#finally brought this up with a doctor to see about getting some actual meds for this.

[beholdthemem]

Y'know I did not realize how perpetually fuckin nervous I am every hour of the day until my sister offered me some of her edibles to try during the weekends.

Like, originally it was for back pain, but at some point I started noticing that 'Huh. Everything feels less hazardous?'

Like, any time I'm about to speak to anyone who is 1) over the age of 10 and 2) not in my immediate family, I think about what it is I'm trying to convey, plot out five different ways to say it, weigh potential connotations of word choice to figure out what I might unknowingly imply to avoid upsetting/angering anyone before choosing a sentence, calculate the most appropriate time of day to reach out/say it, rehearse it in my head/aloud to decide which version of my voice is most likely to make this go well, calculate the three most likely responses whoever I'm talking to might give depending on their emotional state so I can be prepared to respond to each of them... and then I talk.

This is ingrained. Active conversations are exhausting cuz I do all of these calculations in real time while talking, but at the same time I have to, or I just can't talk. (Which is a special kind of hell when half your relatives speak a language you're only sort of fluent in at the best of times). But then with the edibles, I'd find myself thinking 'Or you could just... not?'

The awareness that something could go wrong if I don't do it this way is still there, but I suddenly have the ability to just... not worry about it. Like 'Okay? There's a possibility this could go badly if we don't say something perfectly, but 'badly' in this context is still not that bad. Who gives a shit. This is noooooot worth this amount of effort.'

[blublurz]

900 words. sonic the hedgehog/gender-neutral reader.

Competitive isn't the word you'd use to describe yourself.

Driven, motivated, obnoxiously ambitious - but never competitive. It's not nearly as strong of a word needed to properly define how you played in gear riding, especially with such a plentiful prize. The number of zeroes following the coins offered was enough to make you feel dizzy.

Maybe, just maybe, that dizzy feeling is what caused the crash in the first place, though that accidental shove from Storm certainly had something to do with it too.

The on-field medic had said it wasn't anything terrible. It was a bad friction burn and it hurt if you moved several of your joints a few degrees in any direction, but nothing was broken so you'd count it as a win in your book.

The damage done was bad enough that the med-tent to the side of the starting line wasn't enough. Visiting an actual doctor took longer than you would have liked, but you were back in your hotel room soon enough. Other riders had stopped by after the race and everything that followed had finally ended late into the night. Some brought teddy bears and flowers while others brought gossip and news, neither of which you particularly cared for given your current condition, but you thanked them all the same.

Stuck on bedrest and forced to scroll through the same five travel channels the television offered, boredom was quick to creep his claws into your shoulders and dig them in viciously. What else could you do? Certainly not look around the city you’ve been dying to visit since finding out it was home to one of the tracks for the prix, that was what.

A groan forces itself out of your throat.

“Knock, knock.”

Already pushing his way inside your room before you can get the motivation to habitually answer “come in,” Sonic pokes his head inside the room with a grin that can only be read as no good. He’s holding one hand behind his back and is careful to not turn around when he steps in and shuts the door behind him. A younger, less-injured you would have welcomed him in excitedly and asked him what kind of havoc he was looking to cause, but now? Your body was beginning to scream as the painkillers wore off and you could only hope that he read the room. Yeah, you were bored, but that didn’t mean you were looking for anything Sonic-levels of exciting.

“A little birdie told me you were looking down,” the blue blur hums as he sits himself on the edge of your bed. Still careful to not show his hand, Sonic’s sure to lean with you when you curiously try to take a peak. “I wanted to see if there was anything I could do to cheer you up.”

One of your brows raises as you put a stop to your losing game of hide-and-seek, lower back flaring up in pain. “My hero. However shall I repay you?” Your tone, though flat and tired, still holds a playful lilt that makes Sonic’s grin grow wider.

“Don’t thank me yet! You haven’t even seen what I got you!”

“I don’t need to,” you’re quick to huff, slumping back into your headboard of mostly pillows. “As long as it gives me something to do without getting up, I’m thankful.”

Sonic lets out something between a scoff and a laugh as he pulls the gift from his back, free hand wiggling its fingers as though to further entice your interest. He leans forward when you take the box from him, crossing his arms over your shins just so he can rest his chin on them.

Catching your hands when you try setting it down on your thighs, Sonic only smiles when you look around the box and at him. “What’re you doing?”

He's barely able to keep his volume contained to anything below an inside voice. “Don't worry about it! Just open it!”

You roll your eyes but do as told, letting him hold it as your hands work at unraveling the surprisingly intricate bow. There's no doubt he went to Amy or Cream for it. He’s much too impatient to spend more than a minute perfecting the coils of the ribbon and the wrapping was too crisply done for him to take the time making sure each corner was perfectly folded.

Carefully picking at the tape, pulling apart the wrapping paper, and lifting the flaps of the box, you let out a quiet sigh at the sight. You're met with a get well soon card, a stuffed animal that looks an awful lot like him, and a couple packs of chocolate.

Finding there's tissue paper packed at the bottom of it after placing each gift to the side, you hum.

“You should totally take it out,” Sonic whispers.

“And if I don't?”

“I’d be suuuper disappointed.”

Your laughs grow louder as you do as told, tossing the tissue to the side just to unveil him beaming ear-to-ear. Of course this was the gift he'd been planning to give you, because what better gift was there from him than him?

Dropping the box to the floor before nudging pillows and bears out of the way to make room, Sonic doesn't hesitate to make himself comfortable in the space against your side. He swipes the remote from where you discarded it on the duvet, swiftly clicking through the channels while you open a pack of sweets.

“Now how about we put something actually good on, yeah?”

[masterjedilenawrites]

Decisions, Decisions

Rex x reader | 1.4k words

Content: light angst, fluff

Inspiration (from @rosemarynightmares): Also I find it so interesting how non-commitical Rex actually is; like, who would've guessed that a guy with such a spit-death-in-the-face attitude on the battlefield would be so scared to let someone into his heart.

Rex wasn't scared.

That's what he told himself.

He was just... cautious? No, that wasn't it either. Cody was cautious. Rex had learned long ago how to embrace risk and spontaneity, having Anakin as a leader.

Considerate? That might be it. Careful thought was part of the definition he brought up on his holopad for it. That sounded about right. He wasn't being hasty and irrational. He wasn't being thoughtless or stupid.

And he definitely wasn't scared.

Rex sighed, running a hand over his fuzzy hair and down the back of his neck. Putting a word to his feelings hadn't helped like he thought it would. He still had that gnawing ache in the middle of his torso. Right above his stomach, right below his heart. Combining butterflies and heartbeats into something truly uncomfortable.

"Sir?"

Rex turned to see Tup standing at attention by the door. He stood from his bunk, letting his holopad fall next to the pillow.

"Is she here already?"

"Yes, sir," the soldier nodded. "She's waiting in General Skywalker's quarters. He said he won't let anyone bother you there."

Tup and Anakin were the only two who knew about you; his little... "friend." Tup had a habit of accidentally walking in on conversations at the wrong time, but once he'd finally understood what the private meetings and hushed whispers were about, he'd promised not to tell a soul.

And Anakin hadn't been able to hide his romance with Senator Amidala from him, so it was only fitting Rex let the Jedi in on his own predicament. You truly had started out as just friends. But over time, bonds strengthened and affections grew, and most importantly, the war changed. Your trips to the Dominator as an ambassador were no longer justified as the threats were simply too great. Anakin helped get around all that. He said it was a favor to a friend, but Rex knew the Jedi was waiting for something more to blossom. To no longer be the only one in the army with a secret.

Rex strode quickly to the General's room, not wanting to give himself too much time to think, even though he hadn't a clue what he was going to say to you. He'd been kept up all night mulling it over. Going back and forth on whether to confess his feelings and ask for more than he possibly deserved, or whether to let you go like he ought to have done a long time ago. The decision was maddening. He couldn't live without you; he knew that without a doubt. But to keep you was to be selfish...

Right?

"Good luck, Captain!"

Rex halted in surprise. He turned to find Kix peeking out from the doorway to the med bay behind him.

"Come again?"

Kix looked a little embarrassed, but only for a moment. "Tup told me about your... friend. You know the boys talk a lot when they're in here."

"Do they now." Rex folded his arms disapprovingly. "And what about doctor-patient confidentiality?

Kix shrugged. "Just thought you could use some luck is all," he mumbled before disappearing.

Rex shook his head. Well, that made three people who knew about you, then. Not ideal, but he supposed Kix could be trusted.

He finally reached the desired door and took just a few moments to collect his wits. His head was sweaty all of a sudden; how long had he been perspiring like this? And his breaths were coming out way too shaky for his liking. Perhaps he should go back to his bunk for a while, meet up with you later, after he'd had a chance to decide what to say and maybe even rehearse a whole speech he could simply memorize...

The sound of your laughter on the other side of the door pulled him out of his trance. For a second, his spirits were lifted and a relieved smile fell into place. He loved hearing your happiness. The warmth you had rivaled any sun in any system.

But then it occurred to him, you wouldn't laugh for no reason. Were you watching a video of some sort?

Another's muffled voice joined your own and his stomach clenched. You were not alone.

Fantastic.

"There you are!" your cheerful voice called out as soon as soon as he opened the door. You were sitting across from none other than Ahsoka Tano, the two of you looking for all the world like best friends as you leaned in over whatever laugh you were sharing.

"You know it's rude to keep a girl waiting," Ahsoka said, getting up and starting to make her way out. She gave him a look as she passed, which Rex knew meant she was aware of everything going on between the two of you.

"Remember what I said!" she called back over to you. You gave her a little salute, and then Ahsoka left and Rex was alone with you at last.

You were beautiful. You always were. Rex clenched his fists behind his back, needing to ground himself while he still toyed with all the decisions he had yet to make in his mind. How could he let you go? How could he ask you to stay? There was no right answer here and he hated that.

"Rex," you supplied the conversation first, stepping forward confidently and bringing your hands up to grab at his arms. You pulled them apart, brought them forward so you could wrap your hands around his fists. He slowly relaxed them and you wormed your fingers between his.

"I know you are in a difficult spot," you said, equal parts softness and assertiveness. You knew exactly what to say. Where he stuttered, you filled in the gaps. When he paused, you pressed on.

"I just need you to know that this isn't a decision you have to make alone. In fact, you shouldn't make it alone. This... thing... we have, it includes me, too, which means I should have some say in what happens next."

Rex nodded. Of course, of course. But he still couldn't speak. He still didn't know what to do.

"And I get it. I know this life you have is hard. And dangerous. And full of risks if anyone finds out."

"Oh apparently several people have found out," Rex finally found some words he could say. He huffed in annoyance. "Tup, Kix..."

"Cody, Obi-Wan," you nodded, as if he'd known about those.

He started panting from the stress of the thought that there were now people outside of the 501st who knew. You snickered a little and started rubbing his arms soothingly.

"Thankfully it's only the people we trust," you reassured. "And thankfully there are a lot of people we trust. But to my point, I know it's risky. And I know there's challenges that will come with that kind of life. And...."

You gave him a smile, and for some reason, Rex knew that regardless of what you said next, everything would be okay. He smiled back.

"And..." he prompted, holding your hands just a little tighter.

"And even if this war goes on forever. Even if you're always a soldier, and I'm always the secret you keep hidden away. And even if you age quickly or I get sick or we're on the run or any number of other awful things happen... I think it'll be worth it."

You whispered the last part, scrunched your nose up endearingly. Rex found himself leaning forward just as you were, and you rested your foreheads against each other.

"Well, how could I disagree with that decision," was his response to the question that'd been gnawing at him for so many rotations. "I'm still... scared."

"Me, too. But we're in this together."

"Together," he agreed.

"Yes!" suddenly came a clone's voice from beyond the door. A chorus of other identically sounding hoops and hollers and "finally!" -s joined in. Rex groaned and you started laughing as a pile of 501st brothers burst through.

"I knew you'd make the right call!" Fives clapped him heavily on the back.

"Yeah, if you couldn't get the girl, ain't no hope for the rest of us," Jesse chimed in with a smirk.

"That was painful," Dogma shook disapprovingly. "You could've said all this weeks ago and saved us the angst."

"Sinker owes me fifty credits for this," said Hawk, already thumbing out a message on his holopad.

The hubbub continued and Rex squeezed your hand for reassurance amidst all the anxieties they were conjuring up. You squeezed back and simply mouthed the word together.

"Together," he repeated.

~ ~ ~

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[potatowithahat]

Part two: A doctors Notepad

A sdv Harvey fic

Part one here

Summer 1, year one

       Well springs gone, which means most of the allergy complaints are fizzling out. I haven't seen The Farmer since the flower dance though. I'm not sure what's going on. Did I do something to make them not like me? I don't know. I'm too anxious to ask her. The Farmer is the first real friend other than Shane or Elliot I've had since moving here, and even then there really only drinking buddies. I think I'll wait for them to come to me.

                                             -Harvey, the doctor

Summer 3, year one

       Last night there was an awful crashing noise from up by Robin's. Maru was telling me all about it when the farmer came in with a coffee for me. I think this is the first time they've come to see me since the flower dance.  I was honestly ecstatic. But Maru and the Farmer both got really quiet and just looked at each other for a second. Then Maru shouted ‘I'm a lesbian!’ And they both burst out laughing. I still don't get the joke. Either way my prospects in this town are dwindling by the day.

       I suppose you and me have a long year ahead journal. Speaking of which I think I finally named you!!!!!! Ok, ok, hear me out…. Joseph List-er. Get it! Cause you're a Journal,  so I can list everything that happens to me. Its stupid anyway. Why am I still writing like I'm talking to you? This is too odd.

                                              -Harvey, the doctor

Summer 5, year one

Linus came in around two am last night with the farmer in his arms. I nearly fainted when I saw the injuries. I haven't seen cuts like that since I med school. I'm a medical professional though,  so I got her to the beds in the back and cleaned her up. In the end they needed twenty-three stitches on their legs and four in their head. It was awful. They finally woke up around three am, thank Yoba. As soon as they was up I was checking their vitals and pupils for dilation. I asked them for their name and they just asked me what I was doing. When I tried to explain I needed to check for a concussion and amnesia they looked me dead in my eyes and said: I heard a joke about amnesia once, but I forgot how it goes.

      It wasn't even a good joke, but I was practically beside myself laughing. I don't…. Yoba this is bad. They definitely think I'm crazy after that, I must have looked insane laughing so much. I fixed myself soon enough but I still… I don't know. I gave them the whole speech on keeping safe and wound care and she was on her way home before dawn. That was maybe twenty minutes ago,  so that's all you're getting for today. I need a nap.

                                          -Harvey, the fool 

Summer 10, year one

       Sorry about the slow entries last week. Jas and Vincent caught the flu and Shane has been practically shadowing me making sure they get better. It's the longest I've seen him sober in months. Regardless, I need to get better at updating this little guy.

       Anyway, the farmer came in in a panic today asking me ‘what the hell a luau is’. Apparently she's never been to one and got a letter from Luis explaining how the governor was coming into town for it. I laughed and explained the silly tradition. It's not like the governor's visit actually matters, he always comes back. After she was calmed down she asked what she should bring. I shrugged and told her I always bring beans because there a good source of protein. Half a cup of beans can provide about seven grams of protein,  which is the same as an ounce of meat.

      Sorry, I'm rambling again. Regardless, the Farmer left midway through my beans speech saying she had the perfect idea. It was quite odd. I guess I'll have to see what they bring to the event.

                                    Harvey, the doctor 

Summer 11, year one

       The luau was a huge success this year! The Farmer brought some hot peppers, and though it was a little too spicy for my tastes it was still delicious. The Farmer came and ate by me too. It.. was quite the evening. I was exhausted by the end though. My social battery certainly isn't what it used to be. I should really start going out more. Perhaps I should bring that up in my next session.

       Either way it's quite late now. I should probably get to bed… but… something about the Farmer bugged me today. They were so lively,  but everything someone else would talk to them they'd seem to dampen a bit. Like someone covered the sun in their eyes with a cloth. It.. it was a bit odd. I considered asking them, but I couldn't quite find a way to ask ‘Where does the light in your eyes go when you talk to…

       Oh… OH.. oh Yoba. I'm a fool. I.. oh dear

                                          -Harvey

Thank you so much for reading!!!

As always, my asks are always open, so if you liked this and have any ideas or requests please feel free to suggest something!!!

Also if you're interested in any of my other works you can find them all linked in my Pinned post! Also I have an Ao3, which you can find a link to there!!!

Any way I hope you enjoyed!!!

[whiskey-tango-matcha]

Downfall (pt 2/2)

See? I didn’t lie, part 2 is here and it’s only...11:00PM Sunday night lol. Wow guys, this part got long (like 3.5k words long. Oops.) and *sappy*. But, you know what I love about snz fic? We always give the people what they want. You see a smoking gun in act 1 you best believe it’s going off in act 3. Lmao. Also, I’m sorry if there’s continuity/grammar/spelling errors, I’ll read it through again in the morning and fix them I just can’t do it tonight haha.

Anyway! Hope you guys like the second part.

cw: Male, colds, contagion, mess, there is a passing-out moment in here as well. Shit gets wild lol. This part is heavily inspired by 3 prompts in my inbox, so if you sent a prompt it’s probably featured here!

Downfall - Pt 2

When Elijah opened his eyes Friday morning, he nearly cried in relief; after three full days of feeling like death, he finally, finally felt like he was on the other side of this shit.

The past two days had been a nightmare. After Greyson had called him Tuesday night and told him that not one but two other managers had gone down, Elijah had to mentally prepare himself for a full week of work with one of the worst colds he’d ever endured. He’d walked into the kitchen Wednesday morning stuffed to the gills with dayquil, cough syrup, and ibuprofen; a combination he was sure was actively taking years off of his life. Greyson was already hard at work, despite the fact that Elijah knew he’d been at the restaurant until well after midnight the night before.

“He lives!” Greyson said, throwing his arms up as though Elijah had just scored the winning goal for their nonexistent soccer team. “You look god-awful, and I’m so glad you’re here!”

