake friendship they once had....but the excuse she ACTUALLY gives is that she'd prefer the stay on Irk for the time being as flying around didn't suit her well.

[missathlete31]

Dead On Your Feet- Chapter 8

Link for Previous Chapters on my Masterlist Here

Chapter Summary: Maverick is a broken man after listening to Bradley and Jake’s planes go down, and he's not the only one.

This chapter takes a look at those left behind after Hangman and Roosters sacrifice, and how they are expected to go on.

Pete "Maverick" Mitchell has never been known for his patience.

Or his listening skills

Or his rule following

Or for obeying orders

Or really any trait that was actually worth a damn to getting promoted in the Navy. Hence why he was still only a Captain after all these years. In reality he should have been laid out to pasture decades ago, discharged after one too many buzzes around the tower or his stark refusal to accept any job that didn't involve flying. He assumes the list of men who have attempted to permanently ground him is long and distinguished but the ace Pete has had up his sleeve for so long has always managed to get him out of it. Iceman swooping in at the last second to remind the Top Brass why to keep a man like Pete Mitchell employed.

Because Maverick got results. He got successes. He got missions done.

That's what everyone was telling him today, with somber looks and half hearted handshakes. That the mission was complete despite the fact that two pilots never made it home. That the bitter pill of absolute and utter anguish Maverick was feeling should be looked beyond because four Americans did make it back and the Uranium plant was destroyed.

Take the win Maverick

As though Pete could ever think two empty caskets being prepped meant a win.

Especially his casket. Going into the ground under a tombstone labeled Bradshaw that was already more filled than it ever should be.

Pete was going to be sick. Again.

It had been over nine hours since the four Dagger Jets had flown from the carrier this morning. Eight and a half since only two returned. Maverick was stuck in Command during the mission, a fact he should have counted his blessings for according to Cyclone after the stunt he pulled stealing the plane, but it wasn't good enough for Pete, he longed to be in the air with the team.

But he was closing in on sixty years old now and he knew they were never going to let him fly; he was still surprised they even let him teach. Again he knew that was Ice's interference; meddling and hoping to kill two birds with one stone: give the pilots their best chance to make it back alive while simultaneously fix the rift between Mav and Bradley before the Admiral passed.

Ice's plan failed on both parts.

Bradley had tried to talk to him before he got into the plane, had stumbled over his words enough that Mav couldn't know if he was going to apologize or curse him out. Instead of listening Pete gave him a hearty shoulder pat and said later.

But now there would be no later.

Because Bradley didn’t make it home.

In a move that shocked the air from Maverick's lungs, Jake Seresin, aka Hangman of all people, took the missile meant for Rooster. The blonde pilot, notorious for leaving wingmen hanging in training, didn't even hesitate to fly himself over his teammate and take the shot that most likely would have killed the remaining living Bradshaw. Pete had had a split second of horrific relief when he heard on the radio what Seresin had done, had felt the stutter of his traitorous heart when he felt rejoiced that Bradley was still with him even though another pilot, another man, was most likely dead because of it. Fate whipped her cruel hand to repay him for it though as Bradley ignored Command's order to head back to the carrier and instead turned around to go back for his wingman. Then the calls that Dagger Two was down sounded.

Pete had lost it then.

Fritz had been the spare, sitting on the runway listening as his teammates were shot down and torn with indecision when he was ordered to stand down upon his request to provide backup. Maverick had come barreling out from the inside of the ship, screaming at the young pilot to do something despite Admiral Simpson’s consistent litany of no one else being put at risk. Pete was ashamed to remember when he cursed Lieutenant Avalone, telling him he was letting his friends die as Hondo all but carried him back inside and to his barracks. Mav would have to apologize eventually, when he was calmer, more professional. It wasn’t the kid’s fault.

No there was only one person to blame for what happened today and that was Pete. It was his team, his training, his responsibility to get the mission done and bring everyone home and he failed that objective, no matter what the Brass thought.

He sits in his room now, alone from the others, unable to face them and their grief while he himself is drowning in it. He can feel the ship moving once more, heading home, the search for what is left of Rooster and Hangman being left to an extraction team if approved from the higher ups. Maverick knows he won’t be allowed to partake in those discussions, he most likely lost his chance to even be in the Command room during it as well, but he doesn’t care; he won’t be able to stomach it anyway. This, losing Bradley, has finally broken him.

Pete has lost many people in his life: his father, his mother, Goose, Carole, Ice and after each one he has thought the world was over. He has thought he wasn’t strong enough to move on. Yet somehow, someway, Mav has looked at what he still has left and what he owes the people who have left him and he keeps going. He gets back up and he keeps being Maverick. But that can’t happen now. Losing Bradley is all he’s ever had left. Bradley was like a son to Pete in every way that has ever mattered. He has been the buoyancy that has kept Maverick afloat every time and now without him the waves have crashed and the older aviator is floundering. To be perfectly frank, he is finding it hard to come up with a reason to not fling himself into the Pacific right this second, joining all those he’s loved and who have left him.

"Mav” Hondo is knocking on his door, the only man brave enough to seek him out. “I brought you something to eat” the other man offers and if Maverick had any sort of manners left he would thank his long time friend. As it was he has nothing and he rebuffs Bernie with a coldness that the other man doesn't deserve. "I'm not hungry” Pete mutters, his body still slumped in the old mattress, his face buried. "Leave me alone."

"Mav-" with the patience of a saint, Hondo tries again, “open the door.”

"I said I'm not hungry."

The bespectacled man persists, his tone firmer, “open the door Mitchell” he orders, despite the fact that Maverick outranks him. Pete rolls over, ready to continue his game of paying Hondo no attention when he hears Bernie’s body smack the wood of the door frame. “Open it Captain Mitchell” the younger man warns, “before I break it down myself.”

Maverick groans but when another hit sounds, harder this time, he finally gets himself standing. “Alright” he hollers as what sounds like Hondo’s shoulder shudders into the wood, “I’m coming.”

He swings the door open, hoping to look pissed off or at least a little intimidating, but the way the younger man’s face falls, Mav has a feeling he just looks pitiful.

Hondo composes himself, giving his friend a look. “You need to eat something” Bernie explains, as he walks calmly into the room like he didn’t just threaten to beat the door down. He holds a tray, piled high with fruits and toast and other foods on the blander side. Considering Hondo had witness Pete throw up twice since Rooster was shot down (and there was an additional time he missed), it’s an incredibly touching gesture that reinforces the belief that Hondo is a better friend than Pete deserves.

“Thank you” Mav murmurs, softening from his annoyance at being bothered and leaving just the meekness of his grief, “you didn’t have to-“

“Of course I did” and Bernie moves to really look at the man, his gaze concerned. “I know you Maverick, and I know what’s in your head. You can’t do this to yourself.”

“Do what?” the shorter man asks flippantly, “I’m not doing anything” he shares, voice cracking ever so slightly, “I didn’t do anything for them.”

“This isn’t your fault.”

Maverick snorts “Then who’s is it Hondo?” he opens his arms as though waiting for the answers, “if it’s not mine than who’s-“

“No one’s” Bernie shares sadly, “it’s no one’s Pete, and that’s why it hurts the most.”

Pete shakes his head, turning away from Hondo and his levelheadedness. Maverick needs to feel this guilt, it’s the only feeling he has left anymore and he won’t let anyone take it from him. “I was in charge of training them, I was in charge of getting them all home and I failed!”

“You gave them their best chance” Hondo moves to the desk chair, taking a seat with a weary sigh as he watches Maverick begin to pace out his emotions. “That’s all anyone could ask of you.”

“It wasn’t good enough” Pete continues, moving to the plate of food that Bernie brought and slamming it down to the ground in anger, “I wasn’t good enough!”

Hondo doesn’t even blink as the shards from the plate nearly hit him, instead he keeps his voice calm as he addresses his friend, “You were the best choice for the job. You know that, I know that, Admiral Kazansky knew that. Warlock and Cyclone know it. The team knows it too. It’s how the miracles that did happen on this mission actually occurred. Because of your training Mav, no one else’s.”

“And it’s what ended up killing Hangman and R-Rooster” Pete’s green eyes are wet with tears but he makes no move to wipe them. “I laid into them every day about wingmen and not leaving each other behind and then look what happens. Look at what Bradley did-“ Maverick cuts himself off when the traitorous thought pops up once more in his mind; if only Rooster didn’t go back. The older aviator smacks himself hard in the head for even thinking it; for wishing that Bradley had been anything less than the man he was raised to be and left Hangman to die after Jake’s sacrifice. Pete smacks his hands into his face again, startling Bernie from his seat as the darker skinned man hurries forward to stop the older pilot’s attack on himself. “Pete stop!“

“NO!” Maverick shakes his friend’s hands off, pushing him back for good measure. Hondo stumbles back towards the desk chair, watching his friend with wide eyes and worry. “Don’t you see what I’ve done!” Maverick screams, “I taught Hangman to be a team leader and he took the hit for Bradley. He died for Bradley! And now I’m sitting here grieving and wishing in my goddamn black hole of a heart that Bradley had left him and listened to Cyclone and come home! That he didn’t die too! What kind of a monster am I?” Maverick cries, voice breaking loudly in the small room, “What kind of heartless bastard thinks this way!"

“You’re a grieving father Pete, you’re not a monster.”

“Bradley wasn’t-“ Mav manages to sniff back a sob, struggling to compose himself, “He wasn’t my son.”

“We both know that’s not true.”

Pete doesn’t argue, instead taking a deep shuddering breath, “what will Carole and Goose think” he asks desperately, emotions returning, “After everything I promised Carole? She begged me not to let him follow in his father’s footsteps. She begged me not to let history repeat-“

"Bradley Bradshaw was destined to be in the sky from the moment he was born” Hondo explains calmly, “nothing you or Carole did was ever going to stop that trajectory. You saw him up there, you knew he belonged and how he performed today was just more evidence that proved it. You can’t change destiny Pete, no matter how hard you try.”

“But Carole… and Goose-“

“-Are hopefully with their son again” Hondo’s eyes look suspiciously moist from behind his glasses. “If there is any comfort to be found in all this, can we at least hope for that?”

“He was too young” Pete shakes his head desperately, his body constricting with his sobs, “they were both too damn young! They had their whole lives-“

“And they lived them how they wanted. Right until the end.” Hondo moves closer now, taking Maverick into his arms and allowing the older man to succumb to his grief, the wetness spreading along Bernie’s shirt, “They died for their wingman. They died for each other. A move you would have done for every single man and woman you served with Pete. I know it hurts, I know it’s going to hurt for a while but be proud of the pilots you put into the sky today. Be proud of what they accomplished and what they were willing to sacrifice. They were already the best of the best but you Maverick” he pulled the man in question away so Bernie could meet Pete’s green eyes, “you made them better men.”

“Don’t-“ Pete warns, “don’t try to make me feel better, don’t try to absolve me-“

Hondo shakes his head, “I’m not Mav because there is nothing to absolve. Hangman taking the hit for Rooster was his decision, not yours. Just like Bradley going back for Jake was what he wanted to do."

Maverick shudders tearfully, “I wish I could have been up there with them, I would have taken the hit for any of them, died for any of them.”

“I know” Hondo admits, “I know.” He pulls him in closer, keeping a steady hand on the back of the dark-haired man’s head as his own tears start to fall. “And I know it hurts right now. And I know you feel alone but you’re not. I’m here: to listen, to talk or even to get more plates for you to destroy” he moves to see the smallest huff of amusement on Pete’s face, “but you need to let me in okay Mav? You are not shouldering this all alone. I’m not letting you.”

“Thank you Bernie” the grieving man whispers as the two men stand, broken in their sorrow, but at least together.

About an hour later, once Hondo is called back to deck and Pete finally manages to get his emotions under control, the older aviator leaves his room. He heads outside, finding the runway of the carrier empty now that the mission is officially deemed complete. Most of the crew has headed inside, only a select few remain for emergency purposes. No one bothers him; too busy looking at the woman sitting silently next to the railing of the carrier, facing the water but with her eyes on the clouds. The setting sun bathes her in it's orange glow, washing over her shuddered form.

Natasha was always a front runner for the mission, from the moment Pete first saw her fly. Confident, talented, and intelligent, she was a natural behind the stick of a plane. Then the birdstrike happened and Mav assumed Trace would be out of the running. But just like her call-sign, Phoenix rose from the ashes of the ejection and settled right back into the cockpit of the next plane, not even fazed. She was remarkable, in every possible way and yet here she sat, shocked silent with her grief as she stared up at the sky that had finally betrayed her and killed two of her own.

“Natasha?” Maverick begins, hoping not to startle. It’s all for naught though as the young woman’s body jumps at the new sound around her. She turns, finding her captain and standing suddenly before staggering off at the rush of altitude. Pete moves to help her but Natasha rights herself in time. She looks up and struggles to meet Mav’s gaze. He tries to offer some sort of look of comfort but he can’t seem to manage it, not that it matters, Phoenix’s own face is crumbling in shame and torment. “Sir” she mumbles softly, her confidence as shattered as her voice.

“Are you alright?” Pete can’t help the wince at his stupid question, no one is alright anymore.

“Sir,” she swallows a sob, “I- I don’t know how I can ever apologize enough-“

“You don’t have to apologize-“

“I left them” she interrupts and it’s heartbreaking to see Phoenix reduced to this: broken, and guilt-ridden and so lost. “I should have gone back.”

