#everyone say “thank goodness for sarah gunning!”
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littleredwritingcat · 7 months ago
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Thirst Trap: Chapter 18
Midnights Become My Afternoons
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Before I say anything else, I must give a shout out SO LONG AND LOUD AND EVERLASTING that it will be heard the world over. @purplelupins did me the honor of betaing this chapter, and boy I'm glad. This wouldn't be half as good without Nora's suggestions, candor, and perceptive feedback.
I'm *so* excited for the first chapter of her new piece, Red Sky of a Shepherd's Warning - I feel just like a kid on Christmas Eve (at Midnight Mass, perhaps?)
In other news, I know this has been slow going. I suspect that Thirst Trap is one or two chapters away from being complete.
For all of you who have hung in there with me, I thank you.
It's been....oh, hell...three years now?
Good gravy.
I'm also going to slap a big ol' trigger warning on this chapter. I had to spin the wheel-o-death, kids.
Herein are the results.
So. Is everyone comfortable? Is everyone ready for John to make more bad decisions?
I know I am!
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And *another* shout-out to the brilliant @error4343 - fan art truly is worth a thousand words.
@everythingbutresolved @agirlinherhead @honey-tree-evil-eye @thenookienostradamus @pinksiamese @purplelupins @lakesofneptune @thevampireauthoress @prettyblondguys @midwestmisfit @rothko-mirror @jyngerpeach @chronic-ghost @yepthatsacowalright @ebiemidnightlibrarian @choosekindly @lovepollution @p-e-r-s-e-p-h-o-n-e @perpetual-fangirl900 @vintageglassheart02 @hamishlinklaters
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absurdthirst · 21 days ago
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The Christmas Auction {Joel Miller x F!Reader}
Rating: Explicit
Word Count: 11.5k
Warnings: No Outbreak AU, no Ellie AU, Sarah Lives AU, possible age gap (never mentioned), gruff Joel, grumpiness, snarking and bickering, Christmas auction, date auction, awkwardness, chivalry, drinking, mentions of gun violence, flirting, making out, vaginal sex, unprotected sex, oral sex (male and female receiving), cum eating, sweetness, Joel is a gruff love bug.
Comments: You hate going to Miller Bros Hardware, sparring with hot, grumpy Joel Miller over every damn thing you buy for your DIY renovation project. What you don't realize is that he is just making sure you aren't getting in over your head. When you come up on stage for the Christmas Picnic Date auction to fund the park vegetable patch, Joel is conned into bidding on you. Sending you both on a date for the holidays that will change everything.
🎄🎄Merry Christmas Everyone! We wanted a sweet and sappy Christmas love story for Joel!🎄🎄
Co-written with @storiesofthefandomlovers
**Follow @absurdthirst-writes and turn on notifications to stay up to date on all new fics.
|| MasterList || Joel Miller MasterList ||
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Click Keep Reading only if you have read the Rating and Warnings and understand the warnings may not be complete to avoid listing spoilers. As AO3 says 'creator chooses not to use warnings'. You also agree that you're the right age to be consuming anything here.
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“Motherfucker.” You curse as you kneel down, flashlight in hand as you look under your sink to find a pinhole leak coming from the p-trap. Your new home - built in 1920 - is beautiful. A project for sure, but its original wood floors sold you on it. You didn’t anticipate how much of a project it would be. You’re a handy girl. Able to do minor jobs but this house has proven itself to be a challenge. You won’t give up and you’ll be damned if you hire someone to do something you can look online and find. Luckily, there’s a hardware store down the street from the house and you sigh, turning off the water after cleaning it up and once you have a bucket under the sink just in case, you grab your keys and make your way to the hardware store down the street, 'Miller Brothers'.
You walk into the store, glancing at the counter and he’s not there. “Thank God.” You murmur, hoping his brother is here, and you find the plumbing aisle. You bite your lip, trying to find what you need, and you scan the items, a frown on your face when you aren’t sure what you need. “Can I help you find something?” His voice makes your spine straighten and you turn to look at him, “nope. I’m good.” You quip, not needing another one of his pity searches for what you need.
Fuck. Joel Miller. The grumpy, handsome, surly, opinionated hardware store owner. You heard he used to own his own construction company down in Texas, but you don’t really care. You try not to care at least, because it seems like he has no great opinion of you renovating your house yourself. He frowns at you, that fucking disapproving set to his brow as glances at the section you are in. “Got a leak?”
You sigh, turning to look at him, and you hum, “nothing I can’t handle. Just need a new p-trap.” You explain and Joel clicks his tongue. “You could just foam it.” He counters and you shake your head, looking at him, “I want to replace it. It’s old.” You trail your eyes along his form, “seems to be how things are around here.”
Joel frowns, feeling insulted by the obvious insulation that he’s old. “Yeah.” He grunts, his arms folding over his chest. “Well, figure it out, I guess.” He huffs before he turns away to walk back to the front. “Let me know when you need help.”
You can watch him watch off and you turn back to the parts, biting your lip as you scan for what you need. You sigh, glancing down the aisle to where he’s restocking something and you are worried that you will have to ask him for it until you turn around and it’s there. “Aha!” You silently cheer and make your way down the aisle to make your way to the cash register.
Joel takes his time coming back to the register, slightly amused by the way you are sighing quietly as you wait. He looks at the part and lifts a brow, glancing back at you. “That all?”
You nod, opening your purse to pull out your card. “Yeah. That’s it.” You say and he punches the amount into his ancient register. “We don’t take American Express.” He says, glancing at your card, and you huff, “fine.” You reach in to grab your Visa card and he smirks, “I gotta add 3% if it’s a credit card. Fees and all that.” You roll your eyes and nod, handing him the card. “Should’ve just driven to Lowes.” You mutter when he hands you back the card and the bag with the part in. You don’t say goodbye as you leave, knowing you’ll likely have to return to the store. The big stores are about a 45 minute drive from your home and you don’t have time to be driving there for every little thing you need.
Joel watches you walk out of the door, wondering when you will figure out that you need some plumber’s glue for your DIY project. He snorts to himself and shakes his head before he walks back to the shelves he had been stocking. Maybe you’ll go to Lowe’s this time, if you do he won't be able to learn what happens.
You wake up a few days later and curse, the house is freezing. You shiver, trying to layer up as much as possible, and you go downstairs to inspect the furnace. “Fuck.” You hiss, guessing the pilot has gone out, not relighting no matter how much you curse it and you shake as you get ready to make your way back to Miller’s, knowing you need the part before you freeze to death in this damn house. You exhale in relief when your car is hot and toasty after the heating kicks in and you drive to the hardware store. You enter looking frazzled to see Joel standing behind the counter. “Back so soon?” He smirks and you scoff, “emergency visit.” You don’t explain as you walk down the aisles, trying to find what you desperately need.
You are completely vexing to him and he watches you disappear before he sighs and pushes off the counter to walk around and follow you. Prickly and abrasive since the very first time you walked into his store. He finds you on the aisle where he stocks furnace parts and he frowns. “You having problems with your heat?” He asks and you snort. “What gave it away?” You mutter sarcastically as you search the shelves. “Furnace repairs are tricky, especially if you have a gas furnace.” He lectures. “You can have a carbon monoxide leak and if you don’t have a detector, you can fucking kill your self.”
You roll your eyes, “I am freezing my ass off. I need this fixed right away and I - I can’t afford to have someone come over and fix it.” You confess, biting your lip as you stare at the parts to avoid his eyes. The house was left to you by your aunt who didn’t do anything to maintain the home. You’re not sure if you’re going to sell the house or not but you can’t afford expensive repairmen coming in to help you. “I can handle it. It’s just the pilot.” You murmur, reaching for the part you need.
“Here.” Joel knocks your hand away from the part that is not exactly the best quality and reaches over for the better part. It’s a few dollars more but it will last twice as long. “This is the one you want.” He grunts. “Better components. Buy this one and I’ll send Tommy over to put it in for you.” He offers, lifting a brow when you open your mouth to protest. “No charge.” He huffs, knowing you will argue about things all day if you could.
You huff, “I don’t need help. I’m fully capable of doing it.” You argue and Joel raises his eyebrows in disbelief. You swallow harshly and sigh, “I, uh, that would be nice. Thank you.” You murmur, taking the part from his hand.
“Don’t mention it.” He doesn’t think that this is some kind of bonding moment, so he just turns and starts towards the front counter again. “You should use your fireplace too.” He knows your house, he helped your aunt clean out a bird’s nest from the chimney a few years ago. “It heats up the living space pretty good.”
You raise your eyebrows at how he knows that and you nod, “thanks for the tip.” He nods and guides you over to the register so you can pay for the part. “I’ll be home all day. Just send Tommy when you can.” You say, knowing that the older brother wouldn’t dare come to your home. He’d probably soon face a zombie apocalypse. “Thanks.” You say after you pay and take the bag, making your way out of the warm store with a shiver, knowing you’ll put a fire on when you return home.
**** 
“Why don’t you go do it?” Tommy’s smirk makes Joel want to punch him as he leans against the counter. “Because I can make you do it.” Joel snorts as he looks up from the inventory sheet from the delivery. “I’ve got shit to do.” He adds. Tommy grins, leaning against the counter and watching Joel. “You know, I’ve noticed that you seem to help her out more than anyone else that comes in here.” He says. His younger brother is annoying and it seems like he’s more annoying now than ever. “Because she’s obviously in over her head.” He shoots back. “Why don’t you go fix her furnace and leave me alone?” Tommy chuckles and raises his hands in defeat, “okay, okay, I just thought maybe you were ready to get back into the saddle after Tess.” Joel frowns immediately at the mention of her name and sighs but he doesn’t say anything. Tommy hates that he still blames himself, there was nothing he could do about her infection. He had told her to go get a tetanus shot, but by the time she had gone to the doctor, she was septic. 
“So, uh, you going to the fundraiser?” He asks, changing the subject. Joel groans and shakes his head. “Why?” He demands, “I’ll just donate some money. Why do I need to go to the damn thing?”
Tommy chuckles, “it’s for a good cause and Maria is the chair of the fundraiser this year. Gotta pay for that new park vegetable patch.” Tommy says and Joel scoffs, “like we are in a damn commune. Go on, get out of here.” Joel motions with his hand and Tommy chuckles as he grabs his tool box. 
**** 
“You tried doing it before I got here?” Tommy asks and you bite your lip as you shove your hands in your jeans. “Yeah. I’m impatient and, uh, I lit the fire so I wasn’t freezing. I like to try it first before I call someone out.” You tell Tommy and you have some cash you can give him but a $200 call out like you got quoted for any job around here is way too much to pay out for.
“Well, don’t worry about it.” Tommy promises, sending you a reassuring smile. “Why don’t you go upstairs and make something hot to drink and stay by the fire so you can warm up.” He tells you. “Joel told me to make sure you were fixed up right so you stay warm this winter.”
You frown, “he did?” Tommy nods and you soften a little, wondering if the asshole who is always questioning your abilities is not as bad as you thought. “Didn’t know he had it in him.” You murmur and make your way upstairs to boil the kettle.
Tommy smirks as he watches you walk up the stairs before he pulls out his phone and sends a text. Maria had been right and tonight was going to be interesting.
You sip your tea until Tommy comes upstairs to check the thermostat and nods, "all done." You sigh in relief, "thank you so much." You reach for the cash and hand it to him but he shakes his head. "I can't accept that." He says and you hold it towards him, "please. I insist." 
Tommy shakes his head, "I don't want your cash but...you can come to the fundraiser tonight. My wife is hosting and she needs more women." You frown, "more women?" Tommy nods, "yeah. It's, uh, it's a Christmas Picnic Date. We are raffling off dates with local women and she needs one more girl." He reveals and you chuckle, "sounds awkward." Tommy snorts, "don't worry. It's usually their friends and family who bid to get them out of a date with old man Jenkins." You furrow your brow when he says "you'd really be helping her out." You bite your lip, knowing you need to meet more people and also pay Tommy back for his help. "Sure. What time?" You ask and Tommy grins, giving you all the details.
**** 
“Why the hell do I have to be here?” Joel nods to Maria when he sees her and wishes he was at home. Maybe Sarah would call tonight. He hadn’t talked to his daughter in about a week, her finals brutal and he hadn’t wanted to distract her from studying. “Oh shut up, you old bastard.” Tommy shoves his shoulder playfully. “Liven up and have some fun.”
Joel grumbles but nods, crossing his arms as he watches Maria prepare the girls on stage. “Isn’t this a little, uh, dated?” Joel asks, unsure if men should be making bids on women. Tommy snorts, “it’s just a dinner. No one is fucking or anything…unless they want to. It’s for a good cause and the girls all agreed to it.” Tommy says and the music plays as Maria introduces the girls. You brush down your dress, walking across the small stage set up in the community center, and your eyes widen a little when you see Joel standing there with Tommy. Since when did he get involved in anything in the community? You wonder who he will try to get a date with. Maybe Helen, the pretty girl who runs the flower shop.. You had put in some effort with your dress tonight, wanting to raise as much money as possible for Maria who has been nothing but nice to you since you moved into town.
Joel shifts uncomfortably and bites his lip as he looks around the room. It’s a good turn out and everyone here seems excited. You are here, that’s surprising, since it seems like you don’t get out much. Or maybe it’s because he doesn’t get out much so he doesn’t see you. 
“Everyone knows why we are here tonight, so let’s have fun and raise as much money as possible!” Maria reminds everyone before bringing the first girl to the center stage to auction off a date with her. “Oh, are you going to bid on a date with Helen?” Tommy asks beside him teasingly. “I always see her making eyes at you.” Joel huffs. “Shut up.”
You watch as Maria calls out for the first girl whose boyfriend eagerly bids on her and wins. She beams and walks off stage to kiss him. Young love. You shift from one foot to the other as another girl is auctioned off. “And now we have Helen.” Maria announces and you clap, your eyes scanning the crowd for Joel to see what he is going to do. Helen said before the event that she wants Joel to bid on her and you scoffed and asked why she’d want to go on a date with such a miserable bastard.
“You should bid.” Tommy continues to annoy Joel, making him frown even harder as the bidding starts. He can tell that Helen wants him to, seeing her glancing over at him as old man Jenkins bids on her company. He crosses his arms over his chest, and shakes his head at his brother.
No one wants old man Jenkins. He talks about the Vietnam War and how the government has been out to get him ever since. He’s a little creepy and no one has a bad story but no one wants to be the one to get one. Helen is saved when one of the firefighters, Jack, bids on her. He’s younger than Joel and has a crush on the florist. She blushes as he bids higher to earn her date and when the final bid is called, he’s beaming and she is flustered at the attention. You are up next and you inhale deeply, prepared to get the lowest bid. No one really knows you apart from you inheriting your aunt’s house. You shift from one foot to the other while Maria calls out for a bid and you silently groan when old man Jenkins is the first to make a bid. “Anyone else?” Maria asks, looking at Tommy who is standing next to Joel.
Tommy elbows Joel hard in the side, making him gasp out a loud “hey!” and Maria beams. “Joel Miller with a bid!” She calls out, making Tommy chuckle and Joel looks up in shocked confusion. “Anyone else? Anyone else want a date with this gorgeous young woman?” She asks the room and several other men quickly start bidding on you.
Your heart pounds and you watch the men bid until Mr Jenkins tops the bid and the other men falter. Your smile falls and you glance around, wanting anyone to help you out of a date with the old man.
“You aren’t going to make her put up with Jenkins, are you?” Joel had watched the bidding with a sense of relief that his own bid had been overridden and now he knows that Tommy had done it on purpose. “You’re a fucking asshole.” He hisses, but he lifts his hand. “Here.” He calls out, bidding the old man up again.
Mr Jenkins wants company and you are the last option. His hand goes up and he bids, “$800.” Your eyes widen and you choke. The most money anyone has bid by tenfold and you can’t believe you’re going on a date with the old man.
Tommy nudges Joel again and he sighs, rolling his eyes. “$1000!” He calls out, glowering at the old man and daring him to challenge his bid. His brother grins. “Sold!” Tommy shouts out, making everyone laugh.
Your eyes widen and your heart pounds, you wonder if it would’ve been better to deal with old man Jenkins instead of dealing with Joel Miller. Maria claps and you bite your lip with worry as you make your way off the stage to approach Joel. Tommy makes a swift exit and you step in front of the grumpy owner. “I, uh, thanks for doing that. I, um, I owe you. I don’t really have $1000 right now but I can pay it back to you weekly.” You say, unsure of why he even bid on you to save you.
Joel frowns at you, wondering if you would have preferred that he not bid on the date with you. “No.” He grunts. “Was gonna donate to the community thing anyway.” He shrugs. “You’re not paying me back.”
You glance around and notice everyone getting ready to head off on their dates. “Wow. Uh, that’s really generous. What do you - you can just go home if you want.” You add, unsure what he wants from you, but Maria comes over with an envelope. “Included in the date is a gift card to the steak house. Everyone got a different place for the date…you guys got the best since Joel bid so much.” Maria winks at her brother in law, “so off you go. Date time.” She claps her hands and you look at Joel who shrugs, “I could eat a steak. Hard to turn down a free dinner.” You nod, agreeing with that. You’ve been putting so much money into the house that you’ve been surviving on Ramen and what you could muster. “Sure. I can eat.” You offer him a small smile and he scratches his neck, “you wanna get your coat?” He asks since it’s freezing outside but Tommy appears with your coat and purse, “here you go. Have a good time kids.” He teases and Joel snorts, shaking his head as he shrugs on his own coat. You struggle with your purse and the coat so Joel takes it from you, holding it up so you can slide into it. “Thank you.” You murmur, uneasy at this nice side of the grumpy man. He guides you outside and you glance at your car that has literally enough gas to get home and Joel doesn’t hesitate to open the door to his truck. Your teeth chatter as you slide into the passenger seat and after he gets in, he cranks up the heat.
“Turn the vents towards you.” He instructs when he notices how cold you are. “She heats up quick.” The best thing about his old truck is how warm the cab will get. “Soon enough you’ll be as warm as your house now that the furnace is working.”
You rub your hands together as the cab warms quickly and you stop shaking. The radio plays ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ while Joel drives to the steakhouse and you are starving. You don’t say anything until he parks the truck and opens the door after cutting the engine. You already have your door open and he huffs when he rounds the truck, “can’t let anyone do anything for you.” He mutters and you narrow your eyes, “sorry. Am I supposed to expect chivalry from you?” You ask, raising your eyebrows.
Joel snorts and shakes his head, reaching for the door and pushing it closed behind you before putting his hand on your back to guide you towards the cheerfully decorated steakhouse. “Forget about it.” He grumbles, mainly to himself. “Let’s just get something to eat.”
You let him guide you inside and your stomach growls at the smell of the food. “I’m starving.” You groan and Joel asks for a table for two. The waitress is a girl that went to high school with Sarah. She guides you to the table and Joel pulls the chair out for you.
He can see your surprise and it stings. He’s not that bad, is he? You thank him and once you are sat down, he settles into the chair opposite to you. “Do you want a beer?” He asks before he shrugs. “Or wine if that’s more your speed?” He knows he could use a shot and a beer, but he doubts you would approve of him ordering a double Blanton’s.
You scan the menu, “beer sounds good. And I could really use a shot.” You groan softly and Joel smiles, “you read my mind.” You lower your menu and raise your eyebrows in surprise, a smile on your face as you look at him just as the waitress comes over to take your drinks order.
“Two beers.” He orders, pointing to the draft that he prefers and hums. “And two, two fingers glasses of Blanton’s.” He knows the whiskey is pricy, but everything here is pricy and it’s a good bourbon.
The waitress nods, “sure thing, Mr. Miller.” You raise your eyebrows at his taste but the man just spent $1000 and he has a nice gift card for this dinner. “Good choice.” You tell him and he hums, scanning the menu. “Have you been here before?” You ask, curious since the waitress knows him.
“Only once.” Joel shrugs and looks back at the waitress as she walks away. “Jamie went to school with my daughter.” He tells you with a shake of his head. “Makes me feel old, but I remember the screaming karaoke sessions in my living room while they talked about boys.” He smiles at the memory and looks down at the menu again.
You chuckle, “how old is your daughter?” You ask, knowing you’ve never really had a discussion about anything other than DIY parts and you gotta admit you’re intrigued. “She’s in college. Shit. That makes me really old, huh?” He snorts and you shake your head, “wiser not older.” You reason, “and you seem to have your shit together.”
“Yeah.” He flashes a frown for just a second, guilty about being on a date with you - even if it is a charity event - settles over him for a second. “It’s been a long time since I moved to Wyoming.”
“Where are you from?” You ask and he taps his fingers on the menu, “Austin. When Sarah - her mom left us when she was two and I decided it was time for a change when Sarah nearly died. She was, uh, shot during a robbery in a gas station and she survived. I had to get her out of there and Tommy had been researchin’ and found this place. Then he met Maria and the rest is history.” He says and your eyes are wide, “wow. I’m so glad Sarah is okay. Shit. You must’ve - I can’t even imagine.” You can see now why he’s a little gruff. “I needed to move from the city. Work was killing me. My ex wanted me to keep working more to help pay the bills while working out, cooking, cleaning, making sure I looked like a damn model. It was exhausting and when my aunt died and left me the house, I left it all behind. I had to escape.” You reveal, “left everything behind and put all my money into the house.”
“It’s a good house.” He sits back and wonders what kind of idiot you had been with. “Good bones. Solid.” He watches your brows shoot up in surprise. “Your aunt had me come in about two years ago to give her an estimate on upgrading it.” He reveals. “She got sick right after that, so we didn’t get around to it.”
Your heart clenches at the fact that your aunt was alone when she died. “That’s why I want to restore it. Finish what she wants. It’s what she wrote in her letter to me she left in her will. I want to do it right and that’s why- it’s why I want to do so much by myself. I can’t afford a big renovation so it’s gotta be done bit by bit.” You sigh, “and I am trying to do it myself to save money so I can pay for materials.”
“You can’t do it all yourself, though.” Joel points out. “Some of that shit is heavy, believe me. She’s got a fucking cast iron tub in that downstairs bathroom. That bitch is easily eight hundred pounds.”
You narrow your eyes, “so you don’t think I can do it? I’m not capable?” You scoff and roll your eyes, “of course. That’s why you question me every time I buy something in your store, huh? You don’t think a woman like me can do it all?”
Joel frowns, completely caught off guard by the accusation. “No, that’s not what I- fuck, sweetheart, it would take me, Tommy and at least one other guy to muscle that fucking tub out of the bathroom.” He huffs. “And we used to build houses.” He shakes his head. “I question you because I was trying to make sure you were getting what you needed.” He hates how defensive you are and knows this was a bad idea. “Waste your money from now on, shit.”
You are taken back by his concern and you lean back, mouth agape as you stare at him. “I- you - you were trying to help me?” You ask and he nods, “that’s all I was trying to do.” You swallow harshly and look at the table cloth, feeling guilty. “I’m - shit - I’m sorry. My ex - he didn’t think I could do anything but go to Pilates and cook pasta. Didn’t think I was smart enough to do anything ‘difficult’ and it’s a hot button for me. I’m sorry Joel.” You murmur, “I can, uh, go if you want to enjoy dinner alone.”
“You want to leave me to eat by myself?” He makes a face at that and shakes his head. “No thanks.” He leans forward and interlace his fingers on the table as he looks at your embarrassed face. “I know that you don’t have a lot of experience with renos.” He chuckles. “You can always tell when you’ve worked construction and when you haven’t. So when you’d come in for stuff, I’d just- I’d make sure that it was what you needed for what you wanted to do.” He looks down at his own rough hands. “I wasn’t trying to make you feel like I thought you were incompetent.”
You lean closer, reaching out to place your hand on top of his. "I'm sorry. I didn't - I thought you were being condescending and I guess I am sensitive to being told what to do. I'm sorry, Joel." You say softly, "I'd like to start again. If you want...I'd like to have dinner with you." You pull your hand away when he doesn't respond right away.
Joel shifts in his seat, looking up at you and wondering why you would want to have dinner with him. “What kind of steak were you thinking?” He asks. “The sirloin is pretty damn good. They have a surf and turf if you like seafood.”
You hum, picking up and scanning the menu, “sirloin sounds good. I like a New York Strip too.” You murmur and he nods, “good choice. Tell me you ain’t one of those women that has it well done.” He tilts his head and you scoff, “hell no. Medium rare.” He clicks his tongue, “good girl.” Those words make you shift in your seat, seeing him in a new light now that you know he was trying to help you and not mock you.
The waitress brings the drinks and Joel thanks her, sliding your whiskey glass over to you. “Blanton’s goes down smooth.” He warns you. “But don’t drop it in your beer. That’s a sin.”
You chuckle and nod, picking up the glass, “to renovations.” You toast and he nods, lifting his glass up until he takes a sip. “That’s some good shit.” You gasp after you swallow the sip. Joel smirks, “I told you.” The look on his face has your stomach twisting and you realize that he’s more than handsome. He’s sexy. You glance down at his hands and wonder what they are capable of.
“So, you moved here because your aunt left you the place?” He asks, setting the whiskey down and picking up his beer. He wants to talk since you seem to be warming up to him. At least the glances you give him aren’t hostile. “And you want to renovate it to, what? Sell it? Keep it?”
You set your glass down, “I want to keep it. She was so happy here and it’s beautiful. It’s freezing cold but I love it. I want to stay, settle down.” You confess, “I want to relax and enjoy the fresh air.” You sigh and pick up your beer, taking a sip. “I want to make it my forever home.”
“It’s a good house.” He agrees, although he wonders if you want to start a family and raise kids there. “The sewing room she had off her bedroom, that was originally the nursery.” He tells you. “She said she changed it when she realized having kids wasn’t in the cards for her and her husband.”
You tap your fingers on the table cloth, “I was thinking about making it a library. Since I doubt kids are in my future, either. A nice library with a bench in the window to watch the world go by while I’m reading.” You smile softly at the thought, knowing the summer will be beautiful and you are excited to see the blue skies above and the flowers blooming when spring arrives.
He’s surprised by that, lifting a brow and humming. “It’s got nice natural light.” He concedes. “And if you wanted to, you could easily change the hearth into a doubled sided one.” He had always thought that would look good in a house. “The fireplace in the bedroom warms that space, but I’m sure it would nice to see the fire crackling while you are reading.”
You tilt your head, liking his idea, "maybe you do know what you're talking about after all, Miller." You tease and he snorts, "spent enough time earning my stripes." He retorts and you nod, noticing how his hands look worn and worked. Your stomach twists again and for a brief moment you wonder what his fingers would feel like on your skin. "Maybe one day. Right now I just want the place to be liveable. Bless her, she didn't maintain anything. It's been a mess to tackle but I am getting there."
“Yeah.” He winces slightly, aware of the hurdles you have in order to completely restore that old house. “Well, you know, now that you are aware that I’m not mansplaining home improvement, you can always ask me for help.” He smirks slightly, using a term Sarah had taught him. She had huffed when he was talking about the craftsman era houses after they had finished flipping their first house in Jackson and he was talking to the people who bought it at the open house.
You chuckle, "maybe you could come over sometime? Help me figure out a game plan to get it to where it needs to be?" You ask and he nods, "sure thing, sweetheart." The nickname warms you and you look at the whiskey. Surely you aren't tipsy off two sips. The waitress comes over to take your order and you order your meal first and watch Joel as he orders his steak. He's sexy. His graying hair and scruffy beard makes your stomach twist again and you pick up your glass of whiskey to have a sip.
“Rare.” He nods when she confirms it. “The mashed potatoes and gravy with onions and mushrooms.” He looks over at you. “You want some of that spinach au gratin? It’s pretty good. We could split it.”
You nod, “that sounds good.” You are starving and this is the best meal you’ve had since you moved to Jackson. The waitress adds that to the order and smiles before she walks off. “I still can’t believe you paid a thousand dollars to go on a date with me. I seriously thought you would’ve paid five hundred not to go.” You giggle as you pick up your glass and take a sip of it, loving the burn as it slides down your throat.
He chuckles. “Even if I hated you, I couldn’t let Mr. Jenkins ramble on about his gout and this weird fungus that developed under his arms.” He smirks. “Swears it’s a byproduct of Agent Orange and then will give you a rundown of his entire two months in Vietnam.”
You wrinkle your nose, "I knew he was bad but not that bad. God...I owe you. A lot." You say and Joel scoffs, shaking his head, "you're new in town. You don't need that shit." He says and you smile, "didn't know you cared that much. I like it."
Joel is a sarcastic son of a bitch, it’s gotten worse over the years. Tommy says he’s become a grumpy old bastard and he almost comes back with a sharp retort. Until he sees your smile. A shy, almost hopeful thing that makes your eyes brighten and his stomach twists in response. “You do?” He asks, almost as hopeful and he swallows nervously when you nod. “That’s- that’s good.”
His tone makes your heart flutter as his dark eyes flick over your face as if he’s reading your expression. You keep a soft smile on your face and the waitress brings some bread. You both reach for the same piece at the same time, his fingers brushing yours and you pull your hand back, “you take it.” You insist and he shakes his head, nudging the basket towards you. You smile and take the roll, nudging the basket back towards him while your fingers tingle. You have no idea what happened but you feel attracted to him.
There has been a shift in the atmosphere, a welcomed one. Even if you seem to be hesitating to talk, the silence is not tense. It’s almost anticipatory. As if both of you are waiting for some cue from the other. “Did the house heat up?” He asks. “Tommy said he got you fixed up.”
“It is warm and toasty. Thanks for sending Tommy over. I really needed the heat back in the house. I was wearing two pairs of pants and socks to try and keep warm overnight.” You confess with an embarrassed whisper.
“Why didn’t you use the fireplace?” Joel frowns, hating the thought of you freezing your ass off last night. He knows how cold it can get without heat up here. It can be deadly.
“I, uh, couldn’t find a lot of wood around town.” You confess, “and I’m not the kind of woman to be out there chopping down a tree…no matter how determined I might be.” You chuckle softly, “I was fine. I survived.”
He huffs slightly, making a mental note to have a cord of wood delivered to your house tomorrow. It’s not good to just rely on the furnace here when the temperature gets down into the negative numbers. Besides, he thinks you will enjoy a fire in the bedroom.
He huffs and you tear off a piece of bread. "The only way it would've been better is if I had someone to warm me up." You murmur without really thinking about it, popping a piece of bread into your mouth and glancing around the restaurant.
Joel grunts and picks up his beer for another drink. “Didn’t think I outbid a boyfriend.” He comments. “So I don’t think I’m stepping on someone’s foot, but you have someone in mind?” He also knows that if you were with him, he wouldn’t let you be trying to do all that remodeling by yourself. He just couldn’t.
You tilt your head, seeing him in this new light, and fuck, you like him. You are attracted to him. You tear off another piece of bread and look at him under your eyelashes, "maybe...there's this grumpy hardware store owner that I've had a change of heart about lately."
Joel’s eyes widen, nearly choking on his whiskey as he was just taking a sip. “Yeah?” He slaps his chest and swallows before he smirks slightly. “You think you like him?”
You shrug, “I’ve only just got to know him but I like what I see so far.” You smirk back after popping the piece of bread into your mouth to chew. “But I don’t think he likes me. Felt pity for me. I don’t think he feels the same way.”
He chuckles, amused by the tactic you are using. “That so?” He asks, leaning back in his chair and feeling somewhat at ease with the flirting that’s happening. It’s been a long goddamn time since he’s done that, but he can try. “Damn shame if he wasn’t interested.” He hums. “Me? See, I watch this cute little thing’s ass that comes in my store all the time.” He admits. “Half the reason I follow her around. Other half is because she doesn’t have a clue what she’s doing.” He’s teasing you, so he sends you a small wink.