Elijah coughed out a laugh, and Greyson lead them both into the office. “So, here’s the deal,” Greyson said as they both sat. “I told both Matt and Mark to stay home til Saturday – just to make sure they don’t infect anyone else. I closed the books at 50 covers tonight and tomorrow – and I know, it’s barely enough to cover labor, but we’re in survival mode here, so don’t give me that look. I got in at six, most of my prep for the evening is done, so I figured when we open I can throw on a button down and help on the floor while you expo back here during the rush. Does that all work for you?”

The GM blinked, blindsided. He knew Greyson was good in a shit situation, but damn; the kid should’ve been a fighter pilot or an ER doctor. “Yeah,” Elijah said, “sounds great, Grey.”

So that’s what they’d done. Both Wednesday and Thursday. Elijah had holed up in the office until the servers needed him for preshift, and Greyson had prepared his cooks for two weird nights of Elijah expoing. Service had been moderately slow both evenings, which would’ve been great, if it hadn’t allowed Elijah to hyper-focus on his lingering symptoms and Greyson to flit and fret over him every time he stepped into the kitchen.

“Do you need anything, Lij? Water? Tea? Meds?” The constant stream of mother-henning had eventually worn on everyone, and even Greyson’s cooks had finally said, “Chef, he’s fine.”

But they had gotten through it. Elijah had sneezed and coughed and cursed his way through garnishing dishes, and Greyson had awkwardly talked to tables until finally the week was nearly over. And now it was Friday, one day til the big wedding, and Elijah was finally, finally feeling better.

Elijah walked in at 9AM to a thankfully-empty kitchen; he’d told Greyson the night before to sleep in, prepare himself for the weekend, take some Emergen-C and be absolutely sure he wasn’t going to succumb to the rot Elijah had brought in, but he was surprised that the chef had actually listened to him. The GM placed his things down in their empty office and took a breath; it was going to be okay. Mark and Matt would be back for the wedding, they would be relatively slow tonight, and Saturday would be perfect. Manifest it, Lij, he said to himself, sitting at the desk and turning the computer on. Manifest it.

After an hour or so of paperwork, Elijah heard the back doors open as Greyson let himself in. The GM pushed away from the computer and cracked his neck, anticipating the usual barrage of word vomit Greyson was wont to spew out the moment he walked into the restaurant. “Morning, Chef,” he called out before even seeing Greyson, marveling at how much clearer his voice was today. Fuck that fucking cold.

Greyson stepped into the office and silently saluted his boss, a Starbucks cup adorning each of his hands. “Hey, boss,” he said, placing one in front of Elijah and one next to his own computer. The chef didn’t sit down; instead, he took off his hoodie, grabbed a clean coat from the back of his chair, and buttoned it up before snagging his drink and heading into the kitchen. Elijah swung himself around in his chair, dumbstruck.

“That’s it?” he asked, watching Greyson unpack his knives a few feet away. “‘Hey, boss’? No big gameplan? No huddle to discuss the week’s insanity? No bombardment of questions regarding my health?” Greyson huffed out a laugh, but Elijah wasn’t having it. “You didn’t even tell me what you got me to drink,” he said, holding up the mystery cup.

Greyson raised an eyebrow at his boss and bit back a smile. “It’s a chai,” he said, bemused. Elijah threw his hands up, flustered.

“The amount that that doesn’t address 90% of my questions is truly amazing,” he said, taking a long sip of his drink, which – certainly wasn’t a chai. The hell was that?

“I don’t know what second-rate Starbucks you stopped at, Chef, but this is definitely not a chai,” Elijah said, pushing the cup towards the door. “What is that? It’s like...something lemon.”

Greyson colored a bit and picked up his own cup to look at the sticker. “Ah, fuck,” he mumbled, striding back into the office and switching their cups. “Sorry ’bout that. I switched the cups.”

“What is it?” Elijah asked, his face seemingly stuck in a mask of disgust. “So that I can remember to never order it.”

Greyson rolled his eyes. “Have you ever ordered something from Starbucks that wasn’t a chai?” he asked, sipping his drink. Elijah shrugged and turned towards that computer again.

“Fair enough,” he said, waking the screen by shaking the mouse. He turned to Greyson again when the floorplan popped up on his screen. “Can we take a quick look at tonight together? Since Matt and Mark are still out? Do you think we should cut the covers off now, or go to 75?” Elijah squinted, his face nearly touching the screen in concentration. After a few moments of silence, he peeled himself away from the monitor to glance at the chef, who was – the fuck was he doing?

“The fuck are you doing?” Elijah asked, snapping Greyson out of his trance. The chef had been turned almost all the way around, facing the kitchen. Clearly he hadn’t heard a word Elijah said.

“Huh? Shit, sorry boss. Lost in thought,” Greyson said, turning back toward the GM. “Uhh… 75. Yeah, that looks good,” he finished, lamely. Elijah raised his eyebrows.

“What’s your problem today?” he asked, though not with malice. Greyson chuckled.

“Just got a lot on my mind, boss,” he said. “Big weekend. Week’s been long. I need to get back to prep, if that’s okay.” Elijah gave Greyson another look, but nodded after a moment and shooed him out. Greyson smiled at his boss, held his cup out in a false ‘cheers’. “I’ll be prepping in the back kitchen if you need me,” he said, and disappeared past the line into the back.

It wasn’t Elijah’s fault, he reasoned with himself later, that he hadn’t seen through the ruse. He’d just barely gotten over a monster of a cold; he was himself busy and stressed; it was early and he hadn’t had enough caffeine. He couldn’t be expected to decode what was wrong with Greyson every time the kid acted weird. However, he couldn’t help but kick himself when he finally realized – thirty minutes before service – what the weird-tasting drink the chef had gotten himself was. Aptly named, of course, and something Elijah himself had only had once before, courtesy of Greyson himself.

A medicine ball. Greyson had gotten himself a medicine ball.

***

He wasn’t sure how long he’d be able to keep this up, but it certainly wasn’t going to be through tomorrow’s wedding.

Greyson sat down, fully clothed, on the toilet and put his head in his hands for the third time that day. The fact that Elijah hadn’t noticed at this point was a mix of pure dumb luck and more sudafed than a human person should ever in their life consume. He assumed the former would begin to run out soon, as the latter had hours ago.

“Huhh...HNGSTH! NTSH! ITZSH! Fuck – HNGTSZHUE! Goddamn it.”

Greyson pulled a length of toilet paper from the roll and blew his nose until it made him cough. He checked his watch as he threw the toilet paper into the trashcan next to him – 9:15PM. When he’d stepped into this bathroom, dodging Elijah as he locked the door, all but one of the tables had left. He’d go back to the line, he’d tell Leo, his grill cook who’d been there nearly as long as he had, to check that everyone had cleaned thoroughly, and he’d sneak out the back before Elijah could question him.

And then what? Greyson asked himself as he stood and washed his hands. You somehow make a miraculous recovery between now and tomorrow morning? Have you seen how this shit took down Elijah, Mark, and Matt?

Greyson ignored the voice in his head and dried his hands. He assumed Elijah hadn’t noticed because they were both wildly busy before service, and once service had started, they were both worn thin being the only managers in their departments for the third day in a row. Greyson had managed to keep the congestion out of his voice with the aforementioned sudafed, and he had taken his happy ass to the bathroom or out back to ‘smoke’ when he really needed to sneeze or cough all night. Elijah had definitely given him some looks through the evening, but nothing Greyson couldn’t brush off by pulling a ticket distractedly and not making eye contact.

Tomorrow, though? When Matt and Mark were both going to be back, and they were all going to be prepping their asses off for the wedding? He genuinely had no idea what he was going to do to keep them from noticing.

Greyson exited the bathroom, stealthily managing to avoid his boss as he slipped into the kitchen. He gathered his things, put Leo in charge, and was nearly out the door, nearly safe, when -

“Chef!” Elijah called behind him, making him freeze in his tracks just outside the back door. Fuck.

“Yeah, boss?” Greyson asked, turning to face Elijah and hoping he didn’t look like the garbage fire he felt. Elijah crossed his arms over his chest in the cold of the alleyway and motioned to Greyson’s entire being.

“You leaving?” he asked tapping his foot. Greyson managed a smile and lifted his backpack and knife bag a little for inspection.

“Is it obvious?” he asked, quietly clearing his throat to mask the gravel of his voice. Elijah didn’t say anything for a few moments.

“Leo shutting down the line?” he asked. Greyson nodded, swallowing around a throat on fire.

“Yeah,” he said. “Did you uh…ndeed something from mbe?” Fuck.

Elijah gave Greyson a pointed look. “Grey,” he said, voice low. “If you’re sick, you need to tell me. Now.”

Greyson felt his cheeks redden, but he immediately shook his head. “I’mb good,” he said, cursing once again the congestion that had sneaked into his voice. “Promise. I gotta go, I’mb gonna mbiss mby train.” Without missing a beat, the chef turned around and headed towards the street, hoping his boss couldn’t see him stifle nearly ten sneezes into his fist as he walked.

This was not going to end well.

***

It was worse than Elijah could have even imagined.

When Elijah walked into the restaurant that morning, the first thing he did was text Greyson.

9:01AM

Hey. I’m here, is there anything you want me to pull out/start on before you get in?

9:01AM

Also, how are you feeling?

Normally, he’d get a response in moments; when Greyson wasn’t at work, the man was glued to his phone, playing some stupid game or messaging one of his fifty Bumble suitors he kept on the line at all times. I get bored, he often said to Elijah. One starts annoying me, BOOM! Onto the next.

Today, though, nearly twenty minutes passed before Elijah’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out immediately and couldn’t help but wince at the text the chef sent.

9:18AM

great. no. ill be there in 20.

Anyone who texted with Greyson more than once in their life knew that if he wasn’t being his multi-exclamation-point, constant-joke-and-lol self over text, he was probably close to death. Elijah typed out an ‘ok’ to the chef, before making a thread with Matt and Mark.

9:31AM

Elijah

Hey, guys. Just making sure you’re both on your way in. Greyson’s gonna be down bad. Need all hands on deck asap.

9:32AM

Mark

???? is he ok??? down bad in what way?

9:33AM

Matt

ya, coming now. figured chef would’ve gone down by now. should I bring anything?

9:34AM

Elijah

Just your stamina. Gonna be a long day. Thx.

9:34AM

Mark

no one answered my ?

im so confused

oh

OH

shit, I knew I got greyson sick. fuuuuuuuuck. sorry, boss :(

9:35AM

Elijah

All good. Inevitable. Let’s just get this day done.

Elijah clicked his phone off and sighed. He could go for a whiskey, or even just a long, drawn out scream about now, but a cigarette and a prayer would have to do him. Twelve hours until the wedding was over.

***

How Greyson managed to make it to work was anyone’s guess, him included.

The chef pushed through the back doors and before he could even get past the prep kitchen he was doubled over, sneezing into the sleeve of his hoodie.

“HhhIGSTZH-ue! HuhESHHH-ue! HRRTSCHZUE! NGTSHZUE! Christ, fuck,” Greyson muttered, wiping his nose on his sleeve for what he could only wish he could say was the first time that morning. He cleared his throat, which was for naught since he could barely speak, and continued his trudge into the main kitchen.

When Greyson had made it home last night, he told himself he’d be able to continue to hide his burgeoning illness. He thought maybe more medicine, some Vick’s, and a good night’s sleep would give him the upper hand against it. He’d told himself he was stronger than his coworkers, that his immune system wouldn’t fail him on one of the most important days of his career.

Oh, how the mighty will fall.

“HhNGTSHHZUE! ITSZH-uhh! Fuuuuck,” Greyson moaned, stumbling into the thankfully-empty office and yanking a handful of tissues from the box on the desk. He wiped his nose, unwilling to unleash the volley of sneezes he knew would be behind a nose blow, and pressed his palms into his eyes to try and relieve some of the pressure. Who the fuck gets a cold this fucking bad, Elijah, he wondered silently.

As if conjured, Greyson felt his phone buzz with a text from his boss.

10:07AM

Bless. That sounds fucking awful.

Could a guy not get a moment’s peace in this fucking place?

10:08AM

i should call the cdc’s biohazard unit on u for unleashing this shit onto us.

An admission, but what else was he supposed to do? Elijah could hear him in the dining room. The game was over. Greyson put his head back into his hands until he heard his boss’s footsteps click into the kitchen.

“...chef?” Elijah asked, and Greyson wearily lifted his head.

“Mornding,” Greyson croaked, before turning to the side to cough, crackly and painful-sounding, into his sleeve. He felt something get placed on the desk next to him, and when he finally was able to compose himself he saw it was a Starbucks cup. Greyson smiled, weary.

“Chai?” he asked, picking up the cup. Elijah huffed out a laugh.

“Something like that,” he said, moving to sit next to Greyson. “Now, hear me out. I think I have a gameplan.”

***

At five o’clock, Elijah finally went to rouse the man of the hour with a knock on the office door.

“Chef,” he said, trying to wake Greyson as gently as possible. “Grey. We need you for plate-up.” Greyson nodded blearily and, with the help of both Matt and Elijah, managed to get to his feet.

It had been an interesting day for sure. Elijah’s plan had been for Greyson to try and help with some of the more intricate parts of prep in the morning, and then lay down from noon until it was go time, but that had proved nearly impossible.

Greyson had managed to prep for about three minutes at a time before dissolving into nasty coughing fits that lasted minutes at a time, or absolutely relentless bouts of -

“HTSHH-ue! HRSHH-ue! Hhuhh…NGTSHZUE! ITSZHUE! Huhh-ETSHZCH-oo!”

“Christ, boss,” Matt said, attempting a laugh after a particularly intense fit of sneezes, “When you go down you really go – oh, fuck.” In teasing his boss, Matt nearly missed Greyson’s eyes rolling back into his head and his knees buckling as he lost consciousness for a moment. “ELIJAH!” Matt called, catching his boss and lowering him to the ground as gracefully as possible.

Once they’d managed to get Greyson back to a standing position, Elijah had decided it was too risky to let him continue to be...vertical. Greyson had laid out for Matt exactly what he needed him to do to finish preparing the food, and retreated to the blanket fort they had all heavily utilized this week for a sleep that more closely resembled a coma than anything restorative.

Matt, Elijah, and even Mark had managed to finish the prep Greyson had worked so hard on that week by four PM. Once they felt ready, the three of them gathered in front of the office to stare at the racked-out chef.

“Should we… ask him if everything looks okay?” Mark had asked, ringing his hands. Matt and Elijah exchanged a look before Elijah shook his head.

“I think… I think he’ll be okay with just about anything at this point,” Elijah said. The other two nodded, unwilling to take this precious moment of sleep away from the chef.

When the guests were all seated and ready for first courses, it was, of course, Elijah’s job to wake the sleeping bear. Greyson, ever the trooper, took his place at the pass and regarded the three of them with all the pride he could muster.

“Thangk you guys. Really,” he said, his voice barely a whisper. “Ndow. Let’s get this shit over w – HGSTHH-ue! Snrf. Guhh,” Greyson held tight to the granite counter top and pulled himself back to his full height.

“Let’s get this done,” he said, pulling out his tweezers. “And whend it’s over, I’mb ndot answering mby phone for a fuckigg week.”

They all managed a laugh. They all assumed their positions for plating and running food. This certainly wasn’t the glamorous job it was portrayed in the movies, but they did have something all that media never seemed to truly capture; they had each other, and this place that all of them thought of as not a second, but a true home.

Greyson cleared his throat as the first of the servers came through the doors, bearing labeled sheets with seat numbers. “Order in!” he called, and they all put their heads down and began their work.

[fantasies-fairytales-n-fics]

Code Blue Ch. 44- Blackbird

Summary: Liz is unwillingly brought into the ER. Lee experiences something ominous. He and Britt have a huge disagreement which helps Lee see his future more clearly. Lee pays his karma respects. Luke is on the case to Lee's dismay. Angel is put in her place. Lee meets the strange Spinelli who has something for him. Cyrus makes an offer and a very indiscreet threat. Lee takes another blow. More signs come. Lee tends to Jo in more ways than one. Code Blue.

*Chapter Warnings* DARK! REDRUM!! language, angst, stab wounds, anxiety meds and alcohol use, death depiction, smut, sexual depictions

Stories Stories Stories Masterlist:

Chapter characters: Lee, Josie, Orlando, Spinelli, Maggie, Elizabeth, Britt, Luke, Angel, Cyrus

Salem, Massachusetts

March 20, 2023

The emergency room doors glided opened at 6:30 p.m. as Damion Spinelli struggled to support a very filthy, pale, cold and severely injured Elizabeth who collapsed only moments after entry. If he had found her when he was alone, Spinelli would not have lifted a finger to help her since he knew of Jason's plan, but since a very distressed Maggie had been present, he had no choice, for she insisted he take Liz to the hospital and she rode with him.

Nurses immediately assisted and placed Elizabeth onto a wheeled bed as a physician quickly checked her over her while grilling Damion about what happened. He told the doctor he did not know, that she appeared out of nowhere, covered in blood and collapsed, which actually was the truth.

After a brief assessment of her wounds, it was determined that Liz had been stabbed multiple times in the abdomen and was quickly rushed off to a room for further preliminary treatment while Spinelli sat with Maggie in the waiting room to help keep her calm.

Lee had just finished rounds with patients he knew, some he he didn't and headed up to his office for a much needed quiet break while he filled out some paperwork and to text you. Upon getting his phone out, you had finally responded to his text from lunch time that simply said "was sleeping sorry."

Almost 7 hours? he thought as he replied.

"Baby, are you alright? I'll come home if you need me to. You're so quiet."

"No. Just tired." was all you said and dozed back off on the couch with the dark room's only light from the fireplace. This was exactly why you would never took your anxiety medication which this time you stupidly washed down with many glasses of white wine, not to mention, the meds would make you loopy if you tried to walk around which was not good considering you were already naturally accident prone.

"Ok sweetheart. I only have 4 more hours and I'll be home. I'll just surprise you with some food so you don't have to choose. Sweet dreams my love. I love you."

A few minutes went by and you did not reply. Lee laid his phone down and just stared at the display pic of you and him, rubbing his thumb softly over your face.