Maverick takes a step closer, putting his hands on each of the woman’s quivering shoulders. Instead of melting into his touch she just seems more off-kilter, almost as though expecting him to take a shot at her at any moment. Pete curses himself for taking all this time to grieve himself when his team was so clearly struggling. Nat has been sitting here for hours blaming herself, and instead of helping her, Pete was spending the same time doing the same. He sighs softly, vowing to make this right and beginning with Phoenix, “there was nothing you could have done for them Natasha” he tells her honestly.

“If I had turned around-“

“You could have been shot down as well. You and Bob. Your responsibility was in getting the two of you home and that is what you did. You can’t blame yourself for what happened.”

She looks at him, uncertainty on her features, as though she is still expecting him to be angry, “But-“

“You did everything you could Natasha, you need to know that.” He offers his arms and the younger woman collapses into his embrace, “I miss them” she whispers devastatingly, “I miss them so much.”

“I know honey, I do too.” Pete turns tearfully to the skies, closing his eyes and wishing that Hondo’s words before were true, that Bradley was with his parents once more in heaven, safe, and in no pain, Jake with them too.

A throat clearing behind them startles both pilots, Mav whirling around to see Javy Machado heading over with two water bottles in his hands. “Coyote was sitting out here with me” Nat explains as she released herself from Mitchell's arms to take the drink from the new arrival. “We’ve been sharing stories-“

“About our idiot best friends” the younger man finishes, noticing the familiar haunted look on Maverick’s face and giving him a small nod in camaraderie.

“Embarrassing ones” They can all hear the effort Phoenix gives as she tries to let out a small chuckle, “I learned that during a prank war during one of his deployments, Jake’s shampoo got blue dye put in” her eyes brighten just the tiniest bit, “Coyote said he was livid.”

“He was” Javy shares, “He kept trying to hide under baseball hats or hoodies. He even debated shaving it since he couldn’t get any dye to change it back on the carrier. I swear” the man shakes his head fondly, “the only thing the man loves more than his hair is his skin care regime, he takes hours on it. It’s like an obsession at this point.“

Natasha nudges Machado softly, “all this blackmail material and you only tell me now, honestly Javy I’m disappointed in you-“ the minute the words leave her mouth the group sobers, the reminder of why Nat will never be able to use this information a punch in the gut. Maverick, desperate for the at least sad smiles from before, tries to push the two back into their good memories. “Any embarrassing stories about Rooster?” he asks.

“How much time do you have” Phoenix takes the bait, and the suffocating feeling of depression settles down a bit more once again. “Did you ever hear about the time he split his pants while performing?”

Despite all the turmoil of the day Maverick can’t help the surprise tittles of laughter that comes from his mouth at the image, “No way,” he argues good naturally, “how could he rip them?”

“Haven’t you noticed he never gets up from the piano bench now?” Phoenix’s tear-stained eyes are beginning to show some mirth as she gets into her story. “He used to always have little dances with his songs, really got into it. Then one night we are in some crowded open mic bar in the city and Bradley decides to perform. He’s moving and shaking and putting on this whole show” she smirks at the memory, “and then he tries to do some half split move and we all hear a tear.”

“God I wish I was there, must have been hilarious” Coyote jokes. Maverick nods next to him, “what did Bradley do?”

“He rushes off the stage in a huff, demands someone gives him a jacket or shirt to tie around and cover it and all but begs to head home” Phoenix laughs wetly, tears mixing down her face, “but the idiot ends up winning the contest anyway. The crowd loved it!” She gasps down a sob, “Bradley refused to take the trophy on principle but I took it for him. Still have it too.” Her face falls, “I’m going to miss his performances.”

“Me too” Javy shares, “I don’t think I can ever look at a piano without thinking of Rooster.”

“Or a dart board without thinking of Hangman.”

Maverick listens to the two and sighs, reaching for them both and placing comforting hands on their arms, “you both are good friends, they were lucky to have you.”

Natasha grimaces, emotions overwhelming her small frame, “no Sir, we were lucky to have them. Bradley, he- he was the best man I ever knew.”

“And Jake” Coyote's voice wobbles ever so slightly, his eyes brimming with tears, “I know what he came across like” the man turns from Phoenix back to Pete, “but you have to understand he just- he was always so afraid of being hurt by people close to him, he was afraid to let them in. But he wasn’t a bad guy” Javy’s body rocks with sobs, “he really wasn’t and he loved this team, even if he didn’t show it-“

“Didn’t show it?” Pete repeats, “Javy, Jake showed it by saving Bradley, by risking his life for this team. We all saw that today, the man Hangman truly was.” He watches Coyote give a tearful nod, “I’m so proud of Jake and Bradley for the way they flew today and you both should be too. They were heroes out there.” He’s about to say more when he notices a bang from the outside door, Hondo rushing towards them, out of breath and laboring “Maverick!” he hollers, and Pete feels something stirring in his gut, ”Mav we got something” the man continues.

“Got what?” his nerves are frayed enough already but he walks forward, yearning to catch the other man even quicker, “Bernie what is it?”

“It’s Rooster’s E-Sat.”

Ice floods Maverick’s veins, his breath leaving in such a rush he barely manages to get words out. “What- what about it?” he gasps.

Hondo’s face breaks out into a grin, “It’s live and showing he’s supersonic.”

Mav blinks once in confusion, but both Phoenix and Coyote seem to be ready to jump for joy at the news. “But how-” Pete swallows, throat achingly dry, “that would mean-“

“There’s an F-14 in the air” the bespectacled man explains, “We think he might have hijacked it.”

“Yes!” Natasha cheers behind them. Her entire body showing signs of life once more. “we need to get planes in the air” she all but demands turning to her two superiors but never cowering. The Phoenix reborn again, “We have to help him!”

“Wait” Pete’s mind is still struggling, almost as though afraid to get his hopes up all for it to come crashing down again. “An F-14? I didn’t even know Bradley could fly an F-14.”

“He can’t” Javy speaks up, wiping at the tears that are still rolling down his cheeks, “but Hangman can.”

”Hangman but he-“

”Trust me Sir” and it’s Coyote’s turn to brighten as Nat crashes into his chest with the powerful combination of happiness and hope, “if that plane is in the air, Jake’s at the stick.”

The group collectively heightens at the declaration, the words spurring them all. Mav turns back to his friend, his heart lighter than it’s been in decades, his mind clear. “Bernie” he all but begs, “get me into a Goddamn plane.”

“Admiral Simpson has ordered no launches until they get more information” but the other man is smiling slyly, “but I do know Lieutenant Avalone’s plane is still in the ready slot.”

“Convince the grounds crew to help me launch while I get suited up?”

“Done” and Hondo immediately goes to follow Mav’s directions. Pete goes as well, trying to think of where he could get a flight suit without Cyclone getting wind, when Machado steps forward. “Sir” the man begins cautiously, afraid to overstep, “Can I- can I join you?”

“Me too Sir” Phoenix is stepping up as well.

Pete smiles at both of them, their bravery and their love for their friends making them willing to risk it all. He admires them both for it but he can’t put anyone else in danger today. “I’m sorry” he watches as both of their smiles turn to frowns, “but you could both lose your wings going out there, especially against orders. Or your lives if this plane doesn’t end up being Rooster and Hangman.”

“I don’t care” Javy argues and besides him Nat nods in agreement, “it’s my brother out there, I have to go-“

“I know what you’re feeling” Maverick explains, his heart breaking to disappoint these two grief-stricken pilots once more, “believe me, but I can’t let you go up there.”

Natasha shakes her head, “but Sir-“

“I promise you” Pete interrupts, making sure they both hear him, “I will not come home without them. I promise you both that.” It’s not exactly what either of the younger Daggers want to hear but it’s the best Maverick can give them. He doesn’t wait for their response or even their acknowledgments, instead rushing back inside the carrier and getting ready. He doesn’t care what obstacles stand in his way, Maverick is getting into the skies and bringing those boys home, even if it’s the last thing he does.

[thegeminisage]

ok, its time for a QUICK tng update before xm*s proceedings. saturday we did "best of both worlds part ii" and "family" and last night we did "brothers" and "suddenly human."

best of both worlds part ii: I LOOOOOVED THIS EPISODE. mwah. EVERYTHING i wanted. creepy little cyborg implants. brainwashed picard. his beautiful perfect cgi tear (which may or may not have been cgi, this is a point of debate, experts please weigh in). data bravely doing a robot mind meld. 1000000/10 more borg episodes please please PLEASE

can you imagine if the borg has ben in tos btw. what a thought experiment, except for how i quite literally can't think about it or i'll get so excited i'll pass out

did guinan imply she and picard were lovers in this ep...girl you can do better

my one nitpick with william riker was him promoting that lady he hated instead of someone who deserved it, like worf or data. it probably would have given worf ptsd but can you imagine that enterprise having a captain and first officer being gay on the bridge again...wonderful. except this time there would also be deanna <3

"how much do you remember" "everything" AHAHAHAHA GREAT. GOOD. WONDERFUL. anyway

family: extremely unusual episode but i loved it nonetheless. i was really shocked worf's parents were so sweet!!! i fucking loved them. they're like the cutest people on earth i can't believe they raised such a taciturn and stoic guy like worf...

picard's family i wasn't sure about at first until the wrestling match in the mud. sometimes you need to punch a guy and his brother stepped up to the job admirably. i kept thinking he looked like michael caine, which would have been an incredible choice.

WESLEY.....................................................we don't need to talk about it

everyone's accents in this ep were wack. why does picard have a totally different accent from his brother. why is worf's accent different from his parents. ik its not that deep but its making me crrrazzzyyy

brothers: i didnt even get a look at the title of this episode before we started bc vumoo (the shady site im using to watch) doesn't display them but it was SUCH an unexpected pleasure to get a data episode

absolutely scuh-reaming at the ease with which he hijacked an ENTIRE goddamn starship. he's so competent i love that. a real "glad he's on OUR side" moment, not unlike spock commandeering the enterprise in "the menagerie" (rip i wish that had been a better episode).

lore grew on me really fast. i was neutral on him during his last appearance, the meme aside, but in this episode he was really fun and unsettling. brent spiner can do horrible, horrible things with his face

this ep felt a little cut off? i expected another confrontation with lore, a getting back of the chip, or at least some kind of burial or funeral for dr soong, but we just quit like 3/4 through the episode. maybe less time spent on the opening section of the hijack could have fixed this

anyway i love the foil between data and lore...one has support and the other does not...but it doesn't make sense for lore to get the emotions chip because it seems like he already HAS them??

oh yeah and data repeating "i am not less perfect than lore" got funnier EVERY time he did it. little man was really going thru it i was cracking up genuinely <3

suddenly human: this episode was wack

ok, did you guys read face on the milk carton when you were in school? i did when i was way too young to be reading it and it fucked me up real bad and i completely forgot about it until i watched this episode and then i got to unlock that memory in real time

anyway, while it is obviously the correct choice to return a child to their family when they are kidnapped as babies, it is also hugely traumatic for an older child to be ripped away from a loving home* and transplanted with strangers, which those books explore in horrific detail. so the whole episode i found myself going "i KNOW it's bad politics but could they not just CONSIDER leaving him with the only family he's ever known as a possible choice" and then they DID THAT and i wanted to be ill because it was obviously the worst choice in the world

* this is a different scenario than the first tng episode involving kidnapped children, which strongly resembled the residential schools from real life. THIS particular situation, minus the method of kidnapping (during warfare), more closely resembled the crazy cult shit happening in those books, where the kidnapped girl was being raised by people who thought they really were her biological grandparents and weren't bad people and her biological family also weren't bad people. a "no fault" situation EXCEPT FOR HE KIDNAPPENED THAT BABY DURING WARFARE.

anyway this is the second time tng has dropped the ball on this subject so i think from now on they should not do episodes like this anymore. really really really really bad.

NEXT TIME: "remember me" and "legacy"

[almaqead]

"Normalcy." Surah 30, Ar Rum, "Stripped!"

Most of us do not remember having a normal day. Life was bizarre during quarantine and before that the mustard gas and the shelling made everyone very ill, but then came Ukraine, after that October 7, which was followed by Donald Trump and now no one knows when things will ever be the same again. And we didn't like them too much before then either.

The Quran and the Hadith, "acknowledgements" which we are studying in detail now were created by the Prophet to bring us out of messy times like these as rapidly and put an end to the past as quickly as possible. We are given only so much time in this world, a grant, as the Quran calls it, there is none of us so long lived we want to spend any of it in a state of confusion.

The Surah adds:

30: 41-46:

"Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “Travel throughout the land and see what was the end of those ˹destroyed˺ before ˹you˺—most of them were polytheists.”

So be steadfast in the Upright Faith ˹O Prophet˺, before the coming of a Day from Allah that cannot be averted. On that Day the people will be divided:

so that He may ˹generously˺ reward those who believe and do good, out of His grace. He truly does not like the disbelievers.

And one of His signs is that He sends the winds, ushering in good news ˹of rain˺ so that He may give you a taste of His mercy, and that ships may sail by His command, and that you may seek His bounty, and perhaps you will be grateful."

Commentary:

It would be so nice if Bashar Assad just gave up went to live with his mother, or if Joe Biden were to obey the law and kill Donald Trump, or if he had sent Ukraine the assistance it needed three years ago, but these things did not happen, not today at least.