His words make your face heat up and you giggle, leaning closer to rest your forearms on the table. “I kinda know what I’m doing.” You defend yourself and Joel raises his eyebrows until you sigh, “sometimes…you really look at my ass? Didn’t even notice.” You confess, “but I like that. I’ve stared at your hands.” You admit, “wondered what they’d look like at work.”
“You’ve got a nice ass.” He compliments, shrugging slightly. “Depends on what kind of work you want them doing.” He tells you, knowing whatever happens is up to you. “Maybe you want me to spend the rest of the date fixing that leaky faucet you keep buying Plumber's putty for.”
You hum, "I'd like you to fix my leaky faucet but I was imagining what I think about when I'm cold in bed and trying to warm up. Your big hands touching me, warming me up and - and creating a new leak." Your cheeks are burning but you feel emboldened by the look on his face.
He smirks, knowing that you have to have at least found him attractive when you were snarking at him to think about him in your bed. “I’m pretty good at tearing things apart and putting them back together.” He admits.
You shift in your seat at the thought and you are about to retort but the waitress comes back with your food. Joel settles back in his seat and you groan at the smell of the steak. “God, I’m starving.” You confess and pick up your knife and fork.
He watches as you cut into the steak with gusto. Wondering if you just don’t cook at home much. He wouldn’t blame you, he rarely cooks for himself. It’s either a microwave meal or Maria taking pity on him. “I know I’m looking forward to this.” He chuckles. “I get tired of those Hungry Man dinners.”
You snort, knowing he would definitely be the kind of man to have a Hungry Man meal. "Ramen has been my saving grace. I love to cook but I don't have the money or time with fixing up the house." You confess and groan as you put the steak into your mouth, the flavor hitting your tongue.
Joel frowns, not happy that you have been living off of instant noodles in order to keep your house from falling down around your ears. “Maybe we could work out a trade.” He offers with a grin. “I could do some remodeling in exchange for home cooked meals?”
You nod, scooping up some mashed potatoes, “I wouldn’t mind that trade.” You smile before you take your bite and you appreciate that Joel is wanting to help despite you being rude to him when you’ve been in his store. “So you used to be in construction?” You ask and Joel begins to tell you about how he worked with Tommy back in Austin. You watch him as he speaks, large hands almost too big for the cutlery and you find yourself more attracted to him. The annoyance at him mansplaining fades and you are glued to the spot listening to him.
“So this asshole is walking all over my construction site, poking around and I ask him what the fuck he thinks he’s doing.” Joel tells you. “I’ve already had the coils out of the AC and the water heater stolen, so I’m ready to beat this guy with a pipe wrench.” He rolls his eyes. “It’s the fucking inspector- two hours early.” He takes a sip of his beer. “I had to kiss a lot of ass to make sure that house got signed off on after scaring the shit out of him.”
Your eyes widen and you throw your head back to laugh at his story, “oh my God. I can just imagine you trying to kiss his ass.” You giggle and Joel grins, his fingers gripping the neck of the bottle as his chest shakes with his chuckle. The waitress comes over with the check and you have to admit you’re a little disappointed until you look around and see they are closing up the restaurant.
“Damn, we stayed longer than they expected us to.” Joel lays down the gift certificate and then reaches for his wallet. He knows that the certificate wasn’t for the entire bill, since you both ordered drinks and he doesn’t want you to feel obligated to contribute.
You reach for your purse but Joel shoots you a look that tells you not to argue. “Thank you.” You offer and he winks at you as he hands the cash to the waitress, “keep the change.” “Thanks Mr. Miller.” She beams, “it was nice to see you.” She walks off and you reach out to squeeze his hand, “thank you for dinner.”
“I had a good time.” He admits with a smile. You are charming when you aren’t defensive and the smile - a genuine smile - makes you stunning to look at. “Amazed by that fact, right?”
You snort, “if you had told me this morning that I’d be on a date with Joel Miller you could’ve knocked me over with a feather.” You confess and he chuckles. You stand up and his hand hovers against your back while you get your coats from the front. He takes your coat, much to your surprise, and helps you into it. His fingers brushing your neck as he adjusts your collar. He puts his coat on and you are soon in his truck after he opened the door for you, and he’s sliding in to yank on the heat. He drives you home with Christmas music playing and you are humming along until he pulls up outside your new home. “I really enjoyed tonight.” You murmur when neither of you make a move to open the doors.
“Oh shit.” Joel frowns for a moment. “We completely forgot about your car.” He laughs at himself and sighs. “I don’t want to drive you back to get it.” He admits with a grin.
You giggle, “me neither. I completely forgot about it. I can get it tomorrow. I’ll try and get a ride from someone.” You say and Joel shakes his head, “I can give you a ride to get it.” You smile at his offer, “then you’ll be driving home to come back here in the morning unless…” You trail off and shift a little closer to him, “unless you want to stay the night and warm me up.”
“You want me to stay?” He asks softly, wanting to confirm and when you bite your lip and nod he hums in agreement. “I’ll stay.”
You smile, stomach twisting and you reach up to cup his stubbled cheek, leaning in to softly kiss him. He is stiff under your touch and you sigh, leaning back from him, but he cups the back of your neck to drag your mouth back to his.
It’s been so long since he’s kissed someone, forgotten how good it feels to have a woman’s lips slotted against his own. Groaning, he takes control, angling your head with his as he deepens the kiss in the cab of his truck.
You never imagined that you'd be kissing Joel but right now, you moan into his mouth and tangle your fingers in his hair, tugging him closer while ‘Let It Snow’ plays on the radio.
He’s always loved having his hair pulled, growling into your mouth and pulling you closer for one last lick at your lips before he breaks away. “Fuck.” He hisses. “We need to go inside. It’s too cold to fuck you in the truck.”
You reluctantly pull away, scrambling to unlock the door of his truck and he doesn’t come around to open your door because you are already rushing to the front door, cautious of the ice and snow, and you fumble to unlock it with your key, sensing Joel coming up behind you after locking his truck.
“In a hurry, sweetheart?” He’s amused and flattered. Also fucking relieved because he’s already straining at the zipper of his best pair of jeans from just that kiss. Now that he’s been allowed to acknowledge the attraction he has for you, he’s pressing against your back as you try to slip the key into the hole. “Not eager, are you?” He rasps in your ear, breath close to your skin. “Don’t know how many times I imagined fucking you in one of the aisles of my store.”
You nearly drop your keys at his confession and he chuckles, the sound vibrating against your skin and you almost cry in relief when you get the front door open. “You’re a pain in my ass, Miller.” You retort, shrugging off your coat as he shuts the door behind him. His eyes meet yours, his brow furrowed in worry that he’s pissed you off and he should go but you surge forward to wrap your arms around his neck, dragging you down to kiss him. “Fuck me.” You demand, needing him like you need heat.
He starts to pull his own jacket off as he kisses you again. Already addicted to the taste of you and happy that there are fewer layers between you. He drags you towards a door frame, certain it leads to the stairs and breaks away to kiss down your neck. “It’s hot in here.” He teases as he nips your skin. “Maybe you should strip.”
You giggle, loving how he is now that you’ve gotten over your silly feud. You reach for the hem of your dress, pulling it over your head along with the shirt underneath, your boots abandoned by the door, and you leave your bra on as you fumble with the buttons of his shirt, needing to feel more of him under your palms
Joel lets you start to strip him, but he’s not passive. His hands slide down your hips to start grabbing your ass. “Fuck.” He hisses when he feels lace instead of something sturdy and warm. “You wear this for you, or were you hoping to get lucky with old man Jenkins?” He teases as he squeezes.
You moan at his squeeze, his calloused fingers digging into your flesh, “no. It’s - I need to do laundry. Washer is broken, so down to sexy ones.” You confess and push his shirt from his shoulders so he has to let go of you.
He chuckles, the sound filthy as he flicks open the buckle of his belt. “Naaaah.” He drawls. “It just means you’re a present.” He tells you. “One for me to unwrap. It’s almost Christmas, after all.”
You giggle and watch as he pushes down his jeans after unzipping his boots. He’s sexy in a gruff way and you love it. You moan when he pushes his pants down along with his boxers and his cock springs free.
He doesn’t mind the way you eye him. Like he’s a treat, some kind of special dessert. It’s been a long time since someone’s looked at him that way, Tess, and it makes him twitch as he reaches for your panties. “Am I gonna fuck you right here against your front door?”
You shake your head, wanting him in your bed, so you take his hand and guide him to the stairs that have a step that needs to be repaired. He grabs your waist, spinning you round and he drags you close to kiss you as you try to walk backwards up the stairs.
It’s passionate and a bit playful as you giggle because of how you stumble back. He holds you tighter, keeping you from falling as you both tumble up the stairs. “You’re so fucking beautiful.” He groans, sliding one hand up to cup your breast. “Don’t know how I fucking got so lucky tonight.”
You moan, pressing your lips to his and his tongue slides against yours as he hovers over you on the stairs. You feel his hard cock pressing against your thigh and you slide your hand down to squeeze him, loving how big he feels above you.
Joel has to stop himself from pressing you against the door and lifting your leg to push inside you. He wants you bad enough that he doesn’t care where, but you deserve better than that.
You finally make it to your room, kisses pressed against his lips until he pushes you down onto the bed. You can’t believe how the tables have turned but you are dripping for him. “God, Joel. Please.” You beg when he stands at the foot of the bed, reaching down to squeeze his cock in his fist. You scramble onto your knees, batting his hand away so you can take him into your mouth.
“Fuuuuuck.” He hisses, even as his eyes blow wide in surprise. He hadn’t expected you to suck his cock. “I can’t- fuck your mouth, baby.” He groans, reaching down and caressing your cheek. “You can’t do that for long.” He confesses. “Or this will be over way too soon.”
You moan around him in protest but understand, pulling off his cock and you look up at him. His hand caresses your cheek again until he pushes two fingers into your mouth. You suck on them and he groans, cock twitching until he’s pulling them from your mouth and grabbing your arms to push you back onto the bed as he kneels on the end.
“Do I need-“ Joel doesn’t have a condom, but he would stop and go get some but you cut him off. “It’s safe.” You promise breathlessly. “I’m clean.” He nods and groans at the thought of feeling you around him without a barrier. “I am too, baby.” He promises as he shuffles between your thighs and spreads them wide. He hovers over you on one arm as he notches himself at your entrance and starts to push into you slowly as he kisses you.
He stretches you but you don’t say anything as you enjoy a little pinch of pain with the pleasure. You moan into his mouth, caressing his shoulder as he settles deep inside you. “Fuck.” You pant against his lips, “you feel incredible.”
He hums, although he is feeling that way about you. You are tight and hot around his cock, like a velvet glove. “So good, baby.” He Praises softly. “You feel so fuckin’ good around me. Just like I knew you would.”
He shifts back a little and you watch him as he starts to move inside you. Your hands slide up to squeeze your tits and you love how his jaw is clenched almost like he’s already on edge. “Never thought you’d be fucking me tonight.” You confess, “but now I’m so glad you are.”
He grunts in agreement, sure that you wouldn’t even agree to the charity auction date, let alone letting him slide between your thighs. He twitches inside you and shuttles his hips forward. “Me too.” He huffs. “Wouldn’t want to have someone else fucking you.” He would be jealous as hell.
You caress his chest, loving how his heart thumps under your palm. “Could’ve been old man Jenkins.” You tease and he groans, “don’t. You want me to stay hard?” He asks and you giggle, clenching around him. He thrusts harder and you gasp, tilting your head back and moaning when his lips find your skin.
It’s intoxicating. He’s tasting your skin as he rocks into you. Pushing both of you closer to the edge every time the ridges of his cock scrape against the sensitive walls of your pussy and makes you clench around him. “Gonna cum for me baby?” He grunts out. “Yeah. You’re gonna soak me, ain’t cha?”
You cling to him as he rocks into you, nodding as he pushes you closer and closer to the edge. “Yes baby. Shit. You’re gonna make me - oh Joel.” You pant as you clamp down on his cock, back arching under him as your nails bite into his skin.
He feels the moment that you start to shake apart. The way your body stiffens and your walls clamp down around him. Making him grit his teeth as he bites off a curse, thrusting harder to fuck you through it. “Fuck, baby, that’s it. Cum for me.” He groans.
Your cry is choked as you soak his cock that feels like it's in your throat. He looms above you and you love that. Your nails dragging down his back until you are squeezing his ass. "Need you to cum for me, baby." You whine, "wanna feel it." You beg, "fill me up."
“Fuck.” Even though his back is aching and he wants to slow down, he can’t. He’s too close. His hips snap forward again and again until he is pushed so deep he doesn’t know where huh begin and he ends. Growling out your name as he stiffens, cock throbbing as he paints your walls with hot ropes of his cum.
You pant as he fills you up, rocking his hips as he works himself through it, and you sigh, closing your eyes. The feud you had with him is gone and you are certain that you could fall for him. “Joel.” You murmur, caressing his back until you cup his neck, dragging him down to kiss him.
He hums against your lips, collapsing into your arms because you obviously want his weight on you. He doesn’t mind, completely relaxed and blissed out as he slowly kisses you. “That was fucking amazing.”
You hum in agreement, smiling against his lips, and you are happy to have him pressing you into the mattress while he softens inside you. “I want to do that again.” You murmur and he chuckles against your chin, “not eighteen anymore baby. Gonna need some time.” You giggle, “I mean later. Not right now.” You promise and he pulls out of you, flopping down beside you until he drags you into his side. You rest your head on his shoulder and caress his chest, “I want to see where this goes.”
“It’ll go wherever you want it to, sweetheart.” He promises. “I’m not easy to fucking get along with, but I’m loyal.” He chuckles softly. “If you can put up with my shit, you never have to worry about a goddamn thing.”
You nod, kissing his chest as you appreciate his honesty. "Hopefully we are over the worst between us. Besides, you know I can give as good as I get." Joel snorts at that and stretches his legs. "I need to clean up." You murmur, feeling his cum dripping from you and you shift away from him but he grabs you, bringing you back to the bed. "Let me clean up my mess." He smirks and your eyes widen as you spread your legs so he can see the mess he left between your thighs.
Joel has never had any problem with oral after sex, although you seem surprised when he lowers his shoulders and slides down to press between them. Settling down as he wedges himself happily in to inspect his work. “That’s a pretty sight, baby.” He smirks as he massages your inner thighs.
You moan at the dark look in his eyes as he leans closer and he slides his tongue through your folds. Your fingers run through his salt and pepper hair and you whimper when he flicks the tip of his tongue over your clit. “Fuck baby.” You whisper, watching him with fascination.
He chuckles, his dark eyes fixed on you as he starts to slowly taste the combination of your fluids. Groaning at how responsive you are and how your hips roll up to meet his mouth when he pulls back.
“Joel.” You whine and he chuckles, hot breath puffing over your wet cunt, and he slides his tongue again, quick laps that have your chest heaving. You tug on his hair and he groans into your flesh, cleaning you with sloppy swipes of his tongue into your pussy.
He loves the way you pull his hair, demanding more as he devours you. He’s still not hard, but you are moaning his name like he’s some kind of sex god, making his softened cock twitch in interest. Fingers digging into your hips to hold you in place.
You pant as he works you up with sucks and swipes of his tongue. Your free hand squeezing your own breast and you whine as he pushes you higher and higher until finally, you fall apart for him again. “Joel!” Your cry echoes in the bedroom and your thighs squeeze his head.
You press his head harshly and he loves it. Groaning into your flesh as he works you through it with slow swipes of his tongue, enjoying the way you jump and shiver.
You caress his head as you relax, lowering your thighs and you sigh in bliss, feeling warm throughout your entire body. “Come here.” You order and drag him up your body so you can kiss him. He kisses you, the taste of your fluids on his lips but you don’t care as your tongue slides against his. He pecks your lips, nudging his nose against yours as you caress his back.
He shuffles to the side, pulling you against him. “Warm enough?” He asks with a soft chuckle. You hum sleepily, curling up on his chest in a move that makes his heart thump. “I am.” You murmur softly, closing your eyes. “Stay.” You beg, making him tighten his hold on you. “I’m staying, baby.” He promises, holding you as you drift off to sleep. 
Joel doesn’t sleep much. So when he wakes up, he carefully slips out of the bed and gathers up his clothes to get dressed. You are still dead to the world, sleeping peacefully and he smiles at the vision before heading downstairs to see what he needs to do.
You wake up, your body aching a little but you love it. You look over and see the spot where Joel was is empty. Your smile falls and you sigh, wondering if he skipped out on you. You get up and head into the bathroom to clean up, desperate for coffee so you make your way downstairs after wrapping yourself in your fluffy robe. That's when you see him in your kitchen, under the sink, stomach on display as he stretches to fix something. "Joel. You're here." You declare in surprise and he shifts from under the sink. "Of course. I don't sleep a lot so figured I'd let you get your sleep and I'd see what needed fixin' around here. Your sink was leaking." He says, holding the wrench, and your heart thumps. "Thank you." You didn't know a leak had started under there. "Made eggs and coffee. Only two things I can make." He says and you giggle, shifting to kneel beside him so you can lean in to softly kiss him. "Thank you." You murmur again, "for everything."
“You’re welcome.” He grunts, accepting the kiss, but uncomfortable with the praise. He’s not doing it for you to be thankful, but because you need the help and he can. “Go get you some coffee and eat.” He had noticed how little you had in your fridge and had decided later on he would go get some groceries. “Got a cord of wood being delivered in about an hour.” He tells you. “Gonna have it stacked right next to the back door, but I gotta go to the store to get some tin to put that roof back right.” He tells you before diving back under the sink. “Wanna ride with me and get your car then?”
You shift off the floor to grab yourself a cup of coffee and watch as he works on fixing your sink. His muscles flexing and you are distracted until he asks again. “Yes. That’s good. Thank you.” You say and he snorts, “stop sayin’ thanks. I wanna do it.” He promises and you nod, taking a sip of your coffee. “I have other ways I can thank you anyway.” You smirk and set your coffee down, waiting until he’s done to straddle him. “What you doin’?” He chuckles and you bend down to kiss him, making him groan into your mouth.
Joel chuckles softly, but he doesn’t stop you. Blindly setting down the wrench to grab your waist. “You ready for round two right here on the kitchen floor?” He asks when you start to kiss down his neck. “Don’t mind, but you’re gonna have to ride baby, or this floor will kill my knees.”
You grind down onto him, “fuck. I can do that.” You promise, shifting back to work on his belt. “You look so sexy fixing my sink.” You murmur and he twitches under the denim he’s wearing. “If this is what gets you going, I’ll fix anything you like, sugar.”
**** 
“Are you coming over to the house tonight?” Joel asks as he turns the last quarter turn of the wrench and leans back to grin. “There we go. A bathtub, newly fixed.” It still needs to be taken out and refinished, but that shit can wait until it’s warm outside. You hadn’t been able to take a bath and soak since the drain was leaking and the water heater needed replacing. Your new water heater was hooked up yesterday and Joel just finished fixing the drain so it will work properly. “Sarah’s gonna be here at six.”
You bite your lip as you look down at him, “are you sure you want me to meet her? We’ve been dating a few weeks.” You say and he nods, “trust me, baby. She will be happy her old dad has found someone who will put up with his grumpy ass.” You giggle and nod, caressing his cheek, “I’ll come over.”
“Good.” He winks at you. “She wants to drink boozy eggnog and listen to Christmas carols as we decorate the tree.” He tells you. He’s got a tree but he told you he couldn’t decorate it without Sarah. It was a tradition, and now he wants to include you in that tradition. “And eat Chinese.”
You grin, “that sounds incredible. Are you sure you want me there?” You ask, grin faltering a little and he nods, “absolutely.” Your grin returns and you lean down to kiss him. “Now, you wanna try out the tub?” You smirk and he chuckles, “insatiable.” 
**** 
You are nervous as you walk to Joel’s front door, ringing the doorbell as you prepare to meet his daughter. She’s everything to him and you love that about him. You’ve fallen for him in the past few weeks and you are praying his daughter likes you.
“Daaaaaaad!” A woman, probably twenty-five, with gorgeous skin and frizzy ringlets of hair, lights up when she sees you. A grin curving her lips. “A beautiful woman that is waaaaaaaay out of your league just walked through the door!” She calls out, cackling as Joel huffs from the kitchen. “Be nice!”
You giggle and she pulls you into a hug, “I’m Sarah and I’ve heard so much about you. My dad isn’t much of a talker but he’s not stopped telling me about his new girlfriend.” She smirks and Joel makes his way from the kitchen. You hope she approves and she squeezes your arms, “I’m so happy he’s found someone to deal with his grumpiness.” She says and you chuckle, “it’s a challenge sometimes.”
Joel snorts and rolls his eyes. “This grumpy ass does plenty of wonderfully nice things.” He defends himself, crossing his arms over his chest. “Don’t I build you a fire every night so you can drink your wine and feel cozy?”
You grin and lean in to softly kiss him, “you’ve definitely been my hero.” You reassure him, nudging your nose against his jaw and Sarah beams, happy to see her dad so happy after Tess. “Come in. I have mulled wine ready to go and we are set to decorate the tree.” She takes your coat and you set your purse down on the side before she drags you into the living room to begin decorating.
Every year during this time, Joel watches his daughter in awe. Reflecting on the wonderful woman that she has become. The path that she has taken to get where she is. Laughing and talking with you, she is showing you all the special family Christmas decorations that he had dragged down from the attic this morning in anticipation of this moment. Now, you are added into the mix by complete chance and he couldn’t be happier.
The tree is soon decorated, Chinese food consumed and Sarah excuses herself to her room leaving you and Joel by the fire, your head resting on his shoulder. “I’m really happy you bid on me in the auction.” You murmur and he smiles, tilting your head to press a soft kiss to your lips. “Me too. I, uh, I love you.” He confesses and your eyes widen, a grin on your face, and you lean in to kiss him again. “I love you too.” He smiles and drags you into his lap, deciding to show you just how much he loves you. 
**** 
“He bid how much?” Sarah exclaims, asking her uncle who grins and repeats himself, “$1000 to have a date with the woman who was, and I quote, ‘a pain in my ass’.’” Sarah giggles, “must’ve had a crush on that pain in the ass, right Dad?” She asks and Joel snorts, wrapping his arm around your shoulders as you all sit around the table after dessert has been eaten over at Tommy and Maria’s house. “She caught my eye. Mainly because she couldn’t DIY for shit.” He teases and you slap his chest, “I can figure it out.” You say and Joel raises his eyebrows playfully. You scoff and he chuckles, leaning closer to press a soft kiss to your lips, “worth every damn penny.” He promises and you grin, caressing his cheek, “love you too.” Maria looks over at Tommy with a smirk. Her master plan had worked. Joel had gotten what he never knew he wanted for Christmas: you.
​​
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dreamwritesimagines · 10 months ago
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The Eye of the Hurricane [14] - Wedding
A.N: Here’s the new chapter my loves! ❤️ Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback, you made my day! ❤️I hope you’ll like this chapter as well and please don’t forget to tell me what you think! ❤️
Summary: A wedding can be a good place for clarity.  
Word Count: 3400
Pairing: MobBoss!Bucky Barnes x Reader
Warnings: Violence, stabbing, death, guns, crime, blood, explicit language, dysfunctional relationship. This is an AU, friendly reminder that I don’t condone any of the actions depicted on this story and please read with care.
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Well, this was going to be fun.
The wedding was tonight and your phone already had way too many text notifications. You would be meeting Becca and Sarah today to get ready, so you had woken up way too early just like Bucky. After taking a quick shower, you made your way downstairs to see him in the kitchen, making coffee.
“Morning.”
Bucky's head snapped up and he turned around to look at you better.
“Whoa,” he said, “This is a surprise."
You pulled your brows together.
“Um, we've been staying in the same honeymoon suite for a while now, in case it has escaped your notice.”
“No no, as in— am I allowed to see you?”
You blinked a couple of times. “What are you talking about?”
“I mean—” he said, motioning between you. “Isn’t it bad luck? If I see you before the wedding?”
You shrugged your shoulders, then jumped to sit on the kitchen island.
“We’re going to get a divorce anyway,” you said. “That whole tradition is for actual couples, not us.”
Bucky pursed his lips and cleared his throat before holding up a mug.
“Coffee, my romantic wife?”
“Stop calling me that, and yes.”
He chuckled, filling the mug with coffee before handing it to you.
“There you go.”
“Thanks,” you said. “So, we’re getting married then.”
“Mm hm.”
“So I’ve been thinking,” you said. “There’ll be a lot of important guests there as well as alcohol. A good way to start alliances.”
“You’re going to use our wedding to make business deals?”
“You’re not?” you asked back and he thought for a moment, then shrugged his shoulders.
“Yeah I see what you mean.”
“And I need to talk to Stark tonight.”
Bucky grimaced.
“I did that earlier this week,” he said. “Would not recommend, it’s not a nice experience.”
You stifled a laugh.
“Well, we need him,” you said. “As much as I hate to admit.”
“I mean—” he started but was cut off when someone pounded on the door, making both of you turn your heads before Becca’s voice reached inside.
“You’d better not be seeing each other right now!”
Bucky threw his head back and you made your way to the door to open the door, smiling already. When you opened it, you found Becca and Sarah standing there and Sarah looked amused already while Becca let out a gasp.
“Just as I thought!” she said, walking past you to step inside and you hugged Sarah when she stepped inside.
“Hey!”
“Hey there,” she said. “I held her back as long as I could.”
“Appreciate it,” you said and pressed a kiss on her cheek, then turned around to see Becca who made her way to Bucky.
“Are you trying to get bad luck? Why are you seeing the bride?!”
“Ask the bride,” Bucky said and you rolled your eyes.
“Come on, everyone in this room knows that this is more of a business deal than a wedding.”
Sarah shook her head slightly and you stole a look at her.
“It is,” you insisted and she held up her hands.
“I didn’t even say anything.”
“And where is my coffee?” Becca asked and Bucky nodded at the coffee machine.
“It’s right there, help yourself.”
“Did mom teach you nothing?” she asked while you leaned your head on Sarah’s shoulder, watching them bicker. “Is this your first time interacting with a guest in your place?”
“We don’t have the time to get coffee Becca, we can get it on our way to the weekend house,” Sarah stated and you checked your phone when you received another text, then heaved a sigh.
“Why is everyone texting me?”
“It’s just my theory but maybe because it’s your wedding day?” Sarah asked and motioned at you. “Give me your phone, you’ll be busy the whole day.”
“Oh my God thank you.”
“I already talked to Steve and Sam and I know when exactly you’re supposed to arrive there,” Becca said. “Which means, if you’re late as you like to be all the time—”
“It’s my own wedding Becca, I couldn’t be late if I tried.”
“Well forgive me if I don’t trust you,” Becca said. “I’m serious, my brother or not, I’ll shoot you if you’re late.”
“Does this have something to with the fact that you don’t know if your girlfriend is coming to come to the wedding so you’re channeling all your anger to me?”
“Bucky!” you hissed and he shrugged his shoulders.
“What?”
“Maybe worry less about my relationship and more about yours since we’re still not sure your wife who happens to be my best friend won’t kill you in your sleep,” Becca said airily and Bucky scoffed.
“She won’t kill me in my sleep.”
“She might.”
“She won’t— Y/N, tell her.”
“My dad raised me better than that,” you pointed out. “You don’t even kill enemies in their sleep, let alone allies.”
A happy smile lit up Bucky’s face as if you had just proclaimed your undying love to him on a bent knee and he motioned at you.
“See?” he asked Becca, pride clear in his voice. “We’re allies.”
“You’d have to be awake for it,” you added and Bucky’s head whipped around so that he could see you better.
“Come again?”
“Because honor—”
“Alright!” Sarah cut you both off. “Let’s go. Bucky, Sam and Steve are on their way here.”
“Yeah they just told me on group chat.”
“You have a group chat?” you asked and shook your head. “Of course you do.”
“Come on,” Becca said as she walked outside and Sarah followed her. You lingered there for a moment before you nodding at Bucky.
“I’ll see you at the wedding then.”
“See you, wife.”
“Stop calling me that!” you said and quickly left the suite before he could reply, trying to ignore the way your heart skipped a beat.
                                                                       *
The majority of the day had gone pretty fast. Thanks to your wedding planner, everything looked exactly how you described her. Barnes weekend residence and its huge yard were already gorgeous, and as the night fell, it looked almost magical. All the guests were seated, Becca and Sarah were already by the altar and so was Bucky, Steve and Sam. Even though you had tried to keep this wedding simple and with as few people as possible, it still looked like there were too many people and you brushed a hair over the skirt of your wedding gown, shifting your weight from one foot to other.
“Y/N?”
Your head shot up and you smiled at your father.
“I’m fine,” you said before he could ask, leaning your back to the wall, waiting for your cue. He kept his gaze on you before giving you a teary smile.
“Your mother would be so proud of you.”
“I haven’t done anything to make her proud yet,” the reply left your mouth before you had a chance to stop it and he pulled his brows together.
“Sweetheart,” he said. “You don’t have to do anything.”
No.
No you did have to.
You hadn’t done anything at all to prove yourself yet thanks to your father pushing you out of the picture so that Ian could be his heir instead of you, but you were going to fix that.
Whether he liked it or not.
“Right,” you managed to say. “Sorry. I’m just kind of nervous, that’s all.”
“That’s understandable,” he said. “But I assure you, tonight will go the way you’ve always dreamed of.”
Well, you had dreamt of actually being in love with the groom when you dreamt of your wedding but your father didn’t need to hear that.
This was going to be yet another thing you would keep from him, along with the car chase incident.
“Your aunt texted me by the way,” he said. “She sends her apologies for not making it to the wedding but she’s going to visit soon, she says.”
You tried not to roll your eyes and nodded your head.
“Great.”
“Y/N, I know things haven’t been great lately but I—” he started but was cut off when the music started and you pushed yourself off the wall, rolling your shoulders back. He offered you his arm, and you took a deep breath, trying to calm your wild heartbeat down.
“Ready?” he asked and you bit inside your cheek, then took his arm.
“Ready,” you said and you both started walking down the aisle.
It was alright. This whole marriage was just going to last until you took over, and then you were going to get a divorce and you and Bucky would go your separate ways.
Bucky, who was now looking at you like you were the most beautiful woman he had seen.
You averted your gaze from his as your father and you reached the altar, and he squeezed at your arm before nodding at Bucky, then took his seat. You let out a breath and stole a look at Becca and Sarah, then turned to face the priest, forcing yourself to focus.
Fine, from an objective viewpoint he did look very handsome today.
Not that it changed anything. He was still the most arrogant man you had ever met.
Your heart was still beating so fast that you could hardly focus on what the priest was saying. You and Bucky had informed him earlier on that you would skip the speeches, considering that you had nothing to say other than lies, and you didn’t want to risk people seeing through your lie.
You could swear your head was spinning but you tried to see through the nervousness making its way through your system. You just needed to do this to take over, and then you’d get a divorce and you were hardly going to think about Bucky after that point, except for—
Well.
Technically you were going to have to do business with your ex-husband but that slight detail aside, it was going to be fine.
Blood was muffling your ears as you heard Bucky speak and you dug your fingernails into your palms, then your head shot up when you heard your name.
“Y/N?” the priest said and you blinked a couple of times, then cleared your throat.
“I—I do,” you said almost automatically and Bucky let out a relieved breath as the priest smiled calmly.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” he said. “You may now kiss the bride.”
Fuck.
Fuck, this right here had escaped your attention while planning the wedding and from the look of surprise on Bucky’s face, it had escaped his attention as well. He stared at you for a moment as if he didn’t know what to do, and the priest coughed as if trying to signal him.
“You may kiss the bride,” he repeated and you gave a small nod of your head, making Bucky swallow thickly before taking a step to you. Your heart skipped an excited beat as his arm sneaked around your waist and he pulled you closer, the warmth of his body pressed against yours, then he dipped you slightly backwards, then leaned in to capture your lips in a kiss.