He remembered that day at the farm out by the pond, softly kissing your lips as you took a blind selfie of the sweet moment and amazingly, the filtered shot turned out almost as perfect and beautiful as he thought you were.

Lee then brought his focus to the stack of paperwork he needed to complete and just stared at that too. His mind just wasn't there. Was he really suffering from separation anxiety because all he could think about was you? He knew it was just that, for he had felt this way when you had left him for a week. Orlando was wrong. Lee knew he would not adjust to it.

He got up and went to the window where the full moon shone in as he drank another red bull. The night was a blustery rainy mess and he just wanted to be cuddled up with you on the couch by the fireplace with a good scary movie, or better yet...making love to you.

As he went to take another sip of his go to work drink, something out of the ordinary happened for that time of night. A crow smacked into the window, startling Lee so bad that he spilled the red bull all over his white dress shirt. This was a very good reason he disliked wearing white, although it wouldn't have mattered in this case of saturation.

"Jesus, what the fuck!" he snapped as he gaped at the blood smeared glass bearing his surprised reflection.

Now his mind was spinning like a tornado, for he knew what it meant of a blackbird striking a window, or really any bird for that matter. Death.... but it was much more of a sinister sign when it was a crow, or at least that's what Lee believed.

Frustrated beyond measure, Lee tore off the shirt, buttons flying about and opened a bottle of water to clean his chest off, then went to his wardrobe of extra clothing, pulling out a purple long sleeved dress shirt and quickly changed into it. As he headed for the door and yanked it open to go buy another unneeded replacement beverage, Orlando was standing there with his hand up, ready to knock.

"Jesus man! Don't do that shit." Lee gasped as he jumped back, still freaked out over the bird incident.

"Sorry?? Didn't think you'd be whipping the door open as I came up."

"No...I'm sorry. I'm just having a bad fucking night and want to go home. What's up?"

"Well, it's about to get worse. Elizabeth was just brought in to the ER. She's been...um...stabbed...like a lot."

"Say that again?" Lee asked with an arched brow.

"I think you heard me."

Lee barged right past Orlando and sped down the stairs, heading to the ER, but not out of any concern for Liz, but out of shock that she was still alive and even more shocking, Lee didn't feel one ounce of guilt over that. Would anyone blame him after what Liz did to Jacob??

Britt had just came in for her shift and didn't even make it to the elevator when she saw an unconscious Liz being wheeled out on a bed, hooked up to oxygen and an IV. Out of great curiosity, she stopped the nurses to find out what happened considering Liz had just been fired 4 days earlier per Cyrus's request, a man Britt knew loathed Elizabeth....and now here she was, fighting for her life.

After finding out the extent of her injuries, Britt ordered them to carry on with taking her to prep for surgery, which a very disconcerted Lee witnessed and physically stopped Britt in her tracks.

"Are you seriously sending her in for help??"

"Lee what?? Of course I am? Where else would I send her??" britt asked, completely flabbergasted at his inhumane words.

"THAT way. To the morgue where she belongs!" he snapped as he pointed to the exit, startling Britt.

"DOCTOR Pace. Need I remind you that that is who you are?? AND where you are?? A hospital?? That's what we do here remember? Help people. ALL people regardless of our feelings towards them."

"Maybe that's you but that's not me. She killed my son!!"

"Keep your voice down!" Britt sternly whispered. "You need to go back to your office and calm the hell down."

"Are you really telling me to CALM down?? You of all people know what she is."

"I do know Lee. Greatly. But I am the chief of staff here and a doctor and I am still your boss so you need to do as I've asked."

"You're an OBGYN!" he snarked with a chuckle. "You know, the ones who bring children into the world, unlike nurse Elizadeath who takes them out! And you're a hypocrite. Did you not threaten Liz "Jason style" at my dad's funeral? Jo told me."

"This isn't about me Lee. Now you need to get yourself under control or you can go home. My god, you just got your job back after anxiously waiting all this time and it's your first day! Maybe it was too much too soon and you just need part time for awhile to get your feet wet again."

"Yeah well maybe I don't want it back and maybe this was the reason I've been waiting for to burn this mob controlled house down. I don't know about you but I am not OK with having a mob boss as MY boss. It's bad enough working under you. And I'm not OK with saving people like her. She's the exception to the rule of do no harm."

"Ok, you need to heed your words after all that just went down with Mr. Carpenter's daughter and he himself. It doesn't look good Lee."

"Hooollly hell....are you fucking him too??"

"EXcuuuse me???"

"You know what? Never mind. I'm sure you are. You do know Jason would take care of her right? Which makes me wonder how the two of you ever worked out. You being a healer, him being quite the opposite. I mean, do you even know that she helped kill him too??? Do you know the real reason why?? Or the real reason he wanted her dead? Do you even care???"

"That's enough! Take the rest of the night off Dr. Pace and I suggest when you return, you don't bring Dr. Hyde with you."

Lee's expression turned smug as he leaned down to whisper in Britt's ear. "Jacob was Jason's biological son and he knew it. And he knew what Liz did to Jake. That's the first reason why he wanted her dead with the second being the fact that she tried to off him with the help of Ethan and Johnny Zacchara under the orders of YOUR sleezy new jailbird boss. And she did it alllll because of little ole you. This hospital is a landfill rotted with mounds of overflowing trash and I cannot breathe here anymore."

Lee walked off, leaving Britt speechless over what he just revealed and the only thing she could process out of it at that moment was one word that she whispered as she turned with befuddled eyes to watch Lee disappear around the corner.

"Tried??"

Once Lee rounded the corner, he momentarily stopped and then peeked back to see if Britt had left, in which he caught a glimpse of her heading to the break room. There was no way he was leaving until he saw Liz up close and personal.

After Britt was out of sight, Lee snuck in the room where Liz was semi-conscious and in shock, rambling away a series of jumbled words as nurse Theresa was preparing her pre-op sedative.

"Oh...Dr. Pace, I didn't see you there."

"Not only can't you read, but you're blind as well. Interesting." Lee retorted in defense of Orlando being badgered by her about his handwriting.

"I...I'm sorry?"

"You should be. I need you to leave."

"Umm, Dr. Pace I need to giv..."

"NOW...nurse...Theresa." he barked, emphasizing her name.

She pursed her lips and scurried out and Lee knew he would have little time before she brought Britt back with her.

"Well well well Lizzie. We meet again, except this time, I'm standing over you. Isn't it ironic, don'tcha think? Looks like the karma train found you." Lee taunted, just as she had done to him after the accident with Jacob.

"Train...t..train..." Liz mumbled, becoming agitated at Lee's voice. "Jake...he's on...Jacob...I see him....hear...the...train...no...noo...no...I...I...don't want to....no...go away...go..."

Lee's eyes widened at her words as the heart rate monitor began to rapidly chime.

"You! Out now!" Britt snapped, pushing Lee aside as she came rushing in with a smug faced nurse Theresa.

Lee formed a grin as Liz's eyes slightly opened to see his gloating ones.

"Chooo chooo." he snarked with a wicked arched brow as he nonchalantly backed his way out of the room with his hands in his pockets.

Once he turned around, there on the far side of the nurses station, stood Angel in her work attire, speaking with "detective" Luke, a sight he wasn't prepared to see. For one thing, his long time friend who he was currently at odds with, was up to his womanizing ways, pretending to comfort an upset Angel as he rubbed her arm in a very provocative way when she was a complete stranger to him and then there she was, being her typical self, eating the attention right up as she flaunted her bedroom eyes up at him.

With his hands still in his pockets, Lee crept around the large square cubicle, watching them and was able to hear Angel's quiet words as he came up behind Luke undetected, interrupting Angel before she could blab about Jason for the time being.

""No, she hasn't said anything about what happened as far as I am aware, although I do know....oh! Le..um I..I mean Dr. Pace. I didn't see you standing there." Angel said with surprise as she flirtatiously bit her bottom lip, seemingly losing all interest in Luke just like that.

"Ha! yeah, crazy huh? Here I am, six foot five... and NO one seems to see me today." Lee joked with a fake full on smile, paired with incredulous sarcasm and then his smile vanished as he leered at Luke. "Well, look what the cat dragged in. I hear congratulations are in order. How's being a rookie cop treating you these days?"

"Detective." Luke flatly riposted with a returned leer.

"Ahh, my bad. Guess I should have known that by the Miami Vice Crockett get up. You always did have a thing for Don Johnson."

"Why are you always trying to cause trouble?" Luke firmly stated as he walked up to Lee.

"Me? Trouble? Nah, that's more your style and I bet Landy and those bar thugs would agree. What are you doing here?"

"I think that's obvious, don't you?. So tell me Lee, where were you in the past 24 hours?"

"Are you serious right now?"

"As serious as Elizabeth Webber's attack. You see, we have a stabbing victim, one you knew quite well and one you disliked very much."

"AS did you and half of Salem, but if you must know as you should know and probably did, I was with my girlfriend at my lake house all morning and for the past 4 days as well and then I came here today for my shift at 10 am."

"I...thought you said you and Jolene were done???" Angel reeled as she rudely cut in.

Lee's eyes closed as he released a hard sigh of agitation through flared nostrils, for he was at his wit's end with her and with everyone else in his path that night.

"What I said was, we were having issues, which by the way was a flat out lie and let me correct your intentionally trite bullshit. It's JOSIE!" Lee barked, making Angel jump.

"Fuck you Lee." Angel snarled as she glared at him and stormed off.

Lee turned his head to the side she walked past him on.

"There isn't enough whiskey on the PLANET darlin, but thanks, I'd fuck me too." Lee happily riposted and then turned back to Luke.

"Alright, so I know the drill. Don't leave town blah blah blah...are we done here?? I have a job to do."

"For now. So...you won't mind me questioning Josie about your...alibi...for the morning hours?"

"Oh... you'd love that wouldn't you? Anything to be close to her."

"Actually, yes I would love that. You see, I also have a job to do. And as you said...don't leave town."

Luke grinned and gave Lee a hard pat on the shoulder as he walked off.

Lee was mad as a hatter, his lips and jaw clenched so tight that the bones in his neck were protruding while he eyed Luke's swaggered exit. Just when he thought he had a moment of peace, his name was being called by a familiar voice.

"Lee!!" Maggie cried as she came running up and into his arms, followed by Spinelli whom Lee did not know.

"Margaret?? What's wrong?? Why are you here?? My god, is Jo..."

"No...noo..." she sobbed as he held her. "I...I'm the one who found Elizabeth. Is she...is she alright??"

"I...I really don't know. They were prepping her for surgery. I...I didn't know you found her...you...knew her??"

"I did...briefly...because of Jason, but I haven't seen her in years." she explained through her sniffles and then released Lee. "I had no idea she is the mother of your boy. Damion here, was filling me in. I'm sorry, where are my manners. Lee, this is Damion Spinelli. He was Jason's good friend...Jo's too and he happened to be there tonight at the pub and heard me scream when she came stumbling out of the bushes."

Lee's attention turned to the younger dark haired guy that couldn't have been more than your age who seemed naturally nervous and talked a million miles an hour.

"Damion...I don't believe we've met, yet you seem to know me??"

"My apologies. Lee, if I may...er may I call you that?" he asked and quickly carried on without giving Lee a chance to answer. "You see, I am very well acquainted with the March family, Jason in particular...as you obviously now know per the fiery highness informing you of that just now and I am also a very dear friend of the blonde one."

"I...I'm sorry, the... blonde..one?"

"Oh..my apologies I offer again. The fair Josephine March, the one you adore and cherish to the moon and back. She and I were in attendance together in our more youthful days. Class of 2011. Salem High. We once shared a most magical night under the stars...well, that is what the prom theme was referenced as in our junior year. I still remember it like it was only yesterday, she in her red as roses gown that complemented her then fiery strands, hence why I used to refer to her as the fiery one once upon a time." Spinelli rambled on as he envisioned you and he that night.

"Youuuu...used to...date...my girlfriend?" Lee asked, quite puzzled, for Damion seemed to be the furthest of your type and it was even more puzzling that he was actually employed by a mob boss, for Lee recalled you telling him about Spinelli and his hacking skills.

"Well..I would imagine your definition and my definition of dating are not one in the same. I mean...it was a date for me that night yes, but we were not per se, like you and she are? Josephine, with her kindest of hearts, took pity on my poor soul when I was turned down by the troubled one...oh, that would be Megan, the sibling Josephine rivals with. I am forever most grateful to the blonde one for making a very sour night turn sweet and for her genuine and continued friendship all these years and for making me feel welcomed into her family, hence where I met Jason and the more than lovely Margaret. No concern is needed. Josephine only has eyes for you from what I am highly aware of."

Lee's mind was boggled by Spinelli's intellectual rantings and he wasn't quite sure what to make of him yet, but...he did make him chuckle for the first time during his long drug out and stressful shift.

"No worries Damion. I wasn't concerned."

"Oh please, address me as Spinelli, if I may ask of the good doctor Pace?"

"Lee is just fine, as you asked earlier. It is nice to meet you Spinelli and I am glad you were there tonight for Margaret and also that you care for Jo as you do. You seem like a really good friend to her and the family. Oh and Margaret...you...haven't spoken to Jo have you? About...what happened?"

"No..no I..I have been too distracted with it all."

"That's good. I would like to tell her myself when my shift is over, which is in roughly two hours. If she knows what you endured, she would be driving down here alone, in the rain and dark and all in a panic. Are you sure you're alright Margaret? I can leave early and take you home." Lee sweetly offered with a softened smile and genuine compassion in his eyes as he took her hands into his.

"Oh no dearest Lee, you're so very kind but Damion will take me. You go take care of my daughter. I will be alright after I get home and pour me some good old Irish whiskey over some ice." she said with a giggle that reminded Lee of yours.

"That sounds very good doesn't it?" Lee asked, chuckling at the woman he hoped would one day be his mother-in-law. "I promise you, I will assure Jo that you are doing alright and please, please call at any hour if you need us."

Maggie squeezed his hands and teared up with a smile. "You are such a godsend in my Joey's life and mine too. I can't wait to see what the future holds for the two of you." she said with a wink in regards to Lee's upcoming proposal and then hugged him.

"Dr. Pace! A word??" Britt barked from the hall, making Lee cringe.

"What fresh hell awaits me now?" he mumbled as he closed his eyes, making Maggie laugh, for she knew very well how Britt could be.

"It was a great pleasure to meet you Lee. I am sure we will be seeing much more of each other in the near future." Spinelli said with telling eyes as he smiled and extended his hand out to shake Lee's. In the exchange, Lee felt something slip into his palm.

"You too. Drive safe." Lee replied, discreetly placing his hand in his pocket with what felt like a folded piece of paper inside of it.

"What in the hell were you thinking??" Britt scolded as Lee approached her, rolling his eyes. "Interfering with a vital procedure of a patient, which that's what she is, no matter how bad you can't stand Liz. Her condition is critical and every second counts that you took away. Do you know how bad that makes you look?? Are you trying to get fired?? I told you to go home!"

"Why don't YOU go home miss righteous??"

"You're telling me to leave?? This is MY hospital??" Britt intensely reminded him, astonished by his audacious attitude.

The corner of Lee's lip curled up into a smirk as his eyes laughed at what stood in her shadow.

"I would tend to beg the differ on that."

Britt spun around to the stench of old spice cologne and the one sided grin of Cyrus Renault as he leered at her.

"Do we have a problem here... Doctor...Westbourne? If anything makes anyone look bad, it is the way you speak to the employees. I can't say that I would blame Dr. Pace for being defensive, or any other employee for that matter that has to endure the displeasure of your arrogance."

"Are...are you serious right now?? Did you not just hear how he spoke to me? I am his superior!"

"And I am yours, which seems to be reminded to you. Also I think you need reminded of the fact that there are many many doctors and nurses here quite qualified for your position...such as, well..the good doctor Pace here yes? Don't you think so....Lee? If I may call you that? What do you say in stepping up your game?"

"Dr. Pace." Lee bluntly said. "Would seem the proper term...And though I appreciate your faith in my capabilities...I am not interested."

"Excuse me???! You can't just give my job to someone else. It has to be voted on by the board!" Britt reeled.

"Oh I assure you the board would...easily...be swayed in such a fresh new direction. I like you Lee and the offer stands if you change your mind. I could use someone like you that knows how things should be...handled. You should be careful Dr. Westbourne. You don't want to end up like Ms. Webber."

Cyrus went to leave, patting Lee on the shoulder as he walked past him and then snapped his fingers and spun back around.

"Oh...fired...that is....and Lee, I hope Ms. March is doing better." he said and grinned, then went on his way.

Britt's eyes gaped at Lee. "Did you hear that?? He just threatened me! Ok, I don't even care about before right now, Lee, you HAVE to listen to me. When Cyrus says he likes someone, it means he wants something from them. God only knows what he could want from you but you cannot accept his offer, and no it's not because I don't want to lose my job. And...I know I told you to leave..but...do you think you could stay...I mean...you don't think it's odd that he's creeping around here at night?? Right after Liz was brought in?"

"I'll do it for Jo...but I'm only staying until my shift is over and then you're on your own. I'm going to go find Orlando." Lee firmly stated, completely ignoring all that Britt had just said.

He heard her though and thought about it on his way to fill in his best friend who had a full night's shift ahead of him and would be there with Britt to keep an eye on things. Of course though, things didn't work out as he had wanted them too when he was paged to the ER for a head trauma patient that had been brought in while he was in the middle of relaying the night's events to Orlando over coffee.

"Here we go again." Lee deeply sighed and reluctantly got up to leave.

Orlando stopped him by gently taking his arm.

"Hey man. You did nothing wrong. Liz got exactly what she deserved so don't wallow in thinking you're a bad person, because then that makes me and all the many others that feel the same way about her a bad person too for agreeing with you. We protect each other, always have, always will, even when we want of beat the hell out of each other."

"Thanks wingman, for always having my back from day one. Later Lando." Lee smiled, patted his his bff's arm, then rushed off, texting you as he did so to say he may be late.