The Quran says therefore like winds carrying rain, all mankind needs to insist upon a lawfully good way of life and flood the streets, all the screens, the temples, the churches, and the tea and coffee houses with the sound of hopes and expectations that mankind will do what must be done to return the days back into the media for which God intended.

Normalcy what is called Shabbat by the Jew is another requirement we are going to add to the construction of our Hadith. The Quran includes many verses that promote good manners and normalcy, including:

Don't be miserly: Verse 25:67 says not to be miserly or extravagant.

Speak nicely: Verse 25:63 says to speak nicely, even to the ignorant.

Make room for others: Verse 58:11 says to make room for others at gatherings.

Accept peace: Verse 8:61 says to accept peace if the enemy wants it.

Return a greeting: Verse 4:86 says to return a greeting in a better manner.

Don't remind others: Verse 2:264 says not to remind others of favors.

Make peace: Verse 49:9 says to make peace between fighting groups.

Lower your voice: Verse 31:19 says to lower your voice and talk moderately.

Be just: Verse 4:135 says to be just, even against yourself and relatives.

Greet people: Verse 24:27 says to greet people when entering their home.

Don't accuse others: Verse 24:4 says not to accuse others of immorality without proof. 

Normalcy is also the result of being married to one husband and it must be the one we are in love with. Otherwise, jealousy creates two groups out of one marriage and this, according to the Imam causes the beginning of abnormalcy in society.

So Hadith must argue for monogamy and fidelity between all parties along with all of the other aspects of normalcy that glue society together. We can discuss very little so long as neighborhoods and persons are unwilling to respect these.

From a scholarly perspective, places like Syria and Lebanon which have failed states stand to benefit from increased government respectability. The current long term plans in these locations should include proper provisions for the measures mentioned in this paper. The UN and its partners will not be able to guarantee these nor will they try as this is out of scope. The best solution for these locations is reconstitution following a legally recognizable format so currency and basic services can be put in place to help the people in these areas rebuild reestablish their ordinary lives.

[mypoisonedvine]

peaches & cream || soft!dark Jake Wyler x reader

for @stargazingfangirl18​'s 5k challenge! I used the prompt, "the town golden boy isn’t as sweet as everyone thinks."

word count: 3.6k

warnings: smut (noncon), stalking/obsession, some degradation/negging (but lots of praise during the actual smut), kinda yandere vibes?, touch of breeding kink at the end, definitely flirting with the boundary between soft!dark and regular dark but I like to think it’s a fine line

“Sorry, but that’s a seasonal flavor,” the girl at the counter explained in a snarky monotone.

“Well, yeah, but isn’t it still… the season?” you pressed; normally you weren’t the sort of person to argue with a cashier over a milkshake, but the look she was giving you made you feel like she was holding out on you— especially when the promotional poster for the very thing you were trying to order was just behind her head, and said the flavor was available for two more days.

“We’re out,” she answered firmly, but then her face suddenly shifted to a much more pleasant expression as you heard the chime of the front door opening behind you.  

You felt his body hovering behind yours just as his hand laid on the counter beside you, caging you in.  It was even more unsettling with the context that there was a whole line of people waiting behind you already.

“I’ll get your usual,” the girl promised to the man beside with a flirtatious smile as she disappeared to the back, returning almost instantly with a shake in her extended hand.  “Peaches and cream milkshake— extra whipped cream, no cherry.  Enjoy!”

Your eyes widened at the reading of your own order.  “I thought you were out!” you protested, going completely ignored.

"If you were my girl, this sort of thing wouldn't need to happen."

You recoiled from Jake's voice in your ear, and he smiled in spite of your snarl, bringing the straw to his lips slowly.  With a shudder you walked away, deciding it was probably better to forgo a milkshake anyways— especially if it was a chance to avoid everyone’s favorite senior, the football king who basically owned the whole town for no other reason than being good-looking, athletic, and allegedly “charming” or whatever.

Of course, he followed you, sitting across from you in a booth and silently shooing his posse of fellow teammates to go off and give you two some space.  If only he would give you space.

“We can share,” he offered as he held the milkshake out towards you.  “I know it’s your favorite… it’s mine too.”

“I’ve lost my appetite,” you explained quickly as you pulled a book out of your backpack, intent on ignoring him since you couldn’t physically force him to leave.

He shrugged and returned to sucking on the straw, watching you unwaveringly as you tried to read your book— staring at the page was going well, but you couldn’t seem to actually get any words down.  Had you forgotten English as a written language or something?

“Could you leave?” you finally asked as you groaned and looked up from your book.  “You’re distracting me.”

“I’m literally just sitting here,” he reminded you.

“And it’s distracting!”

He smirked proudly.  “My presence tends to have that effect on people.  Nothing to be embarrassed about.”

You rolled your eyes, burying your face back in your book.  “You know, you may have everybody else fooled, but someday you’re gonna have to leave this pathetic little town and go into the real world where throwing a ball isn’t a career and nobody fawns over you just because you have the audacity to be attractive.”

He chuckled lightly.  “Right, because you have those big city dreams of yours, but believe it or not some of us like this ‘pathetic’ little town.”

“Well, of course you would,” you snorted.  “Your dad’s the mayor and your girlfriend’s the head cheerleader.”

“My ex-girlfriend,” he corrected, finally getting your attention enough to make you shut your book.

“What?” you blurted out.

“Yeah, she dumped me,” he explained plainly.

“Why would she do that?” you asked, making him look much too proud of himself again.  “Finally snapped out of the brainwashing, huh?” you added, effectively killing his smug expression.

“I guess you could say that.  She met some college guy from out of town… I think her parents liked me too much, she needed a bit more rebellion.”

“Well, my condolences to you,” you smiled, “and my congratulations to her.”

“I thought you hated her,” he scoffed.

“Well, now she and I have something in common: a complete lack of interest in you!”

“I mean, I wouldn’t go that far,” he smirked, “she still comes over every now and again to suck my cock.”

You choked on nothing, face getting warm at his crude language.  He didn’t talk like that with anyone else; it was so cruel the way he kept everybody in town under his spell except you, the way he let you in on his real darkness with no one else to confide in or believe you.  

It was so fundamentally lonely, being the one person who wasn’t in love with Jake Wyler.  It was even worse being the one person Jake Wyler loved.

At least, that was the word he used multiple times in his semi-anonymous letters, his incessant calls and emails, his speeches outside your window.  He’d actually cooled off lately, you wondered if maybe he had finally let go of this ‘the one thing I can’t have’ obsession and learned to appreciate his girlfriend (who, for all her personality flaws, was objectively gorgeous, and seemed to at least be nice to him if nobody else).

But now that she left him (which you were still trying to process, honestly), you were surprised he hadn’t already moved on to the next best wannabe model and/or reinstated his campaign to win you over.

Then again, the look in his eye kind of made you think you were about to witness the second one.

“You know, when she does come over, I can only ever finish because I’m thinking about you,” he revealed in a low voice.  You grimaced and slid out of the booth, stuffing your book into your bag and barely managing to throw him a goodbye before you dashed out.  

It wasn’t like you really thought you could get away from him— he had made it clear over and over that you couldn’t— but the idea of being crammed in that booth with him, surrounded throughout the diner by his adoring fans who somehow didn’t manage to overhear him when he said those awful things, made you feel nauseous.

What you should’ve considered was that, fans or not, those people were witnesses, and now that you were running out into the dark streets of the town and he was chasing after you, you didn’t have any.  It was just you and him, and when you turned into an alleyway to try to get home faster, even the dim glow of the streetlights couldn’t see you anymore.

“Hey,” he stopped you with a tight grip on your arm, pulling you back into him.

“Let me go!” you whined, trying to tug yourself away but only ensuring that his hand would leave a bruise on your arm.  

“I will when you just hear me out, okay?” he hissed, spinning you around to look up at him.  "Why don't you just give me a chance?  Don't you wanna be popular?" 

"I don't want to be anything that requires being within ten yards of you!" you spat.

He seemed bewildered, but you knew he wasn’t actually that stupid.  "Why?"

"Because you know why!"

He sighed, slumping his shoulders a little.  "Are we still on that, really?  I told you, you should take it as a compliment.  You know how many girls would kill to catch me jerking off in their panties?"

"You're sick, Jake,” you sighed, “and you're really good at hiding it from everyone else but I know what you really are.  You told me you needed help with algebra and I actually believed you, for months you were lying to me to get close so you could perv on me when you already had a girlfriend and two side chicks anyways— god, Jake, you're crazy!"

You yelped when he pinned you to the wall, blue eyes darker than ever.  "I really, really hate that word."

Against the wall, your back straightened as you felt the tone shift completely for a moment before he was back to his jovial self again, giving you a somber but almost-genuine smile.

“The only kind of crazy I am is crazy about you,” he defended with a laugh, leaning in a little closer.  “Why can’t you see that?”

As his eyes moved from your own to your lips, a renewed sense of fear shot through you.  “Jake…” you mumbled, apparently your feeble attempt to ask him to stop.

“Just one kiss,” he bargained, “and then I’ll let you go.  Okay?  That’s all I need.”

“N-no,” you whimpered, turning your head away as he leaned in even further.  “Stop.”

“Come on, it’s just a kiss, baby,” he cooed.  “Then you can leave.  Hey, you might actually like it.  You know, I think that’s what you’re really scared about… and I get it!  When I first realized I was in love with you, it was scary for me, too— I mean, I’m the most important guy in town and you’re just some bookworm, it’s sort of social suicide for me so I had a lot to worry about.”

There he went with his negging again, trying to bring you down to his level.  Your brain knew that, it saw right through it, but your gut still sank with doubt.

“But I know now that love is nothing to be afraid of,” he concluded.

“No, Jake,” you whispered, feeling tears well in your eyes, “I’m afraid that you’ll hurt me if I don’t do what you want.”

“Well, that is something to be afraid of,” he replied with the coldest laugh you’d ever heard; you didn’t hear any agreement, but the lack of denial was deafening.  “So just be my good girl and let me kiss you…”

You swallowed dryly, your eyes wide open and searching for anywhere to look but up at him.

He was so close now that his lips brushed against yours with his command: “say it.”

You stammered over your breath, not sure exactly what he was asking for, and you winced as you felt his grip tighten on your arms.

“Say, ‘kiss me’,” he clarified in a harsh whisper.  “Say, ‘please’...”

“Please,” you repeated awkwardly, hearing it in your voice but so clearly not your own words, “kiss me.”

He let his mouth intertwine with yours and your eyes were still wide open as he let his own fall shut, moving his hands to clutch your face gently instead as you gave a weak effort to kiss him back.

Objectively, he was good at this.  A lot of things were objectively true about Jake: as much as you forced yourself not to see it, he was handsome; as much as it didn’t really matter to you, a boycotter of all things sports, he was talented; and, as much as no one else realized it, he was completely deranged.  For every word of kindness from him there was another of anger.  For every love letter in your locker, there was a threat left scrawled on crumpled paper inside your bedroom, just so he could remind you that your parents would let him into the house if he asked and never question it.

Which was why it was extremely important that you did not enjoy this kiss.  You needed to hate the way his fingers traced over the pulse in your neck, the way his tongue tickled yours, the way his teeth just barely grazed your lip until your knees went a little weak.  

But wow, there was something primally satisfying about melting into his arms, feeling his strength support you like it was nothing when he held your waist and pulled you closer.

You could almost forget that it was him.  But then he mumbled your name into the kiss, nearly moaned it in fact, and it pulled you back to reality.  With a gasp, you pushed him away and blinked your eyes open, not even realizing you’d closed them; hating how quickly you’d started to give in to him.

“There, one kiss,” you mumbled, wiping your mouth with the back of your sleeve.  “I’m gonna go home now—”

“You can’t be serious,” he laughed incredulously.  “You’re gonna kiss me like that and tell me you don’t feel this, too?  We’re so meant for each other— we even order the same milkshake!”

“That doesn’t matter!” you denied.

“I love you!”

“That doesn’t matter either!”

You turned to leave but he grabbed you again from behind, covering your mouth with his hand when you opened your mouth to scream.  “Don’t fucking talk to me like that,” he hissed in your ear, “and don’t walk away from me.”

Fighting against his grip did nothing but exhaust you: he only needed one arm to hold you back as he dragged you deeper into the alley.  Your legs swung wildly and landed a kick to his shin, and he plugged your nose while he was covering your mouth so you couldn’t breathe.

“Listen to me, you stuck up little bitch,” he growled.  “I’m really sick of this ‘hard to get’ act.  I know you want me.  So shut up and let me show you what you’ve been missing out on, okay?  You gonna be good?”

In that moment, you would’ve agreed to anything for a chance to fill your lungs with fresh air, and so you nodded, the back of your head rubbing against his chest.

“You gonna be nice and quiet so nobody catches you getting fucked like a whore in this alley?”

Another nod, more feverish than the last, ended with a sharp inhale as he let go of your nose.  But he was still covering your mouth, his arm around you now feeling less like restraint and more like an embrace.

"I've wanted you for so long, you can't even imagine," he explained softly as he leaned down and kissed your neck, gripping your waist tighter.  "You and this perfect body of yours.  This smart little head that thinks too much…"

You swallowed dryly as his hand trailed lower.

"This pussy you've been hiding from me for much too long," he added darkly, roughly shoving his hand up your skirt.

You whined behind his hand but he didn’t seem to care; he pulled your skirt up and grinned at the sight of your panties— because he recognized them.