…Oh.
You would be lying if you said you hadn’t dreamed about this before. Back when you still had the biggest crush on Bucky, you would spend hours thinking about how it would feel if he kissed you, even imagining your wedding sometimes but—
You hadn’t thought that his kiss would feel this good.
Before you could even stop yourself, your arms wrapped around his neck as he pulled back slightly, resting his forehead against yours like he wanted to make the moment last. You exhaled, your breath mixing into his but when the applause started, you both snapped out of it. Bucky helped you gain your balance as you tried to catch your breath, then rolled your shoulders back and stepped back from him to smile at the crowd, ignoring the way Bucky’s eyes were glued to you.
                                                           *
You were quite certain you were the first bride who was going out of her way to avoid the groom on her wedding, but in your defense, you had a lot to think about.
Not that kiss.
You had to think about anything and everything except that kiss.
You passed through the huge garden to approach the bar, stealing a look at Leila and Becca who seemed to be in a deep conversation but judging by the small smile on Leila’s face, it was going well. Bucky was talking to Steve and Sam by the corner and Sarah was listening to Winnifred who seemed very enthusiastic to tell her something, motioning at the garden.
Probably something about the wedding.
You ordered your drink and smiled at Ryan who was sipping his drink by the bar and he smiled back.
“Ma’am.”
“Hi Ryan,” you said and looked around. “Please tell me Ian left early.”
“He’s in the bathroom ma’am,” Ryan said and you rolled your eyes.
“Great,” you said. “So are you having fun?”
“I am, thank you,” he said and looked down to his glass. “It’s a nice wedding and you…you look very nice if you don’t mind me saying.”
“Oh thank you!” you said. “You know, if you ever—”
“Mrs. Barnes,” another voice cut you off and you looked over your shoulder, then turned around to see him better.
“Mr. Stark,” you managed to say and the bartender put your glass on the counter. You took it into your hand and leaned back to the counter.
“Tony is alright.”
“Y/N is alright,” you quipped and Tony smiled at you.
“Very well.”
Ryan’s phone beeped and he cleared his throat, then put his glass down and walked away from you to make his way to the house.
“How do you like the wedding so far?” you asked and Tony thought for a moment.
“No one is shooting at anyone,” he said. “I’d say it’s going well.”
“The night is still young,” you said and he chuckled.
“I suppose,” he said. “But the drinks are pretty good.”
“Food is gonna be better,” you said. “We just figured people shooting at people would be less of a possibility if we made them drink first.”
“Your idea or Bucky’s?”
“Mine.”
Tony hummed and ordered his drink while you sipped yours.
“My father says you’re not exactly happy about this wedding,” you told him and he shrugged his shoulders.
“I’m thinking about how it will affect the balance of things now that you mention it,” he said. “Your father is a very powerful man, and you and Bucky uniting families…”
“I understand your concern perfectly,” you said in a calm tone even if your heartbeat sped up. “But I assure you, this will change nothing.”
“Is that right?”
You clicked your tongue.
“In your business it will change nothing,” you corrected yourself. “I’m quite familiar with your deals with my father, and the Barnes family. I’ll make sure they remain as they are.”
“As Bucky’s wife or as your father’s new heir?” he asked back and you arched a brow, but managed to keep your expression straight as the bartender gave him his drink as well.
“Is that what people say?”
“Well you’re marrying into Barnes family, your father still hasn’t announced his heir, and you have a way of making people talk about you lately,” Tony pointed out. “Not to mention, Natasha seems impressed with you.”
Your eyes found Natasha who was drinking with Clint before you turned your glances to Tony again.
“But you are not?”
“I don’t know you enough yet,” Tony said. “I mean I’ve had the time to figure Ian out and let me tell you, I am absolutely not impressed. But you? You’re a mystery.”
“I’m not,” you told him. “I want the same thing as you do. To keep the truce going, and to keep the town safe.”
“So you claim,” Tony said. “Even you can’t admit, this wedding gave you a huge advantage in power and allies.”
“Let’s be serious here Tony, it didn’t give me any advantage over any of the bosses here.”
“Yet,” Tony added and you hummed, then shrugged your shoulders.
“Yet.”
“But you want it to.”
“I want to make sure my family continues the truce after my father retires,” you stated. “I think that’s what we all want, no?”
Tony huffed out a laugh and raised his glass slightly.
“It is,” he said. “But we also want to make sure your fight for the crown doesn’t hurt the town.”
You opened your mouth to say it would never happen, but heard Pepper calling out for Tony so you both turned your heads before Tony cleared his throat.
“I should go,” he said. “I’ll be in touch. Maybe a dinner with the newlyweds?”
“We’d love to host you and Pepper,” you said and he downed his drink, then put it on the counter and walked away. You let out a breath, then finished your drink as well before motioning at another.
“Aren’t you supposed to be with your husband?” Ian’s voice reached you and you rolled your eyes, then leaned sideways to the bar.
“What do you want?”
He held up his hands, gesturing surrender. “I come in peace.”
“As if.”
“Come on Y/N, it’s your wedding,” he said. “I would have thought you’d be in a better mood.”
“I was, then you started talking to me,” you said and he hummed.
“Listen,” he said. “I’m being completely serious here. Congratulations for the wedding, I’m happy for you. I know we’ve had our differences but we both want your father to be happy, and this wedding is a huge relief for him.”
You pulled your brows together.
“A relief?”
“Yeah,” he said. “It’s a relief for me as well. Now you can just be happy with Barnes and focus on your marriage and your family.”
That bitter taste climbed up your throat but you managed to scoff a laugh and motioned for another drink.
“Is that what you think will happen?” you asked him. “Me and Bucky get married and… then what? I get out of your hair?”
“We’re family,” he reminded you. “That’s not what I—that’s not it. You’ll just have different priorities.”
“Did you give the same speech to Bucky or is it just for me?” you asked and he rolled his eyes.
“You know how the business works Y/N, you don’t need me to tell you.”
You bit inside your cheek hard enough to hurt, then reached out to grab your glass of drink the bartender just placed on the counter.
“You’re the daughter of one of the most important men in the business,” he said. “This marriage will be good for the family, uncle knows that. Not to mention…”
You lowered your glass and tilted your head.
“Not to mention?”
“You’re a wild card,” he said. “It’s hard to play you.”
Your grip around the glass tightened and you shrugged your shoulders.
“Maybe I’ll play you.”
“Spouses don’t get involved, you know the rules,” he said with a snort and your smirk widened before you took a sip, keeping quiet. That confident look on his face faltered when you didn’t reply and he pulled back slightly.
“You can’t,” he said as if trying to convince himself. “You wouldn’t.”
“Here you are!” Bucky’s voice cut through the momentary silence between you and Ian and you turned your head to give him a smile. “Was wondering where you were sweetheart.”
“Time for the food?”
“Mm hm, let’s go.”
Ian gawked at you in silence while you narrowed your eyes at him, dragging the tip of your tongue over your teeth.
“You wouldn’t,” Ian repeated, making Bucky looked between you before he casually stepped closer to you without saying a word, as if making sure you knew he was there to interfere at the slightest sign of you wanting him to. Your stomach did a pleasant flip and you downed your drink, then put it on the counter to turn to Ian.
“Enjoy the wedding, Ian,” you said, grabbing Bucky's hand. “And make sure to rest tonight, will you? Tomorrow will be a new day for both of us.”
With that, you walked away from Ian with Bucky right behind you, a proud smile warming your face.
Chapter 15
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lonely-ey3s · 6 days ago
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With All My Love (joel miller x f!reader, no outbreak) Chpt 4
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Chapter 4: Casualties
Word count : 14.1k
Chapter Summary: You and Joel have your first Skype call together and continue to do so in the following weeks. You both get closer and fall deeper for each other, hinting towards a definite future together. A few weeks later after an incident that happened between you and Terrence's replacement, you open up to Joel about your past abuse and you two become closer by how he talks you through it but also by acts he demonstrates to show you what you mean to him. In the following weeks, just when you think things have calmed down, you and Maria are told you are going on a special assignment to rescue a higher-ranking officer, going to a location you aren’t sure if you will make it out - as you’ll be heading into no man's land. 
Chapter warnings: fluff, flirting, mutual pining, language, mentions of combat and war, blood, violence, hand-to-hand combat, mentions of guns and a knife, hate speech (not by either of our babies), anxiety, panic attacks, use of Y/N, mentions of abuse, descriptions of injuries, angst. 
A/N: oh my, this one is a big one but it was necessary for chapters to come! i hope you enjoy it as much as i loved writing it! please like, comment, and repost if you want to see more! thank you for all the support you've given me with the first 3 chapters, i've loved to see and hear everyone's thoughts and love! i love these two and am so happy their story is coming together - ugh love it! xx
Dividers by: @saradika-graphics
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As soon as Joel hit ‘Accept’ you came onto the screen, earbuds in your ears, smiling brightly. You had an oversized shirt on and your hair down, flowing to one side. “Hey there handsome!” you said smiling and talking in a soft voice, like you might have been trying to stay quiet. 
“Wow…” he said out loud without realizing. 
You softly giggled and blushed, “Joel, can you hear me?” you asked as his response was a little unexpected but had butterflies erupting throughout your stomach. 
“Y-Yeah, I can hear you darlin’...” he smiled and chuckled, shyly dragging his fingers through his hair. 
“Darlin’...? I’ve been wondering what that southern drawl sounds like, and I must say, I will most definitely never tire of it.” you smiled brightly.  
He smiled brightly, “I’m sorry if I woke you up, I uh… I did the math and thought you wouldn’t maybe see my message for a few more hours.”
You shook your head and tucked a strand of hair behind your ear, “You’re sweet, you didn’t wake me. I woke up cuz it’s so damn hot here, couldn’t sleep.” looked up hearing someone stir in the room then looked back down at the screen, “Sorry, I’m tryna keep quiet, everyone else is asleep but I wanted to see you as soon as I could after finally seeing you were able to message!” you bit your bottom lip, “Sorry it took so long, it’s been a busy few weeks here.” you looked at him, he was in awe and captivated by how beautiful you looked.  
“So you’ve said darlin’. I’m just glad to know you’re alright.” he licked his lip and smiled softly, “You had me worried for a while, can’t have that pendant of yours failin’ me…”
You blushed “No we can’t have that, can we?” 
Joel smiled and shook his head, the silence and tension between the two of you palpable. 
You cleared your throat softly, blushing, “Did you and Sarah have a good 4th of July weekend?” 
He nodded, “Yeah, we did. She had a soccer tournament on Friday out of town so we took a little getaway with my brother, Tommy, he has a boat, and so we spent all of yesterday on Canyon Lake just outside of Austin… we took lots of pictures for you.” he winked. 
You would never get tired of hearing his voice. You nodded along as he talked, “That sounds like a lot of fun. Did you guys get to barbeque on the lake or eat any good food?”
“Yeah, we did some burgers and hotdogs on a portable grill we had, wasn’t so bad.” He smiled, “What about you? Didn’t you guys have somethin’ like Spam and potatoes or somethin’ like that?” he hadn’t realized he may have let part of Tommy and Maria’s conversation slip, he was just so focused on you, his brain shut off somewhat. 
You chuckled and tilted your head confused, “Yeah… we did… how did you know that? You spyin’ on me somehow Joel Miller?”  
Joel’s face fell a little, realizing he slipped, “I uh…” 
You looked at him and chuckled, “You ok handsome? Cat got your tongue?” 
He took a deep breath, he wasn’t going to start this off with dishonesty, so he anxiously scratched his scruff and then looked down a his lap, “Uh… so funny story…” he lightly let out a chuckle nervously. 
You had learned with your ex and parents to pay attention to body language and tone, so you sat up a bit straighter, anxious, a weight instantly dropping in your stomach, ‘Shit, he just got nervous’ you thought. “Joel, what’s going on?” you said softly. 
He noticed your immediate reaction, looked back up at you, and then softly smiled, “Oh no, sweetheart, nothin’ is wrong…” he bit his lip and thought of how to say what he was about to say, “You umm… you have a nickname for Maria’s pen pal…” he paused, “Reginald right?” 
You nodded slowly and then started to put the dots together, Maria had already suggested that they were related, you just didn’t think it could happen. Then you realized how the hell he knew that name then you turned bright red, “You… oh my god.” you laughed and covered your face with your hands, embarrassed. “Oh my god, you saw me make a fool of myself on Maria’s Skype call yesterday!” 
Joel laughed and bit his lip at your reaction, finding your embarrassment and shyness so fucking cute. “I um, I didn’t see you, but I was in the room when Tommy Skyped her, I heard your sweet voice though, it drove me mad to not be able to see you and say hello…” 
You peeked through your hands, blushing madly, “Oh god, I’m so embarrassed… you weren’t supposed to see that side of me already!” 
He let out a deep gut laugh, leaning his head back against the headboard, and you started to giggle back, covering your mouth, trying not to wake the others. 
“Stop laughing, I’m serious! You’re only supposed to see the lady-like side of me before you see the goof that Z and Maria have brought out in me..” you smiled at him slowing down your giggling, tucking your hair again behind your ear. 
He slowed down his laugh and smiled softly at you, eyes bright and cheeks red, thinking, thanking the universe for hearing your laugh so much tonight, “Nah, I like the goof in you, it made me smile like a fuckin’ idiot hearing you. Tommy gave me so much shit after…” he admitted. 
You smiled brightly knowing you had that effect on him, “Like an idiot huh? I’ll have to keep that up, I wanna see that type of smile on your handsome face.” you threw at him, he instantly blushed then jumped slightly when he heard Sarah knock on his door. 
“Dad? Are you good? I see we have a casualty of pasta on the floor downstairs…” she said through the door. 
You listened closely, smiling hearing Sarah’s voice, and chuckling at her joke. 
“Yeah, I’m good baby girl! I’m just on a Skype call with Y/N, umm, I left my wallet on the counter, could you order some takeout? Your choice!” he smiled down at you, watching you listen. 
Sarah smiled brightly hearing that he was talking to you. “Yeah of course Dad! Tell Y/N hi for me and thank her for my bracelet! And I will bring in your food when it gets here!” 
Joel looked down at you, “You hear all that?” he asked.
You nodded, “Can she hear me?” 
He shrugged, “Maybe?” he chuckled. 
You grinned and then put a finger up to signal to hold on, you set the laptop down on the floor you had been sitting on and then stood up, Joel seeing you only had that oversized shirt on and some very short shorts on under, his breath hitched and felt himself instantly grow hard. His throat went dry, “H-Hold..” he swallowed, “Sarah hold on a sec…!” he shouted at Sarah through the door, voice cracking a little.
She peeked her head in and giggled hearing the voice crack, “Yeah Dad?” he pulled a pillow quickly over his lap, and held up a finger like you, “Wait one sec.” 
He saw you pick up the laptop and then quietly tried to walk through the dark room, only to stub your toe on something, “Ow, fuckin’ shitballs.” you winced, hopping on one foot. 
Sarah snorted holding in a laugh at your remark. Joel looked down at you and chuckled at your phrase as well, “You ok darlin’?” 
You nodded and whispered, “Yeah, yeah just stubbed my toe. Sorry for cussing Sarah…”
You walked out of the room and quietly shut the door and looked around, one soldier saw you a few feet away and wolf whistled your way, “Damn Y/N, didn’t know you had that fat of an ass! Come over and sit on my lap mama!” 
Joel visibility got jealous, jaw clenched and zeroing in on the piece of shit talking to you that way. 
“Martinez, the only woman that would ever touch you without a ten-foot pole is your mama. Shut the fuck up and keep your eyes off my ass.” you shot back without missing a beat, walking away from him, finding somewhere to sit that was a bit more quiet.  
Joel smirked, and whispered under his breath, “That’s my girl..” 
You smiled and blushed to hear him say that, looking down at him. You looked around and then sat down against an abandoned house, and then let out a sigh, “Sorry, that took longer than a minute, is Sarah still able to hear me?” 
“I can hear you!” Sarah shouted from the doorway. 
“Oh! Lovely! Hi Sarah! I’ve heard such good things about you. I’m glad you like your bracelets, I’ll be sending something else for you and your dad in my next parcel.” you smiled at Joel and winked. 
He smiled brightly and then looked at Sarah then at you, “Do you guys wanna say hello? You don’t have to shout at each other...” he chuckled. 
You smiled and tucked your hair behind your ears, “I’d love to but only if Sarah is comfortab-” Before you could finish your sentence Sarah had jumped on the bed by Joel, hugging his arm and leaning into the screen. “Hey there!” she smiled, “Oh my gosh, your hair is so pretty down! Is that your natural color?”
You nodded and smiled, “Thank you! Yes, it is! I love your curls- I’m envious of them! I’ve always wanted curly hair!” you giggled. 
Sarah giggled, “They are a lot to manage but I do love ‘em!” she smiled and looked at Joel who was soaking in the moment, he was practically glowing. 
“I heard you had a soccer tournament this weekend, how did it go? What position do you play?” you asked. 
“We placed second and I scored two goals, one of them won the game for us! Dad took pictures…” she looked back at Joel, “Can you send them to her?” 
Joel nodded and then looked at you, “Yeah I’ll message them to you later.” he smiled. 
Sarah smiled and looked back at you, “I play a center forward, do you play soccer?” she asked. 
“I played a little as a kid with like my schoolmates but never competitively like you. However, I did just learn some tricks that some of the kids here taught me, I’ll have to show you someday and you can show me what you can do!” you said softly smiling and messing with the hem of your shirt. 
“I’d like that. Do you know when your tour is over?” she asked abruptly. 
Joel didn’t even think to ask that question. He perked up and looked at you. 
“I’ve been told that if things keep going the way they do, I’ll be home in the spring. If they get better, I could be home either right before or after the holidays but it’s been crazy here, so I’m keeping my expectations low, you know?” you said looking at the hem of your shirt, the thought of you not being home til spring made you anxious. 
Joel could tell your mood shifted, “Well Sarah and I will hope for sooner, home for the holidays, yeah?” 
You looked up and softly nodded and smiled, agreeing. 
“I have one last question and then I’ll go order take out…” Sarah said curiously. 
“Alright kiddo, shoot.” you looked her way. 
“Why Reginald?” she tilted her head. 
You let out a laugh, “Oh jeez..” you began to chuckle, “Ok, so when Maria and I sent our letters at first to your dad and your uncle, we knew nothing about them. I teased her because she sprayed hers with her perfume. I said she had no idea who or where her letter was going, it could be an old guy in a nursing home and said his name is probably Reginald or something… as that was before I knew her pal’s name, but the joke stuck and it continues to push her buttons.” you chuckled.
Joel chuckled at your sense of humor and Sarah did as well, “I like that, it’s like you're calling him an old man… I’m going to call him that now too, especially when he’s being annoying… which is all the time.” she emphasized. 
You giggled and nodded, “You can tell him that Maria’s lovely, awesome, never annoying at all roommate said you could use it if he gets mad, he can take it up with me.” you winked. 
Sarah nodded and smiled, “Will do, thanks for the ammo!” she giggled and then slid off the bed, “I’m going to go order food, I’m starving! It was nice meeting you, have a good rest of your night- well day for you!” she said smiling brightly at the camera before running out of the room shutting the door behind her. 
You chuckled at Joel “She’s a fun kid. I can see a lot of you in her…” you smiled at him. 
He smiled warmly, “Thanks darlin’, that means a lot.” 
You sat in silence together for a moment before you spoke up “Sorry to have crashed your dinner plans, did I hear there was a pasta casualty?” 
Joel chuckled lightly and looked down shyly, “I may have heard your message notification ding, and may have dropped everything I had in my hands to run over to my laptop, then after seeing your message, may have ran upstairs to call you, abandoning the mess…” 
“Oh I see… so there are only allegations against you, no concrete evidence tying you to the scene of the crime, innocent until proven guilty, am I right?” you teased. 
He looked up at you and chuckled, “Exactly.” 
You smiled warmly and sighed contently. 
“In my defense, and all honesty, I will drop whatever I’m doing to give you my time and attention… you know for the record.” he winked, smiling brightly.
You blushed and looked down shyly, smiling from ear to ear, “Now here I go smiling a fuckin’ idiot.” 
He chuckled and then bit his bottom lip, “Look at me when you’re doin’ that darlin’, I wanna see that beautiful smile.” 
You blushed harder and looked at him, laughing at how silly you must’ve looked, “God, you can’t keep sayin’ things like that, Joel Miller!” 
He loved the way you said his name, but even more, he loved your laugh. He would forever have it programmed into his brain, on repeat, along with the image of your smile tattooed right beside it. 
He bit his lip, loving seeing you like this. He thought he was out of practice with his flirting but clearly, he had quite the effect on you. “You keep smilin’ and laughin’ like that, and we are gonna have a different problem with what you're doin’ to my heart darlin’...” 
“I could say the same about you cowboy…” you said as you came down from your laugh. 
Before Joel could say anything back he heard someone call your name in the background, you looked up, looking around, and he heard them say ‘We have 3 wounded coming in and could use the extra hands if you’re awake, can you help?’ 
“Uh, hold on one sec Benson!” You looked back down at Joel, clearly torn on what to do. 
“Go, it’s ok sweetheart, they need your help. How about we do this weekly, yeah? Keep the letters coming as usual, and just do this in addition at least once a week… more if we are feelin’ freaky” he chuckled and winked. 
You nodded and softly smiled, “Yes, let's do that. I’ll message you later, ok?” 
He nodded, “Go save some lives! I’ll talk to you soon.” 
You smiled and blushed, “I’ll talk to you soon.” you stood up and ended the call. 
Joel sat in his bed, beaming, feeling happier than he’d ever felt before. 
He heard a ding and looked at his laptop: 
‘I know it's been less than a minute but I miss you and your voice already, wanna Skype again later? ❣️🥺’
He chuckled and typed back:
‘I was just thinkin’ of messaging you the same thing, beautiful 😘 Just message me when you’re free and I’ll call you! ❤️’
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Reader’s POV
2 weeks later 
You and Joel had Skype called a few times in the last couple of weeks, more than the once-a-week foundation you laid out. 
You could tell that not only yourself, but he was addicted to hearing from each other. It was the highlight of your day when it happened and made your whole chaotic world slow down. 
Z and Maria met him on the last call two days ago when they crashed your call, just like you did to Maria. You couldn’t help but laugh at the karma. 
Maria and Tommy Skyped more often than you and Joel, they even started to flirt themselves as you heard eavesdropping on her last call. You and Z would giggle at her attempt to flirt outside of the window while listening together. 
You sent your disposable camera back to Joel a week ago along with another letter and parcel. This one included little candies that Z had shown you that you decided you had to share with Joel and Sarah. 
Z and you were glued at the hip, now that he was back to pretty much his full health, he helped in the clinic when you’d work if he wasn’t off playing with other boys in the village. He would help gather supplies and translate if needed between you and injured or sick village folk. 
He taught you how to say things so that when he wasn’t around you knew what to say or ask. He was patient and admired how you wanted to learn the language instead of being ignorant like most other soldiers. 
Since Terrance had been discharged to go home, Reggie got a new partner, right after you guys got back, his name was Braedon. However, something about him just didn’t feel right to any of you. He only cared about himself and Reggie even felt something off about him, he just couldn’t place it other than he was self-centered and only worried about climbing the ranks, not about saving the lives needing it or making personal sacrifices. You couldn’t stand him as he always had something smart to say or just wasn’t useful, someone always having to babysit him.
July 20th, 2014
13:09
You were cleaning out a wound in the medical tent, a small group had just rolled in from a camp 2 miles north that was overrun. Maria and Reggie were on the other side dealing with their problems while Braedon stood there, not jumping in to help with the obvious load. 
You were tired, hungry, and frustrated, and you didn’t have time to babysit. 
“Hey Braedon, there’s a head lac in bay 2, can you take care of that?” you yelled at him over the screams of pain from your patient and the normal hustle and bustle of the med tent. 
He looked at you and rolled his eyes, annoyed, “Yep.” then said something under his breath as he walked over to bay 2 and began working. 
Z was standing next to you and saw the reaction as well, he looked up at you, “What’s his problem?” 
You narrowed your eyes at him, glaring, you scoffed, “I don’t know Z… but it’s about to be an earful from me…” you clenched your jaw, temper starting to boil.
You addressed the wound you were cleaning. You began packing it, starting a line of fluids, and making sure the patient was comfortable, when you looked at Z, “Start to gather gauze and a pair of gloves for the guy over in bay 9, and then wait for me there.” Z nodded and then left to do what you said. 
Your blood was now boiling, fists balled. You were done with his selfishness and shitty attitude. He tended to hit the right buttons and now that you think about it, he reminded you of your ex. The difference between the two was you didn’t take that bullshit anymore and were a United States Army medic, which had given you a newfound confidence, and a ‘fuck around and find out’ attitude. 
You walked up and stood across from him as he was working on a patient that seemed to now be unconscious, “Alright, I’m just gon’ cut the bullshit and say what I want to say to you because I am for one sick of the bullshit fake ‘team effort’ you seem to put on only when commanding officers are around for you to brown nose.” You clenched your jaw and narrowed your gaze, “I’m not here to fuckin’ babysit you, neither is Reggie and neither is Maria. The four of us, we are a team - hell you and Reggie are partners, start acting like it.’ You raised your voice slightly, frustrated by his lack of urgency with Tier 1 trauma patients like this one below you, “Next- if you see someone fuckin’ bleedin’, you need to put the two goddamn brain cells you seem to possess, together, and jump in - do your fucking job.” You make eye contact with him, eyes dangerous and threatening, fists balled so tight you are putting nail marks into your palms, “Lastly, the next time you roll your eyes at me, say some backhanded comment, or cop an attitude in the slightest, I’ll knock your head so hard, it’ll fuckin’ spin.” you said lowly, giving him a fake two-second smile after. “Glad we can now be on the same page…” you bit out and then you turned around to walk away towards the bay you told Z to go to, shaking your hands out at your side, letting that energy go. 
Just as you were walking around the outside of the tent, several feet away from Z, you felt a tug at your left shoulder before you were spun around and a fist met the left side of your jaw, disorienting you for a moment, knocking you to the ground, and then immediately being kicked in the ribs a few times. “I’ll talk to you however I fucking want, you fucking bitch!” then a glob of spit landed on your cheek. “You and that dirty fuckin’ terrorist kid can fuck off!” he said referring to Z. 
You’ve never seen red and felt so much rage before. Your heart began to pound in your chest so loud you heard it in your ears, and heat rose from your back to your head. 
You grabbed a fist full of dirt from the ground and threw it up into his eyes, then grabbed his foot and knocked him to the ground, straddling his waist. You landed a blow to his nose, then another, harder, hearing it crack. You grabbed him by the jaw to center his face with one hand and then punched him again in the cheek, blood now running from his nose and mouth. 
Z screamed your name, telling you to stop. 
You didn’t hear anything, adrenaline muting out your surroundings, only focusing on him. 
Braedon flipped you off of him and tried to straddle you, to pin you down, but you did a maneuver to get out from under him and instead on top of him, putting him in a chokehold, then flipping around to one side and slamming yourself on the ground on your back, holding him against you, wrapping your legs around his knees, locking your ankles to immobilize him. He began elbowing your ribs over and over to get away, scratching at your arms, but you just tightened your grip, numb to the pain with the adrenaline coursing through your body. He started gasping for air, and you felt his body go slowly limp, so you let him go, he rolled to the side and choked for air. 
You stood up and felt blood coming from your lips and nose. You touched your lip and saw blood, “Made me bleed… big mistake.” you said to yourself, eyes focused on him like he was prey. 
He was on all fours, coughing, trying to catch his breath, Z ran to get Maria or Reggie after seeing the look you had in your eye. 
Your chest was heaving, breathe heavy, but slow and controlled. Rolled your shoulders back, and stepped forward, kicking his tailbone, knocking him flat on the ground, he whined, “Please, I’m sorry…” 
Your gaze was cold and numb, not caring about anything he was saying. 
“Get up.” you said plainly, unemotionally. He didn’t move. “Get the fuck up!” you raged. 
He rose slowly and backed up raising his hands in defeat. “Please Y/N.. I said I was sorry…” he pleaded. 
You walked him up against a wall that was behind him, crowding his space, grabbing the collar of his shirt, “Sorry would have cut it if you just went after me, but you went after Z… no apology will take that back, you revolting piece of shit.” you punched him in the jaw as he did to you which made him lean to the left to fall to the ground but then you grabbed him by his shoulders and kneed him in the groin. 
You stepped back as he toppled over and fell to the ground, holding his groin and crying in pain, you repositioned and kicked him twice in the torso, cursing him under your breath, you stepped back, he was coughing up blood and gasping for air. You took another step towards him, fist still balled and bloody at your sides, calculating to kick him again in the stomach or face, you didn’t know which, you would just swing. 
That’s when you felt Maria. She pulled you back, arms wrapping around your midsection and trapping your arms, picking you up to move you back, “Stop… you need to stop!” you fought against her, not grasping it was her. Rage still taking hold of your senses, “Let me go! Let me fucking go!” Maria looked at Reggie, holding you still, who then went and checked on Braedon. 
Z stepped in front of you to block your vision of Braedon which made you snap out of it. 
Your vision cleared and you were aware of what you had just done. Your breathing was ragged and uneven, then the pain hit you like a train, “Ah fuck..” you felt your ribs on fire with each breath.
“Ok… there we go… there you are.” she let you go and came in front of you, touching your cheek and shoulder, “Fuck…” she grimaced at your face. “What the hell happened?” she looked over you, assessing you. She knew this wasn’t your fault, something was said or done to provoke this level of violence from you. 
You fell to your knees and gripped your rib cage with one hand and your head with the other, in too much pain to understand what she had just asked before you heard Z speak.
“He hit her first.” Z said softly, “I saw it. Then called her a bitch and spit on her… and then called me a…” he stopped and looked down sadly. 
Maria looked back at him, “Z, what did he call you?” 
You looked at Z who was saddened and most likely ashamed by the slur, “He called him a dirty fuckin’ terrorist, Maria.” you looked past Z, Braedon still on the ground, bloodied and in pain. You clenched your jaw angrily, and took a deep breath, “You don’t say shit like that without consequences.” you looked back up at her, anger in your eyes.
Maria looked back at Braedon and Reggie, “Reggie, get him bay 6 and then get Sarge… a report needs to be filed against him for assault and hate speech.” Reggie didn’t care to question, he also knew you weren’t capable of this level of violence either without being provoked and you all knew there was something off with this guy. 
He nodded and had another nearby soldier help him load Braedon onto a transfer cot and then took him to bay 6. 
You shook your head to refocus yourself and stood to your feet, starting to walk away, to bay 9, wiping the blood from your nose and lip on the bottom of your shirt. 
“Uh, where do you think you’re going?” Maria asked, shocked to see what you were doing. 
“I’m fine Maria. We’ve got work to do.” you stopped walking and looked back at Z, “Come on Z, I need your help.” then began walking again, slowly, obvious to everyone you were in pain.
Z looked at Maria, unsure what to do. 
Maria sighed at your stubbornness. “Keep an eye on her, we only have a few hours left on shift then I’ll make her get checked out.” 
He nodded and ran to catch up with you. You hugged him to your side protectively when he caught up and kissed the top of his head, “No one gets to call you those names, not ever Z.”
He nodded and hugged your side gently back, “Yes, khahar…”
You finished your shift and then snuck away to your bunkhouse as you saw Maria still knee-deep in a patient and Z left about an hour ago to play soccer with some of his friends after you put on a brave face to convince him you were fine. You closed the door with a chair up against it and started to take off your shirt, wincing in pain. You took it off and looked at yourself in the mirror, accessing the damage. 