11 pm rolled around, three hours past the time Lee shift was supposed to have ended. The patient he treated had been in a terrible car accident and didn't make it, despite Lee's best efforts and it was deja vous all over again, reminding him of when he treated a supposable Jason. Everything was lining up for Lee in helping him make a long thought out decision. Signs he told himself, just like you would.

Lee rubbed his weary eyes and yawned as he made his way back to his office to gather his stuff and once again change his shirt, for he got blood on it, then he went looking for Orlando to say goodnight. Still, he had no text from you and he was now becoming highly anxious to get home, more so than he had been all night. He then called you after a failed attempt to locate Orlando, but your phone went straight to voicemail which told him it was either off or dead. Something didn't sit right with Lee about it, for he knew you wouldn't just ignore him and make him worry, which now only made him worry more.

On his way through the parking lot, being drenched in rain as he grieved the loss of yet another patient under his care, he stopped at the window of his truck door and stared at his reflection, wondering who in the hell he was even looking at when suddenly he heard the repetitive caws of a crow in patterns of three. He turned to see the blackbird sitting up on a light pole, peering down at him. Was he grieving too? Over the loss of his feathered friend or mate? Or was he warning of something wicked this way to come?

Lee immediately hopped in his truck, peeling out as he sped off into the night, making it back to the lake house in a fraction of his usual time to see it completely dark.

"Jo!" he shouted as he got out and slammed his door, then raced up to the house.

The sound of his yell and the bang of the truck door startled you awake from your medicated state that was beginning to wear off, although you still felt foggy due to the earlier wine consumption.

"Lee??" you mumbled as you clumsily pushed your way up into a sitting position.

"Yeah baby, it's me." he panted and dropped his briefcase to rush over to you.

He knelt down, hugged you tight, then took your sleepy face into his hands and sweetly smiled as he studied your dilated eyes.

"Hey sweetheart, what's going on? You ok?"

"Mmm hmm. I..was just taking a nap."

Lee glanced over at the glass and almost empty wine bottle sitting on the coffee table, then he looked back at you.

"Baby, it's almost midnight. You took a 12 hour nap?? I texted you at noon and you didn't reply until a few hours later, saying you were sleeping, remember? And I haven't heard from you the rest of the day and night. I tried calling but...babe, you worried the hell out of me."

"Oh yeah, sorry..my phone...it's dead." you explained as you gazed at it laying on the floor beside his knees. "I was going to charge it but...I fell back asleep I guess."

"Jo...look at me. What did you take? besides a bottle of wine?"

"Huh? Oh..umm...that." you giggled. "I felt anxious and didn't want to have an attack while I was alone so I...I took one of my pills."

"With wine??? Jo..."

"I know, I know. Stupid. I just...you were gone...and you left so fast without even saying...you love me and you...you haven't touched me in days and I felt so alone even when you were here...and...and..."

You covered your face and began to sob.

"Oh god, come here, come here." Lee whispered and pulled you close, cradling your head under his chin. "I'm so sorry baby, I'm sooo sorry. I'm here now, I'm here shhhhh."

Lee rocked you for a few moments, feeling incredibly guilty and he knew he was going to have to explain. All of it. But right then was not the time, nor was it the time to tell you about Liz and your mom.

"Lee." you sniffled and pulled back as he glided the back of his fingers over your tears. "You're soaked and freezing and...weren't you supposed to be off hours ago?"

"Yeah, it's pouring and my truck's heater took a shit and...there was a last minute emergency I had to deal with at the hospital. I tried to call you to let you know."

"Uggh...I'm so sorry I scared you. I can't believe how stupid I was to do this."

"Hey, you're not stupid. I understand. I really do Jo. This is all my fault and..."

"Like hell it is. You didn't make me drink all that wine or take that pill."

"Alright. We will just agree to disagree for now. Let me get dried off and make you some food. I was going to bring home a pizza but I just needed to get back here to make sure you were ok. How about a movie too?"

"Sure...how about a spooooky one? The night is perfect for it yes? I see you have The Shining on DVD.......REDRUM!!" you said in your best Danny Torrence voice.

"Ummm how bout NO." Lee chuckled. "Really not in the mood for all that blood. Let's compromise and find one that's both funny and scary?....and hey....my girl....I...love....you...so much."

Your breath was stolen, allowing a squeak of a whimper to escape your lips as he took your mouth fully into to his. Running your fingers up through his dripping locks, you returned his passionate kiss, truly, madly and deeply.

"You know." you said, breathing heavily over his perked lips. "Food and a movie can wait so I can help you get out of these wet clothes."

"Is that so?" Lee murmured over your lips with a curled smirk as his growing member below told him he wasn't backing out of it this time.

"It is." you simply said and grabbed the remote to the stereo, turned on the music, then tossed it back on the coffee table and grinned at him.

"Ohhhh I am soooo fucked."

"That you are."

Lee laughed that hearty laugh he always did, the same one you heard him do in the video with Liz and then you began to unbutton his shirt as he knelt between your legs, his sapphire eyes dilating as he faded into you. And ironically...that song came on.

Once his shirt was off and so was yours, you wrapped your legs around his waist and he stood up with you attached to him like a koala baby, then he took you to the fireplace and gently laid you onto the rug in front of it. Once again, kneeling between your legs, Lee yanked your leggings clean off with one swipe and tossed them aside as you both laughed.

His eyes gazed at your glowing body of fire light, stroking his palm over your bare stomach in a most sensual way that made your back arch and your hips rock up.

"My god...you're so beautiful Miss Massachusetts."

Lee bent his arm under and around the back of your thigh and began kissing the inner side, starting at your knee and working his way down to your greatly aroused bud. The shock of his warm tongue gliding over it sent your fingers to his dripping hair, grabbing fistfuls of it as you bellowed out his name.

He quickly stood up and fought with his belt buckle until his pants were at his ankles and his girthy cock pointed right at you.

"I can't do this foreplay. It's been days." Lee panted out and urgently laid upon you, devouring your mouth as he guided himself into you.

Gasping at the pleasureful thrust, your nails tore a deep trail up his sculpted back.

"Gahhh!" he grunted and smiled as he filled your extremely slick walls, then he began slowly pumping you with a slight sway of his hips.

Lee was the one who was beautiful. His damp straggly hair dangling down his forehead, the fire's light glowing over his rain dampened skin and radiating off of his face. It was a vision that would forever be etched in your mind.

Your palms laid flat on his chest and they soon glided down his stomach where they stopped as you diligently viewed him slide in and out of you. He was so gentle, so loving in his movements. Everything was perfect as you both faded into each other.

"I love you." he whispered. "Forever."

Your hand went to his cheek. "I love you forever."

Lee's tender thrusts were now deep and grinding which curled his lengthy cock upwards, drawing you closer to climax as it neared your sweet spot and you knew he was holding back for you, for it was written all over his strained face and grunts that he was ready to explode like a grand finale of fireworks.

"I'm so close." he panted over your mouth, his eyes fixated in yours as his pace slowed.

"Now baby now...come with me. Let me feel you. I need to feel you."

Your words sent him spiraling into a shaking, jerking and paralyzing release as it did you and every pulse of him was felt by you as he felt yours while you clung to one another, your gasping and moaning breaths breathing into the other's mouth.

"My god, did... that... just happen?" Lee stammered. "Or am I dreaming?"

"It certainly was a dream of mine for the past how many days."

"Oh god baby...it was for me too. I..I am so damn sorry. I can explain all that."

"Not now. I just want to lay here by the fire in your arms for the rest of the night, no talking. Just hold me...please. I need you to hold me." you said and locked lips with him.

"CAW CAW CAW!!!!" a crow called from outside the window.

Lee's head whipped around, his mouth and eyes both gaping at the window that only showed his own reflection.

"Well that's odd. A blackbird singing in the dead of night. Don't crows or ravens usually make their ruckus during the daylight hours? Mostly in the morning when you're trying to freaking sleep?" you giggled.

Lee didn't even hear you as his eyes remained frozen on the window.

"Three times." he mumbled in a whispered tone.

"Lee?? Baby, what's wrong?"

"Huh??" he gasped and turned back to you.

"Ummm, the...crow? Why are you so freaked out?"

"Oh...who me? Nahhh...it just startled me, that's all. It'll take more than some little blackbird to scare me. Come here. Let me hold you."

Lee snuggled you as you laid upon his chest just under his chin while his eyes once again fixated on the window without a single blink. The feeling was back in the pit of his stomach that he felt earlier that night when the other bird first hit the window. The feeling that something bad was going to happen.

The soft repetitive sound of beeping could be heard on the EVS monitor in the darkened room in the wee hours of the morning where a stabilized Elizabeth soundly slept after her successful surgery hours prior.... but she wasn't alone.

Her eyes happened to slit open to a blurred vision of a figure standing beside her. Thinking she was dreaming, she blinked a few times and then the faceless image became clear.

"You...why are you here?" she whispered in a grumbly voice, still very groggy from the anesthesia. "Where am I? What are you doing?"

"Hush now Lizzie. Just finishing up your overdue dose of medicine. It's time to sleep now." the man wearing a doctor's white coat told her as he injected something into her IV.

He then stood over her, watching her as her eyes closed for the last time. Within minutes, the only sound that was then heard was that of a flatline as an illuminated horizontal bar flowed across the screen.

The faceless man exited and as he disappeared into the halls, the next sounds were of a loud buzzer and an echoed PA system.

"CODE BLUE."

@redeemer46

[goatakiart]

Please don't forget me (Part 2)

(Mirage x Reader)

Art by me 🥰

Warning! (Adult themes, triggering topics, blood, alcohol etc.)

A month has passed

Mc could befriend Mirage in the end, he accepted to be in her squad and everything was fine at first but they had some conflicts...

The battlefield is going wild, the sun is hot and their lives are at stake all over again. Mirage wears a painful expression, his clothes ripped and dirty and his hair messy, strands falling all over infront of his face, hastily he is closing the door behind him where he has trapped mc inside, she yells at him conflicted "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING???",she bangs at the door till her hands bruise, while on the other side of the door, Mirage falls down, you can only face his back from the glass of the door where he now rests ,he is groaning and sweating in agony while holding tight on to himself, she can see blood trailing on his clothes, all while an enemy team is fighting nearby, she tries to convince him to let her out but no use, his breathing is heavy and his eyes are losing focus, unable to hear mc's voice anymore.

She frowns and gets up in steady, heavy movements as she's mumbling angrily, taking off her jacket, "MOTHERFUCKING DOOR!!!" She screams at the top of her lungs as she suddenly raises her leg to kick the barrier between her and Mirage. He falls down from the force together with the door, he whispers to her not to go, her furious stare is piercing him, she feels the urge to murder him herself, however she choose to ignore the anger at this urgent moment. Everything is loud, explosions are heard and the smell of blood and gun powder is making her feel dizzy, anything is barely seen beyond the smoke and the strong sunlight, she kneels down to Mirage and caress his hair away from his face, he gives her a pitiful look as he's unable to move and stop mc from fighting, "You're really cute when you can't get in my way." She smiles at him seductively and slide her hand lower to his belt, his cheeks flushed, "Wha--", the moment doesn't last long, he couldnt finish his sentense as he realized mc actually stole his gun, her smile now is turned to a grin as she gets up and stands in front of Mirage's collapsing body, "Let me handle this." She takes both weapons on her hands, she shoots maniacally towards the enemies, nothing is clear through the smoke, a grenade comes their way, a second of silence falls between him and mc, she panics for a moment looking around but having no time she decides to kick the grenade towards the enemies and shoot it without hesitation before it explodes on her face, blasting everyone away from them. He definitely thought she's cute but now she seems a bit scary. "Not bad right?" She turns to face him proudly, he shakes as he can barely move and does thumbs up with an awkward smile then passes out from blood loss.

The next day

Mirage was taken to the hospital for treatment, Mc sat next to him, waiting for him to wake up, brought him some snacks, and placed a glass of orange juice on the table. She is not surprised at all and looks rather annoyed, not because she doesn't care, but because he keeps trying to play the human shield every time they are on the battlefield. This has happened four times already in a whole month. "Unacceptable..." she mumbles. When he finally wakes up he raises his head, knowing exactly where mc sits thanks to the frequency of these accidents, he's awkward about the whole situation and tries to smile but he finds himself hurting even with that simple gesture, she doesn't even turn her head from her phone, just sitting and playing a game, "The meds are doing this, the doctor said all your muscles will be stiff for awhile, you luckily didn't break any bones again, you just hit your head, leg and you had a small internal bleeding, it stopped immediately after the shots the nurses gave you." His expression changed, he's thoughtful, he opens his mouth to talk even tho it hurts, but he'd rather not stop."I'm sorry." She raises her head slowly radiating a threatening energy as she puts the phone down, she tilts her head to stare at him in anger and he knows why "It's not that I don't trust you, you know that right?" He makes an attempt to calm her down, but her expression remains cold, she replies to him, not moving an inch "But I don't trust you. I can fight, you can fight too, then why do you make our survival chances thinner and thinner? You're not a shield, Mirage, and I'm NOT gonna die if that's what you're scared of." She gets up and walks up to him. She leans on top of his head, placing her arms on the sides of the bed, "Why are you doing this? The others won't tell me anything, and you just avoid having this kind of conversation with me, I didn't know you're a coward." She let go of the bed, straighten her position, preparing to leave, but in her surprise, Mirage grabs her arm pulling her back in, thanks to the force now their faces are inches away from each other, the room suddenly feels hot, they stare at each other unable to talk, he finally tries to make a move "Y-you're right. Thank you for coming to see me again." He smiles innocently, her eyebrows frown in embarrassment as her cheeks feel warm, but she moves away before he notices "Of course I would, you're my squadmate." She throws the snacks at him "Get well soon. We have a drinking party in a week." Now she walks out of the room and closes the door behind her, stopping to relax on the wall outside his room. She feels her heart flying out of her chest. "This fucking idiot, I swear..." She mutters as she walks away hastily to meet the other legends outside the hospital.

[simslegacy5083]

NSB (Straud Legacy) Gen 8 Ep. 164: The Spirit of Giving

By Harvestfest Luigi was completely over his sickness, but it seemed he’d given it to his Papa Jack, who woke up feeling quite ill.

The couple bowed out of the big family get together to keep Jack close to home and resting. Peachy got worried when Jack was still in bed by mid-afternoon and insisted they take a trip to the clinic. Uncle August and their old friend Valentina agreed to watch their little man while they were out.

---------------------------------------------

The doctor told the pair it was a good thing Peachy had brought his husband in quickly.

As an elder Sim, Jack’s Llama Flu could actually have been deadly without proper treatment. They gave Jack an injection to combat the infection and told him to get comfortable as he’d need to be monitored for a couple hours to make sure the medication was doing its job.

---------------------------------------------

While they waited, Jack surprised Peachy by asking about another medical issue he’d been struggling with. Apparently, he’d been having trouble falling asleep and staying asleep lately. Peachy sighed; his husband hadn’t said a word to HIM. He’d always been a great caregiver but a difficult patient! He didn’t bother to scold his bro, knowing it wouldn’t do any good, but silently resolved to keep a better eye on him in the future.

The doctor said sleep changes were a common part of aging. He provided the pair with a brochure on healthy habits and a script for some sleeping pills for Jack to take as needed.

Jack was finally released, feeling much better and protected from the worst effects of the flu.

---------------------------------------------

The boys returned from the clinic to find Luigi playing with Valentina’s son Scott while she and August talked quietly in the kitchen.

The old friends were surrounded by the abandoned ingredients of some traditional Harvestfest dishes. As the chefs reclaimed their kitchen, a tearful Valentina explained that her wife had blindsided her with both their youngest and divorce papers, rather distracting her from the holiday preparations.

Long term, both kids would stay in school at Gemma’s Tartosa home, and Valentina would probably be moving back in with her folks as she figured everything out, though she wasn’t thrilled by the prospect of living at home and “feeling like a kid again”.

---------------------------------------------

The men hated hearing about Valentina’s failed marriage and unhappiness with her planned living situation. Peachy shot a questioning look at Jack and got a subtle approval to ask if she’d like to come stay at the homestead for awhile instead. There was plenty of space for her and her kids to stay over.

Her lightning-fast acceptance let him know she had definitely been hoping her friends would offer to help her recover with them. After dinner she gave Peachy a big hug and thanked him and Jack for the space and support to deal with finalizing the custody arrangements and separation from Gemma.

---------------------------------------------

At bedtime Peachy made sure to inquire into how Jack was feeling and encouraged him to take one of the new sleeping pills they had picked up when he sheepishly admitted to experiencing that kind of restless tiredness that had been plaguing him so often lately.

As they cuddled and waited for the meds to take effect, they agreed they were glad they could do something nice for a Sim who had always been so kind and supportive of them. Little Luigi would benefit from another good influence and the opportunity to see Scott more often.

This Harvestfest had brought some unpleasant surprises, but it had ended on a high note, and they counted it a success as they drifted off to sleep.

-----------------------------------------

Want To See More? View The Full Story of My Not So Berry Challenge Here

[sweetmusingss]

Oscar rubbed your back gently as you coughed even though he knew that was not going to do a damn thing to help you. He just hoped that you were able to have a speedy recovery, absolutely hating to see you like this. He cared for you so much and he liked you so much. He didn’t want to see you suffering or unwell. “You have nothing to be sorry for, Nay. Everyone gets sick and what is most important is that you are alright. I am just so glad that you were here. I hate to think what would happen if you ended up passing out while trying to be there for us both,” he furrowed his brows at the thought.

Charles swallowed thickly, this being something he could agree with Oscar on. “Oui,” he said softly before clearing his throat and correcting himself, knowing he better speak in English before Oscar got violent with him. “Just tell us what you need and we’ll have it for you. Your health is the most important right now, mon amour,” he spoke, kissing the top of your head gently and pulling the blankets up over you more, knowing you went between being cold and hot.

I was so thankful for the two of them, begging them to go to Max’s room so I could nap and not infect them but they both refused, knowing that if they did end up sick they wouldn’t be able to race and that was guilt I wasn’t sure I’d be able to cope with. I pass out for a few hours, waking up and my head was pounding again, the medicine obviously having worn off and I was in need of another dose. I look up, blinking blearily, looking to my left and to my right, seeing that they were both still on the bed and both were on their phones. I wanted to tell them they could put the tv on or something, but all I could think about right now was my pounding head and my super achey body. “Can I get more medicine, please?” I didn’t remember what the doctor said for timeframes of the meds, hoping one of them remembered.