“I remember these,” he purred.  “They look good on you, baby, but they looked better covered in my come.”

Your cheeks burned with shame— you already hated yourself for still wearing the pair he’d tampered with, but it was harmless after a few runs through the washer, right?  You weren’t going to stop wearing your favorite panties just for him, that would mean he won, in a sense; or, that’s what you told yourself to justify not burning them.

“Don’t worry, they’re gonna be soaked by the time I’m done with you,” he purred, slipping two fingers between your legs and growling slightly.  “Well, actually, you’ve already done a lot of the work for me.”

He pulled the fabric aside and explored your pussy instead, tightening his grip over your mouth as you made little muffled yelps.  The rough pads of his fingers found and targeted your clit instantly, that megawatt smile pressed against your ear as he started to rub your bud harder.

“Mm, feels good, huh?” he taunted, moving even faster as your hips jolted unintentionally.  He stopped only to bring the fingers to his lips, humming at the taste of you which he sucked off of them.  “So sweet, babygirl— better than any peaches and cream milkshake, that’s for sure.”

The wet fingers trailed down your body again, finding your entrance that he suddenly pushed into; it was a little too much without any warning and it made your eyes shoot wide open, a squeak barely escaping your throat.

"Just as tight as I imagined, baby,” he sighed, “all those times I used your panties, or hooked up with somebody who almost looked like you from behind.  You’re gonna feel so good on my cock, I know you want it so bad.”

He took his fingers out of you to reach back and open his belt with one hand, the sound of the buckle matched in upsettingness only by the sound of his jeans sliding down to his thighs.

You heard your own breath loud and heavy against his hand as you felt his hard cock press against your thigh, a drop of precum smearing on your skin.  Your breathing halted suddenly, though, when he slid himself between your legs to rub his cock over your exposed and swollen pussy.

“Oh, babygirl, you really are too good to me,” he grinned, kissing your ear tenderly.  “So fucking wet and ready for me, huh?  You need it that bad?  You’re gonna get it, baby, ‘m gonna give it to you so good…”

Bracing yourself as best you could, you felt the head of his cock push against your entrance before he slammed in all at once, making you hiss in pain.

“Oh god,” he groaned, “fuck, you’re so warm…”

Already he was fucking into you roughly, pumping faster and deeper, paying no mind to your choked sobs of pain from the wide stretch.  Even when it stung it felt oddly good, and the underside of his cock seemed to slide perfectly over your g-spot with each movement until your eyes began to roll back in your head.

“So fucking good,” he moaned hoarsely as he braced you against the brick wall for leverage, reaching back down with his free hand to rub your clit again.  He chuckled when your legs quivered, and he must have felt your walls tighten around him, too.  “I wanna hear those pretty moans, baby, if I take my hand away are you gonna be good?” he asked darkly.  You nodded, enjoying the brief feeling of freedom that came from not having his hand over your mouth anymore.  But then again, it was humiliating that now he could hear your panting breaths, your desperate mewls that you failed to swallow down.

He made a sound that was almost like a laugh as he watched you squirm in his arms, one more way he had to lord this all over you, as if forcing you to take him in an alley wasn’t enough on its own.

His breath against your ear was hot and strained, each meeting of your hips to his accentuated with a little grunt from him.  It didn’t help at all that his fingers were rubbing you just right, with so much skill that you wondered if he’d somehow figured out how you touched yourself when you needed to get off.  Honestly, you wouldn’t put it past him to have spied on you before, even if you couldn’t figure out when or how.

The hand that used to cover your mouth slid up under your shirt and pulled your bra down, a large, rough hand groping each breast and pinching your nipples until you bit down on your lip to stay quiet.  For all the mocking and teasing he’d done before, he was pretty direct now— like he was trying to make you come as fast as possible, overloading your body with sensation.  

And did he have to be so fucking good at it?

“I know you’re close, babygirl,” he whispered in your ear, “just let go…”

“Jake, please,” you sobbed, too far gone to appreciate that no begging would make him stop now.

“Come for me,” he demanded roughly, fucking you even faster as he sucked a mark onto your neck, and finally it all came crashing down with a choked-out cry of his name and a gush of warmth dripping out around his length.

“Ohh fuck, there you go, fuck it feels good when you come for me,” he grunted, thrusting even faster.  “You’re gonna milk my cock with that pretty pussy, babygirl— you’re gonna make me come…”

“J-Jake, not inside!” you interjected, getting his hand back over your mouth in return.

“Shh, it’s okay,” he soothed, “waited too long for this to pull out now.  Feels too fucking good.”

Behind his hand, the difference between whines of hatred and moans of pleasure was irritatingly subtle.

“I love you,” he reminded you in a voice exhausted yet heavy with desire, “so fucking much…”

A few more erratic, brutal thrusts accompanied by heavy pants and he was gone; you could feel his cock pulsing with each rope of come that filled you, so deep that your head fell dejectedly with the realization you had no hope of washing it out now.

His hand fell from your mouth but he didn’t pull out for another few moments as he caught his breath, gently peppering your neck and cheek in slow kisses.  “Baby,” he finally sighed, breaking the crushing silence, “you’re so fucking perfect.  I knew you were made for me.”

I hate you, you wanted to cry out, but words escaped you as he hugged you tightly and pulled your panties back into place, soaking them with his come as it leaked out of you just like he’d promised.  He stuffed his cock back into his jeans and helped you adjust your clothes back to looking almost presentable, finishing it off by turning you around and smiling at you with serene pride before kissing your forehead.

"You're gonna make such a beautiful prom queen," he cooed, “especially if you’ve already got a nice little bump showing…”

His hand rubbed beneath your belly button for emphasis, making you whimper and force your eyes shut as tears rolled down your cheeks.

"Shh, don’t cry, baby,” he soothed, kissing your cheek softly.  “Trust me, you're gonna love being my girl."

[torreshalstead]

Together is a wonderful place to be

AO3 Link

Summary - Hailey had always loved to run. It gave her a sense of freedom and when things are starting to get tough, at work and at home.  She heads down to the lakeshore, to run, or even just walk and gives her a chance to clear her head. After Voight’s death, Jay was made acting sergeant but then after a new Chief is appointed, he had an issue with Jay being in charge of his wife.  They had to make a choice.

Notes - first attempt at writing Upstead, originally for One Chicago Appreciation Week until Stellaride took over my brain. But decided to finish it anyway!

——————————————————

The cool wind blew in her face as Hailey pulled her ball cap lower to shield her eyes.  These days, the ones where you had to battle against the wind, were her favourite. The days where your lungs were burning but only due to the cold air rather than the pressure of the day.  Step by step, mile by mile, Hailey had run down this path more times than she could count.  No matter what was going on in her life, she could find solace with her running shoes on her feet, hat on her head and pounding out the miles.  For some of her happiest memories, the morning after Jay had proposed, she had come out to run. The same could be said for the worst times as well. No matter the day or the circumstances, you could find Hailey Upton running if she needed to clear her head.

Today’s run was due to both a situation at work and at home and one for which she wasn’t quite sure she had the correct solution for.

 After Voight’s death in the field, Jay had been given the title of Acting Sergeant and had taken over in Intelligence.  None of the team were surprised with the decision, Jay had been the 2nd in command for as long as any of them could remember and it made perfect sense for him to take over the role.  This left Hailey without a partner so she partnered up with Kevin until Jay let them know that Torres would be joining the squad and her and Kevin took him under their wing.  Everything had been running smoothly for a couple of weeks, the busts had gone well, they had caught their offenders and Intelligence seemed to be back to its old ways with everyone knowing their place.  That was until Chief Delamere had started.  It was clear that the new Chief had a bee in his bonnet about Jay taking over the unit, no one was quite sure why until the Chief had marched into the bullpen and ordered Hailey to join him in Jay’s office.

 

Hailey followed him in and closed the door behind her. She could immediately tell this wasn’t going to be a meeting where they were congratulated on their hard work or on their recent capture of a high-ranking Lieutenant that the gang unit had been chasing for weeks.

‘What can we do for you Chief?’, Jay asked confidentially but Hailey could tell he was nervous. This was the first time the Chief had visited since he had taken over.

‘Are you two married?’, Delamere said bluntly. Hailey’s hands which were behind her back immediately went to her wedding ring.

Jay took a breath, ‘We are’ he said calmly.

‘As I thought, as a Sergeant of the unit, you cannot be married to one of your subordinates.  As such you have some choices, either Upton leaves the unit, you step down from command, or the marriage ceases to exist’.

Jay looked taken aback, ‘with all due respect Chief, our marriage preceded my promotion and I treat her the same as any member of the unit, you are welcome to ask them’.

‘That may be’, the Chief continued. ‘But in my Division, I will not allow it. I will be back tomorrow morning to hear your decision’. And with that he stormed out and left Jay staring at his wife with confusion.  Hailey closed the door slowly.

‘I think we should take about this at home’, she said quietly.

‘Hailey’, Jay said gently, ‘I had no idea’. Hailey smiled at him, ‘let’s talk at home’. And with that she exited the office.  She didn’t return to her desk however, walking directly to the locker room, ignoring Kim’s call of ‘Hails’.

She opened her locker and just stared inside. Her marriage and her job, they were the two most important things in her life and this new chief had basically asked her to give one up.  How could she do that. Jay was a part of her, her other half, she knew it was cheesy to say but they had been a partnership for years.  He had been there for her when times were tough, when times were good, he made her laugh, held her when she cried, to put it simply, he was her best friend.  But she was a detective in an elite unit, she had worked so hard to get here and she was good at her job.  She loved her team and her city and the thought of having to leave that was not something she could comprehend.  She glanced down at the ring on her left hand.  She had never thought she’d be the type of girl to get married, assumed she’d be married to the job until she either retired or didn’t make it home.  But then she had met Jay, they hadn’t had the most conventional of relationships, she knew that, but it was part of what made them them.

Just then Kevin called into the locker room from the corridor, ‘Upton, we gotta bounce’.

 

Hailey put it out of her mind for the rest of the day and as usual was waiting by the truck for Jay after shift.  They had decided that their marriage remained out of the district so they always met up outside.  As he walked out, Hailey could tell the conversation with Delamere had been on his mind all day but now wasn’t the time or place to have that conversation but he gave her a quick peck on the cheek before unlocking the truck and walking round to his side. Once inside he placed his hand on the centre console and Hailey took it without hesitation.  They didn’t hold hands every time they were in the truck having spent more time in it before they were a couple then when they had finally got together.  The drive home was quiet, no one had anything to say, they were both thinking the same thing.

 

When they finally made it into the apartment, before Hailey had a chance to take off her jacket, Jay’s arms wrapped around her and pulled her close. She sunk into his chest and let out a breath she didn’t know she had been holding ever since they had had the meeting this morning.  The pair stood like this for a while, both just relishing in the closeness of the other.  Jay pulled away slightly just enough to look down on his petite wife, ‘what do we do?’, he said quietly.

Hailey looked back up at him, ‘we do what we always do when something at work is getting to us, we do our thing’, she smiled as her husband smiled down at her. ‘The thing that works’, Jay said, they separated as Jay headed to pour them both a glass of whiskey.

 

They sat in silence whilst they both finished their drink.  They both knew what the other was thinking, they had been together long enough to know that.

Hailey knew Jay was considering relinquishing his command, that he’d rather work side by side with his wife than have her leave the unit.

Jay knew that Hailey was debating leaving the unit, that she would sacrifice herself for him and his position.

They both knew that neither of them was thinking of their marriage ceasing to exist.

Jay was the first to speak up, ‘I can step down, we can go back to being partner’s and everything will be fine’.  Hailey looked across at her husband with a defeated smile.

‘But it’s not that simple Jay,’ she said softly, ‘if you step down then Delamere brings someone else into the unit.  Someone we don’t know, who doesn’t know us, who still may not like the fact that a married couple are partners. So, you could step down and we could be forced to split anyway.  You’re the right person to lead the unit Jay.  We all know that, Voight knew it and Delamere knows it too. It has to be me’.  She took her final sip of her drink and goes to stand up but Jay grabs her hand to keep her next to him.

‘I always told Voight if he was going to transfer one of us out of the unit, it should be me’. He said.  Hailey could tell he meant every word.

‘And that’s one of the reasons I love you Jay.  But things are different now, you’re not just a detective, you’re the Sergeant. The team needs you, the city needs you’, Hailey squeezed his hand as she spoke, she knew he was about to counteract her argument with a line about only being acting Sergeant so she beat him too it. ‘Yes, you may only be acting Sergeant for the moment.  But we both know it’s just a formality. This position has always been yours Jay, Intelligence is yours.  I’ll be fine wherever I go, because I’ll have you to come home to’.  She could see she was starting to get through to him as he gave her a small smile.  ‘And besides, Chief’s don’t seem to last long round here so maybe the next chief will let you transfer your wife back in to the department.’ She chuckled softly.

‘Hailey, are you sure…’ Jay started to say.

‘I wouldn’t have said it if I wasn’t’, she said calmly.  ‘Come on’, she tugged on his hand as she got up.  ‘Let’s go to bed’.