Your ribs were lightly bruised which would be the start of an ugly sight. You had scratch marks up and down your forearms from when you had him in a chokehold. You took a deep breath through your nose and then looked at your face, your nose had dried blood coming from it, but no signs of it being broken that you could see. Your lip was swollen and broken slightly, but not the worst it’s been. 
You tilted your head back and forth to stretch your neck as there was a pain in it from the punch, most likely whiplash. 
You saw the picture you had of Sarah and Joel taped to your mirror and sighed sadly, “Crap, he’s going to lose his shit.” you pinched the bridge of your nose and closed your eyes, a raging headache starting. 
You heard the door handle twist and then try to open, “God damn it. Y/N, let me in!” Maria sighed, shouting through the door. 
You came to the door and moved the chair, twisting the handle to open the door, “I’m not going to the med tent, I already did an assessment. In conclusion, I got fucked up. Bruised ribs and whiplash but that’s it.” you said as if that was going to stop her from dragging you to the clinic herself. 
“Nice try, you need to get checked out. Sarge’s orders. He needs it for the report, he also needs your statement.” She argued. 
“But I-” you looked at her to protest. 
“No, now. I came to get you. Go.” she said, not budging. 
You sighed and grabbed your shirt, swinging it over your shoulder, walking out of the bunkhouse towards the med tent in your sports bra, subconsciously proud of your battle wounds, wearing them like a badge of honor. 
Maria logged onto her computer quickly and sent a message to Tommy: 
‘I need you to get a message to Joel as I know it’s their day they Skype. There was an incident today involving Y/N and that other medic that we all knew was a snake. She’s fine, she just has orders to get checked out by the medics and give her statement to our sergeant. I’m not sure if she’ll feel up to Skyping but I just know you told me about Joel's anxiety. I just don’t want him to worry if he calls and she doesn’t answer. Thank you, talk soon. xx’ 
She then ran to catch up with you. 
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Joel’s POV
He woke up that sweet Sunday morning at 6 am, excited to hear from you today at around 8 am, which was your normal scheduled time if Sundays went easy for you.  
It had only been two days since you two last spoke but for him, it felt like an eternity, he loved the normal scheduled Sunday Skype sessions, but the ones where you or he would randomly say, ‘I miss you, do you have time to talk?’ made him begin to fall in love with you more and more, and the comfort you brought to him, he had no words for it. Even from thousands of miles away, you became an integral part of his life, of his being. 
He saw that you messaged him earlier in the day for you before you started your shift: 
‘I can’t wait for tonight cowboy! Hope you are sleeping well! 😘’
He smiled and typed back: 
‘I’ll see you soon sweetheart. I miss you. ❤️’
A few moments later as he was walking down the stairs he got a text message from Tommy: 
‘Hey, you up?’ 
He texted back almost immediately: 
‘Yeah, just about to cook some breakfast before I Skype with Y/N…’ 
Within seconds he had an incoming call from his brother, he answered, “Hey what’s up?” he smiled softly, walking the rest of the way down the stairs. 
“Mornin’... hey uh.. I just got a message from Maria about Y/N...” Tommy said sadly and softly, trying not to set off alarm bells for Joel.
Joel felt his heart drop into his stomach, “What? What do you mean? W-what’s wrong?” 
Tommy sighed softly, “Maria said not to panic or worry, she’s fine, she just wanted me to pass along a message to you. I’m going to text you a screenshot of her message, ok?” 
Joel put Tommy on speaker and opened up his messages from Tommy, “Yeah, send it.” he said, feeling sick to his stomach. 
Tommy sent it, “She sent this about 3 hours ago. I’m not sure what’s going on. Maria said she’d keep me updated, I just messaged her asking for an update but she’s still offline.” 
Joel read through the message, twice. “Fuck, what’s that weasel's name, Braedon?” he could feel his anger bubble up, the want to protect you but not being able to from this distance was something he was constantly battling internally. 
“Yeah, that’s him.” Tommy sucked in some air and sighed, “Maria has said there was something off about him for a couple of weeks now. He must’ve shown his true colors.” 
Joel huffed, frustrated, “Yeah, just did it on my girl… god if I was there I’d-” 
Tommy let out a chuckle, “I know, you and me both brother.” 
Joel sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Thanks for the update, just let me know if Maria messages back and I’ll let you know if I hear from Y/N…” 
“Sounds good, will do. Talk to you later.” Tommy said softly before ending the call. 
Joel sighed and shook his head but then decided he wasn’t going to let his consume him, if Maria said you were ok, you were ok.
He started to make breakfast for himself as Sarah had spent the night at a friend's. 
About an hour later he heard from Tommy via text: 
‘Hey, Maria just messaged me, she said she has 2 broken ribs and a bunch of bruised ones, a fractured nose, a small split on her lip, and a small concussion. They gave her a sedative and she’s sleeping for the rest of the night.’ 
Within ten seconds he got another text from Tommy: 
‘HOWEVER…’
Then another paragraph came through: 
‘She said you should see the other guy. I guess Y/N beat the shit out of him. He has 3 broken ribs, several bruised ones, a broken nose, a broken cheekbone, missing 2 teeth, a concussion, a bruised trachea, and get this… a testicular tear. 🤣 Maria said she hit him so hard in the balls that he has a severe bruise and it has torn the protective tissue. He needs surgery for it, LOL. Atta girl 🎉’ 
Joel chuckled which turned into a guttural laugh the more he read the injuries you inflicted on this piece of shit. 
‘Shit. Remind me to never piss her off… haha. Did Maria say when she might be awake? I’d like to check on her.’ 
‘She said she’d be out the rest of the night for them, I’d say send her a message later tonight, maybe she’ll be awake tomorrow morning for them…’
Joel nodded and sent a thumbs-up emoji back to Tommy before thinking of what to do to fill the rest of his day, then he got an idea. 
He grabbed his truck keys and headed to the store. 
He got back home a few hours later and started putting everything together. He had grabbed a big box, a sympathy card, a nice fluffy blanket, some of your favorite snacks you had mentioned to him, some icy hot cream, some fuzzy socks with whales on them, some face masks he found on sale, and a candle that he thought smelled like him. 
He wrote in the sympathy card:
‘Rest in Peace: Braedon’s ball sack. Cause of death: his own damn fault and my girl standing on business.
I’m sorry to hear you got hurt darlin’. I’m sending this while you’re sleeping off being sedated. Hopefully, you’re feeling much better by the time you get this, but I just wanted to send some stuff that I’d get you if you were actually, well here. 
Sarah says you can never go wrong with a nice fluffy blanket. I also got you some of your favorite snacks that I know you’ve been missing since being there. I thought some icy hot would be something ya’ll don’t have on hand and thought it might bring you some relief. Fuzzy socks, with whales, obviously. I thought since Sarah likes these face masks, you might enjoy them too… you can do them with Maria, I sent a few. Finally, a candle. Now something that brings me comfort when I am hurt or sick is cuddling someone that brings me comfort and just inhaling in their shampoo or perfume, their scent. I thought maybe since I can’t be there, this might be a good placeholder. It’s the closest I could tell that smelled like me. Sarah said a mix of eucalyptus and spearmint, so this was the closest to that. :) 
Get well soon. I’m proud of you for standing up for yourself, just know in the future, I’ll be the one breaking bones for you. I’ll protect you so you don’t ever have to go through this again. I promise. 
With all my love, 
Joel’
He didn’t hesitate or think twice about the last part, he meant it with every part of him. He knew neither of you was ready to say the big three words, but this was close enough to express it. 
He packed everything in nicely and tightly and then wrote your address and left with it to go to the post office to drop it off. 
By the time he got home from the post office, it was 5 pm and the Cowboys game was on. Ironically playing the Broncos. 
He kept checking his phone and laptop for any update or message from you or Tommy, but nothing had come in. 
It was 9 pm when he started to head upstairs to bed. He started to brush his teeth and wash his face when he heard the beautiful sound of a ‘ding’ from his laptop. He dried off his face quickly and got into bed, sitting against the headboard, eagerly opening up his laptop to see a message from you:
‘Hey cowboy, you still up? ❤️’ 
He immediately hit the call button, desperate to see you. 
Within a couple of seconds, a dark screen came on, and your camera turned off. “Hey handsome.” he couldn’t see if but you were smiling softly. 
“Hey sweetheart… I uh… I can’t see you… can you turn your camera on for me?” he said softly. 
You swallowed, and took a breath, “Joel… it’s bad… I…” 
“I don’t care, I need to see you, please let me see your beautiful face darlin’...” his brown eyes pleading with you, he looked so damn cute when he looked at you like that. 
“I… it’s going to be hard to see me, the lights are all off due to my concussion.” you tried to make excuses, you knew it would be hard and upsetting for him to see you like this. 
“Baby I don’t care if I can only see that bright smile of yours, I just… I need to know you’re ok. Please?” he smiled softly, trying to plead his case. 
You gently chuckled but then winced at the pain caused by that in your ribs, “Ah.. fuck… right, can’t laugh.” you let out a breath.
You turned on the camera, you had an Army hoodie on, hood over your head, Joel could see your face fully due to the brightness of your screen being illuminated against your skin. 
His eyes turned sad and he winced, “Oh god… sweetheart. I… what happened?” he reached out and touched the screen like he was trying to touch you, “Tell me what happened baby…”
You rolled your shoulders back and tried to stretch your back, sore. You sighed gently then softly smiled at how he was being, gentle and loving. “Long or short story handsome?” 
“Tell me everything baby, I have nothing but time for you…” he softly smiled back. 
You told him everything, at least the details you could remember, some of it was fuzzy, but how it started, you would never forget. You explained how he most likely will be dishonorably discharged if you file charges against him for aggravated assault and hate speech. Sarge wanted you to think about it and let him know later today. 
“You are filing charges against him, right? I mean he… he put hands on you, fuckin’ spit on your face.” he started to get upset as he realized the utter disrespect he gave you by spitting on you, that alone didn’t sit well with Joel. 
You nodded, “Yeah, of course I am. I don’t much care about me getting a few bumps and bruises, I’m more upset about what he said about Z. That’s what filled me with rage, not by being knocked on my ass, it was that fucking…” you visually were getting more upset, anger festering up. 
“Hey hey, it's ok baby, take a breath…” he said softly. 
You sighed and gripped the bridge of your nose, “I just… I’ve never felt so angry, you know? I… I don’t remember doing half the things I was told I did. I almost killed him at one point they said, one slight movement and boom, broken neck.” you closed your eyes, softly chuckled and then immediately winced again. “I mean, I’ve been beat up before, I know how to take a hit, I know how to take one and stay down, hell that’s why I joined. Came into boot camp with bruised ribs, I’m sure I had a concussion too from the jackass, but that’s not what fueled me.” you shook your head and clenched your jaw. “Sayin’ something that vile, about Z? A kid? That doesn’t just slide off so easily…”
There was a pause, some silence followed by Joel softly speaking up.
“Darlin’, what do you mean you were beat up before you joined?” Joel asked, sadly looking at you. 
You hadn’t shared that part of your past with him yet, you never found the right time, it just seemed too heavy to bring up. 
You looked at him and sighed before instinctually looking down, embarrassed and for some reason nervous, “I umm..” you swallowed the lump in your throat, tears starting to surface, “His name is Charlie. I, unfortunately, was trapped with him for quite some time. He was my ex, that turned into… well a monster.” you bit the inner part of your cheek, “There’d be days he’d lock me in a room or I’d be so beaten I wouldn’t be able to move. He uh.. he was very emotionally, and mentally abusive but mostly physically abusive.” you looked at him, tears streaming down your face, and took a breath, fiddling with the string of the hoodie, you hadn’t thought of him since meeting Joel, you found such solace and security being in his life. He never made you feel unsafe or undesirable. “The night that I left for good…” your bottom lip quivered. 
“Baby, it’s ok, you don’t need t-” Joel softly began. 
“No, I do. You deserve to know Joel.” you cut him off and then bit your lip gently, “The night I left, he beat me within an inch of my life. I was coughin’ up blood, barely passed my physical.” you scoffed. “I honestly only made it out alive because he stopped beating me to get the damn takeout he ordered.” you swallowed hard, tears streaming down, you wiped them gently. “When he passed out, I took my shoes, keys, and wallet, and never looked back. I don’t even have a phone when I get back… hell I don’t even have a home to go back to.” You hysterically let out a sad chuckle, then instantly reached down and held your rib cage and groaned, “I just drove and drove and when I saw the recruiting office, I parked my car there, signed on the dotted line, and took the bus to Fort Jackson.” you let out a heavy sigh, “I joined so he wouldn’t find me. I… I filed charges against him numerous times but his buddies worked at the sheriff’s office and nothing ever seemed to stick. I knew I needed to disappear. Plus, I thought that I would have some job experience for when I would get out in the real world if I joined.” you shrugged. “I’m sorry I never told you, it just seemed too heavy to bring up randomly and I guess I was just avoiding letting you know that dark part of my past.”
Joel just sat and listened, supportively nodding and taking in everything you shared with him. 
“Baby, have nothing to be sorry for.” he began, “No one will ever hurt you like that, ever again, do you understand me?” he softly said when you finished speaking, and you nodded. 
“I will never lay hand on you, and if I ever do, you better leave me after you did what you did to that fool, Braedon. What was it? Testicular contusion with a scrotal tear?” he questioned. 
You chuckled and nodded through tears, wincing again. “Stop makin’ me laugh, it hurts!” you teased.. 
Joel chuckled and apologized and then smiled lovingly at you, “I promise, this will be the last time, at least until you’re here with me, that a man will ever lay hands on you, yeah?” 
You smiled lovingly back and nodded, that three-word phrase edging itself on your tongue for the first time. Neither of you had made anything official but it felt like it was an unsaid thing, you know? You both adored each other and from a distance took care of each other. You had both just seamlessly fit together, into each other's routines, expectations and so much more. He felt like your best friend and you were sure he felt the same about you. You had never felt this way about someone before, it scared you but it also felt so freeing. He made you feel like yourself again, she had been lost for so long since Charlie, but Joel brought her out. 
He looked at you like there was something worth looking at. 
He blushed softly, “You make me really happy, you know that?” 
You shrugged and looked away shyly, “Never coulda’ guessed…” you teased and tucked a strand of hair behind your ear, “You make me really happy too, cowboy.”
He bit his lip trying to contain his smile, “I like when you call me cowboy too, it uh..” he cleared his throat, looking down shyly, “It’s somethin’ only you have called me. It uh… makes me feel all types of ways darlin’.” he peeked up at you with those big brown eyes, you felt your cheeks heat up and a heat start to form between your legs. 
You shyly looked down, “I can relate to that same feeling when you look at me with those big brown eyes of yours...”
He chuckled softly and licked his lips, “I’ll be sure to remember that for future reference.” he started to smirk. 
You blushed and smiled widely but then winced, “Ah, damn it, can’t smile and laugh, this sucks.” 
He looked at the time, “Do you have to work today?” 
You shook your head, “They are tryna tell me to take the day off but we are short-handed already with Braedon now being in critical care adding to the load we have to deal with. I think I’m fine, I’d take it easy.” 
Joel raised an eyebrow, “You? Take it easy? Darlin’ takin’ it easy is somethin’ I’ve never seen you do since you’ve been there.” he chuckled, “Take a day, rest. I’m sure if the world turns upside down they’ll come to get you but you don’t need to work, you need to get better.” he softly said, “Please, at least take today off, for me?” he used those big brown eyes. 
You shook your head and softly chuckled again, “You are awful cowboy…” you winced. “Usin’ those brown eyes to your advantage, again. But I’m sure you also just saw the time and know if I don’t work, you’ll get more time with me…” you looked at him with your arms folded, raising your eyebrow, which he found adorable. 
“You are not 100% wrong sweetheart, but no, I’d let you rest, get some more sleep…” he grinned, “And just call you again later.” he winked. 
You bit your lip and shook your head, looking down, “You’re lucky I like you so much cowboy.” you looked back up at him, “Alright, deal. I’ll rest up and then call you back again when you get up to talk shortly before you have to go to work.” 
“You seem to forget darlin’, I own the company, I can be as late as I want to if it means I’m talkin’ to you.” he smiled. 
You raised your eyebrow and smirked, “Mmm I seem to remember you have a consultation and monthly meeting tomorrow with your crew, all before 9 am. You sure you can just… roll in late to those, handsome?” 
“For you, absolutely…” he said with zero hesitation or doubt in his voice. 
You shook your head smiling like an idiot, not caring that it hurt, and teasingly rolled your eyes, “Get to sleep handsome, you’ve got a big day tomorrow. Call me after your meetings, and I’ll get some more rest. Sound like a plan?” 
He nodded and sighed dramatically, “Fine, deal. I’ll talk to you then.” 
“Good. Sweet dreams cowboy.” you softly said. 
“I will sweetheart, as you’re always in ‘em” he winked.
You bit your lip shyly, “And you in mine. G’night”
“Goodnight sweetheart.” 
You hadn’t slept so well in a long time, and just like you said, you were with him in your dreams, wishing it would soon come true. 
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2 weeks later 
You did as you promised and took the rest of that day off, in fact, Joel convinced you to take another day as your pain management was still balancing out. He would check in on you via video chat or messages. He continued to prove he was your rock. He wasn’t going anywhere and even from a distance he provided you with a level of comfort, security, and love that you had never felt. 
When you got his care package a few days ago, you have never felt so happy in your life. This man went out and not only gathered things but things with a purpose and reason behind them. He remembered the candy and chips you missed. You had only mentioned them in passing, but he remembered. The candle sent you over the edge emotionally. You laid in your bed that afternoon, tears streaming down your face, eyes closed, holding the candle by your face, wishing, dreaming it was him next to you. You prayed the smell would last until you were back home and could travel to see him. You said you wouldn’t light it for that specific purpose, to make it last. 
You hung the card next to his picture on your mirror and looked at the last part constantly, ‘with all my love’... your heart was so full and you knew as soon as you could get home, you wanted nothing more than to be with him. You loved him too, and couldn’t wait to tell him when you were able to say it against his lips or in his arms. 
Your injuries slowly but surely healed. You still had issues with your ribs, but you would for a while, but your face and nose healed up nicely. 
You pressed charges against Braedon, and after he was medically released he was sent back home. Maria said that she had heard he was trying to press charges against you when you went and discussed it with your commanding officer, they agreed with you, you were acting out of self-defense, and just because he couldn’t defend himself, didn’t mean your actions were like his, assault. However, your commanding officer and you did have a laugh and he told you if there was ever a next time, maybe pull back before you hit them in the balls so hard you lessen their chance to have kids. You said you’d try. 
Joel had sent you pictures of the rocking chair he was working on, Sarah even took some of him sanding some wood down and you couldn’t wait to thank her personally for them as it was Joel in his element. Not only that but you couldn’t help but note that he had his biceps flexed, his shirt tightly fitted, he was somewhat sweaty, and wore the most irresistible jeans that hugged him perfectly. You may have kept that one under your pillow and used it late at night when you couldn’t sleep and needed to relieve some tension. 
You went back to work full time and continued writing letters to Joel, sending photos you and Maria took. The last few were a little shorter than normal as you two had already spoken to him 3 times this week for at least 2 hours each time, there wasn’t much to write about, but you still wanted to keep up the routine you had, as you loved it was something just between you two. 
He mentioned in his last letter that when you got home he would take some work off to spend time with you and wanted to know what you wanted to do in that time, he had a few ideas he said but also wanted to do things you wanted to do as well. You wrote back a few days ago that you wanted him to take you dancing as in one of the last calls you had, he was cooking dinner and had music on in the background and started dancing to make you laugh, he also told you that he and Tommy knew how to line dance and won an award when they were younger, so dancing was a must. You told him you also wanted to host a barbeque with him for Sarah, Tommy, and Maria, and maybe some neighbors too, you wanted to try his baby back ribs he kept going on about and you mentioned you made a really good mac and cheese, the two could be good together. You also asked what his ideas were, wanting to know a sneak peek.
August 4, 2014
14:43 
You were taking inventory of supplies when your commanding officer came over, you stood to attention and saluted him. 
“At ease soldier.” he said sternly. 
You stood and put your hands behind your back, still standing respectfully, “Sir?” 
“Pack your things, you and your partner are going to aid Delta 42.” 
Delta 42. Instantly your stomach sank. 
You all had heard of the destruction and loss of lives that happened there. You all called it ‘no man's land’ - no one made it out. 
“Sir, may I ask how long this assignment is? To prepare?” you could feel your anxiety rising. 
“3 days. You have 3 days to find a superior officer that has sent a distress signal and transport him back here before we pull you out with or without him and god willing with both of you still alive…” he said so unemotionally, so matter of factly, he knew he was sending you and Maria to your possible death. 
“Sir, do we have coordinates?” you said, starting to disassociate. 
“Everything will be given to you en route. You have 15 minutes…” he nodded and then turned to leave. 
You felt your heart race start to race and your breathing became quick and panicked. 
‘Breathe in through your nose, out through your mouth’ your mind annoyingly reminded you. You did so a few times and focused on calming your heart rate down. 
“Ok… 15 minutes.” you put your clipboard down and ran out of the supply closet towards your bunkhouse. You changed quickly into your gear and then packed what you needed into your bag. You grabbed the photo you have on your mirror of Joel and Sarah and put it into your vest pocket that laid over your heart. Maria came running in shortly after, doing the same thing. Both of you frantically getting your bearings, panicking internally.
You looked at the time, 8 minutes. 
Joel and Z. You needed to alert both of them to the situation. 
Joel first. You did the math quickly in your head, it was close to 1 am where he was, so you tried calling him, no answer. 
“Fuck. Please answer…” you said to the screen. 
You tried calling again, no answer, status: offline. 
You looked at Maria, she was trying the same thing with Tommy, “You getting him either?” 
She shook her head and sighed. 
You slammed your hands against the desk, frustrated, feeling so much pressure, “Fuck! 15 minutes isn’t enough!” 
You looked at the time, 5 minutes. 
You frantically typed:
‘Joel, I was just notified that Maria and I are being sent on an immediate field assignment. Please answer… I need to talk to you.’  
You waited for 30 seconds, watching the clock climb closer to the time you needed to leave. 
‘Joel, baby, please answer me.’ 
You tried calling again, no answer. 
You sighed heavily and tears began to fall against your cheeks. You had so much to say to him in case you didn’t make it back. You needed to hear his voice one more time. 
You took a breath and looked over at Maria, she had no luck either. 
You swallowed and debated telling him how severe this was, you didn’t want him to stress for the next few days, but you wanted to say things that would only be said in the event of something serious happening. 
You were having an internal battle with yourself that you couldn’t afford to have with the little time you possessed. 
Fuck it. 
‘I will be back in 3 days. 3 days. I’ll come back to you, I promise. And if by some cruelty I break that promise, just know, you have never left my mind since we met and you won’t until my last breath. You are my waking thought, my sweet dream, and everything in between.’
‘You will always be the one I long for, the love I would cross the universe to find.’ 
You sobbed, genuinely not knowing if you would now get the chance to say those three words to him, the words he deserves to know you felt for him. 
‘I love you cowboy, and I’ll do everything I can to get back to you to tell you that in person.’ 
You looked at the clock, 3 minutes, you cursed as you shut your laptop “I need to find Z.” you said to yourself and Maria before grabbing your bag and rifle and running out of the bunkhouse. Maria running after you shortly after. 
You had no idea where to find him, you hadn’t seen him all day. 
“Z?” you frantically looked in the med tent for him, but he wasn’t there. 
“Z!” you shouted, Maria as well. 
Reggie looked at you both, confused and now concerned seeing how frantic you both were, “What’s going on?” 
You looked at Reggie, and you had tears welling up, “We are going to no man’s land. Where’s Z?” 
Reggie’s face dropped, “I uh, I don’t know, he usually is by the field if he’s not here…” You instantly bolted that way, you had less than two minutes before you needed to be on that aircraft. 
“Z! Azzami!!” you practically screamed, trying to spot him as you ran. 
Maria shouted at you “Y/N, we gotta go! We can’t wait any longer… Reggie will tell him!” 
You stopped and looked back at her “I- we… what if we don’t make it back?” you sobbed. 
“He knows. He already knows we love him.” Maria said, tears streaming down her face as well. 
You dropped to your knees, feeling defeated by the situation, so you yelled out loud in frustration, hurting your lungs and ribs. This isn’t supposed to happen. 
Maria felt the same way and came up to you and touched your shoulder, “We need to go. We are going to be late.” 
You looked at her and took a deep breath then wiped your eyes and shoved everything down and stood back up. “We’re making it back, together, yeah?” 
Maria put her forehead against yours and nodded, “Yeah, you and me. We got this.” 
You nodded, “Ok, let’s go.” then you both took off running towards the aircraft waiting to take the both of you to the next three days of absolute hell. 
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Joel’s POV
Joel woke up to getting texts and calls from Tommy, at 5 am. He had at least another hour to sleep but when he turned over and looked at his phone he saw he had 4 missed calls and 9 messages from Tommy. 
His heart dropped, his breathing hitched and he immediately thought about you. 
He scrambled out of his bed, knocking things off his nightstand, and ran downstairs to his office, opening up to laptop. 
He saw 8 notifications on his Skype. 
“Fuck.” he opened up yours and his chat log and started reading. 
Tears started to gather in his eyes, his heart pounding as he read, panicking by how you were talking. Where were you going? What danger are you getting thrown into? Thousands of thoughts swarmed his mind and then they all stopped when he read,
‘I love you cowboy, and I’ll do everything I can to get back to you to tell you that in person.’
He couldn’t help but smile for a moment, holding onto that feeling, that you love him, but he was brought right back to reality and fell to his knees and softly sobbed.
This can’t be happening. I can’t lose her. I love her and never got the chance to say it back. He thought to himself. He didn’t know what to do, he felt so helpless, everything was out of his control. 
His phone buzzed again against his desk, a call from Tommy. 
He grabbed it and leaned up against the wall behind his desk, the room dark, the house silent, Sarah still peacefully asleep. 
He sighed and leaned his head against the wall behind him, “Hey…” 
Tommy seemed just as distraught to Joel’s surprise. He knew Tommy and Maria liked each other as you told him in confidence but he didn’t know it was like this. 
“What did Y/N say? Maria said they were going on a field assignment, some idiot general sent a distress signal and they are sending them in to get him, she said it would be a few days… Joel she was sayin’ things...” his voice cracked. 
“I know.” Joel sniffled. “Y/N said similar things…” he chuckled sadly. “Things you only say if you think you’re about to die.” he pinched the bridge of his nose. “Tommy please tell me what the hell is going on, what did they get thrown into, what are their odds?” he said softly.
Tommy sighed, sniffing as well, “Depending on the area, they could be going into an active combat zone, or they could just be going on a wild goose chase, with the possibility of being an open target. I don’t know man, I just know for them to send only two medics means they want less attention drawn which to me means they could be going into active combat for which they’ll most likely be going in with a combat specialist to assist.” 
Joel sighed, “Ok, so if they do go with someone trained in combat that’s better than nothing, right?” 
Tommy bit his inner cheek, “I guess, I just… why them?” 
“They are some of the best in their area and Reggie right now is partnerless. Y/N said he isn’t supposed to get someone ‘til next week, they can’t send him solo.”
Joel was right, they won’t send Reggie alone and they weren’t going to separate you and Maria. However whether you liked it or not, you two had the lowest mortality rate in the region and worked well as a team. It was a no-brainer to send you on this assignment. 
“Will you keep me posted if you hear anything sooner and I’ll do the same?” Tommy asked. 
“Of course. I’ll uh.. See you in a few hours at the office, yeah?” Joel scratched his head, he was now up for the day, and he wouldn’t be able to sleep with this news. And he didn’t sleep very well for the next 3 days. 
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Reader’s POV
As soon as you and Maria got into the aircraft and buckled in, it took off. 
Maria and you looked down at the open door, watching you fly away from what you knew as safety. 
You turned your head and noticed another soldier across from you, looking stoic, and composed.  
The pilot came on the intercom, “We are headed to Delta 42, this is an active combat zone. Everything will be there, tanks, snipers, missile strikes, you are going to no man’s land!” 
You took deep breaths, trying to stay calm, get into the zone, and focus. 
“Private Coleman is Special Forces, para-rescue. He’s going to be your protection and guide. Your jobs are to not only get out with Captain Williams but get all 3 of you as well out alive.” 
Coleman nodded at you both and gripped his rifle closer to himself, “Good to meet ya’ll. Let’s make it back home, yeah?” 
You and Maria both nodded, cracking a smile, “I like your attitude.” you said over the comms. “We are on a first-name basis, I’m Y/N and this is my partner, Maria.” you tapped Maria with your elbow, and she nodded. 
“I’m Jack.” he looked out the window. “We are going to touch down, we are all 3 going to get out and run to the southwest wall, from there we will gather our bearings and make a plan. We have at least a 5-mile radius to cover before we get to Captain’s coordinates.” he looked back at you two, “Any questions?” 
“Yeah, how are you not shitting yourself right now?” Maria asked, internally freaking out. 
Jack laughed, “I’ve been in and out of here 4 times ladies, I’ve already done that the first two times…” 
A brief wave of relief washed over you. He’s been here 4 times. Someone that knows the area and threats, we’re gonna be ok, you told yourself over and over internally. 
The pilot came on comms, “Alright, we are descending, get ready!” 
You all three unbuckled and grabbed your things, strapping your backpack on and putting your rifle over you, pulling out your necklace charm from under all your gear, putting it to your lips, and kissing it. 
You grabbed a bar above your head to hold on and watched as the aircraft descended slowly towards the ground. 
You took a deep breath and let it out slowly. 
“I have heat signatures coming from your east, take cover as soon as your feet hit the ground!” the pilot said through the comms system before shouting “Now! Go! Go!” 
You all three jumped out, the aircraft about 3 feet from the ground. 
As soon as your feet hit, the aircraft took a sharp turn and started firing rounds to your east. You all three ran immediately to find cover. 
You felt a bullet fly past your left arm. You fell to the ground to take cover then rolled onto your back and sat your head up to look through your scope, saw the target, and pulled the trigger, landing a blow the their shoulder. 
You stood back up and ran towards Maria and Jack to catch up. 
You all made it to the southwest wall. Explosions and gunfire happening all around you. 
Jack shouted, “Ok, the sooner we get this sack of shit, the sooner we can get out of here! We are to move up south to these coordinates, that’s where his distress signal was sent from.” he showed his GPS. 
“What happens if we get there and he’s dead?” you asked. 
“Still need to get him home! We call for an airborne rescue and take the body…” he shouted back. 
You nodded and ducked as something hit the wall above you knocking debris onto you. 
“Alright, let’s get to work!” he smiled and started walking towards the destination. 
For the past two days, you’ve been shot at, missiles and grenades exploding around you. You don’t know if your hearing will ever be the same. You helped those that were wounded around you and then would instruct them if they could make it out the southeast wall and travel north there was a safe haven camp 2 miles that way. Anyone however who was not an Allied force and injured was immediately killed by Jack. He had no empathy for the enemy, and after what you had seen, neither did you. 
You were less than a mile from the Captain’s coordinates when you heard someone from behind you, as you turned to see, you were cut in the arm by a knife, “Fuck!” you saw a man with a hand knife make another swing at you, you stepped back and shot his knee cap to disarm him, he fell to the ground and then before you could do anything else Jack shot him in the chest.  
You stood there in shock for a second, breathing sharp and fast. 
That could have ended so much differently, I could have died. You thought. You gripped your rifle, trying to ground yourself, but then quickly turned to the side and vomited. 
“You good?” Maria asked, touching your shoulder. 
You nodded and wiped your mouth with your hand, “Yeah, just nerves and starving… not a good mix.”