__

I smile when hearing what you said, continuing to lean against you and sighing contently to myself. I knew not to be surprised that Lando didn’t have a lot of dishware but I still stared at him wide-eyed. “Okay, I know what I am getting you for Christmas,” I giggle softly, thanking him as he brought them over to me. I plate the food once it was all done, setting the table with the two of you and pouring some wine for the three of us. I sat beside you after pecking your lips gently and thanking you for your ‘help’ even if it was just keeping my mind distracted as I cooked. “Do you have any big plans for Christmas?,” I ask Lando curiously. We would be settled back in Monaco by then and I wondered if we would see him at all before my tour started in January.

“Please don’t waste my Christmas present on utensils.” Lando pouts as he sets the table like you had asked and sitting so he was across from you and Max was at the head of the table. Lando shrugs at your question before he digs into his food, “I am definitely going to go see my parents like I always do, but I was supposed to hangout with Oscar on Christmas Eve but he’s obviously going to be spending his Christmas in Monaco...” Lando rolls his eyes dramatically. He was happy that Oscar was happy but he did miss hanging out with his friend, they just finally started to get properly close this year and now he felt Charles was taking him away. “Anything fun happening over in the Verstappen household?”

Max gave you a sweet smile as Lando called it the ‘Verstappen’ house, loving to hear that. “Probably just the two of us trying to out-do the other’s gift. Katie is quite competitive when it comes to gift giving... I don’t think she even realizes that she is, but she is. And you can come hangout with us on Christmas Eve if you want, Lando. I was actually going to invite Charles and Renee over on Christmas Eve, but now that they have Oscar, maybe all of us can hang out... we’re all in... odd dynamics. Could be fun.”

Lando gives Max a wide eyed look, nearly spitting out his water and staring at the older man incredulously. “Are you trying to plan like a giant orgy or something, mate? I love Charles and Oscar, but one man in my bed is quite enough for me, I don’t think I could handle 3 men! And not to mention I don’t think Renee or Katie could handle--”

“No! Stop that! No I was not planning an orgy! A party! A friendly little get together with dinner and drinks! Get your head out of the gutter!” Max was looking at Lando as if he had 10 heads, shaking his head. “I just started being okay with sharing Katie with you, I am pretty sure I’d hit my limit if one other man even looked at her... and I don’t think Charles and Oscar are her type, anyways...” Max gave you a side eye look, wondering if you did find anyone else on the track attractive besides him and Lando. 

[never-not-ever]

Day One

It's like I want to document/journal things but also feel like I just overshare and way too often. I know last time I tried to do updates and sometimes it would be weeks or months later.

Like I was about to start venting starting off by saying "I don't know what I'm doing back here, I think this was a mistake" but like I can just save that for another post.

So dejavu of my last stay, I started off the morning by being super anxious prior to my (first) meeting with my doctor. She used to always wake me up at the ass crack of dawn so you can imagine my anxiety increasing as it got closer to 10am and I hadn't met with them.

But before that.. I got woken up by the medical doctor to look at my arm. It was so silly for him to have to come for the meager shit on my arm but I guess the nurse who did my intake on the unit put the med consult in just to get bacitracin approved.. strange, I don't remember that being a thing last time.

I finally met with my team around 10ish. I feel like I already wrote about this... Just checked and of course I wrote a whole essay on the first meeting lol. I'll put the link below this.

See I really need to keep these up to date cause it was just yesterday and I already forget so much.

I ended up going to the 11am group medication management which was ironic considering I stopped my meds and they played a role in the "SI with plan". I was about to leave the group early cause I was just getting anxious and thinking this is a joke, why are you in group???? But then I ended up staying and asking the pharmacist running it about Lithium. Something my outside doctor mentioned a few sessions ago.

I honestly don't remember what happened after group up until the walk at 2. But I'm glad my doctor put me on level 2 so I could go off unit on the walk. It was freezing and I forgot my jacket so I brought my fuzzy blanket and was debating it for a solid minute but then the counselor taking us out said it was cold so I ran and grabbed it. I didn't run lol, I don't run. But what I do do is give so much unnecessary information 🙃 but what else is new.

The blanket was the best idea and honestly a lot warmer than my jacket would have been. I got some soda at the cafe and I was thinking to myself why did I always get so much soda at a time when I can easily just get more the next day and then it dawned on me that whenever I'd get to level 2 it never lasted long before I was bumped back down to level 1.

After the walk I had a check in with my nurse and it was just word vomit and my thoughts were all over the place. My anxiety was just increasing so I took a prn and then played some cards and chatted with a friend.

The prn was kicking my ass and I ended up taking a nap. I think I woke up around 7 and made some ramen. Maybe played more games with my friend I honestly don't remember. Actually I think I do, it's strange how it's so fuzzy when it was just yesterday! We chatted til 10:30 and then I stayed in one of the common areas til they locked it at 11. I went to my room and tried to watch some Will & Grace but ended up falling asleep on my own again.

I told myself I'd take my actual sleeping meds so I could sleep through the night but I didn't want to leave my bed and I kept waking up and trying to fall back asleep but it never lasted and then it was like 4am and past the cutoff time so I just tossed and turned for the rest of the night.

I was about to continue into the morning but I'll save that for a seperate post. Which I'll probably end up writing tomorrow continuing this pattern of being a day behind. But honestly what does it matter and how long will this even last?

[mad-hunts]

“ i just want to go home. ”

with mary's hospital room being bathed in silence, barton really started to wish that he'd brought something along to preoccupy himself. doing crosswords was about as mind-numbing as could be in his opinion. yet, barton had completed at least two of them during the time that he sat adjacent to the other's bed. maybe he could've brought along a book? but of course, that was about the last thing that was on his mind when she got hurt under his watch.

barton just remembered coincidentally enough telling mary to 'be careful' before disaster struck. he'd noticed that the old house they were in wasn't in the best state, after all. (it had boards in it that looked like they'd been rotting for a while). but she still wanted to try to retrieve what was on the other side of its attic. then he'd heard something loudly crash to the ground, which wasn't a good sign at all. so barton had gone to check it out; only to see that something was mary falling through the boards, to the floor below the attic.

and as one might expect, the injuries she'd sustained from it ended up landing her in the hospital. that was the first, as well as the last time, that barton would ever allow someone to walk across something even a little rickety — a sigh slipping through his lips while he finally looked up from his crosswords. barton did feel partially responsible for what had happened, so when mary spoke, he immediately replied to her.

❝ hmm... well, didn't the doctor say that one of your bones broke in multiple places? so, i'd consider yourself lucky that you're here instead of at home because you'd be in a hell of a lot of pain. ❞ he let out a slightly awkward chuckle, then, and looked at the IV that was feeding meds to her as they spoke. barton guessed that it was probably full of morphine, ❝ though i suppose i kind of get it. hospital food is definitely not the best, and it's boring being in one. ❞

he set down the book of puzzles on her nightstand before standing up, ❝ would getting you some real food help? like, a burger or something? because i know i could use one. ❞ this was basically barton's way of saying 'sorry you're feeling miserable' without actually saying it; that is, if the slightly apologetic smile he sent her way had anything to do with it.

[maerenee930]

random thoughts. (pretty long. just a heads up for anyone who does happen to read this. not that i like actually/ really think anyone is going to read this 😅)

feel like it’s been a minute since i’ve done this. it probably like actually hasn’t been that long or as long as i think it has been or as long as it finds feels like it has, but yeah. 😅

so life update:

- finally have a new gp. my precious doctor just wasn’t working out. idk if i mentioned it (i think i did. i can’t remember for sure) but she basically chalked up any of my issues i’ve been having mentally and emotionally mostly, can be solved by losing weight. when i asked if there was maybe some other kind of medication i could try to help with my depression and anxiety not only in general but especially for when i’m pmsing and both tend to get a lot worse and i start to feel super low (like feels really close to how i’ve felt at my lowest points 😣) and i just felt my meds weren’t doing what i needed them to.

so when i asked if there was maybe something different i could try or even just for something around that time to help with both, she told me “well you’re already in medications and you’re at the highest dosage for each one. i don’t know what else you want. there’s nothing i can do. you need to lose weight. that will help.”

so yeah…. that felt pretty fucking shitty. ngl. so i finally found a new doctor.

i’ve only seen her twice now and already i feel so much better than i have in quite a while! she’s so sweet and genuinely kind! she’s truly willing to hear me out and not dismiss my concerns or make me feel like i’m over reacting or like i’m not actually trying to change things or make them better. like i don’t actually care or want to feel better. doesn’t dismiss my feelings because of my weight and say everything would be better and i would feel better if i just lost weight.

she has explained things to me in a way that i not only will really understand but she explains things in way that’s not rude or condescending. she saw the dosages of my meds and adjusted them. one of them i was like not just at the maximum dosage but i was above it. like 50mg above the max 😳 and the other wasn’t quite high enough 😐 why the previous doctor didn’t just take the time to adjust my meds, is beyond me!

so we adjusted my dosages and while it’s only been a few weeks, i do feel different. i feel less anxious and jittery than i did for the longest time.

she explained things about my iron being so low and my anemia and how they can also play a part in my depression and anxiety and what i can do to help get it up so i wont possibly have to get transfusions done.

and she didn’t mention my weight. it wasn’t even brought up until i mentioned how the previous doctor repeatedly suggested (very rudely) that i’ll feel better and everything would get better if i just lost weight.

she suggested that if it’s something i want to do then there are things we can work out to help me with that and exercising would be helpful to not only lose weight but help boost my mood. help me so i’m not just sitting and stewing in my emotions.

it was so nice to have a doctor talk to me like an actual person with feelings. someone who didn’t just see my weight as the sole cause of any problems i’m having.

- work has been going pretty well for the most part. i mean we’re busy. it’s close to the holidays and it’s a credit union. it makes sense that we’re busy. i feel like i’m not doing good or am good at my job but i have to keep reminding myself that if that were the case, i wouldn’t be there still. but it’s hard to shake that anxiety and not let it get the better of me.

speaking of anxiety and work. prior to seeing my new doctor, i’ve been able to have several conversations with one of my supervisors about my anxiety and depression. her daughter struggles with anxiety as well so it’s kinda nice to have someone to talk to at work who can understand how i feel and my supervisor said it’s been nice for her to talk with someone about it who can really kind of understand how her daughter is feeling. someone who has been through similar things. everyone has been super understanding and supportive not only just in general at work but also when it comes to my anxiety. i’ve had several really bad panic attacks while i’ve been at work and i have had to step away from my desk for a minute to try and calm myself down and everyone has been so kind, understanding, supportive and patient with me. 🥺

having my supervisors, our hr person and my other coworkers being so understanding and kind just means so more to me than they will every know 🥹 i feel so very lucky to work there!

i could do without some of the members being who they are 🙃 still lots of rude comments. lots of political, racist, homophobic, transphobic, sexist and bigoted comments 😑 so that’s fun.

lots of people who love to make all of us feel like we don’t know how to do our job when in reality they’re not understanding how things work and that we have certain procedures and protocols in place that we have to follow and do and when they get so annoyed it just kills me 🤦‍♀️

or like people have been in such a hurry lately and have transactions with larger amounts and depending on the transaction and if they’re getting cash back, they want smaller bills so it’ll take longer to count and verify (because we have to count it certain number of times to verify we’re counting everything correctly. not just so we’ll balance our drawers later but also so that you know our members are getting what they’re asking for. shocking, i know 😐) and then get annoyed with us when it does take a while and they’re like “is this gonna take much longer? i have to go get my grandchild… and blah blah blah” or “i have other stuff i have to do” and it’s like people, seriously?? why come in and get out a lager amount of money when you are in a hurrry? they do this consistently, btw. and it’s just like you gotta figure out a different time to do this stuff because we have things we have to do and sometimes it’s gonna take a while. it’s frustrating but it is what it is. we can do it fast and possibly screw up and have you be even more annoyed in the long run…? or we can take our time, do what we are supposed to do and need to and get your transaction or transactions done correctly. it’s up to you. personally i’d rather do it right the first time. but what do i know? 🤦‍♀️

or we’ve understandably been busy lately cause of the holiday coming up and like on saturday, we were open for only 4 hours and i had 80 transactions. now mind you some people do multiple things but still that still counts and in such a short amount of time i had that many transactions?? like whyyyy? uuugh!! 😓

idk if i mentioned it at all (i think i have to so i apologize for repeating myself) but i keep getting called cindy lauper by one specific member because he’s a stupid dick who thinks he’s soo funny and just like he’s gods gift to the world 🤦‍♀️ and because of my hair color fading from when it was bright red to pink and he started calling me that like legit when i started back in march and still does it (literally did it today) and it’s just so fucking annoying. of all the pop culture references to make with my hair color (or at the time hair color), of all the celebrities to compare me to because of my hair color(s) he chooses cindy lauper?? i look NOTHING like cindy lauper. so it doesn’t make any sense. like other than having colors in my hair (which she was not the first and clearly wasn’t the last celeb to) i have no features similar to her. in any way. so it’s like why? why does this have to be a thing? why is it still a thing? why does this man feel the need to continue to call me it when literally no one comments on it anymore? (him calling me that. i mean some of my supervisors like chuckled or laughed when he started doing it. back in march and april 😑 but no one else has don’t it since then. if anything we all can’t stand it. that or everyone is being kind enough to me to pretend to be annoyed by it to make me feel supported 😅 anyway lol) and when will he finally get that it’s not funny and he could just stop? (he’s one of the assholes who makes racist, homophobic, sexist, transphobic, political and bigoted comments. soo you know this guy is just a fucking gem 😑)

on a nicer note, we had our company christmas party a few weeks ago and it was a lot of fun! we went out to dinner and had sooo much food! and then went to a play and it was seriously so funny! like i was not expecting it to be as good as it was and it just ended up being so much more fun than i imagined it was going to be 😂☺️💙

my mom was my plus one lol. and we got to sit with my aunt (my mom’s oldest sister. i work with her lol. she’s how i found out about the job and the reason i applied there ☺️) and her daughter/my cousin. we sat with one of my friends who is also a teller and her best friend 😊 we sat with one of the tellers (who’s been there just about as long as i’ve been alive lol) and her plus one. and our cfo and her husband ☺️ and our ceo would walk around occasionally to check on everyone and see how we’re doing and it was so nice! everyone i work with is truly so kind and i feel so lucky i get to work with them! but yeah, it was just a really fun night!

i talked a lot with my cousin about our favorite shows or meeting people at comic-con cause she had just went to motor city comic-con back in november and we talked about a lot of other stuff with my mom and my friend i that work with and yeah, it was just a good night ☺️

- on a kind of sadder note, my cat’s has been having trouble with her vision. we noticed it in the beginning of november and on and off it kept happening and getting worse. she keeps bumping into things but it’s not consistent. some days she does great and she’s like how she’s always been. very normal. and then other days she (not super hard to where she hurts herself) just bumps into almost everything and it just has been very odd 😓

we took her to the vet the same day of my christmas party and the vet said he believes her retina’s have detached. when he shined a light in her eyes, her pupils didn’t get smaller. or if he shined it in one eye, the other one wouldn’t instinctively react and get smaller as well. and her pupils have been pretty dilated lately. which i guess happens when cats have issues with their retinas. he also said though he wasn’t 100% sure and we would have to take her to an ophthalmologist and they could run more tests to know for sure.

and then they needed up doing some tests on her and getting some bloodwork done for her and the results of the blood work were not surprising. she has high blood pressure (which with my cat makes complete sense because she has always been a very anxious and tightly wound personality. she is like the actual/literal definition of a scared cat 😅🥹 my poor baby lol. always has been lol. and just with that and having issues with the other two cats, it makes sense. there’s a lot of reasons why she has issues with the other two cats but i won’t get into that right now. so she’s on blood pressure medication now and gets it every day, so hopefully that helps.

but we also found out, cats having high blood pressure can mess with their vision. so that could be playing a part into what’s going on with her sight as well. not a for sure or definite answer but right now we’re taking what we can get.

something to keep in mind is my cat is almost 18 years old so it kinda makes sense that it’s happening. but at the same time, she’s my baby. (literally her name is baby lol 🥹💙) she’s can’t have anything wrong. she’s so perfect and small and feisty and funny and sweet and amazing and she just deserves everything. she’s just a baby 🥹🥰 she’s my princess. she’s my best friend. she’s been through so much with me and is always there for me. she’s such a good girl 🥹😭 and she doesn’t deserve to go through anything like this 😭

and i realize things could be soo much worse and we are very fortunate that it took this long for anything to happen with her vision. but it still doesn’t make it easier to handle or process. you know? plus i worry about her so much as it is. and to think about how scared she is when she can’t see or if she does end up losing her vision completely. how tough that is for her. selfishly it breaks my heart that she possibly won’t be able to see my face at all maybe at some point 😭 how scared i am that i can’t fix this for her and make everything better for her.

like when i say she’s my best friend, i mean it. she is legit always there for me. 🥹 i mean she is also almost always in my room lol. but she just knows when i need cuddles, snuggles, love, attention and affection 😭 she sleeps right next to me every night (or legit next to my head/face. yes she sleeps that close to me. not cause i make her! but because she feels that safe with me/safe enough with me to be that close to me. or she feels i can protect her 😭) she has such a distinct personality and we legit will like bicker and get annoyed with each other and it’s so funny. and she’s also my protecter when she feels i need it 🥹 she does so many other things and in her own little kitty ways tries to take care of me while still being a princess and getting her way and idk she’s just the best 😭 and anything happening to her absolutely guts me and completely breaks and hurts my heart soo much 😭 i just want to make everything better for her. and i want to do whatever i can to have her healthy and around for as long as i possibly can 😭💙💙 my baby 🥺

there was more i wanted to add to this but i’m gonna leave it at that for now. i’ll probably make another post with/about that other stuff soon.

but yeah, thank you to anyone who actually did read all of this rambling emotional nonsense 😅 i know it was a lot but i really appreciate it.

i hope it all made sense for the most part. i’m sorry if it didn’t and i’m sorry for any spelling or grammar errors/typos.