 

The next morning Hailey woke before her husband, rolling over to see him still peacefully sleeping on his front, one arm thrown over her stomach.  Before getting together with Jay, she would never imagined him to be one to want to cuddle in bed but getting to know him on another level had shown how mistaken she was.  It was still dark outside as Hailey snuck into the bathroom.  She was going to head out for a run, it was one of those mornings where she needed to clear her head before facing the day, however as she reached for her mouthwash, which her neat freak partner had put back in the cupboard, something caught her eye. A full box of tampons.  She had brought them a couple of months ago, she remembered because her and Kim had been shopping with Makayla and she had questioned what they were, that conversation she left for Kim.  As Hailey stared at the box, she started to count.  She had never been particularly regular so wasn’t one to use one of those tracking apps but this was still too many days.  But she took her pill every day, religiously, without fail.  Continuing to stare at the box she remembered going to Med one day after cutting her arm chasing an offender.  She had sworn she was fine but Jay practically dragged her there and made Will take a look.  He taped it with some butterfly stitches but gave her some antibiotics just in case.  She remembered taking them in the mornings the same time she took her pills, but did she remember taking two sets of tablets on those mornings.  She couldn’t be sure. Had she forgotten? She quickly shut the cupboard when she heard Jay roll over in bed.  

 

Sticking her head round the door she confirmed that he was still asleep, so she ignored the thoughts in her head and carried on getting ready for her run.  Leaving a note for Jay on the coffee machine, knowing that would be his first stop when he finally woke up, she headed out the door.

The Lakeshore Trail was normally her favourite place to run but today she just couldn’t get into her pace.  It’s like her feet weren’t connected to the rest of her body and the whole time her mind just kept racing.

 

She and Jay had enough to deal with right now without the thought that she might be pregnant to add to the mix.  After 3 miles, Hailey’s head still wouldn’t calm down so she did the only logical thing she could think of, ran straight to the nearest pharmacy and bought a test.  Her next thought was whether to tell Jay now, or wait until she knew for sure.  They hadn’t really discussed the next steps of their relationship, they fell into marriage quickly during a chaotic time and it never really let off.  She saw how good he was around Makayla and the kids they dealt with on cases, she knew he’d be an excellent father, it was her role as a mother she was less certain of.

It was no secret to anyone close to Hailey that her childhood had been less than perfect, Jay knew this better than anyone. She had never wanted to bring a child into this world unless she was sure she could give them a better life than she had.  She could never have imagined being in this position when she was a kid, in a job she was proud of, married to her best friend and most of all, happy.  The thought of having a child, someone who would depend on her completely, someone she would have to show the ways of the world, someone she would protect more than anything in the world, well, it wasn’t quite as scary as it once was.  As she carried on down the path on her way home, she was conflicted.

 

When she opened the door, she realised she should have checked the garage to see if Jay had left for work because he was sat on the couch putting on his shoes.  And clear as day in her hand was a pregnancy test.

‘How was your run’, Jay said without looking up. ‘You weren’t gone as long as I thought’.  At that he smiled and stood up.  Hailey saw his eyes flick down to what was in her hand and back up to her face.

‘Hails, is that a pregnancy test?’, he said slowly.  Hailey nodded, not sure what to say.

She took a breath as he continued to stare at her.  As she began speaking she realised his eyes were no longer looking at her face but were focused on her stomach instead.

‘I realised this morning I was late, and I didn’t really know what to do.  So, I went for a run as normal, but I realised after a while that I needed to know.’ She took another breath, ‘we needed to know’ she corrected herself.  ‘I bought a test, I don’t know if I am but I think I might be’.  The last part came out as barely more than a whisper.

Jay continued to stare at her, flicking between her face and her stomach. And for one of the first times since she had met him, Hailey had no idea what her partner was thinking.

‘Jay, say something’.

‘Let’s take the test’, he said.  And with that he smiled, ‘when we know for sure, we can figure out what’s next’.  It was like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.  They were in this together, they were always in this together.  Hailey matched his smile and headed to the bathroom with Jay patiently waiting outside.

———————————————————

Leaving the downstairs office after their meeting with Platt, Hailey was feeling much better about their situation.  They had a plan.  It was nearly fool proof and the Chief would be arriving in less than 15 minutes and they would let him know what they had decided.

Jay opened the gate into Intelligence and held the door open for his wife, she smiled as she walked through and gifted him a wink to match.  They had had a turbulent 24 hours but had weathered the storm together, and Hailey knew in her heart they always would.

 

As expected, Delamere arrived exactly on time and motioned for Hailey to once again join him in Jay’s office.

‘So’, the Chief began after Hailey had barely closed the door, ‘what have you decided?’.  He was staring directly at Jay.  Jay gestured for him to take a seat before he answered.  Delamere ignored him and Hailey couldn’t help but roll her eyes behind his back, standing clearly made Delamere feel like he had more power in the situation.

‘Detective Upton will be leaving Intelligence’ he said.  Delamere opened his mouth to interrupt him but Jay kept going. ‘She will be transferring to work under Sergeant Platt, remaining at the 21st.  Sergeant Platt will be her supervisor and wherever she details Detective Upton will be where she works.  Sergeant Platt has kindly agreed to directly train Detective Upton in the workings of a desk Sergeant so she is currently detailed to desk duty within the 21st and as such has been loaned out to Intelligence to assist on the case we are currently working.  Detective Upton’s prior knowledge from Robbery Homicide and her time spent in Intelligence is vital to the case.  She will no longer report to me nor be working as a member of the Intelligence team, but as a Detective on loan.  If you have any questions about the arrangement, myself or Sergeant Platt would be happy to answer them but you will see here’, Jay handed him a file, ‘everything has been arranged and signed off.  So, if you would excuse us Chief, but we have a case’.  Jay smiled at the Chief who looked stunned, but as Hailey opened the door behind him he nodded at Jay. ‘Very well Sergeant.  As you were’, and with that he left.  Hailey and Jay stared at each other, in shock that their plan at actually worked.

‘Well’, Jay said as he stood from behind his desk, ‘shall we tell them?’.  Hailey nodded and took his hand.

 

They walked into the bullpen and called for everyone’s attention.

‘You may be wondering what the Chief was doing here’, Jay started.

‘We may be wondering why you’re holding hands in the bullpen’, whispered Adam so only Kim could hear, she giggled quietly before turning her attention back to Jay.

‘He found out Hailey and I are married and decided that she couldn’t work under me.  As such he gave us a choice, I step down, Hailey leaves or we end the marriage.  Obviously that last one wasn’t going to happen’, he squeezed Hailey’s hand. ‘We came up with a plan and have confirmed it all with Platt.  Hailey will now report to her directly, will no longer be an official member of Intelligence on paper and will only be detailed up here when and as needed.  Platt and I have agreed however that she is needed up here every day’.  The team cheered at this after the brief worry that they would be losing one of their team.  ‘But’, Jay continued, ‘Hailey will only be allowed on desk duty for the foreseeable future’, he looked down at his wife as he heard Kim take a small breath.  Of course, she would be the one to understand.  ‘Hailey will remain on desk duty until Sergeant Platt and her doctors have signed off for her return to working in the field’.  Everyone but Kim looked confused, she had her hands over her mouth and Hailey could see the tears filling her eyes.

‘I’m pregnant’, Hailey said finally, staring up at her husband with a smile on her face.  She could hear the team cheering and congratulating them but at that moment she only had eyes for him.  They could do this she thought, they were in this together, together they were going to have a baby.  And as if he could read her mind, he said quietly ‘we’re having a baby’.  And he wrapped his arms around her, just as the rest of the team ran forwards to join them in a hug.

 

As Hailey stood there with her friends who had become her family, holding her and Jay, she could never have dreamed a day like this would happen, but she would forever be grateful that it had.  Always grateful for the day she walked into that credit union, the man she had met because of it and the woman she had become as a result.

[erika-being-erika]

More levihan reccomendations!

Part 1

• One Last Time by PiercingThePage

[Multi-chapt || on going]

Summary:

Levi & Hanji have been dating for about 3 years in highschool. He starts to have feelings for one of the pretty girls names Petra Ral. After he starts cheating on Hanji with her, he decides he wants out of the relationship. Until the day he decides to tell her, ends up being the day she tells him that she's pregnant. Will they make it out well, or will Levi start to realize he is becoming his own dead beat dad

• Having My Baby by Countess_Dorkula

[Multi-chapt || on going]

Summary:

Another SNK Kink Meme fill. Follow Levi and Hanji as they go through the marvelous adventure towards parenthood.

• catch me if you can by fanmoose12

[Multi-chapter || on going]

Summary:

The Ackerman duo. Just the mention of this name filled Hange with so many feelings. Mostly, when she reread the files of their cases over and over, until her eyes watered, she felt pricking annoyance. Sometimes, when she stared at the dead bodies of those scarce unfortunates who stumbled upon their crimes, she was filled with hatred and a pushing need for revenge. Hange couldn't deny, however, there were times when she marveled at the impudence of their crimes. And, when she was investigating the Ackerman's cases and saw just how meticulously planned they all were, she couldn't help but feel something close to fascination.

No one knew who they were. No one had seen their faces, no one knew their true names. Almost everyone knew of their crimes.

Hange was determined to unravel every last one of their secrets. She will put an end to their crimes and then she will get the elusive Ackermans behind bars.

• Partners by fanmoose12

[Multi-chapt || on going]

Summary:

When Petra was promoted to a detective and partnered up with legendary Levi Ackerman, she felt like the happiest person in the world.

But, as she soon found out, detective Ackerman she used to admire so much was actually a far cry from the ideal policeman Petra thought he was. He was rude, harsh and easily annoyed.

And, in addition, he still hadn’t moved on from the death of his previous partner - detective Hange Zoe.

• can't keep my hands off you by fanmoose12

[Multi-chap || completed]

Summary:

Hange, Levi and their not so secret relationship.

• Looking for You by fanmoose12

[Multi-chapt || completed]

Summary:

Returning from a long mission, all Levi wanted was to spend sometime with Hange. But instead he got a message from Erwin, urging him to come to HQ. There he found out, that Hange was missing for over a week and that his new mission is to partner with Moblit, Hange's loyal assistant, and together find and bring Hange home.

• A Tale of Two Slaves by TundrainAfrica

[Multi-chapt || on going]

Summary:

"Soulmates don’t exist. Fate doesn't exist. Everything's a choice. And Levi could only watch as she made the choice for him."

Levi remembers everything from their past life. Hange doesn't.

• Free-Falling by djmarinizela

[Multi-chapt || on going]

Summary:

Skydiver and tea shop owner Levi Ackerman meets the town’s resident mad scientist and tries to convince himself that he's not falling for her.

• All of Me by MannaTea

[Multi-chapt || completed]

Summary:

By the time they reached the trees, Sylvia's sides were heaving, her flanks covered in sweat-foam, but they couldn't afford to stop; two titans had become more. Hange refused to look behind her, but she could tell by the way the ground shook that one of them was at least a 13-meter class.

And all she had with her was one blade and a horse who was about to drop dead of exhaustion.1

• Dreams May Not Come True by MannaTea

[Multi-chapt || completed]

Summary:

Levihan. Hange knows something is wrong when she goes down to breakfast one morning and the smell makes her stomach churn.

• Something Like Destiny by MannaTea

[Multi-chapt || completed]

Summary:

Reincarnation AU. Zoë doesn't have dreams; she just knows.

• A Dangerous Game by just_quintessentially_me

[Multi-chapt || on going]

Summary:

A snk 1920′s AU:

Sina is wild, crowded, bursting with industry. Home to jazz, fashion - and corruption. Crooked politicians, dirty police, and powerful gangs have turned the city into a cesspit of violence where the powerful rule. At the center of the chaos are the Ackermans - one of the most powerful gangs in the city, Mayor Fritz - who is as corrupt as he is wealthy, Erwin - a police commander determined to weed out the corruption in his own department, and Hanji - a journalist willing to risk everything to expose their city’s darkest secrets.

• A Simple Choice by just_quintessentially_me

[Multi-chapt || completed]

Summary:

The rain had started up again. Fat droplets drummed over her hood, drenching the fabric. Her horse’s reins were wet and cold; though her fingers, numbed from continued exposure to the elements, could hardly feel them.

Following the sound of the explosion, they’d arrived at a clearing. It was a mess of blackened, shattered wood, and the wagon, a skeleton, was little more than a smoking husk. Beyond the wreckage, a titan lay prostrate. Felled, its limp, hulking form was barely visible through the rain.

As soldiers shouted, pointing at the creature, one of the horses still tethered to the ruined wagon, writhed. When the beast screamed a broken, panicked wail, her own horse shifted, flanks twitching with unease.

Hanji barely noticed.

The soldiers' voices, the poor beast’s screams, even the heavy, even thrum of rain - had silenced as she looked to the river.

A body lay at the edge of the dark, white-capped water.

• License to Science (And Kill) by just_quintessentially_me

[Multi-chapt || completed]

Summary:

When International criminal organization, TITAN, successfully steals an arsenal of missiles along with their encrypted launch codes, Code Blue is initiated. It up to Agent Levi Ackerman, a spy in a class of his own, and Research scientist Hanji Zoe, the premiere authority on the organization, to halt a global catastrophe in its tracks.

She lowered her glasses, brown eyes blinking over the rims. “Does this mean I have a-” One brow lifted. “License to Science?”

“No. But I do have a License to Kill. Don’t tempt me to use it.”

• Aftermath by just_quintessentially_me

[Multi-chapt || completed]

Summary:

Levi rushes to the wall in the aftermath of the Armored and Colossal Titans' attack.

“Are you worried about your wife?”

The question shocked him out of his musings.

Levi looked up, “My what?”