Jack looked at you both then you, “You’re bleeding…” 
You looked at your arm, “Shit.” 
Maria looked at you and pulled out her kit, “I got it. You’ll need to clean it when we get home but here…” She sprayed some bacterial spray and then wrapped it with some gauze and tape. “That’ll hold.” she softly smiled at you and you smiled at her, “Thanks partner.” she nodded. 
“We have until the morning to get to the coordinates. Let’s take a 2-hour break, get something in our systems, rest up, and then push through the night, yeah?” 
You nodded and so did Maria. 
You all found a small abandoned house and took turns taking 30-minute naps, grabbed something to eat from your packs, and got something to drink. 
You took off your helmet, put it in your lap, and leaned your head against the wall behind you. Almost there, just a little bit longer. 
You pulled out the picture of Joel and Sarah and smiled softly. The house you were in shook as a nearby explosion happened, you ducked your head down and instinctually grabbed your necklace.
Once the shaking stopped you looked back at the picture and gently brushed your finger against it, thinking of what life will be like with them once you’re out of here. Holding onto that, keeping that in the back of your head for the next 24 hours. 
Jack stood up and pulled a map out of his pack, “Ok, we are right here.” he pointed to an area on the map, “Williams is here.” he pointed to another location a little further south. You and Maria looked at the map. 
“What if we went down this road? It's covered by overhead coverings… looks like it may have been a marketplace before…” you pointed to a road to the east of your location which would lead directly to the coordinates, “It would give us cover to move faster and avoid getting hit potentially from above?” 
Jack looked at your suggestion, “Maria, any suggestions?” he looked her way. 
She shook her head, “If she suggests we go that way, I trust her suggestion.”  
Jack looked at you, and took a breath, thinking, “My only concern is if it was a marketplace and has that overhead coverage, it might be a camp base for the enemy.” 
You thought for a second, “What if we threw a smoke bomb in? If anyone would be in there, it would create movement, and if it’s invaded, we just walk away and go just up here?” pointing to the main road. “Main road will take longer but it’ll be plan B. The hope would be this road works…” 
Jack nodded, “That’ll work. How many smoke bombs do we have?” 
“We each have two, that’s 6 total. We have maybe a thousand yards to location… if we throw one every 150 yards we can scope out targets and create a cover for us.” Maria said. 
Jack looked at you and Maria, “That’ll work.” he nodded, “Ok, pack up, we can use the lack of light tonight for further coverage.” 
You both nodded and gathered your things. You put your helmet back on and put the photo back in your vest pocket after kissing it gently. 
Jack looked at you then Maria, “If anything happens to me, you need to grab my radio, and once you get to Willams, carry him to a rooftop nearby and turn to channel 5. Call for Alpha 402, tell them where you are, and they will send a rescue aircraft within minutes.” 
You both nodded. 
He nodded back and then you all started heading to the road you hoped to take. Praying this would be a simple task now that you’ve made it this far, hoping this would be over soon. 
You made it down the road with 4 smoke bombs and no movement, you had around 200 yards to go. You kept telling yourself that was easy, that’s 2 football fields. 
Jack threw the 5th smoke bomb and waited, scoping out and watching the terrain in front of you. No movement, no sound, it was quiet. 
Too quiet. 
“We need to run…” Jack said all of a sudden. 
“What?” Maria said, not grasping what he said. 
“There’s no sound, no birds, nothing, something is going to happen. We need to run,” he said quietly. 
All of sudden you heard sirens, sirens signaling only one thing. 
“Fuck. Run!” Jack said running, you grabbed Maria’s hand and pulled her with you. 
You ran for your life. The sirens got louder the more you ran. 
Jack yelled “Over here!” he cut to the left and like a miracle you saw someone peeking out for the rubble, it was the Captain. 
You and Maria immediately ran over to him and knelt, you quickly checked his pulse, it was weak but there. 
You looked and saw he had an abdominal injury as well as a broken leg.
“Maria, splint the leg fast, I’ll pack the abdominal wound.” you looked up around you for the tallest building. 
“Jack, call for air support immediately after we finish addressing these injuries to that building…” you nodded towards a tall building. 
He nodded and kept a lookout, “We need to get him moved, hurry!” 
You packed the wound as best you could and gave him a shot of morphine quickly. Maria splinted the leg and also sprayed it with that same antibacterial spray. 
“Ok done.” you said, looking at Maria. 
“Me too, done.” she said. 
Jack pulled out his radio and called for air support, expressing that you were in the middle of a possible missile drop and that air support was needed immediately. 
You stood up and grabbed Williams, picking him up like you did with Terrance. “Let's go, we have stairs to fucking climb, and I wanna get the fuck home…” you said straining starting to walk towards the building. As you entered the building you heard gunshots from behind you, you turned to find Maria on the ground, bleeding. 
“Maria!” you shouted.
Jack shot back towards where the shots were coming from and then took cover in the building you were in, “Let’s go! She’s gone.” 
You shook your head, you could tell she was still alive, “No, she needs help! Jack, she needs help!” 
“Listen I’m not here to get her to safety, I’m here to get him. We need to move.” he pushed you towards the stairs. 
You looked at him in disbelief, anger brewing, “Then you get him out. I’m not leaving without her.” you set the Captain down, grabbed the radio he had on his belt, and started walking back out.  
“You’ll never make it! Don’t be stupid!” Jack shouted as he lifted the Captain over his shoulder. 
“She’s my sister, I’m not leaving her…” you said as you ran back out to her. 
Maria was 20 feet from the building. A few shots went past you, you shot back a few times and then threw the last one of your smoke bombs to create some cover. 
You got to her and dragged her to some cover nearby. She was shot in the shoulder and stomach. 
“You need to go, leave me.” she said, breath ragged and uneven. 
“Maria shut up. I’m not leaving you.” you said, putting pressure on her stomach. 
You looked up at the sky and didn’t see a plane coming in yet, you had time. 
You hurried and gave her a shot of morphine and then packed her abdomen, “I’m going to carry you. We’re going to make it. I need you to take my pistol and shoot anyone you see behind us until we get into that building, got it?”
Maria shook her head, tears streaming, “Y/N, please, you need to leave me, I’m dead weight.” 
“Maria, I made a promise to your parents I would take care of you, and you and I made a deal on that fucking plane we were both making it back, now shut up and say you’ll cover my back!” you shouted at her, focusing on packing her wound. 
She looked at you, tears streaming, she was scared. 
“I’m not leaving without you.” you looked at her, and shook your head, “You would do the same for me.” 
She nodded, and chuckled, “You’re so annoyingly stubborn.” 
You chuckled and smiled at her, “Yes I am, which is why we will make it out of here.” 
You finished packing her wound and then zipped her vest back up to cover it, keeping it in place, “Ok, ready?” 
She nodded and you handed her your pistol. You then grabbed a grenade you had and threw it to make some cover. You grabbed Maria’s arm swung her around your shoulders and started running to the building. 
She fired a couple of shots and from what you could tell hit something or someone. 
You got inside and looked up, you had at least 12 flights to climb, “You owe me.” you said with a chuckle before you started climbing the stairs, adrenaline driving you. More than halfway up you heard the sound of a plane nearby. 
“Fuck we gotta move. Hold onto me!” you shouted. 
She wrapped around you as best she could and gripped your vest. 
Your legs were burning, your heart pounding so hard you felt like it was going to burst, but you knew you needed to keep pushing. 
You made it to the top floor and Jack was loading the Captain in.
“Wait!” you called slamming the door open. 
Jack looked back and saw you, yelled at the pilot to hold on, and leaned out of the cockpit to help you load Maria in. 
You stepped and grabbed the handle to load yourself in when you felt something hit the side of your leg, you looked down and saw blood, “Fuck.” you looked behind you and before you could react or shoot, Jack fired a round, “Get in!” you pulled yourself in and sat on the floor. 
“Ok, Robbie let’s get the fuck out of here!” Jack shouted and you felt the plane pull up and turn towards safety. 
You immediately assessed your leg, starting to spray bacterial spray and then wrapping it with gauze and a wrap, hard-wired when seeing blood to address it. 
You looked over at Maria after and she was already looking at you. You started laughing, “We did it.” 
You chuckled which turned into a laugh, “Fuck, yeah we did!” 
Jack joined in, and you looked over at him, sarcastically saying “Fuck you, saying I wouldn’t make it.” 
He chuckled, “Shouldn’t have underestimated your stubbornness…” 
Maria laughed louder, “No, no you shouldn’t have!” 
You all three were in a fit of giggles when the pilot came through the intercom, “We need to divert to Delta 27, Delta 30 is under attack.” you all stopped laughing and you looked at Maria. 
Z and Reggie. 
You pulled yourself up and limped towards the cock pit, “What do you mean under attack?” 
“I just got a message that the enemy opened fire on it, with several casualties, it’s not safe to land.” 
Your heart immediately dropped, “But… I got people there… we have family, please, just… just drop me down, you don’t have to land, I can do a drop-off. Take them to 27… Please.” 
Jack came up behind you, “Drop us down, they’ll need reinforcements.” 
The pilot looked at you both and nodded, “Fine but just so you know you’re going back into an active combat area.” He started to turn the craft back towards your camp. 
“No disrespect sir but we were just in no man’s land, this will be nothing...” you said looking at Jack, he nodded, agreeing. 
You went back and knelt by Maria, taking her hand, “I need you to get in contact with Tommy and Joel. I need you to tell Joel I will be ok and I will call him as soon as I can but I needed to get Z and Reggie. Tell him…” you paused, thinking of what to tell him, “Tell him I meant my last message with everything in me and I’ll keep my promise, it’s just taking me longer, but I’ll make it back.” 
She nodded and looked at you, “Promise me you’ll call me when you’re somewhere safe.” 
You nodded and gripped her hand. “I promise. You get some help and stay alive until I get to you, deal?” she nodded and chuckled. 
You stood and looked at Jack, “We are looking for a kid named Z and the medic here, his name is Reggie. We get them to safety first then we reinforce.” 
He nodded, “Got it.” 
You let out a shaky breath and looked down at the camp, explosions and smoke everywhere. 
“This as close as I can get!” the pilot said. He hovered over a building, you let out the rope ladder and slid down, Jack following behind you. 
“Alright, follow me, I think I know where to find Z.” you said as you headed down the stairs.
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Previous chapter - Next chapter
Taglist: @vod80 , @sarahhxx03, @blahkateisdone, @sunnytuliptime, @pedroscurls
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softspiderling · 9 months ago
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hi lovely!! would you be open to writing something about rafe + sofia? i would love to see your take on them. maybe how they met, how they are with each other, or how she ends up in his bed?? or just to hear ur thoughts!! i love ur insta profiles tooo
wdym you want to hear my thoughts?😭 ILY!!!
okay, so what i'm thinking is: we know sofia works at the country club as a bartender, they clearly know each other judging by the way they were talking to each other at a party, and she knows him very superficially ("You'll come to it." "You don't even know me." "I know enough, Rafe. You're not like everyone else from the club with their golf shoes and their shiny watches.")
they probably know each other from the country club (we also see sofia pouring rafe a drink in 3x8) and he invited her to the party bc she's pretty (also bc he's a hypocrite bc he keeps going on about pogues and shit and sofia is clearly not a kook) and gives her a tour of the estate (before barry interrupts them). rafe tells sofia to meet him upstairs and they clearly hook up (she wakes up in his bed, in a shirt that looks boyish and very diff to the dress she was seen at the party in) and he seems pretty smitten when she wakes up and flirts with her.
but what i also want to point out is, sofia is not dumb. she knows that something is going on and she's probably heard the rumours about peterkin's death, she looks visibly worried/upset when she sees him tuck his gun into his waistband. he tries to play it off, tells her to feel free to hang out at his place
when we see her next, she's sleeping in the bed AGAIN while rafe is having a complete meltdown over sending an assassin after ward and when she wakes up, she's dressed in her work clothes and says "thank you for letting me crash".
sofia is also the first person who rafe opens up to (besides kie and sarah) (everyone who thinks that rafe/kiara will become a thing: wake up), and he opens up WILLINGLY. yes, he does hide details, wanting to seem likable, and she tells him what he needs to hear, so he can grow as a character. sofia is the first person who tells him he's a good person and that she believes in him and means it. how fucked up is that?
anyways long story short, i think they can set up sofia to be a pretty important character if they decide to bring fiona back. I really do like them together, the only thing i'd hate to see is if she only exists to better him, because that would be a waste of her character.
i hope this is what you meant when you said you wanted to hear me thoughts. also super sorry that this took so long, ily
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alicepao13 · 3 months ago
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Hudson and Rex S03E04 - Under Pressure
And that is literally.
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Charlie: *"casually" drops that he's a dive master because he thinks this will make him look cool* Sarah: *treats this information as teasing material* "So, are we talking higher or lower than a Jedi?"
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He caught Covid, didn't he? Unless some writer got inspired by zoom meetings.
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"Why don't you do that with groceries?" Oh, so it's not enough that he solves every case for you?
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One more explosion.
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Charlie having some trouble with the board. Rex is missing Jesse.
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"Jesse I am not." "No, you are not." And then they flirt shamelessly.
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Joe: "They were responsible for the bombing last year of the Canada Pipeline which successfully resulted in a 12-month delay of the project". Sarah: "Thank god". Joe: *exasperated look* Sarah: "That we're finally going after these hoodlums".
This scene is so funny because Joe is like, do I have an ecoterrorist supporter on my hands, while Charlie is just amused and somewhat proud.
Millennial shade. Tread lightly, Joe.
Rex just recognized someone's personal handwriting from the way they were dotting the "i"s. Everyone is fired. Rex takes over everyone's jobs.
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Sarah: "You're getting pretty good at that". Charlie: "Yeah. Who needs Jesse?" More flirting.
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Sarah: "And you can see how it's by a thermocline". Charlie: "Oh, am I expected to know what that means?" Even more flirting!
"Who needs a warrant when you have a Rex?" No, Charlie. We're trying to change our ways, Charlie.
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You can call her a geek all you like but we know you're into that. Charlie is getting turned on by Sarah explaining scientific phenomena because that's less weird than him saying that Sarah is sexy when she's trying to intellectualize an irrational fear (S5).
So, this is about gun smuggling now?
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"Please, kind sir, will you tell us what you know?" When everything fails, send in Rex with the puppy look.
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"If I ever go full eco-terrorist, I am so working for Barry". Okay but you're currently at a precinct working for the police. Also, Charlie's open fish mouth reaction is hilarious.
The guns are coming from the US. That I can believe.
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Time to dive!
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"I'll be back". Famous last words.
Rex doesn't like this at all.
"Charlie's a dive master, I'm pretty sure he'll be perfectly fine". Unless another master is trying to murder him underwater.
I really thought he'd stabbed him the first time I watched. Sadly, no.
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"Like hell I'm gonna sit there and listen to you about where Charlie should and shouldn't have been while my buddy is in trouble. Adios!"
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No offense to Joe, but I'd have wanted Sarah on that. For maximum angst.
"I think you owe someone a trip to the butcher shop, get him a t-bone". He owes Rex a million t-bones at this point.
I've read a fanfiction in which Charlie gets the bends from surfacing too quickly, which is probably more realistic than what happens here. Fun whump stuff.
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"You know when you left me to die down there, it was indescribable fear. Worst way to die. Only thing worse would be knowing I was going to be behind bars for the rest of my life because my plans were ruined by a dog."
We're getting deep into what I call Charlie-trauma episodes, by the way.
"I'm glad to see you alive". Instead of in the morgue, you mean. Why didn't she hug him? This episode is a failure. (Just kidding.)
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I've watched the episode like fifty times and it's the first time I'm noticing Jesse's costume has a J? And of course Jesse would want to go to Comic Con. Let the nerd live.
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Fun experiment: Show these screenshots without providing context to people and ask them what's happening in this scene. I'm sure the answers won't even come close to "she's trying to convince him to help clean up the ocean and he wants to hear her call him 'dive master'".
That was a lot of flirting. And some whump. Favorite ingredients for an episode. Featuring a very different Rex save.
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samantha-chicago · 2 years ago
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Meet The Boyfriend
Summary: Your family meets your boyfriend and his family
Pairing:  OC x Dante Torres
Warning/s: Mentions of officer down?
A/N: I don't know anything about Dante so I made basically everything up. I've not caught up on Chicago PD and it would take me far to long to catch up and I wanted to write it while it was still in my head so hear it is.
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It was just a met each others family thing. Like before a wedding they've got to meet each other except for the fact that we are not getting married and we're only doing this because our families are massive. Dante was the best boyfriend I could ever ask for. I just hope that my brothers can actually see that.
I stood in my bedroom redoing my make up almost like an anxiety thing. My brothers and parents downstairs in the living room and Dante coming with his family and siblings. I had heard my brothers coming in but I hadn't been down to see them yet. I looked over as my bedroom door opened honestly expecting it to be my niece and nephew. I was surprised when I saw my sister in law standing there.
"So I'm coming to get some information without James being about" Donna chuckled standing next to me as I fixed my make up.
"What kind of information do you want?" I asked looking at her
"What's he like? Is he good to you? All that kind of stuff" She answered as there was a car pull up outside the house. I looked out the window thankful I didn't have to answer all of those questions
"Oh is that him? Is it?" She asked looking out the window. I nodded
"Your brothers got you a gift for passing the detective test" My mother explained as I walked into the living room. I sent my brothers a weary look as they passed the brown gift bag between them. I looked at Donna who was smiling. The gift was definitely her idea then that makes me less worried. I walked over
"Yeah. Him, his brothers and mother." I replied and Donna basically ran out of the room. I shook my head with a chuckle as I looked at my Lock Screen. The picture of Dante and I from the day that I passed my detective test.
I walked downstairs once I heard that everyone was already in the house. I had already met Dantes' family when he had a panic that his family wasn't answering their phones. I walked downstairs absolutely terrified of what my brothers were going to say.
"Come on then Sarah" James chuckled as I took the wrapped box out of the bag and started opening it. I opened the box looking between my two brothers and then my two sister in laws. All of them were laughing at the mug they had got me. I shook my head
"Let me guess. James and George decided on it" I chuckled, shaking my head as both of my brothers pointed to each other. I walked through to the kitchen with it
"No making out in the kitchen" George called and I turned around pointing to Dante on the couch before his brother who was in the kitchen helping our mom make tea and coffees.
"What?" He asked frowning
"So Sarah, how did you two meet?" James asked and I sent him a look
"Boyfriend" I started pointing to Dante
"Boyfriends brother" I finished sending him a look as George shut up. I put the mug in the sink before walking out
"Two words. Police officers" I answered, sending him a look as if to say are you dumb. Both Dante and I were on call out today. Both wearing our badges. Dante had his gun on his hip and his radio.
"Well sorry I don't listen to the boring details" He mumbled as I sat next to Dante
"We met while Dante was on patrol. Then he moved up to intelligence. There the boring details" I replied
"Sarah you're looking healthy" Dantes mom smiled
"Thank you" I replied.
"Auntie Sarah can you take us to the park please auntie Sarah" Maya begged looking at me
"Why don't you go get your coat on and Dante can come with us" I nodded. Basically leaving the house so that my brothers can definitely argue about who's going to protect me more. Even though they're both mechanics and I'm the detective. I got up looking at Dante
"Do you have your radio love?" I asked him as he got up
"So how did that go?" Dante asked me
"I do. It's in my coat" He smiled and I nodded, pulling my own coat on with my heeled boots.
Maya and Milo ran over both taking a hand of mine and pulling me out the house. I am the fun auntie mainly because I am the youngest. They pulled me over to the park which was thankfully over the road. Dante followed behind us that goofy smile on his face. The kids let my hands go as we got to the park, the pair of them instantly running over to the slide. Dante wrapped his arms around my waist as I smiled up to him as he leaned down kissing me.
"I don't know to be honest. My brothers are hard to read unless they're happy. Quite funny when they thought that you were your brother" I chuckled seeing his face
"Had to hide how jealous I was" He whispered and I smiled
"You're the only Torres I want" I hummed and he kissed me leaning down. Our moment interrupted by his radio
"10-1 10-1. Officer down. 5021 Henry is down. I repeat 50-21 Henry is down" Dante and I looked at each other before running back over to the house. I ran inside to the living room.
"James look after your kids" I ordered opening my gun safe grabbing my gun and putting it in my holster before grabbing my radio
"50-21 ocean responding plain clothed officer responding " Dante radioed
"50-21 Frank responding. Plain clothed officer" Both of us ran out of the house jumping in my car as Dante had come with his family. I started driving to the address that came up on my screen. Dante put his bullet proof vest on keeping one in my car as we were partners before putting mine on as I drove.
"50-21 ocean and frank on science. Alert all resounding officers plain clothed officers on scene." Dante radioed as we both got out of the car. I ran over to Hailey while Dante ran to help Jay.
"I'm fine. It's the vest" Hailey pushed my hands away
"Upton I'm going to check you out anyway" I replied taking her vest off to make sure it just caught the vest and nothing else
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lulu2992 · 9 months ago
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Who is the voice of the female Deputy?
When I saw this question, I decided to try to find an answer.
I looked up all the actors listed in the credits, listened to their voices (in interviews, demo reels, or other videos), and… I’m still not sure who played the female Deputy.
While I usually find it relatively easy to recognize voice actors in French, my native language, it turns out that’s much harder for me to do in English. Also, it doesn’t help that they’re usually very good at changing their voice/accent and that, in real life, most of them don’t sound like the characters they play.
I still believe the person who played the female Deputy is also “Cult Follower Female 5” (CFF5), but it seems to me the actor used a different accent and tone so the cultist sounds a bit “villainous”. In any case, I didn’t find anyone that sounded exactly like the two characters…
According to my ears, though, the female Deputy and the female Captain from New Dawn have the same voice. Outside of cutscenes, the Deputy has 314 lines in Far Cry 5 (which you can listen to here, here, here, here, and here) and the audio files were all reused for the Captain. In cutscenes, so the “lines” that were specifically recorded for New Dawn, the character sounds exactly the same to me, which means the voice actor must have worked on both games.
I looked at the names that appeared in the credits of the two games and narrowed the list down to the 15 (+1; see below) likeliest candidates, so here are the people who, in my opinion, could potentially be the voice of the female Deputy, as well as, when the information was available, either in the game or on IMDb, which character(s) they played:
Claire Armstrong
Kailea Banka
Carolina Bartczak (Cult Follower in FC5; apparently not in FCND, but you never know)
Kimberly D. Brooks (Gun for Hire)
Nicki Burke (Cult Follower in FC5, Selene in FCND)
Lucinda Davis
Stacey DePass (Nana in FCND)
Amber Goldfarb (voice of Faith’s Priestesses, “Cult Follower Female 3”, and, I believe, Rae-Rae)*
Julianne Jain
Mara Junot (Sherri Woodhouse, “Civilian Female 6”)
Helen King
Erica Linbeck (voice of Anne, but also this and this)
Cynthia Kaye McWilliams (Resistance Soldier)
Debra Wilson
Kim Yarborough
Mayko Nguyen, who plays Kim Rye, was credited a second time as a “voice talent” in Far Cry 5, which implies she may have also played one of several NPC. Since she worked on New Dawn, she too could be the female Deputy’s voice.
Again, English isn’t my first language, and after spending two days listening to all those voices, everyone started to sound the same to me :’) If you’re a native English speaker and/or have a great ear, though, maybe you’ll be able to more easily solve the mystery! We can do it!
*IMDb says Amber Goldfarb played “Noodle’s owner” (the woman who called Ms. Mable for her pet snake) but the files tell me the voice is actually “Civilian Female 6”, so Mara Junot.
And under the cut, just in case, I included all the other female voices who appear in the credits.
FAR CRY 5
MAIN CAST Beryl Bain (Tracey Lader) Sarah Booth (Tammy Barnes and, according to IMDb, a “Civilian”) Luisa D’Oliveira (Deputy Joey Hudson) Jenessa Grant (Faith Seed) Debra McGrath (Nancy) Tasya Teles (Mary May Fairgrave)
VOICE TALENTS Carolina Bartczak (Cult Follower) Lauren Jackson (Skylar Kohrs) Erin Mathews Julie Nathanson (Jess Black) Kristen Peace Murry Peeters (Grace Armstrong) Claire Rankin Cara Ricketts (Dr. Sarah Perkins in FC5, Mickey in FCND) Charlotte Rogers Paula Shaw (Ms. Wilhelmina Mable) Jane Wheeler (Adelaide Drubman)
PERFORMERS (I’m not sure they recorded voices and they apparently didn’t work on FCND) Michela Cannon Roanna Cochrane (Cult Follower) Athena Karkanis Karen Knox Janet Porter Melissa Robertson Alyssa Trask Brandi Marie Ward
FAR CRY NEW DAWN
MAIN CAST Reina Hardesty (Carmina Rye) Leslie Miller (Lou)
VOICE TALENTS Rylee Alazraqui Mary Faber (in the “Additional Thanks” section in the FC5 credits and in Lost on Mars according to IMDb) Camryn Jones Rachel Kimsey Melanie Minichino (Gina Guerra) Carolyn Ratteray Marisha Ray Nadia Verrucci
PERFORMANCE CAPTURE PERFORMERS (again, I don’t know if they recorded voices in FCND) Ava Augustin Tamara Brown Jenny Raven Ajanae Stephenson Lydia Zadel (also credited in the “Additional Thanks” section in FC5 and a voice in Lost on Mars according to IMDb)
Good luck!
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raygirlramblings · 1 year ago
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The fact we still don't know HOW Eden got a new Rayman to be their spokesperson after the real one rightfully called out racism on live broadcast is pretty nerve wracking. We know Rayman's the last of his kind thanks to the Rabbids (heh, meta commentary) so WHERE did they get this one?? Is he a clone? Some kind of advanced robot? And if he's either of those two then what does that mean for the resources Eden has and is fully capable of???
Well that's just it! we have so many QUESTIONS. Like...this hyper capitalistic corporation has it's hand in universal finances, media control, medical experimentation and the military AND the scientific resources to create a gun that can open portals into other dimensions? They literally have a Power Rangers team and a GUNDAM as part of their defence force. It's bananas the power and reach of Eden, and yet there is also a level of flimsiness to them where their whole board of directors can be taken out by one gun wielding madman.
Considering the medical/tech advances they have to produce Dolph's cybernetic enhancements it's not out of the realms of possibility that they would have cloning or advanced cyborg capabilities.
...though this does bring up a theory I have had about S2....which I'll put below the cut ;)
With Dolph dying at the end of S1 and ending up in some kind of cyber network space with Sam Fisher the question of how they're going to bring back the lead for a second series is an important one.
Either you can follow the theory that Eden and everyone in it is part of a simulation, Matrix style, and Dolph dying in Eden isn't actually real so it's easy to just pop him back into the world like in a video game.
OR
Eden has cloning technology and they have a clone of Dolph just waiting in storage.
This would explain the Rayman clone. Eden developed the means of cloning certain important or vital people to keep them safe, and when a person dies the new clone is brought in, implanted with a backup of memories (OR fabricated memories as Eden sees fit!) and sent back out to carry on in the world.
Dolph used to be a highly celebrated and respected member of Eden's military. A marvel of science and biology and a formidable soldier. It would be logical for Eden to keep a clone of him handy just in case he died in conflict. Just like Rayman they could use his prestige as a propaganda tool.
'But Raye! If they had a clone of him why didn't they bring it out to use when Dolph went rogue?'
Because Eden wanted to subdue Dolph first. They couldn't just roll out a clone with the real Dolph running around committing crimes with Alex Taylor. Far better to detain him, kill him, and then roll out the clone with a 'look we fixed him he's good now!' narrative.
They didn't have to do this with Rayman because they believed he was too weak and powerless to do anything, and they needed him immediately to maintain his TV appearances and public image. They could just send Red to get rid of the original whenever (lolololol).
SO my theory is once Dolph went rogue Eden started preparing his clone for a time when they could catch the real one and then take him out. But Sarah Fisher got in the way and snapped up OG Dolph as her personal plaything for the Ghosts, and because of her influence on the board they let her do it. So his clone is just chilling in storage at the moment.
With Dolph seemingly dying in the wasteland fighting Red it's the perfect time for Eden to re-introduce the clone to the city, but my guess is that Sam is going to use his hacking powers to basically shove original Dolph's consciousness back into the clone body (don't ask me how, just say VR did it XD).
Eden is going to end up with what they think is a perfectly reformed and clean Dolph, all the while his original memories and consciousness are riding piggyback in the clone brain waiting for a chance to fight back. Or waiting for a trigger* which will override the clone's mind with original Dolph's (*BULLFROG I MEAN BULLFROG).
That's my theory :3
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where-is-my-whump · 1 year ago
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Hudson and Rex whumpy fanfiction
Wrong turn
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Summary: A new case is messing with everyone. Charlie tries to take down the killer on his own and ends up missing. Sarah, Joe and Jesse don't know where to start. They need a plan but what if they choose the wrong one?
Two days ago a dead body was found. The victims name was Max Blake. Someone shot him. They couldn't find any bullets nor any prints or a hair that could be linked to the killer. But one important evidence the team has. The killer got away with a blue Nissan. Jesse couldn't run the plates, yet there is one strange detail. The passengers door is in a lighter shade than the other part of the car. A security camera recorded the killer driving away.
It's pretty early...even for a Charlie Hudson. The sky is still dark and the stars reflect in Rex's eyes. Charlie took him on a walk. Back at home the detective gets ready for work. Puts on his new suit, takes his weapon and badge. Shortly after they both leave the house and get into Charlie's car.
After a few minutes on the road he resives a call from Jesse.
Mornin Jesse. What you've got?
Good Morning Charlie. Rex barks.
Good Morning to you too buddy. Says Jesse laughing.
So...What's up?
Oh yeah. Sorry. I found out that the car belongs to our victim and that he had an accident...which leaded to the broken door and that-...
Jesse...take a breath. I know what I need to know.
Oh, yeah, of course. I thought you might-
Jesse!
Yeah. Sending you the address from the car repair right now.
Alright thank you. I'm gonna ca-. Wait...I think I see it! The plates number is HVC 306. But I think you don't need that information anymore...I'm gonna follow the car. Don't send any backup yet. I'll call you when I know more.
But they could be armed, Charlie. You sure you don't want any assistance?
No. If they see a police car they likely get away...Like I said Jesse...Gonna call you back. Bye.
Ok. But be careful. Charlie already hung up.
Of course this isn't the best idea. Chasing after a possible killer all on your own but what choice does he have?
Where. Are. You. Going? Charlie is still behind the car and calls Joe.
Hey Charlie. Any news?
No. Not really. Jesse found out that the car belongs to our victim...Max Blake. Hold on. They are turning left. They are leaving the highway. They are now heading northwest.
Alright.
Is Sarah there?
Yeah. I'm here.
The victim bleed out right?
Looks like it, yes. One shot in the shoulder and one in the lower abdomen. He must have died pretty quickly. He was laying in a pool of blood. Please be careful Charlie. I don't want to see you laying in one either.
Don't worry. I got this. Allright I'll call you back. Bye.
Jesse, Joe and Sarah bye.
The blue Nissan stopped on the side of a small path. Hudson couldn't see any movement so he watchfully steps out of the vehicle.
No Rex. You stay in the car. I know. I know. Next time okey? Rex barks silently.
Charlie takes his gun out of the holster. Slowly he approaches the car and opens the front door. It's empty. The detective is confused. He didn't see anybody leave. His lips form the word How?
Charlie wanted to grab his cellphone but the universe had different plans. Without noticing a man got close to Hudson. He straight of knocked Charlie out with a bat. Immediately he falls to the ground. Blood starts pouring out of the back of his head.
There are two guys. One seems like the big boss and the other one is the short man for the dirty work.