[bellaireland1981]

Stubborn Hearts |3

Summary: Reader (Firecracker, Sunshine) has been in love with Bradley since she was a young girl. Growing up the two were inseparable, apart from short periods of time when she was on the West Coast with the Kazanskys. One faithful decision by her dad to block Bradley from going to the Naval Academy resulted in a huge rift between father and daughter and left her without Bradley in her life. Now all grown up, she’s called back to the west coast at the same time as her father and Bradley. Her mission, according to her dying godfather, is to mend fences with her dad and Bradley. Can stubborn hearts be healed?

(I suck at summaries for real).

This will have multiple chapters… this is 3 of ??

Characters: Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw x Mitchell! Reader, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell x Daughter! Reader, The Dagger Squad, Shay (OC), Penny, Tom “Iceman” Kazansky

Word Count: 6578 (OOPS)

Warnings: Angst, Fluff, Death of character, TGM Spoilers, Illusions to Smut (later on ), Turbulent relationship with parent, Friends to lovers, …Please let me know if I’ve missed any!

A/N- This is my first time writing for TGM. I do not own the characters or plot lines from the movie. I DO NOT GIVE PERMISSION TO COPY OR REPRODUCE MY WORK ON THIS OR ANY OTHER PLATFORM! Reblogging is always welcome! Feedback is MUCH loved and appreciated. THANK YOU to @waywardodysseys​ for all support and bouncing ideas!!

Ch 1    Ch 2

Taglist: @gracespicybradshaw​ @memoriesat30​, @khaylin27​, @snekssss,

(IF I FORGOT ANYONE WHO ASKED TO BE TAGGED, MESSAGE ME!)

You spent the next day helping your aunt by running errands so she could stay home with your uncle. You could tell he was getting weaker and more tired by the day. It broke your heart seeing him that way.

Determined to take some of the burden off your aunt though, you’d offered to go get the groceries and pick up new meds, the doctor had ordered for your uncle to keep him comfortable.

You were in the produce aisle of the store when your phone dinged with an incoming message. You pulled the cart to the side, out of the way of other shoppers and checked your phone.

Shay:  Still on for the Hard Deck tonight?

Deciding it would just be easier to talk to her, you called her so you could continue shopping.

“Hey!” She answered, picking up on the second ring.

“Hi!” You replied, “I’m grocery shopping for Aunt Sarah so decided it was just easier to call. Are you busy?”

“Nope!” She replied, “I’m on my lunch break. I actually brought lunch to Aunt Penny. We’re just soaking up some sunshine and eating outside of the bar.”

“Sounds great!” You said, “To answer your question, yes, I’m still planning on coming tonight, but the original terms and conditions still apply.”

“Yes!” She exclaimed, laughing, “Also, Aunt Pen said she wants to hear all about your chat with your dad. I’ll just put you on speaker.”

“Hey, Kiddo!” Penny greeted you. “Spill the tea!”

“You’ve been listening to Amelia too much” You laughed, “It went really well… better than I obviously thought it would. We hashed a lot out and I realized it was mostly lack of communication, stubbornness, and neither of us knowing how to navigate any of it. I think we both realize neither of us are mind readers and being hard headed doesn’t get us anywhere.”

“Anyone could have told you both that.” Penny laughed, “I’m glad you both finally came around. I know you didn’t believe me before but your dad really did miss the hell out of you.”

“I missed him too. Honestly, I didn’t realize how much until I saw him and it all hit me in the gut.” You admitted. “He’s coming over after work to see Uncle Tommy and have dinner, so it’ll be a little later when I get there tonight.”

“That’s fine.” Shay said, “Time with your family right now is more important.”

“I’ll definitely be there after dinner though.” You assured her. “I’m gonna finish up here so I can get Uncle Tommy’s meds and get them back to him.”

“Give them both my love.” Penny said, “I’ll see you tonight.”

“Call me when you’re on your way so I can be on the lookout and start my duties as your bodyguard!” Shay said, only half teasing.

“I will” You replied, laughing, “See you both later!”

You quickly grabbed the rest of the food on the shopping list, adding a few extra treats you knew your cousins liked, before heading to the checkout. It wasn’t long before you had everything loaded in the Jeep and was on your way to the pharmacy, the final stop before heading back home.

After arriving home, you carried all the groceries in, putting them away while your aunt took the meds to your uncle. She came back down as you were putting away the last of the groceries.

“Thank you, sweetheart.” She said hugging you, “He gets so tired so quickly, I hate leaving him now.”

“Of course, Aunt Sarah” You replied, “I’m happy to help in any way that I can. I wish there was more that I could do.”

“You being here does more than you know.” She assured you. “You were essentially our first child, Sweetheart. Before the kids were born, we lived for those stretches of time you’d come to stay with us. Tom loved having his little shadow follow him around when you were little. He loved taking you to the base and showing you the planes. Everyone called you Ice Nugget or Little Ice until you were about 10 I think. Do you remember that?I think when your dad came back from deployments he was always a little jealous of just how close you and Tom were. Tom would mope for weeks after you’d leave.”

“I do remember.” You said, wiping tears that had started to fall. “I used to mope around the house in Virginia after having to go back too. Bradley would do his best to cheer me up. Carol used to have to sooth dad’s ruffled feathers, assuring him I did in fact still love him too, but it was the stability I was craving and mourning when we’d get back.”

“I know it wasn’t easy getting bounced back and forth all the time but never think you weren’t wanted and loved by all of us, Sweetheart.” She said, reaching over the brush the stray piece of hair that had fallen in your face. “You had a whole village that loved you and helped to raise you.”

“I never doubted you and Uncle Tommy loving and wanting me, or Carol for that matter.” You assured her, “I knew my dad loved me but it really did feel like he didn’t want me. I know now that that wasn’t the case.”

“I would have told you how much your dad wanted you, sweet girl” She said, smiling, “His way of showing his love and his need to care for you was making sure you were with people who loved you as much as him when he couldn’t be there.”

“I’m glad he’s coming to dinner tonight. He needs time with Uncle Tommy.” You said, “I promised Shay I’d meet her at the Hard Deck tonight after dinner though. If she doesn’t live up to her promise of protecting me from Bradley she has to buy me copious amounts of alcohol. I’m not sure what state I’ll be home in.”

“Maybe Brad will have had an epiphany and realize he’s an idiot for pushing you away. That way you two can talk things out and your liver won’t suffer.” She offered. “If not though, call us, your dad or an uber to bring you home.”

“I doubt he will have been enlightened in the 48 hours since I’ve seen him, so I promise to call for a designated driver in the event that I need one.” You said. “I’m going to go shower and figure out what to wear in the meantime. I might even do my hair and make up. Who knows, maybe I’ll meet another hot aviator tonight and forget all about Bradley Bradshaw.”

“Or… you get all dolled up and show him what he’s missing.” She countered, “Make him jealous. Worked like a charm on your uncle when he was too stubborn to act on his feelings with me.”

“That only worked because Uncle Tommy was madly in love with you, Aunt Sarah.” You reasoned, “Brad would have to first be in love with me, and he doesn’t even like me.”

“I wouldn’t bet money on that, my sweet, clueless niece.” She teased, “I would bet money on him having feelings though.”

“Why does it feel like everyone has a magic 8 ball or sees something that I’m clearly missing?” You ask, shaking your head, “I swear you’re all drinking the wacky juice and are seeing things that aren’t there.”

Your aunt just laughs, tells you you’ll see it one day as she starts pulling things out to get dinner going.

You head upstairs to your room. You pull your hair into a messy top knot to keep it from getting wet, then jump in the shower. Deciding what to wear takes a lot longer than you’d anticipated. By the time you made a decision it looked like a tsunami of clothes had hit your room. You’d have to clean it all up tomorrow for sure. You shoved all the clothes into a pile to sort then. In the end you settled on a simple white gauzy sundress that came to just above your knees. It had spaghetti straps that tied at your shoulders, leaving you back bare. You planned on wearing your crop denim jacket with the dress, knowing it would get cooler when the sun went down.  

With your outfit finally chosen, you left the dress hanging up on your closet door and tackled your hair. You carefully pulled it down from the top knot and  combed it out. It fell in natural waves to the middle of your back. You decided to go with the waves instead of fighting to tame them. Adding a little product to help define the waves, you scrunch your hair until it was styled the way you wanted it. Finally satisfied, you washed the product off your hands and decided to do light makeup. You hated the way a full makeup look felt on your face so you often just tended to do the bare minimum. You did however, make sure to add mascara and eyeliner so your eyes pop and lip gloss that you’d have to re-apply before you go to the bar later.  All that was left was to get dressed and you decided you’d do that after dinner. You pulled on cut off jean shorts and an old Navy t shirt ended up with from somewhere and headed downstairs.

“Well you look…. Cute” Your Aunt said when you’d entered the kitchen. “Not the outfit I thought you’d go with… but the hair and makeup look good.”

“This isn’t what I’m wearing” You laughed, “I chose a sundress but decided to be comfy until after dinner.”

“Fair enough.” She said, “Go keep your uncle company and play scrabble with him while I finish getting this all ready.”

“Ok!” You agreed, “Let me know if you want me to help with any of the dinner prep.”

“I’ve got it covered, and the kids will be back soon to help too.” She assured, shooing you out of the kitchen.

You grabbed a couple of bottles of water and headed into the living room where you Uncle sat, staring out the window that faced a huge backyard.

“Hey, Uncle Icey” You said, using your old nickname for him and sitting down next to him, “Wanna play scrabble?”

He looked over and smiled widely at the name. Nodding his head and sitting up straighter.

“Ok! I’ll grab a TV tray stand so we can set it up closer to us.” You said, “That way you’re still comfortable.”

You set up the board and the two of you started to play, quickly losing track of time. In the end, your uncle still managed to beat you with some crazy 30 point word you weren’t fully convinced actually was  a word.

“I’ll take your word for it, but I think you cheated.” You grumped at him playfully, cleaning up the game while he sat back against the couch and beamed while watching you.

“Still giving her a run for her money, huh Ice?” Your dad’s voice sounded from across the room.

You looked up and smiled at him, motioning him into the room. “Always, but he cheats!” you exclaimed. “Did today go any better?”

“Yes and No.” Mav answered, coming around the couch to where you stood with your uncle.

“It’ll get better, Dad” You assured him, “Give them time to get all the cockiness outta their system, then they’ll listen.”

Your uncle quietly chuckled from his position on the couch. You beamed at him and winked.

“It worked for the poor instructor that had you and Uncle Icey at Top Gun!” You laughed, “I’m going to go change and see if Aunt Sarah needs help.” You hugged both your uncle and dad before heading out of the room to let them talk.

________

Up in your room, you changed into the dress you’d chosen for the night, slipping on some strappy tan sandals to go with it. You’d thought about wearing your converse sneakers but decided you’d go the more dressy route. You picked out some simple gold hoop earrings and your favorite pendant necklace to finish out the look. The necklace had been a gift from Bradley the last birthday he celebrated with you before life had imploded. It was a small gold sunburst with an opal stone in the middle on a dainty gold chain. There’d been a time when you’d never taken the necklace off. It had meant the world to you that he’d picked out such a beautiful and meaningful gift. You wore it for a while after he’d left but eventually it just became a painful reminder of what you’d lost. Wearing it again felt good. You decided that no matter what happened with him at this point, you’d continue to wear the necklace… if nothing else, as a reminder of happier times.  

Ensemble complete, you gave yourself a final onceover in the mirror, satisfied with the overall look and headed downstairs for dinner.

“Now that's what I meant by dressing for the part.” Your aunt said, catching sight of you when you entered the kitchen. “You look absolutely breathtaking.”

“Wow, Y/N!” Your cousin said, looking up from where she was getting plates out. “You look so pretty!”

“They’re right, Firecracker.” Mav said coming into the kitchen. “Absolutely beautiful. You look so much like your mom.”

“Thank you.” You said, twirling and laughing, “It’s fun to dress up once in a while.”

“That’ll definitely capture Brad’s attention.” Your aunt teased, “Make him regret being an ass at the last encounter.”

“I don’t know that Rooster deserves my girl’s attention.” Mav said, in full on dad mode. “I don’t know that he’s good enough for you, Firecracker.”

“Dad, you’ve always said that nobody is good enough for me.” You reasoned, shaking your head. “It doesn’t matter though because he isn’t interested in me. He doesn’t even  like me or want to be in the same room. I am dressed up for myself.”

“Regardless, if he hurts my kid, he’ll be doing far more than the 200 pushups he’s been doing.” Your dad remarked.

“DAD!” You exclaimed, “Why are you making him do 200 pushups?”

“The squad made a bet, whoever gets shot down in training does 200 push ups.” he explained, “They were cocky, thinking they’d best me and before you get mad, they came up with the terms.”

“Idiots.” You sighed, “Navy aviators are all idiots.”

“If it makes you feel better, Rooster almost had me.” He said, “He hesitated though. That worries me. He also got in his head and ended up leading us below the hard deck.”

“He feels he has a lot to prove.” Sarah guessed, “It’s messing with his head.”

“That is dangerous up there and in missions.” Mav stated.

“Just… don’t rule him out yet, Dad.” You pleaded, “Give him the chance to prove himself.”

Dinner went well. It was nice to all be together. For a little while you could almost pretend that nothing was wrong. That your uncle wasn’t reaching the end of his life rapidly. Your dad wasn’t training the only guy you’ve ever loved to fly a mission that could get him killed. It was just… a normal family dinner. Well as normal as could be with your less than conventional family.

After dinner your aunt shooed you out of the house, insisting you go have fun. Mav offered to stay behind and help with cleanup and visit some more until your uncle was too worn out.

“Have fun, Firecracker.” Your dad said as you gathered your stuff to leave. “Give him hell. If you need a ride home, just call me and I’ll come get you.”

“Thanks, Dad” You replied, hugging him tightly, “I’m really happy to have you again.”

“You never lost me.” He reminded you. “Never will.”

With a final wave to your family, you headed to the Hard Deck. As promised earlier, you’d texted Shay to let her know you were on your way. She promised to be waiting when you got there.

You spent the drive over giving yourself a pep talk and deep breathing to calm your nerves. Worse case scenario, you could always leave if it was too bad. You knew Shay would forgive you. You also had Penny who would have your back if needed. It would be ok… you hoped.

Pulling into the lot, you found a spot open and parked the Jeep. You glanced in the rearview mirror to make sure your eye makeup and hair still looked good, then with one final deep breath you got out and headed into the bar.  There were already a lot of people in the bar, but you spotted Shay immediately as she was already heading your way.

“Hey! You made it!” She exclaimed happily, “And you look fucking hot! Let’s grab drinks and claim a table tonight!”

“Thanks! You’re going to give a certain Aviator heart failure tonight yourself!” You replied, “Drinks sound amazing… I think I need liquid courage to be your wing woman tonight.”

You followed Shay as she weaved through the people and made her way to the bar. You kept your eyes straight ahead, refusing to scan the bar looking for anyone in particular.

“Well, hello again beautiful ladies.” You heard the familiar Texan drawl saw as you reached the bar. “It must be my lucky night.”

You could see Shay blush at his words, as she slid up to the bar next to him. You opted to stand on her other side, so she was sandwiched between you and Hangman.

“Play your cards right, Hangman and it may just be your lucky night.” You teased, nudging Shay. “You’ll have to up your game though to be worthy of my friend, Shay here.”

“Wouldn’t expect anything less.” He winked at you before leveling Shay with a downright smoldering look and megawatt smile. “You two feel like joining my friends and me tonight? Get to know one another better?”

Shay gave you a look, letting you know it was totally up to you and she’d go with whatever made you most comfortable.

“That’s up to Y/N, Hangman.” She said, even though the purpose of the night was to help her get to know and possibly score a date with him. “Before any decisions are made though, we need drinks.”

“I can take care of that. And, please, call me Jake.” He said, turning to get Penny’s attention. “Penny, my dear, these ladies are drinking on my tab tonight.”

“You don’t have to do that,” You said quickly, “I appreciate it, but it’s not necessary.”

“My momma raised me to be a gentleman, Y/N.” He informed you with a playful sincerity, “Also, Penny is kinda intimidating too.”

You and Shay laughed at that, happily accepting the drinks.

“Alright, but next time I’ll return the favor.” You declared. “I doubt your mom would be mad if you let a friend buy you drinks.”

“Fair enough.” He agreed. Penny brought the drinks over to you and Shay. You’d both opted for cocktails this time. Both needing something stronger to calm the nerves.

“Before it gets too busy in here, how did it go at dinner tonight? Did Mav say if he was coming in?” Penny asked.

“It went well. I think Dad and Uncle Tom had a good visit. He didn’t sound like he was coming in but he wouldn’t take much convincing if you wanted to see him.” You teased, “And he said to call him if I needed a ride home.”

“You missed it the other night before you got here…” Shay said, her aunt’s comment triggering the memory, “Your dad got the bell rung on him! Then his card got declined so the second bell meant he was tossed overboard!”

“Shut up! No way!” You laughed, “Penny! You’re a legend! Who got to do the honors?”

“That would be Payback, Coyote, and Hangman here.” Penny supplied, laughing at the shocked look on Jake’s face.

“Pete “Maverick” Mitchell is your dad?” He asked, recovering from the shock.

“Y/N Mitchell” you introduced yourself formally. “In all fairness, until just recently, we had a…complicated relationship. And, knowing Penny, he probably fully deserved to be tossed overboard.”

“It made for a little bit of an awkward first day of training.” Jake laughed, “Payback and Coyote are going to die when I tell them this.”

“Tell us what?” The aforementioned pilots asked, joining your little group at the bar.

“We tossed her dad overboard the other day, boys.” Jake said, “This is Y/N Mitchell. And this beautiful lady, is Shay Benjamin. I’m trying to convince them to join our group tonight.”

“No way!” Payback exclaimed, tipping his head back, roaring with laughter. Coyote joined in, shaking his head, “That’s too much.”