But the pastor was already speaking, “You’re obviously beside yourself with stress – and it’s understandable. Not knowing if your wife has survived-”

Levi cut him off, “My what?”

The pastor hesitated, apparently realizing he’d made some mistake, but misunderstanding precisely what it was. “Your…wife? The woman we traveled with before? She’s ah – forceful. You two uh – have the same, er – strident personality. When we first met, she dangled me off the wall.”

• Terrible Things by someonestolemyshoes

[One-shot]

Summary:

The first time he tells her she’s pretty, Hange is all kinds of filthy - sweaty, dirty, twigs in her hair and mud on her shoes and a great big disgusting ball of everything Levi hates.

She is also crying.

It isn’t like he’s never seen her cry before - they’re nine and crying is just what kids do, especially kids like Hange who like to play with things they probably shouldn’t play with and like to climb trees even though they’re kind of clumsy and so the crying, in it’s self, isn’t all that weird.

What’s weird is that Hange - Hange, with her print-smudged glasses and ratty ponytail and clothes two sizes too big for her - is crying because a boy called her ugly.

• Acquiescence by 3LevisInATrenchcoat

[Multi-chapt || on going]

Summary:

On Judgement Day, the tide brought someone strange.

• My soulmate by a_golden_hearted_snk_fan

[Multi-chapt || on going]

Summary:

When your soulmate gets injured or hurt, their injuries show up on your skin with a slight sting then slowly fade. It was a rare thing to occur, but Levi and Hanji were the lucky ones.

• SOS by djmarinizela

[Multi-chapt || on going]

Summary:

Levi is a reclusive senior student who shares an apartment with Mike, Nanaba, and his best friend, Hange, who he's secretly in love with. Oddly enough, they also belong to the same secret club with a special operations squad. The 104th cohort is a bunch of freshmen misfits they've taken under their wing, Moblit is Hange's lab partner also vying for her affections, while Erwin’s the newest instructor who doesn’t know how to teach. And they say school is fun.

• the moon is dark by alteirkay

[Multi-chapt || completed]

Summary:

His face was wet.

“What the hell?” He murmured touching his face to see if he was mistaken. He was not. His hair was damp with sweat. There was an uneasiness invading his whole body. He was filled with it like he had drunk it straight from a bottle. His chest was heavy, his breaths were uneven, and his right eye was throbbing like a hammer was hitting at it continuously.

He was feeling like he had just lost someone.

• The Experiment by KakashiSensei

[Multi-chapt || on going]

Summary:

After a public brawl between them, Commander Erwin confines Captain Levi and Zoë Hange to barracks. When the Survey Corps next heads out, they are left behind as a punishment. Soon bored out of her mind, Hange turns her scientific curiosity towards the most interesting specimen within her reach: Levi. When his past reaches out to him to claim him back, she joins him on a dangerous journey. Do budding feelings have a chance in the most desolate of places?

• windmill by alteirkay

[One-shot]

Summary:

Here is the thing about Levi, his heart is a windmill in the middle of a wilderness where there was no wind to make it twirl, there was no wind to make it beat, pound and feel. Just feel.

Until one day he got hit by a storm so wild, so rare and so incredibly terrifying but in the most beautiful and breath-taking way that it left him defenceless, vulnerable and weak. Like a tiny little flower which had long passed its day of blossoming in a fierce, winter dawn yet it stood erect with its fragile body, challenging against the merciless winds and the brutal frost.

He fell in love.

• In Your Shoes by Neighborhood_Nori

[Multi-chapt || on going]

Summary

Levi, Paradis Studio's strict ballet instructor, can't stand the newly hired hip-hop instructor, Hanji. As a ballet dancer with his own complicated history with hip-hop, Levi only has respect for the more refined forms of dance. Can Hanji change his mind about her and her style of dance through determination, persistence, and her passion for dance?

• Distractions by Rookblonkorules

[One -shot]

Summary:

Hange’s love for pop culture interferes with her and Levi’s work.

It’s annoying.

• Leave You Whole. by zerothecreator

[One-shot]

Summary:

Levi spends his last moments in Hangë’s arms.

• Moments by Anonymous

[Multi-chapt || on going]

Summary:

Levihan Modern AU

She's a long-legged, sun-kissed beauty with tattoos in hidden places and multiple piercings.

Her leather jacket's on his bedroom floor, her ripped jeans too and she's pretty sure one of her heeled scarlet boots got left in the living room in their haste last night. At least her glasses are on top of the bedside drawer- they managed that, at least.

• more baby snacks by argethara

[One-shot]

Summary:

Levi tries to find out how and why boxes of Udo's biscuits are gone.

• Anniversary by EllePellano

[One-shot]

Summary:

AU One-shot: Erwin and Levi have a short conversation about the woman they both loved

• All We Are by TundrainAfrica

[One-shot]

Summary:

"We’re what’s left of the old survey corps Levi. We’re all alone.”

“We can’t be alone if there’s two of us.”

“So what do you suggest Captain Levi?”

“We stick together…” Levi answered. “We stick together, Commander Hange.”

During the time skip, Hange and Levi's relationship develops.

• Thin Ice by Xenobia

[Multi-chapt || completed]

Summary:

Takes place between events in chapter 90 of the manga. Hange, now commander of Survey Corps, commissions Captain Levi to scout territory in the mountains to search for a supply tower she believes may still be stocked. The scouts need all the supplies and currency they can get in order to carry on with their goals. Against his better judgment, Levi joins her on this excursion. The bitter, early winter makes their mission harder than expected, however. The pair find themselves relying on each other to survive, and they find it increasingly difficult to treat one another as comrades in arms and nothing more.

• Hidden Meanings by WhatHistoryForgets

[Multi-chapt || on going]

Summary:

Hange never thought a materialistic item could mean so much to her until she lost it.

• Of teacups and stale bread

[One-shot]

Summary:

Five times Hange prepared tea for Levi, and the one time that he did.

• Unintended Consequence(s) by Ella3982

[Multi-chapt || on going]

Summary:

Not all of the Anti-Personnel Control Squad died when the cavern collapsed. Some of them escaped through the tunnel Hange, Moblit, and Armin used. When the two parties meet, the Anti-Personnel Control Squad takes the three Survey Corps members hostage with the intent to force the Survey Corp's hand. However, when they find out that Kenny Ackerman has died, they become more desperate.

If the Uprising Arc had ended a bit differently, how would it alter the course of the story? What would change, and what would stay the same?

• A Fire in the Shadows by free_pancakes

[Multi-chapt || on going]

Summary:

LeviHan in an Avatar the Last Airbender AU - a side story occurring alongside the events of ATLA

Levi, the nephew of a fire nation captain, stumbles upon a ragtag group of 5 known as the Scouts, formidably known for foiling the plans of local fire nation control, living in the forests a few miles north of Ba Sing Se.

• Speak Your Dark Pleasures to Me by Lamia of the Dark (VisceraNight)

Summary:

A collection of drabbles and oneshots exploring a sexual relationship between Levi and Hanji.

• Tips & Tricks by Sleepyheadven

[One-shot]

Summary:

Eren’s brow was furrowed forward in confusion as he spoke. “I thought you said that staring at people isn’t nice?” He said after a few moments, gathering his thoughts. He seemed genuinely bewildered as to why she was intensely staring down a stranger when she had told him countless times before that it was impolite to do so.

Oh, lord, was her only thought as she quickly scrambled for an excuse. “I - Uh - well, sometimes people stare at other people because -” before she could even begin to form a proper sentence, Eren interjected. She wasn’t sure whether to be grateful or dismayed by his actions.

“Is it because you think he’s cute? My friend Ymir stares at my friend Krista that way all the time, she says it’s because she’s so pretty!” Eren babbled happily, oblivious to the way Hange’s grip around the handle of the cart tightened. Her brown eyes darted back and forth between the stranger and her son, hoping that he couldn’t overhear their conversation seeing as Eren wasn’t the softest of speakers.

• A drunk man always tells the truth by krissixh

[Multi-chapt || completed]

Summary:

Levi finds out that Hanji is engaged to a rich man. He gets drunk that night and confronts her his feelings. The two have to confront a lot of difficulties to be able to end as a couple.

• Relapses by Oreotragus

[Multi-chapt || completed]

Summary:

Despite having become a great asset to humankind, Captain Levi still has some trouble adjusting to his post-crime lifestyle, especially the social aspects of it. One extremely badly coordinated step out of his comfort zone creates a grand mess that he has to clean up.

• Weight of Survival by otterbeans

[One-shot]

Summary:

Hanji gives birth to Levi's unintentional child. She pretends to be surprised when he shows up for it.

• Don't drink the kool-aid by smallblip

[One-shot]

Summary:

Think of a number between one and ten. Because that's how you love in this world. First you toss out the word love. You tell it to its face that Commander Erwin Smith says “love is the ultimate cult of men... A sect... A dirty ploy by the whatever god is up there to make us all vulnerable..."

And then, everything falls into place.

• until another thursday evening by pinkweirdsunsets

[Multi-chapt || on going]

Summary:

and ever since they were only five, Levi had protected her, whether it was from the daily shenanigans she came up with or the criminal background he came from. She was his sunshine, messy and grinning, and he shielded her away from all terrible things.

until zeke yeager came along.

• Make It Make Sense! By cznpai

[Multi-chapt || completed]

I can't add the summary cause I've reached the limit. Welp i still have a lot of fics here so ill make a another post of reccomendations... HAHA bye!

[crowfootwrites]

Bruises | Part II [Nestor Oceteva x Fem!Reader]

Part II of the Nestor two-shot. This part is significantly longer than the first part, but we get to see Nestor takin' care of business, so. Also, there's a Marcus cameo.

Warnings: implied violence; gun usage; language | Words: 1,861

Part I of Bruises

Two days later, you’re back at work, opting for a floral catsuit to keep your bruising covered. Your sides, back, and thighs are starting to look pretty gnarly.

Nestor had indeed taken you to the hospital and stayed with you while doctors performed a series of ultrasounds and CT scans to check for any internal hemorrhaging; he was on the phone for a while and you could hear snippets of angry conversation, likely with Miguel or Marcus about finding the guy that did this. When you were given the all-clear, Nestor had taken you home, insisting on you taking it easy. He had made dinner and curled up with you on the couch, trying to avoid jostling you at all costs. When the two of you had finally made your way to bed, his fingers gently caressed you and he pressed soft kisses against the deep violet bruises blooming across your torso. You saw the quick flash of heartbreak in his eyes at seeing you hurt, and you had curled against him, falling asleep safely in his arms.

It’s a Tuesday and it’s early, so the club is still fairly slow. You’re bartending tonight, thankfully, glad to have a large slab of wood between you and everyone else. You’re not sure what progress Nestor has made on finding the guy, but you still have your job, so you count your blessings and don’t ask questions.

Another blessing: the other bartender for the evening arrives, and it’s an intimidating-looking girl you’ve worked with a few times named Morgan. All but the most confident (or the stupidest) patrons find her pin-straight black hair, severe makeup, and perma-frown a little daunting. No one ever fucks with Morgan and you’re glad to have her beside you for the night.

Things start to pick up around 11 and suddenly, it’s busy, even for a Tuesday. Morgan leans over to remind you about the drink special your boss is promoting, and you groan internally, knowing the tips are the only thing making it worth your while. You and Morgan make a good team, supplying drinks at a breakneck pace while club lights flash around you, obscuring most of what’s happening past the first row of patrons at the bar.

You’re throwing together a Jack & Coke when you hear it. The voice sends panic jolting down your spine as it requests a Budweiser. You stare at your trembling hands, a lime wedge clutched between your fingers.

You force your eyes upward and it’s him. The same slicked back brown hair, the same oily smile, even the same leather jacket. Your eyes widen and he looks back at you with a calculating gaze. Your immediate reaction is a desire to run. But as soon as the thought appears you dismiss it. The club is packed, and it would be easy for him to try something in the middle of a throng of people. No, the safest place for you is behind the bar, where other people can keep their eyes on you.

You force a smile that you’re sure comes out as more of a grimace.

“Sure thing,” you tell him, the pitch of your voice just a little too high. You hand the Jack & Coke to its owner, managing to spill a little on your shaking hands, then head over to the cooler for the beer.

You can feel his eyes on you and your stomach turns, bile burning in your throat. In the dark corner of the bar, shielded partially from view by Morgan, you can feel yourself breaking down. Your eyes flash around you in a panic. Everything and everyone feel too far away. You don’t see the bouncer by the door, and there’s no escape route that doesn’t take you past the man staring at you from the end of the bar.

You’re not sure what to do so you call the person you trust the most.

Nestor answers on the first ring. “Amor?” His voice is, understandably, apprehensive.

A whimper steals through your lips before you can get the words out. “He’s here.”

“Are you inside?” Nestor’s tone has lost all sense of worry. His words are clipped, business-like, and you know this isn’t going to end well.

“Yeah, I’m working the bar with Morgan,” you mumble, dropping your head into your hands as Morgan looks over at you with concern.

“Stay behind the bar,” he commands. “If he tries anything, break a bottle, get a paring knife. Whatever you gotta do, mi amor. I’ll be there in 15 minutes.”

The line goes dead and you take a couple deep breaths, glad that, despite what’s about to happen, Nestor is coming. You grab the Budweiser out of the cooler, pop the cap and plunk it on the bar top in front of him, not meeting his eyes.