Come on. We gotta move. Get him in the car. Throw away his phone.
I think I got a better idea. His eyes slowly move to Hudsons car.
Whatever. Just. Just don't do anything stupid Alex. You know where to meet.
The undersized man heads over to Charlie's car while the boss drives off with the detective on the back seat. His shirt went from a light blue to a dark brown. His hands tied together with his own cuffs. A grayish tape around his legs.
Meanwhile Alex opens the door and flinches. Rex isn't in the best mood. But it seems like Rex met the first bad person, that isn't afraid of dogs. What? You think one bark an I'm gone? Hell nah. Get out you little pice of shit. Get! Out! He grabs Rex by his fur and throws him out of the car.
Well that was easy. Okeyyy next step.
The suspect turns the car around and drives a few kilometers back in the other direction, where Charlie came from. He found a little parking spot and left the car there, with Charlie's mobile phone in it. He went off with another car.
Just a few minutes later Joe calls. Well...he tried to.
He isn't picking up. Sarah's and his eyes met with a worried gaze.
JESSE!?
Joe leaves his office apruptly.
You need to track Charlie's location. RIGHT NOW. Something isn't right.
On it. He said they were heading north west right?
Yeah he did.
But why is his location in the south east?
Let's find out.
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Shortly after leaving the Police Station they arrived at Charlie's location. Sarah had a strange feeling since she last spoke with Hudson.
He's gone. Said Joe
And so is Rex. Completes Jesse
Sarah joins the conversation..
That's not good. He even left his mobile phone behind. Something must have happened to him. I'm gonna call my team and look for any hints.
I saw a cctv camera on the way to this place, maybe I can find anything.
Yeah. Good Idea. I'll drive back to the location where Charlie first saw the suspects vehicle. If you two got any news please call me the moment you find out.
Sure.
Of course Joe. Stay safe.
Charlie is still out. His kidnapper drove deep into the woods. Nowhere near civilization. The tall man dragged Charlie a couple meters across the mossy ground. He suddenly stopped on top an old trapdoor and reaches for his phone. He even got service and tiped in a number.
Is it done?
Yes Boss. I bet his friends already found the car. Nick we gotta move.
Yeah I know. I'm already at the Bunker. How far away are you?
Give me 10 minutes.
Make it 5.
Nick grabbed the handle and opend the trapdoor.
Finally. There you are. Come on, grab his arms.
Why don't we just drop him?
We need him alive...for now.
Alex and Nick managed it to get the detective into the Bunker, without dropping him. The Boss already tied Hudson to a chain on the wall.
His arms are hanging a few inches above his head but the other part of his body is lying on the cold floor.
While the detective is out Nick records a video of Charlie.
Well who do we have here...isn't it the poor little detective. The detective who ows us something. We want 1 Million Dollar or your cute detective dies - he points at the gun in his hand - Tomorrow 11am at the old library in St. John's. No backup. If I see a cop...bang.
He moves his gun closer to the camera and stops the video.
Shortly after Nick anonymously sends the video to Joe Donovans private email address.
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Joe still can't realize what he just saw.
Oh my God. That's a lot blood. We need to do something!
I think we all know that Sarah. Jesse is there anything you can do? Any background noice? A specific area?
I'm sorry boss. All I could find out is that there must be a second guy. You can hear someone breathing and I'm pretty sure that sound doesn't come from Charlie. Also there are no windows. This could be everywhere...a basement, a container, an old building or something like a Bunker. We need more information.
But how? You nearly can hear Joe thinking.
It's pretty easy...we give them what they want.
And then? Do you really think they will say where they hold Charlie? I don't think so Sarah. It's the exact opposite. We need to wait and hope we well get another video.
But this could take days. Days we -Sarah holds in for a second- Charlie doesn't has.
Sarah did your team find anything in Charlie's car? Nothing abivous. Just a few scratches and furr from Rex.
No prints? No. Nothing.
Jesse? Yeah. Hold on. I just got the footage from the cctv camera. There he is. Jesse points at Charlie's car. They can see how the car is being parked. The door opens. That's not Charlie. Who is this Jesse? Give me a second.
His fingers dance across the keyboard.
Joe reads out loud. Alex Winter. 25 years. He has an older brother...his name is Nick. Both have been arrested multiple times for mayhem, robbery and illegal possession of guns. This could be them? Right? We don't know that for sure. Joe I will say it again and again we NEED to go there. Donovan doesn't look happy with what Sarah just said but there is no other choice. Ok BUT we do it my way.
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Slowly Charlie finds his way back to reality. He hasn't even opened his eyes yet and the pain already jumps into him. He silently groans in pain. His eyes flimmer open. There is nothing but darkness around him. Just a small light spot on the ceiling. After a short amount of time Charlie realized what happened. Scenes from the kidnapping are appearing in front of him. He tries his best to shake them away. The wound on the back of his head however won't go away this quickly. He tries to locate it with his hand but the chains are not really a help.
With heavy steps he tries to form a word.
R...Rex?
He hears something but definitely not Rex.
Hellou there sleeping beauty...god I wish I could sleep that long. ALEX! We have business to do. No time for you talkin shit. Sorry brother.
Sooo Charlie Hudson. Nick grabs Charlie's head, which is half covered in blood. He winches.
Remember us? You blamed us for something we didn't even do. But now you did. It would have been better if Hudson didn't say that. Nick forms his hand into a fist and punches Charlie in the face. His eyes remain closed.
Motherfucker!
While Hudson was unconscious, Alex installed a camera on the ceiling, pointing directly at the detective. The recordings can be viewed at any time via a link. This link will be send to everyone at the police station St. John's, tomorrow 11am.
Alex you do exactly what we talked about. No changes. If I tell you to shoot...you shoot. Alright?
Yeah and if something happens to you I shoot again.
Good boy.
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I'm so nervous Joe. What if-
He's alive. I know it. He has to be. We planned every outcome, we'll find him. There he comes. It's Nick. The older one. Of course would it be him. You think Alex is with Charlie? Could be, yeah. Alright guys. Let's do this. Be carefull. Joe gives Jesse and Sarah a little nod and leaves the vehicle.
Step for step he comes closer to Nick. A few meters infront of Winter he stops.
Give me the money. Not until I know he's still alive.
If your little girl in the car is planning something he isn't. She is a friend and is unharmed. She just wants her boyfriend back.
Joe's cellphone chimes. Go on...you might want to see this. A little bit confused Donovan opens the link. So do Sarah an Jesse. All three of them can see a hurt but living Charlie. He stares at something but it's not possible to say what.
In the meantime Nick called Alex. He's still on the line.
Now...give me the money. Joe can now see Alex standing infront of Charlie. His back is facing the camera. What he can't see is, that Alex already has a gun in his hand.
Nick is getting impatient and also reaches for his gun. Give. Me. The. Money. ALEX SHOOT. You could hear a lout bang. Joe is in shock. He thought he was the one that got shot and so did Sarah. She got out of the car and pointed her gun at Nick. She didn't even hesitate and pulled the trigger. Alex did too but for the second time. Nick smiled while fallingto the ground. His last words where: Have fun finding your boyfriend.
Sarah rushes to Joe. JOE are you ok? Yeah. Yeah I-I think so. Wait. Your not bleeding. Joe, Sarah and Jesse realize...Charlie is the one that got shot. They look at their phonescreens. No no no noooo. Charlie. Is he alive? I can't tell. There is so much blood. Jesse can you track Alex's phone? Or the camera? I need my computer for that. Charlie's time is running. How long are we talking? From the video I can't really tell where exactly he got shot but I think they choose the same spots as with our victims...Max. Maximum 1 hour. We need to move. NOW.
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Blood. Everywhere Charlie looks is blood. He coughs but there is pain. He breathes but there is pain. He does nothing there is pain.
Alex speaks to him while walking up and down. You know...now that my brother is dead, I'm free. I can be a different person. You might think...then let me go...yeah I'll...well you will on your own.
Alex takes a key out of his pocket and opens the chains around Hudson hands. They fall to ground like a stone in the water. He crys out. Just like Max Blake he now has two bullets in his body. One in his right shoulder and one in his lower abdomen.
Charlie is shaking. It's so cold. He had no food nor any water since 28 hours and there will be a few more to go...or not. If he dies soon. That's what he's thinking about right now. Am I gonna die here on my own? Will I see Rex again? Can I say Sarah one more I love you? Can I meet my friends again?
The pain wears off with time. There is no feeling in his right arm. With his other hand he tries to stop the bleeding on his torso. The darkness around Charlie comes and goes in waves. His eyes get heavier every minute.
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Jesse what's your status?
I couldn't track Alex location. His phone must be switched of.
What about the camera?
No luck either. They use good equipment.
Sarah wanted to say something but she just stares at the door. Jesse and Joe look at her and wanted to ask if she's ok but they already got an answer.
REX!?! How? Come here pal.
A police man is standing behind Rex and says. I found him on my tour around the woods.
Where exactly. Can you show us? Maybe he can track Charlie's scent.
Good idea Jesse. Let's go.
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Sarah is sitting on the back seat. She didn't even took her eyes off Charlie for a second. He hasn't moved in a long time but Alex is still with him. I think he is talking to him right now. She informs her teammates.
You must know...I don't want to be here either. I already booked a flight.
Alex speaks like Charlie would say something but he just lays there. His body slowly relaxes. This causes his hand covering the wound to slip off. It was nice talking to you but now I gotta go. I even got a little present for ya. He grabs something out of his pocket.
It's an old cellphone. No touchdisplay just numbers you can press down. I hope you remember the number of your little girlfriend.
Alex comes closer to Hudson and places the phone in his hand. Take your time...oh yeah...sorry I forgot...you ain't got no time. Anyways see ya in hell.
With his last sentence he left the bunker.
Joe, Sarah, Jesse and the police officer have been driving through the rain for nearly 1 hour now and still no sign of Charlie. Hey Sarah, what's going on there? It seems like Alex left but he gave Charlie something. I can't really tell what it is but it could be a mobile phone. A mobile phone? Yeah. Let me see. Maybe I can track it. Jesse looks disappointed to the floor. What is it? I'm sorry this is an old cellphone...definitely not Alex's. What if we call every number Nick has called in the last few days. Not a good idea, if Charlie tries to call us he can't reach us.
In the meantime they arrived at the location where Rex was found.
Joe couldn't even finish to open the door. Rex already jumped out. Looks like he picked up Charlie's scent. Hudsons friends all start to follow Rex.
Oh no. What's wrong? I've lost connection to the camera. You need to concentrate right now. This thing will definitely not help you. Put it away and look around. Any little detail could be important. Your right Joe. CHARLIIEEE CAN YOU HEAR US? CHAAARLIE.
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After trying four times Hudson finally succeeded in opening the mobilephone. He has no more power. Every little movement let's him feel like he run a marathon. A shaking hand, blood loss and a big concussion aren't the best requirement for making a call. He starts to type in Sarah's number. 128-3003 The number you tried to reach isn't available. Come on Charlie. He thinks. Again. 128-3006. He did it but he can't even hold the phone anymore. He put it on his chest. It didn't take long until he heard something. Charlie? Is this you. Sarah can't hear anything. Just breathing sounds. Charlie can you hear me? We are coming! She turns to Jesse. Please tell me you can track this number with your tablet. I'll try my best. Keep him on the line. Jesse talks like Sarah would hangup anytime. Of course not. Charlie! Come on. Speak to me. Charlie tries hard. S- Sar- I- I- lo- love you. Sarah starts to cry. I love you too. Hudson can bearly breath. He goes in and out of consciousness. Charlie? You there? Please don't leave me.
A tear drives down Charlie's cheek. His battery is empty. He has been strong for such a long time. He needs to rest. His breathing slows down until he takes his last breath. The bunker fills up with memories from his life. Meeting Sarah for the first time, going on long walks with Rex, game nights with Joe and Jesse all these moments end with a bright light, slowly faiding into darkness.
Charlie? CHARLIE? Can you hear me? She realizes. Her legs can't hold her anymore. She breaks down in tears. Joe is trying his best to comfort her but he also has to pull himself together. Jesse. What's taking so long. I GOT HIM.
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Sarah gets up, runs to Jesse and grabs the tablet from his hand. Sar-. Joe places his hand on Jesses shoulder and says It's ok. Let her go.
They where so close but will they be there on time? Sarah found the right coordinates but she can't see Charlie. CHARLIEEE? Her voice brakes. Suddenly she can hear a small creak under the wet leaves from the rain. A trapdoor. It's heavy. Her teammates come to help. Let me go in first. She couldn't hear what Joe was saying. Not a second after Jesse and Donovan opened the door she got down into the bunker.
And there he was. Charlie Hudson. Pale. Cold. Covered in blood. But he looks so peaceful.
Sarah rushes to her boyfriend. Charlie!?! Can you hear me? No no no.
She sniffs. With shaky hands she tried to find a pulse. He has no pulse. Starting chest compressions. 1-2-3-4...28-29-30. Air streams into Charlie's lungs. Sarah checks again. Nothing. COME ON CHARLIE. DON'T LEAVE ME!!!
Again. 1-2-3...30. Still nothing. Sarah. She's not reacting. Joe speaks louder. Sarah! He's gone. She wipes away her tears and starts again with chest compressions. SARAH! STOP. Donovan gets closer to Sarah and tries to pull her away. I said stop. Sarah punches him. THAT'S ENGOUGH! Joe pulls himself to Sarah and holds her very close in his arms. She trys to get away from him, screams and punches him until she just cries...cries in pain. Watching Rex laying beside her dead boyfriend. We did anything we could, Sarah. It's not your fault. He just lost to much blood. He was so strong and I hope you know that. He will be with you anywhere you go. Rex. Rex will be there with you. You are not alone ok? He gets no answer. What did he expect. His bestfriend is dead. Now it hits him and Jesse to. He is really gone.
With Charlie's dead the rain intensifies. A fresh, mossy smell finds his way in the bunker and brings Charlie his peace.
It would stop raining by morning at the latest, the day would be cool and bright. And this will show, it was finally time to go.
The End
Please let me know what you think about this story and turn the heart red and a reblog would be sooo nice too👉👈
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decaffinatedfrog · 2 years ago
Text
In his eyes PT.4
Joel Miller fanfic.
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When your sister and her husband died, your left in charge of your niece. What happens when you encounter a man and another teen on a quick supply run?
PT.1 PT.2 PT.3
Hi everyone, This chapter might be a little long, sorry about that! Hope you enjoy. :)
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You werent sure how to responde to his blunt answer. " were here" you heard Sarah say. Joel and Ellie shared looks at the house in front in front of them. It was clearly abounded, no protection on the doors or windows, just a plain old house that had been worn over time. "Are you sure this is safe?" asked Joel, holding is gun a little tighter. You and sarah shared a laugh. You had created a system that kept you alive for years.
You stepped in the house first and Sarah followed you. Joel was about to walk in but you gently put your arm on his chest, stopping him from entering. He looked confused, but your eyes motioned down to a small wire that was connected to a string. His eyes followed the string, that was connected to pans and pots on the ceiling. "It lets us know if someone is here" You mentioned quietly. "Smart" he mumbled back.
Once everyone entered the house, you led them to a room that was fully furnished. Sarah pushed the bed over, revealing a small hole that led to a bigger room. "Its the basement" said Sarah, casually jumping in. Ellie jumped in next but Joel hesitated jumping in at all. "Holy shit, Joel, you need to see this" said Ellie. That's all Joel need to hear to get in and you followed next. After closing the slot, you made yourself comfortable.
Joel looked around at your setting. there were two makeshift rooms, a small kitchen and a small living room. you had a shelf filled canned goods, and it seemed cozy to live in.
"Feel free to take whatever is on the shelf to eat." you said while walking away to Sarah's room. you could hear Ellie and Sarah talking about what to eat but you still needed to take care of your face, along with a couple stiches on your eyebrow. "Sarah Get me the kit!" you yelled from her room, but she was too busy interacting with someone that wasn't you. You heard a heavy footsteps coming your way. "She's uh, talking with Ellie. You can use mine" he said as he handed you their kit.
"Thank you. Its been a while since something like this happened. " you responded. Taking the kit from his hands, you started off by trying to stich your wound. It was going unsuccessful. "let me do it" said Joel, taking the needle from you. You flinched a little at his touch, but couldn't help but stare at his face. "Sorry for attacking Ellie. I didn't know she was a teen. not that it matters but, at the same time, I'm doing everything I can to keep Sarah alive." you explain with caution, considering he has a needle in your face. "I get it. Sorry about your face " he responded. Its clear that he doesn't want to keep the conversation going, so you stop. "Its a nice set up you have here. its .. cozy' he said while finishing the stich.
"Yeah, I'm trying to give her a good life. At least as good as it gets. Wherever we go, I try to make wherever were staying homey. We have been at this house for 6 months now, but were leaving soon. " you said back to him. He wiped his hands on his jeans, putting everything back in the kit.
Night time approached and you made sure to double check that the slot would be closed tightly. The girls had fallen asleep but you stayed awake. The pain on your face was barley bearable, but that was not your worry. Your next worry was where were you going next? What if the bullet would have hit Sarah? Will you be able to keep her safe?
Your thoughts were interrupted when Joel appeared next to you.
"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you" he said, turning around to walk away. "wait" you called out. Grabbing four cans of peaches, you gave him two and motioned him to sit. You both ate them in silence until he spoke first.
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purplecatghostposts · 2 years ago
Note
Uhm… maybe write some nice Bramth (Bram + Seth) if you feel like it…? I think there needs to be more stuff about those four together… Thanks for reading and have a nice day / night…!
Ooo, I’ll give it a shot! Take some Canon Divergence Snippets!
I. Really didn’t need to make this as extensive as it is but the words just kept going.
Tags: Blood, Guns (Only Implied), Canon-Typical Behavior, Memory Loss, Gunshot Wounds (Not graphic), Hurt/Comfort (Emphasis on Comfort in this one), Canon Divergence With A Happy Ending, Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms, Bad Self-Care, Fluff, Everybody Lives/Nobody Dies, and Kissing. (Tell me if I missed anything!)
Word Count: 6k (Yeah, I don't know how that happened. It just did)
— —
Jay Merrick calls him out of the blue, asking to do an interview of all things. That’s the first sign Seth has that something is off.
He’s trying to finish Alex’s film for him, he claims. He has a lot of questions about Marble Hornets— a lot of things that Seth has not thought about in a long time.
“You helped Alex with a lot of editing, right?” Jay asks. He’s fidgeting with the pen in his hand, writing down things on a notebook he pointedly keeps out of Seth’s sight. Seth nods, trying to piece together what he’s missing. It feels like Jay isn’t telling him something but he can’t place what. “Did you ever notice anything weird?”
“Weird?” Seth echoes, eyebrows furrowing. “Weird how?”
“Just uh, visual tearing, audio distortions— stuff like that.”
A frown forms on his lips. Jay seems so visibly nervous about the whole thing. He’s not sure why— true, they weren’t as thick as thieves back during shooting but they were friends (are friends?). Seth doesn’t think he’s done anything to make Jay uncomfortable. He hopes he hasn’t at least.
Something isn’t right. It nags at him in a way he can’t explain. Seth tries not to let it show.
“Yeah, that happened a lot.” He says at last. His fingers tap idly on the table. “I couldn’t figure out what was up with it. The cameras would work fine one moment and the next, something would go wrong. It was weird— I took apart one of the cameras just to try and find something wrong with it but it was fine. Never stopped bothering me though.”
Jay writes something in his notebook. Seth tries to guess what he’s writing but Jay asks another question soon after, distracting him before he can. “And— was there ever anyone who shouldn’t have been there in the shot?”
Seth huffs. “All the time.” They shot in public plenty of times. Alex was a nightmare when they had to stop for other people. It was like he was always in a rush to finish— but Seth was in that class too. They were a little ahead of most groups even. He could never wrap his head around why Alex was so antsy about it.
“Anyone specific?” Jay presses. There’s something almost intense about his gaze— like Seth has something he wants. “Like— I dunno, a guy in a business suit?”
The nagging feeling gets more prominent than ever. Seth takes a silent breath in order to fight the sudden anxiety that hits him and says as steadily as he can, “You know, I can’t quiet remember?”
Seth hasn’t thought about the Summer of 2006 in a long time. Everything and everyone involved in those few months— he couldn’t explain it. The moment he would think about calling up Sarah so they could vent about their days or heading over to Brian’s place for some company, it was like there was a barrier there. Terror and uncertainty kept him from seeking out anyone, and eventually, Seth let it all fade into obscurity and couldn’t remember why he let that happen.
Now… Now he thinks he knows why. Not all the details, not all the answers, but enough to tell him that something is deeply wrong.
And Jay probably knows it. He’s just not saying anything about it.
Seth knew he had been lying about something; Jay was never a particularly good liar. He just needs to put the rest of the pieces together.
Jay asks a few more questions, getting a few locations out of him and ultimately ending off their little interview by telling him to contact him if he remembers anything else.
Seth keeps his realization to himself for now and just smiles and makes a false promise that he will.
All it takes is a quick search to find it. All Seth has to do is look up ‘Marble Hornets’ and he’s immediately met with a YouTube Channel. Jay’s YouTube Channel.
The entries make him feel sick but they provide answers. He remembers— editing videos and seeing a figure appear again and again. He used to skip over it but soon enough, it began to haunt him, both in and out of the tapes. He remembers, but not how it ended. Not how he got here.
He clings to the newfound information and can’t help but feel alone in a world that has gotten much bigger than before.
But then he remembers that he’s not. And there’s another video of an interview on Jay’s channel that sparks Seth’s attention.
It’s how he ends up at Tim’s house, trying not to shake apart from pure adrenaline, with Tim staring at him like he doesn’t know where to go from here.
Seth gives the best smile he has in him. “Long time, no see?” He greets him weakly. “Listen, I— I have to show you something. Because if you’re anything like me, you probably just had the most off putting interview of your life and— I have answers as to why.”
Tim lets him in. They watch the entries together and by the end of it, Tim looks like he’s seen a ghost and is one strong yank away from tugging a good chunk of his hair out.
“What the hell?” Tim manages, his voice hoarse and scratchy. Seth can’t help but feel a little responsible but he can’t be kept in the dark. He should know too.
“Yeah, that was about my reaction too.” Seth tells him. He hopes he’s coming across as sympathetic but watching the entries a second time did not put him any less on edge. “You don’t have to follow me or do anything with this information at all but— I was planning on confronting Jay directly about it. You could come with me if you want answers.”
Tim swallows thickly. He doesn’t meet his gaze but after a long moment says, “I need to think.”
Seth leaves but not without giving him his number so they can stay in touch. He doesn’t want to do this alone but he doesn’t want to drag Tim into this either. Ultimately, it’s up to him.
But three days later, Seth gets a call and a confirmation that Tim wants to confront Jay with him. His chest feels a little lighter for it.
They confront Jay. After cutting through a few bad lies, Jay finally comes clean. They talk about the entries, what they remember, but then Jay shows them another YouTube Channel. One that’s been replying to him.
Seth is immediately entranced by it.
Puzzles, codes, and cryptology has always been a hobby of his that he enjoys immensely. ToTheArk, whoever they are, fills their videos with hidden messages and meanings and while he can’t deny its eerie, he also loves every bit of it. Ironically, it makes more sense to him than anything else.
Some are easier than others, but solving the codes give him something to do. Especially when he’s trying not to think about other things.
“This first one is pretty simple, you just correlate the number of slashes to the letter in the alphabet it represents. The message comes out to be ‘Look Closely’ which— is pretty vague but I get the idea behind it.” Seth rambles, ignoring the way Tim is staring at him with concern. “Second one is easy too. Take every capitalized letter and you get ‘Listen’. This third one was a little harder but I played around with the audio—”
“Seth?” Tim interrupts, eyebrows furrowing together. “Have you been at this all day? Because I left like eight hours ago and you’re in the same place that I left you. Have you done anything else?”
“Well—” Seth pauses. “I got up to use the bathroom.”
Tim sighs. “I’ll see what Jay’s got in his kitchen then. Speaking of, any idea where he is?” Seth shakes his head. “Jesus. He better not have gone to Brian’s house again.”
Seth swallows down a lump in his throat, gaze dropping to his computer again. He can feel Tim’s gaze burn into him before he says, “One second.” And disappears into Jay’s kitchen.
It wasn’t a planned thing for them to all temporarily live in Jay’s apartment. But Tim lives out of town and was only visiting for personal reasons so it was better than him spending more money on a hotel, and Seth felt like he was being watched at home and took to safety in numbers. None of them were used to living around other people so there were a few adjustments but there weren’t a whole lot of options at this point.
Seth can’t deny it’s nice being around his old friends. He just wishes it were under better circumstances.
Tim returns a couple minutes later. “Gonna make some pasta for all of us.” He tells Seth when he settles down beside him. “Nothing fancy but still good. Now— is this about Brian?”
The lump in his throat is back again. Seth runs a hand through his hair, swallowing it back down again. “His place was trashed, Tim.” Seth murmurs. “Jay found a bullet casing and a lot of blood in the sink. The outlook isn’t great.”
Tim looks away. There’s a haunted look in his eyes when he says, “I know. Believe me, I know. I’m holding onto hope that he’s okay but— fuck, I don’t know. But— we have to keep going. No matter what, we can’t fall apart, alright? So I know you’re the code breaking expert here but you gotta take care of yourself too.”
Seth rolls his eyes. “Says the guy who smokes regularly.”
“It’s a bad habit.” Tim winces but agrees. “I’ll… I’ll work on it if you promise to work on this. Sound fair?”
Seth nods after a beat. The bitterness drains out of him slowly. “Fair. Sorry, I don’t mean to come after you. I just get lost in this stuff sometimes.”
Tim holds up his hands. “No judgement here. I’m no stranger to losing time either. We just gotta help each other from here on out if we’re gonna do this.” A frown tugs at his lips. “Speaking of, you mind calling Jay while I cook? We should probably know where everyone is.”
Seth tells him he’ll take care of it and Tim returns to the kitchen. He calls Jay but the phone rings out with no answer. He calls again after ten minutes. Then after the pasta is done. Then at various other times as it shifts from evening to night, and not once does Jay so much as shoot a text in response.
The pasta grows cold. Seth and Tim try not to worry too much— Jay can take care of himself, can’t he?
At 6:58 in the morning, Seth finally gets a call back. He fumbles for his phone when it wakes him up but sobers up quickly when he sees the contact on the screen.
“Jay?” Seth asks when he finally answers.
“Hey, um…” Jay says. He’s out of breath and it takes him a minute to respond. “I uh, I just woke up in my car on the side of the road. I don’t know where I am— or how I got here. I… I think I need help?”
Seth is on his feet and grabbing his keys in an instant. “I’m getting Tim up. Tell me your surroundings, we’ll be there as soon as we can.”
Jay has his head in his hands by the time he’s finished. He keeps a steady tone but there’s a layer of panic in his eyes that betrays it.
Seth doesn’t blame him. They might’ve warned Jay about going back to Brian’s house, even in the daylight and even if there might’ve been something important there, but he wouldn’t expect anything like Jay described.
“So the house was— jumbled?” Tim repeats slowly. “Like you kept entering rooms you didn’t go into. And there was someone else there?”
Jay nods, swallowing thickly. “Yeah. Yeah, he was uh— he was wearing like a mustard yellow hoodie and had this mask covering his whole face. Red frowning face was on it. I don’t know what his deal was and uh, didn’t see much of him once it— teleported me? I don’t know how it happened but it took me to this basement or something. There were blood on some of the rocks there— it’s all on the tape.”
Jay gestures to his camera, now in Seth’s hands. Seth eyes it, taking the tape out to watch later. Jay probably doesn’t need any more reminders though.
In fact, Seth thinks maybe Jay needs to get home more than anything.
Handing Tim his keys, Seth motions for Jay to give him his. “Let’s get you out of here.” He tells him. “We can do this back at your place.”
Nobody argues. Seth has Tim lead, glancing at Jay every so often to check on him. He just stares vacantly out the window though, eventually causing Seth to clear his throat. “I don’t know what’s going on exactly.” Seth admits. “But you’re not alone in this. So next time— take one of us, alright?”
“It might not make a difference.” Jay mumbles, still not looking at him. “Maybe you’ll just wake up in my car in the middle of nowhere too.”
“Better than doing it alone.” Seth tells him. “And hey, I don’t know about Tim but I’m willing to look through some of the tapes if it means you get a break. A lot of them are a whole lot of nothing, aren’t they? I’ll just tell you if anything interesting happens.”
Jay noticeably hesitates but nods slightly in the end. “Okay.” He says. He doesn’t quite smile but there’s a lighter look in his eyes. “Thanks— it’ll go a lot faster with more people.”
Seth shrugs. “Something weird is going on and it involves us as much as you so— it’s no problem. We’ll figure it out, one way or another.”
Most of the tapes are, predictably, dull. Alex recorded a lot of his day to day life, especially while he was sleeping. Seth feels a little odd for seeing it all but he skims for anything interesting as best he can.
One tape however, catches his eye, but not for any reason it would for Jay. Rather, it’s a cast recording. He can hear himself behind the camera, making sure it’s all recording properly but never turning it off— definitely halfway through the summer then. Alex got on his case so much for it that Seth learned to just hit record and keep going, even during breaks.
During one such break, everyone is off camera except for Tim and Seth himself. Both are eating lunch— Seth brought takeout while Tim has a sandwich of some kind. They’re talking while they eat, laughing at a few jokes, nudging each other playfully. Seth feels his body completely relax watching it. He missed this— he doesn’t know how he lived without it.
He doesn’t know how he forgot being such good friends with everyone either. Watching it now he’s reminded but before, the only people that stuck out were Sarah and Brian. He thought they were the only ones but clearly he was wrong. At the very least, he had fun with Tim too.
One joke he can’t quite hear in the tape has Seth laughing so hard that he nearly topples over but Tim grabs him before he falls off the bench. In the video, Seth is still laughing as he seems to subconsciously lean closer for support but he trails off when suddenly, something seems to hit him. He’s close to Tim— very close, and he watches as Tim and himself in the video visibly realize this, causing them to stare at each other.
The stare lasts a minute, then slowly, Seth watches him bring a hand up, curl it around Tim’s neck, and gently bring his face closer until there’s no room left and they’re kissing.
Seth pauses the video. Stares at the freeze frame.
He doesn’t remember this. He doesn’t think he would’ve forgotten as something as important as kissing a guy in the cast. In fact, Seth knows for sure he kissed Brian once or twice, remembering it vividly. But Tim? He doesn’t remember that.
But the tapes don’t lie. And there’s no way something like that could’ve been edited.
Seth carefully removes the tape and keeps it separate from the rest. He needs to process this before he brings it up to anyone else— Tim especially. He’s always found him attractive, true, and he knows their whole friend group is polyamorous so it’s not like the fact that he definitely has some lingering feelings for Brian is as big of a deal but…
Seth needs to know where he stands first before he brings it up.
(Though, he can’t help but wonder how it felt to kiss Tim the first time.)
Jay starts recording everything. Seth can tell Tim isn’t a big fan of the camera being a constant now but they both know he’s on edge, so once it becomes clear that Jay isn’t willing to stop, they don’t bring it up.
But Seth starts finding excuses to drag Jay away from the tapes when he can. Not that he’s much better whenever ToTheArk has another cipher for him to solve, but Jay and Tim return the favor when they can.
Tim starts talking about needing to head back home for work soon. Seth isn’t really sure if they’ll all head up there or if they’ll meet up with Tim again later but they’ll work it out somehow, that much is clear.
There’s a tape at the red tower. Seth is in it. He doesn’t remember any of the events on it either.
He doesn’t know why he and Alex are in an abandoned building at night and he sure as hell doesn’t know what happened to him that makes Alex say that he’s ‘Gone’, whatever that means.