“Rules are rules.” Shay said smiling before taking a sip of her drink and looking over at Jake.

“Absolutely.” You agreed, “Like I told Jake, he probably had it coming so no worries.”

“Well the two of you should definitely join us.” Coyote said, catching on that he needed to play wingman for Jake.  

You took a large drink of your own cocktail, hopping the liquor would hit your system faster.

“Lead the way.” You said, attempting a brave smile, one you hoped nobody saw through.

“Yes!” Jake said, happy at the victory. “Right this way, ladies.”

As the self-proclaimed gentleman he was, he offered his arms to both of you, leading you over to the rest of the group gathered at the pool table. Coyote and Payback stayed back to get a round of drinks for everyone else.

Thankfully, upon reaching the back table, there was no sign of Bradley. You remembered Phoenix from the other night you’d been there. The other aviators were unknown to you.

“Alright, we’ve got new friends!” Jake said, “Shay, Y/N, meet the squad!” He went around the table pointing to and providing a name for everyone.

“Yes! Females!” Phoenix cheered happily, “Halo, we have more chicks in the group!” f

“Finally!” Halo agreed, “Welcome to the squad!”

“Are we allowed to join a squad if we’re civilians?” You asked, laughing at their enthusiasm but understanding the lack of females in their immediate circles.

“Y/n, your dad is Maverick. Shay’s grandfather was an admiral…” Jake said, “I’d say you both qualify as squad members.”

“Holy Shit!” Phoenix said, “You’re THAT Y/N?”  She threw a look to Bob, who subtly nodded back.

“Um… maybe?” You said, completely lost.

“Oh, tonight is definitely going to be interesting.”  She replied, seemingly to herself.

Deciding you were going to need much more alcohol for this, you tossed back the remaining cocktail, swallowing it down. Thankfully, a refill wasn’t too far behind and another round appeared at the table. Shay and Jake headed to the Jukebox to pick out music while you got to know the others around you.

They were quick to set you at ease, telling you stories from training so far but also from their first time through Top Gun. You especially tuned in whenever they mentioned Brad. You didn’t want to be obvious and ask where he was, but not knowing when he’d pop up was setting you on edge.

After finishing your second cocktail you excused yourself to go to the bathroom, partly because you really needed to use it but also because you needed a minute to collect yourself.

You were washing your hands when the door opened and Phoenix walked in.

“You ok?” she asked, coming to stand next to you.

“Yeah, I’m good” You smiled back, drying your hands off with a paper towel before tossing it in the nearby trash. “Why?”

“I should have put it together the other night when Rooster came back to the table looking like he’d seen a ghost, then took off quickly after he watched you leave.” She said, “But when Jake told us who your dad is, it clicked into place. You’re Rooster’s Y/N.”

“I’m not Rooster’s anything anymore.” You corrected her, sadness seeping into your voice. “He made it abundantly clear.”

“I don’t think that’s the case, Y/N.” She said, “When we were in Top Gun together, we became pretty close friends. He was drunk one night and told me all about you. I think it was your birthday or some important day. He’d been off all day and then made it his mission to get as drunk as possible. You’re definitely something to him still.”

“Not the impression I got the other night. Or in the last decade of radio silence.” You said, “It’s ok though. I’ve learned to live with it and move on.”

“He’s a guy. They’re idiots by nature, with the emotional maturity of toddlers.” She said, “Doesn’t mean they don’t feel the emotions though.”

The door opened and Shay peeked her head in. “Hey, just wanted to warn you that Brad just pulled in. He hasn’t actually entered the bar yet.”

“Thanks, Shay.” You said, smiling, “I guess it’s show time.”

“I’m ready to be your bodyguard.” She said, “As promised.”

“You’ll have more than one if you need us.” Phoenix said, “But maybe give him a chance.”

“She tried that last time and it didn’t end too well.” Shay said, coming to your defense.  “Although maybe now that the shock has worn off?”

“Exactly!” Phoenix said, “Let’s go get you a fresh drink and claim the pool table.”

The three of you headed out of the bathroom and to the bar. Jake cocked his head in silent question when he saw the trio of you together. Shay smiled and shook her head. You offered a smile of your own letting him know you were ok.  Your first impression of Jake had been right. He wasn’t your type, but he would make a really good friend.

“Penny, we need more alcohol!” Phoenix declared, “A certain barnyard animal is incoming and my new bestie here needs to be far more drunk than this!”

“Coming right up” She said, laughing, “Hangman’s tab still?”

You said no at the same time as Shay, Phoenix and Jake himself said yes.  You hadn’t even seen him sneak over to join your group. Glancing over though, you saw him standing behind Shay, his hand resting on her hip. You smirked at him, knowing at least tonight seemed to be working for Shay. You would endure whatever was about to go down for her sake.

Penny pushed the drinks across the bar towards you all and you grabbed them before heading to the pool table.

You sat down at the high table close to the pool table, your back facing the door. You didn’t need to see him come in to know he had. The others in the group called out to him when he walked through the door.

“About time Bradshaw.” Jake yelled. “Recovered from all your pushups?”

“Fuck you, Hangman.” Bradley shot back, “You did more than I did today.”

“And I’m clearly in better shape than you are.” Jake retorted, throwing a wink your way as he delivered the line.  “Rooster, meet our new friends. This is Shay, and Y/N. They’ve become honorary squad members as of tonight.”

Shay waved and you kept staring at your drink like it was the most fascinating thing in the world.

“Nice to meet you, Shay.” Brad said, “Y/N, can I talk to you?”

“I’m good here with my new friends thanks,” You replied, sipping your drink. You knew it was a petty thing to say, but you never claimed to not be petty. Shay laughed quietly, understanding the dig.

“Rooster, I feel the need to beat you at pool tonight.” Phoenix said, jumping to your rescue.

“Sure” He said, going over to pick up a pool cue, his eyes staying on you as he did so. You continued to sip your drink and ignore him, focusing instead on whatever story Jake was telling across from you. At least, you tried to pay attention.  You absently played with the sun pendant on your necklace, your nerves absolutely wrecked.

“Y/N, Shay said you’re a pilot?” Bob asked, pulling you out of your head.  

“Yup!” You answered, “I was bitten by the aviation bug at a young age. My dad and Godfather were pretty key in that.”

“Who’s your Godfather?” Jake asked, “Anyone we know?”

“Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky” You supplied, “I just call him Uncle Tommy though.”

“Holy shit. He’s a legend.” Jake replied, “Also, I’m sorry to hear he’s not doing well health wise, Y/N.”

“Thanks” You said, looking down at your drink. “He is a legend.”

“With connections like that, why didn't you join the Academy or enlist or something?” Coyote asked, joining the conversation.

“Zero interest.” You simply said, looking up to catch Bradley standing rigid, hands locked like a vice around the pool cue and watching you with a look in his eyes you couldn’t place.

“So what do you fly?” Bob asked, guiding the topic back to safer ground. Bless that sweet man’s heart.

“I flew charters when I lived back East. I own my own little Cessna too, that I try to log as much flight time in as I can.” You answered.

“Did your dad ever give you a call sign?” Jake asked.

“Not really a call sign” You laughed, “My dad calls me ‘firecracker’. My uncle and other aviators here on North Island called me ‘Little Ice nugget’ or just ‘nugget’.”

“Firecracker is pretty appropriate” Jake laughs, “I thought it would be ‘Sunshine’ though, or something like that with the necklace you keep messing with.”

“No…” You said quietly. “The necklace was a gift from another lifetime.”

Jake was quick to pick up on the shift in your tone, but didn’t know what he’d said to cause it. Shay, noticing your drink was nearly empty again, suggested the two of you head to the bar to get another one. You were 3 drinks in and figured another wouldn’t hurt. You’d already have to call an Uber or your dad to come get you.

You carefully hopped off the stool, swaying a little from the alcohol, but Coyote was quick to steady you. You thanked him before following Shay to the bar.

“Thanks” You said when you were away from the group. “On the bright side, he seems content in not talking to me, so that’s great.”

“Y/N, he hasn’t taken his eyes off you the entire time he’s been here.” Shay said, “He definitely wants to talk to you… you just did a great job shutting him down.”

“I’m too afraid to talk to him.” You admitted, “If I don’t talk to him I can hold onto hope that someday maybe I’ll get my best friend back.”

“How’s it going over there girls.” Penny asked, coming over to the side of the bar you were standing at.

“Need another drink, please.” You replied

“That good, huh?” She said, “I may get the pleasure of seeing your dad tonight.”

“Penny, you don’t have to wait for me to be drunk to see my dad.” You laughed.

“Pen, can I get another beer please?” Brad asked, coming up behind you. You shot a look at Shay for not warning you, only to see her making flirty heart eyes with Jake across the bar. “Add Y/N’s drink to my tab too.”

“Her drinks are already on Hangman tonight.” Penny said, winking at you.

“They were. I’ll get the rest of them.” He said firmly.

“Why doesn’t anyone think I can pay for my own damn drinks?” You complained.

“Sweetheart, never complain about men wanting to buy drinks” Penny said laughing

“You planning on ignoring me forever, Sunshine?” Brad asked, taking a drink of his beer, “Or can we talk like adults now?”

“Careful, Rooster.” Penny said delivering your drink, “Don’t make me ring this bell on you. You’ll be buying drinks for more than just Y/N here.”

“Sorry, Penny,” He said, looking sheepish. “Can you please, convince her to have a conversation with me?”

“Ugh, Fine!” You said, exasperated and tipsy. “MIght as well get this over with while I have a good buzz going. You want to talk, Bradley? Then by all means… talk.”

“Can we step outside? Or at least find a place slightly more private?” He asked, not unreasonably.

You picked your drink up and headed towards the door that would lead out to the patio overlooking the beach. Bradley followed close behind, nodding at Phoenix and Jake on the way  by.

Once outside the noise level immediately dropped. The music was muted by the sounds of the ocean.

“You didn’t seem too inclined to want to talk the other night.” You said quietly.

“Sunshine, it was a bit of a shock seeing you.” He admitted, “I probably didn’t handle it the best.”

You stayed quiet, looking out to the water instead. Honestly now that you were face to face with him, you weren’t even sure what to say or where to start.

“I’m surprised you still call me ‘Sunshine’.” You commented quietly.

“That’s your name.” he shrugged. “I’m surprised you still have the necklace.”

“I haven’t worn it in forever.” You admitted, “But couldn’t part with it.”

“Did you know?” He asked.

“About dad pulling your papers? Or about him being here at Top Gun as an instructor?” You asked, needing clarification,

“Both.” He said.

“I didn’t know about him pulling your papers until you’d stormed into the house yelling, and then slamming out of the house…and my life.” You said, struggling to keep your voice steady and devoid of the emotion swirling inside. “I confronted him after you’d left, asking him what the hell had happened… he told me then what we’d done. I was furious. I tried calling you but it went straight to voicemail every time. I went to your house the next day but you weren’t there either.”

“And now? Did you know he was here to be the instructor for this mission?” He asked, his own voice rough with emotion.

“Yes. But not until I got here and Uncle Tommy told me.” You replied

“The other night when I saw you here, you didn’t think maybe I could use a heads up? Knowing what happened in the past? Did I really deserve to be blindsided?” He asked, his tone hardening to cover his feelings.

“Are you fucking kidding me right now, Bradshaw?” You seethed, years of anger and hurt breaking through the walls you’d built and flooding your system. “You do not get to get mad at me and tell me about what you deserve and don’t deserve. I fucking tried to tell you but you cut me off saying you needed to get back to your friends! So, FUCK YOU Bradley Bradshaw! Fuck you for you leaving ME when you were made at my DAD. FUCK YOU for throwing away our friendship. You know who didn’t deserve to be treated like trash, to be thrown away on the drop of a dime? ME! I didn’t deserve your anger Bradley. I didn’t do anything except love you. All I’ve ever done was love you.”

You hadn’t realized you’d started to cry until you felt the drops of tears fall onto your hand, You angrily wiped them away, not wanting to let Bradley see you cry. It had felt good to release the anger you’d kept locked in but the stretching silence wasn’t helping to calm the bubbling anxiety you now felt.

“Would you rather I stuck around and allowed the anger and resentment I had towards Maverick eat at me and cause me to lash out at you too? I thought by walking away I was saving you from getting hurt.” He said quietly.

“Newsflash, asshole, you leaving and going radio silent hurt fucking worse than anything.” You said, your voice cracking.

“Yeah, well, having your Godfather pull your papers to the academy, and block you from following in your father’s footsteps didn’t feel so great either, Y/N” He yelled back, “Especially when he’s the reason your father is no longer alive. So forgive me if I felt the need to cut myself off from the person who ruined my life. If it meant cutting you out of my life too, well it was just collateral damage I suppose.”

You felt like you’d been slapped. For what felt like forever you couldn’t get air into your lungs. Whatever buzz you had going for you coming into the conversation was now completely gone. In its place was left a horrible pain where your heart should be.

“Then let me do us both a favor and remove myself from your life once more.” You whispered, not trusting your voice anymore. You would not let him see any more of your tears. He no longer deserved the right to your pain. Reaching up behind your neck, you unclasped the necklace you’d once loved, but now knew would only bring pain in seeing. You removed it and carefully set it down on the wooden table next to you. You didn’t care what he did with it now, you just didn’t want anything from him, anything to remind you of him. You started to turn away when his hand landed on your wrist, desperate to keep you from walking away.  

“Sunshine, no.” He said, immediately realizing he’d fucked up, once again. “Please, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I wasn’t thinking. Please, don’t do this… put it back on. I didn’t mean it. I don’t want you out of my life…not anymore.”

“I stopped being your ‘Sunshine’ a long time ago, Bradley.” You said, defeated, “It’s too late. All we seem to do is hurt each other at this point. Maybe you did us both a favor before.”

Not giving him time to respond, you pulled your hand from his grasp and walked back into the bar. You desperately needed to hold it all together until you could get home and then you’d allow yourself to break down.

“I’m going to beat his ever loving ass!” Phoenix said, seeing the look on your face when you walked over to get your purse.

Jake and Shay turned towards you at Phoenix’s outburst, Shay immediately coming over to you.

“Sweets, you ok?” Jake asked, coming up behind Shay.

“Y/N, what happened to your necklace?” Shay asked.

“I’m going to go.” You simply said, not trusting your voice. You were barely hanging on as it was.

“Y/N, you can’t drive like this.” Shay said, “Even without alcohol, you’re in no state to drive.”

“I’ll call my dad to come get me.” You said, “I just can’t stay here.”

“I can take you home, Y/N.” Bob offered, “That way you’re not waiting long.”

You looked up when the door opened, seeing Bradley coming in, you quickly agreed to the offer.

“Thank you, Bob.” You said, “Shay, I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

She gave you a quick hug before Bob led you out the front to the parking lot.  In your haste to get out of there, you once again missed the look of complete remorse and devastation on Bradley’s face as he watched you leave. You also missed Phoenix punching him in the arm and calling him every name in the book.

A/N: I PROMISE to start fixing the broken hearts!!! :) Thank you so much for reading!!! 

[ichigoromi]

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐤 | 𝐓𝐨𝐤𝐲𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐧

Who would be the most stubborn? I think you guys know who is the most stubborn one...

Personally, I'm the worst person to come for if you're sick. I'm good at nursing myself, but taking care of others, it's not my forte yet.

Let's get on with it!

Pairing (s): Sano Manjiro (Mikey), Ryuguji Ken (Draken), Mitsuya Takashi, Hanemiya Kazutora x fem reader! (she/her)

Genre: fluff

Warning (s): toman members being sick, some manga spoilers!

a/n- if I mention porridge, I meant by like congee!

Enjoy!

Sano Manjiro (Mikey)

a/n - assume y/n is taller than Mikey, like about 170-174 cm? Just for Mikey's.

He would insist that he is not that sick, but you and Draken did not have it.

Draken had something to do, so you were tasked to bring your stubborn boyfriend to the hospital.

Since he won't get out of bed, you help him out of bed and clean him up before carrying him on your back to get to the nearby hospital.

The doctor was glad that you brought him in on time and get him on an IV drip.

You went down to the pharmacy to collect his meds and get some breakfast for both of you.

Mikey finally realised where he was when he felt the nurse insert the IV needle, and he was slightly panicking when he didn't see you.

Then you appeared shortly, visibly short on breath, panting slightly.

You placed the food by the small side table and his meds on your lap.

"You idiot, why did you not come to the hospital earlier? I actually skipped school for you." When he heard that you skipped school for him, he smiled widely.

You two were polar opposite, your parents disapproved of him, but you continue to see Mikey because you like him for who he is. And, skipping school for a sick Mikey, you don't mind it since you have almost perfect attendance.

"It's nice to hear you rebel. Maybe I should be sick more often~." You smacked his head at that.

"You should take care of your health, okay? I prefer my boyfriend healthy. Now, get some sleep." He shook his head.

"I can only sleep on your lap." He whines, and you let out a sigh.

You got another chair so he can stretch out his legs, and you adjust your seat so he can lie his head on your lap. He soon falls into a deep slumber on your lap.

Seeing the peaceful expression on his face, you gently comb his blonde locks through your fingers, and he visibly became more relaxed. You let out a yawn and got yourself more comfortable.

And soon, you fell asleep too.

---

The nurse came into the room to replace the IV for Mikey and saw the two of you sleeping. Draken walked into the cute sight and requested the nurse for a blanket.

At least if he's busy, he can entrust Mikey to you.

He was glad that Mikey found someone that understands and can stand up to him at times when he needs to listen but he was stubborn.

The nurse passed him the blanket and he drapes the blanket over you two, and he saw Mikey snuggling closer to you for more warmth.

Ryuguji Ken (Draken)

a/n - Draken's headcanon would take place two years after Toman has disbanded! Enjoy!

2nd a/n - He deserves the world🥺

After a long day at work, he returned to his apartment, feeling achy and chills, and he knows he came down with something.

He can't ask the other girls in the brothel to take care of him since they are busy, so he has no choice but to call for you.

After Mikey, you're his best friend, and you worked part-time at a convenience store after school.