“How’s your night going, babydoll?” The words slither out of his mouth deviously and you swallow around the knot in your throat. Your eyes glance to digital clock beside the register. Thirteen minutes to go.

“Busy,” you grind out through gritted teeth. You move to the middle of the bar to help a waiting customer, and the man’s eyes follow you as you make drinks. He doesn’t leave the bar. He sits and leers and you wonder if he thinks that he’s going to follow you out again at the end of the night. As if you wouldn’t have learned your lesson? Good thing he won’t be here ‘til closing, you think, as your eyes flicker obsessively to the clock, counting down the minutes until Nestor arrives.

Nestor, apparently, makes very good time when he’s angry, because you see him come through the door of the club with two minutes to spare. An audible sigh of relief passes your lips as his eyes find yours over the crowd and he makes his way to the bar. You bite your lip as your gaze lands on Marcus talking to the bouncer who has returned to his post. The bouncer, the same one who was working the night you were attacked, glances at you, then nods to Marcus. Marcus disappears into the crowd behind Nestor. You can’t help the tightening in your chest. This is going to be bad.

You come to stand in front of the man so Nestor knows who to see about their little assault problem. The man, still unaware of Nestor and Marcus’ approach behind him, winks nauseatingly at you and just as he reaches over the bar for your wrist, a firm hand clenches around his forearm and pulls back. The man jerks back on the bar stool and spins to face two vicious looking men in suits.

The man sputters, trying to yank his arm free, but Nestor has no intention of letting him go. “Who the fuck are you?” the man yells. You glance at Nestor’s hold on the man’s arm, his knuckles turning white as his grip intensifies.

Marcus paces around to the other side of the man’s stool, his hands tucked casually in his pockets. “We hear you like to hit women,” he says nonchalantly, bringing his mouth close to the man’s ear. His one free arm flies up, trying to hit Marcus, but Marcus was expecting it. He grabs it and yanks it behind the man’s back. Marcus steps back just slightly, drawing out his gun, keeping it low so as not to alarm the crowd. You see the added length of a silencer on the end of it as Marcus shoves it into the man’s side and you step forward.

“Not in here, please,” you beg, and Marcus smiles at you benevolently.

“Mija, what do you take me for? I would never,” he says, and you cock an eyebrow, knowing full well he would.

Between the two of them, Nestor and Marcus hustle the man outside as he yells frantically over the crowd. He can’t really be heard over the music, and no one appears to notice, likely assuming security was removing him. They take him to the back, towards the back door of the club that leads into the alley where he attacked you. The heavy door slams shut with a note of finality, and you try to put it out of your mind. It’s out of your hands anyway. It was out of your hands the minute you told Nestor about it.

You see Morgan looking over at you as you try to get back to work, willing your hands to be steady. She seems to know better than ask, though, and you’re grateful for that. Thirty minutes later, Nestor comes back in through the front door of the club, nodding at the bouncer as he passes. The crowd has thinned out and the bar is considerably less busy. Nestor makes his way over and you run out from behind it to wrap yourself around him in a hug. The fingers on your right hand find their way to their usual spot around one of Nestor’s braids and you give it an affectionate tug. It’s slight, but you feel him sink into your embrace, seemingly as relieved as you. You pull back and scan him from head to toe, your heart racing. He appears unscathed, but you do notice the tiniest drop of blood on his dress shoe and point it out to him. He frowns and grabs a cocktail napkin off the bar and leans to down to rub it off, as you release a tired chuckle. He crumples the napkin and puts it in his pocket, then caresses your cheek, tucking you against his body.

“He won’t be bothering you anymore,” he murmurs.

You sigh, partly relieved, partly concerned for Nestor. “¿Lo mataste?” you ask hesitantly, not sure if you’re ready for the answer.

Nestor pulls away to look at you dubiously, as though he can read you like a book. “You really want to know?”

“I feel like I need to,” you say with a shrug, but your grip remains tight on Nestor.

A hard look passes briefly over his eyes before he gazes back down at you with a lopsided smile. “We made sure he won’t be touching anything he’s not supposed to anymore.”

Your face contorts as you wonder what they did with the fingers, but you opt not to ask.

“And he’s not gonna come back?” you ask, your voice small. You’re sure Nestor can feel your heartbeat clamoring against his chest.

“Not unless he wants to die,” Nestor whispers soothingly, and you let out a heavy exhale. “And I talked to Jimmy at the door. He gets anywhere near this place, they call me or Marcus.”

Tears sting your eyes, and you sniff as you pull Nestor tighter against you. “Thank you,” you mumble into his lapel. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

“So, what now?” you ask, unsure what a person does after they dismember someone in the darkened parking lot of a club.

Nestor pressed a kiss against your forehead, and you could feel his lips curling into smirk against your skin. He pulled away and met your eyes with a shrug. “Now we go home.”

[svucarisiaddict]

Can you do a series where mike Dodds is sargeant or lieutenant and there’s a secretary at the precinct that likes him and they get together? If you can’t then it’s fine. I absolutely love your writing about mike dodds!!! It gives me life tbh.

Taking a deep breath, you exited the elevator and walked down the hallway to the squad room. Manhattan SVU was your new assignment. Hopefully, it was your last. For the last couple of years, you had been bounced around from borough to borough. Now, thankfully, VA’s had been recruited that each unit in every borough had its own.

Your heels clicked on the dark, shiny floors as you balanced a box and briefcase in each arm. Manhattan was one of the more updated precincts with sleek design, dark wood, and finished floors. You took in the faces of officers killed in action, receiving commendations, promotions, and the current squad, some of them familiar as you walked down the hall.

Olivia and Fin, both of whom you knew well, were still there, they were lifers in SVU. Amanda, Sonny, was familiar with the other faces, but you had only worked with them a couple of times.

“Y/N! I heard you were joining us.” Fin was the first to greet you. He took the box from our arms and hugged you. It wasn’t well known, but Fin gave the best hugs.

“It’s great to have a home finally,” you replied as you hugged him back. Your eyes went to Olivia’s office when Fin released you. “Things sure have changed around here: and not just the remodel.”

Fin followed your line of sight. “Mike Dodds,” he answered your unasked question. “He’s the commanding officer while Olivia is out.”

“The chief’s son?” you asked, raising an eyebrow. “And why isn’t it you in that office?”

Fin chuckled. “Don’t have the qualifications,” he replied. “I know. I know,” he said when he saw the look on your face. “C’mon. I’ll introduce you.”

Sonny and Amanda smiled and waved from their desks as you walked by. You returned the gesture. It was nice to be with a friendly squad that would appreciate what you could do for the vics and the detectives.

Mike stood as you and Fin came into the office. He was much taller than you expected, not one dark hair out of place, beautiful eyes and he had a muscular build. He was handsome and had a warm presence.

“This is our new victim advocate, Y/F/N Y/L/N,” Fin said as an introduction. “She’s one of the best.”

Mike proffered his hand for you to shake. “Lieutenant Michael Dodds. Nice to meet you Miss Y/L/N,” he said. His hands dwarfed yours. The handshake was firm but warm. “It’s nice to have someone with your experience that will be here for the long haul.”

“Please, call me Y/F/N,” you said. “I insist. And it’s nice to have a home finally.”

“Then call me Mike. I insist,” he replied, with a gorgeous smile on his face.

You released his hand, feeling your cheeks heat. Your eyes slid over to Fin. He had a smirk on his face and was trying to look interested in what was in the box he was still holding for you.

“Have you been shown where you’ll be sitting?” Mike asked. He rounded the large, oak desk to stand beside you. Even in heels, Mike was taller than you by 6 inches at least. He was standing close enough that you could smell his cologne, but it wasn’t overpowering.

“I was about to do that,” Fin said. “Got you a prime spot. Close to the coffee maker.”

“Great,” you said, turning to leave the office.

Mike stepped forward, taking the box from Fin. “Let me.”

Fin handed over the box. “Got a lot of paperwork anyway,” he replied with a grin.

After getting settled, you grabbed a cup of coffee and started going over open investigations. The number of cases was astonishing, and that was a fraction of the actual numbers. Vics were so hesitant to come forward because they were afraid of repercussions that no one would believe their story, or they felt like it was their fault because they were drinking or what they were wearing. Part of your job was to convince them otherwise.

Your gaze drifted to Mike’s office. He was on the phone in what appeared to be a heated conversation. After hanging up the phone, he raked his fingers through his hair. His eyes met yours through the window. Mike gave you a sad smile, then fixed his hair.

The rest of the day was uneventful. There were no new cases which was an anomaly, but welcome. The extra time also allowed you to reach out to a handful of vics and meet with the detectives.

The following weeks brought a hefty caseload and closer working and personal relationships with the other detectives. There was one person that you felt closer to, though, Mike. Most evenings, the only ones still in the office were the two of you.

People slowly left for the day, leaving you, Mike, and a couple of uniformed officers behind. He ventured from his office just a handful of times that day. Now he was leaning back in his desk chair with his hands resting on his head. You pushed away from your desk, making your way to Mike’s office.

“Wanna talk about it?” you asked, leaning against the doorway. There had been many times you wanted to talk to Mike but didn’t want to overstep any personal or professional boundaries.

Mike sat upright when he heard your voice. “I thought everyone went home already,” he replied, ignoring your question.

“Nope. Me and you again. Seems like you’re stuck with me a lot,” you stated, taking the seat across the desk from him.

Mike smiled a genuine smile. “I don’t mind being stuck with you,” he said.

His smile made you smile. “Don’t know about you, but I’m famished, and it has been a long week. I could really use a drink.”

Mike’s eyes met yours, and he sighed. He was quiet for a few moments. “A drink sounds good, but I'm not sure I'd be very good company.”

“Here’s how I see it, Mike. Either we stay here, work late and be all sad, or we can get out of this place, have some hot wings, drink some beers, and have a laugh or two. I know a great karaoke bar,” you said with a grin.

Mike chuckled. “Can you sing?” he asked.

“Nope! That’s why it’s so much fun,” you exclaimed.

Mike stood, grabbing his coat from the back of his chair. “I’ll buy the first round.”

[dancingkirby]

The Sim(p)s GX Part 2: Manjoume can't catch a break

I apologize for not getting screencaps of all the important events; this was because things happened really quickly and I have the reaction time of an elderly three-toed sloth and/or I didn't realize how important the event was at the time.

Will I ever quit this and go back to writing Volatile Elements again after I got sick of it, like I'm supposed to? Who knows??

WARNINGS: Sexual situations and mpreg.

The adults tried to throw a birthday party for Rachel. It didn't go that well, because I'm new to the game still trying to find out where all the different commands are. But she aged up into Child, and soon Lydia became a toddler. Unlike her older sister, who can be a little prickly, Lydia was a sweetheart and got along with everyone.

Rachel is also prone to having nightmares, although those appear to have decreased since I figured out how to put a roof over her bedroom.

Now more on Casa Tenjoume (as I call it)! The original plan was for Manjoume to be in a relationship with both Asuka and Fubuki, but the game didn't let me do that, so he's engaged to Asuka only. Manjoume started off doing office work, Asuka joined Amon in the blogosphere, and Fubuki is an entertainer, specifically a standup comedian.

Fubuki went on an outing with Taniya to the park. He's shown here flirting with both Taniya and an NPC simultaneously, and clearly having the time of his life.

After being turned down by Asuka once, Manjoume thought he finally got lucky.

...Only for Fubuki to wake up in the middle of everything and walk in on them! Sigh.

After a somewhat slow start to their own relationship, Taniya and Misawa started fucking like rabbits, although they got their own share of interruptions from the Garam kids wandering into the vicinity. They went out on another date, this time to a nightclub, and got so horny that they had sex on a nearby park bench. Probably they're having more sex than the other two couples combined.

It became clear that certain Sims had anger management problems. Asuka didn't get along with Fubuki (although I can't blame her), and Taniya had some kind of beef with Amon. Plans started to be made for some household changes...

...Only to be accelerated when tragedy struck the OG House. Lydia was very hungry, and Amon was making dinner for her when he started a kitchen fire. In the resulting confusion, Lydia's hunger maxed out and CPS removed her from the home! There was no getting her back, and I was pretty devastated. I HC that's when Taniya got fed up and decided that she and Misawa needed to move out on their own.

They bought another vacant lot, but after building a tiny room with nothing but one bed in it, they realized that they didn't have enough funds to complete the house. They (and their room) had to move in with Manjoume and Asuka. Fortunately, the latter couple had vacant space because Fubuki had moved into the OG House after he and Asuka got into a physical fight and maxed out their dislike.

One night, Manjoume was standing innocently outside his house when he was ABDUCTED BY ALIENS! They returned him a few hours later, dazed but (seemingly) unharmed.

I downloaded Back to Work, and Manjoume and Misawa got to change careers, to detective (I had to) and scientist respectively. Manjoume's first day on the job doesn't go too hot; he was supposed to be investigating a crime scene, but he spent most of his time either chatting and/or flirting with Fubuki (who was randomly at the crime scene...suspicious):

...Or sulking in the bathroom when everyone else was hanging out together.

Thankfully, his second day went better, and he got promoted to Officer. In a very surprising turn of events, Fubuki started regularly calling him asking for love advice!

One time when I switched households, Fubuki was nowhere to be found. I finally located him in an entirely different world, grilling meat at some park at 2 AM. No explanation was offered for this behavior.