What he does know is that it bothers him. Everything about it makes him feel sick in a way he can’t explain. It makes him feel wrong— like he’s seeing something he shouldn’t.
Seth stares at the screen long after the tapes stop. A hand on his shoulder makes him jump, to which Jay murmurs an apology. Seth lets out a breath and tells him it’s alright.
“You okay?” Jay asks, then winces. “Actually— ignore that, you’re probably not. I uh… Do you want a hug or..?”
Seth thinks about that. Then turns and nods. A little awkwardly, Jay pulls him in for a hug. It’s not the best, but the sentiment makes up for everything else about it. It’s only for a few moments before Seth pulls away but he does feel a bit better for it.
He doesn’t know what happened to him on the tape, but they’ll figure it out. Jay won’t stop now at the very least, and Seth is right behind him.
Everything changes over the course of three days.
On the first day, Jay’s YouTube Channel gets hacked. A single video is uploaded— an eerie one, clearly from ToTheArk, stating that they will no longer wait for them, and how they will lead them ‘to the ark’. The figure appears in it— the one in the hoodie with the frowning, cloth mask, and it sends chills down Seth’s spine.
It’s enough to spur them into packing up and spending the night somewhere else. And thank god for it because on the second day, Jay’s house is set on fire and it’s all over the news.
Jay got all his important things out but it’s no less harrowing to see. All three of them are shocked by the turn of events and carefully, they come to a conclusion about their next steps.
On the third day, they pack up and Tim leads the way as they had out of town and miles away to Tim’s place instead. They take a few detours in order to make sure they aren’t followed but in the end, Tim helps them settle in to his place.
The next few days are quiet. Tim goes back to work, Seth pokes around to see if there are any job opportunities for him and Jay, and Jay copes with the loss of his house.
At the end of the week, Jay tells them quietly that he thinks it might be better if they stop investigating. Both Seth and Tim find themselves agreeing.
A tape arrives at their doorstep around a week later.
The sound of the TV static going haywire wakes Seth up. He can’t see very well through the thick darkness but he fumbles around for a remote until he finds one and swiftly turns it off. A sigh of relief escapes him once he does and Seth rolls over, right back into the warm arms he had been cuddled up with before.
Then he stops. Backtracks. Sits up and squints through the darkness, causing the other person in the bed to stir.
It’s hard to make out but he thinks it’s— Jay? Seth blinks, trying to take in his surroundings but— this doesn’t look like Tim’s place at all. There are two large beds— one with Jay and the other with another sleeping figure passed out on the bed that he’s pretty sure is Tim.
Seth eyes what he can through the dark but gets up and heads for the curtains covering the window in the end. One look outside has his heart sinking.
“Hey. Hey! Tim, Jay, wake up!”
It doesn’t take very long. Both stir, then quickly snap to attention when confusion takes hold. Seth pulls back the curtains slowly enough that they don’t flinch too badly at the sudden light and asks, “Anyone have any idea where we are? Because I don’t remember a thing.”
Evidently, neither of the other two do either. And the situation only gets worse when one look at the date has them all realizing that the last memories they have were from seven months ago.
It’s enough to send them into a collective panic and scramble to figure it all out.
They don’t know the hotel they’re in. They don’t know how they got here or why they have a safe they can’t get into or any idea of what happened in the past seven months. They also don’t know why the only other person checked in is right next to them.
Jessica Locke. The name is familiar but Seth can’t place it. None of them can.
Jay makes a shitty lie about hotels when she sees them carrying around a camera. Seth hates that this is the lie they’re going with but gives a strained smile and ‘Mmhmm’ right alongside with him.
The lie falls apart pretty quickly but for the better. Jessica has been having the same problems they have. They make a plan to leave and figure it out together.
Then the Hooded Guy shows up, Alex not too far behind, and all hell breaks loose.
Seth and Tim wake up in the middle of the woods. There are about a dozen missed calls from Jay on Seth’s phone but unfortunately, it dies before he can think about so much as shooting a text to him.
Seth has a few scrapes here and there but he’s okay. Tim on the other hand has a bullet wound in his leg. It seems to have been haphazardly patched up already but Seth has him sling an arm around his shoulder for support as they slowly make their way out.
A little ways in, Tim mumbles out, “Rosswood. We’re in Rosswood Park.”
Seth pauses. “You recognize it?”
Tim nods. “Came here when I was a kid a lot. I think I know the way out but I might be wrong.”
“Better than nothing. Tell me where to go, I’ll get us there.”
It takes a while but they make their way out to the parking lot. There’s no car in sight because of course it couldn’t be that easy. Seth does manage to find a payphone however and sits Tim down in order to dial Jay’s number. Though, as the phone rings, he swears he sees a figure in the treeline. Not tall enough to be that thing that follows Alex, but a person. But Jay picks up soon after, Seth takes that as priority over it, and once he’s done talking and hanging up, the figure is gone.
“Jay’s okay. He woke up a little while away in his car, no major injuries. He doesn’t know where Jessica is either but hopefully she’s safer than we are right now. He has all the tapes and stuff we got from the safe too.” Seth sits down next to Tim, sighing. “Maybe it can get us some answers as to why we’re in this whole mess.”
Tim nods but his face is pinched. Seth gives him a sympathetic look. “Jay has the ibuprofen. It’ll help but it’ll take him a while to get here.”
“I’ll last until then.” Tim tells him, like he’s reassuring him. “Don’t worry.”
Seth scoffs. “You got shot in the leg, I think I’m allowed to worry, Tim.”
“Well— if Alex were around here, he probably would’ve made himself known by now so we’ll probably be fine for now.”
It takes Seth a minute to decipher his words. His scowl only deepens when he does. “Tim.” He says, lower than he means to. “I don’t give a flying fuck about Alex right now. I’m worried about you. Nothing else.”
“I told you, I’ll be fine.” Tim waves his hand dismissively.
“I disagree so when we get a chance to rest, you’re staying off that leg. For a long time.”
“I have work, we still need—”
“I’ll work.” Seth shuts him down. “We’ll get you crutches. I’m not taking no for an answer.”
Tim opens his mouth, thinks better of it, and snaps it shut. “Alright.” He murmurs. “We’ll figure it out.”
“We’ll figure it out.” Seth agrees.
They divide the tapes and the hard drive among them. There’s quite a bit of footage, especially seeing as not only do they have some from Alex’s chest mounted camera, now in their possession, but they acquired a second handheld one at some point.
Apparently the second one was for Tim and Seth’s own use, though Seth finds himself using it more on the tapes.
There are still some mundane things they catch seeing as they were still recording everything, but there’s plenty of interesting things as well. Apparently Alex wanted their help in finding Amy but there also seems to be an awful lot of Alex ignoring their attempts at contacting him.
There’s also a lot more of the Hooded Guy. None of them seem to know what to make of him.
One tape catches Seth’s eye however. It’s one of him, visiting Rosswood alone at night. Why the hell he would do such a thing isn’t clear until he seems to be calling out for someone. And soon enough, he catches movement and runs towards it, putting him in a wild chase for the Hooded Guy.
The Hooded Guy outlasts him and Seth slows down in the video when he runs out of breath but he manages to shout between breaths. “I— I think I know who you are but— I need to be sure! Please— are you him? I have to know, I can’t— I can’t get my hopes up.”
The Hooded Guy does appear on video again. Something about his body language screams curious, but a little static shows up in the video and abruptly, the Hooded Guy tenses up and rushes forward to grab Seth by the wrist and pull him away from the danger. The tape ends soon after, telling Seth nothing as to what he was talking about in the tape, or what happened after.
He shows it to Tim and Jay, telling them to keep an eye out in case it gets mentioned again.
Unfortunately, the loss of the seven months also means Seth has no idea who he thought the Hooded Guy was, and more importantly, whether or not he was right.
It’s a cliche. One straight out of a cheesy romcom they might’ve watched once during a Marble Hornets Cast Movie Night.
They move around from motel to motel to make sure they’re not being followed. One of the motel is fully booked, save for one room, that only has one bed. A pretty big one too.
They’re all too tired to think about anything else other than sharing it.
It’s a cliche, Seth thinks, but cliches are overused for a reason. And with Tim’s arm sling around him on one side, warm and comforting, and Jay so close that he’s fitting together like he was born to one day sleep in Seth’s arms, Seth knows it’s a cliche because it’s a damn good one.
It’s a gradual thing. Knuckles brushing up against knuckles. Gentle hands combing through their hair as they give each other haircuts because it’s cheaper. Sharing meals at a restaurant.
It turns into holding hands and not just because it’s cold out but because it’s a comfort. It turns into all of them sharing a bed because they all sleep better when they do. It turns into longing looks, lingering touches, and wondering if it’s mutual.
And after a certain point, Seth can’t stand the way they look at him and not doing anything about it so he fishes out a few tapes from his belongings and shows it to them.
Because there wasn’t just one. There were a couple, telling Seth it wasn’t just him and Tim and it sure as hell wasn’t just a one time thing.
And by the end of it, the tension is so thick that Seth says to hell with it and kisses Tim. Then Jay. Then they’re kissing each other and they’re both kissing him at once and Seth thinks he should’ve done this ages ago.
ToTheArk starts being active again. Seth takes a little time to decipher some of the videos, telling Jay and Tim the messages so they can figure it all out together.
One particular code has Seth stopping. It’s different than the others— it’s not an existing cipher, or at least, Seth thinks, not an official one. But it looks familiar. Achingly familiar.
Seth tries a different cipher— one he knows from memory. Slowly, he decodes the message, and is shocked when it works. The actual message is glossed over as Seth’s heart pounds through his chest at the realization.
“Seth?” Tim asks, frowning. “What is it? What are they saying?”
“I…” Seth swallows. “It’s not the message. It’s the code.”
“The code?” Jay prompts, looking up from his camera.
“It’s made up.” Seth explains. “I— we made it up. It was for our Cryptology class, we had to make our own code and then we just kept it around because it was fun— like a secret language— and—”
His heart leaps in his throat. Seth stands up, getting wary looks from the other two.
“There are only two people who know that code enough to use it.” Seth tells them slowly, hardly able to believe it. “I know it and… And Brian knows it. Because I made it with him. Because we took that stupid class together and had fun while doing it.”
“Wait.” Jay’s eyes blow wide.
“Are you saying..?” Tim’s mouth drops open.
“Brian is alive.” Seth says, and can barely believe it himself. “Brian is alive and he’s that Hooded Guy.”
They track him down to Rosswood. It’s a big park and a confusing one but they’re determined and on a mission so together, they comb through the park, searching in every nook and cranny.
It takes most of the day but eventually, they stumble across an abandoned house deep within. Rubble and dirt cover the floor and there’s only a single broken mattress in one of the rooms.
The Hooded Guy is there too. He startles badly when they find him, backing up like he’s ready to go out the nearest window should they prove to be a threat. But he’s not gone yet, which means there’s a chance.
“Brian.” Tim says, and the Hooded Guy goes still.
“We know it’s you.” Seth tells him. The Hooded Guy doesn’t so much as twitch. “I don’t know if you realized what you were doing but you used our cipher. You’re the only other person who knows that, Bri.”
“We want to talk.” Jay says. “We want to help.”
“But you got to come home with us first.” Tim finishes, and holds his hand out for Brian to take. “Let us help. You shouldn’t be on your own like this.”
For a long minute, nothing happens. But slowly, carefully, the Hooded Guy— Brian— steps forward. He closes the distance, taking Tim’s hand, and Tim immediately pulls him in for a bear hug.
Brian stiffens but eases a little a moment later. Jay and Seth are quick to join, giving hugs of their own.
He isn’t dead. That’s all that matters at that moment. Brian Thomas isn’t dead and they can worry about everything else later.
One shower and a warm meal later, and Brian is talking. Quietly and scratchy, but if it bothers him, he gives no indication of it.
“The Operator spreads the disease to one person, then that one person unknowingly passes it to others. Alex learned this and took it to mean if you kill all the infected, it stops the sickness from spreading further.” Brian’s eyes narrow. “But it would only stop it temporarily. The Operator would just start over again— we’re almost certainly not the first.”
“So that’s why Alex went after all of us?” Jay asks.
“It’s why he does now. I’m not sure if that’s why he was doing it the first time. He acts differently than before. Either way, he needs to be stopped.”
“And— has he..?” Seth finds himself asking, desperate to know.
Brian seems to catch on immediately. “I don’t know about Amy but Sarah is alive. I know she survived the first attack and she’s hidden herself well enough that I can’t find her, meaning neither can Alex, so she’s still alive.”
A knot in his chest eases. Seth deflates in relief and without thinking, lays his head on Brian’s shoulder. Brian stiffens and Seth backtracks immediately, to which Brian shakes his head dismissively. “I just wasn’t expecting it. It’s fine, really.”
Seth pauses at that. His mask is off now, betraying bags under his eyes that scream how much he needs to rest. And remembering Brian, Seth gets an idea.
“Do you remember how you used to call for everyone to dog pile someone when they needed to take a break or sleep?”
Brian catches on immediately, eyes widening. Tim and Jay are right behind him, and shoot Seth a confirming look.
Brian is dragged to the biggest bed that have and surrounded in seconds. Seth himself is on one side, Tim on the other, and Jay lays on his chest to keep him down without suffocating him.
“This isn’t really necessary.” Brian tells them, but something in his eye betrays that maybe he needed this more than he let on. “I’m fine, really.”
“Nah.” Tim tells him, letting out a content sigh when he finds the perfect position, using Brian’s arm as a pillow. “This is good for the soul, you told me yourself. You wouldn’t lie about something like that, would you, Bri?”
Brian struggles with his words. “This is entrapment.” He decides on in the end.
“Mmhmm.” Jay hums. “And what are you gonna do about it?”
Brian has nothing to say about that. Seth ruffles his hair. “You looked like you needed it so you’re getting it.”
Brian doesn’t say anything to that either but he does fall asleep pretty quickly after.
He looks pretty bad, even now, but they can fix that. As long as he’s alive, they can fix anything that gets thrown their way.
— —
That’s what I got because I have no idea what happens after that other than a lot more Hurt/Comfort and a happy end. Nobody dies in this AU, not even the Tunnel Guy! Amy is fine, Sarah’s got her.
Anyways, I hope this satisfied your heart’s desire! Sorry it took so long, been working on a lot of stuff, but hey it’s pretty long so hopefully that makes up for it! Requests are still open so go wild if you want and I hope you enjoyed! :)
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duskwoodgirl4life · 2 years ago
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Thank you everyone who showed the first chapter so much love, I hope you are all enjoying this short story just one more chapter to go which I will be posting soon.
Chapter 2
Jake closed the door behind him walking over to the mini bar in his room, he picked up one of the small bottles of alcohol drinking it all in one go. He picked up another and slumped down in a chair, his mind thinking about everything that's happened. The whole reason why they had come to Miami was to catch a murderer that had gone unsolved for many years. Jake had narrowed it down to a couple of suspects and was waiting for everything to unfold.
Had he lost MC for good? Is there going to be a chance he can win her back and tell her just how he feels about her? Jake is knocked from his thoughts by a knock at the door before he can answer when a man comes in with a gun pointed at Jake. "What the hell? Why are you here?" Jake had a look of confusion laced on his face at the events in front of him. "I was told to come here, I got told you had the murderer'' Jake looked at Ray standing in the doorway. "You want a drink? I've got whiskey, gin, vodka" Ray put his gun down and took a small bottle of vodka from Jake.
They both sat talking for a while then the doors leading to the patio swung open, it was Paul the teenage kid they had spoken to at the beginning of the investigation. "Paul? What are you doing here?" Paul lowered the gun and a look of confusion spread across his face. "The murderer, I was told the murderer was here" Jake sat up from his chair and got up putting the empty bottle of whiskey down on the table. "what? No, the murderer isn't here who told you this?" Jake walked over to the mini bar and asked Paul what he wanted to drink. Jake handed Paul a small bottle of gin and sat back down.
"I don't get any of this, what is going on? Why haven't you caught the killer" Paul slammed the empty bottle down on the table. "Look just hold on, everything will become clear soon" Ray stood up and grabbed another drink from the fridge. "I loved her, you know, I really loved her, she made me feel what it was like to love again." Jake paused listening to what Ray was saying. "I have to go to the airport feel free to stay mini bar is on the FBI"
Just as Jake was about to leave two women came bursting into the room, one holding a gun. "Sarah? What are you doing here? And what's Amy doing with you? Don't tell me you got told to come here?" Sarah kept the gun pointed at everyone in the room. "I know it was Ray who killed Emma, I know it was him" Jake put his phone behind his back and sent an SOS to his boss who was sitting downstairs. Moments later Jake's boss Dennis and agent cho came bursting through the room. "Jake what's going on?" Dennis walked towards Jake wanting to know what was going on.
"I need your car keys, where are they? Please I need to go" Dennis looked at Jake with a confused look. "Why do you want my keys?" A sense of urgency was laced in Jake's voice. "I need to get to the airport, please I need your keys" Dennis handed Jake his keys before he ran out of the room he let everyone know who the killer was. "The killer is Sarah, she couldn't handle how successful Emma was getting and when the spotlight moved from her to Emma she decided to kill her"
Everyone stood in shock at what Jake had just said as he went running out of the room to get into the car and race to the airport. Jake drove as fast as he could once he arrived at the airport he checked the flight's board and went running towards the gate. "FBI please I need to get passed" Jake pleaded with the women to let him last "can I see some ID please, I can't let you past without ID"
The disappointment showed on Jake's face and he backed away trying to find another way to get to the plane. He couldn't let MC leave without telling her how he really felt he had to stop the plane at all costs.
He went running through the airport trying to figure out a way of getting to the plane, an idea struck him he knew just how to get to the plane before it took off. It was now or never now was his chance to tell MC just how much he loved her.
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lizajane2 · 2 years ago
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I am rewatching Outer Banks from the beginning got halfway into season 2 and then wanted to do a live blog.
1x01
I kinda envy characters like John B and JJ, who are so free-spirited and just don't really give a fuck what anyone thinks of them. They enjoy being exactly who they are as people. Which is why I enjoy them so much. Also, who can't love JJ? His impulsive and intrusive thoughts always win.
No matter how many times I watch this Kiara she can be a bit annoying. I'm not gonna lie. Like she's the most sensible and level-headed I like that about her but God, the nagging...
Pope is great, I like him a lot. He's hilarious and smart. The type of guy I want as my best friend. Like despite all the stupid shit his friends put him through he's fucking loyal.
"Safe and loving home." what a load of shit.
"Your dad is a pussy over."
"I heard that you little bastard."
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I chuckle every time JJ is thrown off that fucking boat.
I love Sarah's introduction; the girl is swinging around a tennis racket to get rid of birds. "It's mice genocide!" "It's the circle of life sweetie that's what is!"
Kie really is giving John B all the mixed signals while flirting with Pope. I don't understand. Help me understand!
"No pogue on pogue macking." that rule went out the window so quick.
JJ's iconic "housekeeping." That had to be improv by Rudy.
I can't stop admiring JJ's arms. Like good god, to be hugged by that man would be a dream come true. I just need a comforting hug from him.
Kie commented about the gun, "Are you serious?" like John B has any control over what JJ does. What happens later, thank god he has that fucking gun. No one else was jumping in.
Ah Kie would be one of those girls who likes to talk about zodiac signs.
Here's my thing about the scuffle with JJ and Topper, JJ should've just let Sarah say no, but Topper didn't have to splash the fucking drink in JJ's face and call them "dirty pogues." And what I'm gonna say about this fight is that John B was certainly kicking Topper's ass.
But then everyone's going at JJ as if he's fucking nuts meanwhile Topper was the one drowning JB. Make that make sense to me?
"Can you check your psycho friend please?" Like your boyfriend Sarah who almost killed someone?
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Kie's concern really just comes off like she's nagging, it's her tone when she says, "Great Pope read about it, now someone's gonna die." Or her, "You serious?" when John B volunteers to dive. Like bitch I don't see you going, you're just sitting there looking pretty. And she is. I don't hate her; I'm just annoyed with her.
Then I go right back to liking her because she's fucking smart enough to throw a net out and let it get caught in the motor to stop those two assholes from killing them. She can be a bad ass.
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miss-oranje-disco-dancer · 5 months ago
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pairing: jackson! joel miller x reader
cws/tags: 1st person pov joel, angst, discussions of sex trafficking/sexual assault, death, mild smut, au where nothing bad happens between ellie and joel, author has not played tlou 2 yet (donate to kofi lmao), guns, alcohol consumption, light enemies to lovers, cordyceps works different in this one (more predictable and slower-acting)
summary: joel's letter to reader
a/n: i watched the beginning of tlou (joel playing guitar) and it made me cry so hard. so, this is inspired by that, but also i listened to funeral by arcade fire and for emma, forever ago by bon iver while writing this. neighborhood #4 (7 kettles) by arcade fire makes me cry so hard.
wc: 5.7k
taglist: @gothcsz @harriedandharassed @withonly-sweetheart
thank you to @jennaispunk for beta reading/proofreading !
join my taglist | purchase a commission
divider is from @danowh0re
playlist for fic: required listening!!
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I thought therapy was a bunch of bullshit - a scam at worst, a waste of my time at best. But, since you left us, Tommy’s been making me go. He keeps saying, ‘it’s what she would’ve wanted’, and I think it is. But, that doesn’t mean I like it. 
My therapist told me if I’m not gonna talk to her about my past, I should at least talk to someone. I told her I’d talk to you, if you were here. She told me it was a good idea, that I should write it out in a letter. She told me I could write to you, or to Sarah, but I figured I’d better write to you ‘cause there’s some things a daughter shouldn’t hear about her dad. Even - especially - the most fun times he’s had. I’ll get to those later. 
Did you know I hated you when we first met? I never told you, but I think you knew. I thought you were a self-important, entitled bitch who acted like she’d been through hell when I knew she hadn’t because of how well-adjusted she seemed. I thought you had some sort of unearned valor. I know that’s not the right way to put it. I think the word I’m looking for is ‘respect’. Tommy, Maria, even Ellie were so quick to respect you when I had to earn it. 
“The reason people don’t like you is because you’re an asshole,” you told me. “You’re fucking scary when you’re mad, too.”
“What’s that saying? It’s better to be feared than to be loved?”
“That’s what Machiavelli said, but that doesn’t mean he’s right.”
I think he was wrong. I was jealous of how much everyone loved you, and they didn’t love me because they feared me. You were so fucking right, and that was one of the things that I hated most about you. 
I used to think about how young you were in comparison to an old man like me, how you were only a little younger than Sarah would’ve been, and how stupid I would’ve felt if Sarah was always outsmarting me. Until I remembered all the times that Sarah did just that, and how much I loved her for it, rather than in spite of it. (Note to self: tell Sarah this in your letter to her). 
That’s not to say I loved you, not yet. I did love you, but I realized that a little later. I had to learn to like you first. 
Do you remember our first day out on patrol together? I begged Tommy to change my schedule. I would rather have spent my time with anyone else in the community -- Hell, I would’ve asked Tommy to give you a day off if it’d get me out of having to work alongside you. 
You overheard me talking to Tommy, and said to me, “You could at least wait until I’m out of earshot to bitch about me, you know?”
“I know,” I said. 
And we didn’t talk for almost the whole shift. Well, I didn’t talk, but you kept on talking, almost like you were talking to yourself. You didn’t even care that I was ignoring you. 
“It’s okay. I don’t like people either.”
“Who says I don’t like people?”
“Your face, your voice, basically your whole demeanor.”
You were so honest, and you had every right to be. It shut me right back up again. I don’t know if that’s what you wanted. Maybe you thought provoking me would make me talk, but I’m a stubborn, old asshole. I don’t think you need me to tell you that.  
“What did I do to piss you off?” You asked, after I gave you what you viewed as the silent treatment, and what I saw as peace and quiet. 
“Nothing. I just think you’re a little bit... egotistical.”
“So are you. You think you know everything.”
“No, but I know more than you. You haven’t got half the experience I have, and believe me, kid, you don’t want it.”
“You’re so melodramatic. And for what? Has the brooding bad boy behavior gotten you laid yet?”
For your information, yes, it had absolutely gotten me laid.  
But before I could tell you that, you stopped me, looked me dead in the eye, and said, “and by the way, you have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Tell me, then.”
“Tell you what?”
“About all the horrors you’ve experienced. If I’m so wrong, then prove it.” I challenged you because I thought you wouldn’t be able to come up with anything. I wouldn’t have said that if I’d known what I do now. 
You were so angry that you laughed at me. “Fuck you. You don’t deserve to know shit about me.”
A couple weeks later we knew each other’s whole life stories. I told you more than I’ve ever told anyone else, more than I think I ever will tell anyone else. It started when we got lost in the woods together. We were arguing as usual, and we only got ourselves even more lost. The sun was starting to go down, and I could see it in your eyes - you were getting scared. Maybe, for a second, I took some sort of satisfaction in knowing that you were the one who couldn’t handle it, but I’m still human - it feels a little cruel saying that now - so I wasn’t gonna let you suffer. 
“It’s not gonna do us any good to keep arguing, so can we agree to drop it?”
“Truce,” you said, holding out your hand, and when I shook it, you added, “but let it be known that you surrendered.”
“Don’t push it. You know if we stay out here long enough that we have to resort to eating each other’s flesh, you’re gonna be my dinner, not the other way around.”
“I hope I taste good.” 
You did, baby. You’re the sweetest thing I’ve ever tasted. 
I think we had our first date that night. Sort of. It was late when we got back. Most people were asleep, and the bar was closed, but you had the key. 
“Tommy gave you a spare key?”
“Uh-huh. I assumed you had one too, but I guess I’m the favorite.”
“You’re prettier than me. Of course, you are.” 
I still can’t believe I said that -- I wasn’t even drinking yet. I can be a real idiot when I’m talking to a beautiful woman. 
“Don’t be so hard on yourself. You looked very pretty when you bothered to wash your hair last week.”
“I wash my hair, okay? Sorry I’m old and don’t wake up looking like a supermodel.”
“Who does?”
“I know you want me to say ‘you’, but I’m not taking the bait.”
“That’s okay. I know you’re thinking it, and that’s what matters.”
I was thinking much more than that, darling. 
You walked behind the counter, and asked me, “what do you drink?”, and I think that was the moment I knew I liked you. You could’ve --should’ve -- told me to fuck off. You had other friends (not that we were quite ‘friends’), but you chose me that night. I was a real fixer-upper of a companion, but maybe you liked a challenge. 
“Whiskey. Neat.”
You gave me that look -- that fuckin’ look -- that raised eyebrow and a tiny smirk. And it made me feel like a teenager caught staring at his crush. 
“Please and thank you," I added. 
You got up on the stool behind the bar, grabbed the bottle on the top shelf, and said, “you deserve it.”
“No, I don’t,” I said. “But I’ll take it.”
You sat beside me, and sipped your whiskey. (And you looked pretty hot doing it.) After a good minute of silence you said, “thank you for not killing me and eating me in the woods.”
“I’d get pretty goddamn bored if I didn’t have you yapping in my ear constantly.”
“I thought you hated it.”
“Only sometimes.”
“Then, why don’t you ever talk to me?”
“I’m talking to you right now.”
“Barely.”
So, I turned to you, put my elbow on the counter, laid my head in my hand, and gave you the same face you were giving me. I tried to pretend I was mocking you, but I think you knew I was trying to practice being more likable, being more like you. 
“Tell me something,” you said.
“What do you want me to tell you?”
“Tell me about you.”
“My name is Joel Miller-”
“We’re not at AA.”
“You’re goddamn right we’re not. This would be the shittiest AA meeting ever.”
“Okay, okay. How about you tell me when your birthday is?”
“September 26th, 1981.”
“So, you’re a Libra.”
“Oh c’mon, tell me you’re not into that shit. I was finally starting to tolerate you.”
“I’m a Cancer.”
“Tell me something I don’t know.”
“Cancer like the crab, not like the disease!”
“Mm-hmm. I’m sure you’re familiar with crabs as well.”
I got a laugh and a smack on the arm in return, and the laugh was worth the smack. 
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I know you can’t help being an asshole, so at least you’re making me laugh.”
I didn’t realize your hand was still on my arm until you asked me, “What’d you do before this? You’ve got nice arm muscles.”
“I worked in construction, I was a contractor.”
“Like a carpenter?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s what Jesus was. I bet he had good arm muscles.”
“I don’t think that’s his most notable feature, but sure, why not?”
Despite the fact that we were talking all things Jesus, you were feeling me up. And you weren’t subtle about it at all. 
“Do you wanna play darts?” you asked, breaking the tension.
“Okay.”
You walked up to the dartboard all confident, and I expected an instant bullseye. You’d only had one drink and you were focusing so hard, practicing the swing of your arm like a golfer would. The first shot missed the board entirely.
And that’s when I learned you were awful at darts. 
“You’re terrible at this.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“Then, why’d you ask me to play?”
“For fun. Plus, how else am I gonna get better?”
You weren’t even close to the bullseye. You weren’t even hitting the board at all half the time. Over the next couple of years, you got better, not a lot better -- I still won every game we ever played -- but you got closer. But, close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades, as they say. It probably counts in terms of people too -- I like to think our closeness counted for something, even if it couldn't last forever.
“You’re lucky you’re pretty," I said.
“You’re lucky you’re good at darts," you fired back.
“Is that an insult? Because I’m holding a sharp object and I’ve got good aim.” And with that, I threw the final dart, hit the bullseye, and won. “What do I get?”
“For what?”
“Winning.”
“You get to keep your pride.”
I was happy with that, but you turned back to me, stepped closer and whispered, “and this,” before you kissed me. 
I don’t know which one of us was more nervous. All I knew was that I liked you a lot more when you were quiet. All I heard from you was a little gasp when I lifted you onto the counter so I could keep kissing you without having to lean down and hurt my back ‘cause I’m an old man. I really thought my brooding bad boy look was gonna get me laid again that night, but you stopped me before I could get your top off. 
“Uh-uh,” you said. “You’re gonna have to do more than beat me at darts if you want more than a kiss.”
“Fair enough. What’s your price?”
“I’m not a hooker.”
I didn’t understand why you looked so upset until that day by the water when you told me. I’m sorry I said that, I really am.
“Sorry. What I should’ve said is, ‘Can I take you to dinner on Friday?’”
You gave me a nonchalant ‘sure’, and I assumed you’d keep it hush-hush, but you bragged about getting asked out. Why would you brag about me? That's something I still don't understand.
The next day, I went and asked Tommy for advice because I hadn’t dated in a long time, and he’s more of the romantic type. I thought our dinner date would be news to him, but you’d already told him. 
“Yeah, I know. She came in here asking for advice too actually.” 
He’s got a bigger mouth than you do. That’s why you two got along so well -- you were like those little old ladies gossiping at the hair salon. 
“What’d she say?”
“I’m sworn to secrecy.”
But Tommy always had a certain loyalty to you. He keeps your secrets to this day -- some of ‘em. 
“Give me some advice, please.”
“You were married once. You won a woman’s heart. Just do what you did back then.”
“I think you’re forgetting the fact that my marriage ended in divorce.”
“Just be yourself.”
“That’s bullshit.”
“Yeah, it is. How about smiling for once?”
I tried, but I’d almost forgotten how to over the years. 
Tommy feigned disgust and said, “I take it back. Keep your usual pissed-off look.”
You taught me how to smile again. I don’t know that you meant to do it, but you did. Tommy says he knows when I’m thinking about you because of the way I smile. 
When I came over to pick you up for dinner, you opened the door wearing a bathrobe with your hair in curlers. I guess I was looking at you funny because you made sure to tell me, “Don’t worry, I’m not wearing this out. Go sit in the living room.”
“I’m not worried. You look beautiful already.”