When you received his message for some help, you were extremely worried since he rarely falls sick.

Your manager noticed the worried expression on your face, and you explained to him that your best friend with whom you secretly have a huge crush is sick.

Luckily, you have a good manager who gave you a discount as you bought things to care for your sick friend.

"Y/n-chan! You're here this late? Is everything okay?" One of the girls pops out of nowhere.

"Yeah, I'll just go check on him and go home. Sorry for intruding~!" You knocked and head into his room.

You set your bag aside and took off your shoes. He tried to sit up, but his body felt so heavy, and he could not get up at all. You rolled up your sleeves and touched his forehead, and was shocked at how hot it was.

Draken peeks at you, making hot water and making a cold towel to wipe down his body.

"Ken-chan, how can you let yourself fall sick till this state?! If your fever doesn't go down, we might have to go to the hospital." You pat his face with the cold towel and measure his temperature.

By tonight, you were determined to bring down his fever.

"Okay, let's help you sit up first." You struggled against his large frame but got him to lie against his bed frame.

You sat down on the bed with the bowl of warm rice porridge in your hand. He wanted to eat by himself, but you shook your head. You blew on it and fed it to him; at first, he didn't have any appetite, but his appetite regained when you feed him.

Draken hates taking medicine.

Only his close friends know about it, and he rarely takes any medication unless needed.

"You have to take it. Don't be stubborn." He turns his head to the side, refusing to take the medication.

"Come on, stop being an idiot, or I'll force it down your throat." The serious expression on your face made him crack a smile and took the pills from you.

After he has taken medicine, you helped him laid back down and tuck him in. You sat down beside him, and he cocks a brow at you in confusion.

"Sleep. I'll leave when you fall asleep. Now, be a good boy and fall asleep." You pat his head, and he lets out a small smile before closing his eyes.

You knew that it would take him a while to actually fall asleep, so you got your assignments out and finished it up and do some revision while waiting for him to fall asleep.

---

Your tiny frame was slumped over the table, scattered with your assignments and textbooks. After a nap, he was feeling better, and he was surprised to find you still in his room.

He gently pries your arms off the table and carried you into his bed. You unconsciously pulls on his shirt, and he almost falls on top of you. Draken got into the bed, carefully moving you into a comfortable position in a bed that was too small for you two.

"I may not be ready for a relationship now, but I hope you know that I have feelings for you." He kisses your forehead and covers you two with the blanket.

As if you heard his words, you snuggled closer to him, and he drapes his arm around your waist and falls into a deep slumber with you.

Hanemiya Kazutora

a/n - Kazutora's one will be taking place in the timeskip!

At first, he was afraid to get into a relationship due to the trauma of his parents' horrendous relationship, but he met you.

With you, he felt a glimmer of hope that he wouldn't end up like his parents.

And you were the one that accompanied him to his therapy sessions and helped him to recover.

Although he tries to appear mature in front of you, you know he is a kid in his heart.

When he falls sick, he turns into a baby and clings to you.

No matter how you tried to convince him to let you go, he won't.

It took you a long time to convince him to go see a doctor.

You head toward the front door, and he goes straight into your arms. Since you had work today, you could not accompany him to the doctor, and you know he was feeling super sick.

"Want to take a bath first?" He nods, and you help him to the sofa while you go and run a bath for him.

Kazutora is forever grateful for Draken, who introduced you to him, and for you to accept him for who he is. You were going to make him something filling and light on the stomach while he took a bath.

But he has other plans.

"Can you take a bath with me?" He asks as he leans against the door frame. It's not you two have not seen each other's naked bodies. You're just a shy person, but it was his first time asking you to have a bath with him; you just can't reject him.

"Okay. Come on in; the bath's ready." He lets out a smile and helps you out of your clothes, and you do the same for him.

You got into the bathtub first, and he got in after you. He leaned his back to you, and you gently massaged his shoulders from the back.

"Is the water warm enough? Are you feeling better?" He nods his head and lets out a yawn.

With the massage that you're giving and the warm bath, he felt drowsier.

"I love you, you know that? You're the best." He mumbles as his head lulls back and forth. You rest his head on your shoulder, and he lets out a hum of satisfaction.

"You're the best thing that ever happened to me. Be it bad or good experiences, I love you nonetheless."

Mitsuya Takashi

He rarely gets sick, and when he is, he becomes really stubborn and tries to do dumb stuff.

Luna and Mana knew something was off about their older brother when he woke up this morning.

But he reassured them that he was fine and feeling fine to go to school.

He drops them off at their elementary school and heads to his middle school.

You were off at the broadcasting studio, doing the morning radio as per usual.

When you were done with your morning duties. You noticed how pale your boyfriend looked, and he was sleeping on his desk.

You felt his forehead, and it was hot.

But, he says that he would not go home and insists on staying until school ends.

And you couldn't convince him to go home since he is really stubborn now.

When the last bell rang, you dragged him out of the classroom, ignoring your friends and his friends.

He was so warm that you were about to send him to the hospital, but he refused.

So, you put him on your bicycle and drove him back to his home.

After that, you went and picked up the twins.

"Takashi, go take a warm shower first. I'll make something for you and the twins to eat." He was about to protest, but then he saw your glare.

Luna and Mana took out their assignments and started on them while you made some simple and light food for Takashi to ingest so he could take the fever medication.

"Nee-chan! Can you help out with our homework later?" Luna requested with her puppy eyes.

"Of course, but I have to get your brother to eat his medicine and rest first." They nodded their heads and circled the questions that they did not know how to do.

Mitsuya came out of the bathroom, and he immediately went to lie on his bed. You got a small bowl of porridge and the fever medication for him. He was feeling freezing, so he wrapped his arms around you, and you almost dropped the bowl on him.

You gently probe him, and he lets go of you. Somehow, he just becomes obedient around you. Mitsuya lets you feed him the porridge, and when he is done, you make him eat the medication.

"Okay, now sleep well." You tucked him into his futon and kissed his forehead.

The twins were eagerly waiting for you, so you helped them with their homework and made them dinner as well.

You took out your assignments and began to do them while the twins went to take a bath together. It has been a while since Mitsuya fell sick, and you were glad that he was not that stubborn with you.

Mitsuya did knock out after taking the fever medication, and he was grateful for you forcing him to stay at home instead of going to the meeting. If he did, he might just faint and cause more worries to you and his family.

The twins crept into the shared room with you behind. They were getting tired, and they asked you to put them to bed, and you stopped your assignments.

You sang to them and pats their small backs rhythmically, and they slowly fell asleep. Seeing the twins have fallen asleep, you went out again to finish your assignments and finish up some revision.

"Why are you still here? Shouldn't you be going home now?"

You turn around to find your boyfriend out of bed, and he sits down next to you. He wraps his arms around your waist and leans his cheek on your shoulder.

"I just want to make sure your fever is down. Oh! It's down now, but you still have to take the medication to be sure. Hold on, let me get them. It should be six hours by now..." You got up and went to get the medication for him.

He obediently takes it and snuggles close to you again.

"Do you want to sleep over tonight? Or do you want me to send you home?" You really want to stay over, but your parents are still kind of strict.

"I'll go home by myself. My parents are waiting." He shook his head. Alone? At this timing?

"I'll send you back. Don't worry, I'll call you when I reach home." He promised, and you nodded your head.

---

After he sent you home on his bike, fifteen minutes later, he sent you a text.

Mitsuya: I've reached home! Love you!

You: Rest well, my love; I love you too. Good night:)

Hehehe, another Toman headcanon! I hope you guys enjoyed this! Thank you for reading!

Stay safe and healthy!

With love,

Rosalie🍓

[shemarmooresfedora]

Home

Series Summary: After being arrested, Spencer Reid desperately tries to get back home to his daughter, Camellia, who was placed into foster care in your home.

Pairing: Single!Dad!Spencer x Foster!Mom!Reader

Content/Warnings: swearing, mentions of mother abandonment

Word Count: 1.5k

Masterlist

Chapter 4

“You have a call from an inmate at the Washington D.C. Correctional Facility. To accept these charges, please press 1. To decline-,” you punched in the 1.

“Hey Spencer,” you greeted him.

“How did you know it was me?” he grinned.

“There’s not too many prisoners calling me, believe it or not,” you teased.

“I was calling to see if you could do me a big favor,” he spoke.

“What’s up?”

“My lawyer has told me that JJ told her my mom isn’t doing so well. She’s in a facility for her schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s,” he informed you.

“How can I help?” you asked.

“Could you bring Callie to go see her? I really think a familiar face could do a lot of good for her.”

“Of course, I’m 5 minutes away from her school. We can head right over,” you stated.

“Thank you so so much. Also, she doesn’t know I’m in prison so tell Callie just to tell her I’m away on a case. She’s in a fragile condition so it’s best to just say yes to everything she asks,” Spencer explained.

“Will do. If you are able to stay on the line for a few more minutes, you can say hi to Callie,” you told him.

“I was the last in line so I should be able to. I’ve got 6 minutes left,” Spencer said.

A bit of an awkward silence filled your car.

“So…are there any more injuries I need to attend to before work tomorrow?” you asked.

“No, I’ve got some help,” Spencer spoke vaguely.

“Okay, that’s good, I guess,” you pulled the car to a stop as Callie hopped in the passenger seat, “Your dad is on the phone, Callie.”

“Hi Dad!” she greeted.

“Hey sweetheart. How’s it going?” he asked.

“Really good. At soccer practice today, Coach told me I’m going to be a starter next game,” she beamed.

“That’s amazing! I wish I could be there to see it,” Spencer frowned slightly.

“Which is why I bought a camcorder so I can record the whole game for you to watch later as well as other things you may be sad to miss,” you said.

“Y/N, as much as I appreciate all you do for us, you need to stop spending so much money. I feel bad, I’ll reimburse you as soon as I’m out.”

“Spencer, I’m a doctor who rarely goes out and my closest friend is a cat. I have some money to spare,” you assured him.

“Why are you going left here?” Callie asked as you made a turn that wasn’t on your usual route home.

“Your dad wants you to visit your Grandma,” you replied.

“Callie, she just needs a familiar face so talk to her about your new school, soccer, anything but me going to jail,” Spencer explained, “Okay, I have 30 seconds left. Bye, love you, sweetheart!”

“Bye, Dad! Love you too!”

“Stay safe!” you added.

-

You walked up to the receptionist's desk with Callie, “Hi, she’s here to see Diana Reid.”

“Hi Callie, long time no see! No Dr. Reid today?” she asked.

“No, he’s away on a case,” you smiled politely.

“Callie, she’s in her room, dear,” the receptionist directed you down the hall.

Once you were outside the door, you stopped, “I’ll wait out here. Remember, your dad is on a long case. You are staying with the LaMontagne’s. And just agree with the stuff she says to not upset her,” you reminded Callie, “I’ll be right out here when you’re done.”

Before you had a chance to sit down in the waiting room, the door swung open.

“Grandma!” Callie exclaimed.

“My dear Callie,” she hugged her.

She looked up at you, “Is this who I think it is?”

You thought back to Spencer’s words.

She’s in a fragile condition so it’s best to just say yes to everything she asks.

“Um yes?” you answered.

“Callie’s mom! Oh my! I haven’t seen you in ages. I forgot what you even looked like, I remembered you differently. Forgive me, dear, could you remind me of your name?” she asked.

You looked to Callie for help but she looked just as confused as you and shrugged. She must not know either.

“Y/N,” you extended your hand for her to shake.

“What a beautiful name,” she smiled, “Come in! Come in!”

“So Callie, how has my favorite granddaughter been?” she asked.

“I’m your only grandchild, Grandma,” Callie playfully rolled her eyes, “I’ve been really well! Y/N-I mean Mom actually got me into a better school and I’ve been keeping busy with soccer and clubs and hanging out with friends.”

“That’s wonderful to hear! Y/N, how are you doing?” she turned to you.

Shit. What the fuck were you supposed to say?

“I’ve been well,” you simply stated with a nervous smile.

“Are you and Spencer dating again?”

I suppose you had to agree to this too.

“Yes, we are,” you nodded.

“Well, I hope you are back for good this time,” she stated.

That seemed kind of back-handed but maybe deserved, you didn’t know Callie’s mom’s backstory. You just continued to nervously smile through the rest of the visit as Callie caught up with her grandma.

-

“Well that was awkward,” you sighed as you got back into the car after the visit, “I need a milkshake.”

Callie was silent all the way to the drive-thru and as you ordered two large chocolate milkshakes and fries.

Finally, she spoke as you parked the car in the parking lot to eat, “I mean you’re more of a mom to me than my own mom. Dad never really told me much about her. She must have left when I was a baby because I don’t remember her at all.”

“I’m sure your dad has his reasons for not telling you but you must know that her leaving wasn’t your fault at all,” you told her.

“Who would leave a baby and my dad?” she teared up.

“I don’t know, honey,” you pulled her in for a hug, “It was her loss though whoever she is because she didn’t get to see what an amazing girl you have become.”

-

“Reid, visitor,” the guard called out.

Please let it be Callie and or Y/N, Spencer prayed.

He needed a ray of sunshine in his otherwise completely dark week. He didn’t want it to be the team or his lawyer asking if he remembered anything else because he didn’t. He couldn’t.

He slumped out of bed and let the guard cuff him on the way to the visitor room. His pace quickened when he saw you waiting there for him, just as beautiful as always.

You smiled at first when you saw him but it morphed into a frown when you saw fresh bruises forming.

“Spencer, I thought you said you had help,” you whispered.

“Apparently not all of the time,” he mumbled.

You bit your bottom lip worriedly, “Well, I brought my med kit.”

You got up and started to inspect his face.

“How did the visit with my mom go?” he asked.

“Good, I guess,” you replied.

“You guess?”

“She saw me before I went to the waiting room. I said yes to everything she said but that included her thinking that I was Callie’s mom and that we were dating,” you grimaced.

Spencer sighed, “Oh god.”

“I’m sorry! I didn’t know what to do,” you apologized.

“No, no, it’s not your fault. You were just doing what was told. Did Callie have questions?”

You nodded.

Spencer ran his hands through his hair, “I knew this day would come but I’m still not prepared. I just avoid thinking about it at all costs.”

“Do you want to talk to me about it and maybe I can help you put the right words together,” you offered.

“Um okay, her name was Austin. I met her on a case. She was a bartender. We were long distance for a bit. She got pregnant early on in the relationship. We decided to try to make it work. She moved in with me in D.C. and had Callie. When Callie was about 4 months old, she got overwhelmed and just left…just like that. I went to the park with Callie and came back to find all of her things gone and a note that just said ‘sorry’. I haven’t heard from her since. We were trying to force a happy ending that wasn’t there,” Spencer finished.

“Well lucky for Callie, she has one amazing dad and that is more than enough,” you reassured him.

“And a pretty kick ass foster mom,” Spencer smiled.

“I try my best,” you grinned.

A/N: i have a smut one-shot (not related to this series) coming out tomorrow and i’m very excited about it

main taglist (just ask to be added/removed): @samuel-de-champagne-problems @g0lden-cth @spencerreid9 @averyhotchner @coldlilheart @k-k0129 @ickleronniekinsemotionalrange @harrystylesandthegoobs @cmily @jswessie187 @rem-ariiana-deactivated20210709 @hoodpankow @mochionly @spencerreid-187 @babymetaldoll @fics4arainyday @ssavanessa22 @all-tings-diego @idonotexiste @beepbooptoop @tvandfanfic @mggsprettygirl @big-galaxy-chaos @navs-bhat @spencerreidsmommy @this-is-doctor-and-its-calm

series taglist: @ilovespencerreidmarryme @nani-2305 @obsessivelysearching @fantasynerd09 @bvttercupbby @britishspidey @ladyravenclaw @belledawnidk @annesauriol @smokey102 @lady-himbo @kaitieskidmore1 @westanspencerreid @manuosorioh @haylaansmi @unhea1thy0bsessions @meganskane @lovergirl24 @queenariesofnarnia @asexual-booknerd @spideyyypeter @yeehawbitchs @emma-is-a-nerd @lellsinthesky @itsdars @aliahemmings97 @xdsage @cutekashi @theodore-likes-frogs @girlgotattitude448 @royalestrellas @co0chiegrip1

[honkytonkdyke]

2022 greatest hits

getting a pots diagnosis! now this may not seem like a good thing but i had been dealing with symptoms undiagnosed for FOUR years. and finally, with a wonderful team of doctors who actually listen!!, i got a diagnosis and was able to start treatment that WORKS.

getting my quality of life back! this goes along with the first one, but i was struggling physically (and due to that emotionally) for the first part of the year until i started my meds, exercising to my ability, wearing compression socks etc etc

completing nanowrimo in november! i wrote a little over 50k words on a project i am still working on! the ocs i spoke about today were the mcs in that project!! i loved writing everyday and it was so so much fun. a challenge truly like no other but i loved it

getting to travel! i increased the amount of states i have been to from 3 to 8 this year! i loved getting to see parts of the US i hadn’t seen before.

starting to crochet! i started in july and haven’t stopped since. i love love crocheting and it has brought so much joy into my life.

getting back into learning spanish! i took a second year in spanish in school and i finally picked it back up daily a couple of months ago, and am now committing to learning the language to the best of my ability in 2023.

getting discharged from the spine doctor! i had spine surgery in march of 2020 and my life has changed so much, but getting discharged this year really put that amount into perspective.

horse showing more than i ever have and ending the year at the top in my class! my trips across the country were for horse shows and they all paid off :)

gaining experience in the medical field for the first time! i shadowed at a clinic in town and it was an absolutely wonderful experience. all of the staff were absolutely wonderful and it solidified my decision to enter the medical field.

reading some of the best books i’ve ever read! this year i read some absolutely wonderful stories that will stick with me for the rest of my life. even if every book i read this year wasn’t one of the best, i don’t know what i would do without books :)

thanks so much for the tag @roseofbattles!! i loved reading about your 2022

i’m tagging @starplatinumgold, @cassthecringe, @digitalcheesecake, and @fullmetalscullyy, and @firewoodfigs 🥰

i cannot wait to see what 2023 has to offer :)