Asuka started wanting a baby, and the tentative plan was for her to keep taking her birth control until the pack ran out, and try then. However, this was temporarily shelved when some weird things started happening to Manjoume. He started looking a little off, and it kept showing notifications that he had a stomachache. But then, I remembered about the alien abduction, aaannnd...

Folks, we have our mpreg.

It took me an embarassingly long time to put two and two together, although in my defense I had no idea that this was a game mechanic, much less one in the base game. But this whole subplot was awesome, and most of the next part will be devoted to it.

[writingdayandnight]

Line Without a Hook - Rafael Barba Imagine

Pairing: Rafael Barba x Reader (Fem. Pronouns) 

Word Count: 2650

A/N: Inspiration struck, perhaps a little OOC. Will probably go back later and edit. Just a little treat for everyone who misses Barba like I do. 

10:56 PM.

There was not a doubt in Rafael’s mind that he would not be home until after midnight. This case had been excruciating--brutal, really. Everyone had been pushed to their breaking point. Blood, sweat, and tears were poured into this case.

And here Rafael was with a pen cap fastened between his teeth, struggling to write an opening argument. It all seemed trivial. That words had the power to make or break a month’s worth of hard work. And that all he could think about was going home to his partner. 

He wouldn’t allow himself the privilege of a break until he finished his opening and prepped the summations, which was always his least favorite part. Tying everything together with a neat bow seemed to minimize the effort put into seeking justice. But it was his strong suit. There wasn’t a jury he couldn’t convince if given enough leeway during summations. 

His mind wandered yet again, back to the person that was waiting for him. He knew she would still be waiting for him when he got home, undoubtedly doing work of her own. She found solace in the quiet of the night. She would sit at the dining table with papers scattered across the surface, highlighters uncapped, lukewarm tea cooling unforgotten. 

Then there were her expressions. A furrowed brow while drafting a proposal. A lip bite accompanied by pensive tapping on the table. Her head slowly moving to the beat of the music that was playing from the speaker in the corner of the room. An exasperated sigh escaping as she typed another after-hours email. All of these things were the tiny details that Rafael loved noticing, learning, anticipating.

Finally, Rafael caved and placed a long-awaited phone call.

“Raf,” she answered, voice as tender as kiss goodbye.

“Cariño,” he replied, feeling a million times better just knowing she was on the opposite end of the line.

“When will you be home?” He could hear her trying to hide a yawn behind the scenes.

“Not any time soon.”

“Rafael, please take care of yourself,” she pleaded, yet it was to no avail. She knew this.

“I have to finish this prep, Cariño.” He could hear her eyes roll from across the line, “I bet you’re still doing work, too.”

“That’s none of your business,” she retorted, with a guilty shift in energy. 

“Take care of yourself,” he repeated, “I’ll be home soon. Don’t wait up.” 

“I love you.”

His heart grew full, “I love you more.”

Rafael ended the call, reclining in his leather chair. He had been overcome by love, both for his partner and for the way his life had been going lately. Despite the monstrosities he witnessed at work, everything had been going well. Even then, he enjoyed working with his coworkers; they acted as a support system, making the job a little more bearable. 

Then there was his love life. For once, everything was going right. He felt loved, supported, and capable of doing the same for his partner. It had been too long since he had that privilege. He knew too well the outcomes of a loveless life and he was trying desperately to escape them. Deep down, he understood that he didn’t deserve that. 

But there were times where he thought he didn’t deserve the love he had stumbled into. Never in a million years would he have thought that he would have fallen in love with the girl from the bar. 

The rain had finally let up outside, encouraging a few stragglers to clear the bar. Rafael remained, nursing a scotch on the rocks, muttering to himself about the news on the television overhead. It was a bunch of nonsense about the news anchor he and the SVU squad had just charged. He couldn’t listen much longer. 

A gust of wind hit as the door to Forlini’s opened; it sent shivers down Rafael’s back. Inquisitively, Rafael turned to see the person who just waltzed into the bar. Much to his surprise, it was a beautiful woman. He smirked and returned to his drink, secretly hoping that she would find her way to the bar.

She did just that, taking a seat two stools down from Rafael. He continued to watch the television, discreetly listening to her conversation with the bartender. Small talk. Nothing more, nothing less. Aside from her order--a vodka cranberry. 

“Will you get a load of this idiot?” She chirped, scoffing at the story of the news anchor. Her head was tilted in Rafael’s direction. 

He took a moment to answer, pausing to make sure she was directing her remarks towards him. 

“He’s surely a handful,” Rafael replied. 

Just then, his face appeared on the television screen. They had played his interview on the courthouse steps. He had been ambushed by the press, and even though he delivered better than most, it was not his best work. He silently thanked the Lord that the sound was off.

“Is that you?” She asked, spinning in her seat to face Rafael.

“Yes, it is.”

“It’s a shame, you look better in person,” she tisked, taking another sip of her drink.

Rafael couldn’t respond out of awe. No, that wasn’t the right word. He couldn’t respond because he was flustered. That was a first. 

“Sorry, it’s the vodka talking,” she retracted, making a face that suggested she was embarrassed. 

“No, I’m flattered. It’s not everyday the pretty girl at the bar tells me how attractive I look while sulking alone.”

“This is your version of sulking? Sitting at a bar surrounded by a bunch of people?”

“Perhaps,” he smirked, “Rafael,” he offered his hand.

“Y/N.”

“Beautiful name for a beautiful woman.”

“I was named after a comic book character, please don’t give my parents that kind of credit,” she laughed. It was contagious, infecting Rafael with an affliction that could not be easily cured. Not without an exchange of numbers and a couple of dates.

The memories of their first meeting flooded Rafael’s mind. It further distracted him from the task at hand. But how could he not think of the most impactful night of his life? Screw graduating from law school or getting promoted; nothing could top falling in love with Y/N. 

Nothing could top her love. From the little notes she dropped in Rafael’s briefcase to the silent support she offered when Rafael was not strong enough to ask for it. That’s when his mind wandered even farther, thinking back to the night he decided he was in love with Y/N. 

Rafael sat on the couch in a near-catatonic state. He couldn’t muster enough energy to move. His mind kept circling back to the horrors he had witnessed over the past 24 hours. In his ten years, never once had a case hit him this hard. It just cemented the callousness of man, something he had been trying to deny for so long. There was no such thing as a good person.

There was a knock at the door, a sound that should have startled him. Instead he was too lost in thought to react. He simply got up from the couch and headed to the door, only to be greeted by Y/N on the other side. 

“Rafael,” she mused, before noticing the hurt behind his eyes, “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

She invited herself in, dropping her overnight bag by the door. Concern washed over her.

Rafael tried to speak but no words came out. He couldn’t find the right thing to say. His choices were to expose Y/N to the horrors of his job or simply keep it bottled up. His choice was the latter; he couldn’t bear the thought of unloading this grief on her. 

“Raf, please talk to me,” she quietly pleaded. 

He did not respond. Instead, he made his way to the couch, taking a seat in the same spot he had been sulking in for the past three hours. 

Y/N followed without command. She rested her head on his shoulder, wrapping her hands gently around his arm. She placed a kiss on his cheek. It made Rafael’s heart jump, yet he still remained silent. 

But that didn’t deter Y/N. She remained glued to his side, occasionally laying a gentle kiss on him or drawing circles on his bicep. She didn’t push; she knew better than that. Still, just her presence brought Rafael to his knees. 

After an hour or so, Rafael could feel her heartbeat slow. He could see her eyes fluttering shut from the corners of his. 

“I love you,” he whispered, hoping that she wouldn’t hear. Rafael felt guilty saying those words for the first time in such a terrible state. 

“I love you more,” she replied, drifting into a slumber in his arms. 

Rafael knew this could never be true. 

The hands on the clock seemed to turn at an unprecedented pace, yet Rafael had gotten little done. It all seemed pointless. There had to be more to life than this. Hours spent in some poorly-lit office drinking dirt flavored coffee, waiting for his mind to stop running a marathon so he could focus. Watching people suffer everyday for some little bit of justice. Doubting the existence of good in the world with every passing moment. 

But the thing he couldn’t stand was being away from the love of his life. For such a pointless endeavor. It was pointless, but it wasn’t what he wanted. Not anymore. Not with the prospect of love sitting right in front of him. In that moment, he decided to be the most spontaneous he had ever been. 

He whipped open the bottom left drawer of his desk, pulled out a copy of his resignation letter, signed it, and placed it in the mailbox of his boss. He grabbed his jacket, briefcase, and cellphone before practically running to the lobby of Hogan Place. By a stroke of sheer luck, a taxi had been idling outside. Rafael got into the taxi without hesitation--or permission--and called out the address to the apartment he had shared with Y/N. Getting to their front door was his only objective. 

As he settled into the taxi, he reached inside of his briefcase and felt a small item lodged at the bottom. Rafael quizzically pulled it out, determining that it was cube-shaped. As it was illuminated by the passing streetlights, he recognized it instantly. And that’s where he decided to make the best decision of his life. 

“Mami, are you going to be okay if I’m gone for two weeks on vacation?” Rafael asked, changing a lightbulb in his mother’s apartment. 

It was a Saturday which meant it was his day to do chores around his mother’s apartment, with much reluctance on behalf of Lucia, while Y/N went through her laminated chore checklist back at their apartment. Rafael had come straight from his office, totally forgetting his to-dos. Until Y/N reminded him--a pretty common occurrence. 

“I promise, Mijo,” she said, taking his hand and guiding him down the step stool, “I’m just happy you’re taking time off.”

“Me too,” he sighed, a wave of bliss flooding his mind as he thought of going to Greece with Y/N. He’s dreamt of her sunburnt cheeks and wine-stained lips since the moment he bought the tickets. 

“It seems like an awfully romantic vacation. Have you thought about asking yet?” Lucia hinted, pointing to her ring finger. 

Rafael didn’t want to say ‘yes.’ He didn’t want to let her know that he had been planning it since their six-month anniversary. He couldn’t wait to spend the rest of his life with the woman he loved. 

“I’ve considered it,” he teased, “but Greece is too cliche. She wouldn’t appreciate it.”

“You underestimate her, Rafi. She loves you.” 

“And I love her. More than anything.” 

Lucia scoffed, furrowing her brow in disgust.

“Besides you, Mami,” he sang, pulling her in for a hug,

While in Rafael’s arms, Lucia slyly removed a small box from her pocket and slipped it into Rafael’s briefcase. It was his grandmother’s ring, the one she always talked about leaving for him. The one she made sure to mention everyday she was sick. Lucia would never forget something that important. 

Rafael grabbed his belongings with haste, basically throwing $50 at the cab driver, telling him to keep the tip. He slammed the door behind him, jogging to the apartment elevators. He was too lost in thought to greet the doorman or the security guard at the front desk. He was focused on one thing and one thing only.

The elevator couldn’t come fast enough--Rafael tapped his foot anxiously, cursing the damned thing. As soon as it opened, he pushed the 8th floor button at least ten times. He felt a rush of nausea, excitement, fear run over him. The elevator dinged and Rafael ran, rummaging through his pockets for his keys. 

He opened the door as fast as he could, revealing Y/N calmly making a cup of tea in the kitchen. Lamplight illuminated the living room. Her laptop was opened to a document, purple and yellow sticky notes scattered on the table. 2000s Pop Hits playing in the background. He had captured her in her natural element; he was witnessing the essence of Y/N.

“Baby, it’s midnight,” he spoke, calmer than he had been all day. 

“I know, but I was in the zone. I thought you wouldn’t be home tonight,” she answered, walking over to place a kiss on his lips, before strolling back to the kitchen to stop the whistling kettle. 

Rafael’s heart was beating out of his chest. His hands were shaking, mind racing. This was it. This felt right.

“Y/N?” 

“What’s up, babe?” She gently blew on her tea to cool it down. 

“I quit my job today.” 

Y/N almost did a spit, “I’m sorry, what?” She exclaimed.

“I couldn’t do it anymore. It broke me, Y/N.” He sighed, walking to her side, “There are better things in life than case briefs and court.”

Y/N was shocked but supportive, “Well, I’m glad you’re finally free. Why don’t you get ready for bed and sleep for the first time in a decade?” She laughed, placing her hand on his shoulder. 

“There’s one more thing,” Rafael said, reaching into his pocket and for the emerald box that housed his grandmother’s ring, 

Rafael expected the words to escape him; he hadn’t prepared anything in the taxi. These weren’t summations, he needed guidance.

But that didn’t stop him. 

“Y/N, you made me realize that I don’t want to live my life circling the drain and going through the motions. You have brought color to my black and white life. The joy you bring me everyday is immeasurable. Every second I spend away from you makes me feel like the world is ending. I can’t live without you, Y/N. That’s why I’m asking you-” Rafael began to bend his knee before Y/N cut him off.

“Yes! You don’t even have to ask. Yes, yes, yes!” She exclaimed, a tear already sliding down her cheek.

Rafael pulled out his grandmother’s golden ring from the box and slipped it on Y/N’s finger with extra care, as if she was made of glass. Tears had formed in his eyes as well, seeing the ring that reminded him so much of the other most important lady in his life. The most romantic person he had ever met. 

“I love you, Y/N. I wish I could have given you a better proposal, but I couldn’t wait,” he chuckled, once again admiring how well the ring hugged her fingers. 

“If you waited any longer, I was going to ask you,” she laughed, kissing him again and again. “Let’s go to bed,” she whispered, placing a kiss on Rafael’s neck.