“I do not. I look like my grandmother.”
“I imagine she must’ve been a hot commodity then.”
“She was actually -- or at least, that’s the story she used to tell us. She was Prom Queen and all that jazz.”
You could talk for hours, about anything. I could say one word and you could give me a tangentially related 20 minute long monologue. You were a good storyteller. I don’t think I ever told you this, but I used to think about how you’d be great at making up stories for our kids one day -- if we ever had them. I know I told you I didn’t want to have any, but that’s one of the few lies I told you. I was too scared to imagine that kind of a future with you. 
I had you in the present, and that’s what I cared about. I don’t remember what you wore that night because I spent most of our date looking at your face, trying to memorize every dimple, freckle or scar I could see. All the details.
I’m sure your dress fit perfectly, but what I cared about was how your hand felt when I took it in mine as we walked to the restaurant -- it felt right, more so with our fingers intertwined on the way home. 
It was one of the longest dinner dates in my not-so-long history of dating as it took you quite a while to finish your meal because you don’t talk with your mouth full (usually). I think our waitress was mad that we were there for so long. They were cleaning up by the time you were done eating. 
I don’t remember all the things you said. Even if I did, I don’t have enough paper to write it all down. But I do remember when you asked me, “Can I tell you a secret?” 
“Sure.” 
“This is my first date.”
I would’ve been less surprised if you’d told me you’d killed someone.
“Mine too,” I said. 
“Liar! Tommy said you were married... before all of this.”
“Does Tommy tell you everything about me?”
“No. He wouldn’t tell me when your birthday was. That’s why I asked you.”
“That’s ‘cause he forgot it.”
Really, I wanted to know if he told you about Sarah, or if I’d have to do it myself. Both. As it turned out, he told you before we ever really met. I told you by the river, but that came later. 
When I walked you home, we lingered by your door, and when I leaned in to kiss you goodnight, you turned your head, and I should’ve realized how special you were to me ‘cause I felt my heart sink. But, you asked me to come inside. You were always shy about kissing in public, but not on your living room couch. 
When we were inside, you let me take off your dress, but only after I agreed to take off my shirt. 
“Jesus,” you said when you watched me undress. 
“We talked enough about Jesus last time. It’s about you and me now, baby.”
I learned to be a gentleman growing up in Texas, that wining and dining a lady includes putting her first in the bedroom too. But you called the shots -- that night and all of the others we had together. You got down on your knees and gave me the most irresistible face. It was embarrassing how quickly I came. It’s still embarrassing, and you’re not even here to tease me about it anymore. I thought I’d get the chance to prove myself to you that night, but you stopped me. I remembered what you said, ‘this is my first date’, and I assumed you were a virgin. 
It was about a week later when I was trying to teach you how to skip rocks in the river that I asked you if you were one. 
“It’s not a big deal if you are -- not to me, I mean. I just figured maybe because you said that was your first date.”
“It’s kind of a long story, so take a seat if you want the answer.”
I don’t know what I expected you to say, but I already felt like I’d fucked up by asking. I didn’t want to make this mess I’d gotten myself into worse than it already was, so I sat next to you and waited for you to speak. 
“It’s not actually a long story, I guess. Just a sad one.”
It was the first sad story you told me, and you told me more stories than I’d ever been told by anyone else at this point. It was impressive how many happy ones you held onto, especially after everything that you told me that day. 
You didn’t look at me while you spoke. You mumbled and picked at the grass beneath you. Like a child. 
“I’m not a virgin, but I wasn’t lying when I said that was my first date. There’s just some stuff that you don’t know about me... ‘cause I didn’t want you to know these things about me. But it’s not like I was ever gonna get away with not telling you. It’s better that it happens now anyway.”
You started to cry, so I put my hand on your shoulder, but you shrugged it off. I was so used to the one doing the pushing away that being pushed away was jarring. 
“Before I came to Jackson, I used to do things for money. Those sorts of things. It’s not like I wanted to, ‘cause I’m not like that, you know.”
You explained how you’d lost both your parents by the time you were 16 and didn’t have any siblings, so you ended up with whatever friends you could find. Some of the few good people that were left. 
“There was a group of men who killed my friends just to loot their pockets, but they realized that it’d be more profitable to keep me alive.”
“So they forced you to...”
“Have sex for supplies, yeah. One of them was my first time, I guess. They did that stuff for a while, but once I’d been with a decent amount of men, they decided I was too ‘used up’ or something to be worth having sex with. I can’t decide if that made me feel better or worse. On the one hand, I didn’t have to have sex with them anymore, but I was also too gross to be wanted.”
“’Used up’ is bullshit. Back when the world was a little more civilized, those bastards could’ve gone to jail.”
“They’re dead.”
“Did you kill ‘em?”
“No, but I thought about it all the time. I remember thinking about strangling a man once. He was alone, so no one would’ve seen me do it, and the guys could’ve taken all of his shit too. They probably would’ve been happy if I had. I think that’s why I didn’t.”
“If you didn’t kill them, then how did they die?”
It probably wasn’t appropriate for me to pry, but the sadistic part of me needed to know that they got what was coming for them. I needed to know there was some justice left in this world. 
“They wanted food from some guy who’d gone hunting and they tried to sell me to him, but he said ‘no’. He looked so offended that I thought I was pissed off ‘cause they’d given him a bad deal... but he shot the one standing in front of him. Then, he yelled at me to turn around and I was sure I was gonna die, but I heard him walk into the other room, another shot, and when the third walked in from outside, another shot. He walked over to me, and I started crying and begging him not to kill me. He told me he wasn’t going to, but he made me close my eyes while he led me out of the house.”
“’Cause he didn’t want you to see the bodies.”
“Yeah... and I still thought he was going to kill me, even when he took me with him on his horse, and said he was taking me back to some place called ‘Jackson’.” 
I don’t know if I would say you got a happy ending, at least, not the one you deserved, but I saw a hint of a smile when you mentioned Jackson. And you didn’t have to tell me who the man was -- I know him well. 
“Tommy,” I said, confident in my guess.
“Yeah.”
After I dropped you off at home, I went by his place and thanked him. And then I went home and cried. For the first time in a decade.
“You know it doesn’t change how I feel about you, right?”
“How do you feel about me?”
“I like you… most of the time.” 
What I meant was, I love you. I just didn’t know it yet. 
“I guess I owe you a story too, then.”
“You don’t owe me anything... but you can tell me whatever you want.”
I think part of me wanted to tell you, or at least, part of me wanted you to know. “I had a daughter.”
“I know.”
I should’ve known, considering how close you and Tommy were.
“Tommy told you, didn’t he?”
“To be fair to him, he told me he had a niece.”
“Yeah, he did. She’d be a little older than you. It’s crazy to think that she’d be in her 30s when the last time I saw her she was 13.”
“I know saying ‘I’m sorry’ doesn’t really do anything, but I’m still sorry”
“In a way, I’m glad she doesn’t have to see all these things. All the infected. She died before we ever had to go to a QZ.”
When you told me about the first QZ you lived in as a kid, it confirmed that for me. It pained me to hear about you watching your dad get bitten and leaving him behind, saying goodbye without knowing he was dying -- in one way or another. 
You told me later about how the only person you’d ever killed was your own mother, how she used to sell herself like you did, how you missed the first shot and you saw how scared she was to die. I think you had it worse than I did. 
“I think she was mostly scared because she knew I couldn’t do shit with a gun, and that I’d end up surviving the way that she did... and she was right.”
“Neither of you deserved it, and I bet she’d be proud of you now.”
“Why?”
“’Cause I’m proud of you.”
You cried, but you finally let me hold you. You cried so long that I thought you’d never stop. 
Do you remember your last day? I told you I wanted to be with you until the end, but you reminded me about your mother. You told me that even if a shot to the head had to be the way you went out, I wasn’t going to be there to give it to you. We had two choices: either wait until that day came or let you go before then. I said I wanted to go with you. I wanted to ask Tommy to give me the same cocktail he was gonna cook up for you. You said no. It was your last wish that I stayed. 
“I don’t wanna live without you.”
“I don’t wanna die, but I don’t get to choose. If I could live longer, I would. But just because I’m dying doesn’t mean you get to leave everyone else behind.”
Yeah, you brought Ellie into it. I wanted to tell you not to bring her up. I’m glad you did because as much as it hurt to think about her watching me die the way that I watched you die, it made me stay. I’m glad I stayed. Things are okay, but our last day is still my favorite day. 
We got up early and watched the sunrise, and I told you I loved you for the first time.
“I know,” you said with a smile on your face. 
“How?” 
You just lifted your coffee cup. When you moved in -- something I didn’t realize was happening ‘till it had already happened -- I started making coffee every morning before you woke up, and I started buying that French Vanilla bullshit creamer. I hated it. It was so sweet it made me nauseous. I could’ve gone and bought my own, but I’m still stubborn, I’m still a cheapskate, I’m still me -- even without you (which is something I thought I’d never be able to say). But that wasn’t why I started taking my coffee the same way you took yours.
It was one day when you’d already left for work but my shift didn’t start until later. I hadn’t slept at all the night before -- and not for any good reason, not for more time with you -- so I was tired when I woke up. I made myself some coffee, but I wasn’t even thinking straight, so I hadn’t noticed that I had put that creamer in my mug until I tasted it. But I wasn’t disgusted. I thought maybe you’d left yours behind and I’d absent-mindedly picked the wrong one up off the counter -- I very well could’ve gotten caught up in putting the toaster on the right settings (that’s something we could never agree on) -- but when I looked down, it was my mug. Yours was dirty in the sink. You were gone for the day. I was stupid to think otherwise. I was fantasizing. That was new. 
So, just as I am right now, I take my morning coffee like you took yours. It tastes like you, like you kissing me. 
I waited anxiously for you to say you loved me too. 
“Are you not gonna say it back? Do you not-- do you feel the same?”
“What do you think?”
“I hope so.”
You gestured for me to come closer so you could whisper in my ear and I thought maybe you’d give me a wet willy. But you said, “Joel Miller, I have loved you for a long time.”
I didn’t say anything. I don’t think I’ve ever been very good with words -- talking was your thing. I grabbed your hand and squeezed. We went out onto the porch and sat in silence. I wonder what you were thinking about. 
“Will you sing me something?”
You know I don’t take requests, and you know I don’t like an audience, no matter how small that audience is. 
No one would refuse the wish of a dying woman, but I couldn’t refuse you even if I knew you’d be there tomorrow and every day after. I only protest because you look cute when you beg. Not in that way -- you look hot when you beg like that. 
“What song do you want?”
“Surprise me.”
I sang Peaceful Easy Feeling because, as much as a part of me felt a sense of urgency, knowing our time was running out, most of me was just thinking about you, and I love you. Simple as that. 
You gave me a standing ovation just to see me blush. 
We all planned something special for your last dinner. I know you like simple things, so I tried to make it as simple as I could while still making it special for you. Maybe it was selfish to make it a night to remember when I’m the one who gets to remember it. 
Tommy and Maria were chef and sous-chef (you can guess who was who in that scenario), and Ellie was the waitress. 
“What are your specials tonight?” you asked. 
“We have either the steak and baked potato or the steak without the baked potato.”
“In that case, I’d like it with the baked potato.”
We probably lit a hundred candles to fill the room with enough light to see each other -- we had time while you were getting ready, since you’re a bit of a slowpoke. We picked flowers from the garden and put them in an empty wine bottle because we couldn’t find a vase, and conjured up a decent tablecloth. We had ice cream sundaes for dessert -- or at least, you did. You know what I had for dessert. 
“How about you, sir, would you like anything for dessert?” Ellie asked. 
“No, I think I’ll be having dessert when we get home.” I tried to subtly wink at you. 
“Ew! That’s disgusting. I don’t wanna hear about your sex life.”
“You’re the one assuming I was talking about sex. How do you know I don’t have a tub of ice cream waiting for me in the freezer at home?”
There was ice cream in the freezer, but the sweetest thing I’d ever tasted was between your legs. The moment we got home I picked you up bridal style and carried you up to our bedroom. 
“Baby, I know how long you spent getting ready, and I’m sorry to do this to you, but this needs to come off,” I said before I yanked down the zipper of your dress. You laughed as I ripped off your clothes. 
You gently undid my tie and when I watched you fumble with the buttons on my shirt, I said, “Just rip it, baby.”
“I don’t wanna ruin your clothes.”
“I don’t want you to worry about me or my clothes tonight. I want you to have me however you want me.”
“You’ll do whatever I want?”
“Within reason.”
“How do you feel about roleplay?”
“I suppose it depends -- what are the roles?”
“Husband and wife.”
“As long as I can be the husband.”
And then you kissed me -- with your typical tenderness but a new level of dedication. Slow and passionate, showing me what our lives could’ve been like. 
“I’m an impatient husband, and I want my beautiful wife to lie down because I think I’m gonna lose my mind if I don’t get to taste her.”
My mouth is useless when it comes to talking, but we both know I have other uses for it. I tried to go slowly, but I couldn't help myself. I swear your pussy was so perfect it made me reconsider my views on God. Though, I don’t think I am a man deserving of an angel. I think I just got lucky. 
That night I couldn’t care less about how loud you were. “Joel- fuck- you’re gonna have to slow down, or, or, put your hand over my mouth ‘cause - oh!”
“’Cause you don’t want anyone to hear? What’s the problem with them hearing, darlin’? Married couples make love all the time, it’s what we’re supposed to do.”
Without a condom, too. We weren’t worried about you getting pregnant, so we went out with the best bang of ‘em all. I think the last time I’d done it like that was when Sarah was conceived, and based on how easy that was, I was always cautious. 
Husband and wife roleplay wasn’t very different from the sex we typically had. I guess we were really only a piece of paper and wedding bands away from being those ‘characters’. 
Earlier that day, I was worried I wouldn’t sleep that night. I didn’t want to sleep. I wanted to savor every moment with you but when you curled up in my arms I fell asleep before I could even consider staying awake. 
Waking up next to you was my last clear image, even our goodbye kiss was a little blurry ‘cause I was already a little teary-eyed. 
But before that, over breakfast, you mentioned something that I’ve thought about every day since. 
“You know how sometimes people see a bird or something and they’re like ‘oh, that’s my dead relative’?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll come back as a butterfly. One of the blue ones. You don’t see those too often. I don’t want to be something too common, like a bird, then you’ll probably mistake someone else for me.”
I don’t think I had seen a blue butterfly in Jackson until after you’d left us, but there’s one outside my window right now. 
In case it’s you, I’ll read this all aloud. 
Forever yours, 
Joel 
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all-for-geek · 9 months ago
Text
Drawn to the Dark: A Nightmare to Remember Chapter 10: Betrayal at the House on the Hill
Chapter 9
Fandom: Escape the Night
Summary: The one working with the evil has been revealed. Surprise! The Butler did it. The remaining guests are so close to the end. Either they escape soon, or they never escape at all.
Warnings: Grotesque Imagery, Slight Drugging
Word Count: 3,699
The four don’t get far. Sarah was waiting for them behind the door. She grabbed Eva from behind and held her in place with a knife to her throat. The other three screeched to a halt as Marvin blocked the staircase pointing a gun at Oli with one hand and grabbing Joey with the other. Arthur waltzed up behind them and forced Selena down the stairs by the arm as the others followed.
The guests were forced onto the ground, the knife still at Eva’s throat and a gun still pointed at Oli’s head. Arthur stood in front of them. His butler persona had completely melted away revealing the arrogant, smug monster underneath.
“Thank you for all the work you did,” he said, beginning his villain monologue, “I needed the artifacts collected and the previous owners gone so that I could have full control of this house. I truly couldn’t have done it without you.”
“You played us,” Joey muttered.
Arthur smirks at them as he drops a piece of paper.
“What’s that?” Selena asked.
“The ritual. The right ritual. Not that it’s of any use to you anymore.”
A damp rag was pressed over Selena’s nose and mouth. She struggled to get out of the grip, but her movements grew weaker as the chloroform kicked until she collapsed unconscious.
There was nothing. No light. No sound. No sensations. Not even a thought that would flick through her mind. She was nothing. Nothing more than a hypothetical birthed from the mind of a mad man. Then, there was a shift. Nothing became something. A hypothetical became a reality. An experiment became a result.
It started with the smoke. It was black like the nothing, but it billowed and formed shapes and surrounded her. It entered the lungs of the body that had been designed for her, filling her with unholy life. 
Suddenly, nothing became everything. The bright light above was subdued by the rippling water that she was submerged in. Two muted voices spoke in hushed tones. Most importantly, the cool water washed over her skin. It felt right. It felt like home, but the smoke forced her upward as she gasped in her first breath.
The air was cold. Not the comforting cool that the water had been, but the kind of cold that drilled into her scaly flesh like tiny daggers. Oh, how she wanted to return to the water, but the two men staring down at her, her creators, they instructed her to get out, and she obeyed.
Selena opened her eyes, still in a daze. She could still feel the ghost of water droplets clinging to her skin. The light shining down on her now was softer than the one in her dream, but she missed the dulling effect of the water all the same. 
As her vision cleared, she forced her body up, taking in her surroundings. She was sitting in a small but comfortable chair next to a lavish bed. The whole bedroom felt different compared to the others around the house. This one was full of various knick knacks and baubles. The bed was not fully made. This room was lived in.
Its occupant stood by the bedroom door. Arthur turned around as Selena started to stir. He smiled at her like a hunter who had finally locked the shot on his prey.
“Good, you’re awake,” he said. He moved in closer, sitting on the bed by Selena. “Terribly sorry about all that downstairs. Couldn’t have you all leaving before the fun could truly begins.”
Selena goes to stand up, but her movement is caught short by a chain locked around her wrist and bolted to the wall.
Arthur smirks. “You’re so much like her, you know?”
“Let me fucking go!” Selena shouted. She didn’t care what this madman had to say. Everyone who died tonight died because of him. 
Arthur flinched for a moment before chuckling. “Remarkable. It took her years to even begin to reach that level of persuasion, and you only had your abilities awoken tonight. You would still have to be much stronger to persuade me though.”
Selena eyed him with confusion. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“You never met your mother, did you Selena?” he asks with full confidence that he already knew the answer.
She paused. “What’s that got to do with anything?”
“Everything,” Arthur stated simply. He stood back up, pacing the room. “She was a phenomenal woman. Nimble. Powerful. She was almost the perfect creation.” Arthur chuckles to himself. “But she was so goddamn stubborn.”
Selena stared at him. He had to be lying. How could her mother have been around in the 1920s. But, then again, she shouldn’t have been able to come to the 1920s either.
“She was going to be the next great lieutenant for this house,” Arthur continued. “She was always…hesitant, and with her power of persuasion. It was difficult to make her do anything that she didn’t want to, but she was slowly being convinced.” The smile on Arthur’s face made Selena’s skin crawl. “Until, one day, she was gone. Escaped through a rift in time. I had always wondered what possessed her to take such a risk.”
He turns to look Selena dead in the eyes.
“Now, I do.”
Selena struggles against her restraints. “So what now, then?”
“Well can’t spoil all the surprises,” Arthur replies with a laugh, “But there are plans in store for you, Miss Mordrim. With your gifts, you are too valuable to become just another servant like your friends will. You will take up the role that your mother abandoned, and what a fantastic role it is going to be.”
He walks out of the room, locking the door behind him. He smiles as Selena screams and shouts after him.
She fights desperately against the chain, but it’s not even long enough for her to stretch her arms out fully. Just as she is considering if breaking her arm would be worth it, the sounds of a man shouting echo from the other side of the wall. Selena paused, listening. There was scuffling coming from behind the closet door. She strained her neck to try and hear what was going on, but to no avail.
After a few minutes, she got her answer. Joey, Eva, and Oli came rushing out of the door. Selena could see that rather than it being a closet, it was some kind of dungeon, but she couldn’t bother thinking about that. She was too happy at the sight of her friends.
“Guys!” she shouts.
“Selena!” they shout back. Eva spots keys on the nearby mantle. She rushes over to Selena, fiddling with the chain.
“We have to get out of here,” Joey explains, “They injected us with some sort of serum. If we don’t leave by sunrise, it’s gonna control us or something.”
The key clicks and the chain goes crashing to the floor.
“Let’s not waste any time then,” Selena says as she stands up.
“Hey guys, come look at this.” Oli calls them over to the dresser by the door. There is a file that he had opened sitting on top. “Brother, you have betrayed me. To prove to the house your loyalty, you have imprisoned me here and hidden the keys to my freedom in a trail of gems. I know the first one was thrown into the shallow pond. You better pray that I never get my hands on them.”
“Arthur has a brother?” Eva muttered.
“One that he apparently managed to piss off,” Selena added, “Maybe he’d be willing to help us.”
“The first key is in a “shallow pond”. Could that mean the pool?” Joey asked.
“Probably. Let’s go.” Oli leads them over to the door. Eva takes the other key she found and turns it in the lock. It opens with a click, but the second the door opens, an alarm blares through the halls.
The four race down the stairs, booking it out the door as they hear Arthur and servants scramble somewhere behind them.
“After them! Marvin, you take the back. Sarah, stay inside in case they try anything,” Arthur ordered.
The guests scramble for cover behind a nearby bush. Selena could hear her heart threaten to burst out of her chest. Footsteps crunch the grass right on the other side of the bush. She doesn’t dare to look around. She doesn’t even risk breathing until the footsteps are far enough away that she can’t hear them.
They make their way back to the pool like this, constantly flipping between running and being deathly still while hiding. It is a painstaking trek back to the pool.
When they finally arrive, the guests search all around for any trace of a clue or gems, but there was nothing.
“Did we miss something?” Selena asks in a hushed whisper as to not alert Marvin.
After a moment, Eva pipes up. “There was a fountain out front.”
And so the tense walk around the yard began again. Selena’s heart pounded in her ears as she hopped from bush to bush. They all desperately scanned the area to make sure that Marvin or Arthur weren’t nearby, but luck wasn’t on their side this time.
“Hey! Over there!” Marvin’s voice called out.
Any pretense of stealth was gone as the guests took off like a shot. They ran without any clear direction until they stopped at an empty pool shed. They threw themselves inside, waiting for Marvin’s footsteps to get far enough away. It wasn’t until then that they noticed there were only three of them in the shed.
“Where’s Eva?” Oli whispered.
A cold shiver went up Selena’s spine. She prayed that the many, many horrible things that could have happened didn’t.
Once they were sure enough that the coast was clear, the three exited the pool shed. Their eyes once again scanned around for any sign of both their captors and their friend. Selena let out a sigh of relief when she spotted the top of Eva’s hat sticking out from behind a bush.
“Eva,” she whisper-shouted, hoping desperately that Marvin or Arthur weren’t nearby. 
Eva raced out from behind the bush, not daring to let out the loud sigh of relief that she was holding in.
Thankfully, they made it to the fountain with no other incident. They crowd around the rim, looking into the gem-filled waters below. Joey spotted a chest sitting on the water's edge with spots for three gems carved into it. Engraved underneath was the request for a specific type: diamonds. 
The four scoop through the water, searching as quickly and quietly as they can to find the three diamonds. They’re all half paying attention to the water and half to the empty field around them. Just in case it becomes less empty. Eventually, they find all three, the chest opening with a click.
“Arthur!” Sarah’s voice rang out from the second-story window. “I found them!”
“Shit!” Joey scrambled with the chest, quickly handing the two emeralds inside to Selena and reading the clue next to them. “The gems are the eyes I watch over the house with. I guard it with my wings.”
“The gargoyle,” Oli whispered as Arthur entered the clearing. 
They scrambled to their feet, booking it back inside as Arthur gave chase.
The guests rush inside, closing the door behind them as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, they miscounted once again.
“Shit, Oli’s still outside,” Selena whispered. They didn’t have time to worry about that though as footsteps thudded down the stairs.
The three scramble out of the foyer, finding themselves in the dining room. Without many other options, they scurried underneath the table. Just as they pulled the tablecloth back down over them, the click of Sarah’s heels entered the room. 
They could hear her walking around the room, searching for them. The scrape of metal as her knife dragged along the wall. It was then that Selena noticed just how short the table cloth was. One wrong move. One unlucky look down, and they were toast. Selena held her breath, gripping onto the center table leg for dear life. She doesn’t let go until she hears Sarah’s footsteps leave the room.
The three slip out from underneath the table as a quiet tap comes from the window to the backyard. They all jump. Selena bites her tongue to keep from screaming. The salty liquid slowly dripping into her mouth is ignored when she spies Oli at the window.
“Oli!” Selena stage-whispered. They made their way back to the front door, quietly letting him inside. They didn’t waste any time with questions or greetings. They didn’t know where Sarah was, and they didn’t want to wait and find out. 
The four made their way upstairs as quickly and quietly as they could. They only stopped when they noticed that their path was blocked by a metal door that slid up and down. It groaned and cried as they pulled it up. Any pretense of stealth gone, they scrambled to get it open and get into the crawlspace. Selena shut the door behind them just as she noticed Sarah rounded the corner.
She passed the rubies off to Joey who slid them into the eye sockets of the gargoyle. For a moment, nothing happened. The four yelp in surprise and relief when they heard a box click open. Inside was an emerald and a note directing them to the “spiral of pain and table of blood”.
“Charming,” Joey muttered.
With their next destination in mind, Oli and Eva opened the door once again. It groaned loudly, melding with Sarah’s shouting as she came barrelling down the hallway. Selena and Joey rushed out, forced to make a beeline for the stairs as Sarah continued her charge. Selena caught Oli and Eva running further down the hallway in the corner of her eye.
The two rushed out the front door. They didn’t stop until they were back at the fountain, crouching down and begging for air.
“Shit, what do we do now?!” Selena whispered.
“You have the emerald, right?” Joey asked. Selena confirmed with a nod. “Then we gotta keep going.”
“We can’t just leave Eva and Oli in there.”
“There’s no time,” he argued. “We’ve only got about an hour left before sunrise. If we don’t get to Arthur’s brother by then, we’ll have a lot more to worry about.”
Selena hated that he was right. She hated leaving her friends, the only people that she had actually trusted for the past few hours, to an unknown fate. But the sun would be starting to rise soon. There wasn’t time for a rescue mission.
“Alright.”
They snuck to the back of the house. There was black spiral staircase waiting for them. Selena winced as it creaked and groaned underneath them. She was terrifyingly aware that if anyone saw them right now, there would be nowhere to hide, and nowhere to go.
They reached the top to find a table with a grotesque statue of a head sitting on a pedestal. The head was human shaped but its face was too angular. Its glassy eyes held no iris or pupil. Fins protruded out of the cheekbones with gill slits carved underneath them. Underneath the bust was a slot that looked like it would fit the emerald.
Selena stared at the statue. For a moment, she could have sworn that it felt like it was staring back. She hesitantly approached, only staying near it long enough to put the emerald in its slot. 
Joey grabbed the key and note that appeared in the hidden compartment the gem opened. A sense of relief washed over Selena that was quickly dashed by the news that they had to go back down to the basement where Arthur’s brother was being kept.
The two nearly stopped in their tracks when they noticed two figures standing, waiting at the bottom of the stairs. They relaxed. It was only Oli and Eva.
“Sorry we didn’t wait,” Selena said genuinely after they had reached the bottom, “We weren’t sure if there would have been enough time and-”
“It’s okay,” Eva interrupted. “You have the key?”
Selena nodded.
“Then let’s get going,” Oli said.
The four made their, hopefully, final tense march through the yard back to the basement. As they descended the staircase, Selena couldn't help but think that not even an hour ago there were five of them walking down these stairs. Her hands twitch at the memory of the electricity that had been coursing through her body.
The four walk down a hallway. Selena didn’t remember it being here before, either in her last trip down or in her dreams. The others looked equally as confused. There was nothing in the hallways save for the lights that sparsely littered the halls and the door at the end. 
Oli takes the key and slowly unlocks the door. At some point, it was some sort of storage closet. An assortment of garden tools and household items still litter the shelves. A man sits on an old bucket in shackles. His greasy hair shone in the dim light. The man tensed, squinting as the door opened. Oli slowly approached him with the key. Hesitantly, he held out his hands.
The shackles fell to the floor with a thud. He stood up slowly, rubbing his wrists. His blank expression did not change until he had fully stood, testing his balance to ensure that he wouldn’t fall. All at once, a look of horrifying determination covered his face.
“My brother’s a deadman.” That’s the only thing he said before heading back down the hall.
He bursts out into the courtyard, the guests rushing to catch up with him. Sarah ran out of the house towards him, her knife gleaming in the moonlight. In the blink of an eye, the knife was in the brother’s hand. In another blink, it had slashed through Sarah’s throat.
Marvin was next. He ran forward with his shovel, using it to keep his distance. It spared him a few more minutes before the butt of the shovel was shoved into his stomach, causing him to fall back. The brother used the opening to his full advantage, plunging the knife into Marvin’s head.
BANG! Arthur’s brother fell to one knee as a gunshot rang out over the estate. Arthur himself stood only a few feet away, the gun still smoking. His brother managed to stand, charging towards Arthur and earning another bullet for his troubles. Fueled by what must have been adrenaline, rage, and some form of dark magic, he managed to reach Arthur. The butler crashed to the ground, dropping the gun in the process. 
The group watches with bated breath as the brothers wrestle, each grabbing for the gun. The fight couldn’t last forever. Not with dawn so close. A hand manages to grab the gun. A bullet is fired. As Arthur’s body collapses onto the ground, the air feels lighter. A weight lifts off Selena’s shoulders that she hadn’t noticed had been there until it was gone.
The sun was starting to poke out over the horizon. The guests don’t have any time to waste. The four scramble back to the house, grabbing the ritual that Arthur had taunted them with merely an hour ago. They quickly gathered the supplies to create another incantation circle, lining everything up as perfectly and as quickly as they could. They didn’t have the time to be wrong. 
They sat down with the artifacts. Oli sat in the center, binding the artifact in front of him with rope as he read the incantation. The sigils on the artifacts glowed with power as black clouds billowed out of them. It didn’t take much time for the house to be obscured in a wall of smoke. 
Selena once again felt her body drain of energy. Only this time, the feeling did not go away. She could feel her body getting weaker with every word spoken, her body tensing every time the artifact is bound. It takes all of her control to keep sitting upright. Even so, it’s not enough to stop her from collapsing.
Black spots danced in her vision. Her body pulsed in time with a dying heartbeat. Not her heartbeat, but a connection long secure being severed. She gasped for air, only to find smoke filling her lungs.
“Selena!” Eva's frantic voice pulled Selena back to reality. All at once, her vision cleared, her body relaxed, and her lungs filled with the oxygen that she desperately needed. Her arms quivered and she started to sit up, basking in the sunlight beaming in.
Eva was quick to help her sit up. “Are you alright?”
Selena nodded, her lungs still focused too much on getting air to speak.
Eva carefully helped Selena to her feet. Once she regained her footing, they two joined Oli and Joey outside. The boys were in the process of digging a hole. The artifacts were sitting next to it, waiting to be thrown in. Eva grabbed a shovel and started helping them. Selena didn’t trust herself to do that much physical excretion then, and even if she did, the others wouldn’t have let her, but she still received the honor of dumping the artifacts into the hole before they all started covering it up. 
The four survivors began the long walk back to the front gate. The last task before they could leave the house for good. It had only been one night, but it might as well have 100 years. They walked in silence, the sun shining down on them reminding them that was over. That it was done.
A shiver went up Selena’s spine as they crossed the threshold, leaving the grounds of the manor for good. A deep seed of dread was planted. A feeling that she couldn’t shake. For some who entered the house, everything was over, but for her, it had only just begun.
Thank you so much to anyone and everyone who read this story! I'm probably gonna talk a little break from it to focus on other stories I have planned, but I have plans to continue at least up through season 4 and potentially beyond. Hope to see you all there!